Nepeta 22

Part of the appeal to me anyway is she's just someone caught in between a war and has to adapt. Her dynamic with ML and their different backgrounds work. I find it sometimes a bit too polished when they do these spy themed dramas where all of them are hard nut single minded individuals, and here, this drama shows a more balanced situation.

Her character may be like the loose cannon which offers a sense of unease which works. But I don't think she's at a point of being so naive or ignorant in her position.

No problem. Hope you enjoy this drama. Maybe it didn't click with me but it might pick up later.

Don't quote me on it as I only watched 2 episodes. She seems to be working for a firm that is in architecture, well that's how I read it, and she is stuck in a lowly position hoping to branch upwards so maybe she's an apprentice. Hopefully someone will come along to put me right.

But if you want to know more about architecture and learning historic methods, and how that inspired new development, Romance in the Alley from episodes 20 onwards delves into that in some detail. On-job training from university to the architect firms. But it's not modern day China but around 25 years ago.

I'm curious too as I watched 2 episodes and put on hold as there was no flow with the game itself. FL's background with being dumped by fiance seems all rushed at the beginning. FL seems all wishy washy and not in any way looking nor acting like someone embarking on architecture. Furthermore when I discover ML just so happens to be in this sector too I cringed. It doesn't look like any attempts have been made to research this industry. Her demeanour and dress sense doesn't seem to fit with people in this industry either.

I was intrigued to see if she was able to better herself since her very lacklustre performance as an architecture in Romance in the Alley where she was expected to be a low level scheming person that put personal gain and family duty over love and she struggled with her soft weak voice. But over here on MDL, no one seems to have any issues so I'm assuming it works for them. I will have a read of other people's comments to see why people like this set up.

A really thoughtful and immersive drama. Not for the faint hearted as it tackles very real and difficult subjects. For those that are not totally clued up on life and culture of modern day China as opposed to the usually bougie idol romance dramas churned out in China & S.Korea, this drama offers a glimpse into the realities of those that still idealise higher education abroad as a way to gain status and work opportunities in China only to find today's China has moved online and with that a totally different outlook and business concept.

The 3 couples are vastly different and come from different walks of life but their interactions with friends, family & work are played out realistically and also painfully as relationships go. Highly recommend.

Only small issue is no translations on texts which figures extensively and any characters written in the drama, so some of the translation can be lost. But for me, it's still a deep drama and production really took care in making every scene count. Not for everyone. It's not an escapism style drama and the couples do not express love in an outward way.

I came here for Luo Jin, and I can finally watch him in a drama I didn't drop! He was superb here, and perfectly casted. Also Sun An Ke and Zhou You put in great performances too. Expect to have a box of tissues, it's a tear jerker.

In regards to idol style dramas or romance dramas I assume a larger group of the audience is made up of females hence those comments. It's most likely due to the past where they had no voice in seeing dramas or films where men are allowed to continue play main roles or love interest even as they mature yet women disappear as they mature in the entertainment industry.

There is this fight back the last 15 years and with online communication increasing they let their voices get heard. Directors and writers are responding. That's probably why there are theses funny age gap tags 😉

Yes. I don't have an issue on those comments, but find it quite interesting on how some try to go around that by pulling in all sorts of things to soften the blow. As I said, in China, they say it as it is. I'm thinking this might be a culture thing.

My issue is the critics don't seem to put that level of scrutiny with male actors. That includes behaviour, conduct and visuals. All the energy is on female actresses instead.

Yes, this issue translates to other sectors but in the film industry, women's shelf life is very much scrutinized compared with male actors. Today, Tom Cruise, Leonardo De Caprio command lead roles when ever they act where as many of the female actors they had been acting alongside are no longer seen. Only a select few do, but the men outnumber the women. In China, women over 40 are already aged-up to play mothers whilst men like Chen Kun and Hu Gu are still playing lead roles. 😉

I am using this example and it may not be the perfect example. I do not claim all those that make a comment on the voice is a narrow view point but a big attempt to not say what they really want to say for fear of being labelled an ageist. I compared that with China where they call a spade a spade. I am talking of a possible culture difference including how they may see upbeat, idealist and bubbly women compared with the international audience.

For instance, if you made the comment like that, I would view that as constructive criticism. The narrow viewpoint of women is when I see constant criticism of female characters compared with male characters. That includes behaviour, morals and visuals. This level is not levelled at male characters.

Just could be a culture thing too. In China they are unapologetic in their views. They will scold it on face value and not beat about the bush.

I noticed international audience criticise her voice as a veiled attempt to undermine the casting of her. This is against the backdrop of her playing an upbeat and playful character. The sign of youthful innocence. Let's not pretend to not know what this message is really about. They don't want to be accused of being an ageist 😉! They can't bring themselves to say what they really mean. Truth is, they have a very narrow view of women & creating pressure themselves and sadly this is not an accident. They're unaware they've been conditioned and brainwashed by the male dominated industry and today used as the perfect tool.

Women in Hollywood is all about achievements through being in a man's world. This is often about concealing feminine traits or being over domineering to compensate for years of being objectified.

I think in China it's quite split. Communism has used women's rights as the forefront of breaking away the old guard traditions of patriarchy. Those that have been raised with Hollywood movies in the 2000s will more likely have a similar mindset of those I often see here on MDL.

I do think a big portion of viewers cannot put down all their personal baggage to openly watch a drama. They keep inserting themselves onto female leads or second female leads' behaviour in the dramas.

The band of acceptance is narrowing to the point that I am seeing less tolerance of how female characters should be. It's a bit ironic considering some of these critics go behind the banner of female empowerment or feminist talking points 😉

I believe there might be a bit of history overlap for those that watched Silent Tides recently regarding the 8th district & Anlan Hall on ep 15, with the carrier pigeons for communication.

The average viewing stats were very respectable and consistent throughout its airing. It could be regarded a success considering the lack of promotion. China audience can sometimes be very different to international audiences.

Here on MDL I think there is less appetite for happy/bubbly FLs. They see that as annoying or weak or silly. I keep seeing there words used. I don't know if this due to life experience of some compared with those in China that is vastly different, but I noticed FLs who are hard, cold or even scheming get the highest rating here. The only time I saw a split was in A Legend of the Female General. I think that was due to her childish mannerisms then contrasted with smart strategic general persona.

Thanks for replying back. Sounds like a bit of tall poppy syndrome going on. Put it this way, you know when you've made it when sabotage takes place and trolls are ready to attack everything and anything.

Two things happening. Rival actors' agencies may be at play and fandom culture in China is almost like a sport. They are all trying to impress their rivals from spending money on magazine sales to getting mini armies to down vote or give nasty reviews. I find that many just use stars they fan as an excuse to be nasty to others. They get more emboldened because they can hide behind like minded people where they don't feel accountable.

Body shaming is the easiest target, too skinny, too fat. You get my drift. Nothing will ever be right. LYX probably knows that this comes part of fame and success.

Why do you say that regarding your last paragraph?

Also add, if the romance involves anyone over the age of 34, and with traffic actors missing, expect low ratings there too! I'm currently watching something that is only rated 7 here even though it's a lot more better than those rated over 8.5. my opinion of course.

MDL is nowadays a fan site. Ratings should be taken as a pinch of salt.

Ok, very interesting why it's changed so quickly. Does that mean new dramas can be made without a break of 1 year? Personally I'm not a big fan of lengthy dramas.

I've put it on hold for now. My head was spinning when I saw the mass grave and one character dying of TB, it sent me over! I knew it wouldn't be easy but I'm surprised how it hit me. Hopefully when everything dies down I can resume it.

I'm with you on graphic violence. I think because of the more stricter rules on that, the creative story telling shows more and very often, I find dialogue & camera language is so much more powerful in Chinese dramas. But when there is violence it's justified like in The First Shot, you never feel it's there for shock factor to get a trend for commercial purpose, but feel it's more pure expression of that character's situation at that time. Others might disagree with me if they count blood spitting as gory. They are 2 separate things to me.

Interesting comment with your last paragraph. I had heard about this, but didn't know it's now in action. I thought the episode counts were inaccurate here on MDL. So glad to see this finally released.

I had to put Silent Tides on hold as it's just too much for me. I found it so hard to watch, so you have a stronger stomach than me. For some reason, this drama set not a million miles from Silent Tides manages to set a more calmer tone, yet the underlying tension is always there.

Liking the dynamics with Edward Zhang & Janine Chang. She's like a cross between a younger Yang Zi and Zhou Ye, if there was such a thing. I think she's perfectly cast. Good to also see Zhang Song Wen there too before his sudden fame. Love the filming style and the ambience. The sound quality is also great. I'm looking forward to the new episodes. It's so engaging...

Ok thanks for confirming. I don't think they are trying to latch onto another similar internationally named drama. It's just one of those things.

Well did ZWY. Get hate for a similar role reversal in Are you the one? I don't think so. In the drama bubble, CP is first, drama stories comes a distant second.