Jungshooky

I think he may be plant too. Zhang is definitely a snake

I'm right there with you, friend. For the entirety of 24 I was giggling on my couch like a lovesick teenager with like every interaction between YZM and MCH XD

Also, just cackling the entire episode. This was a good one all around!

I haven't watched 24 yet . . . but doesn't YZM want them to stay in the house? When he found out that they were looking at houses, he was legit sad about it. If the owner of the house is cool with it, there's no issue for them to stay, in my opinion. In this case, MCH is kinda acting like her mom by making unilateral decisions for everyone without taking into account what they actually want ^^'

Also, YZM doesn't seem to mind the attic. MCH and her mother offered to clear out the master bedroom, and he's the one that refused it. That attic room is pretty swanky though. It looks bigger/nicer than my own apartment :')

I'm really looking forward to ABAY. I'm cool with the subdued and slow burn romance in this drama . . . but I do love me some romance XD

I wouldn’t waste your breath trying to make people try to understand the mom. I’m not Chinese and I understand the point you’re making but a lot of people here have made up their minds and refuse to see any other perspective (much like a certain character which I find quite ironic). Any time I try to make the point that the mom is more than a simple selfish b*tch, I get borderline bullied about it. Someone even said I must be exactly like the mom in real life 🙃

So I’m tired of trying to rationalize with extremely emotional people and after this post I will stop talking about the mom unless it’s in response to one of the users I know aren’t rabid over her character.

To end on a positive note, I hope you enjoy the rest of the show. It’s been really good so far, and surprisingly one of the best shows I’ve watched recently ☺️☺️

YZM's 'ok ok' is so cute!!!

I'm wondering this too - I really hope it means he's given up on taking over Xin'an li, but I'm also nervous because immediately after that meeting with his boss, YZM erased the board, moved into the villa, and has been treating MCH's parents really well. It's a tad suspicious. I hope he's changed, but I'm also afraid that he's really scheming something under the surface since his boss gave him 1 month to handle Xinan'li - if he wasn't planning to do something, wouldn't he just quit Yueda?

He's definitely a good actor! I also really liked his character in Royal Feast and was sad to see that character choose the path he did. The scene where he lets XK's character drink the tea was heartbreaking T__T

My favorite role I've seen him in though was in WoL, but I'm all around biased about that drama haha

I was kinda hoping they were real life friends - they have good 'broship' energy (at least in the dramas in which they're friends haha)

I can't believe it took me two episodes to realize Zhang's assistant is He Feng Tian! He's in like every XK drama XD

Are they in the same agency?

Yeah, I wasn't liking the Karen look on her either haha - but it fits with her overall character so I wasn't surprised

I probably should have put "Non-Chinese" rather than Western. It's not that people just dislike the mother - I also am not a fan of her - it's the overall tone, and the way some people talk about her and the scriptwriter(s) that's really starting to come across as super judgemental and ignorant. People are judging her character based on what is appropriate in THEIR culture/belief system and personal narrative of what parenting should look like, and completely ignoring her cultural and socioeconomic background which plays a major role in her characterization. You can understand a character AND dislike them. People can also express their dislike of a character without using violent and hateful speech, or borderline insulting/degrading another culture entirely.

This is a CHINESE drama targeted at a CHINESE audience. The writers are not pandering to nor care about international viewer opinions. From what I've heard, actual Chinese viewers/C-netz aren't nearly as incensed by her character, and actually seem to relate and think it's a realistic portrayal.

There’s a difference between understanding a character and agreeing with or otherwise approving of them. I do not approve of how the mom acts and agree she needs a new perspective . . . BUT I also understand why she is the way she is and how, in her mind, she’s not in the wrong. The mom is a complex character if you actually pay attention to the meaning and motive behind her words and actions. Her being this way is integral to the plot of the show and growth of MCH. We’re not meant to like her - she’s written this way for a reason, but to reduce her to a simple evil character cackling over riches without care for anything else is a gross misrepresentation of her as a character. Before you judge people - in dramas and REAL life - try to understand their perspective - it might give you a new one as well

I don’t know why this is such a difficult concept for people to get 🤦🏼‍♀️

Your comment is like a breath of fresh air. If people here actually tried to understand the mother, rather than condemn her as a one-dimensional villainous caricature, I think they'd get a lot more out of the story

I swear to all things holy, every time I start reading comments here I have to physically restrain myself from completely going off

The overall tone regarding the "we all hate mom" bandwagon is really starting to give hella preachy "My Western views and beliefs are superior" vibes and I'm not here for it.

But not well, as we've found out. The hotel doesn't make a profit, and is actually losing money. YZM told MCH that grandma often had to pay for things out of her own personal pocket. Even with inheritance, MCH cannot and should not have to continue doing that to keep a business afloat. That money won't last forever, and if the hotel continues to be run the same way, there likely won't be a Xin'an li in 10 years for MCH to inherit.

So I think YZM and MCH will make a good team and fill in the gaps that the other lacks: YZM has the business acumen, management experience, and eye for profit. MCH has a much better EQ and ability to move/inspire staff, better understanding of client and staff expectations, etc.

Very true, but I think grandma rather put her faith and trust in MCH (and YZM) to keep the hotel running without selling out, than for sure letting the hotel become rebranded

I agree - I think the revision she made on the day she died was that clause. Xin'an li is safe for 10 years from being bought out by another person/company - ideally. I'm sure that Zhang lady has some shady stuff up her sleeves -___-

Oh no, I totally agree! Grandma was very perceptive and shrewd behind her kind old lady exterior haha

I'm not angry that Grandma gave the hotel to MCH, and I understand and agree with her reasoning for the most part, but I actually agree with YZM in his assessment - MCH isn't ready to handle Xin'an li alone. Yes, she's worked in the hotel business for years . . . but in sales and marketing for the vast majority and short stints as YZM's assistant and housekeeping. Being on the periphery of hotel management and being in charge of an entire luxury hotel - grounds, staff, building upkeep, marketing, restaurant, supplier contracts, etc is A LOT more than MCH has ever had to deal with before.

The hotel also isn't profitable - it's one thing to learn on the fly when things are run well, but Xin'an li obviously has financial problems and an unprofitable management system. That worked for grandma who probably could rely on generational wealth (YZM said she funded a lot out of her own pocket), but even with the inheritance money, it won't last indefinitely. In this regard, MCH is in way over her head.

I know grandma gave her the hotel so she could reach her full potential . . . but MCH also needs to learn to ask for and accept help from others (i.e., YZM, whose time at Yueda is limited - the writing's on the wall for that one at least lol). Grandma even told her that being independent is a wonderful thing, but that she still needs to know her limits and not be afraid to get help/step back when needed. She isn't superwoman, and honestly, I will lose some respect for this drama if they continue the narrative that MCH can do anything and everything all by herself.

This is just my humble opinion though ^^'