Sssnoopyyy

I recommend the novel! It’s good that you are reading it after the drama

Glad you liked it. I was prepared for changes from the novel but I think what irked me most was CZ’s character arc, and how they wanted to take him down the route of being obsessed with HY - imo inserting more angst towards the end of the drama (for the sake of highlighting a love triangle) was unnecessary. But all in all, the main leads (their chemistry and actions scenes) were the highlights

Thanks for sharing this - ah the potential of what could’ve been! Really showcased the amazing strategic general that HY is, the prowess and decisiveness of XJ. And the morally grey CZ (with a proper back story and character arc).

Agreed I totally recommend the novel!!

Dubbed

I knew there would be changes given the limitations, but was pretty disappointed with how some had deviated so far from the original - including inconsistencies in characters (like CZ) and lack of plot development. Too much focus on romance and the villains, and not enough on HY’s journey and political intrigue

Appreciated their effort in including as many of the events as possible but I think that led to less time on development. The main actors and amazing fight scenes are what saved the show. I love ZY and CL, they really looked the part and were well casted

Yes we get a lot more insight on every character in the novel, not just the leads. More time to flesh out their stories and the relationship between XJ and HY were well developed (we get a glimpse of their lives post marriage and having a daughter)

Lmao the novel version of XJ would be furious to see himself in the adaptation. He would NEVER have allowed CZ to get to that point. Even if it were to happen, he would easily resolve the issue. He never listens to what others say and could not be bothered. No one can stop him and make him mope around like that with hesitation

Wow you took the words right out of my mouth. Totally agree! Although I do feel like if I never read the novel, the story would still feel choppy for me. Not much context or development, and what was up with that crazy arc CZ had?? I understand adaptations will be different but they really derailed his character, I did not see much of his calculating side, only a pathetic guy following HY everywhere.

I love the leads and their chemistry and those who don’t know about the novel will probably love the fluffy romance but XJ was different in the novel. I feel like they dampened his character and abilities, and made him a very mushy guy in love lol. He would never be affected by the marriage thing, nor would he allow CZ to even have that chance. He would have easily resolved it himself

His death was tragic but in line with the original story. Agreed with the unnecessary drama about the marriage at the end. I feel like many dramas do this last minute angst when it’s really unnecessary

I dunno how other novel readers feel but XJ’s character was a bit softened here lol. I was not used to him being all sweet and mushy. Not that he wasn’t a sweet gentleman in the novel, but the romance was just so emphasized here that at time I felt like he was out of character (for those who love lovey dovey scenes, it was probably a good change), but I just wasn’t used to it. Also, they seemed to have dampened his character’s abilities. He was a lot more calm, strategic and ahead of the game. He would also never allow that whole drama with CZ trying to marry HY, even if it were the case, he wouldn’t be moping around. He would have a way to resolve it. They seemed to want to give CZ more screentime but they took the wrong approach (imo) by making him focus so much on his obsessive love than his own goals. I felt his morally grey persona fell flat. Even HRF’s character felt one dimensional. There was so much time spent on villains that weren'teven translated from the original source properly.

It’s a shame because there was so much potential, and even though I appreciate the lines and scenes they included, some just went way off the tracks (I was hoping to see them focus more on HY’s journey, the political intrigue and revenge).

I was able to get through the drama because I love ZY and CL, they did a good job and loved the action scenes

Why do they always need to include some dramatic angsty scene towards the end of the drama when there is plenty of content to go through from the main story? This whole arc with CZ’s obsessive love and trying to marry HY was ridiculous and so unnecessary. The character was written fine in the novel, and we had bigger problems to go over - why couldn’t they just follow that? Sure they could shorten things like they did with the rest of the plot, but they just had to replace it with something else to create angst (which felt more baffling than angsty)

Even without the novel in mind, I dislike these type of tropes lol. They butchered a really promising character arc

I agree there was a lot of potential with such a great cast and amazing novel. They had some unfortunate luck with going through the chopping board and writing/editing, on top of that, scandal with the actor :(

CL has another drama with Wang Chu Ran (looks like a romcom) and looks like they have spicy chemistry (based on the bts). BUT I loved CL and ZY so much, hard to move on to another pairing

I feel you, I came into this drama knowing that things would be lost due to changes and the whole scandal with the actor. But still wanted to watch since it was a long anticipated series and I loved the book. I continued mainly because of the main leads - hope they can collaborate in another series (where the plot and characters can be fleshed out a bit better).

There was not enough time to go over the necessary details and they condensed so much of the plot/characters’ side stories

Someone posted about this in the discussion forum above on why this was banned

Which actors do you think should be casted? I heard rumours….about Reba and Zhang Ling He lol

Hahaha Those two were older and that was more of a joke, even their sons were baffled hearing that knowing they were older. I wonder if that will get adapted too. Hopefully there will be more eps to develop the story if they do. Did you like that novel more?

I came because of the novel and the main leads and stayed because of the main leads and the action scenes. I don’t know how I’d feel if it weren't for Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei lol

Yes it was more to do with not having concubines, he was furious ppl would pressure him to, because he never had many thoughts on children. If he were to like a child it is because the child is from HY.

But i dont remember them mentioning possibility of more lol but anyway thats not important.

Besides my complaints on CZ’s and HRF’s character for being so one dimensional, I do miss the way XJ was written in the novel. He was not this cheesy but more sarcastic and teasing lol (they do capture some of this in the drama but seems like they wanted to make him more outwardly romantic and expressive). I also miss the way Yan He was always trying to pick a fight with XJ. Wasn’t used to seeing them all nice and friendly