"The Legend of Miyue" is a well-crafted bildung, where the personal development of the protagonist collates with the emergence of a nation. Each of the three men in her life represents the various stages of selfhood and maturity necessary in the realisation of a dream, the dream of a glorious and unified nation. Miyue grows out of the innocence and carelessness of idealised childhood; is enlightened by the vision of a greater goal for the common good; and, finally, faces the harsh reality that dreams demand bloodshed and sacrifices. The struggle between personal and universal well-being and happiness is heart-wrenching, given the gender of the protagonist and the historical context. The layering of the narratives provides greater complexity than most Chinese dramas, and the excellent casting is definitely commendable.