tsuyoi_hikari

I just finished Episode 28 and I have to write my thoughts and get this out of my chest.

Boy, what an episode! So many things happening at the same time! 😂 I always took pride in predicting scheming dramas (like during the Yueluo arc, I knew the spy and the good elders from the get go despite the deceptive storytelling) but I did not expect the plot twist regarding Jiang Ci's identity and also the military advisor of Lu Yu to be Wei Zhou's spy. I knew he always have spy planted everywhere but this spy is indeed very unexpected. Now it all makes sense all his advices to Lu Yu seemed deadly at first like digging the tunnel but the outcome is a failure lol. Its all made sense now.

And again, Wei Zhou is indeed always the cleverest man in the room despite he always face a setback. But man planned 2 or 3 steps ahead ALL THE TIME. We thought he is joining hands with Pei Yan and will give him the account book? Naah, he has another plan at the back with attacking Lu Yu's camp at the rear. With his spy always beside Lu Yu, he always has the uppar hand in everything -- and now it made sense why he always so calm during the war. He has everything calculated. He only need Pei Yan to buy him more time which is 5 days for Mr Ping's man to reach the capital and bring his shadow sect squad to do the deeds.

And can we talk about Jiang Ci's shifu? All she need is to utter that Wei Zhou's father is the only one who knew the whereabout of Prince Qi so Wei Zhou's father is the one who murdered Prince Qi. Now we know for sure that it was the Emperor all along to be the chess master of this whole mystery. He killed his brother Prince Qi to take the throne while blaming Yuelou and capturing it and its all part of his grand master plan to be the Emperor at that time. Wei Zhou still do not know this truth at this point so, it will be shock later when he figured this out. I love when dramas slowly making sense like pieces of puzzle -- it makes the viewing experience much much more rich and interesting.

Oh now it made sense why Jiang Ci is so clever. His Dad is the Crown Prince so she inherited that one from him. Also her kind nature and high moral -- its all link back to her parents and her shifu's teachings. I'm dreading the angst that about to come! T_____T

The drama is very well written so no wasted scenes in it. If anyone think there is a filler scene, think again, its actually served to story/plot somehow.

A lot of RJL's dramas are like this, full of details and depth so I always had fun figuring it out. For an example in Forever & Ever, there is a scene of him picking up a coat when he wanted to visit Shiyi's parents. People can easily pointed it out as a filler scene but its actually not as the scene showing him picking a black color coat and then change it to blue. Why? Because Shiyi is wearing blue on that day. Zhousheng Chen knew Shiyi loves to wear matching color outfits thus he do thing that can appease his wife silently -- just like his love in the whole drama.

I'm right now at Yueluo arc and I love it even more! Probably my favourite arc so far? Aside from a few issues like the acting of the supporting casts are a bit bad, etc, I didn't allow it to hinder my enjoyment of this arc at all. I love how healing this arc has been despite probably it is the saddest with how the flowers no longer grow at Yueluo and how Wei Zhou's people is rejecting him despite he has been fighting for them his whole life. 😢 Again, he no longer cry -- I guess he's been training himself to be unaffected with disappointment so it was Jiang Ci who cry for him instead.

And I love all the scenes of them together -- their chemistry is really sizzling -- almost blinding. I love how she touched him with the swing and tease him with it, and he drew on her face or just their interaction with each other -- it was really wholesome and sweet. RJL and Landy got great chemistry here, I'm loving their each moments together.

I think the foreshadowing about how the ending wouldn't be a sad ending is apparent even more in this arc as well. Aside from the theme song (Someone at the end of the world never leaves, I brave the grim haze to be with you once again) or the trailers which hinted it will be a happy ending (Those who love each other will eventually meet again), this arc has the the old lady read Jiang Ci's fortune -- ''Support each other through thick and thin. With perseverance, better days will come eventually.'' Then the Phoenix that Jiang Ci drew on Wei Zhou's mask about being burnt and rises again. And later the reference of Wei Zhou is a cat with nine lives. Somehow, I'm positive we will get a good ending for this drama. :D

They cant give us sad ending after all of this message lol. The whole arc is about healing and letting go of hatred and how hope will grow again just like the flowers.

You have to watch at least until Yueluo arc ends which is Episode 25 since I really like this arc as it is so healing. They have many sweet moments together and a lot of foreshadowing about a happy ending. At least 3 in this arc alone. :D

I watched the Yueluo arc and I'm more convinced of a happy ending now.

Aside from the theme song (Someone at the end of the world never leaves, I brave the grim haze to be with you once again) or the trailers which hinted it will be a happy ending (Those who love each other will eventually meet again).

This arc has the the old lady read Jiang Ci's fortune -- ''Support each other through thick and thin. With perseverance, better days will come eventually.''

Then the Phoenix that Jiang Ci drew on Wei Zhou's mask about being burnt and rises again is another huge clue.

And later the reference of Wei Zhou's is a cat with nine lives. Somehow, I positive we will get a good ending for this one! :D They cant give us sad ending after all of this lmao.

From his wording, I understand he meant the novel ending and not the drama ending. I just wish to remain positive since they ended their filming with both of them in Yueluo's outfits so my guess the drama will have them met again at Yueluo?

Plus, I watched the episode last night when the old lady read Jiang Ci's fortune and she said another line of foreshadowing of getting though good and hard time together -- then after all of that, good days will come. This one another strong indication of a happy ending. I chose to believe it will be one haha.

From his wording, I understand he meant the novel ending and not the drama ending. I just wish to remain positive since they ended their filming with both of them in Yueluo's outfits so my guess the drama will have them met again at Yueluo?

IDK, I have good feeling about this one. I wish we will get our happy ending. :D

Did he really said it will be a sad ending? Because what I got from what he said is that he didnt purposely chose to act in IPs known with sad endings like Glory of Tang Dynasty, One & Only or this time around, this drama. But he never said it will surely be a sad ending for this drama. I could be wrong though but wish to remain positive. 😂😭😤

I dont know. I had the feeling it wouldn't be a bad/sad ending. The foreshadowing about the ending is in the theme song so I'm pretty positive they are going into that route instead. Also in the trailers, they always said this phrase 'Those who love each other will eventually meet again' if that is not foreshadowing about the ending, I dont know what is lol.

And usually from my experience, they usually wont betray the lyrics of the theme song. So, I actually am very positive we will get a satisfactory ending for this one. :D

I still havent caught up with all the latest episodes (still jet-lagged 😤) but I'm on Episode 20 and I must say the awesomeness upped even more after Wei Zhou's identity revelation. Before this, Pei Yan is playing 3D chess in the dark without knowing his enemy's identity but I never thought the fun is upped even more now everything is up in the light. I just love the puzzle way they are talking to each other when Pei Yan is searching for Jiang Ci in Wei Zhou's room. And I love how quick-witted Wei Zhou always is (like the time when Jiang Ci threaten him with a hug and he turn that hug into evidence that he cant swim was all kind of brilliant lol) -- everytime Pei Yan tries to put him in disadvantage, he will turn the situation around by revealing it was Pei Yan all along who used Jiang Ci as his pawn -- all for Jiang Ci to hear while hiding away inside his cupboard. 🤭

And may I say how I should never look down on either one of them -- they are always on the moves and never seem to sleep. Pei Yan talk with He Xingyou about him figuring it out all along that he has transferred the account books via the wild road and he has got it just show again and again on why he literally need nobody to help him anyway -- if he wants something, he will get it himself, on his own. I'm so glad Jeremy actually in something that worthy of his talents. This complicated character suit him to a T. And just when I thought Pei Yan got the upperhand, Wei Zhou also figured out the same thing and stealing the other part of the account books on the same night. And now, despite he is getting the wrong book, Pei Yan will be doing the dirty work for him anyway by bringing Lu Yu's treacherous rebellious act to the Emperor in order to save his mother. It was all kind of brilliant! All this smart scheming are bringing me life. I live for this kind of content. :D

And I love the scene where Wei Zhou is having a nightmare and Jiang Ci pet his hands him to calm him down. He was so restrained even when he's in his private time -- he just grip his blanket tightly and still suppressing whatever things that haunt him in his sleep. This makes my conversation with Emotional-Vegatable1 a few days ago even more apparent on how she pointed out how restrained Wei Zhou actually is even in his crazy and unhinged phase -- like he could make a new wound on Jiang Ci everytime he faces her but instead, he just poking her wound instead to remind her. I love the consistencies in the writing and you can see how its all adds up to the layers of his characteristics.

Also, the part when Yifei told Wei Zhou the possibilities of Jiang Ci to be the student of the Yan sister -- on how you could see from his face -- how all his inside is crumbling down for the possible fact that Jiang Ci could be the student of his enemy is just amazing. RJL is bringing his A game here and I'm a happy fan.

And now I'm moving to Yueluo arc and I love when our main couple works together like this. I guess the cat clay figure will be their love language? I love how she keeps giving him that cat and he always look reluctant to take it but take it anyway. 😂 I love how he started to really wear himself down around Jiang Ci now. In the straining of his shoulder scene where she is putting medicine on him, the stare that he gave her is the confident stare -- like he had her on the palm of his hands. But now, all those confident stares are gone -- when she falls down on him or when he saw her washing his face and neck or when he found her hugging him in his sleep, it was 'Oh noes, I'm in deep trouble' face 😿 since now it is him who is in her disposal. Love this slowly but gradually transition of their relationship. ❤️

Thank you 🤗

Sure

I'm still not catching up with the latest episodes since I kept rewatching the same episode over and over again. 😅

Another interesting bit I get from the Military Weapon Investigation arc which is the contrast of actions of the characters of the 2 male leads -- it is done so subtlety to show to the audiences the swift change in state of mind of Jiang Ci. For an example for starter:
- We all know how free spirited is Jiang Ci. While Pei Yan clipped her wings, Wei Zhou in the other hands lets her fly and spread her wings.
- Pei Yan will limit what Jiang Ci wants to do while Wei Zhou will praise her and ask her to show more of her abilities.
- Also, when Jiang Ci wants to join any investigation, Pei Yan will stop and forbid her while Wei Zhou will open the door for her.
- And while doing good deeds to the poor people, Wei Zhou did it at the back without anyone knowing while Pei Yan doing it openly and get adored by everyone.
- Also, when Jiang Ci gave them the food of the poor, Wei Zhou accept and eat it while Pei Yan left it untouched.
This all have the same situation but produce different kind of results between these 2 characters. I think we will see more of this contrasting behaviors in the later episodes as well.

As to why this 2 gives a very different reactions to the same situation? It comes back to their childhood. While both of them are caged birds, Wei Zhou grew up in a loving family during his fundamental childhood development years where he is taught compassion and love and also understanding -- he only being caught later and become slave after that. While Pei Yan grew up in a completely toxic environment the whole of his life which build this very obsessive traits inside of him. While Wei Zhou only become ruthless and unhinged when he's in a mask, he is become kinder to everyone once they are in his intimate circle just like what Jiang Ci has becomes. Thats why Jiang Ci is no longer afraid of him since she seen him without the 'mask'. While Pei Yan in the other hand become completely different when someone become closer to him -- he ended up becoming controlling and 'wanting to do the best for what he think for the other person' and taking away their agency just like the 'love' he knew from his mother. Thus, this completely different result of the same situation from the 2 of them.

In Episode 14 & 15, I figured out another layers of Pei Yan which is how actually dark he really is in the inside. I dont think he even realize it. The icing on the cake when he displayed his corrupt family member in public to have him facing the wrath of the people -- what a brilliant action for all his scheming so far. He didnt mind to punish all his family members since he doesnt need them as he only need himself to succeed as can be seen in the last 15 episodes. The symbolism of him repelling the calm water in a pond of koi fish is the literal things he did to his corrupt family members which turning their peaceful world upside down like he has the hands of God. And I dont know whether he realize it, but his final goal is probably to be the Emperor as slowly, he is trying to eliminate everyone who's standing in his way. His mind had this depth which I think he himself didnt even realize it. His complexity is just amazing!

I'm really enjoying Ren Jialun's portrayal as Wei Zhou. I love the way he separates his characters from each other with different mannerisms and vibes. Like Wei Zhou here, he is as merciless and ruthless as Lu Yi from Under the Power (no sign of my awkward Zhousheng Chen at all from Forever & Ever 🥲😂) but he isnt like Lu Yi. Lu Yi is more like grumpy all the times while Wei Zhou is a bit crazy in the head -- he will look unaffected in front of everyone but then look like he just lost his soul when he's in private with the wooden names of his fallen people -- you can always count on RJL to do angst right. And Lu Yi will have full smirk while Wei Zhou only have this like 'half' confident smile like he is the cleverest guy in the room -- which he is -- until he isnt lol.

The best written drama I've seen in any language. One of the rare dramas where I gave a perfect 10/10. Everything about this drama is amazing.

Thats great! Thanks for pointing that out. Also, need to add the duality of the show where Pei Yan tries to trapped Jiang Ci in a cage while Wei Zhou let her fly and spread her wings. Wei Zhou needs like 10 episodes to see all this quality of Jiang Ci due to his hatred and revenge. But when he finally see it, he sees her for what her truly are which is the opposite of the Pei Yan who tried to control her. She is a free bird and Wei Zhou understood that part of her perfectly since he is a caged bird himself.

You cant speed through this drama as there is so much details and depth in all the plots. There are no filler or wasted scenes since everything served as a purpose. It show instead of telling since it trust the audiences to be smart enough to decipher the script. You are so right on the bag of her clay kitten. There is a lot more so I should start making a list since the details are pretty much amazing.

I also love the level of chess games they are playing. I usually can guess the first step but the 2nd and 3rd step is pretty much planned in advance and only show once the water repels after the course of the action. Its brilliant. I love clever script like this.

I hope this show remains solid till the end.

I just got around to watch this drama now. I'm only up to episode 14 atm. I waited for this for nearly 1 year and they decided to drop it when I'm on my 2 weeks holiday. 😂 Obviously, I'm bitter since I'm busy travelling lol.

So far, its everything I wanted but more. I always want a heavy political scheming drama from Ren Jialun since this genre is my favourite and I finally get it. I love how brilliant and matched everyone is in this games of wit and how everyone literally aware of everyone's scheming and mind games. But what unexpected for me is how ruthless and cruel is his character. The point when you watch this drama is see the leads as enemies at war instead of love interest since that is what they truly are -- all they wanted to do is to kill each other, genuinely. The romance only come much later when they finally see each other for who they truly are -- which is the same kind of people of the opposite sites. They did not romanticize it at all which I appreciate. It supposed to be seen as torture and abuse and nothing else. The FL is his enemy, she stopped his missions and she is a target -- its as simple as that.

And this is where another great point of the drama can be seen -- which is the complexity of the characters and the masks they are wearing. You are not supposed to judge them with the upfront that they put just like the mask Wei Zhou is wearing -- its been portrayed figuratively and literally. The cruel assassin mask he put on during his missions, then another façade he is wearing when he is in his official robes in front of everyone and his real face -- the look of sadness and helplessness like how everything inside of him is crumbing down when he put the names of his fallen people inside the box after failed missions. The same can be seen with the FL -- on the front she is just this bubbly girl who smile a lot but she is actually one of the cleverest characters on the show. She knew she being used but regardless of that, she wont let anyone used her as can be seen so far in this drama -- Wei Zhou can used her as a pawn and looks where it got him. Same with Pei Yan trying to control her freedom -- and look how she ended up doing thing exactly where her heart tells her to. Same with Pei Yan -- do not be fool with his nice and gentle demeanor as he is as manipulative and cunning. But at the same time, his concern is genuine which add the the weird complexity of his character. TBH if you ask him, he also have no idea when he started to fall for Jiang Ci as its all jumbled up in his head regarding on what he wants and what his family/mother expected of him. Its all blends together to make him the man as he is.

I also LOVE how they show Wei Zhou kept a white bird in a beautiful super big cage as the bird represent himself -- the hidden identity of lavish lifestyle with richness and adoration but actually trapped and wanting to get the freedom and justice he longed for his people who being sold as slaves, prostitutes and they humiliation they faced under the Liang tyranny.

Also, I love the metaphor of the black orchid seed which being used and described by Jiang Ci -- again, figuratively and literally. The black orchid seed cant be washed no matter how you try to get rid of it which she used on Wei Zhou to track where he goes as evidence. Just like the seed of doubt he planted on Pei Yan or the Emperor (no matter how much Wei Zhou try to wash it later) and these doubts will kept on growing and will crack with times if they managed to read her letter.

Also, the foreshadowing -- there are so much of it. From the song lyrics (which has a hint of the ending) to all the leads' conversations with each other. For an example, the conversation that Jiang Ci had with Pei Yan about the big responsibility or big picture and how admirable Pei Yan is for holding out to that one. No, it wasnt to show as a love interest aspect for both of them but to give us the insight of whats inside her head -- the understanding and admiration she has towards people who fight for what is right which is what Wei Zhou are doing for his people. It wasnt the red flag where he torture her that made she fall for him, but she finally see him beyond the façade he put or the masks he wears -- he might fool other people like the sword dance he did in front of everyone but she truly see him as what he is beyond the act he put in front of her. I thought the directing is great for the particular scene and the point of turn where Jiang Ci finally see Wei Zhou in different light.

All in all, I'm just impressed with the script so far -- the layers of it and the complexity of the characters and the topic it brought up on how restricting on freedom did to people and they baggage they have to carry and live with -- contrasting with the FL's characteristic (a free bird) and both the MLs' characteristics (caged beautiful birds) and how they turn out to be. Also, the drama show instead of tell so I had fun guessing everyone thoughts and perspectives. :D

Reality for me since I have been watching Kdramas since early 00's. The fact that they want to cater to western audiences and changed the way they write their stories makes them lose their original charms that made me watch and love Asian dramas in the first place.

I was having a slump for a few years back then before I stop watching Kdramas all together and tries other dramas after that. Now I knew that is not because I simply grew out of watching them but I find their ideas to be extremely lacking and without substance or depth. Only once in a while when excellent dramas like Secret Forest or Flower of Evil comes out, that I return back to Kdramas. I longed for the days where we get complicated and layered stories such as Tree With Deep Roots, Six Flying Dragons or Yi San or something like Circle: Two World Connected. The rest, I find them to be difficult to finish since I'm simply losing interest in the stories. The lack of creativity and predictable plots are the main concern why I no longer enjoy watching Kdramas. :(