Drama Review : Legend of Fuyao

Hi. Assalamualaikum.

[Disclaimer] First and formost, FYI I don't own any picture/GIF in this posting. Credit goes to it's rightful owner. Thanks! every each is beautiful and irresistable! Secondly, Entry down below is being posted with TWO ALERTS. SPOILER ALLERT and TOO-LONG-POST ALLERT (lol, but true thou). So if you have not yet watch Legend of Fuyao or on your way doing it somehow, I suggest you to not read this crappy stuffs and stuffed your head beforehand. Give it a try yourself and may you get a joy-ride like me. heh. Coming back after feeling unsettled might be necessary afterwards. 

And so it says in the drama - from an empress of Taiyuan to the queen ruler of Xuanji

(and episodes of journey ; hardship, betrayal, romance and friendship in between) 

I ended watching this cdrama just yesterday (thanks to Astro Beyond that it had included this drama in the package). This is my third cdrama as the first one goes to Moonshine and Valentine (aka The Love Knot: His Excellency's First Love) and the second goes to Ten Miles of Peach Blossom (aka Eternal Love). A closest friend of mine suggested this to me knowing I am into those historical-costumed kind of drama (since I am often more into Saeguk-genre kdrama).

This won't really be a review, but rather an opinion of mine or at least thoughts I have since I finished watching it. It left me with feelings. At first an unsettled one. Obviously because of it's ending. Since I don't grasp a better understanding upon it thus I wander (like 24 hours? heh) over the internet to find a better answer for a clearer closure.  And through some reading and listening (and comparing too), like others too... I've made my very own closing for this drama in my head. This is to be explain sooner.

Bad CGI, but still a cute ingot - Yun Bao  
This drama as for me is so worth watching. Ain't a satisfying CGI over all yet not too bad either so long I got the means. Some of it are still so visually captivating, so that's cool enough. Not to forget, including all this, there's a cute ingot named Yun Bao. At first I thought the ingot itself seems a little bit awkward and unstable character, but as I'm getting used to it, I find it so cute and understood it's a character which is actually a loyal pet to the master; no doubt and it is aiding to the main character whenever in need. That being said, I am feeling good about it.

Strong Sub-characters, Sub-plot
But good plot story and especially well portrayed character from the actors/actresses paid it off. Not only the main characters had shown a great character growth and superb emotional expression but I like it that such role being distributed fairly (like I said, this is as for me and per to only my opinion) towards the other characters as well. Like "who's not being entangled with heavy emotions and on?nahh.. everyone did", as I could recall. Or at least almost everyone did more than what I've seen in most of other previous dramas. 
-- Be it the characters when they made it at Taiyuan Kingdom : involving Uncle Zhou, Pei Yuan and Jingchen for Xuanyuan Sect. And Zong Yue, Yun Hen, Qi Yun, Qi Zhen later followed, at the first closure of Taiyuan rebellion (for Xuanyuan's back story), Tiansha Kingdom (with Zhan Beiye and Zhuzhu love progress and Xiao Qi's love too especially greatly exposed when Zhuzhu went blind and when he's holding that fact only too him ; twas heartbreaking. And more and more characters in other following Kingdom as well. I even got heartbreak feels upon the back story of  Zhangsun Jia's wife when they first encounter her in Taiyuan Kingdom's castle (and even later in the revelation before her husband is off to rebel the Tianquan Kingdom where she helps put on his husband armor etc etc.
-- Oh yeah and I like the right-man casts (be it Wuji's, Zhan Beiye's and even Fuyao's with Xiao Qi and Tie Cheng from Yao City. including Yun Hen too!!) all played and express a very good and emotional acting which in fact had leaves impact.

So in short, (to me) this drama is preferable because likely every sub-characters are given their strongly play-with-emotion role, stable character themselves, a very well developed sub-plot with a great back story and explained closure - for each and one sub characters. That is so detailed and not even being wrap in rush or whatsnot. Great work to the writer and actors as for the plot and great acting! *claps

[Diclaimer] I found that some even says like this drama is too draggy and it does not really need to get through like every kingdom actually. It can just be more focus on the main character only. Well I would say, that's unfortunate if it happens that way around since I might missed out the chance to see all other great actors playing our their characters splendidly. They have their own charm and all those one-after-another episode had bring me to such realization. The episodes deserved having them in and s they deserve recognition. Btw, All this so called draggy plot story (involving other character/ sub-characters) are what making the ending make sense (that I'll talk about it way down below).

Evil Characters went Easily Died?
Every character played, especially the main one and the subs (whom turned out to be the ruler over each kingdom - Zhan Beiye for Tiansha, Zhong Yue/as of Yun Hen for Taiyuan, Zhuzhu for Qiongye which is part of the 5 Kingdom thou and Wuji Fuyao respectively for Tianquan and Xuanji) have encounter their own evil character/ villains alongside with each back story. Some claim that villains in this drama dies way too easily as to compare with the hardship protagonist been struggling with while dealing with them or in revenging them. I don't have much issue with how they died tbh and as well seeing this as a so relate-able thing with real life event which eventually give a good reflection throughout the drama. As the saying goes one will reap what they sow, this is what I get to understand in this drama,. Evil characters in this drama were not even died per result of revenged ( being killed by the main characters respectively, some of them not even being killed directly...) Yet as an impact for their evil act and deed that happened between them and others as well and some were because of great resentfulness and regrets towards themselves. This can be seen from Qi Zhen that died killing himself after accidentally killing his daughter (that sacrifices for Zhong Yue), like Pei Yuan ended up being killed by her own maid resulted from her own arrogant, like how Wuji's brother died being killed by his right man because of his own betrayal within the rebellion time, like Zhan Beiheng's died after regretting and reflecting on himself and Zhan Nancheng died being killed by an eunuch (whilst our sub-character feeling so considerate in punishing his own blood brother). So this show that a person hold responsibility of their very own doing. not every evil died from a revenge even when the means to revenge is there. But there's a lot more to it. It is likely a teaching, even when there's no one to revenge against you, justice will prevail and making you pay anyway. You can be killed by others (still) or killing yourself or even getting insane (like Princess Fo Lian). I like it. 

WuFu Couple : the Truest OTP of All
Of course the best thing that would have topped over if there's flaws and making it a worth-watched over again is the chemistry between both leads - a one true pairing. emotion, feelings and characters portrayed by Yang Mi and Ethan Ruan are satisfyingly giving satisfaction as it seems so natural and growing in a follow-able pace (lol please excuse my-made-up English term). Tbh, I was hooked on to keep watching several first episodes because of the role played by the fake Xuanyuan Min and all the flirty thingy attempt he made to Fuyao during they were in Xuanyuan Sect. 

--- Nah I am not too good in being detail. So basically will talk about stuffs in general, not to really compile of which scene in which episodes that they get romantic and all. I bet there are it all in almost 66 episodes. It feels so nice, at times seeing Ethan Ruan playing out his part flirting (and even later admiring and confessing upon his one love; Fu Yao), I even personally the one who fell for him. Is there anyone whose not? hahahah. He's so freaking hot thou.

--- In this drama, it is certain that the message they have is love conquered it all. including the main demon they were purposely have to fight at the end of the day. Their willingness in their love life is understood to be so strong, steadily from the beginning until the last bit of it. and the best about all this lovey-dovey things that it does not get way too cringe - perhaps because of the hardships (like so a lot of struggle) in between had stabilize it too, might as well be. As happy as Wuji or Fuyao could ever be when they are being together, I share the same happiness as well (I believe majority do too, feeling that way). Apart from playing their role splendidly carrying out emotions, they fit well both. Not too much, but a strong statement is acknowledge at the same time.   

Wardrobe Collection

Applause to the costume designer team since I am so love and disturbed (in a very positive way) of almost every costume in the collection. Comparing with TMOPB: Eternal Love, the male wardrobe is what eye-catching to me. But in this one, I see it more with the female attire/costumes. I see layers of tulle, laces, chiffon, organza and obvious silks and satin with great pleats, drapes, patterns and motives. Plus not to mention, a very one stunning embroidery too in several particular emperor-kind attire. Hey, I personally like Fu Yao headpiece when she's in Taiyuan Palace

--- Anyway male costumes are still as pleasing as well. Since I am aware that every kingdom have their own identity of dress code, to me that shows variety (cool then) and detailed. 

Okay so let's talk about the ending, particulary of episode 65 and 66.
Happy Ending but a Loose Closure?
Last 4 episodes (or more than four I bet) really play over my feelings. Be it with the closure Wuji got from his birth-back story followed by his fake emperor father's death (twas sooooooo emotional the same way he was being one at the camp right after the real father's death punishment sort of)
Too many (especially Wuji's) crying/bawling scenes that ended up breaking my heart as well until to the last bit of  the drama (oh maybe not up to the last 20 seconds, heh).

So did they both died? or happily live for ever and after? At first, following just my mere rough understanding after I ended watching.. I prefer them to die (both) rather than they coming back to the five kingdoms like those swords thingy (from the demon/half Fuyao) attack and self-stab ain't affecting their human self at all. I preferer a logical reasoning rather than a happy ending with no justifications. I don't think what I saw at the end of the episode is any familiar kingdom since every kingdom can be recognized by their own element/symbol sort of. It does look like a kingdom but not anything specific for me to judge that they are coming back to the real world/kingdom.

Then I found this. Issa good finale review and so well explained and make sense. I feel relieved after I have understand everything being explained out. I do save in my record, minutes when you can start listening the ending's review. I first marked minutes 19:31 and second on 35:22. Do not hesitate to listen. She gets very detailed and I am surprisingly satisfy. No more loose end and poor closure. I am certain. Alongside listening to this, I bet to admit that this drama ain't really not giving out closure the way people been claiming all along. It is just that I, myself even missed out that some details and at most every single line spoken out by the leads are actually the closure itself and beforehand explaining to what is to happen in the ending scene. 

I am taking the ending as they are both exchanging promises while lying on the Changqing Immortal Shrine's floor (kind of), Wuji respectively completing his mission being responsible to save the world and also to pass the illusion trial wtv that he's been saying about it right before meeting his teacher while Fuyao respectively (too) settling for her part killing the half-soul demon by self-stab herself and later surviving. I am prone to accept that the last scenes is to be taken as the very first actual scene wriiten in the novel and being put last as it ways (the drama) being artistic about the story telling as a whole. They are immortal becoming mortal (and facing trial) and back to immortal as both passed the heavenly trial. (perhaps like all the stuffs are like SuSu/Bai Qian periodically trial being sent down to human world? oh sooo that is the concept. I just suddenly reminded by it.)

Okay, so here's the summary, they were immortals who were born and tested in mortal world. Fuyao was destined to be the demon who would create havoc in mortal world and Wuji was the one who should destroy her. So we get to see Wuji receives immortal punishment in ancient firmament and if he's able to pass through that, he'll be an immortal again, and Fuyao stabs herself in order to destroy the demon within her. So those are their ultimate trials. Then they live happily ever after. Cre: from it's top reply

Masakan Makjah : Saderi Berlada

Assalamualaikum, selamat berhujung minggu!!

Okay, kalini aku nak share resipi masakan sayur. Kalau tengok pada namapun korang boleh agak, kann... memang aku masih stick pada konsep #masakanbiasabiasa #memasakapayangada #resipisenanggila. hahahah. Konsep datang seiring dengan keadaan dapur duh. And likewise, resipi ni resipi yang randomly invented dan sangat spontan. Sebabtu je aku nak kongsi dan panjang-panjangkan. Kalau nak kata lauk lain tu, yang common-common dan biasanya tak banyak versi olahan, tbh mudahnya nak dicapai dalam carian atas talian ni. wahh baku jap.

Okay, okay. Back to the recipe; Saderi Berlada.
Besar kemungkinan memang tak ada beza dengan lauk berlada yang lain.
tapi tak kisahlah kan. Aku rasa belum pernah jumpa lagi lauk ni memana, so aku cerita sini.

Bahan-bahannya :

1) Saderi sebatang (sebab aku masak utk aku sorang je malamtu)
2) bawang merah/besar sebiji (potong bulat ya! bukan mayang biasa)
3) cili padi 7-9biji agaknya tuhari (tumbuk/gilis kasar)
4) Bawang putih dua ulas (ketuk leper)
5) Garam dua tiga cubit

Cara penyediaan :

1) minyak masak letaklah dalam 3-5 sudu besar. biar sampai panas atas kuali
2) Masukkan bawang putih dan bawang merah untuk ditumis.
** Disebabkan bawang dipotong bulat, so masa tumis tu automatik lapisan bawang merah akan tercerai dengan sendirinya. yep, memang itu yang kita mahu. Bawang tu nak dibuat ratah lauk, so memang sesuai jadi panjang-panjang gitu. 

3) Masukkan saderi yang dah dipotong bulat.
**potong bulat tu macam potong leperlah, mcm kerepek tuh. Tapi better jangan terlalu nipis. Kang sayur lunyai dalam kuali. gorengkan dengan bawang tadi biar sekata, dalam 5 minit gitu.

4) Cili padi yang dah ditumbuk lumat tadi tambah sedikit dengan 2-3 sudu besar air sebelum dimasukkan ke dalam kuali. Sesudah tu, masukkan garam secubit dua dan gaul rata. Tinggalkan dalam 7-10 minit supaya cili masak betul dan sebati dengan saderi dan bawang.

5) Rasa luh sekeping saderi tu. agagak cukup pedas dan balance rasa masin, tak perlulah tambah garam dah. agagak tak rasa apa, means tak cukup garamlah tu. Boleh tambah secubit lagi k.

okay done! boleh angkat dan hidang untuk dimakan bersama nasi putih panas. best served dengan ayam goreng atau ikan goreng ya! malamtu aku pekena dengan ikan goreng je.

[TIPS] penting dalam lauk kita supaya ada rasa masin yang balance. and dalam kes lauk ni, aku tak letak gula langsung sebab bawang tu sendiri sifat rasa dia adalah manis. saderipun sama. considerably ada rasa manisnya sendiri yang agak kuat. so tak macam lauk berlada biasa yang aku akan balance-kan dengan gula, yang ni aku cuma perlu pastikan masinnya cukup sahaja.

Masakan Makjah : Flaker Toast

Assalamualaikum, Jum'ah mubarakah gaes...

Just done with my workout session and house chores even before that.
Masa dah senggang macamni barulah boleh nak duduk menaip dan berkongsi resipi sarapan aku pagi tadi. Ceritanya, ingat nak breakfast conrnflakes dengan susu je pagini. Alih-alih, dah dihabiskan rupanya. Maka terpaksa tukar menu berbanding plan awal.

Toast? nama fancy haa. orang melayu panggil roti telur as the menu goes like roti salut telur dan goreng/bakar atas pan je, gitu. Biasanya kalau nak mudah memang buat toast je, sedappun sedap. Kalau aku, buat cicah dengan gula atau madu. Ada orang prefer makan dengan sos-kan.

Tapi itulah, pagi tadi nak ber-toast rasa macam too plain pulak. dah selalupun satu hal. so I make a little twist on the recipe. Because I have cornflakes anyway, sayang pulak disia-siakan semata-mata takde susu.

yang penting, sarapan pagi tadi super easy-peasy to make and sangat-sangat mengenyangkan. Sesuailah if korang jenis nak buat simple common breakfast tapi taknak bosan sangat buat yang sama je hari-hari plus nak cepat kenyang. Highly recommended untuk mak-mak yang nak siapkn bekal makanan sihat untuk anak-anak tapi bahan macam limit je at times and even suitable utk student U jugak rasanya dan orang bujang macam aku, yang nak kerja senang.

{A.K.A} Sarapan Mudah dan Mengenyangkam

so here, the Flaker Toast. Bahan-bahannya :-

1) telur 2 biji (pukul kembang)
2) lada hitam 1 sudu besar (ditumbuk dan gilis halus)
** Selain lada hitam, bahan gantian yang aku rasa ngam jugak adalah hirisan daun bawang (untuk rasa savori)
** Nak tauk serbuk kayu manis (Ceylon) pun aku rasa ngam jugak. cuma the whole dish akan jadi sweet-lah bukan jenis savori which korang perlu gantikan the garam part supaya diletak secubit dua sahaja. Ganti dengan gula teruspun boleh haaa...

3) garam 1 sudu kecil or so
4) Cornflakes ambil segenggam dua - ikut portion kebiasaan makan (tumbuk/blend)
** Takyah tumbuk/blend lumat sangat sampai tekstur tepung tuh. 70-80% hancur just nice dah nak dapat dia punya crunchiness tu.

5) Planta/butter 1 sudu kecil
** substitute utk Planta/butter, bolehlah letak mayonis ke... buttercup ke or susu segar. cembese, sikit je just untuk bagi lemak-lemak.

Cara nak masak dan siapkan :

1) Salut roti dengan telur yang dah dicampur Planta, garam and lada hitam serta dipukul rata.
2)  Dah salut dengan telur betul-betul, kemudian disalut dengan Cornflake hancur pulak. bagi wide spread lah salut tu ya.
3) Api sedang-sedang tau dengan minyak masak sikit (dalam sesudu besar gitu). agak bila minyak dah panas tu letaklah roti tadi dan goreng kaup/balik sampai masak.

and yessss, sesudah tu angkatlah roti dari pan. dan hidangkan!
aku makan dua keping tadi se'eh jugaklah perut dek kekenyangan. Alhamdulillah

Yeay I got to GOT

Assalamualaikum. Currently 0133hours in the morning whence I am insisting to post up an entry. This one entry will just be a glimpse and likely a little throwback of my latest life-turning point - graduating a degree life. Alhamdulillah I got to GOT (graduate on time) on mid November last year. It came and went by so quick tbh, not as long as those times I was anticipating upon it. Duatiga tahun sebelumnya, bukan main lama memasang angan nak graduate on time. Rupanya bila dah sampai masa, sekejap je sebelum tempoh bergraduasi tu berlalu dan memasuki fasa kehidupan seterusnya pulak - fasa dewasa.

Alhamdulillah untuk graduasi. Aku sangat bersyukur kerana disampaikan pada hasrat dan hajat untuk ikut keraian konvokesyen dan diraikan pada tahun 2018. Sejujurnya, hasrat macamtu tak dinafikan sedikit sebanyak berpunca dari diri aku sendiri jugak, yang tak rasa aku kuat and mampu (macam segelintir kawan-kawan lain) sekiranya masih perlu teruskan pengajian dan mengakhirnya tahun ini (2019) pulak. So centulah andaian aku. Bahawa tentang betapa aku bertuah sebab hasrat untuk GOT tercapai di samping tidak ada pulak sesiapa yang seangkatan dengan aku yang rugi sekalipun tarikh graduasi diorang dibawa ke sesi yang seterusnya November nanti.

Sekalung tahniah kepada semua graduan khususnya yang termasuk dalam kalangan kenalan dan kawan-kawan. dan berkalung-kalung tahniah lagi kepada insan-insan di sebalik kejayaan dan pencapaian setiap graduan. Kalau aku, orang yang disebalik aku... the first two names on the list would be abah dan umilah. Followed by adik-adik dan berjela-jela kemudiannya adalah senarai nama-nama yang seterusnya. Semoga setiap kebaikan sama ada yang diberi kepada aku dalam sedar mahupun tidak semuanya dibalas dengan ganjaran kebaikan yang jauh lebih baik di sisi Allah. Aamiin. 

em k. so ayuh layan gambar jelah apa yang ada. 

pre-convo ke post-convo ke, aku letak belaka buat tatapan (semula di hari muka) semua.

Regardless of the heavy photo-editing I did myself, sejujurnya I favor my make up look that day. Berbaloi sis upah orang contengkan. muka heheh

One pre-convo with abah and umi on the left side and another one gambar sesudah keluar dari sidang. Thanks umi untuk bunganya and especially to abahlah, yang sangat gigih haritu jadi photographer tak bertauliah. Ikut beria ambilkan gambar aku dan kawan-kawan. 

One with the closest yang tak memasal impromptu terjoin the pre-convo session.

Without Wuraidatul thou, sebab dia tengah dalam sidang masani. Generally we act team up since kenal dekat Eon Star Summer Camp do. Hail my first program. ahaha

And one with the Muad's Gals. Aku dengan Farhana dah memang rapat, macam Husna dengan Tikahlah. we even know each other since before-pun sbb course-mate, kann.. But better, towards the final year and especially after kursus halal, empat-empat orang sekali jadi makin ngam pulak. and they stay. Agaknya sebab empat-empat pesen masuk air kott. tu sbnrnya punca ngam!! hahah

Balik ke Kedah bertujuankan konvokesyen masatu memang tak menyempatpun nak jumpa ramai orang. Hasrat nak berjumpa tu banyak, tapi lebih banyak lagi yang tak terlunas. Tak apalah, panjang umur dan berjodoh nanti boleh je ditemukan di waktu dan tempat yang lain. Lagipun menjelang final sem dekat UUM sebelumni, sedaya upayanya aku pulun untuk jumpa dan meluangkan masa dengan setiap orang yang aku rasa penting kepada aku. So, considerably tak adalah frust sangat tak berjumpa. Cukup faham tentang kesibukan masing-masing.

Adalah seorang dua yang datang meraikan aku masa konvo tu. Setiapnya akan aku ingat sebagai mengenang budi. Sebab bersungguh betul gaya derang nak spare time tu. Tersangatlah membebankan diri sebenarnya. But they did made it to me!! Masyeh. 

Okay, sampai sini je lah update kalini. Tahniah belaka dan terima kasih semua untuk masa-masa indah yang dah berlalu. sama-sama kita doakan untuk masa yang mendatang pulak.

truth be told, degree life aku dipenuhi dengan sangat banyak penyesalan dan kebodohan. 

Macam lost pun ada bila mengenangkan "eh empat tahun ni, buat apa je?". As if, macamtu. But after all the resentment and regrets, indeed... the so called degree life tetap adalah antara fasa paling bersejarah yang akan aku rindu. Khususnya insan-insan yang aku kenal di sepanjangnya  dan masa yang aku lalui dengan setiap seorang daripadanya. 

Assalamualaikum.

Masakan Makjah : Ayam Epal Berlada

Assalamualaikum. Hola.

Alangkan tengah ada semangat, so here another recipe within 24 hours. heh
Actually, alangkan tengah ada masa. Jadi resipi hat masak sebelum-sebelumni bolehlah ditaip lump sum, gituh. Since the basic fundemental dalam resipi aku adalah makanan aneh serba bukan ada-ada, so aku rasa lauk ayam epal berlada ni kena jugaklah dengan konsep. cembese, yang penting no MSG (sebab selagi boleh elak, kita elak ye dak).

so lets...
Ayam Epal Berlada (cara sis)

Bahan-bahannya,
1) Ayam (potong sedang-sedang, gaul dengan serbuk kunyit dan garam secubit dua)
2) Bahan Tumis -
- bawang merah sebiji (mayang biasa)
- bawang putih seulas (ketuk)
- halia seco'et (3-5 keping kalau hiris nipis panjang jari kelingking tu)

3) Cili padi sebanyak-banyaknya (dalam 15biji gak, campur air gula sesudu besar dan tumbuk lumat)
4) Bahan kering -
- serbuk kari ikan
- serbuk kunyit
- daun kari (3-5 keping or so, racik-racik kecil)

5) garam (secubit dua)
6) Epal hijau (sebiji, potong panjang - mcm potong timun untuk laksa tu)
7) air (2-3 cawan)

cara-cara nak memasaknya...

1) Buh minyak dalam kuali yang dah dihidupkan api sederhana dan tunggu minyak panas.

2) Masukkan bahan tumis dan tumis sampai naik bau.

3) Masukkan bahan 1), 3) dan 4) satu-persatu, gaul rata dua ke tiga minit dan lepastu katup dengan penutup bagi masak elok isi ayam. Tunggu dalam 5-7 minit, kaup balikkan ayam dan tutup sekali lagi dalam 5-7 minit.

4) Masukkan epal hijau dan air.
**kalau nak berkuah air tu 3 cawanlah. kalau tak berapa nak berkuah dan portion hidangan tak besar 1-2 cawan cukup dah. Depends atas citarasa.

5) masukkan garam secukup rasa, gaul rata dan tunggu sampai mendidih.

6) Siap, angkat, hidang - settle!

Selamat mencuba resipi pelik ni. Jangan risau. epal hijau tu ala-ala kentang je teksturnya. cuma ada masam-masam buah sikit.

[TIPS] nisbah epal kepada ayam tu 3:7 atau 4:6 just nice lah. taknak banyak sangat. macam kentang dalam lauk ayam masak kicaplah, mana boleh kentang melebihi ayam, kann. lebih kurang gitu. 

okay bye.