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kuronekonerochan · 4 years

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Cdramas I enjoyed and ranty rambles... (spoilers)

Apparently I have a new favorite cdrama ML type, and it's genius mastermind bastard on a scheming backstabbing world that is likely created by the same novel or scriptwriter. Ning Que (Ever Night), Fang Xian (Joy of Life) and Zhong Xin (Young Blood) are a joy to watch and I loved these dramas on the same "spirit" and their characters.

All these dramas had stronger and weaker points, if I could pick and choose, I liked the world and ruthlessness of NQ from EN S1, the OTP that is NQ and SS and the Us against the World vibe, plus the incredible soundtrack and the breathtaking panoramic shots, but S2 was such a production mess...it’s a pity bc I loved the theological turn of the novel and it doesn’t seem likely that after that trainwreck of s2 we’ll get a s3 to end the story (although yes, I admit it would always be difficult to translate to screen from where s1 ends in the book onward bc it’s such a drastic change). Having read the novel, it was funny to see people reacting to the events of s2.

The shift in the focus of the drama from the traditional wuxia, young martial arts lead and his wifey traveling the world, encountering new allies and foes and getting powered up, to religious and spiritual journey about the meaning of life, god, the world and different ideologies clashing in both literal fights and discussions as well as physical manifestations of divinity, mixed in with human subversion of values for petty personal goals...well although people seem understandably confused and not very happy about this 180º thematic turn, it’s not what they hated about the new season. From the comments I saw, what most ppl couldn’t stand were the same things ppl who read and liked the novel also hated: the horrible pacing, some of the cast changes that failed to convey the feeling that they were the same characters, and even though the budget was evidently lower than s1, the choices made where 80% of the scenes were pointless carriage shots, meeting shots, and most pointless of all Long Qing riding horses. Endless set ups of people talking boringly and then when the event that all that talk was leading up to happened, it was off screen and the result was told by some character in a conversation. You couldn’t care less about Tang and the war because all the characters that lived there and could die, like SS’s friends from the brothel, the gang, and even the generic ppl on the streets, none of this was shown...only 2 or 3 ppl talking alone somewhere at a time, talking about events that the viewer would never see. And it was confusing. I read the novel and even so I could barely follow what was happening (they did change a bunch of stuff). Enemies from 2 episodes ago were now allies and they were asking favors without any explanation and key plot points of main story arcs like Ye Hong Yu’s were just thrown out so casually it didn’t even register for me that THAT was happening. The whole Haitian part was also a mess. It was one of those concepts that is indeed hard to translate to screen, but as they did the whole SangSang being present but powerless thing well, the casting of Haitian was a fail. She was supposed to be an uncaring, poker faced goddess, but she also had to have a presence that made her feel powerful and frightening. This lifeless doll couldn't scare a fly, so the whole thing just felt pathetic and weird(er). (Also in the novel there’s this intense mental fight thing going on between her and NQ where she hardcore tortures him and slashes his d*ck off and he in turn keeps torturing her with erotic dreams and all this bc the natal bond means they can read each others minds and can’t keep each other out even if they wanted so it’s a constant exhausting mindgame between them. The drama tried to include some of that in like 2 eps near the end, but toning it down bc of rating and taking the mindreading concept out of it made it very disappointing to watch).

I love the witty sarcastic humor of Joy of Life, I’m not into tragic period cdramas but after so much cheesy lazy slapstick wuxia/xanxia dramas, one with the intelligent, non-stop sarcastic humorous dialogue and an ensemble of god damn talented actors, especially the older cast, headed by an absolutely brilliant performance by the main lead and a script and plot that is compelling, fast paced and never misses a beat...well this is a true gem and one of the best executed cdramas, on every aspect from technical aspects to directing to acting, that I have ever seen. I usually don’t like palace dramas, and this is not one of those, it is adventure and family and transmigration and a lot more, but it retains the core elements of those palace dramas, which is the scheming politics, the intrigue and the constant tension of being surrounded by enemies by all sides and having to mind every word and action because a single faux pas will get him killed. It’s in line with the kind of cnovels I love and would like to see drama adaptations for like Husband Be a Gentleman or Golden Stage, which isn’t much of a surprise since this is also a novel adaptation.

It is nearly perfect imo, but the harem aspect (even if tuned down from the novel) still drags it down and the (main) FL is a bore and honestly the least interesting of all the females in the drama (it doesn’t help that ZRY has better chemistry with one of the other actresses, which in the novel, since his character hits ALL of them, it would be fine, here, meh). This is also one of the rare situations where I like the drama better than the book (even with the issues regarding the lack of chemistry with the FL), bc Fang Xian in the novel is scarily ruthless...it’s the same author as Nightfall (aka Ever Night), but NQ is likable because of his bond to SangSang, the irrationality of the persecution they face from the zealots, and also the world, despite being harsh, features loyalty and unconditional love in the members of the Academy, for example, that make all the anti-hero/antagonist traits more bearable. FX in Joy of Life it’s a much more cynical and cunning character, scary even, and the environment is a pit of backstabbing snakes. He is the hero bc he’s the main character, but from any other perspective he can easily be the villain. Add to that my distaste of harem and him getting it on with like 6 or so ladies (to give them credit some of them are pretty awesome characters), the novel just wasn’t for me. But ZRY as FX? He’s just so cheeky and likable, and this drama has an amazing supporting cast. I enjoy watching them all interact with each other. I’m glad it’s getting a season 2 and so looking forward to it.

Young Blood I didn't even like that much in the beginning, it started out interesting but confusing and some of the cast (both acting and characters) were kind of weak, but it got better and it had a power couple as leads who were both smart and a joy to watch, plus the bromance dynamic between the smartass bastard and the righteous straight-faced dudes that Handsome Siblings wishes it had (that’s a whole other story, why HS didn’t work for me, but trust me, no offense to the actors in that, I found them charming in other things, but perhaps bc this script was just better, the boys here just did it better, it just flowed...I watched both dramas at the same time and it was weird thinking that those two should be what Handsome Siblings was trying to do). What annoyed me until the end was that out of the ensemble cast, only 3 of the characters (the smart ones) were given enough material to shine. Eventually the other 2 guys got their piece as well, but the girl from the second couple is unfortunately a waste of a character. They eventually tried to give her an arc, but she’s still mainly “the cute doll” and a foil for the 2nd male lead to have a romantic interest. She is given less screen time and she has no presence. I didn’t need her to be a “strong” woman. They do state that her strong suit is that she is so charming that ppl easily trust her, but I wanted to see her evolve, become smarter (the other two dumb-asses eventually get better from the beginning and grow as characters, but she seems stuck in her shallow one trait personality of “cute/kind”). This has nothing to do with the actress, she was perfectly fine, my issues are with the character and how she was utilized.

Unrelated, there is a weird thing in the last episode where a character just disappears, but not like, on purpose, it seems like the drama just forgot about him, or they forgot to shoot the actor near the other ones where he was supposed to be, lol.

Honestly, story wise and even in terms of production Young Blood is inferior to Ever night S1 and especially Joy of life, which was a tight drama, but since it ended up so much better than it started I really wanted to see what they could do with a 2nd season.

P.S: You know what is also my cdrama type? Genius himbo chaotic mess cutie pies, with “rage issue” but deep down caring relatives... and their “straight” faced besotted partners, I mean...

#cdrama #cdrama edit #young blood #ever night #ever night s2 #joy of life #the untamed #mo dao su zhi #young bloods #mo dao zu shi #cql #mine

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drivingsideways · 5 years

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Episode 69

Me: I’m not ready for this, I’m not ready for this

This is a direct call back to what his mother said to him in the end, the talisman she left for him, to tell him to find his “mission” ...although in her vision/hope for him, his “mission” did not involve sacrificing himself to the throne...

me: *whimpering * let me live

In (the redecorated) Fengyun Palace, Ning Yi rewards Gu Yan and Ning Cheng by giving them high positions in his administration and orders them to investigate the Huofeng Gang who has been “causing trouble in the capital”. We’re never told what this trouble is i.e. has something gone down AFTER the Emperor’s death/ attempted coup or is this Ning Yi acting on the information he had before about their collusion with Ning Qi? How long after the attempted coup did the coronation take place anyway? Anyways, he orders them to capture the gang members and bring Ning Qi to the palace for trial.

A note on the redecoration: the beautiful, large tapestry is gone, and replaced by a simpler one (can’t quite make out whether it’s fabric or not). The carpet has more muted colours. While Fengyun under Ning Shizheng was incredibly beautiful but also a little stifling in its grandeur, Ning Yi’s room is simpler, though still elegant and beautiful: I think it goes with what we are used to seeing him surrounded by in his older residence. Also, the Emperor continues to dress in muted brown/ blue/green hues; unlike Ning Shizheng who often wore yellow (apparently a favoured Imperial colour during the Tang dynasty? unless I’m mis- remembering that)

Headmaster Xin has been summoned to the Palace (evidently).

I can’t even begin to capture Ning Yi’s emotions here- again, absolutely fantastic job by Chen Kun- anticipation, nervousness, but also determined to “play it cool” as befits The Emperor- GOD I DIED A THOUSAND DEATHS IN TWO SECONDS- THESE TWO FUCKING FOOLS-

because, honestly, ZIYAN IS STILL THE FUCKING WORST, AS WE IMMEDIATELY SEE

HE SPENDS LIKE AN ENTIRE MINUTE INSPECTING THE RENOVATIONS IN THE ROOM INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE GODDAMN FUCKING EMPEROR IN HIS FACE POWER MOVE BUT ALSO YOU’RE A FUCKING DICK ZIYAN AND YOU DON’T DESERVE HIM YOU REALLY DON’T

Like, I can’t get over NY’s expression here, annoyance, amusement and the underlying fondness, and just..like of course Ziyan would do this

And I can’t capture that expression on Ziyan’s face as they finally make eye contact.

BUT ZIYAN IS DETERMINED TO BE A FUCKING ASSHOLE, HE’S STILL SO ANGRY

And that tips Ning Yi over from a fond exasperation to real anger

SO OF COURSE ZIYAN IS IMMEDIATELY FAKE RESPECTFUL

and Ning Yi seems to accept that he will have to be the one that gives in- he takes a few steps toward Ziyan

aksdjhakdhaskehakhd

JESUS ZIYAN WHAT WILL IT TAKE

Of course, that really annoys Ning Yi (who strides back to the throne and puts distance between them) Why, he asks?

Because there’s chaos in the Capital since you took over, replies Xin Ziyan, and

me: JESUS H. CHRIST ZIYAN TWIST THAT KNIFE SOME MORE WHY DON’T YOU

SO OF COURSE HE ORDERS HIM-

AND ZIYAN...

God,I hate to admit it, Ziyan is right...as Feng Zhiwei will soon find out...

ARE WE STILL ON THAT? WE’RE STILL ON THAT.

In response Ning Yi says FINE, IF YOU WANT IT THAT WAY. (Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but in this conversation he now switches the pronouns he’s been using for himself, I think- previously he refers to himself as Ning Yi, or in the manner he would when addressing a friend? but now he seems to switch to the “I, The Emperor” mode, and also he calls him by his full name “Xin Ziyan” instead of Ziyan xiōng )

i love how the tone and words is utterly contradicted by his outstretched hand

ZIYAN YOU FUCKING DICK YOU ARE THE BLOODY WORST DON’T HURT MY BAE LIKE THIS both of you have made mistakes, and he deserves an apology from you as well.

HAVE YOU GOT YOUR POUND OF FLESH YET YOU FUCKING DRAMA QUEEN

AND HE STRIDES OFF DRAMATICALLY, LEAVING NING YI ISOLATED

JESUS THIS SHOW DOES NOT FUCK AROUND.

Ning Yi has learnt the pain of isolation when stripped of all power, and now that he has it all, he’s learning it all over again.

AND THAT IS HOW YOU WRITE A TRAGEDY FOLKS

Meanwhile, on hearing that Ning Cheng and the Royal Guards are on their way to arrest him, Zhangsun Hong tells his lieutenant that Feng Zhiwei must be here to witness the cruelty of the Tiansheng Empire- must be there to witness his death. Zhangsun Hong basically wants to ensure that Zhiwei will never forgive Ning Yi, and thus complete his revenge on the Ning family.

WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FENG ZHIWEI SINCE THE EMPEROR’S DEATH AND NING YI’S ASCENSION TO THE THRONE.

WHO KNOWS?

BECAUSE THE SHOW REFUSES TO TELL US. ARRRRGHHH.

Anyways, very Dramatically, Feng Zhiwei and Gu Nanyi reach in time to see Zhangsun Hong be killed by Ning Cheng- although Ning Cheng had only wanted to arrest them, but y’know, FATE.

ER WHAT?

LIKE THIS MAKES NO SENSE. FENG ZHIWEI IS LITERALLY ONE OF THE CLEVEREST PEOPLE IN THE EMPIRE, YOU’RE TELLING ME SHE COULDN’T PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER AND MAKE FOUR? IN ALL THIS TIME????? SHE ALREADY KNEW THAT NING QI AND HE WERE HAND IN GLOVE. AND THAT’S PUTTING ASIDE THE FACT THAT ZHANGSUN HONG LITERALLY TOLD HER ALREADY THAT SHE NEEDN’T KILL NING SHIZHENG BECAUSE HE WOULD INSTEAD. AND THE NEXT THING HE TELLS HER BEFORE HE DIES IS THAT SHE SHOULD TRUST YUELING (WHICH IS THE ONLY REMAINING PART OF THE PUZZLE SHE DIDN’T KNOW.)

LIKE COMPLETELY APPALLING WRITING. I CAN’T EVEN.

There’s a tense moment where Feng Zhiwei almost kills Ning Cheng- but Gu Nanyi stops her.

Feng Zhiwei is grief stricken, but again repeats “What were you hiding from me?”

THE WOMAN WHO COULD SOLVE THE RIDDLES IN QINGMING ACADEMY CAN’T DO SIMPLE MATH.

WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK.

Anyways: Ning Qi is hiding out in the House of Lanxiang, which Yueling has bought out; alone, drunk, slightly insane, clutching the Emperor’s edict. Yueling encourages him to continue opposing Ning Yi, and not even Yijun can bring him back to his senses.

AGAIN: HE’S LITERALLY A STONE’S THROW AWAY, AND NING CHENG AND THE ROYAL GUARDS CAN’T FIND HIM???? DID THEY NOT INVESTIGATE WHERE YUELING DISAPPEARED TO?

Feng Zhiwei requests Helian Zheng to provide protection to her people, and he agrees. She plans to return with him and the remnant of Dacheng to Jinshi.

When Helian Zheng informs Ning Yi that he’s leaving, Ning Yi warns him “not to be blinded by love” ie don’t let your wife, the Princess of Dacheng, con you into launching an attack on Tiansheng. Helian Zheng’s answer reveals he has no qualms about NOT listening to the Emperor, and also pretty much warns Ning Yi to stay away from Zhiwei. Ning Yi is furious, of course, and though he does nothing at that moment, you get the sense that Jinshi is not going to be safe in the near future.

Yueling sends an anonymous message to Ning Cheng that Helian Zheng is concealing members of the Huofeng Gang in his entourage.

Our two babes meet on their bridge for the last time and have a brittle, poignant conversation where both are in so much pain, but cannot find a way back to each other.

ding ding WRONG ANSWER DUDE

But Ning Yi presses his case, that before they didn’t have the power to stop themselves being separated, but now that he’s Emperor,

(again, correct me if I’m wrong, but he refers to himself as The Emperor here)

He makes a desperate confession, to stop her from leaving- about how he had gone to Jinshi to see her, but then, when he saw her happy and laughing with Helian Zheng, he lacked the courage to approach her.

UGHHHHHHHHHH

“What do you want?” he asks, once, twice, thrice but the regret soon turns to anger, in the face of her silence...and she walks away.

but all his power can’t bring her back to him, and he’s left, again, alone.

“Fate” takes a hand again, as Ning Cheng runs off to apprehend the Huofeng gang that Helian Zheng is escorting to Jinshi. It’s kind of odd that Ning Cheng does this without informing the Emperor- like diplomatic disaster, excuse me- but I suppose if I squint really hard, I can put it down to Ning Cheng’s deep sense of failure and regret that he couldn’t protect or save Ya Le, the person most important to Ning Yi.

But of course, disaster strikes.

Helian Zheng’s death leaves a furious Feng Zhiwei

who breaks the token of their connection to each other

back in the control of The Emperor....who’s equally furious...

and so alone, he’s playing Go with himself (THIS SHOW DOES NOT FUCK AROUND, SERIOUSLY)

Me: this show is only pain, pain and more pain. WHY.

#the phoenix pit #phoenix drama #THE END IS NIGH

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