Malec

previously, on SWIHLT: part 2, part 1.

episodes 20 & 21 of Pursuit of or Chasing Jade

we have graduated to themes y'all. moving on up.

Today's are: sweet treats 🍬 and reputations 💅

Look at this point, if our character needs an introduction, are you even watching this masterpiece? BUT FOR CONTINUITY'S SAKE!

returning to the stage for the bazillionth time:

to quote his teacher, "he is handsome and has a flawless appearance" and his wife, "he is capable and smart", it's our broad shouldered beauty, marquis of wu'an!!!! 🚨

*photo selected because i took 20 screenshots of this scene. oh zhang linghe, the man you are*

Round 1: Episode 20

we open with him doing marquis things, very smart, very chill. but a delivery! oh! the bag!

and what's in the bag? well. many things, and we will focus on two.

Item one: some sweets

Well known fact of our man that was mentioned at the beginning of the show: he doesn't like sweets!

but now it's, "he doesn't like sweets, unless they are tangerine peel candy from his wife." especially when he hasn't seen her in a month.

And let me tell you this news is ground shattering. childish behavior? the marquis? who???

Item two: the evil divorce letter

truly, girl. you are rubbing that salt. and poor Gongyun Yin has to deal with the rubble of Zheng's exploded heart.

Very not marquis behavior. and over a woman? wild.

omg its a 🚨surprise item🚨

uh oh. the item is a portrait of the happy family (gongyun drew, thanks my guy) and a note that Changning, his daughter (ope) is KIDNEPAPPED!

look, man barely even denies it. the GOSSIP. a secret love child? whew.

truly the marquis is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Of course, we have to go save her. And our marquis does exhibit major marquis behavior by developing a diabolical plan that will ALSO save her. And he has to do it because the other side won't believe him (and he has to be the one to save her, duh).

but we can't share it in public! Now, General He is not surprised by the Fan family or that he is married.

oh how the tables have turned! the shocked parties include our contestant with the lack of Shocked Pikachu from general He.

sidebar: marquis behavior 10000% when withholding his rage about the Fan parents deaths. Gongyun saves his ass from going full enraged defensive husband (but I would very much like to see it).

WE GOT THE SHOCKED PIKACHU! From the general!

well obviously man has a plan and the plan is to let Gongyun tell you why strategically this a good idea AND ensures Changning's safety.

*whew*

the 'my wife energy' is only leaking out sir, i promise no one can see (everyone can see)

Round 2: Episode 21

Poor fella keeps sneezing. Anyone got a nasal spray? zyrtec? tissues?

i s2g he is hoping it's Changyu thinking about him. very not marquis behavior.

his soldier is like "that darn spring! here is your coat!" Zheng: let me suffer and be pathetic!!!

we get it again with our gossip king! and Zheng ain't having it - slightly marquis behavior.

THEN. BUT THEN.

Chat, we get the most diabolical scene. Changyu, hurry up and get your man or all the viewers are gonna try to steal him. We open with him looking over the gates.

oh look! we have RETURNED TO THE SWEETS!

gotta have a lil' treat. which of course, requires our friend's commentary.

GOTTA REMIND HIM! MUSHY MARQUIS APPEARANCE.

You so got him there sir (you didn't, that was half hearted as shit my dude). Though he did get a zinger with no one would bring you candy! get your own!

Gongyun is offended and says any noble lady would bring him some treats! hell a whole store!

BUT MUSHY MARQUIS LOOK AT HIM 👇

Man is like sure, you could get candy, but would it be from your WIFE? A BELOVED WIFE? A BELOVED WIFE THAT IS NAMED CHANGYU AND PROVIDES BY BUTCHERING PIGS?

I think not!

And of course, we gotta close out with the most UNMARQUIS BEHAVIOR (though on purpose this time) OF IT ALL:

Randomly announcing you have a daughter and that you are going to save her. Super not Marquis behavior!

THAT'S RIGHT! HE HAS A DAUGHTER TO GET BACK.

and everyone is like you have a WHAT!!!! classic not marquis behavior.

And that is today's episode of:

"since when is he like this?"

Hellooooo I am soooo back because I saw this Weibo notif a few hours ago HAHA!! Here's the teaser trailer :)

I'm not sure what my upload schedule would be (let's be honest, it's a mess anyways, but I'd like to think it's a mess that Xian Lian would approve of) but I'll at least keep up with the first few episodes 🫡

This marks the last season already! Let me know what you guys are looking forward to hearing <3

Will be uploading the rest of the Vol. 2 arc episodes soon 🙏🏼 Thank you for your patience~

Stay safe and hydrated and have a wonderful day!

▸ But if you’ve been searching for eight hundred years, how did you end up with a Supreme Ghost King?

Note: Due to copyright, I'll keep the remaining paid episodes unlisted. So this is the only place you can find all the episode directories, besides the playlists on my YouTube! If you keep your eyes peeled, sometimes I might update the playlists before I even update here 🤭

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This is a parody about Second Male Lead Syndrome in Chinese dramas. Full version on youtube.

No matter the drama, the second male lead suffers beautifully, carries the emotional weight, and still never gets the girl.

Somehow, he has more chemistry with the male lead than with the female lead — but by design, by code, and by fate, the “correct” couple must win.

A tribute to noble suffering, illegal eye contact, and eternal audience frustration.

Featuring:

till the end of the moon

moonlight Mystique

a journey to love

Are you the one

love between fairy and devil

ashes of love

Changheng

Evil Changheng in Xiao Lan Hua's nightmare

Dongfang Qingcang disguised as Changheng

Fairy Danyin disguised as Changheng

Rong Hao disguised as Changheng

Xiao Run

Changheng but happier

I've seen 10 cdramas and I decided to rank them all. If the cdrama is based on a book, I will only be taking the drama into account and I will not be including donghuas in this particular ranking. These are all my personal opinions but I would love to hear some others! Let me know if you agree or disagree.

10. 'Love Game in Eastern Fantasy'

Plot: After a rough day at work and being disappointed by her favorite author's latest web novel, Ling Miaomiao finds herself transported into the story as the villainous Lin Yu destined to meet a miserable fate at the hands of the protagonist's brother Mu Sheng. Tasked with making Mu Sheng fall in love with her 100% in order to return home, Ling Miaomiao tries to change the novel's original tragic ending.

Episode Count: 32

As a Scum Villain fan, I love a good transmigration plotline. This show had all the potential and the first half is excellent. However, after they get to the Capital, it all starts to unravel and although there's still a few funny scenes and some great action, it's nowhere near as good as the first half of the show.

5/10

9. The Story of Yanxi Palace

Plot: Historical drama about the rise of Wei Yingluo (the Qianlong Emperor's Third Empress) in the imperial harem. Beginning as a palace maid investigating the murder of her elder sister, Wei Yingluo must learn to naviagte the machinations of Qianlong's consorts as they all vie for favor and power within the palace.

Episode Count: 90

The first cdrama I ever watched. Wei Yingluo is an excellent protagonist and the show has many intriguing mysteries and plot lines. The long episode count does mean that some of the middle has a lot of filler, but there is a lot to enjoy in this fun show. Although there is a love triangle element, I really enjoy Qianlong and Wei Yingluo's interactions as they have a very atypical love story.

7.5/10

8. A Familiar Stranger

Summary: Painter Shi Qi is forcibly face-swapped with the Prime Minister's daughter Shen Qin who doesn't want to go through with her arranged marriage.

Episode Count: 18 (10-12 minutes each)

This webdrama available on YouTube has an intriguing plotline and some great chemistry between the leads. However, in an exact opposite problem to Yanxi Palace, the short episode count and length leave some things unexplored that could have been interesting in a longer show.

7.8/10

7. Guardian

Summary: In Haixing, the SID led by Zhao Yunlan investigate mysterious deaths related to a subterranean alien species known as Dixingrens who possess powerful unique abilities. As cases become more frequent, Shen Wei, a professor at the university, seems to have some kind of connection to them.

Episode Count: 40

This might ruffle some feathers. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Guardian and Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are one of the best cdrama couples out there. (Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng also have a cute side relationship), but i think the amount of censorship and having to rework parts of the novel ended up harming the cohesiveness of the show's over-arching narrative. Still a great show and the final stretch of episodes are some of my favorites in cdrama overall.

8/10

6. Till the End of the Moon

Summary: To save the world from the Devil God Tantai Jin, Li Susu travels back 500 years to when he was human with the task of killing him and preventing him from becoming a devil god. Unexpectedly awakening as Tantai Jin's abusive wife Ye Xiwu, the two begin to develop real feelings towards one another.

Episode Count: 40

Now we're getting into the home stretch of cdramas I genuinely don't have any issues with and it's just coming down to personal preference. The chemistry is amazing, the CGI is the best I've ever seen in a cdrama, the plotline is masterfully done. But by god these biches need to work on their communication issues and misunderstanding plotlines make me want to claw my face off (there's quite a few).

8.5/10

5. Love Between Fairy and Devil

Summary: Xiao Lanhua, a low-ranking flower fairy in Shuiyuntan accidentally and unknowingly frees Dongfang Qingcang, the Moon Supreme devil god imprisoned 10,000 years ago. After a bond is formed where Dongfang QIngcang can feel all of her physical and emotional pain, he is forced to keep her safe as he tries to work out how to break it.

Episode Count: 36

Another show with fantastic chemistry between the leads, a villain reveal I genuinely didn't see coming, and has some of the funniest and most tragic scenes I've ever seen. Did I cry watching this show - yes. Unashamedly. Dylan Wang is too good of an actor. And I'm a sucker for a good Hades x Persephone romance.

8.8/10

4. Fangs of Fortune

Summary: 8 years after attacking the Demon Hunting Bureau, the demon Zhu Yan shows up on the doorstep asking to work together with them.

Episode Count: 34 + Bonus Episode

This show has something for everyone. Great CGI, bisexual polycule (or GL and BL, or just het) vibes, a great story and some of the best stunt work and action choreography I've ever seen. I wish there were more episodes and that it had fully committed to the ZYC + ZYZ angle.

9/10

3. Justice in the Dark (ongoing - could jump in the rankings dramatically if the ending sticks the landing)

Summary: In the futuristic Xinzhou City, 1.3% of the population are affected by a radiation caused genetic defect that leaves them unable to empathise. These 'Apaths' are considered prone to criminal behaviour and their crimes are investigated by Luo Weizhao's Special Investigation Division (SID). Pei Su, a young millionaire at odds with Luo Weizhao due to events in their past becomes connected to a series of unusual crimes with thematic ties to classic literature read aloud by a mysterious broadcaster.

Episode Count: 30 (25 aired as of this post)

Thank you Japan for releasing the rest of the episodes. Excellent chemistry between the two lead, the cases are all fascinating and I'm a sucker for a good literary reference. If this show sticks the landing with the finale it could very well jump to number 1 on this list. I can't wait to see how this show concludes.

9.5/10

2. Word of Honor

Summary: Former assassin Zhou Zishu quits the Window of Heaven and goes into hiding. With only a few years left to live, he plans to live out the rest of his days alone until he meets Wen Kexing - a mysterious man who sees through his disguise and proceeds to follow him everywhere he goes.

Episode Count: 36 + Bonus episode

Insane chemistry, great stunt choreo and a great story. The show that made everyone say "hey, doesn't China have censorship???" This show was meant to have 45 episodes originally (cut down to 36) and it does show a bit in the second half, but Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu are my 2nd favorite cdrama couple for a reason.

9.5/10

The Untamed

Summary: 16 years after his widely celebrated death, demonic cultivator Wei Wuxian is suddenly resurrected in a new body. After reuniting with Lan Wangji, a man from his first life, the two work together to solve the mysteries of the present and the past.

Episode Count: 50

The one, the only. The TV show that changed my life. PERFECTION. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji remain my favorite cdrama couple ever. The directions this show took altered my brain chemistry and changed my outlook on so many things. The gold standard of cdramas.

10/10

Impossible to just stop after the last episode. I must see the Marquis of Wu'an beg for his life, LMAO.

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She's so pissed, LMAO.

He's lucky he's pretty, so she'll forgive him eventually, LMAO.

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Oh, sweetheart 😢

He didn't expect to live long in the first place, but she is making him want to live 😭😭

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WHAT ARE YOU SAYYYYYYYYING 😭

STOP DIGGING YOUR FUCKING GRAVE.

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Oh, thank god.

I was ready to cheer Changyu on in killing him.

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She stole his horse and abandoned him, LMAO.

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I knew he was courting death, smh.

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It was the kid whose life she spared 😢

No good deed goes unpunished.

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Oh, thank god.

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Oh 😢

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WTF, when did he escape?

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LOL

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LOL, do you still want to marry her?

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LOL, at least you're self-aware 😂

Also, that's how the lunatic escaped.

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Cackling 🤣🤣

Disasters 🤣🤣

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Dying 🤣🤣