You might need some tissues for episodes 9 and 10, when you get there. Zhang Yishan and Ziang Tian Ai are giving some superbly heart-wrenching performances in very different ways.
This is a mini drama. So they don't have to change stuff as much and there's more flexibility. Kill Me Love Me…
The necrophiliac aspect as part of a prince treading the line between sanity and obsession after their loved one dies tends to not go down well with some viewers who feel very strongly in the negative about such male characters being too extreme. I was surprised that within the first episode, Jerome Deng's character was allowed to portray all that, and he did really well. I've seen too much bad over-acting when it comes to walking the line between sanity and obsession, and his performance this far is much-appreciated.
And at least for a second chance by FL to rewrite the future, Jerome Deng's character as Jun Che for the remaining episodes this far isn't altered much from those first five minutes, which has me relieved. Whether it is a mini drama or vertical drama, it's amazing how some things can go completely haywire including characterisation within 2 to 5 episodes. Here's to this mini drama staying the course.
For KMLM, a fair number of us were blinking at how the most extreme aspects of novel Murong Jinghe were give to Baron Chen's character by the scriptwriters, thereby leaving us with a ML character we don't recognise. They also butchered Wu Jinyan's FL character in the drama, which is a travesty considering the quality of the leads involved. But to be fair, they managed to butcher more than that.
However, TJOL managed to set a new low bar for that given the amount of issues from the screenwriter, directors and post-production team. I felt quite bad for the main cast and supporting cast who acted in that drama, especially Cheng Yi. Poor Cheng Yi. I'm not a Cheng Yi fan. I can understand how the screw-ups by the crew has significantly affected his portrayal of Xiao Qiushui.
Unlike Liu Xueyi whose wonderful efforts and hypnotic line delivery in "Kill Me Love Me" as Murong Jinghe in the first three episodes gave a specifically charming dangerous vibe (until multiple screenwriters derailed his character by not adhering to the novel version of Murong Jinghe), Jerome Deng is fortunate not to be saddled with the same issues (up until episode 6 because 6 episodes are currently available) and manages to convey a very similarly intriguing portrayal. Very enjoyable when characters are layered, including Xia Yi who is Yan Hui (FL's brother).
Fight scenes in at least 2 of the 6 episodes are well-choreographed and very enjoyable.
Scenes are well-planned (from the smallest details and props to the necessity of a scene showcasing multiple aspects of characters and/or the plot) and keep the story moving at an engaging pace. OP and ED songs take up approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds and 2 minutes 46 seconds respectively, which equates to slightly less than 8 minutes of drama per episode.
I now have an urge to pat a kitten. Looking forward to the remaining 18 episodes.
I think the ending was good, the real culprit was arrested (the mom finally came true and for the best) and the…
Now placing this comment under a spoiler tag, to keep the focus of the comments on the drama "Beloved".
Your soft spot is well-chosen. There's a larger pantheon of male actors who act very well in their dramas or movies of choice including historical costume dramas, but they don't fit certain moulds, and Luo Jin is one of them.
Right now, currently-airing "Time Raiders" starring Francis Ng, Cao Lei, and younger actors such as Xu Zhenxuan and Chen Xiang is a very good combo, where the acting ranges from very apt to promising. Francis Ng and Cao Lei are spot-on. Tomb-raiding adventure horror drama adaptation of the first book and part of the second book, from the popular Dao Mu Bi Ji series.
"The Guardians" starring Zhang Yishan, Elvis Han Dongjun and Zhang Tian Ai is a Republican-era spy-espionage thriller currently airing. Witty, engaging, with high stakes and deft touches of humour. Also spot-on acting, with a strong FL. You can watch four episodes for free:
For K-drama, what brought me back was "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" which I am waiting for all the episodes to air before watching the final 6 episodes. It's not without its flaws but overall, it is engaging and fresh and a palpable hit harkening to nostalgia more than ten years ago because it does so well in all the angles it is supposed to nail, and the acting recalls certain actors and actresses of yesteryears in nuances. I remembered how Autumn In My Heart became a hit, followed by Winter Sonata, which was more than 20 years ago.
Seems like I've been waiting forever for this to release- so glad it's premiered, mainly because my favorite (and…
The extent of details are fascinating. When Ding Yi had a gun pointed at his face in front of everyone, he never flinched and used what he remembered about the details of personal tailoring and boutonnière in a light-hearted confident manner to turn the situation around.
Zhang Tian Ai is quite mesmerising in this drama, which is very much for adults. This main cast and their interactions with a supporting cast is stellar.
From Ding Qi (Mobius) to Ding Yi (The Guardians), the last thing I expected was a fight of this sort (fan edit using spoilers up to episode 3): https://m.weibo.cn/status/5213986087505299
Ding Yi is finally busy, in more ways than he could ever imagine. The chemistry is sizzling, the stakes are high, the moves are smooth, and somehow... Each of the leads share vulnerability that keeps this drama grounded and personal at the right moments.
This trio is hilarious! Pangzi carries Wu Xie, Cheng Xiang (Zhang Qiling) carries Xu Zhenxuan (Wu Xie), etc. Shenanigans include Xu Zhenxuan trying to kick the camera capturing Cheng Xiang carrying him: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5214057653080675
The action scenes of Zhang Qiling are so good!! Very well produced with the background music and all. At the end…
I tried watching 17 episodes of "Ultimate Note" and it's messier with more loose ends compared to this drama. How closely does "Ultimate Note" follow the books?
Sad that Da Kui died (I was going NOOOO like Wu Xie inside), but this actor as Zhang Qiling is totally slaying it!
Near the end of episode 7, when Professor You speaks of someone saying to him in a dream "A life for a life,…
If anything, I am a wee bit sore at how Jiang Yuwen seemingly got off without any repercussions for his early history. But that's life. Mo Yuanzhi doesn't die, but this is one of those dramas best kept to one season even if Ding Qi and Mo Yuanzhi really had that full-on vibe between them of having an arch nemesis. Maybe in another life if they were tomb raiders and comrades, this could have been them for a theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTbLa7osSPE
Great for me discovering Bai Jing Ting in this drama. He's one of those gifted actors who can carry a drama very easily but in this case, he also had a strong ensemble cast with him and it really elevated this drama. I would like to see him in a crime-thriller movie with Simon Yam. "Mastermind" is a movie starring Simon Yam, Louis Koo, Ci Sha etc that is not yet out.
TJOL was a wreck due to the main Screenwriter, Director and post-production team somehow managing not to do their jobs. It's bewildering and sad, when one sees much effort the cast put into their roles. I'm not a Cheng Yi fan but I feel so bad for him. I reckon "Vendetta of An" will be much better when it airs. I had been watching for Chi lam but the epic fight he is supposed to be in hasn't happened yet.
That said, if you want something already completed airing in an IQiyi Light On series, "Beloved" of 16 episodes has a strong human interest and psych angle for a whodunnit: https://kisskh.at/761581-beloved
If you ever watched Kdrama "My Mister", the C-drama version starring Zhang Zi Feng and Mark Chao finally got the airing license, 28 episodes. That is going to be engrossing.
Aah, my friend, you are now stuck with us in the rabbit hole🥳🥳 . I personally like Francis Ng and think…
Liu Yuning is my favourite character this far, in "Ultimate Note". He's always had a knack for comedy and timing, and he's just the perfect mix of cheesy, funny, cool and mysterious for his character.
((Sorry, I ate all the pizza. You can have the sake))
2 
7 
1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
And at least for a second chance by FL to rewrite the future, Jerome Deng's character as Jun Che for the remaining episodes this far isn't altered much from those first five minutes, which has me relieved. Whether it is a mini drama or vertical drama, it's amazing how some things can go completely haywire including characterisation within 2 to 5 episodes. Here's to this mini drama staying the course.
For KMLM, a fair number of us were blinking at how the most extreme aspects of novel Murong Jinghe were give to Baron Chen's character by the scriptwriters, thereby leaving us with a ML character we don't recognise. They also butchered Wu Jinyan's FL character in the drama, which is a travesty considering the quality of the leads involved. But to be fair, they managed to butcher more than that.
However, TJOL managed to set a new low bar for that given the amount of issues from the screenwriter, directors and post-production team. I felt quite bad for the main cast and supporting cast who acted in that drama, especially Cheng Yi. Poor Cheng Yi. I'm not a Cheng Yi fan. I can understand how the screw-ups by the crew has significantly affected his portrayal of Xiao Qiushui.
Fight scenes in at least 2 of the 6 episodes are well-choreographed and very enjoyable.
Scenes are well-planned (from the smallest details and props to the necessity of a scene showcasing multiple aspects of characters and/or the plot) and keep the story moving at an engaging pace. OP and ED songs take up approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds and 2 minutes 46 seconds respectively, which equates to slightly less than 8 minutes of drama per episode.
I now have an urge to pat a kitten. Looking forward to the remaining 18 episodes.
Your soft spot is well-chosen. There's a larger pantheon of male actors who act very well in their dramas or movies of choice including historical costume dramas, but they don't fit certain moulds, and Luo Jin is one of them.
Right now, currently-airing "Time Raiders" starring Francis Ng, Cao Lei, and younger actors such as Xu Zhenxuan and Chen Xiang is a very good combo, where the acting ranges from very apt to promising. Francis Ng and Cao Lei are spot-on. Tomb-raiding adventure horror drama adaptation of the first book and part of the second book, from the popular Dao Mu Bi Ji series.
"The Guardians" starring Zhang Yishan, Elvis Han Dongjun and Zhang Tian Ai is a Republican-era spy-espionage thriller currently airing. Witty, engaging, with high stakes and deft touches of humour. Also spot-on acting, with a strong FL. You can watch four episodes for free:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1sYXi4A1Q0 - Ep 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to36j6Nc81o - Ep 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8rbd8DBlOM - Ep 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy5_nDNwOvc - Ep 4
For K-drama, what brought me back was "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty" which I am waiting for all the episodes to air before watching the final 6 episodes. It's not without its flaws but overall, it is engaging and fresh and a palpable hit harkening to nostalgia more than ten years ago because it does so well in all the angles it is supposed to nail, and the acting recalls certain actors and actresses of yesteryears in nuances. I remembered how Autumn In My Heart became a hit, followed by Winter Sonata, which was more than 20 years ago.
To end this comment, have some unforgettable Yoon-a XD: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yk4991qIm64
Someone is very awesomely trying to get me back into Jdramas, for which I am grateful XD
Zhang Tian Ai is quite mesmerising in this drama, which is very much for adults. This main cast and their interactions with a supporting cast is stellar.
Ding Yi is finally busy, in more ways than he could ever imagine. The chemistry is sizzling, the stakes are high, the moves are smooth, and somehow... Each of the leads share vulnerability that keeps this drama grounded and personal at the right moments.
And here (with English subs, cool anime-style): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTbLa7osSPE
Another snippet of these three interacting well: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5213793719421544
FMV of the team in action across the episodes (don't click on this if you don't want spoilers from episode 8): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5214388846068511
Sad that Da Kui died (I was going NOOOO like Wu Xie inside), but this actor as Zhang Qiling is totally slaying it!
Great for me discovering Bai Jing Ting in this drama. He's one of those gifted actors who can carry a drama very easily but in this case, he also had a strong ensemble cast with him and it really elevated this drama. I would like to see him in a crime-thriller movie with Simon Yam. "Mastermind" is a movie starring Simon Yam, Louis Koo, Ci Sha etc that is not yet out.
TJOL was a wreck due to the main Screenwriter, Director and post-production team somehow managing not to do their jobs. It's bewildering and sad, when one sees much effort the cast put into their roles. I'm not a Cheng Yi fan but I feel so bad for him. I reckon "Vendetta of An" will be much better when it airs. I had been watching for Chi lam but the epic fight he is supposed to be in hasn't happened yet.
That said, if you want something already completed airing in an IQiyi Light On series, "Beloved" of 16 episodes has a strong human interest and psych angle for a whodunnit: https://kisskh.at/761581-beloved
If you ever watched Kdrama "My Mister", the C-drama version starring Zhang Zi Feng and Mark Chao finally got the airing license, 28 episodes. That is going to be engrossing.
((Sorry, I ate all the pizza. You can have the sake))
In episode 5, gonna need more than Uncle 3 and Pan Ji when it comes to Wu Xie being so totally and understandably a greenhorn.