That’s a great comparison. The bestie comes across as more emotionally mature—like she’s lived through more, learned the hard lessons, and knows how to steady herself. That’s why she’s such solid emotional support. It also explains why they work so well as friends. The FL clearly started out with lower self-esteem and confidence, especially early in the drama, and having someone grounded beside her really mattered.
I really loved her clean break with her husband . Yep she is her own woman who has her values and priorities straight!
So true. The best and most lasting relationships really do grow out of mutual partnership and friendship. When both people see each other as equals, communicate honestly, and actually like each other as humans, everything else hits differently.
I love Hu Xiu’s candidness. There was zero room for XZY to misunderstand what she was upset about—and she absolutely lit a fire under him.
That “throw the hat to block the camera” move? So smooth. Followed by something even smoother. I am glad that these two lead actors can deliver...all that chemistry 😍
At this point, I might actually like the FL’s bestie Zhao Xiao Rou more than Hu Xiu. She’s her own woman. She knows exactly what makes her happy, and once trust is broken, that door is closed. No rewinds, no hanging onto the past and reminiscing, nothing toxic allowed to invade her life. I honestly love to see a character with clear priorities and value themselves above all.
I hope there will be no love triangle between Shin Jeong Hoo and Go Bok Hee, because she's channeling Hong Geum Bo's actions and attention towards him.
So far IMHO the best scene of S2 has to be Qinxiang's meeting with the young monk Jingyuan. It was sincerely written…
Agree with this. I was surprised they had Jingyuan find out, but it was actually a nice touch. I also get what you mean about the contrived emotional conflict—that’s exactly why I’m so annoyed by the ML’s best friend dragging him to the Music Office.
Hope Peacock's identity is revealed with a bang! I love me some plot twists~ (◕ᴗ◕✿)We finally…
I am annoyed after seeing the previews - seems like You Chen An is finally making his move and causing trouble. That silly and unnecessary presence of the brother!
Btw, anyone else think that our frail second prince from whichever country could be the peacock they are all talking…
Oh I just commented on that theory before I read this. I’m definitely starting to doubt the theory now. Some things just don’t line up, and You Chen An feels less like the mastermind and more like a double agent operating under Peacock. That said… I wouldn’t rule him out entirely. I can totally see a darker endgame where he quietly plays everyone, then takes out his eldest brother and his father to seize the throne. Low profile, maximum damage. If that happens, it would be no surprise for the “harmless” one to be the final villain.
Up to Ep 11 now, and I’m starting to doubt the theory that Peacock could be You Chen An —but not enough to fully discard it. Because it’s always the one who looks the most harmless and pitiful who eventually turns out to be the snake. Years of misery tend to morph into resentment, and resentment often breeds a hunger for power. Just like @Mizuhira-san mentioned with Xia Jing Shi from Fated Hearts, or Yan Bai Luo from Glory—quiet suffering, tragic backstory, and then boom: we have a villain arc.
Also, the timing and logistics don’t quite line up here. Peacock appears to have been in the Tang country for quite a while, and You Chen An didn’t exactly have the kind of free mobility that would make the theory airtight.
What is interesting, though, is how the King of Nanzhou relies on You Chen An—so much so that he’s clearly keeping things from his eldest son. That alone suggests You Chen An knows far more than he lets on. Still, my current read is that he’s a spy rather than the true mastermind. More chess piece than chess player,
In other words: suspicious, yes. Mastermind? Not quite—at least not yet.
All that said, he could be the ultimate villain though - just biding his time and then getting rid of his eldest brother and the king to grab the throne.
I am incredibly annoyed at Jing Yi at this point, just starting on ep 11 now but at least Xiao Jing Yu did get some good advice. Hopefully he was able to absorb it before the next crisis happened.
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It also explains why they work so well as friends. The FL clearly started out with lower self-esteem and confidence, especially early in the drama, and having someone grounded beside her really mattered.
That “throw the hat to block the camera” move? So smooth. Followed by something even smoother. I am glad that these two lead actors can deliver...all that chemistry 😍
I also get what you mean about the contrived emotional conflict—that’s exactly why I’m so annoyed by the ML’s best friend dragging him to the Music Office.
Again, like I said before - I love the actor playing the FL's boss. He must be having so much fun!
I’m definitely starting to doubt the theory now. Some things just don’t line up, and You Chen An feels less like the mastermind and more like a double agent operating under Peacock.
That said… I wouldn’t rule him out entirely. I can totally see a darker endgame where he quietly plays everyone, then takes out his eldest brother and his father to seize the throne. Low profile, maximum damage. If that happens, it would be no surprise for the “harmless” one to be the final villain.
Also, the timing and logistics don’t quite line up here. Peacock appears to have been in the Tang country for quite a while, and You Chen An didn’t exactly have the kind of free mobility that would make the theory airtight.
What is interesting, though, is how the King of Nanzhou relies on You Chen An—so much so that he’s clearly keeping things from his eldest son. That alone suggests You Chen An knows far more than he lets on. Still, my current read is that he’s a spy rather than the true mastermind. More chess piece than chess player,
In other words: suspicious, yes. Mastermind? Not quite—at least not yet.
All that said, he could be the ultimate villain though - just biding his time and then getting rid of his eldest brother and the king to grab the throne.