WK1

Birdlady and Lili, we just leave this person alone. We do not know this person's intent. This is free space. Let this person say whatever he/she wants to say. We do not need to respond. It is needless and endless conversation that is just taking up our time and energy. There are much better things we can do.

For me, even re-watching the all the first 6 episodes is a better use of my time.

Exactly! Why are we even having this conversation, at this point in time??? Those who understand Mandarin, just watch and enjoy the drama. Those who don't, just wait.

What good will this kind of consersation do, at this point in time? It is not as if we can do anything to help Youku.

I am just scratching my head.

Sure. They all do that. They will not want to waste money. But, word of mouth will get around. More will be downloading the app. Going from 35 to 7 in just two days, that is already a big big jump!

But this is a web series in China! So, it is fair to compare using the web series.

Maybe not the first two episodes; by the time I finished watching E5-E6, I already have this feeling, this drama will do well in China. This director can be trusted to deliver. All the cast acted very well. Great CGI. So, I am not surprised that they have number 1.

I think it may have to do with species and statuses. Yun He and Changyi are different species and also different status. Haoqin and that lady, different status as well. And that third couple, cannot remember their names, also different status.

Correct

Not only that, they are quite far ahead of number 2.

Oh, that is to test if two parties love each other. If they do, the two drops of blood will coalesce into one. If I am not mistaken, as long as at least one party loves the other, the two drops will coalesce.

Over time, all the costume and hairdo designers just got better and better in learning how to dress her up. She is 'looking' more and more like a Han Chinese, and less an Uyghur. I think they have learned how to deal with her unique facial features.

Her fellow Uyghur, Guli Nazha, has a more naturally Han Chinese look. And Nazha is also very beautiful. But acting wise, Reba is now far ahead of Nazha. Same for doing commercials, Reba has far more endorsement deals. I do not know what is Nezha's personality like, but Reba is bubbly, cheerful, honest, humble. and she speaks perfect Mandarin. It is no surprise that product owners flock to her, like bees to sweet nectar.

It looks like they were all having a great time, really enjoying the filming process!

Yes, that is confirmed. For Part 1, only 22 eps. The pace is reasonably fast. Very little unnecessary time spent in unimportant dialogues. Should be enough for Part 1. Part 2 will come after this. Likely 2 weeks after the ending of Part 1.

There will be a short gap. How big is the gap? We do not know at this moment. But, it will not be too long a gap. At most about 2 weeks.

I do believe they were under pressure to release this in China, before they were ready for the international market. I have said this before, and will say it again, it likely has to do with their long pipeline of dramas, all waiting to air. They need to set this one off, once the CGI and dubbing are all done.

Now that they are off the gate in China, they are working on the Eng sub for the international market.

They are simply satisfying one market at a time. If all goes well, and I think it will, TBW will do well in China and overseas. Just that right now, overseas viewers are a little frustrated (for good reasons). We just need to wait.

I will say this, if you like fantasy drama, you will like TBW. It has all the elements of a top class fantasy drama.

I will admit, it is a often-used ML trope. We have seen it in countless of dramas. But, what is interesting is that the ML is a merman, not an ordinary human, certainly not the same species as the FL. Hence, the way he has to make sacrifices will be completely different from what we have seen in other dramas. I do not want to give you too much details, because, if I do, I will spoil your fun of watching it.

And, I do suspect, the sacrificing may not be one way. I think Reba's character may need to do some sacrficing also. Not now, but later on in the series.

Isn't it nice to see her play a character like this?? Beginning with cheeky, playful, manipulative and morphing to caring and loving in the end??

It sure looks that way, at the beginning. But, I am already at E6. And I can see that her attitude toward him has already changed. What started as manipulative is slowly changing to love. I am sure the director and screenwriter are constructing the drama this way. And it suits Dilraba just fine!! She has not played a manipulative character before, I think. This is her chance at trying it. And she is doing a very good job!

I think they have more time with LOA. That one does not have any CGI at all. Only some light special effects. For TBW, judging from the already aired 6 episodes that I watched in raw, I think they spent lots of time on the CGI. It is really top class.

The best promo for the drama right now, is the drama itself. Once it does well, word of mouth will get around in China. And in social media. Nothing to worry about.