I like your analysis. However, Zhang Zhe was too concerned with propriety for my tastes, always chastising Ning’er…
I agree with you that Xie Wei's feelings for her ran longer and deeper, however, I am not a fan of toxic relationships. I would rather choose verbal reprimanding over physical force (even though it is a side-effect of a past trauma)
How can people believe she is ksr without any clear evidence, if they have any conclusive evidence they should…
I was laughing when LJH said something like: "based on the video evidence, it is KSR even though you can't see her face clearly because it is so far away,, but trust me, this video came from one of her friend's phone but I can't tell you who it is."
"She also has a face mask on and it's blurry but that is real proof that it is KSR'"
Lee Jin Ho this GM and KSH Lackey I Really Hope this Disgusting Rat Will Have a Very Bad End This Disgusting Celeb…
Yes, his latest evidence and so called proof made me laugh so much because he thinks people are stupid to buy his shit.. Well, I think there are still brain dead people who will believe whatever their cult leader relays through his Messenger.
Since the "proof" and "Evidence" is very long, here is the summary (read it with dripping sarcasm):
"The long and short of the evidence I found through my investigation, is that I'm telling you that KSR dated a boy who looks like a boy, but I can't tell you his name because I don't know his name, and it looks like this guy, but maybe it's not this guy, but I'm telling you that these videos of these random people who may look like KSR, because they both are girls with the same hair style, is dating multiple boys at once, because I'm telling you that KSH is also dating other women - not minors, because he can't be dating minors, because he clearly doesn't like them, and I'm telling you that you have to believe me because KSH told me that this is the truth that I must tell you the truth."
I saw a post of a screenshot from a korean discussion community that said "if you don't study hard, you'd married…
Not disagreeing with you here. Yes I believe that there are still lots of work to be done in those societies, but the people in those countries themselves have to initiate that change, or at least be accepting of that change.
If for example, I listened to that stereotype of Latino males being typically lazy and tend to show off their "machismo," and that their cultural belief that a woman's place should be a kitchen, then I would not have married my current partner and avoided them altogether.
Even in the First world country like the US, there still exists a gap in gender equality, and the reversal of the Roe vs Wade is one of the attempts to widen that gap even further.
So I think, instead of lumping every male in the same bucket, we should be open to the possibility that not ALL Korean males, not ALL Indian males, not ALL (insert nationality) males exhibit these stringent -Alpha traits. It's up to us to discern with our own common sense and embedded wisdom, the difference between who is worthy of your time and who is not.
That was the intent of my original comment, and NOT discarding the fact that misogyny still exists in those countries, and also everywhere else.
I saw a post of a screenshot from a korean discussion community that said "if you don't study hard, you'd married…
I don't think we should be in a hurry to lambast ALL Korean guys. If that's the case that we should all go against Indian guys, Australian or guys from these countries
When one of my two favorite Chinese actresses, Bai Lu, stars in a historical drama, you bet I’m going to watch it. Throw Zhang Ling He into the mix, and I almost would have given it a 10, but I didn’t. Not to say, this wasn’t an amazing drama, because it is, but it left me wanting more.
Let me start with where this drama excels.
The story. The story of Kunning Palace is full of wonders and intricacy that I am kept on my toes with all the political intrigues and calculated machinations by people in Xue Ning’s second life, with the most impressive moves made by her, and of course our main lead Xie Wei. As separate characters, they are formidable in their own right, but together, they are unstoppable. The way they side-step attempts on their life and thwart their potential ruination were exciting to watch.
The arcs. Several fully developed mini-arcs comprise this drama, each contributing to the overall plot. The writer seamlessly intertwined them, and none served as a filler.
The music. Appropriately themed and timed, that I feel the swell of excitement when called for, and the sense of dread when prompted. They carefully chose the sombre melodies that became a backdrop of unrequited love.
The production. The crew excelled in cinematography, and their attention to detail in costume design creates a world that transports us from the present to the past.
The cast. As expected of Bai Lu, she portrays the role of Xue Ning convincingly. Her wit and charm exude on the screen. Zhang Ling He is not one to slack off either. He proved his status as a top actor by nailing his portrayal of the mysterious figure that is Xie Wei. This is the fifth time that I’ve seen both, each time I am impressed with their acting. But who surprised me the most is Wang Xing Yue. This is the second time I’ve seen him, but his performance here grew leaps and bounds compared to when I first saw him in One and Only. Zhou Jun Wei is another one who held his own when cast in a sea of experienced actors. I’ve always seen him support roles and here, he proved himself to be a worthy contender of the Female Lead’s love.
Where I think this drama is lacking.
The romance. I’m not entirely sure whether it’s the lack of chemistry between Zhang Ling He and Bai Lu that allowed Zhang Zhe to sweep in the middle. Or maybe it’s the way the characters were written, or how the drama (or camera) focused on Zhang Zhe’s character, that I feel there’s more of a connection between Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue. The longing looks that they shoot each other for the most of the drama almost erased Zhang Ling He’s existence. When Yan Lin thought his rival was Xie Wei, I think it was Zhang Zhe that he should be wary of. Granted, if Xue Ning’s second life didn’t occur, she might have ended up with Zhang Zhe. But it’s highly unlikely because we know that the upright person who he was, First-life Zhang Zhe would not have fallen in love with First-life Xue Ning.
Speaking past lives, I’m not happy that the drama interjected a modern re-write of the novel as a segue between the first and second lives. I know some people have attributed this to censorship, but there are other dramas that have done this better.
Aside from these points, I almost loved this near-perfect drama, with its powerful cast and engaging plot. This sweeping saga of second chances and second loves explores the question of whether fate can be changed with strong will, or if it remains the same destiny regardless of attempts to reverse it.
I almost dropped this drama after watching the first episode, because I’m not really a fan where the ending…
I wanted the drama’s second half to address or at least include a few things.
One being: where were all the parents after their high school days? Somehow, all of them disappeared from the scene, only to be reunited at the end during their wedding. I would have liked to see more of their interaction, especially since Lin Xi and Jin Xing’s family were supposed to be distant relatives. At least, I would have imagined them eating at each other’s house more often when they became a couple.
Also, after all that effort of making the heart-monitoring bracelet, I thought they would show Jin Xing’s brother making use of it. After all, it was for his sake that the idea came to fruition. He, along with the parents, seemed to vanish into thin air once they went to university.
Instead, we get a high school reunion of people we hardly saw in the drama, as if I would remember who they were in high school. I’m not convinced that all their classmates will take part in the surprise marriage proposal that Jin Xing meticulously prepared for, but there’s dramaland for you.
I almost dropped this drama after watching the first episode, because I’m not really a fan where the ending is at the beginning of the drama. It’s not that I don’t want to know what happens, and let’s face it, romcoms typically end with a Happy-Ever-After. It won’t veer from this formula, but I’m already resigned to this fate without even giving me the chance of speculation.
After delaying it for months, I finally got around to watching it. I was mildly surprised I didn’t hate it as much as I expected. Maybe this is also due to me failing to recognize Lu Yu Xiao from her Antagonist role in “My Journey to You.” Here, she’s a perfect fit as Lin Xi, neither too clingy, nor over-bearing. Although I almost ditched this drama for another reason: I misunderstood her intentions in approaching Ji Jun Xing at the start. Thinking that she would be one of those females chasing the man around with no self-respect. ISWAK really traumatized me in that regard.
For his part, Wu Jun Ting is convincing as the aloof Ji Jun Xing, but later warms up to those friends who became part of his inner circle, mostly thanks to the efforts of Lin Xi. Jun Xing and Lin Xi’s journey from strangers to friends to lovers, was really heart-warming to watch. Their romance was a natural progression.
In contrast, Yi Mian’s and Xie Ang’s on-and-off relationship gave me a whiplash. They break up at the slightest disagreement and get back together when they miss each other. After the nth time they did this, I couldn’t care less whether or not they end up together.
As for the third pairing, we all know that they are not really your typical type of friendship. There are plenty of hints that there is more going on between Gao Yun Lang and Chen Mo than meets the eye. But alas, we have to play to the hetero-normative construct in order to pass the censors, so we are just presented with the “Socialist brotherhood” that seems acceptable.
The rest of the characters were not as memorable, except maybe for Qin Kai. He wasn’t a strong enough of match for Lin Xi, that I didn’t feel any second-lead syndrome at all. But he served his purpose, as well as the rest of the cast.
The pacing was well-maintained in the beginning until the tail end, where all the time skips happened. I wanted the drama’s second half to address or at least include a few things. (in the spoiler below)
Aside from those things, this drama is decent enough to pass muster. It mainly talks about how people are fated to be together, and how important it is to chase your dreams.
Instead of hating KSH (I'm not saying we shouldn't), we should instead hate the law that allows perpetrators so much power over their victims, as if them suffering isn't enough. How many victims out there that are silenced because of a legitimate fear that their complaints will be muted, their cries of pain buried among other injustices??
Some people take for granted that just because we have better laws for women and children in some countries, that doesn't necessarily mean that other countries enjoy the same protections as well.
So if they can't speak up for themselves, we have to speak up for them, raise awareness and highlight that gap of inequality where the laws give preferential treatment to men in power.
Be an agent of change, no matter how small you think you are, every voice counts.
2 
"She also has a face mask on and it's blurry but that is real proof that it is KSR'"
💀💀💀
https://www.koreaboo.com/news/kim-soohyun-kim-saeron-lee-jinho-new-video-relationship-video/
Since the "proof" and "Evidence" is very long, here is the summary (read it with dripping sarcasm):
"The long and short of the evidence I found through my investigation, is that I'm telling you that KSR dated a boy who looks like a boy, but I can't tell you his name because I don't know his name, and it looks like this guy, but maybe it's not this guy, but I'm telling you that these videos of these random people who may look like KSR, because they both are girls with the same hair style, is dating multiple boys at once, because I'm telling you that KSH is also dating other women - not minors, because he can't be dating minors, because he clearly doesn't like them, and I'm telling you that you have to believe me because KSH told me that this is the truth that I must tell you the truth."
If for example, I listened to that stereotype of Latino males being typically lazy and tend to show off their "machismo," and that their cultural belief that a woman's place should be a kitchen, then I would not have married my current partner and avoided them altogether.
Even in the First world country like the US, there still exists a gap in gender equality, and the reversal of the Roe vs Wade is one of the attempts to widen that gap even further.
https://equalitynow.org/news_and_insights/why-womens-rights-are-vulnerable-in-america/
https://www.economicsobservatory.com/how-will-the-reversal-of-roe-v-wade-affect-american-women
So I think, instead of lumping every male in the same bucket, we should be open to the possibility that not ALL Korean males, not ALL Indian males, not ALL (insert nationality) males exhibit these stringent -Alpha traits. It's up to us to discern with our own common sense and embedded wisdom, the difference between who is worthy of your time and who is not.
That was the intent of my original comment, and NOT discarding the fact that misogyny still exists in those countries, and also everywhere else.
https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/20-most-sexist-and-misogynistic-countries-in-the-world-1189813/
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/australian-men-rank-among-most-misogynistic/
A few people doesn't represent the whole country. As in every situation, there are good eggs and bad eggs, you just have to know how to pick them.
Let me start with where this drama excels.
The story. The story of Kunning Palace is full of wonders and intricacy that I am kept on my toes with all the political intrigues and calculated machinations by people in Xue Ning’s second life, with the most impressive moves made by her, and of course our main lead Xie Wei. As separate characters, they are formidable in their own right, but together, they are unstoppable. The way they side-step attempts on their life and thwart their potential ruination were exciting to watch.
The arcs. Several fully developed mini-arcs comprise this drama, each contributing to the overall plot. The writer seamlessly intertwined them, and none served as a filler.
The music. Appropriately themed and timed, that I feel the swell of excitement when called for, and the sense of dread when prompted. They carefully chose the sombre melodies that became a backdrop of unrequited love.
The production. The crew excelled in cinematography, and their attention to detail in costume design creates a world that transports us from the present to the past.
The cast. As expected of Bai Lu, she portrays the role of Xue Ning convincingly. Her wit and charm exude on the screen. Zhang Ling He is not one to slack off either. He proved his status as a top actor by nailing his portrayal of the mysterious figure that is Xie Wei. This is the fifth time that I’ve seen both, each time I am impressed with their acting. But who surprised me the most is Wang Xing Yue. This is the second time I’ve seen him, but his performance here grew leaps and bounds compared to when I first saw him in One and Only. Zhou Jun Wei is another one who held his own when cast in a sea of experienced actors. I’ve always seen him support roles and here, he proved himself to be a worthy contender of the Female Lead’s love.
Where I think this drama is lacking.
The romance. I’m not entirely sure whether it’s the lack of chemistry between Zhang Ling He and Bai Lu that allowed Zhang Zhe to sweep in the middle. Or maybe it’s the way the characters were written, or how the drama (or camera) focused on Zhang Zhe’s character, that I feel there’s more of a connection between Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue. The longing looks that they shoot each other for the most of the drama almost erased Zhang Ling He’s existence. When Yan Lin thought his rival was Xie Wei, I think it was Zhang Zhe that he should be wary of. Granted, if Xue Ning’s second life didn’t occur, she might have ended up with Zhang Zhe. But it’s highly unlikely because we know that the upright person who he was, First-life Zhang Zhe would not have fallen in love with First-life Xue Ning.
Speaking past lives, I’m not happy that the drama interjected a modern re-write of the novel as a segue between the first and second lives. I know some people have attributed this to censorship, but there are other dramas that have done this better.
Aside from these points, I almost loved this near-perfect drama, with its powerful cast and engaging plot. This sweeping saga of second chances and second loves explores the question of whether fate can be changed with strong will, or if it remains the same destiny regardless of attempts to reverse it.
One being: where were all the parents after their high school days? Somehow, all of them disappeared from the scene, only to be reunited at the end during their wedding. I would have liked to see more of their interaction, especially since Lin Xi and Jin Xing’s family were supposed to be distant relatives. At least, I would have imagined them eating at each other’s house more often when they became a couple.
Also, after all that effort of making the heart-monitoring bracelet, I thought they would show Jin Xing’s brother making use of it. After all, it was for his sake that the idea came to fruition. He, along with the parents, seemed to vanish into thin air once they went to university.
Instead, we get a high school reunion of people we hardly saw in the drama, as if I would remember who they were in high school. I’m not convinced that all their classmates will take part in the surprise marriage proposal that Jin Xing meticulously prepared for, but there’s dramaland for you.
After delaying it for months, I finally got around to watching it. I was mildly surprised I didn’t hate it as much as I expected. Maybe this is also due to me failing to recognize Lu Yu Xiao from her Antagonist role in “My Journey to You.” Here, she’s a perfect fit as Lin Xi, neither too clingy, nor over-bearing. Although I almost ditched this drama for another reason: I misunderstood her intentions in approaching Ji Jun Xing at the start. Thinking that she would be one of those females chasing the man around with no self-respect. ISWAK really traumatized me in that regard.
For his part, Wu Jun Ting is convincing as the aloof Ji Jun Xing, but later warms up to those friends who became part of his inner circle, mostly thanks to the efforts of Lin Xi. Jun Xing and Lin Xi’s journey from strangers to friends to lovers, was really heart-warming to watch. Their romance was a natural progression.
In contrast, Yi Mian’s and Xie Ang’s on-and-off relationship gave me a whiplash. They break up at the slightest disagreement and get back together when they miss each other. After the nth time they did this, I couldn’t care less whether or not they end up together.
As for the third pairing, we all know that they are not really your typical type of friendship. There are plenty of hints that there is more going on between Gao Yun Lang and Chen Mo than meets the eye. But alas, we have to play to the hetero-normative construct in order to pass the censors, so we are just presented with the “Socialist brotherhood” that seems acceptable.
The rest of the characters were not as memorable, except maybe for Qin Kai. He wasn’t a strong enough of match for Lin Xi, that I didn’t feel any second-lead syndrome at all. But he served his purpose, as well as the rest of the cast.
The pacing was well-maintained in the beginning until the tail end, where all the time skips happened. I wanted the drama’s second half to address or at least include a few things.
(in the spoiler below)
Aside from those things, this drama is decent enough to pass muster. It mainly talks about how people are fated to be together, and how important it is to chase your dreams.
https://youtu.be/seMG3VsD30o?si=vIn_N-KaHFneleJf
https://x.com/zip99900/status/1906308501405835448?t=d_NGtIGtyYMp2ijqMB0CXQ&s=19
Some people take for granted that just because we have better laws for women and children in some countries, that doesn't necessarily mean that other countries enjoy the same protections as well.
So if they can't speak up for themselves, we have to speak up for them, raise awareness and highlight that gap of inequality where the laws give preferential treatment to men in power.
Be an agent of change, no matter how small you think you are, every voice counts.