Suliabryon

Yeah, same. Plus, I like to support the actors and production team by actually paying for VIP, etc. Just my preference.

Thank you! Huh, so they are waiting a whole week before they make the last episodes available as not express episodes on tencent? Brutal.

Yeah, I have Viki Pass. 🙂

Thank you, but I don't watch them on sites like that. I just want to know when they will actually be on Viki.

WHEN are the last episodes going to release from Express/get put on Viki??? It's been days with no updates.

TY!

SO many really good ones out there! For modern day, the ones you mention are some of the best there is. The Best Thing was also very good this year. But honestly, The First Frost is probably my favorite modern cdrama I've watched and nothing much compares (except Hidden Love, but it had a completely different vibe). It was just so well done. You might also check out Amidst a Snowstorm of Love.

Exactly!

Oh, wow. Well I have the opposite experience. I have loved every episode. Maybe this just isn't the right drama for you.

It is, but the novel has wildly different characterization for him and storylines that have been changed, such as with his cousin.

I think part of it is oblivious - he's literally lived his whole life in war and is established to avoid women and taverns. I don't think this guy has any romantic experience. And I think part of it is avoidance. It's too late for him, he already loves her, but he's avoiding confronting that because of guilt attached to the deaths of his grandfather, father, and brother.

Maybe the short form dramas are more your style. Long form dramas are slow burn.

I think you're taking it way too literally. She was trying to gauge her ex-fiance's temperament and what he was willing to do as collateral damage, already suspecting his plan with the fire and knowing it would not JUST hurt soldiers and Wei Shao. She knew no argument against using the fire on WS would work, so she used that to show she's on the same page: "Hey, yes I also think Wei Shao deserves whatever happens (whether she does or not) but THE PEOPLE are innocent". And then his response told her everything she feared, and that was the moment she knew she had to work against him and help WS. Because she cares very much for the people. I don't think she ever really desired WS's death; she knew the alliance with him was key, and was still trying to mastermind how to get around his hatred to make it work, but dealing with the sulfur and stopping what her ex had planned took precedence. IMO.

RIGHT?? 😂 A drama barely ends and he has a new one coming out! I don't think he sleeps.

He was SHOCKED she picked him! And then he was running to save her I think before he even consciously made the decision. The whole thing was just so well acted. You could feel her internal conflict: like, she does NOT like or trust the ex-fiance, but at the same time, the last thing she knew, WS gave an order to "kill her for morale". It was a total leap of faith to trust that he wouldn't kill her. I think that's part of why she loses it emotionally and slaps him and then hides and cries, lol. All of that fear and tension had to go somewhere, and I feel like her reaction was so real and genuine. And his shock was also so real and hilarious! Such a man response. "WTH, woman, I just saved your life!" But then he figures out she needs a minute and stares at his Generals until they get the hint and leave them alone.

That whole scene has got to be one of the best turning point moments ever filmed. Super dramatic, super emotional, pays off all of the distrust and push and pull between them previously, hits the trope. Just great job to the whole team: writers, director, actors, everyone.

As for the novel, I've read some spoilers from it in these comments, and I have to say, I vastly prefer the drama WS. He gets to be everything we love in this type of hero, with real nuance and feeling that makes it work. The novel for me, takes it too far.

Yes, exactly! Both of them were harmed by the incident. And you're right, most dramas gloss over something like this, but this one called out the reactions and impact on both of them and showed them each dealing with it.

And yes, I agree the advisor nudges WS more. QX is more emotionally available, while WS has spent his life shoving all emotions aside except his hatred and grief. He needs to extra help to allow himself to open up and be vulnerable.

😱HOW can no one be doing in depth discussions?? This drama is SO good!

I couldn't agree more. I read a lot, and I struggle sometimes when characters are just given the window dressing of the trope without the depth and nuance that goes with it. This show excels, I think, because not only do we get the "ancient warlord with trust issues and a soft spot for one woman only" but the reasons for it are so understandable. She sees him and as she sees more and deeper, she's helping him heal. Who wouldn't have insane trust issues and a thirst for revenge after experiencing what he did? And God knows his own family hasn't done anything but expect him to lead the clan and win back everything they lost (the grandmother being the exception - but she knows he needs more than her, he needs a life partner who sees him and loves him).

Then we have our female lead. Even though he's saved her more than once (and I may have rewatched that scene in ep 4 at least a dozen times!) she's no damsel in distress. She's whip smart and has a strategic mind as well. He can't help but admire her, and it's not JUST about her beauty. The moment she "chose" him over the ex-fiance promising to protect her, she won a tiny piece of him.

This show works so well because it's so well done. The characters and their arc is just a masterpiece in this particular enemies-to-lovers trope.

I love getting into the character arcs and motivations and feelings. I think that's one reason I love asian dramas so much. They do that so well and really give the characters room to have all of that depth.

SAME! I haven't been this obsessed with a drama since....hmm, The Double? Or maybe clear back with Love Between Fairy and Devil. It was my first c-drama and already all out, but man, I stayed up until 5:30am more than once binging my way through that drama, lol.