Alysha Johnson

I know what you trying to say but FL like Lin An were all the rage in the 90s and 2000s in East Asian dramas (Taiwanese, HK, Japanese, Korean, etc.. You name it). I grew up watching this type of FL and used to love them. In fact, the strong female lead trope only gain tractions around 2013ish because people are finally tired of this damsel in distress, innocent, silly trope. But it's still a really relevant trope.

Second like I already said I do not mind this kind of FL. I love innocent FL. What matter is the character itself, whether it has enough gravitas for me as audience to care. Like Dylan and Esther previous dramas. FL were innocent and weak but she as a person has other characters that make me want to root for her. She was compassionate, hard working, and resilient.

As for Lin An up to episode 20, I do not think the writing did her justice. I understand that her type character is need to create a good juxtaposition to QXA's character and I think this is good. However, her character and execution so far has been utterly boring and uninspiring. Their mistaken identity was dragged on too long. As for Lin An, sure she get compared to her sister all the time, but why should I root for her to be better than her sister? She was not hard working and surrounded herself with yes man and only up to "tricks". She is the most "blessed" character in this story when her only "problem" was being compared to her talented sister. But she already in an advantageous position than Huaiqing by having a crown prince brother. I'm no fan of Huaiqing but being "talented" is literally life and death for her. Her position and lifestyle would have been so much worse if she was not smart and talented. And maybe she honed her "intelligence" as it is her biggest protection. Whereas for Lin An it's only a nice to have. Beside that, there's nothing redeeming about Lin An until episode 20 that show me she's compassionate, with a good heart and have courageous loyalty where it counts. I cannot empathize or root for a brat that already living a better life than her sister just by being born into it and choosing to lie instead of actually spending that time to learn to win against her sister. But I can respect a pure hearted princess who care for her aunt, and step up for her dead cousin despite the problems she will face. It's not as simple as "innocent or naive" FL. It's about having good writing and execution that make the FL like a human being that we can root for, and not a caricature.

FINALLY! The mistaken identity is OVER, and they can actually develop a good loveline and good chemistry. After XQA's speech we can finally understand why such a smart man would fall such petty trick by Lin'An. The moment he locked eyes with her for the first time, something has grew in his heart. So it was easy for him to believe that the girl he saw is the "perfect" girl everyone described, Princess Huaiqing. Honestly, that is why they said love is blind. Because if he wasn't blind then no way he would have been misled this long. She's misled him and he unconsciously wanted to be misled.

I said it before I don't mind naive, innocent male lead. For a ML like XQA who is smart and full of tricks, someone simple and full of heart is a good fit. I just didn't like the NARRATIVE they had because switch identity is so boring. The last 2 episodes are major improvements in my perspective. I did not care about this FL because there's NOTHING for me to root for her, NOTHING I can empathized with. Rich, favored daughter who acting spoiled and lying so she can win some petty poetry over her sister? I don't care for BRATS. She had every advantaged HANDED to her and yet still fumbled badly. BUT the latest episode, I can finally empathize with her. She has a big heart, and a loyal friend. Yes we can think she has big heart BUT I like to see it. It make her more human and not a character. So I love to see how their relationship grow.

After saying a bunch, I thoroughly enjoy the show WITHOUT the romance perspective. I usually do not like this type of genre but I enjoy Dylan's adventure. It's simple enough for me to follow but not so simple I already figured it out. The relationships and comrades XQA has with all people he met are very fun and endearing. Originally I do not like this type of humor but it grew on me and now I LOVE it. And frankly you know how people always complain about FL's plot armors? I freaking love XQA's love armor and it make sense why he would have them. You know how some stories make everyone like the FL? I love how they apply to the ML. This remind me of the old 2000 TBV series "Duke of Mount Deer" but without the 7 wives.

I ended up skipping most of Dylan's and FL's scenes. I felt bad so I come here to see if I'm the only one. Now I don't feel bad anymore. I don't mind naive FL or need strong FL but the romance plotline between them is SO BORING. Caiwei is cute and somewhat naive but it's so fun to see her with FL...
I thought the mind game that Dylan thought he's playing with Grand Princess was quite fun when he wrote her that poem, if only if it really IS the grand princess.
Sorry they dropped the ball on the FL character. Maybe she'll have a growth arc later but right now I don't find interesting enough to care.
P.S. I notice that two of the female characters (the Female Gold Gong, and Caiwei) are also in the previous drama series with the FL

Agreed. I love how they balance her independent nature with romance. She's not independent for independent sake, or being stubborn for stubborn sake. She's only independent because there's no one she can rely on. But when she deem someone worthy of her love, she shower him with affection, care and understanding. She accept him not because of love, but also respect. She KNOW she is capable but she appreciate his care nonetheless, and actually treat her partner like an equal and not demanding that HE have to follow her. It's very wholesome and that's why I like her character. She's a feminine girls' girl, and girls boss all in one. Have strong principles, but respect others have theirs as well. Not my way or the high way, or I'm smarter than everyone's attitude. She's strong and soft when she needs to, protect and let other protect her when she needs to. I really love her flexibility and sensibilities.
I also read somewhere that the writer/producers of this drama don't want to have Dou Zhao focused on revenge. Her return was simply to live a good life. And she indeed LIVE a good life. Balance is key.

In the original timeline, Wu grandpa was suppose to retired to make way for 5th Uncle and his cronies. Because of Dou Zhao's interference, that didn't happened so 5th Uncle and his cronies already hatch another plan. By instigating war in the North - knowing Wu grandpa and his supporters' view in this regard. They support war while the Emperor did not due to low national fund. Because Wu grandpa's words are logical, Emperor cannot outright refuse him or he can come off as unwise. This means Wu grandpa's position in court is already in danger, 5th Uncle and their cronies only need a small incident to tip Wu grandpa over - by giving Emperor an opportunity to find fault with Wu grandpa. So when Dou Zhao situation happened, 5th Uncle realized it was a good "opportunity" and lure Shougu over to cause that scene.

In regular time, this incident is "nothing". But because of Wu grandpa's position, 5th Uncle and his cronies fan the flames, and make up lies to make Shogu's crimes so much worse. This is to force Wu grandpa's hands. And also remember, Shogu is supposed to die in the original timeline. Some incidents can delay but can't totally be change. Removing him was just a matter of sooner or later.

just saw the news... very excited.. i hope this is finally ZLH breakout drama

I usually give a drama 2-3 episodes but a lot of time if i still can't get into it, hype or not be damn.. sometime we just not in the mood or the drama is not to our taste. there are many hyped dramas that i find utterly boring so ymmv.

I love the ending but a couple scenes stood out to me.
1. When Song Mu fought with the two blades of loyalty and filial piety against Song Mu's spear of revenge. This is a contrast to the first episode when Song Mu was fighting for revenge, this time he's fighting for justice.
2. I love the show often elect LIVING as the ultimate punishments for the villains rather than death. Lord Qing is confined to a small area which was what hated and the Empress is stuck in her fake marriage. They also let the stepmom live so she can spend her days is regrets. This is what we say "A life worse than dying".
3. Jiyong looking at the lone magnolia flower in the snow. I'm glad that the show didn't focus on the love triangle so I really appreciate this bittersweet last scene. It suggested that Jiyong gave up his love for Dou Zhao. Maybe in another life, he has love her and pursued her. But in this life, he gave it up for the better good. The magnolia flower in this series has been used several time for pure love - like the one Dou Zhao mom gave to her husband, or that the day Dou Zhao decided to marry Song Mu. What an elegant way to show Jiyong's pure love toward Dou Zhao.
4. The king's last walk. This character is very bittersweet. He deserve neither our piety or anger. He sacrificed his friends and many others for the stability of his kingdom. But in the end, even when he won, it feel like he lost. His final walk in the snow really drive home how lonely and cold it is to be a king.
5. I love how they CHOSE to have Ansu giving Song Han the final blow. This relationship is so short so I really don't care. But given how stupid they made Ansu acted, I'm glad they gave her back her dignity with this scene. Ansu is not perfect but she's not entirely wrong to want to believe in the best of others. However, once the blind is off, she acted decisively. And right her wrongs, and payback to those who wronged her. She's Dou Zhao's friend indeed.

sadly the only thing the king cannot fail is his kingdom, because even the king's own life is not his... there's a famous saying that said that being around a king is like being around a tiger.. the paradox of being the most powerful but the most powerless

when the couple met he was just born, and they get marry a year later, soon later FL got pregnant. So at most Jiang Meisun's son is only 2-3 years older than their daughter. it make sense

talking about jiyong... i read somewhere that people speculating that this is not his FIRST reincarnation.. this is not spoiler because i havent read the novel, just speculating for discussion purpose here...

i wonder if jiyong have like Dou Zhao the life before, because the life we saw previously they didn't know each other. maybe in that life, jiyong stayed away because he thought that was what best for Dou Zhao, and to keep her away from Song Mo? only in the end he have to admit that they are fated to be together after all.

I think when Dou Zhao came back and Jiyong was with her, I wonder if he knew she KNEW. Maybe he know but he just wanted to see what decisions she would make. other than that, i can't see how jiyong developed feelings for Dou Zhao. i hope they don't make it something cringy as jiyong developed feelings for Dou Zhao in this life because somehow she's the only one that gets him since she also came back. like that's such a cop out that make my muscle spasm just thinking about it because i cringe too hard. like no, please no

song han is like his dad, more ambitious than he is capable but want the shortcut, do the underhanded deeds rather than pursuing the right way, and always have a victim's complex.

i think song han knew for a long time he was the illegitimate child and that became his victim's complex point and also his fear. he feel less than his brother but he inherited his father's cowardice so rather than facing it bravely and improve himself, he rather blame the world, his dad, his mom, for putting him in that situation so he can justify whatever actions he take.

yeah that's why the execution of his character is choppy and tbfrank the actor is little too green as well. i LOVE a good villain. doesn't matter how annoying they are to the main character i love them if they act the hell out of it. i never ever hate a villain before because i appreciate their character for the story narrative. it just song han is irritating because we know who the big villains are and i rather see THEM on screening plotting, rather than Songhan who is just a TOOL. for character like him who are one-dimension psychopath, their redeeming quality is intelligence, but right now he's more like a tool for the big guys. so for him, his character would have been better if they had developed some scenes early on for us to feel some kind of sympathy toward him, so we can see him as a tortured soul psychopath who got push off the edge and lashing out. but they kept him under wrapped as a surprise but the delivery fell flat.

idk how dna works with half brother

I thought current Saeon was taking in because he's the Paik grandpa's illegitimate son? So he's technically a half brother to his current fake dad? I didn't read the novel but saw it somewhere or am i just hallucinating?

Haha I felt the same. I watch QoT just to see the two leads having a fantastic time acting out that drama. I don't think I even care what the plot is about. Just something so satisfying about how the two of them act and play off each other. They could be acting out a mundane "day of my life" and I still watch.

Whereas Lovely Runner got me hook on the plot. I'm a sucker for time travel, and although it's a typical trope it has enough plot twist that kept me engaged. I became a fan of the actors after watching the drama.

Why are they ruining the Jiyong character? It came out of the left field. I hope his feelings are not romantic because he had no previous inclination. Why can't he just be the smart, and transcendental monk but just with hair? They had a fantastic character and they just ruined it. I was hoping he had something up his sleeve or everything is just a ruse for Lord Qing. Jiyong I'm still holding up hope for you.

Every story needs a villain but the execution of the last arc with Song Han is terribly done. I was not annoyed at the step mom or the 5th uncle at all. The way they executed Song Han, maybe it's the actor or the writing just irritates the hell out of me. So much so that I felt bad and didn't visit here for a couple days. I was just so surprised people feel the same. I never hated a villain before, and I don't hate Song Han, but rather annoyed. He's just a NOT good villain. Whatever it is about him or his execution just seem half-hearted, like half cooked noodles. Not edible, and just sour your mood because it ruined the dish you were enjoying. Like please, you want to send it back to ask your cook to make it right because the rest of the dish is perfect. That's how I felt about SH.

Wow glad to be not the only one feeling bored the past couples I almost felt bad because I was so obsessed I binged watched the first 20 episodes.
I love to see loveline for Ansu but didn't expect to get it this way. Yikes!!!
I don't like Song Han and he's not even a good villain. Something about him just trigger me so much.. Not sure if it's the actor or the writing. Even when the stepmom and 5th uncle were the villains there were something satisfying about them. Every story need a villain. But Song Han just bugs me and I hate to see him on screen. Like just gtfo

Is it just me or I'm starting to feel bore... the 1 episode a day here is NOT working, and to be frank, the last arc here is not as satisfying/interesting as the stepmom arc. The crumbs they giving me is not making me hook, but rather quite annoyed. I feel the pacing is really ruining the experience. I'll just wait till they drop all the episodes because I'm not eager for new episode to just see freaking wet paper towel Song Han.