Xiang83

I shall look at your review another day, since it is getting late here. Thank you for sharing :)

Just finished a review for my C-Drama of 2025: A Republican-era espionage thriller set against the backdrop of the Sino-Japanese war, when the KMT was losing ground to the CCP while both parties were in a necessary alliance to try to stave off the Japanese invasion.

If you read Enigma05's TJOL review, here is my review complementing that review: https://kisskh.at/profile/Xiang83/review/497878

He won't be the only one to blow you away with the acting. He'll definitely steal your heart. But so will Zhang Yishan. Enjoy the tug-of-war! And enjoy Elvis singing on the roof to his catty co-star. That feline cutie nailed their scene in the first take (BTS with no spoilers) XD:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5217005915085798

She's already a FL in a serious movie released in November 2024, plus FL in a not-yet-aired Youku drama "Above The Wall" in 2026. Her ability to act and outshine co-stars in The Double was noticed. Her star will be very bright.

This is fantastic! The movie released in November 2024 where she was FL plus her previous roles in 2024 such as "The Double" and "Beloved" made an impact.

Maybe now you understand why none of us gave spoilers. Thanks for reviewing this drama. It needs more love! I wrote a review as well: https://kisskh.at/profile/Xiang83/review/508286

It is. Hence I just wrote a review for it: https://kisskh.at/profile/Xiang83/review/508286

Thank you for the review. An F-lister recommended this drama to me, and I will give it a go.

You should consider checking out "The Guardians" which recently finished airing on Youku.

I went into it not certain what to expect, except for top-notch acting. Being completely mesmerised by what unfolded was a welcome surprise. Zhang Yishan's acting is superb, and Elvis matched him. Zhang Tian Ai should be in more dramas as FL. I've rewatched the ending episode several times. Chemistry was absolutely on point. Never felt so nostalgic and entranced over a finale before, for a C-drama.

Good thing 27 episodes are available on Youku's Youtube channel. Enjoy watching!

You're welcome. Gui Mudan is highly intellectual, and he also makes a specific reference to King You of the Western Zhou Dynasty in that scene. Jeremy Tsui's character is very interesting for costume influences and portrayal, such as touches of Sichuan Opera ie face-changing.

I've finished up episode 20, and my dissection of Gui Mudan's character seems to be on-point. May you enjoy all of this, when you get there!

Excellent mix of classical music and other types of music used, throughout this drama. The song at 13:56 of final episode 35 is《無數》(Countless) by 薛之謙 (Joker Xue): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScfO9ETkYU

Looking forward to the scenes involving the link to the first BTS of your comment.

I have no issues with a separation arc, but whatever the arc and its length, it must be justified. I've finished episode 25, but I am going to put this drama on hold until episode 30.

I really enjoy your recounting of how you felt. I will write a review at some point. This is an excellent drama I would recommend for literary discourse, and also for anyone wanting to watch and learn acting.

If you need any help, holler. Enigma05 is lovely and helpful :)

I'll help too, if you need it. Have a great time watching and reading!

Thank you for the flower award :)

The novel is complex, with leads who are realistic, complex and messy yet changing for the better in ways that people who like adult dramas would get behind. Novel-Ming Yi is very much a feminist and character I enjoy.

The drama works because there is a receptive target audience that will enjoy a far-more simplistic portrayal whitewashing much of the past and flaws of both leads. I'm pretty sure it's impossible to fantasise about novel-Ji Bozai as opposed to drama -Ji Bozai. Commercial success is crucial to the career of an artist in C-Dramaland.

This drama could have been further elevated if the original key villain had not died but joined hands with Situ Ling's father, Situ Ling nearly becomes evil after killing his brothers but has an awakening- And this can only be possible if Ming Yi's lying was shortened significantly, and Ming Yi's interactions with Situ Ling were changed. Which is possible, if the first four episodes got off to a quick start just like Fated Hearts, and some parts of the script were written differently. Ming Yi's lying to protect her mother etc should have gotten a significant flashback, followed by a second flashback later in the drama so the audience doesn't forget.

Situ Ling joining forces with Ji Bozai and Ming Yi at the end would have sent a very different enhanced message to a larger audience about second chances and learning from mistakes.

Secondary characters being well-developed along with any key villains are crucial to how well a drama ages. Yu Cheng En would have been allowed to shine in such a role, instead of having to do one-note-obsessiveness which isn't fair to the actor. I saw him in Coroner's Diary and I am sure he could do better in this drama if the character was given more complexity. The screenwriting for LITC has significant issues (including laziness) from my perspective.

What really turned me off were episodes 25 and 26 of LITC. Ji Bozai forces a kiss on Ming Yi who has come to give him the sword Nirvana she made for him, which would protect him akin to Embers. Ming Yi clearly does not enjoy any of that kiss. Novel-Ming Yi would have struck Ji Bozai with enough Yuan power to send him flying. And when Ming Yi is finally allowed to enter the place which Ji Bozai cannot- She doesn't seem to realise the significance.

At this point, drama-Ming Yi is too unlike novel-Ming Yi and not a female character I can stomach for my friends or any younger females I encourage about feminism and boundaries. Kudos to Lu Yuxiao for executing this role and her lines with such earnestness and sincerity.

Enigma05 wrote a review for TJOL going into details of what was not good and why it didn't work. In my review for TJOL, I encouraged at least one commenter to go read Enigma05's review, while detailing why and how the main screenwriter, directors and post-production team screwed up in multiple aspects so the cast couldn't be faulted (including the weaker actors).

In this case, the actors for Yan Xiao and Princess Tianji received better editing and role-characterisation than Yu Cheng En. I'm sure those two actors gained new fans.

He is good. Xifang Tao has been hiding her identity and purpose from him.

Episodes 1 to 7 started great, and now I have no understanding of this arc. It's making people drop this drama. I have put it on hold, depending on how episodes 24 to 28 turn out.

I suggest giving it 6 episodes, before you decide. Whatever your decision, may you fully enjoy whatever you decide to watch for the long haul.

Episode 21 preview: Gui Mudan and Liu Yan. I have a feeling Gui Mudan is going to get rid of Liu Yan not long after this episode (maybe another 4 episodes more) of Liu Yan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZf2YxeUy4Y

Considering how crazy everything is between Tang Lici and Liu Yan, looks like Fu Zhumei peacefully hiding somewhere while manning a great foodie place is best.