I really can’t think of what he could have said in his ear that would be shocking enough without disappointing the audience.
All I can come up with is: 1. ‘Your dad (grandpa) caused the accident that killed her little brother.’ (Boring… boo.) 2. ‘You’re the real killer. Grandpa blamed it on me.’ (Oop… 🫣) 3. ‘She’s already dead. She’s not in the seat. You lost your mind like me.’ (also boring)
Maybe something about her dad? Or ‘You have a split personality. I don’t exist.’ (Highly improbable.)”
saeon had enough time to run over that loser instead of just staring omg I'm sick of this freak and his twitching.…
I was yelling at my screen just run him over already its not that hard. But, again, would it be a kdrama without a final face off with the villain, he had to get out—he just had to
With one episode left, I really hope it won’t disappoint. If the finale ends up revealing something we already know, I can see the ratings taking one of the fastest drops in Mydramalist history.
That said, my overall thoughts on the drama: The premise is intriguing and immediately catches your attention. However, it leans heavily on classic K-drama tropes, embracing a level of dramatism I had almost forgotten after watching more C-dramas. It’s packed with familiar elements, making it feel nostalgic yet predictable.
While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, and I definitely think the 8.9 rating is inflated, it’s still an engaging watch. The drama knows how to keep you hooked, even if it’s not groundbreaking. If you enjoy traditional K-drama storytelling, it’s worth checking out.
I’ve never seen a male actor with so many jealous haters, yet power to him—he keeps breaking ceilings. This speaks to the ongoing discrimination that actors from certain backgrounds still face. They hate that he’s proud and winning.
Anyways I love his accent, and I hope to see more projects where he gets to use his own voice. Comedy is definitely his thing, hope to see more roles like GOTD.
I usually just watch my dramas in silence without commenting much. But for this one, I felt the need to yap today…
Also, I really don’t have an issue with the female lead. Right now, her character isn’t that important to the story, and even as an avid romance watcher, I’m not craving any romance. She can stay in her not-so-important side story.
Also, if you hate the female lead but not the male lead, you’re sexist. The only difference between them is that she’s unlucky and he’s lucky, but they’re both equally social climbers. They’re both academically lazy, but he just happens to come from another universe. They’re both procrastinators who take shortcuts, but this universe conveniently favors him because he knows how to kiss up to the right people. And for some reason, there’s a force of luck behind him (intentional? Maybe). It’s sexism, and I’ll die on this hill—you can’t tell me otherwise.
I usually just watch my dramas in silence without commenting much. But for this one, I felt the need to yap today to balance out the absolutely unjustified, asinine, unfounded, and illogical hate it’s been getting on other platforms.
Today’s episodes were so fun and enjoyable. I’m realizing that, for me, the only thing that tops slow-burn romance is this. Adventure-heavy, world-building-driven fantasy. There’s something about this kind of storytelling that resets my brain, washing away the worries of real life and replacing them with all the escapism I need before I sleep.
Also, I love Xu Qian’s character archetype. There’s just something about him. He’s good at everything, ridiculously lucky, talks big but is really just a massive social climber. He’s such a morally grey yet incredibly lucky character, and I love that. I know a lot of people criticize this aspect of the story, but it’s clearly intentional, which makes it unique. I feel no stress watching this because, somehow, things will always go his way.
Funny. One of the reasons why I liked this drama is because of the Joy of Life similarities. I didn't know that…
I couldn’t agree more. It’s not normal behavior. I often have to remind myself not to engage with people who are clearly not in the right state of mind. From the outside, it’s shocking to see this kind of behavior and logic because it’s truly irrational, yet it often goes unchecked, almost as if we’ve collectively accepted it as normal. While celebrities undoubtedly benefit from a lot, I can’t help but empathize with them. Being forced into a world where everything feels so upside down must be an incredibly isolating and disorienting experience, a nightmare really.
This halfass Joy of life wannabe show is very mid . Its getting hard to find a solid chinese drama nowadays .Either…
The title clearly says Guardians of the Dafeng. I have no idea why you thought you’d be watching Joy of Life 2 when that show already exists. Not every drama is trying to copy your favorite, and if all you can do is draw lazy comparisons and complain that it doesn’t tick your personal boxes, that’s on you.
excalty my thoughts! why are people so obessed with having smart female leads 🙄, like are they not tired of…
This take is honestly off. The traits you’re criticizing, her being spoiled, unfunny, and overly reliant on others, aren’t random flaws. They’re clearly intentional parts of her character. This isn’t bad writing, it’s a setup. Stories often build flawed characters to show growth later.
You’re judging her so early when we’re not even one-third through the drama. It’s like complaining about Minglan in The Story of Minglan because she starts out quiet and submissive. That’s the whole point, her circumstances shaped her, and it’s only later that her intelligence and strength shine. Same here. Just because the FL doesn’t meet your ideal yet doesn’t mean she isn’t written exactly how she’s meant to be at this stage of the story. Let it play out.
And even if she doesn’t end up adhering to your standards of what an FL should be, this character is still valid. It’s a comedy nothing is that serious. It’s part of the genre for characters to have extreme traits and exaggerations. That’s what makes it entertaining.
Funny. One of the reasons why I liked this drama is because of the Joy of Life similarities. I didn't know that…
I know, right? Shouldn’t it be the opposite? People should be happy to have something with similar vibes to a great drama they enjoyed. But instead, they want less? This kind of hate is just insane to me like, please, go seek mental health support or something.
Wait, why are ppl comparing this to JOL? I didn’t watch that one but aren’t they totally different dramas…
the comedy piece of the drama, they're also comparing the MCs. Mostly cnetz saying that but the brain rot has reached this side of the internet as well. The genre is pretty similar I think.
In my opinion there aren't mixed reviews like it's either black or white, that it's either we enjoy slapstick…
I think what you’re trying to articulate here, along with others below, is that this drama belongs to a different genre than the usual costume dramas, which is precisely why it stands out. The issue lies with people who can’t seem to grasp that genres outside their personal preferences are still valid—they have every right to exist, be enjoyed, and even be considered good without conforming to the usual mold.
This is a persistent problem in the drama community: people who don’t enjoy a particular genre or trope will watch it anyway and then criticize it as ‘bad’ simply because it doesn’t cater to their tastes. That logic is completely flawed. Media should not be judged based on how well it aligns with personal preferences but on whether it achieves what it sets out to do within its own genre.
Take me, for example: I love smart, strong female leads, but I also know this drama might not deliver that for me because it’s a comedy, not a serious character-driven piece. Criticizing it for not meeting expectations it was never intended to fulfill would be unfair. The same applies to anyone forcing themselves to watch a drama that’s outside their usual menu, only to call it ‘bad’ when it doesn’t meet irrelevant standards. It’s not the drama’s fault—it’s a misunderstanding of how genres and storytelling work.
I don’t care about anyone’s opinion on this drama unless it’s positive. The two types of people ruining the vibe are Joy of Life fans whining that it’s not as good as Joy of Life (to which I say, who asked?) and people who somehow got lost and ended up here (to them, I say: not every drama exists to cater to your taste. go find a drama you actually enjoy and stop making this one the scapegoat for your boredom)
The bottom line is, SO FAR this drama is delivering exactly what it promised. It’s fun, the characters are likable, the universe is interesting, and the production is solid. It’s too early to complain—save the criticism for when it’s finished airing. For now, if you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, you’ve found it. Enjoy.
The instant gratification part pretty much sums up majority of the criticisms tbh. They want action, in every…
Yes! Which I truly don’t understand. You can’t criticize something that’s intentional. If you’re unable to enjoy it, that’s on you—it’s not a flaw in the drama. I have a big issue with people who can’t tell the difference between their personal taste and valid criticism. Like, why does a perfectly good drama have to be shat on because you lost your way? Go watch mini dramas on YouTube shorts or something.
This drama stands out from the rest because it has absolutely zero fillers. It’s packed with storylines that flow seamlessly together; layered, cohesive, and engaging. Every plot is tied up neatly and effortlessly transitions into the next intrigue, which is truly impressive. Even some of the most acclaimed dramas I enjoyed this year didn’t achieve this level of consistent storytelling.
That said, this drama requires a mature perspective to fully appreciate its depth. It’s layered and nuanced, and I think that viewers who prefer instant gratification or lack patience for proper build-up may not enjoy it. Its their loss because to appreciate media that keeps you on edge yet you can still sit back and enjoy the journey without feeling the need to take control is a skill every true fan of the dramas should cultivate. Sit back and trust the vision of this team, because this drama truly deserves our attention. If you just started watching and you want to commit multiple murders, chill, their time will come.
dont recommend this drama, such a very very slow burn… Im on ep 10 and still no chemistry between 2 lead
How can you “not recommend” something for being exactly what it’s supposed to be? Do you also comment under romance dramas saying you don’t recommend them because they have romance? Slow burn is a legitimate genre, and we all knew what to expect. You can say it’s not to your taste, but this drama doesn’t deserve to be “not recommended” just for doing exactly what it promised to do.
All I can come up with is:
1. ‘Your dad (grandpa) caused the accident that killed her little brother.’ (Boring… boo.)
2. ‘You’re the real killer. Grandpa blamed it on me.’ (Oop… 🫣)
3. ‘She’s already dead. She’s not in the seat. You lost your mind like me.’ (also boring)
Maybe something about her dad?
Or ‘You have a split personality. I don’t exist.’ (Highly improbable.)”
That said, my overall thoughts on the drama: The premise is intriguing and immediately catches your attention. However, it leans heavily on classic K-drama tropes, embracing a level of dramatism I had almost forgotten after watching more C-dramas. It’s packed with familiar elements, making it feel nostalgic yet predictable.
While I wouldn’t call it a masterpiece, and I definitely think the 8.9 rating is inflated, it’s still an engaging watch. The drama knows how to keep you hooked, even if it’s not groundbreaking. If you enjoy traditional K-drama storytelling, it’s worth checking out.
Anyways I love his accent, and I hope to see more projects where he gets to use his own voice. Comedy is definitely his thing, hope to see more roles like GOTD.
Also, if you hate the female lead but not the male lead, you’re sexist. The only difference between them is that she’s unlucky and he’s lucky, but they’re both equally social climbers. They’re both academically lazy, but he just happens to come from another universe. They’re both procrastinators who take shortcuts, but this universe conveniently favors him because he knows how to kiss up to the right people. And for some reason, there’s a force of luck behind him (intentional? Maybe). It’s sexism, and I’ll die on this hill—you can’t tell me otherwise.
Today’s episodes were so fun and enjoyable. I’m realizing that, for me, the only thing that tops slow-burn romance is this. Adventure-heavy, world-building-driven fantasy. There’s something about this kind of storytelling that resets my brain, washing away the worries of real life and replacing them with all the escapism I need before I sleep.
Also, I love Xu Qian’s character archetype. There’s just something about him. He’s good at everything, ridiculously lucky, talks big but is really just a massive social climber. He’s such a morally grey yet incredibly lucky character, and I love that. I know a lot of people criticize this aspect of the story, but it’s clearly intentional, which makes it unique. I feel no stress watching this because, somehow, things will always go his way.
You’re judging her so early when we’re not even one-third through the drama. It’s like complaining about Minglan in The Story of Minglan because she starts out quiet and submissive. That’s the whole point, her circumstances shaped her, and it’s only later that her intelligence and strength shine. Same here. Just because the FL doesn’t meet your ideal yet doesn’t mean she isn’t written exactly how she’s meant to be at this stage of the story. Let it play out.
And even if she doesn’t end up adhering to your standards of what an FL should be, this character is still valid. It’s a comedy nothing is that serious. It’s part of the genre for characters to have extreme traits and exaggerations. That’s what makes it entertaining.
This is a persistent problem in the drama community: people who don’t enjoy a particular genre or trope will watch it anyway and then criticize it as ‘bad’ simply because it doesn’t cater to their tastes. That logic is completely flawed. Media should not be judged based on how well it aligns with personal preferences but on whether it achieves what it sets out to do within its own genre.
Take me, for example: I love smart, strong female leads, but I also know this drama might not deliver that for me because it’s a comedy, not a serious character-driven piece. Criticizing it for not meeting expectations it was never intended to fulfill would be unfair. The same applies to anyone forcing themselves to watch a drama that’s outside their usual menu, only to call it ‘bad’ when it doesn’t meet irrelevant standards. It’s not the drama’s fault—it’s a misunderstanding of how genres and storytelling work.
The bottom line is, SO FAR this drama is delivering exactly what it promised. It’s fun, the characters are likable, the universe is interesting, and the production is solid. It’s too early to complain—save the criticism for when it’s finished airing. For now, if you’re looking for something fresh and exciting, you’ve found it. Enjoy.
That said, this drama requires a mature perspective to fully appreciate its depth. It’s layered and nuanced, and I think that viewers who prefer instant gratification or lack patience for proper build-up may not enjoy it. Its their loss because to appreciate media that keeps you on edge yet you can still sit back and enjoy the journey without feeling the need to take control is a skill every true fan of the dramas should cultivate. Sit back and trust the vision of this team, because this drama truly deserves our attention. If you just started watching and you want to commit multiple murders, chill, their time will come.