Firefly88

I have to say I love this drama. Even though the themes are not very original, they're really well done and it's very rewatchable. I don't normally like Jing Tian, but I think she has great chemistry with Zhang Wanyi. There's a good balance of light and dark, comedy, romance, tragedy...

I agree, but also I think the moral lessons would be less on the nose if some weren't delivered orally, and others were delivered from other characters (for example, Mudan's older female companions could have shared more). Moral lessons don't need a sermon for the audience to understand it. A really good drama should be able to convey a huge lesson just with visuals. I was just reminded of Lost You Forever, what that drama excelled at was communicating experiences and feelings worldlessly. A lot of things were left unsaid, leaving it to the audience to interpret.

I haven't read the novel, so I couldn't say, but I do feel that with some adjustments this drama could have been an allround masterpiece, and it's a shame that its weaknesses prevent it from being perfect. It had so much potential to be perfect too, and that's so rare in C dramaland.

Most C dramas are entertaining and great in their own way, but there are very few genuine masterpieces.

(Review contains some spoilers)
This series is a real mixed bag. On the one hand, there are aspects that are spectacular and masterpiece level. The overall quality of the acting, the story, the cinematography, production, the sets, the costumes and makeup... It's a feast for the eyes. Especially the lavish banquet scenes that were so vibrant and warm toned. But... the writing is really lacking in places...

Mudan's character is too dominant from a writing perspective. While the aim is to depict this proto feminist heroine who is a survivor and innovator, it somehow overdoes it so much that her all knowing, ever capable saint like character becomes unrealistic. As a character, she's just too good to be true. Her character occupies most of the speaking time and her closest support characters are more like pretty accessories to praise her for being so amazing "wow you're so great Mudan, yes we'll listen to you Mudan". Everything revolves around her, and she just never stops sharing her next sermon. While I agree with the message, it was too on the nose, and I think the writer should have given the support characters more substance and shared out the wisdom a bit among them.

My next issue is that while there were some plot lines that were so intense and profound, there was also a lot of repetitive chapters with predictable themes and outcomes. In the second part, there was the sense that these chapters were very separate and there was a lack of flow due to scene cuts. I felt that they cut scenes from meaningful chapters and kept unnecessary and repetitive parts. They then tried to patch up these cuts by summarising what had happened for example the major encounter when JCY raids the camp and shoots Prince of Ning is then summarised by a scout to the general

I also think plotwise there were a lot of unrealistic moments in this second season that were certainly poor choices by the director and writer. Like JCY talking as if he hasn't been stabbed, or how he randomly shows up to save Mudan in an abandoned house later on. Lazy writing and directing.

I also think they could have added a pregnancy as part of the storyline after Mudan flees Chang'An. It would have made it more challenging for her navigating business and single motherhood, which would have been an interesting theme to explore. What's more, efore she left, she and JCH were getting busy all the time with zero contraceptives... Come on lol. When she was puking on the ship, I thought that was the direction, but no...

Anyway, still its strengths are so strong they make up for the weaknesses, and it's nevertheless an extraordinary drama! I hope to see more historical productions of this calibre.

Be patient! It all works out beautifully.

I loved the North Korean ahjummas the first time, but now when I rewatch I skip their scenes.

100%!

Oh no. That's not so promising. This whole issue of copyright is so badly managed in China. I don't understand why they can't ensure they have permission to do an adaptation before they go ahead with the project! This happens all the time. Sigh.

Haven't seen that! I think she has a lot of very promising upcoming roles. I love how much range she has as an actress. She really is the full package of beauty and talent.

When I was watching it at night, I was trying so hard to not wake up the whole house. I was dying with laughter. Honestly, C dramas are usually not good with comedy like K dramas, but this one is a total exception. Joy of Life is another very funny one.

Same! I used to have to use those dodgy sites, but I really don't like that and the quality was so untrustworthy, not to mention the subtitles. Some of those subtitles back in the day were wild lol. Fortunately, I now can manage without subtitles except when there is very advanced or theme specific vocab e.g. legal etc or more poetic language.

Oh that's a good sign that it will air soon!

Yeah, the comedy is hilarious. First episode is a bit all over the place but by the second and third I was laughing my head off. The comedy eases up later when a more serious plot takes over, but there are still jokes mixed in.

WeTV isn't worth it imo, there is much more on Viki. I have iQiyi, but there's not much on YouKu. I also have Netflix, Prime and Disney. God all these subscriptions... I remember the days when there was only Netflix. SIGH.

I have been feeling a bit low and this drama has really been lifting my spirits!

I agree! It's super bizarre how they were so angry with the character when literally he went out of his way to kill her in all possible ways, and then spent the following episodes lying to her. I mean, I would also be pissed.

No! Usually you get the occasional comment from someone like that, but not this much.

Viki is a great subscription for me because it has most of the new C and K dramas, but the comments are annoying. I switch them off, but the temptation to see what people are saying is sometimes too great lol

She has a lot of range. She can do comedy and also very intense, emotional acting like in Royal Nirvana.

100%