lulupony

TBH, if TSJ was played by a more capable actor, I might actually like him. He has a lot of positive characteristics, and I liked TSJ when reading the script for LYF (not as much in the novel). Good acting is very important to me, so I haven't watched that many period idol dramas since the average acting in this genre isn't really that great. DW will do well in this genre though, which seems to be the case for his next projects.

While I have my favorites for sure, I try to find something positive in every character, hence why I give DW credit when credit is due. Everyone definitely have their preferences, and I'm glad you found something to love in this drama =) There is a lot that C-dramas can offer, and I hope you find more favorites.

we should get more of him in S2! =D

I see what you're saying. I can tell you really love TSJ as a character, and I definitely respect that. =D

We just come from different perspectives, as I tend to evaluate drama and performances from a more objective POV.

What DW added the most was visual appeal and the puppy eyes. He does a good job acting being in love and devoted to XY, and he definitely draws out the audience's sympathy with some of his crying scenes. For viewers attracted to these aspects and not asking for much more, I can definitely see how DW would add to TSJ.

However, the drama TSJ has details that's not present in the novel TSJ, at least during the same narrative time point. For example, novel TSJ only spoke to XY about his childhood, which took at most several paragraphs, but the drama actually portrayed this in action, which helps building a richer and fuller backstory for TSJ. In addition, the drama TSJ's role in assisting CX's political connects was greatly expanded, whereas this was non-existent in the novel (it was only brought at the very end).

Why I say that the drama TSJ is more complex is b/c the script delineate the complexity and conflict in TSJ with much more clarity than the novel. One commenter mentioned one scene where TSJ interrupted Xinyue's shaming of FFSY, and the critical function this scene played narratively. While 17 can love XY without care, TSJ cannot, given his status as the presumed leader of one of the powerful clans. At this point, FFSY is still very much his fiancee and carries the honor of the Tushan family name. As Xinyue shames FFSY, she is in a way shaming the Tushan family name. Thus, TSJ's primary objective in this scene is to defend FFSY within the boundaries of her status as the Tushan fiancee, but not to the degree of actually treating her as a romantic equal, thus establishing the internal conflict of this character.

Narratively, this scene needs to create a cause for XY to be angry and stay angry with TSJ, thus building up more narrative tension and emotive satisfaction for when XY realizes, despite her anger, how much she cares and searches for him when she heard TSJ was assassinated. The script has laid this out. However, the way DW acted this scene was entirely focused on XY, and it seemed like FFSY is an afterthought. While for viewers that only care about how much TSJ loves XY, his performance here would make perfect sense, in contrast, for an audience that's looking for a fuller and more interesting character, DW's performance detracts from the complexity in his internal struggles/conflicts to balance his duty and desire to honor his family vs his love for XY. It also takes away from the narrative flow, as the reason for XY to stay angry for so long is no longer very convincing. It also detracts from later important scenes. such as the weight of his line during the Meilin scene, "I shouldn't have cared so much about the Tushan name" really didn't carry any weight, since as a viewer, I didn't really see how much he tried to honor and carry the Tushan name. All I saw was him looking trapped in every situation and trying to get XY's attention and empathy, so this really do take away from the agency of the character.

I saw some comment that I thought was fairly accurate, DW's performance made TSJ seemingly naive, while the script makes him more intelligent and tactful. On the other hand, ZWY's performance made CX actually seem intelligent and politically savvy, even though the political storyline is basically non-existent in the script.

To his credit, DW has fulfilled well the most important aspect of TSJ, and that is being devoted to XY. However, there is a reason the drama TSJ has received so much criticism for being flat, even though the script has already done a great deal in making this character fuller than the novel TSJ.

I get your perspective, though objectively speaking, the drama TSJ (not taking into account DW's acting) has more dimensions than the book TSJ, and objectively speaking, is a fuller/more well-rounded character. The reason why many viewers don't like TSJ is how flat the character is, but the drama is written in a way to make TSJ more complex. Just unfortunately, the acting didn't carry these nuance/complexity out, so most viewers actually feel like drama TSJ is more flat than novel TSJ.

You raise an interesting point for me, as also having read the novel, I felt like the drama TSJ is actually better written than the novel TSJ. For example, the drama spent a lot more time building TSJ's childhood and relationship w/ his brother, as well as TSJ's intelligence in help CX building political connections. The novel spent either scant words or never even mentioned these aspects during the corresponding narrative timestamp in the novel.

If you know Chinese, a recent video analyzed DW's acting very closely, and I think this person got a great point. DW nailed one aspect (granted, a very key aspect) of TSJ, and that is being in love and devoted to XY. But to the character's detriment, he neglected the other aspects of TSJ that makes this character fuller, but these aspects are actually written in the script.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1TG411R7y7/?spm_id_from=333.880.my_history.page.click&vd_source=26f4dd6e54b2ae3af2820d653c98954d

The drama is getting great reviews and picking up steam in viewership in China, and the story is really picking up now! Chen Xing Jie is growing on me more and more as a character, and I automatically feel so much more reassured when he shows up in a scene, in the midst of all the other drama going on.

you should put this in a spoiler

I'd recommend watching for the characters, and not necessarily for the ships, as every ship will probably make you feel frustrated in some way or form. I don't think any character deserved XY's love tbh, but it was XY who chose to love.

CX's character is one of the most interesting and well-acted characters in period idol dramas to date. I highly recommend following the drama for even the non-romantic aspects of the XiaoYao-CangXuan relationship, as these two are simply just awesome together.

Great to see more love for Zhang Wan Yi! ❤️❤️
If you're only starting out on the series, then his character (and ZWY's performances) will only get better (and I'd dare say, way better) from here.

I see what you're saying. Though I'd disagree on whether it's not "right" for CX to use XY, as we "use" the connects from friends and family all the time for our own gain, such as legacy relations when applying to colleges or networks when applying for jobs. What CX did is basically akin to that, with full transparency, consent, and even encouragement from XY. What CX's choice of word by saying "use" actually reveals to me his sense of responsibility to take care of XY, almost to a point of burden and detriment to their relationship. He feels like he owes her absolute protection and provision, given that he has lost her for 300 years, that he's the older brother and man in the relationship, but b/c of his position, he is unable to and actually has to rely on XY much more.

To me, that's the heart of his tragedy, in that he tries to take care of everyone but himself, and the guilt of not being able to be the protector/provider that he wants to be for XY makes him feel unworthy to be a romantic partner for XY. Thus, while we are talking in hypothetical, I don't think CX, as written, would have confessed to XY, except if he was really really drunk.

But in the hypothetical scenario that he does confess, that actually means that he's letting a part of himself be vulnerable to XY and in some way, being okay with her taking care of him. The story has built enough foundation that XY probably would have developed romantic feelings for CX, if he confessed, given how he's basically her existential and emotional lifeline during her worst suffering when imprisoned by the fox. She may not have agreed to be together with CX outright, but she would have worked hard towards that possibility, as she's a woman of will and action. (Her relationship with TSJ only worked b/c she proactively tried to make it work with him, not the other way around).

I agree with you that XY would not have agreed to being with CX if he had to marry others, but at this point, a XY that has developed potential feelings for CX would have worked together with CX for a path towards the throne that does not involve political marriages. Hence why I say, this hypothetical would've actually made for a much more interesting drama, b/c this XY would have had much more drive and agency, and way more bada$$.

Yea, the tragedy in Cangxuan's fate is written the moment he's born. That's partly what makes his character so memorable to me.

All four MLs will be season 2.

The current rumor is Q1 2024, like Jan/Feb.

CangXuan would never intentional hurt those close to him (this applies to not only XY, but also his followers). He said so in his speech to CSFL and XinYue. There is a difference between leveraging the connections and position that XY had, and hurting her. The latter is simply not true.

As for CX "using" XY, XY herself said that she didn't feel used and actually wanted CX to "use" her more. One way to look at it is that CX was being very hard on himself and consider his own actions as "using" XY, but in XY's mind, of course she'd do anything (directly or indirectly) to help CX, so she has never felt used, as they have always been one and the same in her mind.

As for the possibility of what'd happen if CX made his feelings known much earlier? I think this could have made for a much more interesting drama, as XY definitely would not have continued her relationship w/ TSJ (as she did not love him at this point), since she'd know it'd hurt CX greatly. The seed for XY potentially have romantic feelings for CX is definitely in there, given the first planting of the love bug between them.

I agree that XY likely would not have agreed to being with CX at that point for fear of his predicament with the political marriages. The reason why I think it could have made for a more interesting drama is b/c XY would have been much more actively involved in the road to the throne, being creative in gaining power without involving women/political marriages. In my book, this would have made XY a character with a lot more agency and super bada$$. She and CX could have been the ultimate power couple and rule the world together.

Based on what I've seen from his recent sponsorship deals, I'd say he's already rolling in it 😉

Welcome to our small, but growing Zhang Wan Yi fan club 💗💗💗 I can't wait to see ZWY's performances for the increasingly unhinged CX in s2, even based on hints of what's to come from the trailers.

ZWY made his big break in serious dramas (i.e. The Bond, The Age of Awakening), and hence why he was little known by the international audience, who are mostly familiar with the idol dramas from C-ent. He just had a new drama that started airing this week, and potentially 2 other dramas geared to air later this year.

I'm thinking about starting a little recap community for his newest drama that's airing right now, A Long Way Home, which is a period family drama. Let me know if you (or any other new ZWY fans out there in this little LYF community) would be interested.

My interpretation of entire history and showdown on the re-editing yesterday:

1. All fans 💪🥊💪 "Director is at fault for poorly executed Meilin Scene"
TSJ fans - show his face, for crist' sake
XL fans - bloody tap faucet?? (btw, this CGI never fails to send me rolling on the floor. what genius thought of this image in the first place?)
CX fans - why did you smack Gege outside, instead of inside the fire, like the original script??
XY - yo, this is milady XY's spotlight, and not a stage for the white knights in shining armor

2. Production team 😨🙏😰😬 - plans events and re-edit scenes to make fans less angry

3. XY fans - OMG! Why did you delete the best scene from XY??!!

4. Production team 😳😳😳 - switch back immediately. (fans are so scary and hard to please)

5. TJC fans - OMG! You went back to bloody tap faucet?! You are offending and choosing XY over our GeGe. Give us back our re-edit!!

I think what Sreypichthim is saying that all of the above is motivated with the promise of moolah 💰💰, as everything in C-ent is about money. Thus, fans are going to blood and teeth for even the slight share in the battleground to prove that their stan is the best/most worthy.

The relationships in this show are rich and complex, and that's part of the reason the shipping wars are so intense. What's true at the end of the day is that XY cares deeply for all 4 men, even CSFL.

My personal advice to any viewers/shippers is to accept the story and characters for what they are, and simply just enjoy the joy and giddiness of whichever ship(s) you may choose.

I'm on the YaoXuan ship, not because I absolutely need to see these two characters together and also prove and bulldoze their love for each other (whether that be familial, romantic, or something else much much deeper) over every other ship.

I'm on this ship b/c
1) YZ and ZWY's performances never fail to amaze me. Watching them in the same scene is like watching an artwork unfold in action.
2) Their star-crossed fate that's inevitable given the circumstances. Almost Shakespearean in dramatic gravitas
3) Their bond that's stronger than any other relationship in this show, whether it'd be romantic, familial, or friendship.
4) This is a fact. XY is the most awesome and bada$$ when she's conquering the world with her CangXuan Gege. I like seeing XY being bada$$
5) Watching CX suffer in jealousy and going increasingly nuts make us giddy with sadistic excitement. So excited for ZWY's performances in S2! 💋💋

Also b/c I love XY, she's free to do whatever she wants in my book, whether that means choosing Jing as her de facto boyfriend or going on rendezvous with her best beau XL. She's suffered enough for her lifetime and warrant some youthful waywardness in her romantic life, and she doesn't need to explain her choices to me.

😉