Nepeta 22

Yes, visuals are important. Also I would have PTSD as I don't want to see Liu Yi Jun & Jelly Lin in the same room. For those that have watched Imperfect Victim will know what I mean!

(spoiler alert)The 3rd relationship might be challenging for some because both don't outwardly show affection but rather we see it more like they're like an old couple with one dominant whilst the other just accepts things. But I think this is well researched as that is a reflection of the time when women suddenly became more financially independent.

Today, the audience tends to be less interested in that aspect, and more interested in fantasy & passion. They seem to like a challenging male interest instead of an attentive doormat style ML. From that observation, I reckon they'll not enjoy it as much as the first 2 arcs.

Dedication. Just beautiful and brave to be able to share...

https://x.com/cdrama_update/status/1968318851319542035

For me anyway, some of the best dramas I have seen have some of the lowest ratings on MDL. I guess it's subjective. The type of romance here may not, on the face of it sell to an average passerby. It's not dramatic, flashy or full of young hopeful lovers.

I find these types of dramas are unlikely to draw in crowds that may well come to watch dramas as a form of escapism. I have seen many comments here stating they cannot bring themselves to watch episodes that seems too painful or even close to realism. I get that. But sadly some do miss gems.

Romance in the Alley suffered from that as well. It was one of the most romantic dramas celebrating love in a nuanced and deeply emotional way. But like this drama, it's mixed with a lot of difficult characters that interfere or have dated views or have characters that may not put love first for the sake of others. This doesn't resonate with some viewers and they mark dramas down based on that, but we rate dramas emotionally.

Oh wow, thanks for that! I knew I missed something. Yes, I remembered that bit now. That's good closure on that bit as everything seemed to fall in place. 😉

Yes, I think so too. I think it may bring a more darker vibe as he looks mysterious looking.

Yes I saw more of her training. elsewhere, very tiring for my eyes! The poor girl is brave to share this. I believe she had a dance background, hence the role I suppose. She looks so graceful with the arm work.

Yes that looks confusing. I would have thought MDL would put him under main cast rather than guest role. It may well be a mistake.

😊 See you around too...

Yes it deserves a high rating. MDL general ratings are always unpredictable and anything republican tends to be rated a bit lower. Hope more people come to watch it. I can see Cheng Lei bringing in new watchers which is a good thing.

That's a lovely review. I loved all the arcs, and I liked how each couple were so different and they were able to capture each character's strengths and flaws so well.

I think the final couple was probably the most complex and I'm glad they didn't shy away from a relationship that changed and swayed a lot due to circumstances around them relating to their work ethic as well as misunderstanding of each others' insecurities and strengths. She had a lot of pride and didn't know how to deal with what had happen, and in the end caused a rift between themselves by leaving. But when she realised she wanted to fight for the relationship, he was the one with his pride, still wounded by the fall-out.

I think the makers did a good job of trying to convey that without trying to side with one more than the other. In the end, I think it's a beautiful story of 3 generations of love that on paper, weren't meant to be, but it did happen, which is always satisfying to watch.

Me too, I don't remember seeing her at all. I wonder if anyone knows too.

I don't think it's surprise, she just want to hear him confess properly and in the end she knew she couldn't bring him down and maybe knew she didn't have it anymore in her, so made a snap decision to die by driving the car off a cliff I suspect.

It's Hakka dialect. The drama was filmed in Meizhou, and I think they wanted to make it more authentic as that is the dominant dialect in that region.

It's hard to imagine that time, but it's clear there was a lot of widespread corruption which means a lot of protection using hired force,, just as you saw a seemingly polite lawyer is associated with shady characters that readily kill and the police force was loosely put together. BTW this is in the French concession area which would have their specific police force.

Even though FL seemed like an upright person within her own profession, she is well aware of the internal politics of the time, which is more survival than setting things straight. I liked how all these characters are human and not just one more shady the other a saint. In a way, they probably didn't want to dwell too much on her reaction as it would may be make her be a bit at odds with with the ML. Since was already torn with his step brother.

I don't think it's YouKu lock down. These dramas are not picked up because they are not in demand. It will mean you watch it with 1 episode a day delayed by roughly a week behind.

I'm not that far ahead so don't know what happens later, but yes, so far, the family is pretty toxic...

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I will not read your review or anything for now! So far, it's not disappointed. I had this drama on watch the minute I read the synopsis and saw Cheng Lei listed. I'm glad to see it out and enjoying it.

I liked the second arc more but each are so different, which is a good thing because they are of three couples with very different personalities/background at different time points, but they're in a way all on paper, should not be compatible, but somehow they ended up together. That's what I'm taking from it so far.

I'm behind so I will stay away after this to watch it and see. I love how both Jiu Ling & Xi Ning interact. They are both like old fish wives. It's looking like a good ending, hoping...

That's what I heard from someone but later I looked into it more and it seemed that he was chosen to be the lead playing Gong Jun's part, but then the backers of that drama went bust and they put the project on hold for another 6 months. By the time it was put together again, he had already moved on to another project, but ended up taking a smaller role in WOH as it did not clash with his other jobs at the time. Who knows...Either way, the rest is history.

Thanks for a response. I really don't understand what is motivating haters. I really can't see how this drama is really impacting them. Unless I missed something. I know the director is quite known within the idol drama circles, but lead actors here have a good reputation and do not pose threats to anyone. Not if I base the projected release date with other so-called idol dramas that are clearly having their little tussle a few weeks before.

If it is an attack, then it's pretty sad for fandoms. They are making fandoms look very unhealthy. They really need to stop projecting their insecurities on others and causing their artists to look foolish. A bit ironic really.