I like how they show moral dilemma and positions people take, also how we can rationalize wrong to evade guilty conscience but deep inside we know when we do wrong.
1st ep & I find Ping An quite hateful. She just killed that cop lol. Also don't like her mom...she treats the sister like some thing to be used when needed, not a person. @_@
Yee Chang Joon is so interesting. You never know what he really thinks, you never know what's really going on, what part of truth is true what part is false, what part of lie is true what part is lie. He's so secretive, so smart, so complex. Wow. He reminds me of older brother in Disguiser who could play triple agent, he was the same.
I was watching ep 47 again (one of the best eps). I like the witch empress dowager finally died. I like before she dies they exposed what she did during the plague. They said out loud she's the worst influence for the king. He kept deciding wrong, hurting his people and country for her sake. It was good to cut her head also as all these people she caused to die could not even be properly buried. I did agree with the rebellion, as I felt he was not suited to be king, but I didn't like the rebels lol so PJ was better. I also like they played out what Ting Sheng tried to teach the young emperor before he died: there is more to being king than holding on to absolute power. There is no such thing as eternal dynasty so be always weary, always burdened, always fearful that you might not do good enough for the people and the country and end up losing all even yourself. It's the big lesson in NIF1 also. Mei Changsu said: The country is not the King's country, the country is the people's country (and this is still valid in today's society). His mother kept teaching him king is controlling the court and destroying people he felt could challenge his authority. Rebellion made young King realize a throne does not make you king, your rule does.
Wow seems plot is very smart. I think I will like it. :)
Omona ep 8 & mind games they play are daebak! Love love love this. Everything so real & portrayed so well. Minor people destroyed innocent or guilty. The powerful always escaping punishment, them thinking "why should I be bothered because of insignificant lives"...so real the reality of corruption and impunity.
I found about it through Just Beetwen Lovers recommendation and expected something like you describe, but had…
have not watched Just between lovers so cannot compare. But you R right about the tone. Mars story relies on excess and shock. Their traumas stem from excessively shocking experiences. No middle ground, it's raw. Still I find the unfolding of truths is done slowly and subtly but the revelation is harsh and clashing. The end feels lighter though because all the built up suspense and tension from secrets is released with a tone of hope.
I finally managed to finish it lol. 2/3 good especially family bond, very beautiful: love of father-sons, love between brothers, love of husband and wife. family noble values beautiful also. PZ death to me is a very weak point in the plot, PJ growth awkward. Last third I didn't like that much. Very good historical drama but disappointing as a sequel to NIF, but it would be hard to do as good as the first. Sometimes sequel is better than prequel but not this time, but still it's a good drama.
I like the witch empress dowager finally died. I like before she dies they exposed what she did during the plague. They said out loud she's the worst influence for the king. He kept deciding wrong, hurting his people and country for her sake. It was good to cut her head also as all these people she caused to die could not even be properly buried. I did agree with the rebellion, as I felt he was not suited to be king, but I didn't like the rebels lol so PJ was better. I also like they played out what Ting Sheng tried to teach the young emperor before he died: there is more to being king than holding on to absolute power. There is no such thing as eternal dynasty so be always weary, always burdened, always fearful that you might not do good enough for the people and the country and end up losing all even yourself. It's the big lesson in NIF1 also. Mei Changsu said: The country is not the King's country, the country is the people's country (and this is still valid in today's society). His mother kept teaching him king is controlling the court and destroying people he felt could challenge his authority. Rebellion made young King realize a throne does not make you king, your rule does.
Everything so real & portrayed so well. Minor people destroyed innocent or guilty. The powerful always escaping punishment, them thinking "why should I be bothered because of insignificant lives"...so real the reality of corruption and impunity.
I put it on hold but I think I won't finish it. Ending seems pretty bad.
PZ death to me is a very weak point in the plot, PJ growth awkward. Last third I didn't like that much. Very good historical drama but disappointing as a sequel to NIF, but it would be hard to do as good as the first. Sometimes sequel is better than prequel but not this time, but still it's a good drama.