Will give this the 3 episode test, although nothing in Episode 1 except the soundtrack grabbed my attention. It all seemed fake, and dull. Wondering if this is yet another drama getting high ratings due to 'fan girls'. Guess we'll see (shrug).
BTW, big Lu Yu Xiao fan, so I do hold out hope :)
EDIT: Alrighty. Just finished Episode 3 and, yep, now I get it. Totally addicted :) (Not a gigantic fan of the game portion of the story, although I understand why it's there but, as that supposedly fades away as the drama progresses, I'm all in for the rest of it :)
The antagonist in the season was miscast completely. They took an actor who was young and has done primarily protagonist…
Both but predominantly the FL, ML are being attacked (wooden performances, zero chemistry, not attractive) and the director and writer.
People are especially angry if they loved Season 1, as they've waited so long and then were served with something that's sub-standard in every way. According to them anyway,
These three are pretty typical:
"The production team has more money, but the quality of the drama has declined. The crime-solving logic is far-fetched and forced. The male lead is greasy, and the female lead, despite being married for three years and being the Princess Consort of Anjun for three years, hasn't learned any dignity or poise, displaying only a petty, girlish demeanor. Even her costumes are less dignified than those of the supporting characters. The first season focused on crime-solving, while the second season turned into a historical romance. Bringing autopsy tools to a banquet is one thing, but using them to cut meat is another! What, is the palace so poor that they don't have any tools to eat with? I respect autopsy tools, and I respect the forensic profession. But ask a modern forensic doctor if they would use autopsy tools for socializing and dining out? This is shoddy workmanship."
and
"Five years have passed, and the acting skills of the male and female leads have not improved at all, and have even regressed. The two wooden actors acting together is shocking."
and
"I watched the first season several times, and after waiting for years, this is what I got. The chemistry between the male and female leads is zero, their acting is zero, and their everyday conversations feel like they're just reciting lines and doing tasks. The male lead is so ugly, and he always has his hands behind his back. Is he serious about wearing that thin official robe on his small frame? I've watched five episodes, and the cases aren't very engaging. I'll persevere a little longer, but if it continues to be this bad, I'll drop it."
Personally, I thought the FL's acting skills were awful in S1 (one facial expression throughout 99% of the entire series) but thought she might have improved for S2. So, while I wouldn't be anywhere near as harsh as these people, I do understand why they're upset.
Also don't understand why the FL is so bad in S1 as her acting skills are pretty decent in Treasure at Dawn (So far at least. I'm only on Ep 3).
(BTW, I have NOT watched S2, as just finished S1 last night, so I can't comment on their acting skills in it. Won't be watching S2 though as the comments are overwhelmingly negative and angry, and I do find I usually agree with Douban users more than those on MDL).
The antagonist in the season was miscast completely. They took an actor who was young and has done primarily protagonist…
Douban rating is up. 5.7. Very very bad. Basically saying "unwatchable". I've always noticed tho, the Chinese tend to be far more brutal in their reviews than other drama fans. Even if they love an actor, they don't have any problem slamming a drama if it's bad.
There was some chatter about S3. Don't know how true that is. But after watching ep 23, it really feels like there…
Director has already announced there won't be a Season 3. And S2 is performing horribly in China so it's not likely a Season 3 would be funded anyway, as S2 will probably end up as one of lowest rated dramas of the year.
Just finished Season 1, which I found okay but draggy, and with an FL with one facial expression throughout.
Came here to see if S2 was worth watching and if she'd improved. Apparently not in both cases. Drama tho is getting dragged on Douban by Chinese viewers, with some even saying Douban may be afraid to post the rating it will be so low.
I'll give this one a miss then. 😀
EDIT: Douban rating is up. 5.7. Abysmal. A real shame as, while Season 1 wasn't stellar (at least for me), that big of a drop is hugely disappointing for the director, writer and cast.
Ep 1 was like getting started from Ep 10. I lost my faith in the drama. Was looking forward to it but none of…
Yes, humans have been cannibals in quite a few regions of the world. During the Middle Ages in Europe it was quite prevalent during war or famine. Also prevalent throughout history in other world regions due to similar situations. Religious practices also caused cannibalism in just about all religions.
But yep, I agree with you, that was also my problem with the first episode -- major events suddenly happening but with NO introduction as to who anyone was, so it had little impact as you don't care about anyone in it. Made it even more confusing as well.
Overall, it's poor writing that lessens the impact of the gorgeous cinematography and superb performances. It also puts me off watching anything else the screenwriter has written.
Yep, Chu Chu is the weak link in this otherwise superb drama as, like you said, it's not the character but Su…
I'm interested to see how I feel about her when I go back to Treasure at Dawn (probably after I've finished this) as I'm finding it difficult to watch her scenes her performance is that poor in The Imperial Coroner. Hopefully, it won't tinge my enjoyment of TAD as I enjoyed the first two episodes quite a lot.
I just finished S1 and it was tedious especially in the middle. Palace scenes were the worst, very predictable,…
Yep, Chu Chu is the weak link in this otherwise superb drama as, like you said, it's not the character but Su Xiao Tong's one dimensional performance that's at odds with those of the rest of the excellent actors.
She has the same blank but pouty facial expression through almost all of it, and even in scenes where she is supposed to be upset, you can immediately see she's 'acting'. It's like she's outside the character in every scene, instead of becoming the character. A more talented actress would have made the drama even more interesting, as her interactions with Wang Zi Yi (Prince An) would have also seemed more authentic.
As it is, her scenes tend to pull you out of the story as she's so obviously putting on a performance. (I've only just finished Ep 15, so she could get better, but she's been the only irritant for me through almost every episode so far).
No idea if she's like this in other dramas (sometimes it can be the director's fault and not the actor/actress), as I don't think she's appeared in any other C-dramas I've watched?
The 2nd FL, on the other hand, is more interesting as Zhao Yao Ke gives a much more nuanced performance.
EDIT: Just realized Su Xiao Tong is the FL in Treasure at Dawn. I'm only a couple of episodes into that, but I don't remember her performance standing out as being "poor"?
Sadly, will be putting this one on hold. Was the drama I was most looking forward to but, even though it is beautifully filmed and acted, the writing is incredibly confusing, with too many characters with similar sounding names/appearances introduced at once.
If you're Chinese, or have grounding in Chinese history, it's probably less confusing. I am not/have not, and honestly don't have time right now to keep re-winding just to try to figure out who is who, their relationship to who, and why what they're saying is important.
Struggled to get thru Episode 1. Will shove it on hold and maybe come back to it if I ever find the time :) Enjoy it if you have more time/can concentrate better than me :)
wasn’t there a 40 episode limit? why are there 48 episodes?
Chinese authorities have dropped the # of episodes ban. Expect to see a lot more longer dramas as the production company makes more money from advertisers :)
They’re really good. They also come in cappuccino!
Hahaha, I lived in Thailand for years and Kopiko of all flavors was one of the many things Thai friends gave me as gifts. Always smiled and said Thank you. Then found another Thai to pass them onto -- and then I was popular with the second Thai, LOL.
They also make Kopiko 3-in-1 coffee sachets -- ie: coffee, dried milk and sugar, which you add hot water to -- has so much sugar, it's a wonder your teeth don't fall out from the first cup :)
Yikes, you can apparently buy it at Walmart -- wouldn't recommend you do so :)
1 
Loving, loving, loving this.
BTW, big Lu Yu Xiao fan, so I do hold out hope :)
EDIT: Alrighty. Just finished Episode 3 and, yep, now I get it. Totally addicted :) (Not a gigantic fan of the game portion of the story, although I understand why it's there but, as that supposedly fades away as the drama progresses, I'm all in for the rest of it :)
People are especially angry if they loved Season 1, as they've waited so long and then were served with something that's sub-standard in every way. According to them anyway,
These three are pretty typical:
"The production team has more money, but the quality of the drama has declined. The crime-solving logic is far-fetched and forced. The male lead is greasy, and the female lead, despite being married for three years and being the Princess Consort of Anjun for three years, hasn't learned any dignity or poise, displaying only a petty, girlish demeanor. Even her costumes are less dignified than those of the supporting characters. The first season focused on crime-solving, while the second season turned into a historical romance. Bringing autopsy tools to a banquet is one thing, but using them to cut meat is another! What, is the palace so poor that they don't have any tools to eat with? I respect autopsy tools, and I respect the forensic profession. But ask a modern forensic doctor if they would use autopsy tools for socializing and dining out? This is shoddy workmanship."
and
"Five years have passed, and the acting skills of the male and female leads have not improved at all, and have even regressed. The two wooden actors acting together is shocking."
and
"I watched the first season several times, and after waiting for years, this is what I got. The chemistry between the male and female leads is zero, their acting is zero, and their everyday conversations feel like they're just reciting lines and doing tasks. The male lead is so ugly, and he always has his hands behind his back. Is he serious about wearing that thin official robe on his small frame? I've watched five episodes, and the cases aren't very engaging. I'll persevere a little longer, but if it continues to be this bad, I'll drop it."
Personally, I thought the FL's acting skills were awful in S1 (one facial expression throughout 99% of the entire series) but thought she might have improved for S2. So, while I wouldn't be anywhere near as harsh as these people, I do understand why they're upset.
Also don't understand why the FL is so bad in S1 as her acting skills are pretty decent in Treasure at Dawn (So far at least. I'm only on Ep 3).
(BTW, I have NOT watched S2, as just finished S1 last night, so I can't comment on their acting skills in it. Won't be watching S2 though as the comments are overwhelmingly negative and angry, and I do find I usually agree with Douban users more than those on MDL).
Would also be difficult to find anyone to fund a Season 3 with a rating that low for S2.
Always feel sorry for the actors when a drama bombs badly. But, in this case, it appears to be deserved.
EDIT: Just checked Douban. Rating is up - 5.7. Yikes, that's horribly bad.
Came here to see if S2 was worth watching and if she'd improved. Apparently not in both cases. Drama tho is getting dragged on Douban by Chinese viewers, with some even saying Douban may be afraid to post the rating it will be so low.
I'll give this one a miss then. 😀
EDIT: Douban rating is up. 5.7. Abysmal. A real shame as, while Season 1 wasn't stellar (at least for me), that big of a drop is hugely disappointing for the director, writer and cast.
But yep, I agree with you, that was also my problem with the first episode -- major events suddenly happening but with NO introduction as to who anyone was, so it had little impact as you don't care about anyone in it. Made it even more confusing as well.
Overall, it's poor writing that lessens the impact of the gorgeous cinematography and superb performances. It also puts me off watching anything else the screenwriter has written.
She has the same blank but pouty facial expression through almost all of it, and even in scenes where she is supposed to be upset, you can immediately see she's 'acting'. It's like she's outside the character in every scene, instead of becoming the character. A more talented actress would have made the drama even more interesting, as her interactions with Wang Zi Yi (Prince An) would have also seemed more authentic.
As it is, her scenes tend to pull you out of the story as she's so obviously putting on a performance. (I've only just finished Ep 15, so she could get better, but she's been the only irritant for me through almost every episode so far).
No idea if she's like this in other dramas (sometimes it can be the director's fault and not the actor/actress), as I don't think she's appeared in any other C-dramas I've watched?
The 2nd FL, on the other hand, is more interesting as Zhao Yao Ke gives a much more nuanced performance.
EDIT: Just realized Su Xiao Tong is the FL in Treasure at Dawn. I'm only a couple of episodes into that, but I don't remember her performance standing out as being "poor"?
If you're Chinese, or have grounding in Chinese history, it's probably less confusing. I am not/have not, and honestly don't have time right now to keep re-winding just to try to figure out who is who, their relationship to who, and why what they're saying is important.
Struggled to get thru Episode 1. Will shove it on hold and maybe come back to it if I ever find the time :) Enjoy it if you have more time/can concentrate better than me :)
They also make Kopiko 3-in-1 coffee sachets -- ie: coffee, dried milk and sugar, which you add hot water to -- has so much sugar, it's a wonder your teeth don't fall out from the first cup :)
Yikes, you can apparently buy it at Walmart -- wouldn't recommend you do so :)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kopiko-Instant-3in1-Brown-Coffee-24-Packets-Bag/989946841?