Between The Lines

Without fixing the scriptwriters it wouldn't matter how many episodes were made. Anning was a woefully underdeveloped character, they didn't need more episodes just allow her to show her best qualities and use some of the fake DZY screentime.
I think there's a difference between wanting and needing to protect DZY. Both HY and LMX recognise how capable DZY is, but that doesn't stop them wanting to protect her.

I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!

I think this has been one of my problems with the drama, its has required too many leaps in order to make the story work. It obviously makes more sense if you have read the novel but as for anyone who hasn't the drama leaves too much unsaid.

The script has not done any of the actors any favours but in most instances they have managed to rise above some obvious flaws.
LMX was great until last few episodes for me, I personally didn't like where they went with his storyline.. Liu Yu Ning is in The Long Ballad again with Dilraba, he's great in that role.
The CGI has been consistent... consistently bad throughout, I actually laugh now when i see it.
My personal favourite is watching the characters riding a horse at a gallop. You never see the horse, its sooooo fake, again just kind of laughable.

Thank you, my question was more related to yesterdays episodes rather than the overall motivation. It felt in these ep she was driven more by anger at HY because of LMX (fake) death which didn't really fit in with my expectations. This is perhaps an adaptation problem.

Exactly, i said this earlier about HY - Right until the end it was never about you... we need more people like this.

Thank you for clarifying

I think in the later episodes they have done a better job in showing Anle is not perfect. She has her flaws. She has reacted on pure emotion at times, she isn't honest with her own feelings, she takes everything that HY says and does at face value. This at least for me makes her a better character.
She isn't perfect but she always tries to do the right thing.

I'm not entirely sure what flaws you are are referring to in relation to HY. Maybe you can expand on his flaws? He has been consistent emotionally and intellectually throughout, I've had conversations with others saying he's too perfect for me.
Without repeating my previous post if you judge HY across every episode his actions make complete sense. The only real flaw I can see is that he keeps everything too himself and that leads to misunderstandings, but that is his nature. He takes ownership of everything in a real way and tries to deliver the best outcome, even at his own cost. Not sure that counts as a flaw?

I was initially an LMX fan as he felt the most complete character, but I've always liked HY as well. I think the difference now is how they've pulled HY actions and emotions all together. Everything is on point, so he is officially my favourite character too.

It would have been easy in the really emotionally moments to have him portray these in a bigger way, with his more subtle acting style it is far more in keeping with HY. Still a little too perfect for me😂but I've grown to appreciate the character and the acting more and more.

I know not everyone has liked Gong Jun portrayal of the Crown Prince, personally I've enjoyed his performance, but in light of todays episode doesn't his acting performance make complete sense?

With both his and other characters explanation's of his actions, everything fits with Gong Jun performance.

HY from what I've seen is someone who keeps his emotions hidden, this is clearly the point early on in the drama, he is the smartest person in the room on most occasions. He doesn't want everyone to know what he's thinking. As the story develops you see more emotion as he struggles with his feelings for DZY , his conflict over what his family has done and his sense of duty to his country. Gong Jun has portrayed these different stages really well with his performance in keeping with his character. Small smiles, hints at anger and as in we've recently seen his pain with a single tear and finally love for DZY, Anning and GS.

Gong Jun as Han Yee is like peeling the layers of an onion, as each layer is removed you get closer to the truth as to why his performance fits the Crown Prince perfectly.

For pure emotion the best episode.. I'm sure you will love it when you get to see it. This was HY episode, where every action is brought into focus. I loved how it was done

When you can ignore the flaws, and yes there were a few, but find yourself connecting with the characters, those flaws fade to the background. This is how emotion's should be delivered... it wasn't big...it was real, that's what made it all work

Perhaps this is just a maturity issue. I don't see her as someone who never wallowed in self pity, maybe not on the surface, but her refusal to grow up is kind of an example of that. I struggle with Eun Mi because her better qualities are overshadowed by the negatives. She is never dull, but as a parent she is a trainwreck.

I loved the execution of this moment, it wasn't forced at all. It was perfect because it was done at the right time in the right way

This was by far the strongest episode emotionally of the entire drama.

Dilraba, Gong Jun and Chen Tao hit every emotional point in the most realistic and natural way, it was perfect

HY you are the mastermind, the strategic thinker. you made protecting your loved ones part of your strategy. Right until the end it was never about you... we need more people like this.

WOW! For a big reveal to be delivered in such a lowkey kind of way, yet have that emotional impact is huge. HY and WS were perfect in this scene so natural both emotionally and intellectually.

WS maybe the only person who truly gets HY- I'm going to have get used to calling Wen Shuo Jinyan now though.. This was truly an epic scene delivered epically...

I can't comment on the Asian parent- child dynamic other than what I see in dramas.

The goldfish poop scene was not about heritage, it was about one person recognising someone else's pain, fear and insecurities. Whilst I see your point regarding the different generations, which makes a lot of sense, in Eun Mi case she is anything but traditional in anything she does. My understanding of her character is that she is unconventional and not someone bound by society norms etc.

Just my opinion of course, but i would like to think most people would recognise Jin Hee emotional turmoil and not disregard it. If the roles were reversed Eun Mi would not be so accepting of this i think.

This drama has cornered the market with a cast giving seriously suspicious or outright creepy vibes.

From the looks of things there already talking accident? Surely with the kick to the chest that would be established pretty easily surely. Cover up anyone???

I think a better comparison would be the budgets of similar Chinese productions. In particular those with a strong cast but without the obviously flaws around CGI etc.

I would also say that it terms of budget its not necessarily the size but how its spent. Many drama's will have considerably smaller budgets and not face the same criticism

We have seen in movies vast sums spent for the movies to bomb.

As you say maybe this is a planning issue.

Regardless, most drama's start with the script and I can't help but feel that the issues this drama has start there. Personally, I can live with the CGI on show if the script is good.