Gudrun5

I've watched all the BTS short videos that pop up on twitter or youtube, but so far they are just moments during filming and not in-depth commentary. Xiao Zhan did write a long letter to his character (and also viewers) which says some of what was in his mind, it's been translated and posted on twitter. I'm also interested in GL's actors viewpoint, maybe he will say something with all the questions people are asking. Personally, I am not as annoyed by GL as lots of people are, the feel of the drama is rather slice of life, surprisingly.

Love this discussion! I love GYY's decision because there is so much drama in it. I also think this is the part where GYY is not perfect, we can criticize some of his actions and discuss them, though we can sympathize. Xiao Zhan said he was a little worried about how viewers would receive his character, but concluded that people aren't perfect and that's okay. I find GYY so fascinating and all the conversations with him and about him in ep 24 moved me so much. Questions of whether he's doing the right thing and how, I am all in for it. I really want him to have a happy ending of course.

Adding to the conversation here - that line of GL to GYY hinting about not living anymore (can't remember the exact wording ) DID jump out to me like "woh, did he meant to make that statement?" But the show just moved on as if it wasn't a big deal, so I really wonder if the actors, directors aren't taking it as seriously as we viewers are. Because GL immediately pivoted to something else, so the story didn't let the weight of what he said actually said. But I agree they do seem like Frenemies.

And the Smallville Lana Lang comparison is so very apt!

I love WW too! Of all of Xiao Zhan's dramas, after The Untamed I think Duoluo Continent is most focused on him as the main character. I prefer stories with a strong focus on one main character's point of view. (My second most favorite character of Xiao Zhan is actually Yan Bingyuan in Joy of Life, though he only appears in the last 7 episodes and it ends on a cliffhanger. )

Agreed, but having watched up to ep. 24, I feel like the story is acknowledging that they really have been more like frenemies and GYY turns to GL in his time of need only because he can't really turn to anyone else. Because he knows it's in GL's interest to take care of the girl, so he is being open with him. But I don't think they are supposed to be real friends yet. That comment of JNZ did surprise me, maybe GYY is the loner person who doesn't have close connections to others? Seems like GL could have lots of other friends. Still, I'm really enjoying this dynamic of a strained relationship between them currently, and I hope that a real friendship can emerge once they are older.

Your tone made me chuckle a little. I wonder if a drama does well enough, would they ever release extra episodes from the cut content? I've never really heard of it happening before, so it's a distant hope. Though Imperial Coroner is getting an extra episode since it did so well and the ending was a bit abrupt.

This made me think of C.S. Lewis, who made a pact with his good friend in the army that they would each take care of the other's parent if they died. The friend died, so Lewis took the friend's widowed mother to live with him for the rest of her life. She was a difficult woman and made his life difficult, but he kept his promise. I like how Gu Yi yi clearly explains that A xiu is a woman without any options, no welfare or family, like many real people. And he's unique in that he's willing to adopt the child and marry the girl in order to take care of them. I liked Gao's advice to him that he needs to LOVE the girl too. Since just taking care of her out of guilt could lead to a toxic life (though many have lived that way). I agree with everyone's comments that there is a lot to ponder here. I love Gu Yiyi's character even as much as he is an aspirational character.

Thanks for the additional info. I've been following this for a while and glad to see XZ billed appropriately and that he's promoting it. That, at least, is a good thing. I am enjoying the drama a lot more than I expected for a military drama, but it's hard to know that GYY's story could have been more expansive than the cut we see. (Was hoping they'd put more scenes back in, I guess we'll know once it's finished.)

I understand that usually (in hollywood) a director and/or producer have the right to change character's scenes and normally an actor doesn't have a right to change it (for example Justice league, Cyborg's story in the released was a side character vs director's cut where he was a central role, I've just heard people talk about it). But perhaps a high-profile actor can have in their contract that they are a lead, like how an actor listed as producer has the right to make some decisions about the project. Hopefully going forward XZ can have this kind of clout. I would have expected he already does because obviously everyone wants the most from GYY in this drama! IQIYI or whoever it was who made the decision really didn't understand XZ's fans.

That makes sense about the ammo. But those explosions from the turret guns looked real enough to me! I wondered if the artillery rounds were intended to hit only pre-designated places with no people, but that seems to defeat the purpose of an exercise.

Haha, what is the rest of the company, chopped liver? I agree with you. This discussion by superiors about love is something I've noticed in a few other c-dramas, where love and relationships seem to always be bad for the young couple involved, they're too immature, once they grow older they'll understand real life and give up their love. As if a real adult life is all about duty and not about family, love, and relationships at all. I'm still not sure if this attitude is being portrayed as good or bad by the stories, but I definitely disagree with it in principal. Our family is supposed to come first, then the rest of the world, in that way can we protect others and be responsible. I think it's a problem many people deal with in their lives, I just hope people aren't led to think faithfulness in love is a detriment. I am curious to see where the story takes us and whether I'll agree with it or not.
However, I think one important scene for GYY's character was his conversation with his father, where he asks "can I make one mistake"? The question and answer seem to indicate where his journey will take him in the future. I hope he can come up with a good balance that doesn't destroy his personal life in the pursuit of his career. He is the "cat" in the story, while Gao is the "dog", and I assume the plot is moving toward them becoming more friends and having a mutual understanding.

Fall of 2020.

So, in that training exercise are they using live fire the whole way through?? It looked like live artillery at least, and lots of impacts from the guns too. Does any military do drills with live rounds like this? It seems like you'd be killing your soldiers right and left. I know soldiers die in training sometimes, but this seemed crazy to me, a non-military person.

Question about military training in eps 13-14 below.

That "still in the 1940s while it was the '80s" makes sense now! I was thinking, were people using switchboards in 1983?? But yes, if this is historically accurate, I'm impressed that they are willing to be so historically accurate. I also am glad that it's not so propagandistic as some other military dramas seemed to be - those having sweeping shots of military grandness - this one is focused primarily on the characters in the military and their stories. It actually gives me a warm feeling, like a family drama shown in montages. Not my usual cup of tea, but I appreciate that the plot is squarely on the character developement.

Thanks. I've considered watching AoL many times, now I have a reason to be interested.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

Any recommendations for their favorite Luo Yun Xi role? I discovered him in Princess Silver and he's ethereal and just bewitching. Looks like And the Winner is Love is his main historical role, but reviews are quite mixed (should I watch??). Ashes of Love is highly rated but he's not the main. Modern dramas don't tempt me unless I REALLY like the actor. A lot of his upcoming roles look great though.

You are so funny! But I discovered there’s an advantage in this package deal, because I’m a huge fan of Han Cheng yu, who is in almost all of Cheng yi’s dramas. I like both actors, but Han Chen yu does not have many lead roles.

I just finished Dance of the Sky empire and loved it! I wanted to watch Lingjian mountain but it sounds like it has a cliffhanger ending. Can I watch it and still enjoy the first season? Or is there a certain place to stop before getting to the cliffhanger (a workaround on cliffhanger seasons). I'd love to know. I've become a Xu Kai fan now. :)

oh wow, you're right! So tired of searching for Sean, his real name is beautiful.