This movie is aptly named as every character in it was obsessed with something whether it was fame, fortune, or something else depended on the character.
KJP became obsessed with a woman, someone else's woman. At the time, one can blame it on the fact that he had PTSD, that he drank too much, or just a product of its time. The character was a high profile soldier, every woman in the army residence threw herself at him, hoping he would like her instead of his wife. His wife used him as an accessory to make herself, group, and father look better. However, KJP was an introvert and didn't like all the stories going around about him being a war hero because he understood what he had done to earn that fame. It revolted him. He meets a woman who is also an accessory for her husband. Having a great deal in common, including their birthday, they begin to have an affair. At first, when he arranges for time to be together by getting the husband out of the way, she is excited. However, he goes too far when he frames the husband for a crime he didn't commit. She begins to realize that he is no different than her husband and loses interest in him quickly. When he lives from his suicide attempt, he is brought back to reality. He understands that he must make amends for his actions. He goes back to Vietnam and instead of killing people, he helps them get out and to safety. He doesn't do this for fame or fortune, but for redemption. In fact, he dies with no one even knowing his name. The fact the soldiers sought out JGH in the end illustrates that the soldiers respected KJP and wanted someone to mourn this righteous man.
KJP's wife and JGH's husband both obsessed over fame and fortune. She is the only one of the group of women who wears glasses. Meaning her vision is not 20/20. She can't see in front of her the pain her husband is in and that he is really a living corpse. Instead she is more concerned about having a kid, him moving up the ladder, and her own image. I am betting the minute he was dishonorably discharged that she aborted the baby, divorced him, and found someone else to boost her image quickly as his image now ruined her image. The same goes for JGH's husband, he practically pimps out JGH and himself to move up the ladder. He is only too happy when the colonel chooses him for assignments. In the end, he doesn't seem to care that she had an affair. In fact, he was probably delighted as it means he will move up the ladder even quicker. People will feel sorry for him and his wife.
JGH is obsessed with freedom, freedom from her loveless marriage, freedom from being an accessory, freedom from her self-imposed cage. But like most women of the time, she was too afraid to do something different as society told her that her only job was to produce children and help her husband succeed. She did that and more. While having the affair she experienced freedom, but in the end, KJP turns out to be someone just like her husband. Again, you can blame whatever you want to for his actions, but in the end one must take responsibility for those actions. In the end, she cries because she realized, KJP was nothing like her husband, but she couldn't tell because of his obsession with her.
Loved the ideas and concepts found in this drama, but it didn't wow me like other Korean dramas do.
Finally watched this. Loved Yang Yang, of course, and just all around fun watch. But it is like most Hong Kong dramas and films, the editing of the film is choppy.
I felt her stiffness was a good reflection of the character she was playing. A world-weary young woman with deep…
You are forgetting the purpose of a shaman. As a shaman, she is a temporary conduit (a reluctant one at that), but she understands the need for the spirits to be able to speak with their loved ones. She is only "playing" them for a short time. Her expressions were quite appropriate for these interactions.
Unlike YSJ who is playing two different roles. He must make sure the audience understands who he is playing. He does a great job of this.
This was my first watching YSJ and Bona act, and I thought they did fine. jmo
Thank you. I figured as much. The Liu Chang character reminded me a great deal of the second male lead in Brocade Odyssey. In fact many of the scenes from second season seem to be copied from other dramas, especially when Mu Dan sneaks into JCY's camp. This is straight out of Love Like the Galaxy. It appears that the writers did not know what to do with what they had created before and just went the easy route and used all the tropes of the genre. I have never been so disappointed in a drama as this one.
Thank you for the discussion and happy drama watching.
Have you read the novel? Is it an adaptation or is it based on the novel. There is a big difference in these literary terms. Adapted means the screenwriter keeps everything in the story as is and just makes sure that everything can transfer to the screen. Based on means that the screenwriter has taken the source material and used it for a different purpose. So here it could be that the first part is the based on and the last part is the adaptation. Just my thoughts.
You're right the Miles Wei character is a foil for Mu Dan and the princess is for JCY. So much wasted potential and talent. For me, I enjoyed the OST, but even after a while that got old.
To you, yes, and that is okay, but I had questions at the end of the drama. Why did she speak and act like a child throughout most of the drama? Why did they focus on the novel The End of Eternity so much in the beginning of the drama? Why do some commenters think that DJX is a pedophile or that this drama is about grooming? I can now answer those questions.
Just because you and others are not curious and don't want to look beyond the surface doesn't mean that what others are saying isn't there. You're simple explanation is right, but that is not the whole story. It's okay.
If you don't understand where the Little Red Riding Hood idea is coming from ask the person who wrote about it. Yes, it was me. I can back up my idea through her fox picture that is signed Rosy and it is the only picture signed with Zhao Lu Si's nickname. This easter egg in plain sight shows that something deeper is going on in the story than just a simple, fluffy love story. Also, the dorm room scene when she goes to help her brother move, Sang Yan's dorm mate with the glasses comes really close to her. Sang Yan stops him, and the roommate says something to the effect I have bad eyes I need to get closer. When she pretends to have an older online boyfriend, everyone gets worried and concerned that she will be taken advantage of. There are multiple scenes warning about the dangers of older men and younger girls. This is exactly the message of Little Red Riding Hood.
Do you know that the age of consent in China is 14? This means that Sang Zhi is mentally ready to have sex with anyone above the age of 14, so her having sex at 14, 17, or 19 is perfectly legal even with someone who is 50 years old. This drama asks the questions when and with whom should a girl start her sexual journey, thus Little Red Riding Hood.
You're right on the surface this is a simple, fluffy love story, but underneath is a tidal wave of so much more. Most viewers watch for entertainment and that is okay. Happy drama watching.
Actually, I agree with you. They kept the theme of control for his character, but limited it to his relationship with Mu Dan. At the end of Flourished Peony he is determined to get revenge on Prince Ning, his parents, and the princess. The very people who made his life the way it is. In season 2 this whole theme of revenge just disappears, and he becomes a cliche villain. Another theme that evaporates is him pulling himself up by his own bootstraps. He wanted to make a name for himself and be a good official through his own merits. You can see that he is on his way, but what makes him turn to the dark side? Also, he was determined to be different than his parents. This theme falls by the wayside as well even though at the end of FP he is on his way to being that. Finally, this drama portrayed the theme of if the tradition doesn't work, change it. In the Name of Blossom, every drama convention remained the same, so much for changing the way drama tropes work and it began with the Miles Wei character.
The writers had a beautiful opportunity to change drama tropes, but either didn't know how to write it or were too chicken to do so. Instead they relied on tradition rather than creating something new. This is just my opinion. I am glad that other people have enjoyed it, but for me it was just a waste of good talent.
For starters, every theme related to the Miles Wei character disappeared. His character was turned into a second rate bumbling cliche villain and a miniature Prince Ning. It was a waste of his character and Miles Wei's acting ability. Also, all the themes built up around the princess. Her character pretty much disappeared in this drama. Even the themes surrounding Prince Ning disappeared. For me, it was like a whole new drama with the main character being the center of attention and her companions made into her accessories (this metaphor was used by another commenter, but so true).
So if you enjoyed this drama, I am glad someone did, but for me it was a waste of acting talent and sets.
You are not the only one to notice this about Sang Zhi. It is very intentional on the writer and director's part.…
Thank you and I am fully aware that the source material is based on the author's real life experience. But the author of the source material is not the screenwriter. On appearance, this drama covers the source material, but uses that source material for an entirely different purpose. This is why you have the literary terms adapted from and based on the source material. Adapting a novel means putting that novel on screen as is. Based on means that the source material is used for a certain purpose. This drama is based on a novel, not adapted from that novel.
Most viewers watch dramas for entertainment purposes. They don't want to think, and this drama provides that viewing experience. For most viewers it is what you say and that is okay. You are not wrong. At first I thought the same thing, but I know Zhao Lu Si would never play a simple, fluff character. Any character she plays speaks for or against some sort of social aspect of Chinese life. This drama is no exception. What clued me into this was the way she spoke like a child throughout most of the drama (even when she is 19). Many viewers have commented on this and are annoyed by it (including me). They think it is to make her look cute. When in fact, it is very intentional for the purpose of this drama.
Also in the drama are many easter eggs that enhance the purpose of the story, the stuffed animals, the novel The End of Eternity, her first fox picture, the flower in the museum, the tidal wave, the milk bottle scene, the period scene skirt, and DJX's job. These are just a few. There are many more.
it's been ep 5 and ml and fl haven't even met yet. also, I'm sick of fl mother.. plz tell me she will become nicer…
Episode 6 is where the action really takes off for Shao Shang. As for the mother, you are not the only one who dislikes the mother. A great many controversial comments have been made about her, and yes she will get better. Also, I won't spoil it for you with Yang Yang, but you are right she will change!
I don't know which forum you are watching this on, but the translations are different per forum. The Youtube translations are very different from the Viki translations. Youtube translations make the mother much softer than Viki. Just a heads up.
While I enjoyed the sets, costumes, and cultural aspects of this second season, I felt like I was watching a really bad homage to all the great dramas with this theme. The rich characters, plot, and themes from Flourished Peony just evaporated into thin air. So disappointing.
Rose, there are a number of reasons why Beok Seom (BS) did what he did to Suho. First Suho took away his first…
What you are talking about is morality. Everyone has a set of morals that they live by. Your moral compass justifies BS as a villain because that is your sense of morality. What you have failed to take into account is the morality the boys have been displaying. It is okay to beat people up as long as you don't go too far. Suho is the morality police. He defines what is too far in this created world. But Suho shouldn't be the only one defining what is too far. Parents, teachers, cops (who are supposed to know the difference between right and wrong) should help define these morals. When one parent literally beats into his child that if someone bullies you, you must stand up for yourself and a teacher who just transfers the student, these events support this moral code. When Suho stops BS, he goes against even his own moral code. This sets up that Suho thinks he is better than everyone else, and he needs to be taken down. Do the boys go too far, yes. Is it terrible what happens to Suho, yes. Will life change because of what happened to Suho, no. When Si Eun transfers schools, it begins again.
You can only change something when you understand what the root of the problem is. The morality code of this world needs to change.
Again, thank you for the discussion. You have really helped me understand this drama better. I just don't agree with your conclusion and that is okay.
KJP became obsessed with a woman, someone else's woman. At the time, one can blame it on the fact that he had PTSD, that he drank too much, or just a product of its time. The character was a high profile soldier, every woman in the army residence threw herself at him, hoping he would like her instead of his wife. His wife used him as an accessory to make herself, group, and father look better. However, KJP was an introvert and didn't like all the stories going around about him being a war hero because he understood what he had done to earn that fame. It revolted him. He meets a woman who is also an accessory for her husband. Having a great deal in common, including their birthday, they begin to have an affair. At first, when he arranges for time to be together by getting the husband out of the way, she is excited. However, he goes too far when he frames the husband for a crime he didn't commit. She begins to realize that he is no different than her husband and loses interest in him quickly. When he lives from his suicide attempt, he is brought back to reality. He understands that he must make amends for his actions. He goes back to Vietnam and instead of killing people, he helps them get out and to safety. He doesn't do this for fame or fortune, but for redemption. In fact, he dies with no one even knowing his name. The fact the soldiers sought out JGH in the end illustrates that the soldiers respected KJP and wanted someone to mourn this righteous man.
KJP's wife and JGH's husband both obsessed over fame and fortune. She is the only one of the group of women who wears glasses. Meaning her vision is not 20/20. She can't see in front of her the pain her husband is in and that he is really a living corpse. Instead she is more concerned about having a kid, him moving up the ladder, and her own image. I am betting the minute he was dishonorably discharged that she aborted the baby, divorced him, and found someone else to boost her image quickly as his image now ruined her image. The same goes for JGH's husband, he practically pimps out JGH and himself to move up the ladder. He is only too happy when the colonel chooses him for assignments. In the end, he doesn't seem to care that she had an affair. In fact, he was probably delighted as it means he will move up the ladder even quicker. People will feel sorry for him and his wife.
JGH is obsessed with freedom, freedom from her loveless marriage, freedom from being an accessory, freedom from her self-imposed cage. But like most women of the time, she was too afraid to do something different as society told her that her only job was to produce children and help her husband succeed. She did that and more. While having the affair she experienced freedom, but in the end, KJP turns out to be someone just like her husband. Again, you can blame whatever you want to for his actions, but in the end one must take responsibility for those actions. In the end, she cries because she realized, KJP was nothing like her husband, but she couldn't tell because of his obsession with her.
Loved the ideas and concepts found in this drama, but it didn't wow me like other Korean dramas do.
Unlike YSJ who is playing two different roles. He must make sure the audience understands who he is playing. He does a great job of this.
This was my first watching YSJ and Bona act, and I thought they did fine. jmo
Thank you for the discussion and happy drama watching.
You're right the Miles Wei character is a foil for Mu Dan and the princess is for JCY. So much wasted potential and talent. For me, I enjoyed the OST, but even after a while that got old.
Just because you and others are not curious and don't want to look beyond the surface doesn't mean that what others are saying isn't there. You're simple explanation is right, but that is not the whole story. It's okay.
Thank you for the discussion.
Do you know that the age of consent in China is 14? This means that Sang Zhi is mentally ready to have sex with anyone above the age of 14, so her having sex at 14, 17, or 19 is perfectly legal even with someone who is 50 years old. This drama asks the questions when and with whom should a girl start her sexual journey, thus Little Red Riding Hood.
You're right on the surface this is a simple, fluffy love story, but underneath is a tidal wave of so much more. Most viewers watch for entertainment and that is okay. Happy drama watching.
The writers had a beautiful opportunity to change drama tropes, but either didn't know how to write it or were too chicken to do so. Instead they relied on tradition rather than creating something new. This is just my opinion. I am glad that other people have enjoyed it, but for me it was just a waste of good talent.
Thank you for the discussion and your insight.
So if you enjoyed this drama, I am glad someone did, but for me it was a waste of acting talent and sets.
Most viewers watch dramas for entertainment purposes. They don't want to think, and this drama provides that viewing experience. For most viewers it is what you say and that is okay. You are not wrong. At first I thought the same thing, but I know Zhao Lu Si would never play a simple, fluff character. Any character she plays speaks for or against some sort of social aspect of Chinese life. This drama is no exception. What clued me into this was the way she spoke like a child throughout most of the drama (even when she is 19). Many viewers have commented on this and are annoyed by it (including me). They think it is to make her look cute. When in fact, it is very intentional for the purpose of this drama.
Also in the drama are many easter eggs that enhance the purpose of the story, the stuffed animals, the novel The End of Eternity, her first fox picture, the flower in the museum, the tidal wave, the milk bottle scene, the period scene skirt, and DJX's job. These are just a few. There are many more.
Hope this helps and thank you for the discussion.
I don't know which forum you are watching this on, but the translations are different per forum. The Youtube translations are very different from the Viki translations. Youtube translations make the mother much softer than Viki. Just a heads up.
You can only change something when you understand what the root of the problem is. The morality code of this world needs to change.
Again, thank you for the discussion. You have really helped me understand this drama better. I just don't agree with your conclusion and that is okay.