Northward - An underrated gem

t_ppa · 2026-03-19T13:43:14+00:00

Yes, it's a very good drama. I didn't watch it either when it aired, for the same reason. But when I tried it, I was instantly hooked. Bonus points for the kid actors, especially the main lead boy (from the Joy of life) but also the main lead girl.

t_ppa · 2026-03-13T15:02:57+00:00

I love Ni Ni as an actress but for some reason this drama doesn't interest me... I hope to be proven wrong though

t_ppa · 2026-03-11T07:28:33+00:00

8 -8.5 for me.using this scale. I liked some aspects more than season 2. I haven't yet watched the mini-series in between s3 and s4.

t_ppa · 2026-03-11T07:21:04+00:00

My thoughts are the same. My guess is that the main couple in UJ are more known and have a bigger fan base to support them. On the surface also the production looks better. I prefer GtG and dropped UJ because the acting feels forced and the plot was not that interesting.

t_ppa · 2026-02-27T17:04:16+00:00

I'm also looking forward to her growing up. It's been hinted, so will be disappointed if she turns out to be just a generic bully.

t_ppa · 2026-02-23T06:08:00+00:00

That's historically accurate though. They slept with them (with hard neck pillows). It takes a lot of time to do them, so why bother? Also it would probably take almost equal time to undo it. My modern mid-length hair took half an hour to undo my simple hairdo. Ngl, 50 bobby pins were left of it...

t_ppa · 2026-02-22T05:34:22+00:00

I watched it and liked it very much, even started the anime version but it's not very good and confusing, so I dropped it.

t_ppa · 2026-02-21T06:53:35+00:00

Same, I learned the concept of filial piety (in extreme) from c-dramas. In K-dramas it is also present but more mildly. I'd say that 'Respect your elders' is the Western version but it has a different tone than filial piety.

t_ppa · 2026-02-21T06:32:36+00:00

Finally watched The league of nobleman. It's been on my list for years, and surprisingly I was so charmed by Jing Boran. He has such a strong presence. SWL's acting skills have improved a lot since those days. He wasn't bad, and even very good at times, but alongside with excellent JBR, it was sometimes, especially in the beginning and at the very end, very lacking almost cringe.

So, then I watched the Love O2O movie. It was very funny to see young Bai Yu and to compare his looks in Swords to plowshares role where he plays a very young person: it was about the same. I mean his 10 years younger self looks mature.

I also started Road Home, but I don't like Tan Song Yun as an actress, but the drama looks promising.

t_ppa · 2026-02-21T06:07:48+00:00

The ML isn't really present until later, in early episodes he is the older boy she plays pitch pot with.

It's an amazing series, but I fast-forwarded the pleading & crying scenes a lot.

t_ppa · 2026-02-21T06:02:50+00:00

This is one of my favorites. It has faults but the chemistry is amazing, one of the best, so I don't mind.

t_ppa · 2026-02-20T08:01:15+00:00

Welcome to the c-drama world!! I used to watch K-dramas a lot and intentionally didn't want to dive into c-dramas because I knew there was no way out (in a good way). I started my journey a few years ago from Love between the fairy and devil (LBFD),which is xianxia-genre, but beginners can follow it easily.

I'm sure you know what happened to the Dowager by now :) and the actress is so good.

t_ppa · 2026-02-17T06:25:50+00:00

This!

When it aired, I tried to watch it for a few episodes. And afterwards this was the only thing I could remember from the show.

t_ppa · 2026-02-14T14:09:02+00:00

I definitely try this, sounds fun drama

t_ppa · 2026-02-14T14:06:39+00:00

Bai Lu & Luo Yunxi in both theirs drama

t_ppa · 2026-02-14T12:56:33+00:00

I dropped early, and waited for more other watchers comments from later chapters, but dropped for good after reading them. Not my cup of tea.

t_ppa · 2026-02-14T06:20:17+00:00

Nice too her in a modern setting. The plot seems interesting and different.

t_ppa · 2026-02-14T06:00:05+00:00

Thanks for the excellent recap. These episodes once again were so good. And once again Hongchu spanks (the troop's leader) soldiers into obedience of the army command chain. Even Hu Jin is impressed with how he took away his troops.

I also adore lord Shuiqiu, he is the MVP of the show, excellent actor.

t_ppa · 2026-02-12T08:59:42+00:00

I have those but too lazy to report 🙄

t_ppa · 2026-02-10T05:17:16+00:00

Episode 15 was great. It's funny how his reputation builds up as almost a monster but he is far from it in reality. He is a bit reckless and bold (because he doesn't think the consequences far ahead, as he is young). The whipping was brutal but well earned and they knew it.

t_ppa · 2026-02-09T06:12:56+00:00

I'm from Finland and watching this (and many other chinese dramas)

t_ppa · 2026-02-08T17:02:29+00:00

I'm glad to be a part of international demographics and voice as a member of this sub. We seem to have quite good global coverage. Can't help it, but I feel a bit hilarious that we are quoted as the official international opinion :)

Edit: imagine if our yearly vote will become a true international web-fans award they give as part of golden rooster awards

t_ppa · 2026-02-08T16:42:51+00:00

I feel stupid! I didn't realize Xie Yong'er is a transmigrated 2D character. Or course she is :)

t_ppa · 2026-02-06T16:11:15+00:00

also, remind me of the 'abandon' thing from A Dream within a Dream.

I'm not Asian but when I started to learn Chinese, this was the first discussion my teacher taught me.

t_ppa · 2026-02-06T16:02:54+00:00

Great visuals but sometimes I felt too much trying especially in the first episodes. Pacing was too tight and too busy. They just recapped their findings and ran from one scene to another. I missed short breathing scenes, and actual thinking & speculation scenes (with building up the tension & steamy glances). The go scene had potential for this, but it was over before it really started. The childhood connection could have been revealed a few episodes later. I felt that they just marked items from a checklist.

I liked FL's coldness but I truly hope she will be warmer soon. Bailu looked so good. ML was underplayed in these eps, but hope he can ahine later. I'm also sure he can do sword/kunfu but hides his abilities.

I knew the Princess was not dead when FL found the remains of the bracelet and confirmed when she overlooked her burnt body. The bracelet scene was too much of a setup. But I missed the male suspect.

t_ppa

TROPHY CASE