Nepeta 22

Can I just elaborate a bit on that. The person that 'trash' talked about the drama in its early stages has been locked up as he clearly has alcohol issues. He damaged hotel property whilst staying in Northern China which caused issues for the production team who had to pay for damages. He then damaged someone else's vehicle from drunken behaviour. This is why he ended up in prison.

You could say, he nearly ruined this drama. But luckily they re-grouped and casted Roy Xie as his replacement. It's sad this happened, and the ML had to defend himself because of the allegations that were put on him that he did not turn up on set on time, exhibited diva-like behaviour. Another cast member had to speak up that they were all lies. But either way, I don't think this drama will have a lot of eyes on it anyway.

Watch this space regarding Wang Duo. In his currently filming drama with Ao Ruipeng as lead, he plays his brother. Set up will be like this except it's swapped with WD playing the ML's struggle back to the top. I anticipate a lot of in-fighting when that airs!

There are 2 things. Looks is one, but ML's acting is too stiff. His eyes show blankness. In a lot of the scenes he comes across as moping too much and feeling sorry for himself too much. And FL deserves more respect. She's just too good for him. That is how it looks from the outside.

No sob story? Are we watching the same drama? He's clearly been emotionally abused by his father. His father has been pitting him against his own step brother. He belittles him. Makes sure he doesn't get accomplishments...there's more but I can't be bothered to write them 😉

Yes the ML is everything he sub consciously wishes for. He is just not aware yet and is at a stage still a product of what his dad has created. Someone that constantly needs to do things to get his own dad's approval.

Spot on analysis. I agree that he is a character broken by his father's cold upbringing and clearly he has been used by his father. He is the end result of years of emotional passive aggressive behaviour from his father. I would be disappointed if this drama doesn't give him an arc where he will join forces with his step brother to take down his father.

These comments should be put into spoiler. Thanks.

No problem. No short dramas. He has been in the entertainment business way back. One of his most memorable roles was playing an innocent looking character that turns evil in Burning Ice back in 2017 (crime drama).

Most recently in Unnatural Fire as joint male lead with Leon Zhang. He plays a cop there, & a surgeon opposite Vin Zhang the year before. Completely different to this basic character here that has one skill & that's pushing up his specks in 3 different ways! 😆

Yes, just let them fantasise. SML's character is not all that interesting to be honest. They could have made his character less obvious. But it is what it is. As you say, we know ML & FL will end up together.

I agree with you on that. For a romance drama it is touch and go with how they made her like that. Ironically, in that drama, the guy who liked her never turned toxic and in the end respected her decision to pursue the ML again, even when he was difficult.

Like the ML here, the NL in L & P loved her, but classically pushed her away for reasons of protecting her/ or despising her in equal measures.

SML in this drama is plain creepy here and the drama makers or the original novel clearly are trying to create a messed up and twisted character to put people on edge, but CP fandom will always cut parts to suit their little fantasy, and ignore morals.

They are only inserting themselves there, and FL's character is just a vessel. They don't watch the drama as a whole. They are only using highlights to serve their fantasy. Sadly a section of drama watchers do this with romance dramas.

I've written elsewhere, SML's role and acting is stock 2 dimensional. Greasy. He doesn't need to do much thought. ML here has been too introvert and naval gazing and some viewers want change.

Too many ML roles in romance dramas follow a template of being scarred and unable to open up leaving the FL to be the one chasing around and working out how to accommodate him. Basically, a band-aid relationship. Over moping can also turn some off, especially if the actor cannot show the nuances through the eyes and body posture.

Your comment is correct. This actor is well known in China and has been around. Thought it odd to see him here in this type of drama and also playing such a simple & 2 dimensional character as well. If you have ever seen him in Burning Ice then you will know he can nail very complex characters.

But they glamourised ML's bad behaviour in Lighter & Princess? Just because he was a ML, watchers where twisting around to make excuses for his bullying and nasty behaviour towards FL & her parents. If that gets the green light then this SML has an opening. Toxic ML or SML is nowadays all en vogue. I hate it myself. For entertainment purpose I think it is irresponsible to some extent.

What carries this drama like Lighter & Princess is both FLs are kind hearted, open minded and most of all, we get to see all her small flaws, but they aren't really flaws. She's under pressure by parents or society to do well & do the best & sometimes that leads to lies.

A new face? Maybe on XHS. This actor is no spring chicken. He's been around and I'm a bit surprised to see him pop up here.

In China he is known to be a good actor. Here he is playing a stock 2 dimensional role and it's really not that special.

I gave my reason further up but I don't want to keep repeating it as it will not be fair to ML and his supporters. Knowing how rabid some are, it's best to only say it once. The issue is the overuse of similar set up on ML's character, and his interpretation of it.

Also a section of watchers have seen many of these tropes with ML characters, so they want to paint an alternative fantasy due to this. It's really not deep. They don't necessarily watch a drama as a whole. They just pick off bits to cut & rave on about.

It's just a form of fantasy and escapism. Therefore they just use certain types of characters and just insert themselves in and FL is just a vessel.

This silly storyline is dreamt up by the novel writers. As you say who does that? Probably no one. She's probably fantasising too much or read too many crime stories about morbid trophies of past crimes. This type of storyline goes too far into the ridiculous. It's done to create fear and tension for watchers, but it's inadvertently glamourised obsession and a section of watchers want this sort of love. It's a kind of sick fantasy.

I will say something controversial here. In my opinion, the ML's acting is just not up to standard to convey those trapped emotions. His blank eyes devoid of depth and his stiff posture makes him very self aware in a negative way. Often he comes across like a mopey naval gazing self pitying teenager. His reactions around FL seems cold more than affectionate. When he is affectionate, those eyes still seem blank and lacklustre.

Up against a bubbly and caring FL, this is quite taxing to watch. It is a difficult role he is playing but he has not shown a depth needed, and when you see this, you feel deeply sorry for the FL because you feel she deserves better. The SML doesn't need to even do much. That is how I see it.

Some sections of watchers want to fantasise, and they want confident assertive people because they want to be swept off their feet. They are not really watching the drama 'whole' which is why they end up doing all kinds of CPs. Morals are out of the window so no point in telling them how he's all evil, they don't care about that...

You still don't get it. That is how you stretch a simple story out. He'll be buzzing around to annoy & stress you.

It's a tried and tested formula. Usually a springboard for new or emerging actor. Not sure how or why Dai Xu ended up here though. Maybe the theme is architecture & they need some credible more maturer male characters.

As someone says it's just superficial looks. Nothing deep. Really. Wait till you see My Queen, My Rules, it's going to be even worse there. The ML & SML roles reverse compared with this drama & the story will cause viewers to ship like mad. The ML will be the hard rich CEO. SML will be the pauper brother with nothing...that's idol romance for you!

And the whole idea is to to that. Get engagement. In China, CPs is an industry within itself & the promotions on this drama on stage plays up to that. It's not that deep. People love subverting things. In Fireworks of your heart, a massive group pushed Wei Da Xun's character with FL, and BTW he is her step brother!