MagnoliaCream

About #5, I agree, it seems the govt does not want overly-famous people. I've been wondering whether this is to limit the influence of a celebrity.

i'm also suspecting other actors' fans who are envious or feeling threatened by Dylan's success

That was my first thought when I heard this. It seems the govt does not care much for the entertainment industry

I'm also enjoying it. The story and acting are compelling enough not to need CP marketing.

ikr? what is "little fresh meat"? "sissy aesthetics"? Banning CP marketing takes so much fun out of cdramas

Finally found it. Please see this youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feR399qT-YA

It lists new c-ent restrictions :
1. Romance dramas packaged as military dramas will not pass review. military dramas cannot use "little fresh meat"
2. Costume dramas' costumes and make-up need to be serious and fit the era
3. Actors with obvious or abnormal plastic surgery are not allowed, especially not for military or public security themed dramas. no "sissy aesthetics" and no excessive make-up
4. 60% of all dramas should be realistic, not less than 20% should be about the historical revolution
5. Variety show singers and dancers cannot lead dramas. traffic stars canot lead dramas with important issues
6. Realistic dramas are strongly encouraged
7. CP or couple marketing is not allowed

I guess romantic/kissing scenes may violate restriction against CP or couple marketing?

their playful banter is so heartwarming, it makes me giggle. it shows how in sync their minds and hearts are

I'm trying to find the report about this. As far as I can remember, it mentioned that dramas led by romantic couples will be restricted. And since kiss scenes are explicit manifestation of romance, they would be targeted by censorship. It's such a pity coz the main thing I love about cdramas is the romantic angle.

gosh, your memory and observation skills are admirable. i've rewatched eps 1 to 18 yet still missed #5 (cherries), #6 (madiao card). #21 (sedan=marriage), #22 (home). My favorite among your list is #3. They act like a loving couple fully at peace and contented with each other in that scene.

Another scene I love that I think is underrated is when they were floating a lantern in ep 13 where BYL told XD "... you're a good person. You suffered so much but you only wish that others won't have to suffer like you did. You seem to have done countless evils but your sword only kills corrupt officials. Your reputation is sullied but you are truly protecting this country and its people."

No wonder he loves her so. He used to hate himself but started to like himself better after meeting her.

Disappointed about missing love scenes? This might be the result of new censorship rules in China. BL dramas already got banned last year. It seems the next target is romantic dramas, specifically love scenes.

So, I'm just happy Unchained Love got aired, not shelved, like some shows starring cancelled actors. I can live without explicit romantic scenes.

But I'm still hoping that a complete version of the drama will be aired sometime in the future when censorship rules have relaxed.

their brand of humor is over-the-top silliness but it's not slapstick. 'love it

My favorite from your list is #29. It's hilarious how Bu Yinge's plan to keep her as bait for XD totally backfired.

My funniest moment in the drama so far is their knocking-on-the-wall communication. How can anybody decipher such phrases as "don't you think i'm beautiful and gorgeous" with a few knocks (which, from his expression, XD apparently understood though he denied it)

Just watched episodes 19 and 20. This drama just keeps getting better. I'm so happy Xiao Duo and Bu Yinlou, who have both undergone so much suffering in the past, found each other and sealed their love in such a sweet and beautiful way. That field of pink flowers is stunning! I don't need explicit visuals of their affection. My heart already can't help fluttering whenever XD looks lovingly at BYL.

I just love how intelligent XD is. His ploy to expose Prince Nanyuan's weapons operation is brilliant.

I'm looking forward to how XD, with BYL's support, would be able to thwart his enemies and achieve his goal.

i just don't want to waste hours of my life watching her. As a medical professional, she should know better. She does not deserve good karma.

he's cunning and manipulative. i won't wonder if he had a hand in the death of the 17 princes. i'm wondering too if Prince Rong's death was truly an accident

she is hilariously naughty. 'love her

the Douban score used to be 7.3. it seems like the antis are still actively trying to pull the drama down

Though I warmed up to Xiao Duo from ep 1, I warmed up to Bu Yinlou in ep 2. I started enjoying the drama after I felt the chemistry between them in ep 4.

For all it's worth, it took me 10 episodes to start enjoying Eternal Love (Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms), my all-time favorite cdrama, and 20 episodes for Ancient Love Poetry, one of my favorites.

Wow, this is an amazing prequel/background! Is this from the novel? I've long suspected that there is more to the characters than meets the eye, especially Xiao Duo, his being a fake eunuch covering a much bigger secret. Reading your comment gave me goosebumps. It made Unchained Love 100 times more interesting, laughing in the face of all those who claim UL is boring and has no story. This story would fit in the world of GoT! That is, the Game of Thrones with Jon Snow and Daenerys.

I'm almost done re-watching the first 18 episodes. It seems I need to re-re-watch some of them to see details I've missed.

Netizens also lambasted the FL in LBFAD at first, complaining about her "annoying" voice. I hope Yuqi and UL overcome these initial criticisms as Esther Yu and LBFAD did. Yuqi's character Bu Yinlou is unusual for an FL so I think viewers just need to get used to it. I think she's doing a great job bringing a witty ex-tribute lady to life.