They really need stop these sequels. #3 was boring & same cast for #4. Individually they are all good actors &…
i loved ode to joy 1 the OG version with the OG cast but now it seems that they are trying to recreate the original chemistry and its not werking.. 4.8 and then 5.6 for this sequel on douban yikes lol
It's been a few years and I still can't get over this drama. Zhen Huan Zhuan has 9.4 on douban and only 8.5 on mydramalist is just a travesty - imo it's much better than story of yanxi palace, ruyi etc. The best palace drama bar none (aside from maybe War and Beauty, the OG palace drama from 2004) - Zhen Huan's transformation is absolutely incredible with the way you see her grow, outwit and outplay her enemies. The villians are complex and multi layered - it's no wonder that Ada Choi (as Niang Niang), Jiang Xin (as Hua Fei) etc became such big house hold names after this. Also, Sun Li acted her HEART out in this drama. I think this is still her best and most iconic role to date.
Anyways - There is a reason why they consider this a classic 神剧 in China. So many memorable scenes that can be replayed over and over and the ending was so satisfying . It looks daunting at over 70 episodes, but it's only through such a long drama where you can see the growth and transformations
I've just started episode 1 but it's too slow-paced making it boring for me. Not sure, if I should continue this
keep watching! admittedly i found it too slow too and dropped it - but it gets alot more interesting after ep 5 or so and gets way way more intense ep 8-10 onwards. the ending was just wow
Is it another Chi. propaganda movie ? I see in the net all the times Chi. govt. makes slaves out of minority ethnic…
There is some 'propaganda' at the end of the drama but it's still a solid drama overall - i love that it shows the tenacity of the village people, the realism, the changes in the landscape with time. the acting and characterization is also very strong. imo it is worth a watch
i appreciate all your previous comments and review about this drama, your explanation of the backdrop setting…
Chao Yang's parallel with Zhang Dongsheng was spooky, it almost felt like Dongsheng was priming him..
Regarding Shen Mo I felt so bad for her! Perhaps it is the acting? So many bad things kept happening to her, I just wanted her to be happy once.. when it got to ep 10, seeing her exact revenge on the nasty HK businessman and the 'friend' who betrayed her was satisfying. And then later of course revenge on her pedo uncle - it was giving shades of Girl with the dragon tattoo..
I thought the older Shen Mo did a phenomenal job, her scene with her aunt in the hospital gave me the shivers. Teresa Li was good but I think was lacking some depth/complexity - I feel like if the story was more centered around her or if they had maybe someone like zhou yu tong (altho she looks older) would have been a better pick?
i appreciate all your previous comments and review about this drama, your explanation of the backdrop setting…
So true, tbh I almost dropped the long season several times at the beginning because the three old balding dudes were not as engaging or interesting compared to the start of the bad kids. I also think that there are more characters and storylines to pay attention to vs the bad kids where the crime is more to the point and easier to follow...the bad kids just draws you in from the very beginning. With that said - I agree with you that TLS is deeper and more slice-of-life that shows the changes in life vs TBS which is more a crime/suspense through and through. They're both excellent cdramas and the kind of drama that really stays with you when you finish..
I kept thinking about the parallels between Shen Mo and Chao Yang - how the two dramas essentially in a way show their 'villain' origin stories. Despite Shen Mo having more 'kills', somehow I think Chao Yang is scarier lol.
I finally had time to rewatch chunks of this with English subs this time. They look alright. Seems like Tencent…
i appreciate all your previous comments and review about this drama, your explanation of the backdrop setting really provided more context! i wish more cdrama fans gave this a watch. it's really such a gem.
am curious how you think this drama compares to the bad kids and if you prefer one over the other?
This is the best drama of 2023 and one of the best cdramas ever - for folks (like myself) who dropped it at the start due to its slow start - YOU NEED TO KEEP WATCHING. The way the story unravels slowly reminds me of the bad kids, and I assure you that your patience will be rewarded.
Watching this was a whole experience and I'm still trying to collect my thoughts. This isn't just your average run of the mill crime thriller - it's also about the slow changes of life, about how normal people make bad decisions that come back to bite them, and the ripple effects that it can have on other people. I can see why folks who were born/raised in northeastern China may especially find this drama relatable, but I think anyone who appreciates a solid story, powerful acting, and strong directing will also appreciate this drama. This is the type of drama that deserves a 2nd/3rd viewing (just like The Bad Kids) to really appreciate the complexity, details, and how certain scenes and flashbacks fit together like a puzzle in the end.
TW: Be warned that there is SA, abuse, trauma, esp in ep 6 and ep 9 - this drama is also quite heavy and gut wrenching especially near the end. With that said, I highly highly recommend you all to watch it. PLEASE
men dominate the narrative and women exist as either victims or cheerleaders to the men. they want to show us…
I'm considering starting this drama and this is exactly what i'm worried about - women victims already are depicted in the most horrific ways and the scenes are quite graphic, I almost wonder if the drama would be more compelling if the main detective was female
men dominate the narrative and women exist as either victims or cheerleaders to the men. they want to show us…
I'm considering starting this drama and this is exactly what i'm worried about - women victims already are depicted in the most horrific ways and the scenes are quite graphic, I almost wonder if the drama would be more compelling if the main detective was female
the best chinese movie of all time tbh. leslie gave a performance of a LIFETIME. and remember, this was back in 1990s when LGBT wasnt as open back then as it is now. the fact that leslie took on this role and gave it his all.. he was so ahead of the times. missing you gorgor
I'm glad to see Better Days so highly rated and my all time fave raise the red lantern <3
Zhang Yi Mou's other 90s films are so underrated on here (ie. to live, ju dou) as well as the iconic Farewell My Concubine! they just don't do chinese cinema like the 90s anymore
Anyways - There is a reason why they consider this a classic 神剧 in China. So many memorable scenes that can be replayed over and over and the ending was so satisfying . It looks daunting at over 70 episodes, but it's only through such a long drama where you can see the growth and transformations
Regarding Shen Mo I felt so bad for her! Perhaps it is the acting? So many bad things kept happening to her, I just wanted her to be happy once.. when it got to ep 10, seeing her exact revenge on the nasty HK businessman and the 'friend' who betrayed her was satisfying. And then later of course revenge on her pedo uncle - it was giving shades of Girl with the dragon tattoo..
I thought the older Shen Mo did a phenomenal job, her scene with her aunt in the hospital gave me the shivers. Teresa Li was good but I think was lacking some depth/complexity - I feel like if the story was more centered around her or if they had maybe someone like zhou yu tong (altho she looks older) would have been a better pick?
I kept thinking about the parallels between Shen Mo and Chao Yang - how the two dramas essentially in a way show their 'villain' origin stories. Despite Shen Mo having more 'kills', somehow I think Chao Yang is scarier lol.
am curious how you think this drama compares to the bad kids and if you prefer one over the other?
Watching this was a whole experience and I'm still trying to collect my thoughts. This isn't just your average run of the mill crime thriller - it's also about the slow changes of life, about how normal people make bad decisions that come back to bite them, and the ripple effects that it can have on other people. I can see why folks who were born/raised in northeastern China may especially find this drama relatable, but I think anyone who appreciates a solid story, powerful acting, and strong directing will also appreciate this drama. This is the type of drama that deserves a 2nd/3rd viewing (just like The Bad Kids) to really appreciate the complexity, details, and how certain scenes and flashbacks fit together like a puzzle in the end.
TW: Be warned that there is SA, abuse, trauma, esp in ep 6 and ep 9 - this drama is also quite heavy and gut wrenching especially near the end. With that said, I highly highly recommend you all to watch it. PLEASE
Zhang Yi Mou's other 90s films are so underrated on here (ie. to live, ju dou) as well as the iconic Farewell My Concubine! they just don't do chinese cinema like the 90s anymore