Sorry about my french being almost non-existent, so I can't reply you as I want to.
I once shared three classical mandarin literary texts here that WoF references for the sonic techniques and the themes of Buddhism plus Taoism and especially Confucianism, which will give you a good idea of how strong the wuxia themes are and why there is an emphasis on brotherhood:
Why I say Tang Lici is worth psycho-analysing? I'll explain some distinctions between novel-Tang Lici and drama-Tang Lici. Novel Tang-Lici is more volatile, more emotionally crippled, and has the traits of arrogance mixed with a vulnerability that he allows almost nobody to get close to.
Teng Ping wrote a fascinating, beautiful and bizarre novel with an interesting protagonist that she eventually abandoned and left unfinished for more than 10 years, until it was very loosely adapted to become "Whispers Of Fate". As to why, I'm not speculating but it doesn't help that instead of the Celestial Realm, in the novel Tang Lici and Liu Yan once belonged to a boy band named "Bronze Flute" from the future.
Tang Lici is deeply attached to the friends he knew when he was in the boy band. Fu Zhumei plays a bigger role in the novel than the drama, where drama-Fu Zhumei is more of a cameo.
Across the first twenty-five chapters of the novel. Tang Lici is very much a lone wolf but also a loose cannon of sorts.
In the drama, this is better diluted because of the intelligent storytelling allowing for this dilution to be natural. 'Whispers of Fate' made Tang Lici more emotionally healthy than novel-Tang Lici, which is why Tang Lici's resolute independence of doing things his way in the drama is more convincingly centered in being mostly-emotionally secure in himself rather than seeking a specific person to love and understand him.
The desperation that drove Tang Lici to do things for the pugilistic world in the novel is better-balanced in the drama because not only does he make new friends and the drama shows he is well-supported by new friends, he meets his mother.
In the novel, A-Shui couldn't understand why Tang Lici could be protective of her, but somehow there was something missing. Wanyu Yuedan is a calming influence on Tang Lici, and he fills in the missing pieces of Tang Lici's inspirations and one of Tang Lici's greatest obsessions. It is because Wanyu Yuedan points out the one person Tang Lici desires more than anybody else, hence A-Shui's hopes and assumptions are thoroughly crushed.
Tang Lici wanted to believe what Fang Zhou taught, but coming to terms with certain beliefs was very difficult for him. Not growing up with a reliable mother figure tends to lead to poorer emotional regulation plus trust issues. While I was watching the drama, I picked up on his emotional growth as equivalent to an adolescent when Fang Zhou died, within the first five episodes. By the time of the drama in episode 1, I saw Tang Lici as the equivalent of an emotional teenager even if he is an adult man.
I believe I did not read Tang Lici wrongly because when I was dissecting Tang Lici and Puzhu for episodes 8 to 12, Puzhu's scenes near the end of episode 36 had me amused that my earlier dissections also partially tongue-in-cheek appeared to be on-point.
Wanyu Yuedan is crucial to understanding Tang Lici. From Book 4, Chapter 40 (part 3):
[ “Be at ease. Master Tang has already gone.” Wanyu Yuedan bent low, clasping her hand with a steady, reassuring smile.
Ah Shui froze. At those words, the world seemed to reel around her. “He… he’s already gone?”
Wanyu Yuedan inclined his head. “As soon as he awoke and learned you had led Brother Shen and Zhu Yan to storm Wangting Manor, he set out at once. Do not fear. With Master Tang there, none will come to harm.”
She stared at him.
“But… his health…” Her voice trembled.
Wanyu Yuedan raised a finger and traced a small circle beside his temple, still smiling gently. “It was merely agitation. I gave him a calming draught, and he drank the rice soup you made. Already he is better than before. Rest assured, when Master Tang is present, he will never allow anyone to be hurt. He is the kind of man who will stake his very life for others. And with his ability… tell me, what can he not achieve, once he throws his life into it?”
Ah Shui gazed at Wanyu Yuedan in a daze. How could he speak with such certainty—so matter-of-factly—when he said that Tang Lici was the kind of man who will stake his life for others?
“He…”
Wanyu Yuedan drew out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the mud and melted snow from her face. His voice was gentle as he went on,”I once knew another man who would risk his life for those who had nothing to do with him. He did so out of compassion. He was kind to everyone, wished happiness for all, and for that ideal he was willing to stake his life. A man like that is easy to love, easy to praise.
“But Young Master Tang is not like that. He risks his life for others not because of compassion, but because he is fragile.”
Ah Shui blinked slowly. Meltwater pooled at the corners of her eyes, turning everything into a blur. She heard Wanyu Yuedan’s voice, gentle as falling snow:
“He is too lonely, too starved for care. That is why he throws himself into saving others. Through saving them… he gains a sliver of fulfillment, a sense that he matters. He could not let go of Fang Zhou, nor of Liu Yan, and he fought desperately to save Chi Yun—because so few have ever truly cared for him. The ones who do, he engraves upon his heart, and he cannot bear to let them slip away.
“But few truly understand him. His emotions flare too fiercely, and most people are afraid of him. He always seems as though he alone can shoulder the work of dozens, even hundreds. As though if he exists, others need not. Yet the truth is otherwise. He is only too lonely. He needs that lofty posture… because he longs so desperately to be cared for, to be valued. He cannot live as ordinary men do.”
I… I have been so foolish all along. Tears slid down Ah Shui’s cheeks. “Yes…”
Wanyu Yuedan sighed softly. “I will say something I perhaps should not. Miss Ah Shui, you cannot go on without truly understanding Master Tang. I believe the reason he clings to you is not for any other cause, but because you… you carry within you something of a mother’s presence.”
Once again, tears spilled from Ah Shui’s eyes. She could no longer tell whether they were caused by snowmelt or sadness.
“I understand now.”
This gentle young man, seeing her for the first time, seemed able to pierce through every veil of mist. At last she understood what Tang Lici sought from her. At last she understood why he yearned for a love that would “die for him.” At last she understood why, though he treated her so well, she had never felt he loved her—and why did it always left her so disappointed.
So…
So that was it.
Only that, and nothing more.
She broke down and wept, collapsing to the ground in anguish. He had wanted only a mother who would die for him. And she—she had mistaken it all along.
She could never be his mother. And though she had cared for him with all her heart, still… still… what he longed for was only a mother, nothing else, nothing beyond.
If you know all the above, episodes 30 to 40 become a lot clearer, in terms of interpreting drama-Tang Lici's actions and decisions.
Novel-Tang Lici also does things I don't approve of, including choosing to hurl A-Shui into harm's way at one point later in the novel to protect Liu Yan and hence be greatly injured instead of Liu Yan. Anybody who wants to justify drama-Tang Lici or novel-Tang Lici for A-Shui based on the novel has something very wrong with them morally and mentally, if they do so.
Drama-Tang Lici doesn't do any of the above. Luckily 'Whispers of Fate' isn't set in the modern era because if a random woman plants her lips on an unconscious man's mouth without his consent, A-Shui could be viewed as sexually assaulting Tang Lici. Losing her memories is not a justification for doing so.
The only reason why this even happened (where I once pointed out in one of my episode summaries how A-Shui was intelligent in not letting Hong-guniang realise what her blood could do for Tang Lici, hence fed him blood from her lips)... is because A-Shui was unable to prevent herself from being kidnapped and Tang Lici had to go and save her, hence putting himself in danger and further exhausting himself.
He's been in continuous significant pain for four years. Nobody picked up on that, except Wanyu Yuedan.
And if we want to consider any kind of romance between Tang Lici and any female characters, he gave Zhong Chunji a wooden carving very early on. He also gave A-Shui a wooden carving in episode 29, in which he also explained why he can finish wooden carvings to Shui Duopo. For those who don't remember, Chi Yun told Zhong Chunji in Tang Lici's presence during episode 2 or 3 why Tang Lici carves people in wood. Tang Lici didn't say anything while listening, which doesn't mean he agrees with Chi Yun's explanation.
But in episode 29, he made it clear to Shui Duopo that he could finally finish carving Fang Zhou's likeness because he is ready to say goodbye. A wooden carving is Tang Lici's way of not verbalising that he is ready to say goodbye to someone. He chose not to explain this to anyone else (not even Chi Yun) except Shui Duopo.
Tang Lici is definitely hostile to Xifang Tao over what happens with Chi Yun, just like in the novel. We've got no romance possibilities left, since it is too easy to classify drama-Zhong Chunji's feelings and drama-A-Shui's feelings as one-sided for Tang Lici. Tang Lici knelt to Shui Duopo in episode 29, for the sake of Fang Zhou.
In the drama, Shui Duopo is the only female Tang Lici never has to save, help or mentor. Shui Duopo also has no ulterior motives or designs on him. Tang Lici's mother never had any ulterior motives or designs on Tang Lici, but Tang Lici had to save her.
Shui Duopo's 'closeness' to Tang Lici is that of two individuals not truly seeking someone else to understand them. Two stars comfortable in their own orbit, despite their own scars. They each value their own secrets. They can see someone for who they are. Shui Duopo has made it very clear in her silences that she will only share what she wants to. She is also a physician. But he wouldn't have to disclose anything to her just because she is a physician. It is because she has shown she can be reasoned with and can change, she is logically intelligent, and she possesses a childlike frankness balanced with mature diplomatic compassion he feels comfortable with. And that is why Tang Lici can disclose what he did with Shui Duopo about Fang Zhou or himself, which he did not do with any other female characters in the drama. In a way, Shui Duopo is a healthier mirror of him.
Note that in all my evaluations, I do not consider any romantic possibilities between Shui Duopo and Tang Lici but if I ever had to pick one of the female characters for drama-Tang Lici (whom I don't think should ever be paired with anyone romance-wise), Shui Duopo's characterisation is healthiest. Plus I'm more interested in her friendship with Xue Xianzi XD I want Shui Duopo and Xue Xianzi in a short drama xianxia parody. I don't want Shui Duopo in a short drama or any drama with anybody else.
Novel-Tang Lici doesn't want to be psycho-analysed even if he wants someone to talk to that will not judge him in whatever he might disclose, and thus feel understood. Drama-Tang Lici has people willing to talk to him if he wants to, but he eventually sees no need to do so because he knows what decisions to make.
Shui Duopo claimed she wasn't interested in the Celestial Realm in episode 26, and Tang Lici respected her claim. He then tells Zhong Chunji in episode 29 about the Celestial Realm because he wants her to understand he doesn't truly realise what love is, as per the love she seeks in her definition of romantic love.
Drama-Tang Lici is worth psycho-analysing because somewhere in this mix of how he values his relationships with four men for various different reasons, he's also managed to become a teacher to Xiao Shi and understand sacrifice not as the sacrificial womb which his mother once chose to be able to give birth to him, but to sacrifice himself with the noble intentions of a woman choosing to risk giving birth for the sake of everyone else because he had lived a rich life without regrets. And he also recognises the value and wholeness of himself, in doing so. His sacrifice is born of contentment, compassion, completion as an individual, and complete love.
Interesting that he could understand his mother despite only meeting her for such a short time, to then embody compassion and unconditional love completely. Masculine defers and morphs to feminine, to birth a beautiful ending of second chances for everyone else. And he also returns after breaking the cycle of reincarnation for himself in the form of a white fox who cultivates to become a dragon, as per the literary tale in "Taiping Guangji".
It’s been ages since I’ve seen a true Hong Kong–flair Wuxia film, and this one feels like a real deal. The…
You're welcome :D This is the wuxia movie many of us have been eagerly anticipating (especially those who are aware of Shaw Brother movies)! Even though we have lost two Dragons of Chinese Cinema, the future is bright because there are definitely potential dragons in the cast of this movie.
Chen Lijun is a Yue Opera veteran of almost two decades, since she started at the age of 13.
In another comment because someone respectfully praised Chen Lijun, I expanded on Chen Lijun as an actress to watch, and why Yuen Woo-ping would recognise the importance of Chinese opera in the background of an actor or actress (especially for wuxia in a movie), because of his own father Yuen Siu-tien's strong background as a veteran in Peking Opera combined with martial arts before venturing into black-and-white cantonese movies: https://kisskh.at/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-25038804
Chen Lijun had 11 days to learn and shoot the scenes, it happened during the middle of her national tour with…
Chen Lijun is very awesome. She and Li Yunxiao have mesmerising different stage presences due to also continuing an important tradition that Director Yuen Woo-ping understands only too well, because of his father Yuen Siu-tien.
Yuen Siu-tien was mentor and teacher to Jackie Chan. Yuen Siu-tien was also the pioneer of comedic kungfu in HK cinema, which his son Yuen Woo-ping further modernised.
Yuen Siu-tien was already a veteran of Peking opera whereby he grew up mastering its rigorous traditions since the age of six and the role of wusheng, plus honed a strong foundation in martial arts, before starting a film career in early black-and-white Cantonese movies. Yuen Woo-ping learned martial arts from his father, and six of Yuen Siu-tien's children entered the HK film industry in various aspects.
Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao have gained fame and admiration as Yue opera actresses reviving Yue opera amongst younger generations within China, which is another traditional form of Chinese opera. Chinese opera experience enables an individual to master precious skills that will translate well into film, including how to move and conduct yourself on a stage.
Chen Lijun is very humble. She has expressed her views that the quality of performance from an actor or actress on stage has nothing to do with fame. The ability to perform will depend on the extent of respect and awe for the stage, and how one defines your performance. Always revere the stage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKaPy5ERWBE
And here she is, solo in 'Ride The Wind' on MangoTV within less than 2 minutes akin to a captivating stage drama to convey one heck of a performance, as per the official Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF8hbIFgmJk
As a veteran of Yue opera which she learned since she was 13 and now has almost two decades of experience, she will be perfect as A Yu Ya in 'Blades of The Guardians' :D
As excitement builds amongst fans of different generations about Jet Li, Wu Jing, Sammo Hung, Kara Wai, Zhang Jin, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Yushi, Ci Sha, Li Yunxiao, Chen Lijun, Jun, Win Win, and other actors and actresses being in this movie- Cinemas and article writers have also been enthusiastic in numerous articles expressing their respect for all the hard work from cast and crew, especially the world’s most-revered martial arts director Yuen Woo-ping who specifically wanted Jet Li to be in “Blades Of The Guardians”.
hk01.com shared in one of their articles titled “李连杰《镖人：风起大漠》甘愿做绿叶完成袁和平80岁梦想“:
As per the article above, Jet Li shared that Yuen Woo-ping was already 80- years-old and had sought out Jet Li, hoping he would take part in one more wuxia movie. Wu Jing also chimed in, so how could Jet Li say no to an elder who is also a world-famous martial arts instructor previously treating him as kindly as his own legendary wushu master Wu Bin? How could Jet Li refuse his fellow martial arts brother who had also trained under Wu Bin? Jet Li was eager to repay 八爷 and work with Wu Jing, hence he happily participated in "Blades of The Guardians”.
GSC Movies is a major film distributor in Malaysia, and their description for ‘Blades of The Guardians’ begins with, “The film brings together four generations of wuxia talent, showcasing intense action sequences—from horseback chases to close-quarters combat—with every punch and kick exuding a sharp, dynamic quality….”- https://www.gscmovies.com.my/blades-of-the-guardians/
Henderson Pictures shared BTS from ‘Blades Of The Guardians’ with a clarion call stating, “江湖相聚，只为武侠梦!!” ie The (pugilistic) world gathers, only for the wuxia dream!! - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1510089280735804
Henderson Pictures describes itself in mandarin as a film production and promotion entity. Focus is on providing information on film and television production, planning, investment, and publicity projects in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, as well as providing excellent production teams in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, while also providing ground support and other services.
Intercontinental Pictures is a major film distributor in Hong Kong, and their description sharing the official Youtube trailer starts with “四代武俠人齊聚，喚醒三代人的共同記憶!” ie Four Generations of Wuxia Talents have gathered to rouse the collective memories of Three Generations! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGL37amyjKc
The trailer shared by Intercontinental Pictures includes additional details, which the trailer posted by film distributors of other countries do not have.
Anybody who is a wuxia aficionado will automatically recognise Yuen Woo-ping as the oldest and most-respected of wuxia veterans in the entertainment world. Hence the first article I put together for MDL also shares the same sentiments as Wu Jing, beginning with “Four films have been officially announced for the upcoming Lunar New Year period. Blades of the Guardians is one of these films attracting a lot of attention for China’s Spring Festival box office showdown. A trailer and more information have been released, whereby Wu Jing can be seen in several promotional videos emphasising a collaborative martial arts feast created by five generations…”
If you have more clips or details to share about Li Yunxiao and Chen Lijun here for the movie, do so :D
I'd say this movie is going to be a great showcase of how older and younger stars demonstrate their acting chops plus martial arts training across various stages. A lot of stunt training, equestrian training, honing of wire work and other details were insisted upon by Yuen Woo-ping. It was originally supposed to be billed as "the reunion of the three great masters" of Jet Li, Wu Jing and Nicholas Tse.
Our beloved 八爷 is already 80-years-old and he told Jet Li he wanted to make one more movie, plus Wu Jing also told Jet Li he wanted to produce this movie. The rest is history. If someone is so ignorant that they are on this page insulting the choice of casting (Wu Jing would definitely defer to Yuen Woo-ping where applicable, such as with Jet Li), it just goes to show what type of person is behind that account, in talking rubbish.
Over the recent years, MDL has been plagued by multiple troll accounts xenophobic against anything from Korea or China. These accounts try to hide their racist tendencies by insulting any or all of the following: The producer, director, actors, looks of the actresses. They also insult the viewers curious or enthusiastic about a movie or drama, with the intentions of driving people off a page.
They sometimes pretend to understand mandarin or hangeul and post aggressively to try to mislead other viewers into believing they know what they are talking about as they trash a drama or movie and various members of the cast or crew, but give themselves away because it is impossible to use a translating machine for everything. The best hilarity is when they rely on chatGPT or Deepseek or something similar to publicly "educate" others about wuxia or the pugilistic world, hence anyone who understands the literary genre known as "wuxia" nowadays literally 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣at how many things they get wrong.
That is why their comments are usually ignored by other MDL users on a drama page, and these trolls sometimes hide their older comments under spoiler tags.
I’m stopping at ep 5 today… God this is goooodddd!
It's a story that is great if you enjoy seeing the weaving of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, friendships galore, and a strong ML with personal philosophical issues while centered around the pugilistic world and foes he must combat.
Not awesome for CP-worshippers with no CP for Luo Yunxi, and not satisfactory for people seeking:
1) A ML whose development starts out weak and must cultivate to become strong.
2) A ML who needs romance and will lose his character for romance.
3) A ML who can only have special chemistry with one woman. Just like the novel, drama-Tang Lici has chemistry with everyone (males and females), including multiple women and men.
That's why after so many weeks of the drama airing, some viewer accounts are still stuck on episodes 20, 21 or 25 and cannot watch further because of all the reasons above. Others have started watching for the third time, while I've only watched it twice.
This is going to be a lot of fun! Here's the official IQiyi wrapping special for this drama, finally posted on…
Wang Churan and Cheng Lei have amazing chemistry. Cheng Lei has always had a wickedly apt sense of humour and comic timing, which he can finally let loose in this drama. And Wang Churan can also showcase her comic abilities. What a perfect combo!
But before that, here's one awesome BTS FMV short that will simultaneously showcase and melt what I'm referring to, of our two spectacularly enchanting leads: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vxeBkReuj4E
This is going to be a lot of fun! Here's the official IQiyi wrapping special for this drama, finally posted on their Youtube channel less than two hours ago (where they finally included English subs because when it was available much earlier than this on weibo = no subs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmFY_lEXc5g
Thank you for the wonderful article, Cryssy and Xiang!
You're welcome :) I've shared a link to the character posters in a reply at the top, and I will also share certain different posters with you plus other details about production: https://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_32417132
Am so looking forward to this! That trailer was action-packed! Thanks for the article. It is very detailed and…
Glad you enjoyed the write-up! If you want to see gorgeously vivid character posters of this movie that comprises 30 hard-core martial arts heroes, they can be found at this link:
This movie is opportune to boost the industry and encourage more talent in this area. Jet Li and Wu Jing trained under the legendary wushu master Wu Bin, and I believe Wu Bin would want to watch this movie (to enjoy more than evaluating his former students squaring off against each other in a duel)!
Allegations, and apparently the same reporter who tried to attack KSH last time with those rumors. I think it’s…
Thank you for your input, which adds some clarity. My initial thoughts were, "Who is this chap taking up space on the news in Mandarin and English? Is it because of Fantagio again?"
Former NTS investigator Moon Bo Ra (formerly working at the Seoul Regional Tax Office) gave her views on CEW's massive tax scandal here more than 10 days ago, which includes her alluding to Fantagio as the main target and CEW also entangled as, "A net cast to catch a big fish ended up catching another large one. Tax audits aren’t something you can avoid just by being careful—if the tail is long, it’s bound to be stepped on": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CVBBNAagIU
I haven't formed any opinion about KSH, just bewildered as to what is happening in this situation. Also an education in how fast news can travel and become officially shared in different languages, in our intensive-tech-connected world today. And also wondering about the allegations of corporate card use and payment of family benefits. Will just wait and see.
Allegations, and apparently the same reporter who tried to attack KSH last time with those rumors. I think it’s…
Then perhaps someone should share a detailed example of a previous article by that same reporter, so readers can determine this reporter is not legit. This latest article about KSH from the reporter has already been referenced as news and published in media outlets of other countries. Articles in English have surfaced on Gulf News, Channel News Asia, Times of India and Mint. Articles in other languages such as Mandarin about KSH on this matter are also numerous.
Fantagio's stock plunged more than 7% in early trading today, after successive tax evasion allegations involving Cha Eun Woo and yesterday's news.
Quoting: [ Kim founded a theatrical production company and registered the business under his home address in Yongsan District, central Seoul, in January 2024, media outlet Sports Kyunghyang first reported on Sunday.
Kim's parents reportedly received wages as the company's internal director and auditor and used corporate credit cards for personal expenses. Under Korean law, the private use of corporate funds may constitute criminal offenses such as embezzlement or breach of trust.
Kim's father also allegedly registered his vehicle under the company, allowing related costs to be treated as corporate expenses and potentially reducing the firm's tax liabilities, Sports Kyunghyang reported. ] - Given how Kim Ju-yeon is writing the article for KJAD, are these confirmed facts? Or allegations?
I need to watch it for Ding Yuxi but is it really worth watching?Heard it's really good but the rating says something…
Love in Pavilion has one unique trait for a C-drama: All the characters including the supporting cast will touch you, because the actors and actresses do a good job with their individual roles. It's a character-driven drama based on the donghua and of the three dramas, is the most faithful to the donghua hence the main plot appears relatively straightforward. The depth and quirks and longing of the characters are fleshed out well. Even the villains will make you feel for them. I could feel and remember every character, and that's unique for a drama. Watch until 24:18 of episode 31, and that's a good place to stop, as they all gather to prepare for something.
Of course Shui Duopo wasn't close to Tang Lici at the beginning.
He reminded her of Yique Yin Yang, who destroyed her home and murdered all her people and family, leaving her as the only survivor. She wanted Tang Lici to be trapped in the Precious Mirror Mountain and never return. But he returned. And in their exchange of bluntness that had her reconsidering certain matters, she finally agreed to make him three pills.
He confided his deepest wishes to her, of what he wanted her to tell Fang Zhou and that he would be sacrificing himself. He did not reveal this to anybody else. He also never carved any wooden figure of her, to give to her. He gave her a wooden figure for Fang Zhou, so she could say goodbye to Fang Zhou for him. Whenever he carves a wooden figure of someone, he is ready to say goodbye to them (which is what he revealed to Shui Duopo in episode 29). He gave one to Zhong Chunji very early on in the drama, and he also gave one to A-Shui in episode 29.
Only when Shen Langhun guessed Tang Lici wanted to sacrifice himself for Fang Zhou and said so, Chi Yun got upset at realising what Tang Lici had concealed from them. Even then, what Tang Lici said about Fang Zhou to Shui Duopo was not shared to anyone else.
When Tang Lici asked Shui Duopo to conceal the truth of his condition from everyone else, she did so in the next instance when his disciple Xiao Shi interrupted their space. She has kept his confidence. He's never mentored her or had to save her, as he did with Zhong Chunji and A-Shui.
What is closeness? Tang Lici has spoken of his life in the Celestial Realm to Zhong Chunji in episode 29, to make her understand where he is coming from before he rejects her. He has also had a significant exchange with her in episode 37, all of which is to help her understand certain matters and context for her sake.
I'm not including Xifang Tao because that's pure antagonism between her and Tang Lici. Quite a shame that Xifang Tao in the drama isn't Xifang Tao in the novel, but certain character traits were preserved.
Of the three females mentioned, given Tang Lici's character, he's been the least vulnerable to A-Shui, followed by Zhong Chunji, and then Shui Duopo. Frankly, I believe he is most vulnerable to Wanyu Yuedan and could have been close to Wnayu Yuedan because Wanyu Yuedan picked up on his constant pain which nobody else realised. But Wanyu Yuedan didn't want to make Tang Lici uncomfortable and have Tang Lici realise that Wanyu Yuedan can sense the deepest discomforts about him. Novel-Wanyu Yuedan was the only one to realise novel-Tang Lici's greatest obsession and how it affects his decision-making and character. In this sense, drama-Wanyu Yuedan mirrored novel-Wanyu Yuedan.
Some people will believe there's a super-subtle they-get-each-other-romance between A-Shui and Tang Lici. Other viewers picked up on a very different vibe that appeared to be one-sided on A-Shui's part or not romantic (which I answered much earlier on by quoting a certain section of the novel, when the drama was airing), also because novel-Tang Lici's greatest obsession in the novel was fulfilled in the drama and contributes to why there is no romance tag and no CP for Tang Lici for this drama.
Depending on how you look at it, Tang Lici's exchange with A-Shui in episode 33 was not satisfying enough for fans hoping for romance, because he was pretty clear-eyed and focused on Gui Mudan within seconds of A-Shui stating that when they met at the Gold Leaf Temple, everything was a lie (34:03 is still a bit red-eyed with tinge of tears, 34:13 is clear-eyed and dry). That's literally a span of 10 seconds.
If closeness is about confiding in someone, then evaluating the position of why he is doing so (if he is coming from a weaker position and hence needing to do so) would be an indicator. If closeness is about whether he can break down and/or request for help and not be the Tang Lici that he shows everyone else, then that closeness is something very rare that he's extended to Fang Zhou, Liu Yan, Shao Yanping, and Shui Duopo.
For closeness, I'd say Tang Lici only wanted to be vulnerable and close to Fang Zhou and near the end of the drama, also Liu Yan. For the females, he became comfortable with showing weakness to Shui Duopo. He never saw Zhong Chunji as an equal, and I'd say that also applied to A-Shui. The types of closeness he shared with each of the females was suitable for him and helped him reflect further from a platonic viewpoint, all of which contributed to him comfortably making his choice in episode 40.
A-Shui would get to be with Fang Zhou and share his love as siblings, Shui Duopo would never have to lose everything, and Zhong Chunji gets to stay with Master Shao without having to pretend to be a princess.
I'm not looking from a romantic POV, because I thought it's interesting that Tang Lici (who would be wonderful to psycho-analyse on a couch as per novel-Tang Lici) retains certain traits that also makes drama-Tang Lici interesting as a male protagonist. Tang Lici isn't a friends-person in the way that normal people are with friends, which drama-Tang Lici mirrors about novel -Tang Lici but in a healthier manner.
Thank you to Brightest Star and Old_Anime_Lady for this tribute article. Thoughtful and detailed. And very kindly considerate, to advise people to seek help if they are having suicidal thoughts.
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I once shared three classical mandarin literary texts here that WoF references for the sonic techniques and the themes of Buddhism plus Taoism and especially Confucianism, which will give you a good idea of how strong the wuxia themes are and why there is an emphasis on brotherhood:
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24569086
Why I say Tang Lici is worth psycho-analysing? I'll explain some distinctions between novel-Tang Lici and drama-Tang Lici. Novel Tang-Lici is more volatile, more emotionally crippled, and has the traits of arrogance mixed with a vulnerability that he allows almost nobody to get close to.
Teng Ping wrote a fascinating, beautiful and bizarre novel with an interesting protagonist that she eventually abandoned and left unfinished for more than 10 years, until it was very loosely adapted to become "Whispers Of Fate". As to why, I'm not speculating but it doesn't help that instead of the Celestial Realm, in the novel Tang Lici and Liu Yan once belonged to a boy band named "Bronze Flute" from the future.
Tang Lici is deeply attached to the friends he knew when he was in the boy band. Fu Zhumei plays a bigger role in the novel than the drama, where drama-Fu Zhumei is more of a cameo.
Across the first twenty-five chapters of the novel. Tang Lici is very much a lone wolf but also a loose cannon of sorts.
In the drama, this is better diluted because of the intelligent storytelling allowing for this dilution to be natural. 'Whispers of Fate' made Tang Lici more emotionally healthy than novel-Tang Lici, which is why Tang Lici's resolute independence of doing things his way in the drama is more convincingly centered in being mostly-emotionally secure in himself rather than seeking a specific person to love and understand him.
The desperation that drove Tang Lici to do things for the pugilistic world in the novel is better-balanced in the drama because not only does he make new friends and the drama shows he is well-supported by new friends, he meets his mother.
In the novel, A-Shui couldn't understand why Tang Lici could be protective of her, but somehow there was something missing. Wanyu Yuedan is a calming influence on Tang Lici, and he fills in the missing pieces of Tang Lici's inspirations and one of Tang Lici's greatest obsessions. It is because Wanyu Yuedan points out the one person Tang Lici desires more than anybody else, hence A-Shui's hopes and assumptions are thoroughly crushed.
Tang Lici wanted to believe what Fang Zhou taught, but coming to terms with certain beliefs was very difficult for him. Not growing up with a reliable mother figure tends to lead to poorer emotional regulation plus trust issues. While I was watching the drama, I picked up on his emotional growth as equivalent to an adolescent when Fang Zhou died, within the first five episodes. By the time of the drama in episode 1, I saw Tang Lici as the equivalent of an emotional teenager even if he is an adult man.
I believe I did not read Tang Lici wrongly because when I was dissecting Tang Lici and Puzhu for episodes 8 to 12, Puzhu's scenes near the end of episode 36 had me amused that my earlier dissections also partially tongue-in-cheek appeared to be on-point.
Wanyu Yuedan is crucial to understanding Tang Lici. From Book 4, Chapter 40 (part 3):
[ “Be at ease. Master Tang has already gone.” Wanyu Yuedan bent low, clasping her hand with a steady, reassuring smile.
Ah Shui froze. At those words, the world seemed to reel around her. “He… he’s already gone?”
Wanyu Yuedan inclined his head. “As soon as he awoke and learned you had led Brother Shen and Zhu Yan to storm Wangting Manor, he set out at once. Do not fear. With Master Tang there, none will come to harm.”
She stared at him.
“But… his health…” Her voice trembled.
Wanyu Yuedan raised a finger and traced a small circle beside his temple, still smiling gently. “It was merely agitation. I gave him a calming draught, and he drank the rice soup you made. Already he is better than before. Rest assured, when Master Tang is present, he will never allow anyone to be hurt. He is the kind of man who will stake his very life for others. And with his ability… tell me, what can he not achieve, once he throws his life into it?”
Ah Shui gazed at Wanyu Yuedan in a daze. How could he speak with such certainty—so matter-of-factly—when he said that Tang Lici was the kind of man who will stake his life for others?
“He…”
Wanyu Yuedan drew out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the mud and melted snow from her face. His voice was gentle as he went on,”I once knew another man who would risk his life for those who had nothing to do with him. He did so out of compassion. He was kind to everyone, wished happiness for all, and for that ideal he was willing to stake his life. A man like that is easy to love, easy to praise.
“But Young Master Tang is not like that. He risks his life for others not because of compassion, but because he is fragile.”
Ah Shui blinked slowly. Meltwater pooled at the corners of her eyes, turning everything into a blur. She heard Wanyu Yuedan’s voice, gentle as falling snow:
“He is too lonely, too starved for care. That is why he throws himself into saving others. Through saving them… he gains a sliver of fulfillment, a sense that he matters. He could not let go of Fang Zhou, nor of Liu Yan, and he fought desperately to save Chi Yun—because so few have ever truly cared for him. The ones who do, he engraves upon his heart, and he cannot bear to let them slip away.
“But few truly understand him. His emotions flare too fiercely, and most people are afraid of him. He always seems as though he alone can shoulder the work of dozens, even hundreds. As though if he exists, others need not. Yet the truth is otherwise. He is only too lonely. He needs that lofty posture… because he longs so desperately to be cared for, to be valued. He cannot live as ordinary men do.”
I… I have been so foolish all along. Tears slid down Ah Shui’s cheeks. “Yes…”
Wanyu Yuedan sighed softly. “I will say something I perhaps should not. Miss Ah Shui, you cannot go on without truly understanding Master Tang. I believe the reason he clings to you is not for any other cause, but because you… you carry within you something of a mother’s presence.”
Once again, tears spilled from Ah Shui’s eyes. She could no longer tell whether they were caused by snowmelt or sadness.
“I understand now.”
This gentle young man, seeing her for the first time, seemed able to pierce through every veil of mist. At last she understood what Tang Lici sought from her. At last she understood why he yearned for a love that would “die for him.” At last she understood why, though he treated her so well, she had never felt he loved her—and why did it always left her so disappointed.
So…
So that was it.
Only that, and nothing more.
She broke down and wept, collapsing to the ground in anguish. He had wanted only a mother who would die for him. And she—she had mistaken it all along.
She could never be his mother. And though she had cared for him with all her heart, still… still… what he longed for was only a mother, nothing else, nothing beyond.
And she… she could never be his mother. ]
Here are two sites with translations (frankly, I recommend RBF's translations): https://qianjiemei.wordpress.com/2025/09/05/chapter-40-brokenhearted-unto-despair-part-3/
https://mydramanovel.com/shui-long-yin/chapter-40-heartbroken-to-the-point-of-death-03/
I also share the mandarin link: https://www.kanunu8.com/book5/1000jiemei/17467.html
~*~*~*~*~
If you know all the above, episodes 30 to 40 become a lot clearer, in terms of interpreting drama-Tang Lici's actions and decisions.
Novel-Tang Lici also does things I don't approve of, including choosing to hurl A-Shui into harm's way at one point later in the novel to protect Liu Yan and hence be greatly injured instead of Liu Yan. Anybody who wants to justify drama-Tang Lici or novel-Tang Lici for A-Shui based on the novel has something very wrong with them morally and mentally, if they do so.
Drama-Tang Lici doesn't do any of the above. Luckily 'Whispers of Fate' isn't set in the modern era because if a random woman plants her lips on an unconscious man's mouth without his consent, A-Shui could be viewed as sexually assaulting Tang Lici. Losing her memories is not a justification for doing so.
The only reason why this even happened (where I once pointed out in one of my episode summaries how A-Shui was intelligent in not letting Hong-guniang realise what her blood could do for Tang Lici, hence fed him blood from her lips)... is because A-Shui was unable to prevent herself from being kidnapped and Tang Lici had to go and save her, hence putting himself in danger and further exhausting himself.
He's been in continuous significant pain for four years. Nobody picked up on that, except Wanyu Yuedan.
And if we want to consider any kind of romance between Tang Lici and any female characters, he gave Zhong Chunji a wooden carving very early on. He also gave A-Shui a wooden carving in episode 29, in which he also explained why he can finish wooden carvings to Shui Duopo. For those who don't remember, Chi Yun told Zhong Chunji in Tang Lici's presence during episode 2 or 3 why Tang Lici carves people in wood. Tang Lici didn't say anything while listening, which doesn't mean he agrees with Chi Yun's explanation.
But in episode 29, he made it clear to Shui Duopo that he could finally finish carving Fang Zhou's likeness because he is ready to say goodbye. A wooden carving is Tang Lici's way of not verbalising that he is ready to say goodbye to someone. He chose not to explain this to anyone else (not even Chi Yun) except Shui Duopo.
Tang Lici is definitely hostile to Xifang Tao over what happens with Chi Yun, just like in the novel. We've got no romance possibilities left, since it is too easy to classify drama-Zhong Chunji's feelings and drama-A-Shui's feelings as one-sided for Tang Lici. Tang Lici knelt to Shui Duopo in episode 29, for the sake of Fang Zhou.
In the drama, Shui Duopo is the only female Tang Lici never has to save, help or mentor. Shui Duopo also has no ulterior motives or designs on him. Tang Lici's mother never had any ulterior motives or designs on Tang Lici, but Tang Lici had to save her.
Shui Duopo's 'closeness' to Tang Lici is that of two individuals not truly seeking someone else to understand them. Two stars comfortable in their own orbit, despite their own scars. They each value their own secrets. They can see someone for who they are. Shui Duopo has made it very clear in her silences that she will only share what she wants to. She is also a physician. But he wouldn't have to disclose anything to her just because she is a physician. It is because she has shown she can be reasoned with and can change, she is logically intelligent, and she possesses a childlike frankness balanced with mature diplomatic compassion he feels comfortable with. And that is why Tang Lici can disclose what he did with Shui Duopo about Fang Zhou or himself, which he did not do with any other female characters in the drama. In a way, Shui Duopo is a healthier mirror of him.
Note that in all my evaluations, I do not consider any romantic possibilities between Shui Duopo and Tang Lici but if I ever had to pick one of the female characters for drama-Tang Lici (whom I don't think should ever be paired with anyone romance-wise), Shui Duopo's characterisation is healthiest. Plus I'm more interested in her friendship with Xue Xianzi XD I want Shui Duopo and Xue Xianzi in a short drama xianxia parody. I don't want Shui Duopo in a short drama or any drama with anybody else.
Novel-Tang Lici doesn't want to be psycho-analysed even if he wants someone to talk to that will not judge him in whatever he might disclose, and thus feel understood. Drama-Tang Lici has people willing to talk to him if he wants to, but he eventually sees no need to do so because he knows what decisions to make.
Shui Duopo claimed she wasn't interested in the Celestial Realm in episode 26, and Tang Lici respected her claim. He then tells Zhong Chunji in episode 29 about the Celestial Realm because he wants her to understand he doesn't truly realise what love is, as per the love she seeks in her definition of romantic love.
Drama-Tang Lici is worth psycho-analysing because somewhere in this mix of how he values his relationships with four men for various different reasons, he's also managed to become a teacher to Xiao Shi and understand sacrifice not as the sacrificial womb which his mother once chose to be able to give birth to him, but to sacrifice himself with the noble intentions of a woman choosing to risk giving birth for the sake of everyone else because he had lived a rich life without regrets. And he also recognises the value and wholeness of himself, in doing so. His sacrifice is born of contentment, compassion, completion as an individual, and complete love.
Interesting that he could understand his mother despite only meeting her for such a short time, to then embody compassion and unconditional love completely. Masculine defers and morphs to feminine, to birth a beautiful ending of second chances for everyone else. And he also returns after breaking the cycle of reincarnation for himself in the form of a white fox who cultivates to become a dragon, as per the literary tale in "Taiping Guangji".
For the tale of Taiping Guangji, RBF's poster explanation is best: https://kisskh.at/discussions/shui-long-yin/121095-sly-art-poster-analysis-slight-spoilers
Chen Lijun is a Yue Opera veteran of almost two decades, since she started at the age of 13.
In another comment because someone respectfully praised Chen Lijun, I expanded on Chen Lijun as an actress to watch, and why Yuen Woo-ping would recognise the importance of Chinese opera in the background of an actor or actress (especially for wuxia in a movie), because of his own father Yuen Siu-tien's strong background as a veteran in Peking Opera combined with martial arts before venturing into black-and-white cantonese movies: https://kisskh.at/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-25038804
Yuen Siu-tien was mentor and teacher to Jackie Chan. Yuen Siu-tien was also the pioneer of comedic kungfu in HK cinema, which his son Yuen Woo-ping further modernised.
Yuen Siu-tien was already a veteran of Peking opera whereby he grew up mastering its rigorous traditions since the age of six and the role of wusheng, plus honed a strong foundation in martial arts, before starting a film career in early black-and-white Cantonese movies. Yuen Woo-ping learned martial arts from his father, and six of Yuen Siu-tien's children entered the HK film industry in various aspects.
Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao have gained fame and admiration as Yue opera actresses reviving Yue opera amongst younger generations within China, which is another traditional form of Chinese opera. Chinese opera experience enables an individual to master precious skills that will translate well into film, including how to move and conduct yourself on a stage.
Chen Lijun is very humble. She has expressed her views that the quality of performance from an actor or actress on stage has nothing to do with fame. The ability to perform will depend on the extent of respect and awe for the stage, and how one defines your performance. Always revere the stage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKaPy5ERWBE
And here she is, solo in 'Ride The Wind' on MangoTV within less than 2 minutes akin to a captivating stage drama to convey one heck of a performance, as per the official Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF8hbIFgmJk
'Ride The Wind' is also known as 'Sisters Who Make Waves Season 5'. What is 'Sisters Who Make Waves Season 5'? https://kisskh.at/765611-sisters-who-make-waves-season-5
As a veteran of Yue opera which she learned since she was 13 and now has almost two decades of experience, she will be perfect as A Yu Ya in 'Blades of The Guardians' :D
hk01.com shared in one of their articles titled “李连杰《镖人：风起大漠》甘愿做绿叶完成袁和平80岁梦想“:
[ “李连杰日前（27日）于微博发布一条短片，分享自己愿意接拍、而且甘心做好绿叶角色的主要原因，为预告释出后的讨论解画。李连杰于影片中叹指：“八爷（袁和平）已经80岁了，找到我说希望能够再重拍一部武侠电影，吴京又跟我说要想拍。”袁和平作为举世知名的武术指导，对李连杰更有如师父一样恩重如山，对八爷电影生涯晚年的要求，李连杰抱报恩的心，欣然地接拍《镖人：风起大漠》。]
As per the article above, Jet Li shared that Yuen Woo-ping was already 80- years-old and had sought out Jet Li, hoping he would take part in one more wuxia movie. Wu Jing also chimed in, so how could Jet Li say no to an elder who is also a world-famous martial arts instructor previously treating him as kindly as his own legendary wushu master Wu Bin? How could Jet Li refuse his fellow martial arts brother who had also trained under Wu Bin? Jet Li was eager to repay 八爷 and work with Wu Jing, hence he happily participated in "Blades of The Guardians”.
GSC Movies is a major film distributor in Malaysia, and their description for ‘Blades of The Guardians’ begins with, “The film brings together four generations of wuxia talent, showcasing intense action sequences—from horseback chases to close-quarters combat—with every punch and kick exuding a sharp, dynamic quality….”- https://www.gscmovies.com.my/blades-of-the-guardians/
Henderson Pictures shared BTS from ‘Blades Of The Guardians’ with a clarion call stating, “江湖相聚，只为武侠梦!!” ie The (pugilistic) world gathers, only for the wuxia dream!! - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1510089280735804
Henderson Pictures describes itself in mandarin as a film production and promotion entity. Focus is on providing information on film and television production, planning, investment, and publicity projects in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan, as well as providing excellent production teams in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, while also providing ground support and other services.
Intercontinental Pictures is a major film distributor in Hong Kong, and their description sharing the official Youtube trailer starts with “四代武俠人齊聚，喚醒三代人的共同記憶!” ie Four Generations of Wuxia Talents have gathered to rouse the collective memories of Three Generations! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGL37amyjKc
The trailer shared by Intercontinental Pictures includes additional details, which the trailer posted by film distributors of other countries do not have.
Anybody who is a wuxia aficionado will automatically recognise Yuen Woo-ping as the oldest and most-respected of wuxia veterans in the entertainment world. Hence the first article I put together for MDL also shares the same sentiments as Wu Jing, beginning with “Four films have been officially announced for the upcoming Lunar New Year period. Blades of the Guardians is one of these films attracting a lot of attention for China’s Spring Festival box office showdown. A trailer and more information have been released, whereby Wu Jing can be seen in several promotional videos emphasising a collaborative martial arts feast created by five generations…”
https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17
If you are new to the literary genre of wuxia, this movie promises a great experience to find out more!
I'd say this movie is going to be a great showcase of how older and younger stars demonstrate their acting chops plus martial arts training across various stages. A lot of stunt training, equestrian training, honing of wire work and other details were insisted upon by Yuen Woo-ping. It was originally supposed to be billed as "the reunion of the three great masters" of Jet Li, Wu Jing and Nicholas Tse.
Our beloved 八爷 is already 80-years-old and he told Jet Li he wanted to make one more movie, plus Wu Jing also told Jet Li he wanted to produce this movie. The rest is history. If someone is so ignorant that they are on this page insulting the choice of casting (Wu Jing would definitely defer to Yuen Woo-ping where applicable, such as with Jet Li), it just goes to show what type of person is behind that account, in talking rubbish.
Over the recent years, MDL has been plagued by multiple troll accounts xenophobic against anything from Korea or China. These accounts try to hide their racist tendencies by insulting any or all of the following: The producer, director, actors, looks of the actresses. They also insult the viewers curious or enthusiastic about a movie or drama, with the intentions of driving people off a page.
They sometimes pretend to understand mandarin or hangeul and post aggressively to try to mislead other viewers into believing they know what they are talking about as they trash a drama or movie and various members of the cast or crew, but give themselves away because it is impossible to use a translating machine for everything. The best hilarity is when they rely on chatGPT or Deepseek or something similar to publicly "educate" others about wuxia or the pugilistic world, hence anyone who understands the literary genre known as "wuxia" nowadays literally 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣at how many things they get wrong.
That is why their comments are usually ignored by other MDL users on a drama page, and these trolls sometimes hide their older comments under spoiler tags.
The dynamics of "allies" in this movie can be seen in 13 seconds of this clip, together at night in a carriage XD: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1yu6jBQEgh/
Not awesome for CP-worshippers with no CP for Luo Yunxi, and not satisfactory for people seeking:
1) A ML whose development starts out weak and must cultivate to become strong.
2) A ML who needs romance and will lose his character for romance.
3) A ML who can only have special chemistry with one woman. Just like the novel, drama-Tang Lici has chemistry with everyone (males and females), including multiple women and men.
That's why after so many weeks of the drama airing, some viewer accounts are still stuck on episodes 20, 21 or 25 and cannot watch further because of all the reasons above. Others have started watching for the third time, while I've only watched it twice.
But before that, here's one awesome BTS FMV short that will simultaneously showcase and melt what I'm referring to, of our two spectacularly enchanting leads: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vxeBkReuj4E
https://news.sina.cn/2026-01-30/detail-inhkacxp3724304.d.html
If you want more details and trivia, here's an article I put together for this movie which was published on MDL, after translating something from mandarin more than 10 days ago: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17
This movie is opportune to boost the industry and encourage more talent in this area. Jet Li and Wu Jing trained under the legendary wushu master Wu Bin, and I believe Wu Bin would want to watch this movie (to enjoy more than evaluating his former students squaring off against each other in a duel)!
Former NTS investigator Moon Bo Ra (formerly working at the Seoul Regional Tax Office) gave her views on CEW's massive tax scandal here more than 10 days ago, which includes her alluding to Fantagio as the main target and CEW also entangled as, "A net cast to catch a big fish ended up catching another large one. Tax audits aren’t something you can avoid just by being careful—if the tail is long, it’s bound to be stepped on": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CVBBNAagIU
I haven't formed any opinion about KSH, just bewildered as to what is happening in this situation. Also an education in how fast news can travel and become officially shared in different languages, in our intensive-tech-connected world today. And also wondering about the allegations of corporate card use and payment of family benefits. Will just wait and see.
Fantagio's stock plunged more than 7% in early trading today, after successive tax evasion allegations involving Cha Eun Woo and yesterday's news.
https://cm.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026020209382185810
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-02-01/national/socialAffairs/Actor-Kim-Seonhos-agency-denies-he-established-company-for-taxavoidance-purposes/2513536
Quoting: [ Kim founded a theatrical production company and registered the business under his home address in Yongsan District, central Seoul, in January 2024, media outlet Sports Kyunghyang first reported on Sunday.
Kim's parents reportedly received wages as the company's internal director and auditor and used corporate credit cards for personal expenses. Under Korean law, the private use of corporate funds may constitute criminal offenses such as embezzlement or breach of trust.
Kim's father also allegedly registered his vehicle under the company, allowing related costs to be treated as corporate expenses and potentially reducing the firm's tax liabilities, Sports Kyunghyang reported. ] - Given how Kim Ju-yeon is writing the article for KJAD, are these confirmed facts? Or allegations?
He reminded her of Yique Yin Yang, who destroyed her home and murdered all her people and family, leaving her as the only survivor. She wanted Tang Lici to be trapped in the Precious Mirror Mountain and never return. But he returned. And in their exchange of bluntness that had her reconsidering certain matters, she finally agreed to make him three pills.
He confided his deepest wishes to her, of what he wanted her to tell Fang Zhou and that he would be sacrificing himself. He did not reveal this to anybody else. He also never carved any wooden figure of her, to give to her. He gave her a wooden figure for Fang Zhou, so she could say goodbye to Fang Zhou for him. Whenever he carves a wooden figure of someone, he is ready to say goodbye to them (which is what he revealed to Shui Duopo in episode 29). He gave one to Zhong Chunji very early on in the drama, and he also gave one to A-Shui in episode 29.
Only when Shen Langhun guessed Tang Lici wanted to sacrifice himself for Fang Zhou and said so, Chi Yun got upset at realising what Tang Lici had concealed from them. Even then, what Tang Lici said about Fang Zhou to Shui Duopo was not shared to anyone else.
When Tang Lici asked Shui Duopo to conceal the truth of his condition from everyone else, she did so in the next instance when his disciple Xiao Shi interrupted their space. She has kept his confidence. He's never mentored her or had to save her, as he did with Zhong Chunji and A-Shui.
What is closeness? Tang Lici has spoken of his life in the Celestial Realm to Zhong Chunji in episode 29, to make her understand where he is coming from before he rejects her. He has also had a significant exchange with her in episode 37, all of which is to help her understand certain matters and context for her sake.
I'm not including Xifang Tao because that's pure antagonism between her and Tang Lici. Quite a shame that Xifang Tao in the drama isn't Xifang Tao in the novel, but certain character traits were preserved.
Of the three females mentioned, given Tang Lici's character, he's been the least vulnerable to A-Shui, followed by Zhong Chunji, and then Shui Duopo. Frankly, I believe he is most vulnerable to Wanyu Yuedan and could have been close to Wnayu Yuedan because Wanyu Yuedan picked up on his constant pain which nobody else realised. But Wanyu Yuedan didn't want to make Tang Lici uncomfortable and have Tang Lici realise that Wanyu Yuedan can sense the deepest discomforts about him. Novel-Wanyu Yuedan was the only one to realise novel-Tang Lici's greatest obsession and how it affects his decision-making and character. In this sense, drama-Wanyu Yuedan mirrored novel-Wanyu Yuedan.
Some people will believe there's a super-subtle they-get-each-other-romance between A-Shui and Tang Lici. Other viewers picked up on a very different vibe that appeared to be one-sided on A-Shui's part or not romantic (which I answered much earlier on by quoting a certain section of the novel, when the drama was airing), also because novel-Tang Lici's greatest obsession in the novel was fulfilled in the drama and contributes to why there is no romance tag and no CP for Tang Lici for this drama.
Depending on how you look at it, Tang Lici's exchange with A-Shui in episode 33 was not satisfying enough for fans hoping for romance, because he was pretty clear-eyed and focused on Gui Mudan within seconds of A-Shui stating that when they met at the Gold Leaf Temple, everything was a lie (34:03 is still a bit red-eyed with tinge of tears, 34:13 is clear-eyed and dry). That's literally a span of 10 seconds.
If closeness is about confiding in someone, then evaluating the position of why he is doing so (if he is coming from a weaker position and hence needing to do so) would be an indicator. If closeness is about whether he can break down and/or request for help and not be the Tang Lici that he shows everyone else, then that closeness is something very rare that he's extended to Fang Zhou, Liu Yan, Shao Yanping, and Shui Duopo.
For closeness, I'd say Tang Lici only wanted to be vulnerable and close to Fang Zhou and near the end of the drama, also Liu Yan. For the females, he became comfortable with showing weakness to Shui Duopo. He never saw Zhong Chunji as an equal, and I'd say that also applied to A-Shui. The types of closeness he shared with each of the females was suitable for him and helped him reflect further from a platonic viewpoint, all of which contributed to him comfortably making his choice in episode 40.
A-Shui would get to be with Fang Zhou and share his love as siblings, Shui Duopo would never have to lose everything, and Zhong Chunji gets to stay with Master Shao without having to pretend to be a princess.
I'm not looking from a romantic POV, because I thought it's interesting that Tang Lici (who would be wonderful to psycho-analyse on a couch as per novel-Tang Lici) retains certain traits that also makes drama-Tang Lici interesting as a male protagonist. Tang Lici isn't a friends-person in the way that normal people are with friends, which drama-Tang Lici mirrors about novel -Tang Lici but in a healthier manner.