TamzinMillemni

It’s funny to see how the trend has gone from America to France to Germany in terms of which countries East Asia has strategic alliances with. It’s the in thing now to study in Germany and speak German. I remember when French and French schools/culture was the craze. Man, strategic PR is no joke 😅

*Disclaimer: Of course East Asian countries are not the only countries who do this but they are one of the few who do it so thoroughly and in all facets of life. It even seeps into their dramas.

I don’t think she’s a bad person but if I had a friend who was coveting my then boyfriend and secretly hoping to have him for herself (which would mean the end of my relationship), nevermind the dubious ‘advice’ she gave my then boyfriend about our relationship; I wouldn’t trust that person as I’d know she doesn’t have my best interest at heart. I’d wish her well but I wouldn’t want her in my life or close to me.

As a viewer, I don’t care that they get together. I just don’t want airtime to be spent on them as I don’t care for them or whatever narrative the writers are trying to spin in regards to them. Far better for anything relating to them to happen off screen imo.

Thanks so much for sharing your take. 🙂

I still see him as a minor character but you do have a point. Are you an Asian viewer by chance?

Agree with both points. 2 couples max and exes can disappear after breakup if they are not a main character. Also don’t need a happy ending or redemption for every character.

On the MDL airing calendar for some reason they have episodes 22-29 all airing today. Best not to go by the MDL calendar.

I second this bit of advice. I have to be in the frame of mind to receive a drama. It’s why I will give a drama at least one more watch (at a later date) unless it’s objectively terrible. 😅

In regards to the pairing up of the ex-boyfriend and the FL’s best friend, I know international fans tend to not want to see much of these types of characters in the progression of these stories. The writers can do what they want with them, so long as they do it off screen lol.

What about Asian viewers? How do you feel about airtime being given to characters such as this with them being treated as a third couple? How do you feel about writers always wanting to give everyone a happy ending and painting over conflicts and questionable character actions with a neat little brush?

If anyone finds out where this is officially airing online, can you please share the name when you get a chance. Thanks.

Same. I need to start watching more Chinese Historical dramas.

Another informative editorial that is balanced, on interesting topics and drama focused. That's what we're here for, not clickbait sensationalism. Thank you, thank you. Keep them coming. :D

I'm on episode 12 and I'm pacing myself between work days so I'm not at a point where I'm waiting for new episodes. If I've timed it right, I should arrive at episode 39 the day episode 40 premiers.

I noticed in the ending credits sequence from episode 12 onwards that they get married and everyone is at the wedding including FL. It seems FL will be cool with it. I also agree with girl code but I've made my peace with it not being something present in Asian culture or at least it's not something that is observed in their dramas. It seems everyone is fair game unless they are married and if the partner cheats, the wronged party is expected to swiftly get over it in order to not impede on the cheater's new relationship with the person they cheated with.

I don't even think I'm as far along in the drama as you and I'm thinking the same thing, "with friends like these...." smh

The way he took a bite out of him. These Vampire BLs need to take notes. Lmao

Strangers From Hell was not a ‘pleasurable’ watching experience for me but it’s so darn good, it forces you to keep watching. The more you watch, the more you appreciate just how good it is. It’s one of those dramas that makes you feel extremely uncomfortable, like you’ve got insects crawling around in your skin. It’s like psychological torture meets sleep depravation. At least, that’s how I felt. I didn’t enjoy it but I liked it.

Now that I see this is possible, I’m hoping more Chinese bls get made using Thai production and distribution to get around the censorship. I know Chinese actors may still be afraid of being banned in China but if we can get a good mix of Chinese and Thai actors to fill the quota for these kinds of productions, I’d be more than happy. So many Chinese bl novels are waiting to be adapted. So many wonderful stories are waiting to be told.

I’ve seen in a lot of Asian bls this notion of using red thread and exploration of reincarnation/destiny. A lot of the bls are pretty similar in the way they portray this. I think they make these creative choices to amp up the romance factor. I.E. having the two leads physically tied by two ends of a thread is a great physical imagery to demonstrate a bond/that they are destined and can’t escape their fate of being together. It’s also a way to portray ’intimacy’ on screen for the countries that are a bit more censored with their bls. Thus, I can understand why they don’t strictly follow/portray it the traditional way.

Thanks for the info though. I enjoy learning new things about different cultures.

I actually agree with this sentiment. There were quite a few things I was staunchly against when I was younger including BDSM but I look at it now like, 'does it cause harm?' 'Is it consensual between the age-appropriate parties involved' 'Are there extenuating circumstances'. Ironically enough, by viewing things in this way I actually went from being someone who fantasised about relationships with school aged girls and older authority figures such as teachers (probably because I was a young girl myself) to seeing how much harm these relationships cause in the long and short term due to things like grooming and not being able to give informed consent. There are very, very few portrayals of these kinds of relationships where there are adequate extenuating circumstances for this not to be wrong (and not just the stigma) imo.

TO MY LEFT: Those excessively hating this adaptation
TO MY RIGHT: Those excessively praising this adaptation
ME: Just enjoying it for what it is.

gotta love comment sections lmao