moondoge

saw some recent pics of Huang Xuan and that's the first thing I thought ! But when you think about it, it's kinda hard to imagine until you see him

I prefer Hu Ge in these kind of roles too! Personally like him better as the intelligent yet mature, frail characters. Many people were soo ANGRY before the drama aired as Hu Ge who was originally supposed to be Wei Wu Ji became Jiu Ye instead, and some were even on the borderline of boycotting the drama when final cast had it as Eddie Peng officially replacing Hu Ge for the role of Wei Wu Ji. I can't be any happier with how the final product turned out ! Definitely can't judge book by its cover.

Rewatching this for the ... I've lost count already. But seriously this is one of those dramas that made me super thankful I've found it. I thought I shipped Mo Xun because he was her 'first love' but after watching this series many times over I still find myself shipping the Ninth Lord and Xin Yue!! Forever shipping these two and Hu Ge as Mo Xun is just one of the most poignantly beautiful characters ever

Yes ! I must admit I belong in the category of people who didn't give him a chance at first because he started getting these juicy lead roles out of nowhere and I didn't find him a single bit attractive. Completely shallow of me, I know. However he really has this quiet charisma and gives a good honest performance. There's a reason why he's getting a line up of projects with different higher end production teams. I actually like him quite a bit now after watching him, and he seems like a genuine but shy person which I find adorkable :)

Spoilers ahead



Yes it is a very happy ending for the female lead and one of the two male leads. But quite tragic for another. Not talking about death here either . Depends whose camp you're on but most people were very satisfied with how it ended as the favorite pairing won out

I guess Prince Cheng was the 'Prince Charming' type (at least in beginning), and don't forget with how conservative Ming society is and all the restrictions for women back in the day, interactions with men were limited (if not forbidden) and few (forget the thing called dating lol) so naturally she would fall for a guy she keeps running into who was young like her, gentleman-like, and clearly interested

I find the story (in terms of final product) for Sound of the Desert was much better and also more consistent when it comes to character writing. (I actually find the story for SOTD to be great) I still like this drama very much, but definitely feel that despite the potential for a great story is much better here - with the benefit of the political drama tying into actual historical events and an inspiring historical figure- unfortunately doing it justice fell a little short. They have several great ingredients to work with, and it started off great but gradually near the end it feels like they did not make the best use of it. Like you mentioned in a previous comment, more substantial aspects sacrificed over back and forth romantic conflict that becomes redundant. Could've been much better if not for inconsistency. 7.5 - 8/10 (8 because well over half the series was actually great, not so much last 10 eps. Would've loved to give it an 8.5 if it ended as great as it started)

If you are purely watching this for official Qi Zhen/Yun Xian OTP then save yourself the time. But it's been hinted that deep inside she does or isn't closed off to the idea by the end of this drama. Yes another open opening type. Overall, they do have great chemistry and scenes that makes you wish she would stop being so stubborn in her love for QY (the other male lead who turns into the biggest sh!t ever), cause otherwise her and Qi Zhen would've been an item. It is totally one of those if only she fell in love with him first....

I think people meant she looked more white but they may not realize she's mixed with white anyway (quarter German) . I agree she still looks Asian but def NOT South Asian, she's too light - and her features are an obvs mix of Caucasian and east asian

Better story and fight scenes in historical dramas normally mask poor acting by Chinese actors ? Racist comment much ? And there are good, just as much as bad actors and actresses in every country, don't see how it is exclusive to chinese actors. Clearly most people also dont feel the same way you do about the acting from the cast than you do, but of course that is your opinion which unfortunately sounds biased from your bias against chinese actors. And Chinese historical dramas normally have good fighting scenes because wuxia is their specialty.This is also not a wuxia drama, so it's pretty useless to expect or even compare that kinda charm or standard here. Although it is nowhere near the extravagant visualfest some big budgeted Chinese historicals are capable of, but by no means is it low quality. Also Tangren is known for their developments, storyline and casting more than style

Like his daughter spelled it out loud to Nam Il Ho in the last ep, he "made" his son this way by spoiling him and bought his way out of all his messes when instead he should've taught him to be a proper human being. I interpret Nam Il Ho crying as not only because of loss of his son and heir, but when he finally conceded that he was just as responsible for Gyu Man's downfall. Too little too late .

I also felt bad for Gyu Man in the last ep even tho he is ultimately responsible for all he had coming. lived his whole life like a business transaction, it's no wonder he feels lonely. He never understood emotional connections and loyalty - the things that money cannot buy

Scary goood as the twisted sadistic chaebol in Remember. Makes me hate him yet feel sorry for him at the same time, and only great acting can do that.

Not the only one !! Like I felt stunned by that scene and didn't know what to think either because Nam IL ho himself didn't know what to think. Ultimately nobody is responsible for actions of NGM but in a way you can tell father conceded that he in fact killed his son ..by 1) raising him that way which only set him up for worse and 2) those last words that literally killed him inside enough to do the unthinkable

I think the ending was a great ending in terms of being the best possible outcome despite the inevitable. He achieved and finished what he started, with justice prevailing at end of the day. Some may find Jin Woo losing his memories as a bad/ sad ending but regardless it was more than anything he can ask for once he fully accepted his own fate and can only reframe it as being 'for the better' due to all the pain that was all too clear to him thanks to his once gifted memory. Bitersweet is what I would call it and I'm glad it wrapped up that way in the most positive way without pulling some miracle bs out of the arse to change that course .

Something to keep in mind for sure. Similar to history, the power of writing in modern forms such as the media, can have a huge influence on whose story is being told and to which kind of audience. Definitely matter of perspective I suppose

Seriously if there is ever a "Best Villain" Award I think NGM should get it.

Very minimal like others have already pointed out. But trust me, the plot of the story is so intriguing itself it doesn't need any.

Crazy chaebol!! Hahaha I miss those NGM fits they literally make me laugh. The only thing better than that is when he gets the bamboo stick treatment from papa tyrant.

Still waiting for the finale to be fully subbed before watching. But yea over the last few eps near the end, I ALMOST feel bad for NGM because we increasingly saw that he is the definition of someone who was raised thinking he had everything but really had nothing.

The 40 episodes is because the last few episodes during broadcast in China got cut shorter so they can extend the amount of "episodes". But really the amount of content and hours are the same. Apparently it happens to a lot of popular broadcasts in China.