Taz-mania

Watched the first episode without subs (can for the most part follow what's happening since I've read the novel that it's based on). Liked the first episode and am hoping they follow the novel instead of the Chinese drama as I liked the novel's storyline better. Too bad that it appears no one is subbing this drama but then a lot of the Thai subbers (like Muse) have unfortunately quit subbing.

Started watching because the intro reminded me of Skate Into Love. So far, I'm not finding it as good.

The novel Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert) by Tong Hua is fully translated. I thought the drama closely followed the novel.

https://www.novelupdates.com/series/ballad-of-the-desert/
http://koalasplayground.com/recapped-dramas/

Does this drama have 41 or 42 episodes? Or 2 different versions?

I hate "noble idiocy" so one of the things I loved about Sound of the Desert was that Jiu Ye paid for being a "noble idiot". Of course, I was rooting for Wu Ji the entire time (as who doesn't love a relentless, unwaveringly devoted, completely possessive hero...) It is my understanding that Wu Ji was loosely based on the famous Han Dynasty general Huo Qubing who lived from 140 BC to 117 BC, dying at age 23 (if you've seen the drama, this explains the deus ex machina that occurs in the final episode). The drama did follow the novel that it was based upon pretty closely (and the male lead is named Huo Qubing in the novel, but changed in the drama probably to clear the censors). I enjoyed the drama and would recommend it.

Unfortunately, the censors did a hatch job on Arsenal Military Academy and chopped off at least 90 minutes of the drama, including a lot of the leads interactions (guess the leads kissing military uniform is a big no-no...).

Several novel to drama adaptions feature the novel's writer as the drama's screenwriter. Writers Gu Man (Love O2O, You Are My Glory, Boss and Me, My Sunshine) and Mo Bao Fei Bao (Go Go Squid) have both served as the scriptwriter when their novels have been adapted to dramas and therefore these dramas for the most part follow the novel on which they are based.

Great article!

My top 10 favorite c-dramas are:
You Are My Glory
You Are My Hero
Love Is Sweet
Eternal Love/3 Lives 3 Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms
Skate Into Love
The Legends
Go Go Squid
General and I
Love O2O
The Long Ballad

While watching episode 14, I noticed that in addition to getting a fashion makeover, the female lead also got a personality transplant. No more braying laugh or other over the top behaviors. So I guess her "new" personality is how she was when the male lead first met her in grade school. Not sure why the male lead or the second male lead both fell for the "caricature" version of the female lead we were subjected to during episodes 1 through 13.

Also, not sure about the female leads wishy-washy attitude towards admitting to the male leads that she is his childhood friend. She goes dying to tell him to denying who she is once he's figured it out. Seems like filler to stretch out the episodes.

I agree. Of the versions I've watched this version has my favorite lead couple and the best Anson. Last 10 episode were very angsty. Not surprising but I hated Anna and how in most versions including this one the male lead just lets her continually pursue him – for 3 years no less. She had no character growth during the entire drama as she never ever considered anyone but herself and what she wanted. Ultimately, the only reason the lead couple reconciled was because Dylan told the male lead the horrible thing she had done (with her protesting all the way). Dylan even lied and took the blame for her actions. Can’t believe such a nasty person was invited to their wedding.

Is the Turkish version subbed in English?

The storyline is consistent with the other 3 versions. I don't like it as well as the Japanese version as the female lead is way too exaggerated and screechy. I'm also not finding the second male lead in this version to be as fun as Choi Si Won of the Korean version where I definitely had second lead syndrome.

Yes, the Thai version is currently airing (so far 6 of 16 episodes have aired). The name of the Thai version is "Me Always You". Storyline is consistent with the other versions.

Kinda surprising that this drama's rating is lower than the other versions as I thought the female lead wasn't as screechy and exaggerated and with the fewer episodes the male lead being unlikable wasn't as stretched out.

I'm at episode 6 and the female lead is so exaggerated that you are left scratching your head as to why anyone let alone 2 men would fall in love with her, especially given her snorting laugh and screechy voice. She appears to be a completely different person from her childhood self so its no wonder that the male lead can't recognize her.

She is the best of the 4 different versions - her character is too over the top in the Korean and Thai versions.

My favorite remains Choi Si Won as Kim Shin Hyuk. I definitely had second male lead syndrome when I watch the Korean version years ago.

Yes, this one is way better than the other 3 versions. I hated the male lead in the Korean version and was firmly rooting for the second male lead. I never had second male lead syndrome in the Japanese version. Since it's shorter (just 10 episodes) it didn't drag out male lead being nasty to female lead like in the other versions. The shorter version also eliminated any filler.

And he looks years older than the female lead

Surprising that this currently has the same rating as the Japanese version, as I think the Japanese version is worlds better. The Japanese version has the best female lead of all the versions, and also the best male lead. Also, had second male lead syndrome with the Korean version (hated the male lead in that version) but not with Japanese version.