The Demon Hunter's Romance

Great series - but....................

SPOILER ALERT


This was a great series BUT I rated it only 7 because of the last episode. If it had ended at episode 34 I would have rated it a 9 even if it had a sad ending.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT

The writer takes us on a journey that is fascinating and where you want to watch each episode to see how everything unfolds. ManYing and Banxia were in love, talked about marriage and their future together and made promises. Then ManYing had to use the new origin sword to 'rewind the clock' to save everyone in the underworld city and asked her to forget him.

Banxia does not remember ManYing but dreams about him (not his face) and hallucinates and finds people she met (before the re-wind) who feels familiar to her, especially ManYing when she meets him again. In episode 35 Banxia meets the Deviner whom she met in the underground city, he gives her the conch, where she then remembers the past and he tells her to go as its their fate/destiny. This alone gives the vibe that her and ManYing is supposed to be together.

Well she goes and they reunite and everything indicates that they will be together again. In the last episode she gives a farewell dinner for everyone and we still think they will leave together for the Carefree land.

In the last few minutes I still thought she might leave with him But NO that's not it and so the story ends.......

I blame the writer as it's not logical to set everything up in this way, with her also including the Deviner in the last two episodes who indicates to Banxia that its their fate to be together. Why do all this if they won't end up together? The Carefree world is under threat and could collapse in the coming 12 years. And even if it survives and it opens up so that ManYing can enter the human world again he would only be able to see her for a few days. So why would she wait 12 years to then only go with him and not when he left? Flow of the last two episodes doesn't follow a logic path in my opinion.

Other than the aforementioned everything else was very good.

The actors did a great job at portraying their respective characters and I will miss all the main cast especially Xuan Ye, Banxia and Chi Xue.

Production and Visual FX and CGI were great as well as beautiful scenery and beautiful makeup and costumes.

Ost were very good, loved all the songs.

I won't Rewatch specifically due to how the last part of the story was written.

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What endures

This is a great addition to the demon-hunting/solving cases genre, with some real attempts at probing some deeper themes and not just a light-hearted romance or adventure story. The first half of the show has a more eerie, creepy vibe that I found more interesting, while the second half did suffer a bit of being too long-winded and sentimental. However, overall, this is a rewarding watch for fans of the cast and period dramas in general.

While the ending may leave some dissatisfied, when considering this genre historically in Chinese literature and mythology, it is not a surprising one. It also matches the overall tone of the drama - hopeful yet always with a tinge of sadness. Bittersweet, as some would say. Such is life, and such are the lives of many in this show. Only love perhaps can endure all bitterness and heal all wounds, but it may take time or a lifetime to find such love that can overcome all.

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Started well but quickly turn bland

I came here hoping that I can find the magic with RJL again. He is my first C drama crush and I was so into everything about him. But after Glory of Tang Dynasty and Under The Power (his best works) NOTHING is impressive. In fact I think he has gone backwards in his acting as he gains fame. He has no more expression except an upset or cold face. Even worse, he has been so obsessed in real life about staying slim that he is looking gaunt and unimpressive as a hero. Lost his beautiful smile and face. In addition, he has become even more soulless and one dimensional as he starts to dub his own drama. OMG. He has zero intonation and everything is so boring when he is speaking. As for the FL, this is my first time watching her. Not bad and quite natural and sometimes cute too. But together there is zero chemistry. Not believable as RJL is like a walking zombie reciting his lines. Personally so disappointed because he was my biggest hero for a while.
As for the story it’s actually quite nice. But it got a bit draggy in some areas and this diluted the anticipation and plot. Music is not bad but due to the other factors I can’t remember them.

I decided to finish watching after investing up till Ep25. But I am considering skipping future RJL dramas. Can’t stand watching more one dimensional soulless acting. If you haven’t started I think you just skip this. Unless for some reason you still like RJL. As an update to my previous review 2 days ago I must say I am slightly happier watching RJL in the last 2 episodes. At least he smiles and largely stopped furrowing his eyebrows like he is pissed with the entire world. Everyone else even the big brother and the second male lead are more fun to watch and have more acting range than RJL.

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The terrible aftertaste - A fantastic drama ruined by the ending

A wonderful drama, absolutely ruined by the ending.

This was a gripping drama from the beginning... Full of well written fantasy stories one enjoyed getting into.

I was really into the FL, who despite limited capacity shined throughout the show. She was a normal girl of her time who wanted a good life, she didn't seek out to be a heroine and yet, when faced with situations which are extraordinary, she faced them with resilience, wit and courage. The actor playing Duan Banxia had such a range of emotions.... Just lovely.

The last two episodes basically ruin the show. It really felt like a betrayal for the viewers to have the leads not end up together. If you can stomach a romance where the leads don't end up together, please go ahead and watch it. Otherwise, maybe still watch for the fantasy without caring about the romance.

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THEIR LOVE WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO STAY

I enjoy Ren’s work and always love his roles in historical dramas. This was a great drama and it had it ups and downs and maybe it’s just my preference.
I would have loved to see more adventures between the Xuan Ye and Ban Xia like traveling outside of the city and then working as a team. I think that would have been dope.
That would have made the relationship blossomed so much more.
I won’t say much but the ending???!!! Y’all didn’t have to make me tear up because that was very heartbreaking to watch.
Like Why? They could have written their ending in a different way.
Am I the only one who thought their love wasnt strong enough?
OR hoping they would have shown a 12yrs later at the end???
At this point, we can only hope they waited for each other.

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How Do You Say Unforgettable in Chinese??

I waited quite a while for this drama.. Due to several delays, it kept getting pushed back.. But it was finally released.. When you see Allen Ren in the cast, you know you are in for a performance that's worth the wait.. The Demon Hunter’s Romance also marks the return of Song Zu Er.. Her drama Legally Romance is one of my favorites.. I am glad to see her back..

The drama’s strength lies in the chemistry between the leads.. You can feel it right from episode 1.. The first few episodes really set a high benchmark with the music and visuals.. And just like that it became twice as interesting.. The world building was done exceptionally well.. The cinematography, costumes and CGI were all solid..

The Mirror Demon arc was good.. I really liked how it explored themes of obsession with beauty and immortality..

The Puppet Demon arc was my favorite.. I absolutely loved episode 15.. Especially the first time we see him use the fire sword.. It was intense and thrilling.. I just wish the final fight scene had been a bit longer because it was really good..

The Puppet Demon Feng Wu Niang was eerie and special appreciation to Zhang Zi Xin who played that role to perfection.. Her performance was downright chilling.. This arc sort of amplifies XuanYe and BanXia's chemistry and highlights their unspoken feelings.. The whole resort setting was gorgeous, all shadowy and haunting.. And the music for this whole arc was just too good.. This arc has everything that makes the drama addictive.. For me Its the moment the show truly hits its stride..

The Painting Demon Arc was equally good even though it didnt have the same intensity like the previous arcs.. I think this arc was more about the emotional depth and strengthening the main couple's feelings for each other.. As she falls for him again and again even without her memories.. The twist about the demon and actual creator of the painting being right beside them was a nice touch..

This arc poses an interesting question.. Is a perfect, repeating moment heaven or hell??

The final arc, Who am I?? was good until the last 15 mins.. The whole arc screamed tragedy and pain.. Honestly there were lot of dumb things done by both the main leads.. She should have told him about his demon identity sooner.. And he for God's sake should have talked to her and his friends before rushing off to the underground city to confront his uncle.. That was stupid.. I understand he wanted everyone to be safe but what did he think?? They will just let him go die alone.. They could have made a proper plan and defeated his uncle together instead of going in blindly.. And that to me, is what led to their deaths..

Now.. The ending.. This drama had no right to be a sad ending.. None at all.. It deserved a happy ending.. He literally said
" No matter what plans i make, I will always include you in them" in ep 32..
And..
" Dont worry.. no matter what happens.. I will always be with you.. " in Ep 33..

And he just goes off after that perfect reunion?? Honestly no way this was supposed to be a sad ending.. And that Mr. Fu telling her to Go after him after she regains her memories.. What was the need for that then?? It was setup to be a completely satisfying happy ending.. They knew the audience wouldn’t be okay with this but they just didn’t care.. There were so many ways to write a better ending.. I heard its iQIYI who forced the change from a happy ending to a sad one.. Well, iQIYI can go to hell..

There are rumors about a second season but nothing has been confirmed yet.. Fingers crossed for a direct sequel.. We definitely need one after that ending..

Overall it was a banger of a drama.. Flaws and all, I absolutely loved it.. The firefly scene was beautiful.. Reminded me of Alchemy of Souls Season 2.. Her little nod acknowledging his help was a really nice moment.. Their romance progress felt so natural and their chemistry was exceptional.. Now give us that season 2..

P.S.. I don’t know if its just me but the drama had an uncanny resemblance to Tale of the Nine Tailed..

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Drama’s emotional grip is good; it’s something that you just can’t stop watching

I was one of those who was eagerly waiting for this drama, but was immensely put off by iQIYI’s intervention that ultimately led the team to rewriting the conclusion into a sad ending, as advised by AI (I have so much to say on this subject, but that will be an entirely different discourse).

With that, I initially pushed this series further down my watch list, with no intention of picking it up at the moment. However, I noticed the good ratings steadily persisted despite the backlash it received. And I took that as a sign.

There’s nothing unique about the plot and the CGI and OST are decent at most.

There is nothing groundbreaking about it at all, if I’m being honest, but as someone who has watched over a hundred of dramas, there’s a slim chance that I'd come across a new material anyway.

What’s good about this drama is that the writer didn’t undermine its audience and treat them as ping pong balls—the writer demonstrated authority and knew exactly where the direction is headed (except for the ending) and it shows in the script, pacing, and quality of writing in general.

In fact, Ren Jialun himself said that the script is well written that we can immerse in it.

Aside from the consistency and the overall good quality, the cast delivered so well, especially Ren Jialun.

What I like about his acting style is subtlety. He knows how to add just the right amount of emotion and nothing over the top. I could feel he is fully in control of what he is trying to deliver, which makes him a good actor.

Although I didn’t find the FL’s character enticing at first, her character grows on you. And as you watch further, you kind of start to realize that Song Zu Er also did a good job portraying her character, too.

There is a good chemistry between the leads as well.

There are still some lose ends, but personally, they're something not difficult to overlook for this drama. For the entirety of the series, I decided to turn off my brain and ended up having an amazing experience.

Despite the sad, frustrating, and unsatisfying ending, with controversies surrounding the use of AI, the series is actually good and an enjoyable watch—the good ratings on this one are reliable!

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A Wild Ride with a Bittersweet Ending

I finally finished this drama, and wow what a wild emotional ride! I absolutely loved it. The ending definitely left something to be desired, especially for our two main leads. While it wasn’t a completely tragic ending, I was hoping for a bit more closure between them. That said, I'm glad most of the side characters made it through the end alive and for the leads, the ending felt more like an open ending to a possible reunion rather than a definitive goodbye. Still, it would’ve been nice to have a more satisfying conclusion, which is why I knocked off one point from my overall rating.

Even with that, I don’t regret watching it at all. I’d definitely recommend it because, aside from the ending, the drama delivered on what it promised. The performances were solid all around, and I was hooked from start to finish, constantly on the edge of my seat eager to see what would happen next. Plus the demon cases they tackled were really intriguing, and I enjoyed most of them a lot!

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"Demon Hunters Tell No Tales."

Demon Hunter’s Romance or Wu You Du is the first serious Chinese fantasy drama based on a novel that I’ve watched since Lost You Forever back in 2022. Frankly, the mass release of episodes and all the fast track nonsense makes it impossible to enjoy CDramas, personally from my side.
I began this on a whim – I am familiar with both the leading actors’ works and this one had been floating about since 2022.
In a nutshell, this is a work that had some significant effort put into the writing and directing department. It’s not flashy, but can hold your attention if you are curious.
Also, I’m happy to know that inspite of my short hiatus from the “official” CDramaland, the writers and creators still do not fail to disappoint me in the ‘Disappointment Department’.
I’ll dive right into my jumbled thoughts.

★ The Story:
Duan Ban Xia, the young daughter from a prestigious family has a secret – she is able to see demons with one eye following a freak accident that occured after she had been abducted when she was twelve. Her ‘accident’ is brushed off by her family as a dream and her visions are purported to be a mental health issue. Following several visits to Physicians and calming balms, her wits come to an end when she realizes that her newly wed cousin’s wife was a demon.
However, fate comes in the form of Jin Xuan Ye, a mysterious demon hunter.

What was supposed to be a transient meeting becomes a tangle of fate when Ban Xia’s father is found dead under mysterious circumstances and she has no choice, but to seek someone who would help her uncover the truth.

— The story is almost well paced and engaging. It mostly dealt with three major demonic mysteries that the team, consisting of Xuan Ye, Ban Xia, and the rabbit demon Chi Xue, came across on their search for truth.
The end of EP2 and the beginning of EP35 is one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve seen in a CDrama, particularly with the lighting and the music.
Why did I mention the word “almost”? If I could divide the drama into three halves, it definitely loses its steam in the middle half, where I personally felt that a case that could've been wrapped up in three episodes got dragged around a lot. If I’m being honest, the trailer focussed on major pivotal scenes that take place in the final bits of the drama, yet it never really took a central role and seems to have been stuffed at the end. Especially considering that its native title translates to Worry Free Ferry, yet we are never really shown much about it except at the final arch and one voice-over conversation.

More about the ending below.

★ The Characters and Relationships:

… are the heart and soul of the story. Not to mention, every actor on screen knew how to do their job well. Ban Xia is not exactly the most powerful female lead, but she was never annoying. Her relationship with her cousin, Ting Zhou (her maid) and Jin Xuanye are the highlights. I had seen Song Zu Er previously as the leading character in Legally Romance and I as not let down by her performance here.
Xuanye was a very subdued character (Ren Jialun seems to pick less animated roles and floats with the power of facial expressions alone) with his fair share of mysteries, but he was honest about his emotions. Their romance was very, very palatable and I found myself grinning like a fool in several instances. At points where I felt to fast forward or drop the drama, it was the characters who made me stick till the end.
The supporting cast was powerful as well. Particularly Wen Jian, Chief Chu Youhuang, and Commissioner Sima Liying. I really liked how natural the rapport felt between the characters. Even the demons had a past and personality of their own rather than being hastily assembled skeletons.
Particular note for the actress, Zhang Zi Xin from Reunion Inn who sounded like Esther Yu. I hope that most of her scenes were done in single or double takes because the amount of neck movements she was performing gave me a crick.

★ Costumes and CGI:
Costumes were unremarkable. But, I did like a few of Ban Xia’s outfits at the end of the drama – they had a cottage core aesthetic and simple patterns without being too flashy. Xuan Ye’s outfits didn’t have any patterns, but they were my favorite out of everyone.
CGI is passable, not too great, but just what I expected from a drama with such an atmosphere.

★ Soundtrack:
My instant favorites:
---- 大梦不醒 - Jason Zhang. [This was just ethereal when combined with the right scenes.]
--- 心之渡 - Sun Yun Ying.
--- 予你人间 by Song Zu Er slowly grew on me too.
The background music was not too memorable, but the instrumental renditions of various songs were beautiful.

★ The Ending:
I am honestly surprised that viewers are surprised by the ending – which is a very, very typical Chinese Fantasy drama cliché ending. I mentioned the Disappointment Department, didn’t I? Well, this is one of the features that the production team ticked off.
Take literally any Xinxia or Wuxia dramas and you get a plethora of half baked endings. So much that people are surprised to even get a proper denouement.

I’ve become accustomed to such finales that I do not care about anything anymore and feel zero emotions when characters are killed off/separated. Because this is lazy writing at its finest. Having such endings once or twice is fine, or even if the author intended the original source to have wrapped up in that way. But, when the same pattern is repeated multiple times, it loses all meaning. Which is exactly what I feel for this drama as well. I titled my review with a hint of what it reminded me of. Is it hopeful? Yes.
But, the entire way how the episode ended abruptly enraged me-- it looked as if they hastily put together scenes and conversations two minutes before the air time.

★ From the Writer's Desk:
An 8.5/10 from me for now, as the rewatch value is personally, not too high. But, this is the first Chinese fantasy drama in a long time that managed to hold my attention and care for the characters. 3.5/5 if it was Douban or a 7/10 if I am being critical, but then I’ll have to revamp my entire dramalist to reflect the change in outlook, but in a site such as this where subjective reviews overtake objective ones, I’ll attempt to bury my bitterness and let this one go.

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