Artehc

Fair point. I guess they did pique my attention though not in a good way. If that's what they want, negative attention, then be my guest.

I haven't read the novel yet, so no idea how it actually ended :/

Now that I think about it, I'm still irked by how they wrapped things up. By all means, this drama is very very good. To anyone who is still deciding whether to watch or not, PLEASE watch it. You'll enjoy the journey for what it is.

That said, I want to vent my frustration. Everything has been perfect right until the very end. I'm not blaming the screenwriter because she didn't intend for what we got. It's the higher-ups who think they know better and order to change things up so they can get the "open" ending. But that just messed up the logical flow and direction of the last episode. Instead of leaving us feeling hopeful for a possible reunion, it left us feeling despondent (Xuanye putting Moonbugs to revive the Carefree plants, and then what???).

- What's the point of the scene with the old man and the conch? If Banxia receives a miraculous chance to recall her memory (defying the repercussion of using Changle Sword), then the message there should be for her and Xuanye to fight against fate. Why go through all the troubles only for them to willingly accept their situation?
[which makes me think that the screenwriter's original ending fits so much more >.<]

- If we are to give them the benefit of the doubt and say the "open ending" route is to open a segway to a 2nd season, then they should just set up a cliffhanger that hints at us that there is still more to come with the main couple's story.
[Banxia should have not recalled everything at all, UNTIL the very end = the cliffhanger. They should just let Xuanye have his heartwarming and goodbye moments with each of his friends and family (like the scene where he buys food and clothes for Chi Xue and the scene where his father knows the truth). Then finally Xuanye meets Banxia, but she doesn't recognize him, only having dreams and strangely familiar feeling with him (like their scenes together before she got her memory back). They might have a few more encounters and get more familiar with each other. Then when Xuanye finally has to leave, that's when Banxia should meet the old man, get the conch, and retrieves her memory. *END SCENE*]

It may not feel fulfilling, but that is because it is NOT the end yet. There's more to their story. That's how you hook the audience to wait for the next season if that's what you intend with the "open ending".

honestly, it's not her fault. her version of the ending is a happy one. it's the higher-ups who want to stroke their own ego and order to go another direction for the ending

I highly recommend Guardian of Dafeng. Chef's kiss (though i like the novel version more xD cuz it's a whole freaking journey that leaves you satisfied by the end of it)

Ren Jialun has become like the Sean Bean of "separation" ending HAHA.
Love the series, but the ending is so bittersweet. I heard the screenwriter's original ending was a happy one, but got rejected. That said, there's also news of a season 2 with the same writer. Hope it gets confirmed.

considering her PTSD of being abandoned, she may have said about never relying on another person, but she perhaps very much wanted companionship and wanted to rely on another person the most.

the Chinese version is titled, "The Golden Hairpin" after the original novel (They might change it later, I think). Starring Yang Zi (as FL). The drama was postponed due to the first male lead's scandal (Kris Wu's rape charge), so they had to replace with a new male lead (which needs reshooting). And due to the new rule of max 40eps a season of c-drama, they have to reedit the footage, or divide the 60eps run into 2 seasons.

that's the life of a general, even more so during time of war and turmoil. With his legendary status, I bet he was constantly embroiled in life and death situations.

COME ON!! PLEASEEEEEEE! Release already for our sanity!!!

Honestly, the production value and acting are equal, if not superior, to many full-length c-dramas. This is quite a surprise, in a good way!

I lost it when they play Tan JianCi's OST of Lost You Forever in Ep7 xDDDDDD

I'm currently reading the novel, and to be honest, I'd love the drama to cover some material in the book that they skipped cuz that would help flush out side characters and character development for XQA. But I still love the show. I take the show as its own version and storyline.

Dude! Imagine being the author and seeing your main character come to life. The feeling of fulfillment and achievement. Every author/writer's dream honestly.
Wang Hedi is Xu Qi'An, heart and soul.

yeah. It was basically borrowed power. ShenShu + Confucian book. After the fight was done, ShenShu went into another deep sleep (and likely mentally or memory-affected) while the book was fried, not to be used again. I guess it's XQA's fortune again that helped him

yeah, and the way this Part 1 ended looks like it was planned to make a preparation for Part 2 too.

HAHAHA true true

hehe yes yes. And i'm enjoying every one of it. I'm telling you, the comedies in the book and the drama are exactly the same. I always laugh my ass off.

Yes! Every actor/actress embodies their roles. I can't imagine them being replaced and having the same dynamics.

I haven't finished the book yet, still reading Volume 2. But the ending of the Part 1 (this drama) is already past Volume 2, I think. I'm not sure because there are some differences between the book and the drama, so it's a bit difficult to track.