Most romantic Xianxia ever
Where do I even start with When Destiny Brings the Demon? I honestly went in with no expectations because there wasn’t much hype when it was released, but it completely blew me away. It’s easily one of my favorite releases this year. This was my first time watching such a romantic xianxia, and wow, it delivered. The amount of intimacy and PDA was out of this world — something we rarely see in historical or fantasy dramas. Usually, we might get one kiss at the end, but here the chemistry was constant and electric from the very first episode. It was funny, sweet, and had me hooked immediately.
I especially loved the female lead. Some people criticized her for not being the typical strong, independent “modern woman,” but I found her incredibly relatable. She perfectly represents those of us tired from the corporate grind — all she wanted was to eat, sleep, and relax, and honestly, same. I loved how genuine and down-to-earth she was. If I ever got pulled into a fantasy world, that would be me too.
The male lead, CFY, was amazing as always. I already liked him from Lighter & Princess, but I think he really shined here — more expressive, more talkative, and much more romantic. His dark character had depth and reason, which made him even more compelling. The chemistry between the leads was impeccable. Their banter, emotional connection, and love scenes felt real and passionate. The supporting cast was solid too — though their storylines were smaller, they added nice balance to the main plot.
Visually, the costumes were stunning, especially CFY’s outfits. The designs suited him perfectly. The female lead’s looks and performance also deserve praise — she was gorgeous, expressive, and handled multiple personalities effortlessly. She brought each version of her character to life beautifully. The ending was another highlight. I was worried it would be sad, since time travel or reincarnation plots often end that way, but it wrapped up perfectly. I just wish we had seen a bit more of them in the modern world. Still, the way their love spanned across the three realms — immortal, demon, and mortal — then modern was brilliant.
Not everything was perfect, though. Episodes 23 to 29 were a complete mess — chaotic, confusing, and repetitive. I honestly stopped caring what was happening during those episodes. The drama repeated certain tropes too often, like amnesia and multiple deaths. It made me feel a bit exhausted by the end, even though the final explanation tied it all together. The CGI and cinematography could’ve been better — not terrible, but below the level of the story and acting. I also wish the second couple had a stronger arc or appeared again in another lifetime. Some viewers criticized the female lead for not being “strong enough,” but I think they missed the point — still, it shows the writing could’ve better balanced her growth in the fantasy world.
When Destiny Brings the Demon is a romantic, funny, and emotionally satisfying xianxia that gives you everything — mortal, modern, immortal, and demon worlds — all in one drama. It’s not perfect, but the chemistry, humor, and heart make it unforgettable. If you love romantic fantasy with strong leads and deep emotion, this is absolutely worth watching.
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Awkward romance
I love Chen Zheyuan, but no matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t connect with this show. The romance was awkward and lacked chemistry—it didn’t feel electric at all. The actors did an incredible job, but it just didn’t click for me. I also knew it had a sad ending, so I didn’t see the point in suffering through it.Was this review helpful to you?
Eight Episodes of Pure Entertainment
I really enjoyed East Palace. It was highly entertaining, direct, and incredibly easy to watch. With only eight episodes, the story never drags or loses focus, and there is genuinely never a dull moment. It is the kind of drama that is very easy to binge because every episode keeps the plot moving.The show is also surprisingly scary at times. You can immediately tell that it had a high budget, especially from the cinematography, costumes, visual effects, and overall production quality. A lot of effort clearly went into creating the atmosphere, and the horror elements were very well executed.
What surprised me most was how many twists the story had. The plot twists were genuinely good and often unexpected, because every time I thought I understood what was happening, the drama introduced something new. The ending also felt very open, so I am definitely expecting a second season.
It was also so nice to see Nam Joo-hyuk with long hair, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the leads. Romance is not the main focus of the drama, but their dynamic still added something enjoyable to the story. Acting was also amazing.
Overall, I would definitely recommend East Palace. However, it may not be suitable for the faint-hearted because it is heavily based around horror and includes some disturbing and graphic scenes. Still, the story is well written, visually impressive, fast-paced, and extremely entertaining. It is the perfect drama to binge when you want something exciting, easy to follow, and full of surprises.
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Only good thing is Liu Yuning
I honestly started this drama mainly because of Liu Yuning, and in the end, that was probably the biggest reason I managed to finish it. I really wanted to like this show. I even watched the first nine episodes very quickly, but then I dropped it, picked it up again during some free time, and from that point on… I truly struggled to finish it.At first, I was fine. Then it became hard. Like really hard.
On paper, this drama has everything: a unique and creative storyline, beautiful production, strong visuals, great music, and solid acting. And yet, somehow, it just didn’t work for me. The story itself is actually very nice and very original, but it lacked that hook—that one compelling element that makes you desperate to watch the next episode. Instead, it felt like it kept going in circles.
I genuinely think this show should not have been 40 episodes. It dragged a lot, especially toward the end. The final episodes were painful for me to get through, and the pacing just didn’t justify the length.
One of my biggest issues was the characters. I hated almost all of them—except for the Seventh Prince, who was honestly the only character I truly loved. I also liked his sidekicks and the Eighteenth Prince’s bodyguard, Jixiang, but that’s about it. Everyone else irritated me, especially the female lead.
Now, let me be clear: the actress herself was incredible. She’s beautiful, talented, and I’ll definitely keep an eye on her future projects. But her character? Extremely frustrating. She knew the script from the beginning, yet she barely used that knowledge wisely. She kept repeating the same mistakes, going in circles over and over again, and even by the end, it just didn’t work for me. Her character should have been smarter, sharper, and more decisive.
That said, the production value is where this drama really shines.
The cinematography is beautiful.
The costumes are stunning.
The OST is amazing.
The fight scenes were well done.
I especially loved the visual aesthetic—the red tones, the hair styling, the outfits (particularly his). Everything looked gorgeous. The scenes where he keeps saving her were executed beautifully, and visually, the drama is very satisfying.
However, the emotional logic of the story often felt off. I hated how everyone despised him for so long, only to suddenly switch sides. The emperor’s behavior, in particular, felt completely irrational—hating him even before the Empress’s death, then suddenly waking up and acting like a loving father again. It just didn’t feel believable.
As for Liu Yuning—he was absolutely stunning, especially in his Mr. Li era. That version of him? Perfect. But beyond that, he was honestly the main reason I stayed.
I did like the ending, though. I liked that they met again, and I appreciated that reveal. That part worked for me.
Overall, this drama just wasn’t for me. I tried. I really did. I finished it, but I struggled. It lacked depth in execution and failed to fully captivate me despite having a good concept.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re just looking to pass time, don’t want to think too much, and enjoy something light, funny, and visually pleasing—then sure. But if you’re looking for something to binge, obsess over, or fall in love with emotionally, this isn’t it.
For me, it was enjoyable at times, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it. I think it would’ve worked much better if it were shorter. In the end, I watched it mainly for Liu Yuning—and honestly, that’s probably the only reason I did.
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