John Hart

Do you feel that was her voice? I keep fearing the reason she's not appearing in all sorts of things is that she might have been dubbed. I'm not saying it looks dubbed, but I wonder if that's why.

Once you've seen MAKE A WISH you'll know why I'm DYING TO SEE anything Gia Ge is in.

Well this raises an interesting question. If historically a girl was allowed to be romanced at 16-17 years of age in this period -- and with older men -- is it wrong to cast that age?

This is a surprisingly engaging series for an almost plotless predictable story.

Okay, we've finished SPLENDOR and are now watching the sweet YOUTH MEMORIES, a simple but surprising well made 'soap' on a budget. That gives the translators more time. But after that WE WANT OUR SUBTITLES lol

Thanks for your thoughts. If you don't mind, I have some replies.

My first point is that if we are to embrace your notion that a story based upon reveals is a better form of storytelling, than THREE BODY needed to be a LOT shorter. By the time we got to the 'big' finish boat sequence, to me, it was too little too late. Anti-climatic. But if it had been 12 episodes, better.

I'll also agree that if a story is intentionally stretched by artificial unneeded romances and such, yes, that stinks. But not because emotional bonds between characters are bad. But because it was just 'filler' to give us 40 episodes.

To me -- the entire point of story telling is what Gene Roddenberry once coined 'The Human Adventure'. At the end of the first Trek feature, he didn't say 'Star Trek will return' like Bond movies do. It instead read, "The Human Adventure... continues."

STAR WARS is not a human adventure as much as a series of reveals. This is why there are STAR TREK people and STAR WARS people. I'm STAR TREK.

I learned love, tolerance, compassion, empathy -- pathos and tragedy -- all because of STAR TREK. "May you find your way as pleasant."

Me three. Who is this? Peng Bo?

Look People -- the wifey and I are almost done with A DREAM OF SPLENDOR and we need this damn thing TRANSLATED! lol

I'm 9 episodes away from finishing this and can share a Pro-Tip for anyone who needs it:

1. This is a solid show but kind of like a 'summer movie', meaning it's light and airy. That's not bad. So see this, enjoy it for this strength --
2. -- and then watch IMPERFECT VICTIM that winter. It was created by the same people and repeats two of the actors and is superior to this.

Think of it as a TV double-feature.

Thanks. I was afraid this comment might go ignored.

Here's the interesting thing about China, though. The focus on careers in women driven stories is.. fascinating. It suggests it's not enough to be a young charming girl that gets the boy. No. In addition you must not only have a respectable career but be advancing too, for the good of everyone.

American films, on the other hand, have been criticized for their female characters... who only need their male characters to fall in love with them and nothing more. As long as she's 'pretty' and 'sexy' that's enough.

The following comment isn't aimed specifically at this drama but Chinese shows in general It is these wordy resume show synopsis' which are driving me CRAZY.

I don't wish to suggest that the way America does something is superior to the way the Chinese do it. I actually find both cultures fascinating and it's why I'm enjoying these Chinese TV shows.

But MAN ON MAN these shows need to do something Americans do: describe the show's premise in one or two lines.

"A young woman decides to become a dog trainer for the Fire Department... with the real goal of getting closer to the man she loves... who has completely forgotten her after a decade."

That's it! We don't need to know their resumes. Or any other elements of the story. If that summation doesn't draw people in, come up with a better version of this idea.

IKR?

In a surprising way this series simply makes me... happy. It's my Happy Place I go to 3 nights a week. The female leads, the male lead, the comical male supporting roles and the outdoor sets. And sorry if this is a spoiler but it shouldn't be: it's so amazing to see people in a romantic drama KISS.

I don't want to spoil. What I will say is that the journey is so well done and fascinating, the countless female actresses doing their career's best work -- the ending almost doesn't matter. But buy some Kleenex for the entire journey.

... although there's this delightful sort of WTF with the complete tonal shift of Episode 9. Hopefully it kinda goes away in Ep 10.

The atrocious 'Anglo' acting made me think of something strange. In the earlier days of American TV the Asian acting was just as bad. Could it be that the Chinese directors do not quite know a good Anglo actor from a bad one -- just as -- American directors may not know a good Asian actor from a bad one? Like neither has 'the ears' for it?

As of Ep 5 I'm hooked and impressed that this series doesn't bite off more than it can chew. So far, so good.

Just because your opinion of feminists annoy you doesn't mean the FL is annoying.

Thank you. And yes I like a happier ending too.

Hi Tae. You're right, you never said 'recommend' but, IMO, to spread the word of a new show makes it sound important, therefore it is a kind of recommendation.

In my American town a new location of a Mexican restaurant opened up. I shared simply this and people said, "What makes you think their food is so good?!?" True story.

And your English is fine. I don't expect an Asian site to be full of perfect English speakers.