u/StudiousFog

Finished POJ on Netflix 3 weeks ago, and Veil of Shadow is about to wrap up. Can't help feeling that the two shows are such a strong start that the rest of the year will be such a let down, at least for the respective genres.

POJ has its flaws, but it starts so strong and the pairing so adorable that I would rave about it, even if the last 6 episodes are just a splash screen with a narrator droning on about how it ends. As it were, they might as well.

VoS is also beautifully done and is the first Xianxia I manage to finish, almost. Always love high fantasy settings, but past Xianxia didn't quite hit the spot. The story pacing was great. Can't say I find Jiling-Wuyi romance that compelling and the attending slog through the segment enjoyable, but the rest is well done.

So, coming down from such a high point, are we set for meh shows for the rest of the year? Or, are we at a turning point where budgets and productions are so elevated that what follows should match the two, at least from the visual and cinematography POV? Nothing can salvage poor writing, but that's true now or ever. Anything notable to look forward to?

Just watched two episodes, so far so good. I have tried to watch Xianxia CDrama before. Most times, I can't get past the first 15 minutes. The costume looks too garish. How can anyone fight in that thing? The characters' look, makeup, hairdo, etc., look too animated- or gaming-inspired. The action scenes look cartoonish. The backstory is too over the top.

I wasn't too crazy with VoS backstory opening, to be fair. It sounds as convoluted as anything else, but the visual looks all right. Maybe Xianxia has found its proper balance at last? How does this one compare with past popular Xianxia?

Never thought I would get to see that portrayed in such an intimate and sensuous manner. A legitimate excuse to strip the loved one half naked to deliver a life saving treatment, imagine that. That said, it's real. I got scraped a few times as a child as a treatment for cold and fever. Though my mum used a drinking glass or a small rice bowl rather than a coin, which could be too sharp for the purpose.

Anyway, kudos to the author for imagining such a lovely scene using a real home remedy. Though I have got to admit that I never imagine the treatment to be effective against hypothermia. We have to allow that artistic license, don't we?