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.
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
- Interesting way to use food for medicinal purpose;
- first woman to be the supreme royal physician;
- palace drama.
Both shows have main characters with realistically muddled/mixed intentions.
Female lead has faced a tragic past, yet is willfull/self reliant and wise, while the male lead is often rash and childish but also honest, gentle and caring -- this relationship ( in both shows ) is built upon a strong friendship and mutual respect before evolving into romantic love.
lots of tragic ill fated lurv n all that too. love triangles in both shows involving relatives (in ja myung go sisters in love with the same man, in imperial doctress brothers in love with the same women)
court machinations n manipulations abound...
both shows are melodramatic but entertaining and plotwisty in the juiciest (though admittedly sometimes most absurd) way
The Imperial Doctress tells the story of the 2 sons of Zhu Zhan Ji - Zhu Qi Zhen and Zhu Qiyu played by Wallace Huo and Huang Xuan. Their relationship with each other mirrors the relationships of their father, grandfather and their grand uncles.
-girls skilled in medicine
-their mothers died when they were young
-political conflict
-love
Another reverse harem chinese drama that has 1 Female lead and 3 Male Leads set in ancient historical China
Cecilia Liu plays a heroic Ming female doctor in this and it's based on a real historical character. The acting is good and it's a reverse harem drama
Both historical dramas are about female doctors which at that time was unacceptable for females to be doctors, and both dramas involve love triangles between the emperor and the female lead.
Same main actors Wallace and Liu Shi Shi. Plot is different, but The Vigilantes is mask is a more fun lighthearted martial arts drama
