This reminds me of W or of Korean Odyssey where they all had so much POTENTIAL and it was just so interesting. And then IT JUST WASN'T.

I'll list a few good things to start: Hyun Bin (superb actor), beautiful sets (Spain is beautiful!) and the intrigue of the AR gaming world and the potential dangers of it, the thrill and suspense of how Jin Woo tries to work out what's going on...

Now the not so good:
I like Park Shin Hye as an actress... so I blame weak writing. Her character, Hee Ju just CRIED so damn much, so weak, and such a NOTHING character. And then the romance was contrived and fake and did not work at all in this story line. I literally came from nowhere and the kisses were like 'why? why right NOW?? There are people coming to kill you omg!" So many plot holes, where things just didn't make sense.

I wasn't moved to tears when I should have been because I didn't KNOW the characters, there was literally zero character development and I didn't feel like I could relate to anyone. And I think any story/piece of fiction needs to strike a chord or tug at the heart strings, or make the reader recognise or relate to the situations or the characters... but this misses it entirely! I felt like I didn't know any character, or understand their motivations or how they felt or ANYTHING.

I don't mind a sad ending, but this just wasn't worth it for this ending.

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I have tried my best to stay with this one. Sometimes I have watched series that have taken 13 episodes to get good and then I didn't regret it.

But for this series? I fast forward and skip every single bit about the flashbacks and the gaming and only watched for the TINY bit of romance between the two leads.

Maybe I have no interest in gaming series, but it just DID NOT entice or interest me at all.

The romance was okay, but then again, it wasn't enough for me to continue.

I do not understand the hype around this series, and I can't recommend it since I didn't finish it and barely watched any of it I fast forwarded so much of it.

Very disappointing!

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This really had so much potential. Needed better and tighter writing. Second half is better and more fast paced but even the ending became disappointing too.

I like the female lead in this one (compared to get in goblin).

Lee min ho was very model like and majestic and ok.

His royal guard and Eun Seop was the shining beacon in all of this. He played his doppleganger and guard self so well.

The relationship between the two leads was far too quick. Suddenly in love and their ending was mildly boring mehhhh

Sorry I wish u could rate higher but it didn't hit the highs I needed it too

Also warnings for all the blatant product placement and they all work really well to get you looking hahahaha

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The concept is cute, the main characters are adorable.

But it just felt stretched out for too long.

I didn't quite get the company power struggle stuff and Madame X never gets explained. Aside from meaningless, comedic relief.. what was the point of the two henchmen in black?

You gotta suspend belief because how could he not know she's human with her very normal human facial expressions and body language??

Could have been much better if it had a tighter storyline.

Also I think Dr Hong could have been better cast because all I could think of "he is older by 20 years compared to everyone!"

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Not heavy on romance

I came for the romance and wished there could have been more.. I stayed for whatever romance I could get because it was so sweet and nicely developed, just wanted more.

Everyone grows, there is some interesting stuff happening

But it does drag somewhat. And some parts I was bored. Wish it didn't do this. Probably could have cut it down a few episodes to tighten the storyline.

It was cute and funny and lite hearted. Not hilarious or all that laugh out loud all the time. But I enjoyed that there wasn't too much scheming and over the top drama

It was interesting to see the sisterhood and the feminist takes.

The minor characters' story was not bad

Not much of an ost behind it

I wouldn't rewatch, even for the sparse romance... Or even for the chemistry of the leads..

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I have such mixed feelings about this show overall. When I should have been sobbing and crying... I wasn't. When I was supposed to empathsise with a character, I didn't. But then at the same time it could be the environment in which I watched it... or was it the story?

I really did enjoy the show overall though a few things niggled at me a little, and couldn't quite my finger on it.

What I liked:
- Xufeng really grew on me. OMG he is so HOT... His costumes, his hair styles, his attitude, his EVERYTHING. This guy is amazing! He is what made me keep watching
- the complexities of the storyline that left me wondering what next?
- how the baddies get their dues in the best ways possible
- the sad older prince story
- loved the father/daughter relationship with Jinmi and the Water Immortal

What I disliked:
- I just don't know that it sat so well with me how the main character, Jinmi, was the way she was. I almost wanted to say "you deserve this" when she realises her mistakes. At least she regrets, repents and really PAYS for her blindness
- also didn't really LOVE how 'weakling' she seemed in this, how people were usually saving her.... I just really didn't feel like she deserved EVERYONE to sacrifice and want her when she was a little annoying?
- that everyone seemed to be in love with everyone - literally everyone! Mr Snake and the Bird Princess wtf..
- whatever happened to Mr Snake? I really liked him! They needed to give us a 'what happened to him' bit at the end

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A jam packed series

This series had SO MANY plot lines, it's amazing they fit everything in! It also tricks you into thinking, oh it's all good, it's happy times, near the end, but then you see there are still 5 and then 2 episodes left and you can't hope for a nice happy ending.

I strongly suggest watching this, but be prepared for mortal realm story but also other story lines. When you think it's over, it's not. It's a complex story that somehow managed to pack it all in. Ultimately it was satisfying, but there are bits in the middle you could fast forward maybe (I didn't). I was hooked.

Be prepared with TISSUES, because the latter part of the series did kinda break my heart a little.

But the first parts and middle part was just being funny, sometimes late, but still enjoyable!

But would I put this on the scale of the top tier Cdrama series such as TMOPB, IS, LBFAD, AOL, TTEOTM? Not that high, but still pretty good!

Spoilers to come below:
That ending?
JUST ONE MORE SCENE with them reunited with their husbands, even with 10 years later, would have wrapped this up as nicely as I wanted. Like it would have been literally 20 more seconds, why they didn't do this is freaking ridiculous. There's some rumours I read that they may have filmed it but didn't make the cut?? Or for specials, which DO NOT SEEM TO BE AROUND?? We get a nice ending for Zuwei and the Beast Prince even!

The OST could have been a bit better - it seemed a bit rough around the edges, but there were some good tracks.

As per usual, I love the main couple Tan Er and You Qing, especially the ML's superb acting as the cold, emotion-free immortal, and then the 3 different soul shards he played, to then become the fifth final version of himself that is Tan Er's true love and protector. He really, really grew on me. Despite his deep scary villain voice, he got me good.

I have to shout out also to the sisterly love with Tan Er and Kui Er, because it could have been they hated each other, but no they loved each other, supported each other and I got chills when they reunited after being separated. I loved it.

I did love the third Void Prince and Kui's story line two as they were sweet.

I cried over Man Man... it literally broke my heart

Almost all the support/minor characters were utilised in a meaningful way and were memorable. I did love the mortal father and later development relationship

I have adequate hatred for the father Emperor and his selfish desire and narrow minded way of protecting the four realms.

I won't mourn this series but may still feel a void - I suspect because it was very strongly suggesting a NOT OPEN-ENDED ending, so I am satisfied.

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Light fluffy rom-com with outstanding chemistry!

I have seen the actress before (Love and Redemption) but didn't love her character, and maybe her acting pissed me off too. However, she's grown and become much better, and was more endearing and more convincing in this!!

The male lead was TO DIE FOR, the little smile he cracks makes my stomach have butterflies!

The kiss scenes and her inappropriate skinship is what kept me going, their romance was so good. And what I loved more was though there were obstacles they didn't drag out for too long and get cliched/tropey.

If you want a light, easy watch, without too much crazy intense drama, this is it. It was exactly what I needed with my brain being so dead and just wanting something that would make my heart race and flutter.

The second leads were ok, but wasn't too invested in this story or the political story - but both didn't overtake too much time or the main romance which I was there for! I did like the little servant girl and the ML's right hand man's little romance, so cute!

I didn't give it higher rating only because I acknowledge that besides the romance, the rest was a bit so so, to the point where I skipped and didn't feel I missed out on much

The OST is so so goooddddd.

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I haven't seen a drama in Chinese for ages that wasn't dubbed so this drama was refreshing.

Also that the theme and end song didn't spoil things was so good too!!

It takes a few EPs to get into but that scheming and the many plot twists.. and that ultimately the main characters end very happily and are so smart made me so glad!

I loved loved loved Ming lan and Gu Tingye's growing love and the very real chemistry they had. It was just lovely.

I also adored Ming Lan's relationship with her beloved grandmother. So sweet.

Definitely recommend even despite the 73 episodes. Well worth it!

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I love that they can use the time travel element to play around with the same characters and how things change!

I watched this as soon as I finished season 1!

What I liked:
- Mo Liancheng! He is so good. I loved him in the modern times trying to woo Xiao Tan!
- Cheng Cheng's cheeky personality
- I loved the actor who played the Mister
- how they used the time travel
- it was nice to see the first prince with new good looking hair and costume
- the top notch OST
- the costumes and hair styles were beautiful
- the scenary was amazing
- the twists
- seeing characters from previous season changed (particularly the end shout out to the devil king! Totally didn't make connection till then!)
- I'm glad there was less emphasis of the other stupid realm
- I'm also relieved there was less of the soul-suppressing orb crap, there was enough for me to dread it though
- how well they did with first prince's story line this time
- how they added the part with the Dugu Yan
- the emperor's death was well done!
- the modern wedding
- no stupid flute playing crap

What I disliked:
- how they are always SAVING Xiao Tan. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE how Cheng Cheng is protective, but time after time, she is seems to always be in trouble or the cause of trouble. I'm not overly feminist but again (like in my season 1 review) why is someone from the 21st century acting like this ALL OF THE TIME. She's less shrill, but still somewhat dislikable. She was only redeemed by her romantic scenes with Cheng Cheng
- less time with Jingxin!!
- why is EVERYONE falling in love in this show... 14th Prince falls for Jingxin

I like that in season 3, their son is going to feature. But dreading that it looks like it will be ALL ABOUT THE STUPID ORB AGAIN

They really could have done away with the soul-suppressing orb stuff. Make this a time travel show and that's it. Why add in the other fantasy stuff - I'm all for it, if done well, but it's not really for this one! They could make it a time travel show but focus more on the politics of it all.

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It's a moving TV show

This show feels distinctly different from what I associate with kdramas, but I guess I tend to stick to rom-coms.

It is a moving, heartfelt, suspenseful, sometimes graphic with violence and gore, but at its heart it's about people and the relationships we have with our family and what we'd do to protect each other.

I enjoyed it, but often found myself distracted because some story lines dragged. I understand why some back stories were introduced and showed, but then it sometimes was too long and detracted from the suspense of the action that was happening!

There are SO many hints dropped along the way, so it didn't help when I got distracted and didn't connect/notice the hints dropped along the way. But I feel that's a problem with the pacing. I know some people say it had 'perfect pacing', but I do think this was a problem. I was engaged, but it was also a series I felt I could drop too because it lagged and dropped with pacing.

I didn't cry, so I feel that says a lot, but I did feel a lot, and my heart squeezed in so many moments.

Not likely to rewatch, not eagerly anticipating season 2 that was hinted at during post credts (MCU style), but I'd give it a go if and when it ever comes out. I'd imagine a lot of the actors/characters we saw this season would only make guest appearances in season 2 though.

Worth checking out!

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I started this because people recommended it highly.

What I liked:
- Mo Liancheng - at first, I didn't find him particularly appealing but then he really grew on me with how persistent he was... and oh man those kisses!! His acting is superb!
- the chemistry of the two leads
- the twists
- the amazing OST!
- the comedy
- Xiao Tan and Tan Er's alternating personalities coming out - this made me very impressed by the actress's ability to switch so convincingly between characters

What I disliked:
- the whole soul-supressing orb crap
- the random flute playing stuff that did not make sense nor needed to feature at all!
- last 4 episodes disappearing into a random realm wtf...
- the main character constantly being shrill, whiny and damsel in distress. I know that's the era, but she's MEANT to be modern and she is just the cause of a lot of trouble - her character pissed me off a lot.
- I know this is a thing in cdrama land, but the dubbing... why do they dub when their lips sync up with the audio? It annoys me a little
- the little time spent on the first prince and Tan Er's storyline
- Poor Tan Er just disappearing, she just was a minor character in her own body/life!
- they left their son, and never ever miss him??

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So much potential

This TV drama had so MUCH potential!

Finally we have the pairing of the FL and ML (I've seen them not together in Love Between Fairy and Devil) and Esther is not being her annoying, cutesy, whiny, child voice. She actually is mature, and graceful.
Except when she only has one whispery sad voice, and facial expression.

The cinematography, the lighting, the REAL voices (as opposed to annoying dubbed) and the start had so much potential to get to something REALLY good. There was mystery, there was an interesting premise... and even some good romance from the 1st ML and FL and 2nd ML and FL...

But I began to get really lost, confused half way through.

There are too many prolonged conversations which I think were intended to be loaded and filled with clues, but they just go too long winded.

Then there was the strange flashbacks that sometimes revealed something, but most times started to make me wonder the point of it all.

It didn't make sense, then I read that the ending was not just open ended but that it just seemed UNFINISHED. Like it had the potential to finish up properly, but ended up being vague and just incomplete.

So comes down to bad planning, bad writing.

Sadly I dropped it even having got so far as 21 episodes, because I preferred to spend those hours of my life watching sometimes that paid off rather than this that had the sparklings of a good story, but fell flat on its face.

I wish I could say the OST was good - but there was just some weird background music most of the time, not in line with the atmosphere or mood of the scene. There is again potential good songs on the OST, but just wasn't used. Usually I'd be like, oh good they did overuse it or variations of it, but they didn't use the music well for the scenes that needed it!

Don't bother. OR watch first few episodes to appreciate the filming and scenery and then ditch it because you'll end up frustrated and confused by the end. I totally wasted 21+ hours on this and wish I could have spent it reading or sleeping instead.

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