whoissilmoy

It's been 1 year and 4 days since they wrapped filming

yes, you would miss out on another masterpiece and 49 episodes is not much for tens of thousands of years or more, and at least a dozen meaningful relationships between an amazing cast with great chemistry

Wishing Xu Kai and Tian Xi Wei big success.

seem normal Chinese drama scenes to me

This is same director as MM, BIA, SOKP, TSL, TBW, TLB, AOL.

What matters most is a powerful, layered on-screen performance that fully embodies the character, allowing any voice misalignments to fade into the background.

I’m drawn to the smallest details of their lives, washboards, white rabbit candy in a tinned can, braids, pillow with tiger, bed is hard surface, washing feet, Chinese jump rope, raising hens, every food item is interesting to me, etc.
they seem to rely on coupons, must be rations
this was set in the late 1970's just coming out of the destructive Cultural Revolution
Though the Cultural Revolution suppressed Confucian teachings, the late 1970s began their slow revival, yet drama still shows it well.

humor:
Have I spoiled You?
What?
Not you, the hen

Egg Queen was like a son to them
It's a hen, Like a daughter
You know what I mean

the typical comments on MDL are like, "when do they get together?", "when do they kiss?", "how many kisses?"

This drama was nominated for many awards, but I can't match the name Kang Yeon.

The 32nd China TV Golden Eagle Awards (2024).
Best TV Drama Award (Nominated)
Best Supporting Actor (nominated) Li Naiwen
Best Supporting Actress (nominated) Kang Yeon

Magnolia Award at the 29th Shanghai TV Festival (2024).
TV Series Best Chinese TV Series (Nominated)
TV Series Best Director (Nominated) Zheng Xiaolong / Liu Zhangmu
TV Series Best Screenplay (Original) (Nominated) Gao Mantang / Li Chau
TV Series Best Actor (Nominated) Ding Yongdai
TV series Best Supporting Actress Kang Yeon

I checked out veteran actor Ding Yong Dai in Always on the Move, set in the late 1970s, about railway police. I found 5 episodes on You Tube. He was nominated for the 2024 Magnolia award for Best Actor. He’s a moving, nuanced actor who balances stoicism with emotional depth. Look forward to his performance here.

Oh, just noticed two more actors from Always on the Move. They are Hue Ke and Tu Song Yan.

hopefully 20

OK thanks, I'm reading too much into it.

The voice actor has dubbed 30 dramas including 2021 The Long Ballad Leo Wu, 2022 Unchained Love Dylan Wang,

I can't wait to see how his creative talent will bring this character to life.

"Wu Huan’s arc is a critique of how systemic inequality and personal insecurity can corrupt even those with good intentions. She starts as a sympathetic figure—a lowly immortal chosen for a great role—but her inability to overcome her past and trust in others’ kindness turns her into a villain. Her motivations are relatable (who hasn’t feared being replaced or overlooked?), but her refusal to confront those fears constructively leads to her downfall."

"Wu Huan’s motivations in Ancient Love Poetry go beyond a simple desire for power. They stem from a toxic mix of insecurity about her lowly origins, ambition to escape her past, jealousy of those with natural power, paranoia, and a tragic inability to trust, shaped by her lowly origins and the pressures of her elevated role. These factors drive her to commit horrific acts, each one a desperate attempt to secure her place in a world she fears will discard her. While her early choices are relatable, her descent into demonic corruption and betrayal of those who trusted her make her actions feel disproportionate, cementing her as a nuanced, complex, tragic villain whose choices, while horrific, are rooted in relatable human flaws. Her horrible acts are extreme because each choice traps her deeper in a cycle of fear and ambition."

"At the heart of Wu Huan’s motivations is her inability to trust others, especially Shang Gu. Despite Shang Gu’s genuine kindness, Wu Huan’s insecurities make her doubt it. She assumes everyone is as scheming as she’s become, projecting her own ambition onto others. This lack of trust isolates her, pushing her toward alliances with manipulative figures like Xue Ying and Xuan Yi, who exploit her fears.
Her tragic flaw explains why “wanting power” alone isn’t enough to justify her actions. It’s not just power she seeks but the security and validation she believes it brings. Each horrible act is a misguided attempt to cement her place in a world she feels has always rejected her."

"While insecurity is the root, Wu Huan’s ambition fuels her transformation. Managing the Pilgrimage Hall gives her a glimpse of what it’s like to be revered, and she becomes intoxicated by it. The taste of authority and respect contrasts sharply with her past, making her desperate to hold onto it. She fears returning to her lowly status. Her insecurity manifests as paranoia, driving her to see threats where none exist and to act preemptively to secure her position. Unlike Shang Gu, who wields power effortlessly due to her divine status, Wu Huan has to claw her way up, which makes her crave it even more. She’s not content with being a servant or even a divine beast; she wants to be indispensable, untouchable.
Her ambition is exacerbated by external influences, like Xue Ying (the Snow Goddess), who manipulates Wu Huan’s fears by suggesting Shang Gu will discard her. Xue Ying’s coercion, combined with Wu Huan’s growing obsession with power, pushes her to align with darker forces, such as the Devil God Xuan Yi. She sees power not just as a status symbol but as a shield against being diminished again. This explains why she’s willing to betray Shang Gu, who has been kind to her, and even her own moral compass."

"The “horrible things” Wu Huan does are extreme because they reflect a snowball effect. Her initial betrayals are small, driven by fear and ambition, but as she gains power, she becomes trapped in a cycle where she must commit greater atrocities to cover her tracks or maintain her position. The drama portrays her as a tragic villain—not evil for evil’s sake but someone whose flaws and circumstances lead to catastrophic choices."

"Her story also contrasts with Shang Gu’s. While Shang Gu sacrifices herself for the greater good, Wu Huan sacrifices others for her own gain. This juxtaposition highlights why Wu Huan’s actions feel so egregious: they betray the very kindness (Shang Gu’s) that gave her a chance to rise. Wu Huan’s motivations are understandable but her irredeemable acts, like taking innocent lives, make her punishment feel justified."

Interesting review from 3 yrs ago. He mentioned paid bots giving the drama a 1 within hours of it airing.
https://youtu.be/P7yEnQn3cwo

Watching his video clips struck me at how breathtaking Bai Jue appears, wielding his sword with fluid grace and a commanding presence. His impeccable posture and elegant features—sharp yet serene—make him seem almost divine, no wonder Shanggu’s heart surrendered to him. There’s something about the dreamy color scheme makes you feel like you’re in another world, so ethereal.

It occurred to me that ABAY integrates its drama into character motivations and business conflicts, making the twists feel organic, not like a soap opera. Han Ting’s ruthless decisions and the vengeance-driven world he operates in lead to consequences that feel inevitable, rather than manufactured for dramatic effect.

recap: 2024 Tencent Video Golden Penguin Award for Excellence

I enjoyed Wonderland of Love; their relationship was intense and had conflict of values that tore them apart. I think conflict shapes a compelling story. It was filled with emotional intensity and psychological depth. The female lead is a strong character but has weaknesses too, and the male lead is a very strong character, an almost perfect man, is very supportive of her.

it hooks you from the moment you turn it on to watch