A must watch
Guys, forget every cdrama out there cause I forgot all of them because of LGIEF lol. I waited for this overwhelming feeling to go away after watching the drama to submit my review here. Just want to add that this drama can be considered my all time favorite cdrama. Leaving below my review on everything about this drama:Plot:
At the beginning, plot might seem a shallow fantasy script but more episodes you watch more you realize how deep it actually is, and towards the end it becomes even more apparent how meaningful this drama is. Not to mention the countless plot twists it has until the very end, those plot twists literally altered my brain chemistry lol. The bond characters have is undeniably beautiful and I really have no negative feedback on the plot.
Acting/cast:
Couldn't find a better cast than this one! The whole cast did their job perfectly, especially main leads. When first googled this drama, the first review I came across was the positive feedback on acting and after watching the drama I now know why. Actors and actresses neither refrain from delivering the emotions nor overact, everything is just in perfect balance. And I can talk about the chemistry between Esther and Ryan the whole day, even though I have watched a lot of dramas with really good chemistry between the couple, I feel like before Esther and Ryan chemistry didn't even exist and they are the inventors of it haha. Not gonna lie, couldn't get enough of their chemistry, planning to watch their previous drama moonlight too, but I hope casting directors are eyeing them again for another reunion later cause I want them to have their third, fourth, fifth, and more dramas together!
OST:
most of the OSTs were given to cast members to perform and along with them doing a great job singing them, soundtracks are also so good and full of emotions, and perfectly used in scenes throughout the drama. Also, there was a sountrack which I haven't found yet that was played in the background of some sad scenes making them even sadder, I am still looking for that one, hoping to find.
Additionally, this is my first time watching a costume drama which I was not planning at all and fully focused on modern dramas, but seeing this drama trending made me watch it and I don't regret at all. The only thing disappointing me was it having an open ending, with such a couple and background story, they should have made a happy definitive ending.
Despite my review seeming calm, I am screaming internally, still trying to process overwhelming feeling this drama brought to me.
Wish I could give more than 10 score to this drama.
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The Best Chinese Fantasy Drama of 2024
If you need something light and funny drama with perfect cast and heart touching storyline, this drama is for you. Cast choice is really perfect. It looks like Yu Shu Xin is born to act as Ling Miao Miao and Ding Yu Xi is born to act as Mu Zi Qi. Thier chemistry is perfect. Pacing is also okay, not dragging. Funny elements and new plot twists makes me excited for each episode. Not just main cp, there're many heart touching side stories. Steller Production company 's CGI are really good too. Although it's not perfect 100%, it's undeniable that it's one of the hit drama of 2024 in Chinese Drama Land.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The Chemistry is Amazing + Endings isn't for everyone!
I rarely watch any Chinese period / costume dramas ...This drama drew me in the plot is quite unique.
The story starts off great .We are thoroughly engaged and entertained till ep 19 then the story might go downhill a bit ...
But the story is still quite interesting and worth following.They could hav done better work in terms of the screenwriting ...It could hav been a little more well thought.
I hav no regerts watching this drama ...
But I do wish a few things were better .
Pros:
1. The cast is absolutely outstanding they didn't leave any gaps in their acting ..It's their best work so far .
2.The VFX is totally on point ...this is great when u watch it on TV ...Very beautiful work
3.The plot is quite interesting and unique.
Cons:
1.After ep 19 there can be many NPC like conversation that can cause boredom
2.The romance is visible but there No kiss scenes for our leads .But there r a few scenes for our second leads.
3.The ending is not what u would typically expect.It is still heartwarming when u take a minute and think about it .
4.It has quite an open ending with happiness .
It's not everyone's cup of tea.
It's a great watch ....the ending is quite satisfying if u take a minute and think about it.
It was a nice and heartwarming experience at the end .No regrets!
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One of the best dramas I will EVER watch
The story was incredible, the characters all felt like they had an incredible thought out heart and soul to them. The twists and turns the story took was just amazing and there's never a second of being bored throughout it all. I love stories of this style and this being a true fantasy just made it all the better.And of course, everyone has to love Ziqi and Miao Miao
Absolutely an 100/10 from me
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Favorite drama of this year!
I did not have high expectations for this drama. From the trailers it looked too light and childish for my taste but wow was I surprised at how much I enjoyed this!The premise is very novel and the 4 mains are perfectly cast. Ding Yuxi is amazing here. His expressions are so subtle and really convey his internal turmoil while Esther Yu is irresistibly adorable! Can't imagine any other actors playing Mu Sheng and Ling MiaoMiao. So many funny and cute scenes. I did not skip even a second of this! Some people didnt like the ending but i loved that they went for a very original end that made sense for this story. Loved this!
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amazing chemistry amazing acting
The drama starts with our female lead Miaomiao who gets sucked into a novel she was reading. However this novel is under the setting of a video game so she experiences multiple deaths and loopholes similar to a game. Our male lead Ziqi/Musheng is the brother of the supposed main leads of the novel but also the love interest of Miaomiao. Miaomiao’s mission was to make Ziqi fall in love with (i.e like her 100%). Initially Ziqi hated her and the number was -200 usually but eventually they became close and he fell for her.Now this is a highly summarized plot, there is actually a lot more that goes on but it was not easy to understand. Even with English subs I found it difficult to understand the plot at the beginning. However towards the end it became much easier to understand. This had me thinking….what if the complicated plot at the start was something the director aimed for because!! The way miaomiao was sucked into the novel was because she was writing a negative comment about the novel on how this time the plot made no sense and it lacked depth. But when she went into the story she tried to make changes to the plot in a way she believed it would make better sense. The small changes made at the start of course will have a butterfly effect for items at the end. Hence if this was aimed for then it was quite smart.
#DingYuxi was amazing like really insane. His acting his entire aura throughout the drama would just make you wanna keep watching the show. The small details he had with every scene, smirks, anger, tears wow it was really good. #EstherYu initially you may think she has the same cute role again but her character really grows on you cause she is so cute and funny. She made her character very lovable. Their chemistry once again was beautiful! It’s shocking to realize that there was not a single kiss scene the entire drama but it was still very cute. Majority of the viewers are hoping for them to reunite in a 3rd drama together.
A few things that could have been improved. Firstly the romance of the second leads…I couldn’t feel their chemistry much and it was not really that interesting to watch them. Their acting was rather stiff so it felt like there was a huge difference between the main leads and the second leads.
Next, the ending…if you don’t want to be spoiled you can stop reading now…Im really not sure why cdramas can never do their ending nicely or have a proper closure…that’s right once again this drama had an open ending. To be honest, in the novel world there is a ending but when it comes to reality its open..However, towards the end the plot was quite rushed and it felt like they dropped the romance part because once they confirmed their feelings for each other we barely got scenes with them together. It was more fluttering towards the start.
Overall, watching this drama would really make you into a Ding Yuxi fan, his acting was top notch ! I would definitely rewatch this drama just like how I rewatched Moonlight a few times!
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This review may contain spoilers
Listen...Cutsy and fun, but uggghhh Esther!
Babyyyyyyyy let me tell you upfront, that I am one of those people who can NOT, I repeat... CAN NOT with the very soul of my being, STAND Miss Esther's 'shu-shu' baby toddler voice. I CAN'T! She ruins what is my favorite genre. I wish we could bully and shame her to kid shows, so that she'd leave c-dramas alone since she won't drop her irritating, sometimes inconsistent, saccharine child's tone as a grown-arse woman!WHEW I got that out.
I went into venting that out in the beginning to watch this cute show for the mushrooms. I loved it and the storyline was fun. The show did honestly make me laugh once I managed to get beyond (muted) our FL. I've purposely dropped it a star due to what I said above. If Miss Esther would drop the voice and just ACT everything would be fine. You can be cutsey and speak softly without that 'gross' overexaggerating childish tone. Leave it to the age-appropriate actors! Gosh! I do NOT see how it's attractive at this point anymore. It gives creepy now. Yuck!
Sorry, if I upset you fans of hers.
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May we find our Mu Sheng to our Ling Miaomiao ?
This c-series has been the epitome of what a good casting, plot, styling, CGI editing means. I have been a fan of numerous manhua/manhwa (comics) that have the same storyline: reincarnated characters into a novel while doing their best to stay alive and change the plot. That is why, I fairly knew and guessed how this one goes.Yet for some reason, I find it weird that many people didn't like the ending. For me, it was the perfect closure of every reincarnation drama. The ending gave all the answers to hints dropped. I might also rewatch this again, bc of the undeniable chemistry between Sheng & Miaomiao. I would like to see them in one screen again. 😊 I very much recommend this to everyone!
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The story of the drama is fully consistent with its name, Love Game
The drama is very beautiful and well-made, and after all the sad and depressing series with dark and sharp colors, this one is really very happy and colorful. I like the makeup depiction of the story of everything😍💯🥹. If you want to relax and watch a drama after work, don't miss the chance and watch it soon. thank you❤️❤️🔥❤️Was this review helpful to you?
It started SO STRONG!!
==Breakdown==Background plot -65% (85% plot at the end, 45% plot at the beginning)
Romance - 20% (0% at the end, 40% at the beginning)
Misc comedy - 15%
Background plot - Meh at the end, great at the beginning
Romantic chemistry - Excellent
Misc comedy -Great
Production value and direction - Good
As the show progressed, it went from a solid 10/10 to a 6/10, so I averaged to 8/10. Around episode 24, it started going downhill. I held out hope and finished it, but each episode after 24 was worse than the one before it. My recommendation is to end at episode 24, sadly. :-\
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Best Cdrama of this genre in 2024 and perhaps last few years
Had to create an MDL account just to praise how amazing this drama is. The unraveling of the entire premise of the drama from episode 1 to 32 really couldn't have been done any better imho. This style of giving side or guest roles to prominent actors makes the viewer feel as if the production company is intentionally and sincerely creating a great drama and not just another run of the mill production. The overall aesthetics, costumes and set designs is mesmerizing and of course the drama is full of pretty and handsome characters. The ML and FL chemistry is off the charts and I could easily watch another ten episodes of only their interactions. Have to make a special mention of Cui Cui the little bamboo demon as the brilliant acting of this little fella made me smile with joy every time he was on screen. Pretty much all of the other cast do an excellent job too. The story telling of this drama is just so well done I had to take pause at several moments to appreciate just how good it was. It's also on netflix so can rewatch in one full sitting with English subtitles.This drama should hopefully sweep the awards of 2024 but had to specifically say for this genre as it's too difficult to choose between this, War of Faith and She and Her Girls.
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The Philosophical Undertones Impressed me!
I have not watched period chinese or korean dramas before as period dramas are not my thing; but i am decidedly enjoying this show. I am halfway through and there are several things i am liking:i. the characterisation of the ML, who is emotionally damaged and has his inner turmoils to handle and hence comes off as gruff and un-trusting as that is his psychological defence mechanism, not to add that he does face identity crisis over his identity of a half-human and half-demon but his gradual softening is heartwarming
ii. the philosophical undertones; there are a few episodes that i absolutely loved--the one with the water demon for instance when the audience and Miaomiao both come face to face with Mu Sheng's demonic side , or the one when the four leads tackle dowager consort Zhao in her dreams, or the episode when inside Qilian mountain the main leads confront their inner nightmares
iii. the attempt the show increasingly makes of deconstructing the human/demon binary
iv. the CGI--terrific. really adds sheen to the narrative
v. the attire, really attracted to the traditional attires and fabrics
vi. the meta-ness of the narrative, specially from Miaomiao's perspective
I am only halfway through but i am really liking the show and waiting for the other half to unfold.
Edit: I completed the show and it did not disappoint.
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