I have to add something that's been really bothering me from the subtitles of ep 1 of the drama and it's everywhere on twitter too. And for me, it was one of the most gripping lines of the novel. In ep 1 at the gas station, the actual translation, as per the fantastic Hui3r - who brilliantly translated this novel into English -- of his response to her query of do you know me, is: "“Yes, I remember you. Even if I were to turn to ashes, I would still remember you.”
NOT if you were to turn to ash but if "I were to turn to ashes, I would still remember you."
This drama would have been wasted in less talented hands. Thank the drama gods! It's all about restrained, suppressed emotion and the weight of intimacy in the extended silences between them. Like floodgates holding something monstrous back. She holds back her love, her anger and her fears; he holds back his love, his loss and his fears. It's all in the way their eyes track each other. They way their movements mirror each other. The conscious space they put between themselves, which calls attention to how acutely aware they must be of each other to maintain that balance.
The enduring love is similar. Persuasion has an underlying societal expectation theme, hence the FL in the novel…
It has shades of Persuasion, I agree but not entirely. I think it's a story of two unlikely young people who fell in love but time, distance and emotional vulnerabilities broke them apart. There's a line in the novel where he/she says that their monthly call was the bearer of all their emotional baggage, a lifeline connecting two people who could only rely on each other, and one day - because of time and circumstance, it broke. Interestingly, the line of communication broke under the weight of their emotions but not the tie between them. There was never anyone else for either one of them. Not even a hint. It was each other or nothing. So in some ways, the both define constancy and unlike Persuasion, they both love faithfully, steadfastly, and for the longest time. .
Seems like his mother doesn't like gui xiao. Can book readers spoil me if that's going to be a problem in future?
If they keep to the book then he doesn't bow to his parents demands and neither does she. They handle it like two intelligent adults who are committed to each other. And his mother isn't so much against them, as she is worried about her abusive husband's reaction and she's worried about what this will mean for her family. At her heart, she's a tired and frightened woman, who wants her son to be both protector and toe the line. Don't worry, they'll handle it fine. It's an adult romance where people communicate.
Ep 2 is better in terms of lighting and editing. Man, this show is moving at break-neck speed though. It's like Alias on steroids! Hahaha. I like the friendship between the two women. Let's hope they don't EFF it up. I want the FL and ML to have a solid devoted relationship, a pleasant change from the scum around them, but I don't know if that'll happen. I can only hope, I guess. Although, our man Lee Sang Yoon is hot af in his 3-piece suits but I'm not sure I'm buying what they are selling re their true love relationship. He seems like a hardcase and ruthless to boot, which is fine given he's clearly a type A corporate raider type but still the lack of communication between the two doesn't bode well. Re her being Alias on Steroids...heh, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the heck out of a BAMF FL believable or not. Nothing like watching a woman dish out a satisfying beat down! 🤩
Hmmm...not sure if the drama is what I thought it was going to be. Mostly am a little surprised by the production quality which is lower than I thought it would be. Also, the editing and camera angles are so choppy, not to mention the lighting that it's really throwing me off. Still going to watch another or so before I decide...but yeah, barely average so far. Disappointing,
It feels like I've been waiting for years. The novel is so lovely. And I hope in the hands of these 2 leads my fave characters will be authentic, brimming with charm and life.
That formal question and acceptance; and the kiss to follow were all that I was waiting for! So in keeping with their style. Funny, a little smirky, but always gentle and understated with tremendous depth of feeling. I'm really enjoying how Zhi Yao is affable and smoothly charming but under the surface there is a real depth of sincerity. And Hong Du? Aah, Hong Du and I would be such great friends in real life! ;) She's funny and charismatic and hardworking -- it's been poetic to watch her journey from grieving and lost to still grieving but finding her feet and her desires. Letting Zhi Yao and her (new friends) from the windy place in was possibly the best gift she could have given herself at this point in her life.
This drama gets better and better. It's been ages since I've seen such surefooted handling of a script and direction. The ensemble cast and their characterisation is *chef's kiss. And the village is the grand dame! The centrepiece of it all. While I want the subtitled eps to be released faster, the pace is forcing me to savour rather than binge. For this drama that is only ever a good thing. :)
I cannot wait for this one! IQIY scored big with the leads and obvs the adaptation. Now, if they can get the story and the smouldering chemistry (!!) then we have a winner folks.
K-Drama 
NOT if you were to turn to ash but if "I were to turn to ashes, I would still remember you."
It's all about restrained, suppressed emotion and the weight of intimacy in the extended silences between them. Like floodgates holding something monstrous back. She holds back her love, her anger and her fears; he holds back his love, his loss and his fears. It's all in the way their eyes track each other. They way their movements mirror each other. The conscious space they put between themselves, which calls attention to how acutely aware they must be of each other to maintain that balance.
Interestingly, the line of communication broke under the weight of their emotions but not the tie between them. There was never anyone else for either one of them. Not even a hint. It was each other or nothing. So in some ways, the both define constancy and unlike Persuasion, they both love faithfully, steadfastly, and for the longest time. .
I want the FL and ML to have a solid devoted relationship, a pleasant change from the scum around them, but I don't know if that'll happen. I can only hope, I guess. Although, our man Lee Sang Yoon is hot af in his 3-piece suits but I'm not sure I'm buying what they are selling re their true love relationship. He seems like a hardcase and ruthless to boot, which is fine given he's clearly a type A corporate raider type but still the lack of communication between the two doesn't bode well.
Re her being Alias on Steroids...heh, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the heck out of a BAMF FL believable or not. Nothing like watching a woman dish out a satisfying beat down! 🤩
Still going to watch another or so before I decide...but yeah, barely average so far. Disappointing,
Also me: Oh, Japan! #facepalm