AngelP

Key to Phoenix Heart feels more like script writer's series how POJ was director's series. It is seriously refreshing to see idol drama that is not resting heavily on stars but on ppl behind the scene. The way things roll feel more thought out. There is nothing new in the series but it still feels fresh. Things happen at pace that writers want. No one stands out but they all fit together.

For example - I love how both FL and SML start at similar place of Naivety but both are on seperate path. With FL, probably her mom's upbringing and being with ML has opened her eyes to what is going around in world, while SML's world is getting smaller all because his dad wants him on throne. Every step he takes is going to push him away from person he loves and his loss is going to compound. Like Fl says no one including himself knows what he really wants. What will he do if he gets power. Will he keep getting pushed around or become tryant because he has it. There is pain at his end.

Compared to him ML is world weary and underhanded. But he cherishes ppl he loves and that is his best character trait. Not the fact he is CP, wants to get rid of problem in kingdom or that he is great warrior. His best trait is he is a decent human who cares.

I love how every character is etched. Myopic dowager who will harm the kingdom than let go of power, Emperor who is weary of these old ppl running the show, tutor who wants power grab. Each has role to play in this world. They don't exist for ML and FL to vanquish. They have their own schemes going on.

It also plays really well with forbidden fruit syndrome. Because Ami is so young, there can be no real romance between them but it feels more like this is what drama wants from character and not because she is young. You can't hate her character for not having hots for ML because she is still dealing with puppy love. He can't make a move on person who loves another because he is decent. Small thing like that add up more than visual razzle dazzle.

Also Shout to makeup team. I can see pores. They feel real humans.

We are talking historical here. Girls got married young like when they were 16-18 years. The fact that she is young and sheltered is why she caused so much tragedy to ML's army. In her 20's she would be married and in her husband's house (and would not be so sheltered if that makes sense).

Romance is just a small part of this drama. It is what has caught everyone by suprise on how script is dealing with twist and turns rather than focusing on romance.

Ami is child actor. She has been exposed to filming environment since she was 10 year old. I don't think Production House was looking for underage newcomer. They needed younger girl to play 17 years old. With her they got someone who can act and is age appropriate is my guess why they took her.

ML is supposed to be older. he is not meant to be eye candy. He has 2 wives and a son. He has his hands ful with army, injury and politics. Romancing his new wife is not on his priority.

She is already child actress who is no longer child and was doing side roles. If production had taken new girl I would have said the same thing you say. But this role gives former child star a chance to move to next phase and have better control over her career. Do I think it would have been better if she had waited till 18, answer is yes. But it is rare to get to get age appropriate role where onus is on production to maintain no skinship. Once she turns little older she will have to do all the kissing and hugging scenes along with more strenous wire work. This story is more ML forward and has twist and turns keeping romance to minimum. It is win win situation. Neo gets to prove he doesn't need hot scenes (a huge part of why Unclouded soul was smash) to get hit and she gets to test her toes in smaller drama as FL. Large age gap shipping is problem. I just came across so many ppl shipping 19 year old (who could have been underage during filming) with FL of POJ (drama where ML is dreamy) but it is what it is.

She plays Chu Ying Tao in Strange Tale of Tang Dynasty- one of 5 main leads. Ever since that drama exploded, they have all become fan favorite. I guess she learnt comic timing from that series. It has many scenes of deadpan humor.

Destroying imperial edict even rumor of doing so could get people killed if it came to light. It was considered as highest level of treason. From what I learnt about history, every edict written had a corresponding record kept in royal library written by scribe. Not sure if it is true or false as I am not Chinese. Ppl were wary of destroying document that might have a copy somewhere.

He is becoming aware of her mental fragility while we as audience are already aware of it. He is not omnipresent. There is a dialog where she asks him to stop putting on show for others. It is interesting. She knows he does not comply because others call his family are traitor or is feeling guilt but that he is playing safe by making a show of compliance.

Anyone is in his position would be cautious. His name protects her and his last living family. He is walking on very narrow edge politically speaking. If he moves even an inch in wrong direction, everyone dies. She is safe in the knowledge that no one can think of her being capable of carrying out revenge while in his case everyone think he is capable irrepective of his disability. If anything there are ppl who want him to try and are keeping an eye on him. What he is doing is giving her safe habor till she runs her initial course. She had time to plan while he was boxed in by royal family.

What is coming up is bigger than what she can acheive alone. There is a reason why she is propping him up so they can both tackle those enemies as team.

No need to bring down some other show just because yours is not doing well in rating. POJ is pure cinematic beauty and director's vision. Acting is quite good for what is required. Not everything needs to be trauma laden. It reminded ppl what series can be in hands of person who knows how camera work. Something we rarely see in days of CGI.
Sometime ppl don't like constant negativity in series. Balance is the problem with this series. Nothing else.

He has tremendous screen presence (very few Chinese actors have that right now even popular ones), can act well, has agile body suited for fantasy drama, makes all those fights look easy in those good looking but heavy clothes and has lovely voice. Maybe why he gets so many drama. It is not about looks alone. Good looks don't mean a shit in entertainment world. Did you not get it after POB, Journey to Love and Dream within Dream ML's success.

I would have liked them more if they were not so enamored of their own beauty, Strong blah blah.

He didn't say his cousin was wrong. He said he had to intervene because she was hitting her husband where world was begining to notice. If you are Asian you would have realized his words. If this became norm, elders would intervene and she would be thrown out. That was his warning. Unless abuse is ok with you and all the commentators out here. I am not defending her husband nor was ML. He was pointing out that slipperly slope of jealousy was about to doom her. Her sisters were right that her hubby needed lesson but they were not aware of how abusive she had become. Both want what is best for her.

Frankly too many Zanilia Zhao series in the list. I would chose Nirvana in Fire, Ode to Joy and Empresses in the Palace in the palace to be top 10.