Deirdre19

Yes, that's why I got hooked on the novel, although I have to say so far he is not what I would call "likeable". I'd describe him as "scary but intriguing". I love complicated grey characters and I think Dylan Wang is perfect for such a role. Those goody-two-shoes, ever noble characters are so boring (and unrealistic). Maybe we'll get to see more of this side in the next few episodes...

As expected, the characters of the FL/ML are different from the novel. In this filmed version, the ML is less ruthless and the FL less resigned to her fate.
I guess it does not fit the set concepts of C-dramaland to have the romantic lead kill people with his bare hands and then eliminate anyone who saw it... This guy is so scary!!!

The verdict after 2 episodes: I like it! The pacing is good, the acting is pretty decent so far and the palace intrigues are laid out slowly so it's not too difficult to follow who is plotting against whom.
Also, it's quite refreshing to watch a drama without the stereotype bubbly, silly female lead.

Don't apologise, I love it! For a language buff like me this type of information is like cocaine... 🤣🤣🤣

I understand. Over here in Europe many countries have strong regional accents (i.e. Scottish in the UK or Bavarian in Germany) however, it is normal and expected of actors to be able to master standard speech. I don't really see why Chinese actors would be any less talented.

PS: you're so lucky to be able to understand Mandarin, I have to rely on subtitles all the time. And now I'm trying to read the novel for this drama in the MTL version which is quite an adventure!

Well, he managed to get his acting up to scratch, so maybe speech training is next on his list... I hope, I hope...
Or he'll end up like Sean Connery, who even managed to play a Russian with a Scottish accent.

The love rival can sometimes add some tension where it is needed to move the plot along and help the main leads to realise how they feel, but if this sort of mindless pursuit goes on for too long - especially after being told off by their target - it becomes really tiresome.
In Legend of YunXi (same director) the annoying SFL (muttering "I will kill you" at least once in every episode) kept haunting everyone until the bitter end. I hope it will not be the same this time.

They changed the name yet again!!???? Someone seems to have become slightly "unchained" in the translation department...

Oh, I would not have recognised him there... I've only ever seen him in costume dramas with his hair done up.

Thanks for the resume - it helps me to prepare mentally before watching the episodes.
And Bai Feng's still not dead! Bummer!!

Really enjoyed the first 5 episodes. This looks like a very interesting role for Liu XueYi, but couldn't they tweak the script a bit regarding his age? With the best of will, he does not pass for a 17-year old!
I'm very happy that they chose a more experienced actor for this complex role, but I think it wouldn't have hurt the plot if they had made him 27 instead...

I agree. This is indeed a problem of misguided fan culture. I find it quite disappointing to see decent dramas with grown-up actors get mediocre ratings on MDL whereas some stuff featuring pretty boys who can barely act is totally overrated.

It's not necessarily hate when you say someone's acting is bad.
Nobody wants to see a bad performance from the main leads as it would ruin the whole drama. I have no personal opinion of the actress, I don't care who she is as long as she can do the job properly. Blind admiration is not doing the acting any service.

I think we have a classic wuxia setting here of the brawn, the brain and the innocent youth.

Watched the first episode... this feels like one of the classic wuxia dramas of old.
I quite like it!

Just from one person... I wish people would give dramas at least a few episodes before passing (negative) judgment. The ratings on MDL are generally quite unreliable. Good dramas with grown-up actors get low ratings whereas trash with pretty boys gets voted up. It really has very little to do with rating acting performance or production quality.

It's available on kisskh.me

She was quite abysmal in "And the Winner is Love". I hope Dylan Wang has given her the contact details of the muse that kissed him after a similarily bad performance in "Miss the Dragon" to help him finally shine in LBFAD.
I hope it will turn out well. I would hate to see a good drama spoilt by bad performances from the main cast.

OMG, that is so unprofessional! Imagine one of us applying for a job that requires fluency in French and then call in a friend every time a client calls. I don't think we would last very long...

His look from The Blue Whisper... do you mean the fake abs??