Meaning:
“宫” is short for “皇宫,” which means “imperial palace,” “斗” means “power struggle,” and “剧” means “drama series.” This term is used to describe a popular genre of Chinese TV series that depicts the fierce power struggles among the emperor’s queen and concubines taking place in the imperial palace. Different from serious historical TV series, this genre focuses on love triangles and romantic affairs, mostly imagined with little truth in the stories. The first popular drama series of this type was “War and Beauty” (2004) produced by Hong Kong’s TVB.
Example:
A: 你今年看了什么电视剧？
Nǐ jīnnián kàn le shénme diànshìjù？
What TV show have you watched this year?
B: 周迅演的《如懿传》。
Zhōuxùn yǎn de 《rúyìchuán》。
“Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace” starring Zhou Xun.
A: 我实在受不了这一类宫斗剧，完全不尊重历史。
Wǒ shízài shòubuliǎo zhè yīlèi gōngdòujù，wánquán bù zūnzhòng lìshǐ。
Personally I can’t stand this kind of power-struggle-in-the-imperial-palace drama series. They totally disrespect what actually happened.