You have a point about story line, I agree. POJ is enchanting, very beautiful, the tension between two main characters…
I'd highly recommend NIF 2. It's a different drama than Season 1 (which is also one of my top dramas of all time--the NIFs are the only two of three in tital Cdramas I've given a 10/10 to), but so beautiful. Heartbreaking and hard to watch at points, but worth every moment of heartache. 😉
I read the plot synopsis and thought, "Huh, why does this feel like My Mister somehow?" And then I saw the screenwriter's other works and sure enough--"My Mister"!😯
I was rewatching Nirvana in Fire 2 to tide me over during the one episode per day week, and I think it spoiled me. It's making it hard for me to go back to POJ. The actors, costumes and cinematography are beautiful in POJ, but NIF 2 is just so well-written (it's a breathtakingly beautiful drama in plot, character and theme) that POJ feels like something of a writing mess in comparison when held up side by side. 🫣 I won't say more since this is not NIF 2's thread, but just sharing some context for why I've lost some steam with POJ.
Also, I think I might hold off on POJ until it's all released and I can get a sense for the entire story and how it lands overall without having to wade the quagmire of spoilers getting dropped on here for episodes I physically can't access yet. 😅
I'm on a rewatch, and man, I just LOVE, LOVE LOVE the Changlin family. All of them are just rockstars and amazing,…
One of my favorite lines/parts in this drama is when Yuanqi is about to storm Chaoyang Hall and the Dowager Empress and young Emperor are standing side by side facing the door, anxiously waiting for him to enter.
The empress, beside herself, exclaims, "If only my brother were here, we would never have a day like this!"
The young emperor doesn't bat an eye and says confidently, but sadly, "If Lord Changlin had been here, such a day would never have come." CHILLS. (Finally, he gets it!)
Another part that gives me chills is when Pingjing summons 100,000 men in two days with his outdated Changlin token to come to the Emperor's rescue. Watching them all assemble in a heartbeat to follow his family's banner.... more chills!
The second half is riddled with melancholy and an ache for what has passed and the goodness that will never be had again, but it's somehow still so beautiful!
I'm on a rewatch, and man, I just LOVE, LOVE LOVE the Changlin family. All of them are just rockstars and amazing, incredible humans.
I personally loved getting to watch Pingjing grow. I don't think he gets enough credit for being absolutely brilliant, bold and creative (far more creative and risky than his father and brother as he doesn't strategize with as much constraint).
It was his father and brother's steady belief and trust in his abilities and the constant affirmation of his unique skills that allowed him to grow into the strategist that he becomes by the end of the series.
On the surface it might look like they babied him, but they both knew, Pingzhang especially, that Pingjing was different (in a good way), and they never doubted him even when he seemingly mucked things up.
Because of that bond, trust and protection, Pingjing flourished into the very person Jinling desperately needed in its darkest hour. At the end of the day, only Pingjing could make happen what needed to happen.
Tingsheng even admits to Pingjing (in a heartbreakingly beautiful speech), "Your brother and I tried to do what you did at the border, and we both failed. You did what we always wanted to do, but couldn't accomplish. I am so proud of you!" 😭😭😭
I could go on and on about the green flag that is this family. Parenting done right; the best sibling bond I've ever seen on screen, and just a fabulous story of a family being let down by the ones they serve with every ounce of their being. Heartbreaking, beautiful, and profound.
I think the reasons this drama is not among the highest rated Cdramas are because, if 1) you watch it right after Nirvana In Fire, you might be disappointed if you expect a carbon copy of that drama (and it's not). But it is stellar in its own right and builds in the most subtle and beautiful of ways on its precursor NIF.
2) The villains have more of an edge in this drama, whereas NIF you're honestly never that worried Chang Su will get outmaneuvered because he's been planning his brains out for years, while NIF 2 is about an incredibly talented family having to respond in real time to malicious and unconstrained fear of their power while weighing the costs of wielding their power. It's just a completely different story, with completely different stakes.
I deeply wish this drama could get the love and rating it truly deserves. It's an incredible watch!
I’m starting to feel like Changyu is a bit of a hypocrite. Knocking out Li Huaian and drugging Xie Zheng (even…
That's why I don't mind as much when he doesn't listen to her, either (like protecting her secretly when she wanted to do things on her own). They're both taking away esch other's agency so I have no gripes; at least it's mutual. And it's well-intentioned even if it's technically not relationship behavior I can root for.
The voice actors are all listed on the MDL cast and crew page. I counted 47 voice actors. Tian Xi Wei uses her…
She sounds really different in real life (going off of her voice in an interview). Though I'm sure they get training to sound less modern, which accounts for the difference in sound.
Wasn't there supposed to be a scene in EP28 where Changyu was kinda mad at Xie Zheng for cutting himself with…
I was confused because it's the definitely the same scene we saw at the end of Episode 28. They just didn't include it for some reason? People are saying they'll do a flashback, maybe?
Also, I think I might hold off on POJ until it's all released and I can get a sense for the entire story and how it lands overall without having to wade the quagmire of spoilers getting dropped on here for episodes I physically can't access yet. 😅
The empress, beside herself, exclaims, "If only my brother were here, we would never have a day like this!"
The young emperor doesn't bat an eye and says confidently, but sadly, "If Lord Changlin had been here, such a day would never have come." CHILLS. (Finally, he gets it!)
Another part that gives me chills is when Pingjing summons 100,000 men in two days with his outdated Changlin token to come to the Emperor's rescue. Watching them all assemble in a heartbeat to follow his family's banner.... more chills!
The second half is riddled with melancholy and an ache for what has passed and the goodness that will never be had again, but it's somehow still so beautiful!
I personally loved getting to watch Pingjing grow. I don't think he gets enough credit for being absolutely brilliant, bold and creative (far more creative and risky than his father and brother as he doesn't strategize with as much constraint).
It was his father and brother's steady belief and trust in his abilities and the constant affirmation of his unique skills that allowed him to grow into the strategist that he becomes by the end of the series.
On the surface it might look like they babied him, but they both knew, Pingzhang especially, that Pingjing was different (in a good way), and they never doubted him even when he seemingly mucked things up.
Because of that bond, trust and protection, Pingjing flourished into the very person Jinling desperately needed in its darkest hour. At the end of the day, only Pingjing could make happen what needed to happen.
Tingsheng even admits to Pingjing (in a heartbreakingly beautiful speech), "Your brother and I tried to do what you did at the border, and we both failed. You did what we always wanted to do, but couldn't accomplish. I am so proud of you!" 😭😭😭
I could go on and on about the green flag that is this family. Parenting done right; the best sibling bond I've ever seen on screen, and just a fabulous story of a family being let down by the ones they serve with every ounce of their being. Heartbreaking, beautiful, and profound.
I think the reasons this drama is not among the highest rated Cdramas are because, if 1) you watch it right after Nirvana In Fire, you might be disappointed if you expect a carbon copy of that drama (and it's not). But it is stellar in its own right and builds in the most subtle and beautiful of ways on its precursor NIF.
2) The villains have more of an edge in this drama, whereas NIF you're honestly never that worried Chang Su will get outmaneuvered because he's been planning his brains out for years, while NIF 2 is about an incredibly talented family having to respond in real time to malicious and unconstrained fear of their power while weighing the costs of wielding their power. It's just a completely different story, with completely different stakes.
I deeply wish this drama could get the love and rating it truly deserves. It's an incredible watch!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3Fdy_6M4XctI3EFCGc0FZxx&si=wU1xQDDB37SzSKAQ
Yan Zheng: "Okay. 👍 You do you." 🤓
Xie Zheng (to Xie Wu, immediately after leaving Changyu): "Gather an elite squad and discreetly protect Changyu wherever she goes." 😎
😅😅😅