Xiang83

Wang Xingyue won Best Young Actor for "The Double" at the 10th Wenrong Awards. Considering how many actors are in the field, I would like to see him build on it. I look forward to writing a review for this drama, just as I recently wrote one for "The Guardians", a Republican-era espionage thriller set against the historical backdrop of the Sino-Japanese war, World War II, KMT versus CCP, and Shanghai:

https://kisskh.at/profile/Xiang83/review/508286

Screenwriters for Fated Hearts did well in terms of novel adaptation, and there were five of them. To do so, everyone has to grasp the novel material well, any major changes still renders certain characters of the original novel recognisable, and everyone is crystal-clear about the characterisations and subplots of leads and important secondary roles tying into the main key plot, plus how all that needs to be portrayed (which is where the Directors also come in because they also need to be on-board with all this).

I'm waiting to see how the next eight episodes of WoF unfolds. One of the screenwriters here also did the necessary for Blood River.

The screenwriters were somewhat over-indulgent in the first 20 episodes which is why I said there is a pacing issue. They'll need to be very disciplined to get everything in within 20 episodes and do so in a manner that doesn't have people trying to figure out how point J connecting to point K connects to Point N which has nothing to do with Point R (something along these lines).

People will decide whether they like the drama or not, and what they like or dislike about it. Most importantly, individual opinions don't have to hinge on reading the novel first to be more or less valid.

Regardless of any arcs present or not, regardless of whether romance is present or not, sufficient character development and adequate presentation of a certain number of secondary supporting characters is also key to increasing the watchability of a drama. A drama needs to be able to stand alone on its merits, without depending on the novel or readers of the novel explaining to non-novel readers to improve understandability or likeability of a drama.

There are four screenwriters. I am concerned about the pacing of the story, given what hasn't been introduced. Seeing how the next 6 to 8 episodes unfold will give a very good indication of the direction being taken for all involved. Why Tang Lici was adopted and therefore indirectly connected to the Imperial family in the drama has not been explained, including whether this happened before or after he took Fang Zhou's heart crystal (most likely after it happened).

Also, I don't know why the MDL page is now labelling the cast wrongly. Tang Lici is the main role. Others are all supporting roles.

In the novel, Liu Yan is a big part of it. That said, novel-Liu Yan is far more variable and interesting than drama-Liu Yan which can understandably bore people because at this point, the editing to showcase drama-Liu Yan hinges on two particular extremes with small deft touches to show he still has some humanity and sanity left. Fang Yilun is doing a very-good job with the limitations of his written role, but I can see how some people would definitely tire of drama-Liu Yan. At this point, screenwriting decisions for characterisation are showing some flaws for at least two characters, and it's not just limited to Liu Yan.

At one point of the second half of the novel, Tang Lici grabs and hurls A-Shui at a certain moment to take the impact of what could have seriously injured Liu Yan. Liu Yan is very important to Tang Lici, moreso than A-Shui. Tang Lici does more than one thing to A-Shui which is unacceptable and his treatment of poor A-Shui in the novel was not decent for me, and it is understandable that in the novel he never finds A-Shui again after she leaves. Whether A-Shui still loves Tang Lici or whether Tang Lici loved A-Shui in the novel is debatable. A-Shui did leave an impact on Tang Lici unlike other females, in the novel.

I doubt that incident in any form (Tang Lici sacrificing A-Shui to save Liu Yan) will make it into the drama. But at the least, Liu Yan's dearness to Tang Lici being favoured over A-Shui is preserved during these episodes. This is why when A-Shui gives blood to save Tang Lici via the lips, Tang Lici has no reaction of even reciprocating when he regains consciousness.

F-Lister is short for "Someone from my friendlist" ie I am friends with.

Thank you for the recommendation.

For my review of The Guardians, I included the historical backdrop of the Sino-Japanese war, World War II, KMT versus CCP, and Shanghai. When many viewers don't understand history and/or the backdrop, everything that involves leads choosing the CCP for any reasons becomes classified as propaganda.

I wish more people who enjoyed this drama would write a review. Enjoyed your review :)

This series is now looking as if it decided to promote Hong Yi plus Chang Hua Sen, and Cheng Yi didn't see the script beyond 10 episodes before he signed on. How else to explain the continued idiocy of episodes 28 and 29?

I'll wait until all episodes drop. Not willing to watch until then. Used the fast forward button too much ever since this ridiculous arc of never-ending separation.

The botching of this script by the writers after episode 13 is even worse than TJOL, and that says a lot.

I believe Cheng Yi didn't see the entire script for both dramas before signing on. If he saw the entire script for this drama, I'm certain he would not sign onto this drama. It's commonplace to get to see the script for the equivalent of the first ten episodes.

Bai Jingting is known for insisting on seeing an entire script, before he decides whether to sign onto a project. The only exception was for Mobius, because he decided to trust the director based on their previous drama together.

This drama is incredibly touching and well-written. 2025 has several gems, but it depends on whether we find them. If you enjoy acting from the likes of Luo Jin, then Zhang Yishan and Elvis Han Dong Jun in the "The Guardians" might sweep you away while you are standing on your feet. Strong narrative and great pacing.

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