Lackluster drama despite good casts!!

I watch the first couple of episodes and I found it engaging and found Lusi really adorable as Ayin. The CGI however was very telling on how much investment that was put into this drama (not much). Continuing on the middle of the story so far the chemistry between the main leads are there.

The only thing that makes this drama fall flat is that it is full cliches or rather full of something that has been done before, there is nothing unique to it. It becomes so predictable that I don't even have finish the drama to know what will happen.

If you are just looking for more content of Zhao Lusi just for the sake of watching her, then this drama might be for you. But if you are looking for a drama that actually has a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat or a drama that makes you want more, this drama is not it.

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It kinda fell off...

Watching the first half was good, it was interesting. The acting of JJY wasn't as bad this time. However, I don't why, but after the main leads got together finally, it kinda fell flat. The chemistry that they were teasing/building between the main leads in the beginning just wasn't there as you would hope to kind of explode. Plus, is it just me or Pan Yue is not capable of a character, I mean the character is mid, ability wise like in terms of investigating, martial arts, etc. Also, the dynamic between the supporting characters and main leads is not as intriguing, like the friendship is not well maintained nor is deep (I mean it is supposed to be but it is just not well written.)

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Could've been better

Love seven times, is about two people falling in love in 7 lifetimes...due to this I expected for their love story to be a grand/great love story. I feel like the only time they were able to showcase this was during their 2nd tribulation where Xiangyun ended up dying by an arrow, another time was also when they showed how Chukong and Cang hai fell in love 30,000 years ago.

Not that the actors acting was bad or anything, I just feel that they lack the type of director who can push them to do more. I can also sense that the actor who played Haoxun (the evil older brother/ruler) was confused with his character. Overall, they lack proper direction, and that they had an opportunity to make this story really unique that they could've really own, instead it was water-downed with the lack of passion coming from the director and seemed to have just used the common formula of a typical xianxia/wuxia story.

What I like about it was the aesthetic, the production settings, the costumes, and the vfx were all top-notch even a bit better than Love between fairy and devil.

The chemistry between Ding Yuxi and Yang Chao Yue were there but then again as I said before I just feel like they were left with what ever and the director wasn't as proactive and giving direction nor were the actors to have more freedom to do what they will with how they can make the characters be played out better.

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Sweet...but that's it.

This truly female-centric drama is filled with sweet moments between Li Rong and Pei Weixuan, but don't get me wrong—I’m not complaining about that. In fact, it's the only good thing in this drama.

The overall plot revolves around royal politics, but it fails to engage. Why? Because it's the same old story used in countless other Chinese dramas—cliché and predictable. The political aspect of the drama is especially problematic. Rather than enhancing the story, it overwhelms it, making the romance feel secondary. The political intrigue is replete with the usual power struggles, betrayals, and court manipulations seen in many other Chinese dramas. This lack of originality makes the political storyline just feels stale.

When it comes to the relationship between Li Rong and Pei Weixuan, there are many scenes that can make you swoon—scenes that other Chinese romance dramas should take inspiration from, not just for the moments themselves but also for the chemistry between the characters. However, that’s all there is to their relationship. It’s sweet, but as the episodes progress, it becomes bland. It lacks depth.

Emotional depth in a relationship means that the characters connect on more than just a superficial level. They should share their vulnerabilities, support each other’s growth, and face challenges together in a way that strengthens their bond (Which they do show but only at a a certain level). In this drama, the emotional moments between Li Rong and Pei Weixuan are tied to a few predictable elements:

Misunderstandings that get resolved: These moments can create temporary tension, but they often feel contrived and don't lead to any significant character development or deeper understanding between the characters.

Su Rongqing: The presence of a third party can add drama, but it can also distract from the development of the main relationship. Instead of focusing on how Li Rong and Pei Weixuan grow together, the drama spends too much time on external conflicts.

Imbalance in their relationship: It’s clear that Pei Weixuan loves Li Rong more than she loves him. This imbalance can create tension, but it also makes their relationship feel one-sided and unfulfilling.

Politics: While political intrigue can add complexity to a story, in this case, it detracts from the emotional core of the relationship. The characters are often more focused on external power struggles than on each other.

Reflecting on the drama "Queen of Tears," I realize how much Li Rong and Pei Weixuan's relationship lacks in terms of emotional depth. Their love story feels more like a series of plot points than a genuine, evolving bond. They never reach the point where being apart feels like losing a part of themselves. They don’t cry for each other or display the kind of profound emotional connection that makes their love feel essential to their existence. The focus on political intrigue overshadows their personal connection, making it difficult to invest in their romance.

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Finally a good ending!!!!

It is such a rarity to watch a drama that is good and ALSO has a good ending. It is not rushed, no cliff-hanger, and no open-ending.

The chemistry of the leads were very explosive. Like even the subtle actions of each other where they were acting so hard and kept lying to themselves how they shouldn't fall in love and yada yada but bruh anyone can literally see how much they want each other so bad lmao. And their kisses!!!! I can't- like yesss!!!!!

I would just say though as a critique, would be either the character Mofang or the actor because his character to me lacks depth...either it is the way the character is written or it's just the actor's lack of ability to act but honestly his parts were easily forgotten and just boring. I feel like the actor should've shown more resistant and despair when it comes to killing his comrades rather than just only being protective of shenli because shenli wasn't the only one who was their for him throughout his life.

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It's great! Go watch it!

The way the director, writer, producer, and actors approached the story of a character who transmigrates into a fictional novel is brilliantly executed. They truly did justice to the emotional and psychological complexity of being transported to an unknown land. In many previous dramas, leads are often shown as mildly confused but able to assimilate seamlessly into their surroundings within seconds. However, this drama takes a refreshing and more realistic approach. Ling Miao Miao’s immediate and desperate desire to escape her unfamiliar circumstances establishes her as a character who is self-aware and relatable. This quick, instinctive reaction defines her personality right from the start, and impressively, her growth throughout the story—particularly in the context of love—remains cohesive and believable without diminishing her initial characterization.

Speaking of love—despite the severe lack of kisses (lol)—the chemistry between the leads is nothing short of explosive. The drama doesn’t rely on overt displays of affection to convey their bond; instead, it is built through meaningful dialogue, their constant need to be near each other, and the intensity of their gazes. Mu Sheng’s unwavering looks toward Miao Miao, in particular, speak volumes about the depth of their connection, as though their very existence is intertwined. Their love feels almost fated, transcending the typical tropes of romance, and resonates deeply with viewers.

One of the drama’s standout elements is how the second leads, Mu Yao and Liu Fuyi, are given room to shine. Unlike many stories where secondary characters feel like mere backdrops, here they are well-developed and integral to the plot. Their struggles and relationships are treated with care and purpose, adding another layer of richness to the story.

I also want to highlight on the how they tie it to modern life of Ling Miao Miao and the author, it gave actual contrast to the world Miao Miao is transported into which added more depth to the story than a simple transmigration to a fantasy world.

There are some critiques:

1. Where are the kisses!!!! Lmao

2. The aunt of Mu Sheng, Luniang...was she necessary? Here acting wasn't as impressive but perhaps if the character had
shown more clinginess and affection towards the Goddess Mei, a more believable act of being close as kin to each other and the initial or eventual hate towards the father of Mu Sheng be more expressed more than spewed words that might be better for the plot, justifying her actions towards Mu Sheng.

3. Certain parts toward the end felt rushed, particularly as the drama tried to resolve major plot points. A slightly longer runtime or more thoughtful pacing could have helped provide a more satisfying conclusion.

4. While his decision to sacrifice himself was a pivotal moment, it lacked the emotional weight it could have had. A private, heartfelt conversation between Mu Sheng and Miao Miao before his decision would have beautifully showcased the depth of their understanding and love for each other. This could have made the moment even more impactful for viewers.

Overall, it was funny, romantic, heart-warming drama perfect for any day of relaxation or a break from life.

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Stunning VFX, Flawed Execution

This is just an initial review of this drama based on the released episodes 1-7.

Based on my first impression, the most impressive aspect of this drama was undoubtedly the VFX. It's clear they invested heavily in this area, elevating the wuxia genre. However, the cinematography, particularly the color grading, left much to be desired. The overly saturated colors, especially the blues and pinks, along with the maxed-out brightness and contrast, gave it an old-fashioned wuxia look that wasn't visually pleasing.

Despite the awesome VFX, there's an over-reliance on it during the fight sequences. While visually impressive, the VFX can be distracting. The actors often make movements where they are only standing or floating in the air, and then pointing their swords at opponents, which diminishes the impact of the actual martial arts. This imbalance between physical fighting and VFX makes the action scenes feel less engaging.

As for the characters, they were somewhat disappointing. The performances felt unnatural, from the facial expressions to the delivery of dialogue. Each character seemed overly animated, reminiscent of a live-action adaptation of a Japanese anime, with exaggerated expressions and dialogue that felt out of place and unnatural.

I'm still giving it a chance, keeping my critical eyes in check, lol. Edit: I just dropped it...

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