The Starry Love

Solid until ep 30

I've been waiting for the next drama on par with Ashes of Love and this although didn't meet that, it was a delightful drama overall. If you want action this is not it. There were definitely lots of lovey dovey scenes with > normal amount of pairings in a drama.

Wonderful Aspects:
-All that PURPLEEEEE <--- Hottest color
-Beautiful cast that can act!
-ML (which I was never crazy about) & FL had mediocre chemistry but there were plenty of laughs. I especially loved the FL Ye Tan. Thought she was just the right amount of silliness, cuteness, beauty & brains.
-2nd couple with Chao Feng & Qing Kui was definitely the best pairing in xian xia world with looks & chemistry.
-Gu Hai Chao (Chang Feng)'s 1st in command probably my favorite supporting character provided many comedic moments
-Strong supporting characters overall, few include: The wolf/dog/pup, the bird, the muscle head brother, and my favorite bad character the Void Queen. That beautiful badass mama you'd love to hate.
-Family relationships: Aside from all that coupling, I really loved the sister/sister, mom /son, & friends positive relationships.
-Cinematography / costume / makeup - One of the best aspects about xian xia dramas
-OST - yes overplayed and need a few more songs but the few songs are very good

And then after ep 30.....
-Story got sloppy, tiring and lost all the humorous moments. Scene progression didn't make sense
-One dimensional antagonist characters (both of the kings) got especially tiresome
-A bit overboard on # of resurrections & tear jerking flashbacks.
-Rushed ending with a summary narrative................ Aiyahhhh YYYYY

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wow! just wow

10 stars. The ml, fl, second male lead, and second female lead all acted amazingly. Also, the main side characters were hilarious and sweet. {the plot was unique and very good but the ending was more hopeful than full on happy. My favorite episode of the show is episode 16. The replay value is HIGH. This show is so enjoyable I’ve watched more than three times already


Ignore down below - [need 300 characters to submit review]

(Can you see, huh?)
Tteoreojin han bangul drip
Tumyeonghan nae ane seokkyeo deulji
Amureochi aneun deut, keep on movin' (Yeah)
Impurities, show you my impurities
Yoksimnae deo like a witch
Show you real me, geombulgeojineun bit
Gangnyeolhage banjjangnyeo, glittery things (Yeah)
Impurities, show you my impurities

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Good fun

I watched this as it was airing, but put the review in the wrong section, so I'm re-adding it here.



Major spoilers!



That ending was ridiculous! But I am still giving this a 10/10 because I love this show so much. I still recommend that everyone watch this show. But pretend it ends at episode 39, or pretend it ends after the wedding, when everyone is still alive.

Favorite parts of the show:
1. The sisterly bond. In a lot of shows, we constantly see siblings backstabbing each other over petty things or over love, so it was nice to see sisters who are willing to do anything and everything for each other.

2. The romance. Watching YT and QK experience love for the first time with YQ and CF was such a joy to watch. Additionally, there are many couple pairs in this cdrama.

3. The importance of family bonds. Even the villains were willing to go to the ends of the earth for their loved ones. Watching how the void empress loved her son was very beautiful, even though she was very...crazy.

4. Friendship. In YT's and QK's darkest moments, watching their friends be there for them was so heartwarming.

5. Comedy. There are so many funny moments in this drama.

I have more favorite moments/things about this show, but I will just leave it at this.

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Ever expected to end up liking the series

This series made me laugh as hard as it made me cry. I don't cry watching movies or series. After a long time, a series made me cry.

I loved Chen Xing Xu's acting. He portrays 5 different characters. I like his acting as Mei You Qing more. Every crying scene of Li Guang Ye Tan made me cry.

Loved Chao Feng & Gu Hai Chao scenes a lot. They made me laugh a lot. Especially when Chao Feng was taking fighting lessons from Wu Dai. Also, the scene between Chao Feng &  his mother was laughable. And his relationship with Shao Dian You Qin.

Both Qing Kui's & Ye Tan's endings made me cry hard.

Liked Chao Feng's character. He is manipulative & cunning, which are needed to survive in the Void Realm.

Heavenly Empress & Xue Qing Xin are both the best mothers. Their love for their sons and daughter-in-law is unimaginable.

Void King & Heavenly Emperor are the worst fathers of all time. They all think of themselves & ruling the world. Never consider their children's feelings.

At one point, I found Zi Wu & Qing Heng selfish. They wanted Shao Dian You Qin back because he is the most powerful in 4 realm and can save them, not because he is their brother. They didn't even consider La Mu, Mei You Qing, & Wen Ren's feelings. Just wanted their brother. If I were in their place, I would consider how my brother feels.

At 1st Qing Kui was a sweet, caring, & down-to-earth girl. As the story progressed, she became strong, independent, smart, & little bit manipulative, which was as always needed to survive in the Void Realm.

Ye Tan was cunning, arrogant, and a little bit selfish at first, but slowly she started to become loving, helpful.

I love Qing Kui & Ye Tan's sisterly bond. Their love, trust & worries for each other were so sweet and touching. In any other series, Ye Tan would have been a villain and hated Qing Kui because of their past or Qing Kui would have been a villain and hated Ye Tan because she wasn't able to marry Shao Dian You Qin. Luckily, this didn't happen here. In the first series, the sisters didn't become enemies after a tragedy.

I loved the friendship between Ye Tan & Man Man. The scene between the 4 leads was so sweet & enjoyable. Also, the friendship & trust between Ye Tan, Qing Kui, Shao Dian You Qin, Chao Feng, Zi Wu, Qing Heng, Di Lan Jue, & Man Man were so loving & heartwarming.

It would have been great if Qing Kui & Chao Feng had gotten the same scene time as Ye Tan & Shao Dian You Qin.
What if the bride swap didn't happen & Ye Tan ended up in the Void Realm? It would be a wonder to watch Ye Tan keep everyone on their toes. She would have taught the Void Queen a perfect lesson.

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A jam packed series

This series had SO MANY plot lines, it's amazing they fit everything in! It also tricks you into thinking, oh it's all good, it's happy times, near the end, but then you see there are still 5 and then 2 episodes left and you can't hope for a nice happy ending.

I strongly suggest watching this, but be prepared for mortal realm story but also other story lines. When you think it's over, it's not. It's a complex story that somehow managed to pack it all in. Ultimately it was satisfying, but there are bits in the middle you could fast forward maybe (I didn't). I was hooked.

Be prepared with TISSUES, because the latter part of the series did kinda break my heart a little.

But the first parts and middle part was just being funny, sometimes late, but still enjoyable!

But would I put this on the scale of the top tier Cdrama series such as TMOPB, IS, LBFAD, AOL, TTEOTM? Not that high, but still pretty good!

Spoilers to come below:
That ending?
JUST ONE MORE SCENE with them reunited with their husbands, even with 10 years later, would have wrapped this up as nicely as I wanted. Like it would have been literally 20 more seconds, why they didn't do this is freaking ridiculous. There's some rumours I read that they may have filmed it but didn't make the cut?? Or for specials, which DO NOT SEEM TO BE AROUND?? We get a nice ending for Zuwei and the Beast Prince even!

The OST could have been a bit better - it seemed a bit rough around the edges, but there were some good tracks.

As per usual, I love the main couple Tan Er and You Qing, especially the ML's superb acting as the cold, emotion-free immortal, and then the 3 different soul shards he played, to then become the fifth final version of himself that is Tan Er's true love and protector. He really, really grew on me. Despite his deep scary villain voice, he got me good.

I have to shout out also to the sisterly love with Tan Er and Kui Er, because it could have been they hated each other, but no they loved each other, supported each other and I got chills when they reunited after being separated. I loved it.

I did love the third Void Prince and Kui's story line two as they were sweet.

I cried over Man Man... it literally broke my heart

Almost all the support/minor characters were utilised in a meaningful way and were memorable. I did love the mortal father and later development relationship

I have adequate hatred for the father Emperor and his selfish desire and narrow minded way of protecting the four realms.

I won't mourn this series but may still feel a void - I suspect because it was very strongly suggesting a NOT OPEN-ENDED ending, so I am satisfied.

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Best Xianxia Fantasy for this Year 2023

Try watching this drama guys, you'll definitely love it. Everything in the drama is interesting, moreover the concept of the story where the male lead dies but can be revived but in a condition that the female lead will make him fall in love with her 3x. In his 3 reincarnations, he has to fall in love with the same woman at the same time, for him to be revived. This shows how the male lead loves the female lead and the drama is so magical. There are happy, kilig, sweet times, and even sad times in the drama but you'll definitely love it because of its unique concept. The 3 reincarnations visual is so good even if they have the same faces but different situation you'll still like it

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Not exactly a typical xianxia that you've watched

This is a drama released in a period when every other xianxia had similar troupes of sisters growing jealous or eventually hateful, mother's hating one of their children or at least their partner, all immortals being overly self righteous, one ultimate devil who's the mastermind of a big conspiracy etc.
Now this drama is pretty different from the xianxias released in 2023 or before and stands out even to this day. It has affectionate sisters who never misunderstand each other can can do anything to make the other safe. Generally when one child is favoured, he grows complacent and dislikes the other sibling and that sibling is jealous of the bias given to the other, however that's not the case here. YeTan and QingKui are lovely sisters who bear very different personalities but adore each and respect each other. Even though it's a xianxia, we have a lot of comedy which is another plus. We do not have any hateful lovers either.
YeTan was always mistreated since childhood but she's not resentful. She says she has always wanted to be the greatest Devil of the Void but her acts prove otherwise. She's mischievous but kind and such a character adds a lot of comic relief when paired with her beast friend Man. With both of them onscreen, there's not a single dull moment.
The immortal ml Youqin is not rigid and adapts well. His siblings are pure and do not harbour any jealousy towards him. They are supportive of him till the very end. Di Lanjue has always loved YeTan but he moves on when he has to and does not become hateful. Similarly Wudai loves QingKui but doesn't turn hateful.
QingKui adapts in the Void very well and everyone starts to like her. It was very brave of her to take the initiative of practicing medicine in such a place.
The concept of a blessing misunderstood as a curse is well projected. If a lot of people start to believe that something is very dangerous and can cause mass destruction, nobody can do much about it.
I find the void tyrant more flexible than the heavenly emperor.
The character I hated the most was the heavenly emperor's spy general.

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A ROLLACOASTER RIDE

I'm still heartbroken before I talk about the relationship and my favorite characters I wants to talk about the surface level things. I love the story from start to finish each character served their purposes and I never felt like there was a character that wasn't needed and everyone acted like sane people, sure there were moments where I felt like they were annoying and doing the most but it never felt out of place I understood why they did what they did, again I don't agree but I understand the end left me wanting more but I would say it was a happy ending and my god when this drama to funny it's hilarious and when it's sad it's SOUL CRUSHING like they are never tame with it. Now lets talk about the ships.


Youqin and Yetan : I love them so much from when he was trying to deny his feelings for her to when she was collecting his soul shards and when they were finally on the same page, I was invested in them from day one. Yetan was absolutely the highlight of the show despite how cruel people were towards her she was open and loving and my god when she and her dad finally made up?!?!?! heartbreaking. Youqin was everything I needed him to be, he loved Yetan with everything in him and was loyal to her to the bitter end, just a amazing lead relationship.

Chaofeng and Qingkui : what a amazing second lead couple although their relationship stared off rocky and with lies their feeling for each other was sincere and I loved every scene with them and when shit hit the fan with them I just knew they would sort it because that's how much they love each other. Qingkui is my girl I love her to the moon and back and I can't think of her death without wanting to cry and you could feel her absence in those last few episode that just goes to show how amazingly she was written and Chaofeng was the tortured man I needed him to be there's a reason why they are my second favorite ship.

Dilangjue and Ziwu : THIS IS MY FAVORITE SHIP like from jump I knew this was going to be favorite ship and I was correct they tick all my boxes and the chemistry was AMAZING they were so sweet and. I love how Dilangiue didn't even attempt to prove Yetan wrong when she said that if it was up to Dilangiue him and Ziwu would have three kids, my man wasted no time once the conflict was finally over. I love them very much.

I was glad that they decide to make Guhaichao and Sushui and Wudai and Jialouluo canon they were cute and I ate all their interactions up. Definitely two very underrated ships.

Qingheng and Suzhi : the angst train that never stopped riding like I was rooting for them and I just knew that Suzhi would never be able to get over her anger and grieve and that was going to stop them from reaching their happy ending but love that the ending implied she wasn't gone and was watching over him, my headcanon is that she'll eventually return to him and they'll have their happy end.

Man Man, her death broke me and for her to be killed on her and Yetan's soulmate day?!?!?!?!? Somebody get the fxking rope I was balling my eyes out and her death set the tone for the rest of the drama once she was killed I realized that no one was safe and I was rooting for her to get with someone since everyone had someone just evil and cruel I love her and wish got her own happy ending.

I could keep talking about all the other amazing things this drama had to offer ( btw the void tyrant?!?!?!? SMASH SMASH SMASH like how that man is just so casually fine was criminal ) but all I can say is please watch the drama every moment is powerful and beautiful and the characters are loveable and worth rooting for.

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BEYOND WORDS!

Will definitely not write long review for this one as this one is beyond my imagination, word and any thinking capabilities...

Mr. Director... please accept my salute!! This is the 3rd drama I am watching which is named under his direction and I can surely say he eats and leaves no crumbs! everything he touches turns to gold! I mean Woww!!! First Skate in to love, then 'Blossoms in to adversity' and then this.. None of these disappointed or felt boring for even a single moment. I first felt he is biased towards particular actors because most of the faces in Starry Love were seen in Skate in to Love but now I understand why they were the perfect choice for their respective roles and this team is my new favourite.

The ML is soooooo good in his craft OMG firstky, I felt he is just another actor with poker face and no expressions but just good looks but when the drama came to a certain point, he proved he is different and I have found my new favourite!

The actor playing Chaofeng is sooo damn Handsome. I would be lying if I say I didn't crushed on him at first sight. and what an amazing actor he is!

Landy Li... Take a bow lady! You are the best ❤️🤌

EVERYTHING about the drama was on point... OSTs, cast, story, character development, comedy, love story.

Would love to see it's sequel as it was an open ending for me....

BYE going to watch the next name under director's list! coz HE NEVER DISAPPOINTS!

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I'm trying to hang on to my last shred of nerves cos this is so boring

A weak Xianxia made even more lackluster by the apparent lack of chemistry between the main leads. If you've seen one Xianxia then you've seen them all and IMO, it's the dynamics between the various characters that elevate one above the other. The problem with TSL is that the characters don't look like distinct individuals who are unique or peculiar but as extensions of each other where they're rendered useful or useless depending on the current status or experiences of the leads. I could probably overlook this had there been raised stakes where we didn't know who or what would pose a threat to our leads. Except we knew from the outset who the villains were and we understood their simplistic thoughts which is what almost all XX characters want. Power. Or specifically becoming the Crown Prince (for the Void dwellers) and becoming the Powerful Overlord (for the Heavenly Prince).

Even more spirit-dampening was the '3 shards' arc, where all the interesting things about the preceding episodes went to die. I legit yawned and FF'ed my way through it.

Look, I've been upfront about my lack of love for this genre because if not done properly, it tends to veer toward the "doom to mankind and only our hero can possibly save the world" kind of drama.

Which is what this was.

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Mostly outstanding

The Starry Love – Review

I almost didn’t finish this drama.

At one point (mid-episode 34), I was so frustrated with it that I was ready to drop it entirely. And yet, just a few episodes later, I couldn’t press play fast enough. That push-and-pull experience ultimately defines how I feel about The Starry Love: a drama with a clever premise, genuinely strong emotional highs, and some frustrating execution choices that keep it just outside of top-tier status.

What worked

The premise is one of the show’s strongest assets. The “wrong marriage” setup between the twin sisters and their respective realms is familiar, but the execution gives it enough personality to feel fresh. The contrast between the Heavenly Realm and the Void Realm is not just aesthetic—it reflects deeper themes of duty vs. emotion, restraint vs. expression, and control vs. freedom.

Once the story settles into its emotional core, it becomes very compelling. The back half of the drama, in particular, is where it shines. The stakes become personal, the relationships solidify, and the narrative stops experimenting and fully commits to its emotional throughline. Episodes in the mid-to-late 30s are especially strong and pulled me back in completely.

The main couple is a highlight. Their dynamic balances playfulness with intimacy, and their relationship feels lived-in rather than performative. Chen Xingxu is especially effective here—he brings a sense of natural, comfortable intimacy that makes the relationship believable. You can feel that these two characters grow into each other rather than simply being placed together by the script.

The OST is exceptional. The main theme used during emotional scenes is genuinely haunting and lingers long after the episode ends. It elevates key moments and anchors the emotional experience in a way that few dramas manage to do.

Visually, the drama is also stunning. The sets, costumes, and overall aesthetic are consistently beautiful and contribute to the immersive quality of the world.

What didn’t work

The biggest issue is inconsistency in execution—particularly in the middle arc.

The shard storyline is a clever concept, but the first shard’s portrayal is a significant misstep. Reducing a character to a near-monosyllabic, “caveman-like” version of anger feels both unnecessary and out of alignment with the character’s established intelligence and emotional complexity. It breaks immersion—not in a way that serves the plot, but in a way that feels embarrassing from a writing and direction standpoint.

This moment was the lowest point of the drama for me, and it’s the main reason it doesn’t rank higher. Once that kind of immersion break happens, it’s difficult to fully recover, even when the story improves later.

There are also pacing issues. The drama occasionally stretches scenes or delays emotional progression in ways that feel tied to episode count rather than narrative necessity. Some key emotional beats—particularly early confessions—feel rushed compared to the slower buildup that precedes them.

The ending

I understand why some viewers found the ending unsatisfying, but I personally appreciated the choice. Instead of explicitly showing a full reunion, the drama implies it through the restoration of balance and the blooming of the twin flower. It trusts the audience to understand what that means.

In many ways, this approach is more impactful than a conventional “happy reunion” scene.

The supporting characters are also wrapped up nicely, with multiple secondary relationships receiving satisfying conclusions.

Final thoughts

The Starry Love is a drama that reaches real emotional heights, but not without stumbling along the way.

It has:
• a strong central premise
• a compelling main couple with genuine chemistry
• standout emotional moments
• a haunting OST
• beautiful production design

But it also suffers from:
• uneven pacing
• tonal inconsistency
• and at least one major character execution flaw that breaks immersion

In the end, I’m glad I finished it. It’s a rewarding watch if you’re willing to push through its weaker sections, but it doesn’t quite achieve the consistency needed to rank among the very best.

Rating-wise, it lands just outside my top tier—but firmly within a broader top 10.

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