Raisins

Banger of a start with Ep 1-5. Went in blind since I never watched ALP or TLI but I was able to understand what was going on although there were scenes that were a little confusing (like it is clearly our purple guy who saved the sisters but why does the other fishing immortal/deity (?) also have the same token). I also liked the FL in that she was outwardly powerless but her actions and thoughts made sense and she was fairly clever in her own way. Also they seemed to have nixed the love triangle pretty quick which was a pleasant surprise.

Unfortunately I get the sense that this will not end well, another bittersweet tragic ending because the demons are seen as pretty evil and ruthless and there is always a price to pay for such things in balance. (I hope not though!)

The few times Sang Qi is on screen I also thought wow the guy looks majestic. I hope he has a complicated motive and background because it would be a shame if he is a one dimensional villain.

Agree on all points and that fight scene. I liked the black/white contrasting outfits and swordplay versus fan. Yes it's been done before and it's not original but I fall for it every time it's done well 😁

Youku also does not unfortunately have the skip intro/end option (as far as I can tell) so I watched a little too much of the spoilery ending credits too.

Ah so the trick to exceeding expectation is to add "Blossom" somewhere in the title. 🤔 The eps are moving pretty fast.

It's because the current empress was really smart and good at governing. He feared that after his death she'll maneuver to take power away from his weaker crown prince. I think it was a reasonable fear but also a self-fulfilling prophecy because until that moment it seemed like she was a good wife who honestly wanted to help him and the kingdom and this was a betrayal to her so that's when she became the master villain.

This is a minor spoiler from episode 33. But there is a scene between them where he admits he was also actually internally freaking out during their first meeting/deadly confrontation at her home but had to make sure he was calm and collected on the outside. Then there is a scene of him drinking water and her drinking massive amount of tea after they part in peace. I love how the scenes tie back and now you know how he was feeling at that time. Small scenes like this really shows how every scene has intention and care from the start.

DZ had the utmost faith in her friend. In prior episode she said she knows of all the people in the world, Ansu would never betray her. And she never did. There is a lot of love about this drama but I also loved how there was no trope of the romantic love turning one of them as a traitor; their friendship was solid till the end I really really loved that.

Yes the emperor's decree was going to be that she die with him and for Duke Ding to quell his second son right away if he plans to go against the crown prince. Honestly I kind of saw where the empress was coming from. I mean yes she was bad and killed a lot of people but it looked like she initially really are about the emperor and helping him so it seemed like a big betrayal of her and her son, all because she was so competent and smart.

Ahhh this show!👏👏👏👏
Finally finished the show and feel like I just had a great meal and now patting my tummy happy 😄. Maybe some dishes weren't as great but overall it was so good and satisfying! This show deserves all the praise 👏

To those who woke up before sunrise to check the ending, thank you! I woke up to see some good hints and now I can complete my breakfast and the remaining episodes in peace. 😁

I also need to catch up since ep 26 due to work and I'm a little wary of these comments but I plan to binge with express tomorrow so at least I can get past any weaker episodes quickly... the benefit of waiting 😁

In Ep1, he was the one who gave her the book, saying it was left there intended for her which kickstarted this whole thing. I get the sense that he is aware they have returned. He was there when she broke the mirror and gave her the book back as a kid so I think he knows her secret which is why he considers her his "soulmate". His main motivation has been to "cure the sickness of the country" no matter what it takes. Since he lacks emotions he can be very calculating. However, a bloom has appeared on his dead tree so perhaps that is his growing affection for DZ and he perhaps doesn't want her to be hurt as collateral damage.

This place will become a giant support group if that happens because it would be so devastating for everyone.

There was an article that went into how they focused on hiring pedigreed production staff and that a lot of their limited budget went there. So the effects, choreo, set and costume people are probably good at doing more with less. The budget was probably small for the actual actors and from the comments here it sounds like this is one of the few or possibly first ML role for the actor so maybe he took it on more for exposure. The FL also sounds like she didn't have lot of roles too before so hopefully this will open up some more doors.

Each day I tune in and wonder is this the episode that I will kind of watch in background? and no, never happens. Still riveted to my screen each day.

I don't know, roaches tend to survive somehow 😒 he also managed to live through the battle in Ep1.

It is implied that they were done by the same people. We still don't know exactly why.
My completely unsubstantiated guess is that Duke Ying has always been part of this grand conspiracy and Duke Ding was eliminated for political reasons (weaken the military?) and SM's mom was killed more for himself because he hates her and hates SM (why? I have no idea). He obviously wants the brother to succeed not Song Mo. The fact that Song Han just quietly did what he was told and didn't go help his sis-in-law is telling that he's either very cowardly or is in with the dad's plan.

I have whiplash from all the ups and downs. The latest episode was devastating.

This man is fated to betray his wife and get her killed. I consider his behavior and actions a betrayal to DM. He promised her the moon and the stars to keep her but didn't actually do anything for her.

My heart broke for her. She was so naive, innocent and in love. Died because of her mother's sins.