tsuyoi_hikari

I think for most Chinese young actors, they just happen to be young in real age but they played characters in dramas which is older than their real age. So in a way, its not exactly a noona romance as their characters is older than the female leads' characters in the drama. Like for Zhaolin's case, he always act as someone in his late 20's but in real life, he actually in his early 20's.

Actors' real age didnt bother me as well but sometimes, I'm just shocked when they are so young lol. At 20 y/o, im still at university studying but these young actors already highlighting million dollar productions. The pressure must be real.

I actually get what you mean and I kinda agree with it. But I probably see it from other POV so I actually enjoy her character. With the limited screen time that she got, we got to see how she is special in Fan Xian's eyes. She is like a buffer between Fan Xian and the turbulence world that he's facing outside. The world might be crazy outside, but when he's with her, he is in this safe little place and he like that.

The fact that she wanted revenge for his beloved 2nd brother, but dislike war when his death caused that said a lot about her personality. Or the fact when Fan Xian was at his lowest, and she pointed out that Tai Zing willingly chose to die for him because he considered him as his family. Or the fact, when Fan Xian punish her mother The Royal Princess, she didnt hate him for that but instead understood him. Other dramas will have her break-up with him due to 'family ties' but she has brain and can think what is right and wrong. And the whole conversation with her mother further highlighted how she is not clueless and gullible. Her mother keeps bullshitting her abandoned of Wan'er or how she is just trying to live her life in the Palace or how killing Fan Xian is for Wan'er's own good but Wan'er sees all through her lies that she just evil and selfish and didnt care about her at all. For once, a clever girl who actually has brain to think lol and I find it really refreshing -- thus me appreciating her character even more.

Aside from that, I love to see a balanced drama -- a drama which combine both happiness and rocky plots. 85% of the drama is heavy on political stuffs and evil schemes and assassinations' attempts. While the other 15% is for family ties, friendship and love for Fan Xian. People might live in turbulence and hard time during war for an example but it doesnt mean that it will be all dark with no silver lining. Wu Zhu, Wan'er, Ruo Ruo, Si Zhe, Wang Qi Nian and Fie Jie represent this happiness for Fan Xian so to eliminate the some characters or the females completely will no longer fit the title 'Joy of Life' like the drama suggested. But I agree with you on writing them better. :D

When I watched his dramas, I cant believe like he's just like 20 when he's acting in them? Like everyone is calling him 'Da Ge' in the drama when he's the youngest on the set lol. Or the fact that he's just 22 when he's acting in You're My Destiny. I was shocked to see how young he is. :P

lol spoilers really ruin a lot of thing. One of the things that made Joy of Life is such a joy for me (yes, pun intended haha :P) is because the surprising elements. Fan Xian didnt behave like normal people in historical / costume dramas. He made decisions out of norm and it is such an awesome thing when he keep surprising you.

Or like in Sword Snow Stride, I love it when actors from Joy of Life keeps appearing one by one in the drama. It is such a nice surprise. :D

If you dislike the J-version, then you will hate the other versions even more

So which version is your fave so far? I doubt its the K-version?

Many people dislike the K-version. I think its a known fact among drama lovers/watchers that it is such a bad adaptation. The Jdrama version remains superior

NO SPOILERS!!!! T_T

lol but I already knew it by reading other people's comments before and regret it hahaha. Now I will never get to be shocked when Fan Xian finally accept Si Lili (I really thought its gonna be one-sided till the end). Curiosity kills the cats and I have no one to blame but myself T_T

BTW, did you read the novel to know this? Or like me, you knew it by reading the spoilers?

Cant wait for Zhaolin's new costume drama. He's always great in this kind of roles so I'm sure Choice Husband gonna be glorious as well.

I never thought My Girl is actually the Korean remake of Kdrama My Girl. Now i'm more excited since his role wouldn't be a jerk or bad boy since the original character played by Lee Dongwook is really nice and warm (unlike other K-romcom at that time which always being highlighted by jerk MLs). I really hope they remake all the embarrassing scenes in My Girl since God knows how iconic those scenes were. Lee Dahae was really hilarious in that role. And I thought Xing Fei is younger than Zhaolin but I guess Zhaolin will always get paired with older actresses for a few more years.

Which negative roles that Park Se Young played before?

Have you seen him in Special Labor Inspector Jo? He's playing a fun character there.

I love the last episode too. Particularly since I really thought Episode 15 is last which ended with him and Moon Chae Won on the bed and I was like 'NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Dont end here!!!' lol

Then, next episode start automatically and I'm so glad haha. X'D

This is so true. Another thing if its too tragic and ridiculous -- like you know the writer just aimed to give a tragic endings without proper logic behind it, I was way more pissed rather than sad. It happen a few times to me lol. I think good writing is very important for sad stories and esp important to bring out tears from me.

Have you watched the J-version? The k-version tone down a lot of the storyline to only like 40% of the original. The original wasnt sad but I practically despise all the characters there.

Ohh I'm a big fan of sad dramas tbh. I personally feel K-Melodramas are the best of its kind. The way the director shoot or the way the writers chose to write the sad scenes are particularly amazing -- its slowly and take time so you can build up your emotion properly.

Among all melos that I have watched, the one that seriously made me really cry and scarred me is I'm Sorry I Love You. Its been nearly 2 decades (since the drama aired in 2004) and I still havent got the courage to watch it again lol. That drama utterly heart-wrenching and devastating to watch. The scene where the Im Soojung captured the facial features of So Jisub one by one when he's sleeping and only to find out he deleted all the pictures later are just so sad. ;_; Not to mention the bits on the mother, sister, nephew -- seriously, that drama is just the top for me. None can be as sad when you have watch this.

Ohh I thought the actor name is Zhao Ge. ^^' Yes, I'm well aware of ZZH's scandal. I feel bad for him since he just got famous after Word of Honour.

Which political Cdramas has GOT reference? And may I ask how they put the reference in the drama?

Then, for surely you gonna enjoy Joy of Life even more. Thats the case for me. I've seen lots of dramas and I can basically predict what's gonna happen next with the normal storyline but Joy of Life is just a bless. Fan Xian basically did everything you want him to do. No stupid decisions. I dont want to spoil since its part of what made the drama special and how its very refreshing and different. The character actually did things that you them to do lol or surprise you with their actions.

Even Wan'er, despite being sick, are kind of awesome. She is not overly smart but her EQ is high thus she understood everything and not easily fooled. Again, I dont want to spoil but I like how she think and understood the situations without much explanation and even question when other character want to misled her. No dumb characters at all in this drama. I even liked the bad guys -- they are fascinating. Its smart characters left and right. And I'm simply in love with Fan Xian though -- probably the most awesome character in dramaland for me haha

I will try the Longest day in Chang'an! :D Thanks! What the name of the drama that was shelved? What scandal that the actor was involved?

Yes, you are right! It didnt cross my mind lol. I just remember being impressed that he didnt act girly since most girls didnt act girly in real life either. Esp in dramas, when the girl in their own body, they act normal.

I did watch a few from Japan and other countries but I didnt watch the Thai ones from your list. I'm actually interested to watch Nadect and Yaya ones tbh.

The tricky thing when body switching happened between man and women is the way the male actor handle the switch. I think so far -- the ones that I've seen, Hyunbin does it best since he didnt act overly girlish.

I like the actors for the Days of Becoming You but I seriously struggle to finish that drama. I like the revelation at the end but I find many faults with the script tbh esp the part where they tried to justify the mother abandonment lol.