Karma V

I think your views on TMOPB may not be in the minority. I didn't specifically like Bai Qian's character whether as an apprentice, mortal or goddess. Just that I only prefer the part where she became badass instead of being bullied and re-watch from there - now that you mentioned it I think must be due to Ye Hua's character. His sacrifices were truly touching and I did dislike Bai Qian at times for being insensitive to his feelings. Unlike TBW where JYH always considers CY's well-being and vice versa - it's a balanced relationship with equal love and sacrifice by both.
As for Reba's character in TMOPB, I understand the character she plays is supposed to be very young (the rest of them immortals are like centuries old!). But like most of her earlier dramas, she plays the character of someone who had to go after the ML and some of the ML treated her character quite terribly in the drama and too unbelievable for me that FL is to fall in love with such a character. As for Dijun (Dong Hua) it's not that he's repulsive, just that his indifference to her was off-putting for me. But that's just my problem - for the actresses I like I kinda treat them like someone I know and it pisses me off when there's too much injustice done to them though I'm aware it's only a drama. Have dropped dramas due to my own unreasonableness and not because of the shortcomings of the cast/crew. If anything, they must've done such a great job for me to feel that.

I also felt it sounded like Allen singing the song in the drama but unable to find it in YouTube. But he sang quite a number of songs from his previous dramas as well so I wouldn’t be surprised he sang the merman song too. Maybe it will be uploaded in the future.

IMO, those who sacrificed still made an impact as they did it without the knowledge they can surely come back to life (Li Shu). With the exception of the final 'sacrifice' by JYH which I think needs to be done, so it's more of a duty than sacrifice. She had to resort to the action of trapping the crazy Shunde's spirit into her own body to prevent it from turning into wind and uncontrollable. She knew if she did not do it CY will, so she pushed him away. CY then gave her his merman pearl for protection before sealing her in the volcano with the her promise to return to him once evil has been eradicated. With the crystal heart lamp and merman's pearl JYH is sure to return even though the time taken cannot be determined - they do seem to be immortals so I guess whether it's years, century or thousands of centuries don't seem to matter much.
My only question while watching (and reading the novel) was why JYH had to stab CY in the heart and cause such a critical wound to him. With that killing stab she might as well kill him off herself.

Yeah... the colors are so vibrant it hurt my eyes (in a good way)... lol...

BluSeaMermaid has replied to you. Do try watching that if you have the time because Mark Chao and Yang Mi have great chemistry in that drama and I think it's still available at Croton Youtube channel. I'm a fan of Dilraba but I don't enjoy her character there because I may be the only one who don't really like the way Dijun treated her though I understand his character is supposed to be god-like and unfeeling. I haven't been able to complete any Dilraba's drama where I find the ML excessively and too much of an a-hole and don't treat her right. Just like Master of My Own which I watched because of Seven Tan and I hated the way the ML treated her degradingly so I still haven't gotten over the disgust to continue watching. Sorry, for my long rant.
Anyway, back to TMOPB, there are some who later turn anti due to claims of plagiarism and while I do not condone that, I feel all of us are exposed/read/watch/listen to so many things during our life so if we were ever to write a book/song/script etc.. it may be a combination of things that inspire us so we may unknowingly have committed the crime of plagiarism as well. Just like JK Rowling's Harry Potter series.
You can read about it here - https://kisskh.at/discussions/ten-great-iii-of-peach-blossom/28498-plagiarism-allegations-against-tangqi-whose-novel-was-the-basis-for-eternal-love

I tried watching Ashes few times but always dropped - somehow cannot connect with the drama. 10 Miles when I rewatch will skip the front part and just start from when FL is badass Bai Qian. Saves a lot of heartache when she was a helpless mortal being mentally tortured by the villainous Su Jin.
For TBW, after reading the novel, the drama version is not as sadistic so I can't hate them too much. Everyone hated the fox clan and i dislike them too but the lady did kind of redeem herself so it's ok. Like you mentioned, the bad guys on screen presence is not to the extent they suck the life out of the show, which I greatly appreciate. Really hate those dramas where good guys always get the short end of the stick or is too goody two shoes and only tolerate bad things done to them out of the kindness of their heart.
That's why I like JYH's character here. She appears to be more manipulative in the drama but I feel given the environment she grew up in is like that, to remain pure and kind is just plain stupid.

Yeah. Bad of me and I'd never really felt this but if in that kind of scenario, I think I'd wish the old guy drop dead.

I think we are aware chinese dramas may not be allowed to portray their government or related agencies in bad light so we probably only get to see the 'not so bad' side of local enforcement officers' conduct and instead highlight their sacrifices.
But I feel some of the things the police force from this station is subject to carry out is so degrading and really ridiculous. How can citizen ask police to climb in through their balcony because they are locked out of unit and don't want to pay for locksmith?
This show made me hate the community there and sympathise with the police force for having to deal with it on a daily basis.

Same here though LDW’s coconut hairstyle does not make him look attractive lol…

I finally gave in and started. While I find it enjoyable was really curious if police station in China really handle these kind of absurd cases on a daily basis ie paying out of own pocket to send stray pet cat to hospital and getting a locksmith, etc. They even go around looking for missing person immediately even though instead of more than 24 hours later.
Majority of the citizens in their community seems so unreasonable.

Elderly men above 70 too don’t seem likeable or reasonable.

I think I want to reread novel before rewatching again.
We are really crazy to be torturing ourselves over and over again…

They have so many lines and moments which made me cringe with embarrassment for them yet find adorable. It’s a wonder they can act out those scenes convincingly without breaking out in laughter every time.

Agree with your comment on JYH. Those who watch without trying to understand each character will only form biased opinions and did not do justice to the effort put in by the cast (not only JYH’s character).

In my opinion Dilraba played the role well and convincingly as her conflicting emotions, pain/suffering, looks of love/adoration and when sickly can be seen and felt by most viewers in China and internationally. Many were left in tears during several emotional moments by her (ML, the second and third couple were excellent as well).
My only complaint is not being able to see their merbabies. It would be perfect if they add it in.

TBW has replaced TMOPB as my favourite re-watch drama. While I love TBW novel which made me cry more the drama adaptation is also great due to the great cast. Each supporting character managed to make me remember and care whether they live or die, including the pervert farting ferret demon who love JYH.
RJL acted as CY well. I cannot imagine another who can make asking CYH to touch and make it better when the hot sweet potato land on his crown jewels with such innocence.
Most scenes with couples have corny lines that sound cringey but somehow seems adorable rather than repulsive.
Each episode is entertaining and without knowing it I have finished watching.

I haven't started watching cos hate waiting for new episodes.
Hoping for some romance too though it's not a deciding factor of whether or not I'll be watching as I like both of them.

Agree

Yes. Both are considered popular in their own rights.

I'm hoping for some romance scenes as Bai Lu doesn't kiss like a dead fish though if the plot is interesting enough its not a must.