1st half 8/10 (great), 2nd half 5/10 (good/mixed). Basically, after the auction of State. 2 Steel it goes downhill. The worst part, apart from a couple of ludicrous plot lines, is how ridiculously incompetent they all appear by this time this trainwreck is over -- "due diligence" is not a concept anyone seemed to understand. In the middle of the show, the whole relationship with the marriage scammer "arc" was quite insufferable. By the end I was very fatigued by all the sentimental flashbacks and reminiscences. As for the OST, I simply didn't like it.
Nonetheless, the first half of this show made for addictive and rewarding viewing - if only it could have maintained such reasonableness and focus until the very end. Zhao Liying's performance here is to be highly commended. Ou Hao also produced a stellar portrayal as Tong Xiaoqi.
This doesn't nosedive in the second half but it sure has some annoying and needless plots. It never quite devolves into a makjang but it's not a million miles away either.
Though if you're so big on sound design, surely you noticed the numerous odd cuts and gaffes in production, especially in the final third. There are also plenty of clumsy inserts. As far as the music itself, it's definitely one of the better OSTs I've heard this year and it has strong and consistent main themes and variations. I enjoy many of the tracks. Visually, it's the most impressive xianxia I've seen so far as well. (Anyway what's with the sound design in Westworld season 2? Major balance issues for many types of sound setups. Of course, the actual compositions are often exceptional.)
Compare the unique, authentic and expressive character of this OST to the echo chamber of mirrors and doppelgangers heard across seemingly every modern Chinese costume drama nowadays.
(Yes I am going to keep returning to this thread every few months to bask in the glory of its music lol.)
It's not really either. I guess it's a fictional historical with some slight exaggerations of combat - so you…
Haha yeh I should have just checked your watchlist - oops. BTW I forgot to recommend Reset (2022) which is a time loop Cdrama thriller and was a gateway drama for many Kdrama fans getting into Cdrama when it aired. Very very highly rated. Also short and sweet at 15 eps.
A Dream of Splendour or Love Between Fairy and Devil. A Dream of Splendour has wonderful chemistry between leads…
Are you looking specifically for historical/costume? If not, Meet Yourself is another excellent drama - a highly mature slice of life with a fantastic romance, again starring Liu Yifei.
It's not really either. I guess it's a fictional historical with some slight exaggerations of combat - so you…
I have to be honest and admit that I've shelved my exploration of wuxia in favour of xianxia, but Heroes (2022) was not bad and I've just finished with My Journey To You which is has an intriguing story and some great direction. In some ways it left me flat and frankly the second leads were more interesting than the mains but it was still one of the best dramas I've watched this year and the various revelations of the story are quite thrilling. I plan to watch Mysterious Lotus Casebook soon, which is supposed to be a mystery wuxia drama!
As for thrillers, I have no experience with Cdramas. As far as Kdramas there's stuff like Mouse (it's incredible), Strangers from Hell, Flower of Evil, Beyond Evil, Signal...
The only Cdrama I've watched which somewhat fits in is The Bad Kids. It's an amazing drama with stunning production and a creepy creepy plot. Apparently the novel is way more brutal but Chinese censorship and all that. I think the drama actually benefits because it becomes much more mysterious, much less obvious. Also just started Rookie Agent Rouge with Zhao Liying, and so far so good.
Asking doublets opinion here. Want to try another cdrama. Already dropped shenli and princess royal. Is blossoms…
A Dream of Splendour or Love Between Fairy and Devil.
A Dream of Splendour has wonderful chemistry between leads and some of the most splendid visuals and cinematography you'll find in any drama... right near the top of my list in that specific regard. Also, the FL is well-written, nuanced, highly independent, bold and smart... I have no idea if that's a plus point for you but it sure was for me.
Ok so I stopped watching cdramas in 2018 and even at that time I never watched any historical drama. But I heard…
It's not really either. I guess it's a fictional historical with some slight exaggerations of combat - so you could say very light wuxia elements in terms of slightly inhuman combat abilities at times. (Or if it is loosely based on real history then clearly I have no clue about it.)
A full-blooded wuxia drama will often have a primary focus on martial arts, have tons of fights with special abilities which can't actually be achieved in real life, and be highly adventurous, filled with various trials and tribulations for one or often many different martial artists, embodying heroism.
Xianxia is stuff like Love Between Fairy and Devil or Till the End of the Moon, where the fantasy becomes much higher, or you could say it's a form of high fantasy, Chinese style. You'll get all sorts of different realms including the Divine/Heavenly, the Immortal and the mortal, the Demon and various other fantastical realms. Often xianxia dramas involve gods and immortals and have a heavy focus on magical abilities and cultivation. Through cultivation, these superhumans and gods and unique beings of various realms can live for many thousands of years and develop incredible supernatural abilities. Like with wuxia, these dramas often involve a lot of combat, but unlike wuxia it seems to me that every recent xianxia is heavily romance focused even though various realms might be at war, where as wuxia is more likely to follow a band of heroic martial artists who have their adventures and uphold their own unique martial codes which don't align with the typical societal structure you'd experience in straight-up historical dramas.
Someone will provide a better and more accurate answer than me probably but at least this is something.
No no no no. Not every tale can be told in 25 hours. The Story of Minglan and Story of Yanxi palace would not…
All I can tell you is Yanxi Palace is one crazy and thrilling ride. However, the FL has a quite similar character to The Double... too similar to watch it so soon after, I'd say. It's probably why she was selected for this role. If you do ever end up giving it a go then I doubt you'll be disappointed as it's a real epic and really suited to mini binges.
You're best off just doing some quick research on google but ENFJs tend to have a warm but somewhat fierce energy and are quite direct and honest, not hiding their feelings and making things clear and transparent in general. They are typically highly structured and don't mind being the tip of the spear for a cause and they are often great as leaders. They are (in my experience) people who are good at getting the best out of others and inspiring and encouraging others to grow, and they typically have a strong sense of justice.
INFPs are generally less structured, highly imaginative, highly sympathetic and often have a great talent for reading into others, although they'll often somewhat hide themselves and their problems rather than being open about it like most ENFJs. ENFJs aren't just often open but they also end up shouldering the burden for others perhaps a little too often (same for INFJs, who often wish to please and counsel others and sometimes forget about themselves). You'll find INFPs often in the arts, as supremely talented musicians, actors, artists and authors. They have among the deepest and strongest internal feelings of self-expression and their own unique authenticity as a being. In general, their vibe is less outwardly strong-willed than ENFJs (and most types) and often they carry a gentleness and shyness to them. When comfortable around others their minds can run wild, as they let their fantastically rich inner thoughts surface to others.
These are my immediate thoughts and you can find much better and deeper analysis just by looking into profiles of the types yourself!
(edit: a couple of small edits here and there in the above post.)
Naaaw.
Nonetheless, the first half of this show made for addictive and rewarding viewing - if only it could have maintained such reasonableness and focus until the very end. Zhao Liying's performance here is to be highly commended. Ou Hao also produced a stellar portrayal as Tong Xiaoqi.
Final score: 6
(Yes I am going to keep returning to this thread every few months to bask in the glory of its music lol.)
Alrighty good luck drama hunting.
As for thrillers, I have no experience with Cdramas. As far as Kdramas there's stuff like Mouse (it's incredible), Strangers from Hell, Flower of Evil, Beyond Evil, Signal...
The only Cdrama I've watched which somewhat fits in is The Bad Kids. It's an amazing drama with stunning production and a creepy creepy plot. Apparently the novel is way more brutal but Chinese censorship and all that. I think the drama actually benefits because it becomes much more mysterious, much less obvious. Also just started Rookie Agent Rouge with Zhao Liying, and so far so good.
A Dream of Splendour has wonderful chemistry between leads and some of the most splendid visuals and cinematography you'll find in any drama... right near the top of my list in that specific regard. Also, the FL is well-written, nuanced, highly independent, bold and smart... I have no idea if that's a plus point for you but it sure was for me.
A full-blooded wuxia drama will often have a primary focus on martial arts, have tons of fights with special abilities which can't actually be achieved in real life, and be highly adventurous, filled with various trials and tribulations for one or often many different martial artists, embodying heroism.
Xianxia is stuff like Love Between Fairy and Devil or Till the End of the Moon, where the fantasy becomes much higher, or you could say it's a form of high fantasy, Chinese style. You'll get all sorts of different realms including the Divine/Heavenly, the Immortal and the mortal, the Demon and various other fantastical realms. Often xianxia dramas involve gods and immortals and have a heavy focus on magical abilities and cultivation. Through cultivation, these superhumans and gods and unique beings of various realms can live for many thousands of years and develop incredible supernatural abilities. Like with wuxia, these dramas often involve a lot of combat, but unlike wuxia it seems to me that every recent xianxia is heavily romance focused even though various realms might be at war, where as wuxia is more likely to follow a band of heroic martial artists who have their adventures and uphold their own unique martial codes which don't align with the typical societal structure you'd experience in straight-up historical dramas.
Someone will provide a better and more accurate answer than me probably but at least this is something.
(Couple of small edits made to the main post.)
INFPs are generally less structured, highly imaginative, highly sympathetic and often have a great talent for reading into others, although they'll often somewhat hide themselves and their problems rather than being open about it like most ENFJs. ENFJs aren't just often open but they also end up shouldering the burden for others perhaps a little too often (same for INFJs, who often wish to please and counsel others and sometimes forget about themselves). You'll find INFPs often in the arts, as supremely talented musicians, actors, artists and authors. They have among the deepest and strongest internal feelings of self-expression and their own unique authenticity as a being. In general, their vibe is less outwardly strong-willed than ENFJs (and most types) and often they carry a gentleness and shyness to them. When comfortable around others their minds can run wild, as they let their fantastically rich inner thoughts surface to others.
These are my immediate thoughts and you can find much better and deeper analysis just by looking into profiles of the types yourself!
(edit: a couple of small edits here and there in the above post.)