Xien_Rue

I see. I have not seen The Last Empress. The abolishment here was so sudden and take me out of guard. I don't see why they have to go this road. I think I just expect too much. I had wished this to become another The King 2 Hearts

Indeed, the beginning was very good. It was very engaging and made me wanted for more. Middle, still swallow-able, even though I hated that poisoning plot. And then the public reveal of contract marriage plot was ..... let say it was classic. Kind of boring. The ending, I gave up.

Why the theme of constitutional monarchy if you are gonna abolish it in the end? Honestly, I see that I-An literally lost his identity in the ending. He became Hui Ju trophy husband.

Right?! I feel the scene is so jarring. And when he is in music instrument store together with Queen Mother, the store clerk just stand there like they are both just normal customer. I was getting so frustrated watching that.

Thank you for the review. I agree with you that the theme of this drama lured lots of people. I have been away from K-drama for around 10 years. I only recognized IU here. But, the middle and ending disappointed me. I think we finally can graduate from rich vs poor cliche. That we finally will try navigate new path. But, in the end, ...... Sigh

The ending gives me such a bad taste. The beginning was great. I love up to ep 7. After that, it is just drama for the sake of drama. And the ending with ML seems become house-husband, I cannot really stomach it. And I don't believe I-An, will be able to stomach it in long run. He was born into royalty, with responsibility and pride. This is not life that he can handle.

There is no doubt that Tian Jia Rui is very talented. So, if Guo Jing Ming wants to promote him and give him difficult project. I cannot really fault him. The kid is really that good. What I want to make clear here is that based on screen time, there is really no significant difference. But, the effect of each screen time, is indeed very much differ. Thus, I think it is because somehow Tian Jia Rui can capitulate better on the story line. Guo Jing Ming has this trademark of creating tragic story for nearly all characters. From all his dramas that I have watched, there are only two people that truly benefited: Ma Tian Yu and Tian Jia Rui. The other looks quite bland.

This seems to be very intriguing story. Finally can see Tian Jia Rui as ML!

Finish watching this. Finally we get proper romance for Tian Jia Rui. All this time, somehow we are only fed by his bromance. But this drama shows how versatile he is.

Just finished watching this. Screen time wise, I don't think there is significant difference. This is a drama with 4 main characters, thus dividing the screen time this way is understandable. But, as I have seen from Guo Jing Ming drama, this director has hobby of making sob story. And I can see that the actor/actress that can somehow embody "tragedy" better, will be the one that more beholden to the viewer. Unfortunately, this needs skill.

And more unfortunately for other actors, Tian Jia Rui is very very good in playing "tragedy" card. Thus, in every arc, his screen was truly stood up. I suspect this is why this director is "seen" to have certain liking to this particular actor.

Ever since Fang of Fortune, I can see GJM really likes Tian Jia Rui. I knew Tian Jia Rui since he played Gong Yuan Zheng. I think we can agree one thing here, this guy really has good acting skill. Even as Gong Yuan Zheng, he stole the scene already as 4th ML (or 5th?). I saw lots of video made of him together with Gong Shang Jue. Not to mention the fanfiction is truly dominated by this pairing.

I think GJM has this bad habit, when he loves to explore second ML more than the first ML. It happened with Ice Fantasy (Ka Suo story truly a bore, compared with Ying Kong Shi). Even in My Journey to You, Gong Zi Yu character is somehow boring. Even though I agree that Tian Jia Rui got lots of screen time (as much as or more than the first ML), his screen truly attention grabbing. Something about him really entrancing.

In Goong, the 2nd ML father died when he was still crown prince, while his father (the then current king still alive). Thus, the succession went to the 2nd ML uncle. This drama is different.

Yan Xun is a case when someone let their pain rule over them. His vengeance changes him to be someone that enjoy destruction and no longer has moral compass. I watched PA for a bit years ago, since it was Zhao Li Ying. But, even then, I cannot really enjoy the story. My problem was no clear romance line. I could not see Chu Qiao liking Yuwen Yue even back then. Their interaction was always one sided, as far as I can see.

In this Rebirth, I have high hope at the beginning. I thought finally we will have proper relationship between the leads. And of course, I like Li Yun Rui due to Blossom. But, the story right now is kind of all over the place. You have Yanbei, Ximeng, Biantang, Yong. Each country somehow has problem with slavery and FL wants to change the world. Nothing wrong with the grand dream, but the drama instead focusing on Yan Xun getting unhinged day by day, Zhao Chun'er craziness, Empress Dowager craziness. It seems like all the villain are unhinged.

For Li Yun Rui. I like his acting. His character is also interesting. Unfortunately the drama don't expand on that more. But, I honestly cannot enjoy the romance between the leads due to FL acting. I am at ep 15 right now, stomach-able. Perhaps I will be in definite hiatus when I cannot take it anymore; like what I do with Pursuit of Jade.

FL acting is lacking, chemistry quite abysmal. Story wise, cannot truly comment since the longer I watch, clearer that this theme is not my cup of tea. It is revolving in FL wish to abolish slavery. Each country leadership is shown to be disgusting in different way.

Watching this up to episode 8. FL acting is quite lacking. Her lack of expression is problematic. I am soldiering on for Li Yun Rui for now ....

I cannot really differentiated whether people has botox treatment or not. But, he is indeed looks plump, I just take that as weight related.

Watching K-drama after years hiatus. I am interested in the "what if Constitutional Monarchy" trope. And FL character is interesting. I hope to see a double strong lead character. It is rare to see FL that will not let herself be rolled over under the weight of social status.

My mouth! It is like every slight negative comment will get flooded by "justification" by fans. As I see it, this drama is not that "hot". The comments in Douban and Bilibili kind of hot and cold. In the beginning, there was lots of praise. But, toward the middle, dissatisfaction started to come one another, but fans always try to silence the argument for the sake of "protecting the drama". I doubt it will have long tail. Lots of people watch this for Zhang Ling He.

Great review. Currently I am in ep 28, but I do read forum discussion so I know what happen in the future episodes. I think lots of us will agree that first tens episodes are the best. But everything fall apart once the war arc starts. I agree that Fan Chang Yu sudden rise as super soldier is just .... off. It really disturbed me. I am all for growth. But Fan Chang Yu acted like wild card in military camp, and she somehow is so powerful that she offs 2 generals. What the hell. I know she has martial arts training, but this is war. Life and death in balance.

Just checked the MDL page for Twelve Letter, seems a promising emotional packed drama. Will check that out after I am done watching The Double.

Sigh, it is hard to say anything bad about PoJ currently. Too many people get enamored with the visual vest at the beginning that they cannot see the flaw. I also have difficulty in continuing that. I stop at ep 28 (skipping a lot during military arc).

Honestly, I am quite confused why people don't like GtG more. Plot has flaw, yes, but it is not that blatant flaw. And the acting is really top notch