Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

Review: Drama vs. Novel Comparison ?

I loved all the characters in drama rather than the novel.

Having read the original novel, I couldn’t help but compare it to the drama. In the novel, the FL (Female Lead) is deeply in love with another guy, and staying true to her feelings is central to her character. However, her goal to increase the ML’s (Male Lead’s) favorability towards her adds an intriguing conflict. This dynamic, which highlights the FL walking a tightrope between her true emotions and her mission, is missing in the drama, which felt disappointing.

While the novel has moments that might make you dislike certain characters, the drama redeems those elements, giving us a more cohesive and wholesome story. The ending was satisfying, but I did miss certain standout scenes from the novel, like the one where the ML controls the FL and marries her. I was excited to see how they’d execute it, but sadly, it wasn’t included.

Instead, the drama introduces a love spell track involving the FL, but it’s not directed at the ML, which felt like an interesting twist but a missed opportunity for their relationship. On the other hand, the ML’s heartfelt three-line description of the FL while searching for her was beautifully executed and one of my favorite moments.

In summary, while the drama diverges from the novel and skips some iconic scenes, it excels at delivering an enjoyable and heartwarming narrative. Worth a watch, definitely a big YESSSSS!!!

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OST is really good

very typical plot where someone in modern world is pulled into a novel/story.

first half of the show was quite entertaining as the female lead navigated through the game play but plot started to make less sense towards the end. especially the part on the amnesia - which wasn't revealed until the end.

the ending was poorly presented, especially the last part when she couldnt remember what she experienced.

female lead's acting was hard to watch, every expression was exaggerated. i couldn't see much chemistry between her and the male lead either.

only saving grace was the OST, most of the songs in the show were fantastic!

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To be transported into a book is a Chinese curse

I'll be honest, I wasn't going to write an review initially but the later eps and the ending is worthy of a few choice words. So here goes . .

The first half is actually quite good. A lot of that is attributed to the ML. His character is morally ambiguous and definitely dark and brooding. I think this type of role suits him better. The FL has mastered the cutesy, bubbly girl role. She plays it to perfection here. It helps that the script injects just enough modern references to milk the odd wink-wink jokes without labouring the point.

The A-plot is the usual good vs evil/save the world xianxia trope. Nothing new but totally serviceable. Everything fit nicely up to the point of the ultimate confrontation. If you were expecting a final push then you will be disappointed. The story did a detour and our two CP’s goes on separate grand tours to make peace with their inner demons. The pace and feel changed significantly for several eps. They did resolve their backstories but the amount of effort expended feels disproportionate.

Regardless, the A-team reassembles for the final confrontation. It was suitably epic but it feels rushed as so much time was spend on their backstories. If you think that is the signal for some decent fan service then you are wrong (again).

If anything, the last ep was a narrative mess. The show throws everything into the pot and prayed. It has fate, time traveling, fourth wall breaking and leaps between the book world and the real world.

It is not the first time this type of drama has to realigned with the real world because of censorship issues. We are basically told what we just enjoyed and immersed in for many hours are just a figment of our imagination and we need to get a (real) life. Nice.

Most writer will try to play the fate card so that our leads will still fall in love in RL. Usually within a couple of scenes. In this case, it was particularly ham-fisted. It links our leads all the way back to junior high. But this only confirmed that the ML has a crush on the FL for years but she was totally unaware. Even with all the dream state confessions, she woke up with only a vague hint of what transpired. We got the HEA ending but it felt contrived. It is the ending we have to have.

BTW, the skinship quota for the series is fairly low. The 2CP did all the heavy lifting but their interactions are a bit wooden. The OTP finally has a “kiss” in the final seconds of the end credit of the last ep. Is this a joke?

This is where the show left me scratching my head. The bulk of the show is decent and enjoyable. It does flag towards the end but the ending is an awkward scramble to make sense of their tenuous link. One time watch for me.

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Tight plot - where everything eventually gets explained + Beautiful acting

I began watching this show as a fluff timepass but ended up getting glued and looking forward to more. All the actors did a great job and Ding Yuxi was outstanding. Part of the viewing fun was simply watching Mu Sheng's expressions - he outdid himself.
I can definitely see myself rewatching this drama.
I also enjoyed the story pattern of taking a cliche - ridiculing it through a character - and then breaking said cliche.
Esther & Ding Yuxi's chemistry was a lot of fun to see playing out. And the camaraderie of the main & supporting leads was lovely to watch too.

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Magical

So there are some tropes that I absolutely hate in Asian shows. And Miaomiao shares those thoughts before she is taken into the game. It was so refreshing to see people accept no as an answer. Who didn't treat a love rival as trash. I loved this show. TBH I wasn't sure whether I would like it. But I like wuxia stories, and transmigration too. The C-dramas really have the realistic game life thing down.

There are definitely things I didn't like - like Miaomiao taking in that annoying "cute" falsetto. It happens so often in C-dramas and I absolutely hate it. But I think it was the shows way of distinguishing between Mu Qing Shi (the previous grandmaster) and Miaomiao, because Qing Shi didn't talk with that falsetto.

The relationships in this show are my favorite thing from the girls being girls' girls to the guys' bromance. And Ciuciu is literally the cutest! The show was so wholesome in so many ways. While the episodes didn't end in cliffhangers so you aren't compelled to watch it all in one sitting, it is gripping enough to binge. The "demon of the week" aspect was also so beautifully handles.

One thing I was confused about was the last episode. Did Fu Zhou participate in the game too? Like how did he know the new story and with montage of ciuciu and his grandfather as bamboo tube ice cream vendors, what was the connection? The last episode seemed rushed and felt incomplete. Like it would have been cool if all the characters knew eachother IRL and in the end we find out that they were all playing the game with different objectives, and find out about this connection IRL. But the actual last episode seemed so convoluted.

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Worth watching.

why i gave this rate-
Story - the story line is so good and i love how their relationship developed, love how Yao went from 'all demons are bad to MOST demons are bad' and i love happy open ending.
Acting/Cast - am glad that this is my introduction to Ding Yu Xi. when an actor is good looking BUT is also good at there job, acting? 🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌 LOVE it.
- as for Esther, sure her voice annoys me but luckily i adapt to things easily LOL after 2 eps i get used to it so meh- 🤷‍♀️
- the other actors,..... i don't have much impression of them as a character but they are good actors and delivered the characters struggle and feelings well so kudos.
Music- i didn't actually focus on z OSTS. i watch shows by 1.25 playback speed but the little i heard was enjoyable so i gave it a that rating.

I kinda gave this drama a second chance. 'kinda' cuz the first time i watched it i stopped like 10mins into the first ep cuz she was acting all childish and cringy n i couldn't stand it. but then i watched it n ep 2 n 3 were soo funny so i jus continued. Comedy is one way to get me into a show.
and i almost dropped it when they found out she has z rainbow inner core(i don remember z name) cuz i thought she was gonna be the Guardian Master i thought Yao was gonna take that title but A Sheng being z holder of it makes it much better since he is half- demon half-human.

Things I wished to see more -
- him using his demonic power . the amount of times i was screaming at my screen like " TAKE OFF YOUR HEARBAND!!!!!!!" I was sooooooo frustrated. idk if its like that in z novel, i didn't read it yet.

Things i wished to NOT SEE (not less, not see AT ALL)
- miaomiao and her 'friendship power' thingy💆‍♀️
every time something happens she goes like 'if we are together we can handle it blhblhblhblh' NO SIT DOWN N LET THEM DO THEIR JOB😤😤 i was soo annoyed i skipped those scenes.


OVERALL
the story is good
the character development is satisfying
kinda happy ending (open ending )
and great acting skill so worth a watch.

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Beautiful Story

This was a beautiful drama with great emphasis on storytelling in a way that makes you feel all the emotions. Such a great emotional, uplifting story about loving yourself and having courage despite the fear. It is romantic but also comedic, had moments that made you laugh but also parts where you find yourself tearing up.

I love the story--the 2 main leads did such a great job! It's a fantasy but a little different then the typical xianxia drama (in a good way)!

The plot removes around FL in the modern world getting transferred into her favorite auhtor's novel as the plot of a "game". She has to navigate the novel's plot while trying to change the ending for the better. I love the gradual romance between the leads. What started as FL trying to win ML's affection for points to her actually falling in love with him. It's very sweet, fun and endearing. ML started out as a cold, untrusting character but slowly warms himself up to FL and eventually falling in love with her. The way this drama played out their love story really touches your heart--so wholesome. I love seeing the gradual character development for the main casts as they progress through the story. If you enjoy a sweet romance, comedy, a good amount of action, and a story with a good life lesson then give his a try!

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Something light and dark with so much heart.

First off, I went in watching this for the ML. I dropped LBFAD because of the FL. I wasn't sure how I would like her in LGIEF. I had recently finished another drama FP, a roller coaster of emotions, and Love Game looked cute and light, so I started watching it. Well.. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Now let me say I rewatched this a few times to understand the plot better, especially went it went deep into character backstories. But on the first watch, I simply enjoyed how the Fl brought her sweet and kind personality into the supporting female villain's story. The scenes with her father were heartwarming and added to the appeal of the drama. Of course, the chemistry between the leads was super cute. I could tell as their interactions progressed that " First Love" would be more sweet and shy than anything more. I was okay with that. The OST, costuming, and CGI were awesome! The ML ( Black Lotus) loved everything about Mu Sheng, his micro-expressions showed excellent acting from DYX. All I can say is he nailed every scene he was in. The Fl Miao Miao was cute and bubbly, but also kindhearted and nurturing. Esther had a quality that shined. The SFL and SML were also great in the story. A special mention to the adorable Cui Cui, such a cute little bamboo guy. Also another mention of the marquis, with the bracelet plot. His character is silly and humorous, but also hs depth.
This started light but turned darker. I was as emotional as when watching FP. Who knew? The ending is an open ending which makes the viewer think a bit. I went and watched Moonlight as other reviews suggested and it brought some closure to my romance-loving heart. I think LGIEF is one of the best in 2024, it has so much heart and self-love, learning to love the person you are. Also, the author was in middle school when he wrote Catching Demons, so I wouldn't expect anything beyond hugs or forehead kisses.

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