How can you tell me you have to go back in time 3 times occupying about 4 episode.How can yo tell me that you…
When it comes to historical costume idol dramas (be it xianxia or wuxia or xuanhuan), I don't know how Neo Hou's agency works but I believe Neo Hou gets main roles in scripts whereby the main storyline is not good and/or his FLs make me feel sorry for him. LITC is a completely botched adaptation of the novel and main leads (FL completely different from novel and also not healthy emotionally). FoF is a character-driven drama with a storyline akin to a sieve (FL was very poorly-written there). TUS with the FL here is sadly not healthy for poor Hongye. I also cannot understand why Tan Songyun picked this drama. All these dramas have FLs brought down by writing issues.
Glory has an interesting storyline, but I hesitate to recommend the pairing of the leads as a healthy relationship. If we look objectively at scripts, Neo Hou had the most flexibility in FoF (and I believe he did well there), and to date his work in Glory for a historical costume non-xianxia/xuanhuan drama is the best. I believe your friend will agree with me.
I also believe KTTPH will be Neo Hou's best performance and most healthy onscreen relationship when it airs, given the Director-screenwriter combo plus the FL whose acting has been noted amongst my mandarin-speaking friends and C-Ent viewers who watch non-idol dramas. I am one of the few C-Ent watchers on MDL who picks dramas based on knowing how to vet the individuals and the combos. My MDL friends-list is small but almost 1/3 are mandarin-speakers with C-ent watching experience of years to decades.
That's why we can have conversations very different from MDL bubbles.
PoJ is internationally popular, but is soundly lambasted for being unrealistic and impossible on multiple fronts amongst mandarin-speakers who are not fans of the leads. People believe Tencent bought the hot searches beforehand and IQiyi leaked the final episodes.
Huayi brothers are major shareholders in one of the production companies for PoJ, and have been previously accused of box office manipulation for some of their films. Here is why they need PoJ to be a hit: https://www.sohu.com/a/999349397_121163677
I encouraged others to watch "The Unclouded Soul" while it was airing because IQiyi's stocks have been tanking, the latest financial report wasn't good, plus statistics also indicated TUS is a flop relative to its budget. IQiyi needs to focus on proper production and promotion of dramas, instead of details which have mandarin-speakers noticing obvious shenanigans to inflate data for Boiled Fish.
If you want combinations that work well on the acting, screenwriting, directing and post-production fronts, I'd recommend "The Miracles", "Twelve Letters" and "Dream of Golden Years".
So many months on, its still difficult to watch other historical c-dramas as the comparison to WoF inevitably…
You're welcome to check out this latest addition in our discussions about the philosophical complexity of the screenplay and details (spoilers in the forum thread for those who have not finished watching the drama):
[《水龙吟》不仅是一部武侠剧，更是对人性和身份认同的深刻探讨。- "Whispers of Fate is not only a wuxia drama, but a profound exploration of human nature and identity...
..."愿意以生命捍卫他的初心" - Zhong Chunji is willing to use her life to protect Tang Lici's original intentions as per Mahāyāna Buddhism... The article writer clearly understands certain themes, when describing her as chivalrous from the start and also using such words to describe her connection to Tang Lici. "初心" comes from a specific saying in《华严经》ie Avataṃsaka Sūtra, one of Mahāyāna Buddhism's most famous sutras in East Asia known in English as the "Flower Garland" sutra and considered the most profound and comprehensive of the Mahāyāna texts (focusing on wisdom of interconnectedness). The words are "不忘初心，方得始终” which reminds you not to forget your original intentions and you will always succeed...
... Just as Tang Lici maintained important relationships with four men in his heart and mind making me think of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, Tang Lici's relationships with three women in this drama are essential... These seven relationships produce the sevens of Mahāyāna Buddhism that Tang Lici achieves in fundamental necessity... ]
Are you the kind who wants spoilers before episodes?
If we look at the cause of this entire mess, it boils down to one woman being coddled and insulated all her life from hardship, reality and romance being indulged in whatever she wants, including insisting on having her way in what she thinks will solve political messes. Her choices and refusal to listen further enlarge this mess. And she gets her best lessons from what happens as a natural consequence of her choices.
The end was a bit chaotic, mostly with all the royal family in the FL's country dying and the ML casually saying…
As an A-budget drama, the production team ran out of money to do any promotions.
As to the ending, this is what I wrote about why the Storm Alliance arc was necessary, to tie into the ending especially because of the hooha Feng Suige initially made about not wanting to be an emperor by a certain episode:
Does the Susha princess annoy anyone else? I mean she was infatuated with the guy, went against her brother and…
She'll annoy a lot of viewers. Until meeting Xia Jingshi, she has always had her way, been told everything she wants to hear, and never truly encountered hardship. Being over-coddled does that.
That is why this princess is so realistic in this drama ie Princess Xiyang has such a romanticised unrealistic vision of love and people, thinking she can get what she wants if she gives others what she assumes they want. Bad match with Xia Jingshi, who has been humiliated, bullied and endured worse while spending many years as a seasoned veteran of battles with a different woman that matches what he hopes for.
Is fighting and threatening each other their foreplay? lol
As two formidable enemies who should be killing each other given their personal allegiances of national interests, it is the only natural language for them to start honestly communicating in, when one-on-one XD
I am actually quite impressed by Du ZhaoHui as a character.👍🏻🤩
I would have wanted this drama to be two episodes longer, in order to flesh out certain things but I believe the budget for this drama is even less than "Fated Hearts", so 36 episodes is what it is.
"Dream of Golden Years" is well-executed, for more than 95% of the drama. Why this drama stands out is…
I don't know if Republican-era espionage thrillers are up your alley (the cast is usually fairly strong including the leads), so I won't rec those.
Since you like "Dream of Golden Years", consider checking out "Twelve Letters", "The Miracles" (a compilation of short stories related to Shenzhen's development), and perhaps "Beloved" (if you are curious about crime-thrillers with psychological themes). The acting for those options are definitely of a certain standard at the very least similar to this drama, the scripts are fairly tight, and the directing is professionally engaging in a realistic manner while reflecting an understanding of the screenwriter(s) visions.
This show was a really great surprise. I picked it up randomly as I waited for new of Pursuit of Jade, and then…
"Dream of Golden Years" is well-executed, for more than 95% of the drama. Why this drama stands out is not because it is time travel enabling FL to change her future, but because FL no longer remains as a passive fence-sitter of issues assuming personal success is sufficient self-protection for a sole person ie herself. FL followed all the rules and squashed her own dreams as a people-pleaser in her original timeline but gets framed for being a people-pleasing team player, so she decisively transforms to become an active go-getter willing to use all her modern skills to tackle the challenges of the reform era and protect her loved ones, and also wanting people to succeed with her.
Hark work and having the initiative to create opportunities and tackle obstacles head-on is the key, rather than avoiding unpleasant people and giving in to them just to keep a peace that is dependent on them. FL seizes the reins in a graceful observant manner, and learns to also open up to people and have close friends. This is how FL enabled horrible misogynistic traditions to be confronted and altered, such as empowering her mother and other women to have a modern mindset of feminine independence still mindful of a supportive team being necessary to succeed. And not being afraid to start over or think big, because all along, the strength you need is always inside you.
All this is because the primary screenwriter is consistent from start to end while able to utilise her writing strengths ie specific emphasis on women empowerment plus general inspirational stories, and the director also understands the vision of the screenwriter, plus they clearly grasped the source material and actively considered individual characters of the ensemble cast carefully while still enabling FL to stand out. FL is almost twice the age of the ML from an emotional and mental perspective at the beginning, and the carefully-technical screenplay plus post-production editing allows for ML to become her equal in a natural manner through different events and sharing perspectives.
They also clearly had at least two options for an ending, knowing the first preferred option likely would not pass censorship.
Everybody picks dramas for different reasons. Some will pick based on cast members or specific artists. A few of us pick dramas primarily because we can vet the crew combo of director(s) and screenwriter(s) and supporting cast members, and not just because of one screenwriter or director (that is how I picked this drama to watch).
What type of main characters (ML and/or FL) do you want to watch? Any specific genre?
This is such an underrated drama, very well made! I am now up to ep 28 and especially like Liu Fen's character…
I have watched 31 episodes. Her first pair of earrings in episode 11 are my favourite earrings of hers, this far. Maybe somebody should make an MDL quiz about personalities based on her earrings XD
Express package now available for IQiyi VIP members, for episodes 32 to 36! Looking forward to binging everything this weekend!
I don't know if the " Yun Chu's Vengeance starring Esther Yu Shuxin and Zhang Yun Long will have many revisions…
Finished the novel. Since it is only 24 episodes, I definitely believe there will be some changes from the novel. But I also believe the main gist of the storyline will be retained plus certain other details, judging by the BTS including Esther Yu's costume changes. Very much looking forward to the final outcome :)
Every article here is published under one name under all. New to the site compared to some but that's something…
There are plenty of other contributors. Some are on hiatus. Others have health issues or other offline issues (whereby they no longer have time to write). All contributions as per those I have communicated with (we don't post everyday) are solely voluntary, in our own time.
As to the internal politics of MDL's inner circles, I am not privy to it.
There is a publishing process to adhere to, which I was informed about by more than one editor. I have a suitable writing background, otherwise I wouldn't qualify. Without sufficient fluency in mandarin and English (Google Translate won't cut it and neither can Chat GPT) , many details in the "Blades of The Guardians" article would not be available as the article I put together.
I don't like the comment the other poster added after sharing my profile with you, because their two comments come across as targeting me and fellow MDL users in writing such as CryssyAnne because of their own agenda. MDL will let anyone write anything these days? No.
The other poster obviously has an axe to grind with the Lily Alice account? That is their prerogative. That is not for me to judge.
The other poster will not be able to qualify for the publishing process (their style of writing definitely disqualifies them), plus it is the level of unrecyclable sewage to snipe behind the backs of others who can do what they cannot.
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Glory has an interesting storyline, but I hesitate to recommend the pairing of the leads as a healthy relationship. If we look objectively at scripts, Neo Hou had the most flexibility in FoF (and I believe he did well there), and to date his work in Glory for a historical costume non-xianxia/xuanhuan drama is the best. I believe your friend will agree with me.
I also believe KTTPH will be Neo Hou's best performance and most healthy onscreen relationship when it airs, given the Director-screenwriter combo plus the FL whose acting has been noted amongst my mandarin-speaking friends and C-Ent viewers who watch non-idol dramas. I am one of the few C-Ent watchers on MDL who picks dramas based on knowing how to vet the individuals and the combos. My MDL friends-list is small but almost 1/3 are mandarin-speakers with C-ent watching experience of years to decades.
That's why we can have conversations very different from MDL bubbles.
PoJ is internationally popular, but is soundly lambasted for being unrealistic and impossible on multiple fronts amongst mandarin-speakers who are not fans of the leads. People believe Tencent bought the hot searches beforehand and IQiyi leaked the final episodes.
Huayi brothers are major shareholders in one of the production companies for PoJ, and have been previously accused of box office manipulation for some of their films. Here is why they need PoJ to be a hit: https://www.sohu.com/a/999349397_121163677
I encouraged others to watch "The Unclouded Soul" while it was airing because IQiyi's stocks have been tanking, the latest financial report wasn't good, plus statistics also indicated TUS is a flop relative to its budget. IQiyi needs to focus on proper production and promotion of dramas, instead of details which have mandarin-speakers noticing obvious shenanigans to inflate data for Boiled Fish.
If you want combinations that work well on the acting, screenwriting, directing and post-production fronts, I'd recommend "The Miracles", "Twelve Letters" and "Dream of Golden Years".
https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/149912-the-female-lead-in-whispers-of-fate?pid=3491610&page=1#p3491610
[《水龙吟》不仅是一部武侠剧，更是对人性和身份认同的深刻探讨。- "Whispers of Fate is not only a wuxia drama, but a profound exploration of human nature and identity...
..."愿意以生命捍卫他的初心" - Zhong Chunji is willing to use her life to protect Tang Lici's original intentions as per Mahāyāna Buddhism... The article writer clearly understands certain themes, when describing her as chivalrous from the start and also using such words to describe her connection to Tang Lici. "初心" comes from a specific saying in《华严经》ie Avataṃsaka Sūtra, one of Mahāyāna Buddhism's most famous sutras in East Asia known in English as the "Flower Garland" sutra and considered the most profound and comprehensive of the Mahāyāna texts (focusing on wisdom of interconnectedness). The words are "不忘初心，方得始终” which reminds you not to forget your original intentions and you will always succeed...
Compassion. Humanity. Vulnerability. Unconditional love.
... Just as Tang Lici maintained important relationships with four men in his heart and mind making me think of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, Tang Lici's relationships with three women in this drama are essential... These seven relationships produce the sevens of Mahāyāna Buddhism that Tang Lici achieves in fundamental necessity... ]
Here is my spoiler-free review, if you are curious: https://kisskh.at/profile/Xiang83/review/503570
As to the ending, this is what I wrote about why the Storm Alliance arc was necessary, to tie into the ending especially because of the hooha Feng Suige initially made about not wanting to be an emperor by a certain episode:
https://kisskh.at/768987-wan-xin-ji#comment-23851132
That is why this princess is so realistic in this drama ie Princess Xiyang has such a romanticised unrealistic vision of love and people, thinking she can get what she wants if she gives others what she assumes they want. Bad match with Xia Jingshi, who has been humiliated, bullied and endured worse while spending many years as a seasoned veteran of battles with a different woman that matches what he hopes for.
Since you like "Dream of Golden Years", consider checking out "Twelve Letters", "The Miracles" (a compilation of short stories related to Shenzhen's development), and perhaps "Beloved" (if you are curious about crime-thrillers with psychological themes). The acting for those options are definitely of a certain standard at the very least similar to this drama, the scripts are fairly tight, and the directing is professionally engaging in a realistic manner while reflecting an understanding of the screenwriter(s) visions.
Hark work and having the initiative to create opportunities and tackle obstacles head-on is the key, rather than avoiding unpleasant people and giving in to them just to keep a peace that is dependent on them. FL seizes the reins in a graceful observant manner, and learns to also open up to people and have close friends. This is how FL enabled horrible misogynistic traditions to be confronted and altered, such as empowering her mother and other women to have a modern mindset of feminine independence still mindful of a supportive team being necessary to succeed. And not being afraid to start over or think big, because all along, the strength you need is always inside you.
All this is because the primary screenwriter is consistent from start to end while able to utilise her writing strengths ie specific emphasis on women empowerment plus general inspirational stories, and the director also understands the vision of the screenwriter, plus they clearly grasped the source material and actively considered individual characters of the ensemble cast carefully while still enabling FL to stand out. FL is almost twice the age of the ML from an emotional and mental perspective at the beginning, and the carefully-technical screenplay plus post-production editing allows for ML to become her equal in a natural manner through different events and sharing perspectives.
They also clearly had at least two options for an ending, knowing the first preferred option likely would not pass censorship.
Everybody picks dramas for different reasons. Some will pick based on cast members or specific artists. A few of us pick dramas primarily because we can vet the crew combo of director(s) and screenwriter(s) and supporting cast members, and not just because of one screenwriter or director (that is how I picked this drama to watch).
What type of main characters (ML and/or FL) do you want to watch? Any specific genre?
And that ending of two possibilities was an uplifting inspiring finish promising another wonderful start and continuation!
Express package now available for IQiyi VIP members, for episodes 32 to 36! Looking forward to binging everything this weekend!
As to the internal politics of MDL's inner circles, I am not privy to it.
There is a publishing process to adhere to, which I was informed about by more than one editor. I have a suitable writing background, otherwise I wouldn't qualify. Without sufficient fluency in mandarin and English (Google Translate won't cut it and neither can Chat GPT) , many details in the "Blades of The Guardians" article would not be available as the article I put together.
I don't like the comment the other poster added after sharing my profile with you, because their two comments come across as targeting me and fellow MDL users in writing such as CryssyAnne because of their own agenda. MDL will let anyone write anything these days? No.
The other poster obviously has an axe to grind with the Lily Alice account? That is their prerogative. That is not for me to judge.
The other poster will not be able to qualify for the publishing process (their style of writing definitely disqualifies them), plus it is the level of unrecyclable sewage to snipe behind the backs of others who can do what they cannot.
Decent to good Op-Eds for MDL, IMHO:
Op-Ed: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/my-appreciation-of-thai-lakorns-011013125
Op-Ed: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/jeana-s-unpopular-opinion-infuriating-drama-heroines-011013509
Op-Ed: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/top-10-most-popular-loved-chinese-bromances
Op-Ed: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/if-outlander-was-adapted-to-korean-drama-011015139
Op-Ed: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/stages-of-dropping-dramas-011015145
This is a collaborative article of at least seven editors and writers: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/ask-mdl-action-011013313
I find this to be an awesome article:
https://news.mydramalist.com/article/blast-from-the-past-a-guide-to-girls-with-guns-genre-011013194
Enjoy your time on MDL :)
And be careful of accounts that give you overly-selective views, for their own agenda.
Just make sure you get enough sleep, even if you choose to binge.
https://kisskh.at/776939-again-my-life#comment-25590578