You know what #Cdramas do so well?
Emotional intensity. #Chinese people are stoic, reserved and not physically demonstrative. So, one has to read the emotional queues in a glance, a gesture and most importantly through words. For eg, in #JoyOfLife2 polite words are exchanged in seemingly genteel banquets, but there's no mistaking the hatred. ❤️ Is expressed through a longing look & a tear. When characters finally get physical, the tension is explosive! 🙀 #Cdrama
You know the kind of drama where every moment is just an utter delight that you wished it was 70 episodes long? #JoyOfLife2 is it. The last drama that was like that for me was Mysterious Lotus Casebook.
I know this is probably the last week for #JoyOfLife2 but damn it the 2 ep per day release is slowly killing me inside despite me just being on episode 10. That's because I know the last arc is a really exciting one and I want it to be here NOW
Just finishing episode 5 of “Joy of Life” 🌸 The drama feels very different from more standard Cdramas. Difficult to pinpoint exactly why. Perhaps it is because it allows its characters to be flawed?
Wang Yang as the assassin with a backstory who turns into a helper has great charisma. Nice to see actors who are not extremely young, being given meaty roles to play.
The cutest boyband ever! If only they weren't trying so hard to kill each other 😆
PS: Found this on Twitter. Couldn't get this out of my mind cos they look so cute in this clip! I am taking my time with #JoyOfLife2. Only at episode 2 and this is because I rewatched the episodes twice haha. JOL has such intricately written plots you really need to pay attention!
Just beginning to watch season 1 of “Joy of Life” 🌸 It is still laying the foundations of the drama but there is already a sense of foreboding. Zhang Ruoyun has a very charismatic presence - slightly goofy but clever.
Ting Meishi has a brooding, underplayed aspect that complements Zhang Ruoyun’s more mercurial character.
Somebody shared the #JoyOfLife novel, translated into English (her pet project) in epub.
I was bracing myself to read it on the web. I tend to compile the reads into an epub for my own personal consumption as I don't really enjoy reading things on the web. Fansubbers don't like people scrapping their stuff and resharing (for obvious reasons) but as this is from the translator herself, I think it's safe to share.
Just finished “Will Love in Spring” 🌸 It was a beautifully realistic depiction of two traumatized people, trying to make a long-distance relationship work. The female lead was immature and selfish, though, and had to do some growing up before they could have a future together.
So, I’m taking the plunge 🌸 For some reason, I never got round to watching the first season of “Joy of Life”. But now that the second season is airing, it makes sense to watch the first season and then head over to the second season afterwards.
Am halfway through “Will Love in Spring” 🌸 It is a healing drama with a very realistic twist and a good sense of humour. The female lead has her own life in Shanghai and the male lead has chosen to return to their hometown to work and take care of his grandmother. Their feelings are real and based on teenage feelings, but making a relationship work in adult life is tricky.
Great chemistry and acting that makes the dilemma feel real…
Any #cdrama fans watched wuxia ‘Heroes’ (2022)? Thoughts?
Viki is streaming it. Noticed it has my crush Liu Yu Ning AND Joseph Zeng in it. Plus Baron Chen as villain.
Director is same as the beautiful Farewell My Princess.
Based on a novel by Woon Swee Oan, the Hong Kong-based Malaysian Chinese poet and writer who also inspired series & film, The Four. The novel is about the nature of heroes.
Finished #BlossomsInAdversity. Loved it. Would have loved 15 more minutes of the ending and watching people react to the big reveals (hi! the random beggar your family took in is now emperor!), but very good all around. Very cathartic.
I need more recs for happy, found family, make-you-smile-and-warm-your-heart type of dramas. I don't mind murder and chaos as long as my people have a happy ending. Recent likes have been #BlossomsInAdversity, #StoryOfKunningPalace, I also liked #JoyOfLife & #MeetYourself.
Decided to watch “To the Wonder” next 🌸 It is a short drama, but sounds promising. It is about a Han girl meeting a man from a different ethnic group in China.
Just finished watching “Blossoms in Adversity” with Hu Yitian and Zhang Jingyi 🌸 It was such a gentle drama about a young woman and her family who experience hard times, but who manage to thrive in the end because of their humanity and business skills. The main couple has a sweet vibe and their love feels real even without much skinship.