Nepeta 22

Why do you say this? Is it ML's character or something else?

She didn't get too much in the ending but it looks to be a decent ending. Sad for her but she was still alive. I don't know what episode you are on but there will be more downs on the way...

This is not an idol style drama. It's depicting a real life figure I'm afraid and in life, it's not a bed of roses.

Dumping ground? Is that what it is? Discussions about plots seen so far and how it may be similar to another drama? Do you even stand outside to look at yourself? I think you've lost a sense of reality.

This is like many other drama pages in the early part of filming. Many will discuss about the suitability of castings and of course opinions. You are putting words in my mouth about dumping other actors' names here. It's not dumping, it's an opinion of what I would have liked. I did not bring RJL in any conversation, but those that had, I saw nothing malicious nor wrong.

Looks like if we had it your way, there will be no discussion full stop unless it's just to praise only the named actors within this drama. That is censoring.

Yes, I was not originally happy with the FL casting, but it is what it is, but it does not mean I don't care about this project. Her casted makes it hard for me, but does not mean I will not watch it.

Any dramas ranging from 1890 to 1960 in China I am interested in, and yes, you will see me around I'm afraid, because I have a lot of dramas in this range to compare it with. The subject matter, the director's background and final edits will be of interest to me. I am also interested in the new comer in this drama so will be keeping an eye on this when I see/hear about it.

I have not doubted the drama's popularity. But your post response still goes back to talking about the issue of rival fandoms and this growing culture of toxic behaviour to their own actor and other fellow actors.

DB will always have this problem no matter what they try to do to cut this out, so unless you stop all public from voting there will always be tricks to bypass true intentions. Also, fandoms also up-vote their actors so it goes both ways.

I don't understand your comment to me. You must be getting me mixed up with someone else. I was answering someone who is questioning why he was not learning martial arts? My comment is to tell that person to watch the drama all the way to the end and they will soon find out why he was studying architecture.

Not sure why you are mentioning Wuxia either. I have not claimed it should be a Wuxia. My last sentence was not to spoil it for that person so I kept it as cryptic as possible.

For those that watched the drama, it's clear the ML did not choose, he was gaslit and coerced into making these choices by his handlers. That is why I put it in a spoiler because his choice in career is not solely his choice and it is important to the plot. No need to put me down for not "getting" the drama.

Please do not try to make up rules like your one is gospel. There is no such rule on MDL saying you cannot discuss other dramas. It is natural to discuss actors from other dramas that may be on this drama. Comparing choice of castings and suitability, that is what drama forum discussions are for.

In the early days of the drama announcement, this type of discussion is normal and part of sharing opinions. Talk that discuss the actor's other works will no doubt bring in other dramas. That is not rule breaking? That is sharing info to help with the discussion.

I haven't seen anyone 'promoting' anything so far. A similarity to another drama is not promoting another drama. It is letting others know they feel it's like another drama. That's an observation. Very healthy for a drama forum.

No doubt when the filming is happening, people will discuss stuff more related to the drama itself.

Hello, can anyone let me know if this had a Douban rating?

But also, what you don't mention is Douban are aware of these fandom wars and since 2020 have made changes where they verify mobiles and there is a strict criteria. This is seen in TLP where it took months to get a DB rating. Several dramas also had a long wait due to suspicious activities.

Instead of blaming DB which has to use more time to sieve out suspicious activities, it would make more sense to deal with fandoms that are getting out of control and turning into a new sport in China. It's no longer healthy respect for an actor or singer, but a toxic one-way relationship where it's a daily onslaught of passive aggressive behaviour, demands on their so-call star, and daily blackmailing. I do feel, with social media, a new generation have utilised this medium to lash out their personal feelings on others because they can get away with it.

The fan-clubs sometimes embolden this behaviour creating group mentality. It's no longer about fanning an actor but a team sport which is more obsessed with other fandoms they deem are a threat. Truth is, those that partake in these activities are doing it for their fandom group or their own egos rather than think about the actor's career or mental state. In many cases, they nearly ruin their favourite actor's career.

As for the DB ratings, I think it's generous and about right. There is no question, that there are lots of quality dramas that get higher ratings and I have seen a lot of dramas, and this one is nowhere near that standard in script, plot or cinematography.

I agree with your comments on the FL. For some reason, her performance here is well below what she can do, and I don't know why. The only thing I can think of is the pressure of working alongside XZ and the director causing this.

Early on in the comments, I said she is playing against type, which I feel some actors just don't have that temperament. Hers seem like being bratty and childish doesn't sit well on her. It's almost as if she's laboured in all her scenes. I still feel her with ML in the drama were the highlight that kept the interest going though. It's just this character seemed too basic.

Also her changing from arrogant to Miss Caring and understanding is so abrupt it's also not convincing on her. But I blame this on the writers that have rushed through too much and put too much emphasis on plot at the expense of character building to create a more rich and immersive experience.

You need to watch all the way in the end to work it out. It is not what you think it all is in the initial episodes. Also remember, this was all prepared for him right from the beginning, he was a mere tool.

OK, yes there seemed to be no more suspects. At that point it was all pointing to the emperor but I guess that last minute twist moved sideways to Shi Yi Ping which didn't last long.

It's definitely not a details drama. For me it's more of an idol style drama that is plot driven to keep it fast paced, but at the expense of coherent detailing, development of characters and being believable in areas.

Truth is, how the ML was written, by mid point, he should have already started to question Gao Ming and mask man with his inquisitive nature. It's just not believable to have the mask man reveal himself which I must say was too cliched. It was also the beginning of his downfall as that opened up an avenue to the ML that was not there before which also means, he handed victory to the ML's cause on the plate with hindsight.

Then how ZZX's growth, also not believable. The space in which he changed was forced and not believable. Even worse was him falling under the wings of ZBW seems too far fetched too, but all in the name of making the plot move the way they wanted they created an incoherent network of circumstances that didn't gel to make the drama more engaging.

About right, but a little too generous in my opinion.

About right, but a little too generous in my opinion.

Yes, I agree, but I also think ZBW made a fatal mistake by taking off his mask, because since that happened, it opened up another avenue for ML which was not there before. In fact, it was probably his ego that got him in a mess later because he did not really need to reveal himself at that stage.

Yes, that's what it sort of felt like from how the story unfolds, but because of the way he looked back up at him, it felt like they're were both in the same knowledge. But lots are saying ZLY never knew and of course earlier they did not know. I think I was thrown off by that glance back up at ZBW. Thanks.

I don't know, like you said, it's a little opened out and not filled in. I guess it's one of those bits they don't want to dwell on too much 😅!

Thanks for expanding on that. I must admit, didn't even think about that. I just thought he discovered it by accident. I think earlier in one of the scenes, they mentioned Kuai Duo was sent to build this tower because they suspected it may be there? Who knows. Hopefully someone that reads this will be kind enough to piece together how Kuai Duo found it.

We know the FL was always looking for it too. But her motivation was that it belonged to the Dongxia people so just wanted it back.

Oh OK I sort of remember now. I think I was getting mixed up with all the kid actors.