Just my two cents, but I think the way the novel is written is intentionally supposed to not only make us feel heartbroken but most of all, really frustrated. I heard somewhere that TH is also considered a master of the horror genre, so that may have something to do with it. Anyway, so this frustration can sometimes obfuscate the heartbreak. It's not the first time we've seen/read sad stories, but I think in this case it hits differently (look at the number of comments!).
Lvchrry wrote a perfect explanation below of why one character seems to steal the spotlight from all the others. I couldn't have written it better myself. So we have this very complex character for whom the author has given this huge redemption arch on one side, and on the opposite side, we have an almost side character who (let's be honest) is not that compelling from a literary point of view, a character who seemingly gets very little development (perhaps it can even be said that he undergoes a transformation for the worse), and yet he's rewarded in such a way that the readers unconsciously resign themselves into thinking that it was all for the best. But perhaps that's the brilliance of the story: when you stop and really think about it, you're able to see past the traditional notions of good guy vs. bad guy. Tong Hua even said that XL is her favorite character, and I absolutely believe her. For me, she was able to create this perfect embodiment of goodness and kindness and make me absolutely despise it, while making many hearts flutter for the one character who instead should in any other situation be reviled.
All in all, it's been very nice reading everyone's takes on this. Happy Friday!
Can we take a moment to appreciate just how good Tan Jian Ci's acting has been in this drama? He's hugely magnetic.…
I started looking for all his other dramas like a crazy person because I just couldn't get enough. Under the Skin is top-notch and has been renewed for a second season. Even in the older ones where he's more of a supporting character, we can see he's good at his craft.
This all feels like three other things we know we can't escape from: 1) death; 2) taxes; 3) Leonardo DiCaprio not dating anyone over 25. I know it's how it's supposed to go but it doesn't mean I have to like it 😂
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Lvchrry wrote a perfect explanation below of why one character seems to steal the spotlight from all the others. I couldn't have written it better myself. So we have this very complex character for whom the author has given this huge redemption arch on one side, and on the opposite side, we have an almost side character who (let's be honest) is not that compelling from a literary point of view, a character who seemingly gets very little development (perhaps it can even be said that he undergoes a transformation for the worse), and yet he's rewarded in such a way that the readers unconsciously resign themselves into thinking that it was all for the best. But perhaps that's the brilliance of the story: when you stop and really think about it, you're able to see past the traditional notions of good guy vs. bad guy. Tong Hua even said that XL is her favorite character, and I absolutely believe her. For me, she was able to create this perfect embodiment of goodness and kindness and make me absolutely despise it, while making many hearts flutter for the one character who instead should in any other situation be reviled.
All in all, it's been very nice reading everyone's takes on this. Happy Friday!