The Story of Ming Lan (2018)

Plot: This historical drama tells the story of a woman who navigates the complexities of family, love, and power struggles in ancient China. After facing various hardships, including emotional and physical trials, she ultimately grows stronger and finds love.
Why it's similar: Like Back From the Brink, The Story of Minglan focuses on overcoming personal and family challenges, with emotional healing and growth at the core of the story.

I don't know why people still didn't recommend this drama

The ML and FL are such a power couple in both
They are both smart,quick,witty and they complement each other in their schemes

They have a healthy relationship without much misunderstandings between them

The couple literally take down anyone standing opposite them with their schemes

ML's are sarcastic, funny, smart, manipulate, loyal and supportive to the FL's. They respect and love the FL so much from the beginning

FL's are calm, dignified , elegant, smart, quick observers,understands the ML's intentions without much discussions
Not to forget they are 'take no shit ' personalities... They smack two cheeks back if they were slapped once.....

Second ML's in both the dramas love the FL unconditionally ,they both are silent and gentle personalities who always follow the rules before action

Love triangle
Minimal misunderstanding which get solved immediately
Stepmother - step sister plot
Multiple cute couples
Multiple villains

Difference is the time period of both the dramas
One is during republican era of China other is during Song dynasty

- very competent FL who has other things to do other than be a damsel in distress or fall in love with the ML
- Both have very smart and caring ML who falls in love with their wives first
- both ML love their wives very much
- not your typical brusque/macho ML but more like the competent boy-next-door class President

Eripiyo is initially a woman leading a normal life until it is turned upside down after watching a performance of the minor idol group ChamJam, which leads her to becoming obsessed with one of its members, Maina Ichii. Despite Eripiyo's enthusiasm towards her, Maina is consistently the least popular member of the group, leaving Eripiyo to take it upon herself to buy a lot of Maina's merchandise, which mainly involves singles.

Due to her using almost all of her money to buy this merchandise, Eripiyo has only a single tracksuit she wears all the time. She frequently goes to ChamJam's concerts with her friends and fellow ChamJam fans: Kumasa, whose favorite is Reo Igarashi, and Motoi, who prefers Sorane Matsuyama. Eripiyo continues to work several part-time jobs to support Maina, and Maina herself increasingly becomes concerned that Eripiyo is pushing herself too hard for her.

Complex, strong leading ladies who marry into positions and create impact. Both dramas depict the social and family life during their respective times very well.

Although the dramas are set during very different time periods and in different parts of China, both are historical dramas that follow the story of a strong female character over time who become elevated to a status they didn’t initially seek, during a time when there is major transition in who is ruling the country. Both dramas very nicely showcase the entanglement of family and politics, and the complicated relationships between sisters. In both, the romance is present and important but still ultimately feels incidental to the growth of the main female lead, her development as an individual, and the broader storyline about stabilizing a country during a time of turmoil.

Ming Lan is a bit more slice of life and has more melodrama between wives and concubines, while Xiao Chuo focuses on life during the Liao Dynasty, the dynamics between the Khitans and the Hans.