First impressions... The acting is there. The styling is there....the characters are being portrayed properly. So very pleased overall.
I do have some production technical gripes but nothing too too bad. So if that isn't your thing feel free to just scroll on by, as I know not everyone cares about that kind of thing. It's going to sound somewhat harsh so if you are loving everything keep on loving everything...production is just my personal interest in dramas so yeah...
I feel like they might be leaning just a little too hard into the lens flare, shot through glass pane/window/reflective surface, with an extra added vignette style image focus. It really works in some scenes, but because it's used a lot its getting....repetitive. It's giving...astigmatism at times where nothing is in full sharp focus because light is breaking up the depth of field. Some of the camera angles are definitely because they shot on a practical set rather than a studio where they can move walls to get the camera angle just right. So there really isn't much one can do about those. Some are shot purposefully to make the viewer feel claustrophobic in the moment. There are some scenes that need to be opened up a bit more within the frame(personal opinion) as it's not letting the subjects be grounded within the shot. I think a change in camera lens could have improved some shots....mainly the news reports when they are switching back and forth to different camera techniques.
Color grading looks good...it's giving the right mood. I just wish there was a more distinct difference in visual tone from past and present events. It's sort of there, but present day scenes have almost a dream like quality to them that there isn't enough of a deference between the two timelines. EDIT: Didn't see episode 4 yet at the time of writing this comment there is more of a difference in style in past vs present. Not 100% sure I'm fully vibing with the DP just yet...I'll have to see where they go with it when it comes to her sleepwalking, and once the story actually picks up. We are still very much in the introduction stage. Looking forward to see what's in store.
YESSSSSSSS Its precisely this attention to detail that made this drama such a visually stunning treat.They are…
First, thank you so much for the names both in English and Chinese for the different departments and names. Extremely helpful.🥰
Second, There has got to be, at minimum, an hour's worth of NGs/outtakes from clothing not doing what the director/actor want it to do. Also a lot of PAs just off screen or diving out of shots after holding something in place. 🤣😊
Not every actor/actress can work well with period dramas because of how technical some of the wardrobe, hair, and make-up styling gets. Being able to move in clothes and make it natural and not stiff is why some productions can pull you out of the story. Same with Western period pieces. The amount of times I've been watching an actress try and go up and down stairs in period clothing and not know how to properly walk is astounding. Also, for the love of all that is holy, can someone on set please learn how to properly tie a cravat? I know that might seem trivial to some, but details matter when world building. Being able to do the stunts/choreography needed for these roles in full costume while hooked up to wires while maintaining a fluidity....skills. A lot of Chinese actors and actresses have perfected this through hard work and dedication to learning from the stunt teams. It's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Also, core strength....so much core strength.
It's shows like this and Blossom that make me mad at myself for not being able to read Chinese characters. I wish I could look up the gaffer's(lighting director) and the DP's(Director of Photographer aka cinematographer) CV to see what other work they have done. The consistent attention to detail when it comes to practically lighting the more fantastical scenes so that the VFX can better blend into the shot is amazing. If you haven't noticed, they use color specific lighting in the shots to mirror that of what will be done in post production so that the lighting on the actors faces matches and blends. Use of practical explosions, and strobes to again enhance the digital effects...seriously chef's kiss.
They are lighting for a fantasy show so the sometimes over lit night shots are easily forgiven, as we constantly see the characters light a room with "magic". They consistently use real sunlight and establishing shots that were filmed outdoors at golden hour....unless they have a "Volume"(the studio with a digital background set that they used for shows like The Mandalorian and The Batman) The lighting gives a warmth and reality to a lot of scenes.
The DP never overdoes it with artistic shots...they are within every episode but used sparingly as to not overwhelm the story with unique shots that would then become repetitive or distracting. And for a show that is 40 episodes long, those artistic choices take time and money, and they used that time and money very well. Again if they don't have something like "The Volume" shooting at golden hour can sometimes take multiple days just for a 3-10 minutes scene.
I really wish I was able to read the more detailed crew list so that I could praise them. But because I can't I just want to give a big round of applause to the production crew that obviously put a lot of thought and care into this work. From the PAs to the post production colorists, seriously great work.
Also shout out to the wardrobe department. The attention to detail on the costumes and how they are multi-layered so they look different depending on lighting/movement is soooooo amazing. One of Deng Wei(Su Yi Shui)'s main outfits is a multi-layered green outfit. It can look emerald green in one shot and almost completely black in others. I love it so much, Every layer is a different color and when stacked together paired with movement....they cooked. They cooked, ate, and left no crumbs.
I can't wait to see her grow even more as an actress. She's only 16, meaning most her work I've seen she was 14 or 15 years old. She already has an amazing understanding and grasp of more emotional scenes. She, along with Huangyang Tian Tian, are some of the younger talent coming up that I hope continue to work in the industry and are well taken care of and protected from the more harmful aspects of being in the industry and a public figure. Watching her in period dramas has helped be place the characters the actresses who are playing much younger than they are in perspective as she was the actual age of a lot of the female lead characters.
Anyone know if I have to watch hidden love in order to understand this drama
no you don't have to. they are actually parallel stories. So if you havent watched Hidden Love I would recommend watching it after & then you will have the extra layer of what's going on with Sang Yan in the background. each story only focuses on the main leads. at least in the web novels.
I guess back up site & then rewatch on Netflix? I was going to watch it more than once anyway, but I hate when a license gets broken up like this for airing outside of the country of origin.
They are the only people for each other. No one can compare or get close to them. People like them, but they don't give any attention to them. And it's not the kind of like that messes with the mains' relationship. Just people crushing on the cool kids who are aloof to others.
Netflix is on my shitlist this week. "New episodes coming Thursday".....side eye...bombastic side eye!
I'll still restream the episodes on Netflix while I'm working(so it gets the official views), but darn it. Praying that my backup site has the HD version uploaded on day of airing...if not I'll have to avoid this comment section like the black plague. Which, I really don't want to do because I've been looking forward to yapping about this drama for years now.
I'm only about 18 minutes into Episode 17, but I would love nothing more than for Mu Ran Wu to be killed by Crown Prince Su Yu. I feel like it would be poetic justice in a way. If you're going to be a greedy bitch and ruin everyone's lives might as well die by the hands of the person you "love" most.
Love is in quotes because she only loves herself. She's just obsessed with Su Yu and what his position can do for her.
It’s only on iqiyi Chinese app for now. They re-edited ep 1-8, also moved episode 3-6 to the front and episodes…
Oh, that's such a mistake on their part. Setting up a mystery makes the viewer want to learn more. I like that we get the story of what happened in the past from the POV of the verbal history verses what ACTUALLY happened in the past. Also, they need to introduce who will be the main personality for the show first NOT her past self first. I'll have to see what they actually changed to really judge. I think I'm mainly salty because I usually keep notes on what happens in which episode for rewatches and now it's going to be all mixed up.
2 
The acting is there. The styling is there....the characters are being portrayed properly. So very pleased overall.
I do have some production technical gripes but nothing too too bad. So if that isn't your thing feel free to just scroll on by, as I know not everyone cares about that kind of thing. It's going to sound somewhat harsh so if you are loving everything keep on loving everything...production is just my personal interest in dramas so yeah...
I feel like they might be leaning just a little too hard into the lens flare, shot through glass pane/window/reflective surface, with an extra added vignette style image focus. It really works in some scenes, but because it's used a lot its getting....repetitive. It's giving...astigmatism at times where nothing is in full sharp focus because light is breaking up the depth of field. Some of the camera angles are definitely because they shot on a practical set rather than a studio where they can move walls to get the camera angle just right. So there really isn't much one can do about those. Some are shot purposefully to make the viewer feel claustrophobic in the moment. There are some scenes that need to be opened up a bit more within the frame(personal opinion) as it's not letting the subjects be grounded within the shot. I think a change in camera lens could have improved some shots....mainly the news reports when they are switching back and forth to different camera techniques.
Color grading looks good...it's giving the right mood. I just wish there was a more distinct difference in visual tone from past and present events. It's sort of there, but present day scenes have almost a dream like quality to them that there isn't enough of a deference between the two timelines. EDIT: Didn't see episode 4 yet at the time of writing this comment there is more of a difference in style in past vs present.
Not 100% sure I'm fully vibing with the DP just yet...I'll have to see where they go with it when it comes to her sleepwalking, and once the story actually picks up. We are still very much in the introduction stage. Looking forward to see what's in store.
Second, There has got to be, at minimum, an hour's worth of NGs/outtakes from clothing not doing what the director/actor want it to do. Also a lot of PAs just off screen or diving out of shots after holding something in place. 🤣😊
Not every actor/actress can work well with period dramas because of how technical some of the wardrobe, hair, and make-up styling gets. Being able to move in clothes and make it natural and not stiff is why some productions can pull you out of the story. Same with Western period pieces.
The amount of times I've been watching an actress try and go up and down stairs in period clothing and not know how to properly walk is astounding. Also, for the love of all that is holy, can someone on set please learn how to properly tie a cravat?
I know that might seem trivial to some, but details matter when world building. Being able to do the stunts/choreography needed for these roles in full costume while hooked up to wires while maintaining a fluidity....skills.
A lot of Chinese actors and actresses have perfected this through hard work and dedication to learning from the stunt teams. It's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Also, core strength....so much core strength.
They are lighting for a fantasy show so the sometimes over lit night shots are easily forgiven, as we constantly see the characters light a room with "magic". They consistently use real sunlight and establishing shots that were filmed outdoors at golden hour....unless they have a "Volume"(the studio with a digital background set that they used for shows like The Mandalorian and The Batman) The lighting gives a warmth and reality to a lot of scenes.
The DP never overdoes it with artistic shots...they are within every episode but used sparingly as to not overwhelm the story with unique shots that would then become repetitive or distracting. And for a show that is 40 episodes long, those artistic choices take time and money, and they used that time and money very well. Again if they don't have something like "The Volume" shooting at golden hour can sometimes take multiple days just for a 3-10 minutes scene.
I really wish I was able to read the more detailed crew list so that I could praise them. But because I can't I just want to give a big round of applause to the production crew that obviously put a lot of thought and care into this work. From the PAs to the post production colorists, seriously great work.
Also shout out to the wardrobe department. The attention to detail on the costumes and how they are multi-layered so they look different depending on lighting/movement is soooooo amazing. One of Deng Wei(Su Yi Shui)'s main outfits is a multi-layered green outfit. It can look emerald green in one shot and almost completely black in others. I love it so much, Every layer is a different color and when stacked together paired with movement....they cooked. They cooked, ate, and left no crumbs.
Watching her in period dramas has helped be place the characters the actresses who are playing much younger than they are in perspective as she was the actual age of a lot of the female lead characters.
I'll still restream the episodes on Netflix while I'm working(so it gets the official views), but darn it. Praying that my backup site has the HD version uploaded on day of airing...if not I'll have to avoid this comment section like the black plague. Which, I really don't want to do because I've been looking forward to yapping about this drama for years now.
Love is in quotes because she only loves herself. She's just obsessed with Su Yu and what his position can do for her.