(Spoiler ahead) Like many c-dramas, Moonshine and Valentine 结爱千岁大人的初恋 doesn’t seem to have escaped the curse of bad endings. All hope is not lost as there is still one special episode to go, but recent developments to the story have provoked criticism.
Screenwriter Shen Yang takes the blame by writing a long explanation of what happened. She starts off apologizing and asking the viewers not to blame the director and the actors for the collapse in narrative and even said that Director Leste Chen has gone on ratings site Douban to apologize when it’s not his fault.
She started on the project three months before filming began and finished writing eight episodes. There were problems with scheduling as the leading lady was changed last-minute until they found Victoria Song as a replacement, which delayed filming by fifteen days. However, the actors’ schedules were already fixed and the show still needed to be completed on time.
Around the time when Shen Yang had written scenes up until episode 13, she was advised that she shouldn’t write a lot of scenes for Helan and Pipi anymore because they wouldn’t have time to film. The actors didn’t have it easy either as they often worked overtime. Victoria Song was hospitalized while filming the drama and went back to work after she recovered, but there was only so much they could do. Many scenes still had to be rewritten to focus on the supporting characters instead.
Compared to the earlier parts, the latter part of the story was written as it was being filmed, which was difficult for an adaptation that has been making many changes to the source novel.
Shen Yang said that she often admired the Korean and American live shoot systems which seemed cool and on a different level, but it wasn’t until she experienced it firsthand that she learned how hard it could be. Shen Yang admits that she is not happy with the result as there were many things setup in the earlier episodes that weren’t addressed. In hindsight, she realizes that she could have done better but it was the best she could do at the time. She ends with feeling regret for her lack of experience and apologizes for letting everyone down.
It’s too bad to hear that the show was facing all these problems, but I still think this is a better drama than most even if it seems to be giving a warning sign not to get our hopes of for the last episode. The show has recently hit 2 billion views online. Helan is a fox now.. how will this end!?
Source: 1
Anonymous
After episode 14, the 2 leads seem to become cameos.
I honestly don't think her explanation make sense as they have 3 month and half for only 24 episodes. Don't they usually film much more with that same amount of time? How many screen time can the lost 15 days could take?
We know chinese dramas do give out screen time for supporting roles if they are meant to be pushed by the investor or production company… The way we were has similar situation, right?
Anyway, the special episode already aired, which was ep 24- when Pipi was born. We have a whole episode without a female lead. I found it a bit creepy to be honest. But it's their way to give Johnny more screen time along with the bonus eggs…
Episode 25 next week is the last episode. And it seems like they are heading toward the novel's open ending. Helan also returned to his fox form in the novel too before the last chapter.
If they have an open ending, can we have season 2 with the same cast and better writing?
Unknown
I watched all episodes 1-25 and I loved it..Also because I am
a super fan of the amazing talent Mr Johnny Huang..the ending of ep 25 Pipi and Helan meet again…he is human but doesn't recognize Pipi and that is what made me sad because never having read the novel I didn't know what to expect only what I was hoping for and was that he'd remember her but with that he was still attracted to her and drawn in by her so maybe his memory will have come back…as far as the rest of the cast I think they all did beautifully in their roles..even the villian Zhao Song… I hope we get a season two and three… etc etc… I feel that there's so much more to tell in the story between the two Fox clans..fingers crossed
Nelly Rodriguez
Please let me know if there a season 2 available that can be watched.
Anonymous
Does anyone know where to watch after ep 20? Does'nt matter if its raw
Anonymous
you can watch it on youtube
Anonymous
you can watch it on maplestage
Sunflower
I really liked this drama…I have seen up through episode 20. When an unbearable problem is set up in a drama, the writers should already have a viable solution at hand. Also, most dramas spend a lot of time rerunning scenes when that time could be used to firm up the actual plot.I loved these low key characters and hate to think of a lazy ending.
Anonymous
But I think it is unlikely to happen since both fans are fighting with each other. Vic was bullied and her side said that they might not let their actress to have a role with jingyu again. Idk, how severe it was. But yeah, since this is a mess, I really wish they could make it up in season 2
Unknown
I’ve enjoyed this drama more than anything else currently. Episode 24 was such a disappointment though, I won’t expect anything from the last episode. Just give it at least a decent conclusion.
Anonymous
Ep 24 is a special which meant to give Johnny back some screen time along with those bonuses after each episode. So he and the 2 minions have 2 extra episodes.
If they follow the book'd ending, which I think they are, then expect something out of it. At least it's not SE
Anonymous
The chance is slim but I can only hope.
It'd be weird to see someone played Pipi in Season 2, especially Victoria is the one doing most of the emoting between the 2.
Anonymous
So…no happy ending?? 🙁
I was actually enjoying this drama..!
Why do Chinese drama's have awful endings? THIS IS WHY I SHOULD JUST STICK TO KDRAMAS.
If any of you know any good Chinese dramas with happy endings that would be nice.
Unknown
The drama is good, you have to remember, that will other season. Hope they does not change the actors or act rices, they are good.
Anonymous
Just finished watching ep 22..As I read your comments, lost my appetite..haha! but might as well watch it till the end. The flow of the story is a mess, emotions to the other end. Makes me think that the two leads aren't the lead. Anyway, whatever the ending is I hope that they will have (probably) a season2? haha..just to salvage the writer's integrity..Johnny is a discovery! hoping for more projects for him..VS is more than just a pretty face, she has improved a lot!
Anonymous
Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms (aka Eternal Love) is a good Chinese drama, it's long but a good story with great acting from the actors too.
Ari
This show had oodles of potential, but collapsed in a heap. Everyone involved, I hope, will grow from this failure and come back stronger.
Anonymous
Can we get a part 2
Unknown
is there going to be a season 2
Katrina Mcmaster
There needs to be a season 2 to fix this!!!!! please!!
Unknown
There must be a second season, but please, won't change the actors. I saw another series with Victoria and they changed her, and was a disaster.
Unknown
Hi i am from indonesia..and i hope tne writer will write for the season 2 of this drama…dont make all.the audience..all the fans of the drama willbe sad..because of the ending…i believe the season 2 will.hit more than 2 billion viewers
Unknown
I liked the drama very much but its ending wasn't that perfect as I expected cuz I have watched the whole series so I think that the story didn't had a happy ending neither a sad ending, it was like that the story was incomplete and much more mysteries left till the last episode.. The drama is indeed nice but I think the ending would be more happier… I especially feel bad for those two foxes and the chief girl? and even after their sacrifice Helan doesn't even remembers Guan Pipi
Komzy
Moonshine and valentine very eager to see second season please do soon cast couple again for season 2, as story had very sad ending very disappointed for couple of hours to resist after I finished watching all episodes of season 1 … A very good ancient love story!!
Thank you am from india and very much fascinated with the story and acting of Johnny huang loved it, obvious Victoria too both made up of very good pair 🤞awaiting for further episodes to come soon……………
Unknown
I love the series so much that I even watched the whole episode's, please can you realise season 2, because I think the story is incomplete what happened to those others, please we need season 2
Kavya p
The ending was not up to our expectations, please we need season 2 or a special episode for a good ending
Nala Ragede
From the beginning, middle parts of these series, It was very interesting. It makes me nervous sometimes that’s how interesting this series is. I a Huge fan of this series plead my heart out to Moonshine And Valentine I know fans are upset about the ending of the 1st season, you guys are good writers love love the story. You guys can create even more interesting and dramatic stories about the two lovers Helan and Pipi in season 2. I am not a writer nor a scholar but I have some interesting ideas about these series that ca help you you guys release season 2 and use the same cast as in season 1. Thank you
CB
You guys have to have a season 2. I really, really like the drama. But the story is incomplete. You need a season 2, even if it doesn’t have as many episodes… thanks!
Angela Scott
I stumbled upon this drama and was instantly impressed..Loved the entire storyline..UNTIL..there needs to be a season two just for the mere fact of finishing the love story and to clarify the complexity of the north and south clan..I know that wood was supposed to kill the race but umm that needs to be stricken and rethought there’s too much story left to be told..I’ll help write if need be !!
Sincerely a African American chick from the U.S
Misha
All the Actors have given their best to the characters that they played , I really enjoyed all the episodes , but I feel bad that the drama has end with lot of clarification left behind,none of the couple’s in the drama apart from besties of Pipi had left Happy, If they have given an open ending to this Drama, it deserves Season 2 , so it’s a request to the writer and the entire cast and crue, can we have season 2 with the same cast and better writing?
Kerry MacDuff
I loved this show. I had a feeling something happened for it to end that way.
However.. the Polyamory relationship story was absolutely fantastic. It touched the issues and seriousness of poly relationships.
Thank you writers.
Komzy
Moonshine and valentine very eager to see second season please do soon cast couple again for season 2, as story had very sad ending very disappointed for couple of hours to resist after I finished watching all episodes of season 1 … A very good ancient love story!!
Thank you am from india and very much fascinated with the story and acting of Johnny huang loved it, obvious Victoria too both made up of very good pair 🤞awaiting for further episodes to come soon……………
sysy
perfect drama! I do not care about shouting problems at all! who are you anonymous to criticize them????? hoping for season 2 !!!!! thank you
Mele
This kdrama was AWESOME & PERFECT😍
Thankyou so so much for making it GOOD !
I love them, SUPER FINE AND WELL DESERVED.
pleaase writer and can you do SEASON 2 with the same cast members and find out about my DEAR PIPI AT THE END HOW SHE SAW PRINCE HELAN WHEN HE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HER. MY POOR DEAR.
Really Thankful to watch this OVER & OVER AGAIN.
FAN FROM NZ
Nelida Eyster
Perfect drama. Need a Second Season with the same characters and Helan Xi claiming back and uniting the clans.
Ruffa Mae
Nice drama! ✨ I love watching fantasy drama at all. 😊