It's a testament to Lin Gengxin's development as a male lead that he has such good chemistry with a CGI bantam. He's reached the pinnacle of his career. Episodes 1 and 2 are a hoot. I really like what I'm seeing so far. I am surprised because most of the time I don't really care for xian xia but this show has a really fun vibe so far although I'm pretty sure things will get deadly serious after the halfway mark. I notice too that people in this show have a tough time grieving and letting go. They keep holding on to loved ones. I imagine that's one of the themes of the show. It reminds me of a number of K dramas of this kind eg. Mystic Pop-up Bar, Tomorrow and Missing: The Other Side.
Good lord! It's Wu Xin from The Blood of Youth. I just realised who he is. Admittedly having hair does make a difference. :P No wonder. I kept wondering why he looked vaguely familiar. He does bear a passing resemblance to Merxat though. Such a great actor and mesmerizing too.
No love triangle is ever "necessary" except that it does create conflict. Conflict is useful not just for the plot but character. One of the ways characters develop is through conflict. Without conflict, why would any character have to negotiate with other characters or learn the art of negotiation. The reality is that no one can have everything they want and conflict can be the means for maturation.
Personally I think Sang-do has been wasting his time. But so has Yong-pil's dad. I accept the love triangle because the theme of this show is about unresolved past issues for these characters. The so-called love triangle is not about Sam-dal and/or Yong-pil but Sang-do. It is his character arc. In his mind, he is the male lead of his story. He has regrets. He was always one step behind. He's never been able to shake the thought that if he had gone to Seoul with the others, he could have been with Sam-dal. That's the reason why he can't move on. It's the "What if" thing. He is clinging to a past that could have been even though really he doesn't have a chance. There's a parallel with Yong-pil's dad who is also living in the past and tormenting himself and others with a "what if" scenario playing out constantly in his mind. Because he can't budge... no one else can. He doesn't see himself as selfish but as a devoted husband grieving for his wife and the injustice of her death. He expects the same devotion from his own son.
So we have two introverted men who haven't expressed their grief in healthy fashion which is why they are still stuck in time. What the love triangle does for Sang-do is to help him see why he's been wasting his time dwelling on what could have been when he never had a chance.
Although the cat and mouse game between the leads is amusing, I don't see the point of what he's doing if all he's doing is hanging around her like a bodyguard and exposing himself. Not a good plan. The Count of Monte Cristo this aint.
4 
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/the-legend-of-shen-li-2024-first
I really like what I'm seeing so far. I am surprised because most of the time I don't really care for xian xia but this show has a really fun vibe so far although I'm pretty sure things will get deadly serious after the halfway mark.
I notice too that people in this show have a tough time grieving and letting go. They keep holding on to loved ones. I imagine that's one of the themes of the show. It reminds me of a number of K dramas of this kind eg. Mystic Pop-up Bar, Tomorrow and Missing: The Other Side.
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/queen-of-tears-2024-first-impressions
It's great so far.
No love triangle is ever "necessary" except that it does create conflict. Conflict is useful not just for the plot but character. One of the ways characters develop is through conflict. Without conflict, why would any character have to negotiate with other characters or learn the art of negotiation. The reality is that no one can have everything they want and conflict can be the means for maturation.
Personally I think Sang-do has been wasting his time. But so has Yong-pil's dad. I accept the love triangle because the theme of this show is about unresolved past issues for these characters. The so-called love triangle is not about Sam-dal and/or Yong-pil but Sang-do. It is his character arc. In his mind, he is the male lead of his story. He has regrets. He was always one step behind. He's never been able to shake the thought that if he had gone to Seoul with the others, he could have been with Sam-dal. That's the reason why he can't move on. It's the "What if" thing. He is clinging to a past that could have been even though really he doesn't have a chance. There's a parallel with Yong-pil's dad who is also living in the past and tormenting himself and others with a "what if" scenario playing out constantly in his mind. Because he can't budge... no one else can. He doesn't see himself as selfish but as a devoted husband grieving for his wife and the injustice of her death. He expects the same devotion from his own son.
So we have two introverted men who haven't expressed their grief in healthy fashion which is why they are still stuck in time. What the love triangle does for Sang-do is to help him see why he's been wasting his time dwelling on what could have been when he never had a chance.
Not a good plan.
The Count of Monte Cristo this aint.