Twinkling_pineapple

I just started watching this because I liked Bai Lu in Love is sweet (although the drama has a draggy plot) and the two male leads in The double and Pursuit of jade/The best thing.
I must confess that the first few episodes didn't drew me in like f.e. The double, Fated hearts or POJ did but I made it through the first 16 episodes so far and I think the drama gets better and better. The political plot is easy to understand after you know who is who. But the best thing is the dialogue between the main leads. It's so obvious he fancies her gainst his will and all his buddies know it. Lol
The scenes where he indulges her to practise playing the zither are the highlight for me as he gets on her nerves so much. I also like the other characters, especially the princess and MLs merchant buddy.
The only thing I'd wish to alter is ZL wig. His head looks even longer with it. And the cinematography isn't all that. Sometimes panorama shots are used where they don't fit. And the sets look cheap and less detailed than in f.e. Fated hearts. But these things aren't as important as a good plot.

I am still liking the story although the main couple goes through lots of hardships and their relationship is affected by missing communication, circumstance and lots of bad timing.
I still get why the characters behave the way they do. But I don't watch dramas to find the most clever characters, I watch them because the story itsself makes sense. Both characters are deeply hurt by their last experiences and have to work some stuff out... alone and then maybe together. I think it doesn't matter for this drama who is the end game as long as they get a chance to heal individually.
And I like the sml. I see nothing wrong with him other thsn beeing a bit overbearing. He's not perfect but he meant well for the most part.

But I agree with the watchers who think this drama is very heavy. I you came mostly for romance this one is probably not for you.

Give this actor a lead role. He is great.

I think the love triangle is kind of the center here. But I had hoped that the FL would really be torn between two equal options. Unfortunately it becomes obvious after a few episodes that she'll go for the obvious and safer choice while the "sML" seems to become a bestie for life.
Imo the FL doesn't behave age appropriate... even for a late bloomer. But I also don't agree that she drags two men along.
I think I'll finish it but there are better shows out there.
The plus points are the second couple and a SML who's really charming.

I know that both weren't well received. But I am still unhappy when I can't watch something in my region although I pay so much for Disney. I really like Park Hyung Sik and didn't get a chance to watch any of his dramas last year because of Disney. Lucky me that they weren't good. Lol

Disney+ just added this for germany. I'm glad to be able to watch it since I was so dissapointed that I couldn't watch Buried hearts or Twelve.

Watching POJ right before this one is probably a bit unfair. POJ isn't perfect either but it delivered much better villains and a much better presentation of a strong female lead. In LOTFG I really liked the main couple and the first half of the episodes, but there were big problems from the start that afforded suspension of disbelief. How can a blind girl fall from a cliff without dying? How can her shifu find her in the vast China? And how can he miraculously heal her blindness... not only once but twice? How can the ML fight with her body to body without realizing she's a woman but with her behind him on horseback he suddenly can feel it?!!
Then there's also the issue with the backstories of random characters that add nothing while the leads backstory could have been better fleshed out.
And my biggest issue - the presentation of the emperor. You tell him something - he believes it - he reacts immediately. It's as if he's a pure plot device.
I also saw a big amount of telling instead if showing and a big amount of unnecessary preachy speeches.
I must confess that I loved to watch this drama nonetheless mainly because I loved the main couple and the Mulan-like beginning. But it could have been much better., especially without the unnecessary angst in the last episodes.

You're on point here. Although there are some recent exceptions it's what I don't like about kdramas as well as cdramas. It's just not natural.

This was a great drama with great characters. The only criticism I have was that the telling of past events was a bit convuluted. That could have been made clearer with all the characters involved. I didn't read the book and often have problems remembering chinese names especially if characters have more than one. But it's my fave 2026 drama so far nonetheless.

Just started this. Except for the fact that FL doesn't look boyish at all I'm really enjoying it.

I think there's nothing wrong with the FL. It is what it is. Characterwise she's better coupled with the woodworker. I just wish writers would make it less obvious. I like the drama though. If she doesn't want the barisra there's surely a woman who does;-)

That's exactly what will happen. It would be kinda adventurous writing if she takes the barista. But for jis sake I hope he'll find another love interest who's a bit more sure of herself.

Love the leads. Finally a PHS-drama with a chance to be available in germany.

Such a great villain in POJ. And it's not easy to be recognized standing next to ZL. Give this guy a main role.

I really enjoy the acting of the two male leads... each of them being kinda clumsy in their own way but I think Han Jimins character lacks a bit oomph. She's way too passive. That beeing said...it would be interesting if the writers would do something unexpected and turn the whole thing on its head. I mean... Sung Hoon is a pro in playing unhinged or villainous characters. Lol
But that's not likely. I just wish we'd get one drama where the FL doesn't get the expected ML. From recent years there's only Reply 1988 but there it felt more like a twist than an earned relationship.

I don't get all the negative comments. Show is shot beautifully, great soundtrack and great actors. The story isn't groundbreaking but you get the characters and where they are coming from. They aren't perfect and they don't have to be. If everything would be and everyone would behave perfect all the time there would basically be nothing to tell.
I don't know if the couple will have a sad or a happy ending... but that's life for me.
I enjoy the story. The couple had many heartbreaking moments which pulled me in the story. I just hope the FL gets back her energy from the first two eps.

I still really like this show. The breakup scene was one of the most heartbreaking crying scenes I've seen in kdrama. I hope for a happy ending. I just can't see both of them cry

I also think it's one if the few dramas where the love triangle IS actually one.
Btw ... the actor-ML looks so much like Lee Min Ho in BOF past his curly time. Or am I seeing things. Lol

I am really liking this. The characters behave like actual people... flaws and all. I think both male leads have got arguments going for them. I don't think the actor-ML is just a player. And I also think the architect-ML isn't just the friendly slightly akward nerd. I hope the writers don't go the obvious route with how this all ends. It would be nice to see something unexpected. But I doubt it.

I'm really looking forward to the next episodes. PMY is very convincing as icy supposed black widow. I love this role for her.
Wi Ha Jon is very fitting too. I loved him in Worst of evil and Midnight romance. He's a versatile actor. I hope for some twists in this show and intense emotions.
After Queen Mantis, Dear X, The art of Sarah and The price of confession I hope for another strong grey female protagonist.