The Demon Hunter's Romance

One of my favorite action thrillers in 2025!!

A demon who is wise, diffident in his resolve and also a demon hunter, never heard before right!

The only way to spoil a good ending is being dependent on AI, because that’s what’s rumored to happen to this show. It seems like IQIYI decided to take advice from AI to choose the ending for the show, which led to endless debate and speculations. As for me, I wasn’t overtly disappointed with the ending because the fact that both of them are alive means the most to me. It’s quite possible that they met again when after twelve years, the realm gate reopens. As Jiu Xuanye, Ren Jia Lun remains at the centerfold of this thriller action; first as a resilient demon hunter who follows his father’s philosophy of never hunting the innocent, even demons. The latter half portrays his identity crisis when his demonic nature is revealed and yet he chooses to follow the principles instilled in him by his adoptive father. Xuanye had a character depth, unseen before in any protagonists. His struggles don’t change his basic nature, even though he fights back, battles for survival, Xuanye remains the same. His thoughts never stray from the path choosen by his father. Song Zu Er makes his charming love interest; initially timid, she grows strong and bold. Her caricature perfectly matches Xuanye’s thoughtful candor and they make a sweet couple.

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https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/the-demon-hunters-romance-series-review/#more-1776

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Adventures in a world with demons : From a great start to a weird ending.

Since her childhood, Duan Ban Xia has been able to see demons. This ability leads her to meet a demon hunter named Jiu Xuan Ye. Together, they set out to find Ban Xia's presumed dead father, while solving many unusual cases.

What I like:
- Acting : Overall, all the actors did a really good job interpreting their characters. However, I really wanted to point out two actresses who did a marvelous job portraying their characters : Song Zu Er (Duan Ban Xia) & Zhang Zi Xin (Feng Wu Niang).
SZE was amazing as Ban Xia. She can act and made a lovable interpretation of her character. The angsty scenes were superbly done and you can feel it to the core when she's crying.
My favorite arc was definitely the puppet arc and it's mostly thanks to Zhang Zi Xin who did an amazing job interpreting the puppet demon. All the nuance and complexity of the character was really well portrayed. Besides, her mannerisms as puppet were so believable and creepy.

- The growth of Ban Xia : She starts from a timid and vulnerable to a fierce and strong character at the end. She sticks to her beliefs and dares to defend them against all. For me, she has one of the most satisfying growth in dramaland. And the portrayal of SZE makes her character even more likeable.

- Chemistry between the leads : It's the type of drama where you'll smile for every little intimate moments they have together. You won't see a lot of kisses - the kisses were bad anyway - but the eye contacts and their little gestures made up for everything. The slow build-up of their relationship was everything for me, as I could understand why they fell for each other.

- CGI : They were good and the addition of a few little details were nicely done (the strand of grey fur for example on the leopard).

What I didn't like/could be better:
- Second leads story : I really like them as individual characters. As a CP, it lacks sparks and the short amount of screentime they had together didn't make it better.

- Some arcs were more interesting than others. There are some inconsistencies in the arcs because they switch between interesting and boring arcs. The owl demon and the snake demon arcs were quite boring and felt more like fillers for the leads story.

- Rushed last arc & weird ending : The last arc felt so over the place. The tone has drastically changed in the last arc compared to the other arcs. At some point, I was questioning myself if I was watching the same drama I had been watching for almost 2 weeks. The arc was so rushed. 6 eps was clearly not enough to develop such a big portion of the story. So everything was underdeveloped to give us "a conclusion". And the ending… it was inconsistent with the rest of the story too. The whole drama revolves around the search for coexistence between humans and demon. And at the end, it concludes with a demon and human can't coexist… It feels like we did a 180° turn and it gave me a bad taste in the mouth.
I heard the screenwriter wrote the ending completely differently but iQiyi decided to use AI and changed the ending… what a crazy choice🤦🏻‍♀️

Overall : I really enjoyed the drama for most of the part. Some cases were really interesting and the acting was good. Unfortunately, the last arc and the ending was not up to the rest of the story.

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A Great adventure story with a pinch of romance

Firstly, the viewers need to set their expectations right for this drama. This isn't a fully romance based drama. Its about the adventures of a demon hunter and the life of his partner Banxia. The romance forms a small but sweet part of this story. Much like Sugar in tea.
🌟Plot -
1) The plot involves various cases and every case brings fresh demons, little stories and lessons
2) The relationship between the leads develop as they solve cases together and the romance brews extremely slowly but naturally.
3) The side characters also show a lot of growth and they aren't written carelessly. One of the my fav characters is the law enforcement officer.
4) The mystery of the past lives of the leads unravels slowly .

🌟Acting -
Allen Ren has an eye for good scripts. He acted quite naturally and effortlessly, as he does in every drama. The female lead cries so convincingly and she is good at emotional scenes. The only weakness of both leads is comedy but its hidden quite well in this drama. The constable and her "fiance" stood out to me a lot. Especially ❤Fan Shuai Qi ❤(officer Sima)!She has a very magnetic presence and managed to capture my interest in her character within 5 minutes. I hope to see her as a lead very soon ❣️
Why I ended up dropping this drama? ...its the same old reason for me. THIS IS WAYYY TOO LONG.The pacing is not bad though I believe, it could have been faster. 30 episodes would have worked amazingly for this drama.

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Very Slow

This could have been an excellent drama had the story not been dragged out especially when they go into the painting. I like the ML and FL and their acting is good. After twice of failing to get out of the painting, third time should have been the charm. Either add more demon stories to this drama or stop at 24 episodes. I can tell that dragging the storyline will continue to happen. By Episode 21 I was fast forwarding hoping to put a stop to this scene. Nope...it's still happening through Episode 22 ending and still trapped. If no other drama is available I will watch it, but I will wait til all 40 Episodes are aired.

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The serie is interesting but it's weak about love between leads so far as I watched

Well as I already said in title its definitely not giving any fluttery in love between leads for the 20 and maybe the whole drama is not giving any fluttery in love at all but I am only on 23th episode lol because I postponed it due to it not very much catching my investment into watching it so eagerly but I do love Ren Jialun in this one and love that he uses his own voice to act this time and loved this act with painting demon...it was somehow so much more interesting more than a puppet act but also gave some strong vibe where it actually felt like a real struggle and like a actual misery which are the kind of feelings in these series that I personally like to have a feeling about if that feeling really appear because it didn't appear in the mirror or the puppet act because the first two acts felt kinda still grounded and had less fear of dying and trapping lol but painting world felt like a doom for leads except female lead did not always appeared affected but even when she regained memories still she wasn't afraid and was not even made a weak character in this painting nor Ren Jialun was a weak character but he could there not fight like FL because FL in painting world was a trained fighter

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not bad but there’s room for improvement

I’ve waited for this show since last year.

because two reasons. one is Ren Jialun and another it’s about demon hunter and fantasy element. I had high expectations.

I was quite disappointed tbh. it was here and there. I expect more gritty and compact storyline and each arc.

my fav arc from this story definitely was the painting arc. it was the best out of all.

bring a fan of fighting scenes, this show fell short. terribly. RJL had a lot of still cuts after stunts and I thought that was a lazy editing. come on, show real fight. there’s not one memorable fight in here. even the choreography is slow at some parts.

being a demon hunter, I expect his character to be more fleshed out. in terms of his capabilities and personality. I know RJL’s strength and weaknesses, having watched his drama since Under the Power, this time he used his own voice, it was much better than his voice in burning flame BUT he still need to improve on his line delivery. there are times, he needs to work on his expression.

the problem of having a much fleshed out male character than the FL, is the FL stop growing and became stagnant. yes they love each other and such but I’m not feeling it deep. I have to thank Song Zuer’s acting that saved her character. this girl nailed it.

the problem of doing fantasy drama, the elements to play around is huge, yet I’m just seeing 30-40% in here. this is my 2nd time watching the director’s work (1st was eternal love and yes I skipped a lot at some scenes).

who was the standout character for me in this story?
Zi Kong.
every time he appeared on screen, it was magnetic. and his fighting scenes were solid.

this guy was a child actor whom i watched his some of his shows when i was a kid. and yes, he does practice martial arts irl so his fighting scene looked real.

while there’s lot of flaws and unpolished elements, this show wasn’t a total lost cause and there’s a room for improvement. I have to commend RJL for taking a DIFFERENT role rather than a Prince or king (he was the carefree Lin Jing and no nonsense Nalan Yue in A lifetime of love). it was a fresh air for me.

all in all not bad but can be better.

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Strong story…

I really enjoyed this one. Wasn’t riddled with plot holes and was a well written story. The ending didn’t bother me. I’ve come to expect these sort of endings in Cdramas. As long as they make sense and in this case, it did. Jiu Xuanye had a duty to uphold as Man Ying and that wasn’t Duan Banxia’s world to live in. Probably not safe for a human. That was my take from it.

The Good

Strong plot with some mystery. This had decent world building and character building. Gave us good back stories for our two leads so you understand their character setting and personalities. Also had strong acting and I was able to connect with the characters due to this. The supporting cast was also interesting and had strong acting as well. Next, I did like the mysterious cases they came across. I appreciated that there weren’t too many cases and they focused on a set few that were able to build up a good story behind it. I really enjoyed Chilian and Xingxian’s story the most. Also, the romance between the leads was good enough. You could see their connection. Lastly, production value was decent as well. Had good costumes, sets, visuals and sound. Great OST as well.

The Bad

Not too much that I didn’t like about this drama. Kisses were terrible but to be expected from Ren Jialun. So didn’t have a huge expectation there. Would have liked to see our second leads advance a little more in their relationship. It was more implied they were going down the path of a relationship at the end but never really got over that hump.

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Loved it!

The Demon Hunter’s Romance completely stole my heart from the very first episode! This drama is an absolute gem — a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, action, and emotional depth that kept me glued to the screen every single moment.

The chemistry between the leads is electric. Their relationship is beautifully developed — slow burn in the best way, filled with tender moments, heart-wrenching sacrifices, and the kind of mutual respect that makes a romance feel truly powerful. You can feel their connection in every look and every scene they share.

The storyline is gripping and unpredictable, weaving ancient lore with creative twists that never feel cliché. I loved how the world-building was both rich and immersive — demon clans, forbidden powers, hidden secrets — all of it was executed so well without ever losing the emotional core of the story.

Visually, it’s stunning. The cinematography, costumes, and special effects were absolutely top-tier — every frame looked like a painting. The OST? Breathtaking. The music elevated every emotional beat and stayed with me long after the episodes ended.

But most of all, what made this drama unforgettable was its heart. It’s not just about love — it’s about trust, redemption, fate, and fighting for what you believe in. Every character, even the supporting ones, had depth and purpose.

The Demon Hunter’s Romance isn’t just a drama, it’s an experience — one that left me laughing, crying, swooning, and completely obsessed. If you’re even remotely a fan of xianxia or romance, this is a must-watch. I’m already planning my rewatch!

Highly, highly recommended. 💖🔥

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"I’m a demon. So what? Humans can be good or evil. So can demons."

The Demon Hunter’s Romance is an engaging fantasy drama that skillfully blends mystery, supernatural elements, and heartfelt romance. Set in the ancient city of Guangping, where demons live hidden among humans, the story begins with Ban Xia, a seemingly delicate young woman who possesses a rare ability: she can see through a demon’s human disguise.

Her life takes a turn when she crosses paths with the enigmatic demon hunter and physician, Xuan Ye. Together, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind Ban Xia’s father’s mysterious “death.” Along the way, they solve a series of captivating demon-related cases, each more intriguing than the last.

What makes this drama stand out is not just the rich fantasy world, but the balance between suspense, emotion, and humor. From the very first episode, the storytelling hooks you in. Each case feels fresh, well-crafted, and meaningful—not just filler but crucial to the character development and the overarching plot.

Ban Xia deserves special mention: while she may appear gentle on the surface, she’s intelligent, brave, and emotionally resilient. Her strength lies not in overpowering others, but in staying true to herself and those she loves. Xuan Ye, too, is far more than a typical cold-on-the-outside hero. His backstory, slowly revealed throughout the series, is both tragic and powerful.

The chemistry between the two leads is remarkable. Their relationship evolves naturally, rooted in trust, shared danger, and unspoken longing. It’s a slow burn, but deeply satisfying—until the very end.

And that’s where my biggest disappointment lies: the ending. Despite the brilliant buildup and emotional investment, the finale left me heartbroken. Especially knowing that the original novel had a happy ending, the drama's conclusion felt unnecessarily cruel. It left a bitter aftertaste to an otherwise beautifully told story.

The supporting characters also deserve credit—they’re well-written and memorable, each contributing to the narrative in meaningful ways.

Verdict:
If you enjoy fantasy dramas with depth, mystery, emotional storytelling, and a touch of the supernatural, The Demon Hunter’s Romance is absolutely worth watching. Just be emotionally prepared for the finale.

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Bittersweet

Lots of tender moments, character growth, redemption and a villain who is the epitome of radicalism. Each demon arc was separate but the story of the main leads led to one final story arc. It sill for me didn’t fully capture the reason for their fateful connection, but in the end it reflects some aspect of realism where sometimes love just doesn’t conquer all... or maybe it does just not in the way we hope or expect sometimes. Sometimes duty comes before personal wants and needs and leads to painful decisions and sacrifices.

I wouldn’t rewatch not because it was boring or not good but real life is hard enough.

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Interesting Drama a break from usual CDrama tropes.

On the very first impression of the leads, ML is very good-looking. This look suits him so well. Nothing to comment all very well done. FL, the costume styling and hairstyle don't suit her at all, but I love the way she looks with her hair down. I really hate this drama FL costume. Even in other dramas, I do not like this clothing styling. Rarely a few look decent in this style to me.
The EP 1 OST with the mountain demons was so good; the very scene pulled me into continuing to watch this drama. Wow, I wish I could see more of them.
The Demon Cases:
1. Sister-in-Law Owl Demona good one, didn't you think? And she was not harmful to the leads.
2. Mirror Demon - Good case; I did accept this demon; it's kind of common.
3. The Inn & Doll Demon - Expected case, but man, the shoot and acting of everyone was just amazing, mainly the doll demon. She played the role very well and very impressively.
4. Cat Demon with Nine Lives was a nice play to connect many things.
5. The Snake Demon—Sad they were not given much importance and were sidelined because of the turning-on-leads story. He deserves more screentime, and I feel sad for him. Very good, demon.
The white bird was a nice play to the story.
6. Painting Demon Case—The demon case that took too much EP and dragging; it was kind of nice but dragged a lot and was given unnecessary importance. The guy playing the sand demon—man, I hate him now. I hated his role very much on Moonlight Mystique; with this role, I hate this guy.
7. The villain guy—boy, you were less interesting and made the story boring as well, very common power hunter.
The life stories of both leads were given less importance.
8. The half-brother: Thank God, man, you were not an evil person. Very happy to see that.
The ML demon arc and his demon world were almost forgotten. Why not have a story there and develop a connection because it was interesting but missing opportunity?
Overall good drama that breaks froml C-drama, which is refreshing to see.

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Although the beginning was a bit weak, the series later recovered and went well. It was a well-thought-out story. However, there were some mistakes while editing. Of course, I am skipping some things because they are fantastic. However, it did not seem convincing to me that a very weak and sickly uncle beat his brother for two episodes. Of course, he has been given hundreds of talents, he knocks him down if he blows. It did not work for me. Secondly, Ren Jia Lun looks very slumped at the beginning, I do not know if it is because of the clothes he wears or the weakness of the actor. His posture is hunched, weary and bored. Here he is supposedly playing a Demon Hunter and is a warrior. He beats up anyone who comes his way. But this posture did not work. The director should have paid attention to this and at least he should have been made to stand upright, if it is about the clothes, he should have been dressed in proper clothes that fit him, this actor has played in most of the series he has played in costume series and is an experienced actor. However, I could not see these here. He is a very good actor, he has lived and gained experience, I expect much better. I had watched a few dramas of our actress Song Zu Er before. She had played dynamic roles. I can say that she had a very exciting and lively performance. She was very good here too. However, it seemed to me that they had a bit of a hard time in the scenes with the male actor. However, she was much better in the scenes apart from him. In other words, no matter how much effort there was between the actors, some things are obvious. The only negative thing I would say about Song Zu Er in this drama is that her mouth is open, it does not suit a star actress. I think she has a problem with her nose and wants to breathe through her mouth, she always looks like her mouth is open. This spoils her image. This is very obvious in some places. Otherwise, the actress is a very good actress with her physique, height and appearance. Her dynamic acting did not suit the immobile male actor. But they still played well. Apart from that, Xuan Yan who played Chief Chu, our Judge Girl Fan Shuai Qi, Rabbit Demon Liu Ruo Gu, Servant Girl Liu Qi Qi, Vinnie Yao were very good. I liked our veteran actors very much. Congratulations to Hankiz Omar as the dancing girl, Zhang Zu Xin who plays the Puppet Demon, Sha Man Li Yu, Wu Chong Xuan as the Snake Demon, and Sun Tian Yu as BanXia's fiancée for adding value to their roles. I also liked these actors. In the end, everyone forgot each other. The girl remembered but they couldn't get together. So it was a sad ending. I didn't like it but it made the audience cry. I think there will be a second season.

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