+ WIP

🗡️ + 👅 WIP

wip of one of the doodles I was asked to draw... HOW THE FUCK DO WE DRAW TONGUES?

Hello! From what I see in your blog, you're very knowledgeable about the Eunuchs in TBOY and Dashing Youth. I'm having problem to identify who's who so I'm just wondering if you have a guide of their names, position, motives, appearance and short backstory? An appearance guide with DY and TBOY actors comparison will be very helpful. At first I thought Zhuoqing of DY is the same guy in the TBOY who also has white hair that keep helping the red prince but I'm afraid they are different people. I hope this is not too much to ask because I genuinely want to know about them but I always ended up confusing myself more. Have a nice day.

Hello, thanks for the ask! 😺 It always makes me happy to see people being curious about the Five Eunuchs! If you want to know more about them, you’ve definitely come to the right place! I’ll probably make a more comprehensive guide at some point, but I can offer a good bit of information here.

The Blood of Youth Eunuch Tree

To start with, here’s a guide to the Blood of Youth eunuchs and how they’re related. I explain more about it in this post: https://www.tumblr.com/feng-huli/753083060426293248/blood-of-youth-eunuch-tree

Now, for Dashing Youth, I’m afraid that I have less to offer, as not all of the eunuchs have appeared yet. Still, I can show the ones who have.

Zhuo Qing

First, we have Grand Eunuch Zhuo Qing. He is the shifu of the Blood of Youth’s Five Eunuchs (except for Jin Yan, who was taught by Zhuo Xin). He serves Emperor Tai’an and is fated to guard the Imperial Mausoleum when he dies. Needless to say, Zhuo Qing is far from pleased by such prospects and is fighting to change the future that has been written for him.

Jin Xuan

Next is Jin Xuan, who succeeds his role as Director of the Five Eunuchs. Growing up, he was the study partner of Xiao Ruojin (also known as Prince Jingyu, Emperor Mingde), and now serves as his most trusted companion and bodyguard, among other roles.

Jin Xian (Jade Deity, Shen Jingzhou)

Jin Xian is known as the Eunuch of Incense in Tianqi and Shen Jingzhou of the Blizzard Sword outside it.

Other

There’s also Eunuch Li (pictured left) and Eunuch Cheng (pictured right). Less is currently known about them, as they aren’t in The Blood of Youth.

The Blood of Youth Loyalties

Finally, for now, there is the matter of loyalties. The eunuchs are honestly some of the most complex characters in the Blood of Youth, and this chart merely touches on the alliances between the eunuchs and the royals. Jin Wei has assisted all of the princes, but I believe his devotion is to his shifu above all else. Meanwhile, Jin Xuan is… ambiguous. Even if his greatest affection is for his emperor, he is reluctant to put his whole heart into one person or cause.

I hope this was helpful!

The finale has left me with even more questions 😹 Dashing Youth’s Jin Wei is wearing the Blood of Youth’s Jin Yu’s clothes, and Jin Yu has a cool new outfit (and he’s played by an entirely different person than was listed on the cast list—what happened there?)

It’s interesting to see that Jin Xuan and Jin Yan swapped clothes between the shows, rather than Jin Yan merely stealing Jin Xuan’s.

Yes, many questions, but I’m definitely happy to see the five of them together again! 🍠 Here’s to hoping the Dark River show will give some hints or answers to the mystery of the Five Eunuchs’ switched clothing!

Dashing Youth Minor Character Appreciation

Every character has the potential to be someone’s favorite, no matter how little screen time they have. With as varied and colorful a cast as Dashing Youth, this is especially true. With many watchers nearly at the halfway point and others a little over three-quarters of the way through, I figured now would be a good time to start spreading some love!

Needle Granny

First off, we have the Needle Granny. She has a cool design and is pretty intimidating.

Tang Xuance

Next, we have Tang Xuance. His vibes in both shows are interesting, and I like the way he moves.

Eunuch Cheng

Finally, we have Eunuch Cheng. He’s pretty adorable and his interaction with Baili Luochen is amusing and intriguing.

Who are your favorite minor and/or side characters? Please share them and spread the love! 💜

A decree spoken from the Grand Eunuch’s lips

From what I hear on MDL, Xiao Ruojin drugging Yi Wenjun isn’t in the source material, and many Chinese watchers (especially Xiao Se fans) are upset about it. The Dashing Youth show-writer(s) likely added that in order to make Yi Wenjun less complex and/or less morally grey for her romance with Ye Dingzhi. Anyone is welcome to put as much stock into that writer’s decision as one wishes. Just know it doesn’t mesh particularly well with how things are told in the novels or in the Blood of Youth