songfalcon

I am a sucker for great background instrumentals in a drama, the soundtrack actually breaks or makes a drama for me. Soundtrack in this drama is absolutely superb and suits well with every scene. Standouts for me are Ruyi's badass assassin theme and the one that was playing during Ning Yuanzhou's near demise from ep 20.

Here's a link to all the bgms they've released so far! Hope you enjoy :)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ktiER-sYE1pG5a_ugYBkltxfOin_DaOng&si=_WakCNs-Mk6bq-7i

I agree with you wholeheartedly! I've been a long time fan of Liu Shi Shi and she really shines in costume dramas. This role of hers is my fav yet and is probably one of her best acting roles to date. Ren Ruyi has definitely become one of my all time favorite leads along with Go Aeshin from Mr. Sunshine and Ji Yunhe from. The Blue Whisper. Similar to what someone had commented, you don't feel that she is acting and that she is actually embodying her character here.

Don't be sorry! I'm glad to see your agree with me :) You're absolutely right. Too many dramas have inconsistent characterizations where you're left wondering if whether you're still watching the same one. It's unfortunate too because their usually the ones that have so much promise.

Totally agree with you! I am beyond obsessed with drama to the point that it has me go back into the habit of coming back on here everyday to look at everyone's comments HAHA.

The relationship in this drama is so refreshing to see. Healthy communication and willing to understand and compromise with your partner goes a long way. Their fight scenes together are always so badass and my absolute faves. We need some more scenes of the squad fighting together too!

I still have faith in LTG as well so lets hope he doesn't let us down haha. He'll find out about Ruyi next episode so let's see if this will be his turning point.

This drama does not disappoint! We are past the halfway mark and it still keeps getting better and better after each episode. I pray that I'm not jinxing it but hopefully it will continue this path until the very end.

LTG's character is a very interesting one because up til this point we still don't know which direction his character will turn to. They are keeping us guessing at every step haha. When I think he has some goodness in him and that this will be his turning point, he turns around back into the obsessive disciple who is consumed with jealousy. I pray that his character arc will lead him down the right path because it would be a waste if they just turn him into a crazed jealousy consumed villain!

Romance I cannot illiterate enough how amazing it is. This drama has set standards in what healthy communication and equal supporting partners are like. From trying to look at things from each other's perspectives, to compromising on their goals, and now growing together to be each other's support pillars when they have both been used to shouldering their burdens alone for so long. This drama deserves all the praise.

Sun Lang is a sweetheart! I have a feeling that if any of them die though, he'll probably be the first to go :,( Gotta prepare myself for the heartache.

Yeah when Mr. Du spoke up for Ruyi he won me over, even though what he said later on about using her was so out of pocket. But for an old man in that century, he is better than most and actually does care for Ying Yang and his country.

Exactly! I love how involved they all are! One whole family who support each other through everything. Like that kiss scene with the leaves set up was everything! How each character behaved in that seen was so fitting of them too.

Something that I absolutely adore about this drama is how fleshed out the characters are and just how well it plays into their dynamics as a group that makes them so lovable and endearing to watch. For a drama that's centered around a group of characters, there's always some that kind of fall flat or are forgotten compared to others because the writers tend to gloss over small details. However, in this drama, every character has their own distinctive personality and it really shows in how they act and interact with one another. Usually with dramas like this, we are told of how close these characters are and we're most of the time expected to kind of fill in the blanks of how their bond works and how it came to be.

The writers here just don't mention details in passing and never touch upon it again. The characters are consistent and are true to how they are initially portrayed. Sun Lang is an animal lover and we see time and time again how his love for animals just show up in random points and even helps him figure out clues for the delegation. Shisan is a playboy, but it's also because he understands women. He's playful and a goofball but he's also good at reading people and understanding them and we see that in the way Yuanzhou confides in him and how he gives good advice most of the time lol. Qian Zhao is stoic but is heavily loyal to his comrades and firm in his beliefs. We see many times how easily angered and fiery he gets when fallen comrades were mentioned and how it had easily clouded his judgement of Ruyi. Yuan Lu has an illness but it didn't just come out of nowhere nor was it brushed aside after it had subsided. We see it in the way that Yuanzhou pays close attention to him when they're out on the battlefield, when he is reminded to take his pills, and even when he was using his illness as a way to comfort Yang Ying.

The meaningful conversation between Shisan and Ruyi, the apologies uttered by Sun Lang, Qian Zhao, and Shisan to Ruyi after their fight and how their apologies were so distinct to their characters, and the budding freindship between the two youngest Yuan Lu and Ying Yang. There is just so much nuance in between the characters' relationships to each other. It's shown in a way where we can really feel that they are a family and that they truly care and love each other. It is actually believable that they would die for each other. The way that this drama portrays its characters is so well done and I just know that it's gonna destroy me if anything happens to them.

Guys, I think the wedding photo might be of Khim and Kla’s wedding and not Thaen and Khim. I was rewatching the music video for Touch and there were scenes of Thaen and Lita dancing and smiling together wearing the same outfits. Plus judging from their suits, Kla’s suit looks more of like a groom’s than Thaen’s suit. So this might be the long awaited wedding we’ve all been waiting for between our main couple!

A prediction that I have is that the gun is pointed towards Songseen, and Khim will sacrifice herself for her dad which will then make him realize the horrible person he is and in turn start his redemption arc.

My second guess would be that it's pointed towards either Kla or Khim, and one of them sacrifices themselves for the other. If it's Kla then maybe Songseen will see this and realize that Kla truly does love Khim to the point of being willing to die for her. There was a preview that someone posted that shos an explosion scene, I wonder what that would be about??

I don't think people are wrong for being upset with Kla. In life there are people who think more logically and others who base off their thinking on emotion. It's a head versus heart kind of scenario. Even though we all know that Kla is just doing what Khim had wanted from the start, our hearts hurt for Khim because we feel for her and understand that it's not what she truly wants. We feel for her for all of the pain that she has gone through her entire life up until now. We feel for her because she hasn't done anything to deserve all of this.

Of course I'm not saying that we don't feel for Kla either. His character has also been hurt and tormented. It's just Khim is more pitiful because not only does she have no one on her side, she keeps suffering from one misfortune to the next. Like you've stated yourself, Khim's character is submissive, and who wouldn't be if they were placed in her circumstances. She's been made to believe that she has no worth and that no one could truly love her. She has no one on her side, no support from anyone. She lacks self love and confidence. When faced with problems I don't blame her for wanting to take the easy way out and avoid conflict because what can she really do at this point. She has no one on her side, she has no power, there's not much she can do really. But what makes her character admirable is that she is willing to take accountability for her mistakes, even for the ones she wasn't a part of and chose to repent for them.

Agree with you here. Romance between them would be bland and boring, or should I say is already bland and boring. They don't challenge each other, it's more of puppy love and mutual respect than anything. There is no spark or passion there. On the other hand, being with Khim had made Kla want to turn a new leaf and become a better man. Being with Kla had made Khim want to become more independent and capable of surviving and taking care of herself. They both make each other better and want to be better. The passion, yearning, and love, it's all there.

Personally, I would be truly disappointed if this is what happens. It's too often that men are given an easy way out of situations like these. Since the beginning, Khim hasn't done anything that makes her deserve all of the things that have been done to her. In this whole mess, she has been the biggest victim. Kla still needs to hold some accountability for the damage and pain he has inflicted on Khim. If they were to have him apologize first and be completely truthful to her about his guilt and feelings before distancing himself from her, then I would be onboard, but I truly hope everything doesn't get brushed aside.

Personally, I would be truly disappointed if this is what happens. It's too often that men are given an easy way out of situations like these. Since the beginning, Khim hasn't done anything that makes her deserve all of the things that have been done to her. In this whole mess, she has been the biggest victim. Kla still needs to hold some accountability for the damage and pain he has inflicted on Khim. If they were to have him apologize first and be completely truthful to her about his guilt and feelings before distancing himself from her, then I would be onboard, but I truly hope everything doesn't get brushed aside.

I understand where he's coming from, I guess it's just the frustration of him not explaining to her or being directly truthful with her about his feelings that gets to me. And even though at this point, him giving her the divorce papers is what she "wanted," there are still many other things he has done that had hurt her. And those are the things that I want him to have deep remorse and guilt for. I don't want him to have the easy way out where Khim is the one to take him back or it is brushed a side just because he wasn't aware of the truth. Because even though he wasn't aware, Khim has been hurt and the damage has been done, so I really want and expect a genuine apology from his side.

Ooooo if you love that drama, you should definitely check out The Long Ballad if you haven't yet. The Leo Wu is also the ML there, and although romance isn't at the forefront, it is an absolute watch if you enjoy healthy relationships and slow-burn. No one has been able to beat Leo Wu's Ashina Sun as best ML in my heart till this day. He's everything you could ever want and need. Zhao Lusi is also in that drama, but she plays the second female lead.

At this point I need Kla to get on his knees and beg Khim for forgiveness because what the fuck was that hospital scene? After today I really thought he'll finally find out about the truth and the reality of almost losing Khim would knock some sense into him and lead him to apologize to her. But the fact that she almost died and the first thing he brings up after she wakes up is the divorce in exchange for Claire's safety??

Before Kla defenders come at me, I understand Kla's revenge is justified since he doesn't know the whole story, but I am expecting for groveling and deep remorse after he finds out about the truth because out of this whole mess, Khim has been the biggest victim. From the beginning until now she hasn't done anything bad towards him besides react to how he treats her. Khim deserves an apology and Kla deserves to lament in his guilt after the truth is revealed.

Well we as the viewers know that, but Khim is unaware. We all know that the only person for Khim and is able to truly love and protect her is Kla, but in Khim's eyes, Kla is still her ex-husband who is now back in her life abusing her with the intent of revenge and making her life a living hell.

I don't see it as her disregarding his pain and misery as she has went through the same ordeal. What is happening is that it's a matter of the past and she's trying to move on with her life just as he is. It's been 7 whole years of believing one side of the story, and now all of these new revelations are coming to light for her. It's a lot to wrap your head around. Not to mention that Kla has shown that he has moved on with Claire. He also still treats her with contempt, and it's difficult to show someone empathy when it isn't returned.

I believe what Khim is doing what most of people in society do when they've been through traumatic relationships: settling. I can completely understand why she wants to marry Thaen because as of right now, he is the only person who hasn't betrayed her or hurt her in anyway. Khim's relationship with Kla had ended in the worst and most traumatic way possible. Her whole life was spent feeling like nobody wants her and that she's unworthy of love. Now here is Thaen, someone who has been with her throughout the past 7 years, showing her affection and care which is something she lacks and desperately seeks. Although she knows the truth now, Kla hasn't exactly shown her that he still feels the same way about her with the whole asking her to help him reconcile with Claire. He's not the past loving and caring Kla she knew. She not only wants to move on, but she just wants to belong somewhere and to someone. And as of right now, Thaen is her safest bet.