Dominique Euqinimod

When most everyone on social media is raving about this drama but the rating here on MDL is low, I am EVEN MORE INTRIGUED to watch it. That's the effect on me lol.

"See for yourself" then. Totally agree.

I am disgusted with dishonest raters who downvote without even watching. Or are hyperfixated with the FL's appearance. We all have our favorites, mine is Gong Li (yes, GL will always be my standard) but I find that RM is a capable actor. This is the first time I am meeting her in a drama. And I await eps 7 and 8 tonight.

Hello back, Luffy!

Re: your last paragraph made me think about determining exactly at what point our parents stop influencing us and our own "agentic self" takes full control so that we are fully accountable for our actions?

I think it is fair to say that parenting is tricky. I have no experience in raising children but we all have parents. At some point we also learn to accept them, love them forever even if we think they screwed us up with their ways (even with the best intentions).

The Ye family lived a very comf life (connections, etc) but the kids had more emotional baggage. Xiao Mei had parents who were a bit more supportive whilst XCS mom was no longer in the picture and he had to take care of his dad, Hongling had her challenges, too. QT's back story was also sad. I do not remember if Heizi mentioned parents (I do not think so) but I think you know what I mean?

Anyway, I finished watching this drama on time. The only drama in recent memory that got me so involved with the daily 2 eps.

It's about friendship, too and made me reflect the many friends I have made throughout the years: from school, K-graduate school and who I decided to keep. From various work situations (paid and voluntary work), social circles, etc. I am a bit like XCS, easy to make friends but if only I were as noble. LOL.

I know what it's like to be (figuratively) stabbed in the back, in front, on the side (ouch) so those rl betrayals have taught me a lot of things. We do not just pile on the years, at some points we grow together in hardships, other times we fall apart (especially when they move out of the city, exes who are also in the same circle of friends, etc).

As a middle-aged person, this drama makes me look back on my "youth memories" as I reflect on our glorious years (the 80s, yay!!!) but also to look forward to living the rest of our days for even more glorious years together.

TLDR: there is a lot going on in this show that resonates to me. The ensemble cast is amazing. The script is well-written. I feel bad this is ending in a few short days. Watching 2 episodes a day has been a daily habit and they're hours well spent imho.

Hi, OneLuffy. :)

I understand what you mean and I can't say that you and I disagree. We actually have more points in agreement here. My take on Heizi is that he is just like CHJ, they are both the follower-types and always looking towards someone else to shepherd them. I see your point as Heizi's Big Bro is QT (but when he went away, Heizi floundered). However, CHJ despite being saved by XCS flourished more, but might be because of the influence of YF.

In order to assert himself and prove he could do it by himself to flex more confidence that he is his own man, he was willing to throw CXS under the bus. That isn't the right thing to do but I also understand where they're coming from (it's been done on me lol). I can forgive and forget (as I have forgiven and forgotten) but it isn't easy to stay friends with someone who harmed you knowingly.

I am eager to see if XCS who was magnanimous with YGH could do the same with HGJ. Guessing he's be the greatest guy and show us the way.

This drama resonates with me on so many levels. The script writing is to be lauded.

This is kind of thinking is what I do not quite understand. If you look up at the sky there are MANY STARS THAT SHINE. It's petty to think that there could be only one.

If you are constantly comparing your light and/or shadow with another, you will not reach your full potential, imho.

When it's dark, you can keep cursing the darkness.
Or you can scream for help and wait for a light source.
Better yet, BE THAT light and generate energy for however far it would reach. Glow from within, ha ha.

CXS and TXM have that well-spring of inner light. I think we all do, up to each of us to turn it on/up.

Just the way that they're holding the ball is already very telling, ha ha! I can tell by it who plays better lol. Thanks for the link.

I have never seen Cao Fei Ran / HHL actor previously but she's so good in WDB. The entire ensemble cast is amazing. I have been watching daily, and anticipate the drop of each episode.

On timestamp 00:31:56 of episode 3, HHL says "by Monti, a famous Italian violin composer." :)

Czárdás, Vittorio Monti

https://open.spotify.com/track/1k8q0uKc3m9uX35XgHhLGI?si=6283c1b03cbf4039

Czárdás, Vittorio Monti

https://open.spotify.com/track/1k8q0uKc3m9uX35XgHhLGI?si=6283c1b03cbf4039

But when QT served time, Heizi was very friendly, fraternizing with bad guy Li ShangYou. That was a bad decision imho.

How much do each of our bad decisions affect our entire selves? It's not so cut and dried.

What I like about this show is that it shows decision-making processes as well as motivations of the various characters. You think you know them already but when they encounter a challenge in life, they surprise you. Just like in real life no?

I like what XCS said in one of the earlier episodes (whilst conversing with Amao) what he will help his friends because it is the right thing to do. Even if he gets betrayed he won't regret it. I am paraphrasing his words here, I will go back and find that episode.

Hello, thank you for the response. Makes perfect sense. :)

Thanks for this, I only know "dandy" from British context.

I also only know "loafer" from the shoes I wear, ha ha.

I have a question about the white towels on their pillows tho. Why do they have to line the pillowcase with a white towel? They sleep with wet hair?

It's easy to see HHL as THAT villain but somehow I understand her motivations. I think TXM is a better match for XCS, but I hope HHL realizes her dreams too, even if she ends up with another.

I have a soft spot for Qi Tian. I am rooting for him, too!

In real life, not everyone ends up with their first love, so imho the development of that love angle here resonates. This is series is more than just romance, as we can see with the way characters are evolving. XCS's dad with ptsd is like my mum's dementia. I had to do role-playing with her as well. Ngl, filial piety balanced with romance doesn't always equate.

Agree with how clever the script-writing is. I am so hooked and invested in all the characters here. Hasn't happened in a long time that I eagerly await the next episodes to see how my friends (I consider them as my friends now, too!) are going to deal with life's challenges.

Thank you for explaining this. I will look it up. Much appreciated. :)

I have a soft spot for Hong Jun, too. The most bookish and studious. I see him reading, writing, preparing for a not there yet Gaokao exams. Knowledge is power. Jiayou.

The first scene is where both leads break into a forbidden library but not quite meeting each other yet?

I am sold!

Literally and metaphorically, knowledge-seeking despite the odds is a very good start. Can't wait for episode 7 tonight!

Hear hear! Patience is and will always be a virtue! Hi, Enigma! :)

Finally! Thank you for the poster update!