Kshatriiya

hopefully not, that backlash will be huge. Half the plot falls apart without her role.

why is it a problem that FL isn't appearing much? This isn't a romance focused drama, there's enough screen time for the "romance" already. Let other characters have screen time as well. But to answer your question, the "FL" in the novel, Lin'an is pretty much a side character. The real female character with impact is Grand Princess Huai Qing although she's not a love interest.

There are like 100s of romance dramas out there, take your pick if that's what you're looking for.

Without spoiling much, Huai Qing is pretty much the other protagonist level character of the story, pretty much ML's equivalent, her character is complex enough to be a protagonist in her own story - think of her as female equivalent of the ML from Nirvana in Fire. Among the novel readers, Huai Qing is the fan favorite, even more popular than the ML.

It's fine, I find her character annoying but TXW did a great job portraying her as she is in the novel. It's fine for me because I feel the real FL is Huai Qing, her character has much better role and bigger impact in the story and she's better off without the burden of romance.

FL is Lin An played by TXW but in the novel he has multiple wives.

It's based on real life story of Wu Zetian, the only female Emperor in Chinese history so it will only have one major correct path.

It's also a cultural shift isn't it, the older generation had to maintain that perfect image on screen but the younger generation has that idgaf vibe. And you're right about directors playing a role as well - this shows with directors like Zhang Yimou being able to bring out actresses like Ni Ni who can actually act but then movie directors are more serious than tv directors.

I won't name names but those early 2000s stars, they were picked for their looks above the rest where having a pristine almost idol like image on television lands you sponsorships especially for television stars (this is less true for movie stars like Ni Ni for example who can actually act). Idol actors still exist widely but the younger generation has more of a idgaf attitude and it shows. It's more of a cultural shift really.

Just me or younger gen actresses like Tian Xi Wei, Wang Ying Lu, Lu Yuxiao etc. (of course there are more) are so good at acting, much better than older gen "traffic stars" who typecast themselves in big budget dramas? Like these younger actresses really act their characters instead of trying to look good on camera all the time like pretending to eat, drink etc.

Great source material, superb acting and visuals but weird pacing, the director didn't do a good job. ML fits the character and FL is so so cute, how the eff is this the same director who shot the Double.

exactly, i want imperfect characters, give me morally grey realistic personalities

I'm hoping it'll be dark, gritty with an intelligent plot line that doesn't quickly devolve into soapy corny romance. It's been a while since we get a Wuxia series that doesn't revolve around romance.

JoL and SSS are very adjacent, if you like ML being surrounded by competent and loyal companions, you'll love SSS.

I've seen the Donghua and read the first half of the novel. ML's kid, the kid that first appeared next to the Empress Dowager in second episode(?) is ML's kid. He's also a transmigrator. FL literally saw the flowers arranged in SoS when she was in the library looking out the window.

JoL is goated but i'm biased towards GOTD because I really love Grand Princess Huaiqing's character and comedy in GOTD is much better. I would personally rank my favs like this:

1) Sword Snow Stride
2) GOTD
3) JoL

I'm talking about the kid that did SoS flower sign, he's a transmigrator

I'm guessing, just guessing that he's transmigrated many times over again and again getting the bad ending? but only this time she's here?

I haven't read the novel, but I'm caught up on the Donghua. The ML is hinted to have a secret. Can someone give me a bigger hint please, does ML have a system or something?

Xie Yong'er is an NPC who THINKS she's a transmigrator since she was written as one in the novel. The FL and ML are the only real-life transmigrators. ML's kid, the young prince is also a real-life transmigrator.

Sword Snow Stride, Joy of Life, Blood of Youth, I am Nobody