Visually stunning with some great performances
Dragged on a little too long. However memorable performances by Allen Deng as Xu Feng the Phoenix and Leo Luo as Run Yu the Night Immortal . Leo Luo really should win an award for his incredible performance. He was very convincing in his heartbreak and sadness not winning the affections of the flower princess. Yukee Chen is always a favorite of mine. She is good in anything she does. The costume designs should also win awards. This cdrama is visually stunning in its special effects. I could have done without the Carrot Fairy. He was completely irritating. .Was this review helpful to you?
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The night god will steal your heart
If you like the Ten Mile Peach Blossom, you may like this. Two good looking lead actors (and good looking actresses for the guys) certainly help. Mesmerizing theme songs, excellent acting, nice special effects, lovely costumes and interesting story plots makes it overall an outstanding production. I would have given it a perfect rating of 10 if some tightening of the plots had happened.There are however a lot of apologizing, voicing of regrets, negative talks and lecturing. This may be a cultural thing as I noticed a lot of it in Chinese dramas. However, viewers from English speaking countries may find a little unappealing as it appears like this is a bunch of self-pitying or self-righteous characters. A little less of it may help or convert it to thoughts rather than speech may help.
In the later part of the drama, it starts to get a little draggy due to side stories of secondary characters and slow moving scenes. The script writer could have trimmed off 5 episodes and tightened the plot - that would have been better. Alternatively split it into 2 series with a sequel could have helped too - there was opportunity to do this at episode 46 when the Runyu successfully seized the throne.
Although this is fiction, some realism may make it more convincing. For a girl who enjoys the attention of a young handsome emperor totally devoted to her, it is highly unlikely she would not fall in love with him and switched affection. Especially at moments when the rival was behaving like a jerk, it would have so easily to fall into the new young emperor's arms. If I were a young woman in that situation I certainly would. I guess most Chinese directors and script writers are too conservative to make the heroine looks unfaithful. Both the heroines in this story are unrealistically faithful to their first love.
Also, stabbing a love one with a knife is a nasty thing, much worse if it has killed him. Even with lots of apologies and good reasons, it is unlikely a relationship could be mended. Something more is needed to explain why Xufeng would still love and forgive her - some twist in the story is required.
For these reasons, I took away only 0.5 in the rating as I still like the series a lot.
I am much more attracted to the Runyu's character than Xufeng as Runyu earned sympathy and Luo Yun Xi acted it well. Hope to see more of him in future lead roles.
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Love, Timing, and the Cost of Not Understanding
Ashes of Love expecting was one of my very first C-dramas. I didn’t expect was how emotionally devastating, and structurally strong, it would become over time.This is not a perfect drama. The early episodes lean lighter, and there are moments, particularly in the middle, where pacing softens more than it needs to. But once the emotional core locks into place, the story becomes something much heavier and more compelling than it first appears.
At its heart, this is a story about love constrained by forces beyond individual control—fate, duty, identity, and emotional blindness. What elevates it is how those forces don’t just create obstacles; they fundamentally shape the characters’ choices and consequences.
Jin Mi’s emotional journey is more complex than it initially seems. Her lack of understanding isn’t just naïveté, it becomes a narrative device that allows the story to explore what love looks like when someone doesn’t yet have the capacity to recognize it. Watching that capacity develop, and the cost of that delay, is where much of the emotional weight comes from.
Xu Feng brings a different kind of energy: direct, emotionally expressive, and unwavering once he understands his feelings. His arc is not about learning to love, but about enduring the consequences of loving someone who cannot yet meet him where he is. That imbalance drives much of the tension in the first half of the story.
Runyu, however, is where the drama deepens significantly. His trajectory adds a layer of moral complexity that shifts the story from a straightforward romance into something more layered. His choices are not framed as simple villainy, but as the result of isolation, deprivation, and a need for control in a world where he has none. Whether or not you agree with his actions, his presence raises the stakes of every relationship in the drama.
What makes Ashes of Love stand out is that the emotional consequences are not easily resolved. The story allows its characters to make painful choices, and it follows those choices through to their impact. There is no reliance on repetitive misunderstandings to sustain tension; instead, the conflict evolves as the characters themselves evolve.
The production design, music, and visual storytelling all support the emotional tone, especially in the later arcs where the narrative becomes more focused and intense. Certain scenes carry a weight that lingers well beyond the episode itself.
That said, the drama does require some patience early on, and viewers who are sensitive to tonal shifts may find the transition from lighter beginnings to heavier themes uneven at first. But for those willing to stay with it, the payoff is significant.
This is not a story that relies on surface-level romance. It’s about timing, perception, loss, and the irreversible consequences of choices made too late or without full understanding.
It doesn’t aim to comfort.
It aims to leave an impact.
And it does.
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LOVED!!!!
I just completed the whole episode of Ashes of Love. And I still can't get over the drama.. The drama was soooo sentimental that you can watch it on repeat after the drama is over. I am emotionally attached to the drama because it WAS TOO GOOD.I regret not watching it earlier.
Everything was so perfect, I loved the acting of Allen Deng, he's too great to be an actor. After watching Ashes of Love Iv become his fan.
Those of you who's hesitant to watch this drama becoz its too lengthy, trust me your not gonna regret watching it.
GO FOR IT.
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1.from the story: this series really have a very good and amazing storyline.. it will give you a slow, funny and light story on beginning and then you will find yourself will addicted when the story walk towards the center , xufeng and jinmi love story will make you fall into the story alive and drunk you with their love stories,and the final third part of the drama will make you cry and then end happily. This drama is like a roller coaster that can make you laugh very funny, happy with their love and then crying with them. so i just can said i'm very recommended this series and you will find 63 episodes really worth for this drama.
2. from the acting : all the casts on this drama have a good performance and acting skills but for me of course denglun and yangzi are the best. they really make this drama feel like alive, and make us like live in drama and the most important denglun and yangzi as xufeng and jinmi really have a very great chemistry. even i want to ship them in real life...lol
3.from the music : all ost from this series really good and unique, all the ost has a good singer and good voice, especially sa ding ding with her song " upwards to the moon" really amazing . i like her high voice, it is very beautiful and that make me unexpected, she is yuanzi immortal on AOL.she is very talented.
4. from the rewatch value: i definitely give 10 poin, because i already rewatched this series until five times.lol...and never bored.love both them xufeng and jinmi^^
so overall i give 10 poin for this my best chinese drama, because form the story, the meaning i will get from this series, the acting, music, background music, cgi and the cinematography, this series really did great and the most make me feel very satisfied with this series is the ending is very good, not only happy ending but the explains about the others role is good too, all the people will get what is the result of their actions. a drama with very good teaching.
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Love Heart touching stories??? Go for it!!!
Ashes Of Love!!! One of the best dramas I've ever watched... Starting from the very beginning, just loved the way the story revolves... In the beginning, it was like a funny storyline n soon, it turned to be a very heartbreaking n touching story.*As for the storyline, m reducing 1 point as I was heartbroken by the end happened to Run Yu Emperor. If I could change the storyline a Lil bit, I would've changed Run Yu's ending to a happy one.
*Cast, No Words... Every single cast in this drama gave their maximum. I don't think there's a single cast in this piece who'll disappoint u. Personally speaking, Run yu Emperor is my favorite. Luo Yunxi is just really <3... I don't have much words to express how m feeling about Run yu Emperor... He made me cry a lot throughout the drama... He played his role so well that I even feel sorry for him n tried to find excuses for his sins. How he shifted from a kind n gentle person to an evil soul is so beautifully shown n portrayed by him... The main leads were also so superb... Actually, every single cast was superb in Ashes of Love
*Music... we can say that it adds fuel to the fire... even the story n cast itself makes us so heartbroken n the music n bgm adds to it... Especially the ending song by Sa Ding Ding, Idk why, but it gives me a magical feel whenever I hear that... N the song sung by Deng Lun n Yang Zi... music was jus LIT!!!
*I am reducing 1 point from the rewatch value, not bcs it's not worth watching it again n again, but I can't bear to cry my heart out to this level... I just finished watching this drama n I'm planning to watch it one more time... to plug in my
headphones, watch this with maximum sound n to cry really hard...
*Overall, If u are a person who loves watching heartbreaking, touching stories, then just go for it!!! I haven't watched any other historical dramas other than this... Actually, I didn't had much interest in watching historical dramas. I love
Luo Yunxi's acting n so for seeing him, I just gave it a try. N it's worth it!!! At first, I wasn't so hooked up, but seeing the theme song n ending song, I decided to watch a few more episodes, n then it got me... ufff!!!! So so so good a drama that u shouldn't leave without watching it...
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One of the Xian Xias which affected me (in a good way) for a while
LIKEThe decision Jin Mi made that changed everything
What Jin Mi did to request something from Xu Feng's uncle
Relationship between Run Yu and Lord Pu Chi
What happened when Heavenly Empress tried to harm Jin Mi in front of everyone
When something protected Jin Mi for the second time
What Heavenly Emperor did for Xu Feng
When Jin Mi did something which hurt both Xu Feng and herself - that scene was when Jin Mi finally gave up
Run Yu's love for Jin Mi and everything he did for her
Relationship between Liu Ying and Mu Ci - I shipped for them
The last statement what Jin Mi told a child about her relationship with Xu Feng - adorable
What Lord Dou Mu said which made me reflected about my own life - the first Xian Xia that had a huge impact to me (second was Miss the Dragon)
DISLIKE
Selfish Sui He who only loved herself
The whole Run Yu character - I heart for him
MUSIC - personal fav
Bu Ran 不染 - Mao Bu Yi 毛不易
Zuo Shou Zhi Yue 左手指月 - Sa Ding Ding 萨顶顶
REWATCH VALUE
YES and I had re-watched at least once
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Story: There is no much suspense in the story, if you have already watched many Chinese dramas, you can guess the main plot. The way the story narrated is very good, you will not be disappointed by the story plot. Plans, betrayal, love, sad, craziness???? every element is balanced in the story.
Acting/Cast: Every character in the story has powers, you will not be bored, even this is lengthy drama. I have to say, the actors will take you to their world. They acted well in there characters.
Music: The music is fabulous, it played at right time in scenes. I am searching for the OST now to listen again...
Re-watch Value : Definitely I will watch this drama, not entire drama but the scenes that I liked the most. May be after some days I will watch entire drama again..... not sure????
Finally I recommend everyone to watch this drama, it won't let you down or waste your time. If you are not a fan of dramas which have more episodes, try to watch few episodes then you will realize you have to watch it all.
I have become a huge fan of Chinese dramas, this the best drama I have ever watched.
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This show has my heart ❤Best of the bests ? Literally no words. MUST WATCH
Literally this show have everything.It is the roller coaster of romance, comedy, drama, action, sadness and what not.
I didnt expect this show to be thisssss good.
Heart wrenching definitely it is but you feel every second spent on this is worth it.
Deng Lun and Yang Zi are perfect in every way but LEO LUO has my ❤
Superb cast
Great storyline
Amazing cinematography
VFX 🔥
It is a MUST WATCH
BTW if your are not into ( Me neither ) Historic dramas yet you should watch this.
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This review may contain spoilers
Ashes of Love got me hooked like crazy!!
Thank you for letting me stumble and fall deeply in love with Ashes of Love. I don't really watch Chinese drama but this one kept on haunting me on Netflix. It's highly recommended!I admire Xufeng's love for Jinmi, it never wavers even a bit. I was on the edge of watching that I wanted to take that Yun Elixir out from Jinmi's so they could fulfill each other's affection. That's how this story affects me. They love each other so much and it's so tender that I could feel all of their emotions deeply. The story and the characters made me cry a lot. All the actors, the cinematography, the costumes, it's really beautiful. I love fantasy but I'm always on the story and the acting of the casts.
How the story go? I have everything on my mind and even stays in my heart but I cannot put into words. All I can say is, with those kind of love.. I was lost.
From the very start, Runyu already knows that Xufeng love Jinmi but he ignores those love for his own interest. That arrange marriage only came up when everything is reveal about Jinmi's parents. Jinmi's concern with Xufeng was there and Runyu witness that, even if that pill is still with Jinmi's body. It cracked when the two were in mortal world. Jinmi finally feel and know what love is. Then there's Runyu.
I saw the pain in Runyu's face when Xufeng told him that he didn't take the Hairy Feather as there's no use living without Jinmi, that everything he want in his life is to be with Jinmi, while him, Runyu, took everything from the two thinking he will be able to win Jinmi. Him realizing how he made Xufeng and Jinmi suffer. I hate Runyu with everything he does there. I know where he's coming from but he intended to do this from the very start thinking of winning over Xufeng. Making him wanting more than revenge when his mother died and when he find out Jinmi's already in love with Phoenix. But Xufeng, he may look arrogant and cold but he has the most sincere and pure heart.. he's so soft that even his mother knows (that's why it was her mother who's doing everything he didn't intend to do). I hate it when Runyu said, "If I met her first.", thinking Jinmi will love him instead of Xufeng since she met him first. But from the very start, Jinmi only likes him as a friend. Then Xufeng said that Runyu didn't do it wrong, he just never scheme (this was when Xufeng said he scheme in love, while love is taboo in scheming).
All the pain and suffering are all worth it in the end.
Xufeng gave up everything just to be with Jinmi, it was his love that made Jinmi came back. Jinmi is happily contented living in a mortal world together with Xufeng even if she can never distinguish colours. They're destined to be apart but love also make a way to find each other again to be together.
Those undying love for each other... wish it also live in the real world. I'm happy that Netflix never give up recommending me this series. This is the longest series I've ever watched and the 1st Chinese one and I will never regret spending time for this.
Ps. If you want to make a review, please ensure to watch the whole series in each and every episode. I just read some judging Yang Zi's character here in AOL. From the very start to end, you will see what kind of character development she made. Those, she has a fiance already but still seeing Xufeng, if you watch the whole series you'll understand why. That there's no love development, there was, if you watch the whole series. That she didn't show some affection and changes, it's because of the Yun Elixir, it cracks and are about to break but Runyu repair it. That, Runyu was like that because of all that happened, yes, but even if he haven't met her mother again and and recall the past, he was already scheming about Jinmi and Xufeng. So I suggest to watch every story, if you missed even a single minute from this, you may also missed something from the story.
Jinmi, Xufeng and Runyu's character 'til the end.
All of the OSTs, OMG!!! Superb!
Excellent!!🖤
Overall rating: 100/10
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Respect for Run Yu!!
Only Run Yu really left an epic impression, for other cast roles it was very ordinary. Actually 63 episodes were too long and long-winded. Moreover, the last episode, there was no enthusiasm at all, really anticlimactic .. Jin Mi and Xu Feng caused disaster .. Taishang Laojun who is an important deity and main deity in Confucian and Taoist beliefs instead became a god that could be intimidated, pressured to do things which is not according to Taoist teachings. Too fictional ... For Leo Luo Yunxi, you get my respect for Run Yu's role ...Was this review helpful to you?
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