Scarlet Heart (2011)

This recommendation is already made by someone else, but I want to do it again. Reason? I just liked, loved, adored 'Startling By Each Step'.

So when I heard about 'Palace' I actually DIDN'T want to watch it. I was afraid it would be the exact same story over again, but then with a little less quality.

But then I decided to just give it a change. And I'm so glad I did! Palace is not a lesser copy. It is a story that stands on its own. 'Startling' was amazing, but Palace was satisfying in its own way. It wasn't as depressing and I loved the ending. The costumes where better too. So yes, even when you have seen one of these, I think it is definitely worth it to watch the other too.

For all those who were excited for this and had high expectations for this drama but was ultimately disappointed, go watch the original Chinese drama!! I don't want to spoil things so I won't describe how that one is so much better! But yes, please go and try to watch that!

Both talk about how women can be strong and independent and how the royal family falls in love with the female lead

Both have the same actress with similar basic plot.
***spoilers***


In Scarlet Heart first she's a commoner, becomes a maid in the palace and climbs to higher position. First she loved a married man they couldn't be together and she ends up with his brother who comes the king.
In Imperial Doctress she climbs from commoner to doctor in the palace. Can't be with her first love because he got married, while he's brother the emperor is in love with her.
(of course first guy has an evil wife who wants her dead in both of them)
I think they are both really similar in the main plot and the love triangle.

Both are about people who go back in time and become important people. Both have tragic love stories.

Same era and historical characters, beautiful love story, awesome music and acting.

Person from our time travels back to some Chinese historical period. Knows what is going to happen (on a large scale) but never tries to change anything and mostly just watches and participates as if he/she were part of it from the start. Very similarly the first third of both series is really exciting and fun to watch, the second third is serious and tense, and the last third is a mosaic of pretty much just different sad endings, one way or another.

Similarities
- Gives us severe first-lead syndrome
- Love square, involving the royal family
- Female lead's love rival is the second male lead's wife
- Mongols take up a fair portion of the plot

Modern day woman travels back in time after an accident and finds herself living in another era and becomes entangled in politics and falls in love.

Both dramas have time traveling themes

It's the same story, same characters.
But "The Palace" focus on 13th life and relationships, while it's in "Scarlet Heart" just a side story.

Time travel in both. Both get men to fall in love with her. Main guy in beginning doesn’t like main girl.

Both female lead got injured seriously went back in time in someone else's body n found their true love.

powerful female lead in palace...both are intelligent and brave.

Both dramas are set during Kanxi's ruling. The fourth prince ascends to the throne through scheming his way. Internal fights between the princes.