babepiggie

In Ruyi, the leads portrayed their characters from teenage years to when they were older during the span of 87 episodes. Other than the earlier episodes when they were considered young (teenagers), the actors were believable in their characterization for the majority of the time. To be honest, I don’t think there is a right way to watch a drama. There are dramas that I was instantaneously engaged from the first episode while for others, it takes time for the background story to set up. My rule of thumb is to watch for at least five episodes for dramas with 30 or less episodes and 10-15 episodes for longer ones. By then I have given the drama a fair shot to determine if I should continue. There are a couple of times that I did drop the dramas early but was convinced by others to continue watching and ended up really enjoying them. I also have to be in the mood to watch a particular genre and I’m probably in the minority in that I don’t mind tragic or sad endings (as long as they are fitting based on the plot and characterization) and I enjoy gray and even villainous characters if they were well developed and dynamic.

I have made quite of bit comparison between Story of Yanxi Palace and Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and I truly have no intention or desire to determine which drama is better because that is also quite subjective. Ruyi definitely tugged at my heart strings more while Yanxi was much lighter in comparison. The emperor in Yanxi was written in a much favorable light as well so his character was much more enjoyable to watch as compared to Wallace Huo’s version. My intention in mentioning Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace is to bring forth the reasons why I prefer Ruyi’s and hopefully provide some insight for those who might be on the fence about watching. I have encountered many dramas through word of mouth from other posters’ here at MDL so I know it can be an effective way to expose others to good drama productions.

Imagining a character like Li Changge in the Qing dynasty is mind-boggling and I can see a character like her leading the charge in attempting to overthrow the Manchurians. It would definitely be eye-opening but Chinese dramas are hampered by so much censorship that a fictional plot as progressive (and contrary to historical records) would not make it our TV screens. 🙁 I really wish these drama restrictions lighten up in China because I feel current Chinese dramas are plagued by repetitive or similar stories because screenwriters are not able to fully utilize their creative juices to conjure up something different and phenomenal. Even TLB had censorship considerations in that Li Shi Min must be shown in a favorable light. Though I like the character Li Shi Min in the drama, but to be a successful ruler as he was, I’m sure there was a ruthless streak in him (that would make him just as entertaining to watch) but censorship would not allow such character “flaw” to exist.

Regarding dramas in Qing dynasty, the only “different” ones without overwhelming harem politics I could think of were Princess Pearl and Scarlet Heart. Princess Pearl (the first season) was cute but it was heavy on the romance and had more slice of life quality to it. Scarlet Heart centered around the female lead transmigrating to Qing dynasty from modern times and that was a good watch. I really enjoyed it but I read somewhere that dramas about transmigration are banned so the likelihood of seeing a similar drama like this is also limited.

Joy of Life is on my Plan To Watch list and I heard many positive remarks about it so I can see myself enjoying it. The Story of Ming Lan is also on my radar to watch but the 78-episode length has deterred me from starting it. I’m sure I will get to both dramas in the near future but I am not solely a Chinese drama viewer. I watch my fair share of American and other foreign dramas and enjoy all kinds of documentaries and other types of onscreen entertainment; that is probably why my MDL Plan To Watch list has ballooned significantly because I can watch anything!😋 Luckily there are so many TV entertainment options available as I wait for Reba dramas to air. 😊

Ruyi’s was the only Zhou Xun drama that I have seen of the actress so I am not familiar with her other acting works or could comment on her acting chops beyond this drama but she did leave a deep and favorable impression on me. I did read a criticism of both her and Wallace Huo’s portraying teenage versions of their characters at the beginning of the drama because they looked too old for that part. Those scenes were few and minor relative to the entire drama but I thought both leads gave convincing performances and I was engaged throughout my viewing.

I do recognize the appeal of a character like Wei Ying Luo to most viewers and the character did fit the mold of a strong female lead as she was bold, smart and resourceful but somehow this character failed to resonate with me because she was written to be seemingly too infallible. She came onto the scene as a cunning and adaptable character and she remained consistent throughout the story. I was hoping to see more vulnerability from the character but she always seemed to able to rebound quickly, without suffering much repercussion. Even if she was heartbroken over her failed relationship with Fuca Fu Heng (Xu Kai), she found an arguably better partner in the emperor. So whatever hardships she endured became moot in my eyes because I knew she would recover.

In contrast, I highly enjoyed the supporting characters of Empress Fuca (for her kindness), Consort Xian (the second Empress) and Imperial Noble Consort Huixian. All three actresses were phenomenal and their fates were just so tragic (of course, some due to their own doing). I feel consorts during this period were so restricted and only served one purpose which was bring prestige to their clan/families by producing a male heir and becoming favored by the emperor. The weight of this burden left a deep impact on all three characters and veered them to unspeakable paths. I truly enjoyed their gray and for some, fatal journeys. The Story of Yanxi Palace drama team did a superb job giving color and layers to the gray, questionable characters as I found them much more compelling to watch than the “good” characters. I hope Yanxi fans do not consider my comments as criticisms of the drama because they are not meant to be. I did enjoy the drama but probably for different reasons compared to the majority. I believe all cast members deserve recognition for the success of the drama. The leads were able to shine because the supporting cast also carried their considerable weight with their incredible performances.

Yeah, Ruyi is one of those dramas that one has to be in the mood to view because it is a heavy and the female lead’s fate was very heart-rending but I did enjoy the acting, in particular Zhou Xun and Janine Chang’s characters and their sisterhood were very touching to watch.

Although I love this period (the costumes and styling) but I feel women from this period were so restricted. Unlike other period dramas set in previous dynasties where the female characters had more options in paving their way or exerting political influence if they knew martial arts or medicine, however in the Qing dynasty, a woman was most useful through political marriage, notably by being part of the emperor’s harem. The consorts’ fates were directly tied to their political families and how much power they had in the “Eastern Palace” was dependent on how influential their families were. Writers of dramas during this period seemed reluctant to write anything beyond harem politics for female lead during the Qing dynasty. I know a lot of it was due to how recent the Qing dynasty was to modern times and probably the amount of records available which prompted a need to tell a faithful story. I’m sure Chinese censorship condemns if the story were to be too fantastical but it would be refreshing (for me as a viewer) to have a character like Li Changge (with broad and modern views) being instrumental during the Qing dynasty and viewers could suspend belief (as they do for dramas with settings in Ming or other dynasties) and just enjoy a different storyline and storytelling within the context of that period. I know this is off topic for this TLB page but I did try to reroute it with a Li Changge reference. 😊

Me too! I miss seeing Reba on screen and anxious to know what her next project may be. I hope she confirms her next drama soon so I can start supporting her new drama on MDL.

Regarding Nirvana in Fire (the first one), I encourage you to dive into this masterpiece! There is hardly any romance BUT it has an incredible and gripping plot, award-winning performances IMO, wonderful characterization with strong male AND female characters, interesting villains and so many positives that the lack of romance does not hinder the beauty of this drama! And this is coming from a viewer who loves watching romance onscreen. I appreciate the themes of this drama – friendship, brotherhood, honor and the pursuit of justice! It is highly rated for a reason and it exceeded my expectations even knowing of its elevated praises before viewing. This is the only drama that I ever rated a perfect 10 so I cannot rave enough how amazing it is! If you enjoy any of the elements described above, Nirvana in Fire certainly will not disappoint!

I’m also one of the few that prefer Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace as compared to Story of Yanxi Palace. Yes, both dramas contain a fair amount of harem politics but I find the etiquette and setting in Ruyi to be much more realistic and the female lead and her circumstances to be very faithful and sympathetic during that period. My main gripe with Yanxi is the female lead character (a maid) tends to act above her rank and rarely suffers repercussions while in Ruyi’s, all primary characters operate as dictated by their position and rank and the relationship aspect with the emperor is so tragic but feels authentic given the times. It’s definitely a heavy drama and to me, Ruyi’s is not just about harem politics but really details how one woman’s love for her lover withers over time with every action her man asks of her to compromise and put his needs above her. Viewers will definitely hate Wallace Huo’s character (I certainly did) but the entire cast is stellar! I agree 87 episodes is very long but the lead actress, Zhou Xun, gave such a heartfelt and mesmerizing performance! I love her raspy voice and the emotions she evoked (so glad her voice was not dubbed) and even though I could guess how the drama would end, I couldn’t stop watching. Believe me, I cried so many tears watching this piece but thought the ending was very fitting. I highly recommend this drama for sure!

I do wonder how often Reba's male costars get distracted when filming opposite of her?! For sure, Dylan was not the only male to feel that way. Haha!

Most definitely, Reba has been blessed with striking features, beautiful big eyes and that dazzling smile of hers. I think in the past we have touched upon how her non Han Chinese looks can be a double-edged sword. She stands out because she's exotic looking but can be passed over in dramas because she does not look Han Chinese. Luckily, I think Chinese viewers have grown accustomed to her extraordinary looks and she has built up her acting resume the past couple of years to headline future dramas that her ethnicity has not become an issue. I agree with you that the styling of her character in historical dramas has improved dramatically. I especially love her look in ELOD. I think she looks best with long hair down and minimal hair style pieces in historical/fantasy productions. The simple hair styles bring more attention to her beautiful face.

She does look lovely in LOA and I am happy from the images I've seen thus far of the drama that her hair styles are kept simple too but her costumes are absolutely gorgeous! I love Reba in bold red and I think it's the best color on her. In TBW, the color choices tend to stay in the pastel color range (I see light blue and light green in some photos) which I feel is very commonly seen in the xianxia genre. The pastel and light colors lend the image of being ethereal and goddess-like.

In general, most Chinese actresses are thin for camera purposes and I think some actors are just as thin. I read an article that Xiao Zhan's waist size in the Untamed was as slim as a Chinese actress so this weight issue does not only apply to actresses. I think with historical dramas, there are so many layers of clothing that an actress/actor has to wear that the thinner the artist is, the better the final look would be.

For her role in The Blue Whisper, Reba deliberately lost a lot of weight to fit her character in the novel. She was asked by director to do so and being the consummate professional, she agreed to bring realism to her character. She looked gaunt at one point that I was worried for her health but from some of her recent images, she appeared to regain some of her weight. She has been looking fabulous lately in recent photos or videos of her in brand endorsements, with her shorter hair and just looking more well rested. As viewers, we sometimes forget how exhausting it can be for actors to film long hours and Reba acted in two historical dramas in 2021, so it must be more physically taxing as compared to participating in a modern drama. I think it's good that she took a break from filming to rejuvenate herself. Looking forward to read what kind of drama she will commit to next.

Are the number of comments for TBW and LOA high before airing? I don't really venture to other non Reba drama pages but I do see quite a bit of Reba fans bouncing from her various drama pages (myself included 😊) and actively commenting which likely contributed to the high number of posts. We're just an excited supportive bunch and I must say I have met some of the nicest and most well-informed Reba fans here at MDL. I rely on them for all my Reba updates. 😁

The Long Ballad comment page is an anomaly and I doubt the volume of posting activity would be replicated again. I hope to be proven wrong and certainly wish when this drama airs that all fans will participate in lively discussions. I looking forward to reading other people's impressions and their opinions as well. It should be fun and I'm looking forward to discussing the drama with many individuals here!

Like you, I am a Reba fan and as her fan, I will watch her drama(s) if the plot seems interesting but it does not mean that I will always love the drama or rave about just because she's in it. To be honest, I have passed on many earlier Reba dramas because the plot seemed weak or even if I watched the entire drama, I might rate it with a lower score if they were not up to my standards. If I read positive feedback on other non Reba dramas, I will also watch and appreciate other artists' works because the story and the acting will always be the most important reasons for me to watch a drama.

I have come across viewers who only watch dramas of their favorites which is fine as long as they are respectful and not disparage other artists to elevate their idols. But every fandom will consist of some toxic fans who will attack other actors/actresses because they feel threatened for their favorites. Some would deliberately downgrade dramas of other artists to bring their MDL rating down for the dramas of an opposing artist or go into a drama with an already negative bias and not giving the drama a fair shot. I never understood that mentality. The entertainment industry is so big that it has room for many fandoms to coexist and for many artists to showcase their talents. There are certainly popular artists that I do not care for but understood they have fans who do see something special in them. I never felt a need to go to their drama pages to dismiss their works or criticize their acting skills just because I disagree. I personally think a fan's energy should be spent on supporting their favorites. Just my two cents.

In ELOD, Vengo's white wig looked really fake and I thought he looked thinner compared to TMOPB. The white wig in TMOPB looked better with the dark purple costumes but in ELOD, he wore too many light colored costumes (even an all white one) which I think lent to his paleness and clashed with his already white wig. I definitely thought they should have stuck to dark purple for Dong Hua in ELOD.

No need to stress about it. If the drama follows the novel closely, it will be well received. Honestly, what makes a drama popular is also very subjective. I know my taste differs from the viewers' preferences in China so I don't need high viewership numbers to validate my liking of a drama. As long as you enjoy the production and it moves or interests you, that's all it matters. For the cast and production's sakes, I certainly hope for great viewership numbers but if it does not happen, I won't take it too heart either. Both Reba and Allen had strong drama showings in 2021 and I believe in their acting skills and capabilities. Not every drama of theirs will be massive hits but as their fans, we can continue to support them in their future works and hope for the best.

Really? I found her costumes in ELOD to be very pretty. The pastel colors and the light, airy material really made her appeared goddess-like. Overall, I thought her attire and hair style were better in ELOD in comparison to TMOPB.

Funny story, I once read an article where the actor Dylan Kuo (played the character Su Mo Ye) in ELOD expressed he was so mesmerized by Reba's beauty during their scenes together in the drama. He also said that she was even more beautiful in person compared to photographs. After reading the article, I wondered how long it took for him to get accustomed to her looks and how many takes he needed to pass scenes with her. 😂

Personally, I thought Reba was breathtakingly beautiful in ELOD. I love her entire look and styling in that drama. 😁

Cheers! I found another person who likes my long posts! 😀 Yes, let's all hope for the best viewing results and praises for this drama. I can't believe it will be upon us soon! Truly very excited!

Oh yes, I intend to watch One and Only based on many positive reviews I have read on this drama and I surely expect to love it. I just have not gotten around to sitting down and bingeing it. 😋

You know, I have seen several of your videos (from YAMG and TLB) and you're so talented! I love your choice of music and editing. I hope you'll be moved by this drama and make a fan made video as well. 😀

Can anyone give a character description of the male lead character in the novel? Is he much older than the FL or of the same age? If the ML is much older, I don't mind seeing Reba partnering with more experienced actors. I always want her to star opposite of Hu Ge or Wang Kai and feel she can learn a lot from these skilled artists and might bring forth some of her best acting yet. Other than these two, here is my short list of possible candidates: Xiao Zhan (just want to admire their visuals together and I like him as an actor), Luo Yun Xi, Li Xian, Li Yi Feng, Xu Kai (I think he's a cutie but might be too boyish looking to be paired with Reba but it all depends on the character he plays for the pairing to work) and Zhang Ruo Yan.

I prefer that none of Reba's future drama love interests are from Jaywalk, although I do like ZBB and Vengo but these two have been in multiple dramas with Reba and I personally want to see Reba with some fresh blood and new pairings. I also think it's to her benefit to be challenged by new costars and be a little outside her comfort zone by accepting different roles and acting opposite of new artists. Just my opinion.

I know Reba has not confirmed for the FL but I'm just excited at the possibility of her assuming a "vixen-like" character! Reading the drama synopsis, this will definitely be so different from her recent roles and it will be refreshing to see her exude her feminine charms on the opposite sex. 😁 The fact that Reba can dance in real life is bonus. If she were to accept this role, I hope there are some breathtaking dance choreography. That will be so beautiful to watch on screen! I hope she commits to this project or an equally interesting role relatively soon. I need to see a Reba drama in 2023!

Any details to what the FL character is like? You mentioned that there will be two male leads. I so hope it's not a love triangle with the FL torn between two men. I really hate love triangles; if Reba were to assume this role, I hope one of the men would be unrequited love.

Reba has taken a long break since she was finished from the set of Legend of Anle. She seemed busy the past month or so with her endorsements and doing brand events. I like that she's taking a break from filming (she deserves a vacation too!) but like you, I'm anxious what her next project might be. There have been so many rumors floating around with her name linked to various dramas. To me, she seems very selective about her upcoming projects which I do like that she is not taking on roles just to have work. I think she wants to take on meaningful and challenging roles so I'm fine with her taking her time in selecting the right script for her. The downside for us fans is that we have to wait longer to see her next drama after LOA and we've been spoiled with two Reba dramas per year. I think we might be subject to one drama in 2023. Let's hope she makes a decision soon and we can go to her next drama page to support her. 😀

I'm typically a binge reader and a binge drama watcher so I will likely read the novel when it's completely translated. No rush to the translator at all; I will probably read the novel even if the drama airs before the translation is completed because I love a good story and if the story is engaging and well written, I will still enjoy reading it even if I'm familiar with the plot.

The rumor is that TBW will air in Q1, possibly as early as January! Reba fans, let's all rejoice if it does happen next month! 😀