TammyLBailey

My thoughts after episode 18:

A Social Media conversation between the leads:
Liu Yuning: Eyes can lie. I hope Duan Wu will believe in her own heart. May you be safe and happy
Zhao Lusi's Reply: See you in Yangzhou (in Revenge) (credit: https://x.com/wonwoncity/status/1855124576495452558)

To me this is very telling because YZJ knows her heart the best. He knows it's broken, and it's been shattered into a million pieces. Her revenge is not solely from a misunderstanding. In the middle of her chaos and seeing her 'family' die, she saw the one person she trusted fire an arrow at her. Her reasoning process has been compromised. My mom lost her husband a year ago Thanksgiving, and even after a year, her reasoning process is still in shambles. It's been very hard to watch.

So, for me, Duan Wu's is not a simple, 1-dimensional character (thank you Zhao Lusi for your amazing acting)., and her revenge is not just a misunderstanding. It's a combination of anger/confusion/fear/loneliness(abandonment). She's lost so much in such a little amount of time. Her heart and mind are disconnected by what she witnessed. 'Revenge' for Duan Wu may be her only connection between her heart and mind. How she comes to piece them back together is going to be fascinating to watch.

I also believe YZJ is struggling so much with how to love Duan Wu and how to keep her safe at the same time. You can see the pain in his eyes before he walks back to tell her to leave Yangzhou in ep 20. Because I've watched the previous episodes where he seems to care more for her than himself, this doesn't feel tropey. It feels authentic because the writers did a good job of showing us his true character/nature toward her before this scene and Liu Yuning did a good job conveying them.

So in the episodes moving forward, I look forward to seeing how he answers the question: Is my desire to love her stronger than my fear of losing her? Stay tuned, I know I am!

I love how his character remains constant. In the beginning, he protected her by helping her stand on her own two feet. Here, he’s protecting her by not wanting to see her suffer again. I go back to episode 16 where she comes to rescue him. He cared more about her safety than his.

The subtle tap on the shoulder. That was sweet to watch.

Yes! This was so beautifully written.

Okay, I'm rewatching episode 16 where Duan Wu rescues Yan Zi Jing. This scene was so well executed. His pain seemed to come more from Duan Wu maybe getting hurt than his own suffering. They way they clung to each other was also so endearing. Zhao Lusi has a way of making us fall in love while watching her fall in love. I know...I know... but, but, the angst. Still, I'm clinging to this sweetness like a life preserver. What I can say to this, is that this drama has not once flatlined in it's storytelling.

Great points. Maybe they've risen (or fallen) to the level of everything else, whatever creates the most data, the most hits. I have to go, though. I'm about to rewatch the episode where Duan Wu is about save Yan Zi Jing. Have a nice rest of your day/evening/morning.

I'm okay with giving it recognition. Everyone wants to brag about the drama they are in love with watching. So, why not write an article about it's data alone? Period. Bring out great points about the drama, highlight it's attraction, let it stand on it's own merits. Title it: [Drama/Actress] Making Noise Domestically. They have a platform to brag about the drama. Instead, they chose the platform to bring in high school, mine is bigger than yours theatrics. Respectively, how this was executed was very poorly done.

I really regret purchasing the VIP package when the site has resorted to keeping posts like this visible. But, I'll respond to this until it's hopefully taken down. I have faith the site will see the importance of keeping it's integrity for ALL drama fans.

Personally, I have waited for The Story of Pearl Girl since finding out about it last year. I love both Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning. So far, the story, the story building, the characters, the chemistry (good lord), the acting, and the cinematography have not disappointed. There are waves of angst and happiness, sadness and hope. The actors have worked very hard, and they have done an incredible job of touching on every fiber of emotion. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but why can't people leave the tea I'm enjoying alone. Instead, they are using posts like this to poison it.

I've only liked a few transmigration dramas. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo about wrecked me, and I still haven't fully recovered. So, I'm very selective with these genres. Gaming transmigration is my least favorite. Inside script dramas like Tiger and Rose and Kunning Palace are so much better in my opinion as you are not constantly pulled out of the worldbuilding with Atari like lettering flashing across the screen. That being said, I know what I like and don't like and have no intention of watching or rating the one above mentioned. After this article, I'm even wondering if those who have liked this atrocious piece are the same ones going in and downrating TSOPG on episodes THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED YET.

It's fine to brag about your drama, but to pull in another drama that's not even in the same genre is childish and insulting to the intelligence of those who enjoy this site.

In summary, I came to see the ratio, and I left adding to it.

Yes, a drama she’s currently filming. I’m very excited for this drama, too.

The chemistry of this cast is amazing, on and off set. The playfulness and flirting of the leads is also adorable. I know the storm is coming, but I’m absolutely invested in them and this phase of their relationship. They and us will need these moments to get through what’s on the horizon.

This kind of support was not on my bingo card. Her current director and ML!! This makes me so much more excited for Almost Lover. It’s amazing to see the outpouring of mutual respect and support for her and this amazing drama. From friends, peers, and past and present coworkers, she united an entire industry.

It’s like they are giving us candy before having to ingest the bitter medicine. I’m looking forward to seeing the continuous character arcs though. Survival. Growth. Transformation.

Hopefully soon 🙏🙏

You’re not getting it?

My laptop is hours away, unfortunately. I do like engaging with conversations, with a possessed phone or laptop regardless.

Forgive any typos. My iPhone 8 (I know 😔) deletes entire paragraphs on its own when I backspace. It’s actually sort of freaky to watch. 😳

For me, watching this drama is an incredible experience. One of my pet peeves in watching dramas is to be pulled out of the story building. Since episode 1, I’ve been pulled in so deep, I feel I’m on a ship in middle of the ocean, caring for real people and their purpose and life’s journey. The occasional creaking boat sounds are brilliant because I feel I’m not just watching characters on a set. The acting is so natural. There is no overacting or under acting. I feel the moment, happy and sad, with them. There are just too many accolades, but these are mine thoughts for now.

I’m so excited!! All those amazing scenes (including kissing scenes) no longer squashed on my iPhone and laptop. Now to inform my family their Netflix viewing schedule is about to change.

I also read about her helping with scene ideas. I grew up fascinated with Hollywood and even took a class in college to go there to see how it all works. I met actors, producers, and cinematographers. In my lifetime, I’ve never been in such awe of an actress. Her acting versatility and cinematic insight never cease to amaze me. And to come from such humble beginnings and claw her way to where she is now on her own merits his admiring, to say the least.

We may need to prepare for a unique story arc where the leads come together and pull apart several times in order for their characters to grow, learn, and heal. I believe LYN said in his podcast that his character does find his happiness, so I’m going to hold onto this until the bitter or sweet end.