CKDramaddicts

I don't understand the low score. Granted it's only a handful of ratings, and not enough to really carry much weight, but still. Its score on Douban is pretty high. This is a really solid drama so far (I am half way at ep 10). Intricate, grounded, and tightly constructed, with so many interesting and nuanced characters. This is not a drama I can multi-task while watching. Luo Jin is superb and he is supported by a strong cast. Hopefully more people will check it out.

Really enjoying this drama (on ep 14), but they could've cut down on the flashbacks while doing a better job with some of the editing, especially in the earlier episodes. Was it just me was some of it choppy? There were a few spots that needed better FX or segue to show that a bit of time has passed. (The one that sticks out the most was when the mom reunited with her daughter and then a few minutes later was on her death bed. Or when the bodyguard was severely injured one moment and then fully recovered by the next scene.) I also feel like I am suddenly experiencing face blindness watching this, because I really have difficulty telling apart the two main guards on both "sides", the FL's grandfather and her half-brother's grandfather apart, and the evil uncle and nephew.

The prologue seems to take place about decade after the events in the drama. Are we to assume that's Wen Rou in the box, despite the happy ending of the drama? (At one point in the series, Wang Xiaoshi specifically says she is the most important person in his life, which is what he says in the prologue.) I have mixed feelings about this small detail...I guess it captures some of the essence of Jianghu life and Wuxia storytelling, but it really creates a sense of bittersweetness to the ending that I don't know if I wanted as a viewer...

I enjoyed this one and thinks it deserves much higher than a 7.8, despite some flaws. I do have a question about the prologue, however...

This is an excellent point.

The dad trash talking the ex-boss in front of him was so satisfying and hilarious. And when the dad dropped the food 🤣. Or when he thought the ML was a lot older than his actual age. Or almost drove off the road when the ML talked about how terribly he treated the FL. So many priceless moments with the family.

Everything indicates they will get together eventually, but this is a very slow burn romance, and arguably not the focus. It's worth watching just for the amazing FL and her journey towards achieving her dreams.

She starts off super annoying, but she really changes over time and becomes quite likable.

Oh yes -- agree! In my experience, a crappy job with amazing colleagues is infinitely better than an amazing job with even one terrible colleague. Her new job has the best of both worlds, but it's the support that makes all the difference.

I agree with the comment you posted though -- her experience with her first work place is truly enraging to witness! But she's so great that I want to keep watching just to root for her and see her succeed. You might still be frustrated because she will still continue to deal with jerks in the industry, but for me, watching her journey is worth it (as a viewer, but hard for her!). I'm not as far along as others though, so we'll see how things unfold!

I'm only on ep 8, but so far Ning Meng might be one of my favourite FL's of all time. She is so smart and capable and I'm pretty much in awe of her. And I love her boss Shi Ying so much. It's such a healthy workplace environment and manager-employee relationship. Unlike her previous job, which was super toxic, and the ML was straight up verbally abusive and treated her worse than 💩. The drama is pretty great so far if you want to watch strong, amazing women work their way to success, prove people wrong, and lift each other up as they face societal challenges. The ML is massive jerk though and I *loathe* the way he is constantly putting her down and humiliating her in front of people. If they're supposed to end up together, he has GALAXIES to cross before he is remotely good enough for her.

I'm so surprised and a bit confused by the really high rating on this one. It wasn't a waste of time and perfectly watchable with some funny moments, but I found it pretty forgettable. There was nothing special, memorable, or emotionally engaging about it, so an 8.8 is really overrated for me. I gave it a 7.5.

Ancient Love Poetry is much, much better.

I could see that - they both go after what they want even if it makes the ML supremely uncomfortable 😅. I found the FL challenging in IOTNBO, but not really annoying. Just hard to figure out. I guess for me the setting and context makes a difference here too. l'm about halfway through Sassy now and still often find the FL pretty irritating, but trying hard to watch with an open mind. 😅

lol, yes, she was incredibly annoying -- but at least showed character growth eventually...

YESSS, EXACTLY. I really can't stand the fake sex assault accusation trope. It's to the detriment of real victims and I'm very uncomfortable with it being used as a comedic device. And she does it more than once!

Hehe, that's fair! I can be a total sucker for tropes and clichéd romance too, but I still want my FLs smart and sensible, not unhelpful and always getting in the way/帮到忙. Again, not respecting the seriousness of his job. So I'm having trouble buying why he would even like her. I'm reminded of the FL in General's Lady, but at least her character matured. (For all the low-budget editing, I really enjoyed Decreed by Fate, which had a bold FL, for example.) Anyway, I realize this is just me and I know a lot of people are enjoying this, so I'm glad its bringing joy to others. 😊

Ahhhh. Thank you for the warning! 😅 I have never dropped a drama, but even ZYC may not be enough to keep me watching as the FL is making me irrationally angry with her behavior. I don't mind her antics and understand them. It's her behavior when she's not playing games -- things like whining about walking and happily letting the ML carry her knowing he just got stabbed in the chest with a *SWORD*. Just a day earlier, she was like, why didn't you tell me the wound was so deep and your injury was so serious? Meanwhile, she saw him get stabbed right in front of her! I really do not understand what the ML could possibly see in her when she is always getting in the way, getting in his face, and disrupting his work. She has no respect for the seriousness of his job. Ah, sorry for the rant! I need an outlet for my frustrations. 😬😅

I'm on episode 7 and really struggling with the FL who has annoyed me since episode 1. Her actions are always so thoughtless and self-centered. Will we see some character growth and maturity soon?

They kind of flirt with it throughout, but it's ultimately a normal romance. That being said, I've never seen a C-drama -- especially a costume drama -- push the envelope this far. 😂 For a low-budget drama, this one was fun and entertaining and the leads were all very likable.