676Ryn

"You're skipping through what episodes?" -That was exactly my response. Those were possibly my favorite arc because there was so much emotion, good action, and great plotting. lol (but it just goes to show everyone watches for their own reasons)

I thought I would give out a few awards (My opinion of course!):
Best Overall Character: Chang Ge
She was intelligent, strong, courageous, driven by principals, and flawed. Overall a joy to follow and to see grow in all of her relationships.
Best Character Arc: Le Yan
She had one of the best weak/timid to quiet strength I have seen. She never need a sword to show how strong she was and the journey was beautiful. (I thought it was funny that Chang Ge was much stronger physically but she had to be saved so many times and Le Yan only once incidently by Chang Ge.)
Best Acted : Ashile Sun
Even when he was in the background of a scene his charismatic-arrogance seemed to dominate the screen.
Most interesting Character: Sher
He was a total gray character throughout the ballad and I could never tell if he would choose his brother's side or his mother's side. Going into the last week I was thinking that a lot would depend on what side he chose and I could not figure out which it would be
Best Scene: Chang Ge walking through the gates to surrender
After what had just happened and with the music playing the scene was so powerful.
Best Intelligent Scene(s): Princess swap / Tegin swap
The princess swap was my favorite scene out of the early ones and to have it come back later was awesome. Two men exchanging two princesses they care about and then two princesses exchanging two men they care about.
Best Relationship: Chang Ge-Second Uncle (early), Chang Ge - Le Yan (middle) Sun - Sher (late)
There were to many good ones including our two main romantic ones.
Best Song: "Direction of Light"
Right now my favorite is actually "I Wish You Were My Long Lasting" but I think that is because it was only played three times and I listened to Direction of Light before almost every episode.
Best hypothetical spin off: snipers on the rooftop
Shiba and i dont know his name were awesome to watch, alternatively a situ Langlang -Gonsung Heng daughter wuxia show

hehe is right but I agree, it was a great ending

The Manhua is based off of historical events. The actual Khans clan name win real life was Ashina. Since the drama is not perfectly true to history they decided they would make it a fictional turkic Khanate instead of the actual major Khaganate Ashina even though it there are similar things to real life (the bridge treaty scene actually happens although the arrow shooting was made up). Mainly there true to life counterparts are very famous (for example look up Ashina She'er 's wikipedia page) and the writers wanted to take creative liberties with the story instead of being forced to be true to real life.

Can someone suggest me a drama from any country that:
a)has a unique way of story telling (like how there are Manhua scenes intermix in this drama)
b) is good

I only other drama I know that fits these two parameters is a kdrama "Its okay to not be okay". In the drama the main FL was a famous children's picture book author and they had some short animated storytelling to enhance the characters journey and some themes every few episodes. It was really well done and added a lot.

Anyways, I would love another unique storytelling drama like the Long Ballad.

Just starting?

The raws are (unsubbed) but the subbed are not legally allowed to be published until the following week. We will only get up to 42 subbed by Wednesday.

To be fair though there are very few dramas where we need these upgrade. TLB's comment section is definitely an outlier.

I definitely agree. I want to go back and see who else responded to a past conversation but it's so far away now!

What is everyone's favorite scene in the drama?
Mine is Chang Ge walking out in the snow to surrender. It was heartbreaking but also awe-inspiringand and the opening theme playing in the background was outstanding. It has actually beat out my previous all time favorite scene in a cdramas which was when Xing'er was kneeling in Yewen Yue's quartyard in Princess Agents to another beautiful song about not giving up. (I dare someone to name a better scene! :) )

Or when someone got accused of carjacking :)

I am torn. I don't like spoilers and ending spoilers are the worse. I was planning on jumping off the comment section right before the last seven episodes are released but I don't want to miss the discussion with everyone. Not only will I miss reactions and goodbyes but I will have three weeks of waiting all by myself for the new episodes. Its going to be painful but the show is too good to be spoiled.

Dance off anyone??!?!?

I can now fully understand why people love Leyan. She shined in episode 31/32, highlighted by her speech in 32. Her standing up for who and what she believes in was outstanding, one of my favorite scenes. It is amazing thinking back on what she was like in the beginning and throughout her journey. The journey was not always my favorite as I saw her as too weak too often. I loved our other female lead more, along with the flashy battles. Throughout her story she showed signs of being strong in the face of adversity but I was too focused on the crying part, not the parts where she pushed through her tears. Looking back, I judged Leyan's parts so unfairly. Her journey was beautiful. Not only did her character arc feel realistic, she walked most of the way alone or with the people she helped along the way and fully deserves the strength of character she walked away with. She will never be someone who picks up a sword to defend those she loves like Chang Ge but that does not matter to me anymore. Leyan has become someone to exudes inner strength and confidence and makes all those around her into better people. She expects the best from people and stands up for the people she loves and the causes she believes in. There is nothing more you can ask for in anyone you meet. What a journey she has had, I am glad I was able to watch it. Leyan, you have earned my full respect and that is the highest praise I can give.

I feel you :)

Yeah, I like how viki subbers do more word for word translations. They seem to use a lot of sayings and I like to read those even if it is in parentheses. Sometime the language can be beautiful.

Can someone explain to me how viki is premiering the episodes already english subbed? I thought the subbers normally get the raws at the same time as the viewers which is why it sometimes takes a day. I have not seen the subs already up before. (I am NOT complaining, just curious)

If anyone can help with some Taoism questions related to the drama I started a discussion. I am always looking for more wisdom in my life ?.

While the vocal songs are outstanding, I have been more blown away by the background OST. The blending of voice without words, drums and sticks, and how it crescendos to create emotion is fabulous.

can you post the twitter link?