This review may contain spoilers
A supernatural dream come true, turned a sappy nightmare
First of, this drama is undeniably pretty. The money for the drama was well spent on the production quality, location shooting, costume and interior design. Si Teng's outfits were everything for me. Everyone was well dressed and so much eye-candy! I like the flipped tropes of Guy saving Girl and mean male lead - instead it's Girl saves Guy and mean female lead. Si Teng was a sight for sore eyes when it comes to female protagonists and I want to see more like this. This drama had an interesting and impressionable dynamic for their ML/FL couple. Si Teng is more mature, powerful and wiser than Qin Fang is, so the subtle scenes of them in different scenarios and adapting to new situations is great because even their arguments are entertaining to watch.However, there the ending/s....
....I don't understand anything.
The last five episodes lost me completely and I stopped asking why anything was happening anymore. I would recommend this show but only to watch until episode 20 and then stopping there because the story just goes into utter chaos afterwards. Si Teng suffered character derailment when she was infantilized and pitied for being a child before the establishment of New China. (Yes, I noticed that.) Suddenly, Yan Furui becomes an unexpected hero who lives to old age, surrounded by success and family when he started off as a bumbling, pitiful comedy relief character. Quite insulting and mind-blowing because so many scenes will be iconic to me from this show, but the ending is so strange and mystifying that I will never truly understand what happened and I think it's better that way.
Still worth a higher score for everything else but the 180 plot line twist after episode 20 and the 'dates' (????) between the young Si Teng and Qin Fang at the end takes away from a 10/10 scoring. Try again and do better please, don't depower your main lead near the end of the show!
Was this review helpful to you?
Intriguing drama
When I first read the storyline,I was excited very much.After watching the drama,i felt it was the most different type of genre and plot that I've ever watched of all my 60 Chinese dramas of different genres.The plot is quite interesting.
Jing tian portrayal of Si teng is probably one of the best performances.Her way of portrayal of emotions,costumes,her attitude and her pain , everything about her was excellent.
This drama has all-horror,emotion,betrayal,mystery, determination,love.
It kept me hooked from the start.
The story was unpredictable.
Vin Zhang and the other star cast performed well.Everything else was good.
This drama haunted for me a long time,that I could not forget it's scenes when I went on a forest trip
Overall an excellent watch👍
Was this review helpful to you?
Weird, but okay...I guess?
OVERALLI'm honestly at loss for words with this drama. If you love Chinese fantasy, strong/mature female leads and a tame slow burn, you might be down, but if you're looking for a deep, well-written plot, you probably won't. Then again, I was and still kind of ended up being down...so I guess you could just give it a try and see!
THE STORY
So...I came into this drama convinced I wouldn't like it. I really don't like Chinese fantasy series, it's usually too over-the-top with unconvincing CGI and poor writing. And yet, I ended up watching this drama all the way to the end, so it definitely was better than the average xanxia drama. What I think works out with this drama is: 1) the female lead is AWESOME, the kind I can't get enough of (but unfortunately C-dramaland prefers to recycle the ditzy, childish FL all the time), 2) the fantasy is mixed up with suspense because characters are trying to figure out their past, so the mysteries keep you hooked, 3) the CGI and fantasy elements aren't over the top (at least, for 2/3 of the drama), and 4) there're some really cool shots (the sets are so pretty!).
The problem with this drama is that it has some pretty serious, and I mean SERIOUS flaws. The last 5 eps are ridiculously bad. It feels like the writers were drunk when they wrote the ending haha The romance is also too tame for my liking. The problem isn't the pace (the drama does slow burn right), it's the fact that when things are suppose to heat up, we hit that 5 last eps mark and all hell breaks loose. With such a terrible ending, there's just no time/space to give us the juicy scenes the leads deserved. Other things bothered me, but they're more personal. I really don't understand some typical Chinese fantasy tropes, like the nemesis that is always ridiculous and acts like a caricature, so I had a hard time with some of them. Also, main lead legit goes to work once in the entire drama haha The plot was so out of touch with normal life, I couldn't take it seriously.
Bottom line: If you're in need of a filler, you can give it a try, but I don't guarantee you'll like it!
THE ACTING
I really like lead actress. I first saw her in City of Streamer and I loved her in that drama too. It's the vibes she gives. So cool! Lead actor wasn't bad but didn't draw my attention as much. The rest of the cast was okay, except the villains, who were too cartoony for my taste, and the child actors, who (except for one little girl) were particularly bad haha
THE MUSIC
Honestly, the instrumental stuff was cool, the songs were HORRIBLE.
REWATCH VALUE
Null. Not worth rewatching.
Was this review helpful to you?
Exceeded my expectation
This is one of the best Cdrama i watched for 2021. Sally Jing looks super gorgeous in cheongsam and didn't know cheongsam could look this elegant and charming. I almost wanted to drop this drama halfway through episode 1, but i must say since episode 2 i could not stop watching and finish binging the whole show in 2 days. If you like fantasy and mystery this is a must watch. It keeps you curious throughout and keep you guessing.There is 2 different ending to this show. i guess most people will categorise 1 as happy and 1 as sad ending. to be honest i feel that both ending can't be categorised as simple as happy or sad. i personally prefer the 1st ending which is supposed to be the "sad" ending. To me it is a good ending, better than the 2nd ending as i feel the 2nd ending is somewhat "forced" and does not make much sense or without sufficient explanation.
Which ending do you prefer?
Was this review helpful to you?
Super weird: story about E.T. "rattan / ivy" with superpowers, humans and other clans who fight
I love the ML and the reviews were overwhelmingly good.However, I watched the whole drama trying to find a meaning, a guideline, ... incomprehensible and incoherent (despite the superb work of the actors) until the end (no, until the 3 alternative endings, each more bizarre than the next).
The director undoubtedly wanted to play the strange card. He succeeded, even OSTs are weird!
Excellent casting, rhythmic and dynamic production, frames ++ with very beautiful images,
BUT
OST and storyline weird !! Still no sense after 25 ep.
Honestly, I was left puzzled, I wouldn't recommend it, but I'll let you make up your own mind.
Was this review helpful to you?
A beautiful love story
I was happily surprised by this beautiful sci-fi love story. I even shed a few tears at the end of it.The main female character was so entertaining. Her facial expressions were absolutely priceless. And yhe actress is such a stunningly beautiful person.
There were times when I laughed sooo loud while watching this series. So many emotions from the beginning all the way through to the end. I enjoyed each episode.
I truly love all of the characters in this series. The actors did a wonderful job.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Drama With Supernatural Concept.
Was this review helpful to you?
A unique conncept!
Even though we have seen alien related plots before, having an alien of plant origin take human form?! Well that's new! The best part about this drama I felt was nothing in it was overdone; plot, cinematography or acting wise, it maintained its aesthetic till the end. A very graceful drama that had a lot of underlying dark plots but never let the overall vibe of the drama to sink into that darkness and instead kept itself a light-hearted watch. Acting wise I felt the story and cinematography overall was not demanding of the most professional of acting there is so the actors did a fairly good job, anywhere they lacked, the plot and cinematography made up for it. Romance was given prominence over everything else, my kinda story, and the romance was simply perfect. I always feel Chinese drama tend to drag their plots unnecessarily but this one seemed much less than usual, in fact could say it's just about right. Overall a must watch and even if its not very famous, thats only because it's underrated.Was this review helpful to you?
A drama beyond expectation
(Posted this review Google but would like post it hete again as this show is really that awesome.)I started watching this show without much expectation as I only wanted to watch something during my lunch time. But this show is really beyond what I imagined, it really blown me away! It feels eerie and mysterious, but sweet and exciting altogether. The story plot is relatively fresh to the world of Chinese dramas, you can't find similar plot like this elsewhere.
Also, this is one of the only few Chinese dramas that I watched without skipping any scenes. The storyline is so catching that you'll be so absorbed into the whole story and you'll forget about wanting to skip any parts! The best part of this show is that (SPOILER), there is an alternative ending! The filmmaker really did a good job to satisfy our desire here.
The actors' performance are fantastic as well, they really brought life to the characters! One very noticeable fact is that Zhang Binbin really improved alot in his acting compared to his previous shows. Especially the part where he screamed so painfully (at something shhh), it felt like something within him broke. It was so... heartbreaking. Lets not forget to mention Jing Tian. The way she presented herself throughout the show made me felt that she was literally Rattan! Her acting is so powerful. And her fashion style? Wow. It's a mix of classy, elegant, and stylish. Qipao with a mix of Western elements. Her outfits and the confidence she portrayed literally made her seem like a goddess throughout the show!
Highly recommend this to anyone who would love to have a thrill!
Was this review helpful to you?
Different in a good way
Wow this drama was really amazing, I am a huge fan of the ML and this series really made him shine, and we got to see a totally different side to him, and the role he played.The scenic shots were amazing and the different places that they travelled around, but this drama has exceeded expectations, introducing us to the leads in a dramatic opening-- ML almost died in a car accident but his blood revived the FL, and in turn she brought him back to life. The struggles due to personality differences between FL and ML, and FL's struggle to comprehend the new world while the story brings in a host of supporting characters. FL’s arrogant and domineering manner contrast with ML’s soft and submissive attitude was a refreshing watch!
Each episode was thrilling and filled with romance and comedy, completely gave me an emotional ride. There were a few scenes that left me doubtful and confused but I later on understood them so I can't say this is one perfect piece and is completely flawless.
in short, she is a joy to watch. Together with Qin Fang (Vin Zhang) and Yan Furui (Zhang Yichi), this trio is the heart of soul of this c-drama.
A big thumbs up to the ML for having done some so different and carried out so well, definitely well worth watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
Unimaginable twist and turns
This was the best chinese drama which i had watched recently.The music ,storyline everything was perfect and heartwrenching . I literally liked the ost . And the graphics was also really awesome. The best thing which i had liked about this drama is the way that female lead gives order and bosses around the male lead 😎😎😎😎 . Chemistry between the leads was very warming.😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ In this drama the main part which really had attracted me was the female lead character which was very story as in most of the chinese drama the female leads were very childish and immature they always used to clinge me .Was this review helpful to you?
An amazing new storyline. A must see for all. Top 10 of 2021
If you read the details it's wrong, some part are ok but with different characters. I binged watch this drama in 3.5days.and I'm sorry to see it end. For me this is definitely a different type of storyline that has so many type of mixed views and emotions. The cast lineup is Amazing and they are doing a great job also the crew in clothing styles were 10+, the set and locations 10+, special effects 10+++, and music 10+. Overall this is a 10+++++.It start as a girl born as a 5yo mutated rattan(branches of tree) named Si feng she was part of the alien group Yifan who have powers of nature, but was raised and torture by a Qiu shan who later will kill her. This story begins back in the 1900 when Shao Yan Kuan falls in love sifeng, but she doesn't like him back and has an internal fight with herself and splits into two with bai ling the other half who in love with Shao yan Kuan. While bai Ling suffer at him calling her sifeng she decides to murder her sister and then tells Qin laifu to bury her sister in Dana and relocate and watch over the body for next 8 decades. What happens next is over a 9yr span. Bai Ling marry him and tells him to call her bai Ling and he says OK and he agrees to marry her only. A few years later he takes in another wife and he tell her that she not the same sifeng he loved and so she snaps and murders his wife on the wedding day and he call her a monster and locks her up. During a stressful time gets pregnant and he starts to act funny so she follows him and finds out that he is working with Qiu shan and making a plan to kill her and baby. So she starts to lose it and makes plan/map for her sister and herself where the body/bones are. Just after she gives birth they are burning her and she tells them they'll be back for revenge. So many other are happening I can't write them all(lol). Now 2020 and some are alive and some dead the Qin family followed and now it's Qin Fang's turn to go to Dana. He goes there with a friend and starts to look for this person, but at the same time the girl with him Anman is a fraud she with him for money and looking for the 8 corner blue ball or something when he ex Qui shen shows up she drugs Qin fang and goes to see ex who attacks her for spending his money then she accidentally stabs him. She runs and gets Qin fang into truck and is now chased by the 2goons of her ex. They cause an accident and take her hostage and sends truck down the mountain where he gets impaled on the tree trunk and his blood mixing with a green substance going into the ground. Then all of a sudden the tree vines are spinning and a beautiful girl starts to appears and he get tossed off and healed and she appears as Sifeng and trys to make him her servent. Now we get into all the good and bad struggles for right and wrong, love, jeousley or hate and great adventure. There are 2 different endings both are good in there own way.
Enjoy
Was this review helpful to you?
