The Problematic of the Unproblematic

Chapter 96.5 written by kakashi edited by Panda Year 81,357 after the Creation of the Realms (Shao Wan has just recently celebrated her 40’000 egg-escape day. This is ~28’000 years before Father Immortal’s school is opened and ~29’000 years before Shao Wan will first set eyes on pretty boy Mo Yuan at the school gates)

JoAnne:  Should I switch to black for the RAWR? Would that be less irritating than all this red? kakashi: Who says you're irritating!! Show yourself, villain! (I offered you black maaaaany, many RAWRs ago :)   Trotwood: I think you should since you are always the leader on this posting. I don't think any of us will watch as much as you even if we retired and watched dramas all day long.  SakiVI: makes sense. kakashi: So, I watched nothing this week. But I finished writing a paper. Oh, I lie. I watched Warriors Gate. Before I say "It wasn't THAT bad", let me add I watched it to get alternative Mo Yuan pictures. So beautiful.   No one has said to me that I'm irritating, it's just me: I'm irritated by all the red, I think it looks garish and silly.  I know you offered it to me but back then I had hopes you were in a shorter slump, not an extended sabbatical.  (You notice I'm not completely agreeing that you're done with KDrama.) But okay!  B...

Chapter 2. Why fall in love with something you can’t have author: Bunny consultant: LigayaCroft and  ____Le (editor: Kakashi) Year 310,000 (20,000 years before the Ghost War) On a day in late summer, barely over a year into her discipleship, Bai Qian learned for the first time that the God of War was a merciless god. Up until then, he had had her fooled with that pretty face and quiet demeanor. A wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Chapter 96 written by kakashi edited by Panda It looked like a Celestial lightning storm was approaching. Goosebumps formed all over Shao Wan’s body, a feeling of instinctive dread mixed with morbid excitement crept up from her feet, over her midriff, up to the top of her head. In the midst of the howling energy storm was the God of War, carrying a massive killing aura before him like a black, thick cloud. He was brandishing his sword with elegant, yet powerful movements, drawing Celestial fire from the Heavens and throwing it to all sides, downing screaming soldiers by the hundreds. A sight to behold and never to forget, her Mo Yuan.

“Cheat Sheet” to Bai Qian & Moyuan FF by Lalaloop First thing first: The story officially ends at chapter 16 - Broken Zither In this universe: Cloud-jumping is range limited. Air travel depends on swords more. Mind-reading is not a reflex. BQ did not officially propose to YH.

kakashi: Hi all! A new reader, SleepyNanda, who just recently finished watching Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms and says she read ALL the comments (kudos!), will add a few additional tidbits or new perspectives to the drama based on her experience and research. Her first is...

Chapter 95 written by Chimera and MiniOrchid edited by Chimera Zi Lan was dead. Die Feng did not feel much as 5th delivered his report in a hoarse voice. His gaze remained at the slice of daylight visible between the tent flaps, his mind expecting Zi Lan to walk in any moment, smirking. There was no body. By all accounts, Zi Lan had burned, his aura vanquished. “Senior?” 5th prodded.

SakiVI: just a couple of comments. I'm recovering from flu. JoAnne: I think they're getting used to all the red. Trotwood: I'm back and not watching what I planned but started new things. Don't expect my drama watching to make sense.  kakashi: Over and out .  KOREA Two Cops (Complete) I finished this week -  an enjoyable-enough show, carried mostly on the likeability and acting chops of Jo Jeong Suk and Kim Sun Ho, and the humor of a solid cast of side characters.  Hyeri did a decent job and thank God the director didn't want any of that shrill, annoying caterwauling we've seen before.  It's not something I'd ever think about watching again and it won't make my best-of lists for anything - but it won't be on any worst-of lists, either.  I will, however, look forward to whatever is next for all three of our leads - so that's something right? Just Between Lovers  Gang Doo is in a very bad way when Halmeoni dies, but eventuall...

SakiVI: The investigation into the murders gets underway, and we finally find out who the dead baby's mother is, and its backstory. Poor Mao is the victim of a prank gone to extremes, though. kakashi: Wonderful visuals. Wow.  JoAnne:  I loved this episode - the story definitely picks up and we also start to see relationships developing. It goes without saying that the episode is just as gorgeous as the first two - I'm really liking this drama a lot .

Chapter 1. Fools Will Believe What They Want to Believe written by Bunny consulting by LigayaCroft edited by Friend of Bunny Outside, the wind howls like a chained and starved animal. Sending currents of snow through the entrance of the cave. The encompassing walls of ice glow a frigid shade of aquamarine with wisps of vapor that hover on the surface. All around, the raw chill seeps in through her skin and wraps around her bones and tendons like poison. The smell of his skin—fresh rain mixed with earth—the only reminder of warmth in this icy abyss. Encapsulated in his arms, they share the remaining shreds of heat in their bodies. He has been channeling his energy to provide for them, but it is now dwindling. Occasionally his arms wrap a little tighter around her to make up for it.

Chapter 94b written by kakashi edited by Panda “In the year 262,000 after Father Immortal’s death, on the twenty third day of the 2nd Demon War, the God of War, Supreme Commander of the Celestial forces, won a decisive battle against the Demon Armies. Using a new tactical formation and a feint involving the Xì Mǎ Yú cavalry, he launched a rear attack on the enemy center. By personally leading his fastest, most elite warriors into the thick of the enemy forces, he struck right at their heart, bringing greatest devastation to the Demon army from within. Yet, he had the Celestial armies retreat when High God Cheng Yin surprisingly brought in masses of new demon soldiers from out of nowhere and threatened to…"

Chapter 94a written by Panda edited by kakashi Ye Hua was brimming with fury, his entire being vibrating from the sheer amount of terror and anger that ran through him. And yet, the object of his anger gazed at him dispassionately, detached, and without a shred of emotion. At most, there was a slightly annoyed look on the face he knew so well.

Panda: Treachery :(( kakashi: Oh no, it's that episode :((( JoAnne: Poor HeYe. Is there anyone he can trust? Me! Me!  

Chapter 16.5 - Scars written by LalaLoop edited by kakashi “How on earth...” stuttered Bai Qian. But she did not have long to wonder - panic had started to break out among the mortals. Bai Qian, Zilan, and Changshan were standing opposite of a Kirin, which she had recognized with no difficulty as one of the untamed beasts they had been previously introduced to during one of their visits to Lingbao Tianzun’s place, one he had called a ‘fire Kirin’ and had been training to become his mount. Right now, it was thumping its feet before them. Bai Qian doubted it was right to call the thing a Kirin for it was the most hideous looking creature she had ever seen in her life. And different from the the Lord of Numerous Treasures’ Fire Phoenix, which always shimmered with flames, this creature looked more like it had been born from a rock. Its whole body looked like a boulder on not like that of a mount someone could sit on. Its unihorn, which was the unique feature of all Kirins wa...

kakashi: Sima Yi gets pulled in deeper and it seems Cao Pi's patience is finally paying off ... bromance! Here it comes! Panda: I am so afraid to get my hopes up, but it does seem like It's Happening!! JoAnne: I LOVED this episode. Were you guys laughing at everything, too?

SakiVI: I've had very little to say for weeks. I'm only watching Hwayugi and Tienstin Mystic on this list. ::Shrugs:: JoAnne:  If you're watching something else - add it. Maybe someone reading will either be interested, or is watching and would love to comment. I don't always know/remember what everyone else is watching if it's not the usual Korean or Chinese shows, but the list is certainly not limited to what I put down when I set up the post. Yes, I know, but this time around, I don't feel like the dailies I follow are worth discussing. And I haven't got another main drama, so to speak. Maybe if I start Arrows on the Bow string I'll have more for next week. kakashi: I haven't watched a single minute of any show this week but I've been good! I've worked hard.   Trotwood: I'm back from vacation, but despite swearing that I was going to catch up with dramas while I was away, I spent more time scarfing down scones with clotted cream ...

Prologue Author: Bunny Consultant: Ligayacroft Editor: Kakashi Year 402,000 (72,000 years after the Ghost War) Against the backdrop of dead silence, the thud of her feet as they dropped on the wood floor, reverberated through the Hall of Beautiful Youth. A sharp chill had roused Bai Qian from sleep and caused the small hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. Leaning over the edge of the bed, she picked up her outer robe from the nearby rack and threw it around herself, quickly fastening the ties. “Nai Nai?”

Chapter 93 written by kakashi edited by Panda “I would not want to experience mortal suffering, you are right. But at least, it ends. Immortal grief is much worse. It doesn’t.” She had been right. Immortal grief was like a taste of hell while one was damned to live, like an ocean of the blackest sorrow threatening to drown one’s every sense and purpose.

Chapter 92 written by MiniOrchid edited by kakashi, Chimera and Panda During the dark ages when the world was freshly formed, cultivation was new and there were no controls or limits. There were no records either, no masters to teach anyone, not even the High Gods. Stabilizing cultivation was a balancing act established through trial and error and if one was not careful, it could easily lead to catastrophic results. It took millennia and thousands of innocents dying at the hands of those who had lost control over their powers for enough knowledge to be gathered, rules to be set, and records to be put in place.

SakiVI: In which our handsome youths get to know each other more as they begin investigating Ding Dad's death and that of the unknown infant. Their styles are different, but complimentary, and it looks like the beginning of a deep bromance for people who like that sort of thing. kakashi: If they are not the true OTP, I will be angry. JoAnne: Who doesn't like a deep bromance? And if you don't...why are you watching dramas where all the best romances are always b-romances? Because the writers throw the bromance into my adventure story against my will.

Panda: Where we finally get to see a grown-up HeYe. kakashi: I LOVE IT! (Him) JoAnne: He's a fun guy, yep. Stuff HAPPENS around him.

Ink in Water 70,300 years after the Ghost War, across the unchanging 36 celestial skies, the gods carried on with their leisurely existence, penning lives and sewing fate. On the banks of the Yangtze River, a mortal held onto the lifeless body of the woman he loved, cursing the gods. And below the darkest depths of 18 layers of hell, an ancestor frozen in time begins to stir. Bai Qian of Qing Qiu thought that as a nine-tail fox, she had chosen her mate for life, and that he was Crown Prince Ye Hua of Heaven. But her convictions are shaken when her teacher, Ye Hua’s twin brother, the God of War Mo Yuan, finally returns 70,000 years after his soul sacrifice. His presence causes bridled feelings to come undone, but Bai Qian is forced to realize that when the heart wants what it can’t have, guilt can contaminate desire. As they navigate the murky waters between them, both parties deny their affections until they are pushed to further acknowledge them through several lifetimes o...

kakashi: A wedding and a death and lots of tests for Cao Pi. Panda: Even though I mourned the sinking of my ship, I still found the scene pictured below moving.

Chapter 39 written by LigayaCroft edited by kakashi and Panda “ Māma [1], I am home!” She came flying into the hall followed closely by her steed, which not too long ago during their travels had finally been able to assume its human form, albeit he was just a young child at this point. It was something she was extremely proud of since her Brother didn’t have one of his own, mostly because the loser kept to his books and to himself, and was a standard leech just living off riding her Mother’s many steeds for transportation.

kakashi: Is everybody back at work? I sure am. I'm pretending my to-do list doesn't exist. I am being, like, really smart about it. JoAnne: ( If he's here, he shouldn't be ELSEWHERE. ) Hi folks.  Be prepared for even more red below the break.  Kakashi was off in the mountains plus she won't watch Bad Guys until it's fully subbed. Trot is now on vacation in the middle of her OTHER obsession, and Saki is just being super quiet these days.  Panda's getting ready to go back to work, poor thing, and she's currently recapping 17 episodes of T&E a day.  Not much time for anything else.

Panda: A reunion! Actually two :)) kakashi: It's where I get bored for the first time. Could also be the second. JoAnne: I'm up in the 50's so I don't remember what happens here. I will find out as we go!

Chapter 38 written by LigayaCroft edited by Panda & kakashi Everybody got roaring drunk, and the drunker they got, the more the liquor flowed. A-Li was left pouring one drink after another, left and right, for the Duke and Cai Jin. Thus, it was already halfway during the pig hour [1] when A-Li was finally able to extricate himself from the gathering.

Chapter 16 - Broken Zither written by LalaLoop edited by kakashi Bai Qian had no idea why she had ended up at the entrance of Yanhua cave. It was Moyuan she was wanting to see, not an empty rock bed he used to sleep on. Somehow, during her thread of thoughts, her feet had taken her here. After all, she had been used to coming here everyday for the last 70,000 years.

Chapter 91 written by Panda edited by kakashi Cold and miserable, Yue shivered slightly as he adjusted his position behind the small clearing he had fashioned for himself. And not for the first time he wondered if he was truly as insane as his brothers accused him of being.

SakiVI: Here we go! Finally, a show I've been wanting to watch all year gets subbed by the lovely  siantlark . Youtube's AvenueX raved about it , and I am so excited to watch it after a looooooonnnnng wait, that I have to recap it to get out all my feels. kakashi: Not on my radar except for you, SakiVI, fangirling before it even started. Loved the first episode though! I'm glad you fangirled. JoAnne: I wasn't paying a LOT of attention, I admit, but I did notice Saki's excitement. I thought this was going to be like a CIT story, but with water. Imagine my surprise to discover that THESE are the 'river gods' of which folks spoke. And then...it was kinda trippy with the many frozen screens and such, although I realize that might just have been crappy internet that night. I was a bit tipsy, so it was hard to tell . But first, a summary via www.mydramalist.com: during the Republican era, a river is haunted by inexplicable occurrences. Guo De You is a p...

Chapter 37 written by LigayaCroft edited by Panda and kakashi She was determined to reach Chángyíng as fast as they could. A baby waited for no one, she always said, and Huo Zheng was determined to be there for the birth. Thus, she refused the carriage the Duke had offered for them to ride in which caused the company to split into two — one consisted of the carriage and supplies, and the smaller one, theirs, was equipped with the fastest warhorses to race back to Chángyíng.

SakiVI: In which our gang faces dragon's breath and weasel wee to get to the Cave of Eyes. kakashi: If only I'd had some weasel wee, then my eyes would probably have stayed open.  Trotwood: After they stopped flying, I kept falling asleep. JoAnne: I just finished watching and I already don't remember what happened. They did a lot of walking and a little flying. Right?  

Chapter 90 written by Miniorchid Edited by kakashi, Panda and Chimera Numbness… Was that even the right word to use under the circumstances? 4th Junior had been a ghost of himself when he had first come back from the Ghost Realm. Thereafter, Die Feng had been there to witness the anxiety eating away at Shang Ling day after day. And he had been present when 4th Junior had left again, with only a few words of assurance that he would return in a few days.

kakashi: Welcome to 2018's first RAWR! May this year give us plenty of good dramas to love and bad dramas to rant about. Trotwood: I need fun in my dramas not just cute but fun. That is scarce. Maybe it's my own sense of humor or lack thereof. JoAnne: I like there to be some humor, particularly if things can be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but I also like a male lead I can lust over, a female lead I can want for a friend, a supernatural element, and for there NOT to be screeching and slapping.

There was good, and then, there was bad... It is always hard to pick the worst dramas of a year, because if you're a sensible person, you drop those :D Anyway, here is our pick of the "probably don't watch those".

Happy New Year, everyone! We want to thank you all for reading, commenting, interacting with us - it has been a wonderful year on this blog, yay, for happy places! - and it is a true honor to be friends with so many great people. May your year be splendid and your blessing be plentiful. Like every year, we want to take stock of our favorite dramas of 2017. This post will be followed by what we thought were the worst dramas.