ChineseDramaFan

When I finished my first viewing, I came out and asked, "What BL? Where? Didn't see any." I know I was slow catching on :)

Like many viewers who still haven't watched this drama, I shied away from it when I first saw the BL tag. Then I tiptoed back, and oh boy, I was so wrong! This drama blew me away. There was no obvious BL. I only caught the BL parts upon multiple viewings because they are so subtle and cleverly hidden in symbols, music, gestures, naming of items, clothing, etc. Re-watching this drama is like peeling an onion, you find more hints each time. It's an eye opening experience for me to see how beautiful things can be even it's not a hetero relationship. Have I also mentioned I cried a river for the sad as well as the happy scenes? Yes, ask anyone who has watched it. The two main leads are so captivating, the music unforgettable, and putting everything together, yes, this is indeed a masterpiece. A MUST-WATCH!

As much as I dislike Zhang Bihan, she is pitiful. What a tragic life!

We feel you ...

Story? Sigh! Acting? Sigh! Logic? Sigh! After 2 episodes, can't continue anymore. Let me know if it gets better.

I'm totally confused. Why is everyone speaking American English in Barcelona and not Spanish?

How's this series so far? Worth watching?

Yes, the poetic dialogues are beautiful. Once translated, the feelings are totally gone.

IKR! I love that scene! That's epic! XD

Cry? This is an understatement. I weeped throughout the drama. When it was sad, I sobbed. When it was happy, I wailed. I cried so much that I told my family I had a cold (in the middle of a hot summer). Together with the music, I just felt so touched, and cried uncontrollably. Never in my life a drama, despite all its flaws (CGI or whatever), has touched me like this. So yeah, unless you're void of emotions, most of us did cry.

Thank you for that important parts that are missing here in the drama. I haven't even taken a good look at Cui Bai except that glimpse from the bridge. Despite Cui Bai being Huirou's art instructor as well, there's no characterization of him at all except he's super talented. What a shame! This part of the story could have been so intriguing. No wonder I've always felt something amiss: why the Empress keeps pushing Qiuhe to Cui Bai as Qiuhe doesn't seem very committed herself. Rather in the drama, it feels she's more inclined to the Emperor. This gives the viewers a totally wrong impression of the Empress, and this view may coincide with the Emperor's (of keeping Qiuhe away from him). This is really doing injustice to the Empress.

He's also the one whose poison has hurt Duo'Erla and he later sends the antidote to her, saving her and Tang Fan.

Want to cry some more? Watch The Untamed. :D

This is so painful for all parents - losing a child. The Emperor has had several sons and daughters from various wives. He loses many of them at very young age; he loses all his sons.

Yes, she is. But sadly, she has a very short life.

For many of us, it's coming up to 1 year ..... So, you're not alone :)

Eternity ....... XD

Yes, Wu Yue is an amazing actor. I also love her in Ming Dynasty. Like you, despite how the actual Empress Dowager is being portrayed, I like her a lot in this drama. She's smart, reads every subtlety, moves 10 steps ahead of the smartest men in the court. Everything she does lays a foundation of something else for the future. Wish we have more women leaders.

Welcome to our rabbit hole. Yes, it's hard to get this drama out of our minds, so don't bother. Just come back here and chat with us :)

Depends what you're looking for. If you want heart-wrenching love story, wuxia action etc, no, this drama doesn't have these. But if you're a history buff and like close to real life historical experiences, this one is very close. Many of the characters are real historical figures. The costumes, etiquette, how they speak etc are pretty closely adapted (I feel). It's refreshing to view Chinese autocracy with democratic values. References to ancient Chinese philosophy and wisdom are the essential part of this drama. I'm enjoying it.