Love Your Bones Forever 2 (2021)

Beautiful expansion of the original novel

This drama might not be for everyone (as a slow burn, "read between the lines" romance with a BE), but I absolutely loved it.
I loved the novel but the drama didn't disappoint my expectations either.

First of all, the cinematography is beautiful. It's very movie-esque, rather than a typical cdrama which seems too real? I think the colour grading and lenses/shots they used played a big part here. The quality of the set, props, and costumes are also evident through watching.
The acting is great and I fell in love with Allen + Bai Lu despite not having seen any of their previous dramas. I also liked seeing some familiar faces in the side characters.
The soundtrack is perfectly fitting and speaking of a movie feel, I loved that they were able to use instrumental / orchestral music too to set the mood.
Finally, as someone who doesn't particularly enjoy drawn out court politics / war (even if they're done well), I liked that this drama focused more on the romance. Although we only got hugs at most, the refined/poised nature of the romance was in line with the character's motivations and overall nature of the drama. However, I did think one aspect that could've been improved for the storytelling was the setup of some side characters. For example, I don't think this drama introduced the emperor's concubines well. They were only introduced as needed and it felt jarring to see them suddenly introduced.

Super minor note: I also would've liked to see more guqin playing from Shiyi although we did get a few scenes of it.

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there is nothing i do not like about this drama. Cast production story and all the things
it is an ancient romance drama between a shoulder and girl.
the main lead of this drama is a warrior who had swore not to get married in order to protect his country. in other hand the female lead has speaking problem . she never speaks . then they met each other and the girl becomes his student . slowly they fall in love and the girl starts to speak slowly. but then the male lead is killed in a war . hearing this news the girl also takes her life and the drama continues in other series called ((forever and ever)) where they are reincarnated in modern times and continue there romance.

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Not what I expected...

I think I had high hopes for this drama because of the high ratings and because it stars Bai Lu, but it missed the mark for me. It was still a fairly good drama, just not as good as I was expecting.

It starts out interesting, then the middle is a slow burn, and then picks up the last 3 episodes. I think it could have improved by adding more fight scenes (the fights they had were well-choreographed and therefore they should have added more), adding more spice to the ML/FL romance (romance was there, but barely palpable - maybe because the ML is supposed to be more reserved and battle hardened, but this makes the chemistry between the ML/FL not as electric), and making the FL stronger (she seemed fine just being told what to do vs fighting for what she wanted, but maybe this is because of the time period where it was just taken for granted that royalty women will do what is expected of them, though the female generals were awesome and badass). Bai Lu would have been a great badass woman, but unfortunately, her role here was not just to play a mute, but to be muted as a character as well.

The positives
- The strong female generals that kicked-ass
- Well-choreographed fight scenes (should have had more)
- Episodes 1, 2, 22, 23, 24
- Wang Xing Yue as was a nice surprise (thought he was good in this role - made me feel sorry for him and hate him, while still liking him lol)

The negatives
- Weak female lead that unfortunately doesn't become stronger as drama progresses
- Slow burn from episodes 5-21 (played at 1.5x speed to get through it)
- I was expecting more from Ren Jia Lun but maybe he was constrained by the character in the script
- Story seemed forced in some parts which made it drag

I'll likely not watch the sequel Forever and Ever. I really liked the chemistry and the romance between Bai Lu and Luo Yun Xi in the modern drama Love is Sweet and I think that will be hard to beat.

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Watched this because of Bailu and wasn't prepared for the pain

I have rewatched this so many times and am somehow still surprised that I cry each time. I watched bc of bailu and truly wasn't prepared for what happened. This show was so beautifully done form the acting, to the plot, to the camera work, etc. I loved that this show really made me care about the side characters and relationships as well. There are somethings I don't really understand but it absolutely does not detract from the show for me. Bailu's performance was incredible -- so many crying scenes and they all felt different and believable. BL is such a happy and loud person that seeing her act as Shiyi and really solidly compose the character was impressive. This work was masterfully done, the two main leads had such small moments together but you could feel how delicate that was and how important they were to one another. The tone of the show felt nicely woven and everything felt earned based on character's decisions (except for one guy -- maybe I wasn't paying enough attention but I could not understand that one dude)..

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Tangible, Poetic Piece

When the screenwriter is the original author, you already know what you sign up for.

The opening 5 minutes already set the tone: the picturesque setting, the weather, the bgm, the FL's expression. Character and world building all set up in the first episode.

FL is refined, unblemished, almost goody two-shoe and whole heartedly faces the ML whom she fell in love with at first sight.

ML is a gentle warrior. In war, he is accomplish and incites loyalty in his army. Off it, he is kind, gentlemanly and humble. He does not carry nobility arrogantly. He seem to have all the good traits a man can have.

I think the atmosphere is really tangible. There is a lot of things not spoken but expressed. There is a lot of meaning behind a glance, a smile, a gesture.

I think this piece is a challenge to both ML and FL, who both rose to the occassion. Allen Ren is already known for his expressiveness that earn him alot of praises since Under the Power. FL have a lot of renowned works, both in modern and historical setting. And I felt she manage to carve out a Shi Yi who is very diff from her other previous characters.

I want to mention the crown prince. From the moment he grace the screen, he eminated charisma. So much i went to check and boy hes so young but does so well and had so much presence.

Like the book, there is a poetic feel to the drama that I cant help appreciating.Im glad Mo Bao Fei Bao and PD manage to translate it here to the screen. Im not exactly a fan of her works, it tends to be tinge with melancholy melo tones. The story and setting reminds me not everyone have the ability to love and be with the one they love.. especiallly not in ancient China and the position they both hold. This is so sad.

The decision to split the past life from the present was suprising for me. It was woven seamlessly in the novel. I wonder are we gonna have flashbacks in the sequel since modern day Shi Yi has memories of her past life?

Like everyone else Im waiting for Sep 9. For all the heartache and pain they went through, we want nothing more than the two to be given another chance. Perhaps second time aroud fate would be kinder.

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Great Chemistry and Story

Boy oh boy did I enjoy this drama. It pulled at my heartstrings, I cried, I laughed, and cried some more. The acting was superb, the cinematography as well. In the first 12 episodes I taught the political aspect, palace and characters were not well defined or impressive, however in the second half everyone played their role so well. In a sense this drama reminds me of Goodbye my Princess, not for the storyline but because of the emotions I felt while watching the last 8 episodes. Although it is clear that it is a sad ending, I would still recommend this drama to everyone. It is worth a watch. And The OST one of the best in a historical drama... Allen Ren and Bai Lu really killed it, I felt every emotion, every angst through their eyes.

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I don't usually fancy Costume drama, but...

It's a huge compliment to the series, for I, who don't really watch costume drama, to like this series very much!!
I think it's only my second Chinese costume drama that I've watched since I usually just cannot bear to watch this kind of period dramas (for some odd unexplainable reasons haha). Moreover with the sad ending that really breaks my heart, this shouldn't be the type of drama I watch. But I just can't get enough of it once I start watching it! Great flow of storyline, perfect casting, and completed with nice OSTs makes this drama really good!!
If I'm not mistaken, there's an alter in the leads' age especially CSY compared to the one depicted in the novel. But I think it flows better this way to the next series of Forever and Ever that showcasing the love story of the main leads. The ML&FL perfectly show how excruciating it is to hold deep the love in the bottom of your heart and never be able to take it to surface and also the sacrifices they need to make along the way.

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One and Only - Review

I personally dont like BE (bad endings) but i liked this drama series. personally i think thats quite an achievement in itself. usually, as long as the series has a BE, i stop liking it. cuz whats the point when pretty much every character in the series are probably better off if the series never existed? why does the director have to be so cruel as that everytime i think about the series i feel a strong wave of sad sympathy towards the people in it? i would have probably given this series a 10 for everything, had it not been so sad. It's such sad love. the 2 leads were never truly happy. ShiYi's dad left her when she was little, her marriage was arranged before she was even born, she fell in love with a man that couldnt marry, she was forced to marry a man she barely knew. and Zhou Shen Cheng was sent to the outskirts when he was barely a teenager, he was forced to take a vow and never marry or have children, he couldnt be with ShiYi even tho they loved each other and knew it. He ends up dying becuz he is too powerful for the Emperors liking, and She ends up commiting suicide by jumping off the palace wall cuz hes dead. Quite sad, really.

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Whoever thought of renjialun and bailu pairing please give them a best match maker award

I am actually not much a drama addict but would love to watch when it comes to my favourites and there are only few out there. Basically, i watched this drama because of bailu and ended up loving renjialun bailu onscreen pair and obviously raw love story. This is my first time watching allen drama so i don't know much about him but loved to watch him more with lulu now. Bailu crying scene has my whole heart. I cried till midnight watching her cry. My current situation control don't ship them allen is married 😂 😂 so i can only say i love to see this one screen pair more .Eagerly waiting forever and ever now.

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Not Dissappinted

I never fan of Chinese ancient drama. In fact, I started with Forever and Ever, skipped One and Only just because it’s an ancient drama. It takes a while for me to decide to start watch One and Only, because of the ending. And frankly.. I’m glad I decide to watch it. It’s a tragic but beautiful drama. I’ve been rewatching from time to time (only the “happy” part btw). It’s my first drama for Allen and second drama for Bai Lu (after Love is Sweet). Both have great chemistry. You can really see their love and pain through their eyes. Definetely recommended drama.

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I have watched this drama and I would like to share my opinion. If you're not willing to cry, then you should not watch this drama because I'm started crying aggressively from episode 15 until the final episode. I watched this drama because of Ren Jialun and Bai Lu but I never expected the ending will haunt me until today. I can't sleep well and focus on my work. I'm such an emotional person. The storyline was unexpected and I think the actors and actresses got along well. For me, the best OST in this dramas was As One by Ren Jialun. I really love this OST and I always cry whenever I heard one of the OSTs.
Another thing that I love in this drama is the bonding relationship between the brothers and sisters. It just looks like they always have for each other whenever they need someone. Besides, I really admire Ren Jialun's costume in this drama. He looks so cool and handsome especially when he wears black army suits. Ren Jialun also said that the Zhousheng Chen characters will be more suitable with the black costume!! I'm excited when we have the same opinion!!
And now, I'm going to watch Forever and Ever! I can't help myself from stop watching this modern drama which will be acted out by Ren Jialun and Bai Lu especially when the endings make me feel crazy!

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I truly enjoyed this forbidden love story. From the intricate plot, to the cinematography to the acting prowess. Deemed as the "rebellious" Zhou Sheng Chen, Ren Jia Lun was perfect as the emotionally-stunted Master/warrior. While Bai Lu played the mute heroine with controlled grace and avoided becoming the clingy damsel in distress. Both leads effortlessly portrayed the pining and longing between them with subtle yet impactful gestures as they maneuver the political climate that prevented them from acknowledging their feelings for each other. Other characters gave credence in their roles as support or as obstacle to the lead characters' journey. The twists and turns in this drama, that culminated in its ending, were so well-woven that the sequel to this was unnecessary.

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