Nepeta 22

It's because the larger portion of viewers are women, therefore they cater for their desires. That means dramas with older FLs are often paired with younger MLs. You must also remember, they are like all countries around the world, still dealing with a male dominated industry where it was the "norm" to cast younger FL against ageing MLs. If you really look around, it still is.

Just look at an innocent pairing of STofTD. One of the MLs is in his late forties, he's set with someone who is 15 years younger than him.

In this situation, those that are making noise are not happy FL is possibly exploited because she's so young try to pass off as someone that may appear older/knowing.

Second issue is, many novels and historic dramas literally state their leads are 15-17 year olds. In reality, most stars are in their mid to late twenties playing these roles. So in essence Ai Mi is simply playing someone within the true age group of the story. But, she's in reality passing as someone far more mature. But you then can argue, ML looks very young than his true age, so visually, it's not looking controversial or predatory at all.

I know it's tiring for you but this is just usual fandom fighting. Part and parcel of fandom nowadays in China. But here on MDL, there is hardly any of that. People keep bring fandom fights from China here. Then others get confused with seeing comments like ML being blamed. Those that blame are simply not interested in Ai Mi's welfare, it's just used to batter ML. Nothing new and next day it will be something else. The issue is some are blaming it on the FL when they get in a bad mood from fandom fighting. That is what I am seeing.

I'm afraid this type of trope is still very common, especially in costume dramas because they can go wild with the ridiculous violence because it's historic fantasy.

These novel writers and screen writers seem to think this sings to the female audiences. It's a form of allowing female viewers to fantasise someone could only be kind to them deep down, even how different it looks on the outside. Like a little secret code.

But this can miss the mark for audiences today. People are more logical, think broader and care about innocent people. But inside these dramas, the deaths/suffering are just props for a weak fantasy.

That is I'm afraid. I think this one will come out eventually, but they need a 'cooling off' period. I think this is mainly for commercial purposes (investors may demand that) and the allegations on the screenwriter has been cleared and it was more embarrassing for her as she's now forever associated as being a bragger and a lowly gossiper and this makes her a liability on the future of her career.

What do you mean Chinese BLs? I believe (if you mean) most of those get distributed outside of China. I have not seen any changes. Those living inside China get around that by using VPN and it's no big secret with that. But brotherhood stuff is still around. I have just finished Blood River and that one is like a dog-whistle to those crowds.

Enjoy. Dong Jie also puts in a great performance albeit not a nice character!

I'm afraid it is far deeper than that. The recordings form part of leaks from a screen writer of Blossoms Shanghai where she is gossiping and making fun of Tan Yan and other well known stars in China. Allegations of exploitation of writers not credited and she was part of that with director Wong Kar Wai. He will be cancelled separately for that and his insulting comments on China's COVID policy and comments about the CPC leeching its citizens...

Yes I heard that too. To be honest, I didn't rate her performance here. Other actors like FL and Liu Yi Jun had more complex characters to play.

Update now. Support cast, Zhang Yaqin & Shen Yue.

Can someone confirm if this is linked to the Strange Tales 1,2 & 3? Is this Strange Tales 4? Why isn't YXW & co on this one?

Well, everyone can have their opinion. I think the role was quite hard to pull off. PXR did well, and didn't over-do the falling in love. Cutting parts out can be quite ruthless. I don't know all the details here, but I don't feel anything major is missing.

Sorry I can't help on that. I only know Youtube one.

Sometimes, they don't pick it up because it's not a demand. It is now available on Youtube for free via Huace. Enjoy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDfbPriY9GA&t=20s

SMY crying was the highlight. How could he suddenly look so pretty when crying?

Check out Love In Between if you want homage to Wuxia. Morally grey characters, but dark as in literal. Most of the drama may be lit too dark for some to enjoy.

I'm surprised that anyone could label her that. Ironically what I have seen on other dramas are of viewers constantly complaining about MLs' characters putting duty over love, especially those Xianxia tropes. Why is it not accepted when a female character does that?

The many storylines from Dashing Youth to Blood River, the underlying story is about what love can do and change things. It's a classic of duty and love that sometimes collide and it always makes for good stories. It's a tried and tested formula in story telling. Why single her out from all the other characters. I think this role was really beautifully done.

A large portion of viewers watch based on current culture and current standards. Many will not know the full details of living in that time. They will know the basics like concubines, age of consent much younger, slave contracts and death for spouse and servants should emperors deem them guilty of treason or similar.

But, morals is a tricky one. Often it's fake outrage. It is ironic, many have upped their morals due to the many storylines told in these idol-style dramas. I doubt many follow that in real life. They think they do, in their head, but reality does not match it.

It's fake outrage. You see it all the time. When posting on forums, users seem to inflate their morals often influenced strangely by the very many idol-style dramas that try to paint extra high morals. When there's actually a bit of "realism", they are caught off guard. Of course in their real lives, those standards don't truly exist.

Thanks for all this. It now all makes sense. Yes, I got mixed up with where the story ends and TBOY starting. I regard that as a happy ending!

Thank you for your review. Very enjoyable read. But was the ending happy? I didn't get it. Did SMY kill SCH but it was never shown? I was told SMY dies in TBOY, so was that 12 year later scene before that? If so, that would not fit for the future. Blood River should have disbanded if he were to live happily ever after with FL.

No problem. I only suggested this because you're open to watch Mobius. And you want something modern. But yes, try Blemish Flaw to see if it suits your taste. I'm really enjoying it. The production company is quite respected in China.

Another superb drama that came out a month ago and ranked one of my top dramas this year - Twelve Letters. I highly recommend that too.