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It fascinates me, indeed I think there is a lesson here for all romantic drama writers: a "slice of life" approach in narrating a romance, in which things are generally low-key and natural, can be extremely moving, whereas an overwrought drama with repeated anticipation and disappointment, quickly becomes an experience of feeling messed around with by the writer, instead of us feeling like we're witnessing real people coping with real challenges, in a sensible and considerate way.

Yes for a moment there I thought the writer was messing with us, like happens in so many romantic dramas, and then they would keep messing with us right up until the last episode. But thankfully no.

If you're sticking to Asia. You might be aware there are also WLW dramas coming out of India too. But if you look to Europe and America, there's an embarrassment of riches.

Wow, an amazingly diligent and thorough collection. But we must admit - how many of these actually present a coherent and satisfying (in terms of length and of outcome) love story? Just a handful I'd suggest. You've really scraped the bottom of the barrel. Anyway, the exist of all these dramas and movies indicates that change and tolerance is gradually occuring, especially in politically free contries. Totalitarian governments always tend to suppress sexual minorities.

Yep, I agree with your comments.

Looks like you're way ahead of me. I've seen up to e08 and expect to catch the next lot of 4 in about 3 days. I must say, the episodes around e03-04 were quite moving, and it's refreshing to see a mature discussion of alternative sexualities/romance in a Japanese drama. I'm guessing that Kasuga has feelings too, but because she's normally rather reserved, and our point of view character is Yuki, we don't have any clue of that yet (other than her ALWAYS accepting Yuki's invitations to eat). The thought of them adding affectionate sensuality to their gastronomic sensuality will enrich the relationship.

Well I don't know, Yuki is keen but holding back, Kasuga is friendly but not flirty. However: I haven't read the manga, but I suppose it's inevitable that things will progress.

When will they get REALLY intimate, and invite each other to speak casually (drop the "desu" and "-san")?

The violently patriotic ending, presumably due to the heavy hand of the censors, was contemptible. Otherwise a fascinating movie, which I'd watch again to figure it out, except for the ending. The subtitles looked like they were written by a Chinese person with fairly good English, but not good enough. At times they were confusing or inaccurate and made this convoluted mystery even harder to follow.

Only got half way through and will leave the rest for tomorrow. It's a struggle to follow what's going on, partly due to the convoluted plot, partly the complexities of ancient Chinese history, and partly due to the subtitles which at times were obscure. It has the feel of the series Longest Day in Chang'An, which I enjoyed much more. IMHO the background music playing whenever the main characters are running around town to the next scene, is an unpleasant cacaphony. It's so loud that you can take a toilet break and hear when it's time for the next scene.

The scriptwriting gurus state that romance stories depend on the lovers overcoming obstacles to get to each other, fueled by their desire. Unfortunately the genre is full of cliches used to writers to achieve that, and cheating is one of them. I think stories should be showing mature ways to manage relationships. It's still possible to make a good story without people misbehaving.

Yes, I just meant it in the sense that the three were joined by marriage so living in the same house. Yuan Ying seems not to have an interest in romance, although there was a moment or two when I thought that in an alternate universe, she might have partnered eventually with Li Wei,

Whoever on the production team handled the background music should be fired. It's always too loud to the extent of drowning out the actors' voices, as if the script and the actors are incapable of moving us and so loud music is needed. Personally I would prefer there was no music at all, but that's not the way it's done on Asian dramas. I still haven't got immune to whenever there's a high-level romantic moment, an off-screen singer suddenly bursts into ecstatic song.

Nice to read your essay as people don't seem to be writing them much here these days. I also have found watching dramas a great way to find out about a culture and every day life, to round out my language studies (Korean, Japanese, Chinese). May you travel Japan one day. It's possible to do cheaply if you wish. and a very safe and reliable country to travel around (not like India, alas).

The last 10 episodes were far inferior and felt like they were tacked on, maybe even by another writer. Things become cosy and domestic. There's a lame subplot trying to turn one of the previous lackeys into a new villain, but the resolutions are too pat and too lame. The FL switches from a strong and confident independent woman into looking wide-eyed like a stunned rabbit whenever her husband approaches her intimately.

I'm curious as to Yuan Ying's eventual fate in this drama (I'm only half-way through). Despite her reserved nature she's surely grown attached to her husband and his concubine, but I can't see them ending up as an ongoing threesome. If not, neither would it seem appropriate that she finds a man for herself, however impressive. Will she end up celebrating singleness and having a career of her own (like Seo Dan in Crash Landing on You)? Something similar would also apply to the Solar Term ladies, although they do seem quite content with each others' company.

First few episodes had the usual cliches and I was ready to give up, and then the Chinese version of feminism theme took off and got me interested, Through many episodes this drama explored the many and various ways that women suffer under the hands of men, or just being women (e.g. post-natal depression). Many of the men are incompetent, a few are villainous, and just one is a good model of masculinity. The government of the realm and the political machinations of the men fade to background the women's friendship and solidarity as they strive to improve their freedom and independence. I haven't finished it yet, but I presume the emperor never gets replaced by an empress, reminding us that the men of the CCP will stop at nothing to maintain their power, which leaves us with the unfortunate thought that this drama, rather than driving improvement in women's rights in China, can only provide an escape into fantasy.
Spoiler: I found it hard to believe that the second prince would drug his wife to not have children, given his desperation for a son, and the prizing of sons in Chinese culture generally. This plot element felt contrived to me, trying to add yet another reason for us to hate him.

2nd season will have 20 episodes and comes out in January.
https://twitter.com/nhk_dramas/status/1735119922206753076

english subs for all episodes are available at d-addicts

It's not clear what you want to say about her.