As a "Chang Ge Xing" manhua reader, this live-action adaptation butchered the source material so bad. All your rants will be resolved, you'll be pleased (I hope) if you read the manhua (be warned, it was on a longgg hiatus and hasn't concluded, but it's just so good).
On Wu Lei's acting and one of the biggest acting impression I got from this series was the scene where his foster mother died and he raged. Boy, did he raged. And it was beautiful. Poignant. Heart-breaking. Chef kiss. But that was it. He is such a miscast as Ashina Sun ;_;
My Gawd. I think I'll need to read many more of your reviews!
Thank you for taking your time to rant with your keyboards. This review has been fun to read (ie. the bad acting trifecta) but also contains good criticism.
"Good romance is not having a male character fawn over a woman for no good imaginable reason while she stays stoic and cold. That's stalking and annoying." <<< This. Romantic C-drama is forever popular with this trope ;_;
So yeah, "Whatever happens to "show don't tell." <<< It's a rare commodity in this sphere...
One note though, I haven't seen any of Cheng Xiao's series. I don't follow her music career or K-Pop group. Objectively, she's younger than Suzy. Maybe she'll have more time? Suzy has improved (I think?) but really...?
I'm on to your next review, now, adios!
P/s: Aren't you being generous? A 5.0 overall while categorically, it's unanonimously 2.0 haha
Your mama def raised you right. Your review is so fun to read!
I'm currently on "Blossoms of Power". I saw a commenter loving this series, saying how alive Meng jie (FL) is here compared to most of her other projects. So, I checked "Royal Rumours" out of curiosity. Confirmed she has range and can act. Maybe "stiffness" is her signature nowadays, which I'm fine with. She needs something to stand out in this vicious industry and career path.
Anyhow, I tried to enjoy this but couldn't. So I came to the review part and saw yours. I must say, your review is even more entertaining than the first two episodes haha.
I think I understand where she's coming from and why she is who she is. The story is so far so good for me.
I agree with everything you say. I also think ML is such a sweetheart. I'm certain, his hairpin slide, his pouting why-you-bully-me, and his I'm-easy-to-please-spoil-me moments are all the rage with the viewers and fans hahaha. Let them come together, let them be harmonious *insert raging Elmo meme here*
I appreciate your forthcoming and how expressive you are with the things you like and enjoy, ie. this series :D
Peter Ho is in episode 16. I got confirmation from screen cuts online hahaha. (Currently thinking of waiting for a couple more before I jump back.) Just wanna let you know.
ML and FL's relationship is super cute, but after watching Ep 7 I think I might have to drop this bc I can't stand…
Hello, again. Your comments have stuck with me even after the this series has completed.
After finishing it, I think your comments are still valid to certain extents. At the same time, I realised the "power imbalance" when it comes to the two leads: - ML was born into the business world. He comes from a business family. He has been surrounded in this environment since he was a kid. I think that gives him advantages when compared to FL, who comes from a regular background and has to work her way up. Because of this, he sees what she might not or overlook. However... - FL definitely catches up to him as she gains more experience along the way and comes to a more befitting professional environment at the end. Yes, it is a work of fiction. I still think, her progress is believable and realistic. She gains the respect of not only the ML, but also his father. In the epilogue chapters the author wrote specifically after the drama series ends, she becomes a capable corporate leader herself, taking over her father-in-law's role at his corporation.
So, she needs to start from somewhere, right? Naive, gets used, gets tricked, falls down and... get back up. Then, she learns, continues to learn to become more and better, the version she wants. For me, it's good characterisation and development.
Additionally, I have read and enjoyed posts by viewers and fans analysing, interpreting and consolidating business/finance knowledge, case studies, real life scenarios according to the plots of the series. It's eye-opening and genuinely interesting, particularly for someone outside of the industry but still curious like myself, haha.
It's a bit unfortunate that this wasn't your cup of tea. But, to each of our own. I'm sure you're enjoying many other series to your taste. I really like your comments. Hope to see you again in other series.
I think I understand where she's coming from and why she is who she is. The story is so far so good for me.
Imo, "shameless" is a playful choice of word appropriate to describe ML. I think it's also endearing to a certain extent, especially coming from fans.
I think, ML is straightforward, direct and expressive. He must be quite self-aware. At the same time, I can see that he is considerate or try to be, especially towards FL. That makes him sensible too. As a viewer, I get to see him in and out of the presence of FL and other characters. I appreciate these traits of his in lead/male characters. Even fictional, they can serve as role models (more so for impressionable, young viewers) and case studies.
Not only do I see similarities in his interests and personality with FL, but also their differences and contrasts. For example, they are both expressive in their own terms: he is more extrovert while she is more introvert - being who they are. For me and realistically, this makes them a good match. They have their distinctions, yet they are more alike. I'm sure they'll come to see and to term with that as the series progresses.
Moreover, the main couple being yin and yang - serious and "shameless" - brings us balance. I didn't expect this to be a comedy. (It's my favourite genre, haha.) I'm pleasantly surprised and entertained! This is also my first He Yu's series. I think he fits the role and plays it really well.
Thank you for your questions! Get me to think and consolidate my thoughts.
The cliffs in this drama look so fake that it's hard to take them seriously. 😂😂Instead of feeling anxious…
You'll find people with similar thoughts here. If you want to find an editing budget that is even tighter, "The Eternal Fragrance" is it! The choppiness is beyond. Still, cliff falling scenes are Chinese drama specialty. At least, we have a laugh with it.
maybe I’m completely on a limb here..but does anyone feel her eyes are just too huge? beautiful yes but way…
I also find it a little scary at times. Meng jie has huge eyes, wears enlarged contact lenses and... stares a lot. Coupled with her frail physique... But, they serve their purposes in certain scenes when she needs to be (act?) cold and ruthless.
On Wu Lei's acting and one of the biggest acting impression I got from this series was the scene where his foster mother died and he raged. Boy, did he raged. And it was beautiful. Poignant. Heart-breaking. Chef kiss.
But that was it. He is such a miscast as Ashina Sun ;_;
Thank you for taking your time to rant with your keyboards. This review has been fun to read (ie. the bad acting trifecta) but also contains good criticism.
"Good romance is not having a male character fawn over a woman for no good imaginable reason while she stays stoic and cold. That's stalking and annoying." <<< This. Romantic C-drama is forever popular with this trope ;_;
So yeah, "Whatever happens to "show don't tell." <<< It's a rare commodity in this sphere...
One note though, I haven't seen any of Cheng Xiao's series. I don't follow her music career or K-Pop group. Objectively, she's younger than Suzy. Maybe she'll have more time? Suzy has improved (I think?) but really...?
I'm on to your next review, now, adios!
P/s: Aren't you being generous? A 5.0 overall while categorically, it's unanonimously 2.0 haha
I'm currently on "Blossoms of Power". I saw a commenter loving this series, saying how alive Meng jie (FL) is here compared to most of her other projects. So, I checked "Royal Rumours" out of curiosity. Confirmed she has range and can act. Maybe "stiffness" is her signature nowadays, which I'm fine with. She needs something to stand out in this vicious industry and career path.
Anyhow, I tried to enjoy this but couldn't. So I came to the review part and saw yours. I must say, your review is even more entertaining than the first two episodes haha.
I appreciate your forthcoming and how expressive you are with the things you like and enjoy, ie. this series :D
After finishing it, I think your comments are still valid to certain extents. At the same time, I realised the "power imbalance" when it comes to the two leads:
- ML was born into the business world. He comes from a business family. He has been surrounded in this environment since he was a kid. I think that gives him advantages when compared to FL, who comes from a regular background and has to work her way up. Because of this, he sees what she might not or overlook. However...
- FL definitely catches up to him as she gains more experience along the way and comes to a more befitting professional environment at the end. Yes, it is a work of fiction. I still think, her progress is believable and realistic. She gains the respect of not only the ML, but also his father. In the epilogue chapters the author wrote specifically after the drama series ends, she becomes a capable corporate leader herself, taking over her father-in-law's role at his corporation.
So, she needs to start from somewhere, right? Naive, gets used, gets tricked, falls down and... get back up. Then, she learns, continues to learn to become more and better, the version she wants. For me, it's good characterisation and development.
Additionally, I have read and enjoyed posts by viewers and fans analysing, interpreting and consolidating business/finance knowledge, case studies, real life scenarios according to the plots of the series. It's eye-opening and genuinely interesting, particularly for someone outside of the industry but still curious like myself, haha.
It's a bit unfortunate that this wasn't your cup of tea. But, to each of our own. I'm sure you're enjoying many other series to your taste. I really like your comments. Hope to see you again in other series.
I think, ML is straightforward, direct and expressive. He must be quite self-aware. At the same time, I can see that he is considerate or try to be, especially towards FL. That makes him sensible too. As a viewer, I get to see him in and out of the presence of FL and other characters. I appreciate these traits of his in lead/male characters. Even fictional, they can serve as role models (more so for impressionable, young viewers) and case studies.
Not only do I see similarities in his interests and personality with FL, but also their differences and contrasts. For example, they are both expressive in their own terms: he is more extrovert while she is more introvert - being who they are. For me and realistically, this makes them a good match. They have their distinctions, yet they are more alike. I'm sure they'll come to see and to term with that as the series progresses.
Moreover, the main couple being yin and yang - serious and "shameless" - brings us balance. I didn't expect this to be a comedy. (It's my favourite genre, haha.) I'm pleasantly surprised and entertained! This is also my first He Yu's series. I think he fits the role and plays it really well.
Thank you for your questions! Get me to think and consolidate my thoughts.
@BaekhyunoonaID helped me find an actor through this site, earlier. I just followed her foot step :D
Still, cliff falling scenes are Chinese drama specialty. At least, we have a laugh with it.
Learning about the schedule of Chinese (platform) series is a... unique experience, for me. Edit: This is this week's schedule.
And I hope it won't derail like "Blossoms"...