TheMoonEmpress

I feel like the scriptwriter, director and actor don't know what to do with the FL's character. They want to show her as clever and mature but also as cute and naive. In an effort to show her as multidimensional, both dimensions are suffering. Even if it turns out to be s scheme of hers to get closer to the ML, it's still not communicated properly, the storytelling is a major miss. I feel like if the dreamy stares and loving smiles had been built up slowly instead of being bombarded and stuffed in the last two episodes, it would have made more sense.

The storytelling just seems a bit muddled. I understand what she said but it doesn't satisfactorily explain everything that she has been doing in ep 16 and 17, that I mentioned in my comment. She is acting like a teen with a crush and I don't know where that's coming from.

No you're not alone lol. I was watching her smiling at him from the carriage, scratching my head like "huh?"

Why does he lowkey look like he's running for President lol. I am reminded of all those steamy novels featuring a president/politician. Like when the phone rings 🙈

There is a peace offering between them in the latest episode so I think so too.

HYXs wrap

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BcuuaqiSG/

No you're not the only, there are a few like us who are just not able to connect with the FL's acting. Her wooden acting and lack of micro expressions is a challenge but I'm sticking around for the ML, enemies to lovers trope and actors like XL and HHS. Seriously, especially when the FL is in the same frame as XL or HHS, I get even more confused with the FL's acting because the other two give such a good nuanced performance. And when she is at least passingly good, her breathy voice takes away from it for me.

Prefer both tbh 🫣😉

I love his hairstyle in the modern outfits more. The best period style hairstyle for him was Hao Du imo.

I can imagine. Traffic actors have some of the most dedicated fans who want to promote and protect their idol from even a hint of criticism. To each their own, I for one cannot stomach her acting and infantile portrayal. I wish I could get into LBFAD but I just can't because of her. It also feels a bit weird that she is so over present everywhere, literally getting dramas left and right. We just see the same faces again and again because of the water army/traffic stars game. Hence, even underwhelming and mediocre actors keep getting more roles again and again because the producers know that even crappy dramas will make money because of the fans of the traffic stars. It sucks.

BTS
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19JjMDZhay/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HapmEzWan/

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ERF2cCgJt/

Interview:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16MDoYje8g/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15oETPWjgS/

No 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

Lol the last hashtag made me think of some dirty jokes 🙈🫣

Just caught up to the latest episode. I got a whiplash from how quickly she fell for WS, is smiling around him, hugging him, staring at him....I feel like I missed a few steps in between 😅🥲 I know she was touched by the wheat incident and the building of their trust through the letters, but still the transition to being a lovesick wife is a bit unconvincing and unbelievable.
I am enjoying the sweet fluffy moments and pink bubbles like everyone else but the logic, pacing and flawed storytelling is robbing my joy 😩 some sweet moments like when he caught her near the cliff could be better shot, like I missed a few clips when they realise their position and get flustered or shy. Like it's almost there, but not quite. I have realised that it probably has to do with this director.

No to both your questions. It's watchable as a romance drama but keep your expectations lows for logic in the politics and 'clever' parts of the drama

"she knows a unique way of planting wheat, that's why she wants to accompany me" what a silly dumbo 😂😂

True, all Chinese dramas seem to suffer the curse of being draggy yet having rushed endings lol. Somehow I've made my peace with it lol. Also, since you mentioned character growth and transformation of HN , it's interesting to note that since HYX reshot a butt load of scenes in front of the green screen, many a times she'd have to do the sweet silly scenes and then immediately shoot the emotional heartbreaking scenes, back to back without a break. I can't even imagine the level of make belief and talent required for an actresses to pull this off. It's very well documented in her interviews and the livestreams of the cast. I will post some links her for you to get an idea about how they made it possible. This is why, even though it's flawed, I still appreciate this drama.

The original FL was Yuan Bing Yan. She has a big fandom thanks to Liu Li. In fact the FL role was first billed when it was YBY . Because of her tax evasion scandal, this drama was shelved for 3 years. HYX stepped in to reshoot in 2024 and spent day and night in the studio reshooting scenes in front of green screen, mostly without costars, props and sets. LXY, ARP and some other cast members also joined for the reshoot for few scenes. It took 2 months for the reshoot to be completed.
Originally, this drama was completed in 2021 and got its license in 2022. That's why some tropes and sets might seem a bit outdated. As you correctly mentioned, this has the same vibes as the xianxia dramas of 3 years ago like TAP and Immortal Sansara. Obsessive SML tropes from dramas like Rebirth for you or Female student in Imperial College. This was made with similar trends of the early 2020s period dramas. This drama went through so many ups and downs but was reborn from the ashes, currently has 1.2 billion views on mango. Of course, because of the larger fandom of the original actress, there are many haters and hate comments, rating this down. Also the dated and draggy nature of the drama could also be the reason. Overall this drama has a special place in my heart because they didn't give up and everyone worked together to make this drama possible to be released. All the other completed dramas of YBY are unfortunately shelved forever , like the Emperor's love. So I'm glad we at least got to see this one. Also I'm glad HYX got much needed appreciation for her hard work and professionalism in China. It's impressive that she was able to act alone in front of the green screen without the usual trappings of a drama production. I highly encourage you to see her BTS and interviews chronicling this process. So yes, this drama is flawed but, my god, what a feat that they made it work.
I agree with you about HYX's cute acting, it's never cringe or contrived. It always comes across as naturally cute. I'm sorry , I am not a fan of Esther Yu. I cannot stand her baby voice and forced pouts to convey 'cuteness'. It's not my cup of tea, I can never take her seriously., too contrived and artificial for my taste. I really loved the story, premise, ML ,SML,h heck even the villain of LBFAD, but I still dropped it because I just could not stand the FL at all and couldn't take more of her forced cuteness. The only dramas of Esther that I could complete were my journey to you and a love so romantic, in which she does not use her high pitched voice and pouts and all. Rest all the dramas, I dropped.
Btw , thank you for your detailed review

"it's windy, close the window"

Yes, some of us struggle with that. With this drama, I've made up my mind to just ignore the logical plotholes and enjoy the romance. Only then it is enjoyable.