Firefly88

I just started this drama. Watched 3 episodes. Despite all these great themes that should make for a great story, I'm so bored, can't get into it.

I know some people adored The Long Ballad and I thought it was really good, for sure, but it's not one of my favourites for some reason and I can never quite work out why. I'm a big fan of Dilreba too because she has a lot of range. In terms of dramas, I prefer LLTG, and until this drama, I didn't like Zhao Lusi. Her acting has underwhelmed me in several dramas, but she really impressed me this time. However, in terms of character development, Li Changge definitely grew more as a character in TLB because by the end, her wisdom was pretty profound. I'm looking forward to Zhao Lusi's dramas in a few years time to see if she gets more layers and range.

I'm not proposing he should have been deleted altogether lol. I just mean cut a bit. I didn't like Lou Yao, but he was nevertheless an important step for Niao Niao.

Yes, since they didn't really build on the Song-Qiqi romance, it felt a bit unnecessary/// but do you know what I would have cut far more of? Lou Yao. Although Lou Yao had a function in the story for Niao Niao's character building, his storyline got too much screentime in my opinion. They could have cut it by 15% or so.

People who have purchased the Express package, please hide your spoilers! Thanks!

I suspect more details will be revealed next week.

Fasten your drama seatbelts, ladies and gentlemen... The dark times are here.

Definitely the top historical C drama of 2022. I wouldn't say it's the best one ever, but definitely deserves to be on a top 10 best historical C dramas list. (So far... don't want to jinx it lol)

My thoughts exactly.

Precisely. I've noticed a lot of C dramas recently spend a lot of screentime earlier on in the drama and then they suddenly cut loads of important scenes in the final chunk of the drama. The best thing that could happen for the Chinese drama scene is better editors.

For me, this editing error is my first complaint. Just a shame because it's been so flawless so far in comparison to many C dramas.

Yes I can think of several unnecessary scenes from earlier on that could have been cut to free up more screen time for important storylines.

I have adored this drama the whole time, and have had nothing to criticise about the drama, but... the last few episodes, especially this story about the rebellion and Tongniu etc was over cut. They cut out huge parts of the progress and tried to summarise what had happened instead. I felt it was unsatisfying. They cut out Niao Niao's journey and experiences in Tongniu when she ends up in a prison. We only get to hear about this section through her recounting it briefly to LBY, and the same with the finding her father. Too rushed! I would rather they skipped it altogether if they weren't going to really go for it. Also I think the twist with LBY being Huo Zheng was done too lazily. Out of the blue, Uncle dude who looks after LBY's mother starts talking about the two boys and how one is allergic to almonds, then right away he has an allergic reaction. I would have preferred if they put the story about the two boys earlier on so it would be less obvious when LBY has an allergic reaction.

I agree it gets better. The first couple of episodes didn't do it for me, but now I'm into it.

What's everyone watching while waiting for new episodes? I'm watching Immortal Samsara and Alchemy of Souls. Started Love between a fairy and devil, but can't get into it.

Very rare

I thought it must be a Chinese character joke, but I'm not sure

The emperor orchestrating that huge scene while standing up there with his wives. Hilarious. This trio are epic. I love that they all have such different characters but they fit together so well. The virtuous and kind empress, the mischievous and benevolent emperor and the righteous, strict consort. Amazing. What I don't get is how they produced such awful children.

That's what strikes me as well. There is fantastic balance between negative and positive.

Thanks for sharing but I prefer to use official streaming sites
Hope it comes out in my region soon.