More recent CD just really feels like all about gettung rating and viewers with just faces and acting, not with…
You make some interesting and valid points. Although I agree that a lot of CDramas nowadays are more about the faces than the actual story, I have to disagree on some of the points you mention.
I dont think the makeup is horrible, although I dont see it as super flattering, especially for the FL, but I think it goes to show that she was more of an investigator, a detective first and a noble woman second. Since she was set on this path of revenge, her looks and her outfits were not as important to her, so she did not pay as much attention to it. Most Chinese actresses do not want to, lets say "ruin" their pretty persona, so most of the Female leads in most dramas I have watched, have their makeup intact after being in danger, thrown in a pit, in a lake or survived a fire. Apart from a few splashes of blood, or minor nicks and cuts or smudges, everything else is intact on their faces. Consequently, it doesn't irk me in this drama, it would be prejudiced and unfair in my opinion.
Then as for Pei Yi being able to see that Emperor or the Consort easily. For the Consort I guess it must be right, since the Consort had no other children of her own or close to her? It would be totally understandable that PY would be free to see her.
As for the emperor not so much, but I guess its more about the timeline and how it is depicted on the show. For example in the last episodes, from one moment to the next we are told that it's been one month, three months, half a month already, but for us it was just one moment. So could PY see the emperor after a month and again i.e after three months? Yes quite probably, especially since they are shown to have a good relationship.
Then about the Royal Children, it should come as no surprise that since they represent the royal family they should adhere to the strictest rules and their life would be more regulated and controlled than that of PY who is just a noble lady that - out of guilt or pity- the emperor took under his wings. She is not a Royal per se, so of course she is not confined by the same rules, or as harshly. And maybe after her tragedy- that mind you everyone knew - people pitied her and gave her more breathing room than normally or made more excuses for her.
As for strength and martial arts, men naturally are stronger than women, because they usually are taller, physically bigger and trained from a young age. Back then (assuming an ancient setting) women were mostly expected to bear children and do household chores. But we have to keep in mind, that PY probably never intended to get married and have children, her whole existence revolved around getting revenge and her teacher was a martial artist, presumably one of the best, so as his pupil, she must have learned a lot and spared no effort in learning everything that would aid her in her path to revenge. She was more likely to pick up a sword, than a brush.
Of course she would put her life in danger, if she is determined to find the culprit that massacred her family. She has been preparing for 15 years. She didn't just wake up and said " Oh well time to get revenge!". I am sure that while she was investigating she was noticing everything about the officials, how they reacted, who was corrupt, who had power and connections etc. She was keeping notes on everything.
Plus, back then especially in Asia, people were generally smaller in stature, men close to women, so probably men didnt always tower over women in height etc. So, it is more believable that since sword fighting is mostly about technique, not only strength, a woman can top or win a man. Especially if she is fighting for a purpose.
The warriors that she has been shown to fight against were mostly mercenaries, they did it for money, not a single purpose. Although I guess money is a purpose as well, but you get what I mean. (Sword fighting is not like- i dont know weight lifting which is more about strength. Trained men should always be able to lift heavier weights than women - thats just physiology)
Honestly, I haven't noticed what you said with liquor so I cant comment on that. I dont even know if their alcoholic drinks were even that strong etc. They might have had more primitive brewing methods so I have no idea. It doesn't irk me though.
Personally, I dont think its over characterization of the FL. On the contrary, one might argue that most of the drama she is shown as single-focused on revenge without any other interests, hobbies, other than justice.
People with that kind of dedication and devotion to their goal, might act over the top, since this goal is everything for them. Of course she is going to bend the law a little and be reckless if she wants to get results. And although she is pro-justice, she firstly wants to get justice for herself.
I also believe, that no man should or would choose to follow martial arts, just because he was a man. A lot of the officials didn't know how to fight, they were buried under decrees and writings all day, everyday. So, if the ML is shown to be a scholar and not a soldier, is that bad? Not in my opinion, not every drama has to have a ML that can protect his woman with his bare hands. I bet a lot of women were married to scholars who couldn't fight, so I dont see it as a reversal of roles. Its just a different dynamic. There are a lot of shows out there where the ML is a flawless martial artist and accompanies the FL to protect her. This show isn't about that and thats ok, I am not mad at it. Sometimes a woman has to save herself.
Is it consort Shu like some people believe here? Or somebody else?I think I've seen mention about Wu Zetian equivalent…
My thougghtrs exactly, even if she had asked to raise PeiYi because she was afraid that she would remember what happened to her parents, having raised her for so many years and indulging her as she did would be nuts. I really hope its not Consort Shu. She is like a mother figure for LPY
Is it consort Shu like some people believe here? Or somebody else?I think I've seen mention about Wu Zetian equivalent…
I think Consort Shu herself asked to be sent to the Cold Palace to repent and reflect or something. But I guess even if she didnt on her own, the emperor would have done something to that effect?
What annoys me about ML is that it ruined this masterpiece of a fight. I would have liked to see Pei Yi tear the…
OMG that fight scene was glorious! I was miffed it got interrupted, as well! And Bai Lu's acting on that scene where ML stopped her from killing the Right Chancellor was so good!!
Ok this was sooo good. I am disappointed that it got a 7 rating. I mean how? Everything from the cinematography, the costumes, the acting, the ost.. everything was gorgeous and I loved how deeply emotional it was. Their dancing didnt even annoy me because it was their refuge their emotional safe place.
I am on episode 20 and I really like it. It is deeper and more emotional than you initially give it credit for. I like how the characters are portrayed and the pacing. I am actually excited to see how it goes!
Damn Li Xiang she shouldn't have open damn door cuz if at all it was wu siyuan he would've open it instead of…
I was so mad about it too. I mean what the hell was she thiking? Si Yuan obviously had the code to enter. But I suppose she thought he would be holding her birthday cake and he couldnt open the door or something? But I was so sad to see her go and we didnt get to see her putting up a fight which would be therapeutic at least
I pity him as well, and I can sense some goodness left in him, but he keeps doing bad things under the pretense…
Perhaps, but not me. I would be equally disappointed in her as well..... I happen to like morally gray characters, but not completely black, if you know what I mean,
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Although I agree that a lot of CDramas nowadays are more about the faces than the actual story, I have to disagree on some of the points you mention.
I dont think the makeup is horrible, although I dont see it as super flattering, especially for the FL, but I think it goes to show that she was more of an investigator, a detective first and a noble woman second. Since she was set on this path of revenge, her looks and her outfits were not as important to her, so she did not pay as much attention to it.
Most Chinese actresses do not want to, lets say "ruin" their pretty persona, so most of the Female leads in most dramas I have watched, have their makeup intact after being in danger, thrown in a pit, in a lake or survived a fire. Apart from a few splashes of blood, or minor nicks and cuts or smudges, everything else is intact on their faces.
Consequently, it doesn't irk me in this drama, it would be prejudiced and unfair in my opinion.
Then as for Pei Yi being able to see that Emperor or the Consort easily.
For the Consort I guess it must be right, since the Consort had no other children of her own or close to her? It would be totally understandable that PY would be free to see her.
As for the emperor not so much, but I guess its more about the timeline and how it is depicted on the show. For example in the last episodes, from one moment to the next we are told that it's been one month, three months, half a month already, but for us it was just one moment.
So could PY see the emperor after a month and again i.e after three months? Yes quite probably, especially since they are shown to have a good relationship.
Then about the Royal Children, it should come as no surprise that since they represent the royal family they should adhere to the strictest rules and their life would be more regulated and controlled than that of PY who is just a noble lady that - out of guilt or pity- the emperor took under his wings.
She is not a Royal per se, so of course she is not confined by the same rules, or as harshly.
And maybe after her tragedy- that mind you everyone knew - people pitied her and gave her more breathing room than normally or made more excuses for her.
As for strength and martial arts, men naturally are stronger than women, because they usually are taller, physically bigger and trained from a young age.
Back then (assuming an ancient setting) women were mostly expected to bear children and do household chores.
But we have to keep in mind, that PY probably never intended to get married and have children, her whole existence revolved around getting revenge and her teacher was a martial artist, presumably one of the best, so as his pupil, she must have learned a lot and spared no effort in learning everything that would aid her in her path to revenge.
She was more likely to pick up a sword, than a brush.
Of course she would put her life in danger, if she is determined to find the culprit that massacred her family. She has been preparing for 15 years.
She didn't just wake up and said " Oh well time to get revenge!".
I am sure that while she was investigating she was noticing everything about the officials, how they reacted, who was corrupt, who had power and connections etc.
She was keeping notes on everything.
Plus, back then especially in Asia, people were generally smaller in stature, men close to women, so probably men didnt always tower over women in height etc.
So, it is more believable that since sword fighting is mostly about technique, not only strength, a woman can top or win a man. Especially if she is fighting for a purpose.
The warriors that she has been shown to fight against were mostly mercenaries, they did it for money, not a single purpose. Although I guess money is a purpose as well, but you get what I mean.
(Sword fighting is not like- i dont know weight lifting which is more about strength. Trained men should always be able to lift heavier weights than women - thats just physiology)
Honestly, I haven't noticed what you said with liquor so I cant comment on that. I dont even know if their alcoholic drinks were even that strong etc. They might have had more primitive brewing methods so I have no idea. It doesn't irk me though.
Personally, I dont think its over characterization of the FL.
On the contrary, one might argue that most of the drama she is shown as single-focused on revenge without any other interests, hobbies, other than justice.
People with that kind of dedication and devotion to their goal, might act over the top, since this goal is everything for them.
Of course she is going to bend the law a little and be reckless if she wants to get results. And although she is pro-justice, she firstly wants to get justice for herself.
I also believe, that no man should or would choose to follow martial arts, just because he was a man.
A lot of the officials didn't know how to fight, they were buried under decrees and writings all day, everyday.
So, if the ML is shown to be a scholar and not a soldier, is that bad?
Not in my opinion, not every drama has to have a ML that can protect his woman with his bare hands.
I bet a lot of women were married to scholars who couldn't fight, so I dont see it as a reversal of roles.
Its just a different dynamic. There are a lot of shows out there where the ML is a flawless martial artist and accompanies the FL to protect her.
This show isn't about that and thats ok, I am not mad at it.
Sometimes a woman has to save herself.
But I was so sad to see her go and we didnt get to see her putting up a fight which would be therapeutic at least
I happen to like morally gray characters, but not completely black, if you know what I mean,