Charlie C

Cdramas? Ah, this is tough... Do I need to go all the way back to when I was a kid? You know Jin Yong? Probably the most famous wuxia writer. I used to watch several adaptations of his. Even ones from the 80s or 90s! Most are really good prior to 2010s, if I remember correctly. They have proper story-telling and characters' layers and developments.

More recently, of the 2020s, my favourites have been "Reset" and "Mobius". Sci-fi, time-loop, mystery, thriller, suspense, social commentary. Absolutely singular. I find them reflective of modern China too. Would love to travel to and in China in the future. I'm always on the look out for similar series of equal quality.
"How Dare You" is a comedy, romance, costume transmigration story with, surprisingly, good power struggle plots. I read manga and webtoon. I really, really enjoyed this series. It feels like it jumps straight out of a comic book! A win-win to have discovered this drama.

Sorry, I'm still pretty green when it comes ti Cdramas haha.

For English-speaking production, I usually go for comedy instead of drama, but...
"The Queen's Gambit" is definitely one of the best.
The most recent I liked was "The Testaments" (I don't watch "The Handmaid's Tale" though).
I watched "End of the F**king World" when it got released, liked both seasons.
"The X-Files" was excellent in the first 3-4 seasons but then it dragggeeed...
I liked "Loki" season 1. I thought it was mind-bending, twisty and befitting of the character, which I have liked since he first appeared in "Thor".
I just realised: All of these have their fair shares of angsty-ness! Sorry, they are all over the place though. It's difficult to pinpoint all-time-fav (so much pressure). Still, I think highly of these series (and many others I haven't remembered to mention), although they seem irrelevant here on MDL :D

Any series that makes me think and reflect, not just having fun and going with the flow, is an instant great in my book :D

I had to google Cbeebies. How creative of BBC hahaha

I'm not from the UK. I lived in Australia back at the time. So many UK children shows :D

Oh wow! Really, wow! Thank you so much for caring and sharing all these recommendations ;_;

I'll find time and get ready when it comes to watch "Good Bye, My Princess".

Oh yes, I watched "Anne with An E". It's beautiful from start to finish. Angsty for sure haha. And would have loved if they continue.
I haven't watched "Game of Thrones" but it was my... mom's favourite :D She is a fan of epic, fantasy :D

I got "My Dearest" and "The Double" in my plan-to-watch now. I'm actually curious about "The Double". However, I'm not so sure about the FL. Yanxi Palace was it her big break? I didn't get with that one.

I know "Joy of Life" is another modern classic. It's so highly rated and praised. I remember watching the first episode and then called it quit. I'll give it another try in the future :D

Yeah, xianxia might be a bit icky with the CGI. I struggle with the mythos terminology too, despite knowing some are difficult to translate. I recently finished "The Eternal Fragrance". I can't recommend it for anyone. But for some reasons, I skipped the hell out of it and finish it lol.

Thank you again!

Thank you for sharing!

Wow. He dances well. His movements were on the beats. This explains his coordination haha. But I didn't expect him to be that thin. I gasped. Maybe the costumes hid it well. This feels like an epidemic for Chinese actors...

Although I don't plan to watch "Fangs of Fortune" (I have this feeling it might not be for me), your comment solidifies Lai Wei Ming as an actor-to-watch in my list :D

Thank you for saying it because it's true hahaha

Lmao. Top top comment!

I'm (a snail) at episode 18. I got what I wanted: more about Prince Xin.
Right now, he seems like a good but tragic figure whose love was unrequited. Hope he won't become bad or mad for plot reasons...
I noticed that Prince Xin's choice of firework mimics rainfall. FL loves the rain. So if I were in her shoes, I think, I would prefer his over the grand gesture waterfall of a firework display from the ML. But hey, power struggle. So, aim high, if you can.

I'm glad FL cleared it up and reinforced how she wants an equal-footing relationship with her partner and she doesn't look for love.
Whereas Prince Xin failed because he wanted to take care of her and keep her all to himself (he admitted his wrongdoings but still fell into the same pit, sigh), I can trace it back how ML was initially like his older brother. However, he changed his ways and started to share the pie with FL, especially after they learned of each other's natures. The main couple's relationship begins to make more sense now, for me. It has not been inconsiderate, but pretty one-sided. Now, it has potentials to progress. Additionally, by the power vested in plot armours, they actually help each other and get things done from time to time. You can't fight alone.

This might be purely coincidental, but... I'm Charlie. You're Lola. We're "Charlie & Lola"! You know that series? Both TV and books? (I used to watch it when I was a kid.) Talking about chances...

I also got really into costume, historical Cdrama after "Flourished Peony". That series was beautiful, set- and culture-wise.

And I share the same view with you on good, immersive dramas that can capture our interest and attention. On one hand, they can be our escapism. On the other, they can be reflection of our world. Or both. Or more :D

"Empresses in the Palace" is a modern classic. It's actually one of my friend's favourites. He likes these power-struggle-in-the-palace very much. Whenever he got the chance, he'd recommend it with me nonstop lol.

You're spot-on about Meng jie's limited emotions. I can only assure you that, it fits the role in "Blossoms of Power". She can emotes (I saw an earlier drama of hers recently). The problem is she is being type casted, due to popular demand. Thus, it has become her signature. At the same time, you can feel how repetitive, limited popular dramas can be. It can be from the viewer's demand. But I feel like it's more of a push from the production companies and the industry as a whole.
I can also confirm, the ML is charming and fits the role haha. To be fair, the drama has its pluses and minuses, like most others. It's up to one's enjoyment :D

I'll try "Good Bye, My Princess" some time. It has really good reviews from China and overseas. Plus your recommendation. Do you perhaps find it somewhat similar to any other TV series in the English-speaking countries? Or is it singular?

I tried Mr. Queen a few years ago, but couldn't get into it haha. Honestly, I might not be a Kdrama person. I'll still try though when I find something interesting.

Can you give me some titles of your favourite angsty, emotionally heavy series? English-speaking ones might be better for me haha.

I'm currently following "Blossoms of Power". It has a good production. Visual-wise, it's very proper. Maybe you can take a look? (I have a feeling, you might like series on the grand-scale, not just a good plot and story.)

I have a lot on my plan-to-watch list, but none takes priority it seems... I do have "Good Bye, My Princess" there. I think the 54-episode is what deterring me from watching it at the moment haha.

I haven't seen "Love Like the Galaxy". But I've seen Li Yun Rui in "Blossoms", which I also dropped because it was testing my patience haha.

For C-dramas, I'm most excited for sci-fi, especially time-loop, mystery, thriller. I got hooked watching "Reset" and "Mobius". I really like the social commentary parts that come along with these series too.
Costume dramas are also a C-drama's signature. So, I always look for and try various ones I find interesting.
Genre-wise, my number one is comedy. It's in most C-dramas anyway. Still, there are some I find above-the-rest, which are comedy/romance.

What about you? :D I see you have costume and period series on your profile. But maybe there's something more, something specific (you said so yourself).

I'm happy we fellow C-drama viewers get to chat and share our thoughts with each other :D

Now that you mentioned it, those three things didn't do it for me either. I'm also new here. I used to watch dramas with my family when I was a kid. But that was a long time ago. Now, it's different :D

You got me curious about "Sea of No Return". So, I read up the synopsis. Pretty interesting. But then... I scrolled and saw... Li Yun Rui. I must say, he hasn't the strongest or best impression on me, acting-wise.
But the stills are beautiful, indicating a high budget production. Fingers crossed for you that it'll be good!

I saw some screenshots of him and FL's sister (current timeline). Some people seem to ship them.

*Raise hand* I also like Prince Lei. The moment he appeared, I was "wow". They make him quite distinctive a character: hot-headed, passionate, acting-before-thinking, full of youth and vigour. If it weren't for their shared genetic trait of being lovefools, I wouldn't notice all the princes were brothers haha.

I must say, all of his action scenes have been enthralling. They properly choreographed and the actor properly learned to express not with just his muscles, but also his expressions. (His intensity is on-point.)
This is my first time seeing Lai Wei Ming act. I heard he got his start being popular on Douyin. So my expectation was low. But he definitely delivered with all the high notes. He fits the young, reckless but warm and caring general very much. I hope he will continue down the path with this learning mindset and attitude. Who knows, maybe he'll land a young-general main role in a good production somewhere along the way. I know, I'll be pleased :D

I'm up to this episode as well. I've been curious about Xin Wang since the beginning. His story is full of mysteries (I doubt that there'd be a lot of him or his back story in the series) and feels bittersweet.

From my pov, he seems like he loved his wife very much. But, it was completely one-sided. Coupled with the fact, he isn't the ML in this story. It was impossible he would get the girl. (Personally, I think it's just who she is. But in the power vested in plot armour, Crown Prince will get through here. Even if it's a longgg way to go. So long, that many viewers complain nonstop about the "cold-hearted" FL.)
He also seems to have certain psychological issues; potentially due to the miseries and traumas he has endured and the love he never got in return. What a tragic character. (Or maybe I'm all in my head.)

Another huge factor is how each person receive or refuse the love given to them. If they want or desire love, how that love is expressed, how they prefer it, if it suits them or not, and if they are a match (crucial). So many variables factoring in love and relationships, in general.
Sometimes, one can't just force it. Sometimes, one's best is not enough/suitable/adequate/it. And when push comes to shove, consent is key. One must respect the choice and decision the other makes.

Still, I wonder from time to time about a what-if scenario for Xin Wang, in case he is a good guy. If dude is sad, obsessive and delusional... it's okay, I'm glad his wife got her exit.

The plot simply didn't stick with me. I actually knew of this series but didn't intend to pick it up, sensing it might not be for me. But I was curious about Peter Ho (quite a veteran actor who likes to take on fun roles these days, and I'm all about comedy haha) and got recommendations from a couple of MDL members who enjoyed some series like me.

Frankly, it is not long, only 28 episodes, and quite fast-paced. I've seen many liking it. It's pretty entertaining and funny amidst certain seriousness. However, besides the plot not doing it for me, the acting shares the same fate. It's just not there yet.
But, the story is still intriguing. So, I did read up some posts and discussions here and on social media. I thank all the passionate viewers who show their appreciation for this drama!

I actually took the liberty and looked at your profile. Quite the taste you got there with all those series, Lola! I'm not sure if you'll like this... Still, give it a try, a couple of episodes doesn't hurt. Maybe it'll be a good, light watch for you :D

And thank you for asking!

Although I have, unfortunately, dropped this series, that opening scene of Hou Ming Hao fighting with the zhanmadao was impressive.
He actually put some force into it and the choreography is quite good unlike certain mainly-for-show action scenes in certain series.

And goofy Peter Ho is always fun to watch.

I watched a couple of episodes of KTPH and he was hilarious! Unfortunately, he is a, if not the, bad guy lol.

Yes, I also heard from novel readers, Prince Qian is ML's father. I hope that the emperor is a nice, or at least decent, character in the TV series.

I read it's currently number 1 in its morning time slot and just achieved its highest rating of 0.8-something-something on CCTV1. Congrats to the whole production! Well-deserved :D

I'm thankful it's 36 episodes. I actually wanted more.

Do you know what's their morning time slot is? Thanks.