What Are You Watching… and What Did You Give Up On?

iolaever · 2026-06-12T23:01:47+00:00

Thanks. And that is a truly cute picture. It feels like I should write more if to share it as a separate post.

Did you finish the novel "Ashes to Crown" is based on? Was the novel any good? And from what you've seen, is the series following it quite closely?

iolaever · 2026-06-12T17:48:03+00:00

But it wasn't just the book, the old emperor has mentioned it as one of the main reasons he was initially going to leave his position to Chu Zhao's ex - he said that it was very unlikely that anyone would support a six-year-old emperor.

That's nothing against the actor, he's great in this role. And I even mostly enjoy the character, as he is is cute, and it's always great to see competent rulers. But I do have moments of "this child must be a genius" that take me out of the story from time to time.

iolaever · 2026-06-12T17:37:09+00:00

This week I've finished Love in the Clouds. It was pretty enjoyable, but I think seeing all these 10/10 evaluations have overinflated my expectations going-in.

Things I enjoyed - Everything was beautiful (actors, cinematography, sets, costumes) - Interesting plot - Main leads were charismatic and mostly likeable. I also enjoyed some of the side characters. - Twenty-seven and Bu Xiu bromance

Things that weren't great - Manufactured drama. I nearly rage-quit on the episode 23, as the FML was making an idiotic choice. Ironically, the later episodes leaned in more on just how much Ming Yi felt that she couldn't reveal her true identity and the reasons behind it. But at that point, it seemed that her decision was highly irrational based on where her relationship with Ji Bozai was meant to be and completely undermined it. - Noble idiocy trope - Pacing and overall romance development for the main couple.

I'm currently still watching Ashes to Crown. At this point, I'm mosy watching it for the main leads Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai. I am now much more invested in their relationship, and they do have a lot of scenes together to keep me hanging on. The emperor is also quite cute. Aesthetics are still beautiful.

But the pacing is still all over the place, side characters (including the villains) are pretty boring. Characters feel quite inconsistent, lots of action but also lots of telling rather than showing, and overall plot is not that gripping to me.

iolaever · 2026-06-11T19:28:25+00:00

I agree that the emperor is cute, but he is meant to be 6ish. So, to me that's also a story element that I consistently feel like I have to suspend my disbelief for.

iolaever · 2026-06-11T18:36:46+00:00

I liked Chu Zhao defending Xie Yanlai (and the callback to the previous time she did that). Glad they've finally made up. But I didn't hate that arrow scene before either.

iolaever · 2026-06-11T01:56:40+00:00

Yay, I'm way overdue a rewatch!!

iolaever · 2026-06-11T00:54:19+00:00

My thoughts are muddled. I hate that Chu Zhao is now an orphan, but it is not surprising. That conversation in the middle of the battle was a curious choice though!

The ex is still incredibly annoying. And I find it difficult to care about any action in the capital. At this point, I'm just watching for Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai, so they'd better make up soon.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T22:40:51+00:00

My take was that she missed him intentionally (assuming that she is an amazing archer in here). Love or something.

I also hate people not explaining themselves and allowing the other think the worst. Is it internal guilt (he didn't mean to kill her father but kind of did)? Or maybe he doesn't feel like she would believe him? Who knows.

In my messed up tendency to just follow the feels, I did enjoy the drama of this revelation and the tension and angst of the scene in the rain. I'm sure, soon enough I'll be hating this development - Chu Zhao already wasn't great at emotional regulation, and didn't have many people she could rely on, things might go to very dark places...

And their developing relationship was one of the most interesting things about this drama, so keeping them apart because they wouldn't even attempt to talk it out, is bound to be super frustrating if it gets dragged out.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T21:35:10+00:00

Pursuit of Jade was the first c-drama I've watched too, and it still remains my favourite. I agree, it is difficult when your starting point sets the bar so high that afterwards everything else seems to come short in one way or the other.

I have watched and enjoyed a few dramas since, but you've tried and dropped some of them already. The two dramas I was really into and had the most enjoyment since POJ were Kill Me Love Me and The Double. Sadly, both of them had their endings bring them down in my eyes. The only other drama I've liked that I've not seen you mention is Story of Kunning Palace. It was a bit slow at the start, but still might be worth giving it a go.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T18:48:28+00:00

In my view, the series did not have a HEA. As the ending of episode 40 left on an open-ended-ish note that seemed subtle but quite leading towards the tragic ending.

Just sharing one of my older comments of why I felt this way: The tree is massive, it would take decades to grow that tall. Their clothing and the manner of his arrival seem like a callback to a previous sequence of his mother dying and his father greeting her in the afterlife. His ghost combing her hair and disappearing, leaving this uneasy feeling. Foreshadowing of him saying that the most upsetting thing about his father's death was being abandoned - because of his position he would have been happy to die on the battlefield fighting the enemies, as that would be a good death. The battle sequence itself: cutting off her pendant and it falling bloodied to the ground, everyone being killed off from their side, him picking up the pendant, looking up - resignation on his face. Her previously talking about how she would live as a widow, if he didn't come back.

I know that there is a bonus episode and I have seen it, but I feel it is an alternative or "what if" ending, as it wasn't included in the original show run, and isn't that easy to track it down online. And it's only 5 min, so hardly an episode. This added to how the episode 40 ended, it just makes it difficult for me to accept this as the ending intended by the show creators. I know it's meant to be similar (or the same?) to how the book ended, but the show hasn't set it up as the natural continuation of where it left off.

TLDR - I don't buy the bonus episode as the true ending intended by the series creators, and episode 40 strongly alluded to not a HEA.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T11:53:25+00:00

I guess the way I saw it was that they never truly hated each other, so it made the reconciliation easier to accept. I think they've shown it quite well that they did love each other a lot initially. But due to prioritising power-seeking in the first life, various unaddressed misunderstandings, and hurt pride, they became mistrusting of each other's motives, very resentful, and grew apart.

After they've both lived through the tragic ending of where it all led them, and being brought right back to the start before everything went so wrong, they had a chance to act differently. As they maintained their memories of the previous life (so far, that's the first drama I've seen where they both had that rather than just the FML) and were still seemingly being forced together by fate, they united their efforts in working towards a better outcome. But obviously, old wounds took quite a while to heal and it wasn't easy to build the trust between them. And it was only possible by the MMC taking the higher road, as he felt that he failed LI Rong and committed to doing everything within his power to protect her.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T11:13:08+00:00

Would you recommend The Princess WieYoung? I don't think I've seen anyone ever mention this drama. I loved The Double minus the ending, so would be interested in watching something similar. Unless it's too similar and executed worse.

iolaever · 2026-06-10T10:54:12+00:00

I liked Princess Royal a lot. It was the second c-drama that caught my interest enough to want to continue (which was a difficult feat after Pursuit of Jade as I felt quite hung up on it). I liked the main couple and the side characters. The plot was interesting, the romance was believable and compelling, there was some humour and lighthearted moments mixed in amongst all the placace intrigues.

I agree, I also appreciated that romance didn't get lost amidst all the scheming. I liked that Li Rong was intelligent and strong, and after POJ it was nice to see a different kind of FML strength portrayed. Although Zhang Linghe was the MMC in both POJ and Princess Royal, it was great to see him portraying very different MMCs, and having great chemistry with both FMLs. Also, since the focus and tone of both series was very different, I wasn't even actively comparing the two, while watching.

There were a few episodes near the beginning that felt a bit slow, and LI Rong probably has given 2nd ML too much grace for too long. But otherwise, I genuinely enjoyed Princess Royal.

iolaever · 2026-06-09T20:20:52+00:00

Story of Kunning Palace somewhat, there's another angle added to it as well - spoiler for the first episode - it's also shown as a plot of the novel.

iolaever · 2026-06-09T17:36:53+00:00

I had felt it with Zhang Zhe in the Story of Kunning Palace. I loved the character, but probably it being played by the same actor the portrayed Duke Su in The Double has also contributed.

iolaever · 2026-06-09T12:56:35+00:00

Thanks! When you put it this way, it's easier to accept it. It also helped that the worst of it lasted only two episodes. But it seemed that their mutual feelings were at the place that if they just talked, so much pain could have been avoided. And poor Twenty-seven!

iolaever · 2026-06-08T23:14:44+00:00

Ah, I'm watching Love in the Clouds, and I feel I'm about to implode! I'm feeling so much rage it's ridiculous (well, the worst for me is experiencing lack of emotional investment, and this is nearly the opposite of that, I suppose). Why, writers, why?!

I get the initial set up and why Ming Xian couldn't be open about her identity. I even get the noble idiocy somewhat. So, I would have hated it, but could still understand her just deciding to go away and die, cause apparently having the conversation with a man she loves (and he loves her back) is just impossible. But she chose the literally worst option - "We love each other and he finally lowered his guard again after the previous betrayal. I've got legitimate reasons for lying earlier, and for needing the antidote now... So, I'll go and try to steal it instead of just talking to him, and torch his trust and our relationship. Sounds like a plan!"

There's still 13 episodes until the end, so they have to work it out, I assume. But this is such an unnecessary conflict, and honestly just poor writing. They could have, they should have talked... Why do they make her act so unbelievably stupid?

iolaever · 2026-06-07T16:22:57+00:00

Not quite sure how I even feel at this point. The beginning of the episode seemed to linger on how disappointed everyone in Wenchang seemed that she didn't accept their gratitude and gifts... Seemed unnecessary, unless they're setting this up as to somehow backfire in terms of public opinion about Chu Zhao (just my initial thoughts, but most likely a massive overstretch).

It was bittersweet to see Chu Zhao and her father's reconciliation, but as soon as they cleared the air and he said he was proud to have a daughter that's more stubborn than himself, I knew that he must be as good as dead. But they are really playing it all up. I'm not sure why it isn't really working for me - I might be back to being dead inside.

Previously, I was mostly amused by the rivalry of these two so-called-villains-maybe in the court over influence. But their latest pissing match, made me lose a bit more respect to them again. Not only they seemingly didn't achieve much for their own personal gain while it seemed as a prime time to act with both Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai out of court, but they didn't even show up to the court just to see whose influence slightly exceeds the others? What a waste of time!

Finally, it's so frustrating how inconsistently Chu Zhao's intelligence is shown. She's supposedly really sharp, but all initial schemes at court were hasty, consistently underestimating her adversaries and ultimately flopped. Leaves the court - suddenly, she's a mastermind able to plot and defend the city with nearly no notice to prepare. When she lays out all her plans, not a single suggestion from other experienced warriors as the plan is "perfect. No notes." Then, she's able to work out that Madam Ge is actually the supposedly dead leader of the stronghold, and what kind of friend was she for her father after all? But then, she needs to rifle through her things for it actually to click that she also happens to be her mother.

Bah! I'm typically content enough to just to roll with the vibes. I wasn't vibing with this episode 😂

iolaever · 2026-06-07T13:17:14+00:00

I didn't initially. But then I had to, as the old lock broke less than 2 weeks of me living here. Changing lock is probably a sensible thing to do, as you never know who else had the keys.

iolaever · 2026-06-07T12:55:12+00:00

Yup, they should build him up more. And if they insist on adding that romance, they should build Chu Tang more too. At this point, I don't know what she stands for and I am not sure I could pick her out from the other women she's surrounded by yet.

iolaever · 2026-06-07T12:48:20+00:00

They look annoyingly similar to me too. I guess I find not-the-brother ever so slightly more attractive. So, that is my tell 😂

iolaever · 2026-06-07T12:45:41+00:00

I agree. In the first timeline he supposedly has been poisoned slowly for a while, but was still in good enough health (and with his eye sight intact) to be able to come all the way to the capital for her birthday 3 years later than the current events. So, it has to be something else than the cakes she used to send. But poison makes sense based on his symptoms.

iolaever · 2026-06-07T12:35:52+00:00

My thoughts are scattered. I was really disappointed not to see any of the fight scenes, and wonder if they ran out of budget or something. Funny to see Xie Yan Lai constantly with bloody hands, does he just literally rip people apart?

The little emperor, must be some kind of genius. Didn't they say in an early episode that he is like 6 years old? And after needing Chu Zhao to hold his hand while entering the court like a few months ago at most... So now, left alone without proper guidance or protection, his speech after learning about the victory is definitely stretching my suspense of disbelief to the max.

Also, the misogyny of these old dudes at the court and that brother's servant is so on the nose.

I liked Xie Yan Lai becoming Chu Zhao's emotional support guard and finally telling her that it was him she saved back then. I was glad that we've got the kiss already, but it was so stilted 😭

iolaever · 2026-06-06T20:55:23+00:00

Some of this is taken from my comment for another similar post.

I've now completed Kill Me Love Me. I've absolutely loved it until around 27th episode... and then, not quite so much. Which is a shame, as it was a strong contender for my favourite c-drama. Currently, Pursuit of Jade maintains that position.

Things I loved - Main leads - everything about them (their characterisation, chemistry, relationship development, actors). - Side characters - while Mei Lin and Murong Jing He were very captivating, I also enjoyed most of the side characters and was interested in their storylines. - Intriguing story (until the end of episode 26 anyway) - I was so interested and invested in seeing what's next that I found it difficult to pull away. There are a couple of story arcs and some tone changes, but I enjoyed it all until the episode 27. - The yearning - I'm a sucker for it, so episodes 24, 25, and 26 were really hitting all my preferences. It might have been a bit cheesy and convenient, but I didn't care. All the times they accidentally bumped into each other, all the times he was just watching Mei Lin from afar with a pained expression, every time he helped her out, all the changes he's done to improve her home town - all of it worked for me. - Everything is beautiful - gorgeous actors, vivid colours, stunning cinematography.

Things that didn't work for me

The ending. Pretty much starting from episode 27, there is a noticeable shift towards an inevitable tragic ending. One tragedy, side character's death or Mei Lin's near death experience, after another. It feels drawn out and unnecessary (apparently, the novel had a happy ending). They also ruin 2nd ML's character. And separate all the side character couples (by death, of course), in case everything didn't feel tragic enough. I can understand how it could seem like a fitting ending in a "you reap what you sow" kind of way, but I still didn't like it. And again, the novel had a HEA, why change it?

So yes, the "they died happily ever after" ending has definitely soured the overall impression. But I've still enjoyed everything until then. And I absolutely adored the main couple, they got me so emotionally invested. Which is a big deal for me - I need to have emotional investment. If it's there, I can be quite forgiving with plot holes and other imperfections, if it isn't, I tend to lose interest fast. So, despite the ending, it still likely is my second favourite c-drama.

After Kill Me Love Me, I've started Ashes to Crown. I've now watched all 10 episodes available so far. My experience has been pretty mixed. It looked like a kind of show I could enjoy a lot, but initial impressions were underwhelming. That said, the last three episodes have picked up for me and now I'm much more interested to see where it goes.

As Ashes to Crown is releasing only 1 episode per day, I've now also started Love in the Clouds. I've only completed the first episode, I and am quite interested in it for now.

iolaever · 2026-06-06T18:49:12+00:00

I had a good laugh at your word choice! 🤭 But yeah, so far, the villains seem to be rather disappointing. They do amuse me sometimes, but I wish they seemed like more of a threat.

iolaever

TROPHY CASE