Eleison

Interesting, then maybe that's it! But I have also heard Cdramas have been getting better in recent years, too? I'm new to them, so I can't speak to that, but I can say I have had struggles with Kdramas this year. They are my first love, 😋 but they've been very hit and miss of late, especially when American streaming platforms decide to make their own spin on a Kdrama. 😅

Haha, very funny. But I was actually being serious. 😉 😋

Interesting--I was wondering about that! I wondered if more Cdramas were preproduced than Kdramas. Though, it seems like with such a formulaic format, they would have a better idea over time of the types of pitfalls dramas fall into and try to avoid them. Take notes on the ones that work and such. I've wondered why Kdrama creators (producers, screenwriters, etc.) don't do more of their homework on this? 🤷‍♀️

Anyone know why many Cdramas stick the landing better in the second half than Kdramas?🤔 SO many 16 Episode Kdramas bottom out somewhere between episodes 9-15, and it's always such a bummer when it happens. Theories?

I loved the actress in New Life Begins. Her character was endearing from the get-go; Lin'an is taking some time to grow on me (but the actress is great).

Thank you, but I trust @ShortCircuit's taste. 😉

You are right. 😉 What I am hinting at is that most Netflix-made dramas are a genre unto themselves, and I usually don't like them (even if they are using Korean writers who have written for Korean networks (and whose dramas I liked), for instance, the screenwriter for Glory did screenplays for Korean networks (Descendents of the Sun, Heirs, Goblin, etc.), as well as the writer for Gyeongseong Creature (Dr. Romantic seasons 1 and 2, etc.), there's something about the Netflix-helmed dramas that I can't usually get behind/get into. They're the common denominator in the dramas I can't get into, so I tend to assume it's a Netflix problem, not a writer problem. 🤷‍♀️

I've heard good things about that one! I'll add it to my long list. 😂 Also, I found those Taiwanese dramas you recommended are not available on any of the streaming platforms I use. 😔 I don't really want to subscribe to more right now, so, kind of a bummer!

I'm happy to hear she improves--good dramas pull off those growth arcs, and I love them. That's one of the reasons why I love dramas. ☺️ Western shows don't do growth arcs as well, usually, from what I've seen (minus Avatar The Last Airbender, but that even has a hint of eastern dramas/anime vibes anyway). I don't mind the sprinkled romance. Xu Qi An is interesting enough by himself. Right now, I'm getting a kick out of everyone fighting over him. 😅

Agreed! I rewatched both seasons again with my sis, and the second season held up better than the first season on my second watch (unexpectedly). Both are good, though, it just surprised me that I enjoyed the second season more than the first watching it all again from start to finish.

Still watching (Episode 18), but does this season ever address the first five minutes of the drama again, and explain how/why he gets sucked into the video game? Why even do that--so the ML can have knowledge of "modernity" and have an edge over everyone else (or is this a way to get around time-traveling censorship again like in JoL)?

I'm just at Episode 18, and I hear the FL will finally get exposed. I've been chomping at the bit for this moment! 😅 I hated the runaround with Wan'er and Fan Xian like this is in Season 1 of JoL, too, and it's not my favorite; I find these extended misunderstandings so frustrating. 😂 But it's cute besides that. ☺️

Good to know!

True, that makes sense!

Still need to watch Ever Night. @ShortCircuit recommended it as a solid wuxia with good fight scenes.

But it seems negligent to plam a two season drama and not secure the same actors for both. 🤔

It's a bummer that Cdramas are getting on the multiple seasons bandwagon. I guess part of the problem is webtoons that go on forever, too. 😅

Still in the first 1/3 of the drama, but so far I agree. :) It would be a bummer if they recast, for sure, but there are a LOT of characters in this.

I think the braver (but harder) way to go would have been to find other ways to create angst in the timelines (maybe through drama with the other supporting characters that could have been fleshed out more), and shortening the drama to 12 episodes. That's just an idea, of course. I think the drama was still quite fun and enjoyable, but I think this kind of direction would have allowed it to escape some of the criticism it received. 🤷‍♀️

Choi Min Soo is in this! The last thing I saw him in was Warrior Baek Dong Soo. 😅

And they got most of the cast for that, which was honestly super impressive!

If they knew this was Season 1 when they filmed it, let's hope they anticipated signing on the actors for a contract for another season. 🤞