gf44

Does anyone know the episode release schedule for this show? It's Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri. So they dropped 6 eps on Tue. Now it'll be 2 per release day until Dec 8?

Ugh. She needs to dump the d**k that's her BF. He's such a passive aggressive, manipulative, and controlling person. Talk about exploiting someone's vulnerabilities. Especially a person you "claim" to love. Gross.
I'm not a fan of the FL. She's look too skinny. Unhealthily so. Shame that's the "aesthetic" in dramas. But her acting here is definitely improved since intense love where she spent her time looking completely ditzy and vacant.
The ML. Man. He's got that whole repressed, brooding, fifty-shades-of-grey (without all the stalker behaviour) vibes happening. Those suits. And the glasses. Yum. Yum. I'm going to be bingeing this.
Altho I don't know how they'll drag it out for 30 eps. Because that could get old and draggy really fast.

Hi @xmag do you know were I can find the bonus ep?

Such a clever and high-octane drama. I'm loving the FL all the way! She's so clever, eccentric, and courageous. A lot of her reactions and situations she finds herself in are typically the ML's domain in another drama. But she OWNS her space. At the same time, it upends all these kdrama makjang tropes with the crazy in-laws, and twisty business ambitions and revenge plots. Lol. Everyone is a grown-ass adult. No tweeny dramatics. Which is also a change of pace. Haven't missed a single episode and I'm not usually one to watch a drama on a weekly basis...but this one...ah well, not a choice I regret!

The only false note was the "my first kiss" nonsense. She's clever, charming, smart, and sexy -- that bit of faux/forced virginhood left a bad taste in my mouth.

Oh yea, iQIY is very good. Some of their recent dramas have really good production values even if the storyline have been hit and miss. But my recent fave from their mill is My Treasure. Terrific stuff -- about family, especially the relationship between a mum and her daughter, mentors, and workplace dynamics. Very different from the usual candyland fare -- which is a not-so-guilty delight but it's nice to vary things.
I think I've watched a few Youku dramas but nothing that stands out in my memory. Any recs of dramas that you thought were well produced and entertaining?
It's a pity you didn't get on with YAMG. I thought it was one of the better (it got virtually everything right) adaptations this year. Unlike the other highly anticipated, which shall remain unnamed. Hours of my life that I'll never be able to reclaim! :( I dropped it like a rotting onion.

It really is. You're right it makes the characters feel like caricatures of themselves. I don't mind the ML. Some of his expressions are very on target and he seems to have good comic timing. The granny is also great. Pretty sure sh'es going to have an industrial strength lock installed on the study door. Lol.
I guess, I've been spoiled by how top-of-the-line Tencent productions are. I mean, the first drama I watched produced by them was "My Little Happiness," which story-wise was trying to eat your way out of a marshmallow encased in a cupcake coated with frosting. But the production values, across the board, were solid. And most recently YAMG was next level, you know?

The dubbing/sound is so shite on this....It's really throwing me off watching the drama. And could the FL overact a little less? :(

lol, lol @Nauriya - your description of their relationship is spot on.

I disagree @carolies541 but glad you're enjoying it.

@Caroline K @Nauriya I completely agree. This started out fun but is rapidly descending into ML is an a-hole on a power trip. While the FL is disrespected left and right. Not to mention, this whole, I know better than god nonsense attitude they are taking, is really ticking me off. At this point, as fond as I may be of Jasper, the character he's playing deserves a solid kick in the nuts. Maybe that'll recalibrate his bitchiness?

It's pretty disappointing the direction they chose to take. It could have been funny where he's like jealous of himself. Instead he's constantly gaslighting her. Ugh.

@PeachBlossomGoddess teach me your mysterious language. What are UTP and TMOPB? 👀🧐

That was.... underwhelming. And disappointing. It was awkward and he definitely looked like he didn't want to be there. And after all that supposed 'build up.' Folks, don't come @ me, (more power to you if you're enjoying the drama) but this has to come down to poor casting and direction. He may have been excellent in the prequel but in the modern...what does she love about him again? The way he lays down to sacrifice his virginity? Or gingerly holds her like he might catch a disease? Or generally looks like he'd rather be anywhere but there. And this is not on her. She has crazy chemistry with her costars in Arsenal Academy, in sweet love, Lucky's first love (bad drama but good chemistry)...sigh. I'm so disappointed. I get that this is not supposed to be a grand raging passion but a deep abiding love that doesn't boast about itself but at least give me something to work with. Sigh.
I gotta agree with other commenters @SarahWilson @LorelaiGilmore @tenkpm @Demzlw @PeachBlossomGoddess @OneAhjussi Mei Xing is a much better choice. I know it'll never happen but the confidence, the swagger and attitude, the smarts and the man-bun are all working in his favour. SY should def pick him. At least he'll know what to do with himself. 😁 ZSC...halfway through the drama and I'm still wondering if I'll get to meet the real ZSC.

Right, so I've thought about it a little @100kissess and @kkiki. I think the angle I'm missing from the novel is his undaunted and stalwart side. You know what I mean? He's concerned about his family - he wants to be close to them, to accept them and be accepted by them but it never quite works (except for his youngest brother/cousin, and his sister). Having said that, his love or his efforts at affection and closeness or taking responsibility for them never get in the way of his decision-making or his responsibility to SY. There is a woman, who cares for you greatly and while you are shy and introverted, for her, you make an effort to let her know that she is first for you. But in the drama that piece of it is missing. I mean the two of them are cute and all but that's about it. I don't mind seeing his ambivalence over his family and their business and the tough decisions he has to make. That makes him interesting. And human. But when that hesitation spills over in other aspects then I begin to wonder if this is the same character from the novel. It's an unfair comparison to make so I won't say anything more than the fact that YAMG's author was also the screenwriter and honestly, so far, I much prefer how she handled her own creations and source material.

Nope, it's most definitely not just you. And I'm glad to have found a kindred spirit. I have more thoughts on this characterisation and pacing. But it's a work day tomorrow and after a 12-hour day, I can barely keep my eyes open. So, more on this tomorrow. I will ruminate. As I'm sure others are too. ;)

I agree with you @100kissess. ZSC seems much more tentative and unaware of his own authority in the drama as compared to the book. The thing, which made his mother, and his family palatable was that he was crystal clear on who he was, what he was owed, and he had zero qualms about shutting down any sign of disrespect or bending to tradition expected from SY. It's like he says: she's the woman he's marrying so to him hers is the opinion that counts. SY seems to be more in-line with the novel but again she's much more obvious, or should I say clear (?) about her affections and feelings in the novel. I'm hoping that the screenwriter and director are building up to it. I'm trying very hard to get into this drama because of the novel, and the actors. I think Bai Lu is simply fantastic in whatever she does. Having said that, and, I have to admit (hides face), it's been hard going. Partly it's because the segues between the scenes can be a little jarring, which really threw me given that the author is the screenwriter so I had hoped for something more seamless. And the casting of the supporting characters, excepting Uncle Lin and ZSC's bff and SY's bffs, leaves a lot to be desired. So many blank and wooden faces. I understand that a lot of that has to do with the household they grew up in (repression and lies and control abound) but still...give me a sign that you're human, please?

@liberte Nice! It's all about priorities. :D

Mhmmm...After the break-up it all felt like a different drama. Like you said, it felt rushed. The charm of the first half was gone. Not to mention he assumed this gross overbearing CEO persona, which, just no. Ugh. And the writers took away her agency & independence. Disappointing, which is a pity since both the actors deserved so much better than what they got.

dramacool or watchasian has all the eps with english subs. Enjoy!

That makes so much more sense now. I mean, I had figured that it would be him thinking about her...like the time he brought her breakfast and made dead certain that it was within the calorie quota she allowed herself. But you're absolutely right, missing these tiny details takes away from really getting into the drama. Having said that, I've loved it so far. It's so well-paced and mature. The cinematography, the osts and the way they capture all this subtext - it is masterful. You are right! It's not a drama that believes in telling so much as it believes in showing, I think. We catch glimpses of emotions each of them feels-expresses when the other isn't looking. The quick glances, and furrowed brows, the moments of vulnerability and happiness. There's a smooth assurance to how well the emotional beats land, and there isn't a false note there. I like that they think that their audience is smart and patient and will piece it all together. I think this is one of the reasons I really enjoyed the focus on YT processing all his emotions and aspirations and coming to terms with what this version of reality, that he almost didn't dare to hope for/thought was possible, is showcased. It was slow but so rewarding to see in a c-drama how adults with real jobs and responsibilities manage deep and tumultuous emotions without grandstanding. Really really good.
If you have any other nuggets and are happy to share then please do! Thanks! 🙏🏼💐