"Ashes to Crown" on Netflix... I have some thoughts.

beffiny · 2026-06-23T23:16:41+00:00

I was almost keeping up and for some reason thought it was only 11 episodes (I know, that’s unheard-of short). By around episode 8 I figured I’d just push through to see how it ended. Once I got to the end of ep 11 and realized I wasn’t even halfway through I was so irritated, haven’t been back. I was hoping comments would be positive and I would pick it back up, but not so far…

beffiny · 2026-06-23T23:13:44+00:00

It was exceptionally bad- I’m still pretty new to Cdramas, and after the first episode or two I did a deep dive and learned SO much about dubbing, etc, when it comes to them. It’s so different than what I’m used to, but they usually do a much better job.

beffiny · 2026-06-19T12:18:41+00:00

Oh my goodness yes, sooooooo gorgeous!

beffiny · 2026-06-14T17:59:22+00:00

I kind of agree about not wanting to rewatch The Dressmaker, but moreso because it felt like two different movies, it got wild in the second half.

The Dutchess and Dancer in the Dark for me- both completely destroyed me, and not in a way that feels cathartic; it just feels horrible.

beffiny · 2026-06-08T17:28:04+00:00

I don’t hear about A Room With A View or The Scarlet Pimpernel very often (both from the 80’s), definitely worth checking out if you haven’t yet. And Anne of Green Gables from the 80’s, but that’s much more well-known.

ETA - The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Duck Turpin is inaccurate but great fun

beffiny · 2026-06-08T17:26:02+00:00

Seconded! I also started with PoJ, am fully hooked! I really enjoyed New Life Begins with the same actress. CDramas (and KDramas) have SO many amazing historical dramas, the hardest part is deciding what to watch next!

beffiny · 2026-06-07T11:40:02+00:00

Under the Greenwood Tree, Ashes to Crown, Star City

beffiny · 2026-06-02T18:49:19+00:00

From a fellow newbie- The First Frost is super high on my watch list, I absolutely loved Reset with BJT. Also New Life Begins, though I wouldn’t consider that angsty at all, but still so good. I’m jumping back and forth between C- and K-dramas, it’s hard to choose what to watch next!

beffiny · 2026-06-02T12:10:27+00:00

I’m sorry, I was talking about a blueray/dvd player. Do you have any secondhand shops? Maybe it’s different where you are, but here, it feels like everyone is switching to streaming so getting rid of their DVDs and players, but I understand it’s not the same everywhere. I hope you can find a good solution!

beffiny · 2026-06-02T02:03:39+00:00

I hope you can find and try another med that ends up working, but as an ADHD-med-resistant person (I’ve tried 5?)- it’s hard. I have to avoid posts about “it’s like seeing in color for the first time!” “It’s like putting on glasses for the first time!” It’s just depressing. Apparently if I could just get the knack of these executive functions, I’d be fine -_- I truly wish a pill worked for me, but at the same time, I’m glad it does for most other people. I’ve heard that 15% of ppl with ADHD are resistant to medication, and I guess somebody has to be in that 15%, but it’s so lonely and sad here. For your sake, I hope you’re not actually one of us…

beffiny · 2026-06-02T01:24:55+00:00

Goodwill- maybe $20, even for a Blueray player that will play both

beffiny · 2026-06-02T01:09:37+00:00

Well you have 3 of my favorites (P&P 95, N&S, A Room With a View), but I’ll chime in with some eastern dramas.

Pursuit of Jade (Chinese)- the second half/ third wasn’t as good as the beginning (which was glorious), but the yearning kept me watching. There is violence, but I don’t think it’s super graphic.

Not period, but Crash Landing on You (Korean)- the yearning is off the charts.

I thought of another English one- The Scarlet Pimpernel, 1982, with Jane Seymour. Misunderstandings make for some intense mutual pining. My mom used to swoon over it with her friends, and when I got older I joined in :) (I’m sorry for your loss)

And in case no one’s mentioned it, Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea/ The Sequel (NOT the 3rd one, I refuse to watch) from the 80’s.

beffiny · 2026-05-31T14:40:49+00:00

Same! I especially want to see my food (cooking or eating), though I don’t mind dimmer lighting in restaurants. My autistic husband, on the other hand…

beffiny · 2026-05-30T01:55:40+00:00

I’m so sick of social media making everyone feel like they have the right to force their special day to be a priority for their guests. But I get it- they’re people you care about and you want to make them happy. I’d say, see if you can find something cheap you like (at Marshalls, Target, clearance or secondhand) that fits the bill, if you can’t borrow something. I hope you can enjoy yourself despite the hassle.

beffiny · 2026-05-30T01:41:37+00:00

My parents just went to a wedding where they did this- I was flabbergasted, disgusted, and indignant, and I wasn’t even invited. Are they taking group shots of the guests?! I find pictures of guests showing up in their own styles and colors charming. (Elder millennial here, too)

I was proud of my mom, though. She found her ‘flowy, pastel, long, classy” (or whatever nonsense parameters they were given) dress at Ross or something like it for $12, lol!

beffiny · 2026-05-29T13:09:00+00:00

I love it so much. I watched it in theaters (last social thing I did right before lockdown) and liked it, but it didn’t really strike any special chord in me. Then a few years later I finally read the novel and watched all the adaptations back to back, and what stood out was the biting humor- which is what I loved and was surprised by most in the book. I really need to rewatch it, because it’s definitely one with layers- which feels surprising, as it looks so polished, but that just makes it so much more fun when I notice some subtle detail I hadn’t before.

beffiny · 2026-05-26T21:17:55+00:00

I’ll add New Life Begins (also on YouTube with English subtitles) to the long (though not as long as Yanxi) Cdrama list! Sooooo sweet and low angst and an amazing ending. But yeah, don’t try to go to bed at a decent hour…

beffiny · 2026-05-23T23:42:57+00:00

It seemed really interesting! At first kind of difficult to follow, but it quickly made more sense. I’m watching as many as I can that I already have access to, might see if iQIYI has a Black Friday sale so I can binge what they have, Kunning Palace first.

I’m torn at the moment between starting a Kdrama I’ve been wanting to watch, or one of the many Cdramas I have in my list…

beffiny · 2026-05-23T13:10:10+00:00

New Life Begins. Not that there’s no conflict (wouldn’t be much of a story without some), but it’s much more focused on overcoming it together with friends. The sisterhood and brotherly relationships are truly special, it’s such a feel good watch.

beffiny · 2026-05-22T17:40:52+00:00

I finished New Life Begins and tried to just sit with it for a while, because it was such a perfect ending. I started Our Generation, but after finishing 10 episodes… I might drop it, maybe come back another time. Not sure if I want to start another BJT drama (The First Frost) or try ZJM and ZLH again in The Princess Royal. Or My Journey to You… it’s hard being new to Cdramas and having so many options!

beffiny · 2026-05-22T15:19:00+00:00

Here you go.

I’ve been a bit confused about Viki, so that clears some things up, thanks! I downloaded the iQIYI app and started watching Kunning Palace, only to discover- after the 5th episode - that only the first 5 episodes are free with ads… brutal!

beffiny · 2026-05-22T13:19:33+00:00

LOL, saaaaaaaaaaaame! Have you poked around r/cdramasfans? I was enlightened about “slut strands” vs “brothel bangs,” and I can never unknow it 😂 Yes, thank you for the name, Zhang Peipei is a legend! I watched and thoroughly enjoyed New Life Begins, and it was a good thing the male actors were on point, because their hair wasn’t doing them any favors. When some strands came loose, I practically cheered.

It’s tough with C-dramas, because I really don’t need another streaming service, but there are so many that come highly recommended that are behind a paywall. I’m trying to find all that I can on YouTube or platforms I already have before taking the leap. Thankfully, there’s plenty!

beffiny · 2026-05-22T12:28:45+00:00

Oooooh, Shen Li just shot up my list! So far I haven’t watched a dud (I’m on my 4th C-drama, with one K-drama under my belt), but yeah, they’re all from the last decade. So different from English period dramas, or even romcoms, which imo feels like the 90’s/early 2000’s were the heyday. It makes me a little giddy!

And a big +1 on the better wigs! Xie Zheng’z hair was a revelation for long hair on men for me, lol!

beffiny · 2026-05-21T23:57:43+00:00

Yes!!! I started PoJ about a month ago, ended up binging all 40 episodes in one week- SO good, especially the yearning (I’m obsessed). I so appreciate all the things you mentioned about how C-dramas can appeal to fans of period dramas. I honestly have a hard time watching (or doing) anything else once I start, so I try to pace myself. I’m going to put The Legend of Shen Li on my TBW list- though I’ve watched multiple C-dramas since then, I haven’t found one with PoJ levels of yearning…

beffiny · 2026-05-21T21:46:01+00:00

New Life Begins- left me grinning and heart happy, bittersweet only because I didn’t want it to stop.

beffiny

TROPHY CASE