You're so right about the actor looking so impressive in this drama. All of them looks unreal! For example, Zhang Linghe has done so many period dramas and he has always looked good but in this one he just looks ethereal, out of this world gorgeous. I don't know how they did it, but he looks the best he has ever done in my opinion.

Both Blossom and this drama feel like the director made a very detailed story board first.  Every shot feels like a scene from a gorgeous and dramatic graphic novel.

It’s been a while since a drama made me wake up early. Pursuit of Jade is really enjoyable. Acting is good, the cinematography is beautiful, and the story is very hooking
Edit: Got too addicted, been reading the novel online, now my midterm exams are fighting for attention.

I love that TXW's portrayal of the character seems like someone who is actually tough rather than a pretty girl "acting tough". Interactions with side characters are also enjoyable

Just watched the male lead ride thru the gates in full uniform with the pheasant feathers in his headdress. The red ribbons around the base of the pheasant feathers, arching up and swaying with the gait of the horse. What a fantastic scene. The cinematic beauty of that was wild.

And the acting of child actor, Ning (and also Boer), is so adorable and realistically compelling.

She's absolutely correct...this is the first cdrama that I have been regular watching the 2 episodes released everyday on Netflix. It's beautifully shot.

This is the only drama that I genuinely look forward to new episodes each day. I enjoy it so much that I began to read the novel, and was pleasantly surprised how much of the novel content is in the drama, and dare I say it, even improved on (the ML is more likable in the drama, IMO). I think AvenueX said it perfectly--the director ensured that the ML knows who he is and what he is capable of--he doesn't need to posture or act 'cold and powerful' like so many other insufferable male leads in the cdrama landscape. He makes eye contact with the FL. He's curious, polite, very smart, but humbled by the peasant living he's unfamiliar with, and surprised by their struggles. His skillset from noble/military living is needed constantly in the village, revealed in small ways that also guarantee that the FL will benefit from his actions. It makes this drama such a breath of fresh air.

This is the first cdrama in so so soooo long that I watch every episode as it is available and get frustrated when I have to wait. I’m loving it!

What I love the most about this drama other than the cinematography and lighting is how beautifully it captures emotions and refuses to limit the characters in a few emotions. We get to see the emotions of the kids, see how observant they are and how much they actually feel, perceive and understand. We see the emotions of the neighbour couple, their grief, their love for each other in their bickering. And I just love the female characters, it is everything a strong female character done right. In many dramas where it is a strong fmc who is also bubbly- we either get to see that she is just bubbly and said too many times how strong she is to remind us that she is not just a love interest or is a stoic, lethal fmc who is incapable of any emotions. Whereas the fmc in this drama is fierce, strong, capable also has emotions who cries, cares, is kind, has empathy, and is wise. Can we take a moment to appreciate the part where a kid pushed Changning and his grandma was arguing with fmc? She was threatening with her knife one moment and went soft for her sister in another in seconds. And its not just the main female lead, the supporting female leads are also portrayed beautifully. What I noticed at first was how each female characters are given each set of strength and quality; strength isn't always knife and muscle,  it is using your wit and confronting others with grace and words(QingQing), defying rules(princess), using your quick thinking and leaving aside grudge for the greatest cause(magistrate's daughter), caring for others, using your quick thinking(neighbour aunt). It has sisterhood and not just two female fighting over a man as portrayed in mainstream media. Even the emotions of the villagers who are in desperate situation over poverty. And the characters you hate? They are portrayed too well. Let us not talk about the care, respect, support, yearning, love between the main leads? That will be another essay. It is a very refreshing  drama and I am glad I wasn't wrong for waiting so long for it.

Zhang Linghe really outdid himself.The drama is the most perfect I have seen. I was uncertain if I wanted to watch and I am really glad that I decided to.His hairstyle really suits him, it makes him look so handsome.

I think the description of Xie Zhang and Fan Changyu as good people who continue to be good people throughout all that they experience in the story is an important feature that keeps me interested.  

They are dynamic, growing individually and together, they deal with significant challenges independently and together, and it’s easy to really want to see how they do in an immediate situation and over the course of the story.  

Pursuit of Jade definitely is a standout in its production values, visuals, earthy dignity and depiction of flaws and strengths.  The sharp lines and structure of imperial court is a great visual setting for very strategic and composed conduct, which can mask truly messy and emotionally driven behavior, and the elements of nature also have meaningful presence:  inspiring or formidable, nurturing or harsh.  

The subtleties of expressions of leads and supporting actors are so well done for storytelling-drama, romance, and humor.  Pursuit of Jade is a pleasure to watch.

The lighting in his dramas is top notch, it creates such a great atmosphere

This director is an authentic jewel! I loved almost all his drama works (I haven't watch his movies). After Blossom's success of the male lead grey hair style, I really apreciate he gave us another handsome grey hair psychopath!

This drama is beautiful.  I love the story especially because so much of it so far is filmed in this village vs the battlefield and courts. They play a role, which I know will increase later, but by spending so much time on the village component of the story, it makes this drama feel different.

Which brings me to some of my favorite moments so far: I love love love how the female lead as gotten the gangsters to work with her. I love love love the facial expressions made by ZLH - early on he politely looks repulsed by eating offal on his noodles. It’s just a slight movement on his face. This has happened a few times, like when the little sister brings him to watch pig slaughtering and he views “the slap” - ZLH does a quick step back in surprise. Or how he quietly flicks a rock, trips a person, tosses a candy to foil a bad guy - it’s done so casually and subtly, from behind his window/doorway. He isn’t fighting for her but supporting from behind so she doesn’t lose face. I love how he has never lied that he might have to leave, and I love that the drama clearly has him say why he feels he can’t bring her with him. I love that we have a female lead who has been taking care of herself for so long, and doesn’t feel he needs to take care of her, but is touched by everything he does to help.

Also - the humor is great. I love the women all buying meat but they only want the packages he has wrapped. It’s so funny. I have had some real laugh aloud moments - it’s really appreciated in dramas where you watch the characters being hurt.

I wasn’t all that excited before I watched the first episode, and I’m hooked.

Thank you for all the awesome details you share about the production and aesthetics. I’d never notice and once you point it out, it adds a lot to the viewing of the drama.

The camera work is god tier. Everything and everyone looked soooo good

Got hooked on that drama from beginning to end. Direction, visuals, acting, music, truly addictive.

I mean I'm literally hooked by the pursuit of jade. Each episode has been so far engaging and doesn’t get boring. The cinematic is beautiful and so are all the actors. Honestly i don't feel like waiting everyday😢

The cinematography is stunning. I am constantly in awe at the visual composition, color grading, and aesthetics in each episode. The acting is so good and the way they play their characters just feels so natural, especially regarding the relationships. I also agree with this video that everything else also looks natural, like the villages and also the villagers in the background. Everything was intentional and you can tell so much attention was put into every detail in this production.

This is one of a few dramas in recent years that I can actually see myself rewatching in the future.