AnthideAgiusMuscat

What I find astonishing is the fact that so much of the fine points of what occurred back in 2016 with regards to LJW are in the public domain. I'm guessing that only after a full exposure of even the most lurid facts was LJW able to carry on with his life & career. Otherwise, truth would not have prevailed ... what would have prevailed are the contorted ideas of those who believe that they are "immaculate" (the faceless righteous netizens). Actors, are after all, not quite on par, humanly speaking, to their audience. Ain't that universally acknowledged.

If this was a theatre play, your skip scene strategy would be impossible to "indulge" in ... so if you have "reservations" with regards to viewing any footage of any actor (not just LJW) opt for a book!

Why oh why are the English subtitles so bad? Wang YS is so underrated; he manages to shine despite the low budget setting and/or dodgy script. Also too often his projects are screened without much fanfare or publicity .... small wonder you might miss them if you blink at the wrong moment. What did this talented actor ever do to be treated so poorly by those who should be pushing him to bigger & better projects instead?

This film project amongst other things is a barely disguised PR promotion of the ski boarding & Chinese skiing resorts/facilities. The emphasis is on this message and not on the life long implications of being born to parents who only consider you, their child (creation) as an "investment vehicle" to be used towards the betterment of their own social prospects or prestige. In view of this underlying fact (which the FL is actually well aware of) all protestations of disinterested worry for the future wellbeing of their child by the same said parents sound obscenely hollow.

What is crystal clear to my "western" eyes is understandably not a palatable notion to a mind immersed in Asian culture values. As it is, no culture strikes all the right notes ... human life should be regarded as intrinsically precious anywhere in this world of ours. The harsh truth is however that this concept is not "genuinely" acknowledged nor safeguarded neither in the Western nor in the Eastern hemispheres.

This film project amongst other things is a barely disguised PR promotion of the ski boarding & Chinese skiing resorts/facilities. The emphasis is on this message and not on the life long implications of being born to parents who only consider you, their child (creation) as an "investment vehicle" to be used towards the betterment of their own social prospects or prestige. In view of this underlying fact (which the FL is actually well aware of) all protestations of disinterested worry for the future wellbeing of their child by the same said parents sound obscenely hollow.

What is crystal clear to my "western" eyes is understandably not a palatable notion to a mind immersed in Asian culture values. As it is, no culture strikes all the right notes ... human life should be regarded as intrinsically precious anywhere in this world of ours. The harsh truth is however that this concept is not "genuinely" acknowledged nor safeguarded neither in the Western nor in the Eastern hemispheres.

One of the escapable truths of life is that one cannot "select" one's parents or the social situation he is born into. To suggest otherwise is an obscene lie and a very cruel distortion of an undisputed fact. This what renders the behaviour of the FL parents' so repulsive.
Asian culture seems to discount "spiritual" worth vs "monetary" worth. Being "poor" which in the case of many is a relative not absolute term as the essential needs of the individual are never under threat, becomes a "disqualifier" which the individual cannot make up for, whatever he does or achieves should the criterion of self worth be the "trading" instrument known as "money". What is not also made explicit is that money comes but as easily goes!
The life purpose of the FL's parents is quite obviously the making & accumulation of the most "liquid" of assets human society has given form to: money. The struggles of the FL can be traced back to the fact that her parents do not value or accumulate other assets other than money. Human connection, phycological wellbeing (sense of self worth) are foreign concepts to the parents of the FL. Not much of a surprise as these intangible assets cannot be qualified in terms of "money" or reliably secured by it. Although it can be argued that money can acquire all the elements of a "good" life, this is a cruel illusion which is proved false time & time again. All hinges on the definition of what is a "good, well spent life?

As expected much is being posted about Esther's light girly voice & mannerisms. It should be clear by now to everyone that the fluffy exterior hides a core of steel! Esther Yu reminds me of Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn's premature death secured her fame as not even a 50 year long career would have made possible but her talent was undisputable especially in the comic, satirical vein. Esther has the same ability to make nonsense palatable, the unlikely possible. In fact, no other actress of her generation pulls off the impulsive, fluffy characters as well as she does; the breathless quick speech is part of this characterization so why the complaints?

Esther Yu is more than competent at her craft & stills looks barely 20 years old when she is flooring 30! Given the Asian obsession with looking "eternally" young, Esther is managing to live up to one of C Entertainment essential criteria remarkable well 😊

Reading the heated exchanges of comments, I cannot help but think that sexual assault/harassment/PTSD should have been included under the "tags" for this drama. The trajectory followed by the FL is heavily shadowed by these behaviours or state of mind and are central to all her interactions with Sang Yan. It takes WYF several years to realise that "running away" hurt herself & those who she loves & love her back when meantime the "evil" elements prosper for another day, unpunished & still in circulation to do as they please. One more eye opening titbit of this drama.
Whether the film mirrors the original novel IP has never been my concern as book to reel adaptions are just what the term implies. At no point is it a matter of verbatim transposition of novel text to screen. Surely this is a concept that is not too difficult to grasp?

However painful or triggering it might be to certain members in the audience of this drama, it is still highly commendable that some very serious & ugly truths are being aired and explored. In practically every culture, silence and/or denial is too often the default reaction in the case of sexually motivated attacks ... the ones who gain from this reaction are the perpetuators who rarely stop at the one attempt. Thankfully in many cultures, sexual assault or harassment is now viewed as an aggrieved form of assault not an act which brings "social or personal" shame to the victim. However much still has to be done so that this is so in all cases, everywhere, always.
In TFF the theme is being expounded in a realistic manner without unnecessary "shocking" detail but with enough depth to clearly put across how the behaviours/indifference of many persons "protect" from detection & official restraint perpetuators of all sorts of crimes including those which are acts of sexual assault & harassment.

Ask the ever critical netizens.

Not in this drama but it cannot be ignored how often KDrama actors die prematurely due to the pressures of their working environment and/or the "feedback" from the consumers of their work. Is it an unfortunate coincidence? There are no societal or cultural forces at play?

It is regrettably that the Chinese censorship system does not stretch to warnings as to the nature of the film content ... Judging on the fiction coming out of Asia, it is undeniable that in that hemisphere "suicide" & abortion are often suggested as an honourable option when a human person seems likely to be a "burden" in the lives of those connected to him. The sanctity of life is not the absolute value as actively promoted by the Christan faiths .. the cultural/moral divide between the two ways of being is abysmal.

No, that is not what I wanted to convey. I am non Chinese & have no knowledge of the original IP (novel). The ending of the film drama has been interpreted in more than one way ... the one I find most "progressive" in view of the PTS of the main ML is that no one sought to end his/her life in the immediate but that the two lovers went on to support each other physically/phycologically for the rest of their natural lives ...

I have seen posts stating that CZY "apologized" for the sub par (viewership) success of this drama. Not only was such an apology totally unwarranted but it is unforgivable that anyone should have expected one from an individual who had obviously put his heart & soul in bringing to life such a well intentioned & generous character who even in the peak of his PTS sought not to weigh down others or resort to the easy solution (suicide) fully conscious of the fact that suicide generates life long regrets in those are left behind.

PS: My comment has been misunderstood
Apparently the audience reception to the drama was not as "warm" as the investors/production anticipated. It is not unheard of to see posts on Asian social media hinting that main actors should apologise for not securing a fat ROI for their "employer(s)". Hence the counter posts re CZY making some sort of apology in an attempt to appease/silence the social media "nasties".

Tagging this drama as a "romance" is unforgivable ... this narrative is anything but a "romance". The situations, emotions, consequences of decisions taken/delayed are all thought provoking & linger in the mind leaving you that little bit wiser & aware how much too many of us do not "cherish" our mundane lifes at all.

I am sure all those of you here enthuse about the "assertiveness" of the five Li sisters are perfectly aware that such behaviours & tactics in real life, in our time, will not bring much joy to anyone including the female protagonists. The drama took an idea which at face value seems "clever & female empowerment friendly" but is only partially plausible if you consider it enacted in our "modern" context. The societal structure of the historical era referred to would have made much of what we saw on screen less than possible in real terms however determined & clever the woman.

IMO the behaviour of all sisters is acceptable (most of the time) but there is an exception. The 5th sister is obsessively stubborn for far long, without plausible reason. So obviously determined to have the last word; to punish even when the other has learnt from their past mistakes & now acts in a more considered way. Presumably this is the strategy that permitted the youngest sister to have a voice in a family setup & society were women generally did not have a voice or indeed the right to presence in their own right.

A good number of the last "antics" of the 5th sister were superfluous to the flow of the script ... which is a pity as the "watered down" content leaves those who watched till the finale with the lingering sensation that they had been dupped to follow an unremarkable script which insult to injury for at least the last 10 episodes was deliberately watered down further to hit objectives which have nothing to do with "storytelling".

This drama, if nothing else, had the merit of showcasing PTSD. Too many either do not believe such a state of being exists post what an individual has scored as a traumatic event or believe that it is a mental state that will go away with the same stealth with which it came. Neither beliefs are true. PTSD is an unwanted state of mind; never wished for. Many with PTSD have dual lives, the one the world sees, the other that only they know about & only few will comprehend or sympathise with. It's a very difficult life state .... clinical depression more than possible .... with suicide becoming an attractive alternative.

Would anyone know where the eastern country might be? Is there a war zone that has benefitted from Chinese "war" relief aid?

Slow clap! My thoughts exactly. So many "non actors" are very vocal as to what an actor should not or do. Same as me, an indifferent cook, telling a hotel chef how to cater for a 500 pax banquet! Also, the theme of this drama is not for the faint hearted. It is disturbing & might even zero in on the personal burdens of the viewer which is less than comfortable. Conversely watching this drama might be a ray of light in the darkness ... a nudge in a better direction. So, yes, imperfect as it is , TWOT has it's own merits.

All your comments resonate with me including that referring to AvenueX' s style of "film critique". In another space or time, what credibility would be extended to a theatre critic who only stays for the opening 15 mins of a 3 act work, then walks out & writes off the play!