This review may contain spoilers
This may hopefully help the psychology geeks like myself to digest the show
This is not going to be a typical review and I might get boring by focusing on the psychological processes of the characters since this is the only thing that keeps me busy in the love dramas like this one (and I am not by far a love story person, tbh, but rather a xianxia lover and you can hardly split those two categories apart).Ok, so what I understood the legend is:
A young mother to be, as a result of all the mess she went through and her being completely lonely and no one to share with (which is strange since she’s got her great teacher, a Lord Dou Mu), and needing to protect her loved ones makes a totally wrong decision about her daughter by blocking some of her essential abilities. And that is how she creates the future events she wanted to prevent from. Hadn’t she given her the pill, nothing of the crazy mess would have happened, her daughter would be raised with her perfect gender awareness. She would probably fall in love with our brilliant Xu Feng like all the rest of the girls of the 6 realms and by this sole fact she would be “just another girl” for him.
Xu Feng is a guy who had been loved and spoiled by giving him everything he wanted and much more than that. As a son of a pushy and controlling mother (in her own ways), he had been obviously overwhelmed by female attention and perceived all the love signals of women as another way to control him (hello, mother). Jin Mi seems to be the first and the only one (Liu Ying doesn’t count since she is busy with her own romance) who shows no interest in him as a man and this is exactly what allowed him to include her into his close circle, as his servant in the first place. She was the only woman he felt safe with, the only one who doesn’t need anything from him, doesn’t push him, doesn’t make him feel suffocated. Since she is not aware of her gender and wasn’t trained the eternal love routine of flirting and getting a guy’s attention, she admits touches and words that don’t look really appropriate but still excite our heavily counterdependant Xu Feng and he later interprets it as “her innocence” (not the case). And guess what! Of course he falls in love with her. And now he’s inverted roles with his “inner mother” (always the case) and starts been pushy and controlling towards Jin Mi up until the 40ish episodes where the story culminates in its heaviest twists (you can see (and be freaked out by) some of that in the intro and it looks so messy when you just start the show and believe this is an innocent comedy). This whole process is poorly portrayed and Xu Feng is predictably interpreted by scrupulous viewers as an obsessed underdeveloped character. This contrasts to his beautifully elaborated older brother, The Night Immortal, who’s been given a lot of screen time to unfold his life story and his processes, who is just as much obsessed with Jin Mi but it looks OK because we know the nature of his obsession. No wonder I (and a good half if not the majority of viewers) stayed emotionally connected to and supportive of this guy even in his worst shadow times. The role of Night Immortal is a blessing for every actor to get and Leo Luo used it to the max capacity and showed his great acting skills.
I didn’t see any particular chemistry between the main couple. Even Xu Feng and Sui He looked much better together in those few episodes when they had a nice romantic interaction.
I don’t like the Pill thing as a major plot device since it looks artificial, thus reducing the value of the show for me. The creators catch up with almost everything else though, making the show still exciting to watch and throwing in some precious gems like amazing pieces of dialogues with beautiful (if not sacred) formulae and good comic vignettes.
The music is poor. I’ll leave the three tracks to the matter of individual tastes but having just three of them for such a bright and epic show is a pity. Mu Ci and Liu Ying deserved their own love theme, to say the least. I don’t want to name other similar shows with superb collection of OST but the obvious comparison comes to mind.
I did rewatch a number of scenes to unfold the taste and get a better sense of the details. The show is quite complex and you might need that.
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emotional rollercoaster
One word: Perfection.This has become my favourite drama just cause of all the emotions i've felt.
All the casts portrayed their characters well and the ending made me feel so satisfied, justice was served.
The whole storyline,acting,music,backgrounds were all done so goodly i literally love this and it made me throw my pillow across the room and all that.
Also the music always fit the scene and the songs were so beautiful it really makes the scenes complete.
The name "ashes of love" fits it so well. PLEASE WATCH THIS YOU WON'T REGRET IT 😭
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This review may contain spoilers
Worth the time spent watching this masterfully written and depicted story!
To begin with, I read some reviews and didn't want to see Luo Yun Xi portray an antagonist character, however, it's a good thing that I changed my mind. He did a wonderful job in that character, a character that you like in the beginning. But as time goes by, you see how it changes and not for the better. He is one of the few characters that I didn't mind having a redemption arc.Jin Mi/ The Frost Flower/ The Water Immortal:
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Jin Mi was also one of the best character Yang Zi has portrayed, another was her Yan Dan in Immortal Samsara. When I saw her in Go Go Squid, I didn't think much of her acting skills, but these historical romances changed my mind. She has shown such range of emotions, reminding me of Korean actress Gong Hyo-jin. Coming to her character, we have to consider her handicap, the unfeeling pill, the elixir that stunted her development and ability to discern things. Everyone in the floral realm appeared very weak, beginning from the ladies who raised her. They relied blindly on the pill, not preparing Jim Mi for what was coming in the future. For a 4000 year old, she had barely the understanding of teenager. And the Yun Elixir (the unfeeling pill) plotline left some loose ends. I mean did the elixir only cut of romantic love and not familial love? Because she loved her newfound father and auntie so much that she wanted revenge, those are some strong feelings. Phoenix was the first to fall in love with her, but it wasn't until later, a few months before entering the mortal realm that Jin Mi started reciprocating the feelings. Even in the mortal realm she hid things from him, she could have told him that she was poisoned and going to die, especially since she accepted his feelings. Her character was written beautifully, this was a coming of age story that made you hate her at times and love her at others. I'm glad she had to face the consequences of killing the phoenix, even once she was reincarnated. It was fair because she didn't love him as much as he loved her. She was so easily tricked into believing that he killed her parents, had little faith in him. Even once she found out that he didn't do it, the first thing she thought of was that she killed him mistakenly. Not how she could make up for it or bring him back. She wanted to bring him back to be with him, not only to atone for her sins. So, I wasn't really surprised with the way he treated her when he came back to life.
Xu Feng / Phoenix / Fire Deity
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This drama introduced me to Deng Lun, he and Yang Zi were well-matched in their acting prowess. Xu Feng was one of the greenest flags in Cdramas you'll ever get to see, much similar to Sifeng from Love & Redemption. Even when he tried to hate the FL for what she had done, he found it unpalatable. But he did hate her, you have to when the person you are trying to protect stabs you in the back. The worst part of it was not that she stabbed him, it was heartbreaking for sure, but she stabbed him in the back. Even when she did that, all he did was ask her if she ever loved him. She denied it and that was the last thing he ever heard. Even when he came back from the dead, he didn't for a moment think about getting revenge against her. He only wanted to live his life and not bother with others. Apart from Run Yu, he was the one who suffered the most throughout the series, at the hands of the Jin Mi, his parents, and let's not forget Su Hi. The worst character Tai Wei, the heavenly emperor, who raped the woman he claimed to love and just wanted people to forgive and forget. What's worse, he still claimed to love her. Him along with his crazy wife were the reason Xu Feng suffered so much. Had they left it alone and minded their actual responsibilities, they wouldn't have meddled in their son's life so much, causing him untold grief. Let's not forget Su Hi, this trio went out of its way to make others miserable. The one flaw that Xu Feng had was he overlooked his parents crimes and tried to get them pardoned at every opportunity when he should have been disgusted by them. Even when he thought that his mother could have killed Jin Mi's father, he wanted to find a way to save her. His mother did kill Run Yu's mother, for that, he could only apologize, which was fine and reasonable, but what wasn't was not calling his mother out on it. He enabled her in that way. He also knew how his mother treated Run Yu and while he called her out on it, they were still living same toxic cycle where she continuously put Run Yu down.
Just a phenomenal groups of actors that worked together on a well-written story.
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Visually stunning with some great performances
Dragged on a little too long. However memorable performances by Allen Deng as Xu Feng the Phoenix and Leo Luo as Run Yu the Night Immortal . Leo Luo really should win an award for his incredible performance. He was very convincing in his heartbreak and sadness not winning the affections of the flower princess. Yukee Chen is always a favorite of mine. She is good in anything she does. The costume designs should also win awards. This cdrama is visually stunning in its special effects. I could have done without the Carrot Fairy. He was completely irritating. .Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The night god will steal your heart
If you like the Ten Mile Peach Blossom, you may like this. Two good looking lead actors (and good looking actresses for the guys) certainly help. Mesmerizing theme songs, excellent acting, nice special effects, lovely costumes and interesting story plots makes it overall an outstanding production. I would have given it a perfect rating of 10 if some tightening of the plots had happened.There are however a lot of apologizing, voicing of regrets, negative talks and lecturing. This may be a cultural thing as I noticed a lot of it in Chinese dramas. However, viewers from English speaking countries may find a little unappealing as it appears like this is a bunch of self-pitying or self-righteous characters. A little less of it may help or convert it to thoughts rather than speech may help.
In the later part of the drama, it starts to get a little draggy due to side stories of secondary characters and slow moving scenes. The script writer could have trimmed off 5 episodes and tightened the plot - that would have been better. Alternatively split it into 2 series with a sequel could have helped too - there was opportunity to do this at episode 46 when the Runyu successfully seized the throne.
Although this is fiction, some realism may make it more convincing. For a girl who enjoys the attention of a young handsome emperor totally devoted to her, it is highly unlikely she would not fall in love with him and switched affection. Especially at moments when the rival was behaving like a jerk, it would have so easily to fall into the new young emperor's arms. If I were a young woman in that situation I certainly would. I guess most Chinese directors and script writers are too conservative to make the heroine looks unfaithful. Both the heroines in this story are unrealistically faithful to their first love.
Also, stabbing a love one with a knife is a nasty thing, much worse if it has killed him. Even with lots of apologies and good reasons, it is unlikely a relationship could be mended. Something more is needed to explain why Xufeng would still love and forgive her - some twist in the story is required.
For these reasons, I took away only 0.5 in the rating as I still like the series a lot.
I am much more attracted to the Runyu's character than Xufeng as Runyu earned sympathy and Luo Yun Xi acted it well. Hope to see more of him in future lead roles.
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LOVED!!!!
I just completed the whole episode of Ashes of Love. And I still can't get over the drama.. The drama was soooo sentimental that you can watch it on repeat after the drama is over. I am emotionally attached to the drama because it WAS TOO GOOD.I regret not watching it earlier.
Everything was so perfect, I loved the acting of Allen Deng, he's too great to be an actor. After watching Ashes of Love Iv become his fan.
Those of you who's hesitant to watch this drama becoz its too lengthy, trust me your not gonna regret watching it.
GO FOR IT.
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1.from the story: this series really have a very good and amazing storyline.. it will give you a slow, funny and light story on beginning and then you will find yourself will addicted when the story walk towards the center , xufeng and jinmi love story will make you fall into the story alive and drunk you with their love stories,and the final third part of the drama will make you cry and then end happily. This drama is like a roller coaster that can make you laugh very funny, happy with their love and then crying with them. so i just can said i'm very recommended this series and you will find 63 episodes really worth for this drama.
2. from the acting : all the casts on this drama have a good performance and acting skills but for me of course denglun and yangzi are the best. they really make this drama feel like alive, and make us like live in drama and the most important denglun and yangzi as xufeng and jinmi really have a very great chemistry. even i want to ship them in real life...lol
3.from the music : all ost from this series really good and unique, all the ost has a good singer and good voice, especially sa ding ding with her song " upwards to the moon" really amazing . i like her high voice, it is very beautiful and that make me unexpected, she is yuanzi immortal on AOL.she is very talented.
4. from the rewatch value: i definitely give 10 poin, because i already rewatched this series until five times.lol...and never bored.love both them xufeng and jinmi^^
so overall i give 10 poin for this my best chinese drama, because form the story, the meaning i will get from this series, the acting, music, background music, cgi and the cinematography, this series really did great and the most make me feel very satisfied with this series is the ending is very good, not only happy ending but the explains about the others role is good too, all the people will get what is the result of their actions. a drama with very good teaching.
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Love Heart touching stories??? Go for it!!!
Ashes Of Love!!! One of the best dramas I've ever watched... Starting from the very beginning, just loved the way the story revolves... In the beginning, it was like a funny storyline n soon, it turned to be a very heartbreaking n touching story.*As for the storyline, m reducing 1 point as I was heartbroken by the end happened to Run Yu Emperor. If I could change the storyline a Lil bit, I would've changed Run Yu's ending to a happy one.
*Cast, No Words... Every single cast in this drama gave their maximum. I don't think there's a single cast in this piece who'll disappoint u. Personally speaking, Run yu Emperor is my favorite. Luo Yunxi is just really <3... I don't have much words to express how m feeling about Run yu Emperor... He made me cry a lot throughout the drama... He played his role so well that I even feel sorry for him n tried to find excuses for his sins. How he shifted from a kind n gentle person to an evil soul is so beautifully shown n portrayed by him... The main leads were also so superb... Actually, every single cast was superb in Ashes of Love
*Music... we can say that it adds fuel to the fire... even the story n cast itself makes us so heartbroken n the music n bgm adds to it... Especially the ending song by Sa Ding Ding, Idk why, but it gives me a magical feel whenever I hear that... N the song sung by Deng Lun n Yang Zi... music was jus LIT!!!
*I am reducing 1 point from the rewatch value, not bcs it's not worth watching it again n again, but I can't bear to cry my heart out to this level... I just finished watching this drama n I'm planning to watch it one more time... to plug in my
headphones, watch this with maximum sound n to cry really hard...
*Overall, If u are a person who loves watching heartbreaking, touching stories, then just go for it!!! I haven't watched any other historical dramas other than this... Actually, I didn't had much interest in watching historical dramas. I love
Luo Yunxi's acting n so for seeing him, I just gave it a try. N it's worth it!!! At first, I wasn't so hooked up, but seeing the theme song n ending song, I decided to watch a few more episodes, n then it got me... ufff!!!! So so so good a drama that u shouldn't leave without watching it...
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Story: There is no much suspense in the story, if you have already watched many Chinese dramas, you can guess the main plot. The way the story narrated is very good, you will not be disappointed by the story plot. Plans, betrayal, love, sad, craziness???? every element is balanced in the story.
Acting/Cast: Every character in the story has powers, you will not be bored, even this is lengthy drama. I have to say, the actors will take you to their world. They acted well in there characters.
Music: The music is fabulous, it played at right time in scenes. I am searching for the OST now to listen again...
Re-watch Value : Definitely I will watch this drama, not entire drama but the scenes that I liked the most. May be after some days I will watch entire drama again..... not sure????
Finally I recommend everyone to watch this drama, it won't let you down or waste your time. If you are not a fan of dramas which have more episodes, try to watch few episodes then you will realize you have to watch it all.
I have become a huge fan of Chinese dramas, this the best drama I have ever watched.
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Ashes of Love got me hooked like crazy!!
Thank you for letting me stumble and fall deeply in love with Ashes of Love. I don't really watch Chinese drama but this one kept on haunting me on Netflix. It's highly recommended!I admire Xufeng's love for Jinmi, it never wavers even a bit. I was on the edge of watching that I wanted to take that Yun Elixir out from Jinmi's so they could fulfill each other's affection. That's how this story affects me. They love each other so much and it's so tender that I could feel all of their emotions deeply. The story and the characters made me cry a lot. All the actors, the cinematography, the costumes, it's really beautiful. I love fantasy but I'm always on the story and the acting of the casts.
How the story go? I have everything on my mind and even stays in my heart but I cannot put into words. All I can say is, with those kind of love.. I was lost.
From the very start, Runyu already knows that Xufeng love Jinmi but he ignores those love for his own interest. That arrange marriage only came up when everything is reveal about Jinmi's parents. Jinmi's concern with Xufeng was there and Runyu witness that, even if that pill is still with Jinmi's body. It cracked when the two were in mortal world. Jinmi finally feel and know what love is. Then there's Runyu.
I saw the pain in Runyu's face when Xufeng told him that he didn't take the Hairy Feather as there's no use living without Jinmi, that everything he want in his life is to be with Jinmi, while him, Runyu, took everything from the two thinking he will be able to win Jinmi. Him realizing how he made Xufeng and Jinmi suffer. I hate Runyu with everything he does there. I know where he's coming from but he intended to do this from the very start thinking of winning over Xufeng. Making him wanting more than revenge when his mother died and when he find out Jinmi's already in love with Phoenix. But Xufeng, he may look arrogant and cold but he has the most sincere and pure heart.. he's so soft that even his mother knows (that's why it was her mother who's doing everything he didn't intend to do). I hate it when Runyu said, "If I met her first.", thinking Jinmi will love him instead of Xufeng since she met him first. But from the very start, Jinmi only likes him as a friend. Then Xufeng said that Runyu didn't do it wrong, he just never scheme (this was when Xufeng said he scheme in love, while love is taboo in scheming).
All the pain and suffering are all worth it in the end.
Xufeng gave up everything just to be with Jinmi, it was his love that made Jinmi came back. Jinmi is happily contented living in a mortal world together with Xufeng even if she can never distinguish colours. They're destined to be apart but love also make a way to find each other again to be together.
Those undying love for each other... wish it also live in the real world. I'm happy that Netflix never give up recommending me this series. This is the longest series I've ever watched and the 1st Chinese one and I will never regret spending time for this.
Ps. If you want to make a review, please ensure to watch the whole series in each and every episode. I just read some judging Yang Zi's character here in AOL. From the very start to end, you will see what kind of character development she made. Those, she has a fiance already but still seeing Xufeng, if you watch the whole series you'll understand why. That there's no love development, there was, if you watch the whole series. That she didn't show some affection and changes, it's because of the Yun Elixir, it cracks and are about to break but Runyu repair it. That, Runyu was like that because of all that happened, yes, but even if he haven't met her mother again and and recall the past, he was already scheming about Jinmi and Xufeng. So I suggest to watch every story, if you missed even a single minute from this, you may also missed something from the story.
Jinmi, Xufeng and Runyu's character 'til the end.
All of the OSTs, OMG!!! Superb!
Excellent!!🖤
Overall rating: 100/10
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