One of Li Fei’s Best
This is my second favorite Li Fei drama (with my top pick being Zhao Ge Fu, also known as Song of the Dynasty). It features a rebirth storyline that starts off with a light comedic tone and becomes more poignant as the plot unfolds. The layers are complex, and it’s engaging to watch everything come together. The character development is strong, and the chemistry between the leads feels natural and satisfying. It’s easy to connect with the characters as they face and resolve various conflicts.My only critique is the ending—it didn’t make much sense to me, and I had to chalk it up as a plot hole in order to move on. You might enjoy this drama if you’re into second-chance storylines, palace intrigue, beautiful costumes, and a mix of humor and drama.
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An Engaging Blend of Mystery, Tension, and Emotion
I believe this drama can appeal to fans of both short- and long-form content. Directed by Zeng Qingjie—whom I know from Provoke, Butterflied Lover, and Blossom—this drama is no exception in terms of quality. It features a strong ensemble cast, and I found the second leads just as compelling as the main ones. This was my first time watching Ke Ying, Kay Song, and Wang Zexuan, and their performances were both strong and captivating. It’s easy to see why they’ve gone on to appear in many more dramas.The story is tense and gripping, with twists and mysteries that are well-paced. While not overly difficult to predict, they are still satisfying in their execution. The villain arcs are deeply human, often blurring the lines of empathy and morality. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between Ke Ying and Cheng Lei, as well as between Ke Ying and Wang Zexuan. Overall, this drama offers a compelling viewing experience that I’d recommend to anyone
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Brilliant, Heartbreaking, and Difficult to Watch at Times
I have such mixed feelings about this drama. A story can be brilliantly crafted and emotionally rich, but if the emotional cost—especially due to brutality or themes of cruelty—is too high, it creates an internal conflict.As a whole, the drama is absolutely wonderful—powerful and introspective. The narrative is an odyssey of sorts, telling an epic story across timelines that brings you into the characters’ hardships and evolving lives. The misfortunes speak to your soul and make you feel deeply. And there are comedic pauses and beautiful cinematography that engage the senses so that the trauma isn’t overwhelming.
But what made this drama difficult for me wasn’t the plot, which centered on hate and revenge—it was how the main character, Siling, translated those elements on screen. There was never enough justification, for me, for how she enacted her malice. Though I understood, intellectually, why she felt hatred and pain—I wished her choices had been executed differently. I think she could have delivered the same wrath without the vicious brutality. And that’s where Siling, and Feud as a whole, lost me. It’s just not my cup of tea to watch people be that brutal to one another. That’s also why I’ve struggled with other dramas like Love & Bid Farewell and Goodbye, My Princess.
So while I was immersed and highly engaged in the beginning and end, episodes 17–27 made it hard for me to imagine watching this again. And for a drama to make it onto my top watch list, my personal criteria is that I must be able to rewatch it. With that said, the performances were phenomenal—especially from Bai Lu and Zeng Shunxi. The supporting cast also shone, with many carrying the main storyline at different points. The show wouldn’t have been the same without them.
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A Visually Rewarding Watch that Matched its Narrative
I greatly enjoyed this. I found it mesmerizing—with themes that were both haunting and intriguing, and visually beautiful to watch onscreen. The color palette was appealing and, combined with the soundtrack, created an incredibly artistic experience. I thought the narrative itself was solid; the script was well-written, and the subtle nuances added a touch of uniqueness that kept the story from feeling redundant or tiresome. I also appreciated the absence of clear answers for why things happened. It felt realistic—presenting a difficult situation where choices lead to unintended consequences, some of which require atonement in different ways.Was this review helpful to you?
Heavy Themes and Emotional, But Worth It
I loved this drama, but it might not be for everyone. It deals with heavy material and includes sensitive scenes involving heinous crimes. Personally, I didn’t find it overly graphic or difficult to watch, but if true crime isn’t your thing—or if you’re not used to content that explores morally gray or disturbing territory—it could be triggering.That said, this series was more than just a true crime drama. It was deeply psychological and poignant, delving into the backstories of both victims and perpetrators, and offering a nuanced sense of humanity to everyone involved. The crimes were tragic, and the criminals themselves were portrayed as complex, even tragic figures. I often had to remind myself that these individuals committed horrific acts against innocent women. The story follows a string of homicides carried out by four people and their eventual capture—a process that spanned nearly a decade. It’s the kind of drama that fully immerses you in their journey, taking you on a complete emotional arc from beginning to end. By the conclusion, it provides a real sense of closure to the trauma and pain experienced throughout.
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Wo Zai Dong Bei Zuo Bai Shi Di Na Xie Nian
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Emotionally Rich Mysteries
I absolutely loved this and consider it a top-shelf watch. There are a few dramas that follow this type of thematic structure, and I’ve loved every one of them. Typically, storylines like this unfold through a series of cases or arcs that build toward a larger plot. What always resonates most with me are the short stories we get in each episode. I find them human, endearing, personal—sometimes even philosophical—and always meaningful.Because the episodes are short, the impact feels just right. There’s no extra filler to dilute the emotion, the message, or the central idea of each story. The tight pacing keeps each episode focused, allowing every moral or thematic moment to land exactly as intended.
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Eerie and Visually Stunning, Delivers on Every Level
This is a top-shelf watch for me. It has everything I love in a drama: a unique storyline, an eerie atmosphere, mystery and intrigue, fantastical plots, beautiful aesthetics, and a vibrant, distinct color palette. I thought these elements were dynamic and worked so well together to create a meaningful and impactful story. These are the kinds of roles I enjoy seeing Zhao Yiqin in, and I wish he did more of them.Was this review helpful to you?
An Underrated Fantasy Worth the Epic Journey
From what’s been recommended to new viewers over the years, I’m genuinely surprised this one rarely gets mentioned. Although the first 4–6 episodes were a bit difficult for me due to misunderstandings between the leads, this is such a solid staple for fantasy watchers. It has everything: dragons, gods, phoenixes, an evil deity, and cultivators. There are heroes, deep betrayals, redemption arcs, and several meaningful sacrifices along the way.I had so much fun watching this. The settings were beautiful, and the action scenes were thrilling and powerful. The story unfolds as an epic journey, with strong character and plot development that gives the narrative real growth and helps connect the audience to both the story and its characters. This was a drama that was hard to put down because it was so engaging, with themes that really landed for me. I do think the last few episodes could have been edited down a bit, as the narrative felt slightly stretched. That said, I loved how everything wrapped up, and overall, I truly loved this drama.
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Top-shelf and Captivating
I loved this. It currently sits as a top shelf watch. I loved the characters, the content (it revolves around a demon god), the wardrobe, the settings, the color palette, and the storyline. I thought the performers depicted their roles well, there weren't annoying tropes, or dragged out ideas. I also thought the side plots were smart ways of keeping the narrative fresh and adding depth to the original material. And the who-done-it reveal at the end was unexpected, making this a unique retelling of a well known story.Although this has an enemies-to-lovers spin, it avoids the excessive violence often associated with the genre. And some scenes have so much poetry, I was engaged and heartbroken together. There have been a few online debates about the ending, but I was content with the final scene and I recommend this.
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Offbeat, Absurd, and Absolutely Addictive
I absolutely loved this! It’s exactly the kind of offbeat, quirky story I enjoy. So many sequences were hilarious and absurd, and it never missed a beat. The on-screen dialogue and deliveries perfectly matched the humor intended in the script. And despite its lighter arcs, the narrative and central conflicts remained engaging, with a satisfying number of shocking twists that elevated the storyline.The series centers on zodiac or celestial powers, hidden identities, power struggles, and subtle coming-of-age themes. Friendships are tested, alliances are formed, and several characters are challenged by fate and acceptance. My only critique is that I wish there had been a second season. The ending doesn’t provide full closure, and a few hinted revelations clearly set the stage for a continuation. Still, I would rate this very high. I only wish more directors today created dramas like this one.
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A Powerhouse On-Screen Dynamic
This drama is one of my top favorites starring Li Fei. I absolutely love Hu Yiyao too, and seeing her paired with Li Fei was a dream. But setting aside my personal admiration, their chemistry and on-screen dynamic are undeniably powerful.This is a revenge-driven, palace-themed drama with an engaging and emotionally resonant backstory. I connected deeply with the protagonist, Zhao Ge Fu, and found her journey captivating. I especially appreciated the character development and interactions—it even inspired me to start reading the novel because of the lasting impression the drama left on me.
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A Beautifully Woven Tapestry of Comic Book Stories
This 12-episode short drama unfolds like a collection of interconnected comic book stories, each chapter presenting a new, gripping scenario while subtly building toward a larger mystery.The series begins with A Lai, whose life changes after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman. From there, each episode explores a different, self-contained story — ranging from surreal and supernatural concepts to crime, psychological dilemmas, love that defies time, shifting identities, and morally complex choices. Every chapter stands strongly on its own, blending suspense, emotion, and poetic storytelling.
As the series progresses, the threads between these stories gradually reveal a deeper thematic connection. What initially feels like an anthology slowly forms a cohesive narrative tapestry, leading to a powerful and satisfying conclusion.
This is a unique and beautifully executed short drama — creative, atmospheric, and thoughtfully structured. I would love to see more series like this.
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A 10/10 Experience in Emotional Storytelling
Wow. That’s all I can say. This was a heavy and impactful watch with so many layers. I don’t think I’d rewatch it—which is usually a criterion for my top-shelf favorites—but I still have to give this piece a 10/10 because it was so powerfully performed and had an equally strong narrative.What this drama did so well was deliver what was essentially a detective story through the experiences of each character. We were brought to the heart of their psychology, watching them grapple with the guilt of living after someone they loved had passed, many of them feeling responsible. This burden shaped their relationships with one another and the community, leaving several characters haunted by lingering shadows across two decades. This is an exceptional drama, and the performers portrayed their characters in such a deeply human way that you couldn’t help but connect and feel for them—even for those who participated in the crimes.
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Powerful, Raw, and Deeply Human
This is a powerfully delivered performance and not one for the light-hearted. The cinematography is beautifully executed, adding depth to the storytelling as it unfolds in layers and keeps you engaged throughout. The narrative has real grit, examining difficult choices and harsh realities while delving into the heartbreaking and complex psychology of its characters. The story is raw and compelling, with a whodunit element that slowly pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind multiple events. Loyalties and friendships are tested—some fail, while others grow when least expected. This is a drama whose characters stay with you long after the final episode.I’m not sure this series is for everyone. It depends on what styles and tones resonate with you. I often see people looking for light rom-coms, and this is not that. It explores dark, gripping themes, but it does so with honesty and beauty, telling a compelling story filled with characters I truly fell in love with. I would rate this as a top-shelf watch.
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Season 2: Everything Fell Into Place
This drama meant everything to me. I could—and absolutely will—watch it again. That’s how much I loved it.Season 2 massively improves on the weak romantic points of Season 1. The romantic elements were minimal, mature, and seamlessly integrated into the story. Every scene felt purposeful, with smooth transitions and emotional impact. Season 2 delivered a powerful narrative centered on kingdoms in conflict—leaders fighting for their people, for power, survival, freedom, justice, and hope. We witnessed growth and development among individuals, communities, and even enemies. Themes of friendship, kinship, trust, respect, and admiration were beautifully explored. There was also a touch of fantasy, with mysterious identities and questions of fate. The soundtrack was just as beautiful and haunting as in Season 1, matching the sequences and emotional tone of the scenes. In my opinion, this is a masterpiece.
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