TheNostalgicType

Yes, his performance is every bit as good as XZ's. I particularly love the fact he has such an authentic feel in his role as a revered military general. He has such a presence and an air of authority (I'd follow him into battle 😁). I actually wrote a big long rant on the OAO page about Ren Jialun's character lacking the authentic feel of a military leader.

Yes, you're right. I think my biggest worry is how they'll execute / insert this element into LOZH without derailing it. So far, it continues to stay in the realm of the hyperrealistic. If they do go full supernatural, hopefully they won't do it sloppily and in a rushed manner at the end.

Wonderful acting by ZJY at the banquet. Her beautiful expressive eyes did all the work. I adore scenes like this 😍.

Quick thinking by gentleman ZH saving XAT's butt. She should consider the favour returned. But, then he goes and gets himself in a mess of his own, only to be bailed out by 8. Lol 😆

Alright, I'm totally getting mixed vibes from MGM. One minute I love him and see him as ZH's rock. The next minute, I'm suspicious and believe he's leading ZH in the direction he wants him to go.

The underlying realism of LOZH is really something else. It's so relatable to the real / modern world. Even down to the difficulties of trying to meet project deadlines and quality requirements with inexperienced staff / workers. It really is one of the show's greatest strengths.

I do have some concerns if they do go ahead and delve into the realms of the supernatural. I wonder how it will mesh with the drama's realism. I guess time will tell.

Simply admiring Hongyi...
https://h5.video.weibo.com/show/1034:5170664101838883

No worries. Thanks. I'll keep searching for it.

You wouldn't happen to know if the song in the original trailer will be on the OST? Or the name of that song? I love the vibe it has, and I've looped the trailer a few times just to listen to it.

Completed ep 19, and I've fallen for PJ's masculine charm, like so many others. He's my favourite type of villain, a real and complex one (neither purely evil nor purely good). I'm sure he'll pay for his misdeeds, but when he does, I'll likely shed some tears for him.

I'm really rooting for ZZX to make something of himself. Perhaps he will succeed his father and do things the right way. He took the dose of reality regarding relationships harder than the beating.

Oddly, I've started to develop some suspicions regarding MGM. Hopefully, they prove to be unfounded because, in general, I really like his character.

XZ's acting was once again world-class in the scene where he returned to his childhood home.

And, it's good to see some things in Cdrama never change. Relationships between the ML & FL should always follow the principle of one step forward, two steps back.

True, but my scepticism remains high. The biggest reason is, if the Gui Seal is really a magical artefact capable of summoning an army of the dead, then it opens up a Pandora's box within the LOZH world / universe, which up to the halfway point has found its greatest strength in its underlying realism. LOZH is quite unique in that even though it is set in a fictional ancient China, the drama itself shares many parallels with modern life dramas. His struggles, limitations, and interactions with realistic, complex people, resemble more of the modern drama style you find in Northward rather than The Double or RON. He's not overpowered, he makes mistakes, learns and adapts, goes from logical to emotional and vice versa, has internal conflicts and issues (his relationship with the Marquis, for example), he takes risks to move forward (calculated risks, not the dumb impulsive kind). The only other historical drama that I found to be this relatable to the modern world was TSOPG.

Once they introduce a supernatural element as a real thing into the story, it creates all kinds of chaos in the LOZH world. Now a power exists that can revive the dead. You can't simply say it's only limited to this one army. Everyone with the slightest curiosity would be interested in this discovery. It's human nature. ZH could bring his parents back. ZZX could bring his mother back. Ancient emperors could be revived. Lost loves returned to the realm of the living. Etc, etc. There would even simply be the desire to study and understand this phenomenon and find applications for it.

I'm not sure how they'll be able to introduce a legitimate supernatural element in a coherent manner without destabilising a brilliant story. We will have to wait and see.

True. But by working with ZH he is participating in his father's downfall (likely death) anyway. But at the same time he is seeking justice for his mother. It is all so wonderfully complex.

Correct. It has a fantasy tag, so it very well might be there. That's why I'm going out on a limb with my prediction. The general feel of LOZH is a world where magic / sorcery doesn't exist. There are superstitions and beliefs, and also people that take advantage of such beliefs (including ZH). But, other than the supposed zombie army, no hint of it in day-to-day life.

In fantasy there are typically lots of magical phenomena and mythical / supernatural creatures existing in the world. Even if it is low fantasy, you still don't usually have no magic or supernatural events occurring in the world except for one particular thing (an undead army would be a high fantasy concept anyway). It is extremely unusual to have a world with no supernatural elements, but simultaneously entertaining the idea of a legit army of the dead.

I have a sneaky suspicion there will be an explanation for this army, and it won't be a supernatural one. It is possibly something similar to the resurrection component in MOGA (which didn't have the fantasy tag). Of course, they could go the alien technology route 🤔.

Very satisfying to see another domino fall. Brilliant manoeuvring by ZH. But, I fear the closer he gets to PJ, the greater the difficulty he will have in killing him (perhaps someone else will do it for him. Cough! Cough! ZZX). Love the contrast between the first time he encountered his parents where he snapped and reverted to ZN, and the second time when he remained composed and stayed perfectly in character as ZH.

Going to go out on a limb and say I don't believe the ghost army is real, and there must be some other explanation for them.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards the undead immortal army being a superstition or folktale to scare people away from uncovering some kind of hidden secret. There is a vibe in LOZH that hints at playing on superstitions and beliefs rather than anything actually supernatural.

Sparks flying under night lights. Oh, is XAT going to be ZH's Duke Su? ... Also, comeuppance incoming. My popcorn 🍿 is ready. (A lowly regular VIP like myself needs to wait a day for these things. Lol)

PS... The fight scenes in LOZH really pack a punch. Beware the blood spatter at ringside.

Ai Mi had fun...
(Bts Vlog... #No Seat Belt #Stay safe #Special Appearance by ARP)
https://h5.video.weibo.com/show/1034:5169788880879669

Gradually, ZH / ZN wins more and more people over. He is indeed a dangerous man. He came in as one, but soon there will be many.

Yes, true. It just keeps getting more intriguing. The coalition is starting to take shape. He came in with nothing but his training and one confidant. Now he has reunited with trusted friends who share his vendetta, and made a connection with a powerful strategic ally in ZZX (who will likely become a trusted friend). He is also slowly getting closer to XAT (who will perhaps be his most important ally).

On a side note, I'm starting to theorise (taking a wild guess) that perhaps the artefact that started all of this has something to do with the order of succession / who's the rightful heir.

Not sure, tbh. But the promotion has gone into overdrive, similar to how the HS promo had been dropping earlier when it seemed like it was definitely the next drama in line for release. LAC wasn't even in the discussion then. Now it's in the mix as a strong contender. Tbf, LAC is another drama Youku has been holding for a while. So, both fanbases have been waiting patiently for their drama to air.

The success of Zang Hai could potentially sway Youku's thinking, too. They may go double historical.

I actually have HS & LAC on my WL (looking forward to them both), so I won't be unhappy either way. I wish both success and hopefully airing dates in the not too distant future.

28th release date. Wow! I didn't expect that. I thought it was further back in the queue. So happy about this 😁. Let's go!

Count me in. Added to WL.

Found it on YT. Once you mentioned Maimai, I was sold 🥰. I can't wait to see them together. I should be fine. I like things that are a bit different, and I also like to run a personal case study on the development of certain actors. 😁