no need to seek attention or comment much here. because no one will care about you, they just read and disagree…
Hahaha, I’m open to having my opinion changed! I haven’t seen it so as soon as I get home, I’ll check it out. Thank you for linking to it for me! I appreciate it. 💛
no need to seek attention or comment much here. because no one will care about you, they just read and disagree…
You’re completely right. When I wrote the comment, I knew that the fans wouldn’t agree, and I expected some pushback. But I did not expect a pile on or cheers for silencing a dissenting opinion. There should be space here for everybody, Ju Jingyi’s fans and her detractors alike, as long as everyone can stay tolerant and respectful.
cry about it, she will get many good roles and you will burn with your jealousy here 😂😂
Totally. If there had been another comment here that differed from the fan enthusiasm, I would’ve simply given it a like or wrote a short message that I agreed. Since there wasn’t one, I thought I’d add my own, but I have no intention of bringing down this drama or Ju Jingyi’s career more broadly.
no need to seek attention or comment much here. because no one will care about you, they just read and disagree…
I commented here because I didn’t see my perspective represented and I don’t want MDL to become a fan space where people with contradictory opinions are piled on or intimidated into silence. There should be space in this comment section for differing viewpoints, right? I respect and understand my opinion of Ju Jingyi isn’t the opinion you have of her. That’s valid.
I also think it’s important to remember that we’re discussing this on MDL, which is a neutral space. This page isn’t on a fan site for Ju Jingyi. This comment section is open to everybody and I am not trespassing by sharing my opinion here.
cry about it, she will get many good roles and you will burn with your jealousy here 😂😂
I think you’re right on both counts. My personal opinion of Ju Jingyi’s acting doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things and as long as her devoted fan base is kept happy, she’ll keep getting cast in these parts. But if you aren’t a devoted fan, her continued success can be baffling, which is also a valid perspective.
I don’t hate her. And if she has improved her acting, I’m all for it. I will definitely check out Veil of Shadows when it comes out and I hope I come away with a different impression of her. I’d love to be proved wrong. 😊
What reason could I possibly have to be jealous of her? I don’t know her personally. It’s really simple: I’m disappointed she was cast in this role and I wish the part had gone to an actress who was truly skilled or talented. And I’m sure Ju Jingyi is incredibly skilled and talented in other areas, her fame seems well-deserved. 🤷🏻♀️
Ju Jingyi. Ju Jingyi?! WHY!? How is she still getting such good lead roles?! She's like the queen of failing upwards. She bombs Beauty of Resilience and lands In Blossom with Liu Xueyi. She bombs In Blossom and lands Veil of Shadows with Joseph Zeng. That hasn't even come out yet, and she gets this drama with Zhang Yunlong? There are so many wonderful young actresses stuck in mediocre projects or supporting roles who deliver compelling, distinct, and nuanced performances (Zhang Yaqin, Dai Luwa, Hu Yixiao, etc.), but for some reason, Ju Jingyi continues to waltz through female lead roles in promising productions. Ugh.
LOL! Seriously, Prince Yu is such an unintentionally funny character. Guy can't figure out if he should love Tangli,…
Hahaha, right!? He’s nuts. She’s nuts. But their “it’s complicated” relationship status is more dynamic than the one-dimensional devotion between the umbrella-sharing buddies. 😂
During today’s episodes, I realized that I’m more interested in any of the other romances over the leads’ relationship. Here’s why:
1. The Mother + the Marshall: this couple has great “will they/won’t they” tension. We can’t be sure of what they’re really thinking because the drama hasn’t made it obvious, so I watch every one of their scenes very closely to see if I can spot clues that reveal their true feelings.
2. Prince Rui + Yin Shujun: this couple’s relationship has seen the most development. Their connection has gone through multiple stages to evolve to where it is now and we’ve been on that journey with them every step of the way. They’ve also been forced to grow as individuals to make their marriage successful so their eventual happiness with one another seems well-earned.
If their marriage is an arc, then the main leads’ romance is a straight line. Aside from the few minutes after he rejected her, Mingshu’s devotion to Lu Chang has been unchanging. Similarly, after she becomes his sister, Lu Chang is interested in her and continues to be interested in her for 33 more episodes. Their relationship hasn’t progressed through distinct stages until they reached the happiness they have now. Worse yet, neither one of them had to grow as individuals to make their relationship successful. They’re essentially the same people they’ve always been.
3. Prince Yu + Su Tangli: please don’t come for me! I’m not advocating for this relationship or condoning the way they relate to one another!! But I would argue their relationship is more interesting than the leads’. Like the other prince cp, we see different sides of them and their relationship progresses.
But, perhaps most importantly, their feelings for one another is NOT just ONE thing. He has her whipped then wants to treat her wounds. He desires her then feels guilty at the sight of her wounds, which he is entirely responsible for. Su Tangli is like an undercover operative and she sees him as an enemy she’d like to topple, but she’s also been moved by his genuine feelings for her. ALL of this is complex and I watch their scenes closely so I make sure I understand what’s passing between them.
In comparison, it’s as if the leads’ only feel ONE thing for each other (love/devotion/admiration). Privately and individually, that love might be complicated by her fleeting confusion and his intermittent guilt, but those emotions are NOT evidenced in their interactions. Unlike Prince Yu and Su Tangli, the main couple feels frustratingly one note when they’re onscreen together. Like, I get it, you adore each other, but do you have ANY other feelings? It seems like it SHOULD be complicated but it isn’t.
Oof, Song Qingzhao has a personality transplant in today’s episodes. He abruptly changes from a dignified, patient, and respectful suitor to an agitated drunken loser aggressively confronting the woman he’s interested in? I call bull shit. The drama has suddenly given him all of these unappealing behaviors and shitty scenes to make Lu Chang look better. They want us to be repelled by the SML so we’re convinced that the ML is the best option for the FL. It’s such a cheap trick.
They’ve done something similar with Mingshu and Su Tangli. These two women have a lot in common, but the drama sets them up as if they’re two sides of a coin: Tangli is “bad” while Mingshu is “good”. Tangli’s bloodthirsty revenge is framed as extreme and unsympathetic so that Mingshu’s passive participation in the same investigation can be understood as morally upright and suitably moderate. Mingshu’s virtue is propped up on Tangli’s villainy.
In a competent drama, Tangli and Mingshu wouldn’t be pitted against one another as adversaries, but would form their own investigation as natural allies. It would be more interesting if they approached their loss from different angles (ruthless Tangli & reasonable Mingshu), yet were both framed with sympathy and understanding.
Imagine, what if we could decide for ourselves whether we related more to Tangli’s determination or Mingshu’s faith in cooperation with Lu Chang? Unfortunately, this drama doesn’t trust itself or its audience enough for that so we’re led like sheep to root for the “likable” Mingshu rather than the “unlikable” Tangli.
Exactly! I’m really trying to root for them because I know they’re the main ship, but it’s hard when this is what they’re giving us as “romantic” 😂🤦🏻♀️
For people that are annoyed with the SML for getting the screen time that he’s getting; please remember that…
Agreed! It’s always good to remember that there are writers, producers, and directors who have steered the story in the direction they wanted it to go, which is what we’re seeing onscreen. They also were the ones who signed off on these interpretations of the characters or specific scenes.
I think the issue with the SML is complicated, but the biggest problem with him is how the story is relying on him to provide conflict. At this point, we should be seeing the two main leads working to resolve the internal and external conflicts that keep them apart, but that isn’t happening so there’s a giant hole in the narrative. Since there isn’t any conflict in the main relationship, the drama has to drum up something tense or suspenseful, and it has decided to put that responsibility on the SML, who really ought to be taking a back seat at this point in the narrative.
Haven’t watched yet, but that’s what’s going on? Oh brother.
Wow, you’re right! I think that this drama’s insistence on her as a likable FL only brings out the ways she’s unlikable.
The drama doesn’t allow her to have messy human emotions, as if her anger, upset, or grief would make us dislike her. But without messy human emotions, she just comes off as this one-dimensional love robot, which isn’t appealing or relatable.
Haven’t watched yet, but that’s what’s going on? Oh brother.
Exactly, Director Lu had a chance to be a hero and instead chose to ignore Mingshu’s father’s plea for help. It’s not great. Yeah, like you said, it’s very strange that she ends up comforting Lu Chang over it.
does everyone forget that despite knowing the truth her memories still havent returned. so other than knowing…
Yeah, Director Lu didn’t order the murders and he wasn’t an assassin. He is not directly responsible. I also think his excuse for his inaction makes logical sense — court politics ARE complex and often lethal. He is a longtime operator within the system too, he might be more accustomed to sacrificing people or reform opportunities to ensure his own survival.
But, in that particular moment, I really think that Mingshu was more of a victim of Director Lu’s inaction than Lu Chang. It would’ve been a good time to get a peek at her psyche and have him comfort her.
I also think it’s important to remember that we’re discussing this on MDL, which is a neutral space. This page isn’t on a fan site for Ju Jingyi. This comment section is open to everybody and I am not trespassing by sharing my opinion here.
1. The Mother + the Marshall: this couple has great “will they/won’t they” tension. We can’t be sure of what they’re really thinking because the drama hasn’t made it obvious, so I watch every one of their scenes very closely to see if I can spot clues that reveal their true feelings.
2. Prince Rui + Yin Shujun: this couple’s relationship has seen the most development. Their connection has gone through multiple stages to evolve to where it is now and we’ve been on that journey with them every step of the way. They’ve also been forced to grow as individuals to make their marriage successful so their eventual happiness
with one another seems well-earned.
If their marriage is an arc, then the main leads’ romance is a straight line. Aside from the few minutes after he rejected her, Mingshu’s devotion to Lu Chang has been unchanging. Similarly, after she becomes his sister, Lu Chang is interested in her and continues to be interested in her for 33 more episodes. Their relationship hasn’t progressed through distinct stages until they reached the happiness they have now. Worse yet, neither one of them had to grow as individuals to make their relationship successful. They’re essentially the same people they’ve always been.
3. Prince Yu + Su Tangli: please don’t come for me! I’m not advocating for this relationship or condoning the way they relate to one another!! But I would argue their relationship is more interesting than the leads’. Like the other prince cp, we see different sides of them and their relationship progresses.
But, perhaps most importantly, their feelings for one another is NOT just ONE thing. He has her whipped then wants to treat her wounds. He desires her then feels guilty at the sight of her wounds, which he is entirely responsible for. Su Tangli is like an undercover operative and she sees him as an enemy she’d like to topple, but she’s also been moved by his genuine feelings for her. ALL of this is complex and I watch their scenes closely so I make sure I understand what’s passing between them.
In comparison, it’s as if the leads’ only feel ONE thing for each other (love/devotion/admiration). Privately and individually, that love might be complicated by her fleeting confusion and his intermittent guilt, but those emotions are NOT evidenced in their interactions. Unlike Prince Yu and Su Tangli, the main couple feels frustratingly one note when they’re onscreen together. Like, I get it, you adore each other, but do you have ANY other feelings? It seems like it SHOULD be complicated but it isn’t.
They’ve done something similar with Mingshu and Su Tangli. These two women have a lot in common, but the drama sets them up as if they’re two sides of a coin: Tangli is “bad” while Mingshu is “good”. Tangli’s bloodthirsty revenge is framed as extreme and unsympathetic so that Mingshu’s passive participation in the same investigation can be understood as morally upright and suitably moderate. Mingshu’s virtue is propped up on Tangli’s villainy.
In a competent drama, Tangli and Mingshu wouldn’t be pitted against one another as adversaries, but would form their own investigation as natural allies. It would be more interesting if they approached their loss from different angles (ruthless Tangli & reasonable Mingshu), yet were both framed with sympathy and understanding.
Imagine, what if we could decide for ourselves whether we related more to Tangli’s determination or Mingshu’s faith in cooperation with Lu Chang? Unfortunately, this drama doesn’t trust itself or its audience enough for that so we’re led like sheep to root for the “likable” Mingshu rather than the “unlikable” Tangli.
producers, and directors who have steered the story in the direction they wanted it to go, which is what we’re seeing onscreen. They also were the ones who signed off on these interpretations of the characters or specific scenes.
I think the issue with the SML is complicated, but the biggest problem with him is how the story is relying on him to provide conflict. At this point, we should be seeing the two main leads working to resolve the internal and external conflicts that keep them apart, but that isn’t happening so there’s a giant hole in the narrative. Since there isn’t any conflict in the main relationship, the drama has to drum up something tense or suspenseful, and it has decided to put that responsibility on the SML, who really ought to be taking a back seat at this point in the narrative.
The drama doesn’t allow her to have messy human emotions, as if her anger, upset, or grief would make us dislike her. But without messy human emotions, she just comes off as this one-dimensional love robot, which isn’t appealing or relatable.
But, in that particular moment, I really think that Mingshu was more of a victim of Director Lu’s inaction than Lu Chang. It would’ve been a good time to get a peek at her psyche and have him comfort her.