LanLan

I think to each his own taste. Just as how there is a reason for those to love Nirvana In Fire, there is a reason why Eternal Love is near the same scale. If you see the top four dramas, each belong to a very specific genre. You have Signal (thriller investigation), NIF (historical and political intrigue), 1 Liters (melodrama sadness), Eternal Love (fantasy romance). It just shows there is a variety of tastes in ratings. In the romantic fantasy genre, EL just happens to be the top of them all. Just watching until episode 16 doesn't encompass all that the drama achieved like it did for those who completed the 58 episodes. The directing was beautiful (camera angles, strategic panning, cinematography, costumes), plot line was logical to its rules with little details that eventually led to an "aha" revelation (something you'll pick up on repeat viewings), and all actors did a great job in their roles, both individually and together. And the major bonus was it had a HE which makes our drama life a little more beautiful when trying to escape the reality of our actual lives. So in essence I don't think it's "overrated", maybe it's just not your cup of tea since you ended at ep 16, whereas for the rest of us, that was when the true drama addiction kicked in until the end.

Funny thing, the opposite of what happened with me while watching EL is happening with PA. When I started EL my interest was so so, watched because I was bored. However as the series went on the interest grew and then after the 10-14 episodes came, I was addicted. Whereas with PA I was addicted from the beginning, but as the drama goes on my interests started to wane. And then by the 10-13 episodes I ended up dropping it and went back to watching Eternal Love haha.

I definitely agree on this. HOWEVER it was bugging the crap out of me that there were a few scenes where DH Dijun actor's real hair color kept peeking out at the back of his neck. It was kind of distracting.

Someone explained this a few pages ago, but they brought up that since the Heavenly Father had infused a fraction of his power essence into YH and then YH received another portion after he defeated the mythical beasts it made him extremely powerful. I don't think ZY was aware of this when he was talking about repairing his arm that's why he said after a period of time he'll regain some use of it not knowing that it could be back to normal again so soon.

At least the ending was a little bit longer than in the book's version. I like the dialogue they gave YH to recount the highlights in their meeting since the beginning. Whereas in the book it ended when BQ saw YH again standing by his headstone and all he said was "QQ, come here."

Actually the lead hero has not shown up yet from where you're at. His spirit is still in that golden lotus. He will officially make an appearance in Episode 8. THAT's when the addiction to this drama really kicks in and you will never go back. There's a reason why so many people are obsessed with it.

I highly recommend Return of the Condor Heroes 1995 version with Louis Koo and Carman Lee. It's the only other C drama series that gave me the same feels as Eternal Love once it ended. Since it's older the special effects and costumes aren't as grand as EL, but the love between the two leads there is pretty much the same as here. Strong female lead and handsome male lead who always had girls flocking to him but he only ever had his heart on her. Trust me you'll love it.