I agree. Unfortunately, you can cut out their entire storyline and the show would still work storytelling-wise.
Sorry, super long post coming.
Yes, you are right that there would definitely be changes if Ah Sheng was removed entirely - if the point at the end is to have Xin Mei go to the heavenly realm (and in the end, that part was only a couple minutes). But I mean something else. My point is that even with AS as a character gone, you could still use the remaining characters left to make that plot point work.
Xin Mei as a character, in my opinion, deserved to go to the heavenly realm anyway on her own merit in order to change LQ's fate. Her story is that she thought she couldn't progress in cultivation because she couldn't put aside her desire to help pursue justice for people in the mortal realm. But in truth, every time she advanced was because she did do the right thing: protecting the weak, righting wrongs, etc. It would have been a great moment and a great culmination of her story arc to see her be the one to ascend to heaven to save the world. This would have been an easy change. Or, the writer could use other existing characters like LQ himself or even Senior Bai for this purpose since their character arcs would also fit this plot storyline and themes of choose right/good, helping others and being truly oneself and free.
Ah Sheng's story could be its own story. That terrible father of hers and the story of her overcoming trauma and learning to love could be its own drama. My argument has never been that she's a terrible character or that the actress sucks. That's not it at all. It's just that I find it too separate from the main story for me to the point that it drags the pacing and the emotional lines at times. Her father as a character too is not needed in the main story - he just dies after all and doesn't do much to affect the main characters.
I think the weakest character is Jin Lun. His main interactions and scenes are with AS and her father, which make him ultimately not that important to the overall story. Again, in another drama focusing on him and AS, it would work better.
Anyway, ultimately we watch to be entertained, moved, etc. I don't want you to feel that I'm arguing or berating, but I do like a good discussion.
I agree. Unfortunately, you can cut out their entire storyline and the show would still work storytelling-wise.
So only I (or any other who have this opinion) am unreasonable or biased? Hmm.
My view that this particular story line is not necessary to the larger narrative is not purely based on whether I liked their characters or not. While I don't think they were developed well, especially Jin Lun's character, my main critique is that their storyline is not integrated well with the main story. Sure, at the end, there is a key part they play in the plot, but it can be viewed more as a plot device.
Again, it's clear we will not change each other's minds - and I'm not trying to. Their story clearly worked for you, but it didn't work for me. And I think that's perfectly fine. It doesn't make you or I unreasonable or biased. That's a bit hurtful.
I'm amazed at how much is already conveyed in just 2 episodes without resorting to lengthy exposition. I hope the drama keeps it up - it may end up being my favorite for 2026.
I agree. Unfortunately, you can cut out their entire storyline and the show would still work storytelling-wise.
The drama is ultimately a lot more than just their story, so I didn't have to drop it just because I didn't really like their story. That's the thing about watching stuff - people like different things. I'm glad you enjoyed their part of the story, but it is also valid that others like myself may not. And one can still enjoy the larger story overall even if parts aren't to their taste.
Anyway, I didn't want to pick a fight necessarily. I think when watching and reviewing different media, it's good to see other people's opinions and views. Cheers.
I agree. Unfortunately, you can cut out their entire storyline and the show would still work storytelling-wise.
I guess I would just disagree - and it’s fine, everyone has their own opinion. There are parts of the story I really liked. Their story unfortunately wasn’t one of them because for most of the episodes, it felt disconnected from the main tale and caused the pacing to sag (at least for me). I feel their story could have been developed more into its own separate story.
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Yes, you are right that there would definitely be changes if Ah Sheng was removed entirely - if the point at the end is to have Xin Mei go to the heavenly realm (and in the end, that part was only a couple minutes). But I mean something else. My point is that even with AS as a character gone, you could still use the remaining characters left to make that plot point work.
Xin Mei as a character, in my opinion, deserved to go to the heavenly realm anyway on her own merit in order to change LQ's fate. Her story is that she thought she couldn't progress in cultivation because she couldn't put aside her desire to help pursue justice for people in the mortal realm. But in truth, every time she advanced was because she did do the right thing: protecting the weak, righting wrongs, etc. It would have been a great moment and a great culmination of her story arc to see her be the one to ascend to heaven to save the world. This would have been an easy change. Or, the writer could use other existing characters like LQ himself or even Senior Bai for this purpose since their character arcs would also fit this plot storyline and themes of choose right/good, helping others and being truly oneself and free.
Ah Sheng's story could be its own story. That terrible father of hers and the story of her overcoming trauma and learning to love could be its own drama. My argument has never been that she's a terrible character or that the actress sucks. That's not it at all. It's just that I find it too separate from the main story for me to the point that it drags the pacing and the emotional lines at times. Her father as a character too is not needed in the main story - he just dies after all and doesn't do much to affect the main characters.
I think the weakest character is Jin Lun. His main interactions and scenes are with AS and her father, which make him ultimately not that important to the overall story. Again, in another drama focusing on him and AS, it would work better.
Anyway, ultimately we watch to be entertained, moved, etc. I don't want you to feel that I'm arguing or berating, but I do like a good discussion.
My view that this particular story line is not necessary to the larger narrative is not purely based on whether I liked their characters or not. While I don't think they were developed well, especially Jin Lun's character, my main critique is that their storyline is not integrated well with the main story. Sure, at the end, there is a key part they play in the plot, but it can be viewed more as a plot device.
Again, it's clear we will not change each other's minds - and I'm not trying to. Their story clearly worked for you, but it didn't work for me. And I think that's perfectly fine. It doesn't make you or I unreasonable or biased. That's a bit hurtful.
Anyway, I didn't want to pick a fight necessarily. I think when watching and reviewing different media, it's good to see other people's opinions and views. Cheers.