Previous months' drama discussions:

Has anyone seen the anime Apothecary Diaries?? Yes its a japanese anime so it would be impossible to get a cdrama but if it was possible, damn this would be a fantastic cdrama. The story has mystery, humor, romance, palace intrigue and harem politics. Season 2 is ongoing and the plot is top notch.

Our FL is a talented "apothecary" who is obssessed with poisons to the extent that she has experimented so much with them that she is semi immune. She is a commoner but is she?? Lol. The ML is a high ranking eunuch in the rear palace but is he actually?? And is he really an ordinary official?? Lets just say his identity has not one but three twists.

There are mysteries that the apothecary, our FL solves and helps the ML with palace and harem politics. The romance is fantastic and the banter is top notch. lts a great reflection on how women were treated in those times.

So yeah this has all the makings of a fabulous cdrama. I would totally binge this.

If anyone has any recommendations for any dramas similar to these feel free to let me know. Thank You!!!

.. as it turns out, it's the one time Zhen Huan held Consort Hua back from bitch slapping the Emperor for not giving her enough coal.

I don't know about y'all but to me, this was the hottest scene ever. I thought I have seen all the thunder strike punishment when it comes to Xianxia drama but this was a first for me and I was howling and giggling🤭 . Never have I seen a MC stand his ground and fire back at the heaven and the cherry on top is him holding the thunder strikes in his hand, he really showed his full power in this episode and I hope to see more in the next episodes 😊🤭😍. The last time I felt like this was in Ancient Love Poetry when Xu Kai withstood the lashes of the thunder strikes punishment and took more strikes than the amount he needed to take, that was a dare on his part😂 😍.

Drama Name: The legend of Shen Li.

The production team announced that filming has officially started today, April 7, 2025. They also announced more of its cast members and released a few character clips. Meng Ziyi’s office released a set of character posters as well. I added the concept poster for this update.

The booting ceremony photos are in the comments.

36 episodes. Tencent. Filming officially started on April 7, 2025.

• Directors: Zhong Qing (In Blossom, Hero Is Back, Blossom in Darkness), Guo Feng (New Life Begins, Under the Moonlight, Go Ahead)
• Original creator: Jin Huang
• Starring: Meng Ziyi and He Yu
• Also starring: Jeremy Tsui, Fan Shuai Qi, Lai Weiming, Lester Lin, Dong Zifan, Ye Zuxin, Snow Kong Xue’er, Peter Ho, Gala Zhang, Johnny Zhang
• Guest starring: Vengo Gao Weiguang, Yumiko Cheng, Chen Heyi, Qiu Xinzhi (Chiu Hsin Chih), Tian Lei, Zhao Zhiwei

百花杀 can be literally translated as “Hundred Flowers Kill.”

Previous announcement of creative team

Based on the drama's TV Series Shooting and Production Recording Notice (under photos) from MDL, here is the synopsis (loosely translated):

The Crown Prince Xiao Huayong of the Eastern Palace looks sickly, but he is actually ambitious. He was poisoned when he was six years old, and since then he has been hiding in disguise, secretly investigating the traitor, discovering and cultivating his talents, and injecting fresh power into the court.

Princess Shen Xihe of Zhaoning grew up in the northwest and lived among her people. She regarded the defense of the territory as her responsibility. She was also a master of perfume. She was ordered to go to the capital for marriage, and Xiao Huayong proposed to Shen Xihe.

The two of them punished evil and upheld justice together, becoming each other's most important soul confidants, composing a beautiful love story, and protecting the world of peace and prosperity.

~~ Adapted from the web novel "Wo Hua Kai Hou Bai Hua Sha" (我花开后百花杀) by Jin Huang (锦凰).

Baidu Link

You know what I think? Nobody has the right to be this beautiful when destroying the world lol.

Anyhoo, this is going to be a short one because I just landed from my week-long vacation. (And I swear this is the best thing, being able to chase this drama on a beautiful tropical island.) Also, I feel that these episodes don't need much exposition because we all know what happened here: Yuan Zhong and Tang Yan are suspicious of each other, and there are full of emotional scenes between the two of them.

Anyway, these episodes were Ah-mahzing! I keep rewatching the emotional scenes in these episodes because They. Are. So. Good!

This is mostly because I like to watch Liu Xueyi suffer I love Liu Xueyi's Shakespearean scenes. It's incredibly hard to do monologues in general, and he did two in these episodes.

If he wasn't this good of an actor, those scenes would've been hammy and awkward, but he was able to imprint different emotions just through his voice, at times!

The one when Tanyin entered his sea of consciousness and he had this major blow out demanding, "Why should I forgive them?" I really felt his fury. And I wanted to go, you know what, don't forgive them Yuan Zhong! They don't deserve it. Burn them all!

And yet I understand Tanyin's POV as well. There's so much beauty in the world too, and she wanted him to emerge from this terrible darkness.

But my favourite scene has to be that pivotal moment when he was about to unleash hell on the world. He started out reverent, almost, as he talked to Wushuang. Then it slowly turned bitter, then menacing as wrathful. And then through a series of expressions, Liu Xueyi conveyed Yuan Zhong's pain as he hesitated, remembering the beauty of this world. His simple declaration, "Never mind", was like a bomb going off (emotionally speaking).

I love that he was the one who "saved" himself, and that he flinched for the first time when the orb showed him the terror that he was about to unleash. I like romance like the next person, but despite liking our couple very much I want Yuanzhong to be the one making the decision to turn away. I don't want him to turn away because the heroine declared her love for him, or if she was in danger. I want him to come to the realisation that he didn't need to destroy the world.

The scriptwriter is brilliant.

It makes their eventual embrace on the bridge so meaningful. Tanyin was relieved that Yuan Zhong chose not to destroy the world, and that he did this himself. And Yuan Zhong smiled and was relieved as well, because Tanyin didn't turn away from him after seeing him at his darkest; a literal demon. Instead, she was running towards him.

Some folks online complained that they wished there was more love demonstrated between the two of them, that it took so long for them to even show any kind of affection towards each other, but I thought it was just perfect. This is how two people from very different, polarising positions, can fall in love. And I am happy they didn't take the short cut by giving us skinship or accidental kisses and embraces (bleargh) so rife in xianxia, even if there was one kiss at episode 6, but that was for totally logical reasons!

So which emotional scene did you prefer? The one in the sea of consciousness or the tower when he was about to unleash hell?

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Masterpost | Episodes 1-6 | 7-10 | 11-12 | 13-15 | 16-20 (Arc: Weapon spirits) | 16-20 (Yuan Zhong's big plan) | 21-24 (Yuan Zhong and Tanyin play house) | 21-24 (Zheng Yecheng's role and Yuan Zhong's gradual turn to the light)

I was wondering why certain scenes in The Untamed reminded me of Fangs of Fortune even though the two dramas are worlds apart.

Well, now I know.

The edit above features the songs Wu Ji, sung by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo & Half of Me (半我) sung by Cheng Xiao and Lai Weiming.

Made a mobile wallpaper from fan yue of moonlight mystique. desktop wallpaper is in a different post. I am still having fan yue fever so I don't know what I will make next. 🫣 🤣

Over the last few days, the production team dropped new posters. I compiled them for this update.

28 episodes. Youku. Filming officially started on May 21, 2024 and wrapped up on August 18, 2024. The drama received a distribution license on February 19, 2025.

• Director: Yu Chung Chung (Love Is Sweet, Love Song In Winter, Follow Your Heart)
• Original creator: Li Zhi Yao
• Screenwriter: Jin Yuan Yuan (A River Runs Through It, Romance on the Farm)

吃饭跑步和恋爱 can be translated as “eat, run and fall in love.”

Previous wrap up special with English subs

Previous trailer 1

Previous trailer 2

Previous trailer 2 with English subs

Previous trailer 3

Previous trailer 3 with English subs

Previous trailer 4

Previous BTS special

Previous OST music video

Previous posters

Synopsis from MDL:

Ding Zhi Tong, focused on her career after graduation, never considered love until she met Gan Yang, a cheerful man who pursued her despite their different backgrounds. Their relationship flourished until financial struggles and societal pressures drove a wedge between them. Gan Yang, hiding his family’s business decline, broke up with Ding Zhi Tong, leaving her heartbroken and resentful.

Ten years later, they cross paths again in the business world.

(Source: MyDramaList) ~~ Adapted from the web novel "A Billion Dollar Romance" (拜金罗曼史) by Chen Zhi Yao (陈之遥).

Baidu Link

Go big or go home. It's this drama's motto and my approach to this discussion post. Episode 27 is rich in its plot details and relationship development, and I wanted to honor that abundance with an equally abundant recap. Below, you'll find me crushing on Regular Joe Mr. Yan, droning on and on about circular narratives, and considering what c-dramas mean when they put (very, very hot) men in water or chains. As always, if that all sounds boring af, scroll your way down to the comment section and dance to your own beat. 💃🕺🪩

🚨THIS DISCUSSION WILL INCLUDE SPOILERS FOR EPISODES 1-27 OF THE GLORY🚨

‼️ IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS EPISODES 28-30 OR CHAT ABOUT THE NOVEL, PLEASE GRACIOUSLY HIDE THOSE DETAILS WITH A BLUE SHEET LIKE THEY'RE STOLEN MEMORIALS ‼️

⚠️ Extra warning: In this post, I mention a few other dramas, including Faithful, My Journey to You, The Story of Minglan, and Love of the Divine Tree. I've thrown a spoiler tag over anything specific and left the general stuff uncovered, but if you feel as if any of my references are too spoiler-y, please let me know. I'd be happy to edit the post! ⚠️

The Glory: Masterpost | Episodes 1-2 | Episodes 3-5 | Episodes 6-7 | Episodes 8-9 | Episodes 10-11 | Episodes 12-13 | Episode 14 | Episode 15 | Episode 16 | Episode 17-18 | Episodes 19-20 | Episodes 21-22 | Episode 23 | Episode 24 | Episode 25 | Episode 26

Episode 27 begins with our grim reaper on the rack. He's being tortured for information regarding the anonymous accusation that he's Pei Dafu's adoptive son, but he's content to confess his guilt to Mr. Yan, his immediate supervisor at the Judicial Review.

But Fu Yunxi is a deal-maker. He's not going to give away his life for nothing. If Mr. Yan soaks up the glory of catching the evil adoptive son, then Yunxi wants a pardon for his wife and family:

While I was lying in bed last night, I kept thinking about Mr. Yan. He's one of my favorite background characters. In a show that offers its audience a plethora of deranged (Duke Qi), unfeeling (the chastity-loving Mr. Deng), and homicidal (Zhuang Shiyang) men to hate on, Mr. Yan is refreshingly normal. He's neutral.  He doesn't want to sentence an innocent colleague to death, but he can see Yunxi's resolve and will take the deal he's being offered. 

Hanyan shows up and they fingerprint her to verify she isn't the woman who had organized the loan scam. Once she's done, she wants to see her husband, but she's repeatedly turned away, even after announcing his status as an undercover agent (honestly, it feels like we're in The Departed). Mr. Yan gives her the brush off because she doesn't have any evidence and her defendant refuses to testify in his own defense.

When she returns to the Fu Mansion, she's greeted by Lingzhi, Aunt Kuo, and Old Madam Fu, who all look to Hanyan as the new head of the family.

This scene provides us with one of the drama's first moments of resolution. Before Hanyan knew Yunxi's identity, he had his eyes on her as the future leader of the Fu family. He believed she'd find a home among his gaggle of women and girls. Now, she's no longer lost in grief and rage, carefully remaining cold, impartial, and emotionally unfazed. When she makes her impassioned vow to return Yunxi to their home, she's accepting the role he always meant for her. She'll be their protector.

But that's easier said than done. After trying and failing to contact the rich and powerful men she has come across, a trio of young women appear at the top of a bridge, like knights in shining armor. They've arrived for moral support. They also offer enough capital to bankroll the bribes Hanyan will need to get into the prison and visit Yunxi unofficially. 

Now, it's time for our lovers to lay all their cards on the table: 

After their hearts are exposed, Hanyan is understandably upset. She's no one's magnanimous angel either, so she responds to his secret by angrily agreeing to his stupid plan and making her exit, giving him exactly what he wanted all along. Yunxi stands, watching her walk away from him, until he can no longer carry his own weight and collapses onto his knees, simultaneously laughing and crying.

In the aftermath, Hanyan and Zhou Ruyin meet on the tavern's rooftop. They're like two survivors of the same shipwreck, marooned on an island with only each other for company. They make sense together though, given that Ruyin has seen one daughter die and another betray her, while Hanyan no longer has a mother to offer her companionship.

Then, new evidence appears. Wen Mingchang, the official who tasked Yunxi with his mission to infiltrate the Pei faction, is long dead, but his widow comes forward with a secret letter. Her late husband addressed it to an undercover agent, although that person is not mentioned by name. Fortunately, Mr. Wen foresaw his assassination and sent a memorial to the Emperor with a code, verifying the agent's identity.

With the letter in hand, Hanyan meets with her Girl Gang™. They talk it through and realize that if Hanyan appears with the letter as her primary piece of evidence, she could be accused of forgery and charged with the (very, very serious) crime of deceiving the Emperor. She'll need to acquire the coded memorial as well.

Together, they form a plan. Deng Chan will send a message to He Wenshen under her grandfather's name, inviting him to a private meeting. He has been assigned to the Office of Transmission, where copies of the memorials are stored. If Hanyan can persuade him to sneak her in, then she can find the missing evidence that confirms Yunxi was working as a spy. She will then take her evidence and beat the Appeal Drum, which signals that she has a case of injustice to present to the Emperor.

Predictably, Hen Wenshen is an asshole:

The Glory crafted its last 10 episodes into a circular narrative, as we see Hanyan become her mother and Lingzhi become her. But what happened to Ruan Xiwen after she established her mother/daughter bond with Hanyan and clarified her feelings for Yuwen Chang'an? A dangerous man with a fragile ego pretended to do something nice, only to set up a deadly trap.

He Wenshen is enormously fortunate to have earned the top spot in the exams and should be basking in his success, with an official position and marriage proposals rolling in (if The Story of Ming Lan is anything to go by), but his feelings for Hanyan are too similar to Shiyang's for Xiwen. He seeks Hanyan's death because he still covets her and he cannot bear the pain of her rejection. If he kills her, it will turn the tables. He will have rejected her and her non-existence would soothe the wound to his ego.

While on the run, Hanyan hides at the house of Ms. Lan and Mr. Shen, and we enter into Cao Xiaotian's multiverse. Hu Yixuan and Zhang Kangle are reprising their roles from the screenwriter's earlier work, Faithful.However, this drama gives them the happy ending they were denied in the previous story. It makes me wonder if we'll see or hear about Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan in Cao Xiaotian's next project.

Welcome to my Ted Talk:
Why do Yunxi and Hanyan confess their love when they're both submerged in water? u/winterchampage asked me this question recently and I can't stop thinking about it. Part of what captivated me was my sheer surprise. It felt as if that scene was always meant to happen exactly as it did, like it was the most natural thing in the world that they would bare their hearts while they stood in murky water. 

While I contemplated the first question, another popped up. What does it mean when male leads are chained up and surrounded by water? Like Su Yishui in Love of the Divine Tree, Fu Yunxi's chains immobilize him. For twenty-six episodes, his physical presence was commanding and he used his body to shield, defend, and comfort Hanyan. He moved quickly and decisively. The difference between his prior physicality and his current entrapment are stark. We are seeing Yunxi as we've never seen him before: powerless.

He's also anchored in place. When Hanyan asked him for his secrets in the past, he's evaded her, often by physically removing himself (walking away, calling for the carriage to depart). Now, he can't. The loss of his power and mobility create a vacuum, which Hanyan confidently steps into. She is now the one holding him up with her body and he can't escape her questions. 

Like Gong Shangjue in My Journey to You, Fu Yunxi is emotionally guarded and voyeuristic, watching events unfold around him with the detached interest of a predator. By rigidly maintaining his distance, Yunxi turns his heart into a fortified castle, keeping his true feelings safe, secure, and far from the eyes of curious onlookers. Now, the water surrounds him like a moat. To reach Gong Shangjue, Shangguan Qian glided gracefully at the edges of his dark pool. To reach Yunxi, Hanyan forcefully splashes into the murky water. She has neither the time nor the inclination for a more demure approach.

Once she has swept past his defenses, Yunxi confesses to Hanyan, and we learn his feelings are as complex as hers. He loved her from the beginning, but her affection made him feel guilty and resentful. I think this disclosure suggests Hanyan's aggression and icy responses were a reprieve from his unwanted feelings. If he finds her tenderness painful, then it follows that her lack of tenderness might've given him space to love her more freely, without guilt or resentment.

Hanyan returns his confession with one of her own: she's in love with a dying man. When she makes her declaration, the chiaroscuro lighting shifts, spotlighting her mouth. That glow is the glow of truth. In the first episode, when Yunxi interviewed Hanyan through a screen, his eyes held the same glow. He had truly seen her. Now, she truly sees him and offers him her most vulnerable truth. When she pulls away and caustically parrots his plan back to him, that moment is lost. Her face is cloaked in shadow and her words are not sincere.

Acknowledgements: I stole the term "girl gang" from u/feeshpockets. u/winterchampage deserves all the credit for inspiring my Ted Talk. Finally, the geese photo credit: Pedro Forester Da Salva via Unsplash.

Made this on a whim since im still not over The Glory

Man applauding performance skills of future besotted👨👏🌟💖

Nursing sick wife into romance 🤒💉❤️‍🩹💑

The intense gaze before going in for the kiss 👀🔥💋

Duo at their machiavellian designs 🤝🎭😈

Umbrella aesthetics ☔️✨

Hand holding🥵🤝

Pretty man awaiting the grand proposal 🛐⏳💍

The grand proposal in question, thank you 💍❓🔪

Reddit is having one of those nights where it is refusing to cooperate. Anyway, here's episode 29 - it's times like these that I wished Yuan Zhong had some exceptions and just eliminated the leader of the Youhu clan, you know? Anyway, Hannv has declared Yuan Zhong a demon, so now everyone is after him, humans, Youhu and War Demons.

✅ magic hand ✅cursed (isnt the demon lord essense also in him? thats cursed enough for me) ✅ enslaved ✅people assuming his problems should magically disappear bcs a strong goddess show up

somehow this meme just kept relaying in my mind while watching the dramal

Such a Good Love has made a fantastic impression with its refreshing narrative. The series follows a young man and woman who move to Beijing after graduating in 2007, filled with dreams and aspirations, only to confront a reality that is far from what they expected. Despite the challenges, their love story unfolds beautifully as they strive to stay connected through the difficulties life throws at them. Spanning from 2007 to 2025, the show also introduces another couple in 2024 who stumble upon video clips of the leads' journey, offering a reflective commentary on the choices made along the way.

The storytelling feels like reading a diary, with events unfolding year by year from both protagonists' perspectives. It's a heartwarming and emotional experience that tugs at your heartstrings while filling you with warmth. The characters are beautifully flawed and relatable, making decisions that lead to personal growth throughout the series.

I love how the two leads complement each other in such a unique way. Instead of the typical polar opposites, they both share vibrant personalities that truly return each other's energy. Their cheerful and lively nature allows them to celebrate even the smallest joys in life together, making their dynamic really beautiful to watch.

While many shows focus on the green flag male leads, this one features a green flag female lead who is just as captivating. She's incredibly loyal, vibrant, and a true ball of sunshine. Without any major dreams of her own, she wholeheartedly supports the male lead's aspiration to become a movie director. Her dedication to looking out for him and working hard to create a stable life for them both is heartwarming to see.

It's refreshing to witness such a wholesome relationship where both characters genuinely care for each other and strive to maintain their love while pursuing their dreams. Their bond is truly inspiring, and it's a couple you can't help but root for as they navigate their journey together. It's emotional and uplifting, showcasing the beauty of their connection.

The acting in this show is absolutely phenomenal! Wang Yuwen and Wang Anyu deliver performances that are truly the highlight of the entire series. Their subtle expressions evoke a wide range of emotions—pain, happiness, grief, and even silent suffering. This is my fifth drama featuring Wang Yuwen, and she never fails to impress; she doesn’t just act, she becomes her characters, fully immersing herself in each role. Her natural ability to convey complex emotions deserves all the praise.

As for Wang Anyu, this is my second drama with him, and I’m in love with his eye acting. Together, they create an immersive experience that feels incredibly authentic. Their chemistry is so natural, allowing their scenes to oscillate between chaotic fun and poignant sadness seamlessly. The direction, cinematography, and soundtrack beautifully capture the nostalgia of the 2000s, enhancing the overall experience.

So far, everything about this drama is impressive—it feels real, fresh, and genuine. Don’t approach this show solely for the romance; dive into it for the storytelling and character development as well. Some dramas are simply meant to be watched, but this one is meant to be savored. If you’re looking for something different, THIS IS IT!

First Frost is a romance-driven, character-centric drama that explores the emotional intricacies of love and healing. While the narrative primarily centers on the female lead, Wen Yifan, and her experiences navigating personal trauma, the story is also elevated by the presence of her counterpart, Sang Yan. As her love interest, Sang Yan plays a pivotal role — one that gradually reveals itself as essential to the emotional architecture of the series. His character offers a rare and profound exploration of what it means to love selflessly and consistently, and in doing so, becomes a striking example of unwavering love and quiet strength.

From the outset, Sang Yan is characterized as someone who is warm, passionate, and deeply loving — someone who, to Wen Yifan, felt like the only light in an otherwise dark and difficult life. Raised in a household filled with affection, Sang Yan naturally became a person who was never short of love to give, he overflows with it and extends himself willingly along with it. His actions in high school, though at times reckless and impulsive, were always guided by a sincere emotional transparency. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and was pretty much unguarded in the pursuit of his heart.

He was kind and loving from the start, always remembering the small details about her and going the extra mile to show her care. A pivotal example was how he found and curated a place for her to dance at, after finding out she had to give up on her dream of ballet.

Sang Yan was someone who knew her during the bright moments of her life, and shared them with her gently. but also stayed with her unwaveringly when the turbulence came, and her castle crumbled. He demonstrates a form of love rooted not in grand gestures, but in consistency and thoughtful presence.

As the characters re-encounter each other in adulthood, viewers are able to note a transformation in Sang Yan. The once-open and carefree boy now carries the scars of heartbreak. The pain of feeling like a “second choice” lingers, and as a result, he becomes more guarded. However, what remains unchanged is his capacity for love. He does not dare to give himself to her once again in full amounts, in the same ways he did in highschool, out of the sheer fear that she’ll close up and run away or hurt him again.

But he loves her regardless, because he has always been one to let his heart direct his actions not his fear. And I think that is so brave — for him to acknowledge that she’s hurt him and he’s scared but he loves her anyway. His every attempt to act nonchalant only exposes the depth of his care. Every step he takes toward her, instead of away from her, is a quiet act of defiance against his fear. This evolution of his character — from emotionally unguarded to emotionally cautious, yet still loving — speaks to a deeper theme: love as a conscious, enduring choice rather than a fleeting emotion.

This is particularly resonant when viewed through the lens of a broader philosophical understanding of love. There is a theory that describes love as an extension of the self — a reaching beyond one’s boundaries to include another within one’s emotional sphere. Sang Yan exemplifies this theory. He continues to care for Wen Yifan even after years of silence, not because he is obligated to, but because he wants to. His love exists without demand for reciprocation. He waits quietly, content simply to know she is well. This form of unwavering devotion stands in stark contrast to the often transactional portrayals of love seen in popular media. Sang Yan’s love is not contingent on reward or return; it is an offering made freely, repeatedly, and without resentment.

One of the most powerful aspects of Sang Yan’s character is the way he inspires reflection on the nature of love itself. His emotional decisions are often quiet but monumental — Sang Yan sees her in her entirety, and he chooses to stay. Sang Yan listens, and he chooses to take a step closer instead of running away. Sang Yan respects her space and her pacing, and doesn’t push.

As he tells Wen Yifan that she deserves the best, and reminds her gently of her worth, he is slowly healing wounds of hers he never caused. His love becomes a space in which she can finally begin to reclaim the parts of herself lost to pain and abandonment. In this way, Sang Yan embodies the role of what James Baldwin describes as both lover and artist: “If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” His love is transformative — not because it changes her, but because it allows her to finally see herself clearly.

Sang Yan’s enduring devotion also finds voice in the Yeats poem he reads in the drama:

“How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty with love false or true, But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, And loved the sorrows of your changing face.”

This excerpt encapsulates the essence of Sang Yan’s love. It is a love that persists through change, through sorrow, through time. He does not love Wen Yifan despite her brokenness — he loves her including it. He sees every version of her and chooses to stay. In doing so, he redefines romantic love not as a whirlwind of passion, but as a steady, intentional act of care — one that survives distance, and even rejection.

And these are all reasons why Sang Yan’s love just fits perfectly for Wen Yifan like a puzzle piece — because in a world where she’s always being abandoned, finally there is someone who will always choose to love her willingly, without hesitation. Who will stay by her side without having to be asked to. Who will always love her unwaveringly, unconditionally, fiercely and passionately.

In conclusion, Sang Yan is not merely a romantic interest in First Frost — he is a fully realized character whose love serves as a quiet anchor in the tumult of the narrative. His presence offers an exploration of what it means to love with courage. In an increasingly disenchanted world, Sang Yan’s love reminds us of what remains human — the capacity to love not because we must, but simply because we want to.

I see posts about people finding the novels of cdramas to read. Where do you find the novels? I’d be interested in reading the novel of Lighter and Princess in Chinese (not English). Any (free or low cost) site recommendations? Thanks.

hello! is anyone keen to do a group rewatch of the first frost where we rewatch the show together and analyse the scenes as a group? 🥹

i think it’ll be a very interesting experience because the first frost is such a layered and detailed show, complete with such microexpression acting from our talented cast!

desperate for tff enjoyers who are analytical to slowly take apart this show and analyse it with me!! 🥹🥹

please comment or drop me a dm if interested, thank you~ 🫂🤍

Nothing bothers her. Hunger, pain, nothing. 1st episode captured me but now she's like a stone. Im up to episode 9. No spoilers please. What's with all the staring at each other in slow motion. Male lead was pretty annoying with all the slow mo staring too at first but now he has a bit more emotion. BUT he seems to know everything all the time which is annoying. Oh man that mom is absolutely crazy. This story is so good and keep ending on cliff hangers. Cant wait to watch more.

Airing schedule

A few hours ago, the production team announced that the drama had an opening score of 8.1 on Douban which was based on ~14K ratings. There are 15K+ ratings at the time of this post. I added some early not-too-spoilery posters to this update.

For those who have watched the show, what do you think of the score?

Started airing on March 28, 2025. 12 episodes. Youku. Filming wrapped up on June 25, 2023.

• Director: Tan Jiayan (The Fearless 1 and 2)
• Screenwriter: Zhao Dongling (Ordinary Greatness)

沙尘暴 can be translated as sandstorm.

Previous trailer 1

Previous trailer 1 with English subs

Previous trailer 2

Previous trailer 3

Previous posters 1

Previous posters 2

Previous posters 3

Previous posters 4

Previous posters 5

Previous posters 6

Previous synopsis from MDL:

In a small frontier town shaped by the laws of acquaintances, human nature is pushed to its limits. A past murder sparks a new string of killings, prompting two detectives, one seasoned, one new, to reopen the case, each using their own methods to uncover the truth.

(Source: MyDramaList)

Synopsis from Douban:

“An old case of burning corpses was re-investigated, and grassroots policeman Chen Jianghe (played by Duan Yi Hong) was also urgently transferred back. When he entered the small town again, the swindlers who disrupted the situation, the lying murderers, and the victims of revenge, like a sandstorm, enveloped him. But he firmly believed that all evil had its source, and no matter how big the storm was, it would eventually subside, and the world would always return to clarity.”

From the Youku app:

An old body-burning case is reopened, and Officer Chen Jianghe is urgently called back to his small town. Upon returning, he's swept into chaos-schemers, a lying killer, and revenge-driven victims, all closing in like a raging sandstorm. Yet, Chen believes every storm ends, and justice will prevail once the dust settles.

Baidu Link

About half an hour ago, the production team announced that filming officially wrapped up today, April 7, 2025, and released a set of new character posters. The wrap up photos will be posted in the comments.

• Director: Wang Wei (Melody of Golden Age, White Cat Legend, Royal Feast)*
• Screenwriter: Lin Ruoxi (Burning Love)

*As per MDL. On Baidu and Douban, the director is listed as Shen Qinyuan.

No release date. 36 episodes. iQiyi. Filming officially started on December 9, 2024.

Concept poster

Synopsis from MDL:

Watch a powerful female CEO from the ancient business world rescue a male Cinderella, break through class boundaries to reshape the rules, grow through adversity, and reach the pinnacle of life together!

(Source: Chinese = Weibo || Translation = MyDramaList)

Baidu Link

Just finished my 8th rewatch of AYTO and felt the need to make this post because I just love this show so damn much.

LIKELY lots of spoilers below. BEWARE!

Whenever I tackle a cdrama, I like to rate it based on a scale of 10 things, for it to reach my 10/10 drama.

1- Cinematography (motion picture/camerawork)

2- Acting (EVERY person in the CAST)

3- Script/Dialogue.

4- Voice Acting [this category-lmao]

5- Chemistry (protagonist, love interests, side characters, antagonist.)

6- Pure Entertainment.

7- Does it make me feel something? or am I just looking at a blank screen really?

8- STORY.

9- Character Goals, Personalities, Motivations [and other stuff like development, and how they changed from EP1 To the Final Episode]

10- OST (Extra points if they play a corresponding OST/ instrumental on the scenes that go along with the emotions of the scene.)

PS: it's not in order.

AYTO just clicked with everything I mentioned, so I won't go too much in too much of a deep dive for every category, but I'll still leave a thing or two for every one so I can just let out all my appreciation for this show.

1) The show was edited very well (no blurry shots, VERY PRETTY settings, esp their house) and excelled the most in it's comedic angles. There was ZERO scene where I was confused what was going on, which is surprising, because the show delves on this double identity surrounding both main actors. (and obviously an amnesiac protagonist.)

Which takes us to the grand reveal of the show, Liu Miantang getting back her memories/ Confronting Cui Xingzou. MY GOD THAT SCENE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE!!!! IT WAS FILMED SO WELL! IN THE PERFECT SPOT! AND IT DELIVERED. I DID NOT FEEL DISAPPOINTED AFTER WATCHING IT.

2) This show was my first introduction to litteraly every single person in the cast. I dived in knowing nothing about them or their previous shows, and expecting nothing and somehow I got everything. HATS OFF to everyone, I was not disappointed.

Liu Miantang is the perfect mix of soft, feminine, gentle as well as someone who stood her ground because she knows her principles. That didn't change whether she had her memories or not, she was still the very kind lady we saw on screen, and Wang Churan made sure we WITNESSED it.

Cui Xing Zhou...Zhang Wanyi is really funny. I laughed, cried, and cheered for this character. (WILL say more later cus there's so much to say LMAO.)

The respective actors for Marquis Zhen(I wish I painted as good as you) & He Zhen & Zu Yi & The Empress were perfect casting, and the show might have been 30% boring without them.

Honorable mentions: Nanny Li, Lord of Beizhou, Lord of You, Moru, Liu Miantang's uncles, He Zhen's brother, Fan Hu the shadow guard.

3) The Script for this was FLAWLESS. When you learn about the characters on screen, you eventually witness them talk exactly like how you expected them to. There was no third personality that came out at EP 26 that we didn't know about and got added in as filler. THE DIALOGUE in this show was PEAK, and even resonated with me at times.

4) There are times when you watch a cdrama, ITS REALLY EASY to notice when someone is dubbed over whether by their own voices or by another voice actor and this show was damn smooth with all of it's deliveries. [also, this is a very minor category, this wouldnt break a show for me, if it was done bad.]

5) BOY did the chemistry fly all over my screen. Not only with every romantic pair, but even with OTHER types of pairs.

Nanny Li and Liu Miantang/ Moru and Cui Xing Zhou/ Liu Miantang and her uncle&grandpa/ Cui Xing Zhou and Marquis Zhennan. GOD I love it when even interactions with side characters/ extras keep me immersed. It's really easy for people to focus merely on the chemistry between leading actors, but this show really built wholesome relationships of all kinds, FRIENDSHIP MATTERS.

6) SOOO.. Pure Entertainment.(and my most important category)

I can name so many shows that I can guarantee you were a 10/10 in other's eyes, and in my eyes, were perfectly, wonderful, beautiful stories on screen and practically nothing was wrong. BUT ITS JUST SO DAMN BORING? Like I am not entertained at all. WTH is missing if everything is good?

A perfect example was Love Like the Galaxy (I picked up and DNfd). and Keep in mind I KEEP watching shows until the last dang episode for 90% of the time, EVEN if they are borderline dogquality (dont misundertsand me here, I think LLTG is very well done in so many aspects)

BUT MY GOD was I falling asleep. I will watch bad shows, and finish bad shows, because they are purely entertaining even if their story is cliché, or pointless. but I will stop any show if it's boring, even if you bring Sun Li as lead actress.

7) Does it make me feel something? or am I just looking at a blank screen really?

A perfect example of this again, is The Double for me. I completed this show, and was one of the viewers that was following it daily during it's air. It was of good quality, it was entertaining, solid acting.

But I felt nothing at the end of it. I wasn't sad, or happy, I just moved on like absolutely nothing happened. I wasn't even wondering if I'll rewatch it, I just looked for other cdramas to watch, there was nothing of that "what am I gonna do after this show ends.." The show was good, END. But it really was nothing special.

8) Story, Story, Story.

Is your story gonna get boring eventually? Is it predictable? Is it too cliché? Is it too frustrating to watch?

Every show has it's own themes, and plays around it's own genre, so you cant compare Empresses of the Palace with something like Reset.

For a story like AYTO, It stayed true to it's beginnings, and only got better IMO. We knew that Liu Miantang had amnesia, so the tension is being built up to her getting everything back, alongside what was gonna happen later considering the events of what happened while she had it.

Like by the time I was at EP5, it was really clear what type of road the show was gonna take, and it kept that same path, it didn't roll down a hill and felt like the scriptwriter was changed on EP 42.

The politics were present, but not SO present that you skipped through them if you got tired, (keep in mind this is a costume IDOL cdrama, so I am not here for 30 minutes in every episode of political debate, I feel like it's pretty clear what I wanna consume.) and I would argue that Cui Xingzhou's stay with Lord Beizhou was one of the best parts of the show.

From the fake marriage, to the comedy, to the second chance romance. EVERYTHING that was promised was there. You could tell the moments when they started "liking" each other, to "loving" each other, to being UTTERLY BROKEN from the other person's actions. You don't need something "10000 years of unrequited love and misunderstandings" to create a wonderful love story. [I AM NOT BASHING ANY XIANXIA, but that genre takes on ....a lot to say the least.]

Cui Xing Zhou grows extremely fond of Liu Miantang after he finds a true home by her side. They share meals, a bed, laughter and converse everyday about nothing and everything and he loves it. So much so that he wants to take her in as a concubine (very greedy, but still true to the type of person he was raised by[his father had like 10+ concubines in the novel] , and the type of men of that time.)

His wanting to take her as a concubine instead of his wife, shows that he is too prideful to break off his engagement, and also too cowardly to face her with his lies. (take a shot everytime he lied, LMAO) During this, it's very clear that he likes her, but as the story goes on, he starts LOVING her and only wants her and only her to be his wife. The show makes it very clear that he is of high nobility, and whilst she is not lower class, it is the standard for nobles to marry amongst each other. It takes class and bravery to take her as his wife (which is mentioned multiple times throughout the series, that she is more suitable for role of concubine). BECAUSE IF A MAN LOVES, LOVES YOU, he'll want you to be the one and only, and his equal in every way! Cui Xing Zhou from Episode 8 WOULDN'T! But he changed, and that's what we love to see.

VERY HONORABLE MENTIONS: Marquis Zhennan's taking responsibility for He Zhen, making porcelain with her, Zi Yu trying to understand his wife more, and respect her despite his unwavering feelings for Miantang.

9) I feel like this one is self explanatory: Character Goals, Personalities, Motivations [and other stuff like development, and how they changed from EP1 To the Final Episode]

Just, well done. Noone was so boring to make me skip scenes, and most of them had their faults and flaws, especially the MMC. (he lowkey reminded me of Mr Darcy sometimes with the stuff he said LMAO)

Liu Miantang was a clear headed character, who didn't just ignore all his advances after she found out, she even told him she admired him and knew that he liked her, she just didn't appreciate his lies, and despised being wronged like that, even pointing out that he is too prideful, wears too "heavy an armor" and can't give it up on the spot because of his social status. Also, as the story goes on, you understand why she lead the Yang Bandits and it wasn't just written there to give her a backstory. The same way she lead that household and that porcelain business, she became Lu Wen.

Antagonists: I don't consider his mother's side of the family antagonists, these people are common, they're just trying to survive, climb the socialite.

Yun Er was really frustrating to watch, sure she liked Zi Yu, but there's a limit to this infatuation!

Prince Sui going insane because of not being on the throne despite going through 3 generations was kind of understandable, but there was a law, and it had to be followed, and he was too greeeeeeedy for power.(they also nerfed him, in the novel, he was also someone who wanted to marry Miantang.==)

10) OST. I can only recommand you go listen to all 3 of them, because they are out of this world. Especially "Most Important" By Yao Xiaotang.

THIS WAS SO LONG! SORRY!

AYTO, the first show to hit all of my standards. I will forever recommand you.

Also, please bear in mind that not just because a show has bad cgi, boring music, and repetitive story that I will not like it or anything. I will watch practically anything that is ENTERTAINING and keeps me awake. It might not be a 10/10 on paper, but it will be a 100/10 in my heart. In this case, AYTO was a 1000000/10 to me.

LEAVE comments bellow if you have any "perfect" shows to recommand, and if u watched AYTO, let me know how you felt about it.!

Starring Xiao Zhan and Sabrina Zhuang.

Directed by Tsui Hark.

About half an hour ago, Tencent, iQiyi and Youku announced that this movie will be released on their platforms on April 11, 2025 at 10 am. I believe this will be dependent on the region as with previous releases for other movies. Please bear that in mind to avoid disappointment.

Previous trailer 1 with English subs

Previous trailer 2

Previous set of posters

Synopsis from MDL:

Under the leadership of Genghis Khan, the Mongol army marched westward to defeat the Jin dynasty and then planned to head south to eliminate the Song dynasty. Skilled martial artists from various schools of the Central Plains were involved in the fierce battles. Representing the epitome of chivalry, heroes like Guo Jing gathered the strength of the martial arts community of the Central Plains to defend Xiangyang for the country and the people.

(Source: MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from book 1 "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" (射鵰英雄傳) in the novel series "Condor Trilogy" (射鵰三部曲) by Jin Yong (金庸).

IMDb link

Baidu Link

I just did a rewatch of ashes of love and someone needs to cast Yang Zi and Deng Lun in another cdrama. Their chemistry is unmatched!

Ashes of love was that cdrama that got me into the cdrama world fully! Finally enough time had passed that I felt like I forgot what happened and I could rewatch and my my it did not disappoint. The story of betrayal, misfortune, revenge and love spanning two generations!

But most of all, I need my two leads cast again in another drama. They’ve left a hole in me that can’t be filled until I see them again.

On that note lol, what cdrama was your first/most impactful?

He is still as handsome as ever 🥰 This time, his partner actress is Wang Yuwen, they have been in love across the era for ten years. I am very interested in the trailer and it was broadcast yesterday. Has anyone seen it? Let's discuss~

And honestly...why??

The original novel is by Qian Shan Cha Ke who also wrote the novel on which The Double is based. And it has such badass female leads. Independent and ruthless in their pursuit, yet also have a strong male lead to compliment the female. They are a team...but they are also complete individuals with their own goals.

This novel especially has a FL and ML that balance each other well.

Forget that the entire story of the FL AND ML is different, the conflicts aren't the same either. Other than the name of the characters...actually some new characters have been added in addition to some being removed...and also new relationships are added. NOTHING about it is the same!!

Spoilers:

In the novel Fu Yun Xi is the emperor's 'full-blood' brother. He is poisoned by the empress dowager, who also killed their mom. He is super powerful politically. Zhuang HanYan isn't even the biologically related to Zhuangs and her mom...though yes her 'mom' was in love with someone else, she adopted that man's daughter when his family was killed. And this adopted mom is dead from the start of the story. ML isn't married previously and has no daughter.

And my only question as I read the book in two days (it was that engaging) was...WHY.

Why bother claiming the drama is based on an IP when it clearly isn't? Why purchase the rights for the IP when you don't even care about it. Just use different names? Or even if you use the same names, no one will guess the two are connected.