Cortanaherondale

I Came for the Romance, Stayed for the Comedy

I honestly didn’t expect this show to be so funny, I went in thinking it would be more serious, but Part 1 is genuinely entertaining and humorous, and it’s such a good build-up season for what’s coming in Part 2.
Zhao Lusi is literally the queen of this drama. Part 1 feels like it’s mainly building Niao Niao’s story, and I didn’t mind that at all because she carried so hard. Even without heavy romance, she was still the most interesting part of the show. But she’s also funny and chaotic in a way that makes the show fun to watch. She is shameless and selfish. An unperfect character and I loved that.
I also love the dad — he might be my favorite character. And the brothers too, especially the sibling dynamic, but I really wish we got more interactions between them. Hopefully Part 2 gives us more of that. The grandmother is funny but sometimes annoying when she is greedy. But she adds a nice laugh to the show.
My favorite character overall though is the Emperor. He’s honestly one of the best costume drama emperors ever — so fun, so warm, and I love his relationship with Lin Buyi. It’s so unserious and cute.
Now about A’Yao and Niao Niao: I really liked the way they broke up. It was the best scenario. They were cute together and Lucy has chemistry with everyone so I didn’t mind them, but I didn’t want their breakup to become toxic. I’m so happy it ended with mutual understanding and respect, without them hating each other or him turning into a villain. She didn’t love him romantically, he loved her, and their relationship felt more like a close best-friends / older brother vibe anyway.
And honestly, Niao Niao wouldn’t work with A’Yao long-term — she’d always be protecting him while his family mistreats her, and the freedom she wants wouldn’t be there. She also wouldn’t work with Yuan Shen. I don’t hate him, but he’s too blunt and always highlights her flaws, even if he loves her. Ling Buyi is the right choice because he accepts her flaws and loves her anyway. He’ll protect her, and he doesn’t have a family that would control her, so she actually gets the freedom she wants. They’re both broken and unloved too, so it makes sense that they’ll heal and learn together.
Romance-wise, I feel like Part 1 is them learning how to love themselves first. Ling Buyi annoyed me at the start because he doesn’t even properly ask her if they want to get married. I did like how obsessed he was with her from the start, he knew he finally found his equal. People would say he is too dominating and controlling but he grew up without love, and she did too. They’re both basically kids figuring it out.
The most annoying part of the show for me was the mom. I kept trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but she’s genuinely one of the most irritating drama mothers ever. She constantly downgrades her daughter and it’s exhausting. I’m really looking forward to Niao Niao proving her wrong.
Also the girls in this drama annoyed me so much… I hate when girls bring other girls down, and there’s a LOT of that. All of them were the spitting image of their horrible mothers. Plus all of them being obsessed with Ling Buyi is so annoying because he’s literally cold and cruel to them but blame it on NN.
Overall, Part 1 is more family-focused and it’s a great foundation for Part 2. Even with the lack of romance, the scenes between Niao Niao and Ling Buyi still felt tense and electric, and I loved that. Now I just need Part 2 because I know it’s about to go crazy.

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The Scarifies of Love

After finishing the last episode, I genuinely felt like standing up and giving this show a full standing ovation. Twelve Letters completely blew me away. I had heard a lot of good things going in, but nothing prepared me for what it actually delivered.

First of all, I did not expect the fantasy element at all—and I loved that surprise. This drama blends so many genres so seamlessly: romance, family, crime, mystery, and fantasy. You’re constantly curious, constantly emotionally invested. It’s dark, yes, but beautifully so. If I had to give it a title, it would be “I sacrifice my life for yours.” That’s the heart of this story.

At its core, this is a tragic but incredibly beautiful love story. The love that grows through hardship, pain, and sacrifice feels deeper than a typical romance. They don’t just fall in love—they heal each other’s wounds. The pacing was perfect; nothing felt rushed or dragged. Every element got exactly the screen time it needed.

Now, the acting—wow. Solid, powerful performances from both leads. I already loved Zhou Yiran, but this role completely changed how I see him. After When I Fly Towards You, he was known as the ultimate green-flag good boy, but with Reborn and now Twelve Letters, he’s breaking out of that mold—and excelling. Honestly, watching him here made me feel like he was wasted in calmer roles before. This performance was heartbreaking, layered, and unforgettable. He wasn’t a perfect green flag, but he loved the way a green flag would—in his own broken, self-sacrificing way. His choice to fake his death, to stay away even after prison so he wouldn’t ruin her life… that destroyed me. He suffered silently for years just so she could be happy.

As for the female lead—this year really proved her range. From her lighter, fluffier roles earlier on to this dark, complex character, the growth is obvious. Some moments were good, but certain scenes—especially the confrontations involving her father—were outstanding. Her acting there was raw and powerful, and I’m genuinely excited to see where she goes next year.

Their chemistry was beautiful. Natural. Real. This wasn’t a soft romance—it was a romance born from darkness, from shared trauma and survival. That made it deeper, heavier, and more meaningful. He protected her because she became his family when he had none. She protected him just as fiercely. It was mutual sacrifice, and that’s what made it so special.

Story-wise, I loved the back-and-forth structure. Before even getting into the fantasy aspect, their core story already had me emotionally wrecked. The scenes of her visiting his grave every year, and him doing the same… and then finally reuniting in the afterlife—I absolutely bawled. That reunion scene broke me in the best way.

The fantasy element surprised me the most. The letters weren’t the center of the story, but they carried so much mystery. You keep questioning: are they changing the past? Or just telling and already done sorty? Until the very last moment, you hold onto hope that everything will change—and when it finally does, it’s incredibly satisfying.

The storyline involving the son and daughter was interesting too. I didn’t feel they needed more focus; they were a means to tell the story, not the focal point—and that worked. It was sad that the daughter lost her father, but I think the son lived on cause maybe he was adopted or she wasn't her son. In all cases I will move on believing fate will reunite them.

Every supporting character did an incredible job—especially the security guard, who honestly became one of my favorites. And that ending… the final letter was so poetic, so heartfelt. A perfect ending for a drama called Twelve Letters.

I also loved how the show flipped the usual sacrifice trope. We often see parents sacrificing for their children—but here, seeing a child sacrifice for a parent hit differently. The entire drama is built on sacrifice, and it commits to that theme fully.

And the OST—absolutely stunning. Perfectly tailored to the story, setting the tone and amplifying every emotion. One of the best OST integrations I’ve seen.

I can confidently say this is one of the best dramas of 2025. It’s dark, emotional, beautifully made, and short enough to stay tight and impactful. The balance between darkness and light was just right. It’s a heavy emotional ride—but 100% worth it.

So beautiful. So painful. So unforgettable.

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The only form of amnesia acceptable

This show was honestly something different from all the other historical dramas I’ve watched. It’s the first time I’ve seen a Chinese historical drama that blends fantasy elements so well — and I loved that. The fantasy aspect wasn’t the main focus, but you could definitely feel that touch of the immortal realm throughout the story. It added depth without overpowering the main plot, which I really appreciated. The balance between romance, story, and a hint of the supernatural was just perfect.

If you like fantasy elements but still love that traditional historical xianxia vibe, this drama is such a good mix of both.

Now let’s talk about the star of the show — Cheng Lei’s acting. Honestly, he was phenomenal. The way he portrayed three completely different characters, each with distinct personalities, was beyond impressive. I don’t know how someone can be that talented! His performance as Prince Annan was especially to die for. Even though the character was dark and cold after losing his memories, I still loved him. He played that cruel yet captivating prince so well.

And don’t even get me started on him as the Man in Black. Every time he appeared on screen, I was screaming — he looked incredible. The costume, the blue paint, the face mask, the white hair — everything was just perfect. The transformation scenes reminded me of Moon Knight suiting up, and it was just so good. Plus, every time Liu Yuning’s OST played when he appeared, it gave me chills. The song fit those scenes perfectly.

Honestly, I don’t think the show would have worked as well with anyone else in the lead. Cheng Lei’s facial expressions and eye acting were next-level — his eyes alone can tell a whole story. His face card truly never declines.

I was a bit nervous to start Shadow Love after watching Legend of the Female General because I adored that drama, and I wasn’t over that couple yet 😭. But even though I missed them, this new pairing was gentle and nice. The chemistry between the leads was natural — they suited each other.

Now, about Song Yi’s character: I wasn’t sure if I could see her as a general because she’s so cute and feminine. She’s absolutely gorgeous and her acting is excellent — even though she felt a bit too gentle for the “general” type, she made it her own.

The storyline overall was smooth. There were a few dragging moments in the middle, but the last ten episodes completely redeemed everything. When Cheng Lei’s character lost his memories and became the prince again, the show regained that excitement. I was also thrilled that the Man in Black returned in the finale — those scenes gave me life.

The ending was perfect. It didn’t feel rushed, and every character’s arc wrapped up beautifully. Everyone got the closure they deserved, and we got our happy ending. I love when a show takes the time to finish things properly.

One thing I didn’t like, though, was the Su Muyang’a character. He reminded me so much of the guy from Kill Me, Love Me — almost the same storyline! At least this time he redeemed himself somewhat. Still, the actor is so good (and his face card = chef’s kiss), so I hope he gets roles where he can truly shine instead of always being the villain.

For once, I didn’t even mind the amnesia plot! Usually I hate that trope, but here it made sense and added layers to the story. Each time he lost his memory, he became a completely new and fascinating character, which was honestly amazing.

Overall, Shadow Love blew me away, especially in the last ten episodes. The pacing, the writing, the acting — everything came together perfectly. It’s rare to see a historical fantasy drama wrap up so strongly instead of dragging or rushing at the end.

If you’re into a blend of romance, war, fantasy, and stunning visuals, with powerful acting and emotional depth — this drama is for you.

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A Thrilling Mystery That Outsmarts Its Romance

If you’re looking for a romance show, this is not where you should go. But if you’re after an exciting, twist-filled, and thrilling series — this is definitely it.

At first, I had mixed feelings halfway through the show. I’d read comments saying the first part was amazing and the second half wasn’t as good, but for me, it was actually the opposite — and I’m so glad I pushed through.

I’m a huge WXY fan, so I started watching mainly because of him. However, in the first part, I was a bit disappointed since he was sick for most of it, so we didn’t really get to see him in action. Because of that, he didn’t shine as much at first — other characters carried things while he was recovering.

For me, the one who truly stood out early on was Coroner Feng. I loved his character — he’s smart, funny, compassionate, and his development was so well done. I also loved Tong… well, that was before the second part of the show made me take back all my tears for him! Still, if someone ate my dog, I’d probably turn into a villain too, so fair enough.

Honestly, the main star of this show is the writing. You can’t carry a story with just one central mystery all the way through — but somehow, they managed to do it perfectly. There were no unnecessary side plots, and it still never felt boring. The pacing was just right, and everything fit together like pieces of a puzzle. My only complaint was that they dragged the whole “Beiming being poisoned” part a bit too long, but aside from that, it was solid.

Now, I have to say — I was kind of disappointed by the lack of romance. I expected at least some chemistry or emotional tension, especially since the trailer hinted at a wedding and made it seem like an enemies-to-lovers setup. But there was basically nothing. No tension, no spark — just friendship. In fact, I think the real theme of this show is friendship rather than romance, and I actually ended up loving that aspect.

The bromance was fantastic — especially after Zhuge joined the group. Their dynamic was gold.

As for the twist — was I surprised Tong turned out to be the villain? Absolutely. He was right under our noses the whole time, and I never suspected him, not even once.

Everything wrapped up beautifully in the end. If you’re looking for a captivating thriller full of mystery, suspense, and clever writing — this show is for you. The underground cave scenes were especially stunning.

The only thing that fell short for me was the costuming — especially Beiming’s outfits, which looked a bit too plain or ragged. I understand it fit his character, but it still felt underwhelming compared to everything else. On the bright side, the hairstyling was excellent, and the acting (especially WXY’s) was incredible.

I honestly didn’t expect to finish with such a high rating, especially since I wasn’t that impressed halfway through. But by the end, I can confidently say — this show is worth the watch. WXY never disappoints.

Also OSTs were on point: Who doesn’t love a Liu Yuning OST.

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Growing Up Rarely Goes According to Plan

I went into Always Home expecting something along the lines of When I Fly Towards You mixed with Go Ahead. In a way, it does feel like a child of those two dramas, so I expected a sweet, fairly typical youth story about friendship, school, and first love. What I didn’t expect was just how real it would feel.

Honestly, this might be one of the most realistic youth dramas I’ve watched.

What I loved most is that the drama never feels like it’s creating situations simply because it needs drama. Instead, it feels like we’re watching a group of ordinary people grow up. Their lives aren’t extraordinary. Their dreams don’t magically work out. Their relationships are messy. They make questionable decisions, change directions, disappoint themselves, and slowly realize that adulthood looks very different from what they imagined when they were younger.

Watching this after already finishing university and entering the corporate world made it especially nostalgic for me. There were so many moments where I found myself thinking, this is actually what growing up feels like.

The heart of the drama for me was definitely the friendship, particularly between Chen Huan’er, Jing Qichi, and Song Cong. I loved their dynamic and genuinely enjoyed watching them grow up together. At the same time, I actually wish the drama had leaned even harder into their friendship. Their bond was always there, but I wanted it to feel even more airtight. I wanted more moments that really emphasized how deeply connected they were.

But even that criticism circles back to what the drama does best: realism. Friendships don’t remain exactly the same from high school to university to adulthood. People get busy, move in different directions, fall in love, pursue careers, and develop lives outside their childhood friends. So while part of me wanted that perfect, inseparable youth-drama friendship, I understand why Always Home chose something more grounded.

My biggest problem was actually the romance—or should I say the love triangle, square, pentagon, whatever that situation was.

It was messy.

There were so many overlapping feelings and crushes, especially earlier in the drama, that I sometimes wished they would stop focusing on who liked whom and simply let these characters be friends. It felt unnecessary, particularly because eventually everyone finds the person they are actually supposed to be with anyway, while almost nobody ends up with the person they originally liked.

Ironically, though, even this was realistic. High school crushes ARE messy. People like the wrong person. Your friend likes someone who likes somebody else. Feelings change. Looking back, school really was full of these ridiculous relationship diagrams. So I can’t even say it was unrealistic—I just personally didn’t enjoy how much attention it received.

I also struggled somewhat with the college portion. This was probably the part where I became the most bored and started fast-forwarding. Their college lives and individual storylines simply weren’t as interesting to me as their younger years. The drama is already very slow-burn, so once I became less invested in that stage of their lives, I definitely felt the pacing.

The romance itself was nice once everything settled down, and the cast had great chemistry with one another, but romance was never the reason I cared about this drama. For me, Always Home works much better as a story about friendship, family, youth, dreams, failure, and growing up.

And I loved how differently it approached its characters.

Chen Huan’er, for example, was refreshing because she doesn’t begin the story with some enormous dream she is determined to achieve. She is simply trying to figure herself out. That felt incredibly relatable. Not everyone is seventeen years old knowing exactly what they want to do for the rest of their life. Some people are just… figuring it out.

I loved her personality too, although one thing that genuinely annoyed me was how little her character seemed to change over the roughly ten years covered by the story. I wish we had seen more obvious maturity and development from her because there were moments where she felt almost exactly the same despite so much time having passed.

Then there’s Jing Qichi, whom I really enjoyed because he isn’t the stereotypical cold youth-drama male lead. Instead, he’s energetic, mischievous, playful, a little troublesome, and incredibly alive. That made him so much more fun to watch.

His story also represents one of the things I respected most about this drama.

He dreams of becoming a football player.

And he doesn’t.

That genuinely broke my heart, but I also loved that the drama had the courage to do it.

Not everyone achieves their childhood dream. Sometimes you can love something, work incredibly hard for it, and still fail. Sometimes circumstances change. Sometimes your body, your family, money, timing, or simply life itself takes you somewhere else.

And then you become something else.

Even when Jing Qichi enters the working world, the drama doesn’t suddenly bend reality around him. The company doesn’t magically change its rules because he’s the protagonist. Life continues being life, and he has to adapt to it.

I found that incredibly refreshing.

Song Cong’s journey was another storyline I really appreciated. He grows up accustomed to being the best—the person at the top—and eventually has to confront the reality that he cannot always be number one. He does pursue his dream, unlike Jing Qichi, but even achieving what you thought you wanted doesn’t automatically answer the question of whether you have fulfilled your purpose in life.

I loved that contrast between them.

One character I personally could not connect with, though, was Qi Qi. She was easily my least favorite character. I found her selfish, bratty, and honestly quite annoying, and I never became particularly invested in her storyline. I also wasn’t especially convinced by her relationship with Song Cong.

But once again, somehow even my dislike for her fits into what I appreciate about this drama.

People like Qi Qi exist.

Not every person you grow up with is going to be perfectly likable or have beautiful character development. Some people are frustrating. Some people are selfish. Some people make choices you don’t understand. Always Home allows its characters to be imperfect in ways that sometimes genuinely annoyed me, but that imperfection is also part of why the world feels believable.

I also really enjoyed the older generation. The relationships between the mothers and fathers, their friendships, their dynamics with their children, and the way the families were connected added so much warmth to the story. It gave the drama that feeling of watching not simply a group of teenagers, but an entire little community growing and changing together.

And then we get to the ending.

I absolutely loved the final episode.

For all my complaints about the romantic messiness and wishing the friendship had received even more focus, the finale reminded me what this drama had actually been about all along.

It wasn’t really about who ended up dating whom.

It was about youth.

The final sequence, especially the characters speaking to and giving advice to their younger selves, genuinely made me teary. There was something so bittersweet about watching these adults look back at the versions of themselves who had all these dreams, fears, expectations, and assumptions about what their lives would eventually become.

Some dreams came true.

Some didn’t.

Some people followed their own path. Others followed what their parents wanted before eventually finding themselves. Some relationships lasted. Others changed. Some people achieved exactly what they wanted and still wondered whether it was enough.

And life continued anyway.

That was such a beautiful way to conclude this particular story because Always Home never needed some enormous dramatic message. At its core, it really is just a story about a group of people growing up.

And maybe that’s why it hit me as hard as it did.

There is something incredibly nostalgic about watching Always Home as an adult because it reminds you of that period when your entire life was still ahead of you and you genuinely believed you knew where it was going. Then you grow up and realize that life rarely follows the plan you made for it at seventeen.

I definitely had issues with the drama. The love pentagon was exhausting, I wish the friendship had received even more attention, the college portion bored me enough that I fast-forwarded through parts of it, and some character choices frustrated me. It is also very much a slow-burn drama, so I wouldn’t recommend going into it expecting constant plot developments or a romance-heavy story.

But despite all of that, I genuinely enjoyed it.

The performances were wonderful, the cast had great chemistry, the family relationships were heartwarming, and the story left a surprisingly strong impression on me.

Always Home doesn’t tell you that everyone will achieve their dreams.

It doesn’t tell you that your first love will be your last.

It doesn’t tell you that your friendships will remain exactly the same forever.

It simply tells you that you will grow up.

You’ll change. You’ll fail at some things and succeed at others. You’ll lose dreams you once thought defined you and discover new paths you never planned for. The people beside you will grow too, sometimes closer to you and sometimes in completely different directions.

And eventually, you’ll look back at the person you used to be with a strange mixture of affection, embarrassment, sadness, and nostalgia.

That’s what Always Home captured so beautifully for me.

It’s messy, slow, imperfect, incredibly heartwarming, and probably one of the most realistic portrayals of youth I’ve watched.

And somehow, its imperfections make it feel even more real.

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It’s Really Good—But It Could’ve Been Incredible

I honestly agree with the general opinion that this show had so much wasted potential. And that’s what makes it frustrating—because it’s actually a good drama. I would still recommend it and say it’s worth watching, but I don’t fully understand the level of hate it gets. I feel like a lot of people who dropped it early (like within the first 5–10 episodes) are the ones who ended up disliking it. This is definitely one of those shows that gets better the more you watch.

The biggest issue is the beginning. The first episode is insanely overwhelming—probably one of the most crowded premieres I’ve ever seen. It feels like they threw everything at you all at once. Within the first episode (and honestly the first few episodes), you’re introduced to 20–30 important characters, expected to remember their names, understand their roles, and follow the plot at the same time. It’s just too much information too quickly. The show does live up to its title—“generation to generation”—with multiple generations and interconnected characters, but the way it’s introduced is messy and confusing.

That’s really the core problem of the drama: the execution. The story itself is strong, interesting, and has a lot of emotional pull—it does make you want to keep watching. But the storytelling? Not great. It’s messy, poorly paced, and sometimes just not engaging enough. The editing especially is rough. You get moments of beautiful cinematography, then suddenly very choppy transitions or scenes that feel out of place or even ridiculous. It’s inconsistent, and it really holds the show back from being something amazing.

The relationship is another mixed point. The leads had amazing chemistry—honestly, they carried the show. They looked great together, acted well together, and had that natural compatibility that makes you want to root for them. But the writing didn’t do them justice. Their relationship felt very push-and-pull, but not in a satisfying way. She forgives him too easily, he keeps using her or keeping her in the dark, and somehow every time they meet, it’s like nothing ever happened. There’s no real emotional consequence. I also felt like their relationship was never clearly defined, which made it frustrating to follow. I really wish the show had explored them more deeply instead of just giving us scattered moments.

That said, I did like how much the people around her cared for her—that was actually really nice to see. And I liked the second male lead as well. The cast overall felt very fresh, with a lot of new faces. Some were really impressive and I’d love to see more of them, while others were just okay. But the youthful energy of the cast definitely added something to the show.

Visually, there were some strong points. The costumes were beautiful and sometimes quite unique, and certain scenes had really nice cinematography. And Zhou Yiran—this was my first time seeing him in a historical drama, and he really suits it. He looked amazing, and you can tell a lot of people noticed that too. His styling was great (even if those two random flying hair strands showed up way too often… seriously, what was that). As for the female lead, Bao she was very cute and did a good job. I personally prefer her in softer roles, but she still worked here and matched well with him.

There are definitely flaws beyond the structure too. Some acting wasn’t the strongest, some scenes felt unnecessary or over-the-top, and certain plot justifications—like everything being done “for Pingshu”—weren’t convincing. It felt like they leaned too heavily on that excuse.

Despite all that, I still think the show is worth watching. Once you get past the first 5–6 episodes (which you really have to push through), it becomes a much easier and smoother watch. The episodes go by quickly, and the chemistry between the leads keeps you invested. It turns into something light and bingeable, even if it never fully reaches its potential.

At the end of the day, it’s frustrating because this could have been so much better. With stronger direction, better editing, and more focused storytelling, it could have been incredible. Instead, it’s a good drama with great moments, carried heavily by its cast and central couple—but still very much a missed opportunity.

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Pretty and emotional, but not very gripping

a nice show overall, but honestly it felt like it lacked a clear plot. The whole time I was watching, I kept wondering what the actual endgame was supposed to be. The concept itself is interesting—an immortal and a Spirit Lord—but the execution didn’t feel strong enough to keep me hooked. It wasn’t boring, but it also didn’t feel gripping. A lot of things were happening, yet it somehow felt like nothing was really happening. It felt more like narration than actual progression, and I never got that feeling that made me want to keep coming back for more.

The first half of the show felt especially slow. It leaned more into a fluffy and light tone, which was fun at times, but it made the central storyline feel weak. The whole “senses” plotline didn’t feel strong enough to carry the entire drama. The show only really picked up toward the end, where things became more action-heavy and exciting. I actually found the last part much more interesting because you could finally see things moving and progressing. It did feel like everything important was pushed into the final episodes, which made the earlier part drag in comparison.

That being said, the drama was still enjoyable. It had humor, it was a bit bittersweet, and it had some emotional moments that worked really well. It just didn’t have that strong, addictive quality or that memorability that makes a drama stand out.

Dilraba really carried the show for me. She was absolutely stunning, and her presence fit the character perfectly. She balanced the softer, more playful side and the cold, powerful Spirit Lord side really well. Her styling, costumes, hair, and overall look were incredible, and you can tell there was a lot of effort put into her appearance. Acting-wise, she was great, but I didn’t like how her character was written. The shift between her when she had her senses and when she didn’t felt too extreme, almost like two completely different people, which made her feel inconsistent at times.

Arthur Chen, in my opinion, can act, and I don’t really agree with people who say he can’t. He has presence and he delivers in emotional scenes. However, I did have an issue with his styling, especially the wigs. Most of them just didn’t suit him and honestly took me out of the scenes. He looked much better in armor, and I actually think he fits general roles really well because he has that strong aura. But in regular outfits, it didn’t always work for him. As for his character, I didn’t fully connect with his love for her. It felt like he fell for her too easily, and I never really understood why he loved her so deeply. It made the romance feel less impactful for me.

The chemistry between them was nice, but not something I’d call memorable. Some scenes were done really well, and you could feel the connection, but overall it didn’t fully convince me. Part of that might be the dynamic itself—she’s supposed to be centuries old, while he feels much younger—and it didn’t always come across with the depth it should have.

Miles Wei was really good as a villain, as expected. He always does a great job making you hate him, which just shows how good he is. My only issue was the dubbing because his voice didn’t match him at all, and it was very noticeable. It kind of took me out of his scenes. The rest of the cast did a great job as well, especially the child actor Chen Ying, who always delivers emotionally. His storyline was heartbreaking, and I really liked his end arc. Fang’s storyline was also very sad, especially everything he sacrificed, and the side characters overall added a lot to the drama.

Production-wise, the drama was beautiful. The cinematography, CGI, and fight scenes were all really well done, both in the mortal world and the spiritual world. The fight scenes especially stood out to me. You can clearly see the budget in the costumes and overall visuals. Everything looked polished and high quality. The OST was also amazing, and Liu Yuning, as always, did a great job.

As for the ending, I have mixed feelings, but I did enjoy it. I liked both versions of the ending, whether he stayed as a spirit with her or she became immortal. Personally, I preferred her becoming mortal because it felt more meaningful for her character and her dream. The last episode was very emotional, and I definitely cried, especially during his death and seeing her constantly losing the people she loves. His final act of giving her all the senses so she could live the moment fully, even at the cost of his life, was really beautiful and one of the stronger emotional moments in the show.

Overall, it’s a good drama, but it doesn’t bring anything new or particularly memorable. It’s softer than typical xianxia dramas and not very dark or intense. I would still recommend it, especially if you like emotional stories and strong visuals, but I wouldn’t go into it expecting a very strong or gripping plot. It’s more of a relaxed watch that you can enjoy without thinking too deeply about it.

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A Warm, Melancholic Story About Fate and Young Love

First Love is such a beautiful story about fate, first love, and how life doesn’t always go the way we expect it to. What I loved most about this drama is that it isn’t just a romance. It’s also very much about life itself—about hardships, missed chances, and the unpredictable paths people take.

Despite everything the characters go through, I really appreciated that in the end both of them achieve their dreams. I was honestly hoping for that outcome, and it made the whole journey feel meaningful.

The show feels like a warm hug. Even though it’s full of obstacles, separation, and sad moments, there’s something incredibly comforting about it. It has that cozy feeling where you just want to sit with a cup of tea on a rainy day and watch it slowly unfold. It’s melodramatic, yes, but in a very gentle, reflective way.

Both actors did an incredible job. The performances were amazing across the board, especially with the younger and older versions of the characters. They really captured the emotions of the story beautifully.

The cinematography is another highlight. The way the show is shot is stunning—it often feels more like a movie than a series. Everything has this soft, melancholic tone that fits the story perfectly. Since the drama is inspired by a song, it actually feels like watching a song come to life, which I thought was really beautiful.

That said, the second couple didn’t interest me very much. Her child’s storyline was more interesting than the couple itself, and the pair involving Yutaka didn’t really leave much of an impression on me.

The only aspect I didn’t enjoy was the situation with the girlfriend. It felt like the male lead was emotionally cheating with the female lead while still being with her, and he never properly ended that relationship. I actually liked him with the girlfriend too, which made the situation feel unfair to her.

The characters can also feel a bit inconsistent at times—sometimes they’re very talkative and extroverted, and other times suddenly very withdrawn. I also wish we had gotten more time seeing the main couple actually being together. Since the entire show revolves around them, it would have been nice to get another episode of them traveling together or simply rediscovering their relationship.

One thing the drama does very well is the timeline shifts. The transitions between the past and present are smooth and easy to follow, never confusing.

Overall, I would definitely recommend First Love, but it’s not a very eventful drama. It’s more on the calm, reflective side—a quiet story about life, love, separation, and how one moment can change the direction of so many lives.

It’s the kind of show you watch when you want something soft, emotional, and comforting.

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Not a Great Drama, But a Really Enjoyable One

The Main character imo is BAKA (Idiot). The ML has absolutely zero romantic skills, yet the actor carries the role with so much charisma that it somehow works. What could have easily become an annoying character instead becomes entertaining because of how well the actor leans into that awkwardness and charm.

The female lead also does a great job portraying her character. I did find quite a few aspects of her personality a bit annoying at times, but the actress really commits to the role and sells the character well. Even when the writing makes her frustrating, the performance keeps her likable enough.

One thing I didn’t love was how love-driven the story was from the start. I wish the drama had taken a bit more time building things before jumping straight into that dynamic.

That said, the chemistry between the leads is really strong. A lot of it comes from the male lead’s screen presence — he creates this constant tension that makes their interactions fun to watch.

The show definitely has its fair share of cringe scenes, but strangely that’s part of its charm. It’s a refreshing drama that moves quickly and gets straight to the point, which works well given its short runtime.

The second couple, however, adds almost nothing. Their storyline felt unnecessary, and I honestly think the drama would have been stronger if it had focused more on developing the main couple’s relationship instead.

Is this a rational or particularly well-written J-drama? Not really. The writing can be pretty “meh.” But despite that, I still found it very enjoyable and genuinely funny.

I also wouldn’t really classify it as a medical drama — the hospital setting feels more like a backdrop for the romance.

For a 10-episode series, it works well as a quick watch. That said, I actually think it could have been even better as a longer drama, with more time to develop the characters and the romance properly.

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A Drama Full of Battles, But No Sparks

I don’t think I’ve ever had such mixed feelings about a drama. It’s definitely not a show I would normally choose if I just had extra time, and honestly, if I had known what I was getting into, I might’ve skipped it. The only reason I even started it was because of Yuxi — if someone else were the ML, I probably never would’ve pressed play.

Before watching, I saw so many harsh comments that I expected this drama to be a disaster. Surprisingly, it wasn’t. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t the train wreck people made it out to be. The story itself is decent, and the main couple isn’t bad — I just genuinely felt nothing for them. And it wasn’t only Victoria and Yuxi; I couldn’t connect to any of the couples. Individually, I liked all the characters, but together… the chemistry simply wasn’t there.

What I did enjoy was the friendship dynamic. The group interactions, the sibling bonds — whether it was the Wei family, the Song family, or the Chu family — all those family and brotherhood moments were actually beautiful. That sense of unity and loyalty was my favorite part.

My issue is that the romance dragged on forever without going anywhere. They stretched the “will they/won’t they” to the point where it felt unnecessary. This show easily could’ve been 30 episodes instead of how long it was. There were definitely filler episodes. Oddly enough, the last five episodes were actually the best.

Surprisingly, my favorite couple ended up being the princess and Han Mei — toxic, yes, but they had tension, energy, and something that made me actually feel something.

Would I recommend this? I genuinely don’t know. It’s not bad, but I also think I went in focusing too much on the negative because of all the hate I saw beforehand. Once I actually watched it, I realized it wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone said. The plot has good points, but the writing is far from perfect.

One thing that disappointed me was Yun’s character. His arc lacked depth, and although people said he didn’t have enough screen time, I didn’t feel that — he was present, but he didn’t shine. He had so much potential, and yet the show didn’t give him the growth or focus he deserved.

I genuinely feel that his story should’ve been stronger than hers. His revenge, his ambitions, his backstory — everything was deeper and had more emotional weight. He should’ve been the center, but instead the focus shifted heavily toward her, and it weakened the narrative.

And I hate saying this, but visually and character-wise, the main couple just didn’t match. It wasn’t even the age gap — it was the way they were styled and written. He looked and acted very young and playful throughout the entire drama, while she carried a mature, grounded presence from the beginning. They felt mismatched in energy, tone, and overall vibe.

Could I have lived perfectly fine without watching this drama? Yes.

Fight for Love — but honestly, I’m still fighting to understand where the love is. I didn’t feel romance from anyone. The story carried itself more than the relationships did, and even then, I wasn’t fully convinced by the overall storyline.

As for the war scenes — I usually adore military strategy, but here there was zero logic. The production value was clearly high, but the writing behind the battles made no sense. Beautiful visuals, no strategy.

Still I was entertained nonetheless.

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My Journey to You will never end with you.

How can a show drop from a solid 10 to such a disappointment so fast? I was wondering why this drama wasn’t more widely praised — and then I reached the ending. Honestly, the ending completely ruined it for me.
The way a show ends really shapes how you remember it as a whole. And I’ve never seen such a bad ending in a C-drama. It wasn’t open-ended, it wasn’t sad, it wasn’t happy — it was just nothing. They were definitely planning for a second season — that’s the only explanation. But knowing the Chinese drama industry, why would the director do that? Usually, if a second season is already guaranteed, they can leave a cliffhanger. But if it’s not certain, why make the audience go through all that and then just make us suffer?
It started off so good. I loved it up until the last few minutes — and then they completely ruined it. How can a show screw things up in the last 10 minutes? It’s beyond me. I wanted to talk about all the good things, but everything is overshadowed by the terrible ending. It was so unnecessary.
Up until the last 10 minutes, I absolutely loved the show. It was incredible, but they somehow managed to destroy everything in those final moments. The 2nd FL suddenly gave up her revenge — for no real reason. The ending confrontation was weak and unsatisfying. She was apparently pregnant, which made no sense given the lack of trust and intimacy between them. And she was okay with him stealing back the tablet? None of it added up.
Still, up to episode 23, the show was remarkable. If you watch until the middle of episode 24, I’d actually recommend it. But finishing it to the end? I wouldn’t.
The true heart of this show was Cheng Lei. His performance was breathtaking — I’ve never seen him play a character like this, and he absolutely shined. Honestly, he outshined Zhang Ling He, though that’s partly because Cheng Lei’s character was written with more depth and strength. Zhang Ling He’s role felt weaker, almost incompetent at times — he didn’t really feel like someone deserving of being the sword wielder and Shangjue was the best candidate..
Gong Shang Jue was incredible — smart, hardworking, intense — and Cheng Lei brought him to life perfectly. I loved every scene he was in. His love story was also fascinating, though the ending ruined that too. It would’ve been better if it ended tragically than just… emptily.
Yu Xiao also delivered an amazing performance. I already liked her before, but this role really made me appreciate her versatility. The second lead couple actually had better tension and chemistry than the main leads.
One of my favorite parts was the brotherly relationship between the Jue brothers — so touching and beautifully written. I was scared one of them would die, but thankfully, that didn’t happen. This was my first time watching TJR, and he nailed his character. He was intense, a little psycho, but so captivating to watch.
As for Esther Yu, this is probably my favorite role of hers. I usually find her overly cutesy roles annoying because of her quirky voice, but here she struck the perfect balance. She was amazing. However Yun’s character was so mysterious to the end that you don’t find your self caring about her. She felt more like a supporting character for Ziyu to become the Sword Wielder than her own story. I guess they were planning to discover her story in the next season but yeah we aren’t getting that no more.
The entire cast did a phenomenal job — even the cameos. Joseph Zeng was the cherry on top, and Jin Fan was a total standout too.
Visually, this drama was stunning. The cinematography, costumes, and OSTs were all top-tier — some of the best I’ve seen in a Chinese drama. It had a dark, intriguing tone that kept me hooked. I loved that about it.
That said, the plot was sometimes confusing and hard to follow. Many characters were unreadable — it was difficult to tell who was lying or telling the truth. That constant ambiguity became exhausting after a while. The show doesn’t really focus on the leads but all the cast. I love the fac that gives all the cast to shine as everyone had a story. But it made things hard to follow up at times and the webs kept getting tangled.
Would I recommend it?
Yes — but only up to episode 23. Beyond that, it’s pure frustration. They didn’t even wrap up the Wufeng storyline, which was disappointing. It honestly felt like they should’ve done it as 40 episodes and finished it properly.
Do I regret watching it? No. Because I got to see Cheng Lei’s performance — and that alone made the journey worth it.
I also read somewhere that Yun might’ve known her identity all along, being related to the master’s family, and that she planned to leave from the start. Honestly, I’d rather believe that was the real ending — it would’ve made much more intrigue than what we got.
Despite the disappointing ending, My Journey to You remains a beautiful, memorable drama. It’s worth watching for the performances, visuals, and emotions — just be prepared that the journey ends before it feels complete.

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Love, War, and Two Generals

ally, I’m scared to start a show that is that I have been anticipating for so long and there has been so much hype about it afraid to disappoint, but this show did not disappoint me. It was such a good drama. It was exactly what I felt like expected it to be the chemistry between that the couple was amazing. I always love a general character, but having 2 generals was amazing the first half of the show before he found out her identity. I love the female leads character personality. She was so strong headed about what she wanted and I loved her fighting scene. I its my first time watching Cheng Lei, and he is an incredible incredible actor his that I love an actor who acts with his eyes the moment he fell in love with her. You could just see it in his eyes and his acting goes amazing. He was he made me fall in love with us about the drama. I love the scenes of the war and the fighting it was so coordinated between the the Leeds and I love that they had each other‘s backs and for the main part I love that there was no misunderstandings and they were able to like tell each other stuff the scene she confesses that I love the moon was one of the best moments however the whole show was great. The base was a great the suspense was there the episodes where they were fights and stuff they was they were so hike, well-made, and packed. I love a lot of all of the characters almost however, the last three episodes were a huge Miss whoever wrote them should be sued because the show it took it like such a dramatic shift the good guy that he had Mr. Chu had the potential to be a good character, but they they screwed that up. I made him evil and unnecessary and also killing Han Ye was the most unnecessary death in history. He wasn’t even the main character. His death wasn’t important. He shouldn’t killed him very wrong and the whole wedding situation being canceled was also unnecessary. They could’ve just ended the show at episode like 33 with a wedding and it would’ve been perfect. Those three episodes were so useless. It lost so much points because of this, but other than that I would definitely recommend it for people who like to watch like an action war kind of show the couple were so worth it amazing chemistry very nice to make a confession scenes and fighting scenes

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A Beautiful, Heartbreaking Fantasy Masterpiece

Where do I even start with such a masterpiece?

Honestly, this is probably one of my favorite fantasy shows I’ve ever watched. If I had watched it in 2024, it most probably would have been one of my favorites of that year. What a freaking masterpiece.

I genuinely think it sets the bar incredibly high for fantasy shows because it is just so well made. From the beginning, the storyline immediately grips you—a demon and a demon hunter joining hands? Such an interesting premise.

But what really makes this show special to me is that it’s a story of stories. It isn’t only about the main characters; it genuinely feels like a journey. As they search for a way to protect the wilderness, they encounter so many different people and stories, and through them, the drama constantly reminds us that the real demons aren’t always demons—sometimes, they’re humans. Nobody is simply born evil; pain, betrayal, circumstances, and choices can turn someone into it.

That depth captivated me. This wasn’t fantasy just for the sake of supernatural entertainment. There was so much meaning behind everything, and the drama built itself as much through its characters as through its plot. Every encounter and side story added something, and by the end, you become genuinely attached to these people.

Watching it now in 2026 was also fun because I kept recognizing actors who have since become much more well known or gone on to lead their own dramas. I genuinely loved all the familiar faces and cameos—seeing Cheng Lei, Ryan, Lei Wei Ming, and so many other familiar actors pop up randomly was such a treat. It honestly made the world feel even more alive, like every corner of the industry was somehow connected in this one story.

And something I absolutely did NOT expect?

THE COMEDY.

What the hell? Where did this comedy come from?!

For something so dark and tragic, this show was ridiculously funny. I was laughing my ass off. Sometimes it was genuinely funnier than actual comedy dramas. I loved how you could have an incredibly serious scene, with the music building up and everything becoming dramatic, only for someone to suddenly throw in a sarcastic comment.

Especially Bai Jiu, Zhuo Yichen, and Ying Lei. Those three were hilarious.

It’s crazy that a drama could traumatize me this much while simultaneously being one of the funniest things I’ve watched. But the humor never diminished the emotional depth; it just gave you room to breathe between all the pain.

Zhao Yuanzhou

Obviously, I have to talk about Zhao Yuanzhou.

Can we please appreciate how amazing Hou Minghao is as an actor? He completely convinced me as this ancient demon while simultaneously being sarcastic, witty, hilarious, manipulative, powerful, and surprisingly soft.

I loved everything about Zhao Yuanzhou—from the witty remarks and all the gay shit to the subtle romantic moments and his chemistry with basically everyone.

What made him so heartbreaking was that he never chose this life. From practically the first episode, he wanted to seek death just to end the misery of his existence. He spent his life wanting to be good, but because of the malicious energy inside him, he could become the exact thing he never wanted to be.

He was born a demon, yet all he wanted was to live like a human, and he was never really given that choice.

Hou Minghao also genuinely gave me the feeling that I was watching an ancient, 30,000-year-old demon. His styling was perfect, but it was also the way he carried himself. And I loved that Zhao Yuanzhou wasn’t simply written as some cute, lovable demon. He could be manipulative and calculating. He always had a plan, even when nobody else knew what it was.

I loved his depth and the fact that he was constantly trying to protect everyone, even when they misunderstood him. His character genuinely broke my heart.

What hurts even more is that toward the end, he finally starts believing that maybe life actually is worth living. Being with these people made him want to stay. He had finally found people who made living feel okay—and then he had no choice but to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

It’s heartbreaking, but also a beautiful conclusion to his story after all the guilt he carried.

Thankfully, the special episode makes it bittersweet rather than completely devastating because we know he can eventually return after cultivating again. Hopefully, he gets to come back as a human this time because that is what he deserves.

This is easily one of my favorite performances from Hou Minghao. His acting, storyline, fight scenes, and the depth he brought to Zhao Yuanzhou were incredible.

Zhuo Yichen — and THAT Dynamic

Technically, I should probably talk about the female lead next, but to me, someone who became much more important was definitely Zhuo Yichen.

I was NOT expecting that.

I already love Tian Jiarui, but this might genuinely be my favorite character of his. I love that cold, powerful, determined type of character, and Zhuo Yichen had some of the best development in the entire show.

Especially because, in the end, he became a demon.

Making him become the exact thing he hated the most was such a great plot twist. He spent so much of the story hating demons only to become one himself and finally understand their perspective.

Also, whoever styled Tian Jiarui was clearly obsessed with him because OH MY GOD. The hair, outfits, makeup—everything was incredible. Even when he appeared as that past version connected to the Bingyi clan, he looked ethereal.

But one of my absolute favorite things about this entire drama was his relationship with Zhao Yuanzhou.

The writers took Zhuo Yichen from seeing Zhao Yuanzhou as his enemy to becoming one of the few people who truly understood him. I loved that they actually put Zhuo Yichen through a situation where he experienced what Zhao Yuanzhou had experienced: losing control and becoming the very thing everyone fears.

And can we PLEASE talk about their chemistry?

I don’t even know what kind of chemistry it was anymore. Bromance? Soulmates? Whatever you want to call it, Hou Minghao and Tian Jiarui had SO MUCH chemistry.

For me, they became the emotional focal point of the show.

Toward the end, I cared far more about this relationship than the romance. Zhuo Yichen literally travelled around searching for the remaining piece of Zhao Yuanzhou’s soul—and then that piece of his soul came to him. Not her. HIM.

I genuinely cannot shut up about these two.

Honestly, Li Lun sometimes gave me the energy of a heartbroken ex watching Zhao Yuanzhou become close to another man and going, “But I was your friend too?!”

Their enemies-to-friends arc was amazing. They went from opposing each other to reaching a point where they would sacrifice themselves for one another, and in the end Zhao Yuanzhou literally died by Zhuo Yichen’s sword.

Like… what even IS this relationship?!

Their chemistry, character development, symbolism, and the way their stories mirrored one another were beautifully written.

The Romance & Female Characters

As for the romance, I really didn’t care that much about it.

But I also don’t think the drama was particularly focused on romance. It’s not that I disliked Wen Xiao and Zhao Yuanzhou together—I just wasn’t invested. They had some nice moments, but personally I didn’t feel much chemistry.

Romance does motivate certain aspects of Zhao Yuanzhou’s character, but it was never the focal point, and I was completely fine with that.

However, I do feel like they did Wen Xiao’s character dirty.

For someone whose position should have made her incredibly important, she somehow ended up feeling like one of the least useful members of the group. I kept waiting for this big moment where she would finally show exactly why her role mattered so much, but it never really came.

I loved her as the mom of the squad, but individually, she never lived up to how powerful or important her character should have been.

That being said, Chen Duling did an amazing job. My issue was with the writing, not her acting.

I felt somewhat similarly about Pei Sijing. Maybe it’s less that she was underdeveloped and more that both she and Wen Xiao simply felt like supporting characters to me. I enjoyed them as part of the team much more than I cared about them individually.

I did really love Pei Sijing’s storyline involving her brother, though. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

But then again, practically everybody’s storyline in this drama involved losing someone they loved.

This is definitely not your happy little fantasy show.

Bai Jiu, Ying Lei & the Found Family

Now for one of the biggest surprises of the entire show for me: Bai Jiu.

Oh my God. This character was honestly one of the BEST parts of the drama.

For someone so young, the actor completely blew me away. He showed so much versatility—funny, dark, broken, even a spy at certain points. But I especially loved funny Bai Jiu. During the first part of the show, he was SO entertaining.

More importantly, I loved his relationships with everyone. He genuinely felt like everybody’s kid.

His relationship with Zhuo Yichen especially felt like an older brother-younger brother bond. It was funny, sweet, and emotional, and little things like Bai Jiu constantly grabbing onto Zhuo Yichen’s braid made it even more endearing.

Which is why his death absolutely destroyed me.

For someone who was always scared of pain and getting hurt, the fact that he ultimately sacrificed himself for the person he looked up to completely broke me. When it actually mattered, he didn’t hesitate.

I cried my eyes out.

And then there was Bai Jiu and Ying Lei.

These two were SUCH a treat. They were hilarious together, which makes it even more painful that the drama killed BOTH of them.

They were two of the brightest, most high-spirited characters in the story, and they were also among the characters who had the clearest dreams for their futures. One wanted to become the best physician; the other wanted to become an amazing cook.

They were young. They had plans. You could genuinely imagine the futures they should have had.

And then they died.

At the same time, I loved the way their sacrifices were written. They were probably among the characters you would least expect to immediately sacrifice themselves, and yet when the moment came, they were the first ones willing to do it.

They were hilarious and endearing, yet somehow became two of the most heartbreaking characters in the entire drama.

I desperately need those actors to work together again.

And actually, that brings me to one of my favorite things about the show:

Everybody had chemistry with everybody.

That is probably one of the biggest reasons I didn’t care about the romance. I’m much more likely to become emotionally invested in the chemistry of an entire squad than in one specific couple, and this cast absolutely delivered.

Every combination worked. Every relationship felt different but natural. Everyone felt important.

Most importantly, you genuinely believed that these people had become a family.

Almost all of them had already lost someone they loved, so watching them slowly become the family that each of them needed was one of the most beautiful parts of the show.

You could genuinely feel that sense of, “This is my family now.”

A special memorable mention also has to go to Li Lun, played by Yan An.

Oh my God, that man can ACT.

He always eats up villain roles. Honestly, he was born to play villains.

But I appreciated that Li Lun wasn’t left as a one-dimensional antagonist. By the end, he had his own development, reached a point of redemption, and ultimately sacrificed himself.

At this point, I genuinely think the central theme of this entire drama is sacrifice.

So much of Li Lun’s anger came from feeling betrayed by his best friend, and Yan An portrayed that bitterness, jealousy, anger, and heartbreak incredibly well.

Honestly, the acting across the entire cast was amazing. Almost every character was memorable and had depth. Nobody felt hollow.

So many times, I just wanted to climb into the screen and hug these people because every single one of them had been through hell.

That’s one of the biggest strengths of the drama: it doesn’t only build its story through plot, but through its characters. You understand their pain, their relationships, their dreams, and everything they’ve lost, so by the time you reach the ending, it absolutely destroys you.

It’s one of the most heartbreaking endings I’ve watched, but it’s also a beautiful kind of heartbreak because the entire drama feels like a journey.

By the end, so many of these characters sacrifice themselves for love, friendship, family, or the people they came to consider family.

It hurts like hell, but the pain actually means something.

And beyond the characters, can we PLEASE talk about the cinematography?

It was on another level. The scenery, framing, atmosphere, fight scenes, costumes—everything looked incredible. Probably some of my favorite work from this director.

The story itself was also surprisingly easy to follow. Even with all the demons, clans, histories, side stories, and fantasy elements, I never felt lost.

It genuinely felt like watching a fantasy novel come to life.

I was never bored. The pacing felt fast to me, there was always something happening, and I was completely invested in this world and these characters from beginning to end.

Probably one of my favorite OST playlists ever.

Every song was amazing, and I loved that some of the actors participated in the soundtrack. Even better, when you read the lyrics, so many of the songs directly resonate with the characters and their stories.

Special mention to the OSTs by Hou Minghao and Liu Yuning. Amazing.

The cinematography. The fight scenes. The costumes. The acting. The comedy. The villains were VILLAINING. The character development, friendships, found family, emotional depth, sacrifices—it all worked for me.

Even though the ending was incredibly heartbreaking, I loved how it was executed because everything ultimately came back to the friendship and love between these characters.

That was the heart of the drama for me.

It started as a story about demons and demon hunters, but became a story about people—about good and evil, grief, guilt, forgiveness, friendship, love, sacrifice, and finding a family after losing your own.

And somehow, through all that tragedy, it was also freaking hilarious.

Amazing cast. Amazing storyline. Amazing characters. Amazing production.

For me, it was a masterpiece.

Easily one of the best fantasy shows I have ever watched.

I cannot recommend it enough.

But one warning: it is definitely not for the weak.

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Where Every Character Matters

If I had watched A Journey to Love back in 2024 when it first aired, it probably would have been my favorite drama of the year. It completely blew me away. This is one of those rare shows that reminds you just how incredible television can be when every element comes together. From the writing and directing to the acting, cinematography, action, and character work, it felt like an absolute masterpiece.

The writing is easily one of the strongest aspects of the drama. Everything feels purposeful, the story always makes sense, and the pacing is exceptional. It never drags or wastes time. I especially appreciated how the writers handled slower moments. Instead of dedicating entire episodes to events that the audience didn’t care about, they condensed them into quick montages while still giving us everything we needed. It kept the story constantly moving without ever feeling rushed.

What truly makes this drama special, however, is that despite being called A Journey to Love, the romance is not what defines it. At its heart, this is a story about people. It is about a family that slowly forms through loyalty, sacrifice, trust, and shared hardship.

This isn’t a drama built around two main leads while everyone else simply exists around them. It is a true ensemble cast, and I honestly think it is one of the best examples of an ensemble drama I have ever watched. Every member of the squad feels equally important, every supporting character has their own purpose, and every relationship is given room to breathe. It is genuinely impressive how the writers managed to make me love every single character.

Because of that, every death hurts. The show doesn’t simply tell you these people are important—it makes you believe it. By the end, losing any one of them feels personal, and the emotional impact stays with you long after the final episode.

The directing deserves just as much praise. The cinematography is beautiful, the action choreography is phenomenal, and the fight scenes are among the best I have seen in a historical C-drama. The court intrigue also never becomes boring. Political storylines can often slow a drama down, but here they remain engaging because everything moves at exactly the right pace.

Liu Yuning once again proved why he is one of my favorite actors. He never misses. His performances always leave a mark on me, and Ning Yuanzhou is no exception. His emotional scenes were devastating because his squad wasn’t simply a group of subordinates—they were his brothers, his family, and in Yuan Lu’s case, almost like a son. Watching him lose everyone he loved completely broke my heart. At the same time, he was such a beautifully written leader. Everyone respected him not because of his authority, but because of the kind, righteous, caring man he was. I also loved every one of his fight scenes, and his styling throughout the drama was fantastic.

Liu Shishi was equally outstanding. She completely embodied Ren Ruyi. She never felt like an actress trying to play an assassin—she simply was Ren Ruyi. I loved that she was written as a genuinely capable female lead who never needed to be constantly rescued. Even when she faced impossible situations, the drama respected her abilities instead of undermining them. Her journey from someone consumed by revenge into someone who slowly found healing and a new purpose was beautifully written.

Although I personally did not feel the chemistry that many viewers praised, I still loved the relationship between Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi. Their romance wasn’t built on misunderstandings or dramatic jealousy. It was built on trust, respect, protection, and two broken people understanding each other in a way no one else could. They never asked one another to abandon their past or give up their goals. They simply stood beside each other. It was mature, refreshing, and wonderfully written. I also appreciated that despite giving the supporting cast so much attention, the writers still gave the main couple plenty of meaningful moments together.

If I had to choose my favorite member of the squad, it would probably be Yu Shisan. He was the heart of the group. He brought humor into the darkest moments with his flirting, dancing, and obsession with beauty, but underneath all of that was someone fiercely loyal who cared deeply for everyone, especially Ning Yuanzhou. His death broke me the most. I only wish we had received a proper goodbye for him, and I also would have loved to see his romantic storyline explored further instead of leaving him as the self-proclaimed playboy until the end.

Qian Zhao was another favorite. He barely needed words to make an impression. He was quiet, dependable, and always there whenever someone needed him. His storyline became increasingly emotional toward the end, and it added even more depth to a character who initially seemed reserved.

Yuan Lu absolutely shattered my heart. He felt like the son of the entire squad, especially of Ning Yuanzhou and Ren Ruyi. I desperately wanted them to see him one last time before he died because that emotional closure was missing. His relationship with Yang Ying also felt incredibly touching. Personally, I saw them less as lovers and more as two people who deeply understood, supported, and comforted one another.

Sun Lang deserves just as much love. His gentle personality and affection for animals made him impossible not to adore, making his fate equally heartbreaking.

One of the biggest surprises of the drama was Yang Ying. She arguably has the best character development in the entire series. Watching her grow from a frightened, sheltered princess into a confident woman capable of standing before an emperor and declaring she would become his empress was incredibly satisfying. She truly earned every step of her growth.

I also loved Li Tongguang’s character. He was frustrating, complicated, and sometimes impossible to like, yet he remained fascinating because he was written so well. My only criticism is that his obsession with his master lasted far too long. I wanted him to move on and eventually allow himself to love Yang Ying. Even so, his development was excellent, and hearing him finally call Ning Yuanzhou “Brother Ning” completely broke my heart. Both he and Yang Ying experienced some of the strongest growth in the entire drama. I wish we got to see more of them together as a couple towards the end.

What impressed me most was the chemistry between the entire cast. Every relationship felt authentic. Whether it was friendship, brotherhood, mentorship, rivalry, or romance, everyone felt connected. Ren Ruyi gradually becoming part of the squad was one of my favorite aspects of the series because she never remained an outsider or existed solely as the female lead—she genuinely became family. Which is something she never had.

The ending is heartbreaking and absolutely not for the faint-hearted. Personally, I believe they all died. Many viewers interpret the ending differently because we never clearly see Ning Yuanzhou, Ren Ruyi, or Yu Shisan after their final battle, but I viewed Chu Yue’s final vision as symbolic. To me, they were reunited in the afterlife, finally together again after sacrificing everything for one another.

As devastating as that ending is, I strangely don’t hate it. In some ways, I think it would have been even crueler if only one or two of them had died while the others were forced to spend the rest of their lives grieving. They were always meant to stay together, and knowing they ultimately shared the same fate made the ending slightly easier to accept.  I only wish that the main leads were able to say goodbye to the side characters more than just like a letter or a passing thought. I wanted an actual scene of them like visiting their graves at least like it felt like a proper goodbye.

My only real complaint is that I wish the final three deaths had received proper farewell scenes. I wanted to mourn them alongside the remaining characters. That emotional closure felt missing.

Apart from a few moments where the travel logistics between cities required a little suspension of disbelief, I honestly have almost no complaints. The pacing is excellent, the writing is exceptional, every character receives meaningful development, the action is spectacular, and the emotional payoff is unforgettable.

A Journey to Love is one of the best-written historical C-dramas I have ever watched. It is so much more than a romance. It is a story about found family, brotherhood, loyalty, sacrifice, healing, trust, and choosing to stand beside the people you love until the very end.

It is a masterpiece, and I cannot recommend it enough. Just be prepared—this drama will absolutely break your heart.

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Beautiful, Addictive, and Emotionally Complex, but Weaker Toward the End

While I was watching The First Jasmine, I was completely immersed. It was the kind of drama that constantly made me curious about what would happen next, and I became so attached to its world and characters that I felt strangely empty after finishing it. Perhaps binge-watching intensified that feeling, but I also think the final few episodes were genuinely underwhelming compared with everything that came before them.

For me, the first thirty episodes were the strongest part of the drama. I loved Ye Li and Xi Yao’s marriage era, the political intrigue, the revenge storyline, and the way Ye Li moved through the story while secretly pursuing her plans. Their divorce arc genuinely broke my heart, but it was also incredibly well executed. The moment Xi Yao discovered how ill she was, along with the eventual revelation of what had happened on the mountain, was one of the emotional peaks of the entire drama. Everything leading up to that point felt intense, layered, and deeply engaging.

Ye Li is easily one of the most fascinating female characters I have encountered in a historical drama. She is deeply broken, psychologically complicated, and filled with layers that are gradually uncovered throughout the story. Her trauma, anger, determination, and self-destructive tendencies made her unpredictable and compelling. Bai Lu gave one of her strongest performances here. She portrayed Ye Li’s pain and emotional instability with so much depth that I could not look away. Her acting was immaculate, particularly during the heavier and more heartbreaking moments.

However, Ye Li gradually seemed to lose some of her spark toward the end. The revengeful, determined energy that made her so intriguing began to fade, and even though the final confrontation should have been her defining moment, it did not carry the emotional impact I expected. After such a memorable portrayal of her trauma, the conclusion to her revenge felt strangely muted. The revenge plot did not provide enough closure or transformation, especially considering how much of the drama had been built around it.

I also loved Xi Yao, particularly during the first half of the drama. It was refreshing to see Cheng Lei play a vulnerable and physically broken character rather than the powerful, commanding roles I usually associate him with. His performance while Xi Yao was confined to the wheelchair was incredible, and his quiet pain, loyalty, and emotional restraint were beautifully portrayed. He also looked amazing with the grey hair; that entire look was such a refreshing change for him.

Unfortunately, Xi Yao became increasingly sidelined as the story progressed. He was no less a victim of what had happened, so I strongly felt that he deserved to be involved in the final confrontation. I understand allowing the heroine to lead the finale of a female-centered revenge story, but completely pushing the male lead aside made the ending feel incomplete. His character had so much emotional depth and potential, yet the drama gradually reduced his importance. Even during the war sequences, we barely saw him fight, which felt like another wasted opportunity, especially because Cheng Lei is so good in action scenes.

The relationship between Ye Li and Xi Yao was essential to the story, even though the drama was never romance-centered. Their love helped both of them heal. Ye Li did not simply recover on her own; through Xi Yao, she found someone who remained beside her, while she also helped him rediscover his will to live. Their connection was therefore more than a romantic subplot—it was part of both characters’ emotional journeys. That is why I was disappointed when the drama gradually moved away not only from their romantic scenes, but from the healing relationship itself.

I actually enjoyed the slow-burn romance for most of the drama. Their love was gentle, warm, supportive, and often unspoken rather than passionate or electric. They sometimes gave me the feeling of an older married couple, and I do not necessarily mean that negatively. Their affection came through in the quiet gestures, particularly from Xi Yao, who carried much of the romantic side of the relationship. Ye Li was written as emotionally closed off and could sometimes feel like a block of wood when it came to expressing affection, so most of the direct romantic gestures came from him.

The problem was not the lack of kissing or intimate scenes. The drama worked perfectly well without them. My issue was the way so many promising moments between the couple were abruptly cut short. Just as a scene began building emotional closeness or chemistry, it would suddenly move elsewhere. The romance constantly felt within reach but never fully explored. The actors did have a warm spark, particularly earlier in the drama, but the script and editing did not allow that chemistry to develop naturally. By the end, it felt as though the connection had faded—not because the relationship itself lacked potential, but because the drama kept taking time away from it.

Their dynamic was also weakened by Ye Li constantly acting behind Xi Yao’s back. They shared the same enemies, goals, and ambitions, yet they continued walking toward those goals separately. Even when Xi Yao understood what she was doing, Ye Li rarely chose to place her trust in him and work openly beside him. I would have preferred to see them combine their strengths and pursue their shared goal together rather than repeatedly taking different roads toward the same destination.

I also think some viewers misunderstood Xi Yao’s decision to leave her. He needed to be hurt and broken by Ye Li before he could truly understand her pain and ultimately help her heal. His actions make more sense when viewed through the emotional complexity of both characters rather than simply as a romantic betrayal. With characters this complicated, criticism and differing interpretations are inevitable, but that complexity is also one of the drama’s greatest strengths.

Beyond the leads, the drama introduced many interesting characters and storylines that never reached their full potential. Han Mingxi seemed as though he would play a more consequential role, and his interactions with Ye Ying had so much entertaining potential. Mo Jingli was perhaps the greatest missed opportunity. He was intelligent, cunning, and morally layered—a man pursuing what he believed was a just cause through questionable methods. Yet the narrative gradually diminished his motivations, intelligence, and overall importance as it approached the finale.

This became the drama’s biggest weakness: it tried to handle too many themes, characters, and conflicts without properly completing all of them. Many characters initially appeared to possess genuine agency and complexity, only to be pushed into familiar tropes or sidelined when the story needed to conclude. The ending closed several plotlines and was technically happy, but it did not feel like a proper emotional goodbye. We barely saw the main couple together, Xi Yao was largely absent, and even Ye Li no longer felt fully present in her own story. After spending so much time with them, I wanted a conclusion that allowed their relationship and individual journeys to breathe.

Visually, however, the drama is absolutely stunning. The costumes are beautifully designed, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the entire production is rich, colorful, and vibrant. The styling, sets, and use of color created a world that was consistently beautiful to look at.

The music deserves even more praise. This drama has one of the best and most memorable soundtracks I have heard. I do not mean only the OST songs, although those are also beautifully done—the background score itself is phenomenal. The music elevates the tension, heartbreak, mystery, and emotional weight of so many scenes. It remained in my mind long after the drama ended, and it is easily one of the strongest aspects of the entire production. Honestly, well done.

Despite my frustrations with the final stretch, The First Jasmine contains so many memorable scenes, complex characters, and excellent performances. It is an unusual mixture of revenge, politics, trauma, healing, and subtle romance. I would not recommend watching it solely for the romance, because the relationship supports the story rather than carrying it. Those expecting a highly passionate or intimacy-heavy romance may be disappointed. However, anyone interested in a compelling storyline, emotionally damaged characters, stellar acting, and a beautifully produced historical drama will find plenty to appreciate.

The ending may not have delivered everything the earlier episodes promised, but the journey was still exciting, emotionally absorbing, and different from the typical romance-focused historical drama. Despite its flaws, I would definitely recommend it.

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