beesknees

The first few episodes of this were adorable and funny. Episode one was especially outstanding and sweet. As this rom-com progressed though it turned into a rom-dram and not a very good one. It left the serious issues with bot moms unresolved and used flashbacks so extensively that cutting them out would have resulted in at least four less episodes. The lead couple had good chemistry and there was enough here that the story could have had some real depth to it but in the end, those final episodes didn't live up to the promise of the start.

That would be my interpretation, although the show's explanation is more ambiguous

Muyan takes away the holy ember to force the Qi people to fight the Qian people for territory. He feels the weak and short lived Qian don't deserve the warm, fertile land they have and is angry that the Qi are forced to live in the icy cold north. The holy ember enables the Qi to survive the long night (which is the equivalent of the winter months in the arctic where they never see the sun). Muyan isn't really siding with either kingdom, although he would claim he is siding with Qi. He is using the theft of the ember to make the majority of Qi people, who disagree with his political agenda of war for territory, to choose that option.

Had the same problem and I would say that the storyline stays pretty much the same as to Xiao Se and everyone fighting for/with him. He does increase in power as the story goes on if that makes a difference for you.

This definitely have some stalwart fansI I've been surprised at tall the love but to each his own I guess.

Yes, she told one of the ladies a lie and it caused some problems, although I can't remember the specifics.

Some people are really loving it but like you, I want the giddy, bubbly romance.

My short reply: This is a couple who aren't in a romance but just the kind of loving relationship you settle into after a decade or more of marriage, where building a life together around your kids and careers is the bond between you. It's stronger but a lot less fun to watch than a sparks flying, hearts aching for each other romance.

My long reply: With respect, there is more intimacy and close support between Lu Wei, Shang Guan Jing, Hao Jia ,Dong Hai Tang and Yuan Ying than between the ML and FL. Everything you list below as evidence of ML/FL relationship could actually be said more of the relationship between Yuan Ying and Lu Wei. There is very little shared screen time between ML and FL starting at about episode 13 and they act like people married for twenty years, who are family but not really lovers for most of the show. The relationship between the ML/FL here closely resembles that between Jing Li's parents in Imperial Coroner. They were an older couple, married for many years and still very kind and supportive to each other. It's not romantic but it is very sweet to watch how close they are after all those years.

Li Xiao Le and Fang Yuan from Draw the Line have a relationship similar to the one in NLB too. They have been married many years (15) and have a loving relationship a little bit like this one. Only they are youngish (probably late 30s, early 40s) and actually a bit more
romantic than this one.

Half the people I know watching it have quit, so this one is definitely YMMV. Pros: Strong female friendships, feminist/pro-woman message, lots of court intrigue for male lead to deal with, . Cons: Starting at about epi 13, ML/FL share less than ten minutes per episode of screen time together , historicity is among the worst I've seen in a drama.

I'll second that request. Didn't find this cliched at all, maybe because it is the first of its kind I've seen? I would love referrals to similar dramas, I loved this one.

Second couple was wonderful. The story would have been better with them as the primaries.

He's not the only handsome man making movies. He's not even the most handsome man making movies. This isn't about him - he's one of only hundreds, possibly thousands of people impacted by this. Doesn't matter if she has evidence or not. Her payback is way out of proportion to what he allegedly did. She could have worked to destroy his next relationship. Broken his guitar. Thrown all his clothes out the window. But what she did do is not just disgusting but ruinous for a lot more people than just the guy who cheated on her. There are movies that cost a lot to make which now may never air. Sponsors who signed up to support those films who are out their money. Actors and actresses and production crews who spent months on a project and now have a black mark or blank spot on their resumes. This was a cruel and callous thing to do, way worse than having a drunken one-night stand after breaking up with your girlfriend.

Should have been titled The Hunger Games: Xu Harem Addition. A group of women are dropped into difficult conditions and forced to survive using only their wits as President Snow er, I mean Great Madam plays favorites, changes the playing field just for fun, and puts obstacles in their way to victory. Her Marquis son coldly watches as they work to win his favor and make it to the top of the heap. On a more serious note, this really is a story about how harems are horrible and tough places to survive in. For those looking for romance, the leads don't even start flirting till about episode 20, have their first kiss on episode 27 have a big misunderstanding shortly after, and then get together in episode 35. So no romance for the first half and no real love story for at least three-fourths of the show.

Actually, I would. This isn't about how he looks but what she did. Look, no question the guy is something of a jerk. In real life, no matter how pretty the face, I wouldn't date a man who cheated on his girlfriend. But I wouldn't even be friends with, much less date, someone who recorded a private conversation without telling the other person and then released that to the public. That is just slimy and sick.

That doesn't affect his work. I don't like Brad Pitt as a person, still see his movies. Same with Scarlett Johansen - she's given some interviews over the years that wow! she should have kept her mouth shut. But I watched every Marvel movie she was in. I feel bad because this punishment will harm a lot of people and it is not equal to what happened. And the truth is she recorded a private conversation. Frankly, if I worked with her or knew her in any capacity I would refuse to take phone calls with her and would be very careful of any conversations I had with her. It would be like working with a spy.

I agree. Angry? She has a right to be. But this? I think less of her than I do of him.

She initially says no to him but once they get together in episode 25, they pretty much stay together.

Fantastic drama with lovely characters and nicely depicted relationships. I loved that there were no stalkers in this series - so many dramas have a SML/SFL who are in love with the leads and try everything to derail the relationship of ML and FL. I was a little worried about the FL at first, she seemed like she was going to be a gamine type of character or a dimwitted ingenue but while she is naive, she is outstanding at her job and an actual asset to the team. Favorite scene: Practical, blunt-spoken elder brother Jin Li gives better romantic advice than the playboy best friend. I liked how ML is just sitting there struggling, having a sincere heart towards the heroine but no clue on how to move their relationship from friendship to romance and just bumbling everything along the way.

Episode 24 he starts to try to woo her, 25 is a love confession, then a second love confession in 26.

Several breakups, mostly surrounding big misunderstandings and the secrets they are keeping from each other. There are love rivals - a friend Feiye (ML) has known forever and who has made many sacrifices for him is the rival of Yun Xi (FL) and the SML is in love with Yun Xi, he also makes many sacrifices for her and does a lot for her which she treats, for the most part, as friendship. I would not describe the ending as happy. IHaveNoBias stated it well below - to quote "What kinda punk-ass ending was that? Ugh."