Meari21

Not quite on the same level but very close. It's basically the next best drama to watch if you like highly intelligent MLs, lots of scheming characters, and political machinations.

I didn't think I'd become an even bigger fan of this man. He's already my most favorite Chinese singer, but now that I've watched A Dream Within A Dream and Prisoner of Beauty, he is now one of my top actors.

She’s indeed exasperating. But she’s designed to be like that. She’s basically the combination of all annoying and frustrating FLs in idol C-dramas who like to assume and judge the MLs without giving them the benefit of the doubt. She knows all the usual tropes in dramas and wants to avoid them but she herself is a trope, a perfect archetype of a toxic FL, while Nan Heng is the ultimate long suffering misunderstood ML who gets stabbed and abused by the FL and those around him. Chu Guihong is the very representation of all the irritating second MLs that we all love to hate. This drama is a satire that pokes fun at C-drama tropes by using exaggerated versions of them. The FL evolves into someone likable later on.

I hope the streaming rights to this will be bought by international streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or Prime Video for worldwide release.

You took the words out of my mouth. I am not liking any of the female characters so far and I happen to like Cheng Xiao, so I thought my bias for her would overshadow my distaste for her character. But kudos to her for making me dislike her in this, her acting has improved a lot for sure.

This plot device kinda turned me off too. Amnesia subplots are so overdone and cheesy, very soap opera-ish. But I hope they use it in a more creative way and would only last for an episode or two.

I don’t normally ship or support CPs but they’re the exception, along with Ao Ruipeng and Bai Lu. I mostly like them because their chemistry extends to real life and I don’t mean romantic chemistry, they just appear to like working together and they genuinely like each other.

You’re not alone. I last saw him in Fangs of Fortune. He had a small part but he was great there too.

Yes! I always felt Neo was prettier than his FLs, no offense to his other FLs of course. 😁 It’s just that Neo is prettier than many Chinese actresses imho. But that will soon change with Gulinazha and Ai Mi. I like him best with Zhou Ye because they looked like they had so much fun on set and while promoting the drama. They ended up being quite good friends in real life. I would love to see them reunite for another project.

You are shaming and judging. Have a nice laugh.

And so what?! I enjoyed the cooking scenes and secondary characters. I could say the same for you, you rated K-pop Demon Hunters 8.5 but I didn’t like it as much. Are we shaming each other’s taste now?

That’s why I thought they had great chemistry because I felt something even though there weren’t enough kisses. Great chemistry to me is when they’re just sitting next to each other and yet you can tell they’re in love. No need for I love yous, hugs, or kisses, or even them staring longingly at each other’s eyes. Their pairing, to me, is akin to Tsuchiya Tao and Yamazaki Kento’s chemistry in Orange. Those two didn’t even have a single kissing scene in that movie.

Not a fan of the FL either. She’s quite manipulative and scheming, very similar to Lu Yuxiao’s other role, Shangguan Qian, which I also wasn’t fond of.

Agreed. I also dropped that drama. It just wasn’t for me.

I preferred Minghao with Zhou Ye though. They have great chemistry on and off screen. They’re also just a year apart. But this drama has a more interesting premise in my opinion. The first episode got me hooked and intrigued immediately.

Wait, this is based on Colorcloud Palace?! I'm looking forward to this! I really hope they'd make a live action drama of The Apothecary's Diaries. I really enjoyed the anime because it felt like watching a historical C-drama.

Not sure if this will be available in my region, though.

He became popular for Overprotective Kahoko, Kamen Rider, and Love You As The World Ends, those appeal to the younger crowd. Yakusho Koji is the star of Rikuoh, he plays a supporting role there so I don’t count it. What I mean by serious works is the likes of Shoplifters or Perfect Days. He hasn’t starred in movies like that where he’s the lead. 10Dance is not an idol movie. The themes in that alone are not for teens, there’s nudity too. You don’t see that sort of thing in his popular works. Him choosing to star in a film like that is basically him telling everyone he’s an adult actor who is more than ready to do more mature roles.

In Japan, they don't need proof, they will crucify an actor for simply being involved in a scandal. Many lose projects over something as trivial as a rumor.

I believe the reason he hasn't gotten significant accolades yet is because he hasn't done a lot of serious films that become blockbuster hits in Japan. His popular works are what I would categorize as "idol" dramas because they appeal more to the younger audience. I think that's why he accepted this role. It can propel him to greater heights and offer him more opportunities as a mature actor. The director is Otomo Keishi, a renowned Japanese filmmaker known for his Rurouni Kenshin films and Ryomaden series, any actor would want to work with him. After all, this is the same director who gave Sato Takeru his biggest break.

I think it's high time J-dramas appeal to a wider crowd. It's not Netflix's fault that K-dramas have evolved into what it is now. This is a conscious decision made by their local producers and filmmakers to appeal to a larger market. There wouldn't have been a Korean cultural invasion if they hadn't done that. What Netflix can do to J-entertainment is offer them a vehicle for worldwide exposure and give them the budget they need. Local TV networks don't spend a whole lot of money on their shows hence the production value is not quite as good as K-dramas or C-dramas. The typical Japanese-style of making J-dramas may appeal to the local viewers and avid fans of J-ent, but they almost always don't attract the general audience. They want what K-ent and C-ent are enjoying right now that's why local networks like TBS and Fuji TV have signed deals with Netflix. I believe NHK have signed a deal with Amazon Prime Video. Disney+ will most likely follow suit. J-ent needs this to stay relevant.

I can say the same about those who don't like it, though. Some of them feel the need to validate their opinions by posting the same criticisms again and again as if their lives depend on it. It's alright to have differing opinions but there are people from each side that can't handle both negative and positive views about this movie and that is why comment sections such as this become a war zone. lol But then again, I can't blame them, some people are just passionate about what they like or dislike.