Nepeta 22

Thanks for reassuring me. I tend to read comments after a drama has finished around 3 months to a year. I tend to find more honest independent opinions rather than when a drama is airing as there tends to be some type of echo chamber going on after a while and that can sometimes affect my judgement on the story. As for the scoring on MDL, I take that as a pinch of salt!

I will continue and hopefully it will pick up. But generally by after 10 parts, if a drama has not shifted from my initial feelings, it's normally not likely to change.

I wish the drama to be more punchy and more mean. In that, I feel that the so-called assassins are too weak and only in there for the full plot line of tugging at the heart strings. This then becomes unrealistic as trust between couples are inconsistent.

There is no way Jin Fan would suddenly trust YWS to go unaccompanied to the back hill at such an important time. Considering he's just had a battle with her and can see she is skilled in martial arts. The first 5 parts have been telling us how tough it is for would-be brides to survive let alone gain their trust. Anyway, let's see...

Thanks for responding. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough. I know this lady (Jin Jing) is a well known comedian and her "brand" has been ported into this drama which I felt mismatched. Nothing to do with anyone making fun of her. Her existence and her side plot is (I'm assuming) light relief but her character is too much and I feel doesn't work in a drama like this.

But again, this is just personal opinion and I can see lots of people like her and I know she in her own right is a capable actress. As I mentioned before, I will persist and see how it goes, but may take a while to get through as each episode. It feels strung out and the pacing is so still and plodding.

I hope to give my final thoughts on the drama once finished as right now, there are some odd unrealistic things that happened which felt like it was done just to get the story into the way it should be, and it's at odds with the characters that have been built. But we'll see.

Try Love in Between. May not have all the "traffic stars" but has great quality fight scenes and quality visuals. Not to mention great drama.

OK, thanks. I will persist to see because I genuinely want to know who killed the father and elder.

Thanks for honest response. Sometimes, I don't comment too much on MDL, especially whilst the drama is airing. I find the group mentality can sway people's perception at the time which is why I try not to read comments when I'm watching. But, this is the first drama where I found it so hard to push on and then relented by reading comments here. and to my surprise, people seem to be happy.

It has an interesting storyline, but the emphasis on the main male leads and the two ladies are taking too much time and at times too soppy and unrealistic. The story teller is trying too hard to convince us on the humanistic side... we all know it will end in tears in some way or other or why bother with a story like this. There should be more time given to the rival sect and the elders and their characters. It's how the story is told and the monotonous pace and hushed talks makes for its blandness.

I'm now mainly motivated to watch to the end because I'm only interested in who killed the father and elder.

As Jin Jing, her brand is misplaced in this drama. If this is her usual act, fair enough, but to bring it into this drama, it's over-bearing and insulting to certain types of characters and actually amplifying stereotypical characters. In this day and age, it's quite un-refreshing.

Thanks, I will carry on, but finding it hard to binge watch which I tend to do with other drama. It doesn't have that page-turn effect. I too hope JingJin's character will grow on me, but right now, I feel the send-up is jarring dare-I-say insulting to say the least. I wonder whose idea it was to draw two tiny dots between her nose...

OK, thanks. Yes, I was told she's a comedian, but if they feel they need to bring in her "brand" into the drama, I feel it's quite over-bearing. That's my opinion. Perhaps I'm out of step with what's appealing.

I will carry on, and hope the drama offers more than show moving scenes and people speaking in hushed tones. I also hope there is more about the ladies' handlers (I find that bit is more interesting), their backgrounds along with the elders and their individual characters and how they are mysteriously elected suddenly. The brothers and their friction and rivalry is done to death, and the interactions with their future wives are taking too much time from an overall balanced costume drama.

Well, I'm 11 parts in and think 6 is about right. It's ploddy, soppy and very drawn out. The tempo is samey and that Jin Jolie's character is insulting to anyone that's not a size zero and conforming to v-line face shape. That's so dated and I thought we're well past this type of stereotyping. The trailer looks nice, cinematography nice, but beyond that, it's too slow and at times filled with plot-lines that are just not logical.

Well, I'm 11 parts in and think 6 is about right. It's ploddy, soppy and very drawn out. The tempo is samey and that Jin Jolin's character is insulting to anyone that's not a size zero and conforming to v-line face shape. That's so dated and I thought we're well past this type of stereotyping. The trailer looks nice, cinematography nice, but beyond that, it's too slow and at times filled with plot-lines that are just not logical.

Is it just me, I haven't watched a drama so ploddy. Everything is so drawn out, slow and soppy. The tempo is the same throughout. Punctuated by this Gonzi Shang character - such an insulting filler. Amplifying her behaviour is just cringey. I thought we're done with these types of stereotypical characters since the 90s. I feel for actresses that are not a size zero and conform to v-line shapes, they're relegated to side plots that are supposed to offer light relief. It's a disappointment against great cinematography. I've struggled to 11 episodes. Does the tempo change beyond this?

It's not playing safe. It's what some makers think people like. There's so much variety, yet, you end up choosing a classic with Johnny Huang, which to be honest, is just a Yang Yang mark two. What could you honestly expect?

Not that whiny fandom that can't join up the dots to work out, it's the fandom that causes all the issues. But, all so easy to blame in on it on censorship. That kind of reply is just as stock as the tropey stories others are moaning about.

I don't want to comment into another person's tax affairs because I don't know about their details. I hope you are aware that the person/star is totally responsible for their own tax affairs, and that includes others handling it for them. This applies in the UK and many EU countries. In the case of Song Zuer, she may be too busy, but it is ultimately still her responsibility to make sure "all" details are matching and correct at the time of filing.

The message is simple. They are in a unique position, so set a good example and follow the law and pay all taxes accordingly. You may be more emotional about this because she happens to be affecting some drama that you may be looking forward to seeing, but apart from that, she should not be getting any preferential treatment, especially with their above average wage compared with the common folk in China.

That's towards the younger generation and a growing issue because fandom and the obsession has caused huge issues like scamming, health and safety and promotion of hatred. I think more measures need to be made to ensure the entertainment industry sets a good example for the greater community. If any are found to be evading tax, they should be made examples.

Any government will on the face of it look like they are doing their job, whether the whistle-blower has a motive or not. As stated previously, if the accusation is found to be false, the whistle-blower could be jailed.

What you need to be asking is why all her sponsors and industry people are ready to drop her before the investigation has even been completed.

It's pure speculation that by using Song Zuer as an example, it's supposed to deter the local population. The common folk against a star? That's so far fetched and sorry to say, the average person in China is not likely to be obsessing over these actors/actresses. If it were remotely true, it's more likely a message for the industry and associated investors. It is from these industries that are likely to be more motivated to make a quick buck.

I understand your point that the "propaganda" appears clunky and not so subtle as you like. I have not seen this drama yet so won't judge it based on a blurb.

I have watched many dramas in the past with similar messages, but have been done very well and not in anyway like how you have put it. You are entitled to your opinion of course.

The audiences in China are a picky lot and nothing slides unlike what some people might assume. The Douban ratings are in the 8.7s, so they must be liking the drama. They are not like mindless lambs.

Please refrain from making unfounded accusations about Kunning Palace and Zhao Lusi. As far as I can see it is the toxic fandom that will see the end of certain actors/actresses. It is their behaviour that causes issues within an industry that is and was thriving. I doubt the CPC cares about these little stars to need to "bring them down". They come and go like all other actors and actresses around the world.

Your last paragraph tells me that it seems to be of concern using words like sole goal. Every day, we are bombarded by "propaganda". There's propaganda everywhere in the rest of the world. It's whether you have an issue when the propaganda is coming from China.

The use of this word is normalised and used next to the words China. That, in itself means you (whether you like it or not) have been sold the idea that Chinese propaganda is not as palatable. Unlike the every day drip drip effect that's happening elsewhere.

Ah, I see, so it's propaganda day from January to December in Hollywood.

Anyone wishing to wash their eyes after seeing Dong Jie play one of the second most heinous characters here, I recommend others to cleanse themselves and see her in one of her more masterful roles.
https://kisskh.at/54381-the-last-goodbye-to-mama