This review may contain spoilers
They know they love each other
This drama is slow at first, so you might want to watch it at 1.5 or 2x speed.There are many beautiful shots in this drama, making it feels really nice to watch.
The ending is kinda sad, but logical, so be prepared. I read the reviews and knew it was sad so i was fine watching this drama till the end. Make sure you watch the extra scene after the credit section at the end of eps 32, and you might feel a bit of a relief and maybe see a happy ending for the 2 characters.
Fl and ml never get the chance to properly say they love the other person BUT their actions throughout the whole drama show that they do, and they know how the other party feels :)
No misunderstandings in the show, which is good.
The drama main theme isnt about love, but many other things in life - its about hope, about how to let go of the past and move on in life.
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Time waits for no one ... especially in love
I had put this off for a while, glad I was able to watch it. Even though I didn't know what to expect, I was surprised and engaged for the whole series.The story is such an apt one about the presumptions we can have about time, especially time we have with those we love.
A swordsman and his responsibilities, a female doctor with a selfless drive fall in love amidst snow and wine.
The lead actors carried this love story well and allow the viewers to feel their longing and heartbreak. Even the supporting characters were well portrayed. The series is not perfect with some plot holes, but overall quite enjoyable.
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This review may contain spoilers
Final Review: A story of longing, things that could have been, and the pain in letting go.
Snowy Night Timeless Love is a beautiful, albeit tragic story of people who were formed, twisted, and fucked up due to their tragic pasts and those who exploited them. It is full of broken characters who you'll fall for anyway and a romance that feels like two souls constantly longing for each other. It's beautiful and heartbreaking but overall enjoyable.
(That is, if you can ignore the fact that the female lead lied to the male lead for EIGHT YEARS and caused him to risk his life and nearly die several times while searching for the ingredients she claimed she needed to save the male lead's sick nephew. Which was a lie.)
Pros:
- A gorgeous main couple who play quiet longing really well. It's a slow, gradual falling in love and at the end both seem to recognize their feelings but are terrified to admit to them because they, though the female lead especially, know their time may be fleeting.
- A whole lot of whump. If you're here for beautiful people suffering, spitting up blood, and then getting saved by other beautiful people? THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU. The male lead especially keeps on almost dying and has to be nursed back to health by the female lead at least half a dozen times altogether. Hell, she finds him passed out in the snow after he comes back with one of her ingredients at least three times. It's amazing.
And that's not even including her saving Miao Feng (and getting saved by him) or Ming Jie. They really got mileage out of her being the most skilled doctor alive.
- So many shades of grey. There's white snow everywhere, but when it comes to the characters very few of them are either good or evil. At the very end you even feel bad for Chang Jue's minions - though not him.
- This story is tragic at times. Be prepared to cry.
Cons:
- Personally I thought Huo Zhanbai responded shockingly well to finding out Xue Ziye lied to him for EIGHT YEARS, because if I found out the love of my life had been sending me on incredibly dangerous fools' errands that had me on death's door several times, I'd have left her to freeze in that Valley of hers. 'She saved me so many times.' Yes. From injuries you sustained while searching for her bullshit ingredients.
- If you want instant chemistry and a fiery romance, this is not the show for you. There are lingering glances and a whole lot of promises, but it's all understated and builds gradually.
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The Many Loves of Dr. Qin Medicine Woman (9.3 out of 10)
1. I'm absolutely stunned by the green screen visuals. I mean I know it's 'fake' but it doesn't scream it. And since it's a fable it's okay if it looks storybook-ish. Obviously they're using some ginormous green screen action but sometimes I'm wondering if they're using that wall of TVs tech too. I normally don't care about visuals over story, but in this case it's worth mentioning.2. I also normally don't comment on the fight scenes either, since they can come off as so generic. There were not a lot of fights in this series but I really enjoyed each and every one of them. If I ever rewatched this series I'd look forward to them.
3. This is my fourth Li Qin drama. She was fantastic as the Han woman in RUYI, forgettable as chicken leg girl in JOY OF LIFE (Season 1), wonderful in YOUTH MEMORIES, but s-t-e-l-la-r here. Her always understated performances come to life here when extreme situations finally push out her emotions.
4. Our FL has a 'cold disease' and must stay out of the cold, yet her entire life is spent in cold, kneeling on the ice -- you name it. I'm amazed they don't show her eating ice cream inside a fridge. Viewers must ignore this extremely confusing element or risk losing their mind.
5. SNOWY NIGHTS is the definition of LESS IS MORE. It doesn't need 100 characters and as many plot twists. It's a clean perfect narrative with no clutter. It is aimed directly at people who cherish the journey instead of the destination. If you've ever once fast forwarded thru any C-Drama, feel free to skip this one and especially avoid reviewing it. That said --
6. -- in the last third of the series the show becomes obsessed with it's own songs. They're nice songs, don't get me wrong, but they plays them way too often towards the series finale, rendering minutes of each episode as 'music videos' filler.
Not to mention (but I will) it's INSANELY distracting/annoying to have vocalists singing while characters are speaking. I've seen many Broadway musicals and not once do they have characters speaking WHILE the chorus is singing. This one element took two tenths off of my review score alone. But I have to admit --
-- I loved the closing credits song. And like REBEL PRINCESS, I was once again stunned by who was actually singing this song.
7. So although the show slows down a little in the last third, at least this show doesn't commit the dreaded Chinese Drama Cliche: another ending. Most C-Dramas seem to end the story, and then -- end it a second time. I honestly can't figure out what so many of these series end twice, but SNOWY NIGHTS does what every drama should do and simply end ONCE.
8. The first shortcoming I can really name is our ML, Joseph Zeng. There's nothing really wrong with him, but he's just a little too boyish 'perfect' to resonate as real. I picture a warrior like this rougher around the edges, more like a cleaned up 'Eye'.
I don't hate our male lead, but I don't hang on his words like a Wallace Huo or Huang Xuan. I'd have loved a reunion with Xiao Zhan if they wanted such a boyish face. I will say Zeng ripens after the halfway mark. Perhaps he was trying to show that 8 years had passed on his journey from young man to man? I'll say this ladies: my wife thought he was super cute.
9. I'm hearing people here trash the villains. Hmm. I guess you could say they're not as villainous as you'd expect, but I kinda like that their leader looks like a college art teacher (lol), and one of his disciples is always eeriely smiling.
The weakest villain is the Lady in Red is not much more than... a stylish Lady in Red. (Her character rounds itself out towards the series end, but it's kinda late. We needed better hints about her past.)
Weak too is the comic relief fat dude doesn't seem like a believably evil member of this clan. It would only make sense if the gang resented him but kept him around because they loved his cooking. (Well they have to eat!)
Eye seems to be the only monster in the clan besides the leader. Every drama has a lesser known actor who steals the show. Eye is this character and I can't wait for the right lead role to come his way. I'm concerned that I recently learned his voice was dubbed, suggesting a pretty boy lacking proper vocal talent? I hope that dubbing goes away in time.
10. This is not a story set in realism, and so understand it's really a parable on the topic of sacrifice. If you don't accept this, our ML's heroic quest becomes impossible to understand. (Would you keep risking your life as he does for the reason he does?) The theme of sacrifice echoes in Li Qin as well, which produces not one -- not two -- but three examples of selfless love.
Cliche love is about marriage and children. Not everyone goes down that path, sorry. If your heart and soul need to be reminded of humanity now and again -- this series does it ---
SPOILERS below SPOILERS below SPOILERS
-- without one kiss.
And now some comments on some sloppiness by this series --
1. One reason I dislike fantasy stories (vs. science fiction) is that it can be license for LAAAAZZZZZYYYY writing. In Ep 26 our ML's bird flies into the valley and Granny needs to ask it a question. Up to this point it hasn't been established that our ML can truly converse with his bird, never mind a stranger that says 'chirp once' if you like potato chips and 'chirp twice' if you don't. WRONG, UNACCEPTABLE, I'm docking the series a tenth of a point just for this one moment.
2.. I gather the ML's Master was recast unless I missed something. Or written out. A bit awkward in such a short series.
3. . In the battle between Eye and his master, three golden needles are popped out. But certainly we just watched Dr. Qin Medicine Woman pull those same needles out some episodes back. WTH?
4. What happened to the bird?
5. Are you the type of reader who skips thru stories and skim's long reviews like this. If you are, you missed the hidden scene after the final credits in the final episode. If you've read these words and missed it, this is your reward for reading this far.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sad and frustrating.
This drama was an exercise in frustration. While I am not inherently opposed to sad endings, the absence of a single kiss or a heartfelt declaration between the main leads felt profoundly unjust. The narrative seemed to revel in the cruelty of ill-timed moments. He arrived too late to save the child, and the aurora borealis graced the sky only after they chose not to wait any longer. The scene where she is brought home, still clinging to life, and they cross paths without recognizing each other was a masterstroke of poignant despair. The performances were stellar, and the visual artistry was breathtaking. Yet, to deny them even a final moment to bid farewell was nothing short of heartbreaking.Was this review helpful to you?
A Moment of Warmth that Transcends Time and Space
Snowy Night: Timeless Love portrays its title quite literally throughout the show. It was a poignant journey that stirred my feelings all the way through.The story may seem a bit redundant and conventional, but for a person like me, who loves delving into the crevices of characters and extracting the essence of their core, this show completely satisfied that need.
At the beginning, I didn’t fully comprehend the director’s message, yet now it’s clear before me. This show is about people with obsessions, characters filled with nostalgia, longing for family, and burdened with homesickness. It is a complex work, as the director poured sweat and tears into weaving masterful character arcs.
The characterization was what hooked me until the end. All the characters were obsessed — if I may say so — each with a family he or she could not attain or save. Even the villains wanted to belong, which brings in another theme the director was trying to convey: Where do estranged humans belong? What is belonging? And how does it feel not to belong? We were offered several answers to these questions through the estranged characters who clung to the faint hope that they could save their beloved, but sigh...
Cinematography was a great metaphor that depicted the duality of the protagonists relationship, this snowy cold scenery was a symbolism of the timelessness of their love, its destiny of never being fulfilled, and more of that this natural atmosphere of snow was a mirror into the inner turmoil of each character. The camera choices of long shots in the snow depicts how each soul is roaming isolated cold and hopeless.
As a Film production student I want to say a quote by my dr.: " to create unconventional narratives one should create a conventional narrative and infuse it with originality" and this show translated this phrase verbatim. they transformed this superficial story into a spiritual emotional ride.
This show, as I said in the comments, is like a poem. It lingers, because as the title says, it’s timeless. The romance line was undefined, which exposed me "at least" to many models of love. I initially started this expecting melancholic love story "and it was", yet now I’m overflowing with emotions, because this love is epic. The whole series is a mystical odyssey that genuinely left me in awe.
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A Letter To Zang Bai (ML) From ZiYe (FL) ?
Dear ZANG BAI!Hope you are okay, being busy with the Sword sect works. You know It's snowing again, another mid autumn festival had passed, another new year eve just gone. I was missing the red sweets this year. You said you will arrange the village party again, so I'm really counting on it.
I have kept 2 big jar of your favourite wine, buried under the tree. And for me I'm waiting for our next wine session.
I'am waiting for the night to see the aurora, you promised me to take me to the top of the mountain when you will come next.
I think i have found good prescription to heal myself from my cold sickness. So next time it will not be impossible for me to travel far away as i haven’t done this due to my cold weakness since childhood.
All the girls and Old Aunt, from Mountain Valley are doing fine. They said they also missed you. They might be get used to you fooling around, living and eating free in the Valley for the last 8 years. They always asked if you are doing any other dangerous missions, risking your life.
People of the valley always pray for your health. You know it had always been a hassel for my people to treat your sever injuries. You kept them busy all along.
The wooden hairpin fits perfectly - everyone said.
Till we met again, keep yourself warm and void risking your life, and I'll be grateful if you come uninjured next time.
Yours, XUE ZIYE 🌿
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A classic tale of emotions in the majestic SNOW!!
This is probably the first time I am really impressed with the snow backdrop in which the drama is presented to us.Plot-The show is all about Huo Zhanbai,a martial artist from the Sword sect and Xue Ziye,who fall in love after Zhanbai insists the chief of Apothecary valley to treat his martial brother son who suffers from an incurable disease.Their relationship grows stronger over the eight years ,which Zhanbai spend to gather 5 rare herbs for the treatment.
Pros-I would really give a thumbs up to the snow scenery and background.It was serene,calm,impressive,classical,in my opinion.
Probably,if not for the snow backdrop as the main premise,this drama would be a regular watchable one.But,the ice theme has definitely elevated the mood and made it much more beautiful.I really loved the sceneries.They were perfect.I must say the snow scenery is the biggest asset of this drama.Never knew snow could be so beautiful!!!
Action-All the actors were good.Li Qin,Joseph Zeng,Wang Hongyi,Jenny Zeng,Edward Chen and Kim Jin were perfect in their characters.All.the other cast were also good.A special mention of Kim Jin and his acting ability.He was the perfect villain in this beautiful snow.His action was top notch.
Music, costumes, sets, locations,plot, screenplay,pace,everything were good.There were no deviations from the main plot.
I suggest to watch this timeless, emotional,classical love set in a snowy valley and a snowy night!!
A must watch drama if you like dramas withba classical touch!!
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Beautiful drama! Amazing cinematography and acting
This was beautiful, I could watch it just for the cinematography, it blow me away.The actors are great, every feeling and emotions greatly represented. It was a joy to watch.
The story is pretty interesting and consistent. I know it can be repetitive (his search and constantly being healed by her), but it was enough for me, much better than those confusing dramas with messy plots. The beginning of the story is more active, but the rest of it have such interesting pace, is lovely to what their feelings deepen, their live obsessions change, the importance of very little moment together. If you appreciate a poetic life of honor and commitment, this drama is for you.
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The farwell of snow (Snowy Night Timeless Love)
I start to watch this drama, In ep 1, in my opinion, Huo Zhan Bai is too pushy and disrespectful of the Medicine Valley's rules. Therefore, he has no respect for himself, as such, would be unable to earn the respect of Ziye (Owner of the Medicine Valley). In my opinion, the love story between them is unsustainable.Was this review helpful to you?
Ver hasta el final de los creditos del capitulo 32
Una serie trágica sin desencuentros, excepto en los capítulos finales. Eso si, se me hizo un poco lenta y pesada, en ciertas partes aburrida porque la sentía repetitiva. Me llamo mucho la atención que excepto por la primera vez y no recuerdo si segunda o tercera, que jamas nunca se mostró como, donde y a que se enfrento el ML para encontrar los ingredientes de la receta para Mo, quizás por eso no hubo tantas escenas de acción.... Ya de camino con el ingrediente siempre sucedía lo mismo.... si se entendió que le llevo casi 8 años...Este tipo de series no es de mi favoritas porque luego termino con un nudo en la garganta en los episodios finales y tampoco me agradan mucho los personajes que se muestran débiles muy seguido. Así y todo por costumbre veo las cosas hasta el final, sino, no puedo tener una conclusión...
Sin embargo, me gustaron mucho los ideales y la manera de transmitir enseñanzas o conocimiento de FL usando la ironía y las mentiras piadosas, a pesar de esto era un personaje que sentí que si bien era obstinado con respectos algunos puntos, también era muy racional y maduro en cuanto al tema de los rencores perdidas y el pasado para encontrar la paz simplemente en la búsqueda de la verdad sanear las perdidas y reconciliarse con el presente. También me gusto que para planificar no era impulsiva, excepto cuando le caía algún paciente, ahí si que no podía con ella misma, es decir con su genio....
En cuanto a escenografía, producción, tomas y efectos no me pareció muy buena la serie, solo vi dedicación en todo lo que sucedía en el Valle de los Boticarios y la mayoría de las cosas transcurren allí, pero el resto estuvo bastante descuidado como cuando corre el caballo con la avalancha detrás, hubo un problemas de proporciones que hizo que se viera para nada real la escena.... también la escenografía de varios lugares estuvo bastante floja.... Y así vi varias cosas bastante descuidadas....
El vestuario modesto, pero lindo.
La música a mi personalmente no me gusto y hasta aveces me pareció muy repetitiva....
No volvería a verla
Sobre el final de los créditos en la capitulo 32, no me quedo muy clara la intención.... quizás para a los espectadores....
En resumen, creo que el punto mas fuerte esta serie es el reparto de los actores, su actuación y lo que pretende dejar la historia al publico, pero aun así me sigo preguntando como se hubiera visto si no flaqueara en otros aspectos. Porque me lleva a pensar que si tenia un libro que no estaba mal y buenos actores, se trabajo con el Valle de los boticarios, pero que paso con el resto... es como si no se le hubiera puesto atención o dado importancia...
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