NitaMooshie

It's been awhile since I enjoyed a cdrama quite like I've been enjoying Pursuit of Jade. I don't want to jinx it since I'm only at episode 17, but from what I've seen thus far, everything about it has been stunning and well thought out. As an actor, Zhang Ling He does not disappoint. I'm pretty sure every single drama I've seen him in was top tier. However, it was Tian Xi Wei that surprised me the most. I noticed her before in shows like Guardians of the Dafeng and Moonlit Reunion, but I was under the (false) impression that she was just another "one-note" FL since she always seemed to play on the same tropes. Boy was I wrong about her. Her performance has been superb in Pursuit of Jade. I had no idea she could be this versatile. In fact, whoever decided to pair Ling He with Xi Wei deserves an award. I haven't seen a ML/FL dynamic like this in a long time. I pray that this show concludes as poetically as possible, because so far it's rated as a 9.0 or higher imo (and I don't want that to change).

True fans might appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/ztaNWS2TlYI?si=IXiyoNfxizdUAf3Q

True fans will appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/U_I-aRKKiHY?si=HNXJmdF-G_6uoGIL

True fans will appreciate this fmv (Story of Kunning Palace): https://youtu.be/0w4SO9vzj4A?si=okFsZL7taPK9T4hW

True fans will appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/fyPVfFh5axg?si=ogc-Ut3XzDoel6k-

Just started watching this (I'm to episode 13) and ngl, this has my brain so confused. It has such a strong Thai flavour, but the romance and love story sticks to the typical chinese tropes of playfulness, cuteness and innocence that seems kinda out of place in a setting and atmosphere that feels very "Pit Babe." Esther Yu is a great actress (I loved her in Love Between Fairy and Devil), but in every series I've seen her in outside of that, she either comes across as too "wooden," or falls back into that same bubbly, childish, playful character she played in Love Between Fairy and Devil. So the issue might be that she isn't versatile enough for some of these roles they place her in. With that being said, MY GOD she is stunning. He Yu is also quite gorgeous, and it surprised me that I never noticed this before. I like their chemistry. Perhaps the real issue is that the writers should have taken more risks and given them a few more saucy lines and encounters.

True fans will appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/0w4SO9vzj4A?si=okFsZL7taPK9T4hW

True fans will appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/SoSi8WSMSls?si=hLbGUdcwkulrYKSQ

True fans will appreciate this fmv: https://youtu.be/Q9sZezqEsHc?si=QcLVGEIFw-9Qla_6

True fans will appreciate: https://youtu.be/fyPVfFh5axg?si=ogc-Ut3XzDoel6k-

Earlier on in the series, I wondered about what type of feelings Yun Jun Seo felt for Baek A Jin. NGL, the last two episodes (5 & 6) cemented my suspicions. Jun Seo does love her, but in an extremely detatched way. Probably because he knows her better than anybody, and though he accepts her for who she is (even if he protests occasionally), he's well aware that she's not capable of loving anybody (not yet, anyway).

Watching her express feelings for someone is like watching a reticulated python get to work. It doesn't matter that Heo In Gang isn't perfectly innocent, seeing A Jin force her way into his life is absolutely terrifying. He's literally being stalked, captured (emotionally), and consumed by a sociopath. Meanwhile, Jun Seo (who displays his own set of psychotic traits) facilitates everything A Jin does in the same way that a snake handler facilitates and nurtures his most prized possession. In that scene where he was watching A Jin laughing and enjoying herself with Kim Jae O, the look in Jun Seo's eyes wasn't that of jealously—he was perfectly happy to see A Jin happy.... but there was also a hint of satisfaction in the same way that a stalker gets satisfaction from watching his subject. Why be jealous of Jae O? Why be jealous of the mouse your pet snake is playing with but doesn't feel the need to eat just yet? But then again, it also feels like Jun Seo wants to love A Jin the proper way, but doesn't know how.

It would be an understatement to say that A Jin has Jun Seo wrapped around her finger. She's wearing that guy like a damn latex body suit. He's literally her shadow, and I can't figure out if that's a good thing or a bad thing. What I know for sure is not to expect a typical happy ending for this series... the best we can hope for is that they crash and burn together as a final twisted expression of their emotional (almost narcissistic) codependency.

It's nice to see the next generation find their footing in the acting world. I'm sure in a few more years, they'll be seasoned enough to deliver some stellar performances.

Wang Zi Yi's performance was good overall, but it was hard taking him seriously with that curly hair sweeping down his face.... looking "muy bonita." 😂 The sassy attitude and ponytail "updo" really was giving Dylan Wang (Love Between Fairy and Devil) vibes. But Zi Yi's cute baby face wasn't helping matters at all.

Qi Yu Chen and Chu Zi Jun also did a great job. Can't wait to see more of them in the future.

Wait a darn minute... Tan Jian Ci, Chen Zhe Yuan, Li Hong Yi and Yu Cheng En in the same drama? Do we even deserve this? I can feel the bromance from a mile away....

Just finished the first 4 episodes and each one was more mortifying than the last lol... but in a good way. Kim You Jung was definately the perfect choice for this role. At first I was like... is she an antagonist or protagonist? But after awhile I realized that most of the characters in this show are either morally ambiguous or morally bankrupt. I also love the dynamic between the FL and ML—it's so layered and nuanced. It is love? Is it obsession? Is it misplaced compassion? Is it some kind of overt vs covert narcissistic match made in heaven? Whatever it is, I'm here for it.

With that being said, the series has been a pleasant surprise thus far, and I have high hopes for the other 8 episodes.

I was not campaigning or presenting a thesis that Cheng Yi's glory days are over. I simply said "Normally, I'm an avid Cheng Yi fan, but between Journey of Legend and now this.... I'm beginning to wonder if his glory days are over."

This is the complete sentence and with the correct context. I said that "I'm beginning to wonder." I also was very clear in my original comment that things can change past episode 5, though in my opinion it's unlikely (especially if the issue is due to a bad script).

Also, I have been doing so much typing trying to respond to these comments so it isn't quite right or fair for you to say that I've been completely silent on anything. What have I been silent about exactly?

I'll take your word for it when you say you're not trying to start a fire, and I'll leave it at that.

Pardon me? When Journey of Legend was airing, it was also at 8.5 in the early stages. Now it's at 7.9, correct? Almost every show spikes up at first before balancing out. And why would you say that I think my opinion carries more weight than anyone elses? Did I say that? Alot of what you say here twists my original meaning quite alot. Are you trying to start a fire of some sort?

What's hilarious is that people don't believe it's possible to both love Cheng Yi and critique a drama featuring Cheng Yi. I think he's a great actor, but everything released so far in 2025 featuring Cheng Yi seems to be poorly executed. This isn't his fault. In fact, I'm heartbroken to see his talent wasted due to poor script writing and poor management in general. I love Li Yi Tong as well, and her talent really came through in A Dream within a Dream. However, in my opinion, they've wasted it by having her feature in this one. I have no problem with c-dramas that have a slow start, but that isn't the issue with Sword and Beloved. A bad script won't magically turn into a better script later on.

Now for some irony. I've been watching Blood River as well, which seems to have everything in place except... Gong Jun seems to be a mismatch for the role. Now don't get me wrong, I love Gong Jun and Word of Honor is literally in my top 5 c-dramas. However, I don't think he has the versatility needed to effectively portray a character like Su Mu Yu (especially in a way that keeps the audience interested and engaged). I think Cheng Hong Xin did a better job portraying Su Mu Yu in Dashing Youth.

I think it's funny when people say things like "don't give your opinion if the show isn't your cup of tea." Because I personally love to read through forums to get an honest, balanced view of a show before I watch it. Lately, even the worst shows have tons of people hyping it up in the comments but then when I watch it... total flop. I'd see a whole bunch of flaws and issues that nobody mentions in the comments out of fear of being swarmed. This issue is making it harder to know whether a show truly is good or not based on the comments alone.

My comment insinuated that the show is not off to a good start. I did not say I would stop watching it. If I did this, how would I know if it redeems itself? I did say that this is unlikely, but this doesn't mean I won't give it a chance. The script and storyline thus far have indeed been terrible in my opinion. And the reason I didn't go into detail is because I did not want to inject a high degree of spoilers into what I was trying to say.

I won't fight with you. But there was nothing wrong or offensive about my critique IMO.

Listen, this trend of promoting only comments that hype up a show is ridiculous. In no way was I trying to be disrespectful, and anyone who can read can tell this. Was I being critical of the show? Yes. But understand that there is nothing wrong with giving a critical opinion. I find that some of you move kind of like a hive mind. You only accept critical opinions if hundreds of people are doing it also. I normally give my opinion on all shows as they currently air, and I am not swayed to say only positive things out of fear of being mobbed. I stand by my opinion.

That's certainly not what I'm doing. I too am watching shows that are currently airing, including Love in the Clouds, Blood River, Whispers of Fate and Sword and Beloved. I recommended Whispers of Fate because it began airing around the same time as Sword and Beloved and seems to have better potential. But don't mistake my recommendation at the end for the full purpose of my comment. Also, understand that all types of comments are welcome on forums, including comments that critique. This allows people to receive a balanced view of any given show.