I think Zhao Liying is beautiful. And she’s a good actress. Young actors should be grateful to work with such a talented actress who has had countless hit dramas. After all, this is acting. Acting talent and skills should come before looks, otherwise go model or shoot ads.
I haven't watched this drama yet and I'm hesitant because of the FL. I watched her in an interview and the trailers and she just looks so....old to be playing counter to Xu Kai. And from the little I've seen her acting is so.... yeah not sure if I can handle her. As compared to Xu Kai who, despite being a younger actor, seems to have talent I'm not sure if I can stomach the female lead. Anyone know why she was cast? Surely there could have been other better choices? Maybe I'm completely wrong and should give this drama a go? I see it's on Netflix.
I’ve never seen Xu Kai and Bai Lu before (yes, I know, Legends is on my list) but I was immediately captivated by their chemistry. Xu Kai is especially good at small details and expressive eyes. I hate the overt nationalism propaganda aspect of this drama but it’s held up by good chemistry, so far, not sure if I can last though. Question: anyone know if a Director’s Uncut Version will be available? Like they did for Goodbye My Princess on Viki?
Completely blew me away. Was so shocked at how AMAZING this movie was. Great story telling, great acting (Minho is one of the two main leads), and it wasn't the typical war movie I was expecting. It was a human drama balanced so well and directed with such care and even-handedness that I have to give props to the director. This movie is not about war but a human story about the unfair sacrifices that war demands from our youth.
This show is SO funny. I watch it RAW but it’s still hilarious. They did a great job with the casting bc the chemistry is amazing. I have to say, the most unexpectedly, outrageously funny break out star of this show is Deng Lun. I bet the producers themselves never guessed what a funny gem of a character Deng Lun is. Everything from his OCD germaphobia to his fear of EVERYTHING, to his tendency to blurt our random English phrases (“I have a question!” “Oh my god!”) to his versatility is just simply entertainment at its best. I am not saying this based on any bias - he is just fun to watch. But what makes him great on the show is that he is definitely the brains on the show. The others, like Justin, do their part to solve puzzles but Deng Lun is very smart, just very thoughtful, analytical, observant and sharp so he helps solve most of their tasks. And he has a tendency to be rather quiet and more mature in his tasks which gives him gravitas as a leader. AND based on the most recent episode - he also has muscles when needed. I mean, the guy clearly works out. (Should definitely watch the 5/11/19 episode).
So what makes all of this hilarious? The fact that he startles on a dime, falls to a near faint at every turn, screams when a bird flies around, openly admits to being scared and cries for his “mama” when he’s scared. ???? I mean, the contradiction really makes for fun tv. All of the cast members tease him endlessly calling him “Lun Ge” or Brother Lun and poking fun at his scaredy-cat ness. But what’s great about all this is he never shrinks from it and embraces the fact that yes, he scares easy but he helps the team make their “great escape” each episode. It’s actually great to see a man not trying to pretend to be tough but acknowledging his fears and stepping up for the team in all other aspects. He really makes this show. I think the producers really got lucky, and if you get a chance to watch it you’ll be in luck too. Definitely worth it. “Jia you Lun Ge!” ????????????????????
About the drama, there is one scene towards the end that I thought was good and reflective about how we define success in life. It's where Guo Guo tells Hui Jie, who is clearly upset that her daughter lost out on so much in life because she was wrongly chastised by society for being a single mom, didn't get well-educated, lived a poor hard life, and was otherwise manipulated by others.
But, Guo Guo tells her that her life wasn't actually terrible. She got to learn embroidery, married the man she loves, and has an adorable daughter (albeit not biological). So her life is a success and not a loss like her mom thinks it is. I thought that was a great point.
Success is individually defined. If you achieve all the things you want that make you happy, then you have succeeded in life. It doesn't matter what other people say about your life or how others think you should /should have lived it in order for it to be considered a success in their eyes. Life is about self-judgment and self-worth, not judgment by others.
Anyway, I thought that was a beautiful point, although done in a kind of a short scene, that made Guo Guo less a victim of circumstance and more someone who chose her life path her own way - even if that meant people thought she was too naive, too kind, or with loose morals (i.e., thinking she had Le Tong out of wedlock ), she chose what made her happy.
I know many people think she was too stereotypically "pure, sweet, naive and kind." There are moments where I think she is definitely too kind to her foster mom. But at times when she needed to make a choice for herself, she does. She fights her mom to be able to do embroidery. She keeps Le Tong because she loves her even though people talked behind her back about being a 'single mom'. And she didn't back down and play the victim when Xiao Qin later tries to push her to give up on Yun Kai. So to me, I think she was a character who wasn't a victim but a quietly persistent person who made her own choices.
I like this version more haha idk maybe my otp deng lun & sun yi is here
I agree! I love Deng Lun and Sun Yi together. I hope they do another drama together... two just isn't enough. Although Sun Yi just had her baby so she may be out for a bit.
The chemistry between the leads is pretty amazing. I've always liked the Deng Lun & Sun Yi pairing. I think they work off each other well, and personally thought this is Deng Lun's best character to date. It's worth watching just for the love between Li Yun Kai and Zhang Guo Guo. In fact, after 30 or so episodes of watching the evil sister and the unrepentant foster mom, you end up just fast forwarding through and just watching their scenes. After all, all the lies and manipulations get a bit repetitive and tiring to watch.
I am scared to see this pairing. Angelababy is notorious for her bad acting (I mean, even her hubby joked about it). Chemistry is a huge part of the equation so hopefully Deng Lun, who I think is a versatile actor, can compensate and pull this through. Same thing with Suzy in Korea. She is a terrible actress who keeps getting cast in big roles. Most flop, but her recent one with Lee Jong Suk (who is a pretty solid actor) got her and the drama through pretty decently. Hope the same happens here.
I wanted to watch this drama because of Zhu Yi Long as he is really an amazing and talented actor but to be honest…
I don't know if he showcased his best acting in Ashes of Love but I understand that is his most popular drama to date. I actually really like his acting in Because of Meeting You and 15 years Waiting for Migratory Birds. I think former better than the latter. But I personally think he does have great range - going from comedy to tragic well - and is a versatile actor with room to grow. Think he is one of the better actors among all the young 20-something year old actors in China right now who are just popular for their looks. Just my two cents.
I have a feeling this too was a drama shot years ago and is now airing due to Deng Lun's current popularity. Unlike K-dramas, Chinese dramas are shot in advance and airs later.
Is Deng Lun filming for 10 dramas at the same time?? LOLHow in the world does he have time for all this
LOL~ that's exactly what I thought. The number of his dramas coming out in 2019 is crazy. I'm sure a couple may have been shot years before? But either way, he is either incredibly hard working or in super high demand. Or both.
Why does this drama feel a bit like "The Best Shot" a K-drama starring Yoon Shi Yun. No matter, I tend to like the Chinese remakes of K-dramas a lot better anyway.
They should have started with the mortal realm storyline. That was the strongest story. I really didn't get strong chemistry between them in the rest of the story, I think mostly due to Yang Zi. I know I'm in the minority here. The rest of the story rather dragged mostly due to poor editing and unnecessary side scenes/stories. All just my personal opinion of course.
Holy crap. How many dramas is he doing in one year?? I guess he's super hard working or just really in demand. He is a pretty good actor so it's good to see him in these different roles. He sings pretty well too so it'd be fun to see him in a singing role~ lol
I know she can play these tragic roles really well but come on... can we please get her in a romcom with a super happy ending.?? She has a great smile - I'd like to see it more. Also, I think she'd be really funny in a comedy. Really just anything except tragedy!
So what makes all of this hilarious? The fact that he startles on a dime, falls to a near faint at every turn, screams when a bird flies around, openly admits to being scared and cries for his “mama” when he’s scared. ???? I mean, the contradiction really makes for fun tv. All of the cast members tease him endlessly calling him “Lun Ge” or Brother Lun and poking fun at his scaredy-cat ness. But what’s great about all this is he never shrinks from it and embraces the fact that yes, he scares easy but he helps the team make their “great escape” each episode. It’s actually great to see a man not trying to pretend to be tough but acknowledging his fears and stepping up for the team in all other aspects. He really makes this show. I think the producers really got lucky, and if you get a chance to watch it you’ll be in luck too. Definitely worth it. “Jia you Lun Ge!” ????????????????????
But, Guo Guo tells her that her life wasn't actually terrible. She got to learn embroidery, married the man she loves, and has an adorable daughter (albeit not biological). So her life is a success and not a loss like her mom thinks it is. I thought that was a great point.
Success is individually defined. If you achieve all the things you want that make you happy, then you have succeeded in life. It doesn't matter what other people say about your life or how others think you should /should have lived it in order for it to be considered a success in their eyes. Life is about self-judgment and self-worth, not judgment by others.
Anyway, I thought that was a beautiful point, although done in a kind of a short scene, that made Guo Guo less a victim of circumstance and more someone who chose her life path her own way - even if that meant people thought she was too naive, too kind, or with loose morals (i.e., thinking she had Le Tong out of wedlock ), she chose what made her happy.
I know many people think she was too stereotypically "pure, sweet, naive and kind." There are moments where I think she is definitely too kind to her foster mom. But at times when she needed to make a choice for herself, she does. She fights her mom to be able to do embroidery. She keeps Le Tong because she loves her even though people talked behind her back about being a 'single mom'. And she didn't back down and play the victim when Xiao Qin later tries to push her to give up on Yun Kai. So to me, I think she was a character who wasn't a victim but a quietly persistent person who made her own choices.