Xiang83

Once you've gotten a good rest and focus on what you need to do, don't rush a review. Sometimes the best thing to do is sort out your personal to-do list first. Chill. May you come back refreshed and rested!

To help you chill, some iconic fighting scenes from everyone (starting with our Tang Lici): https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7574029272919149834

And this is solely Tang Lici: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5235533351748282

In November 2023, RBF shares a very-important writeup about the poster on MDL synopsis page, pertaining to fundamental details about Tang Lici which is also reflected in the ending of the drama (spoilers for episode 40):

https://kisskh.at/discussions/shui-long-yin/121095-sly-art-poster-analysis-slight-spoilers?pid=2851189&page=1#p2851189

underthestars created a very helpful explainer and hidden facts thread for various episodes ->https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146048-it-s-all-in-the-detail-whispers-of-fate-explainer-and-hidden-facts-thread

For other details, you can see various contributions by different viewers in this collative thread titled" Group Collective Contributions: Details, trivia, insights across 40 episodes of "Whispers of Fate" ->

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate

I think I bumped into you at the 秋雪漫过的冬天 page (the C-Drama remake of "My Mister" starring Mark Chao and Zhang Zi Feng). Still no airing date for that drama, sadly.

I have collated insights and contributions from different viewers here, in this thread titled "Group Collective Contributions: Details, trivia, insights across 40 episodes of "Whispers of Fate" including some literary references and Buddhism undertones in specific episode summaries, although I am wondering about possibly strengthening the Taoism aspects:

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate

The greatest characters are those which touch our hearts and linger in our memories, especially for how they have bettered the lives of others. Great acting also helps.

And then we get down to sharing fun FMV clips for action and/or dialogue XD

Tang Lici will always be in the hearts of us who experienced his journey with him, regardless of what form he takes. On Douyin. And beyond.

Some iconic fighting scenes from everyone (starting with our Tang-huli): https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7574029272919149834

I remember your parallels regarding Ye Mo and Tang Lici:
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7574031621863558410

Some of the most-effective villains will give your heart a workout, and possibly make you fume over them or rage at them. Coconut water is good for cooling down and replenishing energy. Keep a towel handy. And enjoy the later humour.

Most importantly, it's an experience to remember. I posted some references for episode 14, when a certain character makes an entrance and you may be wondering what that one is reciting, at the group efforts forum post titled "Group Collective Contributions: Details, trivia, insights across 40 episodes of "Whispers of Fate":

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate

Have a great night ahead :)

See my newest comment to you, where I included a certain present for you.

I believe what you mentioned about the Celestial Realm should be included. 您如果想用国语写DM也行 ;)

I have a gift for you, which may aid you in your efforts: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5235418615515957

Sorry about the delay in replies.

At first, I wanted to accommodate all the subplots (even though I reckoned the whole blood-saving subplot seemed too gimmicky just to enable a "romance") and even suggested changes I would have wanted to see for A-Shui because it would strengthen her individuality plus make her crucial to the drama. This is also taking into consideration the fact that Lin Yun's performance at the pivotal moments with Luo Yunxi and Jeremy Tsui was completely flat in episodes 34 and 35, so I knew how to compensate for her weaknesses while strengthening those scenes with specific directions. Her VA was carrying the water there. Her acting also hasn't improved since that Stephen Chow movie.

After exchanges with Princess Wanning and Kwanto (thread starts here: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24219460), I now believe that the producers should have just sliced out the "romance" ("subtle" is the best way to describe it), also because my friends all couldn't see the point of A-Shui in the drama. The big reveal made her character seem even more redundant because she is a blank slate who could only get somewhere by being a pawn, and she misunderstands Tang Lici all this while in doing so? This is a female character to enjoy and support having in a drama? None of my female friends support this kind of bad characterisation for females, and this weakness in the script came about to cater to the very wrong idea of some form of romance being necessary in a drama with any xianxia connotations.

I definitely agree with you about the Celestial Realm. I believe it is difficult for non-mandarin speakers to realise why Ye Mo and Bai Nanzhu and the Celestial Realm are vital. If we could understand these characters and how they connect and impact Tang Lici plus the parallels you mentioned, that finale would have been so much more powerful.

I would also have altered the contents of one flashback for Zhoudi Lou in the first ten episodes, because we needed to cement Fang Zhou's importance and why, and why Tang Lici must understand the seven emotions. Two long flashbacks are definitely necessary for Tang Lici within ten episodes.

Some people don't like this type of approach or are unaware of the extent of intentions, and they think it is OTT. I enjoyed one character especially due to the Sichuan opera influences and his recitations XD

If you ever find yourself wanting to check out any specific details, there is a compilation post of several contributions, ranging from trivia to details to episode summaries including a few literary references plus significance of the poster for this MDL page:

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate

Happy watching, if you are still unfinished!

*has been trawling C-net to see if anyone wrote poetry about Tang Lici*

Thank you.
Have this FMV (solely Tang Lici): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5235533351748282

Xixi's farewell message is as beautiful as the finale of episode 40: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5235486924473214

Luo Yunxi is a xianxia costume designer's dream, because he knows how to carry himself and how to pose, thanks to his background as a ballet instructor plus ballet dancer totalling at least eleven years. Huang Wei is totally over the moon to make costumes using him as the inspiration.

There is a deliberate theatrical feel to it, given the 3D setup conveyance of the sets and symmetrical frames in wide angle shots. At one point within the first 6 episodes when four of the cast were intentionally acting awkwardly before they put on an OTT act to share an announcement knowing they were acting badly, I enjoyed the hilarity of breaking certain walls.

加油!

(Looking forward to your efforts)

More often than not, it's a good thing that the international market doesn't have as much importance as the domestic market. "The Knockout" is one example of this.

Thank you for the explanation, kwanto. Maybe you should be the unofficial mascot for this drama page. How about we get you a tea pet? XD

For people who have watched mandarin dramas for at least 20 years, WoF is refreshing. It has lofty goals that attempt to go beyond the standard xianxia dramas, which bore me. To do such a drama is Herculean, and I definitely appreciate the efforts, especially the opera. I would definitely appreciate finding out which directors or screenwriters have an opera background.

Gui Mudan is the most interesting memorable villain I have come across in historical costume C-dramas. He has depth for a puppet and as an individual, and I will not forget him.

At first, I weighed on the side of all actors and actresses being in this drama, which is why this drama has flaws. I even posted about how I would like to improve A-Shui's role in this drama with examples. They would reduce her screentime, but magnify her impact by at least double.

Today I have finally come to the conclusion that if we had sliced out all the irrelevant "subtle romance" attempts of fanservice in a lousy subplot, this drama would have been a lot better because the structure going forward would easily accommodate characters, their relationships, and the Celestial Realm.

When did Tang Lici ever need to rely on someone's blood much less A-Shui's blood, if we are going to go by the novel? This strikes me as a gimmick to incorporate a barely-there romance for a poorly-written female character, which makes this drama suffer. And she's not a well-received character for a very simple reason: Non-fans of the actress cannot figure out why A-Shui should be in the drama as a character. The role itself doesn't call for a stretch of acting chops, but there are pivotal scenes where they can prove whether they shine or not.

If the only people going on about why there isn't more romance in this drama from a specific actress are the fans of the actress but the performance of the actress isn't lauded by viewers in general, then the actress has failed to make an impact and the fans should question why their actress couldn't leave a memorable impression. That's quite clear across 17,000+ comments on this page. I'm sure it'll be even more apparent in the statistics elsewhere.

Thank you for the recs!

At least 1/4 of my MDL friends are mandarin speakers, the most seasoned one having watched C-Ent for more than 35 years. We were having a good laugh at Cheng Yi's cantonese. The fun starts at 25:20 (but the whole show is hilarious):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTTZh2xhKE8

No worries :)

That's a very decent interpretation. I also think it is because she is trying to figure out how to go about it. She confesses in episode 39 or 40 to the Empress.

Yes. I felt very sorry for him. That was also not beneficial for the drama.

I have included your discussion forum post as 2) in this Forum post titled: Group Collective Contributions: Details, trivia, insights across 40 episodes of "Whispers of Fate"

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate

Thank you for your efforts and enthusiasm! I have a question but it slipped my mind. Will ask when I remember.

If you ever want to check out little details, trivia and episode summaries, this summative post with contributions from several posters might be helpful and enjoyable:

https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146454-group-collective-contributions-details-trivia-insights-across-40-episodes-of-whispers-of-fate