I agree with you on the sad attempt of palace politics thrown in this serial. As you said, it started with an undercurrent of mystery that engaged my curiosity and I thought would be further developed. But this was sacrificed because I think that Chinese viewers are no longer receptive to palace politics. For my part, I liked the business drama because it showed amazing tea art and the wazi scene was just mind-blowing and so poetic. However, the female empowerment part just fell short again and again when GFJ had to step in to recue them or when the wealthy Chi Pan just happened to be waiting in the sidelines to finally be able to financially back the three women up. He is portrayed as being a silly, ridiculous man but then, how can he the head of 12 guilds if he is so foolish? Basically, there were too many loopholes in this serial for it to be credible. It should just advertise itself as a feel-good romance...
Hi. As usual, it is your review that induced me to watch this serial. Do agree with you about Qianfan giving heart melting looks to Paner. However, seems that your rating is a bit high...
Hi. Was just waiting for your review, which again is very on the point. I just can't wait to watch the serial. Waited patiently so that I can binge-watch...
This serial is absolutely worth watching, if only to appreciate its general aesthetics and the sheer amount of money the production house has poured into its various sets. Then, there is the direction work...wow...I imagine that it must be very difficult to direct/control all the persons involved in such large settings with so many people and to have such interesting shots and follow the movement of leads...then there is the work of editing...brilliant that they did not compromise with the visuals to fit into small tv screen compared to movie screens...And finally, there are the various stories that intermingle with the main plot that humanise the characters rather than simply show a dichotomous relationship between protagonists versus antagonists. The only thing I am a bit dissatisfied with is that the serial makes us have high expectations of the Jing'Si and of Li Bi but it fell flat, of the great deflagration and it fell flat, of the Ant but same, it fell flat and finally of the instigator and his motivation...it fell flat. I also think that Li Bi is the most useless character in the serial...seriously.
The humor and family bond is what will make you really enjoy this serial. Though at first I rated it 9, I have since downgraded it to 8.5 because I think that the director could have pushed the envelope a bit further into delving with the issues of carrying around family baggage. It was too easy for the eye, too superficial to be truly disturbed by the characters...Perhaps unfairly I am comparing with the Bad Kids but that one does not sit easy on you... whereas in this drama/comedy, the director/editor/producer seem to have compromised in order to please a larger crowd.
Any Chen Kun Ning Yi fans also looking forward to "The Wind Blows from Longxi"?
Am so looking forward to it but I keep telling myself not to have any expectations...cause I might end up being disappointed. By the trailer, it does not seem to have any romance at all, being mostly focused on spying and politics and war.
So after countless rewatch, I have become totally obsessed by Chen Kun and went to watch his other movies and C-drama. Must say that he is a total powerhouse and in fact, he is so brilliant that he can easily and effortlessly overshadow his co-stars. Then I realised the very brilliance of Ni Ni who held her own and who left her own mark. Now imagine when these two powerhouses meet, imagine the kind of magic/chemistry they can create and imagine how creative and risk a director can take... this is what makes this drama one of my all-time favorite.
Always look for your reviews while watching a serial. Your analysis is always on the point. Getting obsessed with this drama and with Ning Yi and by extension, Chen Kun. BTW, I have noticed that the historical dramas of 2017/18/19 were way better than those produced now... better in terms of storyline, direction and hence, characterisation. Also feel that more experienced artists such as Chen Kun, Wallace Chung are so much better than the younger ones. What are your views?
Which dish/dishes would you like to have? My list is pretty long but I must say that the orange crab soup, the Peking duck, the fried fish, the roasted pig suckling, the desserts and cakes and teas are amongst those I would really want to try. Just salivating thinking about these...
Otherwise I feel that the drama's storyline is unfocussed... we don't know if it is the food that is the main star or the ban of live sacrifices of consorts and concubines...
If not for the food porn, I would have dropped the serial.
P.S: Is it me or does Xu Kai seem very tired...even his makeup does not seem to be able to cover his dark circles...
Many viewers have criticised the FL for her icy demeanor... I personally think that the actor Lin Xiao Ren was phenomenal in portraying emotions mainly through her eyes rather while maintaining a stiff body language... it just shows her mastery of her craft. Because after going though so much since a young age, her character has learnt to rely on herself, to keep her emotions closed off, because wailing out loud will not solve anything. Having a child whose life is always on a tight rope, not knowing what might happen to him, having to support a 'husband-friend' who is the father figure but a trouble-maker, having to save on every single penny at the expense of her dignity sometimes... how do you deal with all of these if you let yourself go? Also, I think that as they get back together, it is such a slow yet natural process... and it would denature her character if she is portrayed as a joyful personality towards the end.
My list is pretty long but I must say that the orange crab soup, the Peking duck, the fried fish, the roasted pig suckling, the desserts and cakes and teas are amongst those I would really want to try. Just salivating thinking about these...
Otherwise I feel that the drama's storyline is unfocussed... we don't know if it is the food that is the main star or the ban of live sacrifices of consorts and concubines...
If not for the food porn, I would have dropped the serial.
P.S: Is it me or does Xu Kai seem very tired...even his makeup does not seem to be able to cover his dark circles...