Is he good personally for me i didnt like the ML of the malicious military empress is here the ML same or different
Different in the sense that the ML in military empress was overpowered and perfect. The ML in this is far more human, jealous, petty, and is often on equal footing as the FL which I loved.
The first half of this drama was incredible. I know some people said it was slow or boring but I was immediately compelled, immediately captured. The tone, the cinematography and directing, the wardrobe and soundtrack, the build up in the storytelling and the glimpses of "more" that you'd get, the atmosphere this all created, it was all so well done. I was so invested in everything and everyone, and all the actors did an incredible job. Xu Yan was shaping up to be one of my most beloved female protagonists, and the streets were saying this was Zhao Lusi's magnum opus (I am streets). And truly, she bodied this role; the emotions, complexity, and depth.
And then the second half happened. The tone shift was so stark that it seemed like a completely different show. The foundation that the first half built was collapsed, and nothing lived up to the potential that was promised. The most critical aspect of a "second chance romance" is that you centre the growth of the characters during their separation and show how their reconciliation is as stronger individuals creating a stronger bond that simply wasn't possible the first time around. I did not get this in any satisfying way from Haoming. I never felt like he seriously engaged with his feelings or reflected on the hurt he caused or the person he is. We had this to some VERY SHALLOW extent, but nothing that felt real or substantial or meaningful. Nothing that, in my opinion, did justice to the magnitude of his actions and character.
So when it came time for the reconciliation, I just did not give a single shit. I was more often annoyed than charmed. A bunch of unnecessary plot points began overwhelming the show too, and I just didn't care what was going on. I think the perfect example of the degradation of writing was shown in the final plot twist of the last episode - no impact, no reason, no resolution, literally what was it written in for? I went from eagerly drinking this drama in, staying up late, thinking about when I could keep watching, to skipping so much through the last few episodes that I think I condensed like 5 episodes in 30 minutes.
If the first half of this drama were like the second half, I might have liked it. If the second half were like the first half, it could've been a hall of fame all timer for me. Instead, the show couldn't commit to what it wanted to be, and ultimately felt like a betrayal of itself.
My favourite parts of this show (that I genuinely hold dear, despite it all) were Xu Yan as a character (especially her antics in the first half), Hao Chen as a character (he is My Child), and the relationship between them (which I wish we could've seen even more in depth development of!) I also adored the grandma and loved her with Hao Chen too.
At the end of it though, I can't deny that I am disappointed. Like I said before, this show felt like a promise filled with infinite potential, and then that promise was broken with absolutely no payoff, and I was made to be the fool for taking it seriously all along.
this isn't just Zhao Lusi's best performance but among some of the best acting I've seen from anyone.
im surprised by the people who thought it was dry btw bc I was in a mood where nothing was rly interesting me but the first episode IMMEDIATELY drew me in. like the atmosphere, the tension, its all so good. I will admit tho, im not here for the romance necessarily, im just obsessed with Xu Yan. Im only on episode 11 but the build up in the storytelling and the glimpses you get into things is so well done
I'm on Ep14 and holy crap you guys. Zhao Lusi is PHENOMENAL. phenomenal. Phenomenal.
I've known since I was a little girl I never wanted to have kids, not even my parents' rage could sway me, but…
guys im sorry I usually watch on YouTube and am able to get my thoughts out through the comments but this one was taken down and I need an outlet....but omg ep10 and the guy who warned her not to lie bc she might be blackmailed IS NOW BLACKMAILING HER
I loved the haochen arc so bad so when this marriage breaks down its gna hurt a lot bc of him BUT I WANT TO GET IT OVER WITH I dont have the nerve for this omg im always on edge. I will say tho, im rly glad its this guy who might bring her down and not a jealous woman
E11: I hope sis doesnt end up with the doctor considering how hes been in love with her sister for YEARS and is still into her.
I dont know his motivations, but I think this scene is going to be really pivotal in showing a key difference between these two. He's saying 'principles dont really matter theyre just packaging, the end is all that matters' but to Xu Yan, I think it DOES matter because her motivation is love. She's also the type to think the ends justify the means but when her intention lies in something genuine, she's a lot more vulnerable to feelings. She loves him, she wants a real marriage with him, and she knows that in order to get that, she needs to be honest with him. But he won't allow her to....so his motivation isn't love. WHAT IS IT THEN?
E12: I knew there was prob some history with the SFL's sister bc in the pool she said something about her death, but ok so...he's still in love with her? we got the whole dead beloved wife montage. that was his true love, so Xu Yan is, what? someone he thought could help him get what he wants out of his career? like he saw how diligent and manipulative she can be, and wanted to recruit her? he thinks they're the same kinda people, so he could just fake their relationship? and the fact that she's lying to him, which im convinced he knows, is actually a positive for him because it allows him leverage and also lessens his guilt for whatever is going on? man im so curious. he said in that investor meeting that Xu Yan's career depends on her authenticity, and I just KNOWWW he knows, is that why he won't let her tell him? because then it shatters the illusion that they have going on, and he wants to thwart her attempt at ACTUAL authenticity, because he's not over his dead wife and doesn't want something real with her? it's like with his gifts - the car, the necklace, it's to reward her for a Job Well Done because he sees her role as a job. im commenting as I watch btw and this scene - she tries to return the gift because it makes it feel so transactional, and he insists she has it because he NEEDS it to be transactional. She bridged the gap with his brother because she genuinely loves him and his family, he had to give her a car to keep that distance. she feels it too
HOLY FUCK DOES HE HAVE A CHILD WITH HIS DEAD BELOVED WIFE??? the sister/sfl is absolutely bonkers tho omg OMG WHAT IF THE CHILD IS HAOCHEN......
E13: Just like when a man cheats, his guilt is assuaged through gifting. She took a knife for him, he feels guilty, he got her a supplementary card. This hurts her every time because she genuinely loves him. She doesn't need his money, she's so capable on her own, she loves him. But he, again, needs this to be a transactional role I GUESS BC HE HAS A CHILD???? who im rly lowkey feeling is haochen omg OMG LITERALLY TWO SCENES LATER HE'S PICKING UP HAOCHEN FROM SCHOOL OK IM CONVINCEEDDD THATS HIS CHILD HOLY SHIT at least hes a cutie who's already been won over by his saozi.
At the scene where he's with his brother/suspected son and he ignored Xu Yan's phone call and he's actually so callously cruel to Xu Yan, I hope the divorce happens soon. She loves him, it's clear he doesn't return those feelings. Also I know Siwei sucks but omg the lesbian enemies to lover potential and tension between her and Xu Yan...how do these two know each other's insecurities the best lOL
I'm at the scene where he's taking care of crazy sis at the office and honestly im really hating him lol I WANT THE BREAK UP EXPEDITIOUSLY I genuinely don't know how he hasn't fallen for our lovely Xu Yan. He's enabling crazy sister so bad WTF WHY IS HE LETTING HER TOUCH HIM LIKE THAT OMFG OMFG DIVORCE DIVORCE HE BETTER HAVE TO GROVEL FOR HIS LIFE WHAT THE HELL omg wow. theyre really laying out his character so well. his complete switch up when the contract by crazy's dad was signed, and him telling her to enjoy the year end bonus, wow. he's so adept at using people. "if its something that will make me happy, tell me, if it's not, dont say a word" hes also so adept at drawing a line, and he's pretty scary BUT MAN IM SO INTO THIS DRAMA I cant wait for Xu Yan to put the pieces together and figure him out. she intuitively feels the line he draws every time he gives her 'compensation' or the two times he's stopped her from confessing, which again is him creating distance between them intentionally, and I just GAHH
YEP CRAZY SIS JUST DROPPED THE BOMB THAT SHE'S HAOCHENS AUNT idk how haoming didnt see that coming or maybe he did and he just doesnt even care about the pretences with Xu Yan anymore? btw his name autocorrected to "harming" and....how fitting..
Ok I did think he had a hand in her career too because it's so useful to him and he sees everything through the lens of usefulness. if anything, she's more useful but more importantly more sincere than he expected, and thats why he sometimes feels the prick of guilt.
NOOOOOOOOO IDW HER TO RUN AWAY FROM HAOCHEN HES JUST A BABBYYYYYY (I dont blame her like what a bomb shell but PLSSSS MY CHILDDDD)
E14: omg im so excited for this convo like the ep just started but I had to immediately pause. he's been lying to her, but he knows she's been lying to him too. she did it because she loves him, he seems to have done it because he needs the perfect puppet. but im so excited to see who he is to her with his mask ripped off ... but im also scared. OK OK OK OK OK PLAY
Wow. YEP. mask off and he's throwing her lies in her face, and has been keeping METICULOUS RECORDS on her as we've already known. ohhhhhh im so into this I cant wait for her to leave him
"You possess the charm I like, you're interesting *enough.* my mom is so particular, and few women could win her over, but you could." ok so I was right. he immediately clocked her character and her usefulness, her ability to work SO hard and endure, her craftiness and resourcefulness, and knew she was the perfect tool he was looking for. He looks down on her too, the fact that she's poor and that she has to lie about it gives him power over her, so he can bend her and she will tolerate anything. im thinking back to when Crazy lore dropped on Xu Yan and there was a flashback scene to how he looked at her as she pruned the plant, and that was just rly good acting and directing bc u can SEEEE the machinations on his face. but there are two things he got wrong about her. 1) shes not more manipulatable because she's poor, shes someone who's had to fight and claw her whole life and that makes her strong as steel. and 2) she didnt approach him for any reason, wanting anything from him, other than the genuine love and affection she gave him. HE DOESNT DESERVE HER LOVE
Zhao Lusi's acting is so insane it's so good. Her body language as she took in every word he said. And then the way she delivered her line "I have one question for you. Have you ever loved me?" the vulnerability packed into this oh my god. the depth of emotion. shes incredible. this episode is really rough to watch and I cant stop thinking about that scene where she added a little light to that bear enclave he made
they're in bed, backs to each other, and I genuinely hate him. im going to need him to break down and rebuild himself as a person before she forgives him. right now she's still with him, which I HATE, but I hope she finds herself soon because she's too kickass to lose sight of herself.
her putting up that bid for a million, also her complexion coming back OH I LOVE TO SEE IT bastard haoming hasn't noticed but she has genuinely never taken anything from him, this is the first time, and its bc she doesnt have the expectation of love from him THREE MILLION? MY QUEEEEEN I BEND THE KNEE
E15: im rly glad grandma didnt die, but was still the catalyst to her making her decision. Xu Yan is manipulative and crafty, but the thing is, she's still sincere. All her actions are rooted in love; love for her grandma, love for Haoming. And even when she's manipulating, her efforts are genuine. We saw that with the opera lady, but we saw it most with the grandma with Alzheimers. Haoming thinks they're the same, but they are FUndAMENTALLY different.
I love this scene so fucking bad. he's threatening her with things that mean NOTHING to her, because as much as he thinks he's got her figured out, he couldn't be more wrong. she's shown him sincerity despite her lies, he's never returned the favour or believed her.
I can't wait to see her rebuild
E16: idiot realizing she been real this whole time. TOO LATE IDIOT!
E17: Haochennnn my heart. oh my lord. should I be a mom? no . GODDDD can Xu Yan adopt him idk I love their relationship so bad this is whats breaking me the most AHHHH SH PROMISED TO ALWYS ANSWER HIS CALL im so happy but also I hate it bc obv hes gna link to the Big idiot (which my fellow ladies is always the biggest risk of having a child with someone, ur tied to that someone for life! dont forget!!!) but I cant help it like I love Hao Chen so much and I know Xu Yan sees herself in him and this is the most important relationship to me rn so I feel trapped bc The Bastard benefits but I cant help it
He's still not close to understanding her, which is so heartbreaking bc she thought he did and that's why she fell in love with him. What also pisses me off is that she'd actually probably be in a better position in her career RIGHT NOW (as in while she's a streamer) than if she hadn't married him. I can't wait for his continued dawning realization that she truly, fully loved him, and just how bad he fucked it up. her being resolute in the divorce and not wanting anything from him was the biggest blow to his perception of her motivations. im worried about his power and ability to manipulate things, and I hope im satisfied by his grovel and by the circumstances in which she opens her heart up to him again. bc tbh, rn, I want her to succeed in making him a stranger.
the character of Xu Yan breaks my heart, and is definitely why im so invested in this. Her own parents misunderstand her, and so does the first man she gave her heart to. This is something common with poverty by the way, when you can't afford dignity or the benefit of the doubt from others. Your motivations are always under suspicion and seen with disdain. But she is incredible, she's a fighter, she's so damn admirable, and all she has ever wanted is to be seen, to be known, and to be loved.
E18: I hate that he's still keeping tabs on her, Creep. But I'm gonna be so mad if he's a key investor in her business.
Ep19: she works so hard and I want him to confront the fact that she will always be ok no matter where she goes based on the strength of her own character. she never needed him, she never needed to approach him with ulterior motives, she just WANTED him.
bro. I wanna be Xu Yan's sis. Like, her 'speech' to Haoming was so ass lmao lacked any impact and she didn't say anything at all of consequence. omfg id wanna rip the man to shreds but I would've at least emphasize that not only does my meimei not need ur stinky money, but she HAS NEVER NEEDED IT.
I love the Xu Yan who's cut off Haoming. He's posturing and she cuts through it SO efficiently omg queen I love her so badddd. but you know, he doesn't even know how much he casually hurts her. His request to pretend in front of the Russian business venture is again, throwing what she thought they were back in her face (she always thought she was helping her family, not being used as a tool) and these moments are sharpened so well by ZLS's acting.
I am enjoying the beginning of this role reversal, tho I hope we see it more explicitly. she's the one drawing the line in the sand, he's the one trying to stay relevant in her life.
ok im at the scene where theyre about to do some kinda gameshow and im REALLY hoping that she's able to accurately answer all questions pertaining to him and it makes him realize the discrepancy between them. she knows him. he does not know her, and has never tried to. he knew her every move because he always had eyes on her (Creep!) but he doesnt KNOW her even a little. And her getting mad at the way he's treating her like a subordinate - I love these writers. they really bring things back and keep things consistent. That was something that really broke her when she still thought he could love her. and she wont take it from him again. I LOVE XU YAN SO. GOD DAMN. MUCH. the way he's looking at her like hes never seen her before and finally is for the first time I LOVE IT
I hate that he knows she has other investors and is so fixated on it. I rly am so wary of this man, no matter how cute William's dimples are
oh that bandaid charade scene was peak. THIS IS CINEMA
Ep20: I am enjoying how honest they can be with each other now, esp Haoming. The questions she's now able to ask him, and his willingness to answer, the contrast is incredible from where they were. she's offering him some really good advice and insight (the kind you develop through hardship) and he's receiving it, but she has been this gentle with him before but he just didnt believe her then. she's a treasure, and I want him to drown in regret.
I will also admit it's super fun watching them work as a team...but I just rly dont want her to soften to him too quick. also its SO nice not to have the Lie hanging over her head
This scene of him mixing lies with truth as he talks about how much he missed her...im not into it, im not buying it. I didnt like him putting the ring on her in this moment either. BUT HIM GETTING WAY TOO INTO THE KISS KILLED ME
Ep21: Wtf is up with this convo in the car, why is she giving him so much? wtf she doesn't owe him shit and I need her to DIVEST what the hell dont tell me one fake vacation was enough to make her forget why she needs distance from him
Men are allergic to reflection. Does he even know why he wants her back, or what he even wants "back" ?
I don't like this plot of him dragging out the divorce because I hate that both parties need to agree to a divorce. she should be able to show up at the bureau herself and finish it
Ep22: hate this common thought men have of 'if a woman says no u just didnt try hard enough' like thats rape culture and they start the indoctrination so young bc even my baby boy haochen was spouting something to this effect
I love him flashing back to that moment when he broke her art - when she told him she really loved him and he spat on that. I want him to replay "I love you. Loved." over and over again too, the past tense. I want him in agony and he simply hasn't been in it yet
"When I married her, I vowed to never let her go" again, not into this, not buying it, not feeling anything but annoyance and disappointment. I want him to actually contend with his actions and with what she means to him and what her love means to him and how he stomped on it. I want him to actually FEEL. I still don't feel like he feels, he's still seeing her as an object, a tool, a goal, a toy he lost? The vow he made was from a very specific frame of mind, I dont want him to just be able to latch onto those words now. I WANT HIM TO EXPERIENCE PAIN!!! he inflicted so much on her
NO SECRETARY SHES NOT DOING SHIT TO SHOW HIM SHIT he has an inflated self ego big enough to believe it and that pisses me off. the "revolutionary friendship" between these two idiot men is also pissing me off. He just does not seem serious, and im not loving the tone shift of this drama. He's not convincing me he actually feels anything for her.
E23: The tone has definitely been shifting in a way im very much not fond of. I'm ok with there being more romance, but this doesn't feel like good romance. I dont find it romantic when men dont take no for an answer, I don't find it romantic when FLs are worn down into accepting them. Like girl you better not be too touched bc he remembered ur phone number. I wish FLs were written to be a lot more assertive and take less nonsense, bc thats what he is! nonsense. and irl, I would not allow that man so easily into my home. theyre going for comedy but I just dont think its funny he's pretending he didn't hurt her so deeply and is pretending to be a host. These silly scenes couldve been done well but im feeling like it was done in a way where, again, the tone that made me so interested is being betrayed
I AM enjoying the cutie friends throwing shade at him tho. LESS A FAN OF tHEM BEING BOUGHT OUT ugh like again thats his way to problem solve, he thought he could buy HER, he couldn't. and thats still his method rn, like he hasn't grown at all, Its episode 23 and I still have little to no affection for him and any moment I feel her resolve weakening, I get angry
These tactics, this silly music, all of this makes the depth of the first half so much less meaningful. im getting rly disappointed. He sent his secretary? he's STILL being manipulative. if he gets rewarded for this im gna be so pissed, and if he doesnt actually have to reckon with anything seriously, im going to be disappointed.
he bought the motorcycle? lmao. be so for real. I might've enjoyed this half more if I didnt have the first half. if the divorce doesnt go thru, I might have to drop this. Forget "do you know who she is today," has he EVER known? Again its just pmo SO bad how he's done literally no reflection, has no remorse, just wants this shiny toy
him going to all the people in her life, the Russian '3 month' thing, omg EEVERYTHING is pissing me off.
when asked, why were you so cold when Xu Yan tried to make ur relationship real, he said "I thought she couldn't live without me. but when she left, I realized I couldn't live without her." Literally what a cruel and shitty person? like I thought he didnt believe her, and he didnt believe her LOVE, but he did think she needed to depend on him and that gave him the right to treat her like shit? omg I hate him lmao
omg literally let me transmigrate and overtake the body of the sister.
him barging in on her at home and at work IS PMO like his actions show a sense of entitlement and ownership that was the entire problem in the beginning and I just REALLY KEEP FEELING LIKE this drama has lost sight of itself.
E24: shes tenderly wiping his sweat and I hate it lol
E25: this is so inconsequential to everything else but I rly hope Xu Yan terminates the contract with those thugs. She gave them a choice, I wish she didnt, because I would not want to collaoborate with them thereafter.
I really, really, really hate this being ML's in. Might've hated it less if we actually saw him suffer, learn, and grow, but without all that, for him to get back into her life through the connections and resources he disdained her with, really sucks. This drama set up something incredible only to not follow through so far.
The sis telling Haoming about Xu Yan's business troubles is PISSING ME OFF SO BAD no matter how great a character Xu Yan is, the drama is refusing to give her agency ]. im having trouble not disliking the sis tbh
E26: I really appreciated this scene. Haoming's true motivations or underlying sincerity don't matter, because this 'new' relationship he's developed with Xu Yan is still built on sand. I've been upset watching her get drawn in, but it always was going to have a moment like this, because she doesn't trust him. She has no reason to. She can't trust that she knows who he is, beyond the manipulative man willing to use everyone around him as tools. This moment was always going to happen as long as neither of them actually confront their past. I really enjoyed Xu Yan throwing his words back "let's take what we each need" but I still wish she could have more resolve.
We're 6 episodes away from the end, and I still haven't come close to accepting Haoming or seeing any authenticity in his feelings beyond "I want her I must have her." His heavy breathing isn't charming, his petulance isn't charming, his entitlement isn't romantic. I've said this consistently, but he has not faced any reckoning, and that is so incredibly disappointing.
Also side note, I really miss Xu Yan...the one who would claw herself out of anything with ingenious methods. I miss the version of her that was so crafty and would know exactly what and who and where to target to get what she wants.
I've known since I was a little girl I never wanted to have kids, not even my parents' rage could sway me, but sometimes these child actors rly test my resolve....Hao Chen im about to come into this fictional world to adopt u fr T___T
im on ep 4 and holy crap I hate her parents so, so, so deeply. im sure they'll get redemption and I bet there'll be an emotionally charged attempt where they're gna be at the real wedding in the end or whatever but I dont buy it and I wont forgive them
May I ask whether this drama focuses more on family with minimal romance, or if it has a lot of romance?
It's kinda hard to say, because somehow it's both...like, each couple has an arc where they're the focus, and there's definitely romance that is central to those arcs, but it's also framed in the larger story of the family. Idk if I'm explaining that well or how to, but I guess I'd classify it as less obviously romance focused than most of the dramas I usually watch, but romance is still definitely a main part of it.
wow the rating dropped so much in the last few episodes, why do cdramas always drop the ball at the end T__T (I haven't watched this yet because I was waiting for it to finish airing first but now im nervous!)
havent started watching but what couple were you talking about?
Just to clarify, Noble Idiot was referring to someone else! Du Yanxi (who won me over ngl he's a cutie. Imo all the husbands reallllyyyy suit their wives)
Okay finally finished this, it was definitely very cute and fun. I loved every single couple and all their moments, but I def do think the drama lost some steam towards the end. I think its charm is in its interactions between the couples and in-laws and family, and I wish we got more of that. Especially because a lot of this was very self contained as in you would have one couple arc and they'd all but disappear afterwards. I think the writing def could've tightened up to focus more on what made this drama so loveable - the characters and dynamics between them!
im 8 mins into ep 18 and obv im irritated at the Noble Idiot, but I think my biggest sadness/disappointment rn is how relegated my former fav character + the couple I was most excited about has become, not in the sense of less screen time bc I understand this drama can't focus on just one couple but more like...it seems like her personality has been eroded, the chemistry of the couple I loved so much, based on mischief and banter and rivalry, has degraded into nothingness, you can get suchhh cute moments in the background but for them their interactions are just like...him not letting her have wine.
he also seems to have more agency and impact on the story than she does now (by being a more central figure who does things, plans things, is there for things), and im not a fan of it :/ this is probably the part that is making me the MOST upset, him having more of a role in a drama centring women and yet her character gets lost after her romance arc is completed....esp when what I would've loved to see the most is them be an incredible team TOGETHER
we still rally forward, hope I get more of those cute and funny moments
EDIT: ok im on ep 19 and I am lowkey eating my words about the team and agency thing hehe. at least a little. ok im grinning like a fool SO WHAT
Fml these husbands when they're atoning for their sins and coaxing their wives are SO CUTE LOL (we've only collected three husbands so far but im at the scene of the first use of "jiejie" and im giggling and kicking my feet)
my fav brand of plot is when a proud man proclaims his pride and announces he will never kneel for a woman and ruin his dignity.....only for him to be brought down by the right woman kekekeke
im loving this drama so bad, the son in law alliance is formed and then IMMEDIATELY betrayed im crying, FLH immediately gets found out by his wife and folds right away, while Chai An OFFERS IT HIMSELF to get a few more kisses theyre rly killing me so bad
We had to wade through the hell of Those Stretch of Episodes, but then we found paradise, and what a glorious one it was...if Song Yi Meng has no defenders, it's because I'm dead. (and part of this is because the actress did such a phenomenal job, especially her ability to hold her own against Liu Yi Ning who I genuinely think is one of the best actors of his generation. The entire cast did incredibly).
I've never laughed so much in a drama, and once you got past the Bad Part, this is one of the most satisfying payoffs ever AND they complied with censorship with minimal impact to the story (as opposed to massacring the ending). I can't wait to rewatch this one.
And then the second half happened. The tone shift was so stark that it seemed like a completely different show. The foundation that the first half built was collapsed, and nothing lived up to the potential that was promised. The most critical aspect of a "second chance romance" is that you centre the growth of the characters during their separation and show how their reconciliation is as stronger individuals creating a stronger bond that simply wasn't possible the first time around. I did not get this in any satisfying way from Haoming. I never felt like he seriously engaged with his feelings or reflected on the hurt he caused or the person he is. We had this to some VERY SHALLOW extent, but nothing that felt real or substantial or meaningful. Nothing that, in my opinion, did justice to the magnitude of his actions and character.
So when it came time for the reconciliation, I just did not give a single shit. I was more often annoyed than charmed. A bunch of unnecessary plot points began overwhelming the show too, and I just didn't care what was going on. I think the perfect example of the degradation of writing was shown in the final plot twist of the last episode - no impact, no reason, no resolution, literally what was it written in for? I went from eagerly drinking this drama in, staying up late, thinking about when I could keep watching, to skipping so much through the last few episodes that I think I condensed like 5 episodes in 30 minutes.
If the first half of this drama were like the second half, I might have liked it. If the second half were like the first half, it could've been a hall of fame all timer for me. Instead, the show couldn't commit to what it wanted to be, and ultimately felt like a betrayal of itself.
My favourite parts of this show (that I genuinely hold dear, despite it all) were Xu Yan as a character (especially her antics in the first half), Hao Chen as a character (he is My Child), and the relationship between them (which I wish we could've seen even more in depth development of!) I also adored the grandma and loved her with Hao Chen too.
At the end of it though, I can't deny that I am disappointed. Like I said before, this show felt like a promise filled with infinite potential, and then that promise was broken with absolutely no payoff, and I was made to be the fool for taking it seriously all along.
im surprised by the people who thought it was dry btw bc I was in a mood where nothing was rly interesting me but the first episode IMMEDIATELY drew me in. like the atmosphere, the tension, its all so good. I will admit tho, im not here for the romance necessarily, im just obsessed with Xu Yan. Im only on episode 11 but the build up in the storytelling and the glimpses you get into things is so well done
I'm on Ep14 and holy crap you guys. Zhao Lusi is PHENOMENAL. phenomenal. Phenomenal.
I loved the haochen arc so bad so when this marriage breaks down its gna hurt a lot bc of him BUT I WANT TO GET IT OVER WITH I dont have the nerve for this omg im always on edge. I will say tho, im rly glad its this guy who might bring her down and not a jealous woman
E11:
I hope sis doesnt end up with the doctor considering how hes been in love with her sister for YEARS and is still into her.
OMG I KNEW ML WAS A WEIRDO bc hes been keeping tabs on her and disappearing anyone who bothers her (like that fuggo ex fiancΓ© of sis) and I have had a feeling for a long time that he's known the truth (bc how can he have so many tabs on her and not know, and also that scene where she saw her real parents nearby and he provided a timely distraction) BUT IM GENUINELY SHOCKED At this scene where hes telling her not to confess. 'a confession is a thorn in a marriage.' - this is making me think he actually doesnt love her, because if he did, he'd want to hear it and become closer to her. so what's up with him????? what does he want, why??? but man the way the drama does this, the TENSION, its so good.
I dont know his motivations, but I think this scene is going to be really pivotal in showing a key difference between these two. He's saying 'principles dont really matter theyre just packaging, the end is all that matters' but to Xu Yan, I think it DOES matter because her motivation is love. She's also the type to think the ends justify the means but when her intention lies in something genuine, she's a lot more vulnerable to feelings. She loves him, she wants a real marriage with him, and she knows that in order to get that, she needs to be honest with him. But he won't allow her to....so his motivation isn't love. WHAT IS IT THEN?
E12:
I knew there was prob some history with the SFL's sister bc in the pool she said something about her death, but ok so...he's still in love with her? we got the whole dead beloved wife montage. that was his true love, so Xu Yan is, what? someone he thought could help him get what he wants out of his career? like he saw how diligent and manipulative she can be, and wanted to recruit her? he thinks they're the same kinda people, so he could just fake their relationship? and the fact that she's lying to him, which im convinced he knows, is actually a positive for him because it allows him leverage and also lessens his guilt for whatever is going on? man im so curious. he said in that investor meeting that Xu Yan's career depends on her authenticity, and I just KNOWWW he knows, is that why he won't let her tell him? because then it shatters the illusion that they have going on, and he wants to thwart her attempt at ACTUAL authenticity, because he's not over his dead wife and doesn't want something real with her? it's like with his gifts - the car, the necklace, it's to reward her for a Job Well Done because he sees her role as a job. im commenting as I watch btw and this scene - she tries to return the gift because it makes it feel so transactional, and he insists she has it because he NEEDS it to be transactional. She bridged the gap with his brother because she genuinely loves him and his family, he had to give her a car to keep that distance. she feels it too
HOLY FUCK DOES HE HAVE A CHILD WITH HIS DEAD BELOVED WIFE??? the sister/sfl is absolutely bonkers tho omg OMG WHAT IF THE CHILD IS HAOCHEN......
E13:
Just like when a man cheats, his guilt is assuaged through gifting. She took a knife for him, he feels guilty, he got her a supplementary card. This hurts her every time because she genuinely loves him. She doesn't need his money, she's so capable on her own, she loves him. But he, again, needs this to be a transactional role I GUESS BC HE HAS A CHILD???? who im rly lowkey feeling is haochen omg OMG LITERALLY TWO SCENES LATER HE'S PICKING UP HAOCHEN FROM SCHOOL OK IM CONVINCEEDDD THATS HIS CHILD HOLY SHIT at least hes a cutie who's already been won over by his saozi.
At the scene where he's with his brother/suspected son and he ignored Xu Yan's phone call and he's actually so callously cruel to Xu Yan, I hope the divorce happens soon. She loves him, it's clear he doesn't return those feelings. Also I know Siwei sucks but omg the lesbian enemies to lover potential and tension between her and Xu Yan...how do these two know each other's insecurities the best lOL
I'm at the scene where he's taking care of crazy sis at the office and honestly im really hating him lol I WANT THE BREAK UP EXPEDITIOUSLY I genuinely don't know how he hasn't fallen for our lovely Xu Yan. He's enabling crazy sister so bad WTF WHY IS HE LETTING HER TOUCH HIM LIKE THAT OMFG OMFG DIVORCE DIVORCE HE BETTER HAVE TO GROVEL FOR HIS LIFE WHAT THE HELL omg wow. theyre really laying out his character so well. his complete switch up when the contract by crazy's dad was signed, and him telling her to enjoy the year end bonus, wow. he's so adept at using people. "if its something that will make me happy, tell me, if it's not, dont say a word" hes also so adept at drawing a line, and he's pretty scary BUT MAN IM SO INTO THIS DRAMA I cant wait for Xu Yan to put the pieces together and figure him out. she intuitively feels the line he draws every time he gives her 'compensation' or the two times he's stopped her from confessing, which again is him creating distance between them intentionally, and I just GAHH
YEP CRAZY SIS JUST DROPPED THE BOMB THAT SHE'S HAOCHENS AUNT idk how haoming didnt see that coming or maybe he did and he just doesnt even care about the pretences with Xu Yan anymore? btw his name autocorrected to "harming" and....how fitting..
Ok I did think he had a hand in her career too because it's so useful to him and he sees everything through the lens of usefulness. if anything, she's more useful but more importantly more sincere than he expected, and thats why he sometimes feels the prick of guilt.
NOOOOOOOOO IDW HER TO RUN AWAY FROM HAOCHEN HES JUST A BABBYYYYYY (I dont blame her like what a bomb shell but PLSSSS MY CHILDDDD)
E14:
omg im so excited for this convo like the ep just started but I had to immediately pause. he's been lying to her, but he knows she's been lying to him too. she did it because she loves him, he seems to have done it because he needs the perfect puppet. but im so excited to see who he is to her with his mask ripped off ... but im also scared. OK OK OK OK OK PLAY
Wow. YEP. mask off and he's throwing her lies in her face, and has been keeping METICULOUS RECORDS on her as we've already known. ohhhhhh im so into this I cant wait for her to leave him
"You possess the charm I like, you're interesting *enough.* my mom is so particular, and few women could win her over, but you could." ok so I was right. he immediately clocked her character and her usefulness, her ability to work SO hard and endure, her craftiness and resourcefulness, and knew she was the perfect tool he was looking for. He looks down on her too, the fact that she's poor and that she has to lie about it gives him power over her, so he can bend her and she will tolerate anything. im thinking back to when Crazy lore dropped on Xu Yan and there was a flashback scene to how he looked at her as she pruned the plant, and that was just rly good acting and directing bc u can SEEEE the machinations on his face. but there are two things he got wrong about her. 1) shes not more manipulatable because she's poor, shes someone who's had to fight and claw her whole life and that makes her strong as steel. and 2) she didnt approach him for any reason, wanting anything from him, other than the genuine love and affection she gave him. HE DOESNT DESERVE HER LOVE
Zhao Lusi's acting is so insane it's so good. Her body language as she took in every word he said. And then the way she delivered her line "I have one question for you. Have you ever loved me?" the vulnerability packed into this oh my god. the depth of emotion. shes incredible. this episode is really rough to watch and I cant stop thinking about that scene where she added a little light to that bear enclave he made
they're in bed, backs to each other, and I genuinely hate him. im going to need him to break down and rebuild himself as a person before she forgives him. right now she's still with him, which I HATE, but I hope she finds herself soon because she's too kickass to lose sight of herself.
her putting up that bid for a million, also her complexion coming back OH I LOVE TO SEE IT bastard haoming hasn't noticed but she has genuinely never taken anything from him, this is the first time, and its bc she doesnt have the expectation of love from him THREE MILLION? MY QUEEEEEN I BEND THE KNEE
E15:
im rly glad grandma didnt die, but was still the catalyst to her making her decision. Xu Yan is manipulative and crafty, but the thing is, she's still sincere. All her actions are rooted in love; love for her grandma, love for Haoming. And even when she's manipulating, her efforts are genuine. We saw that with the opera lady, but we saw it most with the grandma with Alzheimers. Haoming thinks they're the same, but they are FUndAMENTALLY different.
I love this scene so fucking bad. he's threatening her with things that mean NOTHING to her, because as much as he thinks he's got her figured out, he couldn't be more wrong. she's shown him sincerity despite her lies, he's never returned the favour or believed her.
I can't wait to see her rebuild
E16:
idiot realizing she been real this whole time. TOO LATE IDIOT!
E17:
Haochennnn my heart. oh my lord. should I be a mom? no . GODDDD can Xu Yan adopt him idk I love their relationship so bad this is whats breaking me the most AHHHH SH PROMISED TO ALWYS ANSWER HIS CALL im so happy but also I hate it bc obv hes gna link to the Big idiot (which my fellow ladies is always the biggest risk of having a child with someone, ur tied to that someone for life! dont forget!!!) but I cant help it like I love Hao Chen so much and I know Xu Yan sees herself in him and this is the most important relationship to me rn so I feel trapped bc The Bastard benefits but I cant help it
He's still not close to understanding her, which is so heartbreaking bc she thought he did and that's why she fell in love with him. What also pisses me off is that she'd actually probably be in a better position in her career RIGHT NOW (as in while she's a streamer) than if she hadn't married him. I can't wait for his continued dawning realization that she truly, fully loved him, and just how bad he fucked it up. her being resolute in the divorce and not wanting anything from him was the biggest blow to his perception of her motivations. im worried about his power and ability to manipulate things, and I hope im satisfied by his grovel and by the circumstances in which she opens her heart up to him again. bc tbh, rn, I want her to succeed in making him a stranger.
the character of Xu Yan breaks my heart, and is definitely why im so invested in this. Her own parents misunderstand her, and so does the first man she gave her heart to. This is something common with poverty by the way, when you can't afford dignity or the benefit of the doubt from others. Your motivations are always under suspicion and seen with disdain. But she is incredible, she's a fighter, she's so damn admirable, and all she has ever wanted is to be seen, to be known, and to be loved.
E18:
I hate that he's still keeping tabs on her, Creep. But I'm gonna be so mad if he's a key investor in her business.
Ep19:
she works so hard and I want him to confront the fact that she will always be ok no matter where she goes based on the strength of her own character. she never needed him, she never needed to approach him with ulterior motives, she just WANTED him.
bro. I wanna be Xu Yan's sis. Like, her 'speech' to Haoming was so ass lmao lacked any impact and she didn't say anything at all of consequence. omfg id wanna rip the man to shreds but I would've at least emphasize that not only does my meimei not need ur stinky money, but she HAS NEVER NEEDED IT.
I love the Xu Yan who's cut off Haoming. He's posturing and she cuts through it SO efficiently omg queen I love her so badddd. but you know, he doesn't even know how much he casually hurts her. His request to pretend in front of the Russian business venture is again, throwing what she thought they were back in her face (she always thought she was helping her family, not being used as a tool) and these moments are sharpened so well by ZLS's acting.
I am enjoying the beginning of this role reversal, tho I hope we see it more explicitly. she's the one drawing the line in the sand, he's the one trying to stay relevant in her life.
ok im at the scene where theyre about to do some kinda gameshow and im REALLY hoping that she's able to accurately answer all questions pertaining to him and it makes him realize the discrepancy between them. she knows him. he does not know her, and has never tried to. he knew her every move because he always had eyes on her (Creep!) but he doesnt KNOW her even a little. And her getting mad at the way he's treating her like a subordinate - I love these writers. they really bring things back and keep things consistent. That was something that really broke her when she still thought he could love her. and she wont take it from him again. I LOVE XU YAN SO. GOD DAMN. MUCH. the way he's looking at her like hes never seen her before and finally is for the first time I LOVE IT
I hate that he knows she has other investors and is so fixated on it. I rly am so wary of this man, no matter how cute William's dimples are
oh that bandaid charade scene was peak. THIS IS CINEMA
Ep20:
I am enjoying how honest they can be with each other now, esp Haoming. The questions she's now able to ask him, and his willingness to answer, the contrast is incredible from where they were. she's offering him some really good advice and insight (the kind you develop through hardship) and he's receiving it, but she has been this gentle with him before but he just didnt believe her then. she's a treasure, and I want him to drown in regret.
I will also admit it's super fun watching them work as a team...but I just rly dont want her to soften to him too quick. also its SO nice not to have the Lie hanging over her head
This scene of him mixing lies with truth as he talks about how much he missed her...im not into it, im not buying it. I didnt like him putting the ring on her in this moment either. BUT HIM GETTING WAY TOO INTO THE KISS KILLED ME
Ep21:
Wtf is up with this convo in the car, why is she giving him so much? wtf she doesn't owe him shit and I need her to DIVEST what the hell dont tell me one fake vacation was enough to make her forget why she needs distance from him
Men are allergic to reflection. Does he even know why he wants her back, or what he even wants "back" ?
I don't like this plot of him dragging out the divorce because I hate that both parties need to agree to a divorce. she should be able to show up at the bureau herself and finish it
Ep22:
hate this common thought men have of 'if a woman says no u just didnt try hard enough' like thats rape culture and they start the indoctrination so young bc even my baby boy haochen was spouting something to this effect
I love him flashing back to that moment when he broke her art - when she told him she really loved him and he spat on that. I want him to replay "I love you. Loved." over and over again too, the past tense. I want him in agony and he simply hasn't been in it yet
"When I married her, I vowed to never let her go" again, not into this, not buying it, not feeling anything but annoyance and disappointment. I want him to actually contend with his actions and with what she means to him and what her love means to him and how he stomped on it. I want him to actually FEEL. I still don't feel like he feels, he's still seeing her as an object, a tool, a goal, a toy he lost? The vow he made was from a very specific frame of mind, I dont want him to just be able to latch onto those words now. I WANT HIM TO EXPERIENCE PAIN!!! he inflicted so much on her
NO SECRETARY SHES NOT DOING SHIT TO SHOW HIM SHIT he has an inflated self ego big enough to believe it and that pisses me off. the "revolutionary friendship" between these two idiot men is also pissing me off. He just does not seem serious, and im not loving the tone shift of this drama. He's not convincing me he actually feels anything for her.
E23:
The tone has definitely been shifting in a way im very much not fond of. I'm ok with there being more romance, but this doesn't feel like good romance. I dont find it romantic when men dont take no for an answer, I don't find it romantic when FLs are worn down into accepting them. Like girl you better not be too touched bc he remembered ur phone number. I wish FLs were written to be a lot more assertive and take less nonsense, bc thats what he is! nonsense. and irl, I would not allow that man so easily into my home. theyre going for comedy but I just dont think its funny he's pretending he didn't hurt her so deeply and is pretending to be a host. These silly scenes couldve been done well but im feeling like it was done in a way where, again, the tone that made me so interested is being betrayed
I AM enjoying the cutie friends throwing shade at him tho. LESS A FAN OF tHEM BEING BOUGHT OUT ugh like again thats his way to problem solve, he thought he could buy HER, he couldn't. and thats still his method rn, like he hasn't grown at all, Its episode 23 and I still have little to no affection for him and any moment I feel her resolve weakening, I get angry
These tactics, this silly music, all of this makes the depth of the first half so much less meaningful. im getting rly disappointed. He sent his secretary? he's STILL being manipulative. if he gets rewarded for this im gna be so pissed, and if he doesnt actually have to reckon with anything seriously, im going to be disappointed.
he bought the motorcycle? lmao. be so for real. I might've enjoyed this half more if I didnt have the first half. if the divorce doesnt go thru, I might have to drop this. Forget "do you know who she is today," has he EVER known? Again its just pmo SO bad how he's done literally no reflection, has no remorse, just wants this shiny toy
him going to all the people in her life, the Russian '3 month' thing, omg EEVERYTHING is pissing me off.
when asked, why were you so cold when Xu Yan tried to make ur relationship real, he said "I thought she couldn't live without me. but when she left, I realized I couldn't live without her." Literally what a cruel and shitty person? like I thought he didnt believe her, and he didnt believe her LOVE, but he did think she needed to depend on him and that gave him the right to treat her like shit? omg I hate him lmao
omg literally let me transmigrate and overtake the body of the sister.
him barging in on her at home and at work IS PMO like his actions show a sense of entitlement and ownership that was the entire problem in the beginning and I just REALLY KEEP FEELING LIKE this drama has lost sight of itself.
E24:
shes tenderly wiping his sweat and I hate it lol
E25:
this is so inconsequential to everything else but I rly hope Xu Yan terminates the contract with those thugs. She gave them a choice, I wish she didnt, because I would not want to collaoborate with them thereafter.
I really, really, really hate this being ML's in. Might've hated it less if we actually saw him suffer, learn, and grow, but without all that, for him to get back into her life through the connections and resources he disdained her with, really sucks. This drama set up something incredible only to not follow through so far.
The sis telling Haoming about Xu Yan's business troubles is PISSING ME OFF SO BAD no matter how great a character Xu Yan is, the drama is refusing to give her agency ]. im having trouble not disliking the sis tbh
E26:
I really appreciated this scene. Haoming's true motivations or underlying sincerity don't matter, because this 'new' relationship he's developed with Xu Yan is still built on sand. I've been upset watching her get drawn in, but it always was going to have a moment like this, because she doesn't trust him. She has no reason to. She can't trust that she knows who he is, beyond the manipulative man willing to use everyone around him as tools. This moment was always going to happen as long as neither of them actually confront their past. I really enjoyed Xu Yan throwing his words back "let's take what we each need" but I still wish she could have more resolve.
We're 6 episodes away from the end, and I still haven't come close to accepting Haoming or seeing any authenticity in his feelings beyond "I want her I must have her." His heavy breathing isn't charming, his petulance isn't charming, his entitlement isn't romantic. I've said this consistently, but he has not faced any reckoning, and that is so incredibly disappointing.
Also side note, I really miss Xu Yan...the one who would claw herself out of anything with ingenious methods. I miss the version of her that was so crafty and would know exactly what and who and where to target to get what she wants.
he also seems to have more agency and impact on the story than she does now (by being a more central figure who does things, plans things, is there for things), and im not a fan of it :/ this is probably the part that is making me the MOST upset, him having more of a role in a drama centring women and yet her character gets lost after her romance arc is completed....esp when what I would've loved to see the most is them be an incredible team TOGETHER
we still rally forward, hope I get more of those cute and funny moments
EDIT: ok im on ep 19 and I am lowkey eating my words about the team and agency thing hehe. at least a little. ok im grinning like a fool SO WHAT
my fav brand of plot is when a proud man proclaims his pride and announces he will never kneel for a woman and ruin his dignity.....only for him to be brought down by the right woman kekekeke
I've never laughed so much in a drama, and once you got past the Bad Part, this is one of the most satisfying payoffs ever AND they complied with censorship with minimal impact to the story (as opposed to massacring the ending). I can't wait to rewatch this one.