tsuyoi_hikari

There are many signs left by the Director to show that its only in Surin's mind. There's a reason why the Director chose 'to make them feel watched at the house' or 'for them to find the dragon carving'. These clues are not just there with no purpose -- it is there for a reason -- and the purpose to say that the movie can be interpreted into 2 things.

It actually made the movie more brilliant and a masterpiece as we can make our own endings on what actually happen. Not many writers are gifted to write this kind of storyline but this one certainly did and I appreciate that.

9.5/10 - I seriously love this movie. It was really awesome since you can come to 2 conclusions by the time it ended. First, it exactly happen like it was told in the movie that the time stops because of the goblin's egg and second, it is literally all in Surin's mind.

Take note on how the story is told. Surin is someone who is obsessed with supernatural occurrences and went back to the cave to take her hairpin. Then when she comes out, the 3 boys gone and she is the only one left. Then she met the man who claimed to be Sungmin and believe it because of the code book that he gave her. But, the code book can never be a solid evidence to prove the vanishing time as it was throw into the sea. So, Surin can make this all up as there is no book to prove that. And bear in mind that the grown up Sungmin could know all the little details as the young Sungmin when he abducted him and get the information from the young Sungmin directly. There's literally a movie that show how when someone talks so much about their personal life, the one who listen to it could mistaken that it is his/her life instead just from the story. And at the end, when Surin woke up at the beach, there's explanation of that since people do survive from jumping off a beach cliff. If Sungmin really stops time and save Surin and the police, they will wake up on the cliff or their house miraculously and not wet. Yet, they woke up on the beach wet as they were pushed to the shore after the fall by the sea.

So in the end, both story makes sense and its up to our own interpretation on what we chose to believe. I would like to believe that the 'grown Sungmin' is just a stranger who is obsessed with Surin and not the real Sungmin. Remember the time when they both at the house and Sungmin said he felt like someone is watching them? Its could be the 'grown Sungmin' watching them from behind -- which explain the big carvings of Surin at the house. The 'grown Sungmin' has always watch her from the back and he also knew that the carving that young Sungmin made for Surin got lost between the floor so he took it as further evidence to prove that he is the real Sungmin to Surin. And it also explain that the first time Surin & the young Sungmin entered the abandoned house, Surin saw the beautiful dragon carving which explain that the 'grown Sungmin' has always talented in carvings. Now that I think it again, it creeped me out lol.

My tolerance for stupid characters are pretty high tbh but even I cant stand her so it means she really is stupid. :( I never want bad thing to happen to good people but for the first time, I actually do. I just wish she just disappear so she stops being a burden to the 2 smart main leads. I think the only saving grace of this whole thing is watching how the 2 main leads used their brains and skills to salvage the situation each time. The CCP's influence in this drama is pretty high lol but I still can take it due to the nerve-wrecking plots.

I havent watch City of Streamer but since you said its good, I will give it a try. Thanks! :D

I see... Sorry, I'm just so frustrated lol

But to me, she was even more stupid as the drama progressed. I think you should remember when Shanhai dies. The exchange was supposed to be perfect with Old Bi and everyone agreed to exchange information with the Nationalists. But last minute, she knows that the intelligence is to kill 2 communists important people then she go ahead to mess with the plan. Then we know what happened after that, that decision cost Shanhai's life. I would rather Shanhai made that decision himself to save the 2 innocent lives rather than her making that decision for him. I mean, how heartbroken he felt that she still chose strangers' lives (with merely connection to Chen Shen's communist party) over his? Its really bizarre how the writer wrote her character as messed up like that. Then trying to kill Sanxing with bomb instead of revolver. I have never encounter such dumb character lol

However, despite the clever schemes and everything else, I cant really give high rating for this one due to the uneven balance of storyline. Here, all we have is the good guys trying to get away from the bad guys without really achieving anything at all except saving their lives. Spy dramas supposed to be balanced where the spies actually caused real damage to the enemies but this drama just focused of them getting out from mess / enemies' scheming each and everytime.

Also, the drama has the most stupid female lead I have ever seen in any dramas. I'm really scarred and I'm not even kidding. Usually, my tolerance for stupid characters are pretty high if you look at my reviews but even I cant handle this one. Its almost like the writer hate her that he put all these unlikable qualities/traits in her that I couldn't believe it myself. The most jarring thing of it all is that all the other characters are so smart (even the other females such as Xiaonan or Meina) so her stupidity really shines like a sore thumb. Just when I thought she couldn't be that stupid, but she REALLY IS to my horror. The icing on the cake is when she exchanged her partner's life with 2 unknown communists that she has never met. I think the only redeeming quality that I can see from her stupidity is seeing the 2 male leads using their brains and skills to get her out each time. So it was still fun in a way? The script would be so much better without her character. I never wish bad thing to happen to good character but I really did this time. I just wish she just disappear so she stop being a burden or mess any brilliant schemes with her stupidity.

7.5/10 - One of the most nerve-wrecking and addicting dramas in my book. I think any spy/espionage dramas are bound to be nerve-wrecking like this lol. The 2 male leads are really brilliant and smart and the villains are equally clever as well. Its a really nice cat & mouse game where comradery, brotherhood, friendship, deception, & betrayals are the main themes.

I thought Zhang Ruoyun is really fantastic in this role. His subtle expressions to express the calmness, anguish, frustration and also guilt are so phenomenal. He stole my heart with his portrayal of Tang Shanhai.

I dont understand. How come you said she only like that 20 episodes? She was dumb through the end. She actually exchanged Shanhai's lives with the lives of 2 unknown communists that she has never met. All 3 are innocent but apparently the lives of the 2 communists are more important that her partner. SMH I have never seen a more dumb character in my life...

One thing about Fan Xian is that he is not perfect and has his flaws -- which make him more human and you can relate to him and his struggles. So being 'immature' is one of the traits he has in the beginning since he didnt know the extensive on how cunning and cruel the world out there at that time. But as the drama progressed, you can see the immaturity slowly gone and his decisions started to be more mature and careful despite still maintaining his original intention and resolute.

I think part of the things to show how others sometimes saving him is crucial to the plot to show how despite he's being a bastard, he is indeed live a privileged life where he has many supports. Why I said it is crucial? Because no one without support can rise up to the ranks without having being killed or falsely accused. He needs to have strong supports and backup other than his own ability to survive the schemes and cunning plots of the game of throne. I wouldn't say he constantly being saved since he is great at martial art as well so without the help, he can mostly survive all the assassination attempts on his own. I think the only one he got truly lucky would be the one where Uncle Wu is the one who killed Wan'er's brother. He truly dodge a bullet at that time.

No doubt about the sexual tension between Fan Xian and Si Lili (she actually my fave female character in JOL). And Haitang & him more like bestfriend kind of relationship -- the only girl in the drama who can take Fan Xian heads on.

Interesting! From our POV as viewers, we know he wont give his maids because he loves and want to protect them. But from the enemies' POV, it might be because of his ego. Very possible. :)

And yes yes! I soooo agree with your analogy lol, It is so spot on haha. With Fan Xian, enemies wouldn't even know that they died lol. Fan Xian literally my fave drama character ever existed. He is like what you always want in your drama character but more. Just when I thought I know him, he will always surprise me with his actions -- there are so many layers & depth to his character. :DDD I always bring him whenever I watch a drama, when ML/FL make some stupid mistakes/decisions I was like ''Fan Xian will NEVER!!!'' lol

I agree, I dont know how to point it out but both Fan Xian and Fengnian is indeed very different despite being almost similar. ZRY did so amazingly. I was in awe with his character in Sparrow as well -- there are so many emotions being shown on his face with very little face movements/expressions. I was in awe. A very talented actor without a doubt. Definitely the letter, I dont think anyone could translate his characters into text without losing their charms. You just have to watch him on screen to fully understand it.

Oh yes! Both are very unpredictable. If you read my original comment, I put 'unpredictable' as the third characteristics that both Fan Xian & Fengnian shares with each other.

When I wrote ' his enemies can know and predict his moves', I refer to his character where he seemed to care too much about the people that he loves that even his enemies know that weakness. Thats why when one of the plot have the enemy request to take one of his maids, Zhao Kai know Fengnian will not give his maids to anyone even at the expense of his life. He will instead fight for both; his life and his maid lol

I truly get what you mean. But I seen it from other POV where she is indeed special in Fan Xian's eyes. For an example, she also lead a lonely live as Fan Xian (as both are born out of wedlock) so Fan Xian relate a lot to her sadness and loneliness. Or her wanting to revenge his brother but dislike war since it will kill many people. Or the fact when Fan Xian at his lowest, she is the one who console him and pointed out that his guard think him as his family thats why he is willing to die for him. Or when Fan Xian drives her mother out of the country, she stays by him and willing to be his support regardless of his decision since she know he is a good man so his choice will always lead to a greater good. I think in term of character's depth, Wan'er is special but the actress who is playing her probably didnt have much chemistry with Zhang Ruoyun.

It wasnt for me. I guess it depends on the people and their priority. Like Fan Xian, he also need to chose between 2 choices; a life of happiness with no worry or the life with power and money. And we know what he will chose in seconds.

Not knowing the divine secret is not that hard esp when knowing it can took the lives of many people esp the one that you love. But when you are the Emperor, and you have this big dream for your country, the choice is very obvious.

lol! I also always has problem with how some scriptwriters do not know how to put baby/kid plot in their stories. Their characters ended up looking like irresponsible parents OTL

What a very long but well written article. It must take you a lot of time to write this. :D

I love friendship in dramas since irl, people are too busy living their lives esp those who are working and already married so friendship is not their priority anymore. My fave portrayal of friendship in dramas is no doubt Reply 1988. I love how all the 5 of them are so close like real siblings that they even sleep together and gather all the time and knew each other families like their own.

If you enjoyed this. Then you will enjoy Joy of Life as well. Joy of Life has the same clever script but a bit lighter and funnier. And the romance in Joy of Life is a bit more than Nirvana in Fire.

Yes there is but very minimal. The focus of the drama is the political schemes.

Dramas that I usually watched do not contain harem. I think many writer avoid that plot for the audiences to like the story. I think harem story usually in dramas during the the forbidden city era ala Ruyi Love in the Palace. I dislike those era so I dont watch dramas in that era. I really hate when girls against each other for a man esp an unworthy one hahaha.

What harem dramas that you have watched so far?

He left? I'm surely out of loop with J&A news these days

So far interested with Kingyo Tsuma. And finally Yamapi returns to dramaland. :D