ViolinGal

Thank you! I definitely want to get to it soon. 😁

Oh no worries, just wanted to make sure you didn't miss out. :)

Did you watch the extra scene that they released?

My assumption was that he was a doppelgänger -- someone that Hao Ting came across when he was hiking once that looked like Xi Gu, but wasn't. But because he looks so similar, he kept in touch and made a point to be nice to him because he was reminded of his relationship that he lost.

In order, I systematically work my way through the list -- these are the ones I haven't tried yet. Once I complete something from this list, I remove it and then add the next highest rated drama I haven't completed yet. It will always be a list of dramas I haven't started yet (except for the drama in the number 1 slot, since that's the scheduled drama I'm watching/trying to complete at the moment).

If the genre is your cup of tea, then yes. It's well-written and engaging (even from its early episodes).

Please tell me I'm not the only one that sees a resemblance between Ji Soo & Wayne Song. xD

So glad I encountered another hater of this drama. I totally agree, whenever I see it mentioned in any ‘must watch’ list I roll my eyes. ...I will never get it.

I would say these characters experience waaaay more hardships than comedic moments. It's definitely more on the dramatic side. I cried within the first 5 episodes.

"If I may ask, in what instance or scenario have the lack of understanding enhanced an outcome? Personally I believe comprehension is the basic foundation that serves as validation for any comments or reviews of any work."

"Similarly, what credibility do you possess that compelled you not to recommend a Xianxia drama when you openly admitted you don't believe obtaining an understanding bears any importance?"

Those were the comments that led me to think that you thought I was okay with ignorance, not your idiom about the horse. Consciously choosing not to understand = ignorance. My word choice 'praise' probably wasn't the best. But it was all a misunderstanding, we're in agreement: comprehension and understanding of works is important when commenting/reviewing.

Yikes, that's good to know about AOL. I don't think I'd be comfortable viewing a coercion scene. Also, I didn't know that about TMOPB, how incredibly disappointing. Are there other Xianxia dramas you've seen that you liked?

I understand the plot, characters, motivations, reveals, and what happened in the drama. I don't turn away from knowledge, nor do I praise ignorance as you insinuated. I'm just stating that hidden symbolism won't change my viewing experience.

My problem wasn't with the non-linear storytelling; I love that aspect of storytelling the majority of the time. Also, yes I love Quentin Tarantino. Nor do I want to be spoon-fed information as you implied; I've stated I wanted more from this drama and felt disappointed by the progression of the storyline feeling predictable and expected. I was never excited or engaged when watching, and I felt disappointed the majority of the time.

I hope you haven't felt like I've been 'spewing vitriol resentment' toward the drama. The intention of my original post was meant to possibly connect with someone that felt the same way I did in the sea of praise and comments about it being a masterpiece.

I'm glad you and so many others were able to find layers, meaning, and enjoyment through deciphering details in this drama.

For me, I don't think it's a matter of once I understand XYZ, suddenly my watching experience with this drama will be transformed. I was committed to giving it a chance and finishing it, which I did. I don't think understanding XYZ will change how much I particularly disliked the first 20 episodes where the set-up wasn't an enjoyable watching experience for me.

No, I definitely didn't know who the mastermind was in the first episode. In fact, I'd be surprised if anyone not familiar with the source story understood anything regarding the plot in the first episode. I was wildly confused and had to go search for a recap to understand what I watched. I posted about that here and people cautioned me against looking at recaps because of spoilers, so after that I avoided them....expecting that there would be surprises/twists that I wouldn't see coming. But in my experience, nothing that was revealed (whether as a hint to the audience or a confession to a character) was impactful to me. It was never surprising, and perhaps it wasn't meant to be, but I do think that expectation I had where it would be better for me to avoid as many spoilers as possible, left me disappointed in the end with how predictable everything felt.

I've had so many thoughtful responses to my comment, which initially was made just to throw a bone out there to anyone who attempted this drama and had similar feelings. I feel bad that I wasn't able to enjoy this drama the same way as so many others, and I hope I remain a small minority.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. :)

I enjoy thoughtful, cerebral works of art that imitate life or real connections/relationships so I wish I could change my perspective and have a similar experience with this drama that you did. I didn't feel the impact or see the story as a reflection of real life, though I see how others could see it that way (especially if someone saw it through the lens of losing and finding family).

Oh of course, I agree there is so much variance in a genre and one drama doesn't represent it in its entirety. But I do think people have preferences and based on my experience with this one (especially since it is so highly regarded as one of the best cultivation dramas out there), it's a hurdle that might be a bit too high for me. But I'm definitely open. I probably won't get to it until a couple months out, but next in my list is Eternal Love, which I think is a cultivation drama of sorts?

I wasn't comparing the two dramas (I noted they're from different genres), though I can see how someone could misconstrue my comment that way. The only similarity I commented on is the length (similar to most C-dramas). If I was to recommend someone new to C-dramas and they had to invest time in the drama (since most C-dramas are quite lengthy), my pick would be Nirvana in Fire. I genuinely thought it was a better investment in time.

But that's just me. :)

What weren't you impressed about it initially, but then changed your mind on?

For me, the biggest thing was just that there were no surprises. I guessed all the twists. Some of the acting choices (both voice & non-voice) brought me out of the moment and I didn't feel the emotional punches as much as I wanted to. Also, I wanted a more in-depth and complex plot ....for as many characters that they introduced, I don't think they were developed well (especially the more villainous ones).

I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if revenge was more-so at the fore-front from any angle/character; it felt like misunderstandings and pilling on/martyrdom of the ML were the driving forces.

I was committed to watching it because I'm systematically going through all the top rated dramas I haven't seen. I'm glad I watched it, there were some good moments, but I think it ultimately left me dreading other cultivation C-dramas.

Thanks for the link to the glossary though, very helpful. :)

Just finished it. TBH, if I was going to recommend a long C-drama to someone it wouldn't be this drama. I'd recommend Nirvana in Fire. I recognize they're different genres, and perhaps the "cultivation" thing just isn't for me. ...But I found the Nirvana in Fire set-up and pay off a much more enjoyable watching experience.

I recognize I'm in the minority for not fully enjoying this drama (it was alright -- the more enjoyable parts of course being the bromance), but I wanted to throw this comment out there just in case some lone stragglers on this drama page had a similar watching experience that I did and wanted some validation.

Unfortunately it continued to be frustrating for me throughout the entirety of the series. I love side characters that are well developed, and there were a few of them here. But the vast majority of them were very one-note and forgettable. I felt the same in IOTNBO as well. So I guess we just have different drama tastes there.

They removed duplicate accounts.

https://mydramalist.com/discussions/support/49893-release-notes?page=last#p1412155

Thank you so much!

That's good to know about the first 2 episodes being an introduction of sorts and that things will start making more sense.

Thanks, I'll definitely ask here if I'm confused about anything going forward. :)