pammo1949

If I remember right - 2 reasons. First he took her from the "dating convention" after she had high hopes to "hook her up with a mate" and second they saw Luna hugging him outside the apartment unit intimately. Oh! and Third they initially though Lou Lou was his daughter.

In 100% agreement with you. Artistic freedom scrutinized by a third party or committee seems unfair and substitutes the thoughts of a "third party" who did not have the artistic skills to begin with -- just the skill of judging based on narrow/ or perceived guidelines of what should or should not be. That is why I like the rating system -- if "R" say Restricted, Stop trying to make everything PG or G. We are adults not children. I wish the uncensored versions of some dramas were released (even if raw).

I followed a lot of the conversations and exp;lanations in Soompi Forum. You read references to the censorship and reduction in dramas throughout the comment threads. https://forums.soompi.com/topic/420451-mainland-chinese-drama-2019-royal-nirvana-%E9%B9%A4%E5%94%B3%E5%8D%8E%E4%BA%AD. There are also excellent explanations of themes and poetry throughout the threads.

Just hope this drama is not butchered to death the way the censors did Royal Nirvana. A 9.5+ drama that was reduced to barely 7.0 because of censorship -- in my opinion. Bloody scenes or romance are all excessively subject to censorship. What is left when you think of werewolves and wolves? Will be fascinating to see how they maintained the integrity of the screenwriters visions after re-dos and slice and dice.

Not perfect but the viewer has to examine how love grows in the most unique and unexpected circumstances. Watching the ups and downs and the challenges and successes was heartbreaking and heartfelt until the end. Gave a higher rating because emotionally immersed because of the actors. Definitely watch.

Thank you and I respect your opinion. Dialogue is good and my many thoughts about this drama (although I am not writing a review because of the very competent review of Chinesedramafan). I guess I am always disappointed when viewers give low ratings to the dramas that producers, directors and actors do exceptional jobs - especially the production value and costs of these stories. I watch the fluffy low budget ones all the time on YT (watching GF and Intense Love) . I finally found a challenge with educational value (after Ming Dynasty). I want more dramas of this type vs the fluffy ones with cute romances.

I am so glad you replied to me. I usually don't do comment debates with viewers because we all have our own personal experiences we draw on when choosing to watch or drop a drama or movie. The only reason I responded to you was because it seemed this one scene in a drama with 69 episodes really turned you against the drama. Let me be honest. The first 30+ episodes were so tedious and difficult to watch but another MDL commenter responded to me and helped me move forward watching the drama. I actually took notes throughout to distinguish all of the ministers, concubines and ancillary characters so I could fully understand what was going on because the historical significance of this Emperor (and his challenges) turned out to be extremely important and relevant to how a leader should think. The writer's choice to turn the empress into a "neglected, unloved and disrespected " Empress allowed female viewers to empathize with the character. To the main point of this debate -- "the rape scene". I really didn't treat it as rape -- yes he forcefully approached her original rebuke but he had desire for her from the beginning. But 15 years of denial from your wife and an invisible wall or misunderstanding about feelings dissolved in one moment of drinking too much liquor. The next morning it was the Empress who was smiling and their interpersonal relationship finally -- shall I say "the curve began to flattened". They moved from an ice cold relationship or misunderstanding to one of mutual respect and marital growth with several miscues and missteps. Yes, the emperor continued to have a mindset of an Empress who has political influence (she was a favorite of the ministers that tried to rein in his behaviors). But for me - the Empress character became the pivotal reason for continuing to watch the drama. From the beginning to the end it was "the emperor's degrees of love" to the women and daughter surrounding him that formed the watchable basis for the drama. Maybe I cried so much in the last few episodes for everyone in the end and I realized that 11th century is no different from the 21st century -- women are still treated like property in many societies and in industrialized societies women with power are often treated like they are "sticks of wood". and heavily criticized by men publicly and relentlessly. If you watch to the end -- the princess is almost a parallel character to the Empress. It is the "puppet" scene that seals this story. Their lives - not their own (including the Empress) the heavy price of being a member of a royal family. Please don't seal your mind against this drama. It is watchable and had valuable lessons. As I said before it was not a moment of Joy for me -- a Serenade of Sadness. Forgive me for adding the "slavery" movie reference. I have to endure many scenes of anguish and anger to watch historical movies in the past.

Wow thanks back at you!!! The beauty of the this drama can only be appreciated when you attempt to understand the political system in existence at the time layered by the impact of scholars on decision making. It was one of the most fascinating studies for me since I have no prior knowledge of any of the historical figures in the Song Dynasty.

The bonus - the empress, the princess, the concubines, the family structure and social values of that period in time. I enjoyed Ming Dynasty but this was at a higher level of detail and story writing.

I am in "stay at home" mode so I am binge watching as many Chinese dramas that I have missed in the past and current ones almost 24/7 . I read your review and my thoughts would be diminutive and pointless as compared to your brilliant review (the type of reviews that seal the deal for me to watch). I am watching When a Snail Falls In Love - tonight so I will probably write comments tomorrow morning. .

I truly enjoyed this drama and I guess my old age has made me emotionless when history is portrayed in fictionally inaccurate or potentially realistic way. My favorite character was the empress. My heart bled for her in the beginning but it was clear that her "regal" nature was not one to be compromised to become a "lust" driven woman (what the emperor truly enjoyed). Gosh the man had women available to him at every turn on any day without refusal. She actually was my modern day "avatar". She held on as long as she could being "virtuous and stiff-necked" towards the emperor. But the end result was the most important lesson - which is why I don't advise dropping this drama because of one scene. Meep (you would never be able to watch a movie about the history of slavery in America ). History is how we grow today and I am thankful for the lessons and depictions that were shared.

Finally finished -- no spoilers will be shared. This drama was such a major challenge in the beginning (so many characters) but patience and perseverance took me to the end and I was rewarded royally. I love Chinese historical dramas and this drama was magnificient in storytelling and eventually became an emotional teary roller coaster. The name of the drama throws you off because there is never a moment of JOY . The name should have been changed to something more appropriate because as a viewer I was truly looking for this. The modern day prospective of how women and "subjects" are treated versus 11th century Song dynasty was introspective. There was so much that truly hasn't changed (politics and treatment of women included) but a lot of things for the viewer to consider - when you have a "benevolent" ruler. This is definitely a re-watch for me. A drama you must view in stages because it is presented as the " challenging life and rule of an emperor whose merits are many in historical records. A great fine wine drama while getting through this pandemic - sip it slowly and enjoy. P.S. Didn't write a rreview because Chinesedramafan wrote the PERFECT REVIEW and there was nothing else for me to say -other than Watch.

Truly worth the time watching. Everything about this movie was a 10+. The story was dark but it was intriguing and well told. The actors were excellent and the ending was plausible. Following Wang Kai movies and dramas and enjoying all of them so far.

I m glad I am not alone --- I am on episode 55 now and still feel this void. I keep asking myself why did they name this drama Serenade of Eternal Joy when there are no joyous moments to be found episode after episode.

Reading comments after binging ep 26-44. This drama is such a challenge - I have developed a love-hate relationship with but will not give up. To keep track of all the ministers I got the help of a very generous and knowledgeable commenter names Skibbies. With this help, I learned to watch this drama with my computer on my lap typing notes as if I was in school again (after 40 plus years (smile). But it helped me keep track of all the conflicts among the ministers - especially since courtesy names are used. I wish the screenwriter had spent more time on the interpersonal relationships of the royal family members and their associates. These lengthy minister/emperor disputes are frustrating to the emperor but frustrating to me as well. They don't seem to move the drama forward but instead makes the drama draggy. Nonetheless, it is interesting and I'm hanging in there to find out the outcome of the Princess who is so impressive in her acting at different age levels by different actresses.

I will do the edit and again thank you. Knowledge is power and you have shared so much of yours. Thanks again

one more comment - you must be a historian and the detail you have added just puts meat on the drama. This enriches the experience of watching when there is an understanding of basics (which you have provided).

I have never been more thankful. Your descriptions are really helpful and I started writing them out on all the blank blocks and realized I need to type on my computer and reprint my cheat sheets - so that is my task today Waiting for episode 26 but after reading your response I am going to start over with your notes. This old lady really is grateful for your efforts and sharing. This emperor's life and history is really interesting - (rewatching Ming Dynasty as well) .

Thanks - brings some clarity to that scene. I appreciate you answering this question for me.

I usually have a printed playlist and I write notes of which episode the character appeared to help me stay on track - started this when I watched Nirvana In Fire and it has not failed me yet. Just finished Ever Night 2, Pillows and Novoland: Eagle Flag (on ep 46) and it has not failed me yet. Don't have to do this with dramas like Dr. Cutie and Girlfriend (my favorite right now).

I usually copy a list of characters and actors from WIKIpedia of MDL before I start a drama and it helps guide me through the dramas with more than 30ty plus characaters. This time - only about 4 people wre described and I am "befuddled". Only actors names and characters. but no description of their roles -- a total bummer this time for me/.

This drama is addictive. My only complaint - I don't have a cheat sheet to work from (names of characters and their roles - with a brief description) I have gotten confused a couple of times when trying to decipher the different ministers and their roles and totally at a loss with the bedroom scene of 16 around 25 minutes into drama (?). Who are these people - I must have missed the characters along the way.