I loved S1. S2 is a complete letdown. There is virtually no character growth - all of these characters are ultimately and chronically weak in some fundamental way. Making their lives fully dependent on another person instead of living empowering lives for themselves. I understand where their attachment styles come from, but it just makes for subpar storytelling for me. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. This second half was too extra and dramatic for me.
First, Xiao Yao, our FL, had no character growth and ended up letting herself pulled this way and that by every man in her life. I really, really wished that, especially for this female harem genre, they would've had her stand more on her own two feet - you are literally rich, powerful, and well-connected. Do some shit with your life, lady!!! Write all the medical books you want, open all the medical facilities you want, travel the world, etc. Instead, she let herself fully and completely be occupied and influenced by men at every turn instead of having her own sense of self. (Xiang Liu literally calls her out on this at some point.) Then, of course, trying to kill herself, faking a double suicide, forgiving a despicable, possessive man, then surviving and continuing to live in her hut and wait for a most-likely-at-that-point dead man to return - my eyes rolled to the other side of the universe. This all happened within the span of one episode, then she just woke up and carried on pining like nothing happened. No character growth, zilch. A more powerful direction would've had her stop short of stabbing CX, then declaring that she will never, ever let him see her ever again; then she goes off into the world, realizing that she doesn't want to be at the whim of men anymore, moving on from Jing, and living however she wants. That is (1) boundaries, (2) moving on with her life, and (3) character growth through living your life for yourself. Then, later, Jing can somehow find her and they can be happy ever after. Even if she forgives him, by no means should someone like CX ever be allowed back into her life after causing such unbelievable harm and breaking of trust.
There are no truly loving relationships in this drama. Xiang Liu, although brilliantly acted by TJC, was supremely toxic from the get go, to say the least, and made it clear that he will always choose revenge over XY. He is the only possible ML in this story that, IF he chose love over revenge and IF he went to a lot of therapy (lol), he'd be the one lead whose personality and chemistry matches with XY. But alas, that shall be relegated to the world of fanfic. Tushan Jing - he's basically a trophy wife; useless, spineless and codependent in every regard. Also, him and XY don't have a true love bond - it's a trauma bond, literally. Don't even get me started with Cang Xuan - possessive love to the point where he feels justified in killing the one person that Xiao Yao loves and then won't stop obsessing about their love even while she's literally dying in his arms. Not to say that kings don't have emotions, but he's a freaking king for Christ's sake.
Is all this supposed to be romantic? For me, it's horrendous. It's a tragic, poorly written story. For a female harem story, I was so unbelievably letdown - every woman pining for and centering their lives around a man (empress, I'm looking at you). The feminist in me screams. What is even the value or moral of this story? This drama should be called "Lost ME Forever" because all I ever saw were people who all made terrible choices and/or let life happen to them, then cried "oh woe is me" and then blamed everyone except themselves for their pain.
Love, love, love that they give our villains (Ji Shuran and Imperial Diviner) a backstory in ep 27, fleshes them out as humans and shows us their humanity, making them complex and evokes my sympathy. Appreciate this drama's powerful themes. We can see and understand how Ji Shuran and the Imperial Diviner (and even Shen Yu Rong) ended up going down the paths that they did - how their deeply painful experiences shaped their deeply vicious characters. However, I appreciate Jiang Ruo Yao's character arc; her character growth reminds us that, at the end of the day, we always have a choice in who we want to be. Shen Yu Rong striving to do the right thing, whenever possible, as difficult as it is for him in his position, is also a testament to this.
Overall, love that we see the driving forces behind all the characters, what made them who they are today and what they're driven by in every moment. Excellent, excellent writing and acting!!! Praying for more like this in dramaland!
P.S. The father, Jian Yuan Bai, is also such a well-written character, so much that I hate him. A man who is blind to everyone in his own family, useless and insufficient and easily manipulated, lacking a mind of his own.
now I am really hating the drama after 12 eps the drama will come to an end and still there is nothing between…
I strongly disagree with you. So many dramas are filled with gratuitous skinship when the characters themselves have no actual chemistry or authentic emotion between them to like or love each other - not to mention too many dramas depict toxic interactions. This drama actually shows a couple that greatly respects one another and, most importantly, themselves as well; they show their care for one another in subtle but authentic ways, step by step. They have amazing chemistry because they actually understand one another on a deep level, intellectually and emotionally. They don't need confessions - if you've been paying attention, it's been shown again and again in ways that are more aligned with real relationships than the overdone drama of a fantasy world. And they support one another in their goals. The sexual tension stemming from all that is just the cherry on top because there is an actual foundation of love and respect. And this, to me, is such more powerful storytelling than just having skinship scenes with no actual emotional foundation.
Love this drama!!!! Did they ever explain why Ji Shuran (the stepmom) wants so badly to get rid of Jiang Li? Or is it just assumed that it’s because JL is the daughter of the first wife?
I'm re-watching this as a mid-30s woman and the end of episode 10 made me lose all respect for FL. To be hiding right in front of your bf behind another man, when he could be misconstruing the situation in all sorts of ways, instead of having a conversation head on. She's over 30 for God's sake. (But then again she's an obsessive fangirl to begin with, so what am I expecting....) What was she expecting to happen if he just left like that? To lie her way out of it later? This kind of moment and the trust that's broken from it is pretty irreparable IRL. Then the story took the cheap way out instead of showing character growth. I don't know what I'm expecting from dramaland anymore - it just tries to pass off all sorts of problematic and toxic behavior as cute, funny, or attractive. I'm over it.
I like the drama so far (ep. 6), the premise, and the refreshing new take, but does the FL scream her way through problems for the rest of the drama? If so, I won't be able to stand it. I was hoping for a new kind of FL who could grow through this experience and become an effective public servant through her own skills - not by being an overreactive, screaming Karen. The 18th time around, it's not so cute anymore.
My god this drama had the best payout. Going from episodes filled with angst to the best ending I've seen in dramas in a long time - they really stuck the landing and I bawled like a baby.
NGL I read summaries and fast-forwarded through quite a lot of the angst. But overall, great ensemble cast and characters, great acting from the leads, great story that had so many twists and turns to keep me on my toes until the very end.
Just watched until OG Cai Wei actress dies and will stop here. It’s a very interesting premise and the investigation…
I agree with you. I was only able to watch up to episode 5 because JJY's face is uncanny valley. Felt like I was watching a drama where a Chinese makeup influencer with a permanent face filter would pop up every so often.
The chemistry between ZHHZ (the OG Cai Wei) and LXY is the best genuine chemistry that I've seen in cdramaland in a long time - I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. That is chemistry that money can't buy. I mourn the drama that could've been. If there are any astute producers out there, I'd be booking ZHHZ and LXY right now for a future drama.
I was so happy to unexpectedly come across this gem! So hilarious and romantic in its own wacky way - such a refreshing take on romcoms! Great acting by both leads and I feel like they have way better chemistry than the two in the drama (Dating in the Kitchen, based on the same novel) - in this movie, I can actually see them as a couple in real life; they have the same intense, give-no-effs, chaotic energy. XD I didn't want this movie to end!
BTW, make sure to watch through the credits - there's a bonus scene in there, which I consider to be the perfect ending.
*Love Letter to Romance on the Farm* [No spoilers]Not every drama is going to be everyone's cup of tea. For me,…
I know many people think the VR concept is pointless, but I want to add my two cents by saying that I really appreciate it. I think the VR company worker who debriefed Man'er in the last episode said essentially the thesis of the drama: When Man'er asked him if all the people were NPC's, he said, "Whether they're real of not, it's your experience." That to me is the entire overarching meaning of the drama. Whether through games or VR or watching dramas/movies or daydreaming or imagining things or acting on stage or perhaps believing that our human life is a simulated playground of souls here to learn, real or not (and whatever reality may be), the emotions, connections, and growth that happens as a result are VERY real. And they shape and change a person. Man'er grew - we watched her grow - into a much stronger and grounded version of herself. I don't know anything that's more satisfying and meaningful. That's why I bawled my eyes out at the end (before the special episode) when she sees the grass horse and walks out. Whether all of that was real or not, she has transformed as a person.
First, Xiao Yao, our FL, had no character growth and ended up letting herself pulled this way and that by every man in her life. I really, really wished that, especially for this female harem genre, they would've had her stand more on her own two feet - you are literally rich, powerful, and well-connected. Do some shit with your life, lady!!! Write all the medical books you want, open all the medical facilities you want, travel the world, etc. Instead, she let herself fully and completely be occupied and influenced by men at every turn instead of having her own sense of self. (Xiang Liu literally calls her out on this at some point.) Then, of course, trying to kill herself, faking a double suicide, forgiving a despicable, possessive man, then surviving and continuing to live in her hut and wait for a most-likely-at-that-point dead man to return - my eyes rolled to the other side of the universe. This all happened within the span of one episode, then she just woke up and carried on pining like nothing happened. No character growth, zilch. A more powerful direction would've had her stop short of stabbing CX, then declaring that she will never, ever let him see her ever again; then she goes off into the world, realizing that she doesn't want to be at the whim of men anymore, moving on from Jing, and living however she wants. That is (1) boundaries, (2) moving on with her life, and (3) character growth through living your life for yourself. Then, later, Jing can somehow find her and they can be happy ever after. Even if she forgives him, by no means should someone like CX ever be allowed back into her life after causing such unbelievable harm and breaking of trust.
There are no truly loving relationships in this drama. Xiang Liu, although brilliantly acted by TJC, was supremely toxic from the get go, to say the least, and made it clear that he will always choose revenge over XY. He is the only possible ML in this story that, IF he chose love over revenge and IF he went to a lot of therapy (lol), he'd be the one lead whose personality and chemistry matches with XY. But alas, that shall be relegated to the world of fanfic. Tushan Jing - he's basically a trophy wife; useless, spineless and codependent in every regard. Also, him and XY don't have a true love bond - it's a trauma bond, literally. Don't even get me started with Cang Xuan - possessive love to the point where he feels justified in killing the one person that Xiao Yao loves and then won't stop obsessing about their love even while she's literally dying in his arms. Not to say that kings don't have emotions, but he's a freaking king for Christ's sake.
Is all this supposed to be romantic? For me, it's horrendous. It's a tragic, poorly written story. For a female harem story, I was so unbelievably letdown - every woman pining for and centering their lives around a man (empress, I'm looking at you). The feminist in me screams. What is even the value or moral of this story? This drama should be called "Lost ME Forever" because all I ever saw were people who all made terrible choices and/or let life happen to them, then cried "oh woe is me" and then blamed everyone except themselves for their pain.
Give me my time back. Rant over.
Overall, love that we see the driving forces behind all the characters, what made them who they are today and what they're driven by in every moment. Excellent, excellent writing and acting!!! Praying for more like this in dramaland!
P.S. The father, Jian Yuan Bai, is also such a well-written character, so much that I hate him. A man who is blind to everyone in his own family, useless and insufficient and easily manipulated, lacking a mind of his own.
NGL I read summaries and fast-forwarded through quite a lot of the angst. But overall, great ensemble cast and characters, great acting from the leads, great story that had so many twists and turns to keep me on my toes until the very end.
The chemistry between ZHHZ (the OG Cai Wei) and LXY is the best genuine chemistry that I've seen in cdramaland in a long time - I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. That is chemistry that money can't buy. I mourn the drama that could've been. If there are any astute producers out there, I'd be booking ZHHZ and LXY right now for a future drama.
BTW, make sure to watch through the credits - there's a bonus scene in there, which I consider to be the perfect ending.