Period C-drama Scent of Time Premieres to Decent Reviews but Female Lead Zhou Ye Gets Dogged by Usual Stiff Acting Criticism and Saddled with Incongruous Voice Dubbing

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• There were def moments in her acting when I thought she was rather stoic and could've used more acting juice, but overall, she could carry the drama through. I enjoy the plot so far, but I'm really sad about what the potential ending is (if it's based off novel.) I don't like how that ending plays out, even if it is more fitting.

  With that said, I'm enjoying the other drama currently starring Tian Xi Wei (dunno the English name yet.) It's very practical and I adore the storyline (so far.)

  • What is the ending in the book?

    • ***SPOILER ALERT***

      Apparently, she's only dreaming about this current rebirth life. She's actually still stuck in her previous life, when she spat out blood. Her life was held by a thin thread by the 2nd brother using that incense that they mentioned during that incense ceremony, which is why she keeps mentioning smelling incense.

      I can't guarantee the ending; some say she became a couple with the bodyguard in her current rebirth dream life, then revives in the 2nd life and realizes 2nd brother actually loves her, but that life's circumstances were too cruel so she basically goes to die again.

      There are also rumors that she realizes 2nd brother loves her in the rebirth (current) life, and reciprocates that love, but then he couldn't go against his family to be with her, so she gives up on him, fakes her death and goes to live in the countryside where bodyguard finds her and they live happily together, and then possibly she revives in the 2nd life and dies again to be with the bodyguard.

      There's just comments about her reviving in her 2nd life and having to deal with the harsh circumstances of that life (when her family's already dead.)

      All very grim if the rumors are true

    • I saw someone commented in other platforms that there are 2 ending ps!

  • Coralie, are you talking about Romance on the Farm? I'm currently watching that as well and am also quite enjoying it! I mean, it's not perfect, but it's an enjoyable watch. Although how the larger family behaves does get my blood boiling quite a bit.

    • @Soph Yes! Romance on the Farm. It's very cute and yes, while the family's circumstances are very selfish, all their motives are very understandable. And to be honest, I see a lot of that kind of petty fighting (not to that extent) in various families, including my own. So I find the drama relatable.

    • Yeah, I hope this could be the big break for Tian Xiwei. Her visuals is totally my type.

• I'm fine with Zhou Ye's acting, a bit green here and there but still good. She needed to act cool. And of all the actors in the drama, she is the most popular so I am not surprised she gets top billing. The drama is becoming a sleeper hit. It's low budget but the story is draws you in. Keeps netizens guessing, based on comments in various forums. It's gaining traction and buzz at least with the international audience. The discussions in mydramalist are very active.

• She can't act which is nothing new under the sun for Chinese dramas.

  • She's pretty decent tbh, especially compared to the 2nd ML or 2nd FL Zhao Qing who's apparently Yuzhengs new protege. He had to post on Weibo explaining that she got Lasik to fix her blank stare....

  • Lol she can definitely act. I would put her above some of those overrated traffic actresses. Plus I like her visual.

    • Nope.

      Lol if less people paid attention to "visuals" there would be more good actresses and actors around. As it is enjoy your pretty but talentless idols I guess.

• Zhou Ye's acting is pretty decent, especially in bad girl roles like Better Days? I first noticed her as a bully in that movie and she was great. She was criticized for exaggerated acting in a war drama before but her current acting is more understated and realistic, I wish she dubbed herself because her voice is OK.

  In any case she's one of the few non-cutesy-voiced younger C-actresses who can portray mean, strategic, cunning FLs without it being dislikeable? She suits 黑腹女主 black bellied roles which is unique, cute sweetie pie types are dime a dozen in C-ent.

  Scent of Time's plot is also surprisingly refreshing (the 2nd FL is the victim but viewers won't her, we back the morally grey FL but still see how her past evilness ruined even her 2nd life because she can't marry the ML) but the overall budget and cinematography isn't great for a Yuzheng production. Wonder if Yuzheng has been struggling to find investors after his spate of lawsuits? Dude needs to focus on producing good original high quality dramas.

  • Yeah her visual enable her to be convincing when playing serious/mean type of girl. She is not the usual harmless looking or cutie patootie cdrama have been pushing at the front lately.

• Zhou Ye is better received in international fan circles than in Chinese fan circles. She's not the only one getting similar treatment domestically vs internationally. There's such an observable pattern in C drama land. Not only actors, dramas may also receive opposite reviews in China vs outside China. I wonder if that's because coming from different culture will end up with different watching experience with different taste and critiques of acting styles and whatnot. Another example occurs to me is Zhao Lusi and her drama Hidden Love. ZLS is very popular and HL was a hit outside China. But she and HL were bombarded with scathing criticism in China. Chinese fans and international fans obviously have different taste in general.

  • I thought Hidden Love was a hit in China? But I agree with you about differing tastes internationally. International fans will eat up anything with romance even if the acting or script is mediocre. The bar is pretty low for popularity overseas tbh.

    • I read Weibo hot searches critical of HL plot shows inappropriate affection between a minor and an adult man something like that. But HL was nominated for some sorta Asian drama award in North America. I don't remember exactly.

      Another example is The Longest Promise that got positive reviews in China but I read many critiques in English blogs complaining about the drama, most of which are from The Untamed fans.

    • Are you serious? The bar is low? Or do you mean the bar is high. It should be the other way around as international fans are exposed to more.

    • @LAC, both Chinese and international circles have their own perspectives in critiquing C dramas. Chinese ppl and internationals appreciate different forms of artistry. Therefore, one side considers production quality and aesthetic values pretty high while the other side may not get the same level of appreciation. Equally for actors' acting and performance in dramas. I personally don't label right-or-wrong tags on all this, nor do I think one side is superior to the other side in critiques. I'd say it's all subjective.

• OH. MY GOD. OH MY GOD. LMAOAOA I thought she went by two names.... I thought her and Zhang Jingyi were the same person...! -_-|||

• She's super cute and can mostly act, but her emotions never deliver as REAL. And I'm not saying crying is everything, but DANG, girl CANNOT shed a tear for the LIFE of her! Lol. In "Back to the Brink" when Neo Hou is legitimately crying and she's only huffing, UGH. Lol. And when she was dying in "Word of Honor", lucky we had Gong Jun's performance to carry those scenes or else I wouldn't have felt ANYTHING for her death! HAHA. Yes!! She needs to actually hone the craft!

  • I kinda agree with you. I have no idea of her dramas other than the two you mentioned. I don't get her acting in these two dramas. I dropped both dramas for reasons besides that.

  • Lol have you seen her in "Better Days" or this one airing now or even "No more Bet" to say she can only act cute ? If anything acting cute is usually not her register.

  • Crying is not everything but it sure helps!

• Watching the drama and I have no problem with Zhou Ye acting at all. And I like the character's writting.

• Currently watching this drama and have no problem with the actors. The story is good so far. Eventho, i dont think, we'll get a happy ever after ending but let her alive and happ... i dont ship her with the ML, she will just end up in the same situation. Better living alone, or with her bodyguard and her servant..

• Thank you for your blog on Scent of Time. On episode 21 and really hoping to see more because the storyline is quite interesting. Visually speaking all the ML and the main FL are eye candy. I agree with you on the dubbing, it really can make or break a drama. Acting is mediocre and can use some fine tuning. I can see the sincere love Zhong Xiwu has for Hua Qian but she knows how impossible it would be given his status and relation to his brother. The funny thing is the eldest princess (or mom) said she would not intervene but as head of household, she will just to cement her sons title/throne. Also, what exactly is Hua RongZou motive. Is it to just be beside her or was it love at first sight for him? Anyway, I hope she gets a HE.