x_AJ_x

Before going to review the drama was 40 episodes. After the censorship review, when it got it's distribution license, it was revealed that it had been reduced to 38 episodes. Now CCTV are saying 34. So it's six episodes less than what it was while filming.

I would have been completely fine with only 34 episodes (especially for a modern drama) had it always been intended to be that amount. But knowing that they've now cut 6 entire episodes of content I'm kind of concerned. It might end up being a hatchet job.... (and let's be real, they likely cut out anything steamy)

Distribution licence a few weeks ago said 38, i'm holding out hope that Youku gets those 38 episodes while the 34 episodes is just for the tv broadcast.

Oh you got further along than I thought. That happened in episode 26.

I think she was definitely conflicted about it at times. We see her actively struggling with the idea and crying over it while they were at the water festival. But then porridge gate happened.

You’re definitely right, she didn't give him the benefit of the doubt, but he didn't exactly react in a wholesome way to the situation either. He believed she had attempted to kill him because of her love for another man, completely fair that he was angry and hurt. But he then sought to hurt and violate her in a pretty horrible way by mind controlling her, wanting to isolate her from everyone who he believed she loved. Forcing her to go back to him against her will. I can see why she thought the worst. That whole situation was heart-breaking because it was a genuine misunderstanding on both of their parts. (not helped by Bingchang)

But I definitely still think there was a part of her that was affected at having to kill him despite her anger and hurt. Because she loved him too. Watching that scene, she still looks upset. She has tears rolling down her cheeks before it failed. She did her best to lie to herself, and to him, about her feelings but it was definitely partly a front, a way of steeling her resolve. As confirmed by Bai Lu. Her saying she never loved him was completely fake. But in her mind, there was no choice and no hope for him.

They really both had times where they didn’t treat each other well. it's an angst fest. I get that’s not going to be for everyone though. That’s completely fair. I loved this kind of conflicted romance but as it doesn't seem to be your cup of tea, if you do plan on continuing it I would recommend looking at it from a different perspective. It’s a character study on TTJ and he and Li Susu both go through a journey. Perhaps, if you look at the romance (a pretty twisted romance) as a secondary thing it won’t bother you as much.

Or maybe it’s a skip for you. Which is also fine! I'm sure there's something else out there that'll strike your fancy.

Li Susu does fall in love with him but shes kind of in denial over it for a time (I would say she actually started feeling something as far back as their time at ye mansion while he was hostage) The "act" becomes real long before she actually realises it. She is deeply conflicted by it though. She is never going to be the kind of FL that throws away her entire mission just for love. Which I found really refreshing. (Because honestly it would be kind of selfish to) But she does love him. And hates him. And he loves and hates her too. So it's complicated.

But yes there are some sweet and very genuine moments amidst the angst , and an understanding is reached between the two.

As other's have said it's an open ending. Both very sad, but also optimistic at the same time. (they do leave it up to the audience to decide)

When do they get together? that's complicated.... as they are technically "together" from the first episode, in a sense. lol. That will make sense when you watch it.

Very hot of him to have his hands in many pies without ever talking or bragging about it. CEO Yunxi indeed. He's a smart cookie.

I think she's very smart in some ways but also often blinded by a lot of things that lead her to make mistakes. It's a flaw, but it's a flaw I really appreciate in characters sometimes. She doesn't want to drug him - but she feels she must because Xiao Lin threatened to kill himself if he could not escape. Maybe that was foolish of her, but it's very consistent with her character up to that point. She was never going to be able to let him die without at least trying to get him out. Especially as for her, he looks exactly like her sect brother in the future. Why doesn't she just ask TTJ to release Xiao Lin? because she doesn't trust him to. She may have fallen in love with TTJ but she definitely doesn't trust him.

TTJ may not be evil yet, but he is definitely morally grey. Regardless of who he is at that point in time, the evil bone is influencing him and will corrupt him and that is what she's always fearing. It made sense to me from a character perspective, whether these decisions were always the right ones is another thing entirely, but I get it. and I enjoyed all the angst that came with it. 😆

But fair enough if you're not a fan. We're all going to have characters we like and dislike. I personally love and understand both Li Susu and TTJ.

For a time, at least in her own mind, the lovey dovey thing was just an act so that she could manipulative him to find a way to kill him. It became real but she was in denial that she was actually falling in love with him for real for a long time. She was always conflicted with those feelings because of her hate for The Devil God and her fear of what he would become in the future. Which is why she flip flops and goes back and forth with her feelings. Any time something happens that triggers her or plays into those fears that she has (completely understandable fears at times in my opinion) it's sets her right back again.

There's also the fact that, regardless of her feelings, she has no choice but to complete her mission. I think it's easier to deal with the inevitable outcome by telling yourself "See, this proves it - there's no hope, his fate can't be changed" etc. how else do you deal with the fact that you have to kill your lover? It's complicated. 😆

So pretty! I loved her pink dress during the immortal arc the most.

So I saw the leaked Iqiyi airing schedule for Q4 . It had quite a few dramas that have turned out to be accurate. Has A Journey to Love (Liu Shishi & Liu Yuning) scheduled for November. (Lots of melons going around about that one in November) But Story of Kunning Palace was completely greyed out with a dash across the part that had airing month. What do you think that means? I'm assuming its not coming out soon.

Those rumours come from a time when the drama was going to be split into two parts. Part one with 34 episodes, part 2 with 16 episodes. However, because of the rule about not exceeding 40 episodes and having to air the two parts separately rather than back to back, they decided to repackage the episodes and made them all 10-15 minutes longer (they were obviously forced to cut some things out too) so that it could fit into 40 episodes and be aired all at once. They pretty much completed the novel's story with only the second part of the epilogue missing. (With their reunion)

I think it's very unlikely that there will be a second season, unfortunately.

Nobody knows for sure. This information is based on a lqiyi's leaked airing schedule for the last part of this year (allegedly) which shows what dramas are airing over the next couple of months. A Journey to Love was listed as November. There are melons going around about it too. But there's no official confirmation. I'm hoping it does air in November though.... we'll probably find out in the next few weeks I guess.

It's an open ending. So both sad and hopeful at the same time.

Yes! those are some of my favourite moments too. Some truly funny and sweet moments between them after Bo're Life. Susu playing on the "act" without realising that the act was becoming real.

And TTJ's confusion at Ye Xiwu's change in behaviour was also great. Confused and Intrigued at the same time. (also had some good funny moments with Chuntao and SuSu early on haha)

My other favourite moments were the entire episode of the Water Festival. I think by that episode they were both well and truly in love with each other. But as heart breaking as it was I also really loved the angst that followed because it allowed Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu to really shine.

Their chemistry is perfection! 😍 I don't know if you've seen or if you plan to watch their other drama Love is Sweet. But if you want more of that chemistry I would watch it.

The novel is a lot darker than the drama. TTJ is a lot more evil, and so their relationship is, naturally, also darker. It's probably not to everyone's taste But yeah, the end is a full HE. The drama's ending is actually not that far off from the novel. TTJ' sacrifice, three realms at peace etc. They show the first part of the epilogue (their daughter, travelling the mortal realm, seemingly waiting/searching for him etc) - they just don't complete it. It takes 1,000 years for him to reborn in the novel and the drama ends 500 years later.

https://secondlifetranslations.com/novel/black-moonlight-holds-the-be-script/ - here's a link to the novel. This translation is not completed and is still ongoing though. There is a complete MTL one out there, but it's not great.

There is also a translation of the last 5 chapters (HE chapters) here (by Micha) on the discussion boards if you're interested in those chapters.

I'm glad you enjoyed it though, despite the heartbreak. Did you have a favourite moment overall? ( There are so many great moments I have a hard time picking just one)

yes definitely. It's a beautiful legacy to have. It hurts that we didn't get to see the reunion, that they suffered and were separated and that he had to sacrifice himself (he didn't know the heart-guarding scale saved part of his essence, so for him it really was a self-sacrifice with no hope of reward) It definitely hurts even if it was a good arc for him. 💔💔

I do appreciate that there is hope and implication there for those that prefer that too though. A part of him was saved, (like it was in the novel). I just wish we had seen a version of their novel reunion because I just know Bai Lu and LYX would have done so much justice to those beautiful scenes. Ah well....

At least we got this sweet little audio snippet of their reunion haha.

https://twitter.com/xAJx_92/status/1675718267858739206

Ahh, we've definitely all been there. *hugs* 😭 Still there actually haha...

Even with some of the flaws, I still think it was a 10 too (or at least a 9 1/2 haha) . I'm usually against bloat in drama's, but in this case I too wish there was more episodes, if only because they could have left some of the cut scenes in and gave the ending more breathing room. I wouldn't have been against them filming the full novel epilogue where they're reunited instead of just hinting at it either. We just have to accept the bittersweet open ending instead. ( I still think they were implying a future happy ending with that last shot, even if we don't get to see it haha)

https://twitter.com/xAJx_92/status/1685255175697801217 - Susu hasn't given up and neither have I 😆

Love is Panacea got its distribution licence, and Only for Love is rumoured to air at the end of this month. I know it's only a small chance but i'd get a kick out of them airing at the same time. YunLu killing it at the same time, even if they're not together.

Looking forward to watching them both, whenever they happen to air.

Yay. I'm so excited. Hopefully we get it before the year is out. Or at the least, early next year!

There is no such thing as getting over them. You just have to accept it. 🤣