WK1

Are you are a fan of Allen? Because if you are a fan of Reba, we would have seen you on the page of The Long Ballad. TBW has the same director as TLB. And, if you watch TLB, you would know that even Episode 1 was interesting and was big 'hook' for many viewers to continue watching the drama.

So, nothing for us to worry about. This director is a very experienced director, and very good in story telling. Everything will flow very smoothly.

At most, the gap between the two parts will be around 1-2 weeks.

CNY is just days away; we have known along, she will not announce anything till after the new year is over. So, just weeks to go, and we will know her next project.

Meanwhile, to fill the void, if you are keen to catch a slightly more mature romance drama, I found this one titled Because of Love (on MDL). Excellent acting by both the FL and ML. The FL acted in Joy of Life (she was the Princess, the sister of the emperor) and ML acted in Sword and Brocade. Drama is ending soon, so you can even binge it.

Yes, it is a lovely episode. Big steps toward reconciliation and healing. FL, ML and PP behaving like a family. When you watch E25& 26, you will be able to see where the drama is headed toward. Although only 4 episodes left, it should be fairly simple from here on.

After tonight's episodes, we know that the grandpa is in no medical conditions to continue with the custody battle. The ML has won over the FL's heart. They should be able to end this drama in a very happy note with the remaining episodes.

Yes, watching Cdramas is definitely a good way to learn about Chinese history and culture (while being entertained at the same time). In the same way, we also learn about Western culture, when we watch an American movie or drama.

Understanding both Western and Asian cultures can help us appreciate all kinds of dramas at a much deeper level.

A rather official looking poster was posted in Twitter, saying TBW will air in Feb. But, we have yet to see the new trailer. Since they avoided clashing with MTC thus far, they might do it all the way. And also avoid the biggest event in China from 4-20 Feb, which is the Winter Olympic Games.

Technically speaking, if they air on 28 Feb, it will still be counted as Feb.

The rumour that a new trailer will be out next week, if proven true, would be great. It will be during the Chinese New Year. Millions will watch that trailer, and get ready for TBW.

Yes, airing license already given for both parts, so, they already finished filming both parts. We mentioned this information on this page several times many weeks ago.

It will be terrible for PP. In the ideal world, he should have both parents with him. When he can experience the love of both of his parents all the time, he will likely grow up to be a better person.

He is dying soon. His resistance may weaken, and his attitude may change, when he knows that he does not have much time left. When he finally understands the the FL is not after money but truly loves his son, he will change.

The best possible solution is for the ML to marry the FL. Not sure if the story will be written to make that come true. That will be one way of ending the drama on a happy note.

Wow! Those are difficult questions that you asked, in your 2nd para. Let me give the best answers I can, and also say up front, I do not, for one moment, think that my answers are perfect.

First off, there are definitely cultural differences between Asian and Western cultures in terms of communication. It is well noted, Asians tend to speak less compared to Westerners, but tend to do more listening. May have to do the concept of 'face', being afraid of saying the wrong thing, and hence offend the other party. This may lead to characters in Chinese dramas clamping up, instead of explaining things, to avoid misunderstanding.

Furthermore, social status may also make a difference. When communicating, a person from a lower social status may well speak less. Next, there is hierarchical differences, like communication between a parent and a child. A child is supposed to speak less, out of respect for his/her parents. This may even happen, when the child is no longer young.

We see all of the above in action in this drama, how the FL and ML communicates with each other, how the FL communicates with the ML's father, and how the ML communicates with his father.

Next, you said, drama characters tend to be quick to say, "It's my fault, please punish me". This may arise due to the desire to preserve harmony. But, it may depend on the context. If you are watching historical dramas, then, this is expected behavior, when a subordinate speaks to a superior. Like when a minister speaks to the emperor. Even in modern Chinese dramas, this may still happen, as hierachical difference may still affect the way they communicate or allocate blame, should something go wrong. I suppose it is less pronouced compared to hundreds of years ago.

I am an overseas Chinese, with some understanding of cultural differences.

Yes, I think they did create complex characters, so that we could empathize with them. No harm to analyse what went wrong; it is all part of enjoyment in watching a drama. It deepens our viewing pleasure.

But, good for us to bear in mind, in Cdramas, it is usually very common for them to use lack of communication to create conflict between the leads. Without this, there would be no drama or the series will end in just 10 episodes. And so, they use all kinds of stuff to lengthen the series. Many plot devices are not new. But, so long as they are put together coherently, we will still get to enjoy it tremendously.

If we are not too vested in pinning too much blame on either of the leads, we might enjoy this drama less than we should.

Li Xiaoran and Wallace Chung have done an amazing job in portraying their respective characters. And many of the supporting cast members too.

Good acting can make a drama with ordinary or predictable storyline extraordinary.

I see some interesting debate going on between who is to blame for the way relationship between the ML and FL has turned out the way it is. I did not read the book; not sure if the screenwriter is the same as the author. But just as a viewer, and as we know from many real life experiences, it takes two parties to have a great relationship, and it takes two parties to tear up a good relationship.

Hence, not sure if we need to take sides who should take a greater share of the blame in this drama. The ML has his flaws and the FL her flaws. That is the way I see it. And the two of them will need to learn to overcome those flaws and find love or rediscover the original love they had for each other.

This is just a guess, but if the screenwriter wants them to have a happy ending, both characters will have to forget about the past, look beyond each other's flaws and embrace the future. Especially when they have a son; and the ML has a dying father.

When I googled using the Chinese characters you provided, it leads me to a Chinese drama in Douban. In English, the title is Prosecution Elite. But, the ML and FL already been tentatively decided, and the FL is not Dilraba.

But Prosecution Elite does not have an MDL page. To get to the MDL page, must use the title: Gong Su Jing Ying. If you go to the MDL page of Gong Su Jing Ying, you will see the same thing in Douban, and that is the ML and FL have already got the photo on that page, and Reba is not the FL.

However, this drama itself is also just a rumour. The MDL page does not provide much information at all.

Let me see if I can get anything on that drama

There are quite a number characters in this drama. They don't really need to provide closure for all. Without a doubt, the most important would be closure for the two leads, followed by those most closely related to them.

The awards just keep flowing in, almost non-stop.

I am enjoying this drama, every minute of it. Both the leads do very well. Their acting carried the drama, made the entire storyline believeable. People in their mid 30s and above, with kids, should be able to relate most to all the contents.

I am confident they will end it well, even though there are not many episodes left.

Remember our conversation about Lareina? Oh, about Reba and another drama, are you referring to the photo in Titania's link? The one that shows her in red, leaning on Yang Yang's arm? Not heard of that drama.