I write things sometimes

Second half Yue Ying once again insisted on fighting every mook but at least there was more breathing room for the other other guys

It's rude. You're making someone take their time to read something you couldn't bother to write. You're telling them they were so unimportant you couldn't be bothered to actually take the time to say something yourself. And frankly, you're lying about it while you're at it.

So some fanartist drew a “sexy” (read: booby) version of a (cartoon) character who is traditionally very non-sexualised. Fans of the character got mad about it because it’s kind of groundbreaking how that character is written and portrayed and this art totally ignores the entire point of the character. They demanded the art be deleted. In response to that other people said, well what the fanartist did may be distateful but they have every right to draw what they’re into. The two sides fight for days and each starts a harassment campaign and even report their “opponents’” accounts.

So far so typical. But things eventually come to a head and they decide that this will be settled by votes - not through a poll. Through donations to a children’s education charity via each side’s portal. Whoever can get the highest amount of donation wins.

Because lets recap: He was tricked, and used, and hungry, and beaten repeatedly, and treated as worthless and disposable, all by a man fully capable of paying him for his work. He was sent alone to deliver a taunt to a dangerous man. He was seven. He accepting the beating he received without complaint, and was further beaten for asking for the payment he'd been promised. He was whipped, and knocked in front of an ox cart.

Chang Ci'an didn't AIM the cart at his finger.

Chang Ci'an deliberately knocked a seven year old orphan child to the ground in front of an ox cart and ordered the driver to drive over the child.

And the driver did.

He manage to escape with ONLY one crushed finger (and, we can assume, many less permanent injuries). Crushing injuries are incredibly serious, and even one so small can be deadly. An orphaned child can't afford decent medical care. Adult Xue Yang has a SEVERED finger, which means that at best he managed to find a doctor who would amputate it for him, and at worst he cut it off himself. At age seven. Xue Yang is INSANELY lucky to have survived to age 8 after this incident.

This is why Xiao Xingchen's suggestion that Xue Yang should have merely cut off Chang Ci'an's finger, or hand, or arm, is so upsetting to Xue Yang. Yes, the revenge he did take was abhorrent and excessive, but Xingchen totally misses the point of the story (understandable in the moment, everything is happening SO MUCH at that point).

Xue Yang, at age seven, had done nothing wrong. He was a child, he was innocent, and he didn't deserve to be treated like his life was worthless by Chang Ci'an, or the cart driver, or the message recipient, or the restaurant owner, or every observer on the street who did nothing to help. And every person who tells him it's "just a finger" further treats the very real devaluing of and threat to his life as normal and fine.

If he, any time after age 7, had been able to exact revenge by cutting off Chang Ci'an's arm, there is nothing equivalent about that revenge. A severed arm is not a crushing injury, and is less likely to produce life-long chronic pain. Chang Ci'an would have good medical care-- a doctor, medicine, pain killers. His life would not meaningfully be in danger. Chang Ci'an had family (and money) to help him with whatever tasks being one-handed made difficult. Chang Ci'an was an adult, who's already lived a life without pain and disability, and who's prospects will not be impacted. Chang Ci'an was an ADULT and therefore better able to understand what was happening and why. And beyond all of that, Chang Ci'an would DESERVE IT.

To say that Xue Yang did everything he did to the Chang Clan in revenge over "losing his finger" is to betray an utter lack of willingness to empathize with Xue Yang. Even the 7yo version of him.

Okay, because I made my earlier post about how I really do think more people in the cdrama fandom should watch pre-2020 cdramas.

(why 2020? it's a nice round year, but also, there was a big censorship overhaul around 2020-2021. Plus I feel like 2020-21 was when there was the influx into the cdrama fandom.)

Anyways - categories purely by me and not at all scientific. I have more, but I tried to keep this list to things that (I think) have subs.

The Prestige:

Legend of Zhen Huan: yes, harem dramas aren't everyone's thing and I acknowledge it. But if you are going to watch one harem drama, make it this one. It is one of IMO the best character study revenge plot in cdramaland that really explores the concept of patriarchy and power and sisterhood. Bonus, certain scenes in more recent cdramas will suddenly click because Zhen Huan is *that* influential. One note: I recommend the viki version, which the subtitle team does a wonderful job in explaining the context for the numerous poetry that the characters use.

The Story of Minglan: you know the story of the unfavored daughter getting revenge on her evil stepmother and then finding love with a hot noblemen? yes, this is the OG. Except everyone is fleshed out and 3D and you feel like you're watching real people.

Battle of Changsha (available on YouTube, no idea where else): Republic era/WW2 epic, so utterly real, so utterly heartbreaking, flawlessly written and acted. Yang Zi's best work to date, IMO.

(I'll put in Nirvana in Fire and Advisor's Alliance -- but I"ll be honest -- male centric stories tend not to be my cup of tea even if they are very well made, but I can acknowledge that the quality is there.)

The Idol Historical (aka my genre):

Scarlet Heart (no, not the k-drama version that I slowly grew a grudge against. The OG cdrama with Liu Shi Shi, currently available on Iqiyi): it borderlines prestige (TM) for me, but it's categorized as an idol historical so I'll address it as such. Modern girl transmigrate to Qing dynasty, and the writing is so cerebral and it's ultimately a thought-provoking piece about keeping one's sense of self and identity, and the difficulty choices we make along the way. You don't have to ship anyone to enjoy this drama. Ignore the sequel.

Goodbye My Princess (I know there's an English version on YouTube): a grand romantic tragedy (I'm putting that in open disclaimer) about how a murderous bastard soft for one girl trope and love isn't enough. The fact that the ML is also the villain. And then get salty about Cheng Xingxu (ML's actor)'s subsequent projects with me. (addendum - if you enjoy this, the King's Woman with Zhang Binbin and Dilreba is also excellent).

Singing all along (I have a separate genre called "Ruby Lin dramas"): it's a fictionalized story of Emperor Guangwu of Han and Yin Lihua, and it definitely has the most resemblance to post 2020 idol historical romances, except the harem plot which is historically accurate and added some fantastic tension. I also adore the costuming, which had some heft (TM) to it.

Not Necessarily Quality but Fun (bonus: MLs are now uncles/fathers to the current batch idol dramas):

The Glamorous Imperial Doctress (on Netflix): is it quality? I'm not sure, but if you are watching the Princess's Gambit and wondering if you can take off all hinges, congratulations! I don't even know how to describe it, other than ... it's unhinged but in the most entertaining way. ML gets chained in a palace by SML.

General and I (on Viki): does it have bad blue/green screen? yes. Can Angelababy act? not really. Does she and Wallace Chung have insane chemistry and this drama is a romance novel coming to life with surprisingly a complicated story involving the SML? absolutely. (I have a whole list of Wallace Chung dramas, including My Sunshine and Too Late to Say I Love You, but I do think General and I seem to be a good starting point if you are used to watching post 2020 idol historical).

Wuxia:

Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003: This show is, I believe as I think about it more, having seen pretty much every LOCH adaptation available on the internet today, the best version of Condor Heroes there is out there - as a faithful book adaptation, as one that has a lot of heart and stuff to say, one with some truly marvelous acting. Also this version stars Li Yapeng and Zhou Xun as Guo Jing and Huang Rong do I need to say more.

Dagger Lee (1999): One of my eternal childhood favorites, Dagger Lee is one of the adaptations of Gu Long's most famous wuxia novels Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword, and is honestly a classic for a reason! Also this version has Vincent Jiao in it and I lost my marbles about it as a child.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 1997: I think this version is still regarded as the definitive adaptational version for Jin Yong's longest and most narratively complex work. It has been some time since I rewatched it but I very much enjoyed it and it made up a hallmark of my childhood

Xiao Ao Jiang Hu 2001: God I cannot even begin to describe any of my feelings in this regard but XAJH is my favorite Jin Yong and this version of it is my favorite adaptation. Li Yapeng stars in his first Jin Yong leading man role in this drama - I really do like his version of Linghu Chong even if most people said he was too serious? I sincerely enjoyed this.

Xianxia

I am not the world's greatest xianxia junkie, but I will list two here because these very much just like opened me up with a paring knife.

Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms/Eternal Love: I do not know what kind of crack they put in the water of Liangliang but Liangliang was the most covered song in the world of 2018 and also [chews on it and wails] THIS SHOW. TMOPB was, I believe, among the very first of the xianxia dramas that started the current day xianxia craze and remains a top tier classic. Is the cgi janky? yes but who cares. CHEMISTRY. DRAMA. CRYING. ETC.

Love and Destiny: I greatly enjoyed Love and Destiny. I loved it because it gave me EMOTIONS. (One of the deaths in here still ranks as one of my top 10 xianxia deaths. I rewatch it to BAWL TEARS and it works every single time like I'm being gutted.) Just. gah there were so many good moments in this show. I watched it while it was airing and enjoyed it immensely.

Other Shows of Interest

When people tell you that the 90s version of A Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a masterwork, it's true. It absolutely the fuck is a masterwork this show is stunning and huge and sprawling the way that a full on adaptation of ROTK has to be and also the soundtrack bangs immensely.

If you like the story of Mulan, you will also like 2012's Mu Guiying Takes Command - a surprisingly heartfelt romcom about one of the Song Dynasty's most famous folk heroines. Her veracity in history might be completely made up, but her legend remains, and this adaptation of Mu Guiying's story is one of the most fun dramas I watched in the 2010s.

The Myth is arguably my favorite drama ever.

The Virtuous Queen of Han, Prince of Lan Ling, The King's Woman, Princess Agents, Schemes of Beauty and Four Women Conflict, Sound of the Desert, Secret of the Three Kingdoms are great idol historicals.

Legend of Condor Heroes 2008 is my love.

Romance of Red Dust is what assassins and idealistic scholars would be like if it wasn't prettified and made nice but as grim and dirty (but hopeful) as it could be.

Vigilantes in Masks is mysteries and trauma and actual stakes and LSS being badass.

The Young Warriors is basically who is who of cdramas back when but it's also an idol historical, a heartbreaking family tale, a ton of romances, and basically everything ever.

Ice Fantasy and Castle in the Sky are just romance novel and elves and angel fetish and just deliciousness.

Siege in Fog is you like toxic? Go for it. And same for Too Late to Say I love you.

Novoland Tribes and Empires and Novoland Eagle Flag are amazing high fantasy but not xianxia.

Demi Gods and Semi Devils 2003.

Jade Palace Lock Heart is nonsense but addictive nonsense - Hanadan goes Qing.

Little Fairy. You think you've seen romance xianxia angst? NO YOU HAVE NOT

Legend of Fuyao is amazing in every way and what a lot of those girlpower fantasy narratives try to be and fail.

OK I could go all day.

Also for solid idol historicals because of speaking of Wallace Huo — the imperial doctress. A bit uneven but also the ML is an emperor (so the SML — this is set in real history) — and again very thoughtful way of dealing with polygamy.

FWIW, I thought Wallace’s ML’s hesitancy towards his harem made absolute sense given that those women were put there by his stepmother. The way that they dealt with his love for the FL and at the same time respecting his official wife (the empress) was one of the stand outs.

A harem meta parody that I adored is Mengfei Comes Across. Absolutely hilarious but also heartwarming.

I hesitate to recommend the Legend of Dugu because it’s very uneven, but Ady An and Jeremy Tsui’s arc is *chef’s kiss*

Another fun one that is hard to find subs for is Princess Jieyou. It starts out wacky but settles down and this is a story of a woman sent for a state marriage with the barbarians and marrying their ruler tho she’s in love with his brother. Eventual happy ending too. She’s a real person apparently. Censors would never now .

And yeah all the ones you added!

Another mention of The Rise of Phoenixes - people who want everyone to be smart (but also intense), this is the drama for you.

Also if you want a wuxia romance, you can’t skip Listening Snow Tower!