As someone who loves the novel and He Yan (both are my favorite QSCK's novel and character), I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEE this drama. This is everything I wanted and more.
I’m so glad they kept He Yan’s character true to the original. In the novel, she’s shown as a bit naive, cheerful, loyal, and loves teasing Xiao Jue, but also a serious and dependable person when it matters. Her goal in the story is to gain recognition under her own name, and also living her life to the fullest while achieving that.
I found Zhou Ye is perfect for this role. Her petite figure is exactly how He Yan is described in the novel. We say that she is too feminine, but we forget that WE know she’s a girl because we know the story. We’re outside of the story. The characters inside the world don’t know she’s a woman, and why would they? Joining an army disguised as a woman is punishable by death at that time. They still notice she looks different from other men hence the pretty boy comment. Saying she doesn’t fit the role while praising the ML is funny to me, because if she’s too pretty or well-kept, then so is he. I don't believe that a real seasoned male general in battle would be that pale and clean. Not only Zhou Ye, in my opinion, despite being amazing, even the formidable Zhao Wei or Liu Yifei didn’t pass as men in Mulan. And why does being bubbly mean she’s not imposing or capable enough to be a general? She already proved time and time again in the show how capable she was.
I also love how Zhou Ye nails the micro acting, showing the small changes in expression between being a bubbly young girl and being a great soldier. This role is really meant for her. I’m just so happy that such a great novel got such a great adaptation. :)
I’m so glad they kept He Yan’s character true to the original. In the novel, she’s shown as a bit naive, cheerful, loyal, and loves teasing Xiao Jue, but also a serious and dependable person when it matters. Her goal in the story is to gain recognition under her own name, and also living her life to the fullest while achieving that.
I found Zhou Ye is perfect for this role. Her petite figure is exactly how He Yan is described in the novel. We say that she is too feminine, but we forget that WE know she’s a girl because we know the story. We’re outside of the story. The characters inside the world don’t know she’s a woman, and why would they? Joining an army disguised as a woman is punishable by death at that time. They still notice she looks different from other men hence the pretty boy comment. Saying she doesn’t fit the role while praising the ML is funny to me, because if she’s too pretty or well-kept, then so is he. I don't believe that a real seasoned male general in battle would be that pale and clean. Not only Zhou Ye, in my opinion, despite being amazing, even the formidable Zhao Wei or Liu Yifei didn’t pass as men in Mulan. And why does being bubbly mean she’s not imposing or capable enough to be a general? She already proved time and time again in the show how capable she was.
I also love how Zhou Ye nails the micro acting, showing the small changes in expression between being a bubbly young girl and being a great soldier. This role is really meant for her. I’m just so happy that such a great novel got such a great adaptation. :)