Firefly88

The sets and costumes were great, but I didn't like the storytelling.... The main leads became like supporting characters after a while, and then the supporting characters took turns being the main characters, leading to a lack of cohesion and continuation.... Characters who had been presented as main characters
would disappear and then the focus would shift.

The romance between the leads was tacky and weird, even irrational at times. I liked them separately as characters, but their romance was not staged well. For me Court Lady felt conflicted, like a scrapbook haphazardly put together by several creators who disagreed with each other and wanted to do very different kinds of dramas and then failed to do either well.

I just felt disappointed that it was put together so badly. The acting was great, the costumes were great. It was the storytelling structure for me that was a big fat mess.

For sure..! I'm excited to see them together. They're both great actors..!

Haven't watched the last two, but the latter is on my watchlist. I'll have to give it a watch and see for myself..!

To be fair, those old masters are almost gods, not ordinary humans or ordinary cultivators... Grandmaster Zhao was 140 years old I think they said, and had even changed his body to that of a child.

Weird that they don't all have that.

Gotcha, but you never know if the drama will stick to the original story! 😅

I thought Court Lady was a mess, but the costumes were great. Rare to see more historically accurate costumes and makeup. Yanxi Palace was great. He also did Legend of Hao Lan which was also quite impressive, although not quite Yanxi Palace level.

But episode 1 is being released tomorrow...? Also, there is no trailer on here, but there are promotional photos, which look amazing... Maybe there's no trailer, or maybe it just hasn't been shared outside the Great Firewall of China as they say lol.

But with C dramas, you never know! lol

Ever Night isn't romance focused either, but it's got a similar balance as SSS. But I'd say it is higher quality than SSS, one level up maybe...

Nirvana in Fire is good for power/court schemes. If you like that kind of thing, I can also recommend The Rise of the Phoenixes for that, but the vibe is very different/unique. It has a very eccentric, meditative quality to it. It was the second C drama I ever watched. One of my absolute favs. Unlike any other drama... And if you like beautiful costumes and sets, TROTP is a winner...
But anyway, both are slow burn dramas with intricate schemes and a lot of hidden motives etc.

Haven't you watched Ancient Love Poetry? 😅

Why is it that people (actors/producers/directors) who consistently produce bad dramas keep getting work? I don't get it. Whereas the ones who produce fantastic dramas and performances get much less...

Why do you say that? Isn't it supposed to air tomorrow?

Surprised to read this because I think this is the best modern K drama I've ever seen. I've just completed it. Laugh out loud funny. I mean, in the end it comes down to taste, I found Love From a Star pretty tacky and mediocre, so each to their own, eh...? 🤷‍♀️

Wow, I think this is the best modern K drama I have watched so far. So funny, authentic and wholesome...!

True!

Same here, favourite character!

Nirvana in Fire is very different, but also good. It's not really Wuxia though, more court/power schemes...
Have you watched Ever Night? If you like Joy of Life and SSS, I suspect that will be a winner for you too!

I didn't know there was one! Is it after the credits?

I think Zhao Kai is a pawn (but doesn't realise it). If they had duelled, there would have been no good outcome. If XFN dies, Bei Liang revolts. If Zhao Kai dies, it might be seen as an act of aggression against the capital, or against his puppeteer. XFN's speciality is not taking the given options but making his own path... So, by saving Zhao Kai, he may turn an enemy into an ally and this will mess up the plans of those puppeteering Zhao Kai.

That's what I think.