Hope they're just get out from this page and don't shitting this drama.BL fans are more sane bcs they're discussing…
I am primarily for strong stories with good subplots, sufficient character development of the main lead(s) and supporting cast, and if possible good to awesome sets. This is also because I'm used to being around others with more than 20 years experience watching C-Ent, and we know differences between whether someone can act versus someone still improving and should be encouraged versus a VA saving their ass. Those are the viewers who make THE difference as to whether a drama reaches the levels of success of "This Thriving Land" or "The Knockout" which gets peanuts mostly on MDL.
If quality output is to increase which therefore gives actors and actresses better scripts and roles, more people need to visibly express support for such dramas, regardless of whether it is romance-focused or not. If people only support romance regardless of the quality, then the market goes the wrong way. TJOL's storyline suffered partially from a supposed romance with a FL whose acting was run-of-the-mill and basically had zero chemistry with Cheng Yi, as a role that didn't add to TJOL and took away scenes that should have gone to other actors if they were going to give such bad writing for her (I also feel sorry for the actress, as I explained in my review). Immortal Ascension was much smarter, by zooming in on Yang Yang.
I would like more people to watch "Whispers of Fate". The producers should release certain clips from the official weibo accounts with good English translations about the cultural references and background, by the time episode 20 aired.
Totally agree! I am satisfied with the finale. Joy is both Freedom and Peace😊
Having finished this drama more than 3 days ago, here's my take (I have not seen any leaked scripts before this drama started, plus I only joined this drama page when the drama started airing):
Romance is not in the top five priorities of this drama. This matches the trailer which was first released also on Mango's Youtube channel in April 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhZVlp_1m8
Marketing for this drama should have stuck to its primary PR guns of being a high fantasy xuanxia adventure centred around the ML involving strong performances by unique characters. From that MangoTV trailer, it already told me romance isn't going to be a staple or feature. If this had been the direction from start to end and maintained for a story, Lin Yun might have had better scenes included for her character instead of the ones we see. Then if this drama doesn't give a certain character the ending which fans hope for, at least a memorable character contributes to the strength and/or selection for a role in another drama.
We never know how producers think. But when it's such a packed cast, the directors and producers will usually evaluate the strength of the acting when sewing together a storyline and subplots. Ai Mi has more scenes in the final outcome than I expected for her role. That likely has to do with the fact that her non-platonic chemistry with all her co-stars such as Bai Shu and Luo Yunxi and the actor playing Shao Yanping plus micro-expressive emoting also with the eyes is very notable and on point, including the comedy. The VA merely enhances her performance. People already expected this level of acting from her, given how she outshone her co-stars at times in "The Double" in 2024.
That said, she is finally closing the gap but still not on the level of Zhang Zi Feng, whose acting literally flattens almost every C-Ent actress under the age of 35. Zhang Zi Feng primarily does not do romance for dramas or movies, and she understandably deserved the Hundred Flowers award as the youngest recipient. She's either worked with the likes of Tony Leung and Jackie Chan, or with Mark Chao. She is the only actress under the age of 35 whereby I will watch whatever she stars in.
Different people like different things, and I would say this drama is of a specific archetype. People were unhappy that any female role in the Immortal Ascension seemed to only sideline romance, but romance was never a primary feature of the vehicle fronted by Yang Yang. That drama should have also stuck to the guns of focusing on the PR line I mentioned.
When I said the producers and directors balanced the fan service for three factions in a mostly-successful manner, that usually means a two-sided romance requires squinting. At least Tang Lici treated A-Shui much better here than in the novel, and I wanted Lin Yun to have more- powerful scenes to be shown so that by a certain episode, her character becomes memorable. This is something I want for every character. That's why the likes of "The Knockout" and "This Thriving Land" were phenomenal or huge domestic hits.
If you feel that at some point that this is not the drama for you, please don't force yourself. There are other dramas out there, and there's nothing wrong with going primarily for romance. The most important takeaway (for me) is whether Lin Yun's performance and scenes in this drama give her the necessary for choosing or auditioning in another drama going forward. It is hard to get good roles in good scripts in C-Dramas.
Is this the same bronze statues LYX went to see in museum this year?
You should! Museums deserve more love, specifically archeological museums or those featuring classical works. I'm not a modern art fan (at least on the Western front), because too much of it is shallow or primarily for shock-value with no lasting meaning. I also visit war memorials/museums, but I won't recommend that for anyone who isn't up to it.
Whenever I am in HK, I like the Nan Lian Gardens for the Tang-Dynasty-style landscaping modelled primarily on Chinese landscaping principles and inspired by Jiangshouju Garden, with a teahouse serving aged teas. Many people don't know Tang Dynasty landscaping was a major influence on Japanese garden landscaping.
One life in exchange for the world, One life in exchange for the people you care for….I would do it in a heartbeat.…
It was a beautiful ending. But some things got left out, which I know will confuse a lot of people.
That said, having finished all 40 episodes 3 days ago, I would advise those who came here primarily or solely for romance and expect two-sided romance: It's not one of the top five priorities of this drama.
Come for the adventures, stay for the characters and goals, and chit-chat with everyone else along the way!
She got the best closure amongst the female characters.
Heh, I can see the reference. Unfortunately "Immortality" seems to be permanently on ice... I gave up on that ever seeing the light D:
That's a great summary of the significance of the fox and dragon! You could put that as a stand-alone post! I was showing someone this review referencing《太平广记 》relative to the ending, 50 minutes ago: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5233957201513959
I think they need to release a bonus episode with explanations of the references and good English subtitles, because a lot of it is going to fly over people's heads.
When episode 14 aired, I shared my interpretation of Gui Mudan plus referenced the works he was reciting (such as the zaju from Wang Shifu of the Yuan Dynasty) because it's difficult for me to explain 鬼气 in English:
Hope they're just get out from this page and don't shitting this drama.BL fans are more sane bcs they're discussing…
I feel sorry for A-Shui fans. You know what the main problem is? I believe it's the fact that there is not enough visible investment gestures from people who appreciate dramas needing solid acting and innovative strong plots first and foremost, where romance is a fifth priority or not at all. I didn't find it funny to be told about Xifang Tao as not interesting and who is that monk again? Does that viewer know which painting was the inspiration for the scenery of Xifang Tao meeting and fighting Puzhu?
Then Mango does marketing that can be seen as misleading because they need more viewers and they believe this is what appeals best to the type of viewers they want, fans who expect romance get outraged- This drama should have been marketed right from the beginning primarily as solid performances for an innovative breakthrough high fantasy xuanhuan drama with xianxia elements.
I believe anybody who had prior understanding about what the drama and/or novel was about should not be misleading anyone else on the subject.
Ok, rant over. Let's go back to appreciating WoF! If you find any funny BTS from the earlier shooting days, it would be good to share.
Enjoy 36! IQiyi is definitely the best choice for international viewers at this point. Mango subtitles are for comedy (to me), but I can totally sympathise with anyone who paid SVIP for it.
One life in exchange for the world, One life in exchange for the people you care for….I would do it in a heartbeat.…
Even if Tang Lici does not attain nirvana (because that was never his goal), breaking saṃsāra (the cycle of rebirth) to protect everyone because their lives have meaning and giving them second chances, while changing your own initial origins and destiny- That can also be seen as ultimate freedom. Voluntary loss of attachment pertaining to control and worldly pursuits, forsaking all desires of the individual's wants for the greater good is truly one of the highest forms of nobility. Changing the destiny of everyone else becomes your destiny, to leave the sea of suffering.
It matches the OP song.
But one small part of me is going "If only someone who could write poetry would remember Tang Lici..."
"Chant of the Water Dragon" is the story of Tang Lici who must uncover the full extent of the entities…
You're welcome! This drama has so many awesome or lovely moments to rewatch. The songs are very enjoyable, and the OP song is epic! Only Luo Yunxi could be Tang Lici, and I'm saying this as someone who is a fan of the likes of Zhang Yishan, Lin Ching-hsia and two Tony Leungs.
I'll put this in the discussion page shortly with my other two earlier summaries.
I was having a convo early last week with an acquaintance. She was telling me that she cannot take the acting of the two young females and one young male in the first episode, and if it wasn't for Luo Yunxi's acting... I told her to give it six episodes and why. By the end of the second episode, she said I was right, and she is no longer 一头雾水 XD (I explained Bao Shang En is a newbie and Ao Ziyi has a specific role to play)
Her viewership counts on the Mango platform for domestic viewers, so perhaps she also encouraged her friends to do the same ;)
At least the numbers for WoF has finally been able to show beyond a doubt why the likes of douban and Yunhe alone are not reliable.
"Chant of the Water Dragon" is the story of Tang Lici who must uncover the full extent of the entities…
Jeremy Tsui is such an underrated gem. Gui Mudan. Shen Langhun, Shao Yanping, Shui Duopo and Liu Yan were quite memorable especially when rewatching Tang Lici's interactions with them.
So much emotional dust... Those scenes between Tang Lici and a certain dragon lady make me all mushy inside. Thank you for the praise. Maybe I should compile them, which would also make it easier to reference in my still-in-progress review. This will be easier for me to write than the SaB review that will attempt to be gracious about how a CEO producer deliberately uses his production house to try to screw over the ML of the drama.
"Chant of the Water Dragon" is the story of Tang Lici who must uncover the full extent of the entities…
Heh, a lot of emotional sand got into my eyes for the final 6 episodes. You're welcome. I've added Azure's input on the pills, to help clarify further details related to those pills.
I appreciate the efforts they put into designing weapons and combat skills (reminds me of HK movies from 80s and 90s). Shen Langhun's weapon is inspired by 《武備志 》 (Treatise on Military Preparedness) written by Mao Yuanyi of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty inspired a fair number of details for weapons or techniques here.
Writing a review is going to be interesting, because I have to balance aesthetics with art and plotline dissections.
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My recent reply to A_cappucino_gal here less 20 minutes ago may be useful, on this subject of acting and the script: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24210174
If quality output is to increase which therefore gives actors and actresses better scripts and roles, more people need to visibly express support for such dramas, regardless of whether it is romance-focused or not. If people only support romance regardless of the quality, then the market goes the wrong way. TJOL's storyline suffered partially from a supposed romance with a FL whose acting was run-of-the-mill and basically had zero chemistry with Cheng Yi, as a role that didn't add to TJOL and took away scenes that should have gone to other actors if they were going to give such bad writing for her (I also feel sorry for the actress, as I explained in my review). Immortal Ascension was much smarter, by zooming in on Yang Yang.
I would like more people to watch "Whispers of Fate". The producers should release certain clips from the official weibo accounts with good English translations about the cultural references and background, by the time episode 20 aired.
Romance is not in the top five priorities of this drama. This matches the trailer which was first released also on Mango's Youtube channel in April 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhZVlp_1m8
Marketing for this drama should have stuck to its primary PR guns of being a high fantasy xuanxia adventure centred around the ML involving strong performances by unique characters. From that MangoTV trailer, it already told me romance isn't going to be a staple or feature. If this had been the direction from start to end and maintained for a story, Lin Yun might have had better scenes included for her character instead of the ones we see. Then if this drama doesn't give a certain character the ending which fans hope for, at least a memorable character contributes to the strength and/or selection for a role in another drama.
We never know how producers think. But when it's such a packed cast, the directors and producers will usually evaluate the strength of the acting when sewing together a storyline and subplots. Ai Mi has more scenes in the final outcome than I expected for her role. That likely has to do with the fact that her non-platonic chemistry with all her co-stars such as Bai Shu and Luo Yunxi and the actor playing Shao Yanping plus micro-expressive emoting also with the eyes is very notable and on point, including the comedy. The VA merely enhances her performance. People already expected this level of acting from her, given how she outshone her co-stars at times in "The Double" in 2024.
That said, she is finally closing the gap but still not on the level of Zhang Zi Feng, whose acting literally flattens almost every C-Ent actress under the age of 35. Zhang Zi Feng primarily does not do romance for dramas or movies, and she understandably deserved the Hundred Flowers award as the youngest recipient. She's either worked with the likes of Tony Leung and Jackie Chan, or with Mark Chao. She is the only actress under the age of 35 whereby I will watch whatever she stars in.
Different people like different things, and I would say this drama is of a specific archetype. People were unhappy that any female role in the Immortal Ascension seemed to only sideline romance, but romance was never a primary feature of the vehicle fronted by Yang Yang. That drama should have also stuck to the guns of focusing on the PR line I mentioned.
When I said the producers and directors balanced the fan service for three factions in a mostly-successful manner, that usually means a two-sided romance requires squinting. At least Tang Lici treated A-Shui much better here than in the novel, and I wanted Lin Yun to have more- powerful scenes to be shown so that by a certain episode, her character becomes memorable. This is something I want for every character. That's why the likes of "The Knockout" and "This Thriving Land" were phenomenal or huge domestic hits.
If you feel that at some point that this is not the drama for you, please don't force yourself. There are other dramas out there, and there's nothing wrong with going primarily for romance. The most important takeaway (for me) is whether Lin Yun's performance and scenes in this drama give her the necessary for choosing or auditioning in another drama going forward. It is hard to get good roles in good scripts in C-Dramas.
I'm looking forward to the second season of Time Raiders. STOTD S3 is interesting, but I will return to it after relaxing with something silly.
Whenever I am in HK, I like the Nan Lian Gardens for the Tang-Dynasty-style landscaping modelled primarily on Chinese landscaping principles and inspired by Jiangshouju Garden, with a teahouse serving aged teas. Many people don't know Tang Dynasty landscaping was a major influence on Japanese garden landscaping.
That said, having finished all 40 episodes 3 days ago, I would advise those who came here primarily or solely for romance and expect two-sided romance: It's not one of the top five priorities of this drama.
Come for the adventures, stay for the characters and goals, and chit-chat with everyone else along the way!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0UXqPzeGU
Tracklist is as follows:
《赴山海》影视原声大碟
00:00 汪苏泷 - 风将起 (片头曲)
03:37 周深 - 浣花落 (片尾曲)
07:42 成毅 - 赴红尘 (人物曲)
12:24 金玟岐 - 山海之间 (插曲)
15:56 陆虎 - 赴 (插曲)
20:49 李嘉格/隔壁老樊 - 了了 (插曲)
24:51 许馨文 - 心火长明 (插曲)
28:56 成毅 - 沧海一声笑 (江湖概念曲)
——【配乐BGM】——
32:12 解男 - 浣花萧秋水
35:19 解男 - 君临天下
37:38 解男 - 天下英雄令
40:30 解男 - 寂寞如雪
43:05 解男 - 浣花往事
45:20 解男 - 最好的爹娘
48:00 解男 - 新神州结义
50:33 解男 - 长歌
52:49 解男 - 惊天一剑
55:17 解男 - 浣花剑派
57:52 解男 - 以义相聚
01:00:10 解男 - 归于江湖
01:02:35 解男 - 秋水一方
01:05:21 解男 - 云念
01:08:29 解男 - 忘情天书
01:11:01 解男 - 八荒英雄
01:14:29 解男 - 君臣之心
01:16:39 解男 - 大熙武林
01:19:27 解男 - Reset
01:21:29 解男 - 花败自开
01:24:29 解男 - 噬骨
01:26:44 解男 - 阋墙
01:29:23 解男 - 羽化
01:31:38 解男 - 新手村
01:33:46 解男 - 莫寄托
01:37:34 解男 - 金手指？不存在的
01:39:28 解男 - 小趴菜
01:41:28 解男 - 锦囊
01:43:28 解男 - 极恶
01:45:33 解男 - 窥心
01:47:48 声川文化 - 萧家剑冢
01:49:29 声川文化 - 魔典
01:51:53 声川文化 - 无极仙丹
01:53:59 声川文化 - 系统崩坏
01:56:13 声川文化 - 邪狞
01:58:42 声川文化 - 沸血茧
02:00:24 声川文化 - 兄弟趣事
02:02:04 声川文化 - 仗剑
02:03:50 声川文化 - 乱象
02:05:28 声川文化 - 险局
02:07:17 声川文化 - 系统OOC
02:08:59 声川文化 - 权力帮
02:10:47 声川文化 - 厚颜三式
02:12:23 声川文化 - 江湖沙雕录
02:13:59 声川文化 - 凌风舞
02:15:52 声川文化 - 入局
02:17:33 声川文化 - 命定之外
02:19:12 声川文化 - 影落长阶
02:20:57 声川文化 - 暗涌
02:22:30 声川文化 - 不言之刃
——【伴奏Ins.】——
02:24:29 汪苏泷 - 风将起 (伴奏)
02:28:06 周深 - 浣花落 (伴奏)
02:32:11 成毅 - 赴红尘 (伴奏)
02:36:53 金玟岐 - 山海之间 (伴奏)
02:40:25 陆虎 - 赴 (伴奏)
02:45:19 李嘉格/隔壁老樊 - 了了 (伴奏)
02:49:20 许馨文 - 心火长明 (伴奏)
02:53:25 成毅 - 沧海一声笑 (伴奏)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mqeGMVposM
Tracklist is as follows:
《天地剑心》影视原声大碟
00:00 刘宇宁 - 万剑不改 (主题曲/片头曲)
03:50 阿兰 - 一刻天光 (片尾曲/插曲)
07:49 成毅 - 何所惧 (王权富贵曲)
10:59 小时姑娘 - 梦境 (清瞳曲/插曲)
14:25 张远 - 送雪 (插曲)
17:46 叶炫清 - 卿卿 (插曲)
21:52 李琦 - 谁能 (插曲)
25:43 张碧晨 - 如烟 (插曲)
30:01 杨丞琳 - 焚爱 (插曲)
33:13 李琦 - 一刻天光 (插曲)
36:50 颜人中 - 你不是孤岛 (插曲)
40:33 周梓琦 - 神火 (配乐)
——【配乐：杨秉音】——
44:13 寒潭雪 (配乐)
46:41 鞘之心 (配乐)
48:42 王权富贵 (配乐)
50:16 微尘沐光 (配乐)
51:51 如映清瞳 (配乐)
54:03 落轻梦 (配乐)
56:05 身为兵人 (配乐)
59:16 众生天下 (配乐)
01:01:41 天地一剑 (配乐)
01:05:38 竹影殇 (配乐)
01:07:53 既名王权 (配乐)
01:10:28 刃无影 (配乐)
01:12:41 剑斩万壑 (配乐)
01:16:59 织星为约 (配乐)
01:19:24 万水千山 (配乐)
01:22:07 夜桃花开 (配乐)
01:24:20 情起时 (配乐)
01:25:48 风雪不语 (配乐)
01:27:28 茫途 (配乐)
01:29:35 至憾永别 (配乐)
01:33:46 黑狐归来 (配乐)
01:36:20 爱消恨涨 (配乐)
01:39:14 夙念弥天 (配乐)
01:42:27 轿外世界 (配乐)
01:44:23 世间温 (配乐)
01:46:39 西西域 (配乐)
01:49:43 千机百诡 (配乐)
01:52:40 捕日光 (配乐)
01:54:48 贵有贵的道理 (配乐)
01:55:54 土狗100次求婚 (配乐)
01:57:44 暗弈 (配乐)
02:00:45 流光翩舞 (配乐)
02:02:42 吾心所求 (配乐)
——【伴奏Ins.】——
02:05:12 刘宇宁 - 万剑不改 (伴奏)
02:09:02 阿兰 - 一刻天光 (伴奏)
02:13:01 成毅 - 何所惧 (伴奏)
02:16:11 小时姑娘 - 梦境 (伴奏)
02:19:37 张远 - 送雪 (伴奏)
02:22:58 叶炫清 - 卿卿 (伴奏)
02:27:04 李琦 - 谁能 (伴奏)
02:30:55 张碧晨 - 如烟 (伴奏)
02:35:13 杨丞琳 - 焚爱 (伴奏)
02:38:26 李琦 - 一刻天光 (伴奏)
02:42:02 颜人中 - 你不是孤岛 (伴奏)
——【和声伴奏BVs】——
02:45:46 刘宇宁 - 万剑不改 (和声伴奏)
02:49:36 阿兰 - 一刻天光 (和声伴奏)
02:53:35 成毅 - 何所惧 (和声伴奏)
02:56:44 小时姑娘 - 梦境 (和声伴奏)
03:00:10 张远 - 送雪 (和声伴奏)
03:03:31 叶炫清 - 卿卿 (和声伴奏)
03:07:38 李琦 - 谁能 (和声伴奏)
03:11:28 张碧晨 - 如烟 (和声伴奏)
03:15:47 杨丞琳 - 焚爱 (和声伴奏)
03:18:59 李琦 - 一刻天光 (和声伴奏)
03:22:35 颜人中 - 你不是孤岛 (和声伴奏)
That's a great summary of the significance of the fox and dragon! You could put that as a stand-alone post! I was showing someone this review referencing《太平广记 》relative to the ending, 50 minutes ago: https://m.weibo.cn/status/5233957201513959
I think they need to release a bonus episode with explanations of the references and good English subtitles, because a lot of it is going to fly over people's heads.
When episode 14 aired, I shared my interpretation of Gui Mudan plus referenced the works he was reciting (such as the zaju from Wang Shifu of the Yuan Dynasty) because it's difficult for me to explain 鬼气 in English:
Context plus translation here:
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24049694
https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24049698
Partial opinion here: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24049658
In fact, I believe this is what we need at this point: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WD-h2g6WUXI
Then Mango does marketing that can be seen as misleading because they need more viewers and they believe this is what appeals best to the type of viewers they want, fans who expect romance get outraged- This drama should have been marketed right from the beginning primarily as solid performances for an innovative breakthrough high fantasy xuanhuan drama with xianxia elements.
I believe anybody who had prior understanding about what the drama and/or novel was about should not be misleading anyone else on the subject.
Ok, rant over. Let's go back to appreciating WoF! If you find any funny BTS from the earlier shooting days, it would be good to share.
It matches the OP song.
But one small part of me is going "If only someone who could write poetry would remember Tang Lici..."
But anyway, when are you going next year? 三星堆博物馆 will fit your tomb-raiding and SToTD inclinations XD
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7378791706264620315
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Sz42187tb/
I'll put this in the discussion page shortly with my other two earlier summaries.
I was having a convo early last week with an acquaintance. She was telling me that she cannot take the acting of the two young females and one young male in the first episode, and if it wasn't for Luo Yunxi's acting... I told her to give it six episodes and why. By the end of the second episode, she said I was right, and she is no longer 一头雾水 XD (I explained Bao Shang En is a newbie and Ao Ziyi has a specific role to play)
Her viewership counts on the Mango platform for domestic viewers, so perhaps she also encouraged her friends to do the same ;)
At least the numbers for WoF has finally been able to show beyond a doubt why the likes of douban and Yunhe alone are not reliable.
So much emotional dust... Those scenes between Tang Lici and a certain dragon lady make me all mushy inside. Thank you for the praise. Maybe I should compile them, which would also make it easier to reference in my still-in-progress review. This will be easier for me to write than the SaB review that will attempt to be gracious about how a CEO producer deliberately uses his production house to try to screw over the ML of the drama.
For the fun of it, if you're wondering about data for WoF, here's a thread about how the data should be assessed (and why Yunhe isn't reliable.) : https://www.reddit.com/r/cdramasfans/comments/1oo99ju/congrats_to_whispers_of_fate_breaking_records/
I appreciate the efforts they put into designing weapons and combat skills (reminds me of HK movies from 80s and 90s). Shen Langhun's weapon is inspired by 《武備志 》 (Treatise on Military Preparedness) written by Mao Yuanyi of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty inspired a fair number of details for weapons or techniques here.
Writing a review is going to be interesting, because I have to balance aesthetics with art and plotline dissections.