Long awaited but a dismal disappointment

I was so eagerly waiting for this series to come out because of this main couple's unforgettable chemistry and performance together in Princess Agents, and the ML is one of my favorite actors. Unfortunately this series was a dismal disappointment in so many ways. I skipped through a lot of it, it was so boring. I cannot even list out any redeemable good things about it...so here are the reasons it was so terrible.

- The dubbing was so awful! It was so distractingly bad and was a disservice to the actors and ruined the overall experience. No proper background sounds or anything - just silence and then the dubbed voices.
- Weird sound effects like farm animal noises are used in an attempt to emphasize scenes that are supposed to be funny. Felt like you are watching random TikTok videos w/ stupid sound effects, It was so distracting.
- Pacing was so slow and boring. Oddly dragged out staring or walking scenes.
- ML (Lin Geng Xin) is one of my favorite actors. His performance fell flat in this role. I understand that these types of roles for ancient gods they are supposed to be stoic - but he just came across as a boring character with little depth and lack of effective emotional expression.
- FL (Zhao Li Ying) - I am not a big fan of this actress, I don't think she has good acting range or facial expression/emotions. She's really only good at playing a cold & tough fighter. And half of her lines were delivered as voice narrations of her inner thoughts! The entire series, she barely actually spoke to the other characters but just had internal monologues!
- Makeup and costume were not terrible, but not great either for this type of high budget production. The FL's makeup was so bad! Her eyeliner always looked smudged like she slept in her makeup overnight. And close up shots you can clearly see the fake eyelashes over her real eyelashes so it looked like she had 2 different levels of eyelashes!
- Chemistry - the main couple could not replicate the intense chemistry they had in Princess Agents
- The last 2 episodes were completely unnecessary! The storyline had wrapped up, the main couple had their happy ending. So WHY the need to drag out 2 more episodes to showcase that random other couple getting married (the Snake god lady)? I just don't understand it.

I am so upset that my eager long awaited anticipation and time spent watching it was a total waste!

Read More

Great potential but terrible miscast of FL

This was a good series, pretty engaging. It had great potential to score an 8 or 9 (I rarely give those scores). But I took points off mainly because of the terrible miscasting of the female lead. This was not the role for this actress. She just could not not pull off the comedy, emotional range or screen presence. This if the first time I've seen this actress in a lead role, and I don't think she's ready to be the main lead in a series and is better suited for 2nd lead or supporting role. She did fine in her 2nd lead in Ashes of Love, but this was not the role for her.

Two actresses come to mind whom this Bu Yin Lou role was written for: 1) Song Zu Er from Legally Romance, Cupid's Kitchen, The Bond; or 2) Zhao Lu Si from Romance of Tiger & Rose, and Love Like the Galaxy. If either of these actresses played the FL role this series would've been one of my top favorites.

Pros:
- The ML (Dylan Wang) was perfect in this role. I watched this series after seeing how great he was in Love Between Fairy & Devil. His facial expressions and body language are perfectly conveyed for every emotion. You want to smile when he's happy, your heart breaks for him when he's sad.
- The 2nd ML / Villain Emperor (Peter Ho) - he was totally believable in how he evolved from of a kind hearted, cowardly prince to a sadistic, egomaniac tyrant. I pitied him when he was trampled on as the kind and gullible prince, but then my skin crawled anticipating what he would do next when he became the villainous emperor.
- Overall the support characters were good, nothing terrible or too annoying about them.

Cons:
- Terrible miscast of the FL. He facial expressions were over-the-top but could not quite convey true emotions - her eyes mainly just bulged widely with eyebrows furrowed. Her comedic abilities did not come natural at all, very forced.
- Some plot holes, but none too major that you can't overlook.

Read More

Good but did not tug at the heartstrings

This was a good fantasy series, typical tropes, but a decent watch. The main issue I have w/ this is that this type of love story has to really tug at your heartstrings and leave you w/ lingering feelings long after watching it. I did not get that feeling like I did w/ other love stories (i.e. Ashes of Love, Rise of the Phoenixes, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, Goodbye My Princess).

Pros:
- ML lead (Dylan Wang) this was the first time seeing him in a series, he absolutely nailed this role. He was convincing in all the various stages of his character development: cold & powerful, funny & bubbly for the body swaps, tender & emotional. His facial expressions made you feel every emotion he felt.
- 2nd ML (Cheng Heng role) - first time seeing this actor. I liked him - usually I tend to really root against the 2nd ML, but his character was likeable.
- Support characters - usually the support characters are rather annoying, but most were likeable except for Jie Li, she was super annoying. I had zero sympathy for her plight. I special shoutout to Danyin. She character seem to start off as one of those psychotic love-obsessed women that would do anything to steal a love she feels entitled to, but Danyin was an upstanding character rational logic and ethics. She was my favorite support character. I loved the relationship w/ her and the Chang Heng in the mortal realm - her undying/selfless devotion to Chang Heng was sweet and funny.
- production quality was impressive

Cons:
- FL was just ok. I think she was overshadowed by the ML's screen presence. She did not seem to match up to his acting/screen presence. Her cuteness was a bit over the top that it was annoying at times, and came across like a complete fool. And when she did the body swap, she could not pull off the cold/domineering effect. She just looked silly.
- the chemistry between the main couple was just ok, not terrible, but not great either. The chemistry for this type of love story is crucial.
- some of the costumes looks really silly. The headgear of the gods looked very plastic. And the gold flower wrap around the FM character as the Goddess of Xishan looks so cheap.
- the ending was confusing. They never explained why/how Dongfang Qing Cang came back to life suddenly.

Overall it was good. Not one of my favorite dramas but still good. I may rewatch it if I'm bored.

Read More

BORING and worst Female Lead EVER

This is my first time watching a K-drama (I always was C-dramas). This was the worst drama I've ever watched. So SLOW and BORING as hell. And god, the FL has to be the worst character of all time. Not one redeeming quality about her at all, yet all these men fawn over her, and the ML was obsessed but they had no chemistry. She constantly lied, created unnecessary, irrational drama that humiliated or hurt others she supposedly cared about just to concoct a narrative she thinks "is better." She always talked in circles - whenever someone would question her she always answers w/ a stupid rhetorical or condescending question!

Literally a drama full of really unlikeable characters - other than the 2 moms (the ML's mom and the 2nd FL's mom), they were charming and cute.

Every other scene was either a flashback (for the 100th time), a shot of their phone screens either making a call or a text, or the characters staring, blank-faced at each other. The scenes just kept bouncing back and forth, moving onto a scene that leaves you utterly confused, then it goes and replays flashbacks to explain the confusing sequence of events....OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I'd give this a ZERO star if possible.

Read More

Decent but not great, lead couple had no chemistry

Decent, but not an great series that really tugs at any of my emotions or lingers long after I've finished the series. Seems they didn't have much budget for a star power cast.

Pros:
- I only watched it for the ML (Chen Xing Xu) because I loved him in Goodbye My Princess and the recent modern series My Boss. He just stood out so much compared to all the other leads and support characters.
- The storyline had such great potential - but the cast seemed to fall a bit flat.
- One of the few scenes that tugged at my heartstrings was when the ML was portraying the La Mu shard (fire demon) went to make peace w/ the villagers who misunderstood and accused him - he showed up w/ such hope, innocence and kindness but instead they attacked him. That broke my heart - and Ye Tan's reaction of pity and heartache for him. That was so sad.
- The scene of Man Man's death was really sad. I like her character and the funny, loyal friendship/sidekick relationship w/ Ye Tan was cute.

Cons:
- The lead couple Ye Tan and You Qing had little to no chemistry at all, which is crucial for this type of storyline of undying devotion/sacrifice for love (such as Ashes of Love, Ten Mile of Peach Blossoms, Love & Destiny).
- The cast was weak, no star power. I watch a LOT of dramas and I didn't recognize any of the lead or support actors (other than the ML Chen Xing Xu). The Heavenly Emperor was one of the worst, his acting was just awful, he literally had ONE facial expression the entire series!
- The two FLs (the sisters Ye Tan and Qing Kui) did not have the screen presence that these lofty roles required to captivate the audience - their acting wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Qing Kui character was renowned for her beauty and gentle kindness - while the actress did portray the gentle kindness part, but she did not embody stunning beauty. She looked more like an actress that would play a 2nd or 3rd support role.
- When the ML was playing the womanizer shard, he came across as super gay/feminine rather than a womanizer/playboy.

OST - just ok, not memorable

Re-watch - nah, not worth the time

Read More

Cute Romantic Comedy with a Good Cast Ensemble

This is a cute light-hearted romantic comedy with a great ensemble cast where the support characters really shined. Yes, a bit cliche tropey storyline with the alpha male boss who falls in love with his newbie female assistant/colleague. But I can overlook that and just watch this at face value as a cute romantic comedy.

Pros:
- Adorable main couple, great chemistry. ML and FL did a great job. This the first role I've seen the ML (Chen Xing Xu) since the fan favorite Goodbye My Princess. The FL is a new actress that can really play the adorable, charismatic role. But she still lacks complex/emotional depth - but that's not really required for this light-hearted drama.
- The pacing was good, not draggy at all - for once I did not skip thru much.
- A realistic modern script without a bunch of over the top ridiculous scenes/plot lines that make your blood boil. There is the typical unrequited love that makes someone do unethical things to damage their love-rival's reputation - but this drama addresses this quickly and serves up justice, rather than letting it be the main plot for the whole series.
- The support characters were so good. This is one of the very very few dramas (modern or costume) that I actually enjoyed watching the support characters on screen. None of them were annoying, over-the-top, or boring scree-fillers. The character Bao Rui was my favorite, he had such subtle comedic timing, he actually made me laugh out loud.

Cons:
- The entire series was so good, but the last 2-3 episodes just seemed to lose steam, and the last episode was rather lackluster. I would've given this series a 10, but took 1 pt off for this reason.

Re-watch: I'd likely rewatch this.

Read More

Major Leads w/ NO chemistry and recycled storyline

As many reviewers mentioned, this is not worth the time unless you're looking for a new xianxia drama or you're a huge fan of Zhao Lusi. I skipped a through a lot. It was ok since there weren't any other good dramas to watch. But I won't rewatch it.

The Good:
- costumes
- production quality was decent

The Bad:
- plot/storyline was literally recycled and blended copy cat parts of Ashes of Love, Eternal Love, Love & Destiny. Too many similarities it was distracting
- the main issue I have is the utter lack of chemistry between the lead couple. I really like the ML and FL actors in their other works. But they just fell flat in this one. I just didn't feel the emotional yearning to root for them as a couple, which is essential for these types of dramas (i.e. Ashes of Love, Eternal Love)
- the ML (Wang An Yu) : I've only seen this actor in one other series To Fly w/ You, his acting was so good and his chemistry w/ the FL (Song Zu Er) was off the charts. In this Last Immortal series he just could not pull off the screen presence of a stoic, larger than life High God of Chaos. He came across as goofy and too soft hearted, and his acting lacked depth.
- the FL (Zhao Lu Si) - tends to be type-casted w/ as the cutesy, gutsy female lead. Which she played that part well as A Yin. But when she became the Lord Phoenix Feng Yin - she was not likeable at all. She didn't quite have the depth to play the jaded, badass female heroine w/ conflicted soft yearning heart for her true love (for example Yang Mi in Eternal Love). She jsut came across as an icy statue.

Read More

Low budget indecisive comedy or period piece

I only watched this for the ML after seeing him in "Love Me If You Dare". This was not his best performance. I skipped thru so much of this series.

There really aren't that many good things about this series at all other than I like the ML - Wallace Huo is just pure eye candy

The Cons (so many):
- FL Tiffany Tang is hit or miss, I like some of her work but this was not one of them.
- None of the support characters were worthy of screen time, acting was so one dimensional across the board
- Terrible production quality - not sure if it's cuz this is a really old series and they didn't have all technology/special effects like they do nowadays, but this was so bad. For example the lighting was inconsistent, often times the lighting behind the characters makes their ears glow like bright light bulbs, and you always saw mist of their spit coming out of their mouths when they spoke. The scene w/ the emperor in the imperial palace hall - the decor was laughable, looked like an amateur theater stage set up.
- The wigs were SO BAD, especially for the ML - literally it was his normal haircut slicked back w/ highlighted bangs and the wig bun you can see where the line is wrapped around the base of his head, with his real hair jutting out. The FL's bangs were just so unflattering and fake looking.
- The costumes were poor quality, and especially for the ML, his clothes did not seem to fit him properly
- Inconsistencies in the storyline details - in the beginning the FL is portrayed as a tough fighters/martial artist compared to the ML and she always had to come to his rescue, but halfway thru she's a damsel in distress and allows the men to grab her and push her around w/out even try to fight back. ML supposedly did not know martial arts...but some scenes he does, and some he doesn't?
- Very tropey toxic love dynamics - ML verbally, physically, emotionally abuses the female lead...over and over again...but she still keeps forgiving and coming back....cuz he did it in the name of love for her own good.
- The ending was a WTF type of ending. Made no damn sense. Utterly ridiculous.

Read More

Had potential but crashed and burned

Storyline had good potential but it just fell flat. The main couple had no chemistry at all. A lot of the characters/actors were annoying. Skipped thru a lot of it.

Acting:
- FL: I like this actress. I've seen several of her shows. She's not the best actor w/ a ton of range, but she has a cute charm about her.
- ML: I don't think he can pull of the main lead of a show. He's good looking, but his acting is basic. Every show I've seen him in, he's got the same whiney facial expression. He had zero chemistry w/ the female lead. He could not pull of this role as an impressive, high powered corporate exec. He's better suited for support roles.
- Most of the support characters were rather annoying and flat acting other than Zhao Xiao Lei. She is type casted to play that pitiful, kind hearted, unwavering loyalty type role. You just felt so bad for her in here. But yes, she was the biggest idiot/fool ever. I actually liked the storyline of the older bookstore owner/artist guy - but that just went away, and then the last few minutes of the series he randomly appears again.
- Lin Hao character was well played - he was believable as both the kind/hard working, and then the gradual change into a sinister evil person.
- Han Shuang character was really annoying - just kind of over the top with the abrasive, hot-headed, constant yelling approach.
- That musician love interest of the doctor (Xiang Nan) - he was like a wet noodle. Their relationship was not believable at all. And his voice...WTH, he sounded like a pre-puberty teen boy. Whenever he was on screen I couldn't take it, skipped all his scenes.
- Xiang Nan (doctor) - they tried too hard to make her the older, wiser, rational, all-knowing sage. Like who nominated her to be their representative.

Storyline:
- Had good potential but crashed. Lots of draggy and repetitive parts. The last episode seemed oddly rushed and then the ending was just flat. I felt nothing.
- Predictable, over-used trope of the jealous-for-good-reason female colleague/superior that you risk your own career (and going to prison) just to oust the person you don't like.
- Some storylines made no sense, under developed then went nowhere.

Read More

Started out good, then dragged

The storyline is a good foundation for a great drama/tragedy. The first half was good, then it just dragged on repetitively for the remaining half. The series would've been great if they just ended it sooner. Midway thru the series, the scenes just kept repeating over and over. How many times can a Crown Princess Consort sneak out of the Imperial palace, get into mischief and get saved by her creepy stalker. This type of tragic love story should leave you with lingering emotions after watching it. That did not happen for me.

Acting/Cast:
- ML was just ok, nothing great, nothing terrible. One weird thing that I couldn't get past was his hands...his fingers are freakishly long and bony. Every time I saw his hands I was distracted in a bad way.
- FL was good. She was adorable. But the character was a bit cliche.
- 2nd ML (Gu Jiao) - the FL's teacher/first love - he was probably one of the most annoying characters. He came across as a creepy stalker. And how unrealistic that he stood in the tree overlooking her room in the palace every night. If she can see him...can't the palace guards?! He's always wearing white clothing...standing straight upright on a tree branch in a tree w/ barely any leaves/foliage.
- Prime Minister/Imperial Material Uncle - my god he was annoying, I skipped every scene that he was in. Not sure if it was the dubbing of the voice, but it was like being put to sleep when he was on screen
- Support characters, and the ONLY likeable characters were A Du and Pei Zhao. Loyal and conflicted conscience. But it also irked me that they did not speak up to reveal the injustices, atrocities, misunderstandings.

Pros:
- Cinematography and production quality were great
- Music was beautiful
- Good storyline potential

Cons:
- Dragged on way too long, many repetitive scenes/topics
- No real likeable characters other than the Xiao Feng, A Du and Pei Zhao
- The main couple lacked chemistry. Their intense love when they were in Dachi, just didn't make sense to me. And I still don't understand how they fell in love again in the palace after losing their memories. He was so cruel to her, constantly humiliating & degrading her in front of others - so how could she fall in love with him?

Overall it had potential, but fell flat. Won't be re-watching it.

Read More

A bit overrated - its just ok

I delayed watching this because the trailers all made is seem like a silly comedy, rather than a drama. I prefer dramas. The first 1/3 of the series was more comedic, but then it turned into a more serious, heavy drama. Pacing was off, took too long for the love story to build up. It seemed to dragged on too long after the climax of the series...it was like they just recycled random characters who had smaller parts earlier on, then disappeared for most of series...then suddenly reappeared towards the end just to continue the series? Felt forced and odd.
My main issue w/ this series is the main couple - both the ML and FL fell flat in terms of chemistry. I didn't feel it, but you feel like you have to root for them because they are the main couple. I wasn't convinced of any deep, intense love between them.

Acting/Characters:
- Wu Lei / Ling Buyi (ML) - the only other series I saw him in was when he was a child actor in Nirvana in Fire. So it was hard for me to take him seriously as an adult actor in this series. His acting was a bit stiff.
- Zhao Lu Si / Chen Shao Shang (FL) - she plays the cute, funny role fine. She doesn't fit the image of the most beautiful maiden in the capital. Her sad/crying scenes did not tug at my heartstrings, except for 1 scene where she was bullied by the princesses and almost drowned in the pond - when Ling Buyi unaware of what happened came to visit her talking happily....she turned her back and cried out of self pity but tried to hold it in. That scene broke my heart.
- The Emperor - acting was fine. But the script writing for him seems off - I have never seen a period drama where the emperor was so funny and kind. Even if they are kind at hear, they usually appear serious, stern, intimidating.
- Imperial Consort Yue Fei and the Empress - I liked them, it was refreshing that they were genuinely kind people and not scheming like most royals. I liked the spunk and grit that Consort Yue Fei had, and her relationship w/ the Emperor was cute.

Read More

Song Zu Er (FL) the only redeeming quality

I don't understand the rave reviews and high scores this drama got. It was very draggy where it feels like you're watching the same scene/plot on repeat. The only redeeming quality and why I watched until the end (with a LOT of skipping) is because of Song Zu Er. She is one of the best young actresses with such a range in genuine acting - adorable, witty, fierce, emotional, heart-wrenching...she nails it every time in every series I've seen her in.

I just could not get into the male lead and his hair. This is the first time I've seen this actor in a series, and he was not good...not terrible, but not good. He had zero chemistry w/ the FL.

I did not root for anyone or any couple in this series other than the FL and her father. All the supporting characters and their storyline were uninteresting.

Read More

Adorable love story, one of my favorite modern dramas

I'd rank this as my #2 favorites of modern dramas (just behind To Love starring Lin Gen Xing). Great storyline, great acting, pretty good OST. Overall I gave it a 9. Took off a point for the last 2 episodes dragging out beyond the climax of the story.

*** Spoilers below ****

Acting/Cast:
- William Chan (ML) - he's one of my favorite male leads right now, I've been binge watching a lot of his shows. He's not the best actor w/ a ton of range, but he just lights up the screen with his charisma and adorable smile. He plays the action hero role very well. In this role as a fierce firefighter he shined in every way. He was able to convey the tormented, tough, cold & aloof on the outside, but caring/loyal on the inside persona so well. As much as I adore William Chan, he usually does not have much chemistry w/ his female leads (other than Sandra Ma in Age of Legends). However in this series it's the most chemistry I've seen him with a female lead. They had great chemistry.
- Xu Lai (FL) - this is the first time I've seen this actress, she did a great job. She was believable conveying the sweet bubbly innocence w/out being annoyingly over the top, but also tough w/ grit and rational determination. When she cried you can feel her sadness.
- Dr. Zang Qui (Support Female) - first time seeing this actress. She's beautiful and did a great job being the tough logical sounding board for people. But the flashbacks of her youth she was so sweet and bubbly, and the scene where she broke down crying begging Jin Sichuan to let her see her dying husband...that scene was just heartbreaking.

PROS:
- Storyline - I loved it, it was very reminiscent of Backdraft from the 1990s, one of my all time favorite movies with Kurt Russell, Billy Baldwin, etc. The emergency calls/situations were very plausible, unlike a lot of Cdramas.
- The character development was done well showing how people experience and recover from traumatic life experiences
- The death of Liu Xu and his secret recording being played to his brigade team after dies, oh man that was a tearjerker! Get your tissues for that.
- The scene of Jin Sichuan in the coma...trying to follow the dead Liu Xu into the light...but getting pulled back by Xu Lai. That was powerful. I was on the edge of my seat holding my breath.

CONS:
- Hospital scenes - as battered up as Jin Sichuan gets, rightfully so as a firefighter, most of the hospital scenes he still looks perfect, other than 1 time when he saved Xu Lai from the kidnapper he was bruised and battered. But even when he was supposedly in a coma for awhile (maybe months, as they did not really specify how long) - he had not 1 scratch on him, hair perfectly done, clean shaven, etc. Very unrealistic, but this is pretty typical of most cdramas anyway.
- Xu Lai in the beginning came across as some crazed stalker at first w/ zero boundaries and thick skin.
- The annoying coworker of Xu Lai - dumb as bricks and the trouble she tries to inflict on Xu Lai is lame. But she was barely held accountable by the news station even when caught several times - except for the last straw when she almost killed her.
- Rescue dogs were cute and the scene when Windhound died saving Jin Sichuan - gut-wrenching. But the dogs and dog training got too much screen time.
- The dubbing wasn't always the best. Some voices just did not fit w/ the character/actor.
- The 3rd support couple - Lao Huo and Shi Shi the actress. The entire series he was irrationally obsessed and possessive of Xu Lai, while Shi Shi followed him around like a pathetic puppy. Then suddenly at the end of the series he magically realizes...Oh, wait, ok, I love you now Shi Shi (because he can't have Xu Lai). It felt like an unnatural progression, as if the writers wanted to force some sort of resolution for Lao Huo out of pity.

I've never re-watched any modern dramas (except 1 other one) - but I'd probably re-watch this one.

Read More

Amazing acting and storyline - but so boring

I was really looking forward to this series being such a fan of Chen Kun (ML). He's such an amazing actor with unparalleled range, The entire cast also acted very well. The production quality and storyline were great. The reason I gave it such a low score was due to the slowness, it was very boring. I found it hard to stay focused and engaged. Majority of the film was scenes with dark lighting and men talking in low whispers. It was also very difficult to follow along w/ so many characters, and many of them had multiple names which made it even more difficult to decipher who's who and who they were referring to.

Read More

Waste of Time and Talent

I don't understand the highly rated reviews for this series. The premise of the story was promising - portraying the unfair glass ceiling for women in the professional world dominated by men. The strong FL with the unconditionally supportive partner/spouse. But the pacing and the editing made it extremely boring. There was no real build up to the climax of the series...just really long drawn out, repetitive dialogue. Tons of screen time showcasing the FL's career as a lawyer. A lot of the legal cases were just ridiculous.

While the lead actors did a decent job acting, as the leading couple they had zero chemistry. Yang Mi usually does pretty good, this is the first time I've seen her in a modern drama. She came across as self-absorbed for her own personal gains, and he came across as a wimpy doormat/servant. This is the first time I saw the ML actor in a series, and it does not make me want to see any of his other shows.

40 episodes was way to long, what a waste of time. I sat thru it, skipping a lot of episodes just to see if the ending justifies enduring the time spent. Not at all. No major sense of happiness or satisfaction with the ending. I was just annoyed for wasting my time.

Read More