I don't understand why 'propaganda' keeps getting mentioned. Maybe through the eyes of an international viewer,…
I don't know where we are going with this. It does look like you have not seen CPC portrayal in A Love Never Lost, the recent Footprint of Change or Three-Body to name a few. Even China's most popular drama The Knock Out or The Long Night. There are numerous dramas showing the uglier side of their party.
But, as I said earlier, the period between 1960 to 1980s is the least shown because it is a very difficult subject to make into a drama. If you've watched Romance In the Alley, I would say it's a light brush into how bleak it was for those that had to ration and where it was rife where dubious people dobbed on others just for personal grudges.
You are honing on that era and there seems to be only specific to China that their whole existence is pegged to those 3 decades. We don't do that with other countries. It's almost like some cannot accept that parties move with the times and change with the times. China is a perfect example of learning from past mistakes. Unlike many other countries from what I am witnessing right now.
The "propaganda" you talked about in the drama is not unrealistic though. They had a civil war and both sides at the time were vying for others' hearts and minds. In the cities, KMT had the strong hold. It is not secret that the communists won through the farmers and smaller villages in rural areas. In War of Faith, it's probably closest to how it would have been living during that time. Communists did not win from thin air, they needed volunteers and you need to sell it to them first. This drama showed that.
I don't understand why 'propaganda' keeps getting mentioned. Maybe through the eyes of an international viewer,…
More tired than triggered. I feel compelled to start a conversation every time I see the word used. Especially since I have watched this drama and cannot see any of it at all. But, some seem to see it even though it could just be national pride and something that cannot be ignored. It's almost as if some wished no drama mentions the communist party or allow it show how it rose.
That's a personal bias, not a drama with 'propaganda' as you say. It would be better to just say, it's so rose tinted and you don't buy how nice these so-called soldiers marched in and helped others. But remember, this is adapted from a novel. It's that person's vision. You can say only nice things get published. But then again, censorship also happens in other countries. Love to see how many dramas and films and books will make a living out of making Hitler seem like he's the right side of history.
Some posters should ask themselves why the word propaganda is always assigned to China. That in itself is interesting. For instance we seldom see this for any other country, but only exclusive to China. That is not an accident. That ironically is the product of prolonged subtle propaganda via mainstream media and film.
No one sits there stating Rambo, Black Hawk Down or Avatar is brainwashing propaganda. No one says 12 Years a Slave is the classic white knight trying to paint over past embarrassing history. Just saying...
I don't understand why 'propaganda' keeps getting mentioned. Maybe through the eyes of an international viewer,…
As I mentioned in my last post, history is told by the victors. Whether it was portrayed accurately or realistically that will always be contested and argued for ever. Even today, we see this happening the world over.
My point is, some of the very recent history is still very raw for some in China. Whether that is collective trauma or how some are not ready to tell that story, I don't know how this relates to this village drama. In fact I can't really see what is termed propaganda. But I do see a bit of national pride. If you want to see a more realistic portrayal of CPC, look at 3-Body or the recently aired Footprint of Change. This drama is more about the old system before the land reforms.
It's not as if communism didn't exist. It is also not secret they made inroads in its early days through the peasant class that made up over 90% of the population at the time. In fact, this drama upheld a lot of the old feudal systems and even rose tinted some. The original novel is not even close to what's been adapted. But you are finding more interest in fringe parts of this drama, tells me some are coming here with their own biases. Just my observation.
This a nice drama. Story is very good, until the last couple episodes, when it took a nosedive into CCP propaganda.…
I don't understand why 'propaganda' keeps getting mentioned. Maybe through the eyes of an international viewer, but this is made for domestic consumption. National pride is still high because new China is still young. Also, history is always written through the victor. This is not specific to just China.
Sometimes, we should try to view another country's drama through their lens rather than our own form of internalized propagandised mind.
For me anyway, some of the best dramas I have seen have some of the lowest ratings on MDL. I guess it's subjective.…
Yes, visuals are important. Also I would have PTSD as I don't want to see Liu Yi Jun & Jelly Lin in the same room. For those that have watched Imperfect Victim will know what I mean!
(spoiler alert)The 3rd relationship might be challenging for some because both don't outwardly show affection but rather we see it more like they're like an old couple with one dominant whilst the other just accepts things. But I think this is well researched as that is a reflection of the time when women suddenly became more financially independent.
Today, the audience tends to be less interested in that aspect, and more interested in fantasy & passion. They seem to like a challenging male interest instead of an attentive doormat style ML. From that observation, I reckon they'll not enjoy it as much as the first 2 arcs.
So sad that the ratings has dropped so much. This deserves higher rating but also expected as Republican drama…
For me anyway, some of the best dramas I have seen have some of the lowest ratings on MDL. I guess it's subjective. The type of romance here may not, on the face of it sell to an average passerby. It's not dramatic, flashy or full of young hopeful lovers.
I find these types of dramas are unlikely to draw in crowds that may well come to watch dramas as a form of escapism. I have seen many comments here stating they cannot bring themselves to watch episodes that seems too painful or even close to realism. I get that. But sadly some do miss gems.
Romance in the Alley suffered from that as well. It was one of the most romantic dramas celebrating love in a nuanced and deeply emotional way. But like this drama, it's mixed with a lot of difficult characters that interfere or have dated views or have characters that may not put love first for the sake of others. This doesn't resonate with some viewers and they mark dramas down based on that, but we rate dramas emotionally.
Me too, I don't remember seeing her at all. I wonder if anyone knows too.
Oh wow, thanks for that! I knew I missed something. Yes, I remembered that bit now. That's good closure on that bit as everything seemed to fall in place. 😉
Yes I saw more of her training. elsewhere, very tiring for my eyes! The poor girl is brave to share this. I believe she had a dance background, hence the role I suppose. She looks so graceful with the arm work.
I agreed. The third arc’s relationship is more complex. And I really enjoyed this drama hence the high ratings;).
Yes it deserves a high rating. MDL general ratings are always unpredictable and anything republican tends to be rated a bit lower. Hope more people come to watch it. I can see Cheng Lei bringing in new watchers which is a good thing.
That's a lovely review. I loved all the arcs, and I liked how each couple were so different and they were able to capture each character's strengths and flaws so well.
I think the final couple was probably the most complex and I'm glad they didn't shy away from a relationship that changed and swayed a lot due to circumstances around them relating to their work ethic as well as misunderstanding of each others' insecurities and strengths. She had a lot of pride and didn't know how to deal with what had happen, and in the end caused a rift between themselves by leaving. But when she realised she wanted to fight for the relationship, he was the one with his pride, still wounded by the fall-out.
I think the makers did a good job of trying to convey that without trying to side with one more than the other. In the end, I think it's a beautiful story of 3 generations of love that on paper, weren't meant to be, but it did happen, which is always satisfying to watch.
Also, from the flashback we know that her mom is already dead and she sees the body at the beach. So why was she…
I don't think it's surprise, she just want to hear him confess properly and in the end she knew she couldn't bring him down and maybe knew she didn't have it anymore in her, so made a snap decision to die by driving the car off a cliff I suspect.
I am on ep 21, when Chengo Ao gave his pocket watch to Lin SiYun he said its a gift from his mother and he will…
It's hard to imagine that time, but it's clear there was a lot of widespread corruption which means a lot of protection using hired force,, just as you saw a seemingly polite lawyer is associated with shady characters that readily kill and the police force was loosely put together. BTW this is in the French concession area which would have their specific police force.
Even though FL seemed like an upright person within her own profession, she is well aware of the internal politics of the time, which is more survival than setting things straight. I liked how all these characters are human and not just one more shady the other a saint. In a way, they probably didn't want to dwell too much on her reaction as it would may be make her be a bit at odds with with the ML. Since was already torn with his step brother.
It's not in the usual places. I guess Youku has it on lockdown LOL
I don't think it's YouKu lock down. These dramas are not picked up because they are not in demand. It will mean you watch it with 1 episode a day delayed by roughly a week behind.
1 
But, as I said earlier, the period between 1960 to 1980s is the least shown because it is a very difficult subject to make into a drama. If you've watched Romance In the Alley, I would say it's a light brush into how bleak it was for those that had to ration and where it was rife where dubious people dobbed on others just for personal grudges.
You are honing on that era and there seems to be only specific to China that their whole existence is pegged to those 3 decades. We don't do that with other countries. It's almost like some cannot accept that parties move with the times and change with the times. China is a perfect example of learning from past mistakes. Unlike many other countries from what I am witnessing right now.
The "propaganda" you talked about in the drama is not unrealistic though. They had a civil war and both sides at the time were vying for others' hearts and minds. In the cities, KMT had the strong hold. It is not secret that the communists won through the farmers and smaller villages in rural areas. In War of Faith, it's probably closest to how it would have been living during that time. Communists did not win from thin air, they needed volunteers and you need to sell it to them first. This drama showed that.
That's a personal bias, not a drama with 'propaganda' as you say. It would be better to just say, it's so rose tinted and you don't buy how nice these so-called soldiers marched in and helped others. But remember, this is adapted from a novel. It's that person's vision. You can say only nice things get published. But then again, censorship also happens in other countries. Love to see how many dramas and films and books will make a living out of making Hitler seem like he's the right side of history.
Some posters should ask themselves why the word propaganda is always assigned to China. That in itself is interesting. For instance we seldom see this for any other country, but only exclusive to China. That is not an accident. That ironically is the product of prolonged subtle propaganda via mainstream media and film.
No one sits there stating Rambo, Black Hawk Down or Avatar is brainwashing propaganda. No one says 12 Years a Slave is the classic white knight trying to paint over past embarrassing history. Just saying...
My point is, some of the very recent history is still very raw for some in China. Whether that is collective trauma or how some are not ready to tell that story, I don't know how this relates to this village drama. In fact I can't really see what is termed propaganda. But I do see a bit of national pride. If you want to see a more realistic portrayal of CPC, look at 3-Body or the recently aired Footprint of Change. This drama is more about the old system before the land reforms.
It's not as if communism didn't exist. It is also not secret they made inroads in its early days through the peasant class that made up over 90% of the population at the time. In fact, this drama upheld a lot of the old feudal systems and even rose tinted some. The original novel is not even close to what's been adapted. But you are finding more interest in fringe parts of this drama, tells me some are coming here with their own biases. Just my observation.
Sometimes, we should try to view another country's drama through their lens rather than our own form of internalized propagandised mind.
(spoiler alert)The 3rd relationship might be challenging for some because both don't outwardly show affection but rather we see it more like they're like an old couple with one dominant whilst the other just accepts things. But I think this is well researched as that is a reflection of the time when women suddenly became more financially independent.
Today, the audience tends to be less interested in that aspect, and more interested in fantasy & passion. They seem to like a challenging male interest instead of an attentive doormat style ML. From that observation, I reckon they'll not enjoy it as much as the first 2 arcs.
https://x.com/cdrama_update/status/1968318851319542035
I find these types of dramas are unlikely to draw in crowds that may well come to watch dramas as a form of escapism. I have seen many comments here stating they cannot bring themselves to watch episodes that seems too painful or even close to realism. I get that. But sadly some do miss gems.
Romance in the Alley suffered from that as well. It was one of the most romantic dramas celebrating love in a nuanced and deeply emotional way. But like this drama, it's mixed with a lot of difficult characters that interfere or have dated views or have characters that may not put love first for the sake of others. This doesn't resonate with some viewers and they mark dramas down based on that, but we rate dramas emotionally.
I think the final couple was probably the most complex and I'm glad they didn't shy away from a relationship that changed and swayed a lot due to circumstances around them relating to their work ethic as well as misunderstanding of each others' insecurities and strengths. She had a lot of pride and didn't know how to deal with what had happen, and in the end caused a rift between themselves by leaving. But when she realised she wanted to fight for the relationship, he was the one with his pride, still wounded by the fall-out.
I think the makers did a good job of trying to convey that without trying to side with one more than the other. In the end, I think it's a beautiful story of 3 generations of love that on paper, weren't meant to be, but it did happen, which is always satisfying to watch.
Even though FL seemed like an upright person within her own profession, she is well aware of the internal politics of the time, which is more survival than setting things straight. I liked how all these characters are human and not just one more shady the other a saint. In a way, they probably didn't want to dwell too much on her reaction as it would may be make her be a bit at odds with with the ML. Since was already torn with his step brother.