tsuyoi_hikari

lol! I also always has problem with how some scriptwriters do not know how to put baby/kid plot in their stories. Their characters ended up looking like irresponsible parents OTL

What a very long but well written article. It must take you a lot of time to write this. :D

I love friendship in dramas since irl, people are too busy living their lives esp those who are working and already married so friendship is not their priority anymore. My fave portrayal of friendship in dramas is no doubt Reply 1988. I love how all the 5 of them are so close like real siblings that they even sleep together and gather all the time and knew each other families like their own.

If you enjoyed this. Then you will enjoy Joy of Life as well. Joy of Life has the same clever script but a bit lighter and funnier. And the romance in Joy of Life is a bit more than Nirvana in Fire.

Yes there is but very minimal. The focus of the drama is the political schemes.

Dramas that I usually watched do not contain harem. I think many writer avoid that plot for the audiences to like the story. I think harem story usually in dramas during the the forbidden city era ala Ruyi Love in the Palace. I dislike those era so I dont watch dramas in that era. I really hate when girls against each other for a man esp an unworthy one hahaha.

What harem dramas that you have watched so far?

He left? I'm surely out of loop with J&A news these days

So far interested with Kingyo Tsuma. And finally Yamapi returns to dramaland. :D

He is really charismatic and super nice to everyone -- men and women alike so technically everyone like him including men (eventhough not romantically). TBH, I think all the women in the drama likes/admire him (even the enemies) but he only love one person.

Ohh there are many different ways Zhang Ruoyun differentiate between this 2 characters but the most obvious to me is this one. How about you?

I will forever cannot do this. I think if I put dramas as a challenge, I will lose the joy of watching it. I watch dramas for fun and for relaxing purpose thus I just watch whatever I want to watch and do a rewatch when I feel like rewatching an old dramas that made me happy.

Late last year, I was kind in a slump and I was watching a highly popular drama that everyone seemed to love but finishing it seemed like a real drag. I was wondering what happened? Did I lose interest in drama watching already after 15++ years (lol)? I was kind of in a slump. Then I watch a great drama after that then my addiction comes again at full force haha. It turned out that the slump was caused because I didnt enjoy the drama and not because I lose interest in watching in general to my relief. :D

I think regarding the Heart VS Reason part, those can be done for veteran watcher imo. This is because some actors do not have awesome discography all through their career. Try to watch their whole filmography might make you lose interest in watching all together. Taking variety of dramas are to go if you are new to Asian dramaland. For an example, I'm a big Hyun Bin fan and I honestly think he's a really excellent actor but only a handful of his dramas and movies that I enjoy and like. Though the his post-military works (esp his movies) has been constantly good which make me happy as a fan.

I find him more interesting as the Second Prince in Joy of Life. I dont want to say it but his role in Joy of Life is more enigmatic and awesome

Fan Xian knows that he fools no one with that excuse but thats not the point of the whole scene. The real question why the Emperor seemed to accept that excuse? They will explain it later. Usually for smart dramas like this, foreshadowing are done since early on, and most will be answered by the end so it comes together like a perfect puzzle. When I started this drama, I have so many questions and some plot didnt make sense or seemed disjointed. But all my questions are answered by the end.

Zhang Ruoyun did so amazingly in this role. I think the brilliance in his acting is how he separate Fan Xian and Fengnian completely despite both characters are very similar in many ways -- extremely brilliant & intelligent, talented at martial arts, unpredictable, loyal, warm-hearted, funny, playful, full of love but underneath all that, both are a reluctant hero who just wish to live a happy and untroubled life with their family. Both have 90% traits similar with each other but there are not 1 ounce of Fan Xian that I see in Fengnian. Fan Xian seemed like someone who didnt care about anything at all while Fengnian is someone who cares so much. Zhang Ruoyun handles Fengnian delicately and proved again how he is one of the best actors of his generation. :D

9/10 - The best Cdrama of 2021 for me. I personally feel like the episodes are too short despite it being 38 episodes. Everything moves so fast and there are a lot of things happen at the same time. It’s one of the drama that you feel that you can watch hundreds of episodes of them since it is simply entertaining and intriguing. It is cleverly written with well-developed characters and most of all for someone who appreciate details and bulletproof story with no plot holes, this drama is a total joy. I also appreciate how the schemes are done with basis and very detailed preparations and it is not like they are solely predicting the enemies' actions but they are actually geared the enemies to move according to their narrative. Simply brilliant!

Fan Xian is literally one of the most layered, rich and brilliant character I have encounter in dramas. I think I can write thesis on why he is so awesome as a character lol – he is like an onion, everytime you peel a new layer, you will find the other side of him, just when you think you know him, he will surprise you again and again with his decisions and actions. I like how he always done things the opposite of normal dramas' characters especially when he was caught in difficult situations. He will never yield to the bad guys no matter how pressured he is. You usually will predict what character will do when they are caught in a dead end but Fan Xian retaliate in ways that will surprise you. Just when you thought he made a mistake, there is wisdom in his actions to fool his enemies. And most of all, how reluctant he is in joining this ruthless fight to the throne game when all he wants is living a quiet and happy life with his family. He is extremely brilliant, genuine, unpredictable, playful, loyal, warm-hearted, righteous, full of love but at the same time merciless and crafted -- all of this combine and blends wonderfully that made him such enthralling and captivating as a character. I have seen many dramas but few characters can really stand out like him. The depth of his character is almost spellbinding. I'm completely in awe. 8D

10/10 - This drama is simply magnificent and truly a masterpiece. The writing is very clever, compelling, unpredictable and the political schemes and mind games are absolutely, absolutely fantastic. I think no one can write complicated and ruthless fight for the throne storylines like the Chinese. Everyone is treated like a piece of chess and being used completely -- like is it possible that you can have a free will when you behave exactly like what your enemies want you to? I had such a joy ride watching this drama all the way through.

10/10 - This is the most amazing drama I have ever seen in my life. The script was so magnificent, intelligent and well written that it totally took my breath away. I really appreciated the bulletproof script where there is no room for plot holes or questionable plotlines. Everything flows smoothly and every single scene happens for a reason. Just when you question one plot, it addresses it in the next episodes and you finally understand all the smiles, smirks, nods, ambiguous conversations, or even focused items -- everything comes together like a perfect puzzle in the end.

haha you are so right. When I first started Kdramas, I get SLS all the time. But then again, I was comforted with the fact the L always didnt deserve the nice SL. They are better off with someone better and much more deserving of their love and attention. :P

When I first started watching Kdramas, I got SLS all the time. It made me so frustrated since the better guy will never get the girl and I cant stand the girl for being such an idiot lol. Dramas like Full House, Goong, My Love Pattzi, Shining Inheritance made me frustrated to no end since it is so predictable who the FL going to end up with since the first episode.

Then I never got them anymore no matter how perfect is the 2ML. I guess I wired my brain not to feel frustrated to enjoy my dramas even more. Or tbh because I picked better dramas where it is not romance centered (where it is so predictable) or I pick dramas with better MLs to root for. I think the last time I got SLS is with Reply 1988 and he got the girl -- so I'm so happy since I didnt predict it all since I'm so sure Junghwan will get Deoksun. I love unpredictable stories like this. :D

With C-dramas & J-dramas, I never get SLS. I think because in general, MLs in those dramas are much more interesting, intelligent, and has flesh-out characters that you cant help but to fall in love with them. You can relate to the FLs and understood why she falls for them thus in genaral making me enjoy their dramas even more when you dont have to rack your brain to understand some stupid decision that characters like to make.

Thanks! :D