Okay I agree with you on the story perspective but bro wdym double standards in my case i have seen dramas where…
I get what you're saying, but I don't think mentioning a double standard automatically turns it into a men vs. women debate. I've watched plenty of those dramas too and the same goes for FLs who are written as simps; those characters also have fans. So I agree that those tropes exist on both sides. The reason I brought up double standards is because of the reactions I've been seeing to this topic. I've seen people say the FL didn't love ML enough because she had ex-boyfriends, that she wasn't loyal or that it's unfair because ML stayed single. To me, that's where the double standard comes in. Having relationships after a breakup doesn't automatically mean someone loved less or was less genuine. People move on in different ways. My point has never been that everyone criticising the drama is applying a double standard. It's that some of the reactions seem to treat ML staying single as proof that his love was deeper, while the FL dating is treated as proof that she loved him less. I don't think either character's relationship history should be used as a measure of how much they loved each other. They just coped with the same heartbreak differently and I think that's what the drama was trying to show.
Could someone explain who is Xie Jia Yu foster mother? Is the grand tutor her real father or also a foster father?
Her foster mother belongs to a royal lineage. She and the late emperor were siblings, which is why she refers to Wu Yi's biological mother as her sister-in-law. Thus, she holds the title of "Princess Yunzhao." Xie Jia Yu's biological parents were killed by the Northern Qin people.
Lemme be that person and explain why I don't think the FL owes ML an immediate explanation about her boss, and why I don't agree with the argument that she needs to "set boundaries" based on what we've seen so far. It seems some kids don't understand how relationships work.
First of all, the FL hasn't shown any romantic interest or given any indication that she has feelings for her boss. Being close to someone, working with them or having a good relationship with them doesn't automatically mean there's romantic intent. From what we've seen, people are jumping to conclusions without much evidence. More importantly, I think people are looking at this situation in isolation instead of looking at the relationship as a whole.
ML has always dealt with problems by shutting FL out. Whenever something difficult happened, he made decisions on his own, pushed her away and believed he was protecting her instead of trusting her enough to communicate. Even after they reunited, he still hasn't fully opened up. FL has had to learn about his life through other people because he rarely tells them anything himself.
So why is all the responsibility suddenly on the FL to explain herself?
Relationships aren't built on one person constantly providing reassurance while the other keeps everything bottled up. Communication goes both ways. If ML wants openness from FL, he also has to be willing to give her that same openness.
People also keep saying she should "set boundaries," but boundaries are usually necessary when someone is crossing a line. So far, I haven't seen the FL encouraging her boss romantically or giving him false hope. If future episodes show otherwise, then that's a different conversation. But based on what's been shown, it feels like some viewers have already decided she's doing something wrong before she's actually done it.
I actually think that ML's jealousy is less about the boss and more about the consequences of his own choices. He spent years keeping FL at arm's length, making decisions for her instead of with her and refusing to let her into his world. Now she's living a life that doesn't revolve around him anymore and that's naturally going to make him feel insecure.
Hopefully, instead of reacting with jealousy or assumptions, this becomes the moment where he realises that love alone isn't enough. If he truly wants a future with FL, he has to trust her, communicate with her and stop carrying everything by himself. Otherwise, they'll keep repeating the same cycle that broke them apart the first time.
Yes, I always report but don't have energy to engage them so I just block them after reporting 😭.Cuz telling…
I appreciate your understanding. What I meant by "not ignoring" is to report such comments rather than responding directly to them. I apologise for any confusion my previous message may have caused, my bad🤦♀
I'm honestly surprised by how many people are upset that the FL had ex-boyfriends while the ML stayed single. I don't really understand why this is such a big issue because people deal with heartbreak in completely different ways.
For the FL, getting into new relationships made sense. Some people genuinely try to move on by opening themselves up to new experiences and relationships, hoping they'll eventually let go of the past. That doesn't automatically mean she stopped loving the ML. In fact, it's very realistic that she still loved him deep down while trying to convince herself to move on. As long as those relationships were healthy, there's nothing wrong with her having exes.
The ML's situation was completely different. He wasn't just sitting around waiting for her. He was caught up in underground fights, surrounded by dangerous people, carrying guilt over the choices he made and living with the consequences of pushing her away. He was the one who decided to end things, believing it was for her own good and he said hurtful things that clearly stayed with him. To me, his decision to remain single reflects that guilt, his emotional state and the life he was living. It wasn't simply "I'm staying loyal because I have nothing else to do." His circumstances made it believable.
Also, being single doesn't automatically mean someone has never had hookups or casual encounters. The drama simply didn't focus on that, and not showing it doesn't mean it never happened. Likewise, not everyone who's single secretly has casual relationships either. Both are realistic possibilities.
What I find interesting is that if the roles were reversed, if the FL had stayed single while the ML had ex-girlfriends, I honestly don't think people would be making this much noise about it. We see male leads with dating histories all the time, and it's rarely treated as a flaw. But when a female lead has a few exes while the male lead doesn't, suddenly she's judged for it. That double standard is worth thinking about.
People keep saying they wanted "realism," but reality isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people move on by dating other people. Others stay single for years because they're busy, depressed, emotionally unavailable or simply still in love with someone. Both happen in real life every day.
Not every heartbroken person is going to have multiple relationships, and not every single person is secretly having hookups. Likewise, not everyone who dates after a breakup has forgotten the person they truly love. Different people cope differently, and I think the drama actually reflected that quite well by giving both characters different ways of dealing with the same heartbreak.
I want to encourage everyone not to ignore comments that repeatedly insult actors or actresses based on their appearance. If you see comments that cross the line into harassment or personal attacks, please consider reporting them. There's a difference between saying, "I don't think these actors have chemistry," and repeatedly calling someone "ugly," "loser," or other insulting names. One is an opinion about a drama; the other is targeted abuse. Comments like these don't just affect the person they're aimed at. They also contribute to a culture where insulting someone's appearance is treated as normal. Younger users, especially, may start to think that a person's worth or talent depends on meeting someone else's beauty standards. Beauty is subjective, and every person has their own unique features. No one should be mocked or devalued because they don't match another person's idea of what is attractive. We can disagree about a drama, a performance, or a storyline without demeaning real people. Let's help keep this community respectful by reporting harassment instead of normalising it.
I can understand why some people are asking why this drama has a relatively low rating, but after I had finished it, I think the score makes sense.
The biggest strengths of this drama were the cast and the OST. The actors and actresses did an excellent job with what they were given, and the soundtrack elevated many scenes. In fact, I honestly think those two elements are the main reasons the rating isn't even lower.
My biggest issue was the writing. The script felt inconsistent and lacked a clear direction. For example, the FL's characterisation was all over the place, one moment she's written as inexplicably naive, the next she's a fearless badass, then suddenly she's unable to communicate despite previously being portrayed as an outgoing person. It didn't feel like natural character growth; it felt like the writers changed her personality whenever it was convenient for the plot.
The pacing was another problem. It somehow felt like the story was constantly moving while going nowhere at the same time. Episodes would pass, but it seemed as though the plot remained stagnant, leaving me more frustrated than invested. Instead of building momentum, it often felt repetitive and directionless.
To me, this drama is a perfect example of how talented actors and a beautiful OST can't fully compensate for a weak script. Great performances deserve great writing, just as great writing deserves actors who can bring it to life. Unfortunately, this drama only succeeded in one half of that equation.
For those wondering why the rating is lower than expected despite the strong cast, I think that's the reason. Many viewers came in with high expectations because these actors are known for choosing compelling projects and delivering excellent performances. They certainly upheld their end, but the story simply didn't.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it. Not because the acting or production was poor, they weren't, but because the writing left me frustrated, by the end, I felt like the time I invested wasn't rewarded.
Does anyone know another cdrama with tension like this between the lead? So I could go watch that while waiting…
These dramas had good tension among the leads; you should try them if you haven't watched them yet. Falling into your Smile Deep affectionate eyes Love on the edge of divorce (short-length drama) Missing You - Love Me, Love My Voice Derailment Sniper Butterfly Fall in Love My Lethal Man (short-length) The Forbidden Flower 19th Floor ( romance as a subplot, but tension was there) The Guilty ( subplot romance, the tension was in the air with their eyes) - Heads up for this one, sad ending, but I guarantee it was amazing.
It's becoming too much tbh and I know there are still others in hiding
I would prefer not to have villains who are obsessed with love because this often leads to jealousy and plots against romantic rivals. Their schemes tend to be annoying and embarrassing, filled with loopholes and pettiness.
Instead, I favour villains with great ambition who are strategic in their moves against the protagonist. Their well-planned schemes keep the protagonists on their toes. This preference applies to any villain, regardless of gender, as long as they are not love-obsessed, have clear goals for their schemes and execute their plans strategically. If their tactics make it challenging for their opponents to succeed, then they have my approval.
I think it is the consort of the previous emperor which was exposed she had an affajr
Wu Yi and Li Mao are not true brothers, as they are not biologically related. Wu Yi has a pure royal lineage, being the son of the late empress and emperor. Publicly, they are seen as brothers because Li Mao's mother was the late emperor's consort despite having an affair with Xie Huai Gui.
Can someone clarify for me, Prince Qi (Li Mao) and his sister Le Jun, how are they royalty?? 🤔Whose children…
In Episode 4, it becomes evident that Amao is not of royal blood; rather, he is the illegitimate child of Consort An and Jia Yu's father. I'm uncertain about Le Jun's parentage, but based on Amao's comments, they have been orphans since childhood. It is possible that Le Jun could be another child of the late emperor, or perhaps she met Amao when they were young and formed a sibling-like bond. Therefore, it remains unclear whether Le Jun has royal lineage or not.
Writers need to be more creative in their writing. So, fl sees an arrow aimed at her and she's just like this 🧍♀👀👄, why does she have to stand there like a fool instead of trying to dodge?
Xie Huai Gui is revelling in the struggles his son is experiencing as he observes Xie Jia Yu and Xiao Wu Yi bonding during the fight scene and celebration. 😂😂 He seems to be thinking, “Yes, I want you to dislike Wu Yi and start plotting for the throne.” 😁
I've watched plenty of those dramas too and the same goes for FLs who are written as simps; those characters also have fans. So I agree that those tropes exist on both sides.
The reason I brought up double standards is because of the reactions I've been seeing to this topic. I've seen people say the FL didn't love ML enough because she had ex-boyfriends, that she wasn't loyal or that it's unfair because ML stayed single. To me, that's where the double standard comes in. Having relationships after a breakup doesn't automatically mean someone loved less or was less genuine. People move on in different ways.
My point has never been that everyone criticising the drama is applying a double standard. It's that some of the reactions seem to treat ML staying single as proof that his love was deeper, while the FL dating is treated as proof that she loved him less. I don't think either character's relationship history should be used as a measure of how much they loved each other. They just coped with the same heartbreak differently and I think that's what the drama was trying to show.
Xie Jia Yu's biological parents were killed by the Northern Qin people.
First of all, the FL hasn't shown any romantic interest or given any indication that she has feelings for her boss. Being close to someone, working with them or having a good relationship with them doesn't automatically mean there's romantic intent. From what we've seen, people are jumping to conclusions without much evidence. More importantly, I think people are looking at this situation in isolation instead of looking at the relationship as a whole.
ML has always dealt with problems by shutting FL out. Whenever something difficult happened, he made decisions on his own, pushed her away and believed he was protecting her instead of trusting her enough to communicate. Even after they reunited, he still hasn't fully opened up. FL has had to learn about his life through other people because he rarely tells them anything himself.
So why is all the responsibility suddenly on the FL to explain herself?
Relationships aren't built on one person constantly providing reassurance while the other keeps everything bottled up. Communication goes both ways. If ML wants openness from FL, he also has to be willing to give her that same openness.
People also keep saying she should "set boundaries," but boundaries are usually necessary when someone is crossing a line. So far, I haven't seen the FL encouraging her boss romantically or giving him false hope. If future episodes show otherwise, then that's a different conversation. But based on what's been shown, it feels like some viewers have already decided she's doing something wrong before she's actually done it.
I actually think that ML's jealousy is less about the boss and more about the consequences of his own choices. He spent years keeping FL at arm's length, making decisions for her instead of with her and refusing to let her into his world. Now she's living a life that doesn't revolve around him anymore and that's naturally going to make him feel insecure.
Hopefully, instead of reacting with jealousy or assumptions, this becomes the moment where he realises that love alone isn't enough. If he truly wants a future with FL, he has to trust her, communicate with her and stop carrying everything by himself. Otherwise, they'll keep repeating the same cycle that broke them apart the first time.
For the FL, getting into new relationships made sense. Some people genuinely try to move on by opening themselves up to new experiences and relationships, hoping they'll eventually let go of the past. That doesn't automatically mean she stopped loving the ML. In fact, it's very realistic that she still loved him deep down while trying to convince herself to move on. As long as those relationships were healthy, there's nothing wrong with her having exes.
The ML's situation was completely different. He wasn't just sitting around waiting for her. He was caught up in underground fights, surrounded by dangerous people, carrying guilt over the choices he made and living with the consequences of pushing her away. He was the one who decided to end things, believing it was for her own good and he said hurtful things that clearly stayed with him. To me, his decision to remain single reflects that guilt, his emotional state and the life he was living. It wasn't simply "I'm staying loyal because I have nothing else to do." His circumstances made it believable.
Also, being single doesn't automatically mean someone has never had hookups or casual encounters. The drama simply didn't focus on that, and not showing it doesn't mean it never happened. Likewise, not everyone who's single secretly has casual relationships either. Both are realistic possibilities.
What I find interesting is that if the roles were reversed, if the FL had stayed single while the ML had ex-girlfriends, I honestly don't think people would be making this much noise about it. We see male leads with dating histories all the time, and it's rarely treated as a flaw. But when a female lead has a few exes while the male lead doesn't, suddenly she's judged for it. That double standard is worth thinking about.
People keep saying they wanted "realism," but reality isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people move on by dating other people. Others stay single for years because they're busy, depressed, emotionally unavailable or simply still in love with someone. Both happen in real life every day.
Not every heartbroken person is going to have multiple relationships, and not every single person is secretly having hookups. Likewise, not everyone who dates after a breakup has forgotten the person they truly love. Different people cope differently, and I think the drama actually reflected that quite well by giving both characters different ways of dealing with the same heartbreak.
The biggest strengths of this drama were the cast and the OST. The actors and actresses did an excellent job with what they were given, and the soundtrack elevated many scenes. In fact, I honestly think those two elements are the main reasons the rating isn't even lower.
My biggest issue was the writing. The script felt inconsistent and lacked a clear direction. For example, the FL's characterisation was all over the place, one moment she's written as inexplicably naive, the next she's a fearless badass, then suddenly she's unable to communicate despite previously being portrayed as an outgoing person. It didn't feel like natural character growth; it felt like the writers changed her personality whenever it was convenient for the plot.
The pacing was another problem. It somehow felt like the story was constantly moving while going nowhere at the same time. Episodes would pass, but it seemed as though the plot remained stagnant, leaving me more frustrated than invested. Instead of building momentum, it often felt repetitive and directionless.
To me, this drama is a perfect example of how talented actors and a beautiful OST can't fully compensate for a weak script. Great performances deserve great writing, just as great writing deserves actors who can bring it to life. Unfortunately, this drama only succeeded in one half of that equation.
For those wondering why the rating is lower than expected despite the strong cast, I think that's the reason. Many viewers came in with high expectations because these actors are known for choosing compelling projects and delivering excellent performances. They certainly upheld their end, but the story simply didn't.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it. Not because the acting or production was poor, they weren't, but because the writing left me frustrated, by the end, I felt like the time I invested wasn't rewarded.
Falling into your Smile
Deep affectionate eyes
Love on the edge of divorce (short-length drama)
Missing You - Love Me, Love My Voice
Derailment
Sniper Butterfly
Fall in Love
My Lethal Man (short-length)
The Forbidden Flower
19th Floor ( romance as a subplot, but tension was there)
The Guilty ( subplot romance, the tension was in the air with their eyes) - Heads up for this one, sad ending, but I guarantee it was amazing.
Instead, I favour villains with great ambition who are strategic in their moves against the protagonist. Their well-planned schemes keep the protagonists on their toes. This preference applies to any villain, regardless of gender, as long as they are not love-obsessed, have clear goals for their schemes and execute their plans strategically. If their tactics make it challenging for their opponents to succeed, then they have my approval.