jvinhpham0912

uhmmm why did this got pushed off the coming soon timeline on Iqiyi. Anyone knows?

Okay? You seem to have pretty strong dislike to Minglan. I guess I liked the plot of Minglan a lot. I just like that style. It's like a marathon instead of a race to the end. It feels like experiencing the life with the character. You can feel differently. Idk what else to say. I thought it was a cool idea to use candle and natural light only instead of artificial lighting for the production. It came out ok. I didn't love it or hate it. It's an idea and it works for some and doesn't work for others. I don't think Zanila acting was amazing but she fits the aura of the character. I also think that entire cast was amazing. Every cast member in that show was solid and make that world feel even more real. I like the pacing and story telling there. They could quicken it a bit for sure, but in the end I was glad to go on the journey with the show. Like I said though agree to disagree. No one said to film a plant for hours. You're just taking what I'm saying out of proportion to make a point. I don't need to defend minglan. I think the show speaks for itself. It's not a comment about Minglan to begin with. You're free to dislike it. I disagree but that's the thing about opinion on any artform, we don't have to agree. I was literally just trying to talk about JJL the drama and how I feel about it. This conversion just went off into Minglan for some reason. There's something missing about this drama JJL in the emotional scenes (not everything else) and some of the schemes ... personally I feel like PXR is the most watchable part of the drama. The way it is now, something is just a little off for me. That's literally all I was trying to say. I respect your opinion though.

I don't understand chinese culture enough to catch the issues you talked about with Zanila acting in Minglan. I also never read the novel. I just enjoy the show a lot for the way it was done. I just think she hits the emotional notes of her character very well. Minglan to me isn't the same as Xiyi in One and only. She's not actually a soft and quiet girl but a very wild & fiery woman that love to shine but was forced to conform to stay alive in the cruel society & family. Her personality when she was a child before her mother's death is who she truly is. That's why without knowing much about the etiquette for noble and ancient girl, in terms of emotional notes, Zanila give Minglan that quiet and obedient pretense to cover a fiery temper. I think she just fit the role very well in that respect. You prob right about the walk and etiquette stuff. Idk enough to speak on it. I really mention Minglan because I enjoy the writing not really to debate on Zanila's acting. I think Minglan's plot is much better written. Every script with in genre will feel cliche since they are a genre for a reason. However, I like the family dynamic in scheming instead of always making it about politics and royal family. To me, there's something more dark and sad about simply observe how the everyday life of women in those times back then, without using some politics to add to the stake. It shows how trapped life is for women back then. I just think PXR would do well with a script that's better written with more depth.

In terms of production, I'm not talking about the "dark" esthetic. I am talking about the way some scenes are paced and edited. As well as the way some actors were clearly directed to act. This show spending more time telling you what's happening than actually show it to you. I like a show where us as the audience do the thinking and is experiencing the intrigue and mistery alongside the characters. Added to that is the fast pacing in important emotional scene. The background music was weirdly mismatched in some scenes since the first ep and took me out of emotional scenes. The pacing is a little too quick in certain moments. In an emotional scenes, you can't just cut things off to move on to the next plot point. You use camera work, background music and pace the scene to suck the audience into the moment. They failed to do that for me. Just when I got into a scene, it's like "CUT" you get the point, moving on. The way that first opening scene was done... I was laughing tbh. The whole throne room full of servant and officials just watched as she screamed and jumped on the table? LOL No reaction span to built the atmosphere in the room either. The way the scene was directed to happened it's like a kid's play. Then, cut next scene. It's not about budget you are right. Directing is about how they set the scene and built the world for us to immerse in. This show is ok but if as an audience truly trying to get into the show, I kept feeling "cut off'' and a little confused by the reaction of support character in different scene. That's a testament to the director's work. There are lots of show with worst budget but so well directed and executed. This is not it.

On to the writing... I meannnnn You cannot compare the schemes and the way it's presented in Minglan vs JJL. You can basically guess everything they "investigating" once that plot line started. The way some schemes are written is a bit shallow for the huge royal shake down the show is trying to be. It's not bad by any means, but I expected more when watching this genre.

I mentioned "high quality" offer. What I meant by that is offer from more popular or smaller but talented directors, since her talent is not yet known. I'm not talking about money alone. Anyways all an alll, the show is a B+ but not an A. We can go back and forth all day on Minglan but end of the day, feelings and hearts don't lie. I went into Minglan with lower expectation than JJL due to not knowing any of the actors well. I came out sobbing and hurting for each heartache Minglan went through and feel sad for every woman on that show, even the evil ones. JJL hasn't done that but that's not the actor's fault bc every time I started to be moved, different element took me out of the scene and that "cut off" feeling keep reoccurring. I can't dissect why in details, as I'm not well verse enough in Film production to pin point it. However, it's not my job to do that. It's my job to watch with an open mind and let the show move me. Like I said JJL did ok but that's literally bc of PXR. I'm also a fan of hers since Goodbye my princess. I wanted to love this show so much. So far it's a fun watch, with low rewatch value. It's not complicated and intriguing enough for me to watch multiple times to pick up on cues and subtle reaction/small details from different characters I missed the first time like I did with Minglan. There's just lots of layers I was expecting that wasn't met. Minglan production made of lot of interesting choices with the lighting. It's really a matter of opinion on how ppl feel. It's cool to just see them experiment it. I mean what is art if you don't take some risk. I find it cool in a way but others find it off putting. That's how it is some times. I really would have to agree to disagree with you on the pacing and writing of Minglan being worse than JJL. They don't even come close to me. MingLan is the kind of show you sit through the world building and set up to enjoy the pay off from the attachment they created with the audience. They're a little slow at first but they have the episode number to build that up so why rush. I don't want to make this about Minglan though since that's not what my comment meant to do.

But what is on the prescription she gave Lu Yun Qi....?

I get what you mean. The editing, directing choices and cinematography really is a bit lacking. The story is typical revenge plot. It's decent for C-drama these days, but not enough to be excellent. Just the way certain moments are directed and edited feels bit off. However, this is a low budget web drama, PXR is still considered a newer actress, so it's not a huge surprise that this is what she landed on, since I don't think she's getting high quality offer yet. I do have to say though, she makes the show watchable. Some of the directing and writing were so shallow but bc of the way she acted it out, I find it more touching. She carry this whole show. She was able to exude that sadness and depressed state that her character is in, without constant tears. When She smiles, there's still sadness and a sense of determination in her eyes. That's good acting. I don't think Tang Yan did that for me with Weiyoung. She's a decent actress but her interpretation of emotion is quite one dimensional.

This one of those shows that's trying to be much more complex than the writers capable of writing. It's still watchable and entertaining though if you turn your brain off a bit and just enjoy the acting from the female lead. The girl can act... Her scenes are the most interesting parts of the show. I can't wait to see more from her. I can see her blowing up in a more complex character with good writing. Something like Minglan type of plot would be amazing with her in it. I hope more offer will come her way.

Yeah. Right now the gov is straight up deleting celebs off the internet for every little offenses... It's too dangerous to even try to get around the issue. Might as well give it time and make a new production based on the same novel. It will just be a different drama and let this version be gone forever.

Thank you!! That's great to know. I've been hesitant but I'll sign up to watch it on there

Yup! Also one of my favs!

This will either get shelved altogether or reshoot everything all over again, which would cost a lot. It's a logistic nightmare to try to cut and paste just kris wu scenes with another actor and have it all become a mess. May be Che Zhe Yuan will get ML role now. He's a way better actor anyway.

She's a very very solid actress. My amazing boyfriend 2 had a weird script and directing from the start. Her acting in there was still quite fun and good. Just from the editing and weird directing choices and storyline, you can tell she got stuck with a bad production with that one. That was also earlier in her career where she can't pick and choose. Every drama i've seen of her since then has been wonderful and she makes every character she plays come to life in a unique way that only Esther can do. You can tell she learns and gets more intentional with her acting with each drama. She's a very smart actress with the way she approach her scenes. Idk who's hating on her but I watch dramas just because she's in it. Dylan is 50/50. I think depends on his partner and directing, he can shine. He's not as seasoned as an actor as Esther but I think she can bring their chemistry to life regardless, bc of how she works with her partner. I think this can be a great pair. The character description already fits her to a T. I'm excited for this!

100% agree on both Our Secret and Forever Love. Sweet teeth was pretty decent. I was skeptical at first but it ended up being a nice treat. I didn't like quite a few parts in it so it's also a B tier for me but it was a fun watch.

OMGGGG The parallel between the two of them standing outside each other bedroom and the similar scene in One and Only when they were stuck in the other land and he stood outside her door all night. Ahhhhhh

I'm confused. Why are we talking about this? In his over dramas, it's unclear if he actually did the kiss scene and he clearly avoid it but did everyone not see the kiss in ep 9? There's definitely no question there. It's his face with his lips touching hers clear as day. There's no way all the different angles can be fakes. It's their face...? Clearly he's making adjustment to his usual style for this show. It's not some crazy passionate kiss but it's enough for now. I think they'll have other ways to show intimacy and may be more kisses. I don't see why he would avoid more of them if he's already doing 1 kiss scene. I think with their chemistry, they can be intimate with just a couple real kisses. Why is this even a discussion?

Kinda. He eventually learn to love her but he really never treat her properly. He kept getting swindled and hurt her over and over again by taking the villain side over her. Afterwards, he was forgiven pretty quickly. In my opinion, he didn't earn it but that's the simple and easy-to-please person that the sis in law is. It's expected but I still feel for the sis in law. He did nothing to earn her trust again but he's just forgiven because she can't hold grudges even if she try. Oh well. It's just a little annoying

Thank you! I feel bad for I always ended up word vomiting way for than I intended. Part of the reason why I love the discussions on this platform. Through exchanging opinions, it let me reflect and write about my experience!

Sorry this ended up being so long. I just started to reflect on what makes me love this show and get too into it..... Hope you give it a read!
I think Forever love is more about how they handle the life challenge together as an adult couple, mainly in college and after. It's a slightly different stage than what Secret focus on. Our secret really dives into the puppy love and each of the shortcomings in both of their personality that held them back and how they grow to overcome it and be brave enough to be with each other & be themselves. The main issue really end once they got together and communicated all the little "secrets" about their feelings and vulnerability that they were too immature, insecure & stubborn to express before. The other parts following that is really just for the sake of tidy up the drama and help show that their love can sustain challenges. Both shows are good and focus on different angle I think. I just really like this FL. Her timid & stubborn side in school causing her to suffer silently & can't express herself really hits home for me. They did execute it really well, where you understand her & she's not painted as a pest. She was immature but she was brave and has her reasons for her insistence. Without it, they would never have ended up together. Even tho plot wise, more events and drama happened in Forever love and it's all well written. Aside from the slight issues at the start, the couple very maturely handled it all. Almost too mature for their age but their upbringing and experience in high school played into that. It's nice to watch and I love it. However, on the emotional notes, Our secrets hit my heart differently from the start. I'm more attached to the character here because they were more flawed & relatable in different ways. Most of us never experience the level of family turmoil and dramatic events like most drama characters. In high school, we were prob just as immature as DX & XY. Every problem at home and in school felt so big and dramatic. Then, we got knocked down disappointed when the world hit us in the face. Some of us brave ahead; Some grew insecurities and became unsure of our worth and had to work through that fear. This show more about how they overcome the knots in their hearts & grow to know who they are. There's more emotional development than really plots and drama. Both shows are just different. For me, I feel a piece of myself in this show. Whereas Forever Love felt like a beautiful satisfying love story of someone else's life. I relate to it and love it in the best way a 3rd party would.

That's awesome. I didn't mind it either way. I feel like now that he knows Xiao Yue is plenty capable to clear his dad's name on his own down the line, but thank you!

I don't think there's really any resolution to his father injustice and none was needed. He suffered an injustice but there's not much can be done and what happened drew his family closer. That's it really. Xi Yue decided to not use the information to clear his dad's name in exchange to being a corporate spy and they showed that he did the right thing. That's the whole conclusion from his convo with his dad afterwards. His dad had no more regrets or anger over what happened anymore and through all of it, he realizes what's most important and they found their father son connection again. He recovered from his illness and they were able to live happy life regardless of what they went through. I think that's the lesson. Sometimes that's how life is. There's unexpected blessing from misfortune and what's important is how you face it. There's always going to be some things left to be desired but I think leaving it a little open is in a way the best kind of ending bc life doesn't tie perfectly with a bow at the end. This is just a chapter of their life. It shows their life continues with hope and love for everyone. Every character got the knot in their heart resolved to open themselves to their future. There's no need to push random character in the end just to make it perfect. If you look at it that way, it's quite sweet and realistic

If you haven't watched it, you should try Forever love. It came out a year ago I think but kind of similar, pure, innocent high school crush into college love story. The set up is a little different where both of them are very outstanding in school from the start but different circumstances. When I first started this show, I was kind of reminded of Forever Love. It's not as good as Our Secret but I think I'm just biased right now bc this show hits the nostalgia differently for me. Forever Love has a pretty sweet and satisfying story as well. Solid acting and chemistry

Ohhhh ok. I prob missed that part. So she just needs to be close to the bracelet not wearing it. She was able to use her gravitational power to spazz things up, so I thought she would just teleport if the bracelet is off. That makes sense.