[Last Japanese movie you watched?]

Wow, Hirose Suzu and Fukushi Sota look so different in Laplace's Witch! In a good way. 

 

I was able to see an older film adapted from Yukio Mishima's novel of the same name, Spring Snow, directed by Isao Yukisada. The film was shot beautifully. I loved all the scenes in the snow. The costumes were amazing for a Japanese period film. But after reading the novel, I realize it's quite different from the story Yukio Mishima wanted to tell at its core. Tsumabuki Satoshi did make the character of Kiyoaki more appealing than he was in the book, which I really appreciate. It's hard to sit and watch something for more than an hour when you dislike the main character. I'd give this film an 7/10. It's very slow-paced and definitely not for everyone, but I added an extra point for its replay factor.

 

[Last Japanese movie you watched?]

Not much that I wanted to see from Japan this year. I enjoyed Sakamichi no Apollon/Kids on the Slope, but the story felt a little stale because I had already read the manga series and watched the anime at this point. Also, even though Nana Komatsu is my ideal beauty, she was not right for the part of Ritsuko, and there was a spark missing between her and Yuri Chinen. It was a solid 6/10 for me.

 

I also got to see romantic fantasy Tonight, At The Movies (2018) directed by Hideki Takeuchi and starring Ayase Haruka and Kentaro Sakaguchi. This one was a solid 7/10. I wasn't really interested in Kentaro Sakaguchi before, but he gave a good performance. 

 

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

I was slightly able to lessen my obsession with TRoP by channeling all that energy into watching Chen Kun and Ni Ni's other works. But then someone posted that video of "Ning Yi" bumping into "Ziyan" backstage at the 17th Huabiao Awards, and it immediately triggered those feelings all over again, and now here I am. Bah! 

 

I'm currently watching Ame no Symphony/Love Story in Shanghai. But after that's done, I think I'm ready for another (fourth) rewatch of TRoP.

 

17 hours ago, whisper1 said:

Does anyone have an opinion on my suspicion that NingYi  might imprison  FengZhiwei  in the same way his father imprisoned  Yale?  Don't  throw stones just speculating.

I'm of the camp that doesn't think he would or that he is much like his father in that respect. Seeing her happy in Jinshi, he would rather let her go than impose. That "bed scene" (which I felt was lacking in so many ways and could have been done better!) showed such a stark contrast to the way his father spoke to Yale. Zhiwei was not looking at Ning Yi as if she hated and feared him, and he was pouring out his heart to her with such beautiful words, while shedding tears. It also didn't register with me until now, but Zhiwei was the one embracing him from behind. If she found him abhorrent, I would think it should be him forcefully embracing her, while she remained stone cold. But that wasn't that case. As much as I hated that scene, there is some significance in their interaction with each other there. I still saw love in her eyes, but I also saw immense pain and sadness.

 

Unlike his father, Ning Yi seems capable of great empathy for people, and he created strong bonds with women in the story like Zhuyin, Zhiwei, Gugu, and his mother. He also has a strong sense of justice.

So, no, I don't believe that he will imprison her.  BUT I fear that he will keep putting himself in harm's way or pitting himself against other people to save her, which is not going to sit well with a lot of people.

 

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

16 minutes ago, niniandkun said:

Also is this actor in the production crew? He's in all the BTS instructing and directing other actors. Was he a last minute hire?

He is the co-director if I'm not mistaken. I saw him going over scenes with Chen Kun and Ni Ni in the bts. Also, they used multi-cams and he was monitoring them with the crew. But I honestly wish his character was not created. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

9 hours ago, niniandkun said:

The way I saw it, they don't normally kiss. That's the first and only one we've seen and it was wasted on that moment, that situation. Any other physical interaction could've been taken as a tender moment between those two maybe their clothes get tangled together underwater and they help each other while pausing for a stare, or some other embrace or face grabbing, hand holding or even smiling warmly. (this OTP can inject meaning into any scene if they wanted to). That doesn't sound like much but considering how much they'd drifted apart after Zhi Wei's mom died this would have been plenty to chew on.

A kiss for me is more direct, more charged...more sensual. Atleast it ought to be, between this couple especially. They aren't casual huggers or peckers.

Desperate times calls for desperate measures? Haha. No, I get what you're saying. They did drift apart after she renewed her oath, and I agree this kiss isn't meant to be a sweet moment like the Face Nuzzling in the Dark Room or The Wrist Bite or the Minhai Cave. Personally, that underwater scene and the kiss felt bittersweet, especially the way Zhiwei was desperately pressing her lips against Ning Yi's. Even the moment of silence except for the gurgling of the water and then the music playing sounded hauntingly melancholic. It just seemed like they had this one moment and this moment only, but once they reach the surface, they'd go back to pretending to be strangers again. Well, in any case, it was more sad than anything else. But my takeaway from it is that she may have sworn an oath not to marry him in this lifetime, but that sure as hell doesn't stop her from loving him and vice versa. That's why it was a beautifully melancholic, non-sensual kiss for me. Although I'd rather have the writers never let them drift apart emotionally and give us the ending this couple DESERVED.

 

10 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

In fact, before her gender came out to the public, Ning Yi was willing to let her go alone to Minhai. Not once did Ning Yi treat her like a woman tbh, unless he was flirting with her. However, his protectiveness always came first, since of course, he was in love with her and I don't think Ning Yi has ever been in love before. But then I think had Zhiwei been in the same situation she might have done the same thing too. Anyway, for a person who lived in a very patriarchal society, it amazes me how Ning Yi allows Zhiwei to run around at all.

I totally agree that he did this out of love. Even I - female human that I am - want to protect the people I love. But he really needed to share things with her in order for their relationship to be truly equal. Without confiding in her, he wasn't putting enough trust in her to help him with his problems. I don't see him as patriarchal, but rather stubborn. I do see that he values her opinion, that he knows he can't control her, that he realizes she can take care of herself, BUT at least tell her what you're planning to do and why. Girl may be smart, but she's not perfect. He can't always expect her to read in-between the lines all the time. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

3 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

What drama of Chen Kun are you watching right now btw?

 

Umm, I'm embarrassed to say this, but Chen Kun fans on instagram have sent me down a rabbit hole of obsession.

 

I just finished C’est La Vie Mon Cheri/Endless Love (2008), and absolutely LOVED his character and his unwavering devotion to Ah Min (Fiona Sit's character) and Ah Min's entire family. Actually, I loved all the characters in this drama, even his ex, Tracy. They did dub over his voice, but whoever it was that dubbed over him in Madarin was really, really good, as in top seiyuu level good. I'm so in love with whoever dubbed his voice haha. (But I know you don't like dubbed dramas.)

 

My enjoyment level for this drama is on par with TRoP, except this gave me good vibes at the end despite a not-so-happy ending. Derek Yee directed the 1993 film, and he directed this drama as well, and I'm glad he chose to remake it because the movie left me wanting in the romance department. I'm just sad it's not fully subbed in English. I got by after Ep 6 with my limited Mandarin and a lot of guessing.  

 

Now I'm onto Lost in 1949 (2018). It's more of a spy comedy than espionage/thriller, but sold itself as a serious drama, which threw me off a bit. If you're looking for great acting, this wouldn't be the right drama. I think it's just supposed to be fun to watch. Chen Kun's Qiao Zhi Cai and Wan Qian's Huang Liwen are cute together.

 

And my boxsets from Japan finally arrived for Love Story in Shanghai (his first tv drama), Farewell, Vancouver (2003), and The Conquest (2006). Going to be watching those soon too! 
 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

3 minutes ago, Pollen Ainne said:

It wasn't a passionate kiss but it wasn't just a smack either. It was like a touch of gentleness and love. And then the next scene he rebuffs her... terrible context.

Yes, I think the editing robbed me of my former joy. (Sadistic writers!) Did he do this because he now knew his mother was alive and he would be returning to basically give up everything and just wanted her to be happy in Jinshi? I never really did understand why he turned her down there.

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

4 hours ago, skibbies said:

They had better kisses in behind the scenes! I don't really count the one in drama as a kiss tbh, it felt more like "oh you are out of air, let me give you some air" which is as unromantic as it gets.

LOL – you guys! I thought the underwater kiss was beautiful and poetic. I guess I’m alone. Only in private can they be just two people in love. For me, the kiss wasn’t supposed to be sizzling with chemistry but a reaffirmation of their love. The way they caressed each other’s faces was full of tenderness and affection.

 

Also, even though she associated bad memories with him when she was under the influence of the azalea powder, I loved how she ran so happily, almost like a child, toward the sound of the instrument he was playing. 

 

8 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

This was the accusation she said to Ning Yi when he told her that moving on is different from giving up. And I do understand she was grieving. But I think the reason for the silence was because he was grieving too. After all, Ning Yi did go to her to share in her grief but instead she made a vow to never marry him. Then he still went to the burial and told her he would always be waiting. And she told him they can only be together after death. I think the guy needed a break. lol 

Oops, thanks for reminding me. I've been watching A LOT of Chen Kun's other dramas recently, so I've been forgetting more of TRoP lately. That's good because I'll be prepared for another rewatch soon. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

3 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

But at the same time I am grateful that we the audience managed to see it. This was the only time that Zhiwei let her walls crash down and really proclaim how she felt. And I am glad at this insight to her inner most feelings. It was heart-wrenching! Too bad she confessed it to another man... ~sigh

I know we've talked about this before, but I just remembered something. Didn't she explicitly admit her feelings to Hua Qiong before her marriage to Helian Zheng? I thought she basically said, "To hell with the world, I only want him!" (Well, not in those words exactly, but you get the point.)

 

21 hours ago, storyofthestone said:

I just watched episode 58 and I don't understand why Zhiwei seemed to accuse Ning Yi of abandoning her in her worst moments. I mean, he tried... Did she not know that he basically threatened his father with a revolt to try to get them out of there alive, thereby putting himself on the emperor's no-longer-to-be-trusted list? 

Was this before she left as a bride to Jinshi? If so, it was understandable. When he was sick in Minhai, she was able to send him letters and let him know she was there for him. Was there no way for Ning Yi to get his feelings across to her? Why the silence? 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

14 hours ago, nerdybug said:

The only thing that I did not get  is the part where FZW was given this potion where she lost her memory. She agreed to it because Ning Yi wanted her to in order to escape the captivity of Prince of An, but did Ning Yi know she was going to be married to the Prince of An and therefore distracted him and allowed Ning Yi to cause the explosion to the extent of  destroying the palace?  

Did either she and Ning Yi really know about the side effects of the potion? I thought Prince of An forced her to drink it, but Ning Yi wasn't aware that it was given to her, and she didn't know what it was that she took. Didn't Ning Yi ask her if she ate anything different or something along those lines? I always assumed he didn't know or else he wouldn't have accepted that cure-all from her for himself. I also thought he only knew about the marriage plans after he was told, but it wasn't part of his original plan. I'd like to know if anyone caught onto this. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

11 minutes ago, Pollen Ainne said:

However, I would say that Chen Kun's acting would also not fit the norms. It was good for tRoP because although it didn't have magic, it still had a fantasy setting. It would look completely out of place in a modern practical setting. Like for example... if he brought acting like that in a tv series like Suits... I would roll my eyes too.

Somebody on Reddit pointed out that there are magic elements but characters mostly hide it? Like wasn't Gu Nanyi practically flying at certain points? And that spell that binded the Emperor with Ning Yi was real too. At first, I thought Yale simply poisoned them.

 

I'm currently watching him in TVB series, C'est La Vie, Mon Chéri (2008), and his performance is a lot more restrained there and fits the modern setting. I can’t judge by his voice because it’s dubbed over. But, yeah, I think this is strictly how he performed for this series in particular.

 

Also, I'm sorry, but not enough is being said about Ni Ni’s acting from me. Girl needs some love, especially since she did a spectacular job bringing Zhiwei to life for me. I heard some people call her a Mary Sue type, but I don’t get where they're coming from at all? She's such a strong female character. Every time Ning Yi wants to help her, she’s like, “Excuse me, but I got this.” Like the time he told her to stay put at his residence, but she writes him a letter and takes off.

 

Two scenes that I found to be incredibly high performances from her is the scene where she’s turned away by her mother at the beginning and gets drunk, and the heartbreaking prison scene where she cries herself to sleep on her mother’s lap. She was so adorable in the romantic scenes as well. I still get super giddy thinking about that wounded-shy look she gives Ning Yi in the cave at Ep 45 when she's exhausted all (innocent) effort to keep him warm and he still wasn't satisfied. *melts*

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

Thanks, @raziela for the in-depth response! The most hilarious thing I found is that all the things you disliked were things I absolutely loved. So it really just boils down to our personal preferences. No harm done.

 

10 hours ago, raziela said:

Also given all the focus of the story on his feelings towards his mother I didn't think his grief or anger after death was at all convincing (but that whole storyline was botched and rushed, IMO). He was acting out  the grief but i didn't believe his emotions at all.  On the other hand, the actor playing Ning Qi nailed his acting after his mother's death: I could feel his grief, resentment, fury especially in the family dinner from hell in episode 68. 

Ah, as someone who has experienced loss myself, I just thought of it as people dealing with grief differently in front of other people. But I do agree with you that Ning Qi's grief felt real. I honestly felt so bad for Ning Qi losing his mother as she is also the sweetest character (next to his wife) in the show. We've also seen more scenes of them together, so there was a bond built there. But then I blame him for resorting to underhanded methods such as kidnapping Ning Yi's mother. My ever emotional sister burst in tears next to me when Ning Yi's mother was taken away. She was like, "Oh my god, not his mother!"

 

4 hours ago, mspilgrims said:

I found Chen Kun's acting more theatrical in that regard. It is all focused on the gestures, on the miming. With a single look, you know for sure how he feels, he's able to change expression in the blink of an eye. That is the reason why he seems too extreme at times. Most of the scene could have been staged in a theatre. 

Just wanted to point out that it's not easy to capture these slight nuances in facial expression on a theater stage. That's why they usually bring stage plays to the silver screen. Unlike in film, those emotions like the ones Chen Kun are essaying in his character, cannot be slowed down frame by frame for the audience to see. I don't feel like this is theater acting at all, but I do get where people find him "theatrical."  I've probably mentioned this a dozen times before, but my takeaway from this is that it was completely in line with his character. Others will beg to differ on this, I suppose. Had he not experienced the death of Ning Qiao, get locked away for eight years, grow up without real, parental affection, and had people try to kill him left and right the moment he got out, I doubt I could buy into his grandiose ideals and his quest for justice.

 

For me he's not a true hero or antihero. He straddles the divide. He's also a little crazy. I find this character so fascinating. But I can see where it would turn some off.

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

On 11/16/2018 at 10:43 PM, raziela said:

- Chen Kun = Miscast.  It is not good when I am watching the drama and thinking that that some of the other actors in the drama would have done a much better job with the lead character.  I found his portrayal of Ning Yi was wildly inconsistent, unbelievable and unsympathetic.  It almost felt like he filmed  at two different times and changed his mind on how to play the character. He is obviously a very talented actor and some of his scenes were great but at other times I thought he overacted to a ridiculous extent.  It took me completely out of the drama and had me looking at the screen thinking "what is he doing and why?" About halfway through the drama I realised that I didn't even like Ning Yi much. 

Ah, I finally get where you guys are coming from. So you felt he wasn't right for the role? And I guess some of you did feel he hammed it up or just didn't connect with his character overall. (Sorry, didn't feel like going back several pages out of laziness.) Would love to know @raziela what scenes you felt he did great in, and which ones you felt were not-so-great. Oh and which scenes took you out of the drama? I'm always curious to hear differing opinions. I promise you won't be lampooned for it, at least not by me! 

 

23 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

There is only a handful of us who seem to really love the show. Which is the reason why I have accepted the film to be a niche. I really just love the series so I have really strong opinions about it, but my opinions I find are in the minority. 

 

Actually, I feel it’s faring much better on Netflix and with its international audience than it did getting shortchanged on TV in China. So many people worldwide going through Yi-Wei withdrawal right now and begging Netflix for Season 2. My French and Japanese friends are currently obsessed with TRoP, and Chen Kun has been posting in English a lot recently, so I think he's aware that he has a growing fan-base outside of China right now. Also, it put Ni Ni on the map for a lot of people, as they had never seen her before. She already has an audience for her next drama. I know I'll be watching. (Though my heart isn't ready to see her romancing someone else.)

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

@skibbies I can't speak for all Japanese people but tbh 鳳凰の飛翔 sounds a lot better than 凰権 in Japanese. They're also being practical and putting the title in plain English as well. 

 

Sadly the episodes come out in smaller batches in Japan than they did in the US. But if this gains popularity it will give it a greater chance to get a Blu Ray release in Japan at the end of next year, which I'm not complaining about. I want - no, NEED - a physical copy of this on Blu Ray. 

4 hours ago, skibbies said:

tbh I agree with you. I tried to headcanon that being subjugated to Chang family's rule changed him, including his regal presence. He probably suffered a lot and had to learn to lay low and such, except it's not pretense and he basically blended in with the common folks. Ideally we'd have someone who had presence but very obviously trying to pretend they don't but....lol. As for appearance, we can blame it on their mum being different?

I'll take that explanation and try to swallow my one, remaining gripe then. But what I meant by onscreen presence isn't merely a princely or regal aura. A fallen prince who has to lay low and scrape and bow to the son of a family that he felt took everything away from him would have murderous intent or seem broken inside. I never once felt that intensity in his eyes. I just don't think he's that good of an actor. 

On 11/14/2018 at 10:15 AM, Pollen Ainne said:

I am not quite sure how others define chemistry, because to a lot, it probably is enough that they look good together and say and do romantic things. But I just feel differently. I can probably count in one hand the times that I see chemistry and tRoP is one of those.

There's really no real way for me to define onscreen chemistry either. It's not just about looking good together and saying/doing romantic things, or else I'd be more crazy for Mark Chao/Yang Mi pairing. I just watched TMoPB, and I can truly say that I felt no real chemistry there. I would say that Eita and Hikari Mitsushima in Soredemo, Ikite Yuku is closest to that definition of real chemistry in a jdrama. It was so hard to watch them play siblings in their next drama because of that.

 

As for Chen Kun and Ni Ni, they have an amazing, professional working relationship and a friendship that translates outside of work. I watched the Happy Camp episode with them too, and even though I couldn't understand anything, you could see how much they enjoy each other's company. Ning Yi and Zhiwei have that extra something that makes them pop. I attribute it to the fact that they have an incredible amount of trust in each other. Ck was practically "living" as his character, and Ni Ni had become "Zhiwei", so all those emotions - love, lust, pain, etc. - were all real and genuine. They, as their characters, were truly in love, and it translated onscreen. I sure as hell felt it. I suppose that's why the two of them, in separate interviews, kept mentioning that they had a hard time pulling out of their characters. In those seven months, they were Ning Yi and Feng Zhiwei.

 

So happy I found this drama. I feel like I keep rehashing things over and over again, but I can't help it. I still haven't been able to move on yet.

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

23 hours ago, skibbies said:

Nishikido Ryo might have become more attractive as he aged though, Matsujun did. I swear I love Matsujun too!!

I think his features have matured and I always thought he was attractive, but I probably have my blinders on. I have this thing for sad, melancholy eyes. I looked at more pictures and he looks more like Chen Kun in his earlier days. But Post-40's Chen Kun is just, ugh, something else. Too beautiful! 

 

Going back OT... Now that I'm on Episode 66 (my third time watching), I don't feel the pacing is that bad anymore. What happened to me? Blinders on? This time, I decided not to fast-forward through anything - not even Prince of Wei's parts - as I'm watching with other people, and although events are unraveling quickly they are not as erratic as I first thought. I also find Ning Qi more intriguing now than I did before. The guy really doesn't understand his father or his brothers. He has no real, tangible relationship with them.  

 

My only remaining gripe is that (and I don't mean to diss the co-director) I wish they had chosen another actor for the role of the 4th Prince of Dacheng. Someone with more onscreen presence and prominence. Also, someone who can convincingly look like like he would be Zhiwei's blood brother. Hope I'm not being too shallow when I say that.

 

Yuan Hong's Prince of An was introduced much later in the story, but he really nailed his scenes in the short time he had. Even the guy who played the batty son in the Si Family in Jinshi who was locked up in a temple and had his face ruined felt like he had more impact on me. I think they could have managed to pull this off in 70 episodes satisfactorily (for me, at least) if they had chosen the right person to play that role. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

5 hours ago, rosierosie said:

I must add that besides the plot and the acting, I love how unique the costumes and outfits are made for the characters in the drama. ZW's outfits are so pretty and colorful, it is colorful simple, but it is still very elegant looking even though it looks plain, but it has that unique twist to it.

I love that even when the colors of her garments may seem more muted, the material used were so beautiful. I always notice the textures and the patterns. I actually like that brown one she wears during the scene in

Spoiler

Jinshi when Ning Yi tells her that moving on doesn't mean giving up.

 

14 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

Balzac just looks so old though, I was doubting whether to watch it. But I guess I should. The only reason why I wish Chen Kun was younger is so I could enjoy more of his films as a lot of them are just old. I only watched his newer ones. He also wasn't as great an actor as he is now, although that is just basing on the trailers, which might not be an accurate way to gauge his talents. But seeing him now, it just feels so different. And he wasn't as attractive either. At least not to me. I think he has grown so much more refined and I like it. I am looking forward to the Weary Poet definitely.

Np, I understand. I read the novel in high school and watched the movie partly because I was curious as to how they'd adapt it into a film. He and Zhou Xun did have a few raunchy scenes in there, so I guess that's another reason to stay away lol. 

I'm also curious to see more of Ni Ni's films as well. Knowing that TRoP is her first foray into a TV series, I'm absolutely impressed. I need to watch more cdramas to gauge, but Ni Ni is my number 1 pick for younger actresses right now for bringing a deep emotional sensitivity to her performance. I got to Ep 53 last night, the scene where She and Ning Yi

Spoiler

meet on the bridge, and she tells him she's marrying Prince Helian. The moment Ning Yi touches his palm to her cheek, the pain on her face was so raw and real that it was so hard to watch without wanting to cry myself. 

Ugh, excuse me while I go into a corner and weep.

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

@Pollen Ainne Dang, girl, I'm with you on the obsession thing. Recently lots of international fans are swooning over him. I found his first series, Love Story in Shanghai, on DVD in Japan, so I bought it off an auction on Y!. It's under the name "Ame no Symphony" there, so there's gotta be some rain motifs? Also Sayonara, Vancouver. Farewell, Vancouver in English?  Have you not seen him in Balzac yet???

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

2 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

So she is actually single right now? That must be why she was being so free. How nice.

Based on the timeline, she was shooting for TRoP when she was still dating Jing Boran. They broke up afterward. It's probably hard to keep up in a relationship when your schedules are so busy. I'm glad her costar was Chen Kun. She looked like she had TOO much fun on set.

 

As for Nishikido Ryo, he's an actor and singer in boy group Kanjani8. Very famous in Japan and considered a bit of a heartthrob. Gained recognition for his role in 1 Litre of Tears and as the antagonist in Last Friends. It's just the article mentioned that they believe it really was Chen Kun who responded to a fan who posted about the similarities, and they were all trying to verify if it was really him. According to some of his Japanese fans, he is also a fan of anime I heard, especially Naruto? Anyway, CK is a much more seasoned actor and is pretty high spec in the looks department. Nishikido isn't quite there yet, but he has his merits. 

 

@stella77 Since you were the OP that brought up the "overpowering" comment, I'll take this moment to apologize. I didn't realize you were the OP, so I talked into the air, heh. My question was genuinely, "What was meant by 'overpowering' another actor?" I've only ever heard that term used positively when analyzing an actor's acting before in comparison with a lesser actor. Never heard it used to say that it took someone out of the story. I was genuinely curious to know what was meant by that, that's all. Differing opinions are welcome!

 

However, just to clarify, I do agree with you that the series has its weaknesses, especially in terms of pacing. The frequent use of flashbacks to tell the story was also frustrating at points. Everything after Minhai Arc seemed rushed and erratic. But the good outweighed the bad for me, and that's why I brought up the world-building and acting of the principal characters, as well as the dedication to detail and cinematography by the crew.

 

I can’t speak for the c-entertainment industry as a whole. You do have a lot more experience than I do. I’m coming from an international viewer’s perspective, having tried and failed to watch dozens of Chinese dramas over the past decade. Just got a little too excited about this one. Like I mentioned before, I went into this drama only because I recognized his name from Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. I still have a lot to learn about c-dramas.

 

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

11 minutes ago, Pollen Ainne said:

Too bad I hear she is dating some other actor...

Wait, who is she rumored to be dating? I thought she just broke up with Jing Boran this year?

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

3 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

Chen Kun and Ni Ni's interactions off screen are so funny too because they are so playful. I feel like being playful off screen really makes the chemistry on screen sizzle. When the actors are reserved and shy off screen the chemistry becomes kinda lacking.

omg, Yes! I love that about them. I find them so frikkin adorable! I've watched every single clip I could find on youtube with them, and I'm definitely going to watch yours on my break! Aside from Zhao Wei and Zhou Xun, she's the only other actress I've seen his eyes light up when he talks about her. And even though I doubt they'd ever date (Ni Ni seems to have a "type" and Chen Kun seems content being a single dad), in the interview where she talks about her character, she mentioned the relationship she had with Chen Kun as if it was so precious, and said she considers him a good friend. I really hope they come together for another drama or movie in the future. One with a happy ending, please! 

11 hours ago, rosierosie said:

On another note, I am looking forward to CK new drama with Zhou Xun, The Weary Poet. It looks like an exciting drama with plot, and actions.

Too bad it's only going to be a movie and not a tv series. Zhou Xun is an amazing actress, and I can't wait to see them together.

 

But my poor heart. I'm not ready to see Ni Ni romancing another actor yet. I read she's shooting for her new drama with Chen Chang(?). For once, I'm having evil thoughts, and not wanting her to get along with him as much as she did with Chen Kun. 

 

Btw, I don't understand what others mean by Chen Kun's acting is "overpowering." Do they mean he's hamming it up at times? To me, Ning Yi can be so fragile and emotional, and I feel this is consistent and true to his character, a man who had his childhood ripped away from him at age eight, and who feels undermined and unloved. 

 

The man has moments where he sheds beautiful tears, but he also gets real and ugly cries when he doesn't get what he wants, which I absolutely LOVE. The two scenes I can think of in particular is the one where he comes back with

Spoiler

Chang Zhongxin's head to bargain for Zhiwei's life but is refused by his father, and the scene after that where Zhiwei makes her second oath and turns him away. 

 

I honestly felt that every single actor in this drama reeled me in. Rather than just "acting", they were "living" as their characters. This series did an amazing job of world-building, too, and I felt completely transported. 

 

Just wanted to add that I found an article on Chen Kun here: https://www.recordchina.co.jp/b596249-s0-c70-p1.html 

Apparently Japanese girls were going a bit crazy for Chen Kun's looks as well (so I'm definitely NOT blind). Nishikido's fans thought they looked similar, and it became a topic on twitter. Nishikido is over a decade younger, so I find that to be a huge compliment. 

「無修正写真でも完璧にハンサム」 
He's perfectly handsome even in unaltered photos. (Yes, girl, I agree.)

 

Twitter user is saying he's so good-looking, she's going to die, and how she can't believe he's over 40 years old.

 

Here's Nishikido Ryo arriving in Taipei earlier this year (and I think Chen Kun was also there to promote something?). Do you think there are any similarities?: https://aramajapan.com/news/concert/nishikido-ryo-arrrives-in-taiwan-announces-kanjan8s-first-overseas-concert-at-taipei-arena/87751/

 

 

 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

@Pollen Ainne I remember watching that scene and being extremely uncomfortable because he wasn't Ning Yi. I was like, wth?! After Ep.45, I was dreaming up another intimate moment like this for them, but she ends up having to feel up on another man? Bah!

 

My takeaway from this scene is that I finally got to hear her true feelings said out loud. She wants to be with Ning Yi, wants to marry him, wants to hold him like this. There was so many layers to Zhiwei here. Yeah, I agree with you that it us knowing but Ning Yi not hearing the words himself was really painful to watch. But they understand each other so well. After the flood, wasn't she willing to leave with him? I think he knows her feelings already, but he doesn't want her to be with him at the expense of her own well being and happiness. I'm only on Ep. 29 with the fam. Have quite a while before we get to this scene. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

Yeah, I'm still trying to search for a HQ photo of this scene. But it's not that easy. Also, so many great shots of Ning Yi on the internet that I'm getting distracted from work. 

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

8 hours ago, morganian said:

Why on earth do you want a photo of crazy Ning Yi? Lol. 

Because he looked absolutely gorgeous bathed in that swatch of sunlight? Kekeke. There should be an official photo of it somewhere. This was a beautiful shot, seriously. (But I should not be on Netflix at work lol oops.)

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

21 hours ago, Pollen Ainne said:

Wow, Ning Yi definitely is a fantasy. He even is fantastically pure. I can just imagine having this convo with my boyfriend. He would roll his eyes so much they would fall off.

This made me LOL so hard. And, sorry, I think I was the culprit who drove the conversation in the wrong direction.

 

On a serious note, I can actually buy into that "purity." I've been in a relationship with someone who was into a "cause". (Read: Student activist) He dedicated himself to it, and romance was the last thing on his mind. There are some men who are very dedicated to a certain goal, and that goal will consume their entire being. They don't necessarily make great lovers unfortunately.

Fortunately for Ning Yi, although he may have been consumed by his quest for justice, his meeting with Zhiwei must have triggered something. That eyebrow raise and smirk he gave her when she bid him farewell in Episode 3(?) should have subtitles. It was like those untapped emotions that lay dormant were finally awakened.

[[Mainland Chinese Drama 2018] The Rise of Phoenixes 凰权·弈天下]

3 hours ago, rosierosie said:

Prince Qi is not thinking straight, he is in lust for the throne too!! arrrghhh I thought he was going to be a good guy???? 

I knew he was after the throne since the beginning because Ning Yi mentioned to Xin Ziyan that Ning Qi "came to court prepared." Ziyan then replied that they both know what Ning Qi is after, so it's best not to underestimate him. I kind of feel bad for him though, as I do for all the Princes to some degree. I mean, his father practically banished him to the border at a young age and forgot all about his mother. He has absolutely no real, tangible relationship with his father. Just like his mother, I don't think Ning Shizheng will ever truly love him like a father should his son. He is quite unhinged though.

 

@skibbies Thank you for the wonderful and detailed insights into the censorship issue. While I can understand, I wish I could have seen the series the way it was originally intended for the audience. I don't understand why heavy violence is OK in historical dramas (I'm talking about you Nirvana in Fire), but not a line like, "I'm the law." It's in context of the drama, and creativity shouldn't be stunted by political agendas.

 

@Pollen Ainne I've played Go online myself, but I'm really bad at it. Thank your for doing the screenshots. Like you said, they probably didn't expect people to notice. I personally didn't notice it myself because I was busy trying to read the subtitles.