The songs saved the show
Ok this drama isn't worth it. Music wise? Good. But story or acting, not a fan. It was lowkey boring and I had to sit through it. No offense to the leads, but I seriously didn't like their acting in this drama. The casting as a whole wasn't a good pick. Skipped a lot of it. The only reason I sat through it was because I don't like leaving dramas unfinished. I think the ending was good. And like I said, the entire idol and music part of the boy band was the only entertaining part. Ya, watch it only if you have nothing else to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
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A long, satisfying watch!
This was my first xianxia drama and I would say it was worth sitting through the 63 long episodes. The story is basically the tale about this girl who cannot have romantic feelings developing them and the aftermath. But one thing I had in mind the moment this drama ended was "Damn, better not love. All of this happened just because Jinmi started having feelings. What a pity". True to that statement, this drama drags you into the kind of groveling you did not sign up for, all in the name of love.This drama is a feast for the eye. All the scenes and landscapes are colourful and simply beautiful. The costumes and hair were really appealing too. Music was definitely a big plus point. Every song was better than the other. Both male and female versions of 'Unsullied' by Mao Buyi and Sa Dingding respectively and the chorus version of 'Unparalleled in the world' by the main leads themselves are my personal favorites. This is truly a good OST playlist if you like the traditional eastern instruments.
Yang Zi is the kind of actress who can make her audience feel what she feels. Everything from her eyes to body language to pauses and expressions, they are all of utmost perfection. Whether it is the carefree naive self or the mature, tortured self of Jinmi, she does it in a way that blurs reality and drama. And that is why, we get so attached to the character and feel like it wasn't worth all the pain she went through. Deng Lun as Xufeng was a really good casting. He plays the role of this mighty Phoenix Lord who falls for an innocent flower spirit way before she even knows of love. Like any other xianxia drama, this too has the 3 realm arcs and I'd say the groveling was maximum in the demon realm. The chemistry and tension between the leads was at its peak. Ok, lowkey toxic but we sat through it anyways ๐โโ๏ธ
Luo Yunxi as Run Yu was both irritating and pitiful. If he hadn't been there, would the story have easier? Maybe. But we needed him to get the story going right? Anyways, that character really was a pain. And Luo Yunxi made sure we felt it. But if we were talking of the most irritating of all, then it's definitely Wang Yifei as Sui He. Because damn! She is literally the source of the other half of misunderstandings and troubles. It was really well portrayed, must say. Sending all my love to her because I've cursed her character that much ;) Lastly, Zhiyuan Xia as the fox spirit was a very adorable and warm character. Loved him.
To sum up, the story was a very typical xianxia one but it was done well and that's why it keeps you entertained, pushing the right buttons. The music and acting undoubtedly stand out. I wouldn't rewatch it for it's too long. But I'd definitely go back to some scenes here and there.
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One of my all time favourites โก
As a fan of fantasy and folklore, this drama has been one of the best shows I've watched. If you love fantasy just like me, this one has a mix of modernity with it too. Undoubtedly, one of the best shows of this genre that you'll come across in the K-Drama world. Whether it's the story or the cast, it is definitely an ace.The storyline is really well paced. Never do you feel bored or dragged. In fact, I'd even say it keeps you on your toes from time to time, making you click the next episode almost as reflex. It has the right number of episodes. And the right number of characters, not too many, not too less. The story itself includes a lot of traditional elements, giving insight to Korean folk tales and beliefs. But it's definitely not too much to the point where you are confused. With jumpscares and a bit of horror (can't exactly say, but I am really not good with horror T_T), it does feel wholesome. Production wise too, the landscapes and effects were well done. Another masterpiece by Studio Dragon.
I think the strongest point of this drama is its cast. The gumiho Lee Yeon played by Lee Dongwook is the best gumiho portrayal I've ever seen. My personal fav hehe. The orange hair, red umbrella turning to sword, carefree, laid back, playful, childish personality but not even once does it overshadow the strong presence and aura of Lee Yeon. In fact, I think it's because he has a certain level of power, the smug personality becomes a charm rather than show off. The orange eyes....Lord! Whoever decided that must be there, bless you! That character is just so well written, no argument. And Lee Dongwook really really did it well. It's just his eyes! He's one of those actors whose eyes speak to the audience's heart. I'm pretty sure many will agree that his acting resulted in a lot of people swooning over someone double their age ๐๐ Now if you think the male lead is the best part, you are so very wrong. Nam Jiah played by Jo Boah is a very notable character. She is strong, mature, resilient and extremely courageous. Unshaken by the creepy stuff she encounters, always seeking the truth. But you clearly see the young girl who lost her parents and had to look after herself since childhood. A real good balance between feminine and masculine characteristics. Her acting indeed deserves a round of applause. Together, they are an awesome power couple with a good chemistry. I am lowkey sad she doesn't have a main role in the second season ๐ญ Now...Lee Rang. The story between the male and female lead is definitely great in itself, how a fox spirit waited for a 1000 years for his lover and how fate always tries to pull them apart. But this was my personal favorite relationship of the drama. The bond between the brothers. The elder who has to be responsible yet loves his brother too much to ever even dream of harming him. And the younger one who loved and admired his brother so much that when he misunderstands Lee Yeon, the hate becomes as deep as his love. For much of the show, you feel he's just being a brat, causing trouble and being the gone case, psycho brother of the main lead. But once you hear his backstory, see his interaction with other characters and the softness he still carries, you realise how precious of a little brother he is. Kim Beom plays Lee Rang so well. He is as irritating as he is a gem. The bickering between the siblings, the admiration of Lee Rang for Lee Yeon and the love for his younger one in the eyes of the older, it really flows out of the screen and right into our hearts. So when Rang has to kill Yeon, that dialogue "Rang-a", it never stops echoing in my mind. And when Rang decides to sacrifice himself for his brother, and every single scene following that, my God! I've cried buckets. Still do. One of the most heartwrenching scenes I've witnessed. Never ever getting over it ๐ญ
Next, the people at Samdocheon. My next favs for sure. The bossy TaIuipa and her obedient yet strong husband Hyunuiong are the cutest couple of all. The bickering between Lee Yeon and his 'Halmom', adorable indeed >_< And definitely Goo Shin-joo the vet and his ferocious love Ki Yu-ri are another pair of dom female-soft male trope. Again, adorable ^_^ !!! And the kiddo, Kim Soo-oh, reincarnation of Lee Rang's puppy; that child is literally a puppy personified, with the bob cut and runny nose. So cute!!!!! Sending love to Jung Si-yul! The villain was definitely a strong one, well done by Lee Taeri. And Eom Hyoseop as the TVC president, he was a pain in the neck! Each character has such good backstories and developments, they are all main characters themselves. And I feel, they all got a good ending for themselves (not Lee Rang though ใ ใ กใ ).
Next comes the music. From the intro to the instruments, I loved every piece so much! And this drama really needs that extra punch through music throughout it's length, whether it's to give that eerie effect or emotional pang. And it did exactly what was needed.
I have already watched it twice and I could still watch it again.
The whole plot and especially the characters were very well written by Han Woo-ri. Thank you so much for this wonderful story! Overall, it's a really good watch, not much about life or something you can learn or relate to, but well, the drama is the tale of a nine tailed, not yours and mine! ๐
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Go for it!
Go for it!Set in the post martial rule of Taiwan, where homosexuality is still a taboo, this movie presents the life of 2 high-schoolers, one silent and the other crazy. But even when both fall for each other, only the silent one dares to speak the truth while the other runs from reality.
The story is really real. The convent school, the strictness. This movie actually potrayed all of that without any filters. Showcasing the reality of reactions of society including you teachers, peers and family towards same gender relationships was done very well.
The actors did a great job which carried most of the movie. Edward Chen, marvelous acting. The scene where he asks what's wrong being queer, my God! That was painful to watch. Same with Tseng Jinghua. First and foremost. He looks so much like Yangyang it's crazyyy! His acting is splendid too. When he listens to the song by Jiahan, woah! You could feel the pain through the screen. The side characters were great too. I really liked the father at the school. His character had such weight. And finally, knowing that the story was based on the director's real life without the reunion at the end, man! Now we have yet another human to cry for ใ ใ .
But I would say, I personally am the kind to get very emotional but this one didn't feel too deep. I expected me to be more invested going into this movie. Something in the second half just didn't hit the mark.
Yet, I would say you watch it. I think I would rewatdh it. And that's because this movie was very organic; very natural. Not overdramatic, not overboard. Raw and real. So ya, 7.5/10 ๐
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Raw and Brutal
This movie makes you feel empty. Not in a negative sense. In a way that makes you wonder 'What's the point?' Makes you realise the insignificance of the ego.Set in a countryside of Mae Hong Son, the movie captures the simple beauty of ordinary life. The lush green vegetation under sun and rain throughout the movie pleases your eye. The inclusion of local traditions like the rocket festival make it feel more realistic. The movie has kept unpolished elements throughout its length, adding to the organic feel.
The story can be described with just two words - raw and brutal. The reality of homosexual love being treated as just a fling is shown in such an unfiltered way, it hurts. Even if it has been legalised in countries today, there still remains a huge population who are ignored. This movie validated their side of the story. And then there is the potrayal of the life of people at the bottom of the society. Hardships to such great extents that you'd do anything to get out of it. Only to realise, there isn't any point. This movie's an emotional rollercoaster - anger, pain, suffering, helplessness. You want more and couldn't care less about others. You could let go but choose to go back and fight. And in the process, the genuine ones become the victims. Conscience is dead. And finally, the ending leaves you asking, 'What was all that for?'
Jeff Satur! This man is from a whole different planet, I swear! The myriad of things he can do; one of the best being acting. He blew me out of water! I honestly never knew he was this good. The emotional scenes especially. Wonderful! Engfa Waraha. Another gem. This was my first time seeing her in an ordinary look, without all the makeup and costumes. And she is still so pretty! She potrays Mo so well, it deserves a loud applause. Even if it's a small role, but I loved the character Jingna played by Harit. He was the only person who wasn't driven by an ulterior motive. Harit did a good job here. Pity his character met a tragic end. That scene was heartwrenching. Srida Puapimol as the mother was also very memorable. Huge respect for your talent.
The most important point of the whole cast is the originality in acting. The natural portrayal pulls you in and before you know, you are one of the durian trees watching them in person.
I don't think there are many that outshine 'Rain Wedding', the OST for the movie by Jeff Satur. Another masterpiece of his. It's been one of favorites for so long! Loved it since day one. It's that bittersweet song, making you happy and sad at the same time. I love it so much I won't stop talking!
Finally, it's not a movie I'd go back to again and agai. Not a comfort watch; it's torture. But I'm pretty sure I'd rewatch it quite a few times more. It's a guarantee, you won't regret this watch.
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One of my comfort dramas โก
Not exactly the kind to drift too far from my comfort zone, but I really like dramas that aren't similar to the ones I've watched before. And this one was my first drama in the entire gaming arc ones. And to be honest, this offered way more than just gaming sessions, and that too in a truly fine way.'You are my Glory' follows Qiao Jingjing, a famous actress who plays the MOBA Honor of Kings online and fails miserably. And to add on to the misery, she is recorded online, thus leading to her defamation as she is set to ambassador the game. Left with no choice, she has to participate in an e-gaming championship at the end of a month to save both her endorsement and face. Coincidentally, the high school crush who rejected her, now an aerospace engineer at the national space organization, Yu Tu happens to add her into a match of the MOBA one night. Even if Jingjing recognizes him, he does not. When she knows he's a pro at the game, she's all fired up to make him her gaming teacher. Through hook and crook, she makes him come to her place, thus having a reunion after 10 years. Yu Tu on the other hand, is on the verge of giving up his space dream for a stable income and for his parents. And there begins there gaming, falling in love and Yu Tu regaining his confidence to live his dream.
Dileraba and Yangyang are indeed aces of the Chinese entertainment industry and this drama is yet another proof of it. Whether it's funny, cute, emotional or intimate, they both are just pure perfection. This drama is sure a feast for the eye, a visual kill, for both Dileraba and Yangyang are divine beauty! Dileraba, to me, is the kind of femme fatale who can pull the cute side so well without being cringe or weird. Like a character straight out of a Chinese manhwa! Love her! ๐ญ Qiao Jingjing is this carefree, easy going unhinged goddess and Dileraba was indeed the best choice for her. And Yangyang. He's a rabbit God, literally! Both cute and hot at the same time. Yangyang is just the perfect fit for a handsome nerd with a real smug side. It's just that, 'Yes I'm fine shyt but I can be a brat too' combo. AND THAT'S SO MY TYPE!!! ๐ญ So them together? KILLER COMBO! Chemistry is chemistry-ing you guys...๐ Their onscreen presence is just off charts!
This is yet another drama with a great casting. Every side character was just so fine themselves. All of them added so much to the story and fit in so well! My favorites thiugh would definitely be Jie, her husband, Yu Tu's roommate and Yu Tu's mother. They truly stood out to me for their fun characters as well as the actor's acting.
This story is not just about a gaming spree or a simple romance. It's of a love that remembered the other for so long that they ended up reminding the other of who they truly are. It's of a person who is stuck between duty and dream and believes they aren't good enough for the love that stayed. That's what this story actually is about - learning to trust oneself and the one who loves you the most.
This drama has influenced me a lot. As simple as being interested in MOBA and as deep as not giving up on my dream. As a science student myself, I too have come across times when I could either settle for a well paid job or follow my interst, even if it meant slower income flow. This drama taught me that the right people shall always support you and you don't have to choose between one or the other. Yu Tu's line "Till I was in high school, I was the best. When I left this bubble, I realised there were many more way better than me and I was actually nothing" was the first thing I remembered when I was in the exact same situation as his, 4 years after I had watched this drama. As a straight A kid all through my school years, when college entrance broke me, I realised what Yu Tu actually meant when he said that. I realised, I wasn't the first or the last to feel like a failure. I wasn't alone. Maybe that's why I often find myself coming back to this drama every now and then, whether through scenes or rewatching as a whole. Because I seem to relate to both the leads. The girl who wanted to achieve big but couldn't and a boy who seemed to have made it but it isn't as glorious as it seems.
The pacing is good for the majority part, though during the later episodes, it did feel a bit slow. I'd say, we could reduce 1 or 2 episodes. The quality is real good and though in between I felt a few scenes are not needed, the visuals of the scene helped me get through. Music wise, I don't think there's much. The story is presented in a very good manner, giving the audience both fiction and familiarity. It still feels surreal while being relatable. Exactly what entertainment actually is - a relatable escape.
For me, rewatch value is high. I get really motivated and feel comforted by this drama. I'd say, it is one of my comfort dramas. So yes, it's definitely on my 'Must watch C-Dramas' list, even after all these years!
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Heavy but worth it
A splendid watch. This 34 episodic drama really has it all.Starting with the story - time travel plus heavy on politics and power struggles. It begins within the family and grows all the way to national level. Conspiracies, hidden agendas and motives, murders for having your way. The story is well paced for most of the parts, except it does become sort of slow when it's highlighting political aspects and abusive authorities. Overall, I think the story unfolded very beautifully, adding unexpected twists. One can never know who turns good or bad, who is friend or foe. Characters had good developments; their stories having a lot of substance and depth. They all pull you in, whether you hate them or love them. That being said, the negative characters really get on your nerve ๐ฌ I could find myself getting extremely worked up over a few! But I prefer that over feeling disconnected. It showed that I was truly invested in the story. Even if I am not a big fan of these heavy power struggles, it's truly a good story. A scene that really stood out and blew my mind was discovering the letter at the Duke's house. Honestly, it was because of that scene, I realised the letter had so much significance. Because other than that, I'm not sure if that letter moved mountains. It did help, I agree. But that scene? Mind-blowing! The anticipation was well built and you'll find your heart racing! Beautiful!
The cast was definitely a great selection. Meng Ziyi (love her from 'The Untamed!') and Li Yunrui as the main leads make a wonderful onscreen pair, standing out for their portrayal of such strong characters. You would basically become a family member of theirs, hoping just good happens to them. Both actors do an amazing job. Their chemistry was good too. Other than the main leads, I'd say the most iconic of all the cast would be the antagonists. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! Such talent to get on your nerves ๐ I seriously won't forget Wang Yingxue played by Zhang Meng, Wei Tingzhen played by Bai Qinglin, Song Han played by Yan An, and Su Yan played by Shangqi for a long time. They have pissed me off that much ๐ Next would be the emperor potrayed by Tan Kai and Jiang Meisun potrayed by Zhang Chenghe. They really stood out and touched my heart. Their brotherhood and the constant clips of their bond in the past, I found myself moved to tears every now and then. The eunuch Wang too, I loved that guy too. Dou Zhao's father was honestly a very fickle person, but you could sympathize with him. It was well potrayed by Ji Chenmu. Really loved the Dou Zhao's grandma; she's a true anchor, a very consistent loving character. I really loved the letter scene. Even if a small role, Zeng Ziye potrayed Qi Xia so well ๐ Finally, Little Song Mo's actor Shi Hengyi was a really good and most importantly an adorable one.
Music wise, I don't think there's too much standing out, but osts and background music were good.
Drawbacks wise, it's maybe the same as the plus points. The heavy political background and constant power dynamics run the story as much as it pulls it down. If you are a fan of these topics, you would love this. Since I can't digest too much of it, it felt just a bit dragged sometimes, especially the scenes of Dou Ming at her in laws. Then I'd say, it's closer to an ick than boring. So many characters were inconsistent, you could never tell who was going to turn bad. And once they do, from then till the leads realise they are negative, uhh! The frustration of their pretence pisses you off. This drama is an emotional rollercoaster! Another thing I'd say, I wanted more fight scenes or martial arts. I felt it lacked that, the adrenaline of blades.
Rewatch wise, I wouldn't rewatch. Not because it's bad. But it's too long and as much as I was involved in the story, I am not attached to any character. I just wanted the dust to settle so I could get out. They deserve happiness and so do I ๐ so I don't want to see them struggle again. Betrayals and injustice were all too heavy on me! But this is what happens with all the heavy stories I feel. The story might be good and you would want to rewatch, but it's all the same torture and pain again. And this drama doesn't have THAT big of an impact on me, enough to push me into going through all of the pain again. But yes! I would surely recommend it for a good, long watch. It's worth watching! Hope you like it as much as I did & maybe even more!
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Pleasing to the eye while warming your heart
I'd say, a warm, action packed, straight forward drama. Pursuit of Jade is one of those dramas that gives you comfort from knowing it's going to be a happy ending while growing on you before you know. From the story to the cast to the music - sweet, heartwarming.The story nor the characters are complicated. As someone who hasn't read the novel, I think they did fine with the pacing, except for some problems here and there, notably the ending. I honestly worried it would be a mess hearing all the comments of how it spent too much time on the village arc and all. But it didn't feel like a problem to me. I felt fine about it. I did worry of the ending though. The pace they were going, I felt 2 more episodes would have been better. Action scenes were undoubtedly fabulous. Especially, ones of the Marquis. Just plain looks and slow motion, but they were so close to perfection! I kept rewinding and rewatching the beauty, bless my eyes ๐
Main plot problems I felt were - one, when Sui Yuanhuai was introduced, they completely shifted from Changyu and Zheng to the other couple, almost as if, we were done with those two. I got reminded of Thai BLs were there are multiple couples. I really wanted to know what the leads were up to, because there wasn't enough screen time for them. Thankfully, that didn't happen with the counselor-princess pair's storyline. Second, after a certain bit, Wei Yan and the other court officials were completely missing for a good, long time. Like, they were supposed to be the bad guys right? Then why all of a sudden, there aren't any updates of them? Especially where we leave them, I actually expected a new chaos to rise, but these people disappeared altogether, forget planning a trap. Third I'd say, Sui Yuanqing; they should have just ended the guy's role earlier. The entire getting caught, escaping/releasing then getting caught again, nah. That went on for too long. The ending of that character was good though brutal. That was done well. Then yes, obviously, the ending battle. Not satisfying at all. The ending definitely could have been better, especially the fight scenes. It could have at least lasted an entire episode but they just wrapped it up quickly. Other than that, all that mystery solving too, it was just pinned on one person and that's it. It felt like they wanted to give each character a story of their own to justify the character. But there wasn't a weight to that; it was hollow. Characters were well written but they could have been a bit more complex. Don't know if it's the same in the novel or just the drama. Finally, arrangement of scenes could have been better. At times, it cut the flow.
But two emotional scenes were there that really touched me. One was when Changyu realises her father is Wei Qilin. That really made my heart feel heavy. It was done really well. I could feel the fear, the refusal to accept and the helplessness. And second, the ending of Wei Yan. Woah! I honestly always had a soft spot for that character ๐ซ I kept believing he wasn't entirely a bad guy, you know, the typical villain. So finally, when I was proven right, it just added. The nostalgia and him imagining a last meal with Zheng, yah, it brought tears to my eyes. He did truly love his nephew.
Cast was DEFINITELY amazing! The main leads - Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, just make sense. The fact that Fan Changyu is just 19 and the actress actually looks youthful, really thankful for that. Had it been someone who obviously doesn't look like a 19 year old, it would have been real pathetic.
Tian Xiwei! God! I LOVED HER! She's got this adorable smile and pretty face yet she's no where near being fragile. Fan Changyu is one of the best female characters I've come across. True fem power! Xiwei's acting is awesome. She really warms your heart. I could find myself swooning over her every now and then, smiling and being whipped for her ๐ญ Then OBVIOUSLY! The talk of the town, the one who flooded my fyp page the moment the drama dropped. THE Marquis of Wu'an (Wu'an Hou ๐ฅน) ! Bless whoever decided him for the role! Because GOSHHHH!!! IS HE NOT PERFECTION??? My LORD THE VISUALS! Broo, this is honestly the closest to heaven we can get! He's just a walking General of this era! Not just beauty, his acting skills are applaudable too. He's a beauty with talent. The role of Xie Zheng (who for the most part is Yan Zheng) is another green flag. Loved the fact that he never once doubted on the fact that he loved her.
The chemistry between the two is REALLY good. The characters were also written that way I think. That no matter what, they were the same people with similar interests, so ultimately, they couldn't be on opposite teams for long. And that was well portrayed by the actor and actress. Loved this power couple!
Side characters were also very good. Really attached to the villagers. The counselor (played by Li Qing) and the grand tutor Tao (played by Li Jianyi) ๐ Fun characters! Favorites of mine. As for Qianqian and Yuanhuai (Qi Min) - as someone who doesn't like toxic relationships in general, it wouldn't be my favorite pair anyway, but even then, the story wasn't good enough to stand a chance too. If the story and characters had more depth, it would have been better. I personally didn't like their side of the story. But the acting? REALLY GOOD! Deng Kai and Kong Xueer did it really well! Especially Deng Kai. Then of course, the pig butcher squad. Very sad Mandi couldn't make it ๐ญ He was such an adorable character. I really value the genuinley good characters around the leads and they were honestly surrounded by such healthy people on a whole. Mr. And Mrs. Zhao too. Yan Yikuan as Wei Yan was one of my other favourites. And special mentions to the child actors - Cao Yanning and Wu Jiajun. Fantastic!
Music was another big leverage of this drama. My favorite is 'I Searched For Him A Thousand Times in the Crowd'. This was the first drama where I loved and learnt the OST before watching the show ๐ The background audio effects gave a punch whenever and wherever necessary, adding to the drama.
Rewatch wise, yes. I would rewatch this. Not only to understand a bit more, but also because, it grew on me before I knew. And now, I need to visit this friend every once in a while. Another watch without skips is guaranteed.
Overall, I really want to thank the director Zeng Qingjie for bringing this story to life. It would seriously be sad if this drama didn't exist, at the very least for the eye. So visually pleasing, truly! The set, the shots and the cast (ใ ใ กใ )
Love you Zhu Yu and I hope I can read the novel someday!
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Watch it!
Ok now this is one drama worth watching! It is a really good Gumiho drama, mix of fantasy and modernity. Good casting, extremely hilarious and surely rewatch worthy.The story follows Lee Dam, a college student who crosses path with the 999 year old Gumiho Shin Wooyeo and accidentally swallowing his energy source, the fox bead, thus entangling their lives.
The key highlight of the story is the humour and casting. When it's humour, who does it better than Hyeri? Every episode is just so funny, really unserious. Jang Kiyong as the straight faced fox also adds. Chemistry between the main leads? Not much but not odd. The side characters are really nice too. The second couple are cute. Especially Kim Dowan as Do Jaejin is so adorable and the entire English mess Yang Hyesun (played by Kang Hanna) gives a good laugh too ๐ Park Kyunghye and Bae Inhyuk do well too.
Yes, a fantasy comedy to the rescue if you're having a bad day. I'd surely recommend ๐๐ป
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A nice adventure
Okkk...this is my dream come true drama. Every comic-drama fan has that one story they love and one actor they love and wish their paths crossed and he becomes the lead for it. This one's mine!My entry to comic world was through Douluo Dalu (Soul Land). And my favorite actor since The Untamed, Xiao Zhan. And when you know HE is going to p,ay the lead role, what more to ask? ๐๐
The story was close enough to the comic and the effects were good, nothing looked fake. Production quality is good. The story does not lag. You can see feel character development quite well.
Cast wise, it was 8/10. They played their roles well. However, my one complaint would definitely be the age. The story follows young teenagers. And the cast was well, fully grown adults in their 20s and 30s. Do they go well together? Yes. But does it fit the original story? No. Then again, the acting was on point, so can't be sad.
Songs were good. Especially 'Youth on Horseback' (biased but duh! Obvious of Xiao Zhan ๐๐คญ)
If you love action and friendship and fantasy and magic all packed into one, this is it. Rewatch worthy of you are into the entire championship and leveling up thing. Ya, would recommend this adventure ๐๐ป
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Cute
A simple sweet story with your regular poor girl rich guy and love triangle trope. But it is adorable to watch. The story is pretty predictable. A cutesy type love story with goofy moments here and there. Yes, nothing too good or too bad.It was my first CDrama so I guess that's why 24 episodes wasn't too much.
Amy Sun and Zhao Zhiwei are cute together, especially the height difference. The hidden identity part wasn't bad, not like 'Come on, are you blind?' Mm, the acting of all cast was good; again nothing special but good. I mean, who can deny a fan girl and celebrity's star crossed love story.
The song 'Hear the love you whisper' was a good song. I still play it.
Ya, conclusion : a binge watch worthy, cute feel good drama ๐๐ป
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Didn't meet my expectations; a good watch for xianxia beginners
Unpopular opinion but sorry to say, I don't think I got what I was looking for from this drama. I expected way better. This drama did disappoint me a lot.The editing is a clear problem, especially in the first episodes. They cut the episodes mid conversation and scenes, resulting you to lose flow even if you watched episodes back to back. The scene editing in a single episode too is floppy, again interrupting the flow. But as the drama progresses, it gets a lot better.
Speaking of characters, starting off with the main leads. The usual naive girl and cold male trope typical to xianxia - felt too used. I genuinely didn't like Esther Yu's Orchid character. She is too naive in the beginning, and her character growth isn't clwarly visible. Being cute and overboard in a cringey way is one thing and being foolishly naive is another. Dongfang Qingcang is introduced as an unbeatable force but he soon lost his charm the moment he started developing feelings. The condition of no emotions for using hellfire just dampened the whole weight of the so called devil. Again, he isn't even a devil per say. That wasn't what I expected. The last minute addition of glazed fire concept is also not helpful, because we don't get to see him use it at all. Also, I feel the idea of having to teach an emotionless being to love is too old, frustrating and unhealthy. Esther Yu and Dylan Wang(especially) did not ensemble the weight of the characters they were playing; not because they aren't good actors but because they just don't visually fit in. In fact, I feel they did a wonderful job with the acting. A round of applause for both of them. But again, I don't think it's necessarily Esther Yu's acting that is faulty. Her acting is just not my cup of tea.
The characters that actually impressed me were Changheng and Danyin. Changheng is the one who really broke the usual xianxia norm and brought in freshness. Unlike the known outcast Qingcang, he, a god and someone who had never once broken a rule, chose to stand for Orchid even if it meant execution. That is not what you usually see in thos genre. Zhang Linghe's acting capability truly shines through in this drama. The different roles he played within a single drama was amazing. The mortal arc was definitely the best. Him and Qingcang's sworn brother scenes were hilarious. Dylan Wang does it really well too. Danyin is my next favorite. The most sensible character of all. Yes she loved a man, made the impulsive choice to face mortal tribulations with him, but also knew when to stop and let go. That is yet another breath of fresh air, considering how second female leads in xianxias are icky, petty and obsessive in all the most frustrating ways.
I couldn't give the slightest care for Ronghao and Chidi though. Their acting was good, I could say from the scenes I did watch. But for the most, I couldn't find myself involved in their storyline at all. Skipped a lot of it.
Jieli felt like a very fickle character too. All actions she does had a selfish gain and thus, the entire idea of 'it hurts to see you love me when I'm lying to you' wasn't convincing enough. I couldn't sympathize with her, viewing her as a good character who had her reasons. Just liked few moments here and there.
Lord Yunzhong of the fairy realm as well. I think he needed to be at least stripped of his post. He was clearly not a good leader.
Still there are plenty of good reasons to keep going.
The drama does a great job with visuals. Beautiful landscapes, costumes and special effects. Although the many immortals in the hall looked weird with the mask, it was adjustable. I loved the pink skies of the fairy realm and the night views of the moon tribe.
The depth and seriousness of being 2 lovers from different realms who are enemies, torn apart by responsibilities, is well potrayed. You can feel the helplessness and the moral dilemma. As much as I wasn't invested, I did tear up during the parting scene (but well, I'm prone to crying while watching shows T_T). The drama also has original ideas. Even if the 3 realm concept was retained, what the characters did and how they interacted are original to this drama. There isn't a whole new 'falling in love again' side quest, not just in the mortal realm (where it usually happens) but anywhere in the drama. It has it's own pros and cons though. Also, the drama doesn't drag with the same 2 things. There was a lot for 36 episodes.
The OSTs and background music are very big plus points too. I loved the songs.
Ya, final opinion is, I'm definitely not rewatching it ever because I had to force myself not to drop it. This drama to me was either 1) you are into a bunch of characters and watch them with a little skipping or 2) you don't and skip them entirely. If you are new to xianxia or in early stages of the genre, this one is considerably a better one.
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Bromance is superior to BL โ๏ธ
Bromance is superior to BL - End of discussion โ๏ธ This series is yet another one that proves that point.If you won't watch Wu because you're afraid of horror, let me tell you as someone who has extremely low horror tolerance, this has little to no horror at all. So don't worry about that. The entire magic, witchcraft thing can be handled with ease.
I loved the idea and the story telling. The animation and special effects used were of good quality and adds to the visual appeal. The pacing is well done with almost no plot holes. Acting is good enough too. I would say Nani is better off being the top than the bottom (hope you understand the point even if it's not a BL). But yes, both Sky and Nani presented a good performance. Godji also did a very good job.
The entire Chinese thing was a bit too much ๐ Yes, we are all reading subtitles so it doesn't make a big difference but still. Was it needed? I don't think so ๐
Loved the song Destiny by FLIO. The instruments blessed my ears ๐ฅน
Ya, was waiting for it to finish airing to watch it together, and it didn't disappoint me. I enjoyed the watch.
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Must watch K-Drama!
If you haven't watched this rom-com, what are you waiting for? Go watch it now!I cannot talk of romance and comedy together and not bring this drama up. Because it's among the og ones. A narcissistic CEO, overdramatic and low EQ ๐ and his very much capable and mentally stable secretary.
Park Seojoon is indeed a rom-com king. He really does this genre well. His face, body language, deserves a good applause. Park Minyoung is amazing as well. Every scene we can see her being done with her boss ๐ the side characters were great too. The office staff, the bodyguard, main lead's friend, they are all exactly were they need to be, doing exactly what they need to do.
The chemistry is realllyyy good. Ya, that is a big plus point. Especially when the overdramatic scenes calm into something more tense, the spark definitely wouldn't go unnoticed. Intimate scenes - good job hehe ๐๐
Yes! There you are. A good family drama to watch. I'd say one episode a day is the best way to watch ๐๐ป
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An EPICCC!
Gosh!!! If you are looking into Asian dramas and this isn't in your top 5 at least, we just cannot be friends. This is just what every viewer can everrr wish for. Where do I start, where do I stop? Because every time I finish, I want to rewatch it again. It's a form of existence at this point. Rewatched 5 times, 6th time soon!The plot was sooo refreshing! It keeps surprising you. I was introduced to the MDZS universe (Mo Dao Zu Shi - the original novel, which thank you Mo Xiang Tong Xiu for writing this masterpiece ๐ญ) through this drama. So unlike many others, I did not know this was supposed to be BL drama-ish. In fact, this could be my first so called "BL" drama. And so, even now, the first term to describe Wei Ying and Lan Zhan would be ็ฅๅทฑ (Zhฤซjว, which, if literally translated, someone who knows all of you). And I know that sounds like lovers and yes they are, but through this drama, for me, it's definitely more about this one person who will stay by your side no matter what, who you know you can turn to even if the world turns its back on you. And that I feel is wayyy more than just romance and chemistry. So if you are capable of picking up the subtleties and happy with old soft love bromance, this is 100/10 ๐๐ป
Next, the cast. Ever heard of the perfect cast for the perfect drama. THIS IS IT! And there is nooo doubt. I still cannot believe they are not the actual people. Because I know for sure, if I were to ever meet them in person, I'll call them their character's name ๐ The more I rewatch, the more each character's part becomes clearer. The visuals and shots are really beautiful. Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo are legit one of the best pairs I've seen. It just makes sense, them as Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. And to anyone who says Wang Yibo isn't being expressive, let's fight, period ๐ค And most important of all, THE ONE AND ONLY WEI WUXIAN AKA XIAO ZHAN. Man, he was born for this. If Wei Ying was a person in real life, he better be looking like Xiao Zhan. His acting skills are insane. So fine that you forget he is just the actor, not the actual person. ๐ญ๐ญโค๏ธโค๏ธ(Lowkey I'm sad about it, but we'll talk about that later).
The OSTs. Yes, Chinese dramas have really good songs, but this one has real good music. Especially if you like the Chinese instruments. Whether it's Wei Ying's 'Qu Jin Chenqing' by Xiao Zhan or Lan Zhan's 'Bu Wang' by Wang Yibo or 'Yi Nan Ping', pure chef's kiss. Even the plain instrument pieces like 'Zui Meng' are art of its own. But the most iconic would definitely be 'Wuji', the theme song itself. I like this version of Wangxian song the best of all across anime and voice drama and all.
Recently I've been watching the animated version and yes there are quite a lot of differences in the flow of the story. But definitely not in a way that reduces this drama's position in my heart. I have recommended this to literally anyone who has asked me a drama suggestion. The more I watch, the more nostalgic and closer I find myself to this drama. I could yap about it forever! ๐
Yup, as a fan of fantasy, action, smart plot and good relationships, ones that can stick the test of time, this is forever my FAVOURITE DRAMA EVER!
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