gf44

And scumbag boss reappears. His wife should divorce him and take him to the cleaners.

But our FL, what a strategically sound move. Very nicely done. Don't you love when people are clever and use their smarts? I can't believe how March has been a gold mine of contemporary c-dramas when usually it's a bit like delicately picking your way through a mountainous trash heap. You may strike a gem but mostly you leave feeling vaguely nauseous and in desperate need of a shower.

An oddly thoughtful contemporary romance. I wasn't expecting the level of depth (in places) that I got. Let me count off the number of Nate's I've met...#ugh. The portrayal of all the micro-agressions leading up to in your face snobbery and sexism was well done. As was ZYT's reaction to it. But I've always thought she's an excellent actress. Criminally underrated (just like Wan Peng) but top 5 among her contemporaries. Don't even get me started on over-hyped, over-exposed actresses with overwrought fandoms. But I digress, I thought the discomfort she portrayed especially when you can't pinpoint the source of it; and the go to male reaction (a certain kind of male) who immediately categorises women as aggressive and overwrought. Ugh. Good riddance, I say.
And again, her scumbag of a boss. It's always the one's who slowly reveal their narcissism, manipulation, and disrespect under a veneer of civility and professionalism who are difficult to suss out. I feel for her. She's stuck in a bad place. Because now that she's seen his BS, she can't unsee it.
Great female friendships too.
As WL, what a transformation from my killer general in LLTG. He looks so much younger, and youthful and oddly, dare I say, boyish. But the man can emote with his eyes and his body. Such an interesting dynamic of a somewhat callow but haunted young man compared to the general who was an uber competent, traumatised, dynamo of vengeance and rage. I think I'll enjoy this portrayal. Possibly because it's so different from my last experience.
Good so far. If the story and portrayal continues in this sure-footed fashion then March has another winner!

It's such a pleasant change to watch a real, adult relationship unfold in a c-drama. In a drama where the ML is a man of few to no words, the archetypal warrior, it's pretty interesting to see how much and how well they communicate. Seven Tan, as usual, has picked a script where she's independent and sure-footed and confident and a woman who doesn't lose her identity or decision-making power when in a relationship. I couldn't be happier with this adaptation. It hits virtually all the right beats and there are very few missteps. Do I wish they had capitalised more on the scorching chemistry between our leads, sure, I do! But I have the book and my imagination for that now very helpfully coloured in with JB's and ST's nuanced performance.
JB's voice is a character in itself!
One of the few c-dramas where the side leads didn't make me skip their scenes. Captain Qin is charming, sweet, old-fashioned and eminently capable. And Duan Rou is cool! The attitude, the outfits they are all of a piece. I like their cautious interludes and conversations, which veer from stilted and awkward to suddenly carefree and open. It's a lot truer to life than one would expect.
My happiness meter is high for this adaptation! :)

This is a cool show. It's pretty intense of far as murky motives abound. I'm enjoying how the two MLs are playing their roles. They are very distinct. Hilarious that it's low-key BL which they are trying to present as a bromance. I wish they'd leaned into it since j-drama productions are good with this kind of thing. Ah well. All good so far.

Ok, WTH? Why is no one smart in this drama? Everyone is just like...aha, I have an evil secret/intention but wait let me tell you/shout it out to the world? Who wrote this? It's like a ludicrous wreck that I can't look away from. I guess, that can be considered 'good' writing. Did the anchor lady never think of having a back-up plan? She's without allies except for her hoobae; loathes her husband; has no interaction with the 3rd partner; and has decided to blow up her career and relationship with the FL! Not to mention, the one person who is shady AF, the ml, was still on her side and now with this interview fiasco he's out for her blood too. I mean, what? Lady, you are like single-handedly trying to destroy his presidential ambitions and his family (for what it's worth) and you think it's all going to turn out roses?

I understand that this makjang dialled to 11. And the writer is probably trying to make the women sympathetic characters i.e., both have tremendous trauma, different kinds of strength, and distinctive ways of handling their trauma while ferreting out the truth. I guess the writer wanted them to be close as sisters (but with no real understanding of each others respective pasts and pain) before pulling them apart as enemies and then pulling them back together. This time with more honesty as they figure out that this fight needs them to trust each other and join hands because on their own they'll rage, rage, and rage but with nothing to show for it.

Meanwhile the 3 supposed bestie dudes are hissing and scratching like feral cats. But I give them marks for communicating with each other unlike the ladies. Did the feral schmuck never think that his besties would blow up his life after he did the same to them? I had some hope for our ML, but he's another charming, insouciant psycho! I bet he killed the sister-in-law; has some inkling of his wife's past - if not that she was a brainwashed killer then that she isn't the real daughter of the family. He's out to absorb the other Pharma corp, do illegal human clinical trials, and basically make sure that his hands and cuffs stay clean. There's got to be a mystery with his mum too otherwise why would the shaky camera focus on their framed photo in multiple episodes.

The only thing that could surprise me is if it turns out that the FL didn't assassinate the president. She was set-up.

Sigh. I don't even know. Now I know why I didn't watch Penthouse. But I guess this show is my one concession to trash tv so buckle up and enjoy the ride?

Thx

It's the clothes, the hair, and of course, the character. Looking forward to this incarnation. And Zhou You Tong is always brilliant. So two excellent actors. Let's hope the fireworks are there.

hahahahahaa

If FL announces that she's pregnant and we don't get a moment of extended intimacy, I'mma throw hands. For Real. This isn't even about censorship...because I see you You are My Glory, and Oath of Love. This is then issue of piss poor editing.

I don't even know why I bother coming to this page honestly. It's just more of the same. #sigh

How so swoon worthy, Road Home? How?
I do find it hilarious though that in the novel they are a lot more physically intimate and a lot faster. At the yurt-equivalent and then on the base. LC is all brakes off (but with explicit consent), hands-on (lol pun intended), clothes off in private even though he's glacially reserved in public. Meanwhile, GX decides that she's done waiting so it's full speed ahead! Nice to see an FL who is in tune with her own desires. The drama, on the other hand. is soft and steamy but the number of times they've been interrupted, her (unwarranted) maidenly reserve is quite funny. Either the director chose to not go that route (because there are some c-dramas out there that definitely toe the line, I'm looking at you Love is Sweet etc.
Not complaining but I wouldn't mind more intimacy especially when these two are 🔥❤️‍🔥🔥

Cool, thanks.

Thanks for sharing your list! I think there will be some overlap and that's cool...more to chat about. :)

Yes, please and thanks.

The English translation of the novel is here: https://hui3r.wordpress.com/mo-bao-fei-bao/the-road-home/ if you ever want to try it.
I am curious now about your top 10 list?

Thanks @lovemovies. I'm glad that it resonated with you. The novel is one of my favourites, And I'm really enjoying the adaptation so far. I didn't even know I wanted it to be this way, or for this cast to bring these characters to life -- but now that it's here, I intend to savour it.

Excellent adaptation; and thank you, thank you, thank you to the casting gods! I understand that a lot of people are finding the drama slow and that's ok. If it helps any, it is remarkably true to the novel at least in terms of pacing and their dynamic. The advantages of having the novelist be the scriptwriter. This drama is a bit like Crush and a bit like You Are My Glory in that it's not about big scenes or huge plot movement. It's about the detritus of life and relationships. A slow meandering stroll through the povs of people who by, call it, luck or fate, happened to meet again and chose to choose each other. Enjoy it for the sensibility rich experience and character growth it is rather than dramatics. :)
Unrelated note, I wish I enjoyed the OST more. Loved OSTs for Crush, You Are My Glory, Love Like the Galaxy, Meet Yourself but this one...sigh...not doing anything for me. :( Ah well. I guess, the ML's voice can be soundtrack enough.

I agree about the not over-explaining but I think what I'm missing is how the different scenes connect to each other. But to each their own. :)

I mean, give it a try. I'm on the crazy train now and unless I, kind of, get thrown off, I'll be in it for the long haul. hahahahah. It's an experience.

This show is completely hatters! I have no idea what is happening as we careen from plot point to plot point with virtually no narrative coherence. LOL. The shitty camera technique isn't helping any either.