BlueberryMuffin
out & about
This review may contain spoilers
I DIDN'T KNOW, forgive me <3 <3 <3
This is the first time I have EVER fully watched a Chinese fantasy drama and I am kinda mad I never gave one a chance before now. This is NOT my regular genre preference at all, I normally love modern c-dramas, specifically youth or school related types. I decided to watch, "Love Between Fairy and Devil," simply because I was curious about the casting for the main couple. I am so glad I decided to watch this because it was phenomenal! I cried and laughed the whole way through. If you've never watched a fantasy c-drama, I implore you to definitely try this one out there is so much intrigue, romance, and beautiful imagery. I loved this show so so much, and I have a bit of a drama hangover now that it's over.
Things I LOVED:
1.) MAIN COUPLE. Esther Yu and Dylan Wang, were THE couple. I need them to have another drama, be it modern, youth, fantasy, historical or whatever genre, they have to be a drama couple again. This is a NEED, not a WANT. Their chemistry was electric and I ate every little interaction uppp!
2.) TROPES. The use of the "Grumpy/Sunshine" or "Good/Evil," trope was EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much I like when the villain gets the girl. The amount of times I replayed all the scenes where DFQC swooped in to save our girl, was ridiculous. It was just so hot, I don't even know how to explain it.
3.) DYLAN WANG, did an an amazing job in this role. Whoever cast him knew what they were doing because I can't get over DongFang QingCang. He was evil yet adorable, like how is that even possible???
4.) HE STAYS DARK (kinda). Dongfang QingCang's character arch was perfect IMO. I really appreciate that they didn't make him become a fully pure hero, he gained his emotions, but he was still morally gray in some ways and I loved that.
5.)THE CURSE. I loved the use of the, "One Heart Curse." It offered great comedic relief in the beginning and later on it played a key role in the most tragic moments. Truly it can't even be called a curse because the amount of times they were able to save each other because of it was undeniable.
6.) ESTHER YU AS ORCHID, was the cutest thing ever, argue with the wall if you think otherwise. She was an adorable hyper girl, but I appreciated that she wasn't an idiot; she caught on to things pretty fast and was proactive. Go, little miss goddess, go!
7.) THE CGI was actually pretty beautiful especially in the Arbiter Hall and the Xilan Holy lands. This was something I was wary about going in, but after a couple episodes, I got used to it.
8.) THE STORY was not that complex, surprisingly. When I initially started watching I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to follow along very well, but they do a good job of not complicating things too much. There are a lot of smaller details that could be overlooked, but the main storyline never strays IMO.
THINGS I DIDN'T CARE FOR:
1.) JIELI. Omfg, I wanted to throttle her character so many times. She had so many opportunities to make better choices and she ALWAYS (except for one time), chose to be a backstabbing, greedy, annoying, thief. I also hated how self deprecating she was when confronted. The gaslighting was insane, her excuse every time was that she was the way that she was because of her tragic childhood. I understood her trauma in the beginning, but I quickly got sick of it, because after every time she was caught she threw it in everyone's faces for sympathy and forced understanding. She was an awful friend to Orchid too. Just annoying all around. No hate to the actress tho, she's beautiful and clearly played her character well.
2.) Honestly, hot take, but I felt that LADY CHIDI, was ultimately pretty useless. They all tried so hard to snatch up her primordial spirit, only for it not to be used in the end. My girl, Orchid is the one who saved everyone and righted all the wrongs. Lady Chidi's character could probably be cut out of the whole middle and end of the drama and you would still be able to understand the entire storyline. She was destined to die and should have stayed that way IMO.
3.) RANGHAO, wasn't just evil but very creepy. I couldn't get a good read on his true intentions. Was he in love with Lady Chidi? Did he see her as a mother figure? What exactly did he want after he revived her? It's hard to believe he became a murder for 30,000 years collecting "evil qi," just to play the gd flute for her, sword fight and keep her company for the rest of eternity. He was the character that confused me the most because he quickly went from typical villain to creepo real fast.
4.) ORCHID, should have had more fight scenes after realizing her true identity. That's my only complaint about her character, there was so much potential for her to become a super badass heroine. Her action scenes were mostly in the beginning with her basic plant fairy powers and at the very end with her recovered goddess powers. I kept waiting for her to unleash hell on all her enemies as a the Xishun Goddess, but it never came. I still loved her tho, this complaint is mainly directed at the writing of the story.
5.) THE LAST WEDDING SCENE. Basically the entire reason I watched this show was because I wanted to see DFQC crash Orchid and ChangHeng's immortal wedding, but I was a teensy bit disappointed that he didn't do it because he was jealous, but because he was possessed by TaiSui the evil spirit dude, he still looked hot tho with his extra evil makeover (white hair, completely black eyes and dark markings on his skin). The TikTok edits really got me with this one ngl.
6.) THE ENDING. WTF. What is this horrible new C-drama trend where the main couples have a happy ending, but its literally 3 minutes long (I actually timed it for this drama, out of curiosuity). So unjust, like honestly. On the one hand I am overjoyed that they could be together and in love again, but on the other hand I was pissed that we couldn't even get a glimpse at their future and more of their happiness. UGH. It was still sweet and made me cry happy tears, but after everything they went through they deserved so much more IMO. After proposing and beginning to plan it, I wish Orchid and DFQC could have had their own wedding scene :(
Watch this, its so amazing and I loved every second of the 36 episodes that were released. It was a great first Xianxia/Wuxia Chinese drama, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction into the genre. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to get into these types of dramas for the first time, as well. Don't be dissuaded by the length, it went by pretty quick because you get sucked in so much. I am normally a huge binge watcher, but I paced this one out because of the episode length over the course of one week and it was well worth it. I think giving myself more time allowed for better comprehension of the world building, story line and the many details explained along the way. Truly loved this one, and now I can't wait to start another fantasy
C-drama, I think this has sparked a new addition.
P.S. I would have given this drama a 10, if not for that ending. They needed a longer reunion, and I will never stop talking about this.
P.P.S. Prepare tissues for episodes 30-36 (especially ep.31) !!! I cried so hard my eyes literally swelled shut. You have been WARNED! (So worth it tho, it was a beautiful story so don't avoid it because of a couple of sad scenes, it was all amazing I swear.)
-A
Things I LOVED:
1.) MAIN COUPLE. Esther Yu and Dylan Wang, were THE couple. I need them to have another drama, be it modern, youth, fantasy, historical or whatever genre, they have to be a drama couple again. This is a NEED, not a WANT. Their chemistry was electric and I ate every little interaction uppp!
2.) TROPES. The use of the "Grumpy/Sunshine" or "Good/Evil," trope was EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much I like when the villain gets the girl. The amount of times I replayed all the scenes where DFQC swooped in to save our girl, was ridiculous. It was just so hot, I don't even know how to explain it.
3.) DYLAN WANG, did an an amazing job in this role. Whoever cast him knew what they were doing because I can't get over DongFang QingCang. He was evil yet adorable, like how is that even possible???
4.) HE STAYS DARK (kinda). Dongfang QingCang's character arch was perfect IMO. I really appreciate that they didn't make him become a fully pure hero, he gained his emotions, but he was still morally gray in some ways and I loved that.
5.)THE CURSE. I loved the use of the, "One Heart Curse." It offered great comedic relief in the beginning and later on it played a key role in the most tragic moments. Truly it can't even be called a curse because the amount of times they were able to save each other because of it was undeniable.
6.) ESTHER YU AS ORCHID, was the cutest thing ever, argue with the wall if you think otherwise. She was an adorable hyper girl, but I appreciated that she wasn't an idiot; she caught on to things pretty fast and was proactive. Go, little miss goddess, go!
7.) THE CGI was actually pretty beautiful especially in the Arbiter Hall and the Xilan Holy lands. This was something I was wary about going in, but after a couple episodes, I got used to it.
8.) THE STORY was not that complex, surprisingly. When I initially started watching I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to follow along very well, but they do a good job of not complicating things too much. There are a lot of smaller details that could be overlooked, but the main storyline never strays IMO.
THINGS I DIDN'T CARE FOR:
1.) JIELI. Omfg, I wanted to throttle her character so many times. She had so many opportunities to make better choices and she ALWAYS (except for one time), chose to be a backstabbing, greedy, annoying, thief. I also hated how self deprecating she was when confronted. The gaslighting was insane, her excuse every time was that she was the way that she was because of her tragic childhood. I understood her trauma in the beginning, but I quickly got sick of it, because after every time she was caught she threw it in everyone's faces for sympathy and forced understanding. She was an awful friend to Orchid too. Just annoying all around. No hate to the actress tho, she's beautiful and clearly played her character well.
2.) Honestly, hot take, but I felt that LADY CHIDI, was ultimately pretty useless. They all tried so hard to snatch up her primordial spirit, only for it not to be used in the end. My girl, Orchid is the one who saved everyone and righted all the wrongs. Lady Chidi's character could probably be cut out of the whole middle and end of the drama and you would still be able to understand the entire storyline. She was destined to die and should have stayed that way IMO.
3.) RANGHAO, wasn't just evil but very creepy. I couldn't get a good read on his true intentions. Was he in love with Lady Chidi? Did he see her as a mother figure? What exactly did he want after he revived her? It's hard to believe he became a murder for 30,000 years collecting "evil qi," just to play the gd flute for her, sword fight and keep her company for the rest of eternity. He was the character that confused me the most because he quickly went from typical villain to creepo real fast.
4.) ORCHID, should have had more fight scenes after realizing her true identity. That's my only complaint about her character, there was so much potential for her to become a super badass heroine. Her action scenes were mostly in the beginning with her basic plant fairy powers and at the very end with her recovered goddess powers. I kept waiting for her to unleash hell on all her enemies as a the Xishun Goddess, but it never came. I still loved her tho, this complaint is mainly directed at the writing of the story.
5.) THE LAST WEDDING SCENE. Basically the entire reason I watched this show was because I wanted to see DFQC crash Orchid and ChangHeng's immortal wedding, but I was a teensy bit disappointed that he didn't do it because he was jealous, but because he was possessed by TaiSui the evil spirit dude, he still looked hot tho with his extra evil makeover (white hair, completely black eyes and dark markings on his skin). The TikTok edits really got me with this one ngl.
6.) THE ENDING. WTF. What is this horrible new C-drama trend where the main couples have a happy ending, but its literally 3 minutes long (I actually timed it for this drama, out of curiosuity). So unjust, like honestly. On the one hand I am overjoyed that they could be together and in love again, but on the other hand I was pissed that we couldn't even get a glimpse at their future and more of their happiness. UGH. It was still sweet and made me cry happy tears, but after everything they went through they deserved so much more IMO. After proposing and beginning to plan it, I wish Orchid and DFQC could have had their own wedding scene :(
Watch this, its so amazing and I loved every second of the 36 episodes that were released. It was a great first Xianxia/Wuxia Chinese drama, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction into the genre. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to get into these types of dramas for the first time, as well. Don't be dissuaded by the length, it went by pretty quick because you get sucked in so much. I am normally a huge binge watcher, but I paced this one out because of the episode length over the course of one week and it was well worth it. I think giving myself more time allowed for better comprehension of the world building, story line and the many details explained along the way. Truly loved this one, and now I can't wait to start another fantasy
C-drama, I think this has sparked a new addition.
P.S. I would have given this drama a 10, if not for that ending. They needed a longer reunion, and I will never stop talking about this.
P.P.S. Prepare tissues for episodes 30-36 (especially ep.31) !!! I cried so hard my eyes literally swelled shut. You have been WARNED! (So worth it tho, it was a beautiful story so don't avoid it because of a couple of sad scenes, it was all amazing I swear.)
-A
Was this review helpful to you?
