Surprisingly entertaining, give it a try.

I just kinda feel the need to say this; maybe try rating a movie or a drama after you actually watched a few episodes.

Honestly, the sole reason I am watching this drama because of CZY― and that being said, I had no idea what to expect. In the first few episodes, there are indeed a lot of things to grasp, like who is who, how their 'world' works, the name of the sects and all that, but I think it was always like that with fantasy drama.

As the story goes, I found myself genuinely coalesce with the drama. It was somehow heartwarming to see the ML easily bemused by every little things he saw outside of Qingluan Peak. While people might say his character was rather childish, I think it was exactly what to expect from someone who grew up in isolation and never met anyone else except his father and the pig demon.

The interactions between the ML and FL also so funny to watch. One is sly and cunning, meanwhile the other one is kind yet naive and speaks whatever on his mind out loud. And their friendship evolves, I can't wait to see their character development!

Also, for the CGI, I think it was kind of decent. The fighting scenes were fine too. There was nothing big that bothers me so far. I hope it gets better!

[UPDATES AFTER FINISHED WATCHING.]

For this drama, I am kind of relieved that the journey has managed to steer clear of disappointment. (Though there are, of course, room for some improvements.)

But well, I could say, it's akin to the pride of a parent witnessing the growth of my children. Every second is a joy as I savor the unfolding story, relishing the arcs and development of each character. Every obstacle and setback that they encountered served as a tool― shaping the four main leads and their friendships into something beautiful. And even though their friendship might seem almost too perfect, I can't help but adore watching their dynamics. Where I could possibly find friends as genuine and supportive as them in real life? :[

Throughout the entire watching experience, not once did I feel the need to skip any part or conversation, as there were no unnecessary fillers. Every dialogue held significance for the plot. However, I must confess, the temptation to fast-forward arose during scenes featuring the infuriating villains who never failed to make my blood boil. (Side eyeing Su Yao and particular sect leaders as I type.)

(Here goes some small complains.)
To be entirely honest, I believe adding two or more episodes would have been perfect for this drama. There were certain aspects that left me puzzled. I personally believe it was essential to provide more details about what transpired after the great war. The abrupt one hundred-year time skip felt somewhat cruel, leaving me yearning for more insight into Lingsha's final moments with Tianhe― despite the inner conflict about my own emotional strength to witness it, a part of me still desired that closure. Also, I'm curious about how Tianhe lost his sight. Was it related to the divine bow? The connection remains unclear to me.

Towards the last few episodes, the CGI noticeably declined from the impressive quality seen at the beginning of the story. The fighting scenes, unfortunately, felt somehow rushed. I think, a bit more attention to details and time devoted to these aspects would have enhanced the overall watching experience.

In conclusion, it was a truly memorable journey. Zheyuan once again proving his acting prowess, leaving me in awe. His emotional performances drew me in completely, evoking my own tears and smiles in sync with his. While it was my first time watching the other three main leads in a drama, they portrayed their characters exceptionally well. And not to forget, the soundtracks have found a permanent spot on my playlist. Whenever these songs play, I can't resist replaying scenes in my mind. (Forgive me for the emotional indulgence.)

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I miss them already

I had zero expectation when I first watch this drama because I honestly only watch it for ZLS. The first few episodes were very cute though, especially the little water divine beast who had just hatch from the egg. However, as the story continued, the VFX was just so eeerrrr and it kinda irked me in some way. Maybe they were rushing with the entire thing, but it left so much to be desired from the VFX department. But then, overall, this drama got me crying, giggling, kicking my feet and rolling on the floor. The differences between A Yin and Feng Yin was so *chef's kiss* kudos to ZLS. <3

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As boring as watching paint dry

As the saying goes: "Expectations are the root of disappointment."

Despite the promising casts, this drama fell short of expectations, leaving me thoroughly disappointed. While it had an intriguing start, the narrative took a nosedive as it progressed. The perplexity of Dohee's decision to give up the fight for the company remains inexplicable to me. With a demon as her companion, what could possibly induce fear in her? :[

The narrative, midway through, hinted at potential plot twists surrounding the villains, aiming to engage the audience's imagination. However, this attempt at complexity fell flat once again, failing to deliver the anticipated twists and leaving the audience with unfulfilled expectations.

And... The final episodes added little novelty to the narrative, presenting a familiar plot that lacked originality. The forced happy ending for the couple felt like a repetitive trope. Truly a wasted potential. I feel bad for the casts.

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From thrills to lulls

Completing this 24-episode drama marked the longest duration I've ever spent on a series of its length. It took almost an entire week of my time to reach the final episode.

Right from the start, this drama kicked off with some thrilling moments that genuinely got me excited. I couldn't help but have high expectations because of how engaging it was initially. However, as the story unfolded, I caught myself yawning after a few episodes. Even resorting to playing the drama at 1.5x speed, I still found the need to skip through certain parts.

But well, let's delve into the pros and cons.
Pros :
― Wardrobe sorcery. The costume design team must have wielded some kind of sorcery because the outfits worn by the characters were incredibly stylish and visually stunning,
― Charming casts. The actors and actresses brought their characters to life with such charm that it's nearly impossible to pick a favorite.
― Enchanting sets. The settings, particularly those depicting the Gong Residence, were nothing short of breathtaking. Every detail in these locations was meticulously crafted. The attention to detail and the aesthetic appeal of the sets enhanced the immersion and realism of the storyline.
― Stunning fighting scenes. Nearly all the fighting scenes in the drama are a visual treat. The choreography and execution of these sequences are not just action-packed but also aesthetically pleasing.
― Comedic relief. Gong Zishang's presence on screen never failed to bring a smile to my face with her antics. I just wish there was more exploration of her character. While she was designated as the weapon expert, her character didn't receive enough depth or opportunity to shine beyond providing laughs.

Cons :
― Slow-paced. The narrative slows down significantly from the middle to the end, creating a somewhat draggy pace that tested my patience.
― Excessive close-ups. Initially, the close-up shots on faces added a cinematic touch, but their overuse became a distraction. As the saying goes, too much of anything is good for nothing.
― Makeup mishaps. Some male characters suffered from poorly done makeup, giving off an amateurish vibe. The colors used didn't complement their skin tones.
― Too many whispers and boring conversations. It felt unnecessarily drawn out and contributed to moments of boredom throughout the drama.
― Lackluster overall story. The narrative leaves much to be desired. Aside from assisting Gong Ziyu in becoming the Sword Wielder and eliminating elites from Wufeng, the plot lacks substantial development. Particularly, Yun Weishan's character deserved more attention and depth.
― The open ending. Generally, I don't mind open endings, but in this drama, I found it unnecessary. It left me pondering its purpose—was it an attempt at creating a cliffhanger or did it serve a narrative intention I missed? I don't know. Perhaps an open ending would make sense if the production team planned another season. However, rumors indicate otherwise. So, consequently, the open ending feels like a detriment to the story― it feels like it's just there to disrupt the narrative flow and test my patience.

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An appetizer, not a meal

With Ma Dong Seok as the main lead, not gonna lie, my expectations soared. And while I wasn't let down, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more story to tell. A movie just didn't seem like enough; this tale deserved for a longer format, perhaps a 6 to 8 episode series, to truly dive into its depths.

I personally felt that the movie missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the aftermath of the earthquake, exploring the lives of the people affected and shedding more light on why the doctor descended into madness. The three-year time jump after the earthquake left me wanting more— craving a more thorough exploration of the characters' journeys.

Additionally, the movie could also have expanded on the mad doctor's research, providing a more detailed and scientifically grounded explanation for his actions. Perhaps I also missed a crucial detail, but I found myself confused about the significance of the laceration or whatever it was on the back of their ears. I think more explanation or context around this detail would have been helpful in understanding its importance to the story.

The part when they discussed the mission to rescue the girl, I couldn't help but anticipate one epic journey ahead. Yet, it felt a tad too short-lived. The irony wasn't lost on me when the military woman emphasized the tight security at the apartment, only for the team to effortlessly breach the building, adding a humorous twist to the situation.

Despite its brevity, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie. And of course, action-wise, Ma Dong Seok always delivers, never failing to captivate the audience with his prowess on screen.

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