November 1, 2024

The Story of Pearl Girl | Review

The Story of Pearl Girl
A former slave turned master of her craft, a fearless jeweller rises through love, loss, and ambition to shape a life of meaning in a world that tried to silence her.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Zhao Lu Si: Duan Wu / Su Mu Zhe
Liu Yu Ning: Yan Zi Jing
Director
Chinese Title
珠簾玉幕
Pearl Curtain and Jade Curtain
Year: 2024
Episodes: 40

Jump to Remarks | Reviews | Recs | Comments


Cast


Zhao Lu Si:
Duan Wu
Su Mu Zhe		 Liu Yu Ning:
Yan Zi Jing
Shang Xin Yue:
Yue Yun Xiu		 Tang Xiao Tian:
Zhang Jing Ran
Xie Ke Yin:
Cui Shi Jiu (19)		 Tang Zhen Chao:
Zheng Zhi Heng



Romcom/Romance Checklist



How much of the plot is angst/romance?
0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
The ML:
Cold–Lukewarm–Warm / Timid / Tsundere / Falls in Love First / Noble Idiot / CEO / General
The FL:
Bold / Cute / Cool & Independent / Falls in Love First / Better than ML / Noble Idiot / Business Woman
Describe the Relationship (the tropes):
Annoying Love (F/M) Rivals +++ / Bickering Start / Childhood Connection / Cohabitation / Contract Marriage or Fake Couple / Enemies to Lovers / Hidden Identity / Harem / Love Triangle / Married Couple (Real) / Secretly in Love (F/ML) / School to Adulthood / Star-Crossed Lovers
Relationship Progress (officially together; first (official) kiss; breakup*):
Ep 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18* / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 32 / 33 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 / 39 / 40
# of CPs (including main CP):
0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Ending:
Happy / Sad / Open Happy / Open Sad / Bad / Rushed+++


Remarks



[Drama Info]
[Ending]

From tin1tain1: The ending is so bitterweet, I couldn't say if it's an open happy or sad so I put both. It's such a heartbreaking series, Duanwu just can't catch a break. Poor girl just needs a moment of peace.



Reviews



Five (5/5)


Four (4/5)


Three (3/5)

Reviewer: tin1tain1
Date: June 2025
Hearts: ♥♥♥
The Story of Pearl Girl is one of those dramas that pulls you in emotionally while dazzling you with stunning visuals. It tells the story of Duanwu, a brilliant and business-savvy woman who frees herself from slavery and builds a life as a skilled jeweler. Along the way, she faces love, loss, ambition, and the struggle to find true meaning in her life.

The show explores powerful themes like freedom and self-determination, the costs of ambition, gender and class struggles, and the complexities of love and personal loss. These deeper messages give the story real weight and make it resonate on many levels.

Zhao Lusi’s portrayal of Duanwu is captivating—her character grows so much and feels incredibly relatable. Liu Yuning, who plays the charming and complex Yan Zijing, stands out as well, and the chemistry between Duanwu and Yan Zijing is absolutely electric, making their scenes together especially memorable. One thing I wished the show had done better was to dive deeper into Duanwu’s friendship with Jin Qi (金七). Their bond had great potential but was only lightly touched on, which felt like a missed opportunity.

The pacing generally works well, with plot twists that surprised me and felt earned. However, some moments of miscommunication between characters dragged on longer than necessary and tested my patience. Still, those frustrating bits ultimately amplified the emotional intensity.

Visually, the show is beautifully filmed. The cinematography and soundtrack perfectly set the tone, immersing you fully in the world without ever feeling overdone.

Emotionally, the series hit me hard—there were heartbreaks and moments that made me root deeply for both Duanwu and Yan Zijing. It handles heavy themes like loss and redemption with care and leaves a lasting impression.

Overall, The Story of Pearl Girl shines thanks to strong performances, especially from Zhao Lusi, a compelling plot, and beautiful production values. While a few writing choices held me back at times, the emotional payoff made it worthwhile. If you’re looking for a drama that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels, this one’s definitely worth your time.

Two (2/5)


One (1/5)




Recommendations


Pearl Big FL BigFL
Novoland: Pearl Eclipse The Legend of Xiao Chuo A Dream of Splendour
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