Nepeta 22

Perhaps, it could pave the way for Filter 2 when she appears again and unleashes the bangle once again on another unsuspecting person??

It depends on individuals. If you like stuff like The Bond, then this will be something you'll like. I loved this drama. It's one of the funniest yet also the most moving dramas around. I cried and laughed throughout. It's about 2 generations' love through time and you will get mad, you will push for some couples so it's down to what you like, but it's so detailed.

The conversations between neighbours, the gossiping, the bickering and this is against the backdrop of change in China and the music is moving and uplifting. For me, it's the best drama of the whole of 2024.

Yes, there was a lot of complaints about the translation. I managed to see it from Youtube, and although there were a few classic mistakes like using literal descriptions on names on 2 characters, I was fine with it. It is a shame that Mango TV was not helping with the subtitle issues.

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Yes, all ratings can be questionable and it's best to watch a few episodes to see or watch trailers. Word by mouth is also another one. Costume dramas can be voted a bit higher through a rose tint. I regard it as unique content for the international audience compared with the Chinese audience. Of all the east Asian countries, the Chinese historic dramas/costume dramas bring to life all the grandness of the hair styling, clothing and fight scenes along with all the 'in-the-know' rules that goes with that.

Yes, that's why they're called 'traffic' stars. The drama makers that insert one of these stars sort of know that is an instant borrowed fandom hit which will make them their money. It's sad that it's slowly going this way, because it can crowd out those that still want to make dramas for the love of a subject, story or showcase an issue with less money.

Regarding MDL, an example of this is so stark for me is Romance In The Alley. For me, one of the most extensively researched, nuanced and touching dramas seen. It's comedic, witty, smart, tragic & emotional all at the same time, but it's languishing at 1500 watchers and a rating that looks so mediocre. For me, it's one of the best dramas for the whole of 2024, and I watched a lot of dramas. It's a romance drama, but as you can see, no young traffic stars apart from Lu Yuxiao, Fan Chen Chen & Wang Anyu as support. No love on MDL. In China though, it topped the charts continuously.

Ha ha, you are correct. Someone I know sent me this pic of Tomie which I thought would look great as an avatar. But I confess, I'm not all that clued up with all Junji Ito's work but I love Tomie's character😉.

It's a common sight on MDL. This is due to the site slowly turning into a fandom site rather than a drama site. A large portion is now dominated by fervent fandoms that rate for their idol rather than the drama as a whole. The bar have shifted so much that an 8.1 rating is now not considered high. My view is, this score is quite realistic and is high. It's just we're used to fandoms rating excessively we come to think anything below 8.4 is not that good when it is.

You can tell that it would be a high-ish rate already. I had a look at Douban a day ago and you can see the individual ratings on the pages already, and that normally gives you an idea (roughly).

MDL is only a portion of the international viewers. MDL is more like a fan site and it's dominated by fandoms rather than drama watchers. A large portion are here doing data too like how you see that is happening in China. You can see this in how those that comment on forums do not actually watch the dramas independently first and foremost, rather spend more time defending excessively. That means a drama rating cannot always be respected as independent and credible. This is not all dramas of course, but mainly in dramas with the latest good looking idol stars.

Yes, which explains how some view things slightly different to others. But the main message is clear, they will learn from each other. He will probably build up her confidence and she will make him see her world where she has had to deal with prejudices but most importantly, still have a kind heart and have time for others.

That's the point. Both react the way they do because of their past experiences which is so real in their own heads. He's cold/abrupt with her because he's actually a bit scared of her. You could say, he low-key abused his position because socially with the work environment, he had the upper hand, and that is not nice. For the FL, she did well to swerve difficult situations but you can see, her personality has been built around people like that all her life. This has obviously pushed her confidence down to the level she would like to stick two fingers up at those in a subtle way.

Totally agree. They both balance each other out which is why I mentioned previously how some posters on the forum are caught up in this classic ML or FL halo of being whiter than white. We need to open our minds and not think just black and white.

Then there is this emphasis of putting more onus on the FL rather than the ML's flaws keeps creeping up and I think some are watching dramas in singular form and not weaving the character into the wider picture in terms of context, surroundings and the given situation. I would like to ask those, why they overlook the ML's behaviour in the early episodes. It's as if they're not as heinous as FL deceiving him (in context of not wanting to be found out). The eye-sight issue was something that came from that, but it's not as if the FL didn't try to help him either, but again, that's ignored. Obviously, character consistency is important, and I think the manner in how the ML takes in the information and reacts and how he then tries to step back a bit to re-evaluate what's happens to me makes sense.

The good news is the people he cherished are not dead, and he's now found out why they've come about, and most importantly, he's gain an extra insight into the FL's mind. The FL hid her inner low confidence well because she too had some pride, so it's become a norm to her. The idea that TQ could fall in love with her being her true self seems unrealistic based on their past encounters, but we must remember, even how we might not think he's outwardly rejecting her, in her mind she does, because she's not really learned to truly love herself for what she is, which is why she spent countless times to try and be demure and polite only to find out soon, it's her true behaviour he was actually drawn to.

I take it he was not into her at the beginning and had her down as a bully. She was practically invisible to him. Why? Because he didn't know her well enough and she was just another worker. He was also a hypocrite too saying he wanted an ordinary girl to represent their products, but then tracking down Su Miao at all costs the next minute. His get out clause later is to state he has poor EQ skills.

It's through the bracelet, we get to see him gradually change. I feel for the FL. She really had to endure a lot. I can see some label her as cruel. They must not be watching the drama carefully. The ML was cruel, but in an ignorant way.

I must admit, I find it disturbing with these doctors and patients storyline. If it was the other way round, I don't think it would be acceptable. Maybe only due to their ages it's just about palatable. These dramas highlight unhealthy ageism.

About better people, this argument can go on and on. It's time to let the drama run and see how it goes, but truth is, are many of us also putting unrealistic expectations on characters to be passed as ML or FL worthy material? I'm all for morally grey characters because the constant whiter than white characters are often unrealistic and does not allow for life changes and small instances that can change something by accident or unintentional.

Example, the ML had an idea of the FL from childhood. This doesn't make him great, but it also does not make him bad either. Just because he's reserved or brought up to be polite, that also does not mean he's a better person, but maybe responsible.

FL is more brash in her approach. That might be from sparring with her sister from a young age. She is clearly feeling inferior on a superficial level with her own sister. At this stage, we know very little about the ML's family (whether he had siblings etc) and therefore don't form any strong judgment on him. But we do know, he did fall for looks in the first arc. Not criminal, but this has affected FL. It triggered her because the bracelet allowed her to witness first hand what pretty privilege feels like. Before that she had already put him up on a pedestal due to her childhood crush. But she was always invisible to him. But unknown to her, the ML is ironically drawn to her natural self when she slips back to her own personality.

I loved his character, and being honest, did come to watch this drama because of him. I enjoyed his performance in An Ancient Love Song. So glad they didn't make side characters typical fillers. The whole drama made sure everyone had their reasons to be there and yes, the second couple is just sweet!

That would be predictable and cliche. I feel it's not over yet though. She didn't even mention the reason on how Fang Jin's character came about. And it's not even her fault. I hope that storyline will come out as it's clear, her sister was also involved big time.

Without this backdrop of the trauma story, this drama would probably be like any other romance drama, so the only thing propping this drama up is the hype and the novel fans and the success off the back of Hidden Love. Anyway, see you around. I'm off now...

Well, they can't complain, on a business level, the drama has done well regardless. But not for me personally.

I'm done here. Off to watch Filter instead. At least it's a highly entertaining drama that uses comedy to deliver important messages in a meaningful way. As for Zhang Ruo Nan, I'll wait for Zhan Zhao Adventures. Hopefully, she will be able to do more there!

I'll leave others to enjoy, but I am sad this drama has gained so much popularity, but squandered a chance to tell the story of a victim of abuse coherently by painting her as unaware to the point of unusual ignorance. I also resent the fact that keeping quiet and not communicating is the sole storyline of a victim of trauma. There are so many other avenues to look at. But it is what it is...