PeachBlossomGoddess

Dear Xiao Bai, when running for you life, don't scream. Its a waste of time and breath and an unwarranted assault on my eardrums! Slaps forehead!

The censors got to it and cut a lot of stuff and forced overdub change to original script. They will try to do a S2 to explain the loose ends and I think there will be a web novel as well.

Yeah I love Douban, they are much more objective... She is actually ok in Horizon Tower.

Heh, thx for the heads up. I will turn down the volume when I check it out, hopefully this weekend...

Well since if I can get past Angelababy to watch Horizon Tower, Luis and I will be fine some day...

Yups, tyvm, you are the best!

I can't believe they are sucking me into this drama by putting in an actress more annoying than Angelababy...

Oh man I hope they didn't ruin it with the hack job!

I don't think reincarnation is specifically banned but promoting feudal superstitions contrary to science is and then promoting spirits, reincarnation etc is cited as an example of promoting feudal superstitions. So some storylines that peripherally allude to it or don't rise to the level of "promoting" such beliefs can squeak through but others can't. I am not familiar with the Forever and Ever story so I have no idea why it couldn't pass. But it is only one episode in L&R and you can argue they are immortals so it is not actually reincarnate its just a bunch of mortal trials. Besides, they shot 72 episodes and the 9 lives were quite detailed in terms of costumes, make up etc so for all we know it was supposed to go on longer than just 1 episode but all the rest of it got cut. I mean I was surprised they went to the trouble of giving them so many different outfits and appearances just for one episode, I would not be surprised if there were more originally. Many xianxia dramas have reincarnation or something close to it - TMOPB, Fuyao ending, AOL, Love of Thousand Years etc so I think its not completely forbidden.

I started the Netflix version last CNY at my folks place but I am region restricted where I live and didn't bother to look for it elsewhere because its such a depressing year I decided to wait until next CNY and continue at home but now it looks like I won't be able to travel. I will look for the director's cut when I watch it for sure.:)

The other good male actor I have seen recently is the ML in Qing Qing Zi Jin.

Yes I definitely plan to at some point I just need a bit of a time out from Lusi I did watch the first few but I was still so irritated at her I stopped.

Its gotten through in other xianxia dramas as well. I think as long as its peripheral to the story or doesn't promote some kind of religious or superstitious ideas its ok. And to give credit to the production companies they constantly push the boundaries of what is allowed even though sometimes their shows get stuck for years or never see the light of day.

Oh.... good idea... I need to finish Reunion S2 first which apparently started airing.

Heh even the epic plot twist you hint at is very predictable and the only possible way to end this well. I don't actually mind tragedies or complex stories but the most important thing is the actress that is in the middle of it has to really act her heart out. Her role is even more important than Cheng Yi's. Plus I have seen enough of him crying at this point I would like to see him in a different light. Maybe even as a villain...

Work from home is over for me so my watching time is more limited now I am gonna wait to see some more feedback before I commit to this one... Keep me posted if you keep going...

I am convinced this is gonna be a tragedy I don't need spoilers or book endings to tell me that. With this kind of back story there is no way it ends well. All I have to say is the FL is gonna have to be able to really act because she is the character that is gonna be torn between her kid and her lover. I am highly skeptical that that vain noisy woman from L&R is gonna cut it.

Is she ok in this? I haven't started this because my ear drums are still healing from her wailing like a banshee in L&R. I am a bit scared to expose them to her again so soon...

I don't think Mark Chao can top his own Yehua. its like Hu Ge will probably never be able to top Mei Changsu... I need to watch Goodby My Princess its just been a depressing year I am trying to avoid tragedies... My all time favoite male character is Chen Kun's Ning Yi.

Check out the newbie ML in Maiden Holmes, I think he is still a young actor with room to grow but he is very charismatic and is one to watch.

Hihi - thanks for your comments. You are so right... while of course its very important how a drama makes us feel and the cast chemistry, it cannot be the only criteria as those can be very subjective and different people can feel very differently. Getting a review right has to balance the objective criticism and the more subjective aspects. Its hard to get it right and thre is a lot of peer pressure to love idol actors or touching love stories in a way that is blind to all the flaws in the production. Its very lonely to not like something or not like it as much as everyone else. I find it particularly difficult with shows like this where the books huge hits and the book fans already know the story and the characters so they won't or can't see the flaws in the storytelling or shortcomings in the acting.

Sounds like we like many similar things. I dropped Tiger and Rose because I had a bad experience with Lusi in Love of Thousand Years but I am sure I will watch it at some point. I hope to see you start reviewing dramas because it would be great to hear some more balanced voices out there...

You made my day!!! :)

I havent finished but I think it will. Its not serious or heavy.