As someone who has read the novel over and over again... Well, most scenes with high emotional charge didn't land…
Another memorable thing I'd add is: they casted the PERFECT Chu Zhao. He got that handsome educated soft man look, and he got the BEST CLOTHES. I love beautifully dressed beautiful men
As someone who has read the novel over and over again... Well, most scenes with high emotional charge didn't land as strong as it did through reading. I also had to reaaally try hard to suspend disbelief throughout the drama mainly because Zhou Ye looked too... beautiful and delicate. But the good thing for me, from a big fan of the novel, is that I get to hear how the iconic lines, like the i love the moon one, sounded when spoken in its actual language (setting aside how the intensity of the confession didn't feel as hightened as I remember reading it).
I guess it's just a small curse of novel reader-drama adaptation audience. I'm glad a lot of people enjoyed this drama, though if you have the time and you're looking for a nice read, I highly recommend checking out the novel!
To me Sheng Yi is one of the best written character in this drama. The layers of conditioned helplessness that's instilled into her by 1. the time context 2. her family 3. her husband, all of these were vividly presented in how she makes her life choices. Yes, I do understand it is infuriating, definitely annoying to watch what she did. But honestly, it's also heartbreaking. Her character is a portrayal of what a lifetime of emotional, physical, structural abuse of women looked like. My heart breaks for her when I can so easily conjure up fightbacks and dirty swear words towards the villains of her situation while at the sametime clearly seeing that such thoughts, being so empowered and brave and having choices, are royal-family level luxury for her, for all women back then (and even to this day). Even in thoughts women were, are, oppressed.
Mu Dan saved her, protects her, she gave her a crutch to stand on her own; she is Sheng Yi's heroine. But most people misunderstood one thing: while Mu Dan is her savior, she is no therapist. Sheng Yi's mind literally doesn't even exist on the same plane as Mu Dan, who is a wealthy merchant family daughter. Remember, the social system of the time and how hierarchy in absolute determined people's actual reality. If you've lived a rough childhood, or you're a minority in your country, or you're someone who have survived something, I have no doubt you would 100% get Sheng Yi's story and see the working layers beneath. It is a hard, exhausting, insanely difficult work just to get from being a victim to being a survivor.
The writer, director, and the actress did a very great job at showing us clues of her psyche that gradually builds up to the final momentum of Sheng Yi's character. She gets a brief moment of freedom and empowerment, however that is unfortunately not enough to 180 degree change her whole world view. This is very, very human. She is not stupid, she does not make stupid decisions; what she needed was time, and that was a luxury she didn't have. Her story closed with a deeply remarkable ending, and long after watching the drama, Sheng Yi still have me thinking deeply about the world that I currently live in.
Just started this and excellent use of lighting right at the beginning. None of those they only have one candle…
I agree! The colors of the scenes in this drama is such a treat to the eyes, it's clear that the production team has put so much effort into making this drama 😍 One of the dramaa that I'll think about a lot long after seeing it ❤️
Yes, a lot of the major plot points were left unanswered. So you do have to watch season 2 for proper closure. Don't worry though, the quality is good across both seasons in my opinion.
The music director put the most DISTRACTING song ever to one of the impossibly important scene... I should've cried but the soundtrack snaps my mind out of it 😭
I hope he directs more historical dramas 🥹 his direction for fluorished peony was insanely good! The camera works felt so different from other big budget dramas, with his incredible sense at bringing slice of life stories to life (meet yourself, go ahead). Looking forward to his new projects!!!
I guess it's just a small curse of novel reader-drama adaptation audience. I'm glad a lot of people enjoyed this drama, though if you have the time and you're looking for a nice read, I highly recommend checking out the novel!
Mu Dan saved her, protects her, she gave her a crutch to stand on her own; she is Sheng Yi's heroine. But most people misunderstood one thing: while Mu Dan is her savior, she is no therapist. Sheng Yi's mind literally doesn't even exist on the same plane as Mu Dan, who is a wealthy merchant family daughter. Remember, the social system of the time and how hierarchy in absolute determined people's actual reality. If you've lived a rough childhood, or you're a minority in your country, or you're someone who have survived something, I have no doubt you would 100% get Sheng Yi's story and see the working layers beneath. It is a hard, exhausting, insanely difficult work just to get from being a victim to being a survivor.
The writer, director, and the actress did a very great job at showing us clues of her psyche that gradually builds up to the final momentum of Sheng Yi's character. She gets a brief moment of freedom and empowerment, however that is unfortunately not enough to 180 degree change her whole world view. This is very, very human. She is not stupid, she does not make stupid decisions; what she needed was time, and that was a luxury she didn't have. Her story closed with a deeply remarkable ending, and long after watching the drama, Sheng Yi still have me thinking deeply about the world that I currently live in.
Exceptional, epic-level character writing.