novel readers pls tell me if the amnesia trope is a long drawn out one in the novel? Usually not a fan of amnesia…
Yes, the amnesia lasts for a long time. In fact, there's a second amnesia where she forgets her time as the ML's wife and only remembers her time as a bandit. I actually thought it was well done. It created some interesting tension between them.
Watched 3 eps and so refreshing and funny to watch and I like how they change CXZ's personality, he seems more…
Which is a shame. I hate that they made him goofier to soften his character. Why not just allow his character to develop naturally as he falls in love with LMT?
No way, this has already started airing? I'm more than half way through the book. I hope it's as good
I've read the novel. DO NOT expect the drama to surpass the novel. Due to censorship and episode limits, most Chinese Dramas rarely improve on their source materials. Try enjoying the drama for what it is.
As someone who has read the novel, I believe the drama is doing a good job of adapting the source material so…
Some of the major changes I've noticed.
1. In the novel, Zhao Quan is explicitly trying to steal Mian Tang away from CXZ. However, the drama has omitted this aspect of his character so far.
2. In the novel, her confrontation with her harassers is much more intense. After beating up the main creep, LMT even forced the harasser’s henchmen to eat shit—literally!
3. In the novel, LMT gained the artist’s favor by deciphering a hidden message in the painting, and CXZ never appeared in that scene. The drama, however, downplays LMT’s role, and instead, ZQ takes Mian Tang to the artist in an attempt to woo her. He gets angry when she gives him the cold shoulder, following CXZ's advice to stay away from ZQ.
4. It seems the drama is turning the Cousin (CXZ's fiancée) into a crazy villain, which contrasts with her portrayal in the novel, where she doesn't come across that way.
5. They have softened CXZ's character in the drama. He's a lot colder and aloof in the novel. Which I thought was great because it made his character development that much more compelling. But I get it, the drama didn't want the male lead to start as unlikable.
Regarding the leads' performances: Wang Chu Ran perfectly captures this version of Mian Tang as a kind and docile wife and businesswoman. Zhang Wan Yi's portrayal of CXZ is interesting—while the character in the novel is more stoic and serious, he's doing a commendable job.
As someone who has read the novel, I believe the drama is doing a good job of adapting the source material so far. The pacing is quite good. However, I've noticed some notable changes right away. Spoilers below.
Nope, this isn’t after she regains her memory. Spoilers below.
The FL is definitely whipped too according to the novel. But she's also stubborn. So she hides it well. However, I don't know how the drama will portray it.
I wished Ji Yang 2.0 was evil, or at least struggling between kindness and darkness. That would've made the character so much more interesting. The new Ji Yang is simply boring. Also, I'm not buying this romance. It feels incredibly forced and dull. Where is tension? Where is the push and pull? Where's the excitement?
Nope, this isn’t after she regains her memory. Spoilers below.
Regarding CXZ being whipped.
He became addicted to this woman for good reasons. She's extremely beautiful and talented, and treated him extremely well during their fake marriage. She was the perfect wife. She even followed him to war. So yea, he is indeed whipped to the max. However, he didn't lose his manliness.
Nope, this isn’t after she regains her memory. Spoilers below.
HEAVY SPOILERS
In the novel, Mian Tang's journey can be divided into five distinct phases (note that the drama adaptation may alter some of these details):
The Clueless and Devoted Mian Tang: In this phase, Mian Tang is deeply in love with her "husband" and is completely devoted to him, willing to follow him anywhere, no matter the cost.
The Jaded Mian Tang: Here, Mian Tang becomes disillusioned after discovering that the man she loved so much had deceived and manipulated her. Angered and disappointed, she decides to leave CZX, though she still harbors conflicting feelings for him. Despite her lingering emotions, she does a better job of masking them.
Married Woman with a Secret: After reconciling with CZX and agreeing to marry him, Mian Tang learns about her true identity. This revelation leaves her in constant fear of losing him.
Bandit Leader Mian Tang: In this phase, Mian Tang regains her memories of being a bandit leader but forgets her time with CZX. Driven by her past, she even attempts to kill him. IMO, this is the most interesting phase for the couple.
Mian Tang with All of Her Memories: In this final phase, Mian Tang remembers everything from her past, including her time with CZX and her life as a bandit leader.
Jin: "I want to know, what kind of person made you, Blood-handed Asura, love him so deeply. Nan Ya: "He and I lived and died together. We got through thick and thin together. He was my destined one in this life.
The main problem with this love story is that the drama didn't make Nan Ya's feelings believable. Although the show depicted the leads as two friends who genuinely cared for each other, I never felt that their love was developed or deep enough to explain Nan Ya's longing for Ji Yan. This is a classic example of a show telling us something instead of showing us.
1. In the novel, Zhao Quan is explicitly trying to steal Mian Tang away from CXZ. However, the drama has omitted this aspect of his character so far.
2. In the novel, her confrontation with her harassers is much more intense. After beating up the main creep, LMT even forced the harasser’s henchmen to eat shit—literally!
3. In the novel, LMT gained the artist’s favor by deciphering a hidden message in the painting, and CXZ never appeared in that scene. The drama, however, downplays LMT’s role, and instead, ZQ takes Mian Tang to the artist in an attempt to woo her. He gets angry when she gives him the cold shoulder, following CXZ's advice to stay away from ZQ.
4. It seems the drama is turning the Cousin (CXZ's fiancée) into a crazy villain, which contrasts with her portrayal in the novel, where she doesn't come across that way.
5. They have softened CXZ's character in the drama. He's a lot colder and aloof in the novel. Which I thought was great because it made his character development that much more compelling. But I get it, the drama didn't want the male lead to start as unlikable.
Regarding the leads' performances: Wang Chu Ran perfectly captures this version of Mian Tang as a kind and docile wife and businesswoman. Zhang Wan Yi's portrayal of CXZ is interesting—while the character in the novel is more stoic and serious, he's doing a commendable job.
He became addicted to this woman for good reasons. She's extremely beautiful and talented, and treated him extremely well during their fake marriage. She was the perfect wife. She even followed him to war. So yea, he is indeed whipped to the max. However, he didn't lose his manliness.
In the novel, Mian Tang's journey can be divided into five distinct phases (note that the drama adaptation may alter some of these details):
The Clueless and Devoted Mian Tang:
In this phase, Mian Tang is deeply in love with her "husband" and is completely devoted to him, willing to follow him anywhere, no matter the cost.
The Jaded Mian Tang:
Here, Mian Tang becomes disillusioned after discovering that the man she loved so much had deceived and manipulated her. Angered and disappointed, she decides to leave CZX, though she still harbors conflicting feelings for him. Despite her lingering emotions, she does a better job of masking them.
Married Woman with a Secret:
After reconciling with CZX and agreeing to marry him, Mian Tang learns about her true identity. This revelation leaves her in constant fear of losing him.
Bandit Leader Mian Tang:
In this phase, Mian Tang regains her memories of being a bandit leader but forgets her time with CZX. Driven by her past, she even attempts to kill him. IMO, this is the most interesting phase for the couple.
Mian Tang with All of Her Memories:
In this final phase, Mian Tang remembers everything from her past, including her time with CZX and her life as a bandit leader.
Nan Ya: "He and I lived and died together. We got through thick and thin together. He was my destined one in this life.
The main problem with this love story is that the drama didn't make Nan Ya's feelings believable. Although the show depicted the leads as two friends who genuinely cared for each other, I never felt that their love was developed or deep enough to explain Nan Ya's longing for Ji Yan. This is a classic example of a show telling us something instead of showing us.