DramaAjumma

No. It's based off an original screenplay.

The character is certainly potentially interesting -- his agenda, intentions etc. It's the acting that I'm confused about.

He has been male lead before in at least 3 low budget shows that I know of.

It's been a checkered year for C and K dramas.

I think the writing of the characters are fine. But the performances are definitely lacking in nuance.

Episode 13 is a laugh a minute. Lately I feel like I'm watching Journey to the West (especially in that brothel scene) and that Yuan Lu, Shishan, Qian Zhao and Sun Lang are like Monkey, Pig and Sandy in different ways.

I'm not sure what they trying to achieve with Li Tongguang. I appreciate that he's taken Chu Yue down a peg or two as she rather deserves it. I imagine he's trying to be menacing but he comes across as a smug schoolboy bully trying to be menacing. On other occasions I can't be sure what they're going for. The performance leaves me a bit cold to be honest.

At certain angles he looks like an older Nam Joo-hyuk.

Alen Fang is one of my favourite things about this show.

I second this.
And it's not romance heavy. The male camaraderie is just as good.

The thought that he was some kind of honey trap did cross my mind. Whether he is complicit -- not sure.

There's still Prince Danyang to contend with and he has plenty of supporters in Wu.

He's a major fail period.

I imagine at this point even Yang Ying would be preferable.

Nobody likes a loser.

Li Tongguang.

I've heard that this a great movie. But it's not available in my country. Dang!

I have rewatched that scene far too many times. It is just one of the show's highlights. Yeah, he's the life of the party wherever he goes.

Yes. It was mentioned by Ning Yuanzhou as a bargaining chip. He was charged with (and convicted of) kidnapping some high level official's daughter.

Honestly there are better offerings out there but I am sticking to it only because of the historical timeline.

He's absolutely wonderful here. Steals every scene he's in.

The pathos in Episodes 11 and 12 was pitch perfect. The feels. The humour. The set-up, the pay-off. Everything feels earned. Even the anti-war theme isn't sledgehammered simplistically over the head but beautifully woven into Yang Ying's growth arc. And there's a fascinating critique of the abuse of power running right through.

The writing and directing are a delight to behold.

Liu Shishi's experience really shines in these romantic moments. Liu Yuning is not bad too. ;) They give off a lovely mature vibe.

I'm not sure how much of that I will be able to do as I'm off travelling soon.