Had to work yesterday so will be catching up today. But I was just considering that in this story we have a 4 very different sibling pairs:
1. XY and CX of course: this is ultimately their story. I like how ep 1 of this season like the first begins with them. Two devoted to each other, sworn to look out for each other forever, but already something is different (in CX), things are brewing underneath that placid demeanor that CX tries hard to keep.
2. XY and A'Nian: recently rewatched S1 and revisited them completely at odds in the beginning. I love how their relationship grows and develops - can't wait to see more this season (I hope those moments from the novel are in here)
3. TSH and TSJ: in childhood, they were great together, but thanks to a terrible mother and grandmother, their fraught relationship is going to boil over this season into what I hope is a faithful retelling of what was so well told in the novel. Hou in trying to take everything he thinks Jing has or wants from him actually speaks volumes of his intense inferiority complex and hurt inflicted by his "mother"
4. Xinyue and FL: After watching S1 again, all those happy moments dancing under the stars makes me hurt for them (sort of - while I can empathize with what Xinyue goes through and fears since her childhood days, her actions in this season make me no fan of hers). Poor Fenglong.
I’m rewatching Season 1 right now and I’ve just realized that both Xiang Liu and Tushan Jing were most free…
Yeah, there's a lot of mirroring going on. This theme of identity and whether and how that defines someone plays out in interesting ways for each character. Jing would have loved to stay as YSQ but is forced to resume being TSJ; ultimately both become one identity after many trials. XL/FFB is such an interesting dichotomy. It's a painful moment when he declares to XY that FFB is dead. XY finds herself again but eventually discovers that she is not who she thinks she is (her real Dad being Chi Chen). Cang Xuan is forced to pretend to be different people (Mr. Xuan in Qingshui, a dissolute prince, etc), ultimately trying to become the most powerful version of himself to protect those he loves - but he may lose himself in the process.
Although he is not considered a male lead in terms of the amount of words Tong Hua has dedicated to him, in her…
Yes, truly a tragic character - not only in what happens to him but also in how he plans not to let anyone know what he did for them (e.g. saving TSJ via mermaids and XY's wedding gift).
True... I've always tried my best to engage and have met plenty of Jing fans who are honest about their experience…
Exactly, that’s the beauty of art, open to interpretation - even despite any author or creator’s original intention. ❤️ I enjoy reading your posts as well
No need to be sorry! Continue to post what you love about XL (I like him a lot as a character too), and I will continue to post what I love about Jing. ;)
I wouldn't say anything. But since they're talking about the negative points of xl. I also have to talk about…
Yes, it's often best to not engage lol. Especially if it's just mean stuff constantly thrown around - and believe me, having been around since S1, I seen the same stuff about various characters spat out ad nauseum. But I also believe that if someone says something I don't necessarily agree with about a character, there can be ways to respond that are respectful while still holding to a different viewpoint. I've always appreciated AH's posts, for instance - always bringing up direct quotes from the novel to consider.
I'm a big fan of all these characters - ALL of them. I may not in real life associate with any of them (heck, too much drama and pain), but as characters, they are truly well constructed and brought to life by an amazing cast. I rarely read the novels dramas are based on, but while watching S1, I really enjoyed reading Tong Hua's novel.
Being respectful of someone's differing opinion is hard online. I can post anything I want without anyone finding out who I am in real life. But words do mean something. If someone says something hurtful about a character I do actually like, do I retaliate and say something equally insulting about their favorite character? Life's too short lol. This may be a losing battle, but I'll try to continue to post on the main page and keep it positive overall.
In terms of his core personality/disposition, I would say no. But as far as him displaying more of his intelligence…
True, I think that S1 could have highlighted his strengths more. Without reading the novel, one might feel he comes off as a mopey lovesick puppy dog lol in S1, but I think there is also enough in the drama to infer things. His friends FL and Xinyue make comments that he is not the same as he was in the past. He is less confident and less sure of himself after Hou's cruel torture of him. I've said it before, but I see S1 as showing a damaged, humbled version of himself. If S2 follows the novel regarding Jing's story, he will gradually show more and more of his confidence and sharpness.
To me when reading the novel and watching the drama, I don't necessarily think it was only Jing's status that made him "great" prior to Hou's torture. Yes, he was sheltered, coddled even, but he was also kind and sharp. He really was skilled in the arts and in business. XL notes in the novel that he has been doing business with him for hundreds of years and knew he was not a weak fool.
So while he may not be the most exciting character, I believe he does go through a true character arc in this story - one of learning to regain himself wholly - not just family's wealth/status or a title (Qingqiu Master). He learns to be the best version of himself, I think. He gives his heart wholly to XY, the one person he cherishes and loves the most, and he supports CX not only for XY but also because he wants a world where everyone can live in peace. That is also why he seeks to resolve the issue with FFYY and Hou without killing them; he wants to break the cycle of hate and violence in his family (ahem, his horrible mother) for his young nephew's sake. A lot of this is told offhand in the novel as the focus is on XY and CX (as it should be).
Sorry I tend to get long with posts, but I just wanted to say my 2 cents regarding Jing.
Side note, I feel like Jing and XL have a very interesting dynamic in both the drama and novel - it's too bad that there isn't more of it, I would love to see them interact more.
In terms of his core personality/disposition, I would say no. But as far as him displaying more of his intelligence…
I know, it was hard to watch in S1, and where it ended didn't help because at that point, TSJ is probably at his lowest. S2 will definitely complete his story and character arc. The novel was pretty perfect in my opinion as far as how his story works out (actually a few of my favorite moments in the novel are between FFYY and TSJ when she really sees him for who he is and recognizes that his kindness is not a weakness but his strength). I really hope the drama doesn't mess it up lol. I'm already nervous about the changes it may have taken with XL and CX's characters.
Does Tushan Jing’s character have some development in terms of personality in this season. I’m biased towards…
In terms of his core personality/disposition, I would say no. But as far as him displaying more of his intelligence and getting things done, I would have to disagree and say that in the latter parts of the novel, he certainly does show these more. Along with XY's help, he finally sorts out FFYY and TSH's schemes and deals with them - in his own Jing-like way (he doesn't have them killed). Not sure how much more you'd like to know as far as spoilers from the novel, but like Kokuto said, the drama may take a different approach.
1. XY and CX of course: this is ultimately their story. I like how ep 1 of this season like the first begins with them. Two devoted to each other, sworn to look out for each other forever, but already something is different (in CX), things are brewing underneath that placid demeanor that CX tries hard to keep.
2. XY and A'Nian: recently rewatched S1 and revisited them completely at odds in the beginning. I love how their relationship grows and develops - can't wait to see more this season (I hope those moments from the novel are in here)
3. TSH and TSJ: in childhood, they were great together, but thanks to a terrible mother and grandmother, their fraught relationship is going to boil over this season into what I hope is a faithful retelling of what was so well told in the novel. Hou in trying to take everything he thinks Jing has or wants from him actually speaks volumes of his intense inferiority complex and hurt inflicted by his "mother"
4. Xinyue and FL: After watching S1 again, all those happy moments dancing under the stars makes me hurt for them (sort of - while I can empathize with what Xinyue goes through and fears since her childhood days, her actions in this season make me no fan of hers). Poor Fenglong.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0hgu7aR2L8&list=PLMX26aiIvX5q8svyEtXLgKLY-mbhRhXeN&index=3
Being respectful of someone's differing opinion is hard online. I can post anything I want without anyone finding out who I am in real life. But words do mean something. If someone says something hurtful about a character I do actually like, do I retaliate and say something equally insulting about their favorite character? Life's too short lol. This may be a losing battle, but I'll try to continue to post on the main page and keep it positive overall.
To me when reading the novel and watching the drama, I don't necessarily think it was only Jing's status that made him "great" prior to Hou's torture. Yes, he was sheltered, coddled even, but he was also kind and sharp. He really was skilled in the arts and in business. XL notes in the novel that he has been doing business with him for hundreds of years and knew he was not a weak fool.
So while he may not be the most exciting character, I believe he does go through a true character arc in this story - one of learning to regain himself wholly - not just family's wealth/status or a title (Qingqiu Master). He learns to be the best version of himself, I think. He gives his heart wholly to XY, the one person he cherishes and loves the most, and he supports CX not only for XY but also because he wants a world where everyone can live in peace. That is also why he seeks to resolve the issue with FFYY and Hou without killing them; he wants to break the cycle of hate and violence in his family (ahem, his horrible mother) for his young nephew's sake. A lot of this is told offhand in the novel as the focus is on XY and CX (as it should be).
Sorry I tend to get long with posts, but I just wanted to say my 2 cents regarding Jing.
Side note, I feel like Jing and XL have a very interesting dynamic in both the drama and novel - it's too bad that there isn't more of it, I would love to see them interact more.