apocalib

It’s interesting that on wb, the drama is actually getting more attention bc it’s not a wholly typical romantic drama whereas some international viewers don’t seem to like the lack of romance, lol!

Personally, I’m 100% ok with that since I’m not the hugest fan of LGX & watched this only for TSY anyway so the drama has been a very pleasant surprise to me. I can understand the disappointment for those expecting a more romantic sweet drama but I rather like this more realistic view of a young woman working her way from a secretary to a director/CEO, too.

She promised to give him a CHANCE. She told him upfront that she wasn't ready for a relationship bc of a difficult situation she had and so he knew all of this going into the relationship. And he was the one that said he was ok with that. So far, she is giving him a chance by dating him. At the same time, when he tried to kiss her, he also said he would wait until she was ready. I don't blame SWR for trying but I don't think NM is guilty of anything. This also doesn't excuse the fact that he's looking through her phone without her permission. That's a big ass red flag.

SWR never said he actually likes NM either. He repeatedly said he liked HIMSELF when he was around her. So in my opinion, they both had issues when entering the relationship. It's also clear that he isn't over the ex or the issues he had with the ex and is thinking of her as a rebound relationship.

No one is forcing him to stay in the relationship either, he's allowed to leave since as you said, it's obvious she doesn't like him.They're both allowed to leave but both haven't. If you're going to say NM is guilty bc she won't end the relationship, then by the same exact logic, SWR is guilty as well.

Well, to be fair to NM as well, I wouldn't feel comfortable with my boyfriend either if he has obvious anger management issues. If my BF lost his temper on me like that and looked through MY text messages on MY phone sneakily, I wouldn't let him touch me either. He clearly doesn't trust her so what gives him the right to ask for trust back?

I'm tired of women constantly being blamed for not putting out or not moving on fast enough with the physical aspects of a relationship. Just bc they're dating, she needs to let him kiss her etc? They've held hands, they've gone to movies and dinner dates together. So yeah, they are DATING.

That opening scene with the snowy mountains and the Jeep got me good. I’m so emotional already and it was only a promotional preview. Can we somehow ffw time so that the drama is wrapped, edited and can be released?!

I’m starting a #NingMengDontNeedAMan campaign

Yes, NM agrees to be the SML’s girlfriend. She did say she was uncertain bc she liked LJM but was getting over him, but SML convinced her by asking her to give him/them a chance.
LJM is a very bossy man with a bad temper and a bad mouth, lol. He’s kind-ish to those that he’s close with and he’s a good businessman but he’s awfully entitled and takes his temper out on everyone around him. They both clearly like each other. LJM realizes in ep22 that he liked NM all along whereas NM realizes her feelings earlier on around ep18/19.
As for what SML’s purpose is, no idea yet. It has not been revealed.

Unrelated to what actually happened in the latest episodes but I really, REALLY, appreciate that even the makeup artists are going for realism! In the nighttime scene with the SFL, she had on much lighter makeup vs the scene when she was at the skating rink. For ONCE, we have a more realistic appearance for women in dramas, thank you!! (TSY always has more natural makeup so I guess it's not as obvious but with the SFL, it was quite apparent).

RE: SML. I think it's going to become fairly obvious that he hasn't gotten over his first love and the fact that she went with a fue er dai. I mainly dislike that all along, he hasn't stated that he actually likes NM herself but rather that he likes the version of himself that she reminds him of.

As for LJM, dude's got a lot of bad behavior to make up for. Not really fond of LGX's acting in the more serious/emotional scenes either.

I kind of laughed when the SFL was describing her ex and literally all the stuff she said he does, LJM used to do esp the whole belittling aspect. At least he's working on those issues and not losing his temper all the time now!

I also like how NM handles relationships. She's very calm headed about things esp when talking about her past feelings. Her senior is a different person now and the feelings she had were for the past him, not the current him so they should take it slow and see if she likes the current him. I hope she also brings that same energy into her thoughts about LJM cos he's still got that terrible habit of saying negative things (the movie theater lol). But from the trailers I've seen, it does look like he changes and realizes a lot of things about himself, maybe after his father passes?

I'm not sure what to say at this point then. I think it's sad that someone has to provide or give something to the other person in order to be considered worthy. She should be worthy just because she is herself. As for selfish/obsessed, she's already stated in ep20 that her ex was a controlling ass, and that he would belittle her all the time. She's never said a bad word about NM or tried in any way to sabotage NM/LJM. The writers are showing that both LJM and her do not have any common interests, which is fine because it's realistic. They connected in the past and have a bond there but that doesn't mean they can make a relationship as a bf/gf. Which I think the second female lead seems to realize in ep20 too.

In the trailer for the future episodes, SHE is also the one that leaves and tells LJM that actually, she thinks he and NM match quite well. But sure, she's the selfish one, lol.

I’m going to disagree lol. She’s not being bitchy in any way to me. She went back to her home country/city after her fiancé broke up with her, which is normal behavior. She’s on antidepressants and in a messed up mental state. The only reason she went for LJM is clearly bc ZYH’s conversation with her in the car. After a terrible breakup of a relationship that’s lasted years, it would be comforting to go for the man that’s always waited for you and has said that he loves you and hasn’t changed his feelings for over a decade. And if anything, it’s LJM that insisted on being there when she cried and he’s also the one that said he would stay by her side until she’s all better.

The idea that just because another woman exists & is in the way of the main leads getting together is automatically a bitch, is terribly old fashioned. In a teaser for the next episodes, she leaves again so it’s obvious she realizes LJM doesn’t like her but NM and chooses to leave.

90% of the crap that LJM spews makes me want to trip him down a flight of stairs! There’s absolutely no excusing the way he belittled NM in the beginning. I know that they’re going for the bark is worse than it’s bite character with him but ugh, he better redeem himself HARD in the last ten episodes istg.

But yes, absolutely appreciate that the writers chose not to make the second female lead in particular, a bad character. I’m tired of the stereotypical romance triangles & it really is a breath of fresh air of have more realistic work dramas these days!

So far, I appreciate that the 2FL isn't being portrayed as rude or nasty (or a bitch, lol). She's just suffered from a breakup, one that she was upset over and I think her reasoning for going to LJM is fairly valid from her POV. She was dumped/lied to (I'm assuming) by her ex and ZYH told her that LJM's feelings for her over the past 10+ years have never changed. If I were her, I'd be tempted by that too. Unfortunately, too late for that boat as it has sailed and I'm sure LJM will realize later on that his feelings for her have changed from like/love to gratefulness towards someone that was always there for him when he was growing up. Refreshing to see that the second leads don't have to be scheming all the time as this is a slice-of-life drama.

Really applaud TSY's choices in her dramas these days. She does have a good eye for scripts as even though the storyline and plot is a bit meh, her character is a strong one. I hope the focus will go back to her work-related life though as I think that's what was charming about the drama in the first place. NM as a character is spunky, hardworking, kind and not afraid of failing. I like that the drama lets her fail and puts obstacles in her way bc IRL, work is never smooth sailing for the regular 9-5 crew that isn't born with a silver spoon. TSY is charming and has a way of breathing life into her roles.

Finally reached the end of this drama and the only word that comes to mind is: MEH. This drama suffered from major identity crisis; it couldn't decide if it wanted to be a drama focused on food (as advertised), a harem drama, or a historical drama.

It's not the most terrible drama, I managed all 40 episodes and it's a happy ending at least, but it was mediocre in the writing, editing and pacing. The music and cinematography was lovely, as with all dramas based on the Forbidden City/Palace, and I especially loved the picturesque winter shots.

Lol, the editing, pacing and writing for this drama is a hot mess. Four episodes to go and it's like they're throwing the most random stuff into the storyline....

It could be a combination of what you listed. Honestly, most companies in China don't really care for the international fans anyway as the bulk of their money is made off of those watching in China. China's own market is HUGE and they don't necessarily need to cater to international fans. They could also be possibly considering selling the international broadcast rights to other tv stations abroad. But admittedly, a lot of broadcasting companies are not doing well and I think all of them are in the negative in terms of profits. It's not illogical to think that they no longer want to hire people to subtitle their dramas and would rather just release the show post-production. All in all, who knows lol. Royal Feast isn't even available if you are a paying WeTV/Mango subscriber from a lot of countries so it doesn't seem like they care to provide subs at this time when they aren't even trying to sell it internationally right now.

I’ve seen JoL twice! It’s one of my fav dramas too haha, I actually just rewatched it before starting NiF. Also watched SSS which was good too. Wish s2 & s3 would start filming soon for JoL, I can’t wait another 3 years x.x

He likes her due to a connection in the past that is explained in one of the episodes. As of ep30 though, there isn't any real relationship between them, just a one-sided love from SML to FL.

The only thing I hate is that now that I've finally watched NIF (was putting it off and saving it), no other drama will possibly live up to it. I'm at a loss as to what to watch next ; ;

A drama that had excellent writing from the very beginning to the end, powerful acting from nearly all the actors and amazing cinematography. The production value was top notch and I wish they still made quality dramas like this these days. Truly a rare gem. It's definitely a drama that has excellent re-watch value as well considering how many layers there are and it's truly a pity that the subtitles, while good, don't hold a candle to the actual chinese.

I'm tired of the show pulling the same trick too. She's not really acting "cold" per se right now but it's clear they're bickering again. We literally got like 5 minutes of them laughing together and being cute with the painting, and then she's mad now because he said she's the same as any other concubine in his harem (which ok, yeah but HELLO you're the one that still hasn't properly told him of how you feel towards him????)

There's 10 episodes left at this point and they still aren't really together. If she doesn't make him some mooncakes in ep30 and send them over to his dang palace, ISTG

In a way, yeah. Lol, throughout the episode, the Empress Dowager is consistently reminding YZJ of her "place". She's currently a concubine, just another lady in the Emperor's harem and no matter even IF she could become the Empress, the one with the most power is still the Empress Dowager. I don't know if the Empress Dowager hates YZJ but she definitely has lost what affection she did have for her. She's shown her son that she's openly against YZJ becoming a consort since becoming a Fei would put her only a level below the Empress.

(Random but apparently it's noted that the Empress Dowager liked Empress Hu more than she liked Empress Sun. There's been accounts that they fought for power after the death of the Emperor/ZZJ but who knows if the show will follow that route lol)