AnnV

behind the scene for the kiss on ep 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZqPtOV4HO4

i dunno why it got cut? cuz i don't see any in the final product :"<

Agree. though on rare occasions the best part is towards the end. I would drop dramas within the first few1-3 eps if the main characters don't resonate with me. But I'd be more tolerant towards hyped dramas cuz i'm curious about whether it's overhyped or not, or cuz of my FOMO. I think this drama is overrated, but that doesn't mean all of it is not worth watching.

eh? that's odd. I remember there's a bunch (some of them are on epi 18,20,22,23,24). You probably watched the censored or cut version. I made a video of my fav kisses from this drama (for my rewatch pleasure). It's a spoiler and only contains the kiss scenes so viewer's discretion is advised lol. I think you should watch the whole drama bcuz with the context there's more tension and the chemistry is more sizzling.

https://youtu.be/W3HF_0Y_dSI

If you want some recommendations, here's a list of my fav kisses.

https://kisskh.at/list/1VKydQmL

First half: 9/10
Second half: 5.5/10

Acting:
- FL: 9.5/10
- ML: 8/10 (first half); 6/10 (second half)

The first half is so great and packed with chemistry. Watching FL felt super wholesome cuz her acting is so natural and authentic. ML did great portraying a tsundere without being always stiff, but he's out of character at times, especially in the latter part.

The second half just fizzled out as if they murdered the original writer and then replaced him/her by someone else because of all the plotholes and inconsistent character writing. Leads are brilliant one moment and become slow-witted and unprepared/helpless the next (i mean even i, a casual viewer, can notice the glaringly obvious trap, but our leads who are seasoned strategists are determined to remain oblivious). I really like ML in the first half, but after he pulled that 'I decide to keep secrets about the blood feud from my girl who risked her life seeking justice and hurt her for her own good' with an unrepentant attitude I bid this drama goodbye. My enjoyment and patience was instantly depleted. What a cruel way to butcher a ML and ruin a potential show full of talents :"<

Characters are so endearing here. Nice and spicy chemistry & solid character development & superb acting from many members of the cast. Watching this feels like going on a vacation, albeit a rough beginning. Recommended.

lmao 😂

many thanks for your kind explanation. I should've read synopsis to understand FL's motif first before diving in lol. That said, let me elaborate why i think FL's primary goal is vague and not focused. It was mentioned earlier on that FL assumed her sister's death has something to do with the Gong's house because she died there, and FL agonized over that for years because she loved her sis very much, which lead me to think that she suffered all sorts of hardships to wait for that rare vicennial opportunity to infiltrate into that dangerous place with the main purpose to investigate about her sis' death, and getting freedom for herself is secondary, not the other way around. That's why seeing what she does at the Gong's confused and vexed the heck out of me. If she was there for her own freedom, that makes a lot more sense, but it also makes her character much less compelling imo.

" nonchalant, calm and peaceful not revenge driven female lead. "
Regarding this point I'm not sold by YSX's acting. I don't know how to explain it since it's based on my impression, but YSX doesn't give off that nonchalant and dark vibe. Calm and peaceful yes, but YSX maintains that calm and peaceful facade for the entire show, not showing her character's other dimensions. What i'm expecting here is the mature vibe of someone who's been through hell and back, thereby becoming sharp, insightful, stoic, and unfazed by challenges. She would have that tender but inscrutable look and layered nuances that makes me wonder what's hidden behind that gentle and tranquil front, or the look of someone who's hardened by the cruelty of life yet is still kind at heart, which appealed to Gong Zi Yu who couldn't help but lowering his guard when she's around. But YSX's face is tooo innocent and soft and fragile, coupled with her sweet high-pitched voice, which is unbefitting her character and gives off the indication that she hasn't experienced any tragedy or hardship at all. Just my 2 cents though. I'm glad you enjoy her character, but YSX's acting doesn't do it for me.

thanks for that. I'm actually glad that she replaced YBY since i don't think YBY can handle the role better than YSX (i have nothing against YBY, it's just her acting that i'm not fond of).

No wonder. Can you link me to the source of the tax evasion thing? i wanna know the actress that was originally casted for FL role. TIA!

finished. It gets a lot better towards the end, but took me a whopping 19 episodes to enjoy the drama, which moves at slug pace. I still think FL is a miscast, although she has her moments. Gong Shang Jue, whom i also think a miscast initially, grows on me as time goes by. What i love about this drama: the aesthetic, the suspense, the set, the costumes, the OSTs, and most action choreos. I also love ML's character development from an incompetent playboy into a responsible and capable leader. Recommended for fans of wuxia and thriller/suspense. Looking forward to ss2.

WDF's acting is so stiff and forced, and cringe and contrived at times >"<. He probably didn't study his character well enough, cuz he gave me the feel that he's just an actor reciting his lines.
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edit: completed. The storyline is passable, not as angsty as rumored. I nodded off while watching fastforward more than i would like to. Wu Di Fei's poor acting makes it so hard for me to dig this drama. He has zero chemistry with the FL, and his sudden change of attitude gave me a whiplash. Don't expect a forever-enduring romance that transcends space and time here. For me the only highlight of this show is the mother-and-son bond. For fans of romance this is highly not recommended.

thanks!

romance?

on ep 11 and it's getting interesting now. My heart broke when ML said 'Can i help you with it instead?' ಠ_ಥ

i paused on the scene where he gave her the book and there's the title on it, and Google translate gave me that result :v . Plus i read lots of webtoons and usually those books feature sex positions lol. You know how it goes in ancient times, there's no internet (and no porn) so those 春宮圖 merches became popular, especially among nobles and royals. They also used those to teach girls in the brothels since patriarchy governed the society at that time.

on ep 10 and i still don't get what everyone raved about :/ . atm i think it's very overrated. The plot is meandering, and some important details are so inconsequential (i.e. the reason why FL does what she does). I kept wondering what FL was doing in that place, is it for revenge? cuz she doesn't seem focused at all. A-list casts but mostly because of their good looks, not because of their ability to carry/fulfill their roles. Only Shangguan Qian piques my interest rn, thanks to Lu Yu Xiao's portrayal. She has that mysterious aura around her, coupled with her mature mannerism and subtle nuances, all tailored to the requirements of her role (as opposed to Yun Wei Shan whose imposing air is completely lacking). Her acting has become more sophisticated and versatile compared to her previous role in Time and Him Are Just Right, as she can convey the depth of her character via microexpressions now. So glad to see her growth, and i hope i'd keep seeing it <3

The book title is 春宮圖, which translates to 'erotic pictures'. It's highly likely that that book is about the art of pleasuring men in bed, which she refused to learn.

I'm on ep 6 but i'm not feeling it. There's something about FL that makes me think she's not suited for the role. Probably her high-pitched voice and innocent look. She's more suited in light-hearted modern dramas or in more upbeat roles imo. Or maybe it's my expectation that FL should be/look stoic, calculative, revenge-driven, and determined/goal-oriented given her motive for becoming an assassin and entering that dangerous place that has ruined it for me. She doesn't have that mature mannerism of someone who's been through a lot, be it tragedy or hardship, and has therefore become jaded and stoic. Also, chemistry is pretty awkward at this point. And i can't feel her screen presence much. I think they cast her for her ability to execute the action choreography. Other than that i'm not convinced by her performance. Hope it gets better.

My life just suddenly became more wholesome now lmao 😂.

omg i really like your take. The plot writing was good but the ending makes it all pointless.