Dramas always start with low ratings bc the number of ratings affect the rating. Most people only rate after finishing the drama. (But yeah, let's just spew insults, so much fun ain't it).
Pleasant surprise, a well written dark thriller. Mystery solving cold case drama. I watched the first 4 episodes in one sitting. FL is mature and intelligent (in case you can't stand babyface or babyvoice FLs like me). I guess there will be a lot of flashbacks to school days though (something I have a hard time with).
people on mdl when characters aren't perfect little angels.
Very true. Criminals in c-noir dramas are almost always morally grey and wholly human people who we feel strong empathy for. I love that. Can't stand black psycho villains or dramas with no one to root for. I made a list https://mydramalist.com/list/Lp6QvXR4
I normally never watch makjang but I thought (based on ep 1) that this was going to be a noir thriller. Ep 1 was quite good. Now after ep 2 I realize that this has women tearing each others' hairs and it's something I absolutely can't stand in dramas. Also the chaebol family infighting is the same old, same old. Not sure whether I'll stick around. But so far this is entertaining and the mysteries (possible murders) presented are intriguing. But as others have noted, all of the characters here seem to be absolutely awful people. Having to watch unpleasant people tends to kill my interest. 1-2 is okay but a bunch of them is too much.
The reflection of Xie Cheng in the horse's eye during the saving of Ning! The attention to detail is awesome. Cinematographers truly have been given free hands to use their artistic talents! I've never been going back and forth to rewatch scenes before this drama!
"how it passed the censorship as of the elements they wouldn't want us to see, but I think in later episodes or story they brushed it off with right decisions comes with difficult times type explanation."
The people who talk most about censorship have never actually read the review guidelines for Chinese dramas. The basic requirement for historical dramas is that history is represented accurately. There's nothing "they do not want us to see" about cultural revolution, as the mistakes of the era are admitted not hidden from view. The drama is a love story and not about the red guards - does it make it less accurate?
Are there a lot of Japanese dramas about Unit 731 or Nanking massacre? I don't know but according to the same logic of not hiding things there should be a lot.
There are people who think that C-dramas have to be always somehow laced with dishonesty but I find none. There is no denying that idealism and will to make things good and better is an undercurrent. That there's faith and trust in the society is an alien idea for those of us who live in countries that are doggedly going backwards and into unwinnable wars and economic disasters.
i struggled to get through the first episode because it was a bit confusing for me, are all the other episodes…
Confusion may arise bc those were somewhat weird times with overblown ideological purity philosophy and demands. I think there's some need to study the historical background. Arthur's acting is a treat to watch so def worth continuing.
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1 
I made a list https://mydramalist.com/list/Lp6QvXR4
Now after ep 2 I realize that this has women tearing each others' hairs and it's something I absolutely can't stand in dramas. Also the chaebol family infighting is the same old, same old.
Not sure whether I'll stick around. But so far this is entertaining and the mysteries (possible murders) presented are intriguing. But as others have noted, all of the characters here seem to be absolutely awful people. Having to watch unpleasant people tends to kill my interest. 1-2 is okay but a bunch of them is too much.
The people who talk most about censorship have never actually read the review guidelines for Chinese dramas. The basic requirement for historical dramas is that history is represented accurately. There's nothing "they do not want us to see" about cultural revolution, as the mistakes of the era are admitted not hidden from view. The drama is a love story and not about the red guards - does it make it less accurate?
Are there a lot of Japanese dramas about Unit 731 or Nanking massacre? I don't know but according to the same logic of not hiding things there should be a lot.
There are people who think that C-dramas have to be always somehow laced with dishonesty but I find none. There is no denying that idealism and will to make things good and better is an undercurrent. That there's faith and trust in the society is an alien idea for those of us who live in countries that are doggedly going backwards and into unwinnable wars and economic disasters.