Tetrahedron IX

You summed it up very well.

Yes she does try to hurt the FL but its indirect, most of the story they are separated by large distances. The FL never directly confronts her either. Most of what (Prime Minister Gu's daughter)( the antagonist) does is trying to woo the ML first through kindness and special favors, then when that doesn't work she schemes to have him forced to marry her, also tries to have the FL family charged with treason and even gives the ML an aphrodisiac in attempt to seduce him.She is part various other schemes to drive wedge between the ML and FL or hurt to hurt the FL indirectly. But much of her scheming is through the framework of others or she utilizes the power of her Father who is the Prime Minister working with her to achieve their goal. There is very little physical interaction between Prime Minister Gu's daughter and the main lead. The ML does find out, closer to the end about all her scheming but she never gets truly confronted because the blame is mainly shifted to her father who is killed. She gets banished from the capital and you never see her actually confronted by the FL.

Yes, No and her name is Gu Wan Niang Prime Minister Gu's daughter.

I think you are conflating the storytellers ability to portray insanity with the storytellers ability to write a cohesive story. By your logic its impossible to know what is good or bad writing because its all matter of interpretive expression. That is not true. Writers tell stories within a framework which provides a background that the readers or viewers can piece together and understand the story as it builds upon the existing framework. The framework is more than a simple background story, it is the writer codifying the rules and settings of the world in which the story takes place. A viewer who takes time to understand this framework sees the story on a deeper level and this viewer is rewarded as the story unravels the puzzle becomes clearer and makes more sense. The underlying emotions of characters and their motivations are clearly understood as the story provides context and dialogue to bring to life the various plots taking place within the framework of the story. When all of the sudden a character for instance, LCF is able to break the codified settings of the framework, by going from a weak puppet general who can't even defeat the FL or save himself to a mastermind supervillain able to defeat or control the 3 major armies it is not good writing. I'm not saying the writers don't have the creative license to do this but the manner in which they implemented it doesn't flow within the framework of the story. I understand the LCF's insanity and the infatuation, but LCF being given the ability to control, manipulate and outsmart the ML and FL, 3x armies, 2x princes and prime minister is cheap writing. LCF is basically given God level status like he couldn't be killed at that time and was able to bring down multiple generals, princes and armies. For contrast the arc of the Prime Minster Gu and his daughter was good storytelling as it built upon the framework of the story, and the viewer saw the change in Prime Minister Gu and his daughter into villains and we also saw the elevation of their power. The arc of LCF was bad storytelling as LCF is a one-dimensional character who doesn't experience any real growth and his elevation to power is not believable within the framework of the story.

Yes, I agree.

C'mon LCF (Liu Cheng Feng) makes the entire drama just silly. He destroys 3 armies, kills 2 princes, brings down a general Cui 2x, tries to assassinate FL 1x and kidnaps her 2x successfully. Destroys ML army and takes over FL army, convinces the King to disband his own defense, almost kills ML 4x LCF fakes his own death 3x. FL is basically neutered the last half of the show as she is consistently tricked and overpowered by the weak LCF. While the ML essentially becomes blind to him. The writing is either bad or lazy regarding this aspect of the show. This one character ruined the show for me. ok die hard fanatics make it make sense, tell me how I'm dumb and didn't understand the complexities of the perfect story, how LCF was driven by power and hatred and able to manipulate 4 different armies and kill 2 princes and generals all because the FL wouldn't make kissy faces back to him.

He actually ruined the drama for me. LCF is able to conduct these murderous rampages destroy entire armies and get away with it over and over again.

Honestly, she was the best actor in MJTY, and that is saying something because all the actors were great. Her eyes, her facial expression and her tone draw you in and even when you know she is lying to the other characters you believe her.

I was actually referring to similarities between the main characters and and secondary characters and the love triangle. Both main characters lose their parents, identify and power becoming trapped as someone else. Both main characters have three love interest. Jang Uk and Cang Xuan are similar, Seo Yul and Tushan Jin and of course the crown prince and Xiang Liu(both torture and threaten to kill FL). They have the same dynamics, Xiao Yao even has a spoiled half sister who acts just like Jin Cho Yeon from AOS. The juxtaposition of(Xiao Yao / Wen Xiao) and (Naksu / Cho Yeong / Jin Bu Yeo) are similar.

Alchemy of Souls vibes all over this.

I agree "Hereoes" makes this look dated

The show really started off good, I'm around ep 14-15 and its not bad, but there is not much intrigue or excitement. The suspense is completely gone. The actors are great but other than the main character Wei Zhi most of the other characters are just boring. I'll keep watching maybe it will finish with the greatness it had the beginning.

A while back someone had posted a few of the deleted clips on youtube. I remember when it came out, every year or so I actually rewatch it.

It sucks that this show doesn't get good until 20 episodes in. So many people have dropped it and will not see its redemptive qualities.

Honestly, the censorship has crippled the screen writers, this is why you see so many reoccurring themes not in just in this drama but most of them. Dramas face heavy censorship and they can't be too long.

Rating is down bad because the first 20 episodes basically goes in circles.

I was also impressed with her acting, she has come a long way. Many questioned if she had the emotional intellect to display complex emotions and now she has proving she can. She really became Chonzi and I was happy when Chonzi was happy and sad when Chonzi was sad and I felt her emotional and frustration when YCY spoke. She did a brilliant job. But like you said the show was mediocre at best but it still has a nice charm thanks to YCY

Well for me the first 20 episodes were pretty much a waste. Some episodes were good but mostly the story goes in circles. But the evolution of Chonzi is compelling and its nice to watch Chaoyue development as an actor. The most fustrating part of the drama is the wasted potential but its still charming enough to make it a decent watch at least for me.

thanks for the info, I think that tells alot.

Yes, many people love the characters more than the actual story. So all the writers have to do, as you stated is treat those characters well.