Aya

In the novel Qin Qian Xian ascended to immortality. He didn't die. So I'm sticking with the novel on that one. Gu Han Guang also didn't die in the novel.

I watched this a couple of years ago and like many people I was not happy with the editing. I didn't like the "preview" in the beginning of every episode either, because I want to see the story develop and not just sit an anticipate what I have seen in the preview. That being said, I still liked this drama, because I liked the FL and I also liked that it was about the demonic cultivators and showed the celestial sects as the villains. Obviously there are exceptions on both sides, which made it even more interesting. I also liked the interactions between the characters. Bai Lu and Xu Kai have a lot of chemistry together and made the characters come to life in a breathtaking way. I also loved the interactions between Zhao Yao and Zhi Yan.

That being said, there were a few things towards the end that made no sense and the editing didn't help. I just finished the novel and I think one of the main reasons for the weirdness at the end is the fact that they decided to change some of the things from the novel that didn't really need changing.

Obviously, the added some things to make the drama longer and not all of it was bad. They gave more of an insight into the celestial sects that was not in the novel, but did help shape the world a bit better. However, there were some repetitive and unnecessary things added too.

Repetitiveness aside, this was not the main issue I had. as I said, they changed some things that didn't really need to be changed. One of the main changes was the fact that in the novel Zhao Yao is a ghost and is able to possess Zhi Yan's body when the sun goes down. When the sun goes up again, Zhi Yan returned to her body. It's a very simple concept and works really well, so it's confusing why they decided to change it into something complicated in the drama and then decided not to explain it properly. They also left out some crucial explanations regarding Mo Qing's nature, which made the ending so confusing.

Also, I don't see why they had to make Lin Zi Yu female and in love with Mo Qing. There was already a crazy lady named Liu Su Ruo in the story, there was no need to add another one. I feel lik script writers don't understand that there's no necessity to have a female character that's insanely in love with the ML to make the story interesting or to make the ML feel desirable.

While I understand that changes needed to be made when adapting the novel into the drama, some things should have been kept as they were.

Thanks. I have read some of her short stories, but have yet to read the master series. Hopefully there'll be more information about the drama soon.

I can't seem to find this novel online. Does anyone know where I can read it?

I don't mind sad endings, but as they do take a lot out of me I always need a light and fluffy drama afterwards. Maybe even a few of them. To lift my mood.

So you don't like sad endings? Immortal Samsara isn't really a sad ending if you watch the special episodes. But I do understand it. Sad endings can take a lot out of you. Especially if you have spent hours and hours falling in love with the characters and just wish they'll get a happy ending

Agreed. In dramas you already get visually complete characters, so you don't need to imagine what they look like as it's already presented. On top of it, you get the characterisation the way the actor portrays the character, which makes it even more specific. Sometimes it works out great, but sometimes it doesn't. It really depends on the actor's ability and charisma. In novels, you get a description and no matter how detailed it is or isn't, the appearance you imagine in your mind is subjective. It's coloured by your own taste. Most people who have read a novel before watching a drama or movie usually have an issue with the way some of the characters look, because it's not how they have imagined it and it makes the experience less positive.

Do you prefer to read a novel before watching a drama? Or the other way around? Or do you not read novels at all?

Totally agree. That's always the case when I read the novel after I watch the adaptation. I keep picturing the characters looking the same way as the characters in the drama. Plus, with the love I had for the drama and the way the characters were portrayed, I can't help it. It happens automatically.

Since LBFAD is so different from the novel, it's anybody's guess if this drama will actually follow the novel more closely. So who knows what it's about

Was this filmed in the 90s??

Exactly what I thought. I just think of them as two different stories. It's true that all the characters are completely different too. It's more apparent with the ML and the FL, because we're following their story. DFQC is completely different and all the reasons he is the way he is are too. XLH is also very different. Very few similarities. But I do agree that both are good in their own way and the novel is still interesting to read even after watching the drama and the other way around. The lack of similarities though does make me wonder why they decided to even link the two together. The drama could have been marketed as an original.

I don't think that's always the case. There are dramas that are pretty similar to novels. At the very least, most of the big events are the same. It's not the case here. Nothing is the same. I don't really see the point of even referring to the novel as inspiration. They could have just used different names for the characters and call it a new story. I do agree that this is definitely not the first time. There are plenty of examples where movies and dramas deviate so much that it's a whole new story.

Agreed. There were many great episodes and the way they presented sensitive issues was done really well. I'm glad someone else shared my opinion about the patriotism part.

I totally agree with your complaint about "turf wars". I think that the writers in their attempt to villify Japan just because Koreans hate them made a tasteless and thoughtless choice there. Yes, what the Japanese military did was disgraceful and painful and evil on so many levels and those women have suffered a fate worse than death, but you'd think the afterlife with the supposed infinite wisdom wouldn't be ruled by the wars and happenings in life. Making Japanese Grim Reapers despicable and the Korean Grim Reapers cool wasn't a good choice. Another thing was that supposedly in the past only nobles could become grim reapers???? Really???? The drama endorses the idea of reincarnation. So what does that mean? That nobility is always reborn as nobility and poor people are destined to be poor for eternity? That hardly makes sense.

I loved this drama do much, but there were some things I had to disagree with

I was literally shouting at the screen.

Give it a chance. Personally, I really liked it, but it's always best to see for yourself.

Just started watching this one and right from the start I feel like everyone in the drama seems to have misunderstood that the ML is emotionless. He doesn't feel sensations like touch, smell, taste, ..., but he does seem to have feelings. Maybe they're not as varied as a normal persons and he doesn't know how to express them, but they are there.

Some differences, sure. But the novel is completely different. There are almost no similarities at all.

Have you read the novel?

Don't misunderstand me, I loved the drama. That was the reason why I wanted to read the novel before rewatching, because I wanted to know more about the characters and the story.

I also like the novel, so far.

However, I decided to treat the two as two separate and different things, because as I said, I hardly see any similarities between the novel and the drama.

As much as I loved Song Joong Ki and Kim Ji Won in season 1, I can't be mad about the casting of Lee Joon Gi. He's an amazing actor and I know he will do a great job. Shin Se Kyung is a bit of a 'hit or miss' in my opinion. She does great in some roles and not that well in others, so I'm not going to judge before we actually get to see what she does with the role.

This was definitely a drama of the cute, light and funny variety.

Going into this drama you have to be prepared for the mandatory despicable second female lead and a bunch of misunderstandings due to lack of communication, but all in all neither do any actual damage.

There were some things that frustrated me. One was definitely the length of the fake pregnancy. There were so many opportunities to end the lie, but they kept it up until it escalated. The actions of some of the characters were so stupid that I couldn't help shouting at the screen.

That being said, there are plenty of funny and cute moments. The drama is relatively short, so you know that the misunderstandings are not going to last. The plot is light and simple enough to keep you entertained, if that's what you're looking for.