What the Shell Lounge Bar (Xiang Liu's Underwater Luxury Lounge)

 HeadInTheClouds:

I still haven't finished LYF Season 2. I think my TV protested against me watching it because it decided to die a few days ago. Now I have no TV. 

Your TV boycotted S2? LOL! But think of all the gorgeous Xiang Liu scenes you are missing out on! Which episode are you up to?

 HeadInTheClouds:

Have you finished Once Promised drama, liddi?

Funny that you mention it. I was just telling @Kokuto this the other day:

 liddi:

My only regret was that I held off reading it for so long. Definitely, I hope that it will be fully translated too one day. You know that because I love it so much, I went back to brave certain scenes in A Lifetime Love - and found myself actually tearing up during the events leading to A Heng's first death, which surprised me, because the CGI was nothing to write home about. However, by the same token, the glaring issues of having wooden actors playing nuanced, grey roles are even more pronounced. I really wish they would remake Once Promised again, though that is probably a pipe dream. 

Safe to say, I have not ventured past this. More than an oily Chi Chen (actually this is no longer an issue in later parts of the drama), a block of wood Shao Hao drove me up the wall and I cannot bring myself to continue. The drama actually made Shao Hao less callous - by having him regretting and turn back to find A Heng after he initially left with half the jade egg, but by the time he arrived, it was too late and he only saw Luo Jia (Hou Tu) weeping at the edge of Yu Abyss, and was told how A Heng died. 

They also made it such that A Heng being recovered from Yu Abyss is actually all through Chi Chen's efforts, and he brought her back to Xuan Yuan, but because she went berserk, she was then trapped in a formation to be destroyed (again a decision made by the 4 ministers after the Yellow Emperor was knocked unconscious by A Heng's attack). Chi Chen was the one who helped her break free from the demonic possession. The Yellow Emperor was furious when he heard what his ministers attempted to do to A Heng, and banished one of them. I didn't properly sit down and watch it through so I might be mistaken but it seems like drama Yellow Emperor is less ambitious (willing to live in peace with Shen Nong) and more caring of his children?  Dunno.

Now, since you don't seem that keen to watch S2, how about you braving A Lifetime Love on behalf of us? LOL

 liddi:

Your TV boycotted S2? LOL! But think of all the gorgeous Xiang Liu scenes you are missing out on! Which episode are you up to?

Boycotted S2!  hahahahaha  Such a tough crowd here.  lol

 liddi:

Now, since you don't seem that keen to watch S2, how about you braving A Lifetime Love on behalf of us? LOL

I may take up this challenge.  I've really been intrigued by your translations, and I doubt we'll get an English version, so it may have to be the drama for me.   Plus, I have a high tolerance for dreck in the pursuit of an actor's work ... or in this case, a story / world -- as I eyeball yet another awful short drama for my Li Jiu Lin.

I will say, that the lack of CGI and all the fantastical creatures in LYF may be a blessing.  The show will hold up much better than a CGI heavy drama would, over the years.

 liddi:

Wow! Much respect and applause for your bravery! Please do share your viewing journey. I'll give you a map of names after I've compiled them because just like LYF, they changed names even more extensively in A Lifetime Love, though I think you would be able to guess who is who.

Is there a fully subbed version available to you? I saw a lot of requests for English subs on Croton's official Youtube channel but they have not subbed it past Ep7 (I think).

Yes, it's on Viki.  And the subtitler was cursing as she translated.  lol

I certainly will share my ... experience with all of you, when I bite the bullet.  Cause, yes, I'm sure I'll need some help sorting out folks.

 liddi:

That is very true. Unless the drama itself is good and immersive enough in every other aspect that the audience is able to look past the campy CGI, which I am not as confident that A Lifetime Love falls in this category. Scarlet Heart did not have the best CGI (even though it is not a CGI-heavy drama), and to be honest, neither does LYF in certain scenes (looking at you - water tap blood dispenser!), but it does not stop me from being unable to move on...

Yes, so many complaints about older CGI which some dramas may use liberally ... which really can't be helped -- technology gets better.  Though I don't think that's the biggest problem of A Lifetime of Love, according to viewers.

 Kokuto:

I certainly will share my ... experience with all of you, when I bite the bullet.  Cause, yes, I'm sure I'll need some help sorting out folks.

The mapping of locations and names in Once Promised (both novels) vs Lost You Forever vs A Lifetime Love. Feel free to let me know if I made any mistakes.

Kingdoms, Locations, Clans                                                                                                     

Names                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 liddi:

The mapping of locations and names in Once Promised (both novels) vs Lost You Forever vs A Lifetime Love. Feel free to let me know if I made any mistakes.

OMG.  Thank you liddi!  So quick!  

 bugei:

@joas thank you for sharing the concert clips 

Welcome! I think most of them are close ups so cant see the fabulous stage.

 nathsketch:

Thank you Joas!

Enjoy!

 Kokuto:

I am literally exhausted -- in a good way -- from excitedly watching concert videos and pics from yesterday.  I can't imagine how people who actually went to the concert feel.  They are probably STILL sleeping off the drop in adrenaline.  Kudos to Tan Jian Ci and his team for an AMAZING concert.  I've never seen so much effort put into giving fans so much extra content before and during a concert.

Breathtaking concert! I can't imagine going a full three hours in that manner. The fans and friends who attended are blessed. And we see nods to LYF - from the nine-headed serpent and Mao Qiu videos to the costume in the opening track. One of the most moving tracks has to be 那些荧火, with footage of the fans that has supported him on his long journey. Very very moved and inordinately proud of him to have come so far, and seen the fruit of his unwavering hard work, dedication and passion. Certainly one of the very few in the entertainment industry that I truly respect. He looks even thinner than before though. I hope he gets time to properly regroup and rest before the next stop in Beijing in roughly two weeks' time.