Does anyone know where I can find an English translation of the novel Derailment? I've read other novels by Priest -- the BL police series was insanely good and addictive.
Forgot about him. Didn't realize that he actually has a conscience and was conflicted even though he also didn't…
I have a slightly different take on this: you're right in that he is conflicted about the pointless waste of lives but he's also, in my view, struck by how much this will thin out his reserves/fighting forces. Where and how soon can he replenish them? Able and reasonably well trained bodies with a die mentality are hard to find, and loyal to their reason d'être? Virtually impossible.
And we're back to a slightly slower pace again. Not sure how I feel about this bit of direction. LTG and Princess Chue are murderously adorable. Who knew? Although LTG is a massively manipulative shit. And she isn't short in the brains and political stratagems department either. But the relative equality of the competition between them and interaction sans hostility was nice to see. Didn't think these two feral cats could be cute but they were!
Duke of Chue -- limited screen time aside -- shines with his political smarts.
The actor playing the Emperor of Wu did a stellar job in making him into a loathsome, narcissistic cockroach. The sudden mood shifts, lightning fast expression and tonal changes were cleverly done. Easy to see how someone like that would be an unreliable ruler but very good at self-preservation. NYZ's interaction with the emperor in the pagoda was one of the pivotal scenes of the drama. Complete, unequivocal and clearly stated break between emperor and loyal subject. Terrific piece of acting there. The way he smiled at the emperor was like a knife at the throat.
YY continues to impress with her equanimity. Time spent with the shifu is clearly paying off. Although, I think the moment of her identity reveal is going to happen soon. The emperor of Wu is unreliable at best and malicious at worst. His priority is himself. And he's willing to sacrifice anything and everything to reclaim his coveted throne. It'll be interesting to see to what extent his sense of preservation can keep his ego in check.
Almost at the last third now. So, all the action should be picking up now. Plus, our musketeers haven't experienced any serious losses yet. I can see that hurt coming down the line.
So far, best historical c-drama of the year. Splendidly done all round. Pity it won't get the applause and praise and visibility it deserves because of stupidly pointless fandom, stardom shenanigans.
Not sure why the plot is moving at breakneck speed in this ep. We need forward momentum but this feels a little abrupt. I forgive them though because LTG had a come to Jesus moment, RX is the baddest bad ass of them all.
So I’m all caught up with episodes and while waiting for new episodes to air I figured I’d come and ramble…
Nice post! I have to admit that I'm hoping LTG, resident cuckoo man, has a majestic character arc and goes on a hero's emotional journey like YY. I think the two of them could be quite brilliant together. She in some ways is walking the physical version of his hero's journey (lauded commander with a terrific sense of strategy) but emotionally she is eons more mature than him. I think once NYZ and RX beat some sense into him and/or he has his moment of growth we'll see a lot of backsliding from him. Having said that, the scriptwriter has done a damn good job of making his a sympathetic nutter. You see his growth, or his attempts to grow and then like all works in progress, he backslides. But that doesn't make you revile him -- or me at any rate. It makes me want to beat some sense into him because like RX and NYZ, I can see that goldmine of potential in him. Except they are a lot less kind to him than they were to YY's histrionics from early on in the show. I have faith that the writer will make it worth our while. I think the two of them as rulers or as the second most powerful people in their respective kingdoms would be a great take. And I imagine that the mystery surrounding his birth will become front and centre at some point. The old lecher of An is going to die. The two princes are lost causes. So who does that leave? LTG. Unless the writer decides to throw us a curve ball and have LTG married to the Duke of Cu's daughter (the current fiancé) -- but that would very much be a political alliance. And I don't see much growing happening there. The power is clearly skewed in his favour between them. All of her's comes from her father. YY, on the other hand, is rapidly gaining polish, smarts and political acumen. Her moment with NYZ about safeguarding the delegation above all was a quiet moment of regality. In one swoop, she overshadowed her brothers and her sister-in-law, the empress, with only LL and NYZ witnessing it. A marriage - even if it starts as a political one -- between the two of them, where both are equal, opens up many more avenues. In fact, I would be surprised if his interaction with YY doesn't increase once he's with the delegation and the usual jockeying for place takes place. I'm going to enjoy watching him being taken down a notch. I think YL and YY are adorable. But the read like besties to me with some subliminal vibes. I don't think he's cut out to be Fuma. Hurrah for a couple that acts like the experienced and mature adults that they are and talk things through. Again, full marks to the scriptwriter. It's this deeper understanding that pettiness and jealousies and insecurities aside their actions, their demeanour and their conversations can shape or break the success of the delegation. So, responsibilities comes first above all. And I love how they each recognise and value this in the other. Really terrific.
It's going well. Evil stepmother gives me the heebiejeebies each time I see her. But I suppose, well done to the actor playing her. Heartbreaking scene with the Midam CEO there. So much grief and loss. She cried like a child. But LSY's acting skills are never in question. ML doing well too -- micro expressions are good, and the gravitas in his voice and presence, belies his youth. I just wish he spoke a little faster or in a more timely manner. The writer keeps forcing him to miss a conversational beat--not sure why that is? 🧐 The relationship between LSY and JHY delights me: such humour, such sisterhood, and camaraderie. For 2 Joseon women, caught out of time and place, they excel at making everything work. Great fun so far! . . . That scene in the garden with the clothesline was beautiful. As usual k-dramas enough poeticism to fill my bucket. Reminiscent of the rain kiss scene from Our Beloved Summer. Another drama where the cinematography was the lead actor. This one isn't there yet but the clothesline scene was softly poetic. Loved it.
How do the show runners and scriptwriter do it? It gets better and better. These last 2 eps were whoah. Terrific character development and meaningful but spare dialogues. The acting and emotion is so nuanced. Everyone is a freaking adult. Princess Yang Ying has to be my fave thus far - just in terms of sheer character development.
What a ride! I loved it. It was unapologetically crazy, whackadoodle storyline which they committed to. So many twists and turns but moments of feeling and growth and hope. 12 eps was the perfect length. Hats off to the scriptwriter for a tight story sans filler, and kudos to the director for pulling out all the stops. Such a satisfying story where all the villains get their justified comeuppance - not a spark of redemption in sight! ⭐️🔥🧨⭐️🔥🧨
Eps 13 and 14 were epic! The ensemble cast is really well done. The whole musketeers and camaraderie aspect is well thought out. I like the nuances that are two main leads are bringing to their characters and roles. Well thought out, astute and sophisticated acting. The calibre of acting is definitely not your run of the mill wuxia. The FL is epically badass! The CP is also no joke, I'm enjoying how adult they both are. Word and war weary leaders carrying a heavy load only to meet a kindred spirit (after much artifice removal) on the enemy lines. The commentary on kingship and politics is clever as well. Princess Yang Ying was incredible in ep 13. She was, perhaps, the weaker link in the preceding eps but in 13 she was a monster. Very well done! Definitely the best, so far, historical dramas for this year in terms of story, acting and direction. This is what Kunning Palace could have been in the hands of a significantly better director and storywriter.
You should really try When I fly towards you it’s honestly really cute, it’s almost the same with this one.…
I enjoyed Time and Him are Just Right. The story wasn't much but the leads and the story of friendships really lifted it. :). Our Secret was my introduction to CZ. After watching that drama and his others, I've realised that given the quality of dramas, he is inevitably better than he needs to be. A good actor. I found the adaptation of Hidden Love spot on. Well cast, well acted, and reasonably well directed.
TJC is perfectly cast. I'd forgotten how smooth he was in the books. And so unflappable and low-key without being cold and unfeeling. I do have a nitpick tho -- what's with all the beautifying filters, skin smoothing, and the soft focus? It's throwing me off and pulls me out of the scene. Director-nim less is more. Let's avoid gilding the lily, hmmm?
LTG and Princess Chue are murderously adorable. Who knew? Although LTG is a massively manipulative shit. And she isn't short in the brains and political stratagems department either. But the relative equality of the competition between them and interaction sans hostility was nice to see. Didn't think these two feral cats could be cute but they were!
Duke of Chue -- limited screen time aside -- shines with his political smarts.
The actor playing the Emperor of Wu did a stellar job in making him into a loathsome, narcissistic cockroach. The sudden mood shifts, lightning fast expression and tonal changes were cleverly done. Easy to see how someone like that would be an unreliable ruler but very good at self-preservation.
NYZ's interaction with the emperor in the pagoda was one of the pivotal scenes of the drama. Complete, unequivocal and clearly stated break between emperor and loyal subject. Terrific piece of acting there. The way he smiled at the emperor was like a knife at the throat.
YY continues to impress with her equanimity. Time spent with the shifu is clearly paying off. Although, I think the moment of her identity reveal is going to happen soon. The emperor of Wu is unreliable at best and malicious at worst. His priority is himself. And he's willing to sacrifice anything and everything to reclaim his coveted throne. It'll be interesting to see to what extent his sense of preservation can keep his ego in check.
Almost at the last third now. So, all the action should be picking up now. Plus, our musketeers haven't experienced any serious losses yet. I can see that hurt coming down the line.
So far, best historical c-drama of the year. Splendidly done all round. Pity it won't get the applause and praise and visibility it deserves because of stupidly pointless fandom, stardom shenanigans.
I'm enjoying it massively.
I think the two of them as rulers or as the second most powerful people in their respective kingdoms would be a great take. And I imagine that the mystery surrounding his birth will become front and centre at some point. The old lecher of An is going to die. The two princes are lost causes. So who does that leave? LTG. Unless the writer decides to throw us a curve ball and have LTG married to the Duke of Cu's daughter (the current fiancé) -- but that would very much be a political alliance. And I don't see much growing happening there. The power is clearly skewed in his favour between them. All of her's comes from her father.
YY, on the other hand, is rapidly gaining polish, smarts and political acumen. Her moment with NYZ about safeguarding the delegation above all was a quiet moment of regality. In one swoop, she overshadowed her brothers and her sister-in-law, the empress, with only LL and NYZ witnessing it. A marriage - even if it starts as a political one -- between the two of them, where both are equal, opens up many more avenues. In fact, I would be surprised if his interaction with YY doesn't increase once he's with the delegation and the usual jockeying for place takes place. I'm going to enjoy watching him being taken down a notch.
I think YL and YY are adorable. But the read like besties to me with some subliminal vibes. I don't think he's cut out to be Fuma.
Hurrah for a couple that acts like the experienced and mature adults that they are and talk things through. Again, full marks to the scriptwriter. It's this deeper understanding that pettiness and jealousies and insecurities aside their actions, their demeanour and their conversations can shape or break the success of the delegation. So, responsibilities comes first above all. And I love how they each recognise and value this in the other. Really terrific.
For 2 Joseon women, caught out of time and place, they excel at making everything work.
Great fun so far!
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That scene in the garden with the clothesline was beautiful. As usual k-dramas enough poeticism to fill my bucket. Reminiscent of the rain kiss scene from Our Beloved Summer. Another drama where the cinematography was the lead actor. This one isn't there yet but the clothesline scene was softly poetic. Loved it.
Now, she, is on a hero's journey.
Princess Yang Ying was incredible in ep 13. She was, perhaps, the weaker link in the preceding eps but in 13 she was a monster. Very well done!
Definitely the best, so far, historical dramas for this year in terms of story, acting and direction. This is what Kunning Palace could have been in the hands of a significantly better director and storywriter.
I found the adaptation of Hidden Love spot on. Well cast, well acted, and reasonably well directed.