Shrimpy

We are simply going to have to disagree.

In my experience when it comes to watching dramas, saying that there is a lot of romance or that it's a romance drama is a sure fire way of setting off hate when that doesn't materialize.

I watch romance as a genre. People are very passionate about it. That's great, don't get me wrong, but great passion easily turns to great dislike. I have seen it many times, when there is less romance than what people thought and then the mood turns very sour. Go down the comments here and you will see many questions whether this is romance or has romance. As I said, people are passionate about it.

Also, there are people who dislike romance. Greatly. And if this entire page is covered with talk about romance then they will be turned off. To me, they are an equally important part of the audience.

I understand both romance lovers, those who dislike it, ZJY fans and I understand XZ fans who have been burnt many times before.

To avoid any and all misunderstandings, from my POV, it's much better to be as factual as possible right from the start.

If everyone is well meaning, they won't mind that.

You managed it though which is great!
It's so difficult to change things here.

Drama celebrated with a poster.

https://weibo.com/6400913994/O9HWq8CYe?pagetype=profilefeed

Legend of Zanghai has reached 1 million reservations on Youku!

It will, that has already been confirmed.

And then people get all excited about something this drama is not and once it starts broadcasting, their disappointment is huge. This affects their enjoyment more than if they hadn't had these expectations. It's happened so many times already.

I didn't say there was no romance but this is not a romance drama and hoping for it leads to disappointment. Just manage expectations. This has nothing to do with whether the story will be done well, it's a basic genre issue.

If that offends you, then that is your problem, not mine. You are of course welcome to promote this drama as a romance drama if you so want, nobody can stop you. What happens thanks to that is on you though.

All of that looked great! They really look good together and she always has great chemistry with her costars.

What will matter the most is that the story is done well. ZXL is after all, a great director. Look at NiF, it was of a similar set up but nobody can say that the love between MCS and MNH didn't have epic memorable scenes that enhanced the drama. I am really looking forward to this one, all parts including romance have great potential.

What? Why would I promote something that's not true?

This is a big male lead Machiavellian revenge drama. It should be promoted as such, not something that it isn't, which is romance. Giving people false expectations doesn't do anyone any good.

Actually we don't know that 🤷

It's not a romance but a big male lead Machiavellian, revenge drama. They do have a line together but most of the ML scenes according to the leaks aren't with her.

There is romance but it's not the primary genre of the drama so probably why no tag.

Probably July.

Michelle Chen was spotted today, we finally have confirmation. She plays Zanghai's mother (I added a photo). Both she and Wallace filmed today.

No, it wasn't 🤷

No? It was on their official, initial, pfp, that they have removed since then.

Or I don't know, maybe I decided to become an anti or something 😂😂😂

Should be second half/end of May.

That was the first one, this was from the official one that is still standing. I think I probably even have that saved somewhere. Weird names don't surprise me, Cdramas and English titles can be creative 😂

The pfp of the official Weibo had "The Mystery of the Sea" written in English when the drama was announced.

After a while, that was changed and the English version didn't appear again, nor was it announced so we will have to wait for confirmation if they will stick to this.

Zang, not Zhang. Different characters.

No problem, any time. I wish I had a better, more clear answer but we will have to wait for now.

The problem is that we aren't actually sure if even those are related.

Originally, this drama was supposed to connect to them through the character of Wang Zanghai, that should have been the main character of this drama.

Over time, this drama was taken over by Zheng Xiaolong and his production and though the screenwriter remained the same, it evolved into, in their words, an original story.

The main character is now just Zang Hai and though there still remains the component of architecture and construction, we don't actually know if any real connection to the original universe that is based on the novel exists. It's possible it's completely gone or something might remain. I can tell you most Chinese at this moment regard this as an isolated, original, drama but we will only know once it airs (or more leaks show up).