Nepeta 22

OK. I only watched 1 case and that lasted nearly 6 episodes which I felt was not needed. I am putting drama on hold for now as I'm not in the mood for more dragged out cases.

Maybe it's me then regarding SYM. I felt he was shouting loudly even in front of royalty. He didn't appear like that previously. He was always cowering and a bit of an ass-licker. I liked that slippery slimeball persona he had. But at the beginning of this drama, he seems too pompous and doesn't know his place.

Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying it. I will get back to in maybe during Christmas.

No problem, I probably replied in the wrong place...Well, I'm going by what someone else told me also! I heard PXR has signed to Allen Ren's old agency. If she's gone independent, that is news to me. I find that odd as I heard the signing with Allen Ren's old agency is quite new so I don't know.

Going independent is not easy unless you have really established already. To be honest, in China, there are not that many independent artists. Even top traffic actors like Dylan Wang are still part of an agency. Some are misleading saying their name with a studio word afterwards, but that is just a label/handle but they are still signed to an agency.

PXR like a lot of actors/actresses need one break out role that gets netizens talking. This happened to Meng Ziyi. Before that, MZY was floating about playing high second FLs or FLs in smaller productions. But just 1 break-out role in a moderate production but with good story and viral viewing lifted her into high FML roles. Not saying she was talented and un-discovered. I am commenting on how it is in China, fame is heavily tied to memorable characters.

PXR has a lot of potential, it's just about getting a break. Once that break happens, she will have better choice/projects. Now, it's about being on a story that stands out in China. A story that gets netizens invested. I personally don't think it's this one though. I can't watch it myself because there are two support male characters I cannot watch, so it's a shame. I like both leads, but that's just the way sometimes. I hope the drama with ZYC will be good.

What do you mean by independent? I thought she joined Allen Ren's old agency? I thought it is Allen Ren that has gone independent now. He is fully established and it makes sense.

I doubt PXR is in position to pick and choose roles. She's shown she's happy to take guest roles and some of the projects she's on don't look very high production which makes me think she is not in that position.

Yes, Li De has always been there as a counter to DHH's theories, a voice of reason throughout. All those sit-ins at the restaurants were evidence gathering!

Yes, I saw that other comment which now makes sense. Let's hope the other one is opened for international audiences. It is that one I'm very interested in.

I feel they need to compact the drama more. I have put this on hold because I am not liking the way the cases have been dragged out unnecessarily. I also think they need to cool down with trying to churn out stuff so quickly as some of the cases seem to be repetitive after a while. I will get back to this but am not happy with how the second female lead (CYT) has been written in. It just seems unrealistic and the dynamics with her with SWM seems a little off and odd. The other dynamics within the group work but I also feel SWM's character has got a lot louder and I'm confused by that. He was not like that in the earlier seasons. But we'll see.

Alternative I am assuming the first version? The second version is an idealised version and Zeng Jie serves the sentence for killing his first wife.

In the eyes of DHH, his bias is evident throughout the drama. His idealised version is not at all surprising.

Even in the early scenes, he is recounting how he met Liu Wei and the same scenes are shot with different versions on the same event with his version being quite 'rose tinted' turning up on a motor bike, and the other version with him in the pouring rain now on a push bike instead.

Thank you for that link. I was confused as the cast in MDL doesn't have Yang Xu Wen. Thought it must be another spin-off.

Anyone here know if the below link is just a short drama version of Strange Tales as I can't find anything relating to this.

https://kisskh.at/790936-strange-chronicles-of-tang/cast

The two endings - probably a result of making the drama more palatable considering in the novel I was told the FL served her sentence at home rather than in prison due to her disability. She eventually dies due to an earthquake. This sort of ending in dramas may not work and possibly was not well researched and also sends out the wrong message to people about abusing the system in China.

The first ending is probably the real outcome. The second version was more to make the drama pass the censorship. I suspect they may have had to do quite a few changes. (this drama had a very long gap from filming to getting the pass)

Considering the sensitive nature of domestic violence and self defence, the message needed to be clear that what the FL chose was not the right way to deal with betrayal and possible domestic violence. The dialogue was filled with details about her going about the wrong way when dealing with betrayal and also her wanting to get justice for Lin Fang.

I liked the small touches of symbolism in the scenes of him holding an umbrella up in the rain as he walks through the areas he had been and then it's filmed during day time without rain and no umbrella. This happens straight after seeing the report from Li De. We don't know yet at that point what was in that file. I like to think that was the director's way of letting us know that DHH had been defending and shielding FL (commonly seen in Chinese dramas with the umbrella as a shield) and now he won't be as he's no longer in the rain with the umbrella.

Yes it looks like that for now.

Your comment is fine. But be mindful, (not her) that there are some people who feel she's been exploited and are concerned, but this has absolutely nothing to do with the other co-stars or ML. This is independent opinion. Not driven by hate of fandom wars in China.

She can be happy and idealistic right now at her position, and who wouldn't be if you are 17 years old. You think you know everything at that age. Surrounded by hanger-ons and yes people, they will feed her what she wants to hear. But they are only there to make money from her. There are some that think this may be happening.

Age is not normally an excuse, but at 17 years old and people egging and grooming someone on is also common. Those that do it readily fall into, "she wanted it" mode when criticism is levelled at them. This is why it's complex.

Of course it is not his fault. Only toxic fandom do that.

And you are right, she looks old for her age so she matches with ML. That is one of the reasons they are possibly put together. ML has a very youthful appearance. I think the castings look good.

As for FL's fault, I don't see anything wrong. The main issue is whether she had been exploited or not, but for a young star, let's be honest, who wouldn't jump at a chance to play FL? The key bit is can someone who is 17 years old be a good judge of character.

I'm not seeing anyone blaming ML. If you are seeing that, you must be bringing China fandom stuff here. BTW, none of those making the comments care about Ai Mi's welfare, it's just used to attack ML. Simple as that.

To the general viewer and public, I doubt there is any issue. Backers, directors and production are very happy with how things are going. Ai Mi is just another new actress making her way in Chinese dramaland. Be honest, she's hot property and has been for the last few years. There will be a line queuing to cast her thereafter.

It's because the larger portion of viewers are women, therefore they cater for their desires. That means dramas with older FLs are often paired with younger MLs. You must also remember, they are like all countries around the world, still dealing with a male dominated industry where it was the "norm" to cast younger FL against ageing MLs. If you really look around, it still is.

Just look at an innocent pairing of STofTD. One of the MLs is in his late forties, he's set with someone who is 15 years younger than him.

In this situation, those that are making noise are not happy FL is possibly exploited because she's so young try to pass off as someone that may appear older/knowing.

Second issue is, many novels and historic dramas literally state their leads are 15-17 year olds. In reality, most stars are in their mid to late twenties playing these roles. So in essence Ai Mi is simply playing someone within the true age group of the story. But, she's in reality passing as someone far more mature. But you then can argue, ML looks very young than his true age, so visually, it's not looking controversial or predatory at all.

I know it's tiring for you but this is just usual fandom fighting. Part and parcel of fandom nowadays in China. But here on MDL, there is hardly any of that. People keep bring fandom fights from China here. Then others get confused with seeing comments like ML being blamed. Those that blame are simply not interested in Ai Mi's welfare, it's just used to batter ML. Nothing new and next day it will be something else. The issue is some are blaming it on the FL when they get in a bad mood from fandom fighting. That is what I am seeing.

I'm afraid this type of trope is still very common, especially in costume dramas because they can go wild with the ridiculous violence because it's historic fantasy.

These novel writers and screen writers seem to think this sings to the female audiences. It's a form of allowing female viewers to fantasise someone could only be kind to them deep down, even how different it looks on the outside. Like a little secret code.

But this can miss the mark for audiences today. People are more logical, think broader and care about innocent people. But inside these dramas, the deaths/suffering are just props for a weak fantasy.

That is I'm afraid. I think this one will come out eventually, but they need a 'cooling off' period. I think this is mainly for commercial purposes (investors may demand that) and the allegations on the screenwriter has been cleared and it was more embarrassing for her as she's now forever associated as being a bragger and a lowly gossiper and this makes her a liability on the future of her career.

What do you mean Chinese BLs? I believe (if you mean) most of those get distributed outside of China. I have not seen any changes. Those living inside China get around that by using VPN and it's no big secret with that. But brotherhood stuff is still around. I have just finished Blood River and that one is like a dog-whistle to those crowds.

Enjoy. Dong Jie also puts in a great performance albeit not a nice character!

I'm afraid it is far deeper than that. The recordings form part of leaks from a screen writer of Blossoms Shanghai where she is gossiping and making fun of Tan Yan and other well known stars in China. Allegations of exploitation of writers not credited and she was part of that with director Wong Kar Wai. He will be cancelled separately for that and his insulting comments on China's COVID policy and comments about the CPC leeching its citizens...

Yes I heard that too. To be honest, I didn't rate her performance here. Other actors like FL and Liu Yi Jun had more complex characters to play.