janec

If that's what the author of the statement meant, she could have said it directly, not accuse me of not being able to read her intentions. I'm really not a telepath :(

I agree completely. The exposition had too much flash and not enough actual content.

Hey, you're the one who commented on whether I am or am not married. As far as I know, such a topic belongs to the group of personal topics. So not a question, but a comment some might find offensive. Fortunately I am not one of those people :)
By the way, as I'm not a telepath, I can't read other people's intentions. I can only read words.
I wish you a nice day as well :)

I hope I've satisfied your curiosity, although I have no idea why you would bring my private life into this. Someone might consider your comment a lack of tact, not a joke. Someone might even consider that according to you, living in a marriage is condoning being taken advantage of. Well, but whatever you like :)

After the first episode, I can say that I give this drama a chance. It's not perfect. I'm annoyed by the music, which is too American, and when I watch fantasy dramas set in Eastern culture, I like to have music with Eastern elements, like the use of some Eastern instrument. I have the impression that this is a drama for younger viewers, made on the basis of some IP, because it has very typical patterns for the currently popular IPs. I am not happy with FL, who should be badass and acts like a virtue trembling that she will lose her flower. It's such a minor character inconsistency. I don't know why in k-dramas a woman isn't afraid to slaughter a man, but panics at the very thought of the possibility of sex. Additionally, FL definitely does not sin with reason.

But we do get a pretty cool (so far) ML who has brains, courage, and personality. We also have some funny scenes, although the humor is rather simple. We also have the potential for a pretty cool comedy with an interestingly constructed romantic plot. The second episode promises to be pretty good, so we'll see what it brings us.

When we start watching a drama, we don't know if we will like it or not. We don't know whether watching a particular production will bring us pleasure or not.
This drama is very good, very well made, but if a woman is not in the mood for masochism at the moment, even if she likes her friend in general, she should be able to walk away from him and not force herself to accept suffering that she can avoid and doesn't want to.
It's not like when I start watching a drama I vow to love it, to be faithful for better or for worse, and that I'll watch it to the end even if it gives me unpleasant, unwanted emotions ;)

Thank you, I understand what you mean. Just why do you think playing with these actresses is a reward?
Notice, please, that for several years now, it is Xiao Zhan who is commonly called the god of wealth, it is he who holds the most popularity. This year will be the fourth year. Playing alongside goddesses is a good way to shoot up when you are an aspiring leader, but Xiao Zhan is the leader. At the time he aspired, he played with Yang Zi, meaning he collaborated with a goddess, and we all know that while TOOL aired on the platform, his popularity was much higher than hers. Actually, in his case, I am in conclusion that Xiao Zhan is the prize for aspiring actresses - as in YGY.

I think I really understand what you mean. A role alongside a goddess would be, in the eyes of a certain group of fans, a sort of confirmation of Xiao Zhan's status, his crowning achievement. You can be famous, talented, popular, but only if you play alongside a goddess can you really legitimately wear the crown. It's kind of the icing on the cake confirming your status. Okay, I understand, thank you. I may not agree with that way of thinking, but I respect that view and thank you for clarifying.

I just think that Xiao Zhan no longer needs any promotion, no icing on the cake, no new honor or confirmation of his status. In my humble opinion, his collaboration with the goddess won't do him any good, it only risks a fan war and a new wave of hate from envious fans of other actors. But of course that's my opinion and I respect yours :)

Feeling pity for someone just because they don't have your taste is a tad... Let's say someone should do some reading on the three views. I appreciate your concern, but I worry that in the adult world your lack of tolerance for other views and tastes and disrespect for other people could get you in trouble :)

The Untamed was not a big production and Xiao Zhan himself got very little money. The quality of this production is not the best either. Special effects are nonexistent, CGI is poor and when the Styrofoam cave wall trembled when skinny Xiao Zhan rested his hand on it, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. But I admit that Xiao Zhan gave this drama a unique charm. In my personal opinion, the drama is rather poor. It may be the most popular, but it's not the best quality. But everyone has their own taste.
Every role of Xiao Zhan is different, new and he tries new genres that bring him fans from new circles, but I get the impression that some fans would see him ONLY in xianxia alongside a famous actress, as if he can't stand on his own feet but has to rely on his partner's popularity. Or as if the only big production is the one where the protagonist flies on a sword, although when I recall flying on a sword in The Untamed I am overcome with hollow laughter.
I have the impression that in some cultures an assumption has been established that the more something has more publicity, more momentum, is talked about more and costs more, the better it is. A good movie is only one that has lots of CGI, a famous cast and great publicity, even if it's a movie about absolutely nothing.

True acting talent is best seen without the glamour of costumes, without filling the screen with fake flowers and computer-made magic.

That's why I'm still hoping someone can explain to me why they're so keen on Xiao Zhan starring in a big production, and what they consider a big production when his past dramas don't qualify. I would really like to understand this.

Romance is present in a lot of dramas and although it is not a major part of the plot, it is there as one of the threads.
I personally don't like romance. Here are two of them. One is beautiful and tragic, the other is more of a "I'll sacrifice anything for you" kind of romance, and I think it's tragic too, but the plot hasn't resolved yet, so I don't know. The first romance is really remarkable. They love each other, but they can't be with each other. This is already shown in about the fifth episode. Then the relationship between them is shown, and the way it's portrayed I think is really touching and beautiful, and it's been a long time since any romance made such an impression on me. The second romance is, as I said, rather typical should appeal to most.
But it is really a story of brotherhood, friendship, honor and ambition. The characters struggle on the road of their lives and they are accompanied by women who have stories of their own. In my opinion, this is a well told story with a well written romance or maybe more of a melodrama if we want to be precise. There are some sweet scenes and there are some heartbreaking ones. The first romance reminds me a bit of "Gdbyee My Princess".
For me, the story is really engaging and passionate. Very touching. The first romance is something really beautiful and I will definitely remember this story for a long time.

I'm thinking of quitting this drama. I don't feel like watching characters I've grown fond of die one by one, and that's what I'm expecting for the last eight episodes. I really don't need to cry my eyes out.

I seriously don't understand what people mean by this: "I hope he gets a big project". Are you guys hoping for a tragedy the size of Titanic? What's with your mania for greatness and what is a big project?
Douluo Dalu was a big project based on a big IP. The production quality for c-ent terms is excellent.
Ace Troops was a very big project in the military drama genre. There were a lot of people involved in the project, big names in production, and the drama had a big enough momentum that you don't even see in Hollywood productions. Great F/X.
TLP is the most S+ of the possible S+. When I got acquainted with the achievements of some of the creators of this drama - really impressive portfolio. I recommend checking it out. TLP is probably the most expensive Tencent project of last year.
WDB is a very big project with a lot of importance. The people working in the production have a lot of recognition in c-ent circles. This production is supposed to be in a class by itself.
DLD has been a big, elite theater production for ten years. Each show is eight hours on stage. Thirty actors, hundreds of costumes, a specially built stage.

So explain to me, please, what are "big productions" in your opinion? Xianxia alongside a famous actress? What is big about that?
Why in your opinion are Xiao Zhan's past dramas not big? What are they missing? The budget? Do you know what budget these dramas have?
Seriously, I really don't understand your concept of a big drama, will you explain it to me, please?

It's been a long time since I've seen a drama that allowed me to get so involved in the characters' lives. And I'm not talking about the main characters and the main plots.

Maybe because I'm a yiejie fan, have been in the job market for years and have been through more than one thing in my life, I really don't understand what you're worried about.
What you are saying, "a big project with famous actresses" is not a good way to secure a career. What you are saying is a way to end an acting career. Let me clarify.
Xiao Zhan started out as a liitle fressh meat. Do you know what that means? It means he has beauty, popularity, but he has no respect and talent and will be ignored by serious filmmakers and his popularity will be gone in three years at most. Little fresh meat to avoid this fate must take serious projects not "big projects with famous actresses." A serious project like WDB or DLaD is a way for filmmakers to recognize Xiao Zhan as worthy of good, not big productions, and it's a way to break away from the label of a face with no talent. "Big project," as you call it, is a bubble inflated by popularity that will burst and Xiao Zhan will be left with nothing. Can't you see that everyone is trying to catch serious dramas or else they will disappear from the industry? Do you know that professional regulations and the crisis have put thousands of actors out of work? Where Xiao Zhan is now, the fact that he is acting in serious projects without those three blown actress names is the best thing for him.
You've definitely heard about the fan wars. If Xiao Zhan played with any of the goddesses, the black fans would definitely make hundreds of provocations. No one needs that.
And finally, a question: why on earth would Xiao Zhan star in a big project with a famous actress? What does he need it for? His popularity and market value is unparalleled. His reputation is at its best and serious productions are reaching out for him. Why does he need to work with a famous actress? The only thing this collaboration will bring him is more black fans.
One last remark - maybe Xiao Zhan will star in such a big project to please Tencent. Or maybe he won't. Have you noticed that lately the most popular dramas are not S+ productions but smaller dramas shot with less flair and starring less popular actors? Why is that happening? Because viewers are tired of big productions with no content and only big names. Viewers who have already seen a hundred identical thought bubbles don't want to watch one more. Especially because actors and actresses who always play the same thing become boring and only appeal to their fans. Meanwhile, each of Xiao Zhan's projects is a completely different role and playing them gives fun to the actor and watching them brings him new fans constantly because he is constantly going beyond his circle.
So you really have nothing to worry about. Everything is exactly as it should be :)

An interesting case of unwarranted pessimism probably to provoke aggressive comments. Except that... You can try and try to sow doubt in fans, but you won't change reality. If his position in Chinese showbiz currently is second, no one dares to be first.
I'm glad you have a hobby, even if it's provoking others :)
Nice to see your pessimism after such a long break. I hope you are doing well :)

Actually, there is no official information even on whether he will join the theater. Melon says yes, because one actress wrote that they are coming back in December and posted some pictures on Weibo, including Xiao Zhan, so people are almost convinced that he will be back. However, there is no official information as to the cast of Dream Like a Dream. I personally think that Xiao Zhan will be in the theater.

There is no official information about Xiao Zhan's new drama. Melons have also gone a little quiet focusing on attacking the business. Some people claim that Xiao Zhan hasn't chosen a project yet, but that's nonsense because it takes up to years to prepare for a project, so he has to have a contract signed. Drama may decide that they will be very quiet with the project, which is not that unusual at all. It looks like Xiao Zhan is doing small projects now, probably as a backup for when he enters the new schedule, but everything is secret by secret :)

Are they even going to start filming a second season this year?
But seriously they're screwing with viewers. What are they waiting for, for the actors to get too old to act in this drama? Have they really not been able to assemble a crew for three years? Actors usually sign contracts for one year in advance, not three. If ML is so busy that he can't start shooting, I'm starting to ask, does this drama even matter to him? Why am I writing about ML? Because given the drama's structure, all the other characters have a lot less screen time and their work would close in a few shooting days each. And the production shouldn't conveniently blame the delay on the pandemic, because plenty of dramas shot during the pandemic have already premiered and new ones are being shot now too. Only they can't, poor things, get their act together. How can viewers be so disrespected?

Yes, I heard about September, but on average I hear about a new postponement in production every two months, so I'll only believe it when I see set photos, official or not.

You'll find the answer to this question a bit below, in case anyone accidentally comes across this post I'll give a little pause.



The father is the current reigning king of Da Qin (Da Qing?)

Rather yes, but with elements of science fiction and comedy and with less emphasis on the typical wuxia elements. Instead, there is some politics and court intrigue. In my opinion it is a neat hybrid between many genres, not pure wuxia, but it has quite a few elements of that genre and they are well done.

Good drama. Lots of laughs, some emotion, few boring scenes, mostly good rhythm and appropriate music. I haven't had as much fun as I did here in a long time.