IpohBanana

@gilaswan indeed - April 2020, Feb 2021 -hhmmm issues with condensing the script? Oh yes, mouth feeding is a pretty popular trend. I mean is swallowing a reflexive action? I was watching to see if ZLS had a movement in her throat to indicate she swallowed - thank heavens the director was smart enough to direct and film that. I've seen versions where the unconscious person doesn't swallow! Not only teenage leadership, what happened to the vengeful daughter who swore to kill the murderer? suddenly that's disappeared? and what happened to the hordes of Wulin Martial artistes who were yelling blue murder and flamed with passion to mete justice? No orcs around this time to blame upon (citing the case of the missing horses in LOTR) Don't start me on the topic of carrying items beneath their clothings! My parents who were avid viewers of Kam Yung wuxia dramas in the 80's used to say this: money doesn't weigh much - they will nonchalantly fish silver and gold ingots out of their billowing sleeves, their clothes have massive capacity to carry things that never fall out - even though the material doesn't look like canvas, and they will have enough clothes and food to eat eventhough they don't seem to be carrying much upon themselves [BFX told the young Han Pu, we have yet to pack, we are leaving for the Sec tomorrow, yet the day after, they didn't appear to have any form of luggage on them?]

@gilaswan plot holes and human infallability...sigh, I doubt there's ever been a drama where we as viewers couldn't find a bone of contention or two to pick. Too much and the protagonists are unbelievable, too little and they seem incongruent with their characters! Though, I agree that Master Bai fell short of our expectations and I was gnashing my teeth during that scene. But then again, if you've watched enough wuxia dramas (well, in my growing up years anyways), they tend to be dense when they need to be, and smart when they need to be. LOL My logic about YWY, he wasn't deemed a trouble maker, so intel decided not to dig into his background - even if the Fountain Abode had long tentacles, they didn't have access to CCTVs and tap phone or WhatsApp conversations, could they? So, I suppose, they can be excused from oversight. keh keh keh As for daddy dearest, let's see if the director has been misleading us or as you put it, our judgement is way off!

@gilaswan The ruling to cap dramas to 40 episodes was reported in the media towards the end of April 2020 (In response to Chinese premier Xi Jinping’s directive on increasing the country's cultural footprint and soft power, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has released a notice that sets hard limits on series lengths and more stringent rules governing production budgets. Source: thedrum.com) Who Rules the World began filming on February 3, 2021. Though I can't find what was the original episode count, you can imagine the havoc it created, because they would have filmed more than 50% by then? So, the issue of pacing and editing (missing the mark) can be explained, even if somewhat less palatable to audiences.[my bad, I can't seem to count anymore, post-covid, indeed, some months would have passed by then, wouldn't it?] Thanks for pointing out the differences. Culturally, there may jolly well be some truth to what you are saying. I think there are also other factors and considerations that come into play. I've conducted interviews on people before and the way they choose to answer can be somewhat telling, only if they reflect their authentic self. My two cents' worth - there are two sides to what people portray in interviews (bearing in mind this is publicised in the media): a work mask (if they choose to uphold a certain public image) and the authentic self (when one isn't putting up a mask). For public figures, like artistes, some choose to preserve their image by putting up the work mask, being mindful of their actions and words, but there will inexplicably be moments where they let slip certain things. And for those who are truly comfortable with themselves, the authentic self will appear more than the work mask. Of course, what we see is a combination of personal tendencies, values, past experiences and coaching/ advice by publicists; and the dominant image would depend on which of these drives their behavioural tendencies. And if one has picked up enough clues by watching out for consistent patterns long enough, then it's possible to detect the work and non-work mask. I hope what you say will not come to pass - I am hoping that HFX gets to meet his FIL and BIL! Surely, viewers won't be deprived of that satisfaction? From the trailer, it seems that yes, the Moyu Calvary is at his beck and call. As for does he know, or does he not know, @peperomia has pointed out clues to that possibility and you have concured. I won't beg to differ. If it proves to be otherwise, I will offer a few virtual slaps and throw a few cusses to whoever made the decision to dump-down on his intelligence! @movingwheel I've already let out a few cusses that neither has figured out who YWY is.

@peperomia hhmm good clue you pointed out there...

@peperomia I think our imagination is far greater than the directors/producers To the mountain they went where the Sect is located, but the tale was not spun based on what we expected, far from that.

@peperomia hhmmm you've got a point there, especially where she grew up. yah, they both talk in secret code, keh keh keh. Ikr, how delightful it would be for both her father and brother to meet him as her beau and to give him their blessings, before they exit the drama, but I think that's likely to be wishing thinking on our part. I suspect this is unlikely to happen, but then again, we can but wish! (I think your intuition about E34 is spot on, it's the director's way of keeping us on the edge of our seats.) @movingwheel indeed, not a judgement of good or bad on my part, merely an intuitive observation. As for how he chooses to use it, it's his perogative as an actor, he knows what the industry requires and how to capitalise on his strengths. As you are more familiar with his off-screen behaviour, it appears that he knows how to carry himself well, which is to his credit!

@peperomia I think your conjecture has a huge possibility to it. I know what you mean, not wanting to entertain the fact that he lost his inner strength, it's a painful notion (or perhaps it feels unreal because he's always come up tops and this just seems too big a sacrifice). @movingwheel Someone passed a comment that I hope ZLS's upcoming drama

@SilverMoonTea I have temporarily given my attention to ZLS and YY, I adore her portrayal and am looking forward to her kick-ass General scenes which should be this coming Sunday-Monday, ending on Tuesday 17 May (Sad to know her brother was assasinated, I really like that actor, wish he had more scenes). I still think someone's comment of YY on youtube is quite apt, there are scenes when I believe he's HFX and scenes where I feel he is still YY (meaning he hasn't completely immersed himself into the character). But ZLS is a completely different story altogether and I am really looking forward to more from her (fingers crossed the upcoming one with Wu Lei will premiere soon, hhmm that will be an interesting pairing). I've caught a few teeny scenes of MOMO and will prolly start on Thursday when there are no new episodes for WRTW. Ooh, the kiss scene looks hot!!! I really have very little experience with KL, and I must say the little I've watched, he's doing a pretty good job of this role.

@movingwheel ah....I understand where you are coming from. If not mistaken, I believe the novel's main emphasis was BFX. But with YY on board, they couldn't just make him 'the apprentice', they had to move the spotlight onto him. I've seen short scenes of her fighting in the war, and sitting on the throne, really bad-ass, can't wait to see those, perhaps the drama will redeem itself somewhat in those episodes! And I am sure our dear girl will do justice to those upcoming scenes. @peperomia come to think of it, the Sect being in jail could be... I must say Bian Jiang has such a recognisable snigger/ chuckle, reminds me soooo much of Ye Hua doing the same. Edited after watching tonight's E29-30 and it looks like...

@peperomia I agree with your wild theory, and I don't think it's wild in the least. The father would have been furious to say the least in the beginning but he is smart enough to know how he can benefit from the situation and he isn't clueless like some kings are. From the past episodes, we have been privy to his thoughts and how he has even confronted his wife about her actions. So, we know that he can be objective when he needs to be and see things for what they are. And he isn't totally heartless when it comes to HFX, I think there is still an ounce of humanity in him; the actor for the king was amazing, there was this brief instance in his eyes when you could detect the shock upon seeing HFX collapse on the floor in pain. Suffice to say, there is some fatherly love left in him. I had an even wilder theory I also wanted to say, we've only had a chance to see the leaders for 4 states, plus the royal family. My thoughts about them ... Yong Zhou - very smart, suspicious by nature, on top of things in court and has a feel of the underlying tensions, but doesn't seem to have a good/honest relationship with own children, covets power too much Ji Zhou - seems the most benevolent of them all, but also not too smart, got conned by own ministers who tried to drive a wedge between him and his own son Qing Zhou - not much we know, but dotes on the daugther and has a good relationship with own son, in terms of parent-child relationship, seems to have the best of them all. Also, seems like a wise ruler You Zhou - not so smart, easily conned by own daughter but not that blur, also knows the son is up to no good Imperial family - doesn't have the people's interests at heart, scheming and covets power, tries to get external advice but listens to the wrong person I wonder if we will get to see what the others are like...

@movingwheel @themarchioness @NiteWalkerI was googling about ZLS because she really looks skinnier than when she was in TRT&R...and I found out that she is now 39.5 kg only!!!! She lost the weight because netizens were being mean and calling her chubby from that drama (she said that the heaviest she has been was 46kg, which is close to being underweight for her height). So she lost weight since TLB and has maintained it till now. It's no wonder her waistline is so tiny, being on camera tends to make one look a bit fatter but with her, that's certainly not the case. Poor thing. @peperomia @gilaswan I've caught up with E27-28 and I was caught by surprise. Wasn't expecting to see what I saw. But then again, lady luck has been smiling on Black Foxy for sometime now, so I suppose it's time to make him appear as if he's temporarily been beaten at his own game. Though I firmly believe, there's more than meets the eye and upcoming trailers offer evidence that he has not lost what he supposedly did. And I'm glad our dear girl, took the initiative to let her man know, she knows, and she accepts him. [true to the restrain we've seen, it was sweet yet delivered the message, on-point.]

@abs-oluteM before this gets taken down. Do check it out!

Glad you enjoyed it, I wish I knew where to find others. Tbh, I got the second one from a YTber recommendation. I saw on a YT channel that there was an 'expo' of sorts or an event where producers gathered to pitch their dramas, either coming soon, or already airing, I think for web platform? There were 600! Out of which 40 are these short-format dramas, so I hope we get a few more good ones to view. Me too, I actually watched it a second time round. I thought the ML reminded me of the Untamed, I suspect that was the styling there were aiming for. The FL, isn't too bad, she seems to know what she is doing. @abs-oluteM I swear I replied your post, but now I can't find it! I wanted to say I don't know if Chinese netizens will be quick to forgive and forget. I hope he is enterprising enough to find something else to do for the time being, who knows he may find another vocation, and this may be a silver lining for him. You know the kind that pushes one to explore other options that one would never have considered, had one not been pushed into a corner.

@abs-oluteM must be you-lah... Dunno, I don't think the article mentions anything about cast. Must ask @NiteWalker to dig around on the internet and see if she can find anything about it.

@Tofu @NiteWalker @abs-oluteM Have you heard? A remake of Legend of Yun Xi?? I wonder why?? https://inf.news/ne/entertainment/7ff6abb332d32e911868593e77082657.html

@movingwheel I agree, also strong belief in oneself. If one is less certain and swayed easily by what others say, then it won't be possible to pursue a dream, career-wise or not.

nope, waiting till 4 or 5 May... LOL

@Tofu good on you!!!! The prince (self-exiled? who returned to the city to reclaim the throne) wanted the ML to work for him but the ML wanted to lead a life away from all this power and politics, for the wife's sake. The prince, not being able to 'control' or gain his support decided to do away with him lest one day (I think) he turns against him. I am sure you saw the ML escaping and then realising that the prince's men would also try to make a move against the wife. So he went after her and I suspect got injured, though we didn't get to see that. This is probably also why the story was lost on you. After that, either he didn't know where to locate her (was that the house he bought or she bought, I thought it was the former, if so, no reason he didn't know where it is located) or he had not fully recuperated. I admit this has a bit of a plot hole and the explanation was missing from the drama. But generally, for a low budget drama, with shortened episodes, as a YTber commented, it did what it had to, the story moved along, the scenes were suitable captured and showed us what scenes we expected the characters to deliver, and the lead actors portrayed whatever they had to portray. I have no regrets watching it and will do so again! Did I recommend you to watch this as well??? Even shorter, really bare-bone but exciting to watch nevertheless. And you can finish it in under 1 hour!

@abs-oluteM same, my usual site stated 29 April but when I clicked onto the site itself for details, the date was something else, so I wasn't quite sure, till I checked on Youku site itself. lol

@NiteWalker indeed, still in time for me to marathon during Raya break, but far fewer eps than I had hoped for. [fingers crossed no further postponement] Btw, just saw on a YTber's channel,

I think it's been pushed back to 29....no wonder I couldn't find it anywhere...

@movingwheel @NiteWalker @Tofu The broadcast will start at 18:00 on April 26, VIP will get to view 2 episodes per day for 9 consecutive days, a total of 18 episodes! After that, 2 episodes will be updated every Monday to Wednesday. (if my calculation is right, for 32 eps, it should end on Monday, 23 May) @Tofu I will take up the challenge! I will start on 3 May, the first day of Hari Raya (LOL) when E15-16. is out

@Tofuthanks for pointing that out! I think in all honesty, when the ML has an accent that is really hard to comprehend or is jarring because of it's difference from other voices in a drama (here's looking at you WC in Becase of Love), they should dub it. After watching the entire Be My Princess, though initially I was really upset to not have Jeremy's own voice, I could understand the rationale for using the Voice Actor. Though for the heck of it, I would have liked Jeremy to do a short section, to see what he would have sounded like. The role of Be My Princess required the subtle difference in intonation and characterisation for MY and MTZ, and I truly wonder whether JX could have done it. It's one thing to act, and another to dub/ VO; I say that in all fairness after listening to Yang Mi dub her own voice in last year's costume drama, that it takes years to hone that kind of expertise or a discerning ear/ability to be able to do it well. Am really glad that ST and KL are doing their own voices here. I would say KL has the right kind of voice for this character and ST, too! 9 hours and counting, though this really goes against my own rules of watching while it has just aired. [hhmm, can I resist the temptation??]

@NiteWalker @movingwheel @Tofu @abs-oluteM It's the 26th, finally

just released today, with subs, though not sure if it's from Youku, or the AI on YT. tomorrow can't come sooner! Trailer for E01-03, just released less than an hour ago (but no subs yet)