APrincessofMars
Ontario
This review may contain spoilers
Run Yu Steals the Show
The closest contender so far to top Peach Blossoms. Except the intended demographic felt more targeted towards teens than adults and the pacing sags significantly in the middle. Too much screen time given to uninteresting side stories. The Demon Princess's love being the worst offender.
Still, there is a lot to take-away from Ashes of Love. For one, the overall story is very compelling with sweeping world-building located in a fantasy realm to set it up. Costumes are gorgeous, as most dramas will not lack in this category and the music was not only very suitable, but lovely. You'll be happy to know this drama also does come with a happy ending, complete with a mounting emotional climax between three main characters which eventually spills over into thrilling CGI battle/grudge match, loaded with emotion.
Now, I'm told compared to the book, the two main male leads Xu Feng and Run Yu, were reversed in the drama, in terms of temperament. I haven't read the book, so it's not for me to proclaim, but after finishing I did realize something very interesting. The antagonist love rival, Run Yu/Night Immortal, was, dare I say it... more sympathetic and likable then the leading man, Xu Feng. Now this is usually very detrimental to a story, as you want to root for the hero, not the villain. In the case of Ashes of Love, I would say this fact keeps it from being 10/10.
I don't want to dump on Deng Lung's acting because this may not have been his fault, but Xu Feng's character delivery came across as mopey and inexpressive. This was probably a conscious choice to make Xu Feng more likable compared to the book, which seems to have been frosty but still proactive (a lot like his dad in the drama). By being mopey, he is less threatening than is book counterpart. The problem with this approach is any emotional acting in comparison will stand-out. And that is exactly what Leo did, as Run Yu. He was sympathetic because he emoted so much more. I cared about his plight, because he convinced me of it. Xu Feng, was like the spoiled rich kid where as Run Yu was the orphaned poor kid going through all the suffering. Who am I naturally inclined to be more sympathetic towards?
Now since this drama falls under the romance genre, I'm also most critical of it's delivery. Jin Mi and Xu Feng are a couple much like Romeo and Juliet. The romance is not compellingly deep. It's a young love, filled with passion and a little superficial. It takes a lot of time before I am convinced their love goes beyond surface level. It's also a story about learning to love, mostly from Jin Mi's perspective. Yet, from the very beginning I could never shake the notion that between Run Yu and Xu Feng, it was a first come first serve basis. Jin Mi only fell for Xu Feng because he met her first and her decision to choose him was as immovable and permanent as the gender you're born as. Poor Run Yu. Though, I can't say I think him getting Jin Mi would have been ideal either. Run Yu started with a pure heart but became increasingly more dangerous as he grew obsessive.
It's nice that this drama does end happily, with all three sharing a mutual understanding of where eachother stands. I wanted a happier ending for Run Yu but at least this drama introduced me to the wonderful actor that is, Leo Yun Xi. I would go as far as to state Ashes of Love is worth the watch, for him alone.
One last thought. It might not be worth mentioning but... was it really fair to give Sui He / Peacock Immortal the ending she got? I get it, she was the bad guy. She tries to get between Xu Feng and Jing Mi and commits many foul deeds fueled by muddled obsession to achieve that. She deserves a comeuppance. Still, as the drama is wrapping up and the overall feel is happy, out of nowhere were treated with a scene of Sui He stumbling into a den of crazy cannibalistic brothers. She was already ostracized for her actions, left to die lonely and crazy. Why was our happy ending interrupted by more kicking of her when shes down? It felt wrong. The scene was unnecessary, gross and went too far.
It's been about a year since I gave this drama a try and so much of what I'm writing about is all that stayed with me since finishing. It's not the freshest review, but it's potent with the memories that stuck out the most.
Still, there is a lot to take-away from Ashes of Love. For one, the overall story is very compelling with sweeping world-building located in a fantasy realm to set it up. Costumes are gorgeous, as most dramas will not lack in this category and the music was not only very suitable, but lovely. You'll be happy to know this drama also does come with a happy ending, complete with a mounting emotional climax between three main characters which eventually spills over into thrilling CGI battle/grudge match, loaded with emotion.
Now, I'm told compared to the book, the two main male leads Xu Feng and Run Yu, were reversed in the drama, in terms of temperament. I haven't read the book, so it's not for me to proclaim, but after finishing I did realize something very interesting. The antagonist love rival, Run Yu/Night Immortal, was, dare I say it... more sympathetic and likable then the leading man, Xu Feng. Now this is usually very detrimental to a story, as you want to root for the hero, not the villain. In the case of Ashes of Love, I would say this fact keeps it from being 10/10.
I don't want to dump on Deng Lung's acting because this may not have been his fault, but Xu Feng's character delivery came across as mopey and inexpressive. This was probably a conscious choice to make Xu Feng more likable compared to the book, which seems to have been frosty but still proactive (a lot like his dad in the drama). By being mopey, he is less threatening than is book counterpart. The problem with this approach is any emotional acting in comparison will stand-out. And that is exactly what Leo did, as Run Yu. He was sympathetic because he emoted so much more. I cared about his plight, because he convinced me of it. Xu Feng, was like the spoiled rich kid where as Run Yu was the orphaned poor kid going through all the suffering. Who am I naturally inclined to be more sympathetic towards?
Now since this drama falls under the romance genre, I'm also most critical of it's delivery. Jin Mi and Xu Feng are a couple much like Romeo and Juliet. The romance is not compellingly deep. It's a young love, filled with passion and a little superficial. It takes a lot of time before I am convinced their love goes beyond surface level. It's also a story about learning to love, mostly from Jin Mi's perspective. Yet, from the very beginning I could never shake the notion that between Run Yu and Xu Feng, it was a first come first serve basis. Jin Mi only fell for Xu Feng because he met her first and her decision to choose him was as immovable and permanent as the gender you're born as. Poor Run Yu. Though, I can't say I think him getting Jin Mi would have been ideal either. Run Yu started with a pure heart but became increasingly more dangerous as he grew obsessive.
It's nice that this drama does end happily, with all three sharing a mutual understanding of where eachother stands. I wanted a happier ending for Run Yu but at least this drama introduced me to the wonderful actor that is, Leo Yun Xi. I would go as far as to state Ashes of Love is worth the watch, for him alone.
One last thought. It might not be worth mentioning but... was it really fair to give Sui He / Peacock Immortal the ending she got? I get it, she was the bad guy. She tries to get between Xu Feng and Jing Mi and commits many foul deeds fueled by muddled obsession to achieve that. She deserves a comeuppance. Still, as the drama is wrapping up and the overall feel is happy, out of nowhere were treated with a scene of Sui He stumbling into a den of crazy cannibalistic brothers. She was already ostracized for her actions, left to die lonely and crazy. Why was our happy ending interrupted by more kicking of her when shes down? It felt wrong. The scene was unnecessary, gross and went too far.
It's been about a year since I gave this drama a try and so much of what I'm writing about is all that stayed with me since finishing. It's not the freshest review, but it's potent with the memories that stuck out the most.
Was this review helpful to you?
