Thanks for the summary🤩😍. Excited about this, grew up watching Yuen WooPing’s WuXia show. This definitely…
"The Shadow's Edge" grossed at least RMB 1.2 billion in the domestic market (more than RMB 77 million on Opening Day, and RMB 1.031 billion within the first three weeks of release). I don't see how this will fare any worse and should not be an issue. Multi-generational is very appealing, this is an A-list cast in Sui Dynasty settings, plus the director will be in his element.
When Nashi had to be replaced due to a huge education scandal of her own doing, costs were further added to the movie budget of approximately RMB 550 million. That made the news internationally.
But that's over now, so we can focus on the movie!
The most-wanted fugitive Zhi Shilang is to be escorted by Daoma (second-most-wanted fugitive) to Chang'an. To do so, Daoma must join forces with allies A-Yuya and A-Ni and his adopted son Xiaoqi, as he aims to fulfil his mission and outrun various pursuers. Across the desert, various factions come into conflict, whereby the success or failure of this mission could shatter the foundations of an empire.
Shot in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, I'd say everybody who has a role in this movie was properly sun-baked multiple times over XD Sun, sand, no sea. True wuxia immersion means practical filming for all major action scenes, complete with bruises and more after months of rigorous training for close combat, horseback chases and skirmishes.
I believe this movie will screen nationwide on 17 February (first day of CNY).
My preferences for his next gig1. Plays an arrogant pop idol but a vigilante at night saving a Gotham like city…
Ignore some of the comments on that page, and focus on Kang Da Wit. Jung Kyung-ho turned in an amazing performance as a judge who became an attorney at a specific firm. The ML has to have personality, by turns serious, charming, menacing, poker-faced etc. Even when he appears to possibly be defeated, he has charisma on-screen (and he steals the scenes). Jung Kyung-ho and Tamaki Hiroshi are very talented actors in their respective countries, and I'd say Luo Yunxi could definitely do this role in a modern drama and impress the wider audience :D
Several films have been officially announced for the upcoming Lunar New Year period, and "Blades of The Guardians" is one of these films attracting a lot of attention. A trailer and more information has been released over the past few days, whereby Wu Jing can be seen in several promotional videos emphasising a collaborative martial arts feast created by five generations.
Yuen Woo-ping is a world-renowned senior action and stunt director, who has choreographed countless classic wonderful kungfu scenes. The reason why the film is considered to be a collaboration across five generation of film makers is also due to Yuen Woo-ping's involvement.
Many action stars familiar to the audience have collaborated with him. This heavyweight filmmaker has directed yet another action blockbuster at the age of 80, naturally resulting in eager anticipation from generations of movie fans.
When Wu Jing starred in the 1998 TV series "Tai Chi Master" as his debut, one of the directors was Yuen Woo-ping. In comparison, Grandpa Yuen has collaborated more often with Jet Li, such as personally directing the 1993 classic kungfu movie "The Tai Chi Master" which has aired countless times on television. "Master Z: Yip Man Legacy" starring Zhang Jin was also directed by him. Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen will not be further mentioned here, since they did not participate in this film.
News about the recent death of Hong Kong action star Bruce Leung Siu-lung (you may recognise him from Stephen Chow's movie "Kungfu Hustle" as The Beast) has made people realise collaborations between action stars and filmmakers of all generations is very rare. Leung Siu-lung is a few years younger than action star and martial artist Ti Lung (one of Hong Kong's "Four Dragons of Cinema" alongside Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Leung Siu-lung and Ti Lung), and Ti Lung is almost the same age as Yuen Woo-ping.
The number of action filmmakers from this generation who can continue to make films has gradually decreased. Several generations of stars rubbing more than shoulders in a big-budget wuxia (martial arts) movie should be a masterpiece of this era.
Compared with martial arts veteran Yuen Woo-ping, the one in this film with higher achievements and global popularity naturally goes to film and television superstar Jet Li, who is more than 60-years-old. His appearance in this movie breaks through various rumours. Previously for the sake of pursuing traffic views, some self-proclaimed entities and individuals have claimed he is seriously ill and sickness-ridden. Later, others have claimed he has regained his vitality and strength, etc
Judging from recently-released BTS videos, Wu Jing who is in his 50s admits his senior Jet Li is still very fast but experiences some guilt over his own strength and condition. As producer and starring actor of this movie, Wu Jing has gathered everyone here to finish a rare agreement of the century. He is naturally the backbone of this collaboration. Major twists and turns were encountered during the process of filming, such as controversy over replacement of important roles. It was not easy to have this movie released in time for the Lunar New Year Period of 2026.
Other than Jet Li and Wu Jing as action stars in this movie, Zhang Jin is the same age as Wu Jing. He has martial arts skills and has participated in various martial arts competitions. After retiring from those, he has worked as a stand-in and martial arts instructor for the Hong Kong action film creation team comprising Yuen Siu-tien's children (you might recognise Yuen Woo-ping's kungfu-moves-pioneer father as Beggar So from the infamous 1978 movies "Drunken Master" and "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow"). Zhang Jin's performance in 2013 movie "The Grandmaster" and 2015 movie "Ip Man 3" is easily notable, and his involvement with this movie will further enhance the action and drama.
[ Do note there is a second half to this article mentioning other actors and actresses in the movie, and I have only summarised the first half].
Scrolling the comments I see that's another problem for the rating of this drama... but somehow, when the series…
The unfinished novel is somewhat enjoyable in itself (but with some caveats of triggers certain readers may not like), although Teng Ping clearly didn't know where she was going or what she wanted to achieve with it before she stopped writing and abandoned it for more than 10 years, only to resume when said novel was adapted to become this drama.
RBF is one of the contributors listed in the Group Collective Efforts forum post and is responsible for that gem of a post explaining the image poster, plus they have carried out what I consider to be the best English translation for the novel. 40+ chapters of their professional efforts can be found here: https://qianjiemei.wordpress.com/2023/12/14/qian-jie-mei/
I definitely feel bad for him. All he wanted was to be and feel loved. I wouldn’t ship him with the FL but he…
Pei Zhen felt and realised he failed as an older brother, and he's clear about being greatly ashamed for this towards Xiao Zhiyu. That final exchange was well-executed. He learns lessons about love that he will remember, as he goes forward to find his vision of himself and the future.
I think it's healthy to point out how an actor or actress is doing for a drama, performance-wise. I also believe it is healthy for people to disagree civilly and sincerely. What isn't healthy are indirect catty potshots on a daily basis attempting to intimidate and shame other viewers for appreciating a different actor or actress and their character(s), while also implying such viewers who are different only appreciate the character as a love interest.
If the importance of the role by an actor or actress is reduced primarily to being involved in a romance and not as an individual, that significance isn't flattering to the acting skills of said actor or actress. And if someone wants to measure the worth of the character played by an actor or actress solely and primarily by whether the character is worthy of being in a romance with a lead, that speaks volumes about the viewer rather than whoever they are trying to measure.
There's at least three viewers on this drama page constantly doing this, whereby they clearly idolise the actor for ML and dislike 2ML and keep painting anybody who speaks positively of the actor for 2ML as having 2ML Syndrome (one of them attempted to thought-police another viewer who was objectively evaluating traits of ML and 2ML, and got firmly told off by said viewer for doing so).
2ML Syndrome is wanting 2ML to wind up romantically with FL instead of ML, and some viewers don't care about that for 2ML. We just want to be able to talk objectively about other characters while also appreciating ML and FL. There are viewers who couldn't care less who FL winds up with, while interested in other aspects of the drama. I believe the biggest concern is having as many viewers interested as possible in this drama, so I'm happy for every actor and actress here who helped to draw in a bigger audience.
Kudos to Dai Xu for making a stereotypical 2ML role interesting and memorable on-screen for many Chinese viewers, while some viewers of MDL clearly have a different take. Differences make for interesting variety, variety is the spice of life, and don't be a petty bitter pepper if someone isn't gelling with your favourite hot sauce :)
Nope. I am happy that Pei Zhen will go out into the world and be his own man, and not repeat the mistakes of his…
His ending was fitting, exactly as you pointed out.
Is it unusual to want good endings for various characters that aren't criminal? What is a good ending? For me, I see a good ending first and foremost being about personal growth, followed by emotional health, mental health and physical health. Contributing to the greater good is also a definite plus.
If a character must foot an unfortunate sacrifice, then it should be justified.
Pei Zhen has taken steps to be accountable and correct what his father did wrong. He has demonstrated feeling greatly ashamed in previously being horribly wrong and petty about ML. He has been filial to his stepmother on behalf of ML (and it was a bit churlish and childish for ML to ask 2ML whether 2ML cared for the stepmother in the second-last episode, because who else has been looking after ML's mother as a son for years but 2ML? That said, the lunchbox manipulation by 2ML was definitely wrong of 2ML, but we've covered his previous pettiness and childishness in an earlier comment of yours).
Frankly, I was very shocked at how ML behaved toward his mother for Chinese New Year (despite the circumstances) because his behaviour would definitely be a permanent black mark in my book if it happened in RL (unless he rectifies it), and I am definitely not alone in this view for my generation.
I am very glad for Hu Xiu being in Xiao Zhiyu's life and being with him. He deserves happiness after being burdened for so long. And with her, he will grow healthily while being emotionally assured of devoted loyalty and kindness from a wonderful woman who totally gets him :)
I'm going to point out something that isn't obvious to non-mandarin speakers who also don't understand Confucian…
I have finished the drama. Given how episode 19 played out, the leads continued as I expect them to. I think the script dropped the ball on the FL in the final 8 episodes. Ending is satisfactory for me, given the rom-com angles they kept emphasising (and as an aside, a few of us noticed a few references homage to K-drama "The King: The Eternal Monarch" which was a nice touch).
It seemed throughout the drama that Pei Zhen's father continued doing shady things Pei Zhen did not know about. And it gave Pei Zhen conflicting difficulties on what he should do. The entire fault will rightfully fall upon the father for his crimes, and Pei Zhen will not pay for his father's wrongs. The fact that Pei Zhen has difficulties deciding shows how he is wrestling with tradition and modernity, and in the end it's a great sign that modernity wins out in this case for Pei Zhen because of what he chooses to do and be.
Maybe it's because I usually prefer non-romance C-dramas, and that's why I'm not hung up on the romance. Hu Xiu is well-written overall, and I enjoyed Lu Yuxiao's acting here much moreso than LITC that I was invited to watch (and having read the novel beforehand so I quickly realised both leads were majorly dumbed down in characterisation with FL also being completely unlike novel Ming Yi, I back-peddled quite fast after witnessing several details pertaining to Ming Yi in two episodes).
Corporal punishment of the older generations could be dreadful and not right. Yes, abuse physically and/or verbally is what I would classify how oldest sons were treated to build character. I can see the final results in my older brother from my father, which I don't approve of.
I wanted the 2FL to have a great career breakthrough, but I'm also satisfied with her ending. I reckon the VR world and Shanghai architectural possibilities were wasted and not more explored, given the great set-up from the get-go.
This is a good drama, not a great drama. And as a rom-com, definitely highly recommended. I'm happy for the lead actor and actress here :D
My preferences for his next gig1. Plays an arrogant pop idol but a vigilante at night saving a Gotham like city…
Somehow the vampire angle does not appeal to me. As I said to kwanto above, I would like him to be the ML Kang Da Wit in a C-drama remake of Pro "Bono" XD: https://kisskh.at/785270-pro-bono
I'd say serial killer would be top choice. Veterinarian or cardiologist by occupation, and serial killer by night…
Pro Bono is a fun yet serious legal K-drama. I would be interested to see LYX take on the lead role of Kang Da-Wit in a C-drama remake, because I believe he would ace it!
Nope. I am happy that Pei Zhen will go out into the world and be his own man, and not repeat the mistakes of his…
Here's quoting part of my answer to you about corporal punishment, as initially mentioned in my comment above (4th paragraph):
[ If a father disciplines you for being disrespectful (such as whacking you across the face, which Pei Zhen repeatedly received from his father), retaliating is a gigantic breach of filial piety. "打是疼，骂是爱" and "黄金条下出孝子" are some proverbs typically used to justify corporal punishment and discipline among the older generations. Doesn't mean the parent doing it is in the right. This also means ML's mother will not interfere with her husband's actions for doing so. Those of my generation might choose not to follow this. I definitely don't. ]
As I previously said to provide context in a familial setting, it doesn't mean the parent doing so is right. "棒打出孝子" is definitely an unfortunate application to Pei Zhen from his father.
Filial piety fulfilment is an important consideration when evaluating a potential good daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a future spouse. How a parent chooses to treat a child for discipline while claiming filial piety is a different matter. And when choosing a life partner, I would say anybody who is emotionally unhealthy to a certain extent is not datable, as per my stance on ML and 2ML whereby I am fine with ML by episode 19 but still not fine with 2ML until episode 27.
Beating up an employee in a modern drama is not acceptable. I don't fully understand your question about acceptable Confucian corporal punishment pertaining to employees. You mention a K-drama and an employee but off the top of my head, but I can't think of a Chinese proverb that would have led to it. Korea and China also have cultural differences despite being part of East Asia, and I don't run away from the awful fact that Confucianism isn't awesome in some aspects. What is the name of this K-drama?
"板子头上出状元" refers to the shaping of a scholar to ace the imperial exam. Nothing to do with employees and employers that I can think of.
I do not quite understand Pei Zhen’s hostility towards Xiao Zhi Yu. It’s kind of felt forced and inconsistent.…
Having lived in more than one country before the age of 25, I have the good fortune of an international upbringing while being able to respect the mixed heritage I carry from East Asia and West Asia.
I have mixed-feelings to know you went through a very traditional upbringing. There is immense beauty in traditions but just as cruelly depending on the circumstances, can be very emotionally damaging. As you and I understand only too well, 2ML is as you said: A product of his upbringing. For me, it's a miracle that he didn't turn out worse luckily because he had a stepmother whom he clearly cares for.
I hope you manage to enjoy the final 8 episodes of "Love Between The Lines". I believe the script dropped the ball on FL for those episodes, and I had been enjoying her characterisation until the end of episode 19. I wanted 2FL to be given the opportunity to showcase more of her acting chops for the final episode, but I'm glad she at least got a happy ending.
This drama will look good on the filmography of Lu Yuxiao and Chen Xing Xu, and I am very happy for them :D
"River Sunset" is doing well and has more TV viewership than "Glory" which is also doing well, according to CVB. I'm grateful that there is so much quality in variety for which viewers can pick and choose whatever we want to enjoy XD
For 2025, other than "The Guardians", I am glad for a non-romance xuanxia drama that finally reminded me of the depth and beauty in older HK movies I enjoy (and it is also a major hit being the only C-drama of 2025 nominated for CPOPwave 2026), so much so that I decided to explain a bit of three literary references involving Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24569086
Nope. I am happy that Pei Zhen will go out into the world and be his own man, and not repeat the mistakes of his father. A significant number of us who appreciate Dai Xu's performance don't want him to be romantically involved, but want Dai Xu to showcase his acting further reminding producers and directors he should be ML at some point in another drama.
As Pei Zhen, Dai Xu elevated a very non-unique screenplay characterisation 2ML into a character that is trending highly in popularity on China social media such as weibo and douyin. I'll give you insight into why that is the case (not the MDL bubble on this page):
This isn't obvious to non-mandarin speakers who also don't understand Confucian traditions that strongly applies to this C-drama for the dynamics of ML with 2ML and 2ML's father, which is something my uncles followed with my now-deceased grandfather regardless of their ages and status:
If a father disciplines you for being disrespectful (such as whacking you across the face, which Pei Zhen repeatedly received from his father), retaliating is a gigantic breach of filial piety. "打是疼，骂是爱" and "黄金条下出孝子" are some proverbs typically used to justify corporal punishment and discipline among the older generations. Doesn't mean the parent doing it is in the right. This also means ML's mother will not interfere with her husband's actions for doing so. Those of my generation might choose not to follow this. I definitely don't.
If you're going to watch this drama without understanding the cultural mindset, ML is going to look super-awesome while 2ML might come across to you as weak and pathetic. That's definitely one of the biggest perception differences between international non-mandarin speaking viewers versus mandarin-speaking viewers in East Asian or Southeast Asian countries.
2ML is definitely strong, because it is culturally obvious that he is trying to balance everything he's supposed to traditionally adhere to while being a modern man and in such a situation, he also looks like a traditional filial son who didn't run away and isn't a romance-addled weakling. On the professional front if he is doing a stellar job leading the company, Pei Zhen deserves the respect of his employees, and the drama also shows that.
ML had a hard life after leaving them all to make his own way, but he can be viewed as abandoning the traditional family unit and familial obligations such as staying by his mother for selfish self-centred freedom to attain his goals and is hence unreliable and unfilial. ML is not selfish and his actions are understandable from multiple angles and he is reliable, but he can come across that way depending on the viewer. 2ML fulfilled obligations of ML to ML's mother on behalf of ML, and 2ML clearly cares for his stepmother.
ML and 2ML are not emotionally healthy for at least the first ten episodes of the drama and they are not dateable during those episodes IMO. Hu Xiu is a well-written character, and rightfully gave ML a piece of her mind with an ultimatum in episode 19. BTW, I still believe Pei Zhen is undatable until the end of the second-last episode.
Pei Zhen trending on weibo and douyin isn't because viewers only think Dai Xu looks hot in glasses. Dai Xu as Pei Zhen is doing a very good balancing act which isn't obvious to viewers who don't get the culture and language. If he prioritises a woman and romance before family responsibilities and priorities including his father's wishes plus ambitions for Forma, then he as the unmarried oldest son will be an unfilial weakling who failed his upbringing and disgraces his father as the man of the house responsible for his upbringing. ML lost his biological father early and he isn't the oldest son nor a biological son in these new household dynamics when his mother remarried, so he doesn't have to be assessed as harshly as 2ML on these conditions and easily gets more leeway.
2ML fulfilled family obligations including towards his stepmother. ML did not. How you view all this is up to you. However, filial piety perception isn't up to you, but those in the larger community who hold Confucian beliefs, and ML will appear much worse for this aspect akin to a failure. You can ask anybody who is a fluent mandarin-speaker above the age of 50 about what I have pointed out here.
Going on about whether ML or 2ML is more suited for Hu Xiu as the key priority of how to assess the character of ML or 2ML is usually the typical primary perspective of a non-mandarin-speaking international viewer who is typically ignorant about filial piety being a key theme and absolute necessity to the dynamics between ML, 2ML and 2ML's biological father who is also ML's stepfather due to marriage with ML's mother.
That same ignorance from some viewers will usually lead to childish broad-brush painting of anybody admiring Dai Xu's performance as 2ML being simps for Pei Zhen. There are clearly international admirers of Dai Xu on this page. If someone cannot differentiate between an actor and a role they are playing and people able to point out primary cultural relevance where you cannot and you don't like people like me doing so: I suggest the viewer grows up because this is a drama page for discussion and different characters can be discussed, not a fan page simping only for one actor or actress.
This is a modern C-drama grounded in Confucianism for the family dynamics, not a modern Western drama. It's realistic (and hence partially disturbing) for portraying how Pei Zhen is treated by his father as the oldest son of the family. If you want to assess the family dynamics for the 2ML and ML of this C-drama accurately, you will need to know everything I have pointed out here.
I added my views of why Pei Zhen clearly exhibits emotional abuse inflicted on him since childhood by his father (I also claimed he is charming and repellant in turns): https://kisskh.at/760693-ya-xi#comment-24891090
Pei Zhen's father is clearly a nasty manipulative piece of work whose ideas of grooming a son for leadership should definitely be as lousy as his parenting style.
Pei Zhen gets to be his own man. And he does not have to suffer for his father's doings. I'm happy for him and 2FL. And the leads deserve each other. That's a good ending for them all from my perspective :)
Quoting from what I said to another viewer earlier on this question - This drama is brotherhood-centric and of the four major relationships (all male-centric) important to Tang Lici (who keeps secrets of his own), one of them is with his former sect brother whereby their mature love-hate dynamics are on display throughout this drama. Bromance is something you can decide for yourself as you watch, given different opinions. He develops a good friendship with more than one female character.
Brotherhood and brothers not by blood in wuxia is a strong theme here.
Tang Lici as per the synopsis is drawn into unfolding a complex conspiracy which he is confidently capable of countering as a chess master and best martial arts warrior of the world ie Shenzhou, unlike many protagonists in typical C-dramas who must cultivate and slowly go through trials to develop capability.
With this approach, the central plot is focused on plans and developments increasingly cementing crucial necessity and evolving symbolism of his adventures and existence, via numerous subplots. Viewers are primarily engaged in figuring out finer details and plans from antagonists versus the philosophical enigma of Tang Lici, not bogged down in concerns for a weak still-developing protagonist.
Tang Lici in the novel flirts with anyone, male or female. In the drama, Tang Lici has chemistry with everyone but above it all, he makes friends and forms healthy friendships. I encourage you to try watching at least ten episodes before you decide :)
The richly-coloured art poster utilising at least one traditional artistic technique for SLY (Whispers of Fate) on this page contains many elements and details about Tang Lici's character and traits, including a literary reference which also helps with understanding of the drama ending drawing on multiple implications.
Azure recently translated a large segment of this Douban article about Tang Lici's thinking and behaviour (which is spoiler-free if you have finished watching this drama): https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278
[ 2nd watch - be amazed with the foreshadowing that starts right upfront. Realise that the scriptwriters have woven a masterful connected story where there is no spurious scene or dialogue. There will be lots of "Aha" moments when it dawns on you that there's a reason why this or that action is taken/ event happens. Elegant meaningful conversation steeped in philosophy and cultural references (that many excellent reviewers on MDL like Xiang83, Taraverde and others have expounded in detail).
3rd watch - Fully immerse and appreciate the masterful acting by the main cast (especially LYX), artistic cinematography/ camera language (almost every frame is a worthy wallpaper :) ), detailed world-building brought to life in the CGI and excellent set designs, gorgeous costumes, innovative exciting fight sequences (those who appreciate animes and martial will find delight in seeing these brought to live-action dramas), and the absolutely on-point OSTs throughout. ]
i swear i have no problem with sad endings, but i found this one so tragic 😭 it made me so sad that everyone…
If it's any consolation, he broke the cycle of rebirth for himself and was reincarnated as a white fox. And the ending is also about understanding a certain literary reference.
Scrolling the comments I see that's another problem for the rating of this drama... but somehow, when the series…
The novel ending has Puzhu becoming the King of Insects and Tang Lici by himself mourning those who have died. A happy ending is not on the cards for many of the characters.
Drama-Tang Lici lived a full life, and he wanted others to have his happiness including his dragon goddess mother who tragically sacrificed herself knowing she would die so he could be born. Novel-Tang Lici most wanted to know his mother's love, which novel-Wanyu Yuedan pointed out.
It is sad for Tang Lici not to be remembered, but he was content with his choice for everyone else. Multiple reviews covering the Buddhism aspects of the ending and his journey touch on different aspects, where karma is not the biggest factor here.
Episodes 38 and 39 are truly AT LAST, and it looks like Oshima-taichō is about to view episode 40 with some very extreme feelings about what he cannot change.
I only just realised Casper Van Dien is the actor in this drama as honorary aviator Jimmy Doolittle (most decorated pilot in WWI). He's quite unlike what I remembered in "Starship Troopers" XD
With acclaimed film and television director Shaun Paul Piccinino (two of his six Netflix features topped Netflix's global charts) responsible for directing the American subplot covering the process leading to the Doolittle Raid in this drama, no wonder this segment has been outstandingly shot and acted across multiple episodes!
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When Nashi had to be replaced due to a huge education scandal of her own doing, costs were further added to the movie budget of approximately RMB 550 million. That made the news internationally.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/celebrities/chinese-actress-nashi-accused-of-fraud-in-college-application-material-4908492.html
https://www.koimoi.com/korean/jet-lis-blades-of-the-guardians-suffers-heavy-losses-over-major-controversy-involving-lead-actress/
https://kbizoom.com/nashi-scandal-film-loss-230m/
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/06/23/actress-nashi-accused-of-039faking039-records-to-take-gaokao
But that's over now, so we can focus on the movie!
The most-wanted fugitive Zhi Shilang is to be escorted by Daoma (second-most-wanted fugitive) to Chang'an. To do so, Daoma must join forces with allies A-Yuya and A-Ni and his adopted son Xiaoqi, as he aims to fulfil his mission and outrun various pursuers. Across the desert, various factions come into conflict, whereby the success or failure of this mission could shatter the foundations of an empire.
Shot in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, I'd say everybody who has a role in this movie was properly sun-baked multiple times over XD Sun, sand, no sea. True wuxia immersion means practical filming for all major action scenes, complete with bruises and more after months of rigorous training for close combat, horseback chases and skirmishes.
I believe this movie will screen nationwide on 17 February (first day of CNY).
Watching is about circumstances and moods. This might be Yuen Woo-ping's final movie that he directs, so I definitely have to catch it!
https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20260122A05PPP00
Several films have been officially announced for the upcoming Lunar New Year period, and "Blades of The Guardians" is one of these films attracting a lot of attention. A trailer and more information has been released over the past few days, whereby Wu Jing can be seen in several promotional videos emphasising a collaborative martial arts feast created by five generations.
Yuen Woo-ping is a world-renowned senior action and stunt director, who has choreographed countless classic wonderful kungfu scenes. The reason why the film is considered to be a collaboration across five generation of film makers is also due to Yuen Woo-ping's involvement.
Many action stars familiar to the audience have collaborated with him. This heavyweight filmmaker has directed yet another action blockbuster at the age of 80, naturally resulting in eager anticipation from generations of movie fans.
When Wu Jing starred in the 1998 TV series "Tai Chi Master" as his debut, one of the directors was Yuen Woo-ping. In comparison, Grandpa Yuen has collaborated more often with Jet Li, such as personally directing the 1993 classic kungfu movie "The Tai Chi Master" which has aired countless times on television. "Master Z: Yip Man Legacy" starring Zhang Jin was also directed by him. Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen will not be further mentioned here, since they did not participate in this film.
News about the recent death of Hong Kong action star Bruce Leung Siu-lung (you may recognise him from Stephen Chow's movie "Kungfu Hustle" as The Beast) has made people realise collaborations between action stars and filmmakers of all generations is very rare. Leung Siu-lung is a few years younger than action star and martial artist Ti Lung (one of Hong Kong's "Four Dragons of Cinema" alongside Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Leung Siu-lung and Ti Lung), and Ti Lung is almost the same age as Yuen Woo-ping.
The number of action filmmakers from this generation who can continue to make films has gradually decreased. Several generations of stars rubbing more than shoulders in a big-budget wuxia (martial arts) movie should be a masterpiece of this era.
Compared with martial arts veteran Yuen Woo-ping, the one in this film with higher achievements and global popularity naturally goes to film and television superstar Jet Li, who is more than 60-years-old. His appearance in this movie breaks through various rumours. Previously for the sake of pursuing traffic views, some self-proclaimed entities and individuals have claimed he is seriously ill and sickness-ridden. Later, others have claimed he has regained his vitality and strength, etc
Judging from recently-released BTS videos, Wu Jing who is in his 50s admits his senior Jet Li is still very fast but experiences some guilt over his own strength and condition. As producer and starring actor of this movie, Wu Jing has gathered everyone here to finish a rare agreement of the century. He is naturally the backbone of this collaboration. Major twists and turns were encountered during the process of filming, such as controversy over replacement of important roles. It was not easy to have this movie released in time for the Lunar New Year Period of 2026.
Other than Jet Li and Wu Jing as action stars in this movie, Zhang Jin is the same age as Wu Jing. He has martial arts skills and has participated in various martial arts competitions. After retiring from those, he has worked as a stand-in and martial arts instructor for the Hong Kong action film creation team comprising Yuen Siu-tien's children (you might recognise Yuen Woo-ping's kungfu-moves-pioneer father as Beggar So from the infamous 1978 movies "Drunken Master" and "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow"). Zhang Jin's performance in 2013 movie "The Grandmaster" and 2015 movie "Ip Man 3" is easily notable, and his involvement with this movie will further enhance the action and drama.
[ Do note there is a second half to this article mentioning other actors and actresses in the movie, and I have only summarised the first half].
RBF is one of the contributors listed in the Group Collective Efforts forum post and is responsible for that gem of a post explaining the image poster, plus they have carried out what I consider to be the best English translation for the novel. 40+ chapters of their professional efforts can be found here: https://qianjiemei.wordpress.com/2023/12/14/qian-jie-mei/
I think it's healthy to point out how an actor or actress is doing for a drama, performance-wise. I also believe it is healthy for people to disagree civilly and sincerely. What isn't healthy are indirect catty potshots on a daily basis attempting to intimidate and shame other viewers for appreciating a different actor or actress and their character(s), while also implying such viewers who are different only appreciate the character as a love interest.
If the importance of the role by an actor or actress is reduced primarily to being involved in a romance and not as an individual, that significance isn't flattering to the acting skills of said actor or actress. And if someone wants to measure the worth of the character played by an actor or actress solely and primarily by whether the character is worthy of being in a romance with a lead, that speaks volumes about the viewer rather than whoever they are trying to measure.
There's at least three viewers on this drama page constantly doing this, whereby they clearly idolise the actor for ML and dislike 2ML and keep painting anybody who speaks positively of the actor for 2ML as having 2ML Syndrome (one of them attempted to thought-police another viewer who was objectively evaluating traits of ML and 2ML, and got firmly told off by said viewer for doing so).
2ML Syndrome is wanting 2ML to wind up romantically with FL instead of ML, and some viewers don't care about that for 2ML. We just want to be able to talk objectively about other characters while also appreciating ML and FL. There are viewers who couldn't care less who FL winds up with, while interested in other aspects of the drama. I believe the biggest concern is having as many viewers interested as possible in this drama, so I'm happy for every actor and actress here who helped to draw in a bigger audience.
Kudos to Dai Xu for making a stereotypical 2ML role interesting and memorable on-screen for many Chinese viewers, while some viewers of MDL clearly have a different take. Differences make for interesting variety, variety is the spice of life, and don't be a petty bitter pepper if someone isn't gelling with your favourite hot sauce :)
Is it unusual to want good endings for various characters that aren't criminal? What is a good ending? For me, I see a good ending first and foremost being about personal growth, followed by emotional health, mental health and physical health. Contributing to the greater good is also a definite plus.
If a character must foot an unfortunate sacrifice, then it should be justified.
Pei Zhen has taken steps to be accountable and correct what his father did wrong. He has demonstrated feeling greatly ashamed in previously being horribly wrong and petty about ML. He has been filial to his stepmother on behalf of ML (and it was a bit churlish and childish for ML to ask 2ML whether 2ML cared for the stepmother in the second-last episode, because who else has been looking after ML's mother as a son for years but 2ML? That said, the lunchbox manipulation by 2ML was definitely wrong of 2ML, but we've covered his previous pettiness and childishness in an earlier comment of yours).
Frankly, I was very shocked at how ML behaved toward his mother for Chinese New Year (despite the circumstances) because his behaviour would definitely be a permanent black mark in my book if it happened in RL (unless he rectifies it), and I am definitely not alone in this view for my generation.
I am very glad for Hu Xiu being in Xiao Zhiyu's life and being with him. He deserves happiness after being burdened for so long. And with her, he will grow healthily while being emotionally assured of devoted loyalty and kindness from a wonderful woman who totally gets him :)
It seemed throughout the drama that Pei Zhen's father continued doing shady things Pei Zhen did not know about. And it gave Pei Zhen conflicting difficulties on what he should do. The entire fault will rightfully fall upon the father for his crimes, and Pei Zhen will not pay for his father's wrongs. The fact that Pei Zhen has difficulties deciding shows how he is wrestling with tradition and modernity, and in the end it's a great sign that modernity wins out in this case for Pei Zhen because of what he chooses to do and be.
Maybe it's because I usually prefer non-romance C-dramas, and that's why I'm not hung up on the romance. Hu Xiu is well-written overall, and I enjoyed Lu Yuxiao's acting here much moreso than LITC that I was invited to watch (and having read the novel beforehand so I quickly realised both leads were majorly dumbed down in characterisation with FL also being completely unlike novel Ming Yi, I back-peddled quite fast after witnessing several details pertaining to Ming Yi in two episodes).
Corporal punishment of the older generations could be dreadful and not right. Yes, abuse physically and/or verbally is what I would classify how oldest sons were treated to build character. I can see the final results in my older brother from my father, which I don't approve of.
I wanted the 2FL to have a great career breakthrough, but I'm also satisfied with her ending. I reckon the VR world and Shanghai architectural possibilities were wasted and not more explored, given the great set-up from the get-go.
This is a good drama, not a great drama. And as a rom-com, definitely highly recommended. I'm happy for the lead actor and actress here :D
[ If a father disciplines you for being disrespectful (such as whacking you across the face, which Pei Zhen repeatedly received from his father), retaliating is a gigantic breach of filial piety. "打是疼，骂是爱" and "黄金条下出孝子" are some proverbs typically used to justify corporal punishment and discipline among the older generations. Doesn't mean the parent doing it is in the right. This also means ML's mother will not interfere with her husband's actions for doing so. Those of my generation might choose not to follow this. I definitely don't. ]
As I previously said to provide context in a familial setting, it doesn't mean the parent doing so is right. "棒打出孝子" is definitely an unfortunate application to Pei Zhen from his father.
Filial piety fulfilment is an important consideration when evaluating a potential good daughter-in-law, son-in-law or a future spouse. How a parent chooses to treat a child for discipline while claiming filial piety is a different matter. And when choosing a life partner, I would say anybody who is emotionally unhealthy to a certain extent is not datable, as per my stance on ML and 2ML whereby I am fine with ML by episode 19 but still not fine with 2ML until episode 27.
Beating up an employee in a modern drama is not acceptable. I don't fully understand your question about acceptable Confucian corporal punishment pertaining to employees. You mention a K-drama and an employee but off the top of my head, but I can't think of a Chinese proverb that would have led to it. Korea and China also have cultural differences despite being part of East Asia, and I don't run away from the awful fact that Confucianism isn't awesome in some aspects. What is the name of this K-drama?
"板子头上出状元" refers to the shaping of a scholar to ace the imperial exam. Nothing to do with employees and employers that I can think of.
I have mixed-feelings to know you went through a very traditional upbringing. There is immense beauty in traditions but just as cruelly depending on the circumstances, can be very emotionally damaging. As you and I understand only too well, 2ML is as you said: A product of his upbringing. For me, it's a miracle that he didn't turn out worse luckily because he had a stepmother whom he clearly cares for.
I hope you manage to enjoy the final 8 episodes of "Love Between The Lines". I believe the script dropped the ball on FL for those episodes, and I had been enjoying her characterisation until the end of episode 19. I wanted 2FL to be given the opportunity to showcase more of her acting chops for the final episode, but I'm glad she at least got a happy ending.
This drama will look good on the filmography of Lu Yuxiao and Chen Xing Xu, and I am very happy for them :D
"River Sunset" is doing well and has more TV viewership than "Glory" which is also doing well, according to CVB. I'm grateful that there is so much quality in variety for which viewers can pick and choose whatever we want to enjoy XD
For 2025, other than "The Guardians", I am glad for a non-romance xuanxia drama that finally reminded me of the depth and beauty in older HK movies I enjoy (and it is also a major hit being the only C-drama of 2025 nominated for CPOPwave 2026), so much so that I decided to explain a bit of three literary references involving Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24569086
As Pei Zhen, Dai Xu elevated a very non-unique screenplay characterisation 2ML into a character that is trending highly in popularity on China social media such as weibo and douyin. I'll give you insight into why that is the case (not the MDL bubble on this page):
This isn't obvious to non-mandarin speakers who also don't understand Confucian traditions that strongly applies to this C-drama for the dynamics of ML with 2ML and 2ML's father, which is something my uncles followed with my now-deceased grandfather regardless of their ages and status:
If a father disciplines you for being disrespectful (such as whacking you across the face, which Pei Zhen repeatedly received from his father), retaliating is a gigantic breach of filial piety. "打是疼，骂是爱" and "黄金条下出孝子" are some proverbs typically used to justify corporal punishment and discipline among the older generations. Doesn't mean the parent doing it is in the right. This also means ML's mother will not interfere with her husband's actions for doing so. Those of my generation might choose not to follow this. I definitely don't.
If you're going to watch this drama without understanding the cultural mindset, ML is going to look super-awesome while 2ML might come across to you as weak and pathetic. That's definitely one of the biggest perception differences between international non-mandarin speaking viewers versus mandarin-speaking viewers in East Asian or Southeast Asian countries.
2ML is definitely strong, because it is culturally obvious that he is trying to balance everything he's supposed to traditionally adhere to while being a modern man and in such a situation, he also looks like a traditional filial son who didn't run away and isn't a romance-addled weakling. On the professional front if he is doing a stellar job leading the company, Pei Zhen deserves the respect of his employees, and the drama also shows that.
ML had a hard life after leaving them all to make his own way, but he can be viewed as abandoning the traditional family unit and familial obligations such as staying by his mother for selfish self-centred freedom to attain his goals and is hence unreliable and unfilial. ML is not selfish and his actions are understandable from multiple angles and he is reliable, but he can come across that way depending on the viewer. 2ML fulfilled obligations of ML to ML's mother on behalf of ML, and 2ML clearly cares for his stepmother.
ML and 2ML are not emotionally healthy for at least the first ten episodes of the drama and they are not dateable during those episodes IMO. Hu Xiu is a well-written character, and rightfully gave ML a piece of her mind with an ultimatum in episode 19. BTW, I still believe Pei Zhen is undatable until the end of the second-last episode.
Pei Zhen trending on weibo and douyin isn't because viewers only think Dai Xu looks hot in glasses. Dai Xu as Pei Zhen is doing a very good balancing act which isn't obvious to viewers who don't get the culture and language. If he prioritises a woman and romance before family responsibilities and priorities including his father's wishes plus ambitions for Forma, then he as the unmarried oldest son will be an unfilial weakling who failed his upbringing and disgraces his father as the man of the house responsible for his upbringing. ML lost his biological father early and he isn't the oldest son nor a biological son in these new household dynamics when his mother remarried, so he doesn't have to be assessed as harshly as 2ML on these conditions and easily gets more leeway.
2ML fulfilled family obligations including towards his stepmother. ML did not. How you view all this is up to you. However, filial piety perception isn't up to you, but those in the larger community who hold Confucian beliefs, and ML will appear much worse for this aspect akin to a failure. You can ask anybody who is a fluent mandarin-speaker above the age of 50 about what I have pointed out here.
Going on about whether ML or 2ML is more suited for Hu Xiu as the key priority of how to assess the character of ML or 2ML is usually the typical primary perspective of a non-mandarin-speaking international viewer who is typically ignorant about filial piety being a key theme and absolute necessity to the dynamics between ML, 2ML and 2ML's biological father who is also ML's stepfather due to marriage with ML's mother.
That same ignorance from some viewers will usually lead to childish broad-brush painting of anybody admiring Dai Xu's performance as 2ML being simps for Pei Zhen. There are clearly international admirers of Dai Xu on this page. If someone cannot differentiate between an actor and a role they are playing and people able to point out primary cultural relevance where you cannot and you don't like people like me doing so: I suggest the viewer grows up because this is a drama page for discussion and different characters can be discussed, not a fan page simping only for one actor or actress.
This is a modern C-drama grounded in Confucianism for the family dynamics, not a modern Western drama. It's realistic (and hence partially disturbing) for portraying how Pei Zhen is treated by his father as the oldest son of the family. If you want to assess the family dynamics for the 2ML and ML of this C-drama accurately, you will need to know everything I have pointed out here.
A fellow viewer shared her views about Pei Zhen's repellant behaviour that can be deemed childish and manipulative: https://kisskh.at/760693-ya-xi#comment-24890416
I added my views of why Pei Zhen clearly exhibits emotional abuse inflicted on him since childhood by his father (I also claimed he is charming and repellant in turns): https://kisskh.at/760693-ya-xi#comment-24891090
Pei Zhen's father is clearly a nasty manipulative piece of work whose ideas of grooming a son for leadership should definitely be as lousy as his parenting style.
Pei Zhen gets to be his own man. And he does not have to suffer for his father's doings. I'm happy for him and 2FL. And the leads deserve each other. That's a good ending for them all from my perspective :)
Here is the official opening song, with scenes from the drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn9_a762jU8
Brotherhood and brothers not by blood in wuxia is a strong theme here.
Tang Lici as per the synopsis is drawn into unfolding a complex conspiracy which he is confidently capable of countering as a chess master and best martial arts warrior of the world ie Shenzhou, unlike many protagonists in typical C-dramas who must cultivate and slowly go through trials to develop capability.
With this approach, the central plot is focused on plans and developments increasingly cementing crucial necessity and evolving symbolism of his adventures and existence, via numerous subplots. Viewers are primarily engaged in figuring out finer details and plans from antagonists versus the philosophical enigma of Tang Lici, not bogged down in concerns for a weak still-developing protagonist.
Tang Lici in the novel flirts with anyone, male or female. In the drama, Tang Lici has chemistry with everyone but above it all, he makes friends and forms healthy friendships. I encourage you to try watching at least ten episodes before you decide :)
RBF made this forum post in November 2023, which I share here: https://kisskh.at/discussions/shui-long-yin/121095-sly-art-poster-analysis-slight-spoilers?pid=2851189&page=1#p2851189
Azure recently translated a large segment of this Douban article about Tang Lici's thinking and behaviour (which is spoiler-free if you have finished watching this drama): https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278
Mizuhira-san started the ball rolling, when she translated the segments on Zhong Chunji and Liu Yan: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24450266
I quote DramFun29212 from more than a month ago, who shared their experiences from watching WoF three times: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24521460
[ 2nd watch - be amazed with the foreshadowing that starts right upfront. Realise that the scriptwriters have woven a masterful connected story where there is no spurious scene or dialogue. There will be lots of "Aha" moments when it dawns on you that there's a reason why this or that action is taken/ event happens. Elegant meaningful conversation steeped in philosophy and cultural references (that many excellent reviewers on MDL like Xiang83, Taraverde and others have expounded in detail).
3rd watch - Fully immerse and appreciate the masterful acting by the main cast (especially LYX), artistic cinematography/ camera language (almost every frame is a worthy wallpaper :) ), detailed world-building brought to life in the CGI and excellent set designs, gorgeous costumes, innovative exciting fight sequences (those who appreciate animes and martial will find delight in seeing these brought to live-action dramas), and the absolutely on-point OSTs throughout. ]
Enjoy watching and/or rewatching! :D
RBF posted this in 2023 about the details of the poster plus the ending (which I totally recommend checking out): https://kisskh.at/discussions/shui-long-yin/121095-sly-art-poster-analysis-slight-spoilers
Drama-Tang Lici lived a full life, and he wanted others to have his happiness including his dragon goddess mother who tragically sacrificed herself knowing she would die so he could be born. Novel-Tang Lici most wanted to know his mother's love, which novel-Wanyu Yuedan pointed out.
It is sad for Tang Lici not to be remembered, but he was content with his choice for everyone else. Multiple reviews covering the Buddhism aspects of the ending and his journey touch on different aspects, where karma is not the biggest factor here.
Episodes 38 and 39 are truly AT LAST, and it looks like Oshima-taichō is about to view episode 40 with some very extreme feelings about what he cannot change.
I only just realised Casper Van Dien is the actor in this drama as honorary aviator Jimmy Doolittle (most decorated pilot in WWI). He's quite unlike what I remembered in "Starship Troopers" XD
He labels his role in this drama as "Role of a lifetime" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156356708292899&id=90285817898&set=a.396424422898
With acclaimed film and television director Shaun Paul Piccinino (two of his six Netflix features topped Netflix's global charts) responsible for directing the American subplot covering the process leading to the Doolittle Raid in this drama, no wonder this segment has been outstandingly shot and acted across multiple episodes!