purplenight

I feel like he’s gonna snap sooner or later, especially since it looks like he’s bottling his emotions and his cool facade is slowly cracking

Yeah I feel that too, his face was showing a bit of sadness maybe guilt when he sees RSB again after he regained his memory

He’s still processing what happened, but he’ll be back at it tomorrow😅😅😅

i would say green tea, definitely green tea!

Curious to know, up to what episode have you watched? Because to me the push and pull happens between them throughout the show. This will be a little spoiler but I have to say that even JBZ isn't always open either. If you haven't gotten to that part, and if you don't like this trope, then you're probably just going to be more frustrated, since this is a recurring theme of the show. But I understand the frustration. I do think the misunderstanding and lies could've been resolved earlier.

But while you don't like the misunderstanding trope, I take it as another layer to Mingyi's character, what her motivations are, what drives her to be dishonest, etc. She's not just this strong, resourceful, perfect warrior that everyone expects her to be. And despite the dishonesty, she'll still finds ways to support JBZ and shows how much she cares for him.

I'm assuming you haven't finished it yet but I already mentioned it anyway, that they'll eventually resolve those misunderstandings that will show their character growth, albeit very much later in the drama. I found it very satisfying to watch them grow by the end. So again, since the misunderstanding trope is a major theme/plot point of the show, and misunderstandings aren't your thing, then this drama really isn't for you.

Yeah just to be clear, I only ship onscreen CPs and not irl (I've been burned by this case in point😬). Since they've worked together on multiple projects, it shows that KenTao's chemistry works onscreen (yeah not necessarily romantic) and offscreen. So I hope they co-star again!

And just going back to this comment thread, I'm looking forward to HMH and TSY's chemistry. Based on what I've seen from bts clips, they seem to work together well too

You did not just mention KenTao and chemistry! Am just surprised to see those words on a cdrama comment section lol but I totally agree with your example though. I've been a KenTao fan for years and their chemistry is really unmatched in j-ent 🤗

Anyway going back to cdramaland, I find that HMH always has chemistry with his female (and male🤭) leads (from a few dramas of his that I've watched including LITC and BFTB). Maybe in varying degrees. But I like HMH and TSY so far, I'd like to see how it progresses as the show goes on.

The plot itself is about deception and attraction, the push and pull between MY and JBZ. So the issues that come from it won't be resolved easily. Which looks like not your type of plot (or many others who didn't like it). I haven't watched both of the dramas you mentioned, but from what I've read from their synopsis, they have different themes from this one (they're both historical genre and not wuxia/fantasy like litc).

As for the FL, she had to grow up in a life of deception since her life depended on it. That's probably where her decisions and dishonesty are coming from. But I get why it can be frustrating so I do want to warn you, there's still some lies and deception in the upcoming episodes (not just from FL). But, their relationship does progress and they become honest and communicate properly with each other eventually.

From that first poster to the teasers, this was a drama I knew I would enjoy because of the lead actors (perfect casting btw), their characters and the story, no matter how it would turn out. What I never expected was how much I'd love it!

Sure it has its flaws and I have my own issues with it like the writing could've been better, the editing could be smoother, Situ as a villain (Mu Qibai was better written), and those damn curtains😅But LITC delivered what I expected and more - the romance, the friendships, the visuals (costumes and cinematography), the acting, the humor, the chemistry, the tension, even the angst! Even if it could get frustrating at times, the sweetness and heartwarming moments after, would tide me over. Even though the story revolves around lies and deception, there were times when I thought the leads weren't acting at all, like some moments felt so real!

So despite my issues, I'd still give it a higher rating because of how much I loved everything else. 4th time watching it now!

This is such a beautifully written review (defense lol)! I also wanted to defend the show against those who don’t like the story because of the push-pull/deception-attraction theme but it’s exactly what the plot is about. And that angst that comes from that type of plot even makes the love story more compelling to me. But yeah at the end of the day, people will have different preferences. I just wish they’d manage their expectations about the story if they read the synopsis. And imho, I feel that this show is better than other shows rated the same at the 8.6/8.7/8.8 level🤷‍♀️

I'm wondering if you watched the whole drama? Ji bozai wouldn't have needed to ask her about the golden millet in the first place, if she was honest from the beginning. I mean I get her reasons for not doing so, but you're ignoring her shortcomings and blaming Ji Bozai for something that he didn't even need to do because Ming Yi lied countless times. Ok I have to give it to Situ Ling for being useful at times. But while they both had their flaws, both Ming yi and Ji Bozai saved each other countless times despite those mistakes. There were several instances throughout the show, idk how you might have missed those

Were you still stuck on ep4? I get it, it doesn’t seem like it but it's really building up to more action and also some of the action is behind the scenes. It's still setting up the chess pieces, Mingyi planting herself in Ji Bozai's household, and it'll be revealed later but Ji Bozai is also making his own moves outside of Wugui Sea. I hope you pick it back up soon and enjoy watching the rest!

Yay! Well I hope you continue to the last ep and enjoy the show!

its me who doesn't want to spoil you haha! but anyway, by ep 27 mingyi is already cured. ji bozai doesn't admit it yet but mingyi will figure it out later on. and ji bozai's real identity will be revealed in ep 31, if I remember correctly. we'll also get to know more about mingyi's identity as well since they're connected together even from when they were born.

Yes and yes. What ep are you on?

There’s a lot of plot twists and revelations about the past in the upcoming episodes that brings many changes to the leads and everyone around them, more heartbreaks but also more heartwarming scenes (and more kissing scenes). It’s also the final stretch before the big battle. So I hope you continue and finish it! Idk if it’s a big spoiler but to me the ending is soooo satisfying. I’m on my 3rd rewatch!

The first few minutes of ep1 pretty much sets the stage for the rest of the story. Ming yi has to win, as a man (women aren’t allowed to compete), in an annual tournament for the 'blessed rain' prize. During the battle, she gets poisoned and loses to Ji Bozai who she thinks is the one who poisoned her. So she disguises herself to get close to him, to figure out if he's the one who poisoned her and find the antidote or she’ll die.

Throughout the story we (and Ming Yi) get to learn more about Ji Bozai, who also has his own agenda, and the rest is how their journey (and their relationship) unfolds as they try to pursue their goals. I don't know how else to explain it more clearly though, but I hope it tells you what the story will be about. Some misunderstandings, heartbreak, unrequited love, lots of romance, some action and bits of humor. Some viewers said it gets better after ep 10 though so I really hope you guys continue watching it.

Finally finished after struggling through the first few episodes. I watched the immortal arc at 1.5x probably because the world building didn't get me and I didn't find it interesting or exciting so I almost dropped it at ep 17. But I hate not finishing dramas so I persevered and I actually liked the demon arc and mortal arc better, the pacing was faster and was more interesting to me.

The chemistry between the leads was undeniable and the show really was more about the romance more than anything else. I would've liked it more except for some issues. Main issue for me was the acting of one of the leads. I'm probably in the minority but the acting of that lead was too stiff and how do I say this, kinda shallow? I mean that actor showed different expressions (micro, but too micro), but lacked the emotion or the depth required that would connect me to the character. Even the voice was monotonous. This is why I couldn't be invested in the romance. While they had so many kissing, intimate scenes, the romance was lacking to me because of my issue with the actor's performance. Also, it was probably just me, but some of the intimate scenes felt off. Particularly during the kissing scenes where one of the leads would be unconscious or incapacitated (asleep or drunk etc). And what was the yellow flower thing kissing scene, was it supposed to mean something? I just couldn't find it romantic enough or hot so I couldn't really be invested in this drama, when the romance (which was what I was expecting a lot of) was lacking to me.

I loved the other lead though, phenomenal performance, very charming and relatable. Helped me finish the show. But yeah, great chemistry, lots of romance (not just for me), and if you like both lead actors, then this must be for you.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to this. Yes they both used each other from the beginning. Yes Ji Bozai's feelings made his reaction more emotional and angrier at Mingyi. But then, if I remember correctly, at this point, Ji Bozai wasn't hiding anyting from Mingyi anymore. She knew about Ji Bozai's revenge plans and how he used her before. She was even helping him with his revenge plans.

On the other hand, Mingyi had many chances to tell him the truth but she never did. And what's more, her lies had consequences. Carving their names on the marriage stone wouldn't just confirm her identity but also acquit Ji Bozai of treason and colluding with the enemy. Both their lives were at stake because she couldn't tell him the truth. But yes, his feelings amplified his anger (which I think was understandable) as it deepened his hurt at her betrayal of his trust.

I don't know when I'll move on either 🤭 I'm on my 3rd rewatch and I'm still excited! Not as much as the first time though but I still look forward to watching each episode. I'm rewatching it on the youku app so I can see the bullet comments, which is another fun way of watching it😂 i'll watch the BTS after