A cranky author loves a bubbly editor
Notable Actors/Actresses
[Ep21]
[Ep22]
[Ep23]
[Ep24]
[Ep25]
[Ep26]
[Ep27]
[Ep28]
[Ep29]
[Ep30]
[Ep31]
[Ep32]
[Ep33]
[Ep34]
[Ep35]
[Ep36]
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Where I’m at with the story: two online friends meet in real life. Both of them secretly harbour feelings for one another– online. The guy learns who she really is but the girl doesn’t know yet. He loves her while she’s slowly falling in love with him. And that is the simplified story for 8 episodes. It’s a fairly simple romcom with a peek into the editor’s world (although I have no idea if that’s even accurate which probably doesn’t matter in the large scale of things). Of course, the most appealing part of this drama are the actors, who are not only beautiful but have the acting chops. Moonlight feels like a safe bet for romcom fans.
Notable Actors/Actresses
Ding Yu Xi: Zhou Chuan
Yu Shu Xin: Chu Li
Yang Shi Ze: Jiang Yu Cheng
Director
Screenwriter
Qiu Ting, Zhu Qi
Chinese Title
月光變奏曲
[Ep7] Chu Li has no where to live. Zhou Chuan adopts her; he says he needs someone to look after his dog anyway. Surprisingly, Chu Li slurps up that offer. Right?? What girl would not want to live with a such hot guy who’s going to barely accept any rent? Zhou Chuan excitedly prepares for her to move in by buying a lot of essentials for her; cute slippers are a must.
Chinese Title
月光變奏曲
Network: iQIYI
Recap Grade: D
First Impression: 2.1/5
First Impression: 2.1/5
Mini Recaps
[Ep1] Chu Li, originally graduated from finance, is miraculously hired at Yuanyue Publishing House to be an editor. Her first assignment is to sign Zhou Chuan who's pretty hot in the world of writers.
[Ep2] Zhou Chuan wasn't going to sign with Chu Li until he realizes Chu Li is his "Monkey", his online friend of three years. According to his real buddy (Jiang Yu Cheng), his online relationship with Monkey is practically like dating. Zhou Chuan denies the dating part.
[Ep3] Chu Li and Zhou Chuan begin their editor-writer relationship. He knows she's his “Monkey" but she doesn't know he's her "Fox Lord". He's pretty foxy. As "Zhou Chuan", he bullies her because, you know, boys in love do that... As "Lord Fox” or “Fox Lord" he comforts her on all her problems but most if not all of her problems come from him as Zhou Chuan...
[Ep4] Lao Miao, a very annoying, jealous, incapable senior editor, tries to steal Zhou Chuan from Chu Li. However, Zhou Chuan will only work with Chu Li. I am glad that the most annoying character is work related rather than a romantic rival.
Also, it seems like Chu Li secretly likes her online friend, Lord Fox, too.
[Ep5] Jiang Yu Cheng is an author Chu Li really admires. She's been a die-hard fan for seven years. However, in the past two years, he hasn't produced anything remotely successful and it has a lot to do with Gu Bai Zhi, his ex-girlfriend. They broke up over differences in career prospect. She wanted to increase revenue (from an editor's perspective) and he wanted to write for his own interest (from an artist's perspective).
An editor's job apparently also includes cooking for a cranky writer. Chu Li says it'll take her an hour to arrive at Zhou Chuan's place to cook him congee. He hangs up on her. In minutes, he shows up at the bus stop to pick her up.
Then it's late and she stays over (honestly, I missed the reason why she's staying over but she's staying over) which is the perfect time for some slow-mo couple shots.
[Ep6] The above is an imagination by Chu Li when Zhou Chuan moves in close to stare at her for some reason. The reality is they are in sauna together for some reason. When she gets out of the pool, Zhou Chuan almost suffers a cardiac arrest from seeing her backside – her butt, I guess.
Zhou Chuan connects Chu Li to her favourite author, Jiang Yu Cheng, whom she had thought was just a bookstore owner. As she's discussing contract terms to entice Jiang Yu Cheng, Gu Bai Zhi cuts in, expressing her interest in signing Jiang Yu Cheng too. However, it seems Jiang Yu Cheng is leaning towards Chu Li. From her, he finally hears what he has always wanted to hear from an editor: someone who respects his story and not prioritizes the profit.
[Ep7] Chu Li has no where to live. Zhou Chuan adopts her; he says he needs someone to look after his dog anyway. Surprisingly, Chu Li slurps up that offer. Right?? What girl would not want to live with a such hot guy who’s going to barely accept any rent? Zhou Chuan excitedly prepares for her to move in by buying a lot of essentials for her; cute slippers are a must.
[Ep8]
[Ep10] Zhou Chuan takes Chu Li for a walk at a park. He’s taking pictures of the scenery but then she appears in his lens. He smiles at the picture/video of her in his phone and in a soft voice: “Very beautiful.”
Chu Li has OT. Zhou Chuan is at home waiting for her all night. We wakes up every few hours to check if she’s home. It’s morning, she's still not home, and so he calls up the chief editor to confirm if Chu Li is alive, lol.
[Ep13] Chu Li is freaking out the whole morning because she doesn't know if she drunk kissed Zhou Chuan. When they finally talk about it, Zhou Chuan has a sly smirk. My gosh, Ding Yu Xi and his expressions. He tells her nothing happened last night. Chu Li breathes a sigh of relief. But Zhou Chuan takes her hand, his gaze cast downward, "I mean, I can pretend nothing happened last night." Lol. Chu Li jumps away. With her back turned, he starts laughing. Once she's looking at him, he puts on his best poker face.
With Zhou Chuan's obvious jealousy towards Jiang Yu Cheng, Chu Li asks Zhou Chuan: "Do you like me?"
[Ep9] Zhou Chuan recounts to Chu Li that his father had told him what he wrote was utter garbage and ripped it in front of his face. That was the beginning of their hostility. Chu Li buys him ice-cream – obviously, just one cone – to cheer him up. They accidentally eat it at the same time (however that happens). Their bangs touch, their eyes lock, their hearts flutter and then they awkwardly retreat but their feelings have awakened.
Zhou Chuan won't let Chu Li and Jiang Yu Cheng spend any time alone. It took a lot of effort for Chu Li to beg Zhou Chuan to leave. Jiang Yu Cheng wanted to use this date to sign with her. He chooses her to be his editor.
They arrive at Xing He Road (Galaxy Road) and there are couples everywhere. There’s a legend that if one walks with the opposite sex on this path then they will be together forever. Just to clarify, Drama said opposite sex. Zhou Chuan claims he didn’t know. She pouts. As they're casually walking, Zhou Chuan pokes around for her hand but cowardly pulls back. Suddenly a bike zooms by and he pulls her close. They awkwardly pull apart but his hand is still holding onto her wrist – obviously to keep her safe from other very, very dangerous bikes.
Chu Li has OT. Zhou Chuan is at home waiting for her all night. We wakes up every few hours to check if she’s home. It’s morning, she's still not home, and so he calls up the chief editor to confirm if Chu Li is alive, lol.
An alive Chu Li walks back home in the morning from her OT. She’s pestered by a very aggressive dude handing out flyers. That guy just can’t take no for an answer. The verbal argument turns physical and Chu Lu is knocked to the ground. Zhou Chuan, who was waiting her, sees her on the ground and then punches the guy. The police ends the dispute. Zhou Chuan and Chu Li are free to go home. He notices her knees are injured and he bends down for her to get on. Not only does he piggyback her all the way home but also at home when she's struggling down the stairs. The injury is a superficial abrasion on the knee... Chu Li sits on the couch to disinfect her own wound. She gasps at each dab. Zhou Chuan is exasperated; he asks if she's planning to disinfect that wound for days. He does it for her in one swipe and she howls. Lol. She whimpers I think I want to do it myself now. xD
[Ep11] Chu Li receives flak for being too close to Zhou Chuan among his fans and her superiors at work. Chu Li considers moving out but she's sad just thinking about it. Her coworker (Curly Hair) pats her head that she is a sad one indeed. Why is such a pretty girl like Chu Li sad to leave a landlord who's always demanding her to cook for him. Well, if it's worded that way... Chu Li clarifies she doesn't love this landlord; it's purely admiration.
Chu Li casually tells him she's considering moving out once she gets a pay raise if Zhou Chuan's book sells above a certain threshold. Zhou Chuan lost all his mood on helping her cook (for him). Did he abuse her or torture her? Because of her moving in, he cleaned the entire upper floor, bought new furniture, bedding, carpet, etc. Everything she's using are all new. Zhou Chaun accusingly asks her if she's messing with him. Aw, his anger is cute. Chu Li plays it cutely, "Ohhh, so you're complaining about the cost of the furniture!" Zhou Chuan loses patience and mutters that if she's selling books with impure intentions then it will fail. Chu Li is exasperated that he's cursing his own book. Lol.
Chu Li texts Lord Fox that her landlord is angry at her. Lord Fox is like It must be your fault. She only told him she was possibly moving. Zhou Chuan texts her back that her landlord might have a reason that he doesn't want her to move out.
Chu Li doesn't want to move out either. She hasn't quite sorted out why though.
Jiang Yu Cheng makes a visit to Zhou Chuan's home. Chu Li scrambles to hide in the closet in Zhou Chuan's room. Jiang Yu Cheng has no plans to leave for the night. Chu Li texts a complaint to Zhou Chuan that there's a girl stuck in his closet and her legs are cramped. Zhou Chuan laughs as he texts back that her legs aren't that long. Chu Li ends up sleeping on his bed for the night.
In the morning, Chu Li finds Zhou Chuang hugging her in bed. He thinks she's his dog. She tries to unravel his hands from her but they end up rolling onto the floor. He had a blackout after drinking and has no idea why they're together. Chu Li smirks. She's like You don't remember what you promised me last night? I like her being mischievous instead of that typical shy girl stuff.
Jiang Chen: Did I promise to marry you? .... Please don't take it seriously!
Lol. The joke is played on Chu Li. Chu Li rolls her eyes and leaves but when she opens the door Jiang Yu Cheng is right there. Their little cohabitation secret is exposed.
[Ep12] Jiang Yu Cheng says he likes Chu Li. She tells him she already has someone she likes. Is it Zhou Chuan? Not exactly. She likes her online friend, Fox Lord. Oh so now, Jiang Yu Cheng knows she likes Zhou Chuan, she just doesn't know Fox Lord is him.
[Ep13] Chu Li is freaking out the whole morning because she doesn't know if she drunk kissed Zhou Chuan. When they finally talk about it, Zhou Chuan has a sly smirk. My gosh, Ding Yu Xi and his expressions. He tells her nothing happened last night. Chu Li breathes a sigh of relief. But Zhou Chuan takes her hand, his gaze cast downward, "I mean, I can pretend nothing happened last night." Lol. Chu Li jumps away. With her back turned, he starts laughing. Once she's looking at him, he puts on his best poker face.
Suo Heng, an author, is bullied by Lao Miao to change her genre. Chu Li finds it unfair. Lao Miao is practically killing Suo Heng's career if she makes this genre change that's opposite of her forte. There's also something up with Suo Heng and Chief Editor.
[Ep14] Zhou Chuan is like: "No way! I never thought you were a woman. To me, you're no different from Ergou (dog's name)."
Chu Li has been angry at Zhou Chuan for days over the dog comment.
Chu Li comes home late and plops on the couch. Worriedly, Zhou Chuan covers her with a blanket. He finally explains he never treated her like his dog. Has she ever seen him put a blanket over Ergou? Has she ever see him wait for Ergou past midnight? She dreamily stares up at him. He turns shy again and clarifies Ergou would never make him worry. Despite the dog comment, Chu Li knows he cares about her and all her anger bubbles away.
Curly Hair makes Chu Li realize that Fox Lord and Gu Chuan have the same writing habits. Could it be? Could Zhou Chuan actually be Fox Lord? Chu Li tests him.
[Ep15] Zhou Chuan isn't falling for it. He denies he's Fox Lord even when Chu Li directly asks him. I don't really get why he needs to hide it. He finds it embarrassing, perhaps.
There's the problem of Suo Heng being let go by the publishing house. Chief Editor is guilty for it because she let Suo Heng go in the past.
[Ep16] Zhou Chuan releases Chu Li's stress by taking her to play squash. He teaches her the right position. She heaves a mighty swing – zip – the racket comes right around, landing inches from Zhou Chuan's face. Heh.
Jiang Yu Cheng asks Zhou Chuan just what does Chu Li mean to him. Zhou Chuan refuses to give a straight answer. Then Jiang Yu Cheng says he'll pursue Chu Li to which Zhou Chuan quickly yells that he can't. Jiang Yu Cheng finally tells him that Chu Li likes Fox Lord.
Later that night, Zhou Chuan, as Fox Lord, texts Chu Li that he has someone he likes... because Zhou Chuan can't accept her liking someone that's not Zhou Chuan....even if it's his own alias....? Chu Li is too busy to care about Fox Lord. She's now in charge of Suo Heng (and solves her misunderstanding with Chief Editor).
[Ep17] The little sweet thing: Zhou Chuan falls asleep during a movie. Chu Li rests his head on her shoulder.
After the movie, Jiang Yu Cheng comments on the movie which is about online friends. He asks Chu Li "Aren't you and Fox Lord online friends of three years?" Chu Li pauses and thinks. She never told Jiang Yu Cheng it's been three years.... unless.... Fox Lord is .... Jiang Yu Cheng! She reveals her conclusion to Zhou Chuan who's rather flabbergasted. He clearly likes her. I don't understand why he can't just tell her...?!
Zhou Chuan misunderstands Jiang Yu Cheng admitted he was Lord Fox to Chu Li. The boys fight and by fight I mean they roll on the floor. After they're done frolicking, Jiang Yu Cheng assures Zhou Chuan that he denied being Lord Fox.
[Ep18] This Liang dude effs up at work and Zhou Chuan refuses to sign his next book with Chu Li's publishing company. Chu Li completely understands.
[Ep19] I'm surprised it's been a year in drama-time.
Chu Li is drunk.
Zhou Chuan thinks she's upset about not signing with her.
She isn't.
The mood turns romantic with some fake snow that floats in.
And then a kiss!
Next morning, Zhou Chuan disappears, practically ghosting her.
Why!
He can't face her.
Why!
Because he kissed her while she was drunk. Scandalous!
Ahh. I cannot compute.
[Ep20] By the end of this episode, Zhou Chuan and Chu Li are together.
[Ep22]
[Ep23]
[Ep24]
[Ep25]
[Ep26]
[Ep27]
[Ep28]
[Ep29]
[Ep30]
[Ep31]
[Ep32]
[Ep33]
[Ep34]
[Ep35]
[Ep36]
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-8)] Where I’m at with the story: two online friends meet in real life. Both of them secretly harbour feelings for one another– online. The guy learns who she really is but the girl doesn’t know yet. He loves her while she’s slowly falling in love with him. And that is the simplified story for 8 episodes. It’s a fairly simple romcom with a peek into the editor’s world (although I have no idea if that’s even accurate which probably doesn’t matter in the large scale of things). Of course, the most appealing part of this drama are the actors, who are not only beautiful but have the acting chops. Moonlight feels like a safe bet for romcom fans.
The above is my brain speaking and below is where my heart is.
As someone who really loves Ding Yu Xi and really likes Yu Shu Xin, I may be the only one to say that I’m dreading there’s still almost 30 episodes left. This is not terribly exciting to say the least. I’m mindlessly watching – or looking – at this to see my favourite actors. Perhaps I’ll love this more once they start dating. Perhaps. Undeniably, they are cute.
[Actors/Actresses] Moonlight was filmed last year when Ding Yu Xi (Ryan Ding) and Yu Shu Xin (Esther Yu) were both the hottest celebrities among the rising stars. Ding Yu Xi was coming off the success of two back to back popular dramas (Intense Love and The Romance of Tiger and Rose) and was crowned May Boyfriend. Yu Shu Xin made a name for herself in Find Yourself but it was in the variety Youth With You 2 where her popularity skyrocketed. Both are known for their visuals and recognized for their acting.
[Dropped] I'm on a roll – dropping all my fave actors’ drama. I would have been fine mindlessly watching this but I cannot understand ML's logic even if it's Ding Yu Xi acting him.
No comments:
Post a Comment