Platinum Fox

Just wait, the romance heats up. There is a behind the scenes video of the director saying, "Love needs to shown." and it is.

You are not the only one to comment on this. However, DJX is 19 when they first meet. He is considered an adult (age of majority 18). So for the male lead to play him at this age is appropriate. Also, the height difference between DJX at 19 and SZ at 14 is used for another reason. Fourteen year old Sang Zhi could not be played by Zhao Lu Si because she could not have "grown up" in height between the ages of 14 and 17. Remember at the very beginning of the drama, Sang Zhi narrates, "Time has its own kind of magic. It brings us closer in height and distance."

The actress who played young Sang Zhi was actually 11 at the time of filming. The same actress played a younger version of Zhao Lu Si's characters in Who Rules the World and The Story of Pearl Girl.

I haven't finished season 1 yet, but I am far enough to understand where you are coming from (episode 42). It is my understanding that FX is the emperor's son. His mother and the emperor had an affair in the house where the emperor often goes to relax. FX is hidden away because someone tried to kill him, but Uncle Wu Zu saved him and brought him to the family he has now per the mother's request. Chen Ping Ping has tried to get his hands on him as well. Don't know if Chen Ping Ping knows he is the king's son or not. I don't think he does.

The beginning of this drama said that it was about what would happen if modern ideas came into contact with ancient ideas. The belief that everybody was miserable in ancient times, especially the higher ups as their lives were planned out for them from day one, plays a huge role in this drama. FX's life is different, he is the king's son, but doesn't live in the palace why because the mother didn't want him to be just another prince fighting for the throne. However, fate has a way of stepping in, hence he is now living in the capital and is the pawn of the two most powerful men in the country (the emperor and Chen Ping Ping). FX is just trying to enjoy life.

This is just my take on the drama so far. Since I am not done with the first season, my ideas might change. Yes, I agree why have walls that can just be jumped over by the very people you want to keep out. I read this is a parody and am beginning to see it.

Thanks for the discussion.

I agree. The themes of this drama were be who you want to be and marry who you want to marry, regardless of status. Any other way will just lead to anger, resentment, and a lot of death.

One thing I really liked was at the end, the emperor allowed Prince Qing and the empress to live in a room and think about what they had done and gave them a chance at redemption.

Thank you for the discussion.

Nicely stated, but have to disagree with you. The only reason the father hates Song Mo is because he is the son of the woman he hates and was forced to marry. You're right "resentments can create darkness in our hearts". Song Mo's father resented the fact that he had to marry Song Mo's mother and was not able to marry the woman he loved. The father didn't want to be a minister. He wanted to be a teacher of music and marry the woman he loved. Because of his status and the mistress' status, he could not even marry her as a concubine. Thus, any children from her were not legitimate children or a part of the family tree. It is why he switches the daughter and Song Han. He wants Song Han to inherit the title and estate.

For me, Song Mo's father's resentment comes from class and status. His family forced him to be something that he didn't want to be nor allowed him to marry whom he wanted to because of her class and status and his class and status.

Class and status play huge roles in these dramas. This one is no exception. If Song Mo's father had been able to marry whom he wanted, Song Mo would not have been born and we would not have a story. Both of our main characters were treated unjustly in their first life and one of them was given a second chance to change the future. What she couldn't change was Song Mo's father's resentment towards Song Mo, so she did the next best thing, she saved and changed Song Mo.

I have been wondering the same thing! Up to where I am at I have not heard of any reason why the emperor of Qi should be a girl disguised as a man. They have had plenty of scenes to explain it.

For me, the Song family was destroyed due to class status. If the father could have married who he wanted and made her his legal wife, the hate would not have occurred. Just my opinion.

He does and in more ways than one.

I recommend Blossom. The male lead is the second male lead here (Yuan). The writers made sure there was lots of romantic scenes and kisses (even one from a horse).

Yes, the mother is my favorite character. I would love an in depth back story on her. I can infer what happened to her, but would like to know the whole story. Season 1, for me, is the better of the two seasons.

Most audience members would agree with you on the mother being the villain. Since I don't know how far you are into the drama, I don't want to spoil it for you. Happy watching.

We have all wanted to do that, but there are excellent reasons for why she does what she does. Also, if looked at from a historical perspective, the mother is actually very progressive in her treatment of Shao Shang.

I never really understood the brewing of tea until I started watching Asian dramas. I can't believe how complicated it can be. For me stick a tea bag in a cup and I am there!

Can't really recommend anything else. I did watch The Sword and the Brocade along with A Dream of Splendor. For me, A Dream of Splendor was better. Have you watched Miss Truth?
Also, the male lead was in Love Like the Galaxy. I would consider him the second male lead in that drama.

A Dream of Splendor

The father hates Song Mo because the father hated Song Mo's mother, who he was forced to marry. He loved another woman whose family had committed a crime and she was a courtesan. The courtesan, because of her crime, could not become a legal wife or a concubine. Thus she became a mistress. Any children from her would not be able to inherit the family estate and title as they are not a part of the family tree and legitimate household. This is why Song Mo's father switched Song Mo's biological sister with the mistress' month old son. Song Mo's mother didn't know the difference and raised Song Han as her biological son. If something were to happen to Song Mo, Song Han could legally inherit the family estate and title. Hope this helps.

It does become important to understand this for things that happen further in the drama.

Loved the human bubble machine scene in this drama! Zhao Lu Si looks like she is really having fun with it.

Right, the switch happens after the male lead is born. The girl would have been Song Mo's full biological younger sister. Song Han is just a half brother (but even Song Mo thought that Song Han was his full fledged brother until he learned the truth). This story line helps you understand why Song Mo's father hates him so much, and why Song Mo goes off to live with uncle the Duke of Ding. Hope this helps.

I was the exact opposite as you. For me, the beginning of LLtG did not get me interested. It took me another try to get fully hooked. Maybe the timing isn't right for you, but it does have the LLtG, Joy of Life, The Story of Ming Lan, The Story of Kunning Palace vibe. You can see the writers are not trying to copy them exactly, but to portray their essence. The writers for this drama seem to have read the comments of those dramas in order to make sure that they put in what the audience wants to see: more romance; a healthy relationship between the leads; a strong, independent, intelligent female lead; and most importantly a happy ending (a wedding).

You didn't. Only in the novel is there transmigration of the female main character.

LLtG is not a transmigration story. No one in that story goes from one body to another, nor do they time travel. So don't know where you are getting there is transmigration. The book is, but the drama is not.