This is my favourite drama of all time. I think I've watched it around seven times now and each time I get swept away in this gut-wrenching, emotional and beautiful drama all over again. I watched the whole thing in one sitting (minus a 3 hour break at 9am to sleep, only to wake up and continue again). To be honest, it took me a few tries to get into it, I watched half of episode 1 at least 3 times before I finally settled and then got promptly hooked. I normally can't stand the exaggerated nature of a lot of the Taiwanese dramas so this was a refreshing change in that the comic relief was not saturated throughout the whole drama.

Story
I absolutely adore the story. The pace was realistic, the buildup on the relationships felt natural and progressive, unlike a lot of dramas where they suddenly realise they're in love with the other and that's that. I found it really easy to believe the characters and the happenings (though when you realise all they've gone through, feels too extraordinary I suppose). I was hooked and couldn't bring myself to sleep until it finished the first arc. I laughed with the characters and bawled my eyes out when they did. Hell, I loved the whole thing. I especially love how you can't just easily hate the 'antagonists', as they're so multidimensional. You come to see why they did what they did, and you just can't completely hate them for it. This is the first and only drama which has done this build up of support characters and it's so refreshing and more realistic for it.

Acting/Cast
LOVE. I suddenly became a Vaness fan after this. Ady An is beautiful. Her character as Mu Cheng really grated on my nerves at some time (the self sacrificing nature, unwillingness to explain), I just wanted to yell at her to just TELL HIM. Vaness as Guang Xi  stole my heart, he was so passionate as a character and I really found myself believing his feelings. I love the chemistry between them. I loved their acting and their scenes together. I love the support cast too, I feel so so so terrible for the Chris as the second lead, he really made me feel pain and his acting was spot on. Xiao Le was was superb.

Music
Loved the music. Came in at the perfect times and for different characters. Wo Yi Wei was so appropriate for Tuo Ye's. It made it all the more sad whenever it played. Love the OST.

Rewatch Value:
I've watched it 7 times with different people and also alone. Enough said. Although some time is needed between runs due to the intense nature and drama so as to not diminish the story :)

Cannot recommend any higher. ARGH. Even though the ratings here are relatively low. This is still my all-time favourite, #1 drama. I think it's about time to rewatch it again.