This is an original, a great drama. Only being watched in SK, I might add. That would be on netflix and on regular cable. And by all of the MDL souls on this thread.
I suppose it will eventually become a classic like this writers other works? Anyway it feels odd to be watching, so convinced of the show's worth, and then to find its just us and South Korea.
Already seated for the show; these supporting actors will bring the show (heck, any show!) to a higher level, if thats possible, given the 3 actors in the main cast..
Cont. with the noble households...the Chens and others try to hide any malfeasance whatsoever. Fourth Brother turns out to have been a juvenile murderer? Curtail his career. His son will be held back? Adopt him into a different branch. Now Fourthg brother plots to sell the new wife in the household into slavery? Send him off to Shanxi (which isnt that far away) to be scolded by Second Brother... So the place is a nest of snakes. What is JinZhao expected to do?
I wondered how the series would move JinZhao from the household and shop into court politics. It was obvious that her capabilities had to be showcased, and I am sort of happy that the ladies-stay -out-of-politics-and-run-your-nice-commercial-enterprises bit is being somewhat eroded.
So the show has taken on a slight edge of realism. RE running the household, outside of being a businesswoman in the fantasy female-centered tropes, there is the plot where most of the household is killed off by various poisons or the one where the new lady manages to overturn the old and become the matriarch -- in itself like running a small business.
Not sure where they will take the 'I can gather useful court political info from the noble ladies' social events' -- after all the women-only Linxia Studio is still in the works.
But I think that the FL is taking the third way in the (very noble) household trope -- navigation and making allies. Interesting to me at least, in that it involves lots of info and discussion about real-politik in the Ming/Qing (?not sure, the skirt and tunic, arent they closer to the late 18th?).
I thought this cdrama will not have those stupid male character who are unnecessary obsessed with FL . But here…
It cheers me up to rant about guys like that in fiction -- that guy who just really didnt hear what you said and keeps coming around -- ack, bad bad memories. Good to get them washed and rinsed out.
We need those fictional villains and idiots, to rant about. Sorry.
ep29 In a republic with a legislative body it usually spells the end when the ruler devises a military body which answers only to him.
Perhaps in the imperial government this is a good idea for a semi-regency. The ministers only advise and consent after all. We are missing the usual conniving princes in this story however. Maybe they will emerge now?
Ep28 beginnings of the rest of the show? 12 happy eps to go.
I am a bit spoiled myself, so I was happily satisfied at all the undercurrents swirling through the wedding banquet -- apart from XuanQing (the nephew) starting to make trouble. It will take some unpacking -- I didnt even recognize all the future troublemakers. Excellent writing, once again.
If you have just started you will never know the joy of resolution of so much travail if you dont stop reading this right now. It isnt the same at all if you spoil everything.
first half of ep A WEDDING TO REMEMBER.
During the ceremony and procession -- I was in tears over her vision of her mom -- even the stupidity of Lian and her sentimental idiot of a dad passed by like water.
WHAT A NIGHT BEFORE
Say what you like about Ye Xian -- he gives good value for the money. Their discussion through the window, illuminating and heartbreaking. A good punch in the jaw? Not seen, but JiuHeng as usual completely perfectly calibrated.
Karlina Zhang is pretty good as well. Her character, Xiao Ning is a really solid personality. You can see why YuHeng (Wei Zhe Ming's character) has always loved her.
Ep2 Wei Zhe Ming is just too brilliant. At the end of the episode when she says she will accept him and happily talks about the possibilities of a marriage without love, you can see beneath the skin in a flash -- WZM's eyes are dark with sadness that he cannot tell her he has liked/loved her since high school.
I just started this while waiting for 'fateful love'. Watching Miles look at her while kneeling in the rain reminds me why he is the best actor. An orderly process of microexpressions whic hproject his honest concern.
She time traveled. Women of that era wouldnt be that bold 🤣
'women of that era wouldnt be that bold.' Not true. Bold women occur in every era. What happens to them may be culturally defined, but a bold woman in bed? That is her business with her lover.
I have to say it's nice to see a couple that kiss if they feel like kissing. A couple that likes to hug and touch…
The opening credits never lie -- who is the man who shows up just before or after we see Lan floating on a cushion embroidering? (I havent identified him yet)
I like how the wedding was portraited I mean this is my first time in Cdrama it actually felt real and celebrated.…
Weddings are Cdrama's gift. You can become a connoisseur of various types, most are beautiful -- but even so you will be able to make a long list of the epic ones varying from tragedy to comedy. Enjoy!
Yes. And all the props are gorgeous in this. Shows just what a high level of craftsmanship people in the Ming…
mmhmm. I was just thinking about the massive materialism of the era, and how classy this drama is about portraying it. 27 was a paroxysm of material culture; unveiling the bridal gifts so lavishly. My guess would be that we wont have to see the usual dowry display, that the Matriarch Chen's upset over the dowry list itself is a 'tell, dont show' tactic.
1 
1 
I suppose it will eventually become a classic like this writers other works?
Anyway it feels odd to be watching, so convinced of the show's worth, and then to find its just us and South Korea.
So the place is a nest of snakes. What is JinZhao expected to do?
the tea party and its aftemath
I wondered how the series would move JinZhao from the household and shop into court politics. It was obvious that her capabilities had to be showcased, and I am sort of happy that the ladies-stay -out-of-politics-and-run-your-nice-commercial-enterprises bit is being somewhat eroded.
So the show has taken on a slight edge of realism.
RE running the household, outside of being a businesswoman in the fantasy female-centered tropes, there is the plot where most of the household is killed off by various poisons or the one where the new lady manages to overturn the old and become the matriarch -- in itself like running a small business.
Not sure where they will take the 'I can gather useful court political info from the noble ladies' social events' -- after all the women-only Linxia Studio is still in the works.
But I think that the FL is taking the third way in the (very noble) household trope -- navigation and making allies. Interesting to me at least, in that it involves lots of info and discussion about real-politik in the Ming/Qing (?not sure, the skirt and tunic, arent they closer to the late 18th?).
We need those fictional villains and idiots, to rant about. Sorry.
In a republic with a legislative body it usually spells the end when the ruler devises a military body which answers only to him.
Perhaps in the imperial government this is a good idea for a semi-regency. The ministers only advise and consent after all. We are missing the usual conniving princes in this story however. Maybe they will emerge now?
beginnings of the rest of the show?
12 happy eps to go.
I am a bit spoiled myself, so I was happily satisfied at all the undercurrents swirling through the wedding banquet -- apart from XuanQing (the nephew) starting to make trouble. It will take some unpacking -- I didnt even recognize all the future troublemakers. Excellent writing, once again.
This show is a gift.
If you have just started you will never know the joy of resolution of so much travail if you dont stop reading this right now. It isnt the same at all if you spoil everything.
first half of ep
A WEDDING TO REMEMBER.
During the ceremony and procession --
I was in tears over her vision of her mom -- even the stupidity of Lian and her sentimental idiot of a dad passed by like water.
WHAT A NIGHT BEFORE
Say what you like about Ye Xian -- he gives good value for the money.
Their discussion through the window, illuminating and heartbreaking.
A good punch in the jaw? Not seen, but JiuHeng as usual completely perfectly calibrated.
Wei Zhe Ming is just too brilliant. At the end of the episode when she says she will accept him and happily talks about the possibilities of a marriage without love, you can see beneath the skin in a flash -- WZM's eyes are dark with sadness that he cannot tell her he has liked/loved her since high school.
27 was a paroxysm of material culture; unveiling the bridal gifts so lavishly.
My guess would be that we wont have to see the usual dowry display, that the Matriarch Chen's upset over the dowry list itself is a 'tell, dont show' tactic.