Reviews

Shi Ying wasn't just a character—he became one of the reasons I fell in love with C-dramas again.

Some dramas entertain you for a few weeks.

Some leave you with beautiful memories.

And then there are rare dramas that quietly become part of your journey as a viewer.

For me, The Longest Promise was one of those dramas.

After finishing The Untamed, I honestly wondered if I would ever become that emotionally attached to another Chinese drama again.

Then Shi Ying happened.

And little by little...

I found myself emotionally invested all over again.

Looking back now, after watching more than fifty historical and xianxia dramas, I can confidently say that The Longest Promise remains one of the stories that shaped my standards for this genre.

Not because it was perfect.

But because it made me care.

Deeply.

At first glance, it seems like another xianxia built around destiny, forbidden love, and cultivation.

But beneath its fantasy setting lies a story about responsibility, sacrifice, restraint, and unconditional love.

Those themes stayed with me long after the final episode.

The heart of this drama is undoubtedly Shi Ying.

I've seen countless male leads who are powerful, intelligent, or emotionally distant.

Shi Ying is different.

He never tried to become the strongest person in the room.

He never sought recognition.

He never fought for glory.

Instead, he carried responsibilities that most people would never willingly accept.

Again and again, he chose duty over personal happiness.

Again and again, he sacrificed his own desires to protect the people around him.

What made those sacrifices even more painful was that he never expected anything in return.

He simply believed it was the right thing to do.

That quiet selflessness broke my heart far more than dramatic emotional scenes ever could.

And I think that's exactly why I became so attached to him.

Not because he was powerful.

But because he remained kind despite carrying unbearable burdens.

This is also where Xiao Zhan completely amazed me.

Of course, I've always known he is handsome.

But The Longest Promise reminded me that true acting goes far beyond appearance.

He didn't simply wear Shi Ying's robes.

He became Shi Ying.

His posture.

His calm voice.

His restrained expressions.

The elegance in the way he walked.

Even the silence between his lines carried emotion.

There were moments when he said almost nothing, yet his eyes expressed heartbreak, conflict, compassion, and loneliness all at once.

That's incredibly difficult to achieve as an actor.
Watching him, I eventually stopped seeing Xiao Zhan.

I only saw Shi Ying.

And to me, that's one of the greatest compliments an actor can receive.

As for Zhu Yan...
I have to admit she frustrated me during the first half of the drama.

Her impulsiveness.

Her recklessness.

The way she often acted before thinking.
There were many moments when I wanted to tell her to simply stop and listen.

But looking back, I realized those flaws were intentional.

She wasn't meant to begin the story as the perfect heroine.

She was meant to grow.

And she did.

Her development became one of the most satisfying parts of the drama.

The same impulsive girl slowly matured into someone capable of carrying responsibilities, understanding sacrifice, and making difficult choices.

By the end, she had earned my respect.

The romance itself is another reason this drama stayed with me.

It wasn't loud.

It wasn't built on endless flirting.

It wasn't driven by physical affection.

Instead, it grew through restraint.

Distance.

Silent longing.

Unspoken feelings.

Forbidden love has always been one of my favorite tropes when it's written well, and The

Longest Promise captured both its beauty and its heartbreak.

Some of the most emotional scenes weren't confessions.

They were moments when both characters chose each other's happiness over their own.

That kind of love always hurts the most.

The xianxia world also deserves praise.

Rather than relying on constant magical battles or flashy visual effects, the drama embraced a more spiritual and philosophical atmosphere.

Cultivation wasn't simply about becoming stronger.

It reflected discipline.

Balance.

Responsibility.

And understanding the consequences of one's choices.

That slower, more contemplative approach made the world feel elegant rather than overwhelming.

Visually, this remains one of the most beautiful xianxia dramas I've watched.

The white robes.

The snowy landscapes.

The temples.

The lighting.

Every frame looked almost ethereal.

Shi Ying himself often felt less like a prince and more like an immortal who had quietly descended into the mortal world.

The cinematography complemented that feeling perfectly.

The soundtrack also deserves recognition.

It never tried to overpower the scenes.

Instead, it quietly amplified every emotional moment.

Even now, hearing certain pieces immediately brings back memories of Shi Ying's journey.

The supporting cast added depth to the story as well.

Every important relationship helped shape the emotional weight of the narrative instead of existing solely to support the romance.

Family expectations.

Master-disciple relationships.

Political responsibilities.

Friendships.

Every connection mattered.

If I had one criticism, it would be that the pacing occasionally slowed during the middle portion of the drama, and Zhu Yan's early immaturity sometimes became frustrating before her eventual growth.

Still, those moments became easier to appreciate once I saw how much both characters evolved by the end.

Looking back...

I don't think I remember The Longest Promise because of a single unforgettable battle.

Or one spectacular plot twist.

I remember it because of one man who spent almost the entire story sacrificing pieces of himself for others without asking for recognition.

Shi Ying taught me that strength isn't always measured by power.

Sometimes, true strength is choosing kindness when life continuously asks you to suffer.

Out of all the historical and xianxia dramas I've watched, very few male leads have left such a lasting impression on me.

Shi Ying is one of them.

And perhaps that's why, even after watching more than fifty historical dramas, he still remains one of the characters I find myself thinking about long after the story has ended.

The Longest Promise wasn't simply another xianxia that I enjoyed.

It became one of the dramas that reminded me why I fell in love with Chinese dramas in the first place.

It made me believe that quiet love can be stronger than grand romance.

That sacrifice can speak louder than words.
And that some characters never truly leave your heart.

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The chemistry between the leads is absolutely through the roof

10/10 ⭐️

This is the first Chinese drama I’ve ever given a 10/10 (apart from Twelve Letters, but I don’t really count that since it’s a short drama), so that says a lot.

The storyline flows so well from start to finish. It’s not draggy like many C-dramas, and I hardly have to fast forward. Every moment felt like it had a purpose. And the chemistry is through the roof. I really think they have the best chemistry in the Cdrama world. Their acting is so good, and there are so many iconic scenes and memorable lines that I lovee

But what I loved most is how the characters stayed true to who they were throughout the entire show. I feel in a lot of shows, the characters lose their personality or core values once they fall in love or as the story progresses. Their relationship was heartbreaking yet so beautiful at the same time.

And I lovee the ending, the way it tied everything back to the beginning was so beautiful. I really regret not watching this earlier, even though it was in my watchlist for the longest time

Anw my criteria for a 10/10 drama is:
- A strong plot from beginning to end with no unnecessary or draggy scenes.Every scene serves a purpose
- Amazing chemistry between the leads
- Supporting cast that’s just as strong
- I never feel the urge to fast-forward or get bored
- An OST that complements the story

L&P checked all the boxes and I know a lot of people find this drama toxic but honestly I think they are both just flawed characters which makes it even more realistic

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ALL HYPE. Sorry.

With over 12 million reservations, this was one of the most anticipated dramas of 2026. Unfortunately, it turned out to be all hype and a huge disappointment.
We didn’t wait this long just to watch AI-generated-looking effects, poor editing with those unnecessary zoom-ins and zoom-outs, and acting that was surprisingly disappointing from two talented actors. They both felt stiff and lacked emotion.
If I wanted to watch an AI-generated drama, I could just watch a short drama — at least those usually have better acting and more creative editing.
The biggest question is: where did the budget go? Did it all go into the actors’ makeup and costumes? Because the production quality definitely didn’t match the expectations.

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Boring, definitely not worth the rating

I really don’t know how I gathered the will to finish this, somewhere in between stubbornness of avoiding unfinished series and the hope that it would improve due to ratings…

I think half the stars are because of the ML, the plot was so boring, nothing happened, a lot of unnecessary and uninteresting plots: gaming, aerospace, filming, I can handle different subjects and themes in dramas but they made it so boring, I didn’t learn anything new so it wasn’t even educational.

Now the chemistry between leads is so forced, they look more like good friends. Only highlight was that they look cute together because they’re both good looking but again didn’t like their interaction.
The soundtrack was also plain.

Anyway, I hope to save someone from the pain of sitting through this :)

good day

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Maybe They Were Too Buddy-Buddy

I have really mixed feelings about Bad Buddy.

It's honestly a very good BL. The relationship is healthy, the actors have incredible chemistry, and the story is simply made to make you have a great time. To be honest, there aren't many flaws I can point out.

Of course... there is a "but."

Before that, I have to say that this is probably the first slow burn that shocked me so much when the kiss finally happened that I had to replay the scene several times before my brain could actually process what I had just watched. I genuinely wasn't prepared for how beautiful that moment was.

My only criticism is what happened after that kiss. It felt like such a huge turning point, yet the relationship didn't really become more intense afterward. This might be a bold thing to say, but what disappointed me the most was how ordinary everything became. I think I was expecting even more chemistry and emotional intimacy between the two protagonists.

Don't get me wrong, the everyday scenes were lovely to watch, and I absolutely enjoyed their constant teasing and playful dynamic. But that kiss promised something bigger, only for the story to suddenly settle into a much calmer routine. It almost felt like their relationship lost some of its intensity instead of growing stronger.

That being said, even if I expected more, I can't deny that this is a beautiful drama. It offers great LGBTQ+ representation, their relationship is genuinely sweet and healthy, and that's something I really appreciated. It's also one of the few BLs that feels close to real life, which makes it easy to connect with the characters and their story.

Maybe that's exactly why I wanted just a little bit more.

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Acting was okay & the OST was fine.

This is a very short series, so I didn't expect much in the way of plot, which was good, because we got very little outside of a walking red flag. Tae Jun creeped me out from the very first episode & he only seemed to get creepier with each passing minute. Who gets so obsessed with someone for following and unfollowing them and then leaving them on read? I'm not saying this isn't possible; I'm sure it's happened, but Tae Jun takes it into psycho territory. I'm sure if this had had a longer run time, we could have gotten something very interesting.

The only other thing that was annoying was the very abrupt transitions. Some of them also happen at the worst moments, and it cuts the flow of the story.

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please don’t waste your time.

I beg you. This is genuinely one of the WORST dramas I’ve ever watched including kdramas, cdramas, Thai dramas, Filipino dramas ETC. MC is starts off SO GOOD she had so much potential and then blended out into a boring average MC. there is NO “four knights”! she technically had only two and one of them ended up not even liking her for the last huge chunk? I shipped her a lot with that one because they had better chemistry in my personal opinion then her with the true ML. This was the biggest waste of time so much so I didn’t even stick out to find out how it ended because I simply don’t care and that’s awfully crazy for me to say as I’ve stuck around for genuinely the worst pieces of media of all time…don’t even attempt this unless your okay with boring, overly complicated (not even good drama), and a silly plot that doesn’t even really stick with the main title!

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Too Much Potential, Too Little Payoff...

I feel like this drama is either a hit or a miss. I can totally understand why some people love it, but unfortunately, for me, it was a miss.

I think the biggest problem is that I went into this drama with really high expectations without actually knowing what to expect. I quickly realized it was going to be a slow burn... but after 7 episodes that each lasted between one hour and one hour and a half, there was barely any progress. I actually enjoy a good slow burn, but the problem here is that the romance was pushed completely into the background. So if you're looking for a beautiful love story that slowly grows stronger, I don't think this is the right drama.

The most obvious issue with this BL is the episode length. The first few episodes completely pulled me in, and I could see so much potential. The story seemed to know where it was going. But around episode 5 (or maybe even before), everything started losing its direction. I genuinely felt like I had to sit through every episode because they were so long while barely moving the story forward. Seriously, everything became so over-the-top and unrealistic. It tried to mix comedy that wasn't really funny, thriller that wasn't thrilling, and romance that was almost nonexistent.

I'm sorry, but I was bored. The constant plot twists became so ridiculous that they made me want to scream. It's frustrating because the story had so much potential, but I feel like it got ruined by trying to stretch everything out just to make more episodes.

Honestly, what frustrated me the most was how the romance lost all its impact because it was buried under a plot that became more and more absurd. I got so tired of it that I ended up watching a cut version that focused mostly on the main couple... and, surprise, most of their scenes lasted five minutes at best.

I didn't even watch the final episode, and I honestly don't think I ever will. I truly believe that if the story had been condensed into just six episodes, this BL would have been so much better.

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4ever in my Heart !

Even today, I randomly think about KinnPorsche. The opening song still plays in my head, and every time I hear it, I get emotional. It honestly feels like my whole soul is being transported back.

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say it's really hard to find another BL that made me feel the same way.

What makes this drama so special is that both the plot and the romance get exactly the attention they deserve. Every episode keeps you on edge and awakens all your senses, while at the same time watching Kinn and Porsche slowly fall in love is absolutely addictive. I still remember desperately clicking "next episode" over and over because I cared more about knowing what happened next than maintaining any kind of social life.

This review probably won't be very objective or constructive because it's been more than five years since I watched this drama. Still, I'll never stop recommending it because even after all this time, its impact hasn't faded at all.

The only thing that really bothered me was the side story between Kim (Jeff Satur) and Porchay. Honestly, besides giving me second-hand embarrassment, I don't think it added much to the main plot except creating extra problems. (⇀ˬ↼‶)

As for Vegas and Pete... I think I'll write about them in my future book. They are probably one of the most toxic couples I've ever watched, yet they're also the couple that made me cry the most. I've never been on such an emotional roller coaster because of two characters.

So thank you, KinnPorsche, for still being able to make me feel this wave of excitement every time I remember certain scenes. Even years later, this drama still has a special place in my heart. ♡✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡♡˚

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A really good quick watch for when you’re bored

8 episode kdramas truly never miss! I expected a lot from Nam Joohyuk and he always delivers with his amazing acting skills and honestly he always chooses the best shows to star in.

This was so entertaining from start to finish, if you have an entire free day- you could definitely finish this in one sitting. That is if you enjoy supernatural/joseon era kdramas. This type of genre reminded me a lot of Alchemy of Souls, although I never finished that show, this one was a bit more better (in my opinion) it wasn’t focused on romance at all and only the plotline- they gave us two main characters who have an incredible chemistry together, it made me wish it would have romance! But I digress because not adding romance was truly the right call and it made them have a better stronger bond with one another.
The cute little monster that follows Gucheon around is an added bonus.

Amazing acting, and a really interesting plot that had me hooked. The ending made it seem like there will be another season, which I truly hope happens. I will be tuning into season 2 should there be one!

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Slip episodes and save yourself the headache

This show reminded me of Avengers: Infinity War, so many heroes and characters that it became hard to keep the story together. The only thing that held it together was the ultimate villain. Unlike Infinity War, which told its story in one movie, Burning Flames stretched everything across 40 episodes with endless 15-minute conversations, the usual Chinese drama blood-spitting scenes, and the classic “win the battle but lose the one you love” ending. In the end, this is really a love stories of the hero and the villain. Add the cartoon-like CGI, and the whole show often felt like a live-action cartoon.

I skipped many conversations and even a few episodes just to get to the ending, yet I still understood the whole story. That tells you how much unnecessary filler there was. Long dramas like this often feel like Swiss cheese—full of holes that are filled with scenes that add very little.

I’m a big fan of Allen Ren and have watched several of his dramas. I know he can act, but a weak script gave him very little to work with. The rest of the cast often felt like they were overacting, which I think was more the fault of the direction than the actors themselves.

The repeated flashbacks, always with the same emotional music, became tiring. Once or twice is enough. I didn’t need to watch the same sad scenes over and over again. Instead of adding emotion, the loud music just became irritating.

Some people will probably disagree with me, and that’s fine. But I don’t think mediocre should ever become the standard.

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Cute boys, with no plot

This was sadly one of the series that will go in the "I will never remember it" pile. There was no plot. The only real redeeming factor was that the actors were cute and the acting was okay.

When I started the series, I was undecided about watching the sequel, but by the time I finished it and they left us on a "cliffhanger," I had just lost all interest. I'm sorry, but the situation wasn't interesting enough to continue. Especially since the problem shouldn't even cause that much of a fuss; they could have most likely solved whatever is going to happen by just adding another episode to this season.

If you're interested in watching this series, I would still give it a try because it has a very short run time & is easy to watch, and honestly, it's far from the worst thing I've seen.

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Bouquets or brickbats?

This series surprised me and not always in a good way. I am conflicted. The first half tested my patience. Just when I was about to give up, the show turned the corner and I am gobsmacked!

To be fair, this drama has good bones. Our leads have strong visuals and they extrude charisma. Their chemistry is next level. It ebbs and flows like a force of nature.

By setting the drama in the Pearl Delta and turning the clock back 20+ years gives the show a unique vibe. It is also a brave decision to focus on the underbelly of society. There is an authentic grittiness that many contemporary romance drama lack. This gives the narrative a sharper edge. This also creates a lot of head wind for our OTP.

This is not helped by the series spending 10 eps going back to the 1990's. Every key events of our leads are marked. To be fair, these events shaped them and reinforced the found family trope. I do wonder if we need to devote so much screen time to them.

When the OTP reunite 6 years later, they have technically moved on. However, their emotional cores are frozen at the moment they parted ways. They never stop pining for each other.

How cruel is our dear writer. She spared no efforts on their monster sized push-pull. There is so much angst, guilt and longing. It pains me to watch our leads dance around each other. They can't help being drawn to each other, yet they are like the same pole on two magnets.

This is not helped by the FL's constant teasing and barbed remarks. The ML's stoicism only adds fuel to that fire.

BTW, did I mention the ML is the biggest Noble Idiot in town? He thinks by hiding his true feelings, he is keeping her safe from his enemies.

His life was turned upside down while they were apart. That memory is too painful to share. It makes him guarded and sullen. His over protectiveness irritates her. She wants him to treat her as a woman, the object of his desires.

It took several more eps before we finally see some minor progress. Baby steps . . (groan) . . baby steps. They finally arrived at an understanding. That will do for now. The pressure continues to build, like a super typhoon.

Let's take a step back at this juncture. I can't tell you how "weird" I felt about this series. They had me by the end of EP.1. I almost quit out of frustration by mid run. Then I binged the last half like my life depends on it. Should I give the writer bouquets or brickbats? The answer is complicated.

Where most dramas are happy for the OTP to motor along until the inevitable confession. Our dear writer dug several deep holes in their psyche/history and dropped them headfirst into them. Yes, it is schadenfreude, but it also allows our actors to tap into strong emotions and test their mettle. It can be both exhausting and exhilarating.

Many scenes are emotionally charged. It is draining to watch at times. Nothing is ever black or white. Your senses will be assaulted. Your moral fibre stretched. There are many triggers . . so many.

Just when you think they are on the verge of a leap forward, they would walk back from it. I won't lie. It is frustrating. The reward is rich, if you can hold out.

This brings me to the nitty gritty of the show. As I mentioned before, the production is solid. I loved the little details, local customs, period eccentricities, etc. So much of that is missing in modern c-drama where generic offices and urban sprawl fills the screen. Bring on the location B-reels! You get desensitised until those details hit you in the face and then you realise what is missing.

Usually, the support cast will get a passing remark in the last paragraph, but this lot is a class above. They felt real. They have personalities and are given some space to grow. Special thanks go to Uncle Zhou for watching over our young leads and his unwavering support. Respect! I feel your pain, sir.

As I mentioned before, the ugly underbelly is ever present. Organised crime and shady business cast long shadows. Something wicked this way comes.

Ok, this is one show I refuse to spoil the last few eps. I need someone to scream next to me on this rollercoaster ride. It might as well be you. You can thank me later. 😉

In the end, I am shook. This show is Jekyll and Hyde for me. For every scene that troubled me, there is a one that made me swoon. I finally settled on a score of 8.5. I need my therapy teddy, stat!

Final warning. There are plenty of triggers and pain points. This drama can be frustrating at times. The reward is worth the journey . . at least for me. Peace.

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