Phroggies

This is one of the most campy and bizarre Cdramas I’ve ever seen, and I’m not getting a lot of it owing to my not-so-great Mandarin, but it’s also strangely addictive. I watched 5 episodes in a row last night and I’m going to keep going for now. It’s definitely different in some good ways, and parts of it are just hilarious. The leads seem to have good chemistry, albeit in a constantly shifting kind of way (that makes sense given the plot).

You might try Centimeter of Love; great leads, older and independent FL, solid relationship, excellent acting. But their family members will have you frothing at the mouth, they’re so toxic. Very different from the sweet family context here.

ETA: When I say “older FL,” I mean older compared to other FLs. She and the ML are in the same age bracket, I believe.

Thank you! Just finished 21 and I was getting so anxious I came here to look for spoilers! Your post was exactly what I needed. I’m so dang invested in these guys—in all the characters, actually.

Be With You

Right, just to clarify, since Dramacool steals subs, they’re only going to have what Mango provides in the first place, unless we get lucky and someone does some fansubbing.

I’m as grumpy as anyone about Mango, but Dramacool isn’t going to be a solution, quite aside from ethical issues.

I just finished 35, and I have to say, he really evolves by then—much more capable of acting cool and ruthless. It’s pretty effective.

Absolutely agree about the older actors doing such an awesome job! And I had to laugh at your refusal to hire LNS as a spy—I have found myself thinking how lucky he is that his one undercover role was “LNS with glasses” because he (the character, not the actor) barely seems to hold it together well enough to function as himself, much less someone else. Whereas GSY just has this amazingly crafted persona that can truly operate as a man for all seasons.

This is such a complicated and rich period that I’d be afraid of doing it justice, but I’ll attempt a really rough sketch in hopes that someone more authoritative will come along. After the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, the KMT took over in much of China. It was in alliance with the Communist Party but they eventually split and had an on-again-off-again civil war. So CMQ is with the KMT. But this is all further complicated by the influence of foreign powers on China, especially Japan (and this will lead to the second Sino-Japanese war; I’m guessing from the trailers that that will come into the drama), which is part of what the students are demonstrating against. You can also see early on the way Shanghai in particular had several foreign “concessions,” areas in which foreign governments had their own jurisdictions and police forces. So it’s super complicated, and that’s the bite-sized version from a total amateur!

Agree, that scene was intense. Also I’m impressed at how the screenwriters were able to cram a decade’s worth of Zhu Yi Zhen’s character development into just a few episodes. I had some problems with her character initially—it’s easy to confuse class privilege with independent thought at that age—but her strength just became more and more evident over the course of her imprisonment.

Argh, yes. I’m limping through the raw version of 13 now because I’m no good for anything else right now. It’s been a while since a drama put me in such a state.

This was an amazing review. I sent you a message before realizing I could comment directly on the review, but in case it doesn’t go through, thank you so much for taking the time to provide so much fascinating information (and even citations—much appreciated!). Your review really helped me understand the process that resulted in such a gem of a show.

MDL really needs a “Love Octagon” tag…

Rooting for just about any other female character (except Chu Li, obviously) to end up with him. Maybe Suo Heng? Anyway, I know better than to get my hopes up, but the SFL is just so meh (except for that FAB haircut, am I right?).

This actress is just so good. Even when both twins are in the same scene, one evokes protectiveness and sympathy and the other makes me want to flee her toxicity—and the fact that they look the same doesn’t detract from the difference.

Yikes, only 1 episode in and I already have a slight case of SML Syndrome, which I didn’t think would be possible with Ryan Ding around…

As of episode 5, I’m joining the chorus of voices saying this is off to a great start so far. I saw the FL in Centimeter of Love and liked her there, but she’s doing even better here—she’s really adorable in a believable way. The story is different and interesting, funny in places, moving in others. Chemistry seems strong so far.

Two added perks: 1) there’s actually a lot more detail about both the acting profession and the paparazzi than is often the case. I have no way of judging its accuracy, but it’s really interesting. 2) The side and minor characters are really well done so far. I’m especially intrigued by the acting coach and the director. The acting coach is right: for older women the roles are basically mean mother in laws and mothers desperately marrying off their kids. This show seems to want to challenge that by introducing these interesting and beautiful characters. I also like the little sister who takes her fan duties so seriously :).

I’m trying really hard to have the discipline to wait till tomorrow, but it’s soooo tempting to stay up late :).

Dang it. I need to do better about respecting the spoiler label…

First they reel you in, then they hit you with the massive product placement …:).

Unfortunately no. :(