Originally Posted by
briseis
Actually, while reading the novel I've never felt that HQB oozed that mature, confident hotness. For me, his attractiveness and appeal was about that perfect mix of innocent eagerness, youthfulness, his very open physical yearning for XY and, importantly, a huge emotional vulnerability and painful desparation on his part. Because he always felt that he would be refused; that XY would choose MX instead. I find it is something that is very subtly hinted during the large part of the novel (until tha later part where he really understood and finally saw the depth of feelings XY had for him because until then, she never explicitly voiced her feelings for him; unlike the time with MX when she made several honest, open love confessions to MX and, as you know, QB was present during one of them and it was again him, who had to do damage control and pick up the broken pieces after MX send her that pigeon message "I'm sorry" (probably, a Han version of break-up via SMS. It's no wonder he felt insecure)). I think that insecurity was also caused by the many times he tried to woo her but was refused because she kep thinking about MX. So it's the mix of these 2 things and probaly the best illustration of his frustration and vulnerability is his angry retort to XY: "I think you're a masochist, just itching to be mistreated. Yet I'm even worse of a masochist than you, simply dying to be mistreated!"
There is also another aspect why I love EP's portrayal of QB/WJ in the drama and think it's consistent with the character in the novel. What people often forget is that his character is supposed to be 18-24, I mean he is supposed to be a teenager while the story starts, and EP is able to really make the viewers believe that he's somewhere in that age range; and that's not only because of his boyish, youthful appearance - which many people comment on - it's also hugely due to the way he behaves,acts; his bearing and mannerism. I think that the relative youth of HQB clashes with the misconception and distorted notion how most people imagine a general. They mostly imagine an older man, with ripling muscles and facial hairs and that's probably why so many people expected Hu Ge to be cast and then why they were so disappointed by Eddie Peng. I already talked many times why I think EP is better suited for the role character-wise but I think, the fact he really gives that vibe of youthfulness (men around 20 have always this lanky vibe because the body is still developing and EP's lean muscularity is perfect for this since HQB'S fighting style was always about speed, agility, precision, great tactic and technique rather than brute force) with a hint of boyish innocence is what gives the performance sense of reality and also consistency with the TH's novel - I mean, how many times did she describe QB as a man "with stars in his eyes/twinkling gaze" or a "sunshine boy". And that from where that "puppiness" comes from - it's been in the novel all along. You know, even the most ferocious wolf turns into a puppy when with his mate or when hurt. WJ's physical reaction right now is really appropriate of a young man whose been a virgin due to his fear of siring illegitimate children, yet, who has clearly not been a monk.
I've always felt that the first volume was about hints and innuendo while the second one was about a full-scale love story of two people, both physical and emotional, love that conquers all.
About the scenes you mentioned. I really admire Tangren for making the drama as loyal to the original novel as humanely possible, of course, it's neccesary to make some changes and it's given they can't satisfy everyone because each reader has his/her subjective and unique way of imagining and interpreting the novel. Of course, the original version is always the best but I think they did great with what was in the script.
Acacia - I really love that scenes to bits. For me, HQ was never mysterious or unreadable during that moment in the novel. I interpret that "unreadable" part from the fact that XY stands quite away from him and can't really see his facial expression from up close. However, considering how just the mere smell of acacia makes XY heartbroken and sad for him while she's remembering it and looks like she remembers it quite often (I mean she even admits that to him), I think, it was a well-thought of Eddie Peng to give that brave, yet desolated heartbreaking smile. That's scene is made amazing by the beautiful cinematography and most of all, EP's expressiveness because during those mere seconds he makes you feel WJ's shocked and sad realization that he's not the man who's in XY's heart, his heartbrokeness and also the frustration at himself for being so foolish and blinded by love that he didn't notice it sooner. It's the moment when he realises that he's been in love all alone and that it's why that heartwreching sense of loneliness comes out so palpably during that scene.
Stargazing - I remember that scene quite differently they were hiding and QB made a comment their voyerism. I don't remember nothing that would hint on JY's reaction of physical awarenes. To me, she was more distracted and suprised than anything else but his actions and that's why she shoved him. I think there is no doubt that XY feels the attraction between them whenever WJ makes a move on her; she always jumps away from him so panickly and shocked, like she was afraid and it's that awareness which makes her act like this.
I have to say that in those 12 episodes the drama has delivered more sexual tension and innuendos than any other Chinese Mainland drama its whole run so I'm absolutely excited for what they will deliver in the second half of the story when the things start to heat up and I think considering the snippers we've got so far from the hot springs scene I'm pretty sure that I'll be more than satisfied.