i love this drama but i only have one problem with it. i thought the male lead gets better and has character development…
:-)
That's been the refrain from one camp of viewers, and if you haven't been pulled into the show out of curiosity about these characters, or taken a shine to the leads inspite of their personality traits, or been attracted by some aspect of their character then it'll be tough to stick to the show.
Maybe you already dropped the show ;-p but still I thought I'd chip in with my tuppence because you began your comment with "I love this drama".
The drama is a 'slow burn' in the sense that the relationship doesn't change overnight .. there are teeny teeny bits of movements (you'll miss it if you are not in full engagement mode) small chipping away and adapting .. For some of us that has been AS thrilling (squee moment of heart flutter) as potent as finger touching - handholding level of skinship in many saeguk / staid shows).
There is absolutely no way I'd agree with the statement that he stays the same. He takes bigger and bigger hit to himself emotionally / professionally / on his life risking and betting on people he has decided to trust. When he makes up his mind to trust, he'll stay loyal to the core .. but it's also a grey scale .. as we all humans are. In that this is ONE of the prime reasons we LOVE this how .. the REALNESS and Slice of Life Feel it creates.
And neither does Zhu Yun stay the same .. she too bends and adapts and changes in such small bits that if you aren't following their words and actions closely and connecting dots .. you'll miss the change. She literally turns 180 degrees from the girl traumatised by the "public" image of her as Li Xun's gf .. from the harsh incident of her best friend during her high school years that involved viral social media .. to the endgame which hammers in what she has evolved into. The endgame also brings into FULL FOCUS (for ALL the lead main and support characters in the show and for the viewer) the test and proof of what lies in the core of Li Xun's heart. Remember he is a VERY private person (as is Zhu Yun) and he is ambitious above all.
Would have written a more detailed analysis but it'll involve spoilers .. and you didn't mention how far you have watched .. so I just left most deets out :-D
Lastly, suggest just play by ear and feelings .. some shows we just cannot glom on to even though they were a HUGE HIT (MDL ratings / Dramabeans ratings / Viki Ratings unanimously), because the dramatic style of the show doesn't match (too linear / too looped), the theme doesn't match / the actors leave you cold / expectations aren't met.
That's the beauty of hanging out here .. we'll find our tribe and enjoy talking about shows we loved (why we loved them) with them :-D AS well as maybe have a back and forth with those sitting on the fence and wondering if its worth it, "did I miss something" feelings ;-p
I have had this drama on my watch list for some time.. finally finished watching the drama and I now understand…
To fully relish the drama it does require some basic understanding of the IT industry, gaming, programming, and the of era when Apps and smartphones were taking off .. It's a solid part of the meat of the story ..
JUST the relationship part of the story falls apart without this aspect since it's entwined in the core of Li Xun's life and dreams .. as well as Zhu Yun's who got 'infected' by the love of Programming same time as she got 'infected' by her love and adoration of Li Xun.
I've long suspected that one of the reason it's not captured the imagination of those who disliked the drama has to do with that.
There are other reasons too - I've been following this thread to even read the negative comments to understand what triggered viewers.
I personally have often dropped great, well made, highly rated shows NOT because they were bad .. some where VERY well made and promising, it's just that the jargon of the profession or intricacies of the work lives of the show went over my head ..
- Most 'finance / business' heavy shows (MONEYFLOWER??) or Game Based shows (O2O / Falling into you / King's Avatar / You are my Glory / Go Go Squid were all drops for me ) - Govt and Politics based shows (I cannot make out / differentiate party affiliations .. the one upmanship .. the Korean politics and system of govt etc where I'd need to REALLY need to SLOW down the viewing speed).
If the human relationship part of shows are not SOLID as well and ONLY focuses on the professional aspect .. then it's a DROP for me .. even though am sure its a great show with super actors.
ah...I miss the time when this was airing, will prpobably rewatch this winter if I will be in my angsty mood
It's my tasty bites drama .. I LOVE to go back again and again to pick up bits and pieces that I inevitable missed .. so many dots and hints and inferences to be made in this drama. A true blue gem
Didnt the professor agree to this? I believe because ML's idea was better and attracted a bigger number of students.…
Yes. That's what I recall. We infer that Li Xun had a convo with Proff Lin and college board and got permission to run the Base. He also argued for credits and payment if a project goes through for all those who sign up. And he persuaded them to drop the morning study class since it was not adding anything to upping their programming skills.
Li Xin was 100% correct (along with Proff Lin) talking and discussing Programming is going to take you ONLY so far .. "breaking a few keyboards" doing REAL LIFE programming for ACTUAL companies and projects is what will give them better skills to enter the job market.
It's a Practical heavy course ..
He was also prescient when he makes the observation that the College entrance test is a "watershed" .. from then onwards you are going to learn less and less from classes and text books and need to engage with the needs of the REAL world.
He's of course a genius and knows what is time wasting for himself .. but in setting up the base he created a win-win opportunity for himself (earn money and experience and get contacts to set up his own enterprise the fastest he can) as well and equip his fellow mates for the job world AND get the backup help he needs finishing projects that earn the Uni points, and influence and fame.
I guess there is a shortage of rooms .. this was an abandoned building . The club and Base were to share the space (Proff Lin probably knew the club would disband). Or the Uni was in a constant state of renovation (remember the gym-dance class was relocated also) And every Uni has some abandoned area that students start to use (eg the roof top Li Xun parked in and EVEN used a lock on ;-D
OK digressing.
I LOVE this drama SOO much - always something to be inferred and nibbled on
I'm not a fan of Chinese dramas but I'll try this one
Me neither .. (fist bump)
BUT I got pulled into one (the hook and first episode was powerful) : HIDDEN LOVE ... and then out tumbled (serendipity was unusually high) TWO more back to back .. and the some more after that.
Which therefore made me feel the same way .. Chinese dramas are getting slicker
struggling to continue watching it cuz the FL is unbearable. like whats up with the uni wide loud announcement…
He successfully tripped her up - there's a phrase 'hoisted her on her own petard" .. and that triggered her further .. His 'aura' of arrogance and aloofness got under her skin almost at first glimpse / contact ..
She is highly sensitive about how she is perceived by her cohort and peers .. That's how she is (has been all her life - the prim and proper well brought up daughter from a high status respectable family). That is where her character arc in the story begins, and it has a trajectory that will take her someplace else - Ren Di foretells that arc pretty early in the show.
In fact this plot point will take a deep significance at several different turning point of the story. In fact it's essential to the plot and showcasing the character's development.
He's not wronged her .. but put her in a spot .. under the limelight .. a place she absolutely loathes being in. He has effectively (arm twisting her own tactics) let her know "don't mess with me" .. all in a smooth silky way .. and she's flailing like a fish on a hook out of water.
Umm .. Depends on your taste.Some people LIKE dramatic irony - to be in the know of characters and events - and…
LOVELY!!!!
I was doing a mental list once about the significance of the lighter .. Of the moments the camera makes it the focus, the soundtrack picks out the "sound" (clicks) it makes (off camera) announcing either Li Xun's presence - Li Xun's Arrival - Li Xun's traces in Zhu Yun's memory. Is the Lighter the 'original lighter' his dad left him? Was the lighter getting almost irreparably damaged (foreboding of things to come for Li Xun) symbolic? Does Zhu Yun get it fixed - replacing old original parts with new ones. The dents smoothened .. and thus it's actually not the same lighter any more.
(Echoes of Ship of Theseus??)
I also was mentally making a list of the number of times Zhu Yun is addressed as Princess and the widely different context and connotation of the word 'princess' as Li Xun uses .. AS WELL as how Zhu Yun reacts to it .. pleased - irked - upset - feeling special - curious
It's a show that has made me return so frequently to pick out the hidden layers and nuggets tucked in it.
I wanna watch it but in the beginning there were so many spoilers and I HATE SPOILERS. i don't know if i should…
LOL
Just took a stroll through your Drama Iist and ratings you gave ..
I see a significant overlap with shows I liked .. so I'll take a 70-80% risk and suggest you go ahead and watch At least 3-4 episodes .. and then take a call ..
I wanna watch it but in the beginning there were so many spoilers and I HATE SPOILERS. i don't know if i should…
Umm .. Depends on your taste.
Some people LIKE dramatic irony - to be in the know of characters and events - and wait to see how it all gets tied up and joints revealed .. How the arcs marked space and time between two very far off points for the characters / story.
Some people prefer to follow a more linear story structure with minimal loops and backstories and complex narrative structures.
So if you belong to the second then this story will not only be confusing for you but also frustrating .. It's HIGHLY character arc linked and you'll have to have a holding space to connect the dots ..
I played detective and dug out nuggets in the show because there is SO much to be INFERRED I the show.
I'll go and check your Drama Loves and see if I can predict if you will like this show ;-p
That's been the refrain from one camp of viewers, and if you haven't been pulled into the show out of curiosity about these characters, or taken a shine to the leads inspite of their personality traits, or been attracted by some aspect of their character then it'll be tough to stick to the show.
Maybe you already dropped the show ;-p but still I thought I'd chip in with my tuppence because you began your comment with "I love this drama".
The drama is a 'slow burn' in the sense that the relationship doesn't change overnight .. there are teeny teeny bits of movements (you'll miss it if you are not in full engagement mode) small chipping away and adapting ..
For some of us that has been AS thrilling (squee moment of heart flutter) as potent as finger touching - handholding level of skinship in many saeguk / staid shows).
There is absolutely no way I'd agree with the statement that he stays the same. He takes bigger and bigger hit to himself emotionally / professionally / on his life risking and betting on people he has decided to trust. When he makes up his mind to trust, he'll stay loyal to the core .. but it's also a grey scale .. as we all humans are. In that this is ONE of the prime reasons we LOVE this how .. the REALNESS and Slice of Life Feel it creates.
And neither does Zhu Yun stay the same .. she too bends and adapts and changes in such small bits that if you aren't following their words and actions closely and connecting dots .. you'll miss the change.
She literally turns 180 degrees from the girl traumatised by the "public" image of her as Li Xun's gf .. from the harsh incident of her best friend during her high school years that involved viral social media .. to the endgame which hammers in what she has evolved into. The endgame also brings into FULL FOCUS (for ALL the lead main and support characters in the show and for the viewer) the test and proof of what lies in the core of Li Xun's heart.
Remember he is a VERY private person (as is Zhu Yun) and he is ambitious above all.
Would have written a more detailed analysis but it'll involve spoilers .. and you didn't mention how far you have watched .. so I just left most deets out :-D
Lastly, suggest just play by ear and feelings .. some shows we just cannot glom on to even though they were a HUGE HIT (MDL ratings / Dramabeans ratings / Viki Ratings unanimously), because the dramatic style of the show doesn't match (too linear / too looped), the theme doesn't match / the actors leave you cold / expectations aren't met.
That's the beauty of hanging out here .. we'll find our tribe and enjoy talking about shows we loved (why we loved them) with them :-D
AS well as maybe have a back and forth with those sitting on the fence and wondering if its worth it, "did I miss something" feelings ;-p
It's a solid part of the meat of the story ..
JUST the relationship part of the story falls apart without this aspect since it's entwined in the core of Li Xun's life and dreams .. as well as Zhu Yun's who got 'infected' by the love of Programming same time as she got 'infected' by her love and adoration of Li Xun.
I've long suspected that one of the reason it's not captured the imagination of those who disliked the drama has to do with that.
There are other reasons too - I've been following this thread to even read the negative comments to understand what triggered viewers.
I personally have often dropped great, well made, highly rated shows NOT because they were bad .. some where VERY well made and promising, it's just that the jargon of the profession or intricacies of the work lives of the show went over my head ..
- Most 'finance / business' heavy shows (MONEYFLOWER??) or Game Based shows (O2O / Falling into you / King's Avatar / You are my Glory / Go Go Squid were all drops for me )
- Govt and Politics based shows (I cannot make out / differentiate party affiliations .. the one upmanship .. the Korean politics and system of govt etc where I'd need to REALLY need to SLOW down the viewing speed).
If the human relationship part of shows are not SOLID as well and ONLY focuses on the professional aspect .. then it's a DROP for me .. even though am sure its a great show with super actors.
A true blue gem
That's what I recall.
We infer that Li Xun had a convo with Proff Lin and college board and got permission to run the Base.
He also argued for credits and payment if a project goes through for all those who sign up.
And he persuaded them to drop the morning study class since it was not adding anything to upping their programming skills.
Li Xin was 100% correct (along with Proff Lin) talking and discussing Programming is going to take you ONLY so far .. "breaking a few keyboards" doing REAL LIFE programming for ACTUAL companies and projects is what will give them better skills to enter the job market.
It's a Practical heavy course ..
He was also prescient when he makes the observation that the College entrance test is a "watershed" .. from then onwards you are going to learn less and less from classes and text books and need to engage with the needs of the REAL world.
He's of course a genius and knows what is time wasting for himself .. but in setting up the base he created a win-win opportunity for himself (earn money and experience and get contacts to set up his own enterprise the fastest he can) as well and equip his fellow mates for the job world AND get the backup help he needs finishing projects that earn the Uni points, and influence and fame.
I guess there is a shortage of rooms .. this was an abandoned building .
The club and Base were to share the space (Proff Lin probably knew the club would disband).
Or the Uni was in a constant state of renovation (remember the gym-dance class was relocated also)
And every Uni has some abandoned area that students start to use (eg the roof top Li Xun parked in and EVEN used a lock on ;-D
OK digressing.
I LOVE this drama SOO much - always something to be inferred and nibbled on
BUT I got pulled into one (the hook and first episode was powerful) : HIDDEN LOVE
... and then out tumbled (serendipity was unusually high) TWO more back to back .. and the some more after that.
Which therefore made me feel the same way .. Chinese dramas are getting slicker
His 'aura' of arrogance and aloofness got under her skin almost at first glimpse / contact ..
She is highly sensitive about how she is perceived by her cohort and peers .. That's how she is (has been all her life - the prim and proper well brought up daughter from a high status respectable family).
That is where her character arc in the story begins, and it has a trajectory that will take her someplace else - Ren Di foretells that arc pretty early in the show.
In fact this plot point will take a deep significance at several different turning point of the story. In fact it's essential to the plot and showcasing the character's development.
He's not wronged her .. but put her in a spot .. under the limelight .. a place she absolutely loathes being in. He has effectively (arm twisting her own tactics) let her know "don't mess with me" .. all in a smooth silky way .. and she's flailing like a fish on a hook out of water.
I don't think in the last 3 years I have EVER rewatched a show THIS critically and closely as L&P.
IMO it's a gem of synchronicity by a masterful TEAM of PD and talented Actors. Kudos to the screenplay writer AND casting directors
I was doing a mental list once about the significance of the lighter .. Of the moments the camera makes it the focus, the soundtrack picks out the "sound" (clicks) it makes (off camera) announcing either Li Xun's presence - Li Xun's Arrival - Li Xun's traces in Zhu Yun's memory.
Is the Lighter the 'original lighter' his dad left him?
Was the lighter getting almost irreparably damaged (foreboding of things to come for Li Xun) symbolic?
Does Zhu Yun get it fixed - replacing old original parts with new ones. The dents smoothened .. and thus it's actually not the same lighter any more.
(Echoes of Ship of Theseus??)
I also was mentally making a list of the number of times Zhu Yun is addressed as Princess and the widely different context and connotation of the word 'princess' as Li Xun uses .. AS WELL as how Zhu Yun reacts to it .. pleased - irked - upset - feeling special - curious
It's a show that has made me return so frequently to pick out the hidden layers and nuggets tucked in it.
They MIRROR mine .. and so well put too <3
You have really nicely crystallised the essence of the show <3
Just took a stroll through your Drama Iist and ratings you gave ..
I see a significant overlap with shows I liked .. so I'll take a 70-80% risk and suggest you go ahead and watch
At least 3-4 episodes .. and then take a call ..
Some people LIKE dramatic irony - to be in the know of characters and events - and wait to see how it all gets tied up and joints revealed .. How the arcs marked space and time between two very far off points for the characters / story.
Some people prefer to follow a more linear story structure with minimal loops and backstories and complex narrative structures.
So if you belong to the second then this story will not only be confusing for you but also frustrating .. It's HIGHLY character arc linked and you'll have to have a holding space to connect the dots ..
I played detective and dug out nuggets in the show because there is SO much to be INFERRED I the show.
I'll go and check your Drama Loves and see if I can predict if you will like this show ;-p
MINE TOOOOO!!
(dancing red lady)
Yes you are right.. 😁
It wasnt for me...But I still watched it...
You know how ASMR is... You can't pull away and then you rue the fact that you could have spent that time elsewhere 🙈🙈
Although I TOTALLY get how it is the perfect show for a period or time or mood when one WANTS the soothing 😍
Thanks for responding