Nepeta 22

Can I ask why you feel strongly on her character? Is there proof at this stage she was responsible for anything bad? Is it wrong to re marry? Is it also wrong to say what she said? I'm making a normal discussion on this drama. I genuinely want to know where that view came from.

ML leaving home early is his personal choice. His feelings of a parent remarrying is just his own feelings but why would she be a source of blame? At episode 22 I cannot see why she is viewed this way. Also, when watching the drama, think about the age and era they are from as they may not think of live the way you might in your era. I am aware it's fictional and in my opinion, it is not a trivial matter.

He was hilarious in Fearless Blood. Even how he dies, I ended up laughing on how he died too! Such dark humour in that drama.

I don't understand what causes you to feel this way for his mother. That type of comment is normal? It's not as if she's the first woman to re-marry. Btw, not everyone knows what entails after they get married. SFL has this issue. People should try to watch dramas with a more open mind and think about each character's position rather than from the viewpoint of 1 character.

Regarding the traditional upbringing, it has positives and negatives. In many dramas I have seen, I feel more comforted that it's not just me that had this kind of upbringing. At the same time, it has a fair bit of negatives, and in a lot of dramas they address the clashes in next generation pushing back against some of the old ways of thinking.

It normally comes from a place of love,(unlike many drama depictions that showcase parents that abuse their position using these old traditions to hide behind) and the sacrifices, as seen in recent episodes of River Sunset where it is heart wrenching to know and see father and son are willing to lay down their lives for each other in very extreme times. So I'm glad to hear that it is doing well. I was sobbing at least 4 times in the last few episodes!

Thanks for the links, I will have a look at that when I get more time later. For me anyway, there has been so many good dramas lately and even a drama held back for over 7 years look as fresh as ones made the last few years. I don't understand some of the comments I have seen when they say there is a drama slump. The dramas keep piling up.

I will continue this drama as I am near the end but it definitely has flaws, but the FL's character is a beacon of light and anchors everything together. The message in this is to confront and be open, and only through that, you can tackle the bottled up issues.

The international audiences may be tired of hard faced FL characters and now embracing bubbly idealistic FLs that has energy and drive rather than those that had already occupied the top position by being more cold and hard probably mimicking what they think men do. It swings in roundabouts, so in a few more years, it's back to stone face FL...

I came here for the VR aspect so it's fine. I watch with an open mind. Many aren't. I will watch to the end because I too want to see how they write the 2FL. 2ML's arc is also interesting, so I am expecting a redemption arc because of his toxic upbringing from his father. He basically wants to live the life the ML has but is not aware of it, so he ashes out at what he thinks he cannot get, that includes FL.

FL is the beacon that will lead him to the light healing both brothers in different ways. ML also has issues but his role is more glamourous because he stands up to authority and challenges his step father in a classic way.

I also came to this drama for the VR game theme, but it's not what I was expecting. That part of the drama seems like a poor excuse to make the drama look a bit more interesting. It doesn't seem to make sense or link much to the rest of this drama. But, I am 10 episodes to the end so it may figure somewhere, but right now, it's some strange background story that feels completely separate.

Thanks for the link. Totally agree again on the filial piety aspect. Something that is lost on a fair portion of international viewers. This was shown in full glare in Love Has Fireworks & Best Choice Ever.

Here. again, we see this. It is what it is. Luckily for me, I was raised in a very traditional family and until I started watching C-Dramas, I didn't realise I have come from a very traditional upbringing. That meant, I thought it was just normal. Watching C-Dramas, I started to see many families are actually more modern and that the set up I had was very dated and traditional. So, seeing 2ML's character did not seem odd or extra cruel. He is simply the product of his upbringing.

Many viewers watch these types of dramas with a slight tunnel vision. They cannot help it I suppose. You cannot suddenly learn another culture or history overnight. After all, we can bring baggage and biases when we all watch something.

Another issue is, as mentioned in your link a large portion of the main couple fans find it repulsive anyone that speaks up or write anything slightly understanding towards the 2ML. Makes it extremely hard to have a normal drama discussion. I have to zone out of this because sadly, some are watching small sections of the drama to suit their personal needs and not really watching the drama as a 'whole', which then creates a strange warped view in the end.

I just saw the scene with the father and son. Yes, that scenario is often seen in dramas, and I know this exists. I agree, it's not great, but sadly, in the more dated/traditional families, it's still there.

Yes, I too hope SFL also has a good outcome. At the moment, it looks like ML's friend is being lined up as a possible next love interest. A little bit clunky there, but hopefully they won't rush that as something like that happening to her is not always remedied with another relationship. but I guess the whole drama is about love, they may go that route.

As for the SML, I too hope he has an arc to showcase the change and growth he has gained through meeting the FL. Otherwise it would be sad for someone like him to end up looking like he is playing a stock 1 dimensional villain type role with no change.

Can I just elaborate a bit on that. The person that 'trash' talked about the drama in its early stages has been locked up as he clearly has alcohol issues. He damaged hotel property whilst staying in Northern China which caused issues for the production team who had to pay for damages. He then damaged someone else's vehicle from drunken behaviour. This is why he ended up in prison.

You could say, he nearly ruined this drama. But luckily they re-grouped and casted Roy Xie as his replacement. It's sad this happened, and the ML had to defend himself because of the allegations that were put on him that he did not turn up on set on time, exhibited diva-like behaviour. Another cast member had to speak up that they were all lies. But either way, I don't think this drama will have a lot of eyes on it anyway.

Watch this space regarding Wang Duo. In his currently filming drama with Ao Ruipeng as lead, he plays his brother. Set up will be like this except it's swapped with WD playing the ML's struggle back to the top. I anticipate a lot of in-fighting when that airs!

There are 2 things. Looks is one, but ML's acting is too stiff. His eyes show blankness. In a lot of the scenes he comes across as moping too much and feeling sorry for himself too much. And FL deserves more respect. She's just too good for him. That is how it looks from the outside.

No sob story? Are we watching the same drama? He's clearly been emotionally abused by his father. His father has been pitting him against his own step brother. He belittles him. Makes sure he doesn't get accomplishments...there's more but I can't be bothered to write them 😉

Yes the ML is everything he sub consciously wishes for. He is just not aware yet and is at a stage still a product of what his dad has created. Someone that constantly needs to do things to get his own dad's approval.

Spot on analysis. I agree that he is a character broken by his father's cold upbringing and clearly he has been used by his father. He is the end result of years of emotional passive aggressive behaviour from his father. I would be disappointed if this drama doesn't give him an arc where he will join forces with his step brother to take down his father.

These comments should be put into spoiler. Thanks.

No problem. No short dramas. He has been in the entertainment business way back. One of his most memorable roles was playing an innocent looking character that turns evil in Burning Ice back in 2017 (crime drama).

Most recently in Unnatural Fire as joint male lead with Leon Zhang. He plays a cop there, & a surgeon opposite Vin Zhang the year before. Completely different to this basic character here that has one skill & that's pushing up his specks in 3 different ways! 😆

Yes, just let them fantasise. SML's character is not all that interesting to be honest. They could have made his character less obvious. But it is what it is. As you say, we know ML & FL will end up together.

I agree with you on that. For a romance drama it is touch and go with how they made her like that. Ironically, in that drama, the guy who liked her never turned toxic and in the end respected her decision to pursue the ML again, even when he was difficult.

Like the ML here, the NL in L & P loved her, but classically pushed her away for reasons of protecting her/ or despising her in equal measures.

SML in this drama is plain creepy here and the drama makers or the original novel clearly are trying to create a messed up and twisted character to put people on edge, but CP fandom will always cut parts to suit their little fantasy, and ignore morals.

They are only inserting themselves there, and FL's character is just a vessel. They don't watch the drama as a whole. They are only using highlights to serve their fantasy. Sadly a section of drama watchers do this with romance dramas.

I've written elsewhere, SML's role and acting is stock 2 dimensional. Greasy. He doesn't need to do much thought. ML here has been too introvert and naval gazing and some viewers want change.

Too many ML roles in romance dramas follow a template of being scarred and unable to open up leaving the FL to be the one chasing around and working out how to accommodate him. Basically, a band-aid relationship. Over moping can also turn some off, especially if the actor cannot show the nuances through the eyes and body posture.

Your comment is correct. This actor is well known in China and has been around. Thought it odd to see him here in this type of drama and also playing such a simple & 2 dimensional character as well. If you have ever seen him in Burning Ice then you will know he can nail very complex characters.

But they glamourised ML's bad behaviour in Lighter & Princess? Just because he was a ML, watchers where twisting around to make excuses for his bullying and nasty behaviour towards FL & her parents. If that gets the green light then this SML has an opening. Toxic ML or SML is nowadays all en vogue. I hate it myself. For entertainment purpose I think it is irresponsible to some extent.

What carries this drama like Lighter & Princess is both FLs are kind hearted, open minded and most of all, we get to see all her small flaws, but they aren't really flaws. She's under pressure by parents or society to do well & do the best & sometimes that leads to lies.