Till the End of the Moon

a big dumpster fire

To keep it short: this drama is a dumpster fire.

To keep it long, this drama has a very interesting premise - an anti-hero who was destined to become evil by a continuous cycle of abuse, betrayal, and abandonment falls in love with a heroine trying to prevent him from becoming evil. This had a lot of potential to be a great drama until the story became completely incoherent.

STORY AND CHARACTERS
The drama had disjoined plot and characters, nothing made sense, none of the characters told the truth, plot holes everywhere, and the values were completely skewed. A good guy was portrayed as a villain. Villains were portrayed as good guys. Tantai Jin was treated very poorly throughout the entire story by mostly everyone just because of whom he was destined to become and not because of what he did. He got no apology and no vindication. None of his good deeds got recognized and his "true love" never realized what kind sacrifices he had to make to save the world. There is no hope in this drama and nothing to look forward to.

The story started out strong with Susu and Tantai Jin meeting and immediately building a bond. They had a lot of cute interactions where they went shopping, she saved him from angry birds, they watched fireworks and played in the snow. This should have been the only story arc for the duration of the show. She figures out why he was evil because he had a hard life, so she shows him compassion and kindness, they fall in love, and he doesn't become evil. THE END. Instead, the show dragged on for multiple storylines adding no value to the main plot. The entire dream arc should have been reduced to flashbacks.

The story and characters were so completely incoherent, that it felt like the writers had no idea what they were doing. Everyone insisted that Tantai Jin was evil, but he was not written as an inherently evil person. About half-way through the show it became apparent that he was arbitrarily delt the villain card without actually deserving it. He was born "special", to a life of suffering and without love threads which would have enabled him to find love. But, he eventually grew love threads and fell in love, which should have derailed his destiny of becoming the devil god. But it was never addressed anywhere in the story. Inherently evil characters eventually slip up and do evil things. TJ never harmed an animal, never killed an innocent, never started a war, never betrayed anyone. He did not have an evil bone in his body, no pun intended. So, why was he still destined to become the devil god if he already changed his predetermined fate by finding love? Nobody knows, including the writers, who likely did not even understand their own characters. A lot of money was spent on the production and not enough on the writing.

Susu had an inconsistent personality and no real character development. One moment she acted like a crazed fangirl around TJ, the next she went on a sanctimonious rant about how he could not be saved because he was "evil". She always assumed the worst about him just to be proven wrong later, but she still never learned to trust him. Susu's problem was that she was never able to separate the individual from the devil god. It was extremely frustrating to watch that brainless woman going behind TJ's back all the time, doing something stupid and then blaming him for reacting to it. Betrayal was the one thing that was triggering to him. Yet, Susu kept repeatedly doing questionable things that made him feel betrayed and abandoned. It was absolutely cringe-worthy to watch this dumpster-fire of a romance imploding on itself because it was so self-sabotaging. Susu never had any trust in TJ, although he never gave her any reason to mistrust him. She always jumped to the worst conclusions and hurt him more often than she made him happy. While TJ went out of his way to avoid becoming the devil god and tried to do only good, none of his efforts were ever appreciated. Everyone always judged him without trying to figure out what actually went on. The only time when Susu finally understood him was in the very last episode when she became a goddess and was able to look into his heart. But, in my opinion, it was already too late for her. She had numerous opportunities to have his back and and to give him a chance. Instead, she always listened to rumors, superstitions, and speculations that often did not make any sense and accused him of a crime because he was a convenient scapegoat. There was no point even killing him at the end because he never allowed the devil god to control him.

One of the most infuriating things about Susu was her holier-than-thou personality. She saw herself as a good person. She was written as a good person, but she did some very reprehensible things. When she became Ye Xiwu, she found out that Xiwu was an awful person. Xiwu made TJ kneel in the snow. Any decent person would have ended that immediately, but Susu did not. She actually allowed TJ to kneel for days in the cold spying on him and having mental rants about how he "deserved" it. She also whipped him. Any sane and good person would have thrown the whip on the floor and said "I'm not doing it", but she was either not very bright or just decided to go with it. And, she whipped him. I seriously could not believe she did it. Not to mention that later on she drugged his food and drove nails into his heart. What in the actual hell....

Everything was awful. What are we supposed to derive from this story? Bullies don't get punished. Bad things will always happen to good people for no reason. No matter how far we go to sacrifice for others, they will never appreciate or even know about it. Again, what is the point?

On a different note, the blood spitting in every episode became very noticeable and looked disgusting. There didn't need to be so much blood coming out of people's mouths, especially in scenes where it wasn't necessary.

SET/COSTUMES/MAKE-UP
The set was beautiful, 'nuff set.

Taitan Jin's outfits were often ridiculous. The writers obviously wanted him to stand out. But, they made him stand out too much. Feathery outfits, flowing capes, and an over-powdered face full of make-up was a bit much. Susu sleeping in her head jewelry also looked stupid.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Usually, happy endings make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Sad endings make me feel bittersweet. This drama made me feel empty. More often than not I wanted to reach into the screen and drag Taitan Jin out of that mess. He was better than all of them and he deserved so much more. The writers broke every rule of writing. They wrote an "evil" character without actually making him evil. They wrote star-crossed lovers with only one person making any effort. Susu's original goal was to prevent TJ from turning into the devil god, but every action she took pushed TJ closer to the edge. She never even told him that she loved him in any meaningful way. This story was like the Pandora's box - it unleashed every single calamity on the world, except hope.

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Of love and tragedy: Till the end of the moon

I don't even know how to start this to be honest...

If you want a drama that will give you a heart wrenching story with beautifully complex characters, a drama that will consume you to the point of no return then THIS is the one for you. The intensity that this drama made me feel is unparalleled with anything I have ever felt and did not even expect to feel when I started it. It simultaneously made me love and hate the drama sometimes! (coincidentally a theme for the drama as well lol)

Yes there were plot holes, inconsistencies, rushed parts, glaring editing issues that made the viewing experience a tad uncomfortable but due to an experienced cast and crew it was not detrimental. The STRONGEST points for the drama is the acting, the OST, the costumes, the script, and the visual effects + action scenes in that exact particular order i my opinion. The chemistry and the intensity between the main leads at certain scenes were so powerful you just can't help but be overwhelmed and just sit in a daze after an episode ends.

Now, for the very controversial ending that people has a love/hate relationship with. Yes, it was unsatisfying. 100%. Did it match the character arc? Yes. But it also created an oversight in the plot that the writers overlooked which I think could not be helped because of the chinese censorship of 40 ep regulations. This story needed at least 5 more episodes to tie up loose ends and give the main characters THEIR PROPER ENDING. The events that they labeled as ending was needed and valid but that should NOT have been the ending. That is my ONLY gripe with this show. I know and understand why they did it but I still can't accept it unfortunately.

However, to be very honest, the saddest part for me was not the ending but the fact that there will never be another Till the end of the moon. This is a very unconventional and ambitious story. There might be ones with more budget, maybe hopefully more episodes but it will not be this one.

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An iconic, creative Xianxia

Finally a refreshing, thought-provoking show that respects its adult audience (ML is not a goody two shoes/FL is not childish). I had a blast watching! Really appreciate how it introduces morally grey characters on the premise that regardless of your background, you are ultimately who you choose to be. YBC/TH manipulated people using honorable reputation. GYJW/SJ started as innocent but succumbed to desires. XL/MY abandoned their loved ones for peace. YQY/LSS did bad things for good causes. PR/SY sacrificed themselves despite being demons. And oof TTJ/CJM underwent such an immense development I can hardly think of a more complex character. He changed from being a vindictive, emotionless schemer to saving the world in a benevolent, selfless way.
I was getting tired of all the "love conquers all", "karma knows best" or "good vs. evil" tropes. Feelings are fleeting. Reality is unfair. And life is not always black and white.
Last but not least, unbeatable chemistry between the leads omg. 0 dead fish kisses. Too bad we lost some eps due to airing restrictions but definitely an iconic, creative xianxia!

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Enchanting Worlds and Irresistible Charisma

"Till The End Of The Moon" is an exceptional fantasy series that immerses its audience into a world of cultivators, mortals, and demons. At its core is an enigmatic Demon Lord and a powerful woman....

What makes this series so captivating is its emotionally intricate and relatable characters. One of the most engaging elements is the portrayal of the male lead, played masterfully by Luo Yun Xi. Tan Tai Jin is an antihero whose journey from an ordinary prince to the Demon Lord is a tale of loss, suffering, and unfulfilled desires. The series deftly portrays his inner turmoil and the emotional burden of his choices, making him a surprisingly sympathetic figure despite his villainous nature. Additionally, Luo Yun Xi's good looks and commanding presence on screen make him an ideal fit for the role. The female lead, played by Bai Lu, is equally impressive. She delivers a striking performance, imbuing her character with strength, vulnerability, and a fierce determination to save the world from darkness. The story is fast-paced, even though it falls deep into the fantasy genre, and keeps viewers engaged with its unexpected twists and turns.

Furthermore, the series showcases breathtaking visuals and an enchanting soundtrack that perfectly captures the magic and mystery of its fantastical realm. The production and storytelling are first-rate, and the chemistry between the leading actors is palpable, adding another layer of depth to the story's complex relationships.

Moreover, the costumes design for all the characters in the series are a true work of art, transporting viewers to a world of opulence and splendor. The attention to detail in each garment, from the embroidery to the textures and colors, is making each scene a feast for the eyes.

While the series boasts several strengths, it is not without its flaws. The uneven pacing of the story can be noticeable, with some episodes feeling rushed while others drag on. However, these minor shortcomings do not significantly impact the overall quality of the series, making it a worthwhile watch.

In conclusion, "Till The End Of The Moon" is a must-see for fans of both fantasy and romance.

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Blood and Betrayal

That's how I would summarize this drama and it wouldn't be an exaggeration. There's blood spitting involved for the main leads in almost every episode. You could actually make this a drinking game and would end up so drunk after its 40 episodes that you couldn't pronounce your name anymore. Joke aside, I hate when dramas get repetitive but exactly that happened to TTEOTM.
There's just too much betrayal and blood spitting in it to be original anymore.

Minor spoilers ahead, nothing major
Also the main leads romance did not work for me and at first I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Why did my friends say, they kept watching for the main lead but I didn't feel the same? It wasn't his looks, nor his character. I liked him, but the romance nah, I even rooted for the main lead to end up with who knows who, just someone else than the FL.
And then I finally realized why this entire romance between main leads didn't work for me. I wasn't even convinced that what they felt for each other was true love. FL was sent back 500 years with the mission to kill him, then realize he's bullied and (probably) not the devil but rather the outcome of how people around him treated him. So what she's feeling is pity, yet hatred because he did massacre her entire family/clan. He's said to not be capable of feeling love so why should I believe he's developing romantic feelings for her? It might be more like having Stockholm Syndrome. Growing feelings for someone who treats you good, gives you food, clothes, cares for you when you're sick, even though they abused you in the past. Since no one else around him treated him like this, how should he know the difference between love and this warm feeling you get, when someone cares for you. That alone does not count as love to me. Even less since she kept backstabbing him, lying to him etc. They've been lying to each other the entire drama and when they didn't lie they didn't communicate at all and caused misunderstandings. It was really annoying and I won't even mention the end!
For me the drama was not worth it, despite a good cast, OST, CGI and costumes. I don't care about those when the story is so pathetic. I had high expectations and really wanted to love this drama, but the story and questionable romance totally disappointed and even upset me. I cannot recommend to watch.

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3 Major Reason to Watch This Drama

To be fair the drama is very good. It was magnificent where it did well. It’s a pity that it will sit below some of the most epic drama till date just because this drama need to meet current airing regulations. It’s very unfair to compare a 70+ ep drama (or a 2 seasons drama) with one that was only allowed to broadcast 40 ep max. The editing team could have done a better job editing the drama but they might also be running on a tight schedule to fix the episode count before broadcast date.

There are many places where the drama shined.
Story/backdrop: The story was intriguing, complex, and unique. From the get go, it showed us the end of the world is not just a vague idea, it’s very real. We as the audience witnessed it and the FL whose shoulders we’re watching the tale unfold witnessed it: the end of the world in a xianxia universe. She lost her home and all her love ones in an instant. And from that point on the audience should be aware of what the FL is working against, the fate of the world and fate of ML where she was the only fighter. I remember reading about some people comments in which they questions her actions and decision. An example was her decision to save Xiao Lin. For me, her actions were consistent with her character. She have seen her elder disciple brother Gongye Jiwu dying in front of her. She probably didn’t want to see that happen again. BUT I did wonder why she didn’t try to talk to ML first. When it comes to Xiao Lin, people question why she never considered the political implications and what her action means. For me, I noticed very early on that FL never tried to understand ML’s political position as hostage prince. I was slightly frustrated with her cluelessness about that aspect of the story until it hit me again: she’s an immortal, the only descendant of a god. Of course she couldn’t understand worldly conflict of interest, political interest. For her nothing is more important than preventing the end of the world and saving the love ones she had lost.

Gender dynamics/ relationship: Another unique aspect of the tale is the gender dynamics were flipped. The girls are almost always coming to the rescue and the boys were kinda the damsel in distress… lol it’s cool and funny. Actually rather than saying gender roles were reverse, it also seems like a learning experience for FL and ML to learn to establish a relationship of love, trust, and consideration. In the beginning, the FL dominated their relationship. In the middle, the ML dominated their relationship. By the end, they seem to learn none of that mattered. What mattered is that they loved each other.

Art style: At first I found the style gaudy and exaggerated. As I watch, I realize that it’s because the setting is different from other xianxia. I watched a lot of Daoist style xianxia (that has a 天帝, but this one is more Buddhist/Indian style xianxia. I notice the halos, the clothing style called dunhuang, the architecture style of Shangqing God realm. I loved it. It gives the drama a different feel and imbues the drama with a different kind of mystical qualities.

All in all my verdict is that it’s still an awesome drama to watch. The ending was not perfect and it was even slightly disappointing. But the ending doesn’t ruin the overall story. You will definitely enjoy it.

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Amazing cast with near perfect story

If you are too bored to do anything in your life or if you want a break from hectic life schedules, let me tell you this is not the drama you seek,better try a sweet romcom like love is sweet from the same cast. .Kudos to the actors ,they make us connect with the characters effortlessly .We will be so emotionally invested in the main leads and sometimes will even forget that all this is fiction.Plot twists ,blood spills ,cgi ,ost,costumes evrything in this drama is better compared with it's peers.This drama is perfect for those who likes grey shaded characters (personally i hate saints so kind of worked out for me).All i can say is you will be in for a mesmerizing ride . Definitely a worth watch masterpiece.

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Drama is finally here and I am loving it BUT....

It was such a long wait and I must say usually most of the hyped shows do not live upto the expectations as we have seen with many dramas in the past and tbh I was afraid it might go down the same lane after watching the the first episode for few minutes. But thank goodness they didn't stretch that part for long and we jumped into the mortal arc right away. That is where the main story will unfold.

The beginning was little hectic plus waaay too fast that I found myself little overwhelmed with all the fight, death and sacrifice and sinister expression of ML his lackeys. They introduced the main characters way too fast that is what I thought. I couldn't concentrate on anything. From fight to amazing graphics. It was happening too fast for me to process it all. (Some demon or god fight probably, was all in my mind) I did not feel much emotions as characters were dying right off the bat.

Thankfully we came fast in the real part and I could take breather and they explained pretty much every important thing about the earlier fight later on. The show literally turned into something else and I knew with Bailu's comedic expressions that this role is just for her. She nailed her character into this new role while the earlier one just looked like a beautiful doll without much feelings or expressions. (She looked so stiff back then).
We all know both ML and FL will have a great chemistry as the duo already gave us a hit drama in the past. There is no doubt when it comes to their acting. It was flawless like their costume and amazing set design. I loved the music as well. I was little sceptical whether it will be another Love between fairy or Devil but surprisingly it turned out something else. And we got a Devil, conniving and oppressed ML and a kind hearted soul in villainess' bodyas a FL . I am loving ML's evil smirks and expressions and to some extent felt good when he indulged in his revenge. The domestic abuse and bullying can turn anyone into a devil fs.
I am loving it so far. It is not just a cliche story like any other costume drama and I have high hopes now. Check out the drama you won't be disappointed.

PS: At this point I have already started to read the novel while waiting for the new episodes. I can't believe how much they have changed the storyline just to make it more audiance friendly. ML is pure evil and a real psychopath to the core in novel. Xi Wu/ Su su's actions which looked annoying and stupid in some scenes of the drama are actually the original scenes from novel (her character is pretty much same in the novel and drama. On the other hand Tantaijin/ devil lord is the one who is turned more likable in drama. Everyone sympathies with him while watching drama but in the novel you will hate him for sure. Sigh...it is unbearable to some extent. They did a really good job in changing ML's character in a way where we would love him and obviously Luo Yunxi's acting is amazing. I really don't like the way they are editing the episodes especially in the later parts. It is so weird and certain parts are not making much sense due to the episode limit. They are rushing really badly because they need to finish the story within few episodes. I really hate this episode limitation thing for real.
PS II: DRAMA ENDED on a cryptic note just as we all feared. After this I don't think I have much expectations from Xianxia dramas. Every good show ends up in the same way. I had to change my ratings. just because of the editing. Whoever does the editing in this show... *I am coming for ya*. Worse edited show ever. Rushed ending with crappy editing completely ruined it all (for me atleast). I would suggest people to go watch Love is sweet after finishing this and imagine it as their modern reincarnation to soothe your heart.

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I just want to give our demon fetus a hug

I'm watching on YOUKU. I was waiting for Netflix France but still no release date and since I follow many social media c-dramas and k-dramas, I started encountering spoilers. Now, I'm just waiting for the final 2 episodes on Tuesday.
I'm a fan of Xantia and Wuxia genres in general and was patiently waiting for a new blockbuster. TTEOTM does not disappoint. However, the trauma in this story is heart wenching. I find myself wanting to become the Demon God just to avenge the ML. That's how frustrating this series is on the mind. Luckily, there are bits of love crumbs sprinkled throughout to heal but then bam! -the wounds are reopened. The character development is well written even for minor characters. The costumes including the hairstyles for the different timelines and different clans are spectacular and are a step up from typical Xantia with more colors, textures, and even braids. I love the chemistry between the couples.
I'm hoping and holding out for a pure happy ending for both our leads since I think they both deserve it after ALL OF THIS TRAUMA and it seems the main message is that only you can truly say who you are inside despite the hand you're delt (fate). Although, there is still plenty of room in the last 2 episodes for a typical bittersweet or even 100% tragic ending.
I could not give it 10 stars because some of the editing is wonky starting from episode 30ish. There are times where the actors are either teleporting between scenes or some characters and their stories have just been dropped between timelines. (Yes, I know about the 40 ep law but I feel some of the repetitive lines or redundant thoughts could have been removed to keep or clôture other character arcs.)
*PS: I've really appreciate the extra production videos on YOUKU. Everyone seems to really enjoyed making this series and the direction seem very kind and even open to suggestions. I watch these when waiting for new episodes.

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A drama worth rewatching and naturally will get you binging.

I started the year binging some amazing cdramas from last year (like Love between Fairy and Devil, Who Rules the World, Love like the galaxy and The Starry Love) and I was looking for something good in the xianxia genre that could live up to my high expectations after having watched those dramas (and starting but not continuing some other ones because they didn't have the same grip those did).

When I started Till the end of the moon I was confused and thought the first episode was a bit too packed (both with info and action), but still wanted to keep watching. I actually plan to rewatch/binge this sometime this year to see if binge watching makes any difference in my opinion, as supposed to watching arc by arc as I did now.

The costumes are AMAZING, special effects are also on point, but costumes and make-up had me in awe. I LOVE LOVE Sangjiu's glittery makeup and hair decorations as the clam princess.

Storywise it keeps you wondering. In the beginning it had me thinking "how is this enemies to lovers type of situation going to work out?", since there didn't seem to be any basis for them to even like, let alone love each other. However things slowly work out and it's both beautiful and sad.
I'd have loved it if there were more episodes to explore the relationship between the FL and ML, as well as the other couples.

The chemistry between the couples was so good. It might have been short but I loved the little break from all the misunderstandings between the FL and ML (as Li Susu and Cang Jiumin) and the honest talk, communication is truly beautiful! The second best couple for me is Ye Qingyu and Pian Ran, if there was a sequel of these two I'd definitely watch it! The courageous, supportive man who's also a fool in love and the cute fox that always teases him but has deep scars of her own🥰🥺 (Their relationship was probably the healthiest one too, as compared to the other two couples)

I rated the music 9.5 because it was good and the lyrics were fitting of the scenes but it didn't always have the impact I wanted it to have, especially in certain scenes where it could have been sadder and conveyed the emotions better.

I cried a lot watching this, I was also frustrated one too many times with all the lies and misunderstandigs...but those are things I expect from this genre anyway.

I liked how the show went with "no-one is purely evil", our protagonist might have been destined to be so but eventually chose his own destiny.

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