Xiang83

You're here! I thought you were elsewhere! I will catch up :p

Would you be kind enough to share the link to the review? I'm keen to see it :D

You're welcome :)

Episode 1 was serious on certain matters (and possibly macabre, given how Lu Jiang Lai enters the drama as a force of change), and then episode 2 becomes something fairly different.

Still kvelling over episode 4. Gulnazha seems to be enjoying herself very much in this role, unlike her character in "The Journey of Legend". She has very capable hands and she is in very-capable hands XD

What an awesome combination! The creative crew is a stellar powerhouse to draw in audiences of all ages, featuring the likes of Directors Guo Hao ("Winter Begonia" and "Story of Yanxi Palace") and Zhang Zhi Wei (short dramas such as "Dominion and Devotion" and "Fortune Writer"), the main screenwriter Zhou Mo (Story of Yanxi Palace") and highly-capable costume designer Song Xiaotao. This team is the key reason for "Glory" unfolding so well in camerawork and characterisations and subplots never losing sight of the main plot but enhancing it, because they know their craft and different strengths very thoroughly, and are able to compensate for any weaknesses.

With them at the helm, storyboarding and editing of the first four episodes have been fun, compacted with precision, and well-paced. Zhang Zhi Wei's dramas include themes of female empowerment, so he's right at home here. Guo Hao is capable with micro-details (such as when Shang Xi Rui in Winter Begonia charms certain women with his demonstration of understanding certain gestures). The dialogue is never wasted, and killer lines are unforgettable. Relationships and events allowing for individual characters to unfold are nicely-structured and help develop the main plot line, always advancing even in the smallest incidents and interactions.

A slap. A smile. Impeccable calm of young nights obeying undisturbed authority cannot hide milling undercurrents of torrid disagreements and sentiments. An unofficial Yanxi Palace Season 2, only with a completely different setting and cast? Close your eyes and imagine various traits of the consorts, when you think of the suitors. And be open to a script of hearts and schemes more colourfully convoluted than you can imagine, because Zhou Mo is clearly in her element here and will upend any assumptions you can make.

Between the matriarchal tycoon family and suitors ahoy for our Rong Shanbao, the social commentary and humour is also delicately barbed. Refreshing to see how men can be as scheming and political as women, when it comes to social status attainments in role reversals. There are multiple different types of power imbalance systems being indirectly revealed, especially in plights of certain males and females. Choreography for the physical fights has been highly-engaging, whereby you might believe more than one cast member is versed in martial arts since he hasn't lost dignity, footing, or a sneer.

Since this is a drama focused on tea, some theatrical flair is necessary for tea presentations rather than stoic tea ceremonies lining the episodes. Loving the history with references such as Ganlu Temple in Mengshan Mountain of the Sichuan Province, renowned for being the historical birthplace of tea cultivation. Episode 4 in the final 5 minutes has been my favourite combination of storytelling, editing and dialogue so far, across 4 episodes of never-a-dull-moment!

So many enjoyable leading actors and actresses from vertical dramas in the supporting cast! We've got Liu Qing, Richard Li Fei and Zhao Jia Min. When Zhao Yi Qin finally shows up, episode 4 ended with a great cliffhanger and foreshadowing. Recalling prayer flags saying goodbye, fluttering leaves caressed by the wind close out four minutes of perfection in highly-technical camerawork and angles so naturally augmenting first impressions and intriguing continuations.

Gulnazha's a lovely surprise here using feminine wiles, while she navigates her impending future and a ton of suitors as shrewd ice queen Rong Shanbao. Her VA is excellent, though I can't place that immediately and wonder if Bai Xin Zan is doing so here.

Given the efforts of cast and crew, this is going to be quite an adventure, and a great way to see out 2025 while welcoming 2026! With this creative team in place, I'm looking forward to good surprises, interesting twists, a happy ending for our leads and all character developments along the way! (Also having a soft spot for the 5th Rong sister and one more suitor XD)

I will be adding this to the Group Collective Efforts forum post. Gosh, how to describe... Words escape me for this amazing summary!!

┆　┆　┆　┆　┆
┆　┆ ࣪ ˖☆ ࣪⭑┆ ݁˖ .☆ . ݁ ˖
☆⊹ ࣪ ┆ ˖ ࣪　⊹ ࣪ ★ ⋆.˚ ⊹ ࣪
࣪ ˖⋆˚★ ₊ ⊹　 ࣪˖ ࣪ ₊ ࣪ ˖　
. ݁　⊹ ࣪ ˖　　　 ࣪ ˖
　　. ݁　　　 ݁
　　.

This trailer is very good. Work has been a bit nuts. I'll be diving in shortly!

Some of us have watched it a second time, and had mixed feelings about the ending. Azure has also just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici, which I hope makes you feel better:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Some of us have watched it a second time, and feel what you feel. Azure has also just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check it out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Some of us have watched it a second time, and it just gets better. Azure has also just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check it out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Some of us have watched it a second time, and it just gets better. Azure has also just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici!

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Speaking of Tang Lici, Azure has just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Tang Lici's ideals aren't very clear to people at times, and thank you for trying to explain. Oh, Azure has just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Glad you enjoyed this amazing drama. Azure has just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Azure wrote a review and has just translated a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Isamar, thank you for enjoying this amazing drama. Azure has just translated into English a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Thank you for enjoying this amazing drama. Azure has just translated into English a large part of a very-interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

There's always these ongoing wars, which I believe is a waste of time and energy when we could all elevate each other and hence enable better financial results, and lead to likely- better scripts for future dramas that we could all enjoy. Oh, Azure translated a large part of a very interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Glad you enjoyed this amazing drama :) Azure translated a large part of a very interesting Douban article about Tang Lici, into English! Check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

Azure translated a large part of a very interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! check this out:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278

At least ten people commented on my review, and I ended up gushing about certain scenes and characters. Oh, Azure translated a large part of a very interesting Douban article about Tang Lici! You might want to see this:

https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24608278