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When Destiny Brings the Demon

献鱼 ‧ Drama ‧ 2025
Completed
PockyNotes
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 14, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0

Good soundtracks

Those who once enjoyed Love Between Fairy and Devil will likely find this drama appealing, as the storyline is quite similar. Both feature a charismatic, all-powerful male lead and a lazy, somewhat silly female lead.

It’s also understandable why the drama didn’t gain much popularity, even though the original novel was said to rank among the top in China. This type of storyline feels outdated. Viewers who prefer something simple, romance-focused, and not too deep will probably enjoy When Destiny Brings the Demon.

However, the weakness lies in the supporting cast. Just like in Love Between Fairy and Devil, the side characters are rather underwhelming. In fact, this drama handles them even worse — they lack depth and almost feel like NPCs whose sole purpose is to push the plot forward. At times, their actions come across as foolish and lacking any sense of humanity.

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Completed
sair
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.5
This review may contain spoilers

Struggled at the end!

I absolutely loved the initial romance arc, the slacker and grumpy demon dynamic was so fun to watch!

I dropped it for a while and came back to it and still struggled a bit by the end. The miscommunications stated to really annoy me, or at least both not telling the other their plans to sacrifice themselves again and again!

I really wanted them to have more time together, there was just never no drama happening, I felt bad for them because every time things improved, it got completely wrecked again. I get that the emphasis is on how their love transcends time and they find each other in any life, but I guess I wanted to see more of them happy. it was very stop start, one forgets the other, then the other forgets them, I just couldn’t take the emotional turmoil anymore!

I loved the casting, sound track and acting though and enjoyed it a lot, I just needed them to stop having such a bad time!

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Completed
neema
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 16, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

It was like watching three different drama in one.

Imagine watching a love transcends three different realms and timeline.
I’m not usually a fan of Wuxia but you see this one? I do not regret watching. This would go down in history as the most romantic wuxia ever and I’m glad to have watched it.
The pacing was a bit off. It started off slow then spiraled Into something I did not expect but I’m glad I gave it time.
If you’re looking for the kind of romance that’ll make you be like ‘God when’ this is the one.
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Completed
palmedacocco
0 people found this review helpful
13 days ago
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

EVERY SOLITARY JOURNEY ENDS WITH A MEETING ORDERED BY DESTINY

He is fire, she is ice, lifelong companions in 3 Kingdoms.
This child, whose blood is contested, is confined to a mountain for 500 years. Many girls approach him, intent on taking his life, but only this new and unsuspecting girl will win him over with her sincerity. Thus she will begin to be his servant and, with time and trust, even his beloved.
What a bad thing, all this blood, extracted from innocents, just to fuel the flame of the Spiritual Fire!
Until episode 19, when he melts the second Spiritual Fire and destroys half the Kingdom, leaving no trace of Her.
Ep 19: Demonic Kingdom vs. Immortals, 18 years after Her disappearance, He awakens.
From episode 20, the atmosphere changes. From hot to cold, from love to hate, from "well-being" to "survival"—it seems like a different story.
He can't accept that he can't find her anymore and goes looking for her even in the Demon Realm, where she, having lost her memory, lives as the daughter of the enemy who urges her to kill the Him she once loved.
He finds her, but she tries to kill him because she doesn't remember him. He is so kind to her that she changes her mind and wants to spare him but still stay with her "father."
She will unwittingly kill him and he will be reborn into the mortal world, and that's another story.
Resume of 3 parts: one in the Realm of the Immortals (they fall in love), the second in the Demon Realm (she loses her memory and he goes looking for her), and the third in the Mortal Realm (he doesn't remember her).
In all 3, people always want to kill him to have his blood!
Luckily they will have the chance to meet again in the Modern world.

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Completed
rakija4
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

so many kisses...!

I actually started to watch this drama only as a 'filler', but somehow it got me so hooked that I finished it whole in a few days... Is my 2nd time seeing Arthur Chen on screen - I had so many attempts on his "Lighter & Princess", but I struggled with it so much and dropped it in the end, so only this drama showed me his real potential!
Sima Jiao really is sth else, I loved him so much during immortal arc, he so badass there! Sadly, I felt that in later arcs his character lost some claws, but can't say I hated it, it was still enjoyable. FL on the other hand is nice character, I liked her, but it's not really strong heroine, just cute little slacker who most of the time spends waiting to be rescued by ML (even when she is suppose to be stronger in later arcs), but the thing I liked the most about her was her boldness towards Sima Jiao - seeing her making moves on him was a rly nice change compared to many other cdramas where FL usually are kinda shy and ML is the one to initiate everything.
I think chemistry between actor was very good and damn, all these kissing scenes! We were really fed there, I even blushed a little watching some of their intimate moments which it's not sth common for me, lol.
The story was best in immortal arc, and this one is actually my fav one, but later on it started to went downhill only to end with this really unticlimatic ending - i really hate it, it almost ruined my whole experiance, but regarding all great moments before I just pretend it ended differently...
Villains were rather weak, I felt that their screen time was overdragged and was fed up with them at some point.
Side characters were just there, nothing really memorable, I only cared about The Black Serpent, but his potential was rather wasted and his romance arc really lacking, nonetheless I hope to see this actor in some other drama.
Overall - story is medicore, but I really enjoyed the romance part and chemistry between main leads, so if you looking for some romance and dont mind some other flaws, go and watch it!

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Completed
vicki
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 25, 2026
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 8.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

the love story was the main character haha

The romance worked so well that it makes me want to be kinder to the show than it deserves haha.

One thing I really noticed was that death doesn't have consistent emotional weight, sometimes it's devastating, world ending tragedy and sometimes it's a mild inconvenience or plot device. There is a lack of emotional consistency. Side characters - Nianjiu/the snake, at first I was like ok, a non-human learning to be human, that's the reason he is so awkward, but it never improved/evolved, or at least I didn't feel that he did.

I really dislike that the ending is told from the start, it kills suspense and turns the drama into a waiting game for me. And omg the end, she experiences the trauma of three lifetimes and is ready to go back to work and remembers what she has to present? makes her experience less impactful.

Anyway, the love story is for sure the best of this, the female lead is modern, but not obnoxious, a strong character (but not preachy) and I loved how she accepted moral complexity (the ''you do what you must'' with the male lead).
The male lead was such a feared, tortured, emotionally articulate, but a softie inside haha, I loved it. The romance is genuinely gooood.

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Completed
Betsy3491
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 26, 2026
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.5

A few problems

I’m not sure exactly what’s wrong with WHEN DESTINY BRINGS THE DEMON, but this drama just didn’t land for me–partly because it’s so simpleminded. For example, when the demon army invades the Grandmaster’s stronghold in ep. 20, the demon fighters are all dressed in black. The good guys are dressed in white. Pretty convenient.

There are many parallels in this story with LOVE BETWEEN FAIRY AND DEVIL. There’s a dragon buddy in one, a snake buddy in the other. Fairies and demons fight each other in the first. Immortals and demons are at war in the second.

The female leads in each series are different. While Orchid is sometimes irritating in LBFAD, she’s also lovable, funny, and appealing, and she grows into a strong, impressive woman.

But the writers of WHEN DESTINY BRINGS THE DEMON infantilize Tingyan. She pouts and simpers and makes eyes at Jiao. Her goal is life is to eat, drink, and try on pretty clothes. It doesn’t hit home with her until about halfway through the series that her boy is a serial killer. Also, who is this woman? Is she a demon? a reincarnated human? or a fish?

What’s motivating the ML? Power? Revenge? The attainment of higher cultivation levels? Personal animus? The villains seem like a bunch of feckless, bungling clowns. It’s hard to take them seriously. Mostly they seem like a swarm of annoying insects buzzing around Jiao’s head. Every once in awhile he brushes them all away.

Arthur Chen as Sima Jiao is disarmingly handsome, but that’s not always an advantage for someone wanting to be taken seriously as an actor. His looks make him subject to everyone’s projections. Sima Jiao, is a pit of hatred, negativity and despair– in other words, a damaged soul.

The writers need to show us how someone who’s never known a kind word, can reach into his heart and find a boatload of self-sacrificing love for Liao Tingyan, a well-meaning, not-too-bright klutz. But character motivation is missing throughout. They don’t give Chen enough to work with, I’m sorry to say–so Sima Jiao’s transformation into Mr. Wonderful isn’t convincing. Or at least it wasn’t to me.

The comedy scenes in WDBTD are repetitious and not very funny. It’s cute that Liao Tingyan keeps using 21st century lingo and 9-to-5 work metaphors in her “employment” with her “boss,” but after the third or fourth time this device gets a little old.

The characters in this drama are always telling the viewers what’s happening: “Why isn’t the Grandmaster here? Looks like he’s figured out our plan.” Or, “If I can win the Grandmaster’s favor, perhaps I can help Mother through this crisis.” Weak writing.

The special effects and CG make many scenes seem low-budget.
My greatest wish for Arthur Chen is that he can find a substantial role that truly inspires him--maybe some kind of an eccentric character–a role that he can individualize and make his own. This drama doesn’t give him that.

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Completed
lapetitefiaa
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 2, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5

Love, so great, they'll always end up together.

[ when destiny brought to Sima Jiao the demon who will save him ]

I was wondering how to talk about this drama, after finishing it, I felt empty.. like something was missing..
Until I came across the final message, and it all made sense!

But still, is there any words worth of describing this unforgettable love?

Sima Jiao, and Liao Tingyan.. two people who aren't supposed to exist in that world, one is a powerful lord and the other is a demon sent to kill him, but together they are just lovers tending to each other's wounds and trying to live comfortably..
[ and no, it wasn't a dream, she just remembered her past life, and now reunited with him again in the modern world ]

tbh, I wasn't a fan of the novel before the first 10 episodes, and I tuned in just for the female lead Wang Yinglu, so I dived in without any high expectations, just satisfied with the cast.. but I got curious, so I read the og source, and I have to say that every change they made was right, enriching the plot and making their love story more special as "eternal soulmates who'll always find each other in seas of people and worlds", considering the side stories of them in different universes (ABO, vampire, ..).

On a side note, I've never seen a freakier couple than them XD completely unable of keeping their hands to themselves, kissing every two breaths, holding hands like it's their survival quest ~ and it felt so natural like there was no cameras and we're just insects in the room lol..

I love Tingyan, she so effortlessly funny and so relatable, no wonder a man like Sima Jiao is smitten by her in every timeline and universe.. no wonder she is as well..

ah.. I really don't want say goodbye to them, it's been a day already but I can't stop thinking about this silly sunshine and her childish OP suicidal sunshine protector who gave up dying just to provide her the lazy people heaven.. but goodbyes are a must, and I am mature enough to not demand a second season (that's a lie), so I'll just leave a short message for future viewers..

Live Laugh Love When Destiny Brings The Demon.

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Completed
yueLing
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 26, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

MUST WATCH IF YOU LIKE INTIMATE MOMENTS!!!

Finally!!! A drama with lots of intimate kissing scenes starting quite early (around episode 10+ I think, which is still early compared to most dramas 😂). And thankfully, no major misunderstandings.

The best part for me was definitely the male lead. He was VERY strong — giving that powerful CEO vibe mixed with supernatural abilities and a “there’s nothing I can’t do” aura. I know many Chinese dramas have strong MLs, but this one stayed strong even after going through so many things. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

P.S. I also really liked his smile. It looked so sweet on his face 🥺

But honestly, there were still some flaws that made me a little sad. Like when the FL disappeared for good twice. The first time, "I felt the grief of losing a lover" wasn’t shown enough. Maybe because the ML believed he could still find her again through three lifetimes? Still, you could see a little sadness and tears from him.

The second time felt even more rushed because the story suddenly moved to the modern world without showing what happened to the ML in the wuxia world. Even the ML’s death scene could’ve been done better since it happened too fast, so as viewers we didn’t really get enough time to feel the heartbreak. The ending also felt rushed because of the sudden transition to the modern storyline.

But overall, I still really enjoyed the story. So for me, it’s a 9/10.

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Completed
li_lian
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 21, 2026
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

could be better, but I enjoyed it.

After Lighter and Princess, I was waiting for Chen Feiyu to make a strong comeback. This drama wasn’t a breakout hit, but the chemistry was on fire!

It genuinely felt like the leads were real lovers. I enjoyed every romantic scene, even though there were a lot of unnecessary kissing moments.
This was my first time watching the female lead, and she did a great job, especially in the comedy scenes, which made the first part of the drama very engaging. However, I personally didn’t like the plot after she lost her memories. I really hate amnesia storylines. Still, I finished the drama, so it was good enough for me overall.
The drama also has an excellent OST that fits every scene perfectly, featuring many great artists.
In the end, it’s okay,not bad, not great. Just right. Enjoyable for the romance and the vibe, but not for the plot.

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Completed
andymrqch
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 7, 2025
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Take all the classic ingredients of the Xianxia in a fresh and highly entertaining.

From the first episode, the high quality of the production is evident. The costumes are marvelous, full of detail and color, which greatly helps immerse you in the story. The special effects are very well done, believable, and add a spectacular touch to the action and magic scenes without seeming over-the-top.

Chen Feiyu, besides having an imposing presence and being very handsome, brings his character to life with the necessary depth. But the revelation for me was Wang Yinglu. It was the first time I saw her act, and I was enchanted. She is very beautiful, and her performance was excellent; she managed to make her character comprehensible, not at all heavy, and gave it just the right touch of charisma and strength. And the fact that her character came from the "outside world" and uttered modern phrases the other characters didn't understand created some very comedic moments and a unique dynamic. This clever contrast added a novel twist to the typical xianxia plot. The romance was one of the story's pillars and was very well developed. The chemistry between the protagonists was palpable, and it was appreciated that they weren't shy with their displays of affection. The kisses (and there were plenty of them) were a success, believable, and satisfying for those of us looking for a good love story.

If I had to point to something that left me with a bittersweet taste, it would be the ending. While it's emotional and brings the main arc to a close, I would have liked to see more of their reunion in "normal life." A slightly longer scene showing how they begin their new life together, after so much suffering, would have been the perfect, well-rounded conclusion. I was left longing for a more detailed epilogue.

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Completed
Tat
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 13, 2026
33 of 33 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Beautiful and funny but...

A 33 episode long journey that felt like 103 episodes. It moved so slow, and yet, so much happened within those 33 episodes, it's kind of surreal. Ibenjoyed the characters and the fantasy world was neat, but there was just too many plot points and overly emotional moments packed in there (kind of like someone had a limit of one suitcase so they crammed everything in, jumped on in, and laid on top of it to zip it closed.) The result was my eyes rolling at yet another life and death scene, a final few episodes that had me tapping my watch to be sure it hadn't stopped, and a very cliche and predictable ending.

That said, I loved the cast, loved the music, costumes, scenery, and cinematography.

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When Destiny Brings the Demon poster

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  • Score: 8.6 (scored by 12,780 users)
  • Ranked: #383
  • Popularity: #774
  • Watchers: 30,053

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