Lost in the Kunlun Mountains (2022)

Had A Lot of Potential But Fell Incredibly Short

I was looking forward to seeing what this drama had to deliver because I like the tomb raiding, Republican era type of genre too and apart from Elaine Zhong and Wang Yang, I was completely unfamiliar with the cast. This, however, was a very disappointing series that shouldn't be marketed as a tomb raiding drama, but a romance/conspiracy one.

Pros: By far the best and favorite character was DYQ followed in close second by LYS. This drama was essentially theirs. I love how LYS went from a potential antagonist and constant thorn in DYQ's side to literally his big brother though not by blood. Just the two of them could have run this series together and it would have been way better then it was. Once LYS gets past his misunderstanding, their relationship as brothers in arms and brothers in general due to sect position, is a fantastic sight.

Other favorite characters were He Biao, Yanzhi (who needed a way better ending then just being left behind in Shanghai), the kid cook, brother San (who honestly really needed to take notes because of how much he didn't understand lol), as well as everyone from all other sects that always showed up to help DYQ. Shady Shifu was a great antagonist as he literally hid under their noses the entire time, even if the audience figured him out long ago. When it came to production, Republican era is always gorgeous and this was no different, the sets and costumes were stunning. The martial arts aspect was pretty good though I wish more of it was shown.

Cons: Where to begin? This series had probably one of the messiest plots I've seen in a while. Usually, c-dramas at least have a strong start but this series spent the first 11 episodes chasing after an artifact and talking in circles about a supposed engagement attached to said artifact. Kunlun mountains were nonexistent and barely mentioned at the time. Everything was about the dragon bone, it was boring. The dragon bone ended up not being much of anything even remotely useful in the end.

Why I didn't put WS' character in the pros because it was very hard to like her. She spent those 11 episodes essentially pouting and whining about why DYQ didn't acknowledge an engagement he never agreed to. Her character growth happened suddenly and without warning when somewhere in episode 21 DYQ took whatever LSD she was smoking and confessed his love and they got married shortly thereafter. It was so fast and unbelievable that it felt like a whiplash. Sure, he showed some signs of having a small crush on her but not full blown "I love you". I did like her evolution more or less around the time they got married but still felt there was little believable chemistry between her and DYQ. Like we were supposed to like them together because they were the leads not because they had any actual chemistry and that just didn't jive.

Another thing that was poorly done, was that the weasel or brother of LYS and Fengling, got more screen time then DYQ did for probably the first 15 episodes and he was truly a useless character even before he went to work for her Ladyship (a mysterious and powerful figure whom never appeared save for her hand and chin; an unnecessary trope and considering how often her name came up, they should have revealed who she was). All of his screen time, I ffw'd in the beginning of the series; I couldn't handle him on screen. This freak of nature had an obsession with WS that went beyond the norm and even after the near sexual assault after drugging her, they were still able to talk later on in the series and he was able to send her off to get married. When he was finally officially killed off, instead of telling the gang a vital piece of info he saw, he ended it by rambling to WS about being in the next life with her. The lack-brain plot and gimmicks are inconceivable to me. Lord, please make it make sense.

Fengling was just an absolute loss of a character, started out sweet and caring and in a flip of a switch turned into an obsessed woman delusional over DYQ and absolutely power hungry and murderous while throwing adult sized tantrums when she didn't get her way. I expected her to meet her end at some point but that would have been hard, so production literally gave her a 5 minute redemption in the second to last episode. It was laughable and just beyond stupid.

Commander Fat Ass was as useless of a character as Her Ladyship, there was no reason to even have him there. Just to have as an evil filler like the weasel's stuttering friend. Literally nothing about this had anything to do with tomb raiding but just uncovering lies and conspiracies. It should be renamed to something like "Kunlun Mountains Still Unknown" or "The Conspiracies of Penta-Sect" because the title has zilch to do with the series. The OSTs were absolutely inappropriate for wherever they appeared; at least one belonged in a modern drama while the other sounded more like a lullaby.

Also the ending was beyond rushed and never explained how DYQ ultimately escaped from the collapsing ancestral hall. One minute everything is collapsing and soldiers are getting killed by flying boulders, the next minute we are brought to a "Western Clinic" without any warning of how much time has passed because there's an obvious time jump; DYQ and WS are running a clinic where he's a doctor, there's a picture of Fengling and a very much upright He Biao on DYQ's desk and kid cook looking all grown up runs in with a letter and picture of LYS and Brother San who are in the army fighting someone. It all came together like kindergarten macaroni art. I think DYQ figured out that star map thing in those final moments of the collapse scene because he went from sad smile to happy smile before it panned to the clinic.

I'm not sure it's editing, review board, or what is to blame for this series just appearing like a botched Frankenstein project but that's what it essentially was. Had a lot of potential but fell incredibly short.

Would I recommend it? No, I would not. Unless you are a fan of any of the actors, this is too much of a mess no matter how beautiful production itself is. Don't give yourself a headache unless you're incredibly bored.

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Great drama to watch!

I think is drama is well done thought there are some editing due the censorship which are evident but overall is well done.

The story is a slow pace, therefore I suggested who want to give a try to not just give up by just watching the first episode.
And also I want to mentioned that this drama is adventures and stuff genre. Romance is not the tag but there is.

As I said the plot is amazing if u give a chance and more episodes u watch, the more u addict to know what is happening next.
The cast have done a good job . So, for me it is worth to give a try and watch the series. Probably it is a series that it will come out in your mind even when u have completed.

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A Decent Drama Whose Potential Was Squashed

My first review ?.

SPOILERS AHEAD.




Xu Kai's dramas tend to have bad luck with censorship it seems. It's very clear there were things cut and removed, 12 episodes are just gone from the original 48. Most of the adventure was lost in those episodes, as well as the wrap up of the story. There was definitely a lead up to that final scene, a lead up that we will never ever see. There was a BTS picture and video where Wu Shuang was dressed in regular, non-sect attire that we didn't witness, so something was missing. My frustration with Chinese censorship is immense. Supposedly, tomb raiding was banned because why not. I'm sure Chinese people would start breaking into tombs because of a drama [sarcasm].

It can't be helped though. The drama unfortunately suffered from it. But I genuinely cannot stand the censorship aspect of China. It's gotten to the point that I would love to get rid of it. Personally. Imagine being a director, you have this vision, and the story you wanted to tell just...gets chopped up? It's insane. How about the crew that probably worked hard to create the tombs that never saw the light? The actors' work? The unfairness is maddening.

Anyway...unto the nit and grit of what we WERE able to see -

Favorite characters: Ding Yun Qi and Luo Yun Song, of course. They ran this. If anything, I feel they even shared the narrative since the mysteries concerned them both. They also had the most effective relationship in the series. They went from enemies (mostly on Yun Song's side), to tsunderes who had respect for each other, to almost full brotherhood affinity. They also had to father around children throughout this entire drama. Respect to the stress they experienced. Especially Yun Song. Good gawd.

Shout out to the amazing, badass Cui Yan Zhi for being the only female who wasn't childish, didn't throw tantrums about engagements they didn't comprehend, and wasn't naive, ignorant, or acted like a 10 year old. You had a good head on your shoulders. I missed you in the finale...well, rather the last 10 episodes, but your presence shall never be forgotten, I swear. Since Yun Qi had to be thrown to the FL, I hope you found a good man.

Bravo to all the actors, no matter the character they played. You all did great.

Romance: ...lol. I've gone over it a million times, but not a fan, and not convinced. A mismatch all around. Having to deal with outbursts, to deal with painful words said to him, etc. Half the time I felt he was talking to a juvenile, who he kisses and marries. I suppose Asian men find "cuteness" endearing? I don't have to like everything that involves Xu Kai, which I see people tend to defend when it doesn't work out with him. No one has to like his FL. No one has to or is forced to like his pairing. Especially if it's simple criticism. I don't need to hear excuses every time about why the FL is the way she is as if that justifies her from her behavior and temperament. I KNOW why she is the way she is. I don't need the unnecessary mansplaining. It just doesn't change that they are incompatible, personally. I don't think this would work in real life.

Xu Kai kisses are fire though. That I can always count on. If he managed to pull out chemistry from what was essentially a plank of wood in Falling Into Your Smile, he can do anything.

I don't think it's the worst CP for Xu Kai, that goes to Sandrine Pinna. But it definitely ranks on the bottom half. Since romance wasn't the focus (and they should have kept it at no romance like the novel), it was passable. But then that leads us to the...

Story: I found the narrative compelling and interesting. The lore and world building were being done gracefully. It was slow paced, yet like I said way in the beginning, when a show or movie is slow paced, it all rides on how the story ties into a satisfying end where it all comes together. There was a build up, steadily, TO something. No doubt we were supposed to see more of the exploration, of the Kunlun Mountains and the mysteries the drama set up. The Luo family debacle got closure, and that goes along with our dear Shifu. Everything else? No explanations. I feel those are forever gone in the episodes not uploaded. The only hope I have are possible leaks yet that's near impossible. If only the dark web could help...

Nonetheless, that ruined the momentum, and the narrative suffered as a result due to the cut scenes. We literally just jumped into a finale. We never saw the ML getting out of his predicament. Where are some of the characters now? What are they doing with their lives? What is Yun Qi's position? JUST a doctor? WHO IS HER LADYSHIP?

They are all Lost in the Kunlun Mountains, lol.

Music: Nothing too spectacular or special. The opening fit the drama's tone and I loved it. I can't recall anything else. So the stars it has on this section...is for that opening.

Rewatch Value: If the ending had its proper, satisfactory finish with the events that no doubt got sliced (and there's evidence thanks to BTS), I would have loved to put the Rewatch Value higher. Unfortunately, the slow pace that was heading to a good place got butchered by the unprecedented time skip. I don't know if anyone would want to rewatch after that, unless we get the uncut and unedited version of this drama.

I would rank this drama at a solid 8/8.5. The ending killed its potential but that doesn't mean it didn't have one.

There are episodes where it picked up when nearing the second half and then it just fell by the end. To no fault of the staff and director. I'm positive they didn't go "yeeeees, let's not answer most of the drama's pending questions to the audience, that makes so much sense, how ingeniiiiiious bwuhahah!". It is what it is.

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Only watch this for Xu Kai's handsomeness and Wang Yang's charisma

Completed - 8/22/2022

If you are not a fan of any of the actors, this might not be worth your time. For me it takes Xu Kai’s handsome face to get me through the first half of the drama, and then add on Wang Yang’s charisma to finish it.

I was quite excited about this drama in the first 1-2 episodes. I was pleasantly surprised that there were some decent fight scenes and creative fight choreography. I’ve already heard that the CGI and green scenes were horrible, and yes, they were indeed not good (running on rooftop and flying around with statues). The production value of this drama is quite low. Even so, a handsome Xu Kai + charismatic Wang Yang + Cool fight scenes = What I like. Unfortunately, my interest and excitement died in the next 10 episodes. All they did was talk talk talk about that stupid bone, with no action. No wonder so many people dropped the drama after the initial episodes. But if you are able to tolerate such boredom and poor plot with the help of Xu Kai’s handsomeness, the plot did get better in the second half of the drama with more action. But such a positive trajectory did not last until the very end. The last episode was rushed and we also have a poor redemption plot that was quite abrupt. The ending was a mystery. What the heck happened? Did we lose a full episode and jump right to the last 2 minutes? Is this due to censorship? (very likely).

Let’s talk about romance since it’s my favorite topic. The short review is: BLAND. Our leads started off as good friends and they are supposed to slowly develop feelings for each other. Well, I didn’t quite see this development. What I see is our FL suddenly really wants to marry ML not because of the bone, but because she is in love with him. I then see our ML never really showed much romantic interest in our FL, and then all of a sudden he is in love. If the friends-to-lovers trope is not done right in the beginning, then the latter part of the romance will become friends-to-lovers-with-no-chemistry. In the second half of the drama, the romance has gotten better once they are together. There’s enough decent skinship and I’ve always loved Xu Kai’s expressive beautiful eyes. But overall, the romance is lacking.

Our male lead, Ding Yun Qi, is a genius. He’s never wrong and is always steps ahead of others. He may not be the warmest person initially, but he’s not a cold tsundere either. He’s smart, loyal, caring, has the best martial arts skills, is a doctor, and also knows everything that the Heaven Official should know even though he left home for 6 years and really didn’t have a lot of time to learn. Well, basically he is perfect. Our female lead, Wu Shuang, is the opposite. She’s outgoing and friendly, curious and likes to fight. Luckily, she’s not dumb and can be quite smart in her own ways. Many dislike Wu Shuang, but I am ok with her. She is usually on the sidelines until the latter part of the drama.

The acting is decent and I don’t see anyone especially bad or cringey.. As much as I love Xu Kai (I bet by now you know I really like him), this is not his best acting. I think the acting all around is OK by the younger cast. The better acting is done by our veterans, Wang Yang as Luo Yun Song, and Morni Chang as Zhou Qiu Hai. These two never disappoint, no matter how bad the script is, you can trust their acting abilities. I also like that they use their own voices. I think I can recognize Wang Yang’s voice by now as he always dubs his own voice. Props to him! There are a couple interesting supporting characters that I quite enjoy - Meng A Sai as Sun San Xuan and Bao Bei Er as Luo Jiu Tian.

I don’t think I can wholeheartedly recommend this drama, UNLESS you just want to look at Xu Kai’s handsome face and Xu Kai looking dashing in a variety of nice suits. There are too many other good dramas out there.

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A love it or hate it drama!

This will be one of those dramas that becomes one of your favourites of 2022 or one you drop after the first episode (if you last that far). The simple reason is the style of the show. For me the style is great, it makes the show stand out from many other dramas, but I can see that being an issue for many people.

As with many shows this one has its own world with its own rules and you slowly get introduced to it. There are misunderstandings mostly due to Xu Kai's character being new to the rules himself but we get introduced to them gradually. The tone of the show (for me) is what sets it apart from other shows. It's somehow dirtier and more down to earth than other shows while still keeping the the martial arts Sects and ideas. There are no cultivators, simply people with good gadgets and lots of years experience.

As of yet they have been talking a lot about the KunLun mountains but we haven't actually got there and I hope the show doesn't change too much when they do. It's definitely an interesting show and I love how all the actors are portraying their (for once) three dimensional characters.

I can see why some people wouldn't like the show though and this kind of thing wouldn't appeal, but if everything appealed to everyone then we wouldn't need the range of shows we enjoy.

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It was good until the last episode

Not many drama leaving me at the edge of frustration when they closed the curtain. This drama is one of among some of it. This drama have a decent story, plot & villain. But why they have to messed up the ending....?????? Why not add another episode to close the drama with very good story to tell.... Aaaaggggghhhhhh Really make me frustated. One quite good drama must have this bad ending....

Before watch the last episode I still plan to give this drama at least 7 score, but the last episode make me drop it. I still rise it a little bit due my love for Xu Kai. Haha....

Ok enough about the rampage. I'll gonna write big spoiler or you can say more complain about the ending & everything else. If you haven't watch it or don't want to know the ending. Just skip my review then....

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The bad:
- The relationship between Ding Yun Qi (YQ) and Wu Shuang (WS). They don't build enough story about their childhood relationship. Just a little bit here and there to suggest they know each other since child & of course they're childhood sweetheart. But isn't YQ go away for almost decade or you can say very long time, so what make his relationship with WS so special until when he see her again he has deep feeling for her....?? All that trust, where is it comes from, how can you so trust someone that you already haven't see for many many years, what if she change...???
- The love rival. How childish Chu Feng Ling (FL) is. When she became jealous of how YQ relationship with WS I wanna scream... Xiao Jie how can you compare your relationship with YQ and YQ relationship with WS, you don't even start in the same line. So you even have no right to say that you heartbroken when YQ choose WS over you....
- The weird thirst of power that FL suddenly has after Luo Jiu Tian died. Yeah I know how she several times say by witness her brother died, she understand how important power is. But still the transformation is so weird & feel not in place. I don't know, maybe from Ruan Ju herself act that part not conciving enough for me.
- What happen with Yu Family, are they all died from the last battle. They only show us Madam soldiers survive & can go to the cave. Am I right to assume they all died....???
- They force the good luck. Haha... You can say this is my own prejudice, but Elaine Zhong who play WS a little bit too old to be 'little sister' of Xu Kai. & I can't feel the chemistry between Elaine Zhong & Xu Kai too. For me their chemistry almost none, not even as friend. It just feel like this is a job they have to finished.
- What the use for Soul Pursuit Order they have to collect in the first place.... This kinda joke. Until the very end that thing never proven its use. They only use Ding Yuan Shan Soul Pursuit Order to open the door, but the other we're not even see it anymore...
- Last but not least the CGI is a little bit too smooth. To the point I really can notice that definitely the result of CGI. Yeah I know this just my preference, but kinda hurt my eye too see something that obvious. Haha...

- All must happy ending. A little bit force for happy ending here.
How in the end YQ get out from that cave, much better if they give us scene like how YQ try to get out by solving the puzzle or whatever, but the last scene of him he just standing there regretting not be able to protect the Kun Lun Mountain. HOW THE HELL DID HE GET OUT?????!!!!!
Why must He Biao survive. Yeah I know I also glad he is not dead, but saving him a little bit too much.
What happen with the relationship between WS and her sibling. The last time she still tell us she still need time to process everything & suddenly everything good & she just accept her sibling. Aiyo...
No one stop San Jin. I mean when YQ send him to send the letter. The madam already know he go down, but like she just forget about that piece of information or consider it not important, so no one even try to pursuit him...
The marriage between WS & YQ. The sudden marriage also feel strange, it feel like the director want to make wedding scene & he decided to do it at that time.

Ok all the drama still have good side.
The good:
+ Never expected villain. They twist and turn it several angle, but kinda fun to see how the actual villain in the end.
+ The feeling between WS & Zhou Qiu Hai. The struggle WS has in the end really makes sense.
+ The martial art & all that puzzle really fun to watch. The martial art choreography also quite good.
+ The song quite good to listen too. Haha...
+This is also just my preference. But the hero not always arrived at the right time. Haha... Sometimes just bored to see how our hero always arrived at the right time when there were someone in danger. Because in reality not always like that. Here we can see several times how not everytime our hero comes to us. Like when WS almost got raped, YQ have no ide about it & the one save her is FL and not YQ.

Overall this just another drama to watch

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Very bad script, So many things do not make any sense

I agree with most points in Enigma05's review. I am not going to repeat here.

If not for DYQ and LYS, I don't think I would have finished watching it.
The relationship between DYQ and WS just does not make sense. I felt it is in there only because the author probably think there needs to be a love story in any drama. How can they became a couple? They are in different worlds. One is western educated, the other is barely literate. DYQ does not want to be in the marshall world (江湖） while the other does not know anything beyond 江湖. What do they have in common? Even if they were childhood sweet hearts, I would not even call them sweet heart, merely childhood playmates. They have grown worlds apart. I don't believe a relationship without anything in common not to mention love. I don't see the chemistry in their acting as well.. It just feels odd to see them together.

Chu Feng Ling's change to that extremely evil is not believable. she started out as a kind and innocent girl and changed to such an evil person who is willing to sacrifice everybody just because she became power hungry. does not make any sense.

To have Luo Jiu Tian character in the show.and give him so much screen time is a joke. Described his feeling for WS as love is even more of a joke.

They spent almost 10 episoles trying to recover dragon bone (龙骨). It is supposed to give clues about the tomb. But besides serving as an engagement token it never served any other purpose. Then they spent so much effort to collect all 5 artifects, they were never used except the one DYQ had from the beginning.

In the end how the hell did DYQ survive. Is it just because the ML cannot die or WS should not be a widow?

Watching the show was totally a waste of time. I would not recommend it to anybody.

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Beautiful cast, good acting and plot that keeps you addicted.

The show is about adventure, mystery, thriller and martial arts. A slight romance line with the main leads serves to balance out the storyline nicely.

Setting: Chinese Republican Era. Internal struggle with the different rules in Pecta-sect and to break free of the norm for freedom. Traditional vs Modern way of life is tested on rules on marriage, sacrifice, family, politics, ambitions, power and greed. 9.5/10

Cast: Recommend to watch cause the acting is superb, plot is good for the most part and Xu Kai/Elaine are just so handsome/pretty without a bad angle. The role just fits Xu Kai like a glove and his character is so likeable and has no flaws. Elaine rarely does martial art shows and she is really mesmerizing beauty in ancient clothing. Wang Yang is an excellent actor with his impeccable acting that commands attention. All of them have excellent chemistry which makes you feel for their circumstances. There are a few antagonist in the show which I will not reveal to not spoil, some frustrating and annoying characters in the show. 10/10

Romance: Both leads are compatible on-screen and off-screen. The love line between the main leads sometimes feel rushed but their chemistry is intertwined smoothly in the second half of this series. Not a lot of kiss scenes but a lot of sweet hugging scenes. Love triangle is limited and almost non-existent. 10/10

Character development: A test for some characters and a guessing game of how some turn good/bad based on their circumstances. A lot of layered characters and internal tensions between the characters and their different worldviews 9.5/10

Visuals: The aesthetics of the drama whether it be the cast, wardrobe and landscaping keep me in awe. Less filter use as seen in other dramas give it more realism. 10/10

OST: A mix of genres. The opening song gives it a mystery feel and the ending duet song is so sweet. Other songs include hip-hop and a sad theme. 7/10

Ending: Deducting some points just cause I am not satisfied with the ending and expected more. Original 48 episodes would have been ideal. The censorship cuts affected the quality of the drama despite it still be enjoying to watch. 9.5/10

Highly recommend to those who are still feeling it out. It is slow-paced with a lot of talking since it is necessary for viewers to unravel the mystery of the KL mountains . The male lead and supporting male lead is a joy to watch. The female lead has her flaws but there is character development and will give a better perspective of her situation. Some parts might look choppy but not really the fault of the production team due to censorship. It gets better with each episode.

Happy tuning in!

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Please don't make this an underrated drama It's so goooooood !!

This drama is so good ... The chemistry between the leads ... the story ... the acting ... the fight scenes ... All top notch ... Xu kai never dissapoints !!!! The only thing that bothered me were the doubles they used ... I get they needed them for the martial arts scenes but they were in other scenes too ... I just don't get why they coudn't get the cast to film the whole thing together ? !! Other then that It's so good ... get ready to get butterflies (major ones) starting episode 15 ... There I said it it's a rough start for them but we get there and boy is it nice ... PS : there is a certain fox character that's gonna trick you into beleiving they're the sweetest with their crocodile tears ... but don't fall for it ... you'll want throw them under the bus more the villain himself

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Engaging drama to watch

After a long time,I decided to watch this treasure drama.But luckily I was not disappointed.
The story begins with Ding Yunqi,a doctor who studied in Uk returning to China in search of his father where he learns about Kunlun mountains,which is being guarded by the Ding family and Penta sect.How the protagonist finds out is the rest of the story.
Ding Yunqi is a very calm,smart and cool male lead.He sticks to his principles,values,virtues,gives relationships utmost importance and never compromises.Xu Kai as Ding Yunqi has really acted well especially after seeing him in a jovial role in arsenal military academy.His role here is quite contrast but he performed excellent.
Zhong chu xi as Wu shuang is really good.Wu shuang is naive and honest and sincere.
The other actors acted well.
I personally liked the brotherhood between Ding Yunqi,Luo yunsong and Sun sanxuan.
Luo yunsong character development was good.
The whole journey of this team to the Kunlun mountains is exciting,suspenseful and engaging.
I personally liked the pace of the drama with no nonsense.
One of the best cdramas to watch.give it a go.?

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SPOILER !

I honestly was enjoying this until it had a bad ending. Now i dont have a problem with the actors and actresses. Exlcude them completely as they always do a good job. What im pretty up set about is the screenwriter. First of all Ding Yunqi is meant to be a dominant character, but they barely showed his capabilities through out the show because he doesnt like conflict.. which is understandable, but im sure a lot of people wanted to see what this guy can do. LASTLY what is with the ending. I feel like a MASSIVE scene was just cut. One minute he is about to die and then POOF just magically living his doctors life happily with his lover. I thought to myself.. "is that it?" How did the guy get out the cave? Is the end meant to describe an alternative ending in which he survived the cave or he really did survive? I was eagerly waiting for some awesome martial arts, some treasures, more enemies to appear, more good friends to come help save the day. We dont even see what happened to cui yan zhi at the end, where did she go? I thought her and her gang would come save Ding Yunqi.
I wouldnt say its a bad show , but its not something id re watch. As i mentioned at the start actors and actresses were good..... 'Sigh' i really got into it from the start and then that ending just killed it for me. "Is that it?"


Oh and if you come across a person called 'enigma05' who wrote a review on here. That person just summarised what majority of the watchers were thinking. I just didnt want to write a paragraph that long haha

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