heerayni

Out of sheer desperation, I started watching Justice in the Dark. 7 episodes in... it's so well done!

Eternal Faith too.

I would like to share an observation with you all.

I feel like what gets lost in translation, literally and metaphorically when it comes to this story and the novel in particular is that it is a COMEDY first and foremost which then turns to Romance. And in that sense it has all kinds of comedy in it. From Slapstick to wordplay to situational to dark humor.
It's not supposed to be taken as a very serious romance novel, because that is not what it is, nor should the relationship in it idealized. This novel is different from Addicted, which was a forbidden DRAMATIC ROMANCE. CounterAttack is a comedy, and comedies can take some liberties with reality for comedic purposes which this story definitely take. If any of you read Chai Jidan's "Feng Mang" it is even more comedic than this one. But Advance Bravely again is more a Romance with some Action and very slight comedy.

That is the MAIN change in this adaptation. She has changed the Genre of the story itself. This drama is a fair and square RomCom. It's the same story, but just by dialing down the slapstick and unrealistic comedic scenes and by taking out the darkness of the original story, she has improved it a lot. Of course the transition is not perfect and how can it be when the original work is so flawed, but this is a vast improvement.

OMG, he is perfect casting for Lee Jaewook's character. It's the real meaty role in the original Drama and Xuning will be perfect for it. Beautiful, Arrogant, Aggressive but also deeply sensitive.

The inspiration to seduce this GUY that is dating his EX is suspicious in the first place. No straight guy would think of that, even for revenge. They will think of exposing the girl or confronting the Rival even a physical attack, but to seduce the same-sex rival is not something ANY totally straight guy would ever come up with.

8.9!!! Steady now people! The Director says that the going actually gets going from episode 9 onwards, and if that is accurate then we are in for a monumental run. I just changed my rating for the series yesterday and I am glad to see that people are now rating it higher. Steady on!

You know what... I am one of those, watch 1 or 2 episodes of a drama and then wait-for-all-episodes-and-binge later if it's interesting, usually. But very rarely a show would come along that I can't stay patient for, and will dive in while it's airing and keep going. And I am lucky I chose to dive in for this one. It is so consistently good! And I think my knowing the story is adding to the thrill for me because my anticipation for what is coming is even higher, and I am also getting the time to go back and watch previous episodes to really enjoy all the beats. I am also immensely enjoying camping here in this comment section.
So unless things go really downhill in the Drama. I think I made the best decision and for this one, i agree with you.

GIRLLLLLL.... You have to watch ZLH in The Story of the Kunning PALACE... I am telling you! I absolutely fell in love with him in that. He is so menacing, towering and sharp and an absolute JOY to watch as Xie Wei. And the DRAMA is so good. His dynamic with Bai Lu is just perfection! The romance is SLOW BURN, but done absolutely wonderfully. Him as Xie Wei is why he is SO perfectly cast as San Lang! I think they even Shot the whole thing. I am just praying tht they can also sell the Drama to an outside company, like Sha Po Lang has been sold.
As for the last part about that all-consuming all-sacrificing love that messed you up. I totally understand and I believe it totally does exist.
We are so consumed by our own selves on a daily basis that we never stop to wonder, why go through all the beats of life if there is no resonance, no belonging, no devotion and no catharsis? These are the feelings and questions a good piece of literature should evoke in you. And MXTX's work does it so wonderfully. Whether it's SVSS, GDC or HOB.
Untamed or GDC is about the path of truth and how the right companion will help you get through the biggest obstacles in your way. Someone who understands your soul and believes in your goodness.

SVSSS (Scum Villain System) is about the price of compassion and Kindness, and how you cannot half-ass it and have to go all the way and hold yourself responsible for your actions. And how actions have consequences a little kindness to someone who is starved for it can turn into the biggest challenge that threatens your very existence even though they themselves mean you no harm.

TGCF (Heaven Official's Blessing) is about absolute devotion, absolute sacrifice and Absolute corruption. And how God-hood is only as strong as the God in question. It's about the power of belief. The power of Kindness and about questioning POWER itself.

I could go on... but I think you get my point.

I mean, I know you think you won't be able to handle the novels.. but they are written so nicely, I think reading the novels will help you dissect the subject matter and help you understand and process it better, because it's just explained more elaborately in written word. I highly recommend that you read the books too.

I said this exact same thing a few days back when only the 4 episodes were out and everyone was scared for it being allowed to air. That this is going to be GREAT for the Actors especially with in CHINA if they are ANY GOOD, because BLs build a loyal fanbase for them not only internationally, but also at the home base. China is HUGE and BL is HUGE in China, even if it's underground. So this will do wonders for their careers, and they know it. Regardless of censorships and stuff in place. Even if it gets taken down, it will still give huge visibility to the actors involved.

Omg... The kiss from HIStory: Obsessed was my favourite for a long time!

Also We BEST Love... that whole sad breakdown and Forced kiss scene in Season 2 is LEGENDARY.. They both acted it out of the ballpark. I don't freaking care about red flags... That scenario was born out of pure love and longing and desperation and no one can change my mind about it.

That kiss in the first Addicted adaptation, which is now deleted, when Bai Louyin finally gives in to his feelings for Gu Hai... it was short, but it was GORGEOUS. I love how Gu Hai wakes up realizes its Lou Yin kissing him and just gets in on it, in a split second, it's so GU Hai and Johnny just nailed it!

Semantic Error went BOLD for SK. and that Kiss in the restaurant was totally worth the push and pull. It helps that Jaeyoung (Seo Ham) is such a looker, the way his eyes shine for Sang U... DUDE, I want me a love like that!

I think Eighth Sense had some lovely kisses.

Bad Buddy was so good, I am going to re-watch it one of these days.

Have not seen Century of Love, will add that to the list for sure.

I agree with most of your list. Was not expecting a Takumi Kun mention though! I guess we are both OG BL fans. As shoe-string budget as Takumi kun was, the series will always be close to my heart. It's so emotional and nuanced. I hope to see a remake someday.

Oh God! This is exactly my trajectory of grief as well. I so relate to this.
Tbh, as someone who was already a huge fan of Grandmaster of Diabolism, the danmei and the Anime, Untamed was very near PERFECT. And it helped that drama hugely, that the romantic arc in the story kind of only resolves at the end. The tension is there through out, they only had to cut perhaps the ONE "blindfold scene" in the middle and the rest was mostly as it was supposed to be.
My heart still clenches for Heaven Official's Blessing (eternal faith)... Once again starring my favorite Cdrama actor (Zhang Linghe) as the lead and lavishing in Censorship limbo. I don't know how much more of this tragedy I can take.

We are SPOILED I tell you. We are brats already!

But if I am real with you, there is kind of a sweet spot for me when it comes to kissing and intimate scenes. Like a kiss that lingers for more than 3 mins feels more voyeuristic than cathartic, you know... unless there are more emotions and beats that kiss is trying to address if you know what I mean.

Nicely angled indeed... but I can only be contented with a proper at least 2 minutes long kiss.... JUST SAYING ..

LOL, I came across the "Argument" section just last night LOL... and thought to myself, they surely are arguing a lot for something they have not even fully seen.

Dude Advance Bravely had the best possible Casting too! And it is still one of my favorite novels by Chai JiDan. I just LOVE what a simp YUAN ZONG is. He is Chai's best written ML if you ask me and Jason was so freaking perfect in that role... I am happy for the wonderful career Gong Jun went on to have, but it was going to be Jason's lauchpad and it just ruined his trajectory. My heart still cries tears of despair on that production getting absolutely butchered.
But this is giving me hope! I hope and wish and pray that Chai would try and get Advance Bravely made again. She has the greatest eye for casting too. Just look at the casting of this Drama. But I know she is itching to get Feng Mang made now before anything else. It's her personal favorite and Mine too. But I still want justice for Advance Bravely.

Hello fellow war veteran LOL... I was here through the terrible Advance Bravely and Beloved Enemy crack down, somehow so many OG fans have not seen Beloved Enemy, it was the first production to have to go into censoring re-writes in the middle of shooting. They made it work somehow... but the crux of the conflict was gone and it became more of a corporate drama bromance, but not a very convincing one because the chemistry was too much. Also, lets observe a moment of Silence for how they ruined "The Guardian" Those were some Dark days! I totally understand the PTSD...

I mean, yea, it is a Kiss, but it's an extorted Kiss.. And it was not even shown all that properly. LOL I think they will focus more on it when it's a LOVE kiss... if you know what I mean??

People have entirely too much time on their hands to spend it on things they dislike... LOL
I would rather spend it on something I like. As I am.
Are you possibly talking about that new Taiwanese BL that just started and the grand father's soul gets reawakened in the Grandson's body??

The only GRIPE I have so far is that we have not seen a PROPER PROPER kiss, until now. In the past 3 episodes they have been actively cutting away from scenes where WE KNOW it's happening. That is the only complain I have... Either, they have gotten cold feet... OR They are building up to something EXPLOSIVE that will be for the BL hall of fame... I am hoping for the LATTER. Fingers crossed, Tits bra-ed. knock on woood...

It's not supposed to be all serious at all. The novel is like this too rofl...