Bu Bu Jing Xin [O][2011][TV/China]

Bu Bu Jing Xin [O][2011][TV/China]

WHY WHY TELL ME WHY
Bridget, like most is resisting the BBJX lure because after all, it is a Mainland China production and it ain't for the masses. Well not BBJX. Bridget asked me in Comments if she should watch BBJX and I wrote a long reply and after re-reading realised it is a rather good answer. So to everyone not yet on the BBJX bandwagon, either because you have no access or you can't understand Chinese (a minimum understand is of course required), here is my long reply why you must watch BBJX, short of a review which I have yet to complete;


-Insert your name here-..


*grabs shoulder*


-Insert your name here-...


*shakes back and forth*


-Insert your name hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-


*shakes left and right*


Have I ever, ever, ever been wrong? Ok maybe I have but was I right about Galileo? Was I? If you must watch a Mainland China production, please stop picking up that Romance of 3 Kingdoms, banish Water Margin, put JTTW away for later and just go straight for the beautiful men version of the Qing Dynasty saga. Bu Bu Jing Xin I GUARANTEE will at least impress you in any one of these 3 factors;


1. costume/set
2. the story
3. 13th prince/4th prince combo or 8th prince/14th prince combo


Either way, Nicky Wu's first appearance will leave you wanting more. Maybe you will even like the girl also, I don't know. But I am damn sure you will love no. 1. But I feel at the end you will be very involved with no. 2 and will be arguing about no. 3.


All I ask is


a. watch in HD TV, PLEASE!
b. know mandarin at least those lovey dovey scenes. Anything else you can ask me I will explain in detail if I must!
c. be very patient from episodes 25 to 32. Do not skip, just go through it!
d. prepare lots and lots of tissue. You will cry or at least pretend not to cry at some point.


I hardly need to say it is one of the most frustrating, effective, affecting, romantic, sensual love story ever written. The time travelling is minimum factor. There are faults, it is slow, compared to TVB, it is snail slow but not as single minded sort of story like korean series or as flippant and casual as a japanese series or the acting as terrible as taiwanese idol drama series and it is not Qiong Yau series at all. It is in the end a very moving tragic love story. And you might like Kevin more in here or fall for Nicky but my heart is set on Yuan Hong's 13th prince, never cared for 14th much.


But before, you must read a little about kangxi-yongzheng reign to know a bit of background. Get the conspiracies right. And then discard them all away because this is not a historical drama. It is a idol drama. Period. But I tell you, after you watch this, you will realise TVB has cheapen themselves. Not even any budget spent on that Cursed series can ever compare to the attention to detail in the costume, cinematography (except those freaky blue screen scenes which almost always involve Nicky Wu) and the art of storytelling. After this, you may want to see more Mainland China series and that's when I shall recommend, if you haven't seen, my idea of a perfect series (got faults but min) that is Yong Zheng Wang Chao where you see same characters but different perspectives and someone has been busy copying from another!! But before you move to YZWC, I want you to fall in love with


1. qing dynasty
2. mainland china production
3. yongzheng


because if you don't love all 3, you will never get past episode 1 of YCWZ and you will never move to Kang Xi Di Guo and according to my sis, Qian Lung Wang Chao was as excellent.


In other words -Insert your name here-, treat yourself to the meaning of scrumptous production; BBJX is the first step. And in terms of looks, after BBKX, everything else pales in comparison but acting of course, there are others much better of course.


So what are you waiting for?!



GENERAL NOTICES
To everyone;

1. BBJX TV Schedule for everyone out of China/Taiwan, look for the awful title Scarlet Heart. Yes BBJX now has an English title, instead of the awesome Startling Surprises At Every Step, it is Scarlet Heart and it sounds like a woman with a very promiscuous heart. Needless to say, I hate this title.;

- MALAYSIA : ASTRO Zhi Zun Ch 310 on Sundays (9.30pm - 2 eps), repeats at Wed/Thurs (10.30pm - 1 ep) starting 11.12.2011. Sorry to say, no English/Malay subtitles and you can't even switch off the Chinese subtitles.

- SINGAPORE : Ch 8 Mediacorp from 16.01.2012. Time to be confirmed. I am very sure there will be English subtitles for this. Unless this is the pop in the DVD method again but very sure since Mediacorp always sub the shows. Always.

2. Buy BBJX with English subtitles (9 DVDs - not sure if DVD9 or DVD5 but however compressed will still be HD like quality) at Speedy Videos or similar at RM79-90. Should be region 3. Other versions are 12 DVDs (Gold collector's box, all DVD9 with various free goodies including OST), 14 DVDs (normal) and 7 DVDs (H-DVD ver). Caution! Not sure about the English subtitles whether University standard or Form 1 standard. The cover is one side 4th Prince and Ruoxi, the other side 8th prince and Ruoxi. There is another version with the poster as the cover; THAT ONE does not come with English subtitles and sold at RM59-90.

There are several versions more. Generally yesasia is exceedingly expensive, unless you absolutely have to, you can source other sources. Here is a general guideline and the look of the DVDs;

a. 7 DVDs - H-DVD version - Should be DVD 9 (Example)
b. 8 DVDs - Taiwan version - description said DVD 5 so frankly avoid this one (Example)
c. 9 DVDs - Should be DVD 9 also - so far the only English subtitled version (see 08.02.2012 post) (Buy here)
c. 12 DVDs - Collector's Box version - DVD 9, sound and picture HD version - comes with gifts (Example)
e. 14 DVDs - Normal version - DVD 9 - The version I got had several discs with muted sound  so depends on your luck (Example)

3. Download MP4 versions (TV and DVD) here (links are dead thanks to megaupload being banned)

4. Download the OST here or the Gold collector's box OST can be found in this post (look for 11.12.2011 post)

5. See the official photobook (not for sale) here (find also various BBJX postings)

6. Read English translated version of the novel by Tong Hua here

7. Read various fan comments and plenty of pictures at SPCNET forum

8. I am not sure whether this is the published book version or internet novel version but here it is, the BBJX audio version. Kinda a lot of chapters in it. Still unsure until I hear some files. All in mp3s.


MY MUSINGS ON ALL THINGS BBJX
[15.02.2011] This is funny!! But poor girl, stupid, naive but still funny!


[12.02.2012] Probably 2 more episodes before the broadcast over at Ch 310 at ASTRO is over. I watched that episode where Ruoxi died and my heart breaks for poor 4th prince. Nearly cried again! Especially that scene about her handwriting, her drinking tea imagining him by his side, tears almost rolled down. Must compose myself!! Even after so long this series managed to break my heart.


[08.02.2012] Finally I found a post in SPCNET thread that talks about the quality of the English subs for that 9DVD release and it is not good, not good at all. Apparently first 4 episodes is good quality but it is ripped from fansub and that is not cool! The rest it seems is littered with bad grammar, bad spelling... but if you're desperate... that is the only copy with English subtitles. Believe me, I have seen the worst, that is All About Eve and thanks to that series, I can basically tune my brain to rearrange sentences so that it makes sense. As long as it is Malaysian Uni level, I can manage, I can manage very well. Alternatively, beg your Singaporean friends to record from the MediaCorp broadcast and reupload. Why? First, hardcoded subtitles. Second, guaranteed good quality English subtitles even if it is in simple mode. Unfortunately, no sign of such friends. Sigh... and here I am hoping book publishers might just translate BBJX novel and sell them in hardcopies. I will buy but it seems no one is even bothered.


There are more posts for this subject! Click "Click here to read more" to.. read more!!



[26.12.2011] I heard there's gonna be BBJX 2 filming starting 2nd half of 2012. My take is same cast, different story, modern setting. My hope if

1. stop dubbing Nicky's voice!
2. let Kevin be HK-er so no need to dub
3. Can for once Nicky have a happy ending with the leading lady as in not either of them dead?


That's about it. I can imagine all the scarfs and coats since wintery.


[15.12.2011] Great news! BBJX is coming to Mediacop Singapore from 16.01.2012 onwards and I guarantee this will have English subtitles and will be of NUS standard as well. Maybe someone will rip and upload? Anyone?

[12.12.2011] I was at another Speedy outlet and saw one China version BBJX release, this one with the poster as the cover at RM59-90. If you want subtitles, be careful because that one doesn't come with English subtitles. I suggest you pay RM20-00 more for the other one which I mentioned, and I checked; region free. Yeah!


[12.12.2011] However much I love BBJX, it does not even compare to Yong Zheng Wang Chao by a million miles. Luckily I did not write episodic thoughts for YZWC because I will die of exhaustion. I don't think I can even manage a review. Every scene is of significance, every dialogue is of importance, so action packed without really being action packed and the performances none I can fault, none! And the more I watch BBJX the more I want to go back to YZWC because every aspect in BBJX reminds me of YZWC which is true. A servant girl serving tea? Got! Falls for the emperor reluctantly? GOT! And more, so much more. And a plus point for YZWC is I recognise the places they filmed. Although of course the guys in BBJX is 1000 times hotter than YZWC, but the more I watch, the more I do think the key players in YZWC weren't that ugly. The best looking guy is 8th prince. I really miss the Kangxi in YZWC and am happy to have found someone uploaded all 44 episodes to youtube which I will post the links later. I know the dialogue is hard to understand, 10 words I can manage 5 words (as opposed to BBJX, 10 words, I can understand 8 since the majority is about love) but suffer you must if you wish for a series that fulfill ALL my requirements. I have a few grouses about YZWC but they're superficial. If you're intrigued by the 4th prince character and wish to know him more, YZWC is a must watch. However do get ready for the shock of your life; that actor ain't Nicky Wu in looks or sex appeal but hey, he's a better actor.


[12.12.2011] Terrible news. That Ch 310 version is 4:3 which made everyone's face look so big (though I can't remember if the DVD ver is 16.9 version so frankly maybe I was being way too sensitive), no English or Malay subtitles and can't even switch off the Chinese subtitles. Good news is the font so big blind also can read. Even more bad news is the soundtrack is like so loud, it was so noticeable, it was annoying. I checked back the MP4 I have with me and same music but a bit more background. I am still not sure if this is DVD or TV version but it stops where the DVD stops so it must be 35 episodes version. Yes, got CM breaks. Annoying! Great news is it is HD and oh my god, the details, everything, awesome. Terrible news is the more I watch Liu Shi Shi the more I feel she was inadequate. But excellent news is Nicky Wu is still handsomely cool as 4th and Kevin Cheng is still gentlemanly gallant as 8th although a bit creepy since you know, he is the brother in law. Other than that I predict the DVD now out for sale with English subtitles will see good business to those who can't understand Chinese. I tell you this much; you can give this series any English title, without any English subtitles, what's the use of giving it an English title?


[11.12.2011] You can find a longer OST  version here but the one below is the OST that came with the gold collector's box version with 20 tracks, 3 of which are songs, the rest instrumentals that are quite the same with the other OST and yet somewhat different. I like both, but this OST I like because everything under the same roof. Great OST by the way. Some pictures taken with my Nokia N8;

I was kinda shocked that it came with English titles! But alas, the English is more Engrish than proper English and some terms are plain wrong in every way. But A++ for effort, if only the DVD came with English subtitles as well even if it could be subpar quality. The tracklist as below, the ones in italics are my comments;


Tracklist;
01 One persistent thought (themesong)
02 Seasons of change (That heart wrenching Liu Shi Shi song - need to confirm the title)
03 Three inches of heaven (end song)
04 Each step escape (Should be danger at every step or startling surprises at every step)
05 Weird dream
06 Don't be fighten (Sigh! FrightenED)
07 The castle (The palace perhaps?)
08 Evil
09 Strange
10 Depress (DepressED?)
11 King's arrival (Should be Emperor's arrival)
12 Kung fu
13 Love
14 Delighten cheer (Enlightened cheer or delighted cheer? - Anyway favourite instrumental)
15 Magical
16 Naughty girl (Favourite instrumental song!)
17 Evil sisters
18 Don't leave
19 Sadness
20 Chase the peak


My gift to all BBJX lovers or would be lovers. Collect all the OST versions, supplement one another! So here it is, all 20 tracks zipped, MP3s in 83.76MB. (TIPS : Register free acct at Multiupload.com and log in, click on link below and download from the Multiupload direct link for faster download);

<< DOWNLOAD OST HERE >>

[11.12.2011] Great news! To all BBJX lovers in Malaysia, you can now buy the English subtitled 35 episodes DVD (in 9 DVDs - China versions is either 12 DVDs (gold collection), 14 DVDs (normal) and 7 DVDS (h-DVD version) so frankly I can't be sure if 9DVDs as in DVD5 or DVD9) at Speedy Videos at RM79-90 which is cheaper than in Yesasia but 100% more expensive than if you buy in China BUT with ENGLISH SUBTITLES. I am not sure about the quality of the video (DVD9? Doubt it but should still be HD even if compressed into DVD5) or the quality of the subtitles (these days should be rather ok so I think it is worth a chance since you don't exactly have other choices) but the box is hardcover, one side has Ruoxi with 8th prince, at the other Ruoxi with 4th prince and the grammatically correct intro at the top side and the DVD detaols at the bottom side. Not sure if Region 3 only since I didn't check but I think it should be since this is released for region 3 DVDs. Best part is it is only RM79-90 and frankly I think it is worth it. I shall resist since I already have the gold collector's box but I am very curious about the subtitle and what is in the box. If you bought this version please do share what it is like using Post A Comment. If the Ch310 version is English subtitles, I think we can all basically assume the quality is the same. I am resisting! RESISTING! Since I sorta know the dialogue already. But if the English subtitles is top notch, I think I shall resist no more. The gold collection is DVD 9 in 12DVDs. I wonder what about this 9 DVDs?


[11.12.2011] A reminder. Malaysian viewers can watch this series over at ASTRO Ch 310 (Zhi Zun HD) starting tonight. I believe Sundays are 2 episodes, starting at 9.30pm whilst the weekdays will be Wed, Thurs & Fri at 10.30pm, one episode each. Just look for the title SCARLET HEART (URGHHHHHH) as in minus the URGHHHHHH because seriously, for once, some things are better not given English title. This will forever be BU BU JING XIN! Anyway Speedy Video I am told is selling the DVD for RM80 or thereabouts, not sure HD, not sure DVD9, not sure got subtitles. I don't need the subtitles since my mind is auto tuned to the dialogue from the recaps I read from the net. I tell you, the collector's box is worth it for a huge fan but let me check out the Speedy Video version first. Subtitles may be sketchy. Why can't Chinese fans be like those Japanese fans who hard sub the whole thing, like Galileo?


[08.12.2011] A reminder. This series will be broadcast over at Ch 310 in HD on ASTRO starting this Sunday, time should be 10.30pm. Expect the kissing scenes to be censored!

Meanwhile, some favourite moments; starting with THAT kiss.



Another favourite but THIS wasn't in the series by the way. Can you imagine 4th prince like that??



And of course the real Yong Zheng's handwriting (wow wow wow - wonder what he wrote?)



[05.12.2011] Saw a longer preview on ASTRO and BBJX now has an English title. Nope, not Startling Surprises At Every Step which in retrospect is the better title to this new one; SCARLET HEART. Which made me think of Ruoxi being promiscous. Seriously, Scarlet Heart? Seriously?! Anyway wrong info; Broadcast in 310 channel on 11th December!!


[02.12.2011] Thank you BBJX fans for changing my perspective. Even if it is wrong (incestous you see!), it is also quite right.



 [02.12.2011] Anyone interested in buying the official boxset of BBJX, you might want to see the collector's boxset. If you're in China or if you know Chinese, you can buy online here I think. But if you don't know how or don't know Chinese, or any credit card for that matter, you can get assistance from an agent/deputy such as this one and buy from this person in taobao. The price including the postage (if you use EMS and do use EMS) will be about 100% more than the retail price but for any huge fans of BBJX, this boxset is beautiful, but I can't verify for the DVD quality as I haven't watched yet. The danger is the DVD itself may be spoiled. But from what I can see on the surface, looks ok. The box is 1.2kg in all, so you can start calculating the postage. But the links I point to you are credible seller and credible deputy.



What you will find in the box is the 12 DVD9 HD, mousepad, poster, bookmarks of major characters, stickers, playing cards (yes! playing cards! but not very good quality) and the official OST (which I will upload later). Frankly all items are just ok quality but the box itself is beautiful and hardbox. In fact most China DVDs are in hard boxes but since this item is probably about the same price with the other emptier version from yesasia, might as well get this jam packed version. I bought the same version you can find in yesasia from China, at half the price but the first few DVDs' sound were much muted down, I hated it! So I ended up buying a new version, the sound I tested is so far so good. If you want to save money, you can always download the HD version and burn it yourself, which I would have if I could but somehow my software just refuses to convert and burn so I got frustrated and decided to buy.


[29.11.2011] Great news!! ASTRO Ch 310 will be showing BBJX in its full HD glory in December, I believe after that aweful new HZGG series. I am now conflicted. I know it will look gorgeous on screen but I have seen BBJX a total of 2 times. I have my Gold collector's box that I have yet to watch (which will mean 3rd time) and if I were to record and watch on ASTRO, that will be 4th time and will it be overkill? Or should I just stop at ep 25? Anyway not sure ASTRO is 35 episodes or not, there will be ads so it may be the TV version. But how can I resist all the pores and shiny bald heads and gorgeousness riding on horses and the beautiful costumes on HD? But my DVDs are HD though. How? HOW?! I can't bear the free flowing tears onscreen or offscreen. I can't bear to fall in love and have my heart broken with 4th and 13th prince and feel tremendous pity for 8th prince and his d'fujin. I can't! I can't! But HD wor... imagine episode 1, 4th prince galloping on that horse towards me (I mean Ruoxi)... let me think first.

 [18.11.2011] I wonder what happens to all the costumes now that the filming is way over and way done with? Exhibition? A BBJX tour park museum something? Recycled? One set given to the actors' as remembrance like what Peter Jackson and LOTR team did?


[15.11.2011] I found the following in SPCNET thread on this series and to tell you the truth, I was struck by the beauty of the way these photos were photographed. No doubt they were photoshopped, extensively but you can't fake the arrangement. I love how the modern (west) meets the past (east) with a simple gesture like a brush, a book, a fan... stunningly beautiful, even Liu Shi Shi managed to look beautiful when normally I find her plain. Where are the rest? I want to see the rest! Beautiful. And yes, I do think Nicky wrote the words. Beautiful calligraphy. And I just realise Nicky adds about 3 inches to his height thanks to his hair! Anyway beautiful photographed pictures. And yes, I am still into BBJX. Had to. Rewatched the DVD, and didn't like the quality of first 17 episodes. I think I will just sell the DVD I have for 30% of the price with the proviso ep 1 to 17's sound is a tad muted and I ripped the inside to accommodate my own CD storage. Not that terrible but I expected perfection for that stupid price. Now I am looking at the collector's box which jokingly is cheaper and also thinking of printing my own BBJX photobooklet. Anyway just thinking. Will you buy the DVD off my hands if I sell it for RM40 (not inclusive of postage-within Malaysia should be RM10) when original price is RM120? Still thinking.








[08.11.2011] I just realised I got the leading actress' surname wrong. It is LIU Shi Shi and not LI Shi Shi. Anyway I just came back from Beijing and the first thing I did when I was there, the 2nd day I was at Wangfujing and I walked into the Wangfujing Bookstore and looked for the books (my sis wanted them) and the DVD (for myself). Price is expensive, box looks ok, DVD quality is HD and so I am happy but happiest is I bought the DVD thinking it was region 6 so I may have to rip it but ended up region free. Yeah! And now the grim prospect; I will have to rewatch the entire series AGAIN to check the DVD. I am not prepared to do that, yet.

My sis bought Yongzheng Wang Chao and the DVD box is beautiful; like a book and the price is expensive but for that box alone, worth the money. I am at episode 4 and all I can say is the actors do get better looking as I adjust from fantasy to reality, whilst the costume ain't BBJX, the location is the real Gu Gong (Forbidden Palace-I recognised it) and the story is superb and the acting is superb (I mean did Yuan Hong watched this series? His interpretation of 13th Prince is similar to the actor in Yongzheng Wang Chao except his 13th prince is actually more refrained!). I think I just became quite a Yongzheng fan. I have always thought him misunderstood, no doubt he was determined and very very harsh but he had to do what he had to do. And in 13 years he did a lot. I appreciate the fact that the last DVD of Yongzheng Wang Chao had a special guest (some history expert) explaining his rule and I find it fascinating. Maybe I should rip it if I can't find in Youtube. An essential watch, especially how the series actually wrongly spelt the word Yong which was very very careless.

My sis watched the ending of BBJX and she herself agreed with my analysis except she said it differently; that her chance meeting with modern guy was to tell her her life with 4th prince was truly over and when she removed her glasses, as Ruoxi she could see clearly but as herself, it was all blur and it means she is no longer Ruoxi. The modern guy did not recognise her and he walked away and all she could do was to see what may or may not be the reincarnation of 4th Prince walking away out of her life; her life with 4th prince was over.

I agree with her analysis. She also disliked 4th prince; calling him petty when it comes to 8th's wife ("why involve women in his fight?") and also on Yutan she felt he could have been gentler in his approach but like I said, he is on one hand Ruoxi's husband and had to please her but on the other he is the emperor and he has a bigger picture to see. He can't let his love for one woman undermine his power to rule because if he did, 8th and gang would be laughing heartily don't you think? Also a bit of hypocrisy if that did happened. I like the 4th in Yongzheng Wang Chao. He was very singleminded in debt collection; he was cornered in every way and knew he got a shitty job but he had to do what he had to do and if he did what he did the way he did it, I am pretty sure Kangxi must have been very impressed with his abilities.

I wanna say that when I was in Beijing I was on an accidental 4th Prince trail. I visited his former residence (when he was a "yeh"), I saw his calligraphy (beautiful!), saw his paintings (as in him in a painting-my sis told me very few emperors would show the family/leisure side of themselves but Yongzheng interestingly was one of the few who did) and my regret was I did not pay a visit to his tomb which was too far. When I saw his calligraphy, I saw a bold determined sophisticated man with a flair and flourish in the way he wrote and yet in a no nonsense way. My sis said what she saw was a man who must have practised every day and thus showed his single mindedness. If you're ever in Beijing, if you have the chance, do go and have a look at the Yonghegong aka Lama Temple. It was his residence, when he became emperor, he christened it Yonghegong (his palace) and when he died Qianlong converted it to a lama temple. But the structure and layout is there and it was impressive; simple, yet elegant and very well preserved. I could almost imagine 4th prince (in my mind Nicky Wu) galloping on a horse past the line of beautiful trees towards his residence. And I also realised I was cheated by BBJX; his house in BBJX was lesser. Of course you can't expect the real thing to be lesser than the fake thing. Also do visit Prince Gong residence to learn the history of the princes; the 12 ranks, etc.

As for BBJX itself, my love affair with it is still very much alive. My review will take forever. I am unsure how to approach my review. These past few days I have been watching the interviews, the cast indeed got on very very well and I have seen the other side of Kevin Cheng, whom I have always said is the best looking actor in TVB and sorry to say, one of the least charismatic, and I stand by that, even after BBJX which is considered his best work until I watch Ghetto Justice. The rest I will comment more in my review but I want to say something about the gentle playful Nicky Wu. It took me until this year to appreciate him but what made me respect me more which is a fact I have known for a very long time was his struggle to pay off his father's debt which must have been huge since it took him until 2000. And yet he held no grudges against his father. I believe what he did, he did it out of a sense of responsibility and a sense of love which can only mean he was well brought up. I do feel a tinge of unfairness why he alone had to bear the debt; what about his siblings? Maybe they did, which made me realise I knew so little of him except he worked very hard to pay off the debts, a common interest which I am sure why he and Ada Choi fell in love in the first place. A pity he married the wrong woman, but luckily he got out of that sort of marriage. I am still chuckling at the fact my sis said with wonder that he looked so much younger than even the leading lady in the last scene in BBJX and that the average age of the actors in Yongzheng Wang Chao must have been 45 in the series as they all looked so old and I had to remind her, Kevin and Nicky were both 40 or more when filming BBJX and the difference in age between the older and younger actors were at least 10 years in difference. All I can say is he takes very good care or rather is very blessed with good genes  physically but since his fans kept saying he should sleep more, all I can say is he must have been careless with his own health sometimes. Saw the interview where his dad had a stroke? Again my tears fell. I find myself very easy in crying these days with everything that has to do with BBJX, luckily the only person who did not make anyone cry yet is the perpetual joker, Yuan Hong but everytime I thought of 13th prince, my tears just fell. I really hope to read the BBJX book but I can only read Chinese so I am hoping some publisher might consider translating that book for the wider market. From what I could read, snippets translated, it seems rather well written.

From the series itself, my sis and I both agree, we both dislike Ruoxi in the end. I understand why she left, but that doesn't make me dislike her less.I find myself in the end admiring 8th Difujin more. However that also doesn't mean I won't tear up everytime I remember how they were better apart than together. However I still like the TV's ending. He suffered and then died. Now it's her turn; there is some sadistic satisfaction in that, that is until tangren shall choose to defile that ending with a sequel where Zhangxiao ends up with modern 4th prince, and I am sure if that is true, then my love affair with BBJX will truly be over.

And by the way in Beijing I saw the last 10 episodes or so of Gong and whilst I like the succession story, the rest is just pure utter rubbish. That ending, the way the men cried more than the women, is so Qiong Yau in essence. I once wrote why I love BBJX is for its elegant subtlety and you can interprete it how you can or even call me rubbish for saying that, but that's the only way I can describe BBJX. Of course it became so morose towards the end, but in the end it is a love story, that doesn't let the love story element supersede the power struggle but compliments it. One customer in Yesasia.com reviewing the DVD asked why show a girl time travel back and yet she did nothing to change history? She did but not actively but the thing is not all time travel story should show the protaganist changing history and in BBJX it is more like she lived in it and bear witness to it and in her own way did influence the end but frankly without her, it would have been the same anyway.

And that is why I am still into BBJX right now; it's the damn story. It is just excellent. I am not ashamed to declare my love for BBJX, I mean I paid a lot of money for that DVD and I must at least express more how I feel. I realise if the rumoured Huang Xiaoming or Wallace Chung took on 4th prince, you would never see this post. So hats off to Nicky Wu for showing in the end the ideal 4th prince even if that man cried way too much in the series. And Yuan Hong.. I need not say more about my love for 13th Prince.

If you haven't seen BBJX, please do give it a chance. Yes, it is slow, it is morose, it is dubbed, but I am sure the costume will be the first to attract your attention, then the location (surely that all can't be the movie studio? Or the movie studio really replicated Forbidden City and Summer Palace?!) and finally you will choose sides; 8th? 4th? 14th? Whatever my feelings about the limitations of Liu ShiShi, no doubt in the end her performance was competent but frankly not ground breaking. A pity, really. Because if this was a movie, her character if acted well, could have won the actress an Oscar. And when I said well, I meant memorably effectively well. She can cry; but towards the end, she  failed in some aspects. Can't blame her; her character has 99% of the focus. It was just too big a role for her to cover every aspect well. I have said too much; I shall leave my comments for my review.

A final question though; is BBJX the greatest love story ever told? No. It is however the greatest anti love story ever told. After watching the series, I hope never to find such a love, ever. It is just too difficult. But then if you haven't loved that much, how would you know you have lived fully?





[24.10.2011] Why am I torturing myself? I am sitting through this tragic love story again because now my sister is watching and she knows Mandarin well and she can translate and joke is I know more than she does! I know Tangren released an official DVD, looking gorgeous in the pictures and when I am in Beijing I intend to buy although it is pretty expensive. My review is 50% along the way and suddenly I really have nothing much to say. Sigh...

And all these rumours of a modern sequel, a continuation of the love story, I hope not! Please do not bastardise the ending. I cried, it is tragic but so be it! And why 4th won and 8th lost? Because 8th doesn't know how to read people. He knows how to buy people, as in their friendship and garner group support but he failed to be like 4th; 4th only needs to garner support from that few people, like Nian Gengyou with military power, Long kodo with administrative power, Li Wei (I think) who I believe became a powerful judge, that one eunuch by the eunuch to the emperor's side. That few people was enough to get him the throne. 8th depended too much on all those support from those officials, and ministers who each has their own agenda. 4th collects his support from those whom he helped and whom they feel indebted to him. 4th's way is very very smart. Kinda like that idea. Still hate the succession scene which quite almost bastardise what was an intelligent and thought provoking historically fictional tragic love story. And I don't know why so many likes 14th. Everytime he appears, he is always scolding Ruoxi. Relax man! Relax!

And oohhhh, love these pictures...




Ohhh a clearer one thanks to SPCNET. Many awesome stuff there. And yes she wasn't wearing the magnolia hairpin in the real life picture and yes I do agree the pin was added into the portrait later, by Yongzheng probably believing that she is from the future and that this was his way of telling her he forgives her, he loves her, he misses her. Click the thumbnail please. In a way I am happy for the new ending for Zhangxiao. Why? I like her to suffer. I mean 4th suffered his entire life (even if for short 10 years after her death) so she must do the same.




[19.10.2011] And the grieving never stops! Damn it!! There's an epilogue by the author and you can read the summary here. And thank you for making me cry again and again and again. I like the fact No. 14 realised perhaps he wasn't always fair to No. 4 who had a rather sad childhood but No. 4 never seemed to mind much even if he had everything bottled up inside or that life after Ruoxi was one of solitude. Also sweet to read his treatment of his empress and than of No. 13's daughter and who she ended up with. And Qianlong wasn't the best emperor in Qing history, he had a relatively easier rule than his father and much easier rule than his grandfather. I would say Kangxi was the best even if his last few years were confusing. I feel so sad for No. 4 but this epilogue truly ties up everything nicely, and showed a more human face to No. 4, almost justifying all the things he did. I like that and I like that No. 14 realised that too. In restrospect No. 4 didn't treat his own brother badly at all. I almost teared up when I read how No. 4 worked himself to death so as to join Ruoxi. And the series' ending sorta prevented that didn't it? I am crying again. Luckily I don't know how to read Chinese if not I shall cry harder.


[16.10.2011] On the ending, I read the book stops at Ruoxi dying in Qing because she did die in the modern world. In the series, she didn't die in the modern world, she woke up after dying in Qing and wondered if the decades she spent in Qing was real. Ruoxi would have no records except she was Maertai family. She didn't marry the Emperor, she did marry no. 14 but the emperor did not record the marriage in the books, so she as persona non grata. But she found a painting and she was in it so she knew it was real. Now fans have said they liked the series ending for its closure so she can move on. My interpretation of the ending in the series is that ruoxi never had that closure. Before she did in Qing, she said she wants to forget everything, she doesn't want to remember anything, she did feeling the pang for the man who refused to forgive her, etc. She pined for no. 4 and he never came to see her. In modern times, she woke up remembering everything. Finding proof, she knew all she had felt is real, the pang is still there until she saw a man looking like no. 4. We can assume that man is a reincarnation of no. 4 but my interpretation is they look the same, maybe reincarnated but in the end he isn't no. 4. No. 4 was 300 years ago. Her feelings was sad but normal until she saw him again and she cried and stunned and cried. It does mean he did come to see her, 300 years later but the man she loved and pined for died 3 centuries ago. This to me is not a closure but a very very sad ending. How does one live on when she had lived a lifetime in what was a real dream? It is perhaps one of the saddest ending I have ever seen. If she died, it is the end. If she can't remember it is the end. But she remembered and it is a curse rather than a gift. I like in her last letter to no. 4 she said she loved the 4th Prince she knew, not the emperor he became. She forgave him for all he did, waited, hoping he will forgive her. Frankly I can't understand what is to forgive and I will write more in my review. What a sad ending. And everybody died with some degree of regret.

And I think with what no. 8 boasted, they have slept together.


[15.10.2011] Just saw the last episode. And I wrote the following in an email with friends;


God damn it! Just saw ep 35 of BBJX and I cried from start till the end. Cried and cried and cried. Especially when no. 13 died. Still crying! And ending is very very sad but in a way she saw him for one last time 300 years later. Before that, when no. 8's wife died I cried. Then no. 8 died, I cried. Can't stop crying but ep 26 to ep 33 was very very draggy. The actors did the crying but end of ep 33 to ep 35 I did the crying.

I must say Kevin's best acting moment ever was when he saw his wife burning. I am sure he cried himself hoarse but since dubbed, can't hear for myself. But the anguish is there. And Nicky Wu can really really cry. His last scene with those tears, without realising my tears was running down my cheeks. Luckily I was alone. I would say last 8 episodes or so almost pulled the series down but the last 3 episodes and in a way a proper closure helped. And the last song was beautiful. I am a sucker for such a love story; that she loved 4th Prince, loathed the emperor, so sad.

But the book, did it just end with :"And I died" because it is 1st person narrative?

Don't watch this with another person if not very embarassing with the tears and all. My most fave character ever; no. 13. No doubt about it, loyal till death but not blindly loyal and to have no. 4 in the end said "You have all left; I am now all alone" was very poignant though no. 14 is still alive. I thought no. 10 was imprisoned and died in prison?

Oh god, still crying!!!

[15.10.2011] OMG. The last 10 episodes so much crying, I am having a headache. Every scene, cry, everybody cries except for no. 13. And I myself cried at episode 34. She really loved him, waited for him, never turned up until 300 years later. So much tears! Let me calm down a bit. First from all the tears in the series and all induced by the series. Frankly the last 10 episodes is between draggy, stupid and so darn emotional. I need NG scenes. I need happy scenes.

[14.10.2011] I skipped to the last episode, watching  a few minutes without sound and I don't think I can bear to watch it in full. I feel like crying. So sad! SO SO SO SAD!! But from what I can see, it does have a proper ending, proper closure. But so sad! I have 10 more episodes to go and I am already invested so much emotionally. Anyway I wonder in the book, it was a first person narration, so how did Ruoxi narrated her own death?

[14.10.2011] I was wondering when the succession issue will be addressed and in episode 25, finally the emperor dies.  And for the first time, this series has let me down, severely. I was thinking which approach the writer will take; no. 4 kills kangxi and forged the wills or no. 4 never killed kangxi and kangxi himself appointed no. 4 as his successor in his will. The truth is neither. The series says kangxi met with no. 4, his most trusted/high ranking official and concubine in 3 separate occasions, all of them individually with only Eunuch Li as his witness. Kangxi tells no. 4 he wants to appoint no. 14 who was away fighting a war. I already know kangxi favours no. 14 when he wanted to Ruoxi to marry him. Anyway when Kangxi died, his trusted official turns out to be no. 4's man, Nin Keng Yiu came back with his army and basically No. 4 lied about his father's final wishes with Eunuch Li, wanting probably to preserve his own life or maybe he was in the lie as well, as the witness. Before this, the series shows how No. 4 became a gardener and refused to take part in administration, but bidding his time and giving one kick to no. 8 to his graves when it comes to no. 8's career. One fantastic scene has No. 8 lamenting "What did I do wrong? Who did I trusted wrongly? What have I done to deserve this?" and he suspected no. 14, but we all know no. 4 successfully buy his way into even no. 8's most trusted inner circles of eunuchs to do what he did. I like how no. 4 had to be so patient and yet his hands clenched into a tight fist when he could do nothing for no. 13 and Ruoxi. I like how he took no. 13's daughter to raise as his own and 10 years passed since no. 13 was imprisoned to his eventual release and Ruoxi lamenting "He is fighting the fight of his life not only for himself, but for 13th Prince and for me". However when the succession scene was shown, it was like child's play. No way in hell Kangxi will meet individually and tell them their wishes or be so cryptic. I did like how he mildly chastised no. 4's mother for being too strict with no. 4 causing no. 4 to be a loner. He also knew his own faults as a father, didn't want bloodshed upon his death amongst his sons. Well, at this point, I really wanted this series to follow the story the historians agree with; Kangxi wrote 2 wills (one Manchurian, one Chinese), on his death bed he summoned all the princes and I believe some officials and read the will and gave the throne to no. 4. History dictates that no. 14 was much favoured, by him commandering an army which was what no. 2 did. However another history says perhaps Kangxi wanted to get no. 14 away from the palace so as to ensure a smooth transition to no. 4, since by that time no. 8 was totally out of favour. I would have love the story to be that everyone thinks no. 14 will be emperor but in the end the emperor chose no. 4 for perhaps no. 4's tough stand on corruption or his unbending ways in dealing in important issues. After all as the emperor you would want to leave your empire to capable strong hands. No. 14 is a good guy, popular but is he hard enough? Series suggests he is too noble. However the series took a dumb route to be frank; no wills, no meeting of the princes, no announcing of intentions; kangxi can't be that stupid. Severely disappointed. I suppose after this we shall see how no. 4 exacts his revenge on those who were against him, although I do like that fact; where the official who lied that causes no. 13 to be under house arrest for 10 long years was ordered to be killed by "5 horses separating the body" and he did it in front of no. 13 who squirmed a bit (yes, kinda a bit too much) and no. 8 who also squirmed. But this direction seems to suggest he is going down the road of a cruel king, which I don't like at all. Up until the succession, all was fantastic but the succession scene was so badly dealt with, I feel like it was an anti-climax. I wonder is the book the same?

I am also severely disappointed with the actress Liu Shi Shi who now seems to be frowning perpetually and her lack of enthusiasm at seeing her great friend no. 13 released. She seems to be frowning even when she is happy. In fact she is looking like Ruby Lin for the last few episodes. Everybody else did well, even Kevin in his own quiet way displayed his character's desperation and disappointment. Nicky Wu up until then was great but his character seems to be so busy being so quiet. I know he is plotting, would have wished to see a bit of the plotting since at the same time he was busy gardening.

Anyway episode 25, disappointing. I hope Ep 26 onwards will be back to its glorious self and not mock my intelligence with the inept succession scene. By the way Nicky Wu looks so tiny on that huge throne-chair!

[13.10.2011] I will be first to confess wondering why certain actors were cast in certain roles and since I knew only 2, so I wondered why Kevin as 8th and of all people, Nicky Wu as 4th. I mean I know Kevin as an actor, but I don't really know Nicky Wu as an actor, only seen him a few times and knowing his voice is rather ... weak. The dubbing was suitable but I wished for their real voices. They do sound good for real, I mean Kevin speaks good mandarin even if he whispers his lines. But after 20 episodes, as usual I am brainwashed. Now I feel like the casting is good. Kevin does look gentlemanly so he can play 8th, and yet he can look hurt and betrayed. Is this his best performance ever? I don't think so. I feel he can do better. Some scenes I find his 8th lack gravitas to be emperor and we all know he didn't become an emperor. I was a bit confused by some of his performance but overall, it is an eye opener, especially in the romance scenes which Kevin did very well. Nicky Wu shocked me. Apart from the fact he looks youthful during promotion but in HD he looked old, and I wondered is he that much taller, for the lack of opportunity to evaluate his voice, I was shocked that I really enjoyed his performance. Those sullen looks, those angry tears, those frustrated moments, I kinda felt sorry he had to look like he is about to explode most of the time. Seriously, not seeing much of his other works, I do think this is his best work. He gives his 4th a certain gravitas, a certain restrain that I find irresistable. The main actress, Liu Shi Shi however... she can act, but I find her bored most of the time. In person she has such a huge personality but on screen, she is looking more and more bored. And the show is supposed to be about her! And yes, I thought she was so pretty, now I think the more I look at her the more I don't think she is. Her best scenes are those lighthearted scenes, that's when I see her personality. So far I feel the second liners are better actors. The one who is crown prince is fantastic, the guy as 9th prince is awesome that I hate him, the actor as no. 13 is to me the best of the lot. I really like 13 because I really think the actor did such a fantastic job. Damien Lau is such a surprise. I never knew he looked so big. What more can I say about Damien Lau? We all know he is a fantastic actor, so no need to say more. But he really made Kangxi into this great emperor but biased. Flawed man, that's how I like the way he portrayed the character. Really gives the meaning "Boon kwan yu boon foo", I suppose you can translate that as "Being with the emperor is akin to being with the tiger". Of all, no. 14 is the worst actor, but he is cute and he has a lot of scenes. But really, my heart is with 13, perhaps the most unconditional character in this series. He asks for nothing, and yet he gives everything. Now I wanna cry!! And I really wanted Min Min with no. 13!!

I am however still very confused with the timeline. She said 8 years have passed since last drink with No. 13, before that 2 years passed before going to palace, etc. I thought she only need to serve in palace for 3 years? Isn't her contract long overdue?? And the novel says she starts at 13, looks different in the mirror, but in the series, modern time and her looks the same. I am confused.

Anyway will say more in my review. I am sure I will have plenty to say after I am done with this series. Great show! I will post more on the cast and costumes later. I just have to say; looking at the costumes just made me swoon. This series has inspired me to wanna write write write. However I am afraid of suffering from burn out come episode 35. Moreover this series is passe already isn't it?

[13.10.2011] I am at episode 20 and I cried when no. 13 came forward and took the blame for no. 4 and got arrested and into house arrest. Not a bad house but for someone who loves nature, who loves riding horses, music, singing and carefree life, that is torture! The emperor in his need to protect the crown prince just blinded himself to all his faults. And guess what? It was no. 8 who started the whole crown fight although No. 4 did confess he wanted the crown but whenever it was no. 8's men, he would allow no. 8 some room to fix his problem but this time it was no. 8 who created the problem and blamed it on no. 4. I cried! CRIED!! I love no. 13 and it was so sad. Surely the father knows no. 13 is noble! So Ruoxi knew no. 8 is mean spirited in his quest for the throne. And No. 4 has decided to be ruthless from thereon. Love the scene who she was kneeling in the rain, no. 8 came to her to advise her and she quietly picked the hem of his I suppose clothe and push out of the rain. It shows, she is the servant, he is the master, they no longer have this personal intimate friendship. Love how no. 4 stood in the rain with her. And earlier it was all so happy! How she fooled no. 4, how she chatted with no. 13... suddenly 2nd half so sad!! And I was wondering why she suddenly fell for no.4 and I think at first to align herself to the eventual winner and towards the end for all that he did for her and never asked of her, she was falling for him. Very romantic but poor poor no. 13. No. 8 is ruthless!! I also pity no. 8 but man! That was below the belt! Oh by the way 8 YEARS has passed since  the start. Rather start plus 1 year I think, so about 9 years. Wow.

[11.10.2011] I am at episode 17 and I feel a bit sad Min Min never end up with 13th Prince. Right now my favourite prince is 13th prince. He is rather carefree, he never demanded anything in return from Ruoxi except for friendship and he is the less prejudiced amongst the princes. Although it is sorta impossibly self centred that why 4 and 14 plotted against crown prince because of Ruoxi, but frankly without her they would have plotted against the useless arrogant crown prince. I am just a bit surprised by the sudden affection that Ruoxi has for no. 4 but then she seems to have heart to heart talk with No. 4 and 13 more than the rest. No. 14 seems quite taken in by her. I know, self serving also that everyone likes her, but the annoying no. 9 isn't. We never see no. 3, and No. 5 is said to be quite a carefree non political prince from what Ruoxi said. I am also annoyed how subdued Ruoxi became. I mean come on, where are the modern women traits? But I do see the appeal of no. 4. One scene I really like was when No, 14 asked her why she never seems to offer her friendship to him as opposed to no. 13 where she was very informal with and she simply said "13th prince never asked me anything in return, the friendship offered to me was without terms, unlike yours". Interesting why most princes are falling over themselves  for her though. She is supposed to be very very beautiful but the actress, Li Shi Shi to me is the more I see her, the less pretty she is. Anyway to those who are camp 8 and camp 4, rest assured, she did love no. 8 but in her own words, maybe she didn't love him enough. Which means she will truly and utterly give her heart to no. 4, and admittedly no. 4 did in his own subtle ways pursue her. He's not a bad guy, at ep 17. No. 8 is still very ambitious though. And it seems everyone is married except for 14? Is 14 married? Even 13 is married. Right now this series has captured my full attention, especially those political intrigue scenes. Very intelligently shown, how no. 4 tries to avert disaster for no. 9 (for many reasons, some self serving, some noble) and how no. 8 tries to and gives up on no. 9. I am happy that this series knows at ep 17 how to separate the love story from the political intrigue and yet manage to make a subtle connection between the 2. However I am as perplexed that she seems to bump into no. 4 everywhere although this can be simply explained by the fact that she is the emperor's personal maid, so inadvertently they will bump into each other although he seems to be in casual dress all the time. I tell you, great show! Very great show but the costume at ep 17 is now recycled. Acting wise, all dubbed so difficult to comment on the authencity but looks wise, all ok but again I am annoyed by the leading lady's inconsistency.

And Kevin Cheng may in the end die but the way I see it he has so many scenes. He is equal lead with Nicky Wu, no less, sometimes even more. Very 8th prince centred series, not that I am complaining.

By the way I think I will buy the DVD to keep. Question is is it released in Malaysia? Hopefully with subtitles.

[ADD] Seen this poster before but can't help but repost. What a beautiful poster! Great concept!! Absolutely gorgeous.

And NG scenes, apparently real voices in here. I already knew Nicky's voice will be weak, Kevin it seems used cantonese. I didn't see since in office. Nicky Wu does look younger outside than in the series. But the images are darn funny!

[ADD] I am at ep 11 and right now I am wondering how she later fell deeply for No. 4 and how come for a modern woman she is so darn reserved when at the beginning she was so feisty. I just wished she sorta grab No. 8 and bloody hell kiss him!! Enough with the stare at you, touch of hand, do like what No. 4 did, grab her, kiss her! But of course what No. 4 did was an assault in today's world. Or molest.

Anyway you know the sort of trouble I went through for this darn series. I like to watch download, burn and watch on my DVD player using my 42 inches TV. This series for some bloody unknown reason just refuses to burn. I was so frust. Luckily the file size is small enough for me to transfer to my Nokia N8, then I use the HDMI adapter and connect to the TV (you see the TV no USD port!!), connect charger to phone and watch through my phone in the TV. The quality? EXCELLENT! No loss of quality at all!!

I tell you, at ep 11, damn good series. Everybody's acting is considered so so, but damn it, interesting, very interesting. And Damien Lau actually looked bigger than he actually is. Really like the portrayal of Kangxi here; so biased. Poor no. 4, misunderstood. Ambitious no. 8, so gentlemanly but I feel in real life he also wanted that throne too and he will do everything he can to get to it. As for the actress whose name escapes me now, I am still counting her pimples. The actress who plays the Mongolian princess looks pubescent!

Anyway are you not watching this show? You're missing out! Join the bandwagon, suspend disbelief and just well, just ignore the obvious flaws. The story is gripping. And you might wonder why every prince (except no. 9 and no. 3 and no. 2 and no. 1) seems to be so taken by her and why her tea dept has become Starbucks for the princes, reason is simple; she is different but I kinda feel as the series went along she is the same as everyone else. I want attitude! And she is sorta flirtatious you see. Oh yes, a flirt except to no. 4 which she avoids but ended up being forcibly kissed. Not a good thing really, sorta wrong. And by the way Nicky Wu... what happened to his face? I mean older, wiser, manlier but LONGER. Even Kevin looks like he needs a good shave.

And yes I will write a review for this.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 09.10.2011

Or Startled With Every Step or Startling Surprises With Every Step or my own interpretation,.. well can't remember what was my own interpretation. Let me remember first. Anyway I am at episode 6 and my god, what a smashingly great show!! Who would have thought I will say that of Kevin Cheng eh? But seriously, Kevin is still Kevin but he was given a role he was meant to play. The story itself is very interesting and I can understand why ALL the princes, well most of them likes the leading lady. Anyway I am now in two minds if I should continue to watch till the end knowing the ending is very depressing. I mean we all know who will be Emperor. If you're interested, you can watch them via youtube here or better yet, download to your computer and burn to DVD and watch on TV, believe me, HD is so HD that I can see pimples on everyone and suddenly even Kevin's skin looks terrible but the background pops out! Choose DVD version because reportedly that is full version. I am however trying to find the FULL DVD in the internet, yes I am cheapskate but can't find it. The DVD version files itself, each is MP4 somehow just refuses to be burnt to DVD. I don't know why. Anyway happy watching because believe the words of mouth; this series is at where I am amazing!  By the way the posters I see are also amazing. I can just say this is quality production, even if I hate the dubbing. No way Damien Lau sounds like that. But the casting itself impressed me. Not that the acting were great but each suited his or her role well. Somehow however I feel if this series was made 10 years ago, Zhao Wei would have been the perfect leading lady.

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