A Compelling Story Undone by Execution
This was just okay for me, but I am glad I watched it and would do it again. I loved seeing all the original performers who used to dominate the scene. Especially, Zhang Zhehan and Merxat. And I thought the story was incredibly unique. I absolutely loved the wardrobe—this era always catches my eye, evoking a beautiful, gothic feel. However, I found it a real struggle to get through after the initial episodes. There were beautiful sequences and the opening short-stories to each episode were engaging. But the storyline became repetitive and relied on tropes that used to be heavily used, such as illogical character-blaming and obsessive revenge. That dragged down what could have been a flawless show.Was this review helpful to you?
A Unique Sequel That Falls Short in Execution
This was a nice follow-up to the original drama, but unfortunately, it was just okay for me. Again, I am glad that I watched and would do it again. I think its unique storyline blends well with a Republic Era spin and does a good job at accomplishing a supernatural narrative. I also really loved the new storyline and roles. I found myself deeply invested in their backstories, which helped better understand the origins of multiple characters—including many supporting ones. However, I felt like this drama failed in execution, focusing on characters whose decision-making and behaviors were frustrating. I was also disappointed by personality shifts, as well as several tropes that served to separate the leads purely for the sake of prolonging the plot.Once again, I thought this drama had such a unique narrative with tons of onscreen potential. I wonder how it would be reinterpreted with a fresh approach that edited down some of the filler sequences.
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Not Every Episode Lands, But An Anthology Worth Watching
I enjoyed watching this, though not all the way through—and I’m not sure it’s meant to be experienced that way. The drama is structured like an anthology, with stories that don’t directly connect and can be watched as standalone pieces. However, they’re tied together through shared locations and an overarching theme.Each vignette focuses on everyday people in ordinary situations, showing how they play meaningful roles in the world around them. The slice-of-life approach feels like it’s offering a glimpse into different lives in China, highlighting aspects of the culture and social fabric shaped by these experiences. Some characters are connected to key moments across different eras, reflecting certain values or social norms. They may be ordinary individuals, but their lives help capture a particular time period or suggest how one generation influences the next.
Overall, I think it’s a good watch—as long as you’re okay with not loving every episode or skipping a few that don’t quite land. Here are the episodes I enjoyed most: 1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 13-14, 15, 17, 23, and 24.
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The Perfect In-Between Drama
I thought this was a cute, quick watch. It was light enough to enjoy while coming down from a heavy drama, but still developed and engaging enough to hold my attention. I usually have a hard time investing in something new right after an intense series, so mini-dramas have been my go-to in-between watches. Even so, I really enjoyed this storyline on its own.Was this review helpful to you?
Came for Li Fei, Stayed for the Second Leads
This was a strange watch for me. I love Li Fei—he’s one of my top three favorite performers, and I’ve followed almost all of his historical dramas since early in his career (with only two drops). I was really looking forward to this one because of him, But I didn’t really feel his presence in this until later in the story. I also struggled with the female lead. Her character felt impulsive and was absent from the screen for much of the drama. I don’t blame the actress—she’s been excellent in another role I’m currently watching—so I suspect it was a directional choice I just couldn’t connect with.Instead, I was drawn to the second lead storyline—it was so tragic and powerful that it stole most of my sympathy and attention. I found myself deeply invested in them, hoping they'd get more than the story allowed. By the final episodes, though, the female lead’s character shifted, and that’s when the main storyline finally clicked for me. Li Fei’s magic came through. So in the end, I really enjoyed the drama—but not in the way I expected. It was the second leads and Wang Xingwei who carried most of the show for me.
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Great Actors, Disappointing Script
I'm sorry, folks, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. I went in hoping it would deliver, especially since we all needed a happy storyline after Love & Bid Farewell (they also starred in that together). Love & Bid Farewell may have dealt with difficult subject matter, but it was masterfully done. This drama was very disappointing in comparison, especially knowing the skill level and capabilities of He Xuanlin and Yan Zixian. While the storyline here was lighter, the script simply didn’t land for me. I liked the characters and the overall plot, but the writing and execution fell short. If this hadn’t had such a short runtime, and if it hadn’t starred these leads, I would have dropped it immediately. As it stands, this drama may end up being only for fans.Was this review helpful to you?
Light, Engaging, and Intriguing
I really enjoyed this drama. I didn’t notice the usual plot holes or execution issues that often come with short-format productions. I found the narrative engaging, with a nice blend of comedy, romance, and intrigue—all tied to a mysterious and generational past that entangles the leads. It was a pleasant watch—neither too heavy nor too light.Was this review helpful to you?
A Surprisingly Fun and Offbeat Ride
I really enjoyed this. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it—I didn’t know if the overall narrative would suit me, and the first episode didn’t land well. But I found myself engaged very quickly. The plots and script were genuinely fun, leaning into an offbeat comedy throughout the show. There weren’t any deeply serious arcs, but there were a few sequences that truly gut-punched me, surprisingly effective at adding a nice sense of balance.Although it’s not a high-profile drama with a big budget, the performances and narrative were fully engaging, making this a very enjoyable watch.
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A Quiet but Powerful Coming-of-Age Story
I enjoyed this more than its dramatic counterpart, River Flows to You. While telling a coming-of-age story, it explores school bullying and its lasting effects on both perpetrators and victims. It also touches on socioeconomic differences and isolation, all while developing meaningful character relationships. The characters' struggles and interactions are both insightful and emotional. This is a heavy drama, but the creators executed it well.Was this review helpful to you?
Engaging at First, Uneven by the End
I first watched this in 2021, when most dramas still felt new and exciting to me. Coming back to finish it in 2025, my experience was noticeably different. What once felt engaging lost some of its spark—the story slowed midway, and parts of the plot began to feel stretched for time rather than building momentum.That said, the overall narrative is still unique and compelling in a way that stands out from many dramas I’ve seen since. But it didn’t maintain that same “wow” factor throughout. Obstacles felt convenient, and it undermined plot development for me.
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Just Okay, But Not Without Its Moments
I'm sorry, folks, but this was just an okay watch for me. While I grew up on and loved the Jaws installments—and still enjoy modern shark thrillers—I don't usually watch dramas centered around other predator premises. This one is about an alligator that goes loose during a storm. That said, there were parts of the storyline that kept me engaged, which is why I saw it through to the end. The film explores the social politics of officials, family and community ties, and includes several poignant moments that reflect love and sacrifice. So, while it was just okay overall, I wasn’t mad at it when I reached the end.Was this review helpful to you?
Compelling Chemistry Amid Palace Intrigue
This isn't the best production, but I enjoyed watching it. The chemistry between the leads made the narrative work and kept me interested in their outcome. There are several layers of palace guilt and conspiracies and it was engaging to piece it all together while watching how it tragically affected the characters. It made the plots interesting and the consequences poignant.Was this review helpful to you?
A Grand Romance That Couldn’t Capture My Heart
This is the sequel to Estranged Fall in Love, and it's a pretty solid follow-up—but unfortunately, it wasn’t my cup of tea (just like the first installment). Together, the two dramas tell a compelling and epic story of a love that transcends fate and multiple lifetimes. The characters’ struggles and goals are easy to connect with, and the overall concept is genuinely interesting—I could absolutely see myself enjoying it as a novel. But for whatever reason, I just couldn’t get into the on-screen execution, even though I absolutely love Yan Zixian. I make a point to watch all his costume dramas where he plays the lead, but sometimes it just comes down to personal taste. Some shows resonate, others don’t—and for me, this wasn’t one of them.Was this review helpful to you?
Supernatural Fun with Favorite Actors
I’ve watched every drama that Yang Yimo and Xiao Tai star in together because I love their chemistry. While the dramas are low-budget and somewhat poorly executed due to limited funding, I still really enjoy their performances. This drama is no different, and I loved watching them bring the narrative to life through their acting. The tone is supernatural and demon-driven, which fits perfectly with what I enjoy onscreen. While the ending might leave some viewers confused, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can understand that it might not suit everyone.Was this review helpful to you?
A Layered Drama of Revenge, Power, and Hidden Identities
This is one of my favorite dramas, but the ending is open. So that is a major caveat to watching it. With that said, it has several elements that make dramas work. It has revenge, assassin groups, strong women leads, power struggles, anti-heroes, second-lead and third-lead syndromes, palace conspiracies, and hidden identities. Its storyline has depth and builds complicated relationships that blur the line between good and bad. There are also levels to each character's psychology, making their characterization impactful and dynamic. And many poignant and poetic scenes make it easy to connect to the plots.Was this review helpful to you?
