DramaAjumma

Haha... love it... Hao Du gets called the puppet several times.

Lee Je Hoon's performance here is just brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. He nails it in every kind of situation.

It reminds me of Stewart Copeland's work on The Equalizer.

I had no idea Lee Je-hoon could do comedy. His impersonations are a hoot!

For me more than the romance(s) the show's biggest strength is how it carefully shows different perspectives in a given situation. It doesn't take sides in the way the viewers do. All it does is show why the characters do what they do and we're left to ponder their strengths and weaknesses of their positions on things. I'm actually surprised at times by the complexity of various confrontations and event after the fact. It's been good watching this with the other half because he occasionally has a different perspective and it's really helpful. It's also good that despite the youthful energy of the show that it doesn't condone everything that the lead character does. It's not a fantasy where everything she does is right. All the young ones have to grow up in the school of hard knocks.

I have so much time for Gongsun Heng. What a great mentor for Changge. I loved what he said to her about trade-offs. There are no perfect solutions. Something has to give. It's an important lesson for someone like her to really take hold of because she wants to save everyone. I understand where that impulse comes from but it's not commensurate with reality.

I don't think selfish is really the right word. Certainly not after Yuzhou anyway. My problem with her is that she's always in a hurry. If she has any fault, that is it. I get it she's passionate about people and country. But she's a double-edged sword. Her passion can work for her and against her.

I think the entire situation with the freeing of Luo Yi was a perfect storm of opportunism and individual choices. Apportioning blame to one person is certainly not useful. Everyone made their choices and there were huge negative ramifications for all the players. I also want to point out that Sun's Ah Na also made her choice to help and of course Princess Yicheng. But I do feel that decisions were made with haste spurred on by Princess Yicheng who was fed up with the status quo. Honestly, someone like her should have been more circumspect and not encourage Changge to engage in such a foolhardy expedition. She did at first. But at the right moment she happened to be humiliated by the Khan and his concubine. In a way I find the writing here somewhat unconvincing. She'd been badly treated forever and she's put up with it. She'd also been very cautious previously. Suddenly she's had enough. Of course it could be that Changge planted a seed of hope and she saw an opportunity to get even.

I think the lesson from this chain of events is that all these decisions were made emotionally and there were consequences to them. Even Sun who isn't easily given to making hasty emotionally-driven decisions succumbed because of the woman he loved.

It's a serious of good intentions that went awry. A reminder of the old adage -- the path to hell is paved with good intentions.

Absolutely. While the writing of Ah Sun is good, I also think that he is doing a stellar job. He's completely surpassed my expectations.

You mean the part where he asks Sun if he likes Changge?

That's exactly what I think too. What's his purpose in the drama apart from him playing second-fiddle to everyone else? At least I can see the point of having the young bratty crown prince in the story.

I doubt he'll be marrying Leyan from the previews that I've seen.

My comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek but I agree that Changge was never into him nor does he seem interested in Leyan romantically.
However, I did hear the actor say on Happy Camp that he and the Hao Du actor were love rivals.

I certainly hope what we've seen so far isn't all there is to him. Everyone seems to have an arc. But more importantly I hope he's not written in a way to make Sun and Hao Du look good as suitors. There's no need for that.

I only bring it up because it's a writing issue that irks me. I only wish it wasn't so obvious that he is a non-contender for Changge's affections because of his obligations and loyalties. And also the fact that he just missed the carriage that held the kidnapped Leyan. His only fault seems to be that he's written to be a conventional guy who seemingly did the wrong thing when he seemingly betrayed an unconventional princess. It's not a deal breaker of course because I intend to keep watching. I don't have a problem with how Changge is written because there is balance there. Even when I don't agree with what she's doing, I know the show doesn't condone her recklessness by how other people respond to her words and deeds. There lies genuine character development .

I like the actor too. It's a thankless role but he gives a nuanced performance. I know exactly what you mean about his delivery.

As a whole I really like the show. It certainly has the potential to be one of the year's best. But it isn't flawless.

Wei Shuyu is absolutely a man of his time as is written. It is a Chinese period drama afterall. He was put in a zero sum situation and so acted in a way that's consistent with what's expected of him as a son of a political family. My bone of contention is with the word "weakness" or "lack of a spine" that's all.
I'm neutral about Wei Shuyu because he is set up as that kind of figure and to be honest, Changge is more of an exception rather than the rule. Or even an anachronism. Her perspective isn't necessarily the right one as the show acknowledges all throughout. She has a lot to learn.

I can't say for certain that that sort of sensibility is broadly Asian... a very big place... but definitely a traditional Chinese perspective. Thankfully most of us don't have to be put in such a predicament today although there are instances of it but less life-threatening.

Appreciate you joining the conversation.

Absolutely. Agreed. That's my point exactly. He's not weak as much as someone who prioritizes family. To me it's not necessarily a weakness. But obviously to Changge it is. He doesn't have the luxury to do whatever he wants because of his family. That was how he was manipulated.

I don't think he's weak as much as he has different priorities and he was raised in a particular way consistent with a man of his background. He was brought up in a sheltered environment to obey rules, to respect authority unquestioningly. He is completely tethered to the system. That's why he's easy to manipulate with the threat of family extermination. It's the same with Hao Du. Why the inhuman persistence in pursuing Changge? It's about his relationship with his adoptive father, the obligation he feels towards him and the brainwashing into being a human automaton. He has had to prove himself in other ways and was raised to be a running dog at the beck and call of his adoptive father.

It's so obvious to me in Episode 12 that the show doesn't want Shuyu to find Leyan. This is what I object to -- denigrating a character in order to push forward the narrative in a particular direction.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I do like this show a lot but if there's one criticism I have of it it's the writing of Wei Shuyu. It's rather heavy-handed to my mind. I'm fine that he is not fated to be with either of his childhood female friends because of circumstances and personal choices but to have him miss the boat just about every time... I dunno it feels rather over-the -top and obvious. I'm hoping for more balance and a multi-faceted exploration.

Episodes 9-12 were fantastic. 10-12 were especially engrossing. For the first time, Changge was not narrowly focused on her big revenge and trying to talk others into helping her but focusing on the problems on hand with wit. Hallelujah! I really felt this time that all the praise showered on her was actually deserved. I felt a little nostalgic even. It was almost like watching Nirvana in Fire with all that talk of tactics and strategy.
Asile Sun was also great although he seemed to take a backseat to Changge's moment in the spotlight. He observed, waited, bided his time and learnt from the other team's mistakes before committing himself to an all out offensive.

I honestly adore this OTP. I admit to being very partial to these sorts of pairings where both parties are fairly even in intelligence and have complementary skill sets. I am so looking forward to when they become a team. Whether these two will dethrone my favourite duo from You Are My Hero remains to be seen. It is the case that I always prefer romances where the male lead falls for the female lead first. Where he does all the running around to prove himself... there's something that feels right about that. :D

I'm also a fan of UK crime dramas and in my opinion this is comparable with the best of them.

You're welcome... and thanks! ;)

Thanks!