This review may contain spoilers
One of my favorites
Of course, you should be warned that it is virtually impossible to write a review without some level of spoiler, so here we go:This is one of my favorites. It was an unexpected favorite since I generally despise time travel plots. That being said, this one did it in a way that was not annoying: rather than the time paradox (which is why I don't like TT plots), they used the 'split universe concept' as when, time changes, a new timeline is created. Even though neither the paradox nor alternate timelines is realistic, for some reason, the latter is way more tolerable.
I was not much interested in William Chan until this show. He's not conventionally handsome, but I definitely became a fan of his after this one. Dimples get me every time.
The plot has a few holes here and there, of course (for example, how exactly did the emperor destroy the MAGICAL sect!? Aren't they magical and powerful!? Also, she tried to change the time to save her love, but then ended up killing tons of innocent mages when the timeline changed...so what exactly was accomplished there?).
The relationship between the leads is solid. Misunderstandings do not last long, they clarify things quickly, and you don't get frustrated. The SFL, despite being in love with the ML, does not do all sorts of bat $**** crazy things to get the ML, she ends up accepting that he loves someone else and even becomes friends with the FL. Same with the SML (you will end up with a bit of SMLS, but the ML is worthy so it won't be that bad). He does not try all sorts of manipulative things to keep the FL by his side and ends up supporting her happiness no matter what--even if it does not include him.
Costuming and set design was very well done. I liked the costumes of male actors especially. It was all very consistent and even with a few appreciated details such as the FL's earrings were always in the french hook style that would have been common in an ancient period (not the clearly store bought hooks, though you could see those on the other actresses). The males' wigs very rarely came off in the back (common in lower-budget productions, it must be hard to get the back to stick down, which is why they should use the braid option a la "I Will Never Let You Go" [even if its not historically accurate, in my opinion its better than the clear indication of an improperly secured wig]). Now, the actual hairstyles of the males especially left much to be desired as the ornaments over the top knots were almost always hideous (and why did the Chief Mage have a beehive for several episodes!?), but that's a minor objection. And the accessories designer was clearly in love with baskets and spikes as that was a common theme in headgear. And the FLs costume designer was clearly in love with knife pleats, but we can let that slide.
The soundtrack was good, it was used appropriately, I was not annoyed with any of it. The fight scenes were pretty bad @$$, but they could have done a better job of faking full-size armies during the battle scenes--or just skipped battles scenes altogether.
Rewatch: I've only watched the entire thing once. I've gone back and rewatched all the FL/ML scenes, but in reality will find myself watching the next scene because it is well done altogether and then will realize what I'm doing and fast forward to the next romantic scene. ;P
All in all, I recommend it--especially to those skeptical of time travel plots. There are those, of course, who would disagree, but that is the beauty of Asian Drama Land. There's something for everyone.. :D
PS. I wanted to add that I disagree with her giving up all her magic in the end and the ML is all happy because he can now protect her instead of the other way around. Pffft.
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Astounding
Lost love in times is a breath of fresh air.I’ll take you on a ride of my initial thoughts that I felt from beginning to the end of the drama and then from this, you can decide if this is something you may want to watch. My review will have minimal spoilers.
Story: Let’s start with the beginning scenes of Lost Love in Times that I felt were very lackluster. In fact, I was very confused about the story up until episodes 5-8. When I say “confused” I mean it in a way that I couldn’t understand the motives behind the characters or why the story was moving so quickly in it’s progression. It was only until I got to the time travel portion of the drama (episode 5-8) where I began to enjoy the story.
Given that I felt the beginning scenes were rather rushed in showing us the “why” QC and YL were so in love with each other, I wondered how their relationship would progress in the new timeline. It didn’t disappoint me because I got to see the true romance between QC and YL and there are so many cute scenes between them that I couldn’t even pick a favorite one. Touching on the romance aspect of the show, I really enjoyed the fact that there were an abundance of romantic scenes scattered around the 56 episodes. I feel like when I watch historical dramas, they typically start off happy, then move directly into anguish, misunderstandings and heartbreak until we reach the last episode where we finally get our happily ever after (in my case because i don’t watch dramas with sad endings).
I can definitely appreciate the fact that Lost Love in Times is different from any historical drama that I’ve seen plot wise. I haven’t seen any that touch time travel as this drama had, and if you are confused about this aspect of the drama, I’d recommend looking at other reviews that explain it because that’s what I did prior to watching the show.
If I had one critique about this drama, it would have to do with the pacing/dragging that happened towards the middle. I feel like this could’ve been filled with more episodes explaining the love between YL and QC in the first timeline (beginning episodes of the show). As i mentioned, I felt like the beginning episodes failed to show us how they fell in love with each other. The progression into the new timeline should’ve taken longer than 5 episodes to show. I also could’ve done without the last minute unnecessary lying “to protect others” in the second to last episode because I feel as though it wasted some screen time.
There are very few gripes I have about the actual ending. I wish that they’d show us the ending of all major characters. Because while some characters were wrapped up very nicely, other’s were mentioned but not shown.
Characters: I really liked QC. I love seeing strong female characters because it’s very empowering. She definitely gave me the vibe of a less abrasive Fu Yao (from legend of Fu Yao). I also enjoyed the chemistry between QC and YL and I found myself smiling a-lot throughout the duration of this drama. I also found myself loving the 7th prince (which could serve as the second male lead for QC). The 7th prince was pretty quiet and reserved but around QC they really got each other. This gave me off and on second male syndrome.
The actors that played QC and YL were amazing at showing their emotions. I cried with them when they cried and laughed when they laughed. There were some amazing fight scenes towards the end as well so look forward to that.
Music: Astounding. I loved the first opening/ending theme songs. The music throughout the drama seemed to really add to the romantic & sad scenes.
Lastly, it’s a good drama. It has it’s faults with all the lying, scheming and plotting but the main leads definitely make up for that with their love all throughout the story.
Would I rewatch/Could I recommend this story?
I’m not sure about rewatching the entire story. There were too many dragged on scenes for me to sit all the way through this drama. I found myself skipping many scenes that I felt were unnecessary for us to see. But I definitely recommend this drama to anyone looking for a fantasy romance historical drama with a touch of time travel!
**I couldn’t rate this higher than an 8 because of the dragged out scenes, some plot holes and missed opportunities to fully satisfy the viewer.
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Let's start with the good: some great aesthetics, terrific fight scenes and a distinctive look for the characters due to the funky head gear and a wardrobe designer who hasn't met a print they don't want on camera. There's also a significant quest which helps to justify the 50+ episodes. So good so far.
But then...sigh
The writing on this show is uneven. The first section is rushed and viewers have to take for granted that there is a great big love affair here. This needed a bit more development considering it's the central plot point. After that, we get a lot of plots that don't go anywhere. They just serve as distractions and they don't even get the courtesy of being wrapped up before the story moves on. Ugh.
Also, so much of this is spent in discussion rather than showing what's happening. It's so conveluted things don't make sense like how they got to the ending.
Lastly, the lead male actor is attractive, but.....boring. He doesn't have the range to make the character really interesting and half way through I had no clue why we were supposed to cheer him on. Every other prince was more interesting and better developed. So aside from the main character, everyone is great.
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LLT is one of the most interesting Chinese drama that got me back into watching other Asian films than Korean & Japanese. LLT was the first Chinese drama that I watched from beginning to end without skipping without bordom. Also discovered many actors I will continue to monitor for their future projects, especially Cecilia & Willam. Armature Ma Marry talented and gorgeous; funny how she was portrayed in LOVE O2O as inferior beauty to the heroine while she surpassed everyone in the series. Hope to see more of her in main cast.
Complex relationships and influence between characters was fascinating. Fantasy theme was beautiful and mysterious. All characters were charming, especially the chemistry between the main hero & heroine, their dedication to each other, strength under pressure, and sense of humor in midst of danger was admirable.
Another change from old Chinese films: happy ending! ^^
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Perfect
There are so many reasons to watch this series. First, it was absolutely amazing. Secondly, the choreography in this series was so well done, even the average person that doesn’t pay attention will notice it all. It’s just that good. Third, the fight scenes are awesome. You will most certainly rewind it to watch it again, they are so detail and acted out perfectly. It almost flawless. 4 the, the plot was great. It was unique and interesting with a good pace. 5th, the music complimented the series so well. This is not an exaggeration. Just watch a fight she and see how the music adds to it almost like a hype man.Although this is deemed a fantasy series it still manages to speak real truths.
Series revolves around an two powerful people who each have positions in their own territory. It shows how they meet, fall in love and the trials they face to stay together, survive and to protect each other. You’ll get sacrifice of the purest kind here.
What a like most is that it focuses on love, fate, loyalty, brotherhood and so much more. Being a romantic drama mixed with fantasy is also a plus.
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Well, i ve already watched 3L3WTMPB (or eternal love-the drama) and also the Rise of Phoenixes, so i had very high expectations.
But this one, was horrible in every way. No acting at all from the two main leads. Not even face expressions.
It was even worse to me, than Princess Agent (especially the male lead of PA, who was like a statue during the whole drama).
As for the storyline, i found it boring, no side stories to feed the main line, not even the drama i expected.
I would easily watch it though, if the main leads were acting like actors! But i was shocked from their icy attitude.
The only one who was good at it was Dong Han at the role of Xi Xie.
Over all, i found it such a waste of time to watch
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This is what I call best drama.
This drama is just very very good. Here the reason:-Production: I would the production is very high for this drama, each set is very well design to fit in their story from the palace to the mage school. Since the drama has its own set and time, so the design is its own too. The costume is also very beautiful too.
-Story: all the character has its own side story not just ML. And the way they build up each character is just very satisfied. ML has very well story while didn't out shine the other SL.
-Cast and Performance: this alone is already the best, they perform each set so perfect. I would say well experience cast in this drama.
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I had watched this quite a while ago and could not remember all the details but I remember the drama kept me chasing episodes after episodes. If you know the director of this drama also directed Ten mile peach blossom, Love and destiny, Journey of flower, you know the standard to expect.
Insofar, I have only been impressed with 6 actors who are masters with facial expressions and capable of wrenching viewers' hearts - Luo YunXi, Hu Ge, Wallace Huo, Wang Yibo and Zhang Zhen. The actors and actresses in this drama are great but are not in this league yet and therefore the drama is not of that emotional intensity.
Although I would not put it amongst the top league of Nirvana in Fire, Love and Destiny, Ten mile peach blossom, the Untamed etc it is nevertheless a very good production worth watching.
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I just love historical dramas and this one is in my top 10.
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What I did hate: In episode 52 when Ling was leaving and what's her face hugged him and he just stood there. For a minute I felt that Ling fell in love with this fake wife. I was being jealous of Ging Chen. (this is me taking the story as if it was real, this how good this movie was, you actually believed the characters).
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+1 Male Lead (Both were extremely handsome in their own way. At first I wasn't too fond of the first male lead because I didn't think he looked that great so I hesitated watching this drama. But I realized that after watching 10 Miles of Peach Blossoms, I fell in love with the male lead even though I didn't think much of him at first. So I gave this dude a shot and I was impressed. He's such a good looking man. <3)
+1 Story Line (Great story line in general but the production didn't follow through all the way, it lagged/dragged and discredited the storyline)
+1 Male Clothing Set (I feel like the male clothing in this drama stood out more because most of the main characters were Prince's, the clothing line was amazing. It brought out the masculinity, royalty and eloquence of the characters. I was quite disappointed with the female lead's clothing line for the most part. She had maybe one outfit that I remember liking and then she had this one outfit that I was absolutely not fond of at all)
+1 Romance Action (romance action wasn't really consistent throughout the drama but when there were romance action, it was definitely bubbly in my heart. <3)
+1 Music (the music didn't stand out a lot but it was good enough to keep me going, at least it wasn't horrible)
+1 Set/Scenes
+1 Brother and Father & Son Relationships (The last scene between the two male leads really throbbed my heart. Love the relationships between the brothers and then the fathers relationships with all his sons were complex and interesting)
-1 Poor Action (I was expecting more action since the topic was about war and sorcery but I was left disappointed. The action was poorly done as well, I had expectations since the clothing line for fighting was amazing but again, I was left disappointed. There was maybe very few scenes that caught my attention but no, if I include the sorcery action, it was terrible)
-1 Unnecessary Characters (I have to be honest, there were some character where I just thought "This person has little to no point in this drama or were pointless useless or gone the entire time, why do they even exist in here?
-1 Story lagged... seriously. I don't think the story needed to be 50+ episode long. It would have been just fine with 30-40 ep max and then it would have been a great drama that got to the point.
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A really enjoyable “Soap Opera”
Intriguing story, captivating characters and acting, but would have liked to see lots more moments of chemistry between the leading actors, fantastic moments but they just didn’t last.FX / CG fight scenes was so COOL! Wanted more! I’d watch it again if it wasn’t so painfully slow. Lots of predictable and unnecessary scenes, but much like that of a good soap opera
Story:
10 - Nice take on time travel/timelines
7 - Execution of story - so SLOW
Acting/Cast:
10 - Cast
9 - characters/roles
8.5 - Chemistry
Music:
10 - gorgeous music!
5 - Not enough variety
7 - Good use of background music not distracting and sets mood
Rewatch Value
10 - CG/ FX battle scenes
4 - Unnecessary scenes
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