A devastating story about love without love as the end goal. A story about two deeply broken children raised by adversity. A story about a glorious dragon whose flame burns only himself. A story about a king whose crown buries his love. A story of a damsel of a man who is still necessary despite his faults. And finally, a story about the queen of broken hearts.
Dahuang is a place unkind to lovers.
9/10
I had major problems with the last few episodes but overall it was a gut wrenching show. I literally cried tears of blood.
For a deeply emotional analysis and my in-depth study/tribute for each character, you can check out my MDL review here:
Why do people question XL's logic in pursuing a dead-end cause? -> Because it's something that can be reasoned…
And that’s the point. Can it be reasoned with? Sure. Because we ALL know it’s not the most logical thing including Xiang Liu himself but it’s his character complexity. It’s all he knows, it’s part of his identity and the vary fabric of who he is. Also, if we are just going with your example. Then, people have tried to reason with Xiao Yao about her love for TSJ. People have tried to reason with CX about his love for XY and people have tried to reason with TSJ on his indecisiveness. Things can be reasoned with if you want to but whether the other person listens to that reasoning or not is determined by their personality makeup, the choices they have made and ultimately, that’s what makes them human and flawed which leaves reasoning behind regardless of whether its a matter of love or duty.
Also, one last thing, are people really questioning the LOGIC in XL's dead end cause? Because if we were to follow that train of thought this drama wouldn't even be here.
Why does Cang Xuan foolishly hold on to a woman who obviously sees him as a brother despite having a trillion wives? Why does Xiao Yao foolishly hold on to Tushan Jing despite him not being an equal partner but because she sees innocence in him that she lost a long time ago? Why does Tushan Jing foolishly continue to be weak and a doormat when he should have been decisive? And finally, in the same vein, the question that's keeping people up at night: Why does Xiang Liu foolishly hold on to an army that is doomed?
The answer is the same. These characters are a product of their past and shaped by their complex experiences. If they behaved ideally and logically, they wouldn't be flawed and there would be no problems or a story left to tell.
I see so many debates on Xiang Liu's reason for continuing his obviously doomed war cause. Does it seem futile? For sure. I can't count the times I tsk tsk-ed at him - None of my man's 9 heads thinking clearly BUT can I understand it? Also, yes.
XL has been fighting for this cause his entire life. He was a tortured little demon plucked from pain and given a purpose. He has lived and breathed that identity for years. That is all he knows. The people who follow him have braved adversity, loss and anguish for the sake of a pipe dream that is glory. Without that, they have nothing.
Sure, should they all give it up and join hands and sing Kumbayah happily ever after? Ideally, yes. Can these damaged soldiers really do that? No. War is all they know, the motivation for living. Taking it away is not an option. And XL, their general? For him this sense of duty is magnified.
Is it a lost cause? Yes. Is he lost because of it? Also yes. He never claimed or tried to be perfect. He is a flawed, broken and tragic character. He knows his obsessions and his weaknesses and that is precisely why he never really puts the option to be with Xiao Yao on the table. He never dangles the possibility in front of her. Instead, he is cruel to her and makes her think they can never be a thing - which is ultimately, the kindest, selfless and the most sacrificial thing to do. So, what is there to debate about?
Especially I don't know how take seriously all drama about Jing death and CX betrayal, when I know Jing will back…
Girl I have read most of the bits of the novel and knew the fates of everyone and STILL, that last line in that spoiler threw me off. LIKE WHAT LMAOOOO regretting my entire life opening it and seeing the dream bit cause w h a t? XD
One last thing I will say is, my man Xiang Liu really putting all that extra time at work, WITHOUT PAY AND APPRECIATION. SMH, my man deserves a hefty bonus, employee of the year award and some decor pieces to liven up his underground clam shell bar for the amount of shit he has gotten everyone out of. Oh and a pack of HIGH GRADE worms for chubby, thank you very much. Even if you don't want him with Xiao Yao, you have to admit, he out there doing the MOST.
Btw the absolute wrath, pain and betrayal in Xiao Yao’s eyes as she confronts Cang Xuan Gege is keeping me up for 5 business days.
I think her compassion made Gege forget that she is a grown, mature, jaded woman who has never relied on anyone but herself. If damsel Jing with a side of soggy noodles was her happiness, then that was that. Gege, making that decision for her was selfish, toxic and ignorant of how much he was actually hurting her.
I love me some Cang Xuan Gege but when she called him out on it, I was real real quiet. Not a peep out of my mouth. I was like sir, you are on your own here.
I will be over there air cruising on Chubby with my man Xiang Liu depressed chilling with our premium Dahuang vodka seeing this all go down. Yikes. Not a good day to be Cang Xuan Gege.
Still, excellent performances by both of them. Incest fantasy has never looked more real, raw and intense. 💀🤡
OMG. Thank you! lolI knew it was all going to fall on XL, AGAIN, to save the day. But yes, he's patrolling on…
The 20 shades of disappointment on his face when he realises damsel Jing has landed in a shitpile he gotta extract him out of ONCE AGAIN took me out … I know the man is above petty name calling but I FELT him call Jing noodle some choice ones in his head.
Lol, that whole scene was so ridiculous. I honestly believe they made it on purpose, to embarass Jing even more.…
Girl, literally same. The way he was just dingle dangling in the back wearing a neon sign that said "COME HIT THIS SITTING JING DUCK" LMAO I would have ran atleast 60 miles by that time. SMH
Me: Dear Jing, how many more times are you gonna make me lose respect for you?
Jing: Hold my dignity.
*Continues to be thrown around in the air like a frisbee, vomits out a big load of Heinz ketchup, flails in the air and drops like a block of lead deep in the ocean.*
Well then, okay, I got my answer I guess. Meanwhile XL on his eagle air cruising knowing he’ll be called in to work extra hours to save this mess somehow soon enough. My man better get a performance bonus and a raise at this point.
*Sigh*
Currently feeling hurt for Xiao Yao, Side eying Cang Xuan Gege but also loving the performance 💯
Its fascinating reading this review and then reading your review of Secret Garden, where you completely ignore…
Ah, there you are, my stalker. Just say you are a fan of my reviews and go. 💅 No need to act like a hater with your multiple comments, baby. The two dramas set out to do very different things and while I am not a big fan of Secret Garden either, its writing was nearly not as dense as this one but that’s not the point right, you’re just here to bitch and moan like an internet twelvie who can’t get the memo that I don’t have to like what you like so go ahead. Keep yapping darling, while I call pest control. 💋
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A devastating story about love without love as the end goal. A story about two deeply broken children raised by adversity. A story about a glorious dragon whose flame burns only himself. A story about a king whose crown buries his love. A story of a damsel of a man who is still necessary despite his faults. And finally, a story about the queen of broken hearts.
Dahuang is a place unkind to lovers.
9/10
I had major problems with the last few episodes but overall it was a gut wrenching show. I literally cried tears of blood.
For a deeply emotional analysis and my in-depth study/tribute for each character, you can check out my MDL review here:
https://kisskh.at/profile/Jeana/reviews/377181
Why does Cang Xuan foolishly hold on to a woman who obviously sees him as a brother despite having a trillion wives?
Why does Xiao Yao foolishly hold on to Tushan Jing despite him not being an equal partner but because she sees innocence in him that she lost a long time ago?
Why does Tushan Jing foolishly continue to be weak and a doormat when he should have been decisive?
And finally, in the same vein, the question that's keeping people up at night: Why does Xiang Liu foolishly hold on to an army that is doomed?
The answer is the same. These characters are a product of their past and shaped by their complex experiences. If they behaved ideally and logically, they wouldn't be flawed and there would be no problems or a story left to tell.
XL has been fighting for this cause his entire life. He was a tortured little demon plucked from pain and given a purpose. He has lived and breathed that identity for years. That is all he knows. The people who follow him have braved adversity, loss and anguish for the sake of a pipe dream that is glory. Without that, they have nothing.
Sure, should they all give it up and join hands and sing Kumbayah happily ever after? Ideally, yes. Can these damaged soldiers really do that? No. War is all they know, the motivation for living. Taking it away is not an option. And XL, their general? For him this sense of duty is magnified.
Is it a lost cause? Yes. Is he lost because of it? Also yes. He never claimed or tried to be perfect. He is a flawed, broken and tragic character. He knows his obsessions and his weaknesses and that is precisely why he never really puts the option to be with Xiao Yao on the table. He never dangles the possibility in front of her. Instead, he is cruel to her and makes her think they can never be a thing - which is ultimately, the kindest, selfless and the most sacrificial thing to do. So, what is there to debate about?
SMH. #9HeadedDragonsHaveRightToo
I think her compassion made Gege forget that she is a grown, mature, jaded woman who has never relied on anyone but herself. If damsel Jing with a side of soggy noodles was her happiness, then that was that. Gege, making that decision for her was selfish, toxic and ignorant of how much he was actually hurting her.
I love me some Cang Xuan Gege but when she called him out on it, I was real real quiet. Not a peep out of my mouth. I was like sir, you are on your own here.
I will be over there air cruising on Chubby with my man Xiang Liu depressed chilling with our premium Dahuang vodka seeing this all go down. Yikes. Not a good day to be Cang Xuan Gege.
Still, excellent performances by both of them. Incest fantasy has never looked more real, raw and intense. 💀🤡
Jing: Hold my dignity.
*Continues to be thrown around in the air like a frisbee, vomits out a big load of Heinz ketchup, flails in the air and drops like a block of lead deep in the ocean.*
Well then, okay, I got my answer I guess.
Meanwhile XL on his eagle air cruising knowing he’ll be called in to work extra hours to save this mess somehow soon enough. My man better get a performance bonus and a raise at this point.
*Sigh*
Currently feeling hurt for Xiao Yao, Side eying Cang Xuan Gege but also loving the performance 💯