babepiggie

I have been away from MDL for a couple of weeks now but I did notice a couple of TLB fans commenting on YAMG before so I assume some fans will probably migrate to this page when the drama airs. The more people watching and commentating, the better it is. I miss the interaction with the TLB group so I do hope we can all reunite again. :)

I have not watched any dramas with Yang Yang. I watched the first episode of Love 020 and had no desire to continue. Funny thing is that I read the book but it did not leave a deep impression on me and I prefer the other Gu Man novels (Silent Separation and You Are My Glory). Yang Yang does fit my image of Yu Tu and he's an experienced actor so I am not worry about his character portrayal. In fact, I found both Reba and YY very charismatic and believable as a couple (from the two trailers I've seen).

The synopsis on this YAMG summary page does mislead people to think it as a gaming drama but you're right, it should be marketed as a love story, a very mature romance. Both characters are in their late twenties/early thirties and what I like about this novel is the very realistic outlook one has in their life and love. The ML Yu Tu was at a crossroads in life and had to make a choice in his career. I found myself empathizing with both characters very much when reading the novel and truly hope the drama gives the story justice.

Yes, her fans are hilarious! I hope the drama includes the bit on those reporters. I love the epilogues as we can read how in love and sweet Jing Jing and Yu Tu are with each other and there is so much levity to those epilogue chapters. The author is very clever in using the confidential aspect of his job as his coworkers and fans had no clue that they are dating. Just many many speculations on their part. LOL :)

So happy to see a familiar ID here in the YAMG page! :) I hope other TLB fans will join us in the discussion here when YAMG airs next week.

I do want to advise potential viewers that this is not a gaming drama. Yes, there is a gaming aspect as he decides to coach her. The gaming connection allows them an opportunity to meet again, be familiar with each other and later fall in love but the novel itself primarily focuses on following one's dreams and supporting each other in fulfilling those dreams. He is always looking towards the stars as an aerospace engineer and she is one of the brightest stars of all (play on the word star/celebrity) and he is her glory. I hope the drama focuses on their realistic love story and have the gaming aspect be limited as much as possible. That is my preference anyway.

Yes, please give this drama a chance! It's my favorite drama of 2021 (so far) and I am still trying to move past it. I started a few Chinese dramas after watching this one but was not able to complete them! :( I am hoping Dilraba's new modern drama can help me get past it (I should really move on).

But back to TLB, it has such wonderful characterization and a FL that possesses so many admirable qualities and a ML that is everything a ML should be. Their romance is a slow build, but very satisfying and so balanced. They really do complete each other. The pacing is very good for 49 episodes and for me, I binged it in a few days.

I recently revisited the novel and it's still a wonderful read! The epilogues are golden and I just love reading the banter and the love between Yu Tu and Jing Jing. They are one of the most well written couple and it will be nice to watch a mature romance play out on screen. I feel both Dilraba and Yang Yang really fit the characters they are portraying so I really cannot wait for the drama to premiere! :)

Can’t believe the drama is almost here! 😊 YAY!!! So very excited to see one of my favorite couples in a novel playing out on screen! YAMG drama, please do not disappoint by fulfilling my following wishes:

• Believable on screen chemistry between Reba and Yang Yang. This is a romantic drama and its success hinges on the romantic connection of our two leads. From what I have seen of the clips and trailers, I think both Dilraba and Yang Yang have very good chemistry as a couple but 32 episodes is a lot of screen time together so I hope they are able to convincingly depict the passionate and beautiful dynamic of Jing Jing and Yu Tu.

• No unnecessary angst for drama purposes. There are appearances of their exes in the novel but please, let’s not give them more screen time than what was written. Just focus on their love story.

• Keep the gaming aspect to a minimal. The gaming provides them with the opportunity to reconnect but I prefer the drama focus to be about aerospace, her acting and their daily lives. To be honest, the technical aspect of the game was my least favorite part of the novel.

• Incorporate the wonderful epilogues as much as possible. They are so sweet and highlight how compatible they are. I think Jing Jing’s spirited and sassy personality brightens Yu Tu’s life so much. His smarts and witty comebacks when they tease each other makes me love their characters and relationship so much.

• The one angst in the novel needs to be highlighted well in the drama. I felt in the novel that Yu Tu should do more to win Jing Jing back and I hope that plays out more dramatically on screen. Screenwriter can add more time apart and having them missed each other. Not much was written on Jing Jing’s reaction in the novel so I hope for more dramatic moments from Reba’s acting. I’m also okay with Yu Tu to do a bit more groveling. 😊

I know the author is also the screenwriter to this drama so I have confidence the important moments will be revealed on screen. I am trying to level my expectations (it’s really hard). I know adaptations will likely deviate from the original written source but I do hope most of what I want to see does come to light. For me, if the drama addresses most of the points above, I will consider it a success.

My wish list for the drama...

Oh yes, the symptoms you just described is the TLB bug and has infected many MDL citizens for the past two months. There is no immediate cure but symptoms can be alleviated through nonstop discussions of the drama, BTS shots and videos of how this bug came about and frequent visits to the MDL doctor (this forum) for daily updates and news. Talking with likeminded individuals will also help! Please post more often to help those poor souls around you! :)

A few weeks ago, I responded to another viewer’s comments on the Gongsun couple’s relationship and want to ask this question because it has been lurking in the background for me as I evaluate the Gongsun couple’s fates. If you were Mrs. Gongsun, would you have followed your husband in death as she did in the drama?

My painful answer is no, mainly because she has young daughter who still needs her. Yes, little Yuan will be guarded by Mr. Qiao and Xu Feng and by extension, Changge, but she is still a little girl who needs her mother. She already lost her father and losing her mother whom she sees day in and day out at the same time, I’m not sure if I were a mother, I could do that to my child. The people around no doubt will love and protect her but they are not replacement for a mother’s presence because there will be moments growing up where only a parent can comfort and offer her the love and guidance she needs.

And this question is not meant to criticize Mrs. Gongsun because god knows I love this couple and how she supported her husband. She was faced with a heart-breaking choice and she made the decision she thought was best. Changge’s mother was also confronted with an impossible choice and we could see how it impacted Changge considerably. But in Changge’s case, the circumstances were different. She was older and had abilities to protect herself even though psychologically, I would argue she was much more affected than Little Yuan. I like that the drama gives us characters that are layered and makes us think about how choices can lead to certain fates for those around them.

Gongsun couple - something I have been thinking about

Welcome! :) I have not read the manhua but did have a discussion with a reader who did and he really enjoyed the drama and became a fan of Dilraba after watching The Long Ballad so it appears to me that it was well adapted from manhua to our TV screen. I do want to say the essence the drama is the same as the manhua as it captures Li Changge's journey but there are additions and changes in the drama with a new character, the second female lead and her romance, to appeal to a wider audience. I have read the pros and cons of having a new character and her story arc but if you keep an open mind to these changes, I think you will truly find this drama enjoyable. Happy viewing and please come back and share your thoughts with us! I am always curious of those who are fans of the manhua and how they view the drama adaptation. I love to read yours!

Haha! Yes, Mujin should start the Grasslands Gesun fan club. He's the biggest Gesun shipper! I will submit my application!

I really like the thought of having titles for the episode summaries but unfortunately, I just don't have time to summarize episodes or visit this forum the past couple of weeks. I have a summer job and family visiting all month long so it's just lack of time on my end. :( I do enjoy reading everyone's takes though and some of the titles are really creative and open my eyes to other key points that I might have missed on my first viewing of the drama.

I am fine with whatever is decided. I just hope people will continue posting new topics and exchanging points of view. Those are the posts I love reading and participating in.

Amazing performance by Leo! I can't remember in this scene if his voice was dubbed in the drama (I think it was). His actual voice was filled with so much pain and grief. Definitely his best work in the drama and one of the best scenes of the drama!

I read the novel a long time ago and my first thought was the FL should be played by Dilraba. She fits this character to a tee and the FL is my impression of the actress in real life. I so welcome the fluff and the pretty visuals of Reba and YY! :)

Very interesting take! "The game is afoot" - I'm not familiar with this phrase but after reading your explanation, it is indeed very apt. The cuju match does mirror the political strife occurring in episode one.

Everyone has so many good titles that I cannot think of anything better! Bravo to everyone! :)

I really like your title, "the calm before the storm". In the first episode, we get to see a carefree Changge where she is free to roam and disguise herself as a male. She is all smiles, from her loving scenes with her mother, her interaction with Leyan and Li Shimin and then the cuju match. I love seeing that side of her and then tragedy strikes in the next episode! I find this title very fitting.

No worries! Life happens! 😊 I am trying to move on from the drama too so I have not frequented TLB page as often. Thank you so much for the link to the English translation of the novel, “The Blue Whisper”. I will definitely read it when I have a chance. From many people’s comments so far, the plot seems to be a good one and I’m now even more excited to see Dilraba’s portrayal of the lead character!! Maybe we’ll see each other in the Blue Whisper page when the drama airs? It will be a bit of a wait (probably another year) but I know many visitors here are fans of the actress and I can see many people migrating to other works of Dilraba. It will be fun to chat with the same group of amazing people here!

I missed this post yesterday; it's completely buried under all these comments, otherwise I would have responded earlier!

Gongsun family (including Little Yuan) is my favorite family of this entire drama. Governor Gongsun has to carry a heavy burden in protecting the Shou State and its citizens and they are pretty much abandoned since they live at the edge of the border, with little help from the capital. The fact that he lasted that long from the Ashile tribe’s repeated attacks is a testament of his intelligence, his resourcefulness and the capable men under his direction. But more importantly, he has a wife who loves him, understands his ideals and supports him in the background to ease his burden. Their trust is unspoken and so heart-felt to behold. This is particularly evident during the family dinner where Governor Gongsun has made the decision to sacrifice himself to save the Shou citizens. He is preparing his wife and daughter for a life without him as he answers Little Yuan’s innocent inquiries. Mrs. Gongsun is immediately alerted and knows of her husband’s intentions. She never questions his choice. She accepts it’s who he is and she expects nothing less that he will take such a step to save the people.

It’s great the Changge gets to witness a strong couple who treats each other with mutual respect and devotion. She grew up in a household where her parents’ relationship was strained (comments about how her mother avoided seeing her father) so she did not have a good example of how a loving relationship worked. Through her experience with the Gongsun family, I would think it helps shape what kind of marriage she desires and what kind of man she wants as a partner. I also see the same attributes in Gesun’s relationship as the Gongsun couple. Gesun will have a happy marriage because they share the same ideals, values and have love and respect for one another. All they need is a cute little girl (or boy) to complete their family. 😊

I heard good things about “Blue Whisper” in the drama page but have not read the novel so I really couldn’t share more. I don’t believe there is a complete English translated version of the novel. Someone in the Blue Whisper Part 1 comments section provided a link to the novel (in Chinese) and perhaps you can use Google to translate it to English. Here is the link: https://www.hetushu.com/book/4742/3523752.html

The reason for two parts is due to a limit on number of episodes for Chinese dramas; I believe dramas cannot exceed 50 episodes. Not sure why this rule is in effect. However, this drama has finished filming not long ago and after editing, the number of episodes can be less and we can end up with just one part.

I can gather from reading your others posts that you’re more into action and less on romance so I understand why “You Are My Glory” does not appeal to you (perfectly alright 😊). I’m afraid “Eternal Love of Dream” is very romance oriented – it chronicles the love story of the main leads through several arcs so I’m hesitant to recommend it now. Action scenes are limited – characters are immortal so there isn’t much hand-to-hand combat but more use of “magic”. I think I have mentioned before that Dilraba’s previous dramas are weaker in plots and simpler compared to TLB and her characters are less developed. I think her upcoming dramas will be pleasing to you but it is a bit of wait to see her on screen again.

However, if you are interested in non Dilraba’s dramas with a great plot and less romance, I would recommend “Nirvana in Fire”. It has a young Leo Wu playing a simple, kung fu teenage prodigy (he had a supporting role) and the entire cast is excellent. The story is amazing with very little romance. I’m a girl who likes romance and for me, this drama exceeded my expectations and not having romance did not bother me at all. I think the storyline will appeal to you. “Legend of Fuyao” also has a strong female lead and the first half is very well done with great fighting choreography but I thought the plot got weaker the latter half. Still watchable but it was not able to sustain its momentum. I hope this helps.

I hope you won’t be leaving us too soon. I still like to read your overall analysis of this drama after you have finished all the episodes. 😊