Oh nooooo! Why did Yang Yang’s latest Cdrama have to drop now of all times? I’m still writing about “Hidden Love” and trying to catch up with “King the Land” and “See You in My 19th Life.”
Please go ahead and watch this drama without me. I’ll join you in the next… century?? Lol.
What are you waiting for, girl? Kiss him! He doesn’t get to lean his body and enter her physical space like this without getting a big smooch in retaliation.
Any single, red-blooded woman:
lololol.
Enjoy the show!
Waaaaaaaaa! My YY! 😍 I can’t say too when I’ll watch my first cdrama love! 😂 But I’ll have to support him definitely. ☺️
I’m sure I’ll get there. Maybe when it’s finished. It’s 40 episodes so yeah. 😃
40 episodes?! Like how hard can it be to reunite when they were already madly in love with each other 10 years ago? (Or did I mis-remember the synopsis?)
Nope. Count me out then.
I still have to finish the one with Dilraba, “You’re My Galaxy.” 😂😂
Fine! You’re so funny! You Are My Glory! 😂😂😂
I doubt you’ll finish that one. 🤣 But I enjoyed that because there’s not much angst in it.
Actually it’s similar to HL in that Dilraba’s character had a crush on Yu Tu back when they were in high school? Or was it university? I can’t remember now. 😃
High school. Dilraba’s character had a crush on him in high school. There’s no age difference though since they were classmates.
I like that her character turned out richer and more influential (bec of media entertainment) than his character. But for some reason, her character struck me as Kim Kardashian-y while he’s an astrophysicist egghead the likes of Carl Sagan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. It just didn’t seem to be a good mix to me so I stopped after Episode 14? I should continue though….
Ah see? You remember it better than me. 😁
I think you should continue when you can. I like that in the drama they showed what their married life was like. It was sweet. 😊
I’ve never liked the Kardashians. 😬
Maybe I should watch “You Are My Galaxy” now while I have jetlag, but if I do, I’ll have to put “Hidden Love” in the back burner, and I’m determined to finish this cdrama.
Okay. Let me focus on writing my Ep 3 write-up.
Okie dokie ☺️ and thank you! 🙇🏻♀️
You’re jetlag is still there. What is up with that? But then again I’d just be watching too till sleep comes. 😃
I noticed the time and I thought why are you still awake? 😄
Thanks @pkml3! Hi @agdr03!
I’m watching ‘Fireworks’ but I’m only skimming as I’ve also got no time to go into detail. Suffice it to say that this is a watchable show. However if you’re in only for the romance, it will be slow. I understand why, but I won’t mention it unless you don’t mind spoilers. (I’ve noted a bunch of comments impatient with the progress… so be warned.)
In the opening credits, the real people and animation are merged with the butterfly motif. It becomes obvious before long that the protagonists are like butterflies caught in a net or pinned under a bell jar (and we actually do see those bell jars, I won’t mention where yet), when they should have been allowed to fly freely. Through the work and various challenges, we’ll see our butterflies struggle, grow stronger and attempt ways of breaking free.
I like the look of the OTP together, and the great romantic tension, and that the reasons that they hold back from getting back together makes sense. I’m watching for the romantic tension and want to see when it eases or breaks.
Show does the firefighter training, work and rescues justice which was an added point of interest for me. Some of the OSTs were nice too but I haven’t found them on YT yet.
I’ll start Fireworks, too. I’ve seen a trailer.
Atm, I’m re-watching Hidden Love on Netflix, and am savouring it. It’s so well written and acted.
Haha, @packmule comparing Dilraba’s character with Kim Kardashian! Her on-screen manager would NEVER let that happen. As to being a match, my favourite scene was when Jing Jing was filming in the desert. Yu Tu came to visit and demonstrated that ostentatious show biz mannerisms have nothing over science and technology.
Hi @GB! 😘
I’m not complaining on the 40 episodes. It’s Yang Yang. 😍 His name is enough. ☺️
If I’m the producer of the drama I’d make sure there’s plenty of him. 😂
Ah I love that scene too @Fern. 🥰
The trailer I found for Fireworks was strange, so I opened the first episode. It’s all very exciting and flashy. YY’s character is quite hard. At one point I was thinking what a good villain or grey character he might play one day, if his company would permit him to take that sort of role.
A shower scene already, with a bit of fantasy for the Shallow Islanders.
I saw a bit of that but I can’t go on it yet.
But I’m very shallow. 😂
EPISODE 1
@agdr03, @Fern, well it was a worthwhile shower scene since we find that both Song Yan and Xu Qin in their respective showers were remembering how they first met and we get the backstory and the ‘real’ meet-cute when they were high-schoolers. This memory takes place after they had a couple of occasions of meet-awkward. LOL.
We can start a count of the number of times XQ is on the scene to help medically while SY does the rescuing. Ep 1 has the first occurrence where she comes voluntarily to offer aid during a fire with exploding gas tanks. Of course the first person to try to stop her is SY, who eventually allows her to follow him. She manages to save 1 girl and treat a boy. After this SY ignores her.
After these occasions there is no way either one of them can stop thinking about the other, however while SY does nothing except stare at the lighter that XQ had given him, with a photo of her on it, XQ takes action to try to meet SY again.
@packmule3, Sometimes we get too much of a good thing. Can literally drive one crazy. I pick up BOD and frequently have a feeling of FOMO. Then reality hits and I think thank you BOD for helping me to “curate” my viewership. And if I can’t get in on the current discussions, I always can go back into BOD to read the comments on dramas I missed.
Meet cute to meet awkward via meet painful – that injured tooth seemed like nothing compared to the heart. And XQ was at a disadvantage. She didn’t recognise SY right away and he kept his mask on. He could read her nametag but he wasn’t wearing one and didn’t give his name. Because the firefighters didn’t know SY had just come out of a difficult surgery, she must have seemed very petty for not wanting to skip her supper to treat the injury. It was a bit surprising to me that they could burst into a doctor’s office, but perhaps they were directed to her from the ER?
Hi all,
I gather from a blog that the actor playing the FL’s brother, Wei Da Xun, is getting a lot of attention for his performance.
I read the translated novel last year after learning that this was YY’s next drama. The translation was pretty rough but follow-able (is that even a word? It is now). When the drama started I realized that I couldn’t remember a lot of details so I went back to read the novel again and found that someone is doing another translation and it’s MUCH better. Just an FYI in case anyone wants to read it.
I wish there was a spoiler tag, but there’s not so I’ll try to be careful. I think it would help manage expectations when starting the drama to understand that Xu Qin has been emotionally, and I’d even say psychologically abused and manipulated since her adoption. She’s aware of this, but doesn’t have the courage to break free – yet. She’ll get there, but patience is needed. I think XQ has the most character growth in the whole story, but it takes time for her to reach the point where she’s willing to defy her family, especially her mother, to be with Song Yan. If the drama stays true to the novel, the payoff will be worth the wait 🙂
Minor spoiler ahead. I’m in the camp that this show is slow and repetitive- but oddly compelling so that I am still watching. You could speed watch this drama by watching the first one or two episodes to orient yourself to characters (Realize that hot best friend firefighter is only a cameo or special appearance and will disappear) then start at episode 21 where earthquake happens and things start to shift figuratively and literally. Until that time the drama is comprised of lots of push and pulling away with evil mommy and incestuous brother stepping in either through threats or machinations whenever the OTP characters get too close.
Stacy – I think the actress is carrying the drama – she is an adult who has to act emotionally like a small child in the presence of her mother and while it is cringey to watch you can’t help but be sympathetic to the character. It is well contrasted with her competence and rationalism in the hospital setting.
@GB spot on with the butterfly analysis – I didn’t even think about it.
@Fern, you took the question out of my ‘mouth’ … I took kept wondering how patients could keep bursting into XQ’s office. It was the first time we saw it, but would not be the last. The whole protocol of registering to see the doctor and then having one’s name or number called first seems to be lacking!!
The other thing… the doctors should have a different place to rest where they won’t be disturbed. All we see is the locker room, the office and the operating theatres. In kdramas, we see the room where they can sleep or work (W2Worlds), offices with couches (Hospital Playlist), but not here. I hope it’s not a reflection of the real situation for doctors and nurses!!!
I guess Show wants to ‘force’ situations where XQ will face difficulties where SY can come meet her or ‘rescue’ her. 😏🫤🙄😁
Hi @Stacy, thanks for the heads-up from the novel/story. Yes, that’s what I expect too. All those who say they have given up based on the first half or less of the series might be missing out on a great payoff.
I’m watching for that and because the romantic tension is so full of longing, in the midst of iron self-control. (That’s the reason why in kdrama 19th Life I’m rooting for the 2nd pairing too!)
@Good Twin, thanks.
You’ve made a good point! XQ is only suppressed and docile with mummy-dearest, and partially with brother but very capable as a person and doctor away from home. I like that she’s been planning and trying to bring about her greater independence for years now and is not waiting to be rescued emotionally. SY may be there to rescue her physically but he adds on to the emotional burden as well LOL.
Hi @Kate, about Actor Wei Da Xun, I only heard from AvenueX that she’s impressed by him. I like him too. He does manage to convey a lot more than many other actors who are supposed to look disgruntled yet stoic, full of emotion but holding it in.
I want him to let go of his inordinate attachment to his ‘sister’ and have a life of his own. We know that the uni student is interested in him, however I feel it is more important that he gets away from being controlled, before even considering a romantic connection with anyone.
But again … perhaps if he had a strong romantic relationship outside of family, that would be the impetus to make him break free.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
I watched one episode where he suggested to his sister that they leave and never come back. It troubled me.
Song Yan
If we hoped to see lots of handsome Yang Yang, then this show does not disappoint. Only thing is, he’s generally brooding, unsmiling, un-communicative in the beginning. That, I’m glad to say, will change. Yes, yes, I watch for that.
He had a bad experience that’s colouring his reactions (and he’s mainly reactive at first) but he may not know (or he should guess as XQ guessed) that the bad experience was compounded by stuff mum-dearest did.
Best setup of dramaland is that he was ‘fine’ for years but one chance encounter with XQ crumples his being fine. And to make matters worse(??) for him, the chance encounters multiply.
The Lighter
I’m not sure yet where Show is going with the lighter. It’s a metaphor of the past/image of old that he holds very dear. So dear that he won’t even admit it. At the same time, it represents his pain and wounded-ness. It’s obviously something that he’s supposed to let go of. I’ll stop here so there are no spoilers.
All three main characters (I count the brother as one too) need to have a growth arc and healing. And like in all dramas, we see that it starts only because the chance encounters shakes up the status quo. 🙂
I’m also watching this slowly with Hidden Love (left with the last 4 episodes). So I’m only on episode 5 with Fireworks.
One thing is, they can’t help but always coincidently run into each other, either at the site of emergency or even at her house!!! (What are the chances!!) But I guess if it wasn’t for such serendipity their love cannot move on?
LOL @grace, Show is being super nice to us viewers. Knowing that we’re in this to watch Yang Yang or the romance or both, it gives us lots of unlikely couple moments. Heh! Well, we’d better lap it up when we have them, no matter how contrived. I’m never sure when we might suddenly have separation/coma or amnesia or something even more unlikely… but as there’s the issue of great danger to life and limb, that might even be in the script!!
@Growing Beautifully, regarding the office space not being private enough, I recall a rest area for doctors in another drama (You are my Hero). The FL tries to use it when her rental falls through. So you are correct, it’s a dramatic device here.
Hi @ GB,
Re actor WDX. I’m on Episode 22 now -difficult sometimes to know how the show is presenting him – victim or perpetrator in the controlling mess that is the family. I guess he will have decisions to make at some point about where he will make his stand in life.
Good that Avenue X likes his performance. I think his performance is being picked up widely and has gone viral – but I have no idea where! I can’t remember the article I was reading about this.
@Good Twin,
I’m enjoying the plot developments, too, from Episode 21 … the show is gelling more now.
I also think YY is doing fine in the role. I think it is extending his range. Not something I would argue passionately for – I think he is doing the ‘male lead thing’ in this show.
Also in terms of what for me at least has on occasions been a rather stodgy dynamic – we have a self-contained ML playing to a self-contained FL. Although the ML wasn’t as self-contained before he was so deeply hurt. So they have both withdrawn as people due to hurt. Both need to emerge fully through the crises that will, no doubt, bring them back together.
Thanks for your analyses, @GB.
Just tell me how you want to proceed with this cdrama: if you want to split up the episodes to contain spoilers. It’s up to you. 🙂
Hi there @pkml3! Thanks for offering to split episodes and especially for accommodating my many thoughts in endless posts. I’m grateful to have a place to deposit them as I literally forget what I thought about at any one time.
In answer to your offer… yes, I feel that this 40 episode drama could do with a few threads to contain spoilers. I was thinking of 8 threads with 5 episodes each. What do you think?
🤗 😘 🌻 🌹 🌿 🌷 🍀 🌻
@GB and @packmule3, that is a great idea to split the drama. I’m only starting episode 3 and am anticipating a long slog based on the sheer number of episodes. Thank goodness each one isn’t very long. My reflections are based on episodes 1 and 2.
In flashbacks of high school it’s interesting to see Yang Yang playing sort of a ‘lad’; cocky, sort of a big man on campus/bad boy who smokes and writes graffiti on walls. He sees XQ and immediately knows he likes the cut of her jib.
I thought it was interesting that when XQ was introduced to the class she said she had no hobbies. (None?) I guess I’ll learn more about that later.
Hello everyone – this makes sense but for those of us who starting watching earlier and are now on episodes 22 etc we won’t be able to join in with ease.
Well, I speak for myself!
Please forgive my absence from discussion of earlier episodes.
@Fern, you’re right about the hobbies. She did have at least one. 🙂
@Kate, I perfectly understand. I’m in the same boat. What I do is a quick rewatch before I write so that I’m writing only about the part I just watched, hoping to leave out spoilers that way. 🤔🤭🤫😇
@GB – aha! Great tips as ever! xx
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Here is the article which mentions Wei Da Xun. She is not a fan of the show but it is interesting nevertheless:
https://koalasplayground.com/2023/07/15/hunan-tvs-big-summer-c-drama-fireworks-of-my-heart-with-yang-yang-and-wang-chu-ran-starts-high-but-trending-lower-with-supporting-male-lead-wei-da-xun-surprisingly-getting-more-buzz/
,@Kate, So many dramas, so little time. Will live vicariously on BOD
And hello to all the BODers who keep us informed and happy
😊🌼❤️🌄🎉
Hi back @OAL – I hope you and your husband are doing well!!