John Smith

What about when the two leads obviously love each other, and neither one wants to admit it? But there is no need to worry because the hero will take a sword or arrow to the chest, groan, then gaze at the FL. She will be crying about how she should have said she loved him then when he miraculously is cured and wakes up.... back to cat and mouse bickering.

I do not know how much screen time the third couple gets the rest of the way, but they seemed the most real. Being a minor part of the story probably means that they do not get the dramatic treatment that the other two get. Of course, they both are in the wrong, and if they really want to stay together, they need to communicate and compromise. I think that two strangers (that is essentially what two people are) should only live together if they can see and live with flaws in themselves and in the other person.

Still on episode 23 as all the drama around the medical incident made me take a mini-break from it. Do not worry. I have invested this much time, so I will finish it. lol

I think some of the blame can be placed on fans of both leads who thought that this drama was going to be something transcendental. They saw the leads and romance, and had years of buildup to think how different and amazing this drama was going to be. That was just not going to happen. This is just another Chinese romance drama that just happened to have two big stars. It has all of the usual tropes, and the same weaknesses that you find in other dramas. That does not mean this drama is not really good. it was just never going to be perfect, and now fans are left with taking sides when they should just realize that this is just life and part of the story. Both characters are flawed (how can two halves not be). At the end of the day, they will both figure out they are better together (whole).

I have been critical of Lee Min Ho from time to time, but I would not go as far as to say he cannot act. I last saw him in The King: Eternal Monarch, and he was okay. The cast around him was better, and he seemed uncomfortable in his role at some points. Just because he might not be the best actor does not mean he is the worst. I also think that just because he is handsome, people assume he will be amazing in romance based dramas, which I do not think is fair to him. I think he (like other actors/actresses) have roles that suit them more and over time they learn to broaden their range. He has what you cannot teach (presence), and the rest is gained through hard work and experience.

I will probably have to "forget" about it, then try to watch more of it. I am glad that it stays in my queue, so I can remember where to restart.
I have not seen any of Ni Ni's works, but 70 is probably asking too much of me right now. She looks visually talented.

I tend to view dramas like relationships. Sometimes with no apparent rhyme or reason, you just click. Maybe the lead reminds you of someone, perhaps someone has a career you are interested in, maybe you are feeling down and despite loving thrillers, you want comedy gold. Emily Dickinson wrote, "The heart wants what it wants, or else it does not care."

I watched up to episode 23, so I saw the not so smooth moment and then all the issues that followed. I agree that their friend from the third couple has some work to do. We did not get to see much of their relationship, and for that matter the second couple either. I do think the two friends also play a role in making her seem so stubborn. I cannot say I care how their story turns out. And the second couple has gotten so little time that it is hard to be too invested in their relationship as well. Getting close to the end though.

This pairing is definitely going to be out of this world.

I do think it is unfair to judge Shin Ha Ri based on knowledge of a situation that she does not possess. He is a former crush, and now merely a friend. I think if she knew what we know, she would either stop being his friend, or at least feel disappointed and uncomfortable around him for awhile. Your words come across as more personal than critical. I do think that some of what you said can be found in other dramas (and maybe this one), but not in this instance.

In modern dramas (particularly romance based ones), characters whine when they get antiseptic put on their cut. In ancient dramas, if you are not spitting up blood, angrily wiping it off, and continuing to fight, you are not putting in your best effort.

Another bothersome aspect I have noticed in Chinese dramas is actually two-fold. One is the ease with which characters get a cold. It seems like you can catch a cold from staring at a glass of water for too long (maybe that is exaggerating). Two, why is a cold almost always made to look like the kiss of death (this one I am pretty sure is not an exaggeration)? One sneeze, and it is off to the hospital, the pharmacy, or calling in sick. My guess is that there is some sort of sociological explanation, but I am always taken aback by the seemingly drastic responses to a cold.

I am over a third of the way into The Rebel Princess, and I am liking it more than I thought I would, but it is pretty unsettling. I had to take a break from it because I have heard it only gets worse as far as tropes go. I always seem to be a bit surprised in a country that relies heavily on censorship can still produce dramas that seem to lack it.

I wonder if the writer, screenwriter, or actress took any inspiration from it.

No doubt. And unless we get some backstory (which I am not sure is going to happen), he had no reason to be like that.

Young Seo's cousin gives off a Veronica Park type vibe from The Secret Life of My Secretary.

Lee Min Woo is probably one of the worse characters I have ever come across. Not because he is evil, but because he seems so real. You actually believe (or even know) that someone could be such a spineless jerk (feel free to substitute other colorful terms).

That was pretty rich coming from someone who drafted her best friend to ruin her blind dates, and then paid her to go on a blind date with Kang Tae Moo. It also shows how little she knows about Cha Sung Hoon. I totally understand it was done because this is a rom-com, as it adds comedy and drama, but the servant line was really not needed.

I immediately think about when I watched My Girlfriend is an Alien. Variety is the spice of life. I remember mentioning The Rebel Princess, and it is really not my cup of tea (too melodramatic and too many episodes), but I thought I would give it a try. I watched about 30 episodes and really like it. it has its issues and I really do not like all the constant crazy evil stuff that goes on, but it drew me in. Not sure when I will get around to finishing it because I watched less than half and it will only get crazier and I am not ready for that. lol

I think Daisy Li would make a good overbearing CEO in a business romantic comedy where she falls for either a lowly coworker or a ML in an opposites attract scenario.

It seems pretty silly that they keep their relationship from her parents, but I guess that adds some drama. I watched episode 21, and definitely some issues brewing for the main couple.

It is hard to find a drama (particularly Chinese romance based) that treats female mains or seconds as well-rounded characters. They seem to be portrayed as the weaker half, and only gain strength from the male lead or by the drama weakening the male lead. Unless you count the truly evil female characters, or the ones that start strong until they meet the male lead. With all that, I still enjoy these dramas when they are written well and have good chemistry. I hope it is okay to be critical and still enjoy them.

I tried to pull on the reins as I was writing the comment because (I think) like you, I could really light into the way women in general are portrayed. I think one of the main reasons why that particular issue came to mind is because it is so present in dramas. I dislike things like wrist grabs and unfair contract/cohabitation/relationship tropes, but those are usually sporadic or temporary. The FL (and sometimes ML and cast) is present throughout the entire drama. You cannot help but to notice it.

I do not mind relationship/ general plot drama that seems believable or at least is somewhat tethered to reality. If I have to say " that would never happen", then I probably do not like the way the drama is doing things. TOoL has stayed away from those "BS" moments as of episode 20. Family stress putting strain on relationship is okay. Contagious amnesia, not so much.

San San does have her quirks, but I think she is visually talented (lol), so it is less of a problem for me than when Shao Jiang bothers the main couple.

I have seen only up to episode 20, have not seen her parents too much in the past few episodes. Is she trying to hide that she is dating Gu Wei? I would think that her parents would be ecstatic over that news. Maybe they are just creating a bit of tension to fill out an episode.

I think the least they could do is probably still asking for a lot given the current environment.