Till the End of the Moon (2023)

How great this could've been

I know, I know, writing a review at the halfway mark without knowing what comes next is wrong. But the fact that they've already messed it up till here makes me want to write one. I will update this review if things change.
So, here's my impression of the first 24 episodes.

I feel like they really could've had it all but I think they got lost somewhere trying to balance the scales.
I have read the novel, and might be a bit biased but LSS doing all sorts of things to go against TTJ when all she had to do was talk seems a bit excessive.

The scene when TTJ sees LSS lose it, right before she teleports is probably the only things that's kept me glued to my seat. Because that spit second when TTJ goes all solemn when let's out that painful scream tells you that he knows the feeling of losing everything, of being pushed to the brink of hate. The only things is he found solace in the evil because it gave him power to protect himself. He probably would've offed himself only if so many attempts at his life hadn't already been made. Like we saw in that dream, he wasn't alive because he wanted to, but because others wanted him dead so he stubbornly persevered on and kept himself alive.

They made TTJ more human, and I truly appreciate them for this. Here we can see him understand the feeling of love and then get betrayed in the worst way possible and Yunxi is just *chef's kiss*

But then what happened to them when they adapted LSS? She started off amazingly well as someone who was on a mission, with all her pain and suffering and just trying to survive and save TTJ. But then how did she get dumber and dumber as the story progressed? She's confused in her feelings and wants the spikes to form ASAP so that this can end. BUT on the other end, she's secretly helping XL break out of prison, completely unnecessary might I add, that will effectively dissolve all the previously formed spikes and take her back to square one?

And pleading for and taking YBS home on the very day that she's about to drung TTJ? Like really sis? She betrayed her husband for her so-called survival, showed off her affections with TTJ while being married to XL, but one smile and good talk with her and it's all water under the bridge. Her logic being that if she had everything then she wouldn't have turned bad but then isn't that the case with TTJ too? She saw him being betrayed time and again and almost lose his life to the people that were supposed to protect him but nope, he's gonna turn bad the moment he takes a misstep.

I kinda liked the novel LSS more, where she's living this life like a third-party, existing because of her mission and only showing kindness to the ones that were good to her. She gave no f's to YBS and even found out about her evil intentions and while she did love TTJ, she wasn't constantly hot and cold with him. And TTJ saw that, which was why he was always looking for ways to bind her to him because he knew that if she wants, she can go away and never come back. That desperation pushed him to madness.

I will watch this to the end because my god was that opening incredible. And I'm kinda still rooting for them despite the u-turns that they've taken. And YunLu is love so no way I'll leave halfway through.

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Could have been better.

I don't hate nor do I like it that much. TTEOTM did good in exploring the depth of their plot, it had a great start and a somewhat okay ending. The problem of this drama is that towards the end their main focused were only the main couple which is Li Susu and Tantai Jin. I guess yeah, they're the main so they should focus on these two but it lead to not giving closure to the other characters in the drama. The last episode seems a bit rushed, there were no closure on Gongye Jiwu's, Monu's, Baiyu's and Immortal Sect's ending. This was a bit disappointing because it did good in delivering the storyline/plot of the drama in the earlier episodes but in the end it kind of lost its touch. Also Qingyu being alive 500 years later? I mean I guess it was because of Pianran but they could have tell a bit more about Qingyu, what happen to him in those 500 years. Monu saved Jiwu, and then what happened? We never know. Tantai Jin saved Yiyue tribe but what happened to Baiyu? Where did he go to? There's so many question left unanswered. However, I rate it a seven because after all of that, I still enjoyed watching it. The chemistry of every couple was magnificent, I CRIED FOR EVERY COUPLE! ESPECIALLY PIANRAN AND QINGYU, MY SLOWBURN BABIES!!! The acting was damn good too but its funny how every episode there must be one or two cough out blood. Like that's the whole ass plot.

Anyways, would I recommend this? Yes. Would I watch it again? Yes and No. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Do I love this series? Yes and No. Because honestly, this drama has destroy my trust. It gives me trust issues like literally. So I guess, buckle up and get ready for your trust to be crushed.

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Why couldn't you be as good as you promised to be?

Ok let me start by saying that the only reason this drama is bad in my opinion...it's because it's NOT great and it wasn't setup to be "just good". And that's annoying because it could have easily been great. I know you don't get it but let me explain. This drama had all of the elements to be a bomb drama. From the costume, to the acting, to the visual effects, the music...just everything was flawless and my expectations were so high...and then the last five episodes happened ?. So the reason the drama is bad it's not because is bad per se, but because of its wasted potential. Compared to a lot of other dramas released this year, it's way better.

First, the acting from the main leads was amazing. Everybody deliveredT (yes, with a T at the end) and brought their A game. Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu bodied theirs roles, child. The chemistry between them was the exact type you not only want from people who have worked together several times BUT also the exact friend-lover-enemy dynamic required for this drama specifically. Usually when you say "chemistry" in Asian dramas, actors bring in the sexual/love aspect of it, but sometimes the drama demands the cantekerous bantering that exists in those type of relationship. And given that the story is about that girl going back in time to kill "the devil that doomed the world and kill every single member of her clan" (think going back in time to kill baby Hitler)...so it makes sense that you get actors who are comfortable enough with each other and can pull that type of relationship progression. It's very hard to pull if you're just "acting". But the fact that Lulu and Yunxi are friends, it felt very natural.

Second, as a matter fact the whole crew had impeccable chemistry and good storyline, which made the world building of the story seamless. I personally was able to get immersed and avidly follow along. I was not bored because the chemistry between even the supporting cast help you forget the most blatant plots (they were several). My favorite "brother-sister" romance was between the Fox and Tantai Jin. They were so funny together.

Third, Omg the costumes were amazing. I was expecting just another boring ass tule fabric galore, because apparently fantasy in C-drama means boring colors and even more boring designs with pastel tulles everywhere. Well, I was wrong! They tried very hard to give a good depiction of what the deities as portrayed in "real life" and it was gorgeous. To be fair, it's not like they were the "BEST" costumes ever (I wished they kept the girls shoulders covered sometimes), but the fact that they were so different from what they usually serve us made it 10X better. I am so tires of these damn tulle dresses!!!

So now that I have rambled enough let's talk about the bad: The storyline. Here's the thing, some dramas should NOT be that long. Because, it's one thing for the story to drag and for the characters to have multiple redundant moments were they were completely miserable AND THEN have then have a happy ending but it's a whole different thing when it's a sad ending. As a viewer it's just crushing to watch 40 episodes (that could have easily been 30 eps) for a sad ending from a drama if we're being honest, I only watched because it's a "love story". Like...no one want to watch a sad love story. I mean don't me wrong there are GOOD MELODRAMAS but this one was not setup to be a good melodrama from jump. So as soon as you realize that they are not gonna end up together by episode 35...there is a hard disconnect that happens and everything feels like a waste of time. Maybe it's just me, but that's how it felt. Then, the details and small plot holes that seemed trivial before are now very irritating.

Listen, as a C-drama watcher, I tolerate a lot of things. I don't expect any of these dramas to be some big Blockbusters that's going to win all of the awards. We're all watching this for fun and to waste time ( because some of us are depressed and trying to escape the dumpster fire that is the world right). However, the implicit deal is that us viewers will tolerate "ok dramas"...and they will give us romance and love stories where everyone live happily ever after or a semblance of it. Like, which romance lover has time to watch sad love stories right now? Come on!!!

Anyways, it was an Ok drama and you should watch it if main charactera dying at the end doesn't bother you., Or if you're a fan of Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi.

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Amazing

Wow this drama was amazing and so intense. I loved that leo and bai came back for another drama, they work so well together and they so well matched.

Firstly i love the costumes and the make up they worked well with every part of the drama, the scenes were amazing and they flowed into each other. I loved how Leo played a double role, and they could not have made him even more handsome, those eyes when he played devil were captivating.

Secondly Bai was amazing and she didnt allow her judgement to cloud her sense of right and wrong.

The music was good, the fight scenes although a little unrealistic were good with the effects.

All in all it was an amazing drama, that's filled with how everyone in this life has to fight evil in some way or another, whether it is your own or someone who does... how you need to use to remain positive when things dont workout and not to scumb to the negative, therr were alot of good points tomthis drama when you whats goes around you.

A definite drama to watch... just to see leo in all his outstanding costumes

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Society makes monsters of us all

I am late to the show, but man, what a show it was! I have been picking up and dropping dramas lately, but this one I absolutely felt the need to finish. At first, I thought it was going to be the typical "fairy goddess and evil warlord fall in love and she changes him to be good" trope, but I was so wrong.

Actually, I already could tell how wrong I was within the first episode. None of the characters are really black or white, good or evil. There are many shades of grey. And as I sank deeper into the story, it became obvious that the greatest monster is not the devil god or his minions - it is society who brands a person with a seal, giving them no chance to redeem themselves and inevitably creating the monster they love to hate, thus justifying all the bloodshed in the name of "good". Tantai Jin is such a complex character and I can only applaud Luo Yunxi for his portrayal of what actually amounts to 4 different characters in various shades of grey. And even just in the role of Tantai Jin he is believable as someone not understanding why the world "wants" him to be evil, sometimes trying to escape his fate, but inevitable being forced to make decisions that bring him closer and closer to what he doesn't want to become. He tries again and again to love, to find a place in this world, and he always gets hurt, disappointed and his heart broken by those he thought to be closest to him.

I have read other opinions, but I felt the chemistry between the two leads to be natural and magnetic. It was heartbreaking to see how they came to love one another but at the same time, could not stop hurting each other, sometimes willingly, sometimes by accident or misunderstanding. Love - especially with a fate such as Tantai Jin's and Li Susu's - is never as easy as other dramas make it seem to be. Li Susu, as the apparent "good" character, also has flaws, but to be fair, she comes from a place in time that gave her immense trauma and heartbreak. The fact that their relationship is toxic to begin with feels natural and makes absolute sense.

Excellent acting, so many memorable side characters that actually made me cry. Heartbreaking scenes apart from the main storyline, breathtaking costumes, beautiful soundtrack. This drama has it all. CGI was one of the better ones I have seen, you can tell that they put some money into the making of this drama. If I would complain about something, it would probable be editing, as the last 2 or 3 episodes felt weirdly rushed in some parts and some scenes were a bit difficult to follow. But this could be because I don't speak the language and have to rely on what the subtitles tell me. The Bo're timeline felt a bit detached and could have done with a tighter storytelling, but in the end, a lot of this timeline is necessary because it gives tons of context for later parts of the story. Just, while you are watching it, you want to go back to the actual, "real" storyline, because of course you don't know yet how important this dream will be later down the line.

Yes, there is a lot of what we westerners would describe as the typical cdrama nonsense like going to bed in full dress and ornate hair pieces and spitting rivers of blood. As someone not that into the way acting is often done in asian dramas, I was surprised at the total lack of fake crying and annoying female characters behaving like little girls.

Big fan here, big fan. More of this please, I am an absolute wreck now, in the best possible way. :)

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THE POWER OF A STORY

This is my own interpretation of this wonderful story. If yin and yang decided to stroll the human realm as a couple their adventures would be similar. I never had the religion chip, I was born without, but I wholeheartedly think that there’s a natural balance and karma. The story itself, magnificently acted by ALL characters, would be perfect if not for some silly (or maybe intentional) editing mistakes that gave us doubts on actors dubbing and some redundant episodes. It’s also worth mentioning Sun Zhenni an unexpected solid secondary actress. I’m still very much perplex about Deng Wei….I just don’t get if he’s dull because is suppose to be or else. Special effect are good, ending ……magnificent.

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Your daily reminder to watch TTEOTM : D

I've seen a lot of C-dramas. A lot of them are quite bad, and a lot of them are mediocre, and rarely do I stumble across what I find (subjectively) to be a gem: TTEOTM is one of those rare findings, with its interconnected storylines, immense number of jam-packed ideas (everything, everywhere, all at once), and superb acting... also I watched this directly after some widely liked dramas such as 'Love Between Fairy and Devil' and 'Hidden Love', so you could say I'm picking this one out from a set of some of the 'better ones.' I would advise you to stop reading here and start watching, but the review so far doesn't do anything to convince anyone. Let's dive into it a little:

FIRST, start with the ACTING.

It's magnificent. In a sense, there are dramas where one good actor carries the show, and interactions between the characters (what netizens call chemistry) is pretty lacking. Luckily, TTEOTM not only avoids those pitfalls but puts on quite the show; in fact, I'd argue the acting is so great that you could just watch Luo Yunxi (ML) and Bai Lu (FL) stand next to each other on a computer-generated battlefield for forty episodes and be reasonably moved.

As for individual actors, the star of the show is still Luo Yunxi. He plays half-a-dozen characters quite literally (Tantai Jin / Ming Ye / Devil God / Old Devil God / Cang Jiumin / Tantai Jin Devil God) and manages to make all of them distinctive and memorable. With a variety of expressive postures and gestures, his work here is definitely the best I've ever seen in a C-drama. The death glares from the beginning to the resignation at some points is all magnificently done, and for the record, I've seen a variety of heroes and villains portrayed by various actors- none quite make you feel the plethora of emotions and storyline as deeply as Luo Yunxi here in TTEOTM. It's not just tears shed for a simple but tragic storyline (which happens often, I find), but hollowness and internal conflict upon learning of his childhood, fear when watching the terror he manages to inflict as the Devil God, and contentedness/sweetness for his portrayal of Cang Jiumin (very, VERY much loves the FL). The distinctiveness of the characters he plays, I believe, even edges out Dylan Wang's Dongfang Qing Cang by far... a feat difficult to achieve as Dylan played a spectacular 'devil god' in Love Between Fairy and Devil.

Bai Lu's acting is always very pleasant and charming to watch, and I find her to make cute scenes even 'cuter.' I do think the personalities she plays are somewhat similar and representative of her true personality (to an extent), so the performance does not stick out to me that much... it's definitely great though considering the fact that it's Bai Lu and I love to watch works in her repertoire. Second leads such as Sun Zhen Ni (plays Pian Ran, a charming and flirtatious female fox devil) and Chen Duling (plays the antagonistic character that's kind of a plot twist... not really) portray their characters exceptionally well too, creating a sort of connection between them and the viewer.

SECOND, the STORYLINE.

Going into C-dramas, I have a sort of resignation towards finding an actually logical plot with good execution, so instead I look for a culmination of creative ideas/concepts. If you're one of the people who watch for logical behaviors, etc., I might warn you against this drama. It does have its fair share of strange plot holes especially towards the end and offers relatively questionable explanations for the reason things play out as they do. You might have to fill in your own gaps, and to me that's okay when watching a show simply due to my expectations (if I wanted to see something logical, I'd just neighbor-spy).

But I don't think that should deter you from watching, to be honest. The number of different arcs/storylines in this drama can be a lot to digest, but I think they're all meaningful and used properly. It's also the reason this drama is so great. None of it is fluff for the sake of fluff (the story does not sacrifice itself for the sake of a romance) or unimportant to the ultimate missions that face the characters.... it has a place in explaining the development and history of the setting (World-Turning Jade is an interesting twist), cleverly developing the relationships between characters (Ming Ye/ Sang Jiu is very important, imo) and furthering the plot/story. The way a lot of loose ends are introduced and ultimately tied back together towards the ending of the drama is masterfully done, so much so that the few logical errors/predictable behaviors of characters are forgivable (subjectively). There are just so many creative and inspirational concepts and ideas in this drama that deviate from the typical, predictable 'steam-engine-moves-forward-and-only-forward' storylines. It reminds me, truly, of 'Everything, Everywhere, All at Once'- which had its fair share of plot holes and possibly a slightly simpler plot than this (also more modern, to point out the obvious). I really appreciate the writers and original author of the novel for creating such a piece; most C-dramas need something more complex to show for, and they need that to an immense degree. Nothing is sacrificed for the story here.

I do think the character development for all the characters (even relatively minor ones) is really impressively done. Of course the focus is on Tantai Jin, but when we see even Ye Xiwu's older brother (so called coward) fight for the sake of his nation and people towards the end makes you realize that everyone really has an arc. Despite some repetitive, predictable, toxic behaviors of certain characters, the justifications for their motives typically make enough sense for me to accept given their individual personalities. I also appreciate the basic intelligence given to the characters which is way too rare in C-Dramas.

Finally, unlike many others, I appreciated the sad ending, thinking it's reasonable for how the ending developed. Otherwise, the ending would be pretty rushed, and that may not be to be the story's further. You could make it romantic with Tantai Jin's return... but I don't really get the point. It ended in an organic way rather than something really 'forced', and served as a conclusion to what I think is a story more than a set of scenes.

LASTLY, the OST:
Zhang Lei's First Time Loving was the star for me (I recommend it)... in general, it's a decent soundtrack, but not the best I've ever heard. I do think the accompaniment in certain scenes was done really well.

EXTRANEOUS THINGS:
- Maybe a little lighter on the makeup, especially the red lipstick on Tantai Jin...
- Beautiful outfits and well-done CGI... you could watch this just for the fight scenes

Please do watch this, it's one of the best C-dramas I've seen thus far in terms of ideas and acting : )

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I finished this series at 6 in the morning. But I'm done too.

It had a very sad, heartbreaking and hurtful ending. I felt so intense emotions that it devastated me. I didn't want the series to end just so Tantai Jin wouldn't die. I watched it knowingly the ending. But I still wanted them to be happy in another life. Tantai Jin was someone who deserved happiness at least once in his life. Ye Ji Wu will keep him alive in his memories forever. Maybe this was Tantai Jin's last wish. It is also very sad that Ye Ji Wu endures endless pain as a survivor. I wish they were happy, I wish, I wish...
If there is anything more painful than an unhappy ending, it is an unhappy eternity.
I know it's a very sad comment, but please don't hesitate to watch this series. Once you watch the first episode, you will already be hooked by the series. And Tantai Jin, you should definitely get to know this character! His tone of voice impressed me greatly. Bai Lu literally fascinated me with her beauty.
The chemistry between Bai Lu and Luo Yun Xi always shines perfectly. I also watched the Love Is Sweet TV series, they were great there too. That's why I hope they make a third series.

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Magnifique

À une époque où les démons dominent les pratiquants et les mortels, les anciens pratiquants croient qu'il est impératif de renvoyer quelqu'un dans le temps pour découvrir l'origine du seigneur démon et empêcher sa résurrection. Li Su Su accepte la mission et assume l'identité de la mortelle Ye Xi Wu, la deuxième fille du général Ye. Elle est mariée à Tantai Jin, le prince captif et futur seigneur démon, et est déterminée à le détruire, consciente qu'à l'avenir, il viendra en massacrer beaucoup. Mais comme témoin de la vie passée de Tantai Jin et de son ascension au pouvoir, une histoire inattendue émerge, qui complique sa quête. (Source : RedLotusPavilion sur MyDramaList ; édité par CK Warrior et d'autres sur MyDramaList) ~~ Adapté du roman Web "Hei Yue Guang Na Wen BE Ju Ben" (黑月光拿稳BE剧本) de Teng Luo Wei Zhi (藤萝为枝).

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