Ryen_Lux

Ci Sha made his debut in 2017, but unlike Zhang Wan Yi and Ren Min, who were graduates of top acting schools, he most likely didn't have as much connections and resources as they do, which can work against him in the industry. However, his acting and martial arts skills are being recognized, and he's pretty hard-working, so he has a good future ahead of him.

I have to agree with Peach that the dubbing was a problem, but it wasn't Ci Sha's problem. It was production's problem. If dubbing is done properly, it can turn out good. For example, Yi Ning's father, Duke Ying, his voice is dubbed in this drama. The same with Yi Ning's Grandma Luo, whose voice was also dubbed. However, with Lu Jia Xue, while the voice actor isn't bad, it just wasn't well-matched. This is pretty common in the Chinese entertainment industry, and there's not much you can do about it. While I'm not a big fan of dubbing, I do think it's necessary for this drama. I've heard his real voice in interviews, and there's no way he could pull of this role with his own voice.

I've actually heard Ci Sha's voice in live interviews, and it isn't as wimpy as you claim, though I guess we all have different perceptions of what defines as wimpy.

I agree that dubbing is necessary for this drama, but not because his voice is "wimpy." The character he plays is from an aristocratic family in the capital, so obviously, his Mandarin is more refined. However, in real life, Ci Sha was born and raised in a village in Si Chuan, and in most villages, they tend to speak in accents and/or dialects you wouldn't hear in the city. Therefore, it would be a challenge for him to learn to speak like a "capital city boy" before filming.

However, I have to add that line delivery isn't entirely his fault. It's the production team's responsibility to make sure the dubbed voice and lines matches, so it's not the actor's fault if it comes out weird. Plus, "his standard mandarin is far short of standard?" You said it yourself. That's not his voice in the show. So unless you wanna say the voice actor's mandarin is far short of standard, it's not right to blame that on Ci Sha.

One more thing, in China, not everyone speaks standard Mandarin, so please don't discriminate against someone simply because they talk different. I'd like to think Xi taught you better than that.

The plot is hardly original. Like The Story of Ming Lan, The Rise of Ning is also adapted from a web novel, so it'a no surprise that there'd be similarities. It wouldn't be the first time anyway. Most of the C-dramas are adapted from web novels.

What can I say? You can't reason with a delulu.

"Grandmother, father, mother, I would like to get marry."

"Oh, that's great. Who have you set your sight on?"

"Yi Ning."

"Which Yi Ning?"

ROFL!!! Gotta love the stepmom! Bless Luo Shen Yuan for answering in such a calm manner. I would've burst out laughing on the spot.

I have not seen Forever and Ever, but I recently saw him in The Legend of Heroes, where he played Guo Jing. The feedback from viewers was mixed, though. While some called him the best-looking Guo Jing in history, others found his looks too mature for Guo Jing, who was supposed to be 18-19 years old at the time of the series. As a result, his portrayal as a teenager/young adult seemed forced.

He'll be in an upcoming action movie with Nicholas Tse and Andy Lau, and also a wuxia-style movie with Wu Jing. This should be an opportunity for him to showcase his martial arts skills.

He reminds me of a young Takeshi Kaneshiro. With his background in martial arts, I feel like he might become the next Chinese action star or something. He had support roles in the past, but I think this one really showcase his acting skills. I'm completely disgusted by his character, but on the other hand, I have to applaud the actor for his efforts.

Zhan Wan Yi studied at the Beijing Film Academy. There's no mention of him being trained in martial arts when he was young, but he probably learned it at some point because he starred in a couple of action films/tv dramas. It's pretty common for actors to learn martial arts or enroll in combat training to prepare for a role, so maybe that's what he did.

Ci Sha is in his late 20's (27-28?), but he started training in martial arts and horseback riding when he was just a kid. Also, he's into a variety of sports. So maybe it's an athlete thing, as they tend to look older than their age due to frequent use of muscles and higher level of testosterone.

Not exactly. LJX is fully aware of what Wang Yuan has done, and he himself is complicit in some of those corrupt activities. However, he also knows that Luo Shen Yuan is working to expose their crimes, and it won't be long before they get caught. That's why he's trying to sever ties with Minister Wang, or at least keeps his distance. Though from the looks of it, he's in too deep to pull out now.

Lol... maybe after they get married?

He's still stuck in the past and his time with Mei Mei. Wooden dolls used to be one of Yi Ning's favorite things. That's why he decorated the wedding chambers with her favorite things, and ordered a shipment of her favorite crystals and gemstones when she opened her shop. He was hoping to remind her of the good times they had, so that she would go back to him. What he didn't realized is that that was seven years ago. Yi Ning has changed, and so has her preferences.

It's a good start. Book is hilarious, as always. It looks like there's gonna be flashbacks and present time given the Arm/Arc and Yotha/Gun storylines happened in the past. Sure hope they can balance out the three stories without turning it into a mess.

I was quite excited when they announced that another one of Violet Rain's books would be adapted into a series, and even more excited when I saw the trailer for The Hidden Moon. I tried not to hold any expectations because I know the storyline is completely different from I Feel You Linger In The Air. While I love the setting and the intricate storyline, it can get confusing at times. I found myself pausing every now and then, or go back to a previous point to rewatch certain scenes because I thought I missed something.

At this point, I feel like it might be better if I just read the novel instead. Too bad it hasn't been translated into English.

Agreed. With that wedding room scene, Lu Jia Xue has gone off the deep end. If he doesn't come to his senses, Luo Shen Yuan is probably gonna intervene. In the novel, Lu Jia Xue went as far as to kidnap and imprison Yi Ning, and Luo Shen Yuan totally destroyed him. I doubt they'll write that into the drama since that'll never pass broadcasting inspection, and there are only 7 episodes left. So I guess they'll change it into some kind of epic fight.

To him, it's love. You don't see it, but he does. It's pretty messed up, really. Yi Ning has already moved on, but Lu Jia Xue thought she was just mad at him for the misunderstanding all those years ago. That's why he did all of those harmful things to Yi Ning, from causing her skin allergy to almost drowning her. He thought, by forcing her to admit that she was Mei Mei, she would remember what they used to have, and she would return to him.

I'm not sure if it's a C-Drama thing, but they seemed to like creating these f---ed up toxic male characters. Then again, maybe he exists to make Luo Shen Yuan look good lol.

On another note, Ci Sha nailed the character to the letter. The Lu Jia Xie in the drama is exactly what I've read in the novel. The actor has a great deal of potential. Hopefully, we'll see him in a lead role in the future.

That's what happened in the novel.

I wouldn't take the rating seriously until after the drama ends.

There was love, but it was a weak one. Lu Jia Xue and Yi Ning were both young and at their lowest point, so at the time, they connected due to their similar backgrounds. However, LJX was ambitious, and in his power struggle within the family, he indirectly got Yi Ning "killed."

The drama condensed a lot, but the novel explained it better. LJX felt guilt over Yi Ning's "death," and to ease the pain, he deluded himself into believing she wasn't dead (since her body was never recovered). When he found her though, it wasn't a joyous reunion. Yi Ning thought he deceived her, and was responsible for her "death." So, she wanted nothing to do with him. LJX was still stuck in the past. That, combined with new competition (Luo Shen Yuan), pretty much sent him over the edge.

Does he love her? He believe he does, but Yi Ning has seen the real him, and fell out of love. It's like what she said. The truths, lies, what's right or wrong, none of that matters anymore. She has moved on, and he should too.

There's less than 10 episodes left, so I guess we're going to watch LJX spiral out of control trying to win Yi Ning back.

Absolutely loved the scene between the Duke (YiNing's father) and YiNing's stepmother. I laughed when he asked her about YiNing's tastes and preferences. He still has a long way to go as a father, but it's good to see that he's trying. Loved that YiNing's stepmother still cares about her even though they're not related, and she's no longer a member of the Luo family.