SanguineScottishRedDeer

It's been a while since I've read the novel but it's somewhere after chapter 70, I think. Can't really remember the exact chapter or how many chapters it's tied into. We've still got a long way to go show-wise.

Wonder how heavy the censorship will be when it comes to their sex scene in Yihe. There's no way it's as depicted in the novel, we might get 10-15% of it, that too is kinda generous considering China and it's censorship of dramas.

If you've held off this long, just wait it out mate. Just a little longer. It's an excellent show, but this is one of the occasions where binging (even if in parts) is necessary mostly because of the erratic/unpredictable network scheduling, pacing of the drama and overall quality.

Since you've read the novel, let me check on something. His appearance in episode 18, at the airport, that was never in the novel right? It's an addition just for the show right? It's been a while since I've read it but I don't seem to remember such a scene.

Everyone's praising BJT but Zhang Ruonan is absolutely crushing it as Wen Yifan. She was nowhere close to who I wanted in the role before the drama started BUT wow she's made me eat my words.

If this continues to follow the novel, he'll find out he stands no chance (and that they're together) either in the next episode or the one after that. Depending on how much time the 2nd leads storyline takes up in the next episode. He won't stick around after that.

Aye, that's true. If you have any recommendations please feel free to share them. It seems like we have a fairly similar taste so I'd love to hear them. Cheers.

Of course it is. I'm just curious as to how common it is for mainstream dramas to adopt it as a usual SML or trope to draw the main leads together. I wasn't sure if it was just a storytelling trope that people preferred (begrudgingly) or was was it something that's normalised in the society. I do not have judgement on either of it being inherently right or wrong (I don't know enough about other cultures or societies to make the judgement). I don't know the societal norms or boundaries of other countries to make an informed decision and even if I did I don't think it'll be an accurate representation without having lived in the country for a a fair few years. At the very most I lived in Beijing for 4 years and in HK for 2 years in my latter teenage years a long time ago. But since I've moved back to the UK I don't know much about the changes or the cultural relevance of it. It just felt like it was a far too common trope used in cdramas than others so I wanted to learn more to better my understanding. I know these people exist in every region, even in Europe, but I was curious as to see why this trope was mostly prevalent in cdramas as opposed to the other Asian dramas I've watch in equal parts (with the exceptions of the counties I've mentored in brackets previously).

Most definitely. It's also prevalent in Taiwanese dramas and some Indian dramas (but not so much in dramas from HK, Thailand, Turkey, ect) . My point wasn't that. I watch a lot of Asian dramas and movies. I'm not Asian or from Asia but I've taken a liking to the region and I've been trying to learn multiple Asian languages over the last 5-6 years. I was just trying to get a better grasp of what the viewers in this specific region is more receptive to. No bias involved in my original comment, apologies if it came off as offensive.

Do writers weave it into multiple cdramas because it's relatable and gets them views or is it something entirely fictional the nation began to accept (trope-wise despite it being unrelatable in real life) so the writers use it as a mechanism to Garner more views? I should have been clearer with my original comment. Just trying to understand the societal norms. Many countries face similar problems with the male-female gender expectations/norms so I was just curious on what made it so prevalent in cdramas.

Have you seen Meet Yourself and Go Ahead? The former is in my top 2 along with HL. TFF if it stays true to its novel could possibly gain 3rd place instead of Go Ahead. All being said they're all terrific dramas and since you seem to share the same taste, I figured I'd share my recommendation. All the 4 shows in my list are worth watching. L&P is there in my list of top 10 cdramas too. The rest seem a notch above imho. It's all personal taste after all.

Links to it are available in the mydramalist discussion section itself: https://kisskh.at/discussions/722171-first-frost/135350-novel-and-manhua-link-english-translated

PS: Do note that it's the English translated version of the Chinese novel.

I've heard from mutiple other users and seen from my own cdrama watching experience that writers ofter have characters like MCY in various dramas was 2nd leads or side love interests to push forward the main leads storyline.

As someone who is not from the region, what I want to ask is.. Is this normalised in society there and do some men behave that way in China (hence the relatability for potrayal in cdramas)? Or is it purely a made up trope for cdramas (that is imaginary and reflects nothing of society there despite in commoness in mainstream media)?

Agreed. This was what I meant when I said additions are fine. A short storyline about him setting up bar, interacting with the staff and simply showing who he is as a person. That'll show us a better contrast of how is when with Yifen.

Or showing how Yifen despite her struggles with family and social struggles became the journalist she is. Right now, with all the heavy stuff, the majority of the people pity her. But to get to where she is despite the struggles shows her strong character. Then we learn that in order to build this character, she had to put up walls when around people, and the one person she lowers the walls to is Sangyan.

This drama had everything going for it to climb ahead of HL. The casting, acting, cinematography, OST and direction in general is spot on but expanding on Mu Cheng Yun's character, adding the grandparents storyline that completely deviates from the primary story and some other added elements to stretch this into a 32 episode series has to its downfall, in my eyes at least.

Not talking about the genre. One is a fluffy rom-com and the other is a slightly darker romance. That I get. What I'm not a biggest fan of is how some of the additions take away from the primary story rather than add to it. If things continue on an upward path this has the potential to be an all time top 3 modern cdrama for me.

If he pushes her to do something when she's not entirely ready, she'll flee. She's done it before. Maybe he feels just that.

So is this normalised in society there and do some men behave that way in China? Or is it purely a made up trope for cdramas?

It's a 32 episode show and it's still airing. Nowhere even remotely close to being over.

It is. But early excess has been a thing for ages in the entertainment industry. If people are able/willing to wait then simply don't pay the extra fees. They'll still be able to view it in due time. Those without early access still get to view the episodes legally, unlike those without a subscription.

It's available in the discussion section - https://kisskh.at/discussions/722171-first-frost/135350-novel-and-manhua-link-english-translated