Xiang83

TJOL is the Journey of Legend. The editing here is also somewhat choppy. But the dialogue is definitely better. Of the three (TJOL versus Love and Crown versus Vendetta of An) helmed by Lin Feng the director with another director plus other crew members, this is the best of the three dramas in my opinion.

I can see how it's going to go:

I have madcap ideas A and B, you have interesting ideas DEFGHI, we agree on more than half of them + consider fighting it out with the remaining few disagreements, and kwanto settles everything using statistical probability versus impossibility unless LYX is the final judge🍃💎🌸🔮🌿🏵

♡ ⊹ ₊ .♡ ‧₊˚. · ˚⊹ ⋆
╭◜◝ ͡ ◜◝╮ ⋆╭◜◝ ͡ ◜◝╮. ⊹
( .◜◡◝ )♡ ( .◜◡◝ ) ₊ ♡
╰◟◞ ͜ ◟◞╭◜◝ ͡ ◜◝╮ ͜ ◟◞╯. ⊹ ⋆
. ⋆ ♡︎ ⊹ ( .◜◡◝ ) ₊ . ⊹ ♡
₊ 　⋆ ╰◟◞ ͜ ◟◞╯ . ⊹ ⋆♡ . ⊹

Definitely the most iconic villain in a historical costume C-drama. I don't expect people to know anything about Yuan zaju (such as the significance of narratives in ancient Chinese literature across different dynasties reaching an unprecedented maturity and brilliance in the zaju of Yuan Dynasty and the history of that), but for someone to claim "I am sure the lines he is reciting are a part of Chinese literature. Ghost peony had a very philosophical talk with TLC in the restaurant and that was a very well done scene. It had deeper meaning and well done. Very effective in establishing his character in that moment." to also later include:

"Did not find it tasteful or even sinister. it downgraded the villain in an instant. It made a possible serious villain non- serious and stupid for no reason. They could have stuck to his natural demeanour (like in the restaurant scene with TLC) instead of all those masks, singing regular dialogues."- 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

By that point, my natural reaction was unsurprising. But as someone who at least wanted to try educating an arrogant ignoramus at least once about a culture and history alien to them, I was politely detailed to also include simplified mandarin and traditional mandarin.

[Let the dogs bark! The wolves howl! The lightnings flash and the crows caw! SLY will continue to shine and none can stop it! SLY will always be SLY and will never be QJM! It’s also a karma in a way; the author abandoned Tang Lici and the screenwriter abandoned A Shui. Tang Lici and the drama, both forgot A Shui like she never existed in the first place(⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠) ] - 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Novel-Wanyu Yuedan best described A-Shui's role in chapter 40 to A-Shui. Be it the novel or drama, ultimately being an afterthought is never pleasant.

Respecting fellow viewers is to tell the truth. Not doing so simply makes one a troll, especially when someone has pushed this drama as romance-integral before the drama aired (despite the producers saying it is heroism-focused before it aired) and even after the drama finished airing one month ago, refuse to watch all episodes but continue to push one specific pairing as CP and continue to bash this drama in different ways.

More than 40 days ago, I explained to eggsomethingnumber why honorary titles Gui Mudan purposely used with Liu Yan in the conversation eg 尊主 was mockery, and how 鬼气 of Gui Mudan was to result in complete contrasts for Tang Lici versus Gui Mudan: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24049658

I highly encourage people to watch both TTEOM and Whispers of Fate, and see the fundamental differences for themselves. Each protagonist is fundamentally different, the screenplays are different and the focus is different. How anyone can watch TTEOM first, and then watch 20 episodes of Whispers of Fate and not realise this... Means they need help. So I posted an article above.

And thank you, for your heartfelt devotion *｡･+🌱⋆｡‧˚ʚ🐸ɞ˚‧｡⋆🌱+･｡*

I wish more international fans would converge on MDL. The language barrier is an issue, but it is something we could all try to overcome. I see kwanto as our unofficial mascot for international viewers, given efforts to answer fellow fans using french and spanish.

Xie Huai'an is quite skilful and precise using one blow with a shovel to kill someone, hence I cannot say he does not know how to fight. Vendetta of An (VoA) only gets better after episode 1, so think of episode 1 as a restful prologue.

Episode 1 has Mr Screw-up's trademarks all over it. There are two main directors for this drama, the bigger main director here as Lin Feng being the screwup for TJOL and he was also the main Director for dumpster inferno "Love and Crown" (I watched one episode of LnC and had to reverse ASAP because the plotholes were absurdly the size of Pluto, courtesy of the screenwriter who previously screwed up Sword and Beloved).

However, the key differentiation between VoA versus TJOL versus SaB lies in the strengths of the main screenwriter (in this case, without romance and without restraint on the darker bits of revenge, I expect this main screenwriter here to be able to deliver the best out of the three dramas, compared to the other two main screenwriters of the other two dramas TJOL and SaB). This main screenwriter also has his flaws, but the dialogue will be purposeful without being flowery or redundant. TJOL's dialogue was an eyeroll.

Secondly, the secondary main director(Li Lei) here used to be primarily an action director. This means he can tighten the pacing much better than the other director, will have better input on the realism and grit of this drama (show being better than tell), and can definitely do action scenes and relevant choreography, which will strengthen the camerawork and editing.

There will be flaws and plotholes, but likely minimised by these two main crew members being older than the bigger main director (which means if they insist on the same issue in agreement, Mr Screwup has to agree).

I encourage people to watch both Whispers of Fate and TTEOM!

Whispers of Fate is a heroism-focused drama with a well-formed protagonist ready to level the chessboard of his foes akin to a chess master while deciding whether to become a hero and save countless lives and has to weigh up world issues, hence romance is barely a blip on the radar unless you use your imagination. In this drama, you're unpeeling multiples onions with a solid emotional core, which involves time travel and an ambitious correlation of three timelines because the philosophical webs of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism leads to our protagonist exercising wisdom of the ages due to truly comprehending the key of intertwined boundless compassion and love.

TTEOM is heavy on romance, relationships, and how one compelling demon god can fundamentally change because of the efforts of others, especially due to someone who loves him. In that drama, you follow the protagonist on his journey as he evolves and develops to become what you hope for.

Tantai Jin and Tang Lici are fundamentally different MLs. The screenplays and focus of each drama is completely different, hence I encourage watching both dramas. Speaking of Whispers of Fate, I would like to share this article: https://www.newhanfu.com/74462.html

[ I just finished the opening episodes of Whispers of Fate (水龙吟), and the experience left me eager to discuss it with others. The protagonist, played by Luo Yunxi (罗云熙), stands out as a compelling figure who draws viewers into the story effortlessly.

From the outset, the narrative flows smoothly, avoiding any sluggish moments that might lose the audience's interest. Characters are fleshed out with depth, making each interaction feel genuine and engaging. Visually, the scenes are crafted with such care that they could easily serve as stunning backgrounds for any device....

.... He brings a nuanced performance that anchors the entire plot, making it easy to invest in his journey.

In an era where content can feel repetitive, this show manages to feel fresh and invigorating. It is a testament to thoughtful storytelling and execution that prioritizes the viewer's engagement over flashy distractions...

For years, audiences have grown accustomed to protagonists who start from humble beginnings, facing trials and slowly gaining strength. This narrative pattern, while compelling, often follows a predictable path of struggle and eventual triumph. However, a shift is occurring in character design, introducing figures who enter the story fully formed and in control. These individuals bypass the traditional journey of self-discovery, offering a fresh dynamic where power and intellect are established from the outset. This approach challenges viewers to engage with stories differently, focusing on the execution of plans rather than the development of capability. It represents a significant departure from the formulas that have long dominated screen and page...

... In an era where digital content floods screens, a quiet shift is occurring in visual storytelling. Productions are increasingly drawing from deep cultural wells to create worlds that feel both ancient and fresh. One series, Whispers of Fate, stands out for its dedication to this approach, weaving traditional elements into every frame without feeling dated. This isn't about nostalgia; it's a deliberate effort to make historical artistry accessible and exciting for today's audiences. The result is a viewing experience that engages the eyes and the imagination, setting a new standard for what visual media can achieve...

... Costumes in Whispers of Fate are not just attire; they are narratives stitched into fabric. For the character Tang Lici, designers incorporated a Diexie belt (蹀躞带) structure from the Tang dynasty, adorned with Sanskrit symbols to reflect his ambiguous morality. Armor pieces draw inspiration from Sanxingdui (三星堆) bronze artifacts, blending mystique with regality. Each garment tells a story through its cuts, embroidery, and materials...

...The anticipation for new episodes highlights how this aesthetic dedication enhances engagement. People aren’t just waiting for plot twists; they’re eager to see what new visual treasures each installment reveals. This response underscores a growing appetite for media that values craftsmanship over speed, suggesting a shift in what audiences expect from high-quality productions. ] - -> Check out the photos and details of the article!

Fans such as Kwanto are always bringing in statistics and details which emphasise the groundbreaking success of this drama. Viewers such as Azure pay amazing attention to all sorts of details while sharing them enthusiastically and generously, such as the worldview and timelines and other minutiae in the Forum discussions above, which anchors "Whispers of Fate" as a timeless classic for the ages.

And the rest of us, in our own ways, express our passions marvelling at this experience :D

I had three concerns, one of which is allayed by eva's answer.

The second concern occurs in episode 3, whereby there is a face-swapping issue reminding me of episode 1 of "Jun Jiu Ling" whereby FL the princess gains a new face belonging to her friend ie Peng Xiaoran. Still undecided on that subject.

The third concern is when our ML gets stabbed in the side of the neck. Yikes. Neck injuries tend to be fatal or very serious. I don't want glaring plotholes. I'll get to episode 6 and see how I feel.

Li Lianhua was about letting go and wrapping things up. Xie Huai'an holds on because that is the honourable thing to do, to avenge his family. He is clearly a mixture of different emotions balancing different aspects of himself, and he isn't sorry about being this way (which at this point, is preferable).

He and Ye Zheng can make me laugh. Tong Meng Shi was under-utilised in Dashing Youth and he is much better suited to these types of dramas.

That's an excellent start. Thank you.

My friend's question was whether Xie Huai'an can fight (as in martial arts) compared to other previous roles of Cheng Yi (where his character can convey martial arts with swordplay or other types of fighting styles), and not about Xie Huai'an's physical fitness or lack of.

Based on my assessments of certain movements, I answered accordingly.

Don't be an angel. Just get through the first 7 episodes and we'll see XD

Xie Huai'an is unapologetically bloodthirsty. Which is fantastic. He also shows flashes of emotional balancing, but his emotions never get in his way of handling what he considers to be blood debts. This is a very balanced character.

He isn't a sociopath. He's simply being human, given what he went through back then.

The ML is not going to be plotting all sorts of ways to do things nor create a chessboard, before he is in position to make his moves. The ML is literally along the lines of "How do I finish laying out the rest of my chess pieces on the board and canning six of them?"

Of course, things will happen that cause setbacks to his plans. The final three will be harder to kill. But that's part of the fun. This is definitely male-centric adult-territory C-drama, not for romance or fluff.

Yes. Here is my summary: https://kisskh.at/769667-chang-an-er-shi-si-ji#comment-24459676

Yo, can you spoil me about it?

It might be a wee bit more difficult to have tea parties for this drama, but Mizuhira-san and you always surprise me XD

I posted a recent comment up-top to summarise the strengths of this drama in terms of approach, but I haven't said anything about camerawork or cinematography. I'm grateful that at least the issues for TJOL of greenscreens and colour composition is not happening here.

In Legend of Zang Hai, I believe Xiao Zhan's ML character would need other female cast members to save him, whenever fighting broke out. I'll probably need 10 episodes here to be certain.

And I hope Xu Lu's character as Huai'an's sister gets more shades of grey :D

It's totally weird and sad in C-Ent. I think it is sad when fans of another actor or actress attack other actors or actresses.

I believe it is even sadder when such fans go to great lengths to try to drive away people from watching a drama, by misleading new viewers in different ways.

We could have some awesome collaborations in C-Ent, if fans of different actors and actresses encourage people to watch a drama as per the drama's actual strengths and focus. I think Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo might never work together again, which is sad because I was thinking if both of them and Neo Hou were in a C-drama as modern rookie cops-in-training down on luck in love and trying to cope with life (and dollops of comedy) while supervised by a senior leader of their squad being a senior actor who can really pull off that role (such as Francis Ng or Ricky Chan)- With the right director and screenwriter? That drama would be a massive domestic and international hit.

By this point, those of us who know about Douban and Yunhe also know not to take anybody seriously who uses Douban or Yunhe to try to drag down Whispers of Fate.

Lin Feng should have more say as one of the two main directors, because the other director is Li Lei. Li Lei's background includes being an action stuntman and action director. For the 2019 drama "Candle In The Tomb: The Wrath of Time", he was the action director.