It’s okay! I haven’t caught the part where Yuzhi suspects Chang Ning as MQY, and I just finished 10. Need to sleep and watch 11 tomorrow. Was your question pertaining to eps 10 or 11? If not, which ep are you referring to?
The bridge scene with Yuanrong was hauntingly beautiful—when she released the gauze into the wind as though…
Ugh, chills. So beautiful and touching how you put it. I love how the show is handling all of the emotional beats thus far. Qi Yunke regaling the plant CPS gave him and his memories of her... I love that they are actually showing us the backstory of the previous generation and only hints or scenes pertaining to the plot thus far. Leaves you wanting to know more and more of the story. Editing may be a little chopped (pun intended) for first 4-5 eps, but it has been worth the investment so far.
Definitely not a casual watch. You have to pay very close attention. I love all the subtle clues and hints the show drops. Like how Zhao Zhao’s uncle recognized her right away when she first entered the inn. The camera lingered on his shocked face and you don’t realize what that meant until he revealed himself to be her uncle. (I’m going to assume she looks like her aunt/family member, bc how else would he know what she looks like haha)
The emotional throwbacks to the past are very well done (alongside a sweeping and beautiful score). The scene where Yin Sulian mourns the death of the fake Qi Yunke and how Qi Yunke conjured up Cai Pingshu from memory were both equally heart wrenching. The scene where Yuanrong carried her elder sect brother and both jumped to their deaths were beautifully done. I catch myself shedding tears for the precious generation often. It’s going to kill me when CPS’s backstory is revealed.
Zhao Zhao and Mu Qingyan have my wholeeeee heart. I love the tug of war and slow burn. No sappy over the top romance tropes yet. I always end up so surprised by how Zhao Zhao reacts to things. She is so practical and unhinged at the same time. Love her dynamic character. Bao Shangen is doing a great job portraying her without over the top cuteness. Love ZYR’s acting and how down bad he is for her. Both are such eye candies. I can’t wait for more eps. This two eps a day format is killing me.
Lastly, pacing is infinitely better. I don’t mind new characters or settings as long as the plot continues to build the way it has been. Rather it be succinct than dragged on and on.
"I hate it when drama characters narrate everything with internal dialog" Finally! Someone talks like…
Yes!!! The script narration drives me crazy. I just roll my eyes after it happens enough times and drop the drama. I feel like some of these other idol dramas are meant to be easily digestible so people can be distracted and still follow along. I love that I’ve finally found a drama that keeps me guessing and isn’t overly predictable. This is why I’m hooked!!!
I was a bit confused with it, I'm finishing 2 now, I do like it however and most cdramas needs time to adjust…
Hang in there! I haven’t read the novel and know very little plot points , and I’m also not Chinese, but can keep up so far and it’s such a thrilling ride! Love the mystery that’s keeping me guessing!
I would seriously recommend those who are lost or confused in the first 1-2 eps to either give the drama a little bit more time, especially through eps 5 to 7 when things start clicking into place, or just do a quick rewind to catch names because if you do so I guarantee you will find that all the characters and plot lines add up together. This is not your typical dinner-time drama where you can eat, play on your phone, and have it on in the background. It is plot-heavy, world-building, and spans across many sects, intriguing characters, and years (hence generation to generation). You have to pay attention or you will miss details, but the details make the story and mystery so much more compelling.
I hate it when drama characters narrate everything with internal dialog by the actor(s) (see Love of the Divine Tree), and much prefer the plot to play out organically, which I at least commend GTG for trying, though at times chaotically. MQY does do some story telling for Zhao Zhao, but it’s not overly done. The drama respects the audience enough to believe that we are paying attention and catching on, and don’t need to be spoon fed every detail like some of these commercially successful but soulless dramas with simple plots.
I'm glad I gave this a shot because I ended up binge watching all the episodes. This gives such a angsty wuxia…
You are one of the sane comments among a slew of clueless watchers. I loved the wuxia tvb dramas of the past and this is definitely giving world building, a parade of interesting characters, and compelling leads and supporting cast. Loving it so far!
Wonton scene made me tear up. The history between Zhao Zhao’s aunt and Chang Ning/MQY’s father/uncle is going to shatter me to pieces. Bao Bao doing some great acting so far. She really pulls on your heartstrings reminiscing about her aunt’s suffering.
Initial thoughts:- This drama is gorgeous looking. Loving all the colors and the saturation. Beautiful intro scene…
She’s dubious of him bc of a few scenes - checking his pulse and finding it strange that he’s pretty much recovered but acting weak, he has strong inner qi / different poison, and he keeps egging her on and purposefully causing turmoil between her and the Yin family.
how’s it looking fellow watchers?? pretty good? chemistry? compelling storyline? Have yet to start.
Great chemistry, amazing acting, compelling characters, stunning cinematography, but choppy editing in first two eps. Hopefully it improves from here. Thinking they want to introduce everyone quickly.
I’ve only watched 2 eps so far… no spoilers. Just initial thoughts.
The good: Zhou Yiran, Bao Shangen, and older veteran actors. I love everyone’s dynamics so far. Main characters are compelling though not yet fully fleshed out, which I kind of like. The previous generation’s story is very intriguing and keeps me hooked. Main leads’ chemistry is chemistry!!! The way they look at each other, questioning one another… love that there’s still some mystery there. Scenery and fight scenes are beautifully done. Great OST so far.
The too early to tell but a little concerning: the editing and timelines and story progression is moving at breakneck speed. I appreciate that it’s not dragging but there needs to be some breathing space or better transitions between one scene to the next. If you haven’t read the novel, it may be hard to keep up. On a rewind or second watch, you’ll catch more details but knowing they trimmed 40 eps down to 37, I’m not sure if trimming the first two eps is the right move. I’m still finishing this because I love ZYR and BSE, but I hope the drama slows down a bit to let audiences process after all the characters are introduced.
blah blah this is why i never listen to bs comments on here and just watch for myself because this is the first…
Fully agree with you. People need to come into this drama knowing that it’s eye candy and fluff, and a female character who isn’t your typical Mary Sue. She’s smart, quirky, and cute, but she’s not going to solve the world’s problems because she is supposed to be a spoiled general’s daughter who is happy to play within this society’s rules. She’s Chinese Dramaland’s Elle Woods, and if everyone can take this lens, then it’s the cutest drama with the best chemistry among every couple. I love Ming Tan, and Bao Shangen was perfect for this role. Naturally acted, no over the top cutesy gestures. Just a feminine rich girl who has her own goals that are not beyond what a teenage girl of nobility in this time period would want. She doesn’t dabble in politics and she sticks only to what she knows best. My fiercely protective, loyal, kind, and sometimes ditzy Ming Tan. You can also see past ep 19 how much she develops into her own character and grew up as needed. She is the best wife to Jiang Xu who also need to be checked sometimes, too. Ming Tan is Not Afraid of him, and in fact loves being doted on by a Fujun who loves to dote on her.
Ikr like girl you can't defend yourself why are you outside? ML is attacking and defending at the same time getting…
She was worried he was hurt, which he almost was if it weren’t for her Jade pendant. Her concern made her leave the carriage to check on him, and when they tried to strike him, you can see she tried to shield him with her body. He was just faster than her. If it comes to the female lead’s character, she is always willing to put herself in harm’s way for others, and sometimes, you can’t just sit in the carriage when you know your husband is in danger.
Besides, it seems some of her actions are used as plot devices to further the romance or action, so it comes down to script writing. If she didn’t leave the carriage, male lead wouldn’t have revealed he’s kept the jade pendant this whole time and also got the opportunity to shoot the dagger in the masked man’s arm.
There are absolutely way worse female characters out there than A Tan getting out of the carriage because she’s worried for her husband.
The emotional throwbacks to the past are very well done (alongside a sweeping and beautiful score). The scene where Yin Sulian mourns the death of the fake Qi Yunke and how Qi Yunke conjured up Cai Pingshu from memory were both equally heart wrenching. The scene where Yuanrong carried her elder sect brother and both jumped to their deaths were beautifully done. I catch myself shedding tears for the precious generation often. It’s going to kill me when CPS’s backstory is revealed.
Lastly, pacing is infinitely better. I don’t mind new characters or settings as long as the plot continues to build the way it has been. Rather it be succinct than dragged on and on.
The leads just keep getting better and better!
I hate it when drama characters narrate everything with internal dialog by the actor(s) (see Love of the Divine Tree), and much prefer the plot to play out organically, which I at least commend GTG for trying, though at times chaotically. MQY does do some story telling for Zhao Zhao, but it’s not overly done. The drama respects the audience enough to believe that we are paying attention and catching on, and don’t need to be spoon fed every detail like some of these commercially successful but soulless dramas with simple plots.
The good: Zhou Yiran, Bao Shangen, and older veteran actors. I love everyone’s dynamics so far. Main characters are compelling though not yet fully fleshed out, which I kind of like. The previous generation’s story is very intriguing and keeps me hooked. Main leads’ chemistry is chemistry!!! The way they look at each other, questioning one another… love that there’s still some mystery there. Scenery and fight scenes are beautifully done. Great OST so far.
The too early to tell but a little concerning: the editing and timelines and story progression is moving at breakneck speed. I appreciate that it’s not dragging but there needs to be some breathing space or better transitions between one scene to the next. If you haven’t read the novel, it may be hard to keep up. On a rewind or second watch, you’ll catch more details but knowing they trimmed 40 eps down to 37, I’m not sure if trimming the first two eps is the right move. I’m still finishing this because I love ZYR and BSE, but I hope the drama slows down a bit to let audiences process after all the characters are introduced.
Besides, it seems some of her actions are used as plot devices to further the romance or action, so it comes down to script writing. If she didn’t leave the carriage, male lead wouldn’t have revealed he’s kept the jade pendant this whole time and also got the opportunity to shoot the dagger in the masked man’s arm.
There are absolutely way worse female characters out there than A Tan getting out of the carriage because she’s worried for her husband.