Love Game in Eastern Fantasy

A really perfect first half, that makes up for second half's shortcomings

A solid fun filled drama, with an underlying mesage of self love and romantic love in its purest form.

This drama tells the story of Ling MiaoMiao, who was suddenly dropped into a parallel game universe of the novel of her favourite author Fu Zhou, as the vicious SFL. In this historical game world, she needs to complete two major tasks which include, helping to defeat the villain and winning the heart of the hostile SML, set up in the novel as MuSheng.

This drama starts strong, the beginning episodes were incredible! The comedy and romance had me giggling. The directors knew the audience short attention span, a key advantage in this period, where we have so many cdrama being released; so it does a great job of hooking the viewers from the start. Being dropped right in the middle of an action scene with little to no explanation, but a FL running around trying to figure her way out and dying multiple times during the game "trial" period was quite funny and kept me glued to the screen. You'd think it's a short length series with the way it began and how fast paced and enlightening the story was set up. To make it even better, Episode 7 is a defining moment, that ultimately makes the viewer to never let go of the drama (you have to watch up to that episode to understand what I mean).

OK let's move to the Pros and Cons.

PROS :
• Main Leads - The story set up such entertaining leads that everyone comes to love. ML might come off too antagonistic in the beginning which might be offensive to some, but that's just how his character was created in the game. HOWEVER, within a few episodes he will turn out to be one of the MLs you will cherish in drama land. Both leads were deeper than they seemed, you will find yourself rooting for them in their journey. We also have 2 other leads and a cutie little bamboo shoot CuiCui, who stole the heart of not just the viewers, but the leads themselves.
• Acting - Esther Yu and Ding Yuxi are good actors, and they gave their all in this script. Esther's cuteness, great comedic timing and relatable bubbly vibe held it down effortlessly. For Ryan, when it comes to delivering different emotional scenes, as well as looking as if he is head over heels for the FL, he nails this and even goes the extra mile! He was a definition of "the eyes speak louder than words." Then, there was CuiCui who was also good as a child actor.
• The comedy was gold.
• Favorability score - It was one of my favourite things in the show as it intensified the romance - The roller coaster of having it go up and down, with the main excitement being how one could already feel the tough cookie ML was in love with the FL even at a low percentage.
• The chemistry was insane! It will have you kicking your legs in the air with excitement. Esther and Ryan have acted previously in the romance drama 'moonlight', therefore, reuniting again meant the chemistry will be taken up a notch. As mentioned above, even when the favorability score was low the chemistry was already too thick.
• Great premise and plot - I might be a bit biased here, but I really love this kind of plot, even in short length dramas. So I was glad to see this plot in a full length drama.
• The drama breaks all the nonsensical character tropes we normally see; for eg No FL and SFL rivalry, we had a beautiful sismance with both ladies very protective and supportive of each other.

No triangle (I hate triangles)! The supposed love rivals got the hint and moved on and in turn the FLs were all about supporting and not being cruel to other ladies. We also got sort of a bromance. One of the love rivals, the Marquis was a nice guy who genuinely liked the FL and never manipulated or forced any situation on her as we do see in some tropes. Finally, we had the perfect balance of ML (Green flag and grey).
• Cinematography, visuals and styling on point. I must commend the makeup team for the beautiful work they did for the 4 leads! The MUA especially for Lin MiaoMiao was chef kiss, this is hands down my favourite look of Esther and Ryan.


CONS (aka the second-half shortcomings):
• Too many side plots were crammed into the second half and we had multiple themes such as "end of the world--revengeful woman--consort dowager--half brother--demon reveal--amnesia--modern day plot--CuiCui grandpa--Fuyi's background--mother's friend'' and every other imaginable side plot all at once. Then, totally neglecting the romance, which was not supposed to be, as the name of the drama is titled 'love game' in eastern fanatsy.
• Editing and too many cuts - If a drama episodes are reduced, it's only right to reduce the number of plots as well or at least space them out. Rather some scenes were cut and we were left with some unresolved matter, and this was glided over as if nothing happened (Yes, I'm mainly speaking about that damned bracelet, legit the most hated item)!
• Thinking the second leads were like npcs, but in the second half they gave us too much of their scenes with almost zero romance for the leads. Unfortunately, the second leads' situation didn't really hook me, I wasn't buying what they were selling.
• The FL was not well utilised in the second half that I started missing her vibe. In the first half she brought the comedy, drove the plot with others etc. However, in the second half she was put a bit in the background.
• The romance was watered down so much between the leads in the second half. In the first half, we literally started with a favorability score and I was anticipating how passionate their romance will be when the score gets high. Also, the ML is very intense in everything he does. So, I expected when he falls in love to be even more intense, cause at 50% we already saw it and at close to 100%, I expected more fire from their relationship. But they glided over their relationship,  and all focus was on the multiple side plots.

Finale :
I love that the transmigration setup was much more deeper than what we normally see. The message passed across showed this was definitely not a simple fluff and more about self love in its pure form. My only annoyance with the finale is how they never showed Fu Zhou even for a second in the last minutes of the ending. [SPOILER ALERT, DON'T READ] - He was under a life threatening situation the last time he was showed, and as self love was one of the main theme for the drama, wouldn't it have made more sense to show him, so that viewers can jubilate alongside that he got healed? Yes, I know its his book signing and it's obvious that he is fine as we hear him call out her name from a distance, however, seeing him healthy and smiling would have gone a long way in making an impact, and reuniting our leads.

In general,  I enjoyed this drama and I do recommend it, even if you get annoyed with second half, you will always have a smile on your face when you remember the first half. Btw it has a high rewatch value! OK I should stop repeating first and second half atp..

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This drama drew me in because the first few episodes were pretty funny. I think I would have enjoyed the drama more had it continued with the silly but funny video game plot. Instead, it turned into a standard, and maybe too long, wuxia fantasy before abruptly switching tone again toward the end. Esther Yu’s character did not develop much throughout the drama and between her expressions, makeup, and hairstyle, including too much debris in her hair, she kept coming off as baby panda. I assume that that was a deliberate directing choice. The male lead Mu Sheng (Ding Yuxi) and second female lead Mu Yao (Zhu Xudan) were fine. But every Chinese drama lately seems to have one major character who appears frozen and this time it was the the second male lead, Liu Fuyi (Yang Shi Ze). It didn’t help that he often wore light blue outfits, which accentuated his resemblence to an icicle.

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Light hearted drama with a refreshing start and a few stumbles

*Story*
As most of the comments mention, the first half was very strong and well written, despite the decline in quality, I still found the second half to be quite decent (maybe because I watched it once it was finished airing). However, I wasn't a huge fan of the last episode. I get their intention of having Ziqi talk to his younger versions in reality but it felt quite abrupt to me and a huge shift in the story. The ending itself wasn't too terrible since we know that Miaomiao and Ziqi/Fu Zhou meet up, and Cuicui and his grandfather also exist in the real life, but I wish we had a more fleshed out happy ending. Not only in terms of the main couple properly interacting, but also maybe meeting Mu Yao and Fuyi in the real world, especially since Miaomiao didn't really get to say good bye to them at the end.


*Acting and Characters*
For the main couple, I really enjoyed the writing for Miaomiao and Ziqi, and I think that Yu Shuxin and Ding Yuxi were the perfect actors to pull off those roles. That being said, I still am not the biggest fan of YSX's acting. She's so different from her peers in that she does heavy emotional scenes really well, but tends to overact in the simpler scenes. Ding Yuxi on the other hand really shone in this show, I really don't have any criticisms for him because I was really impressed by his acting. He pulled off all the heart-wrenching scenes perfectly but also did well in the ones where he was just supporting Miaomiao.
Their chemistry admittedly went down after they got together but I still liked their dynamic in most scenes, and I like the fact that after going back in time, they defeated the Resentful Woman together!

The side couple were the complete opposite for me. All of original Miaomiao's complaints of Fuyi's character still occurred in our version of the story as well. I found him incredibly bland, and I think the way the actor chose to portray him made it even worse. He was like a piece of wood to me, I can't emphasize enough how much I didn't enjoy his scenes. Mu Yao was great, though I disliked her self sacrifice at the end because we already had her go through an arc where the lesson she learned at the end was not to carry everything on her shoulders alone. Zhu Xudan was great in the role, I genuinely loved her, no notes. Their chemistry... was not great though, I blame it on the ML's woodenness lol.


*Music*
The main OSTs were amazing, especially the ballad for the emotional scene and the fast paced one for the action scenes. I can't remember very accurately so don't quote me on this, but I think there were a few music arrangements that I found a bit out of place (not OSTs but background songs). No huge complaints though, especially since I adored the ballad so much.


*Overall*
If you're looking for a light-hearted drama with really good production and beautiful costumes, I recommend that you watch this show. Keep your expectations tempered since it's far from perfect but I found it a very enjoyable watch overall!

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I really want to love it but I have so many bones to pick with this drama.

I was so hooked in the beginning and I love the main couple and 2nd couple so much. But I feel like for me the cp carried a lot of it. The end of the drama especially just felt super rushed because the main point of the whole story they were in was to defeat the 9th level demon (I forgot I her name in english) but the scene kind of felt underwhelming as it was just one stab/one move and boom done nothing else. And at some point it felt like rather than having everything tie all together from information from the beginning it seems like they just kept on adding more and more new powers that weren’t previously mentioned before for the purpose of fitting whatever was going on. Which is fine and makes sense but there are so many new powers for what reason that would have changed the entire trajectory of the story if it were mentioned a lot earlier and it did not seem like new information they learned as it was just spoken. I like how it was complex but at the same time it felt kind of unnecessary at times and to the point where it loses the plot. When miaomiao goes back to the modern world she sees cuicui and grandpa at the book signing which is adorable but I feel like it would have made more sense if it was mu yao or liufuyi because in the end they are the second leads and if cuicui and grandpa are there wouldn’t muyao and liu fuyi too technically speaking. The ending of just fu zhou calling miaomiao name felt like it definitely needs more to add on to clarify or even give base to support the information they just dumped the last episode. How did miaomiao even end up going back? How did ziqi go back? Why is ziqi just remember now he’s fuzhou and how did he even get in there? I feel like the story between miaomiao and fuzhou little crush thing could have also had some more to it. Maybe I am just a little nitpicky here but it really just ended off with a lot of holes.

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Must-watch for Xuanhuan lovers!!

I used to think that Xuanhuan wasn’t my cup of tea till I watched Love Game in Eastern Fantasy and The Romance of Tiger and Rose and both has Ding Yuxi as cast. You should all trust me, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy has satisfied my thirst for wonderful Chinese series. LGIEF is a masterpiece. The storyline, the directing, the writing, the plot, the cinematography, the fight scenes and visual movements and CGI are top-notch. You will experience emotional and beautiful journey from the start to the end.

Story: It was excellent, the story doesn’t drag or rush. I enjoy every moment of the plot.

Cast/acting: Four bamboo masters and the rest of the cast have performed outstanding roles. Their acting looks natural. As a Ding Yuxi fan, I am really satisfied with Ding Yuxi performance. Not only he looks so gorgeous both in his human and demon form, he also shows the best acting with his eyes, gesture and emotions. He is perfect.

Chemistry: Ding Yuxi and Esther Yu chemistry is on point. I love how their interactions on and off screen. Maybe because they were on the same series before, Moonlight, that is why their interactions feel so natural.

Music: The OSTs work so well with the story. It is enjoyable and help us to feel the emotions of the actors. My favourite OSTs are Stare Intently and What You Mean to Me by Ding Yuxi. I always love when our Xiao Ding sings for his own series. His voice is so heavenly.

Characters: All characters, main and supporting, are all well-written. I love all of them. What surprise me the most that Gillian Cheung from Twins was also casted here. I knew her from her movies and songs before. She is a talented and amazing artist.

Rewatch value: I will re-watch it many times. I still can’t get enough of my favourite half-demon Mu Sheng / Mu Ziqi.

Overall: This series is beautiful, unique, captivating and one of my favourite Chinese series along with The Untamed and Blood of Youth. Definitely 10/10 for me!

In conclusion, LGIEF is everything I expect from a Chinese series. Be prepared to fall in love with the characters, the stories, the characters, the music.

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Fun and exciting drama! I am absolutely adoring it to bits!

I have been eagerly waiting for this drama for a long time. I have enjoyed every single episode.

The acting of all the cast is impeccable and top tier. The story is so much fun, suspenseful and adventurous. The chemistry of all the  cast members is excellent.

The male lead and the female lead is doing really good job portraying their character. Their love relationship is so beautiful and heart warming. I like the positive character development of the main characters.  They have learnt to wholeheartedly trust and rely on each other and be truthful and open their hearts to each other. I have enjoyed how some characters' past stories have unfolded very cleverly. The whole plot is very intriguing.

The costumes, sound/visual effects, OSTs, cenimatrography and environmental sets are very good.

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Best plot and acting

Personally read the book, and have to say they did a great job in adapting the book, with the parts changed (knowing Chinese censorship). The acting was phenomenal. I have always loved Ding Yuxi but I think Musheng is a truly breakout and memorable role for him. He has the ability to portray the most complex of emotions, and what's most amazing is that you will be able to see all these myriad of emotions clearly as an audience. Esther Yu was also the perfect cast for the role, she was able to portray the cuteness naturally. Last thing, great kudos to the director and the team, many scenes were a cinematic masterpiece.

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weak narrative

"Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" had an intriguing concept that initially caught my attention, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver on its promise. The show attempts to blend romance with elements of Eastern fantasy, but the execution feels lackluster and disjointed.

The characters are one-dimensional and often rely on clichés, making it hard to connect with them on any meaningful level. I found myself struggling to care about their relationships, as the writing didn't provide enough depth or development.

The pacing was also a major issue; the plot felt rushed at times, jumping from one event to another without proper buildup. This left me feeling confused and unsatisfied with the story progression.

Visually, the show had some appealing moments, but it wasn't enough to compensate for the weak narrative. The fantasy elements felt underdeveloped and didn't add much to the overall experience.

In summary, "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" is a disappointing watch that fails to capitalize on its interesting premise. I would rate it a 3/10, as it left me wanting more substance and engagement.

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Feels like we've seen something like this before???

Coming directly to the point, the gist of the PLOT we've already seen or heard of before. While the plot may seem familiar, the way it's portrayed is fresh and captivating. The magical spells and the intense battles between Demon Catchers and Demons are particularly engaging. The performances, especially by Ding Yu Xi and Esther Yu, really stand out. Their acting is one of the main reasons I kept watching the drama, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Though I initially wished they had used the actors' original voices, I eventually got used to it and still found the experience enjoyable.

Esther Yu’s portrayal of "cute" moments doesn’t always align with the situation, but she somehow manages to make it work in a way that only she can. Her ability to balance light-heartedness with intense emotional scenes is truly impressive. She continues to surprise me, especially with the heart-wrenching ending of Episode 7. Both Ding Yu Xi and Esther Yu completely stole my heart with their performances in that episode.

At first, I wasn’t fond of the second couple, but once their backstory unfolded, I grew to like them a lot. Ah Jie, in particular, left a lasting impression—especially the scene where she protects Ah Sheng from Fu Yi’s master’s sword. The fight scenes and visuals were well-executed, and I was hooked. Initially, I thought this would just be another typical drama, but it was the "Moonlight Couple" (Ding Yu Xi and Esther Yu) that kept me watching. As the story progressed, I found myself more and more invested.

One character that truly stood out to me was Roushi. Despite his limited screen time, he brought a sense of charm and sincerity that was hard to ignore. His unwavering determination, honesty, and innocence made him a standout character. It’s a shame that neither the princess nor Miaomiao could end up with him—I really hope he finds happiness in the future.

Ratings:

Story: 9.5/10 (The plot isn’t entirely unique, hence the slight deduction)
Acting: 9.5/10 (The score goes entirely to Ding Yu Xi and Esther Yu; the supporting cast could’ve done more)
Music: 9/10 (The OST fits the drama well, but it hasn’t stuck with me enough)
Rewatch Value: 9/10 (Not a drama I’d rewatch on repeat, but still highly enjoyable)

PS - This is not your average wuxia drama—it has a solid and engaging storyline that’s worth watching!

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Worth to watch! My best Chinese series of the years

I was really hesitant to watch Love Game in Eastern Fantasy since I am not a fan of Transmigration story. I used to be a fan of Wuxia drama only. It takes me longer to get myself into Xianxia drama. And finally, I should think multiple times before I push myself to watch Xuanhuan drama. I was never a fan of Ding Yuxi, before because I used to prefer a manly-type actor. However, because I heard a lot from social media that this drama is so good with beautiful cast members, I decided to watch it during my winter break. I was so hooked on the first episode and beginning to fall in love with the four main leads (the four bamboo masters plus our adorable bamboo shoot, Cuicui). The beautiful OST by the four bamboo masters makes myself to stay in the series. I read negative feedbacks for the ML and FL appearances but it wasn’t true! They said that Ryan Ding and Esther Yu weren’t fitted to this kind of genre because they aren’t handsome and beautiful enough. Some said that the ML and FL dubbing voices were so weird, and again it wasn’t true. Both Ryan and Esther are so gorgeous and ethereal in this series, Bambi Zhu and Yang Shize are also so gorgeous, even the supporting casts are beautiful and handsome. I really don’t mind with the dubbing voices, because I personally think the voices blended naturally and fit so well with their characters. The dubber did the amazing jobs. And the most important thing is their actings. All main leads and supporting cast played their roles so well especially Ryan, his eyes expression, he can emote so well with eyes to express his feeling. He blew me away in every scene, solidified that he is a talented actor that I would be closely watching from now on.
This is a 10/10 for me.

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The Most Handsome Mu Sheng

I will miss my beloved Mu Sheng / Mu Ziqi after finishing this series. He is so gorgeous in this series. While I have no idea why people suddenly downvote Love Game in Eastern Fantasy and even make bad reviews, giving rating score as low as 1, I always stay positive, sending positivity to everyone, sending love to old fans and new fans that this series deserves more love and more positive reviews. I know a lot of people worried about the ending, while I don't. I tell you all: don't worry about the ending, just watch this amazing series with open mind. If you are brave enough to watch FoF, even watch Romeo and Juliet, why you are afraid to watch LGIEF. Without spoiling anything, I can tell you all that this is a fun and cheerful drama so need to be afraid and just watch it. Don't forget to forget to give a good rating, if possible give it a 10 and then share it to good people that can also give a 10 score because only kind hearted and good people deserve this beautiful series. The haters and antis never deserve this series. The story is perfect from start till beginning, it is a solid story. If you want to get more stories you can watch Shining Stars after finishing this series. The acting and cast is perfect: Ding Yuxi, Esther Yu, Bambi Zhu, Yang Shi Ze are the perfect casts for our beloved four bamboo masters. Supporting cast also do well. The demons are beautiful and handsome. The music is beautiful. I love when the main casts and supporting casts participated to sing Send to the Bright Moon. Ding Yuxi and Esther Yu also lent their beautiful vocals for the OSTs. The songs become my regular playlist on my spotify. Regarding rewatch value, of course it is a 10. I have watched LGIEF seventh times. Overall my score of course a solid 10. This series deserves more love from you, beautiful and good guys out there, so please watch and give a 10 just like me. To whoever give a 10 score, May the angels protect you and good fortune smile upon you.

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