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Fate-Defying Love
This drama was honestly one of my favorites that I have watched this year! Everything from the visuals, costumes, and the OSTs was absolutely gorgeous! This is my third drama of Dilraba's that I have watched, and once again, she did not disappoint! The way that she portrayed He Simu was incredible! I loved the duality her character had, as she could be very cold and merciless, but also be so curious and like a child when it comes to experiencing her five senses. I also loved that we slowly got to see her be more emotionally vulnerable as the drama goes on, such as when she loses control upon learning that Duan Xu was severely injured and wounded.And speaking of Duan Xu, I honestly was so surprised at Arthur Chen's acting in this drama. I have never seen any of his other dramas, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. But, oh my goodness, his acting in this drama was honestly so good? In my opinion, he is another actor that expresses a lot of emotions with just his eyes. I also love the smiles and subtle smirks that he does as well, adding on to the confidence of his character. Duan Xu is someone who is unfailingly loyal and who gives his entire heart and soul to someone. (In this case, Simu). He is the definition of golden retriever energy, in my opinion. I loved how persistent he was, even though Simu did not return his affections for a while. He loves her unconditionally, but not only that, he allows her to have her freedom and doesn't try to confine her.
He Simu is a character who has been alive for 400 years, and has seen all of the tragedies and things that life has had to offer her. As the Sovereign of all Spirits, she rules over the Void firmly, and with an iron fist. She is cold and merciless, but is also quite calculating when she needs to be. She has had 22 lovers, all of whom have died. She even explains to Duan Xu how there was one lover whom she did care for deeply, but she soon came to forget his name and what they even looked like. And, because of her lack of five senses, she is unable to experience touch, sight, smell, etc. It is because of Duan Xu that she is able to experience all of these sensations, which is why she initially agrees for him to become her spell bearer. She insists that their relationship is purely transactional, but as the drama goes on, we see that that is truly not the case. She even does so much as walk away from him, despite the fact that it breaks her heart to do so, in order to save him from Yan Ke, who is surely to use him against her. She is such a strong female lead, who is a force to be reckoned with.
As for Yan Ke, Miles Wei was incredible in this role! I honestly think that he should play more villain/morally ambiguous characters. As Simu's Right Hand, he has spent 300 years by her side, obeying her every order and carrying them out as needed. But, he secretly harbors a greed for power, and the person with the most power is He Simu. At first, I had thought that Yan Ke was in love with Simu, as he would bring her things from the mortal realm, such as a tea?? making set. But, as the drama progressed and we got to see more and more of his personality; I soon realized that that wasn't exactly the case. He isn't in love with Simu, but with the power that she can give him. In other words, he is "in love" with what he cannot have. His ambitions and greed only grow, and it even drives him to extreme measures, trapping Simu in a bedchamber and placing a strong magical barrier around it so that she cannot escape.
The scene where he tells Simu that she has been his obsession for all these years and that he is the only one that truly cares about her? Yeah, that scene truly made me see his true colors. He is psychotic enough to use Duan Xu against her and to severely wound him as well. And while Simu appears not to care, we all know that she does. At the end, when he dies, I honestly wasn't sure how to feel. On the one hand. he did, in a way, die to save her, but at the same time, it doesn't excuse all the things that he did to her before. Jiang Ai? I absolutely loved her, but I just wish we got more of her backstory. I wanted to know more about her history with Bai San Xing. I do wish we got more of her story, but I am glad that we did get some backstory of her. I absolutely loved how she was loyal to Simu and was one of the only spirits who Simu perhaps considered a friend.
The love between Simu and Duan Xu was absolutely beautiful and devastating, and there are definitely a lot more things I could say, but I don't want to make this review any longer than it already is. I know I'm missing a lot of things, but the one last thing I will say is that the ending (the original one) was honestly beautiful. I did love the alternate ending, but I just think that Duan Xu would not like that Simu gave up her immortality to be with him. He would not want her to give up anything for him. I do prefer the original ending ,as Duan Xu will perhaps eventually become a spirit, and then he will be able to be with Simu forever. The ending had me sobbing uncontrollably, and the acting by both Arthur Chen and Dilaraba in that scene was absolutely excellent <3 Overall, this drama was absolutely beautiful, and depicts a love that defies fate and is absolutely beautiful and tragic all at once.
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Very healing/comforting!
I honestly don't even know where to begin with this drama. At first, I started it for Li Yunrui, who is one of my favorite actors. But I honestly loved the entire cast and ensemble of characters. (LOVED seeing Bian Tian Yang in this drama, as he was in Generation to Generation and also When I Fly Towards You. Absolutely adored his character, Hao Cheng, in this drama as well). This drama honestly feels like one huge hug and as if a warm blanket is being draped over your shoulders.While the pace of this drama is definitely a bit slow, especially throughout the first few episodes, it is so worth it! The gradual development of Qing Ye's character, for example, was so great to see. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to love her character, as she comes off as very spoiled and bratty, especially when she first arrives in Zhazhating. I didn't love how she treated Xing Wu's mother, nor how she continuously complained about her living conditions. It wasn't what she was used to, sure, but I just didn't love the way she went about it. However, as the drama goes on, you see how Qing Ye slowly starts to adapt to her new environment and how she starts to warm up to the residents of the small coastal village. We see her go from absolutely hating ZhaZhaTing and wanting absolutely nothing to do with it to being reluctant to leave.
She grows attached to the residents, especially her new friends and of course, Xing Wu. The residents of this small coastal village are so lovable (well, most of them) and I just love how they eventually dote on Qing Ye, especially Teacher Zhu, Shanxi, and Ma Yu Fen. I loved the three aunties' friendship and how their support for one another never faltered, not even for one second.
Qing Ye is someone who, in my opinion, had clear goals when she had first arrived to Zhazhating, but after spending more and more time there, her goals suddenly begin to become a bit unclear. I absolutely loved how her character develops, as she learns to become more appreciative of the smaller and simpler things in life, and that even the smallest moments in life can be quite memorable. I absolutely adore her character, and I love that she marches forward and goes after what she wants in her career and for her future, even if her father doesn't necessarily approve.
Speaking of her father, I really disliked him throughout this entire drama, especially when he forced her to go back to Beijing with him and thought that her attachment to Zhazhating was ridiculous. He was so selfish and didn't care what Qing Ye thought. He really only did what he thought was best, and it didn't matter what Qing Ye thought. I loved that Qing Ye didn't back down on her decision to not study abroad and instead apply to a local university in Beijing. She goes on to work at a prestigious company and even spearheads a lot of her own projects there. She becomes successful in her own right, and her intelligence, determination, and hard-working nature really shine through.
As for Xing Wu, I honestly felt so much for him. He is someone who is carrying so many burdens on his shoulders, even at a young age. It was heartbreaking to learn about his past trauma and how his dad was a horrible person who physically abused his mother and verbally abused him as well. It was also heartbreaking to learn about how he had so much going for him when he was in high school, had a dream to become a pilot, and was extremely talented and intelligent. But, everything went downhill when his father gambled off all the money that his mother had. I absolutely despised his father and how much trouble that he caused for them. Xing Wu may appear to be cold and "rebellious," but he actually has a heart of gold and will do anything to protect the ones he loves. He tries to lessen his mother's burdens and works extremely hard every single day, even if he is extremely exhausted and doesn't take care of himself that well. Xing Wu, even at a young age, tries to take on everything by himself and tries to appear strong for both his mother and grandmother. Xing Wu, at his core, is a protector and a provider. He does everything he can to make life more bearable for those he cares about.
At the same time, though, he carries a lot of emotional baggage and bottles all of it inside. He is guarded and closed off, and doesn't want to appear "weak." He wants to be someone people can rely on. At the start of the drama, he is yet to heal from the tragic events of the past. When Qing Ye shows up, he just wants her to go home and never come back. But, as time goes on, Xing Wu slowly starts to warm up to Qing Ye and becomes very protective and starts to care deeply for her. I love how he was able to overcome his trauma and heal from it, with his loved ones by his side. That scene where he hugs Qing Ye after his house got burnt down was devastating. It was truly the first time that we see Xing Wu let his guard down completely and let out all his pent-up emotions. He finally allows himself to be comforted, and I thought that scene was both equal parts heartbreaking and also touching.
While the slow burn between Xing Wu and Qing Ye was excruciating, I absolutely loved seeing their relationship develop as time went on. That's not to say I didn't scream at my computer, begging for them to confess. I absolutely adore them together, and I honestly kind of liked that they didn't start dating until they were both adults. I think that those five years apart allowed them to really work on themselves as people and also figure out what they really want in life. I also think that it allowed them to also focus on their careers and make a name for themselves.
Their constant almost meetings did drive me nuts though, I will admit. But, it made their reunion scene all that worth waiting for. I loved that everyone in this drama got their happy ending, and the found family trope in this drama is just fantastic as well. The constant support and love of their families and other residents of Zhazhating made my heart so incredibly warm. I also loved that Shu Han and Meng Ruihang, characters that could've easily come in between Xing Wu and Qing Ye's relationship, instead were supportive in the end. I absolutely loved that! The ending of this drama was absolutely perfect, but I just wish that we got to see more of Xing Wu and Qing Ye actually being a couple. I'm still glad we got some cute moments between them though <3 The friendships in this drama were just so immaculate and absolutely adorable! I also love how resilient these characters are, because no matter how many hardships they go through, they always find a way to overcome them and come out stronger, even if the journey to get there is rough.
There's honestly so much more that I could say, but I will say one last thing: I will think about this drama for a while, and I think it's one that will stick with me forever <3 Please take me back to Zhazhating immediately!! This drama has definitely become one of my comfort cdramas for sure <3 This drama will forever hold a special place in my heart. I already miss these characters so so so so much! One of my absolute favorite dramas of the year for sure!
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what a healing drama <3
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this drama??
First of all, this drama made me a fan of ZLH and Xu Ruohan. Their chemistry was so so good, and I just loved how natural their scenes were.
If I could describe this drama in one word, it would be comforting. It feels like a warm hug or a fuzzy blanket or jacket being draped around your shoulders when you are cold. This drama really spoke to me in terms of how hesitant Shen Xifan was when it came to love. Her ex-boyfriend is horrible, and the fact that he ghosted her?? (oh absolutely not!!!) My heart hurt for her throughout this drama, especially when her ex was saying nasty things to her.
Xifan being hesitant of love and also entering a new relationship felt very relatable to me. While her rejecting He Suye at first did sting, I do think that it made sense for her to do so because of how draining her previous relationship was. I mean, the poor girl literally developed insomnia from the strain that the relationship was taking on her, as well as the physical demand of her job as a hotel manager. She needed to take time for herself to decide what she really wanted, and I honestly loved that. She didn't want to rush into a new relationship when the first one left such a deep scar on her. She also didn't fully love herself, and perhaps didn't think that she wasn't deserving of such affection and kindness from He Suye.
And honestly, don't even get me started on her friends and her parents. They were fantastic, and also excellent support systems for Xifan. They were there for Xifan no matter what, and gave her comfort when she needed it. Her friends also didn't reveal their relationship to Xifan right away, which I honestly appreciated? I don't know why, but I kinda like that they kept it lowkey.
And I mean, we HAVE to talk about He Suye. I mean, he is the literal definition of a green flag man. He can cook, is a doctor, and is also a total gentleman but also shameless?? YES PLS!! Also, I absolutely LOVE how he protected Xifan from her ex-boyfriend without having to resort to violence. The way that he just naturally showed up at her doorstep under the pretense of giving her food that he had prepared?? And then stepping in front of Xifan to shield her from her ex?? UGHHH and its the way that he didn't have to say much? Also, can we talk about how patient he was with Xifan?? Even though she rejected him, Suye never gave up on her, and still showed that he cared for her, even though he was hurt.
ALSO can we PLEASE talk about these quotes?
"In my eyes, you get better and more deserving of love than the last. So, from now on, just focus on loving yourself. As for the rest, leave it to me."
"Give me your life's time, and I'll give you my life's love. Everyday, I want to wake up with you in the sunlight, fall asleep to the sound of rain, run with you in the sunset, and chat with you under the moonlight. Just like this honeysuckle flower, after this winter passes, we will be like two flowers on one stem, with all my heart."
"But, in my heart, you are the most beautiful scenery in this world. Falling in love with you is the luckiest thing I've ever done. Loving you is the best thing I've ever done."
"We met at a not so good time. At that time, I never even thought that every day with you would be so interesting. You made my gray life suddenly be full of color."
Yeah, these quotes brought tears to my eyes. They are just so beautiful and it just shows how much He Suye loves her:((( This drama was so comforting and healing, and I loved that He Suye and Xifan became each other's safe spaces <3
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This was....something.
I know there are probably short dramas out there that are actually really good, but this was one...just wasn't. Everything about it lacked depth and I just wasn't a fan of the romance at all. I honestly wish I never watched this, for it was a complete waste of time. I don't even remember the names of the characters or what the plot was. That's how unmemorable it was.Was this review helpful to you?
Entertaining for the first half...and then the second half is where everything falls apart
Oh boy....where do I even start with this??This drama honestly had so much potential to be one of my favorites. I mainly watched this for Song Weilong, as I haven't seen any dramas that AngelaBaby has been in. For the first half of the drama, I was actually really intrigued in the plot, as well as the romance between Xuan Lie and Jun Qi Luo. I really enjoyed their chemistry for the first half. Then, the second half of the drama came along, and I just feel like everything fell apart.
The plot became a complete hot mess, and I got increasingly frustrated with both the female lead and the male lead. The male lead is supposed to be this formidable wolf lord or whatever, but he's almost always getting hurt or injured for the female lead or whatever else. I also just thought that his personality kind of took a turn for the worst because I feel like his entire personality for the second half was him just trying to win Qi Luo back.
In my opinion, Qi Luo was one of the worst female leads ever. She had so much potential at the start, but I just feel like she was just so insufferable in the second half of the drama. She continuously pushed Xuan Lie away, saying nasty things to his face, and I just feel like after everything they've been through together, as well as how devoted he was to her, it just wasn't fair to him. I could understand why she acted the way did, considering the circumstances, but I just hated how she was especially cruel to him. The second half was just a chaotic mess, and I just couldn't follow what was happening anymore. I was so close to dropping it, but I decided to just stick it out and finish it. I will say that the ending was kind of lackluster. It wasn't a sad ending, for anyone who is wondering, but it was just...I don't know, boring? I was like: Oh, that's it? Ok then. This has absolutely NOTHING to do with anyone who was involved in the drama, as I had no problems with the acting, it was just the characters that absolutely drove me insane.
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Devastating Love
Another drama of ZLH's that I decided to watch on a whim. And honestly, I was glad that I did! I absolutely loved the found family trope that was in this, as well as how hilarious the female lead, Nan Yan, was! The side characters in this drama are so loveable, and I adored the friendship that Nan Yan had with Yin Ya and Mu Zhan Ting.Their bond was so precious! One aspect of this drama that I did enjoy was not only the friendships, but the romance as well! Nan Yan and Ji Yang do start as enemies, but eventually, romance does begin to blossom between them, and let me tell you, this drama had me bawling my eyes out at three am! While the ending wasn't necessarily what I wanted, I still had a great time watching this, and I have even listened to the OST after I was done watching!
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"She graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart."
There's honestly not enough words to describe how I feel about this drama. I regret not watching this drama sooner! (But, hey, better late than never, right?) Ok, first of all, I want to just say how incredible Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei are together.Their chemistry was just so enjoyable to watch, and nothing about their scenes together felt forced or awkward. Their acting was incredible in this drama, and I honestly hope that they have another project together in the future.
This drama had me invested from episode one, and I have honestly never watched a historical drama this quickly! Every episode was so entertaining and I absolutely loved seeing the gradual romance between Xiao Jue and He Yan. The entire ensemble of characters in this drama were fantastic (yes, even the villains), and I think that everyone did a phenomenal job with their respective roles.
First off, I of course have to talk about one of my (new) favorite female leads ever: He Yan. She is honestly the definition of a strong female lead. Her past was honestly kind of sad, as her father and step-brother were especially cruel to her. Though her mother wasn't able to care for her as she had wanted, we learn that her mother genuinely loved and cared for her, but couldn't do so openly because of the man she married. He Yan is extremely resilient, and despite how cruelly she was treated by her father and brother, she was able to leave home and find success of her own. And though she had to conceal her identity, He Yan worked extremely hard to get to where she is. I absolutely hated how her father and step-brother treated her, especially when they poisoned and blinded her. I also hated how they tried to kill her in order to silence her. That in itself was so cruel.
Despite the hardships that she endured, He Yan was able to recover and enlist in the military once again, working hard to earn merits of her own right. She is not only extremely resilient, but never allows herself to be looked down upon. She also never loses hope, and keeps going, even when things seem hopeless.
He Yan is bright and cheerful, but is also a fierce fighter and soldier. Despite her being the smallest in her military camp, she showed that she was just as capable of keeping up with her fellow soldiers. Though her relationship with her fellow soldiers doesn't start out great, they all eventually come to respect one another and also become close comrades and friends. I absolutely loved her friendship with them! He Yan proved herself countless times that she is a force to be reckoned with, and that she should not be underestimated. Not only is she a strong fighter, but she is also extremely intelligent and strategic, more so than people give her credit for. She continuously amazed me by how incredibly strong she is! Her strength and drive are honestly so admirable, and honestly kind of inspires me, in some ways. He Yan is also very loyal and an amazing person to have in your corner. She is someone who will go down swinging for those she cares about.
Throughout the drama, we see how women are restricted by societal norms, and the expectations that are thrust upon them. He Yan getting through to the women in Rundu and also in Jiyang where she showed them that women are no less capable than men, and that they shouldn't be afraid to pursue their interests or dreams, no matter how big or small.
She teaches them that they shouldn't allow people to tell them that they can't or shouldn't do something. Instead, they should pursue it to the fullest of their ability. In a way, He Yan kind of becomes a role model to them, which I absolutely loved.
And, despite the fierceness that He Yan possesses, she also has a soft heart, and is emotional, as we see her grieve over the death of her master and also Yan He, one of the generals that helped defend Huayuan after it was invaded by Wutuo. Also, that scene in episode 26 where she thinks that she will never be able to see Xiao Jue again after he disappears into the smoke that is surrounding the battlefield was so incredibly devastating. He is the only person who has truly noticed and cared for her. And the relief in her eyes when she realizes that he's alive?? I SOBBED. also, the hug???? :((((
She is also someone who tries to pretend that she is holding it together, as we see when her master dies and she doesn't break down crying until she is alone in her room. I love that He Yan allows herself to be more vulnerable around those she loves, especially Xiao Jue. I absolutely adore He Yan, and I also love that we actually got to see her fight quite a lot throughout this drama! Her fight scenes never failed to amaze me.
And, now, on to Xiao Jue, our male lead. Honestly, where do I even begin with this man? He's someone that has seen a lot of suffering during his time as a commander, and also as a general of the Xiao army. He is determined to avenge his father and the 30,000 soldiers that were sacrificed during the battle at Mingshui. When he and He Yan were classmates, he at first did look down on her because she wasn't a very good student and not very adept at martial arts (at the time), but he started to notice how hardworking and resilient she was, which is why he started to be nice to her. From giving her his thumb ring for archery, giving her loquats when she was trapped in a classroom after failing an exam so she wouldn't get hungry, and also giving her pages that outline the instructions for mastering the Qinglang Technique. He helped her out without making himself known, and that honestly made me love him even more. He doesn't want any recognition for his deeds, just the knowledge that he was able to help her out is enough for him.
When they do reunite, he is initially suspicious of He Yan, as he believes that she is a spy. Xiao Jue continuously tests her during training, and she begins to catch on, making sure that she doesn't fail them. He is not the nicest to her, as he suspects her of being a spy and also He Ru Fei (aka General Fei Hong), the person who was responsible for delaying the reinforcements to Mingshui, causing his father and his soldiers to die on the battlefield. Xiao Jue begins to become very impressed by He Yan's cleverness and ability to stay ahead of her comrades, as well as her determination to become the top soldier in the garrison.
In my opinion, his feelings start to change towards her after figuring out that she is actually a woman. He begins to become a bit softer towards her, and also, the way he looks at her starts to change. (Cheng Lei is an incredible eye actor, and I think that he conveys so much with just his eyes, and I honestly think that's so impressive!)
One thing I noticed is that he rarely raises his voice with her, and that even when he's angry, he always seems to speak in a slightly soft??? tone? (I'm probably just being delusional but I don't remember him raising his voice at her ever so....) And when this man falls, he FALLS HARD. I mean, honestly, he started to fall for her (in my opinion) when they were pretending to be a married couple in Jiyang. The way that he completely ignores Min Er (the daughter of Yan Ling) when she tries to get his attention? Also him saying that he only trusts his wife? YEAH EXACTLY!! and then him buying He Yan a GORGEOUS dress?? ABSOLUTELY!!! I also loved how he called He Yan "wife" and "honey," that made me giggle.
He Yan is truly his first and last love, and his confession was absolutely beautiful!! I love how he has never once tried to restrict He Yan or undermine her in any way. He has always believed in her, and he sees her as an equal in every way. The angst between absolutely crushed me, but I am glad that the misunderstanding was cleared up fairly quickly after he found out that she wasn't responsible for the tragedy that happened at the Mingshui battle.
From there, Xiao Jue is absolutely devoted to He Yan, and will do anything to protect her, even if he knows that she is more than capable of taking care of herself. And when the Emperor refuses to grant their marriage, he declares that he if he can't be with her, he'd rather be single and alone forever. (LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? this man:((
I'm honestly so glad that his older brother convinced him to go to He Yan and not to let her go so easily. And when Xiao Jue said that he couldn't move on nor forget He Yan?? (HE'S SO:((() The love that He Yan and Xiao Jue have for each other is honestly unmatched, and I love that we also got to see them fight side by side! The entire battle scene at Mingshui gave me chills! The aura that these two have is honestly unmatched. A couple who fights battles together, stays together <3 Xiao Jue and He Yan are easily one of my favorite historical cdrama couples <3
(Also, quick side note to say that I absolutely loved Cheng Li Su and Song Tao Tao's love story! I loved that we got to see their relationship develop as well!! Their wedding ceremony was absolutely hilarious and so fitting for both of their characters! Oh, and I honestly SOBBED when Yan He's wife was giving birth and then it also showed Yan He dying from the poisonous arrow that was shot at him. And when she said that she knew that when she married him, there was always a possibility that he wouldn't come back alive, she just hadn't expected it to be so soon:(()
And the fact that she now has to raise their baby girl on her own?? HEARTBREAKING. and when that butterfly landed on their child's crib?? It was as if Yan He was watching over their child:((( And also, the romance between He Yan's master and Princess Meng Jiu? Their love story was so heartbreaking, as I feel like they never even really got to start their own
And, ok, I do unfortunately have to talk about the villains in this drama. He Ru Fei? Literally one of the most psychotic and arrogant characters I have ever seen. I mean, when all the evidence and proof of him committing the crimes that He Yan was accusing him of were all coming together and it was so CLEAR that he was guilty, he had the audacity and nerve to say that he's innocent. (like give me a break) He's genuinely so delusional to think that he was ever truly General Fei Hong, or that he truly deserved the title.
Also, He Yan wasn't the one who stole his identity, it was the other way around. He Yan easily defeating him during their sparring match was so satisfying! (Like it was so clear who was the superior fighter). I also love that He Yan and Xiao Jue didn't kill him because they deemed him unworthy of dirtying their swords?? (I know that's right!) Like, he's not even worth that to them. Also, it's the way that I think that he's genuinely such a "weak" villain in that he had everyone do everything for him, including Chancellor Xu. He only "earned" the title of General Fei Hong because of the lies he created and also because of his father. In the end, he got what he deserved. Chancellor Xu is equally as worse as He Ru Fei. His ambitions were insane, I mean, he even told the EMPEROR of all people that he should abdicate his throne because he's not a "good enough" ruler. Crazy, right? He's genuinely so narcissistic and delusional, and I'm glad that he died in the end. (I mean, he deserved it. He literally caused the deaths of 30,000 soldiers, Xiao Jue's father, and also committed treason. He also ruined Xiao Jue's father's reputation by slandering him as well).
Also, Ping Ting? His daughter? Literally so infuriating. She tries to expose He Yan's identity in court, all because she finds out that Chu Zhao (I'll talk about him in a second) has feelings for He Yan. (LIKE you did all of that for a man??? kind of crazy if you ask me). I hated her character, but honestly, she had kind of had a point when she said that Ying Xiang (Chu Zhao's maid)'s death was his karma. (You KNOW it's bad when a horrible character is right about something). Ying Xiang DID NOT deserve to die like that, and I genuinely felt so bad for her.
Chu Zhao....where do I even start with him? At first, I did feel bad for him because of what he went through as a child, but then again, we also didn't get enough of his backstory. I kind of wish we got more of it, because I think it would've made me understand his character a bit more. He was genuinely one of those characters that I was so confused by, as I couldn't tell what side he was on 99% of the time. His obsession with He Yan? Absolutely insane and so toxic?? It's the way that this man literally sees Xiao Jue and He Yan holding hands and KISSING and he still tries to tear them apart? Like what the heck? I HATED how he tried to convince He Yan that he loved her. (Dude, what you feel her is NOT love, that's obsession). And I hated that he tried to get the Emperor to marry them both, as he claimed that two generals marrying each other would threaten his power, or whatever stupid reason he came up with. In the end, he gets exiled to the borderlands. I honestly didn't even feel bad for him at all. Like he's truly alone, and to be honest, it didn't have to be that way, but he MADE it that way. I also think that he was definitely a morally grey character as well.
There's so much more I could say, but this review is already WAY too long, so I'll just say this one last thing:
If you want to watch this drama, please do! You will not regret it! I miss Xiao Jue and He Yan so much, and it's only been 24 hours since I finished the drama! I am so so glad I decided to watch this! This drama is definitely one of my top favorites of the year!
Oh, and these quotes are just beautiful:
"You're the first one I taught swordsmanship to. You're the first one I tended wounds to. You're the first one I gave candy to. You're the first one I bought clothes for. You're the first woman I tried to comfort. You're also the first one I covered for. Finally, I realize, in my life, the only person I love is you."
"I love the moon, yet the moon doesn't know."
"Now, the moon belongs to you."
"She graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart."
"You say the moon guides you, but you never needed to borrow its light. because you can shine brightly yourself."
"He Yan. I love you. I wonder if you would like to spend the rest of your life with me."
"The peerless moon is yours now."
"With or without a marriage contract, He Yan, you're my chosen wife."
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This review may contain spoilers
Very underrated drama <3
This drama was one that I discovered randomly, and I am so glad that I did! The story of this drama is so well-done, and it's very fast-paced as well. I honestly loved the faster pacing of this drama, as I was never bored throughout any of it! I absolutely loved the romance between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan, it was just so so sweet!! I also loved how they portrayed the initial awkwardness between them early on in their marriage of convenience.I thought it was so refreshing to know that they are technically still strangers, and that they need time to get to know each other and understand each other. I love that they naturally fall for each other, even if they're "married." I just love how Jiang Xu goes from being wary of her to being an absolute loser for his wife. He is so fiercely protective of her, and I love that he is also very loyal to her as well. The way that he protects her is just so:((( I also love that he is very quick to defend her as well (we love that <3)
The angst that occurred between them was heartbreaking, but I could also understand why Ming Tan felt the way she did, for Jiang Xu did keep her in the dark (even though he had a valid reason to do so). This drama definitely made me cry multiple times, especially when Ming Tan reunites with her father, whom she assumed was dead. The reconciliation between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan was beautiful as well, but what hit me hard the most was Ming Tan's reunion with her father. I also loved how close Ming Tan was with her cousin, Bai Min Min. Her cousin is super sassy and also very quick to defend Ming Tan when she is being insulted or anything else of the sort. I also loved that Min Min also got a happy ending of her own as well.
I absolutely LOVED the romantic scenes between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan in this, especially that scene in the carriage where Jiang Xu is very drunk and is being super clingy with her. It was so adorable! Another thing that I loved about this drama was that there was no unnecessary drama or petty misunderstandings. I also loved the chemistry between Bao Shangen and Song Weilong; I think that their chemistry was very natural and nothing felt forced. Another thing that I loved about this drama were the costumes! Ming Tan's robes were always so pretty, and I also love how they did her makeup and hair! Jiang Xu's robes were also really pretty and suited him well <3
And don't even get me started on the ending!!! The ending was literally so freaking beautiful, and I loved that they had children of their own <3 I also love that we got to see a little bit of their life after everything was over <3 It was so incredibly wholesome, and the last scene where they were all watching the fireworks with everyone was just so gorgeous :((( Overall, this drama is just so incredibly perfect from start to finish, and I cannot recommend it enough! It's definitely a must-watch <3
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This review may contain spoilers
"You are the one I would risk my life to protect. For this life and beyond."
I initially started this drama because of Li Yunrui and Meng Ziyi. I have seen other dramas they are in, such as The Last Immortal and The Untamed. This is the first drama that I have seen where they are the main leads. Ok, honestly, I don't even know where to start with this drama. It's just incredible from start to finish! I also noticed that both POJ and this drama share a director, which I honestly thought was kind of cool. This drama honestly had me hooked from the very beginning! I do love a reincarnation plot, and this drama did it so well! My heart hurt for Dou Zhao in her first life, as her crappy husband had an affair behind her back, and her father also had an affair with another woman. She also lost her mother to suicide, which was truly devastating and heartbreaking to watch. But I loved how Dou Zhao was able to overcome various obstacles following her mother's death and throw herself into business. She is much more intelligent than people give her credit for. The plot of this drama is so intricate, and the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat!The first meeting between Dou Zhao and Song Mo honestly gave me chills! The way that he caught her when she fell out of the carriage was so swoonworthy! And I honestly loved the white hair look on him, and I was kind of sad we only had it for one episode. Also, when Song Mo saves her from a stray arrow? AHHHH MY HEART:((( yeah that scene honestly broke my heart, because he was already very weak from poison, but he decided to save her anyways. Fast forward to when they meet again in their second life, and the tension??? He is initially distrustful of Dou Zhao at first, but understandably so, considering the circumstances.
When Song Mo does start to fall for her though, it is just so heartwarming. I love how he is initially a bit awkward, as I assume he's never really felt this way about anyone before. I thought it was hilarious that he asked his guards for advice on Dou Zhao at one point. The way that this man yearns!!! A MAN WHO YEARNS EARNS!!! I just absolutely loved how he allowed her to think things over and sort her feelings out. I loved that he didn't force anything on her and that he also told her that he would respect her decision, should she end up rejecting him in the end.
I adore how fiercely protective he is of her and the way that he loves her is just so beautiful <3 He sees Dou Zhao as a complete equal, and the wedding ceremony just solidified that! There was a part of the wedding ceremony where the groom (I believe) had to sit on a red piece of cloth (or something like that) to symbolize that the bride would obey him in everything, and Song Mo immediately went: No, we won't be doing that because my wife and I are equals. AHHHHH THIS MAN!!! And when the groomsmen were pulling Song Mo away to go and drink, Dou Zhao had something that she wanted to say to him. What does this man do, you ask? He says: "My wife has something to tell me." (STOPPPPPPPP this man literally wasted ZERO time, like he wants to know that Dou Zhao is his wife) Oh and that scene where he carries her through town??? yeah....i was kicking my feet and giggling nonstop <3
Dou Zhao is such a strong character, and it's seen in the way that she has her own ways of protecting Song Mo, even if it's not necessarily with violence or brute strength. I think that Dou Zhao's strengths lie in her resilience and her determination. She is fiercely loyal to those she cares about, and she is also not afraid to call people out. She also is so much more than what people think of her. She possesses this sharp intelligence and knowledge that is just so admirable, and the way that she runs her businesses and everything is just so cool! I also love how she did not allow Song Mo to push her away when the poison was making him lose control and hallucinate. She ignored his pleas for her to stay away and declared that they would face everything together. I love that she wanted to face everything together with him, even if their future was uncertain. Their happy ending was so perfect:((( They have a family of their own:((
There is definitely a lot more I could say, but this will be WAY too long. Overall, there is a reason why this drama is so hyped up. it is 10000% worth the watch!
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Her first love and last love <3
This drama is honestly one of my absolute favorites. It's just so heartwarming and has the perfect amount of angst. It does have some cliche tropes, such as brother's best friend, but it honestly just works so well here. This drama was so comforting, and the love between Sang Zhi and Duan Jiaxu was just so:(( This drama made me cry and laugh so much, and it will forever be one of my absolute favorites. I love Sang Zhi's friends, and how they were there for her.They were also some of her biggest cheerleaders. I absolutely adored this drama, and I sometimes go back and rewatch my favorite episodes. I also just love how shameless Duan Jiaxu was, and also the bickering between him, Sang Zhi, and Sang Yan. Sang Zhi and Sang Yan's sibling bond is just so:(( Sang Yan can come off as kind of harsh and as if he doesn't love Sang Zhi, but that is not the case at all. He is fiercely protective of her and dotes on her in his own way. Their sibling bond just made me sob my eyes out.
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SO SO BEAUTIFUL !!
At first, I only watched this drama because of Lu Yuxiao, but honestly, Chen Xingxu surprised me here! I also have never seen any of his other dramas before this, just fyi. I absolutely loved the unique concept of this, which is that Hu Xu and Zhu Yu meet through a murder mystery (i think its virtual reality??) game.The romance was honestly so sweet and I loved how natural their chemistry was. And, honestly, everything about this drama was perfect! From the acting to the storyline and even the OST, everything was just so excellent! I was honestly so surprised that I liked this drama as much as I did, because I kind of went in with zero expectations (I went in completely blind, I didn't know anything about it). This drama is honestly a must-watch!
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This review may contain spoilers
such a beautiful drama <3
MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR PURSUIT OF JADE !!!This drama was one of my absolute favorite historical dramas that I have watched this year! It hooked me right from the very first episode, which is something that a lot of dramas don't always do for me. I adored everything about this drama, from the visuals to the story. The characters were ones that will definitely stick with you, even after the drama is over! Waiting for new episodes to drop was torturous, but it was so worth it! The acting in this drama by every single cast member was phenomenal!
The OSTs of this drama are absolutely gorgeous as well. I also adored how female centric this drama was. It really focuses on Fan Changyu as a character. I absolutely adored the friendships that she formed throughout this drama, especially with the Northwest Pig Slaughter Squad, the Grand Princess, and the father-daughter bond with Grand Tutor Tao Yi. I also wanted to give recognition to Snow Kong , who portrayed Yu Qian Qian, and Deng Kai, who portrayed Qimin/Su Yuanhai. Their acting was phenomenal!!
Though I wasn't necessarily a big fan of the way their relationship was romanticized, as Qimin's character is very much a walking red flag, I was blown away by the levels of emotion and depth these actors had in portraying their respective characters.
Qian Qian is such a strong female character who endures literal hell to save her son, Bao'er (who is so so precious, just like Ning), and even forces herself to do horrible things just so that she can find a way to escape. It definitely hurt my heart to see her do those things, but it also showed me just how strong a mother's love can be. She was willing to do anything to save her son, even at the cost of her own life. She is absolutely one of my favorite female characters, and I also adored her friendship with Changyu as well, and the way that they care for one another.
Qimin, while his character scared me, the acting by Deng Kai in this role was incredible!! He really suits the "villain" role so well! The levels of emotions that he could portray was insane! He did absolutely amazing in this role, and I honestly am thinking of watching other dramas that he's in!
Gongsun Yin and the Grand Princess (Qi Shu)??? OMGGG!!! Their romance honestly hurt my heart so much:((( Their love story was so angsty, and I'm really glad these two got their happy ending as well! I do wish we got a bit more of them in this drama, but I am glad that they did eventually end up together! I also adored both of their characters individually, with Gongsun being Xie Zheng's Strategist and also his closest friend. Their bickering was absolutely hilarious! I also love how strong of a character Qi Shu is as well. She is intelligent and also is not afraid to speak her mind, which is one of the things that I love about her. (literally NO toxic female friendships in this drama and I loved that!!!)
Fan Changyu is one of my absolute favorite female leads ever, and Tian Xiwei did an excellent job of portraying her and bringing her to life! She knows what she wants and she goes after it! And while Changyu does have a strong personality, and can definitely fend for herself, we also get to see her softer side shine through. I love that contrast of her character!
While she is tough and formidable in her own right, Changyu still possess a soft heart that deeply cares for her comrades and her loved ones. She will do everything she can to protect them. She is a protector through and through. This brings me to my next point: her relationship with Xie Zheng (Yan Zheng).
Xie Zheng has been on the battlefield from a young age, and he has known nothing but destruction and death. He experienced it firsthand when his mother took her own life, and again in the atrocities on the battlefield. His father, (at least from what is shown in the drama), didn't seem to be around a lot? Perhaps he was busy with military duties and was rarely home? I feel like Xie Zheng was definitely closer with his mother. Ultimately, Xie Zheng is someone who feels that everybody in his life eventually leaves. He is someone who was raised to be a warrior, and eventually, the Marquis of Wu'an, who is formidable and ruthless. As the Marquis, Xie Zheng is cold-hearted and merciless. He is very feared as well. He hasn't really known the warmth of love, as it was taken from him very early on in his childhood.
For me, the way I see it is that Xie Zheng's "source" of light in his life is Changyu. She was the one who wasn't scared of him, and who brought him such fond memories and joy throughout their time in Lin'an. At first. we see that Xie Zheng is very much guarded and closed off, but, as time goes on, he starts to warm up a bit, and we even see him becoming fond of Ning. Changyu was the one who brought him all this light, and gave him this pure love that he was scared of losing, which is one of the reasons that he decided to conceal his identity from her, for he was afraid that she would leave him if she knew who he really was.
Xie Zheng and Changyu work so well together because they both respect each other, and also see each other as complete equals. Xie Zheng quietly supports her and provides her with a quiet strength that Changyu can lean on when she needs to. He allows her to pursue what she wants, and never tries to diminish her in any way. For instance, during the Battle at Lucheng, when Changyu and Xie Zheng are standing together on the battlefield, he tells her to get behind him so that he can protect her, but Changyu refuses.
She tells him that she will not hide behind anyone, and that she will fight. Xie Zheng doesn't even try to protest, allowing Changyu to fight alongside him and his army. For me, this showed just how much Xie Zheng respects Changyu in that despite his fear of her getting hurt (despite knowing that she can take care of herself), he doesn't try to prevent her from doing what she wants. As much as he loves her, he also respects her and sees her as a complete equal to himself. Their love is fierce and unyielding as it is tender, as we see in the scene where Xie Zheng comforts Changyu after she wakes up from a nightmare.
Overall, this drama was absolutely incredible, and I highly recommend you watch it!! It made me go through all the emotions, and I will forever think about this drama <3 TAKE ME BACK TO LIN'AN !!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Absolutely devastating in every way...
This drama was honestly so good! The story was so interesting and while the romance was more of a subplot in this drama, I think that it was still there, although subtle. I remember seeing somewhere that ZLH got hate for Gong Ziyu, and I honestly don't really understand why? I mean, sure, his character isn't as "interesting" as, say, Cheng Lei's character, Gong Shangjue, but I still absolutely adored his role here.Gong Ziyu is someone who is described to "soft-hearted," and while that is true, he is also someone that is extremely intelligent, more so than he lets on. Overall, though, he is extremely loyal and also willing to bear the consequences of falling for Esther Yu's character, Yun Weishan. He is someone who is perfectly imperfect, but also loves Weishan despite the fact that she was sent there to assassinate him. Despite finding out that she is an enemy spy, he still continues to spare her life, even refusing to turn her in when she begs him to. He refuses to give up on her, despite the circumstances. He is fiercely protective of her, and his love for those he cares about, such as his sister, Gong Zi Shang. (one of my favorite characters in this drama, btw, she's absolutely hilarious!) He loves Weishan despite the fact that she's supposed to be his enemy, and that her people were responsible for the tragedies that befell the Gong residence years and years ago.
Esther Yu's acting definitely surprised me here. I am used to her playing naive or "cutesy" characters, and her role of Yun Weishan was the complete opposite of her other roles. She should honestly get more roles like these in the future, for I think it shows that she's way more than the cutesy roles that she is known for. I thought that this role allowed her to show her versatility as an actress, as well as showcase a completely different side of herself. I honestly was so impressed by her acting in this drama, as her character is supposed to be this cold, "unfeeling" assassin that should take lives without question. Despite, that, though, her vulnerability and softer side still shine through, especially when it comes to the death of her younger sister, Yun Que.
The acting of Cheng Lei and Lu Yuxiao was so impressive!! Their characters are both equally cunning and intelligent, and I can see why many wanted them to end up together, despite the fact that their dynamic was a little "toxic." I will say, though, that Lu Yuxiao should definitely play these kinds of roles more. I think they really suit her. Cheng Lei's acting was also equally as impressive! His acting is honestly so underrated, and it was such a contrast to his character in How Dare You, who is a bit goofier, in a sense. He's honestly such a versatile actor.
I will say, the only gripe that I had with this drama was the ending. It honestly haunts me and left me with so many questions. Like what happened to Weishan??? And what happened to Shangguan Qian (Lu Yuxiao's character???) after she left? Overall, the drama was genuinely so good, but I just wish we got a much better ending than the one we got.
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Love Across Lifetimes <3
This drama was absolutely beautiful! I loved how Xiang Yun and Chu Kong fell in love across several lifetimes. That concept is just so beautiful to me <3 The angst was absolutely gut-wrenching, and the way that they slowly fell in love with each other as the drama progresses is just so :((( The visuals in this drama were absolutely insane, and I loved how dreamy and ethereal everything looked. I also loved the costumes in this drama! Everyone had such gorgeous costumes. The music in this drama is also so incredibly beautiful as well. The acting by Ding Yuxi and Yang Chao Yue was so good, and I could feel every emotion as they experienced their love tribulations across seven lifetimes. Every love tribulation was so beautiful and devastating all at once. This drama definitely had me sobbing a lot, and while the ending was a bit open-ended, I still thought it was absolutely beautiful <3Was this review helpful to you?
