Reviews

Beautiful Love Story with Dark Theme

The title "Love Beyond The Grave" fits perfectly to this story. This is one of the most beautiful romantic tale I have ever encounter in life. The way it mixed up with dark theme like war and deaths and spirits just add unique memorable feeling. Though not without flaws, I can say this drama will impact me for a time being.

Beautiful Romance But Somehow A Little Haunting
There's nothing to be scared here. It's not horror genre. In fact for me it's quite relaxing drama to watch. But then when I think about the topics in the story, its about wars, killings and deaths, its a little haunting feel, especially because the female lead He Simu was a ghost queen or spirit queen. But then like I said this add unique flavor to the drama.
Both the leads have to deal with life and deaths. It is dealing with their jobs and responsibility. Male lead, Duan Xu had to kill a lot because he was a general and previously an assasin. That made him no longer scared of the dead. And for someone like him meeting with the beautiful spirit queen and fell in love with her for a reason, is quite fitting and also challenging. In my opinion, he was also a gift to the spirit queen who lack to enjoy the senses yet long for them because her mother was a mortal and she had a warm family life before. Her life was like "Carrying Lantarn in Daytime" (original novel title) because even in daytime, she cannot fully see and feel. Her life was monotone. In her 400 years of life she was craving for these "human" senses. Duan Xu exchanged his senses with her. It is a little haunting to think of living without senses. I think he fell in love with her when she was in her lively self and enjoying mortal life (not as a cold spirit queen). Duan Xu is endearing to me how he was willing to follow her to her world. I like this type of romantic male lead who are reckless and taking challenge because he was deeply in love. He was one of my very few top favorite romantic male lead. It was in this void world or her underground world of spirits that actually He Simu actually appeared cold and strict to the rules leader. So all of her girly and warm side are seen by only Duan Xu and their adopted brother Chenying. In this way that I find Simu also is also endearing. Although I was annoyed by her pushing Duan Xu away several times, I can't really blame her because how strict she had to be as spirit ruler and also we can all see how deeply she was also in love with Duan Xu.
I really like the world building of this whole spirit fantasy world building, although it is haunting, it is also beautiful. Spirits are grand too and powerful too. Not all are scary.

I love the double endings to this story.
First one ending in episode 40 is a little haunting but beautiful in a away too. He Simu did not archieved becoming a mortal like she secretly yearning for. But then she no longer has to rule the spirit world since its given to another (Chenying). So she can be wandering around with her purple jelly like spirit who the show has pointed as Duan Xu who died but his obsession spirit come back to accompany her. It may take awhile for him to get human form (but others do so he will too). Duan Xu has fulfilled his human duty as a general in getting back all the 17 lands the enemy side had taken. Its so sure the rest of his life and after life he is willing to be with He Simu. Though human senses are lacking, they will still be together forever and ever.

Another ending for special episode which actually added to the real episode 40 as well, was a clearer happy ending, because He Simu can finally fulfilled becoming a mortal spend the rest of her life happily with Duan Xu who was revived by her giving up being immortality. This theme I know some may not feel it. But for me its not really anything force for such fantasy type drama (they have done more than this) ...it is a very natural for this fantasy romance drama. This give a solid feel to their happily ever after.❤️
I wanted to interpret on this 22 lovers tombs of He Simu. I couldn't be serious with it. Throughout the drama, I don't have a feeling that He Simu was ever fallen in love before meeting with Duan Xu. My feelings are confirmed when He Simu told her parents tomb that she might add another tomb there (Duan Xu), not with those 22 "lovers" tombs, because he was important to her and she married him. So those 22 are either just random flings or random men who may had admired He Simu and she considered their admiration and given them a place to rest after death.

Cinematography
This drama is asthetically very beautiful, and many romantic scenes are heartfelt.

The Cast
I have countlessly say to my drama friends of how much I adore Diliraba and Arthur in their roles here and this romantic couple.
The whole casts are superb and bring out their best. I actually like other characters such Jiang Ai,.Chenying, Feng Yi and the goddess Ziji. I also need to say its a delight to see Miles playing villain for once.
The Osts
I have to thank Peachy Blossoms for her translation to the music of dramas and of Love Beyond The Grave. I love the whole album.

The Flaws
I think it would be probably better if they show more of Duan Xu life in the past. And I do think it will be cool if Duan Xu somehow able to gain power and fight back with the powerful spirits. But I am also fine with the story keep him at mortal level mostly as well. Maybe this is a "flaw" that I dont mind much because it doesnt mess up the main theme for me. Another of the flaw is probably the way Fang Xiangye suicide. Why he had to die with hitting his head with the pillar? Bcos normally this hitting head with a pillar doesnt make someone died..why not he used other weapons to make more sense.😌
Depites these flaws, for story is still very strong and unique and impactful for me. I am really taken by this beautiful love story of He Simu and Duan Xu that will continue beyond the grave. And I know their tale will be staying with me for long long time.
My rating is 10+/10.
Thank you all for reading my long review.
Sincerely,
WhiteTea
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My previous review after ep 20.

I have now watched Love Beyond The Grave tup to episode 20 that is reaching to the half now. So its the time I come to express how I feel about the show before another half and overall come.

Initially, I just thought this is a typical Xianxia and not was not so much hyped on it. But I give it a chance. I am very happy that I did. And I also found this is not a Xianxia but a Xuanhuan.

Love Beyond the Grave tells a story of a strong powerful 400 years old ghost queen He Simu who yearned for the five senses she didnt have, and willing to experience them. (Bcos she was born out of love. Her own mother was once a mortal. But she could not enjoy the five sense just like her father who ruled the spirit). She met this young general called Duan Xu who held the sword called The Deliverance, which could said that it could lift her curse not able to have five senses. She surprised that a mere mortal could master such object, so she used her own wits to get closed him. She pretend as if she were a poor delicate lady and victim of the war. Its not that he didn't suspected at all. Of cousre I guess Duan Xu suspected her from start that she was not ordinary, but just not openly say anything and let her forecast weather for the army and direction of the war he was leading.
Under a friendly face, Duan Xu had a very dark past, in which he had to slaughter a lot of people for survival, in which he was no longer scared of anything whether death anything beyond human. He can be nice to people in general but when he kill and have to do the deed, he was indeed and cold and ruthless. For me he was both green flag and red flag in the right way. In my watching drama experience, I have liked and admired many mls who are mostly green, red and even dark flag at times. But this is very rare few time I have ever head over heeled and deeply completely wipped. No matter how much ruthless Duan Xu is, he is still a good guy and devoted to love so he wont regret when death come to him. Actually both He Simu and Duan Xu are strong and cunning but also maintain a good heart. I like how He Simu mostly only show her girly cute and warm side to Duan Xu in which he fell for her. He risked all to follow her to her spirit world when she must return. He Simu would push him away for their own good even though its so obvious shes deeply in love with him too now.
Its not easy for two different species to get together although not impossible.
The sensual between the cp is here, we can all see and feel (i guess). Diliraba and Chen Feiyu` chemistry is superb and im looking forward to see will they will be when both confessed, how much more passion&sensual we will be feeded.
That is for now.
My rating for this drama is 10/10. Its such a surprise that this become another rare drama I am very hooked. I just hope its good till end, and I will be back to review the whole drama again.

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had me HOOKED

im the type of person who loved 'school 2013'. this one reminded me of it quite a bit. high school drama in the best way: fists flying, bonds forming, characters growing as people.
i was a bit doubtful at the start as things looked a bit blue but once the gangster took over his soul omg... i lived for the hype moments. normally i wouldn't like soul swap of this kind cuz like hello it's still an adult in his body (i would rather prefer some other tough guy of same age)??? but they did it wonderfully in this drama. i loved how there was no romance factor too (some shows make it creepy). the gangster genuinely tried so hard to make a good life out of it for the kid. it was selfless and so fucking awesome as a character.
the ending made a lot of sense. song yi heon's soul stayed to hear the apologies from people who hurt him (even choi se kyung) and once justice was done, he didn't have any attachment left on earth. he had suffered enough and deserved to be see himself happy, have friends, see his mother recover before he could rest in peace. kim deuk pal on the other hand, despite old, had a lot of life in him. it's fair that song hi yeon entrusted his body to his soul.
i understand why people are upset with the BL aspect being removed but honestly i don't see how it would have played out. yes, it would have made more sense in context of the bullying. but other than that, the drama was great. i don't think dramas like this needs romance.
anyways, i love redemptions or at least bullies ending up helping somehow. great job! good story, better bonds. absolutely binge watch worthy!

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Good A-list Actors

I really enjoyed watching HUMINT I actually started it because of Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, and Park Hae-joon and they absolutely did not disappoint. Each of them delivered such strong, convincing performances that made the story even more engaging and memorable. The plot itself was well-paced with a good mix of suspense and emotion but it was really the acting that stood out for me. Shin Se-kyung was also excellent and so pretty, bringing so much depth and charm to her role and balancing perfectly with the intensity of the male leads. Overall a great show with a solid storyline and outstanding cast definitely worth watching!

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Cute and fantasy series starring Keen and Sea

PLOT: Two childhood friends and neighbors, J and Jinn, have always bickered and hated each other, despite being inseparable. They attend a fashion school (sewing and design) and have the same group of friends. After an accident, J begins having visions/premonitory dreams, including one in which he sees Jinn's death. He then becomes aware of his feelings for Jinn and will do everything he can to change what he sees in his dreams.

+++ Keen and Sea, novice actors, have a bright future ahead of them.
+++ A charming second romance, and I really love the chemistry between Java and Surf.
+++ A coherent story and dynamic direction.

### The school section is completely unbelievable: a majority of boys in this type of program, sketches on models that don't progress from the beginning to the end of the series, etc.
### The fantasy section could have been better developed.

=> A nice series for discovering Keen & Sea, cute, but not memorable either.
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Série cute et fantaisy avec Keen / Sea

PLOT: 2 amis d'enfance / voisins, J et Jinn, se chamaillent et se détestent depuis tjs., bien qu'ils soient inséparables. Ils sont ds 1 école de mode (couture, design) et ont le mm gpe d'amis. Après 1 accident, J commence à avoir des visions / rêves prémonitoires, notamment ds lesquels il voit la mort de Jinn. Il prend alors conscience de ses sentiments pr Jinn, et va tt faire pr changer ce qu'il voit ds ses rêves.

+++ Keen et Sea, acteurs novices, ont un bel avenir devant eux.
+++ Romance 2aire attachante et j'aime bcp l'alchimie entre Java et Surf.
+++ Story cohérente et réalis° dynamique.

### La partie Ecole n'est pas du tout crédible : une majorité de garçons ds ce type d'études, des ébauches sur des mannequins qui ne progressent pas du début à a fin de la série, etc.
### La partie Fantaisy aurait pu être mieux exploitée.

=> Série sympa pr la découverte de Keen & Sea, cute, mais pas mémorable non plus.

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Slow, slow, slow burn but good!

This was a really slow, slow, slow burning series, but i enjoyed it a lot! A series doesn't always have to have a big or complicated story to be good. The very well done intimate scenes were a nice bonus, the chemistry was amazing!!
For me the story of them falling in love was good enough. The only dissapointment was the second couple (bodyguard) They were bad at acting and no chemistry at all. The kisses were the only good thing they had.

It had stunning visuals and the music was good.

I liked the peach facts and how they displayed them in a smaller cinema like frame.
Same with the memories, they were always in a smaller frame, so easy to recognize.

The rescue after the kidnapping was a bit dissapointing. Just a few punches to rescue Po, the bodyguard did nothing... Then they stared and talked to each other for a few minutes, while the bad guys were just standing around them watching???
Then a small fight, witch was done well, but ended with Po's dad holding Sasom at gunpoint. Still the bodyguard was just standing around....

Poom really surprised me, i wasn't impressed by his acting in My sweetheart Jom and there was hardly any chemistry in that series. But in this one his acting was great an the chemistry amazing!!
And Ki did an amazing job, he showed to be a great actor though this was only his seccond series and the first one as a main.

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It kind of dissappointed me

*mild spoilers i didn't mention what was going on just my feelings* well.... to be honest i only watched it because my friend showed me Boss's. ahem. ass. I didn't have much expectations to begin with, I didn't even have any idea what was it about. It started really good I was amazed, THEN towards the end some thing really GMMTV happened and they fumbled the story's potential. It could have been something really good but I guess they didn't want it. Still it was fun to discuss it with my friend our theories were better than the original story they went with. Also I wish alternate universe sequel was with the office universe u_u

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Everything about this drama was wonderful: the cinematography, the actors, the plot, the storyline, the portrayal of characters, everything was so perfectly produced. It is the kind of drama one could watch any number of times without ever getting bored. Some may consider the female lead (Su zai zai) as "overexaggeration" or "cringe", but the male lead (Zhang lurang) is conservative and reserved. Considering the personality traits, they make one of the best couples, by creating balance and fulfilment in their lives. I must also particularly point out the female lead's depiction of character, where such characters are assumed to be too kind or overly cute, seeking male attention. However, that is not at all how her character is; she showcases a mature, strong mind and values self-respect and self-worth over anything, which I absolutely adored in the story. The second leads were absolutely amazing, adding a hint of humour to the story. Apart from romance, the story is THE comfort drama, having a depression episode? Watch Wifty. Going through a tough time at school? Watch Wifty. They are just teens having the time of their lives, no villains, no plot twists, no sadness, nothing, just pure love and friendship. Watching this gives you a feeling of warmth, like a big hug. I fully recommend this drama, especially if u feel your life is boring or empty. It teaches you to appreciate everything in life, be content with what you have and cherish it with all your heart. I wish for all the actors and actresses who played this a successful and happy future, and I will continue to love and support them with all my heart.

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