Thank you for reading and for your comment. We live in a time when life is largely driven by good marketing……
You touched a sensitive chord. I also believe that it is sometimes our role, as artists, to take a militant stance in relation to our time.
As you rightly observed, we no longer have the time to take our time. Everything has become ephemeral, swept along by a constant flow that appears and disappears almost instantly. The possibilities multiply endlessly, and paradoxically this abundance makes choice even more difficult. On the one hand, one would need to be a truly discerning connoisseur to sort through this immense stream of works—some remarkable, others more questionable—which requires both time and a real openness of mind. On the other hand, many people end up relying on algorithms or on the taste of a few influencers.
Both of the points you mentioned resonate deeply with me. We are constantly redefining our cultural references, and this becomes even easier to manipulate when knowledge and critical thinking weaken—whether through lack of information or through the fear of diverging from the opinion of the majority.
If there are no longer any militant voices, then sooner or later everyone becomes easier to manipulate. Why? Because it is precisely art and literature that shape critical thinking. They are also what allow science to progress and the world to evolve.
Marketing has always existed. Leonardo da Vinci himself sold his paintings. But what distinguished artists was their ability to preserve their creative freedom despite demand. During the Renaissance, there was even a distinction between painters who were considered “artists” and those regarded as mere “craftsmen.” True artists proposed what they themselves wanted to show to the world. In this way the public discovered, criticized, learned, integrated, and analyzed—and the world moved forward.
Before the Impressionists, no one paid much attention to the morning mists of Parisian landscapes. Yet after their paintings, people’s perception changed. Suddenly everyone began to admire this atmosphere in nature—a beauty that had always existed but had not yet been recognized as such. People began to say, “Paris is beautiful with its grey tones.”
It is a small example, but it shows how deeply art can transform the way we see the world. And what if the Impressionists had continued painting like Rubens simply because that style had worked for so long?
It seems that Yi Ran has a project on hold called Wo Jiao Mo Dou Er. From what I understood, it might have a similar tone and tell the story of a group of marginalized street boys in the 1980s–1990s and their lives and struggles.
If I’m not mistaken, it could have a vibe a bit like Once Upon a Time in America, focusing on friendship, survival, and growing up on the margins of society.
Is that actually true? Does anyone have more information about this project?
I watched it for the second time, and it moved me just as much as the first — I was still deeply emotional and even shed a few tears.
It’s truly amazing to see how a small production could create such a beautifully crafted and touching series. It really shows how powerful storytelling can be when it’s done with care and passion.
Now it’s hard to choose another series after something this good…
Once again, after your generation to generation review, I think your analysis on POJ seems to be spot on for me!!…
"Something is not striking right for me with POJ!!!" - for me More and more, we are watching: " generative-type visual content" drawn from the" audience’s targeted demands" :-)) I don’t mind at all if it exists or coexists, but I would mind if that’s all there will be soon.
As a cdrama watcher for 9 years, i highly suspect that ''popularity'' or "success" of POJ might be the…
Thank you for reading and for your comment. We live in a time when life is largely driven by good marketing… It has become difficult to distinguish talent, success, and genuine desire. Yet, as Proust said, we should use books (for me the art) to think for ourselves, and not lock our own thoughts away with a key.
Please not with Zhao Jin Mai ... Lu Yu Xiao the best choice ;) I thought the same thing yesterday too — it would…
Honestly, after writing to you, I checked her filmography again and thought, “Oh, I missed this one. It looks interesting, I’m going to watch it. The cast is good. .. Thanks!
There are passages in the middle of the drama where Cai Zhao’s motivations become rather unclear. Yet, taken…
Justice is a metaphor: it is truth, it is recognition, and it is about letting go of the ghost that has haunted every generation in different ways… so that it may finally rest in peace..
Please not with Zhao Jin Mai ... Lu Yu Xiao the best choice ;) I thought the same thing yesterday too — it would…
I really liked her in Our Generation!!! . In Shine on Me, she felt very natural, but the role itself was somewhat limited for me — there wasn’t much depth or substance to the character for the plot. That kind of drama, in my opinion, can feel a bit silly.
In The Princess Royal, she was fine and did her job well, but I’m not a big fan of that type of character. Also, I felt that a wider range of emotions was missing.
Overall, for me it’s not a “love at first sight” kind of impression — neither particularly great nor bad. However, I do admit she is much, much better than some other stars.
There are passages in the middle of the drama where Cai Zhao’s motivations become rather unclear. Yet, taken…
I don’t really agree, because justice came later, near the end of course. She didn’t know right away (you are right about that), but indirectly she always wanted to know the truth; she was always interested.
There are passages in the middle of the drama where Cai Zhao’s motivations become rather unclear. Yet, taken…
What I meant is that in some parts of the drama, Cai Zhao’s motivations are a bit confusing regarding ML and love aspect
But if you look at his character overall Cai Zhao and his caracter follows a common wuxia trope: a disciple ( Cai Zhao) seeking justice for his master (Cai Ping Shu) . That’s why I personally see their relationship more as master and disciple than as aunt and nephew : (Cai Zhao and Ping Shu)
Nice drama ..One thing i didn't like about Mu Qing Yan is that , in ep. 18 to stop Cai Zhao from going he faked…
There are passages in the middle of the drama where Cai Zhao’s motivations become rather unclear. Yet, taken as a whole, he fits the classic wuxia archetype: a disciple pursuing justice for his master. It’s a well-worn motif of the genre. For that reason, I tend to interpret their relationship more as that of master and disciple than as aunt and nephew....
Please not with Zhao Jin Mai ... Lu Yu Xiao the best choice ;) I thought the same thing yesterday too — it would be excellent. She is very talented. If he works with her, it would mean he has worked with three of the best actresses of his generation: Qiao Qing Yu, Ye Hai Tang.. Tian Xiwei could also be a good match — she’s just as sweet and has that bright, optimistic acting style. It could contrast nicely with him, similar to Lu Yu Xiao. Plus, both actresses are bankable, so we might end up with a crossover style - commercially/artistic Sun Qian is an excellent actress too, but visually I’m not sure it would work if it’s a romance.
Zhao Yi Ran really a great surprise for me. Will check for his future drama. His Mu Qing Yan is so amazing! What…
To sum up, he’s definitely not an idol actor, which is rare in the industry. His next project is a historical drama—I can’t wait to see it. Apparently it’s coming out around late May or June?
Okay, after this I’m going back to watch "12 Letters" again. For me, it was the best drama of 2025 when I first watched it. And now, after Generation to Generation, I started watching it again and I still feel the exact same emotions… what a perfect drama! Everything about it is fantastic, and the emotions just hit you so hard when you watch it.
Yi Ran, you are amazing (in all four of your dramas). It’s actually great to watch them close to each other because you can really see how different he is in both, and how naturally he brings nuance to every character he plays.
What a rare gem in Cdrama land this young actor is.
For me, it was the best drama of 2025 when I first watched it. And now, after Generation to Generation, I’ve started watching it again, and I still feel the same emotions… what perfection! Yi Ran, you are fantastic (in all four of your dramas).
2 
1 
1 
1 
As you rightly observed, we no longer have the time to take our time. Everything has become ephemeral, swept along by a constant flow that appears and disappears almost instantly. The possibilities multiply endlessly, and paradoxically this abundance makes choice even more difficult. On the one hand, one would need to be a truly discerning connoisseur to sort through this immense stream of works—some remarkable, others more questionable—which requires both time and a real openness of mind. On the other hand, many people end up relying on algorithms or on the taste of a few influencers.
Both of the points you mentioned resonate deeply with me. We are constantly redefining our cultural references, and this becomes even easier to manipulate when knowledge and critical thinking weaken—whether through lack of information or through the fear of diverging from the opinion of the majority.
If there are no longer any militant voices, then sooner or later everyone becomes easier to manipulate. Why? Because it is precisely art and literature that shape critical thinking. They are also what allow science to progress and the world to evolve.
Marketing has always existed. Leonardo da Vinci himself sold his paintings. But what distinguished artists was their ability to preserve their creative freedom despite demand. During the Renaissance, there was even a distinction between painters who were considered “artists” and those regarded as mere “craftsmen.” True artists proposed what they themselves wanted to show to the world. In this way the public discovered, criticized, learned, integrated, and analyzed—and the world moved forward.
Before the Impressionists, no one paid much attention to the morning mists of Parisian landscapes. Yet after their paintings, people’s perception changed. Suddenly everyone began to admire this atmosphere in nature—a beauty that had always existed but had not yet been recognized as such. People began to say, “Paris is beautiful with its grey tones.”
It is a small example, but it shows how deeply art can transform the way we see the world. And what if the Impressionists had continued painting like Rubens simply because that style had worked for so long?
If I’m not mistaken, it could have a vibe a bit like Once Upon a Time in America, focusing on friendship, survival, and growing up on the margins of society.
Is that actually true? Does anyone have more information about this project?
It’s truly amazing to see how a small production could create such a beautifully crafted and touching series. It really shows how powerful storytelling can be when it’s done with care and passion.
Now it’s hard to choose another series after something this good…
I don’t mind at all if it exists or coexists, but I would mind if that’s all there will be soon.
. In Shine on Me, she felt very natural, but the role itself was somewhat limited for me — there wasn’t much depth or substance to the character for the plot. That kind of drama, in my opinion, can feel a bit silly.
In The Princess Royal, she was fine and did her job well, but I’m not a big fan of that type of character. Also, I felt that a wider range of emotions was missing.
Overall, for me it’s not a “love at first sight” kind of impression — neither particularly great nor bad. However, I do admit she is much, much better than some other stars.
But if you look at his character overall Cai Zhao and his caracter follows a common wuxia trope: a disciple ( Cai Zhao) seeking justice for his master (Cai Ping Shu) . That’s why I personally see their relationship more as master and disciple than as aunt and nephew : (Cai Zhao and Ping Shu)
Lu Yu Xiao the best choice ;) I thought the same thing yesterday too — it would be excellent. She is very talented. If he works with her, it would mean he has worked with three of the best actresses of his generation: Qiao Qing Yu, Ye Hai Tang..
Tian Xiwei could also be a good match — she’s just as sweet and has that bright, optimistic acting style. It could contrast nicely with him, similar to Lu Yu Xiao. Plus, both actresses are bankable, so we might end up with a crossover style - commercially/artistic
Sun Qian is an excellent actress too, but visually I’m not sure it would work if it’s a romance.
and Deng Enxi (I don’t really know her…)
For me, it was the best drama of 2025 when I first watched it. And now, after Generation to Generation, I started watching it again and I still feel the exact same emotions… what a perfect drama! Everything about it is fantastic, and the emotions just hit you so hard when you watch it.
Yi Ran, you are amazing (in all four of your dramas). It’s actually great to watch them close to each other because you can really see how different he is in both, and how naturally he brings nuance to every character he plays.
What a rare gem in Cdrama land this young actor is.
Yi Ran, you are fantastic (in all four of your dramas).