DramaAjumma

I didn't like the first 3 that much either but I warmed up to it when they toned down the slapstick. It does feel chaotic and incoherent at times but the threads eventually come together. I think the 20 episode format does cause problems for the writing.

I have the opposite view on this because I think Vincenzo is a great character and Song Joong-ki does a good job with it. He has his dangerous side but also he's caring warm side. He's capable of being childish too. It's a multidimensional persona who learns to appreciate and open up to the people around him.
My biggest beef with this show is really with how the villains were written particularly in the second half. If there's anyone who is dull and unidimensional, it's the big bad 3. They never seemed to learn anything.

I enjoyed the show a lot -- had a great time with it but I don't think the villains were the best.

Yup!

I'm in love with Yoo Ji-tae. Heh.

I started this by accident because of Tim Pei but it's hilarious. I feel there's a Lois and Clarke thing happening.

It's interesting so many think this is like Flower of Evil but that didn't occur to me at all. Even if there's any resemblance it's so superficial. What it really reminded me off right off the bat was When My Love Blooms especially with the use of flashbacks. I suspect not many people saw that one.

I had problems with the final act of Flower of Evil. It started well enough but went madly makjang. But that's a common problem with Asian dramas.
The first half was good and the leads were good, LJG especially.

There are aspects that are more LoTCH

It's nothing like Flower of Evil.

https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/the-long-ballad-2021-a-tale-of-two

My weekly post of Long Ballad. Please find the link under the spoiler tag. Not my best effort but I'm going through some health issues. Thanks for reading the last one.

I like the word "digestible". You're definitely onto something about the demographics.

It's amazing.

8.3 (at time of writing) can't even begin to be an accurate guide to this work of art. This is without a doubt one of the best C dramas ever made.

I can't help wondering as I'm watching this if Liang Yusheng wasn't trying to do a parody of Jin Yong. The show makes more sense when I think of it that way.

Episodes 37 and 38 were really good. This show never disappoints. So much progression. What a great juggling act with multiple romances. Brilliant.

Can't blame you. It's disappointing though.

I did a bit of skipping around and it seems that the second half is better than the first.

It's okay. I'm always hankering for more classic wuxia stories but while the cinematography and martial arts choreography are pretty good, it feels like I'm watching a B movie here. The writer seems to have plundered the Condor Trilogy for ideas.
I wish someone would do a decent adaptation of Ping Zong Xia Ying Lu instead.