tsuyoi_hikari

She is the original novel writer but not the screenwriter for Princess Agent. While I shudder when I learnt about it -- since the script for Princess Agent is truly a mess and full of plot holes. But then I realized that she written the novel and not the drama. So, we are good to go, hopefully.

I'm really loving this show now. I was hesitant on the first 2 episodes, but now I'm totally obsessed lol. I complained at the beginning since I dont feel the same depth & layers like Ren Jialun's usual scripts but now I'm beginning to change my mind. The way they written the demon is with stages so while it seemed at first they were simply as plot device and were glossed over, I start to see how we will empathies with them as more episodes go by. Just like the human form they took to hide their true form, we supposed to view the drama as well that way and how gradually we will start to see different perspective with each new cases -- where layers of layers will be shed about them and their own tragic stories.

Then how the writer weaved between emotional scenes and funny scenes back to back is refreshingly funny and interesting. One scene, Banxia is telling Xuanye this emotional story about her past with tears and all then it interlaced with 'Xuanye... have you fallen asleep?' since it seemed like he didnt listen. 😂 Then we see him teaching her mantra to help her sleep and right after that Chi Zhu using the same mantra in hilarious situation. I mean, why? But I dig it lol.

And both of the leads acting has been fantastic. I totally see both of them as the character instead of the actors. Ren Jialun's judgy smiles and nonchalant, apathetic, dismissive mannerism is something he hasnt done before. :D Then Song Zu'er, I adore this girl! I find Banxia totally adorable and cute and refreshingly reacting to shocking events like any normal girl would. I was taken aback with how her reaction to everything is like a normal girl will be if they are in the same situation -- how shocked or terrified she is everytime danger comes knocking her door.

Ohh I didn't know its female centric -- I thought it would be more like equal billing for Shin Minah and Lee Jongsuk. And that makes it even more amazing.

You are absolutely right. But even with that, there is tier. Superstar level would be like Hyun Bin, Jung Woosung, Joo Jihoon then you have ML but not in Superstar level like Woo Dohwan & Nam Joohyuk. This is not a dismissive comments but they havent reach that stage yet -- thats what I meant.

Woo Dohwan & Kwon Nara is in different status. They dont have a truly successful drama where they are the main leads like Joo Jihoon for an example. Like I mentioned, Cho Seungwoo is the 1st billing materials in East Palace.

But if you want to see them as 1st billing materials, can as well since its after all a free world.

1st billing actors in:
Made in Korea - Hyun Bin & Jung Woosung
Knock Off - Kim Soohyun & Jo Boah
East Palace - Cho Seungwoo & Nam Joohyun

2 first billing actors in all 3 dramas which is a norm. Test rest, I dont consider them as first billing more like second billing materials.

I think these people just come and comment without actually watching these dramas.

RJL dramas has always been with little romance. All his last 3 dramas are non-romance centered where romance is only a tiny sub-plot. For his full romance dramas like The Blue Whisper & Forever and Ever, he has kissing scenes in them. So I really dont understand where this hate is coming from lol. Its like people just coming here to complaint about something that they dont even watch. Its really bizarre and funny.

Dont worry. This is not a romance drama. Romance probably 2% or 5% only. All his last 3 dramas are not romance centered just like this drama.

Producer wont stop casting him in romance dramas because all his romance dramas are hits at China. Believe it or not, from One & Only, Forever & Ever and The Blue Whisper -- all are hits. And there are kissing scenes in Forever & Ever and The Blue Whisper. So, I dont see why people should stop casting him when he will kiss when the scenes required him to.

Its pretty normal for RJL dramas to be air dropped lol.

This is not a romance centered drama. The original Chinese title is 'Worry Free Ferry'. Just like all his last 3 dramas (Twilight, Burning Flames & Love of Nirvana) which is not romance centered if you actually watch them. 😬 The last heavy romance drama of his is The Blue Whisper with Dilraba and he has kissing scenes in them. All his romance dramas are hits at China -- from One & Only, Forever & Ever & The Blue Whisper. So, obviously why drama producers want him for romance dramas.

Its obvious the English title is just a bait. They love to put love in everything lol. Its obvious that there is going to be very little romance in here so I dont get the complaining. The original Chinese title is 'Worry Free Ferry'.

Unlike most dramas who prefer to put interesting/explosive contents on the first episode, this drama really took time with the introduction. It didnt really hooked me so I'm pretty worried. But by the time Episode 2 ended, I'm started feeling it and then Episode 3, I'm in, fully hooked. When they start giving more background mysteries on Banxia's dreams and also showing Xuanye's murdered family, yeah, I'm in for that kind of story. The script is pretty much straightforward (not the usual standard for Ren Jialun's usual scripts, imo) but its too early to tell -- I guess we will get more depth in the later episodes. But the overall premise is there and I'm actually compelled to keep watching once I got to Episode 3 as it got really interesting.

And the drama is unexpectedly funny at some parts. Like when Banxia calling Xuanye 'The one who rare rabbit! The one who rare rabbit~' And he was like 'I didnt rare rabbit!'. This kind of humour is totally my lane. 😂 And Xiao Ren (from Forever & Ever) is Xuanye's assistant! I always like their chemistry back then. :D

And I feel bad for Banxia. The fact that all her family members treat her like she is a 'boy who cried wolf' had me just because she can see all these demon and spiritual beings. And yes, Song Zu'er crying when the Dad passed away, its so good. I'm so glad she can make a comeback since she is after all a wonderful actress.

Okay, they hairstyles did bother me at the beginning but they are going for authentic Tang Dynasty hairstyles with the costumes as well. I started to get the aesthetic at the entertainment house when they show all these different ladies with elaborated Tang Dynasty makeup, hairstyles and costumes. And the CGI is pretty great! I cant wait till we reached the Red Dragon arc (?) later as can be seen during the ending credit animation.

Since I rewatched some scenes in Forever & Ever today, I just want to say how Zhousheng Chen is literally my most favorite romantic male lead in Cdramas. I like everything about him down to the smallest details. I love how gentle, devoted, patience and extremely loyal he is. He is not a simp, have his own goals and desires yet you know Shi Yi is his #1 priority. Most of his love are silent yet Shi Yi can feel it everywhere since his actions speaks louder than words. Do things for Shi Yi secretly yet he will passed it as something insignificant, just because he just love her unconditionally without asking anything in return. Respect his terrible mother yet setting boundaries at the same time -- thus showing how he is very graceful as a person. Have fantastic relationships with everyone around him and he is nice to anyone he encountered. And he could live a happy, secluded life yet he chose a difficult road instead so he can help more people. Flawed yet perfect at the same time. The way he is written makes him feel very 'human' despite these fantastic qualities and I adore how the writer managed to write him that way.

I love how Shiyi described him; ''Even when he's just there at home or in the study, I'm happy just looking at him. No, I don't even have to look at him, just thinking that he's mine, makes me happy.'' ❤️

No need. The drama stand on its own. But if you watched One & Only, it will elevate your feelings even more. You will understand the impacts on certain actions made by the characters. Like the first time Shi Yi said 'I love you' to Zhousheng Chen, you know how long she waited to say that to him. So, simple scene like this will bring tears to your eyes.

COSTUME

We start with Wei Zhou. He always tries to hide his identity and it reflected in what he wore as well. While being a minister, he always wore white to show he is pure and will do anything for the Emperor, no question asked. The irony of that is that he is known to be ruthless so he likes to wear the opposite of his image. But during his missions or time at Yueluo, he always wear dark colors; either black or dark blue. This is again aside from his attempt not to stand out -- he wore these dark colors as irony as well like he has 'bad intention' when in actuality, his heart is pure as he is fighting for the freedom of his people. In reality, the costume color supposed to be in reverse to reflect his heart but as he wants to hide his intentions/goals/identity, he wore them the opposite direction. Also, some details in his costume's color did make me laugh a bit like how its forbidden to wear red to wedding but thats what Wei Zhou wore when he wants to stop the Jiang Ci & Pei Yan's wedding -- he is not even subtle about it lol.

While for Jiang Ci. She always wore soft, colorful and pastel colored hanfus. Just like her soft, happy and bubbly personality, the costumes that she wore reflect herself as well -- no 'mask' unlike Wei Zhou. She is after all wore her feelings on her sleeve and when you look at her wearing this soft colors, you will also feel warm and want to be close to her just like the 2 male leads who automatically drawn to her as well.

And for Pei Yan, just like Wei Zhou, he likes to wear the irony to his intention in his costume colors. He always wear bold colors but actually, most of his action are subtle, swift and miniscule -- Wei Zhou also pointing it out in one of the scenes in the drama as well. As opposite at what he wants others to view him -- someone with bold moves, he is actually cunning and very crafty.

Since I watched some scenes from the drama today, I just want to point out that the costumes in this drama is telling us about the persons who wore it as well.

We start with Wei Zhou. He always tries to hide his identity and it reflected in what he wore as well. While being a minister, he always wore white to show he is pure and will do anything for the Emperor, no question asked. The irony of that is that he is known to be ruthless so he likes to wear the opposite of his image. But during his missions or time at Yueluo, he always wear dark colors; either black or dark blue. This is again aside from his attempt not to stand out -- he wore these dark colors as irony as well like he has 'bad intention' when in actuality, his heart is pure as he is fighting for the freedom of his people. In reality, the costume color supposed to be in reverse to reflect his heart but as he wants to hide his intentions/goals/identity, he wore them the opposite direction.

While for Jiang Ci. She always wore soft, colorful and pastel colored hanfus. Just like her soft, happy and bubbly personality, the costumes that she wore reflect herself as well -- no 'mask' unlike Wei Zhou. She is after all wore her feelings on her sleeve and when you look at her wearing this soft colors, you will also feel warm and want to be close to her just like the 2 male leads who automatically drawn to her as well.

And for Pei Yan, just like Wei Zhou, he likes to wear the irony to his intention in his costume colors. He always wear bold colors but actually, most of his action are subtle, swift and miniscule -- Wei Zhou also pointing it out in one of the scenes in the drama as well. As opposite at what he wants others to view him -- someone with bold moves, he is actually cunning and very crafty.

Also, some details in the costume did make me laugh a bit like how its forbidden to wear red to wedding but thats what Wei Zhou wore when he wants to stop the Jiang Ci & Pei Yan's wedding -- he is not even subtle about it lol.

For Squid Game, not really since most the A-list actors are only in guest roles. If guest roles, it can happen in Cdramas as well.

Because billing is an important aspect of the industry in C-entertainment. 1st billing actor/actress is the face of the drama and the one who will carry the success or failure of the drama. So, its impossible to get, in this case, four 1st billing actors to starred in one drama -- the budget wouldn't allow it. Famous C-actors are paid a lot, like really a lot.

All the 4 actors in this drama are 1st billing materials and have starred in their own successful productions. So, to have someone like Joo Jihoon or Lee Seyoung who used to play first lead to play second lead in this drama is pretty much impossible in Cdramas.

Same case like Playlist Hospital. All the 3 male actors (Yoo Yeonseok, Jo Jungsuk & Jung Kyungho) are 1st billing actors. So, to have them all 3 to star in one production is pretty great. Usually, most dramas can only managed 2 actors/actresses.

The casts are awesome. How do they make Joo Jihoon and Lee Seyoung agreed to play the 2nd leads? In Cdramas, this probably will never happen lol.