Neptune

This is turning out more than expected. It's tongue in cheek with SJE the "smartest" detective on the block...compared with the bottom of the barrel😏, her+ godfather = dumber & dumber. She needs "recharging" from from HZ😎. While he shapeshifts and jumps around on all fours😁, then she's howling😵.

Its not laggy atm and the case's interesting, with the expected resolution... not quite yet. There's decent martial arts. Good side characters, especially Kehe (curly perm guy). Loving LYT's expressive face + BWJ's killer cheekbones. I would not have known he was younger as he's commanding as HZ. Hopefully if they do switch to sorrow later they can keep up the freshness & intrigue🙏🏼.

They look alike only from certain angles, mainly when in modern dress. They know each other, BL was in one of LYT's birthday videos and they were in the 2017 "Zhao Ge" together.

They dropped it suddenly. Tho there were rumours on Weibo, especially when JBR & SWL were pictured camping. They did light promo with a Weibo + Douyin live, + interview at the Weibo offices.

Atm, I think they'll quietly air the bl/2ml dramas hoping it doesn't create the frenzy it did last time. Hopefully if the fandom stays on code this will be just another genre in the future.

I have a feeling in addition to taking out bl elements they might've actually filmed a different line but decided to change it by editing back what was filmed.

On paper it weren't BL & the book's not BL but the production might've put in BL elements to cash in at the time, and those were edited out causing some of the cuts. There's also general writing/over editing issues going on. I've seen innocuous clips that were edited bare in the version we get. This affects the final arc's flow/ characterisation, which led to the divided response to the finale.

Still a quality drama when taken as a whole, with good actors & a gorgeous production.

Yes, some of RJL's "mother" fans were also conspiratorial & p*ssed how she ended up on this so soon with ZYC, ( both were on the same variety show prior). They hoped her schedule was messed up by leaving WGJ, plus they don't seem to like CY.

This was the better choice. She gets to work on a big production with veteran actors, & CY, ZYC (& Wang Duo, who's TBC ).

Looking forward to this and LYT getting to do a role more similar to herself. Thought we'd get "Under the Power" on speed, but from comments here it's- wolves/rabbits/horny??. 😄.

I think the writing and extensive cutting was the issue in the last part. They spent 21+ episodes building up the protagonists and their quest for "the truth" to come to light. They humanised Shulin ( the poisoning /Empresses' last words). So the about turn needed extra scenes to bridge the gap to how they went to siding with the Empress Dowager (who also shed blood in her time). And in ZP's case, to the point of denying justice to his Village /Mum.

LJ got his Father's exoneration via the Prince he put in, while the Moluo Village didn't quite. It's classed as a freak phenomena. Their justice required unveiling the planned massacre and the Empress Dowager to be named... which we're told is a no no.

The last arc wasn't helped by all the cutting, so it's understandable why the ending flow hadn't work for everyone. I still rate this drama and production when taken as a whole. And will watch parts again as the actors, sets, cinematography and stage shows elevate it above other dramas.

Yeah I heard that but thought its because she was undercover in those scenes. Hopefully we get more in the next trailer.

Bloody Romance is still my top3. From the sets/music/cinematography, to the actors. WD stood out & was memorable as the soulful, intense & complicated GongZi, not seen acting like that.

Apparently he chose to stay with Edward Guo (agent/director) when a bigger agency wanted him. This led to him getting caught in other ppl's cancellations as he wasn't spread out. 3 films made with EG (2019), 2 cancelled. Noblemen held, Night Traveller, Graduation Season held due to Deng Lun, earlier EG films with Kris Wu/ Fan BingBing cancelled.

Exposure's needed for a chance of resources. Agree, complex protagonists like in " Fairy & Devil" / "Si Ming's" dragon would be good. I actually think his Weibo numbers are high for someone who's never been a ML and their last drama being 2018.

They've probably seen the complicated "Gong Zi" and saw "Shulin". Gong Zi was sure of himself, never wavered, laser focused, his pain hidden deeper. While Shulin is more vulnerable, paranoid, broken & reactive. Both great grey characters.

His last drama was in 2018 so I'm glad he's getting something out. Hopefully his run of bad luck by being collateral to other's cancellations is over. There's Night Traveller, Chinese Paladin, The Brown Eye Mystery & Hero Legends still to come ...

"Noblemen" broke the 4 yr duck, hopefully "Chinese Paladin" is next. Weibo comments were about his acting & 'Black Lotus' temperament.

There were photos of him at a make-up hotel with a scar+ stubble, according to comments for the "Hero Legends" set. His character's Qi Bo Chuan. If true this'll be a BR reunion with Li Yitong! It also stars Cheng Yi & Zheng Yecheng.

re- the age thing, there's still hope as Zhu Yilong ( who has a similar vibe ) only started getting famous after 31...

All the actors were great. Wang Duo (Shulin) is unique, he's one of my favourite C actors. He does soulful, complex & intense unlike anyone else. If you want to see his work I recommend "Bloody Romance" & " Ying Yang Master Dream of Eternity", both really good dramas.

I originally came for Hong Yao + Wang Duo & wasn't expecting a well made detective horror, that's creepy, psychedelic & visually stunning. You can feel attention & care went into this. I don't normally like detective dramas but wanted to watch.

I knew Wang Duo could do vulnerable, complex & intense. He has a vibe that I've not seen in other actors, and he does it here again. I ended up feeling for Shulin... the regret & tragedy 😢.

Ngl the ending didn't sit well as there was a disconnect between the 2 protagonists' original intentions & driving force, to its sudden abandonment, then to siding with the Empress. Justice was never served for the Moluo Massacre & ZP's mum : ZP covered up the truth. While LJ's father's exoneration felt hollow, given by an imposter Prince they put in. The culprit was protected... for the " Greater Good ". HOWEVER, I understand why the story had to go that way, but possibly due to extensive cutting, at least 2 scenes explaining how they went from that to that would've made the last part flow. Overall, I still enjoyed this drama & its beautiful production when taken as a whole. It went by way way tooooooooo fast. I will re-watch parts again at some point, especially the smoke dance🎯.

ZYC's on set photos & videos.

https://s.weibo.com/weibo?q=%23%E9%83%91%E4%B8%9A%E6%88%90%E8%8B%B1%E9%9B%84%E5%BF%97%E9%AA%91%E9%A9%AC%E8%B7%AF%E9%80%8F%23

On Weibo there's pictures of Wang Duo with a stubble & scar leaving the make-up hotel, according to commentary for the "Heroes Zhi" set. So, not sure if he's another unlisted character?.

He was amazing in "Bloody Romance", so I'm hoping it's true.

Some bts clips -

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1xL411H7uE/?spm_id_from=333.788.recommend_more_video.14

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV14f4y1A7bu/?spm_id_from=333.788.recommend_more_video.7

* saw rumours of a Q1 release on Weibo today. But its not gospel just yet...

Thanks for the info, I'm getting a bit of the picture now, tho haven't read the books...

As for ZYC, I find it weird that a high budget production would be that slapdash as they need head/body measurements in pre-production for wigs & costumes.

Possibly he is filming, but on an offsite location not photographed. Or they have another actor altogether but they're not clarifying as they're getting publicity/interest while we're guessing.

I've been waiting for "Warm Cold Night's in the Nine Heaven's" for ages. I get a feeling it's coming next as it's overdue, plus to cash in on the "The Knockout", possibly.

I haven't read " Guan He Notes" but videos had been appearing since August using her RN character. So the setting/description must be similar to RN's. The author liked a comment for her to take the role which then led to more videos.

The impression I get is some of the projects she takes are for personal growth. The 1st time she turned down RJL was to join "Knockout" as she wanted to work with Zhang Yi, and that has worked out well.

In the next drama she'll play a constable opposite a "cold" Bi Wenjun in "Cold Warn Nights in the Nine Heavens". She's suppose to be doing something with the producer Wang Yixu ( Love between Fairy & Devil), and there's rumours today she's been contacted for " Guan He Notes". These should be more centric roles.

Great to finally see LYT's on-set pictures + videos and intrigued what her scenes with CY were. I assumed her character was poor, so was surprised with her pretty costume & look👍🏼.

* Having seen LYT & ZYC's kung-fu collab on a recent show, I'm really hoping he does join🙏🏼.