Saffy88

Yes, but who would be able to play ZZS as well as ZZH? He's forever indelibly ZZS for me :)

Just goes to show that if you have a good script which can elicit great performances and a dedicated production team, you can overcome many challenges and produce a hit. I think the producer said they were all crying when the ratings came out on douban. And on the other hand we have so many high budget, highly-anticipated dramas which just go splat......the organic explosive growth in the popularity of WOH is incredible, authentic and well-deserved - and probably the envy of many studios right now.

In the novel, ZZS gives as good as he gets - in fact in some ways he can say even more scandulous things than WKX. This was dialed down a lot for the drama. On the other hand it makes the blossoming of ZZS that much more noticeable as the drama progresses.

LOL! Have you seen the youku video where ZZH and GJ exchanged parts - after watching that attempt and despite the fact ZZH really wanted to play WKX, I think GJ is definitely still the best fit.

I don't know whether or not they can release different versions but I would say international viewers were not even on their radar when they released this. Even in China no one expected WOH to become such a big hit. I think most Chinese networks are still super focused on their domestic market and international fans/success are just a bonus.

LMAO!

Yes, if you've seen ZZH in his previous roles, you will be doing double takes cos here is where he gets to spread his wings and soar to the heavens.

It is damn good - even people who aren't fans of wuxia or BL have fallen into fandom. But judge for yourself. Just don't switch off after episode 1 as all will unfold and be explained.

After you finish you can read our ongoing discussion on the ending in recent discussions.

It's totally worth it

I don't think they can ignore what it is, cos if they really want to force it into a box called "good friendship" or "bromance", all I can say is they must either have very strange friends, and/or very wide open ideas of friendship. Sure, there are classic pairings out there whose creators never meant to be made into couples - I'm thinking Holmes and Watson, Poirot and Hastings for example. But with WOH which doesn't hide what it is except in order to avoid getting chopped by censors..........to watch it and then try to tell oneself oh, it's ok I'm just gonna magically delude myself that it is not about a romantic relationship cos that doesn't fit in with my worldview or religious view, that's just such a crazy exercise in futility and delusion. It's like they wanna eat chocolate while telling themselves nope, this doesn't contain any fat, sugar or calories. And then after that they start to think if I can get everyone else to say it's just a bromance, I'm off the hook...........strange strange people. Just the fact they feel they have to do that already indicates they doth protest too much............

Ayyyy, my favourite WKX phrase - LOL! Well, that and 好剑 - nice sword - still cracks me up every time I watch that scene..........

I didn't come to this drama because of BL, but neither am I going to ignore that it is the most beautiful love story, with one of the most memorable onscreen OTPs in wuxia - the 2 people just happen to be of the same sex. I'm not sure how you've been able to square watching the drama knowing what it is. And also seems a bit strange that you want to ask about that particular angle on a public forum when you know what the responses are likely to be - isn't that just going to give you more problems? Just watch it and think whatever you want of it, don't seek affirmation/absolution here.

Why compartmentalize the drama? Just enjoy the story - it's a wonderful wuxia tale. The good guys win, the bad guys lose. Isn't that enough without having to wonder if you can ignore the BL or not?

Ummm friends don't strip each other naked with their eyes, or run their hands caressingly over the other's while taking the wine flask, or get scolded for flirting with each other while their kid is crying cos he thinks they're dead. These are just a few of the examples that were not censored.

Big sigh - what a beautiful tribute...............

He ain't dead..........why does everyone assume WKX died in 36 - no one says anything definitively about anyone dying - in fact they purposely skirt the issue. And then ep 37.......While we all want to see more of the two of them, I think it's also wonderful to have this gem that we can go back to over and over again. Some things are perfect just as they are.

Yes if you stop at 34 you will miss the sublime ep 35. And there's nothing wrong with the ending (36 & 37)- for me it's 完美 - perfect.

Actually if you pay close attention even without the bonus clip no one said definitively that anyone died. The absolutely abrupt ending in Ep 36 really doesn't fit with what we know this drama can do, which in my mind means that Ep 37 was definitely meant to be the full ending, not just bonus. Again, all this happens just cos of the cat-and-mouse game with China censorship. Read our ongoing discussion on the ending in the "Recent Discussions" above if you can stand more spoilers. I'm fully and firmly in the Happy Ending camp, no doubt in my mind - and every time I rewatch the ending I just hear WKX saying 完美 - perfect...........

It also shows in the way they went back and re-edited/re-voiced things post post production based on viewers' feedback. I'm not sure I've ever heard of such an evolving series - it's practically "alive" in that sense.