Carpe Librum

Now, the theory is that LLH died (because he was poisoned and there was no way for him to survive), but at the same time transformed into a higher being, an immortal version of 聖 (don't know the English equivalent, sorry), that is the one who has achieved spiritual perfection and eliminated all vile thoughts. This has been his journey, his character's quest from the very start. He was tempted by worldly fame and success, he was put to a serious life trial -- the loss of everything, a grave illness, a tragic betrayal by someone he had trusted, -- which led him to a deeper understanding of what is important in life and what isn't, what counts and what -- in the end of the day -- has no significance at all. His physical death was his final test and at the same time the moment of liberation for him: he lost everything including his life for his higher self to be born. The author of the theory substantiated it with references to Chinese spiritual and philosophic sources, which I will not list here, but this looks really convincing. This theory also in a way explains FDB and DFS's reaction in the special episode: they did see LLH on the beach, but at the same time they could clearly see he wasn't the LLH they used to know anymore. And, viewed like this, it's a beautiful ending. Thanks for reading. Hope someone will find this interpretation as comforting as I have, because for me it was really hard to come to terms with the open ending in the show.

Almost a year has passed and in the comment section there are still questions and discussions concerning the ending of the drama. I have found an interesting interpretation by a specialist in Chinese philosophy on my domestic fanpage, which I will try to summarize in the following post, because I think the theory is lovely and deserves to get wider recognition.

I envy you so much. This drama was my no. 1 CDrama experience of 2023. I have watched a lot of projects afterwards, but this one still holds a very special place in my heart.

Concerning the ending… Of course it’s an open one, so it’s open for various interpretations and everyone chooses the one they prefer, but… personally I don’t think Qinyu came back to Ayin. Sad as it is, it’s likely they will never meet again. He went back to his timeline and has become but a sweet memory for her. Yet, she still experiences illusions like the one she had on the tram. Guess, in the final moment of the show she is on the verge of another illusion, but it’s fine. It’s her way of coping with her loss and eventually she will be ok. Then, the story ends before we get to see her meeting Chi Yu, — and she will eventually meet him, because her screenplay about Qinyu has been approved and, we may deduce, Chi Yu will be cast as the main lead. Maybe she actually sees Chi Yu at the bus stop but mistakes him for Qinyu. Maybe she doesn’t mistake him and suddenly remembers that her world and her timeline have their own version of her loved one . It’s not to say she will immediately forget Qinyu and replace him with the guy who has the same face and who won’t vanish into the thin air… Just, I like to think, meeting him will be a fresh start for the FL.

I guess I’m a bit late to join the party, but I have just finished the drama and it’s beautiful. However, I decided to read the thread to make certain things clearer to myself, and noticed that at least one part of the story escaped nearly everyone’s attention. Some commenters are frustrated with the fact that Ayin’s brother and Mumu broke up. Well, they did — in the dream or the alternative life, if you perceive it like that. But in real life (or the new version of life) they are most likely to be together: pay attention to Mumu’s final appearance on the show, when she parks her car outside the bar and Chuan’s bike is already there. She changes her running shoes and puts on heels, which she might again use to attack the troublesome bar visitor… The story will repeat itself, and maybe this time they will find a way to be together without needless sacrifices. Hope this helps ☺️

I know what you mean, I also get scared easily. I would say this show is comfortable to watch, it doesn’t have many horror elements (nothing gorey, no screamers which are the worst 😅), just a decent amount of suspense and some slightly disturbing imagery (not really scary, just… a bit off) which sometimes makes you feel… chilly, but that is kinda the point. So if you are easily affected, just don’t watch it at night with the lights out and you will be fine 😉 I would also say the latter half of the show is not at all scary, just intensely dynamic with some pretty emotional bits. I would definitely recommend giving it a try, because for me The Spirealm is in, like, my all-time top-3 shows, I loved it immensely and will definitely rewatch it 🩷

Thank you for the reply!

Guys, does anyone know if the ML dubs himself in this drama? Thanks in advance!

Oh yes, right, now I remember...

Excuse me, what do you mean by -image violation-?

Lol, I used The Spirealm to distract myself from Justice in the Dark, which left me soooo frustrated. Total success, now I am even more heartbroken and frustrated than before.

I suppose all the rumours are due to the fact that The Spirealm was finally (at long last, yay) OFFICIALLY released yesterday. It kind of DOES get my hopes high, though, because after all, if The Spirealm can be broadcasted, what prevents Justice in the Dark from seeing the light of day? ;-)

Can this possibly mean that the show might be resumed? o_O

I seriously cannot understand why this season has been rated so poorly in comparison with the first one. YB1 was funny and goofy, a treat to watch, but had the story ended there I don’t think I would have remembered the drama for a long time afterwards. YB2 is a completely different matter. There are still some really funny scenes, but the overall vibe is much darker, much more serious. The dynamic might be a bit slower for the most part of the drama (except for the last, like, 10 episodes where things escalate really quickly, though without being uncomfortably rushed), but there are no pointless scenes, no dragging, everything is just as it should be. Totally loved the second season and highly recommend it to anyone still in doubt.

I think it would have been the absolute best show for me, had I had the chance to watch the rest of the episodes. I am soooo in love with the characters, with the story, with the whole vibe of this world... I crave episodes 9-30 so badly.

Today in my local MLC Fan Community I have come across a melon saying that Cheng Yi and Bai Lu are going to star in the new drama version of "The Dream of the Red Mansion / Chamber." I am very agitated, although it might be a hoax. I wonder is there is any way to confirm or to disprove it?..

Thank you so much for such a solid introduction into this fictional universe. I am about to start watching one of the instalments and thanks to your article I can easily go in the order I prefer myself without feeling confused and sorry for not going in the chronological order. 谢谢🙏

When? 33

Correct me if I am mistaken (for I haven't read the book, just watched MLC - and so far only once), but I think LLH started using FDB's household name "Xiaobao" as soon as DFS told him that FDB wasn't SGD's nephew, but his son. It ` kind of` made FDB LLH's nephew, because LLH had always viewed SGD as his elder brother. And, btw, right after that LLH finally stopped trying to get rid of FDB.

I guess my expectations were way too high, so I was left sort of disappointed. I guess you might love this movie if you have read the light novel / watched the anime first, so you already know the world, the characters, and the story well. Otherwise, it's hard to figure out what exactly is happening, and the whole narrative looks more like an outline of something bigger.