Secret of Three Kingdoms is my friend’s favorite drama, but I haven’t been able to get thru it since I didn’t like the other character, but mostly because there aren’t enough Elvis Han scenes! One of the few he doesn’t die in since it’s based on a real person. I will watch it at some point.

I have Never Gone on the Watchlist, almost dropped it but I checked a couple of scenes from different episodes and he was so cute I have to watch it at some point. Some fans’ complaints were that it had a different ending from the novel, but what C-drama doesn’t! Plus they didn’t like the actress.

I really liked Siege in Fog even though there’s something not quite right about it, maybe the editing, the writing? I dunno. But he’s the main character and I kind of liked everyone in the family. Since it’s Republican you know it has a sad ending.
I really like Chinese Paladin 5 – I think it was one of the first ones he did. And even though he has purple hair. Starts out a bit silly but gets pretty good later on.
These are the only ones available to me.
But he’s definitely the cutest in WuXin.

Maybe that’s why I didn’t start Three Kingdoms. I took a quick look and the focus was more on the Emperor.

Never Gone has quite bad reviews. Again, I watched some clips. He looks great in it but the criticism of the actress seems valid. Thing is Elvis or Han Dong Jun which I prefer to call him, usually plays lively characters or is such a passionate sort of guy(and in real life too!) that you need an actress who can match him.

Sorry to say this but I can’t watch Siege in Fog. What’s with all the forced kissing and getting on top of the girl? He looked really good in there though.Such a pity. It could have been such a great and sad romantic drama.

I hope he gets better dramas.

I agree with you about his ability to play lively, passionate characters is his best trait. I think that’s why my 2nd favorite drama of his is actually Chinese Paladin 5, and I usually don’t like that kind of thing.
Siege in Fog: Haven’t watched it for awhile, but I seem to remember a couple of forced kisses, which he stopped once she made it clear she was unwilling. In that era men had all the power so he could have forced her whether she wanted it or not. (Who am I kidding – men still have power if they want to use it). The other thing is, because it was the Republican Era and his family represented the warlords, I don’t think they were meant to be portrayed as a good heroic family, and his character wasn’t meant to be portrayed as a good, perfect and true hero (though he sacrificed himself to be with his brother in the end). What kind of man would he be if he’d given up his family and like a coward fled with her to America? I thought it was an interesting study and portrayal of the end of the Republican Era.
Again, he is best with roles that are livelier and passionate, but he also needs to develop as an actor. I didn’t think he was very good in Three Kingdoms for that reason.
On an aside having to do with men’s power over women, I have come to respect men who are able to control themselves, which so many men don’t have. In fact, I wonder if kdramas don’t do a dis-service to naive young females who think all dreamy leading men are that way in real life.

@linda-palapala

“On an aside having to do with men’s power over women, I have come to respect men who are able to control themselves, which so many men don’t have. In fact, I wonder if kdramas don’t do a dis-service to naive young females who think all dreamy leading men are that way in real life.”

I remember getting culture shock when I first started watching kdramas. Although I am Chinese and we too have a long history of gender oppression, the Koreans if kdramas depict correctly, fare even worse in this aspect. With the Burning Sun scandal, it’s clear that reality isn’t very different.

Back to Elvis Han, I too think he’s not quite there yet in terms of acting. I am very charmed but can see his weaknesses. You are right about his acting in Three Kingdoms. He’s stiff or as I like to say, uses stock expressions in scenes where he’s scheming or serious. At least it looked that way from the little I’ve seen. He is best in lighter scenes or romance. I also do not have problem with his emotional scenes although I can’t say he’s very good at crying. I haven’t properly watch a scene where he cries but from those MVs or trailers, the tears look too much to be real. Nonetheless, he has my heart in these scenes because who can deny a sad puppy?

@outofthisworld That’s one reason I’m curious about Never Gone – this is his latest drama and I want to know if he’s grown as an actor and can do more contemplative roles. Siege in Fog and Three Kingdoms were totally serious, but Never Gone should have some lighter moments as well.
Mentioning kdramas and naive young girls, there’s the opposite as well – good-looking leading men who are mobbed by female fans. Xu Kai was mobbed by female fans at the airport. They actually managed to break his phone.
As far as “gender oppression” it’s just more hidden and subtle in western culture. But it’s still there. I was recovering from surgery in a hospital room with a young woman who’d been shot in the abdomen by her boyfriend, etc. Just one personal example.