Moonlight Mystique

A Compelling Tale About Love That Transcends Beyond The Moon

"Moonlight Mystique" adapted from the novel titled 'Bai Shuo Shang Shen' which translates to "Chasing The Moon" is a xianxia drama that stands out because of its unique elements, leading for an unforgettable watch that certainly leaves a mark of its own. The drama delves not just into the main leads core but it weaves a series of stories together bringing out different degrees of emotions. While swirling on these emotions, the visually colorful cinematography, set design, and distinct character costumes accompanied by addictive OSTs formulates for an enthralling experience.

The heart of Moonlight Mystique lies in its tale about a love that transcends beyond the moon. It takes you to dive deep into a journey which highlights the unspeakable power of the intangible vastness of love in its variousness ; may it be friendship love, familial love, romantic love or self-love, no matter what shape or form, in the end it truly is love that conquers all.

STORYLINE₊ ⊹❀
The drama begins with an eye-catching animation to introduce the main characters which has never been done in a xianxia genre drama before. I found such creative presentation to be captivating that it drew me over instantly. The story takes its first step when a mortal named Bai Shuo who had spent her entire childhood seeking ways to become an immortal out of gratitude for her benefactor met the Demon King of the Bright Moon Palace, Fan Yue who is well-known for his viciousness and feared by many. The supposed simple interaction between the two unexpectedly turned into a complicated entanglement because of the sudden activation of the contemplation stone which later led to a tragic event that turned Bai Shuo's initial reason for seeking immortality into revenge.

The notable early setup of angst in the story left an impact for its great execution of emotions across the screen. The drama definitely made a strong start. As Bai Shuo and Fan Yue ventures out to different places in search for the remaining contemplations, the story flows more progressively leaving no room for dullness as every episode is packed with multiple events. The utilization of backstories for each character that both Bai Shuo and Fan Yue encounters speaks about the stark contrast between the colorful and vibrant visual presentation of each scene to how the narrative of the story actually leaps into a complete emotional roller coaster ride. At first it might seem underwhelming since these backstories are merely about the supporting characters, however they added depth into the story because of how they seamlessly tie into the main plot.

As the drama moves to the second half, the core essence of the story which lies in the contemplation stone unfolds its edge to be the love story between the main characters and their intertwined fate. I thought that the romantic development of Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's relationship was really well-written. I love the gradual transition of their relationship from not having trust and merely using each other into forming a tacit-understanding and strong affection for each other. What makes it even more interesting is how Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's relationship is depicted to be a healthy bond where they communicate and consistently trust one another, giving no opportunity for any misunderstandings - it greatly highlights the dramas uniqueness as a xianxia. Moreover, the execution of the main characters romantic and intimate scenes was done in an exceptionally beautiful way that they made for a memorable moment. The romance aspect between the main couple is definitely one of the dramas outstanding point. Opposite to the main couples dynamic is the toxic type of bond between the second leads, Fu Ling and Chong Zhao. Although I wasn't completely invested in their love story as I found the romantic development between them to be weak, they still are an entertaining pair.

The unexpected plot twist about the characters connection with each other and their cohesively written backstories for these connections allowed viewers to easily step into each of these characters point of views - the unlikable characters were no exception. They laid out this aspect of the drama properly that the initial judgement for a character can turn into empathy and sympathy once their past is revealed. It makes viewers connect with the characters they least expect to connect with. Apart from Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's growth throughout their journey after facing countless of challenges and setbacks together, the supporting characters, even the antagonist Fu Ling and Chen Ye were given evident character development too. The character development is flawless and satisfyingly done. As for the well built foundation for the redemption arc of the main characters siblings, it resulted into justifiable outcomes. No character death was left to be in vain as they were in time proven to serve their own purpose and meaning. These elements proved to be the dramas other strengths as well.

The best and most intense part of the story was saved for the last - the God Arc. This arc only took a few episodes to be told but it can be considered as a spotlight stealer for how impressively intriguing the romantic tale of Xing Yue and Jing Yuan was. This revelation nearing the end about their tragic past being the reason for their intertwined fate enhanced the love story between Bai Shuo and Fan Yue, it made their story more enriched and profound as it showed the limitless and unconditional love they have for each other that it transcended through lifetimes. The ending was wrapped up with no loose ends. When the present Bai Shuo and Fan Yue faced these tragic fate again, this time they were given a better ending for their story because of how great their love for each other is. I thought their love story perfectly answers the question: "what would you do for love?". The special episode provided made the conclusion of the ending of their story even more significant. I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

I had no problem with the colorful cinematography and CGI effect of the drama. It is aesthetically pleasing and further makes Moonlight Mystique stand out on its own. The well-detailed costumes and carefully coordinated color schemes that were tailored very distinctively to suit each character in the drama deserves praise for how gorgeous they turned out to be and fits all the casts visuals well. Certainly these elements had played a part in making the drama even more captivating.

CHARACTERS & ACTING₊ ⊹❀
Bai Lu as Bai Shuo | Xing Yue
Bai Shuo was initially a flawed character who was stubborn and lacks understanding of others because she grew up pampered by her father's love. Her formed beliefs and views about the world were limited as her experiences only came from the fictional books that she reads. She later learned the harsh realities and hard truth when great pain was implanted in her heart. After experiencing countless of tragedies and obstacles during her journey to seek revenge, she begins to grow into a very admirable character. She later became more mature and powerful as each collection of a new contemplation became an enlightenment for her. Her true strength lies in her unwavering determination, resilience and perseverance. No matter what situation came her way, she faced them bravely. Even if she knows there is no path for her to take, she doesn't back down but instead creates her own path. She is a strong and smart female lead.

Xing Yue on the other hand is the powerful goddess of the stars and moon, she wields the divine bow which is deemed to be the most powerful weapon in the entire divine realm. She served as its main protector and the reason why there was peace that existed during those times. Although she is immensely powerful, the expense for her strength is that she is devoid of all her emotions making her live a lifeless life with a cold and unapproachable exterior. Her greatest catastrophe was when she learned how to love and be loved. Xing Yue and Bai Shuo have their differences but their bravery and great love speaks for both their characters.

Bai Lu brilliantly shined in her acting performance for how magnificently she portrayed her character as Bai Shuo and Xing Yue. Her acting is very convincing and allows viewers to connect with her emotions as she effortlessly executed these emotions through her facial expressions and eyes. Furthermore, the fact that she had dubbed her own characters voice had totally enriched her delivery as these emotions are prominent even in her voice. She definitely acted the life out of her characters. More of her versatility as an actress was showcased in this drama through her different roles, from being A Wu, Xing Yue or even the body swap with Luan Zhu. Her talent and skills in acting is definitely worthy of recognition and praise.

Ao Rui Peng as Fan Yue | Jing Yuan
Fan Yue is a character with a tragic past who chose to create a facade of being vicious in order to protect himself. His strong determination to seek revenge resulted in his early success of becoming the Demon King of the Bright Moon Palace. He managed to achieve such a feat by cultivating a secret technique, however attaining its power came with a price which he paid for. In the beginning, Fan Yue seemed aloof who had no care for worldly affairs except for his own personal goals. It was through his constant interaction with Bai Shuo that showed more about his character. He had never hesitated in saving her whenever she is in trouble regardless if he was merely just using her. He showed outmost care for Bai Shuo and became someone who guided her along their journey. His character embodies cleverness, maturity, wise views and kindness although the trait that made him stand out more is his selfless acts and selfless love.

Jing Yuan is a powerful demon lord who ruled in the light of the purple moon, he disguised himself as a divine attendant in order to steal the divine bow. Upon his supposed quest, he fell in love with Xing Yue. He willingly spent 100 years together with Xing Yue. When a rift was formed between them, he never grew to actually hate Xing Yue. His love for her was very deep and pure that even after his own demise, he still found ways to search for her remaining pieces. Contrary to Fan Yue's seriousness, Jing Yuan is a much more playful character but both of them align when it comes to their selflessness, they would willingly do everything for the person they love even at the expense of their own life.

Ao Rui Peng's potrayal of Fan Yue and Jing Yuan had proven how he was made for this role. His acting ability is praise worthy. I found no problems with his acting performance as he delivered his characters well. What I loved most about his performance is his ability to form an evident distinct contrast between the two characters he played - it clearly felt like it was acted by different actors. He owns characters with playful traits but no doubt the ones with seriousness suits him a lot too. It has been a long time since I had last watched him act on screen, I am proud to see his growth and improvement as an actor through this drama.

Dai Lu Wa as Fu Ling | Bai Xi
Fu Ling is one of the antagonist who loyally serves and follows Zhen Yu's orders. She is a vile villain who ruthlessly kills without a single hesitation as she finds enjoyment rather than remorse in killing. Her character has made countless of unjustifiable and viscous acts that it is understandable if viewers find her unlikable and irredeemable. Towards the end of the drama upon the revelation of her true identity and past life, it was only then that her character was able to show remorse.

Dai Lu Wa did a commendable job in her acting performance as Fu Ling. I thought she shined more in her role as a villain compared to a good role like Bai Xi. The fact alone that she was able to make viewers dislike her character shows how she convincingly played her role.

Chang Hua Sen as Chong Zhao | Mo Li
Chong Zhao is a righteous character who seeks justice without hesitation, one thing about him though is his selfishness and prejudice against other races. In his eyes, it is only the eternals that makes for the good while the rest can be nothing but evil. His views are often corrupt and his ways of saving a loved one can be seen to be rather for selfish motives as he can easily put aside the rest on the line - including Bai Shuo's father who raised him - for the sake of fulfilling his goals. His character came off as hypocritical in earlier episodes for how he constantly fails to understand Bai Shuo. Some can find his character to be annoying although eventually he did have a character development, his prejudice was dissolved and he was able to grasp a better view about the so-called eternals he thinks highly of.

Chang Hua Sen didn't disappoint with his acting and similarly, I thought that he shined more as Mo Li a villain compared to his character as Chong Zhao. I was able to see more of his facial expressions through his portrayal of Mo Li and it certainly left an impression.

Others
Liang Xue Feng portrayal of Chen Ye and Qi Feng had caught my attention. He did a wonderful job especially in his emotional scenes with Fan Yue. Quan Yi Lun as Rong Xian and Zuo Ye as A Qi didn't fall behind for their noticeable delivery of emotions too.

OSTs₊ ⊹❀
The songs were no doubt mesmerizing and emotionally evoking. The maximize usage of Sa Ding Ding's ost "Flowers Fall With No Trace" to every angsty, sad, or tragic scenes helped heightened the delivery of emotions in those scenes making it even more painful and heart wrenching to watch. Her vocals held so much power and feelings that I easily connected with her song. Zhou Shen's ost "Embrace and Never Let Go" left a lingering impact and surely carried out the main couples love for each other across the screen for how sweetly and prettily it was sang.

OVERALL IMPRESSION₊ ⊹❀
Moonlight Mystique is a xianxia drama like no other, the different elements it had brought out clearly left a new experience for this type of genre. The stunning tale about the unconditional and boundless love between Bai Shuo and Fan Yue - even Xing Yue and Jing Yuan, had left a great impact for how profound it was written. It is also refreshing to see this type of romantic relationship between the main characters in this genre, this drama proved that it can still tell a compelling story without the need for unnecessary misunderstandings.

The undeniable chemistry between Bai Lu and Ao Rui Peng is certainly impressive. All the actors and crew involved in this has done a splendid job, the efforts and hard work they put into creating this drama definitely did not go to waste. The whole journey has been absolutely worthwhile.

FAVE SCENES₊ ⊹❀
- Jing Yuan's majestic entrance when he descended down the purple moon
- Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's first meeting at the Unbridled Pavillion
- The story about Rong Xian and Ling Long inside the resentment arc
- Fan Yue's amnesia that turned him into the adorable 'Mu Mu'
- Every scene of Bai Shuo when a new contemplation is being collected
- Bai Shuo wearing a red hanfu fighting against Zhen Yu
- Bai Shuo and Bai Xi's reunion
- Qi Feng's fist bump on Fan Yue's chest during his last moment
- Entire romantic moment between Fan Yue and Bai Shuo
- The story of Xing Yue and Jing Yuan

˖ . ݁❀𝜗𝜚❀. ݁₊

"May I be like the stars and you like the moon. As long as the world remains, so shall we" — Bai Shuo

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THE most healthiest and Best Xianxia Main CP! Totally worth the journey in the end!

Moonlight Mystique is among one of the anticipated drama's I have been wanting to watch, since I know this is adapted from the novel which is part of the trilogy/spinoff that focused on Tian Qi and Yuemi love story from Ancient Love Poetry (Shang Gu Novel). After watching this drama as a whole, I can tell you that Moonlight Mystique has the least(almost-to-none) connection to Ancient Love Poetry, so this can be regarded as a standalone drama/story featuring Fan Yue/Jing Yuan and Bai Shuo/Xing Yue.

So you don't really need to watch Ancient Love Poetry to understand the backstory since it was changed completely. MM doesn't feature the god realm, and has no relation/connection to the original backstory for Tian Qi and Yuemi in Ancient Love Poetry.

Instead of the God Realm(ALP), in MM, this was changed to the 3 Divine Realm: Lunar (Govern by Goddess Xing Yue), Demon (Govern by Demon God Jing Yuan) and Hidden (Govern by the Hidden God Mo Li).

Before Jing Yuan and Xing Yue backstory was revealed, I didn't know it would be like this out of all my speculation, but it actually turned out to be so different than what I imagined their backstory to be like. I really love the playful and silly side to Jing Yuan from back then (60,000 years ago), because one way or another, I still like to find some references that will tie back to his original character in ALP (Tian Qi). So with this being said, I am glad his character somewhat stayed true in that sense that Jing Yuan is not afraid to confess his love/feelings to the woman he loves, in this case it is Xing Yue and I love that. In it's originality, Tian Qi is someone who will choose to protect the woman he loves first before the three realms. He would go that far to just protect that one person. I'm glad to see that Fan Yue/Jing Yuan is the same, in that sense where he will always choose to protect Bai Shuo/Xing Yue first. These are traits and qualities that I'm glad they kept to the original in MM.

But in MM, I am glad that we get to see that this is being directed at someone like Bai Shuo who can return his love equally. He deserves to be love. They both deserve their happy ever after at the end of all this. I am glad they got this happy ending in the end.

The God Realm is my favourite arc, although it was short but their backstory truly touched my heart and made me fell in love with Jing Yuan and Xing Yue back story.

Even when the story to MM was changed completely from their original backstory for Tian Qi and Yuemi, please don't let this discouraged you from watching Moonlight Mystique though, because I can assure you that the journey for our beloved main character: Fan Yue and Bai Shuo and this beautiful pairing is very worth it in the end!

While from ALP fans perspective (since I am also ALP fan), I get why fans want some form of connection back to the original story too. Since that is where their backstory started.

But from the writing perspective, for fans who never got exposed to their backstory and watch this as a standalone, they probably don't want to see Jing Yuan(Tian Qi) loving someone else in the past and Xing Yue(Yue Mi) being hurt by this unrequited love in the process.

To me, the change has its pros and cons. The change was done better for Tian Qi part for me but cant say the same for Yuemi with what was portrayed in their backstory revealed as Xing Yue and Jing Yuan in the past. Since Yuemi will never hurt Tian Qi on her end. But as we have seen from their past; despite they love each other, they cannot be together, and this leads to their tragic ending, which is very sad. I love how they made it clear/explained that Jing Yuan have been searching for Xing Yue on his end, and I find their story to be somewhat bittersweet in that sense. I actually wrote up my feelings in this thread in here, if you're interested in reading: https://kisskh.at/discussions/zhu-yue/134640-jing-yuan-and-xing-yue-ending-contain-spoilers

With that being said, I will add this part to my review as well, I remember when this drama(MM) started airing, I told my online friend about it, since we both like Tian Qi and Yuemi story in Ancient Love Poetry, and we were talking about the cast selection. When I shared this to my online friend about the actress Bai Lu in this drama; he made a comment saying if I can still watch Bai Lu? Since he knows how I feel about her, and if I am going to be honest with you, her character Li Su Su in Till the end of the Moon had really traumatized me to the point there was a period of time, I cannot watch any of her drama's at all. I remember back then(when MM was still airing in the early episodes) my reply to my online friend was: "At the end, Bai Lu can either have two outcome for me, she either will go into my blacklist if she turned out to be another character I don't like in this one by traumatizing me once again, OR her character in this drama (Moonlight Mystique) will heal my previous trauma of her character in Till the End of the Moon. So in the end, what I can say is, I am glad I gave her this benefit of the doubt, while it is true that I started off neutral with her, but her character growth/journey and her portrayal in Bai Shuo or Xing Yue had really won me over and made me became a fan of her as the story progresses, although I love Bai Shuo better because her character is written more to the way of my liking. Bai Lu have done an excellent job bringing out the character: Bai Shuo and Xing Yue to life. I like how she played out the emotional scenes, and her crying scenes didn't feel force but genuine. I like that because it makes it more impactful when I watch those scenes.

As for Male lead actor goes, I have never seen Ao Rui Peng in another drama before, and the irony was while I have watched a few episodes of Blood of Youth back then, his character didn't stand out to me in that drama, BUT him portraying as Fan Yue and Jing Yuan is just on another level!!! Love him and his make up/costume in this drama. He looks so cool/handsome and especially with the purple shades in his hair when he played as Jing Yuan (The Demon God)!!! Ao Rui Peng whether he is Fan Yue or Jing Yuan, he is very good at playing out these emotional scenes as well. He also has a very passionate chemistry with Bai Shuo/Xing Yue (played by Bai Lu). I love all their screen time together onscreen, and their interactions is just a delight to watch, even at the beginning! There is never a boring moment when they're onscreen! They are definitely noted down as my favourite couple of all time, as a matter of fact, I think I am bumping Fan Yue and Bai Shuo up as my no.1 favourite Xianxia CP!

When it comes to pairing side of things, I don't think I have ever encountered a pairing that is this healthy, what I mean by healthy is... Both Fan Yue and Bai Shuo, they have communication, they will talk it out and not let it lead to any miscommunication or misunderstanding between them. Communication is the key!!! And Bai Shuo and Fan Yue have this and I am really thankful that they are consistent with this to the end from their characters. This is really refreshing to see, and I really love it. It makes them stand out to be the most well written pairing that have communication that work through things together. Not to mention they definitely have chemistry as a pairing!! Their Kiss scenes makes me blush and I am glad we got these beautiful scenes for our beloved pairing!

Xianxia is my favourite genre, but if I am going to be honest here, how I feel about xianxia in the overall have been disappointing as time goes by in terms of having a promising start, but a disappointing ending where they recycled the plot about the "responsibility in protecting the three realms". I am honestly at the point where I don't want a love story where the ML have to shoulder that responsibility in choosing to either protect the three realms or the woman he loves.

I want a love story where the ML choose to put the woman he loves above the 3 realms(or how many ever realms there is). I guess this is why Fan Yue and Bai Shuo love story appeal to me so much, because I see this as a breakthrough to the overused plot of choosing to protect the three realms and carrying that burden on your shoulder and cannot love freely the way you would want to without those responsibilities.

So going back to my favourite character here, whether it is Fan Yue or Jing Yuan(in MM), he is really a romantic person in my eyes, because he will continue to protect the woman he loves above anything else. I honestly love his love for Bai Shuo/Xing Yue. I LOVE FAN YUE & JING YUAN!

One of the things that makes Moonlight Mystique(MM) stand out is that there is never a boring moment with the plot that makes it feels like a filler, because each arc has a purpose that tells the story and will connects to the next one, which makes everything come into place at the end. Even when the side character/stories have their own impactful story that was written so well that it made me cry or teary for them, so they really stand out on it's own(in a good way).

I love the kids actors who played as Fan Yue and Qi Feng and Bai Shuo and Bai Xi, their backstory played by these little actors where they played their role in the backstory, made the present time more impactful because you know how much has changed between them from back then (as kids) and now (as adults).

I also want to make a memorable mention on the character Chen Ye, I didn't think I would like him when I first saw him, even when I found him handsome, because he was cold and ruthless, but when his backstory was revealed, I cannot not like him you know. I even love his interactions with Fan Yue and all their screen-time together (because...... I won't spoil the details for you).

Fu Ling is another character I didn't think I will like, but in the end, she has become a character that I came to like on my end. I also like her love story with Chong Zhao as well. It is quite sad to be honest. Yeah sad, meaning they got a tragic end.

In terms of ending for Fan Yue and Bai Shuo, I just want to say this, I really love the ending to MM, I was really nervous that it will be a last minute happy ending like ALP or TLI, but I am glad it isn't the case in MM. To be honest, I was already happy with the ending I got from Episode 40 because they get to hug and shared 1 last passionate kiss together, but when they gave us an epilogue to show their wedding at the end, this just makes it more satisfying for me, because I have come to love Fan Yue and Bai Shuo so much. I love them to the point that if their ending is a Open Ending, I don't think I will be able to control my emotions. I mean, I was really disappointed with Song of the Moon(SOTM) Ending which is another Xianxia by IQIYI by cutting out the ending I know was filmed, but they never included this in the epilogue in that drama(SOTM) so this is why in MM, I am happy and over the moon for finally giving us and our beloved pairing Fan Yue and Bai Shuo their happy ending in a satisfying way! They deserve this to be honest!!! Because they have suffered so much from their past as Jing Yuan and Xing Yue!!!

MM ending is loveable in my eyes because we got a satisfying and conclusive ending for the Main Pairing, and the other side characters was implied and confirmed they will return one day (so that is a hopeful happy ending for our beloved side characters who died for the great cause). The writers didn't have to give us this but they did so I love them for this.

Among the three story: Ancient Love Poetry(ALP), The Last Immortal(TLI) and Moonlight Mystique(MM), as far as ending goes, while they are all a Happy Ending, but MM definitely have the best and most satisfying ending compared to the other 2. I felt like TLI(Yuan Qi and Feng Yin) got the short end of the stick, because at least Bai Jue and Shang Gu(ALP) get to hug, but Yuanqi and Feng Yin(TLI) ending was them standing at a distance looking at each other.

In the end, it's up to you whether you will watch it or not, but IMO, if you don't watch it then you are really missing out. It may not be every one's cup of tea and that's fine, but I will just say that for me personally, not many Xianxia nowadays pull through as the best and this feeling stay true to the end, since they normally started off well, but then got boring like how I feel towards The Blossoming Love which was airing at the same time, In The Blossoming Love, I got bored with the plot and the direction it was going whereas for Moonlight Mystique, the plot and characters got me engaged/hooked into the story from beginning to the end!

Oh and let's not forget about the OST! Please be sure to check it out because they are all so good!! I love all of them!!! And I have to say that this is the first time, I never actually want to skip the Opening (Intro song) and Ending (Outro song), because they are very captivating!!!

P.S: Fan Yue and Bai Shuo is now officially my no.1 favourite Drama CP. I still want to make an honorable mention to my other favourite pairing: Jing Yuan and Xing Yue! To me (if you have not read that thread of mines), then I will just add it here as well: In the overall, how I took the theme to their backstory and ending is, Fan Yue and Bai Shuo are reincarnations to both Jing Yuan and Xing Yue, and they lived on as their happy ending. Just like what Jing Yuan said to Fan Yue before he joins Xing Yue in the stars: that perhaps his awakening(60,000 years later) was to give them(Fan Yue and Bai Shuo) a chance to be together. He told Fan Yue to protect Bai Shuo well and don't let their(Jing Yuan and Xing Yue) regrets in the past repeat itself 😭😭 so to me, this is how I saw it... To say I am not sad would be a lie, because I was sad in that scene, but when I look at this in another sense/perspective, their ending gives a sense of bittersweet where their happy ending lives on in their next life(as Fan Yue and Bai Shuo) it actually makes sense if you look at reincarnation side of things. I felt like how the writers wrote this was very poetic and sad, yet beautiful at the same time that the love they held for the one they love is irreplaceable. We saw this through Fan Yue, Bai Shuo and Jing Yuan.

So in the end, does this make me dislike Fan Yue and Bai Shuo for having a happy ending? No!! Because Fan Yue and Bai Shuo deserves their happy ending too and considering all their suffering and sacrifices they earned it and I am glad one way or another Jing Yuan and Xing Yue can live on in Fan Yue and Bai Shuo in that sense(since that is their next life), without Jing Yuan and Xing Yue backstory, then we wouldn't have the Fan Yue and Bai Shuo that we came to love in this lifetime. And I will end my review with one of my favourite quotes in this drama:

"That's all in the past. This time, we've met again, not as Xing Yue and Jing Yuan, but as Bai Shuo and Fan Yue. In my heart, you're the best Bai Shuo, the only one in this world, and is irreplaceable" - Fan Yue.

Thank you for this wonderful journey, thank you for making a great start in 2025 for me! MM gave me back the hope that Xianxia can have a happy, satisfying and conclusive ending! I am still reluctant to say goodbye to my beloved characters, so this is currently on my rewatch list!!!

After several rewatch of this Drama, I decided to check out the Novel, in which I have on my end, and here's my feelings to the Novel in comparison to the Drama: https://kisskh.at/discussions/738079-zhu-yue/139258-reading-the-novel-made-me-appreciate-love-the-drama-better-contain-spoilers (In summary, after reading the Novel, it made me appreciate/love the Drama even more).

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Moonlight Mystique or A Collection of Unfortunate Sacrifices

While I love Bai Lu, I think I was ultimately kind of disappointed with this drama, and I was so excited, too. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I feel like the last 3 xianxia/historical dramas that she has done are like- the same character. I feel like Bai Lu is capable of choosing different kinds of characters, but for whatever reason, it's getting to a point where it kind of feels like I've been watching her play a specific kind of character in several different dramas with not really much of a variation - just different goals in mind.

Ultimately, at some points in this drama, I felt like everything that was happening was either to prop her character or revolved around her character, which made sense because she is the main character, but when literally everyone dies, it's not fun anymore... and when I mean everyone dies; literally, everyone that was worth remembering or a proper support character dies. The entire show is, in a very short summary, just a collection of unfortunate sacrifices.

Mu Jie for example was saved in Rong Xian's resentment illusion with Fan Yue's powers but yet despite being saved has to sacrifice himself in the end...which made it pointless for him to be saved to begin with. The Fox Clan's issue, by the way, is still not solved. The emotion tree will literally continue to need high spiritual energy from another demon to continue to flourish in another- who knows - thousand years or so. The water stone given to Bai Shou is literally an irreplaceable treasure from the Fox Clan. Tian Huo's death was also strange. It was like she was the last person left so the writers had to think of a way to kill her off. Unfortunately and conveniently, Fan Yue is brought back to life at the last second because heaven said, "Oopsie!" I would have honestly maybe preferred it if heaven said, "everyone will come back in one form or another" and left it there. If this were the case, I feel like the ending would have made more sense.

I found Bai Shou and Fan Yue's relationship boring - there was no nuance - just: I'll sacrifice myself for you and vice versa. Not even, it's a lot of Bai Shou going, "My life is my life. Your life is your life," and then someone proceeds to try to sacrifice themself for the other. Fan Yue dying all the time got boring really fast, and he got soft way too fast. In comparison to how he was presented in the first few episodes, the subsequent episodes after Ning'an felt like I was watching a different person. I could not get emotionally attached to either Bai Shou or Fan Yue, so whenever one got hurt, I really did not care as much as when any of the support characters died.

This show isn't without any positive aspects. I was honestly surprised with how Bai Shou got lectured by Fan Yue when she broke into the forbidden room the first time and got yelled at for thinking only about herself. There are several small moments when someone gets lectured into trying to be understanding to other people's situations, which I found really cute that the show is trying to send a message to be more compassionate towards others. There are some life lessons in this drama I think maybe a lot of people don't usually hear, which I feel could be important. Some of the arcs were interesting too. I think the attempt that they had at addressing difficult things, such as someone doing horrific acts but not inherently being a horrible person, is interesting. I absolutely prefer characters like this over cookie-cutter "green flags" because it gives the characters more depth and nuance, so I was happy they were included. For example, Qi Feng massacred those who he believed were behind massacring his clan or did wrong to him and his clan, and Fu Ling became Zheng Yu's slave after being brainwashed. Both were groomed since they were children, and both have done horrible things, but they were not born this way. If they had grown up in better circumstances, they would have never done any of the things they did and when they sobered up from their situations, they became pitiful characters that I wished could have a shot at living on. Unfortunately, there was no justice for these characters. The main leads didn't even get to Zhen Yu, the one who did all this. Zhen Yu died happily saving Mo Li...

*Note: I am very impressed with the costume design and hairstyle choice for Fu Ling. I am a sucker for pretty hairstyles. At first, it was a bit confusing for me to tell why Fu Ling liked Chong Zhao so quickly, but when you later find out about how she had a crush on him since she was a kid, it made more sense- at least they tried to rationalize that amongst the many things that might have been questionable.

As a standalone drama, this really didn't captivate me as much as I wished for it to. I would absolutely recommend watching this if you turn off your brain and if you enjoy frivolous dramas. If you are an overthinker like me, perhaps this isn't the drama for you. I watched the entire thing because of Bai Lu initially and then for Dai Lu Wa as Fu Ling, but if it were any other actresses, I may not have stayed to watch the whole thing.

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Moonlight Mystique — My Honest Review

Moonlight Mystique — My Honest Review
I watched this drama hoping for a strong fantasy story with powerful leads, beautiful visuals, and a satisfying ending. Instead, I got confusion, weak characters, and disappointment.

The male lead was introduced as powerful, but throughout the drama, he keeps losing fights like a child. He looks strong, but his actions don't match up. The female lead suffers tragedy after tragedy — her father dies early, and after a few tears, everyone moves on like nothing happened. Their romance also doesn’t feel rewarding.

The story sets up immortals as the good ones, but they turn out selfish and cruel. Demons, who should be the villains, are soft and kind, but even they end up with tragic or pointless endings. It feels like the writers couldn’t decide who’s good or bad, and everything turns into a messy moral soup.

Every character — from the ML’s two guards to side characters — ends up either dying, sacrificing themselves, or fading away with regret. Not a single person gets a fully happy ending. The ending is completely bittersweet. If you’re like me and you hate bittersweet or tragic endings after a long emotional investment, this will leave you frustrated.

Instead of epic battles, smart characters, or a satisfying conclusion, it feels like everyone is just playing around, fighting over a magic stone for personal desires, and losing. No justice, no redemption, and no real sense of victory.

Main Characters ⭐
1. Bai Lu as Bai Shuo / Lunar Lord Xing Yue (FL)
— After losing her father and going through endless conflicts, she ends up with the ML, but it’s bittersweet. No peaceful happy ending, just acceptance and sacrifice.

2. Ao Rui Peng as Fan Yue / Demon Lord Jing Yuan (ML)
— Presented as powerful, but constantly defeated and undermined. Ends up with FL, but with losses and regrets. Not a fully happy ending.

3. Dai Lu Wa as Fu Ling
— Loyal friend to FL. Sacrifices herself to protect others. Tragic ending.

4. Chang Hua Sen as Chong Zhao / Hidden Lord Mo Li
— Supposed to be mysterious and strong. Ends up either dying or losing everything in the final battle. No redemption or peace.

All Characters, All Tragedies: The Bittersweet Endings of Moonlight Mystique

⭐ Support Roles ⭐
Han Dong as Zhen Yu
— A wise figure but caught in conflicts. Dies in battle.

Dai Si as Chang Mei
— Loyal but powerless. Fate uncertain, most likely dies or disappears without resolution.

Kent Tong as Hua Lin
— Betrayed by those he trusted, ends alone with regret.

Li Yu as Lao Gu
— Tries to stay loyal; either sacrifices himself or is forgotten.

Zhang Xin as Tian Huo
— Strong but defeated in the final conflict. Dies honorably but sadly.

Cheng Tao as Zang Shan
— Ambitious but fails. Ends in death or exile.

Cheng Hong Xin as Mu Jiu
— Good-hearted, but meets a tragic end trying to help the leads.

Liu Run Ming as Xiu Yan
— Quiet, loyal character who dies protecting others.

Quan Yi Lun as Rong Xian
— Faces betrayal. Dies with unresolved ambitions.

Pan Jun Ya as Ling Long
— The comic relief turns tragic. Dies or fades out lonely.

Zuo Ye as A Qi
— Young and full of potential, but dies in battle.

Liang Xue Feng as Chen Ye
— Sacrifices himself, protecting FL/ML. Tragic ending.

Samuel Liu as Hua Yong
— Tries to redeem himself but is killed in the final episodes.

Cui Shao Yang as Nan Wan
— Manipulative character; punished or killed in the end.

Fan Jing Wen as Le Zhu
— Devoted servant/friend who dies protecting FL.

Sa Ding Ding as Sun Guan Zhu
— Strong female figure but caught in politics. Dies quietly.

Fu Hong Sheng as Chong Tai
— Betrayed, loses everything. No happy ending.

Hu Xiao Ting as Meng Ning
— Soft-hearted, suffers losses and dies protecting someone.

Ma Yue as Feng Yu
— Another wasted potential; dies without fulfilling his goals.

Zhang Fan as Jin Yao
— Greedy, punished in the end, most likely dies.
My rating: 5/10
The costumes and visuals are pretty. But the weak plot, frustrating characters, and sad endings made it a waste of time for me.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for a good fantasy romance with a happy ending.

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This Drama started strong but had too many issues to ignore

A drama that started strong with a clear antagonist, storyline and two attractive leads, ends disappointing and kind of sad. With all the good reviews I feel kind of bad for not being able to relate, but regardless, here we are.

Before we begin, I just want to clarify that this is my opinion and I'm not here to start a war (but different opinions are welcome). I can and will be brutally honest but it's all lighthearted! MANY SPOILERS AHEAD so please read AFTER you finish this review or at least if you have no interest in watching it! This will be long so let's get right into it! let's keep this discussing respectful and fun.

The Good
Best travels - fox clan (and the love story) and outlanders
Even though I mention this slightly in "The Bad" the first times they traveled, I really enjoyed watching that. It was interesting to watch them travel around. I really liked when they got sucked into the cave and Bai Shuo was the fox clan girl. And I think we can all agree that Fan Yue with the black tips was his best look--- I still miss it. Even though it eventually got old, it helped with the story and kept me interested for a good minute.

Best love: Xing Yue/ Jing Yuan (could've been Tian Huo/Mu Jiu) "She's not here so I no longer have a reason to still be here." - He Died so he could go and find her! :(((

Jing Yuan supremacy for life. I loved Xing Yue and Jing Yuan's love story. I especially loved how in love he was with her. I loved when he came back in Fan Yue's body and talked about how much he wanted Bai Shuo and Xing Yue to be the same person. I loved it! The whole storyline of them up until their death was beautiful.

Mu Jiu's death was the most painful
I loved Mu Jiu! I was so heartbroken to see him die. I really enjoyed his character and I was looking forward to some relationship building scenes with Tian Huo. His death scene was the saddest death scene and I just loved when he ran back towards her to hug her once more only to disappear. Even though I had some notes on their relationship and how the scene could've hit better (down below), it was such a beautifully heartbreaking scene to see her turn around right as he disappeared. Just beautiful.

The Bad
Too much death - everybody died
I think one of the biggest shocks in the drama was how every single side character (and the male lead for a bit) died. I get that they died for a reason but it was kind of a letdown that in the final episodes, everyone just starts dropping like flies. It's like one by one, they sacrifice themselves for the Bai Shuo's mission. I kind of figured this wasn't gonna end on the happiest note but I wasn't expecting her to be the last one standing. I think because they all died (and around the same time), I felt more confusion than I did sadness. I wish at least Fu Ling and Chong Zhao lived so they could be together. And I don't think it would've hurt to keep Tian Huo alive. Even the male lead got killed off-- which actually made sense but still. Nobody was safe and while it was a bold move, I'm still not sure if it was the right one.

Overdone "Wolf in sheep's clothing"
I feel like the "bad guy who's actually just misunderstood" persona has gotten kind of old. Everyone feared him and thought he was a monster when he was the most caring guy around. Been there. He's so kind and caring yet cold for whatever reason. Done that. Since this has been done since the beginning of "bad boy" romances and stories, it's boring now. It also doesn't even make sense. All he does is create a safe place for orphans and wonderers and yet nobody in any other kingdom knows about that? We barely saw any flashbacks of him looking evil so where did the prejudice come from? How did nobody he helped tell anyone else about his kindness? He's so dangerous but has never done anything that bad and it was all to help puppies and kittens. Cute but we get it. I wish for once the bad guy was just bad. He's got his reputation for a reason. He's cold simply because he's a cold guy. I don't understand how someone so kind and caring would be so stand-offish to everyone else.

A little long
Anyone else find the drama unnecessarily long? I don't mind watching a long drama but only if it's necessary. I thought the whole point of the drama was for Fan Yue to be healed from the star curse he had on his chest. So once that plot ended (he died I think, I watched this a while ago so I don't exactly remember), the show should've reached it's close. But then we have Jing Yuan and adding extra bits that weren't really necessary. So much death and whatnot could've been avoided if they stuck with the original plot. Don't get me wrong, they did successfully add this part in and it didn't feel all that random, but I can't help but wonder if this drama would've turned out better had they left it out.

Love wasn't developed enough - Fan Yue/ Bai Shuo and Tian Huo/ Mu Jiu
If you've read any of my other reviews, you would know that I love properly developed love tropes with the leads. Here, we didn't really get that. At All. Episode 1 they meet and by episode 3 or 4 he's already questioning whether or not he cares about her for his purpose or because he genuinely has feelings for her. What? How did we get here? I thought they were gonna have like nightly chats on that phone-thing when she went to work with the turtle, but that was only for the one day. The beginning of their relationship felt a bit disconnected especially with how much Fan Yue looked down on humans at the beginning. It didn't make sense how someone who looked down on humans so harshly would then fall in love with one in the next two - three episodes. I wish we saw then fall in love, whether through nightly calls, or whatever. While I did like the way they loved each other and how deeply they loved each other, I didn't like how it started.

Let's move on to the biggest disappointing relationship in the show: Tian Huo and Mu Jiu. This was another relationship where the love felt disconnected. He fell for her because she saved him and then stuck around for like a month after before he died. My biggest issue is that final scene when he's hugging her before he disappears. Usually when you ask someone what they'll do without you in certain situations, it's because you've helped them before in those situations. For example, he goes on to ask her what she'd do without him when she's mad, sad, scared, etc. but he was never there for her before. So she'd just do the same things she did before. Do you get what I'm trying to say? In other words, she wouldn't necessarily acknowledge his absence in those moments because he's never been there for her in those moments. I wish they formed a bond where he actually WAS there for her in those moments so we understand his questions. Maybe when she's sad, he's the only one who she allows to comfort her or make her laugh. Maybe when she's angry, he's the only one who can calm her down and stop her from raging out. And so on and so forth. His death was sad because I actually liked him but I wasn't really sad for her and their relationship. She also barely showed any interest in him (which makes sense granted they just met and she never thought much of him in the first place) so it also weakens the sadness in his final scene. They should've had more time together so their love could feel real and we could've felt more heartbroken. Instead we're left feeling a bit awkward watching a scene that's supposed to break our hearts.

So much jumping - kind of lost the plot
this was kind of mentioned above but it still needs its own part. Don't get me wrong, when they were traveling to different places, it was entertaining at first. But after a while, it became a lot. It became, kind of, too much. After episode 25, I forgot what the whole point of the show even was. Since each place had a different issue, it was hard to keep track of what's really going on. It kind of felt like watching a really long anime where they travel to different parts of the world and do whatever. This isn't a major point and not that big of a deal but I just remember being at episode 32 and just wanting the drama to be over already.

The aging was weird
This is another small point but anybody else thought he was like hundreds to thousands of years old? I certainly did. So when I realised he was probably around the same age as Bai Shuo (a human), I was a little disappointed. When they went to that dessert place that Tian Huo was from, it didn't hit the same when they said that they hadn't held their "games" (i don't remember exactly what it's called) in 7 years. 7 years. that's it. That's not even a long time in human years (not really). I was kind of expecting everyone to be hundreds of years old but they were all in their 20s and 30s. That made the fantasy part dim a bit. It's not a big deal, like I said, but it would've been better if they aged them up. Everything he went through happened in all our lifetimes (minus a few years for the younger ones) and must've happened quite fast. I thought that he got his curse after centuries of trying, not a couple years at best.

Zhen Yu's death was disappointing
The biggest letdown in this entire drama was the antagonists death. He caused nothing but chaos and was just about unstoppable... only to sacrifice himself. His big demise was him willingly getting his life sucked out for the other dude. It was so incredibly disappointing to see him cause such issues and not be defeated by Fan Yue and Bai Shuo. We missed out on such a good fight scene because of that. He was so incredibly unstoppable that him willingly stopping actually kind of hurt.

And Yeah. that's kind of it. Keep in mind I watched this months ago so this review isn't as specific (I've been procrastinating). But what did you think? all the comments seem to love this so it'd be interesting to see if anyone agrees with anything I mentioned.

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I'm in love with the storytelling, CGI, acting, ost, all in all i'm in love with this drama

Plot and Storytelling:
“I, BaiShuo, want to find my own way”
“Relying on myself is better than relying on others”
The storyline is an enthralling mix of lighthearted humor and deep emotional moments. It takes you on a journey of love, growth, and self-discovery, beautifully balancing romance with personal development. The pacing is just right, keeping you invested while allowing key emotional moments to resonate, i'm sure the real romance will come in upcoming episodes we will see more deep emotions i'm eagerly waiting for that.
Characters and Performances:
The cast delivers outstanding performances, with each actor and actress perfectly embodying their roles and i'm waiting for Bai shuo development and the time she will be more stronger to find her own way . The chemistry between the leads is magnetic, making their love story both believable and deeply moving despite the romantic moments between them didn't start yet. The supporting characters also shine, adding layers of depth and humor to the drama especially the master of sect
and his people i loved them from the first episode.
Cinematography and Production:
Visually, really is a feast for the eyes. The breathtaking cinematography captures every emotion and detail it gives me the galaxy or aurora vibes which i love so much, while the stunning costume and set designs enhance the drama’s aesthetic appeal, also the makeup i'm in love with the makeup i even wanna learn it hhh. The soundtrack is another standout i like the intro ost with sa ding ding voice, also the other osts perfectly complementing the mood of each scene with the voice of zhoushen, luhu... and other good singers, waiting for the leads song they sung together.
I recommend youbto watch it? The answer is yes.
It's more than just a xianxia love story—it's a motivation(for me) and the courage to chase one’s dreams as Baishuo chasedher dream and working hard to catch it . Whether you're a fan of xianxia romance or simply appreciate well-crafted storytelling, this drama has something for everyone.

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Could've been the next best xianxia but lacks (proper) groundwork

I am a huge fan of both fantasy and romance genres. So much so that I do not mind clichés and overly used tropes. In fact, in terms of worldbuilding, I do not mind suspending disbelief, sometimes to even an incredible extent, as long as both the execution and writing are good and static.

I tried to understand Moonlight Mystique’s overall direction because the first episode really made me look forward to how it will pan out. While watching the first episode, I was actually reminded of Love Between Fairy and Devil, my first xianxia (which remains to be one of my favorite dramas of all time).

I didn’t mind the similarities. Actually, it was because of the resemblances that I had high hopes: misunderstood, “unsympathetic” ML who carries the weight of responsibilities, a nobody FL, demons, deities, revenge, pain, grief, good vs evil, justice…

I really had high hopes, but as the story progresses—you don’t even need to reach far out—the terrible writing becomes increasingly evident:

Plot
– I understand that a plot may carry subplots, with storylines having multiple narratives. It’s xianxia, after all. But the way these were simulated did not provide any impact and depth.

The writer had a thing in their mind, and I know that the vision is there. But the writer did not know where to go and how to get there, that it has become difficult to establish connections with the story and characters.

Characters—

FL
– Her character is inconsistent. Yes, she was initially arrogant and selfish, which is needed for her character development to materialize, but I find her anger towards SML is often misplaced and out of character, as someone who “values” family and ties.

I understand that SML is not perfect, was coerced into lying multiple times, and is not the best in decision-making. But ultimately, he was really left with no choice and the choices he made were the best ones among those handed to him. Which is why I don’t understand the deeply-rooted resentment the FL has for SML, when in fact, the FL did not deserve to act righteously at all during the first episodes.

– It was established from the onset that the FL’s motivations are grounded on repaying (kindness for the immortal who saved her and her sister) and revenge. These two were rather dissolved quickly, without a good exit.

Yes, the redirection was inevitable, but it was done haphazardly that it felt like cutting the characters from one scene and putting them onto the next sequence just so the story could continue.

SML and SFL
– The SML’s shift from one love interest to another feels unnatural.
The trope is enemies to lovers, but the change was too abrupt that it felt like their love story is more implied.

Editing
– The use of echo to reiterate, exaggerate, and highlight a character’s lines and the “swoosh” as a transition are a miss.

I first encountered the use of echo in a dialogue in Story of Kunning Palace (2023) and it was… ok.

For this series though, rather than amplifying the supposed to be emotional impact of a dialogue and a scene, it came out ridiculous and utterly unnecessary.

Ending
– Again, I am able to suspend disbelief adequately. I can even tolerate plot holes to a certain extent, as long as the writing and execution are good, and consistency and depth are there to establish enough emotional investment.

I am even more tolerant on these when it comes to xianxia, as they use reincarnation as an element to tie loose ends.

So, using reincarnation or second chances as a way to have a happy ending is not an issue at all. This actually gives the writer plenty of elements to play with as well. But Moonlight Mystique’s ending is so terrible that a happy ending cannot compensate it.

So, the ML willingly sacrificed his life for the greater good and to ultimately eradicate evil. Heartbreaking, but sounds good.

Time passed, and the FL traveled around the world and achieved so many things by herself—good, this is consistent with her character.

And then, the heaven reached out to FL and told her that “Those who died for the great cause will eventually return in another way." Ok, seems fair.

But a few moments later, as in after a few seconds, you can literally see the ML emerging from who knows where, walking on the water, towards the FL, for the reunion and happy ending—WHAT?

Even as a hopeless romantic, I still cannot let this pass—I need the why AND how.

It is a fantasy, but I need a motive. An effect that has sprouted from a missing cause only ruined their entire tribulation.

They could’ve used something to set off the resurrection: a surviving strand of soul or a part of a demon core of ML that overcame death. Whatever remnants—heck, a nail or a strand of hair would do— or explanation, I am willing to accept, but this? NO.

Also, it’s not only the ML who died for the greater good. There are plenty of characters who died fighting evil. Why are they not resurrected and walking on the water with ML?

It is a happy ending, but I’d rather have an open ending or a sad ending if this is how ridiculous the conclusion is.

I could only muster enough emotional connection with the characters, but the ending diminished it to a huge degree.


There are not only bad things in the series, though, as there are aspects where it surprisingly delivered well:

OST
– The OST is hauntingly beautiful that it could actually compensate for the unsteady writing and bad execution. Instead of the writing, the OST carried the storytelling on its back—it did not elevate the experience. It’s an experience in itself.

Ao Rui Peng and Bai Lu
– The chemistry between Ao Rui Peng and Bai Lu is there.

Ao Rui Peng is one of the pleasant surprises that this series has to offer.

Bai Lu is a good actress, and while Ao Rui Peng’s character portrayal has room for improvements, he does not lag behind Bai Lu’s performance at all.

Chang Hua Sen and Dai Lu Wa
– The actors cannot do anything with the terrible writing, but I find their character portrayal decent. They made the best out of it so they can transition well from one character to the next.

Chang Hua Sen’s portrayal of Chong Zhao and Hidden Lord is pretty good as well. You could tell which character he’s trying to portray based on his demeanor and facial expressions.

Lead’s relationship dynamic
– The good thing about the leads’ relationship is their effort to communicate, which eliminates unnecessary misunderstanding.

When the ML realized his growing feelings for the FL, his first thought was to sit down with FL to talk and settle this, which is quite an uncommon trait for any xianxia characters.

The development of their relationship is lacking, but both leads try to communicate with each other, which makes their relationship healthy.

In general, I think this could have been one of the best xianxias, but is ruined because of terrible groundwork and writing. All things considered; it is still a quite enjoyable watch.

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A Missed Opportunity.....

Moonlight mystique as the name suggests the drama is Purple- elegant themed...but sadly it doesn't has a proper direction .The story started as Bai Shuo gathering the contemplations to get stronger, for revenge . But as the story continues the determination to take revenge gets dimmer to the point that it doesn't exist anymore! if they could direct it properly , had a good script and a proper production team with good camara-editing skills had done it, it could have been a good Xianxia!
Also, characters have good backgrounds to make them complex but somehow they ended up being one dimensional !
A clever yet arrogant female lead
A self made demon lord who suddenly became fool in love...
A immortal 2nd male lead who is annoying as hell
A demon 2nd fl who is evil but somehow survives every time someone tries to kill her...
Problems ---
■⁠■1)**The male lead**■⁠■⁠
The problem with male lead is that he is supposed to be a complex character. But the bad script writing made him a confusing character.
When fl's city destroyed, her father was dying he didn't care and gave her ghost grass that can cause slaughter in the city . He wanted to see if fl becomes evil and consume ghost flower in exchange for human lives . He didn't seemed a kind character. He tried to kill her, use her ,didn't help her other than bringing her to her father to gather the emotion . Then he suddenly fall in love with her? Why ? As a bossy demon lord who lives his life for revenge and power suddenly fall in love with a human girl ...like "you are the first girl treat me this way "...then suddenly it reveals he was always a kind demon who tries to save others !
If you compare his character background, it is closer to Xie Wei(SOKP) or Yan Zi Jing (TSOPG) . Sadly his character is a let down . I don't dislike the fact that he is kind and approachable ( a different approach to show a male lead) . But something is still missing in his character......
ARP is really good actor. loved him in the blood of youth . And he is looking pretty here . But here it feels like he's more focused in looking pretty rather than bringing the character alive or expressing Fan Yue's sorrowful and cheerful emotions precisely....... The makeup and costumes are gorgeous but it's distracting to focus on the character "Fan Yue" ....
⁠■⁠■⁠2)**The female lead**■⁠■⁠
who doesn't love a bold and smart female lead? I like Bai Lu and her acting is spectacular. Don't know what to feel about Bai Shuo. She is bold but she doesn't think before she acts .If Fan Yue was not kind imagine how her situation may have become! She orders and shows her feelings directly. Yes I love character growth but Bai Shuo's character doesn't give justice to her complex background.... I initially liked when she was determined to become an immortal to pay off the kindness. But she ended up becoming a brat .if she wasn't Xingyue reincarnation and without contemplation stone would she be able to pay off the kindness? at least let her put efforts in cultivation than just focusing on blame games and making her an arrogant character........
⁠■⁠■⁠3)**Cinematography and production**■⁠⁠■⁠
camara work is worst here . I don't know the budget but it feels too flashy like short cdramas that only focused in looks .Fighting scenes are very stiff and awkward and they talks more than doing the actual fight... (villains try to explain why they need to kill them and protagonists give them life lessons) ...the set is looking very cheap too ....the demon lords only have 1 or 2 followers (they didn't even bother to add some security-servants, anyone can come and go even in the secret rooms)and immortal sects looking like Wuxia beggar sect! Even the god realm is kind of like a flashy set only with 4-5 people including protagonists and antagonists...
And it's too colourful that it's visually disturbing sometimes...
⁠■⁠■⁠4)**story*⁠*■⁠⁠■
The story doesn't has a main plot. The script gave past stories for every single character that they forgot to put weightage on the main scenario. Even the villains are boring!
And the direction already spoiled us on what's going to happen next ! They could have added good amount of suspense and cliff hangers ! ( It has elements like hidden identities and past stories but they wasted the potential to create a tense atmosphere and mystery) . Sadly it doesn't makes you eager to know what will happen next ....
It neither gives the seriousness of Till the end of moon nor gives the comedic relief like love you seven times or love between fairy and devil ....
They tried to mix both and caused confusion .Many things are not explained clearly. Sometimes we're shown a character who is evil but suddenly script telling us they're good and vice versa...
Telling us directly Fan Yue is a kind demon, 2nd lead has demonic obsession ,Fu Ling was forced to do the evil things etc...they could have just shown us the complexity-depth of the characters and let us decide, rather than giving flashy and dramatic description like short cdramas!..... (Tantai Jin was more complex character in TTOTM, but other characters didn't had to describe his true nature!)
⁠■⁠■⁠5)**The chemistry*⁠*■⁠■⁠⁠
The biggest let down is that there is no foundation of relationship between ml and fl. And it's quite hard for me to watch a relationship without foundation and proper conversation. and I prefer slow burns more.. it's just too sudden, they were trying to kill each other and then suddenly they wish to die for each other... Same goes for the dynamic between 2nd ml and 2nd fl too..... why Fu ling suddenly fall for him and is it possible to love her when she made him kill innocent peoples and practically abused and tortured him(CZ) ? The answer is yes! Second ml went for an undercover mission and saved her two times and now he's in love with her cause of Stockholm syndrome and she's Baixi(over some childhood notes he's willing to drop 10 years of love for Bai Shuo!)...+ I'm amused to see how characters are rotating 180° .. Memory loss doesn't makes a person evil and psychopath!....not a single love story is well written....
⁠■⁠■⁠6 )**Fate of the one well written character**■⁠■
Personally I liked the character Qi Feng( his motives and character is well written). And I think the proper hate emotion needed from Qi Feng. He was abandoned, sacrificed, handicapped, betrayed and used . When they collected hate from Baize clan ... I thought writer has plan for Qi Feng only to watch him die insignificantly an episode later... And maybe cause of the bad script writing ARP couldn't portray the feelings Fan Yue should feel after witnessing the tragic incidents and they moved on from the incidents like nothing happened....
It's shocking how Fan Yue isn't raged over tiger clan or stone clan(they could have at least tried to save Qi Feng as they took advantage of Baize clan bones and responsible for his physical damage).It was not necessary for Fan Yue to develop seven star curse if he was planning to forgive them all. He could have chosen to become a saint instead of a demon king...
⁠■⁠■⁠7)**Finally**■⁠⁠■⁠
There are a lot of tragic stories. But they have no emotional connection with the audience .So, instead of feeling sadness, it's looking rushed and feels nothing when a character dies . There is blood bath and they tried not to make it gore so it is kind of like childhood fairytale sad stories. The characters are moving on from the tragedies very fast too .And the same sad Ost every time making it annoying. [ They totally overused the Ost ]
Of course Bailu acting and visuals of ARP is really good (not to mention the beautiful makeup and costumes ...still I wish the costumes were a little moderate at first and upgraded step by step rather giving goddess like outfits from starting. Specially Bai Shuo's Outfits . sometimes it feels she's the master of moon palace for her majestic costumes ...)and the angsty Ost is good as well ..but that's it !
■■**After 40 episodes**■■
I still watched it cause of Bailu ,the purple-aesthetic theme and was hoping it will get better. But maybe my expectations were high and I prefer stories with depth and development ....I didn't enjoyed this much ....
Still I appreciate CHS's and DLW's psychopathic acting as Mo Li and Fu Ling ... I enjoyed the opening 4-5 episodes, Rong Xian arc and few eps in 30s . Also, ARP's acting on last few episodes improved a lot , the kissing scenes were good...
There are many plot holes and dramatic corny plot twists...So ,turn off your brain if you wish to enjoy..
If you don't mind storytelling concept (Most of the time script will directly tell the facts and doesn't care about the understandings of the audience)
If you are fan of the leading actors, enjoy childhood fairytale themes, you can give it a try.... it's not for me.....

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Good cast and amazing music/visuals

The Good:
The choice of cast, the CGI, the costumes, and the music were all amazing.

The Bad:
It's a pretty run-of-the-mill story filled with sacrifices. The ML and female lead FL are constantly getting injured—sometimes even dying—only to be miraculously brought back to life just to keep the story moving. The plot relies heavily on misunderstandings and withholding of information, to the point where even a reasonably knowledgeable three-year-old would ask the right questions. However, according to the story, the leads conveniently avoid doing so, because apparently, it's "too soon." And let's not forget the fight scenes—they're lackluster, with nothing more than endless blood coughing to make them seem dramatic. The music was good, but it was way too overused, losing its impact over time.

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No one willingly stays in hell

TL;DR Watch for the supporting cast, stunning visuals, hauntingly-beautiful soundtrack, and bring your tissue boxes.

For a drama that is all about highlighting how wrong it is to see the world as black and white, MM really shot itself in the foot when it became the very thing it sought to critique. For a story with so much emotion and heart at its core, it ended up feeling like a nothing burger as empty as its sets, devoid of life.

STORY: The problem with writing a story as grand and magical and fable-esque as MM is that there's A TON of responsibility on the shoulders of the leads, both as written characters and actors performing those written characters. When EVERY SINGLE supporting role is outshining your leads, how do you expect the audience to care when the final ten episodes are only about the two leads? When Fan Yue has died and come back to life ten times, there is no emotional impact left to be made on the audience. When Bai Shuo is protected by heaven itself, no one is worried about her failing or losing her life because we know it will all work out for her. It always does. Even if she's not able, every other supporting role will bend over backwards to get her a win. This is great if you're all about the 'good triumphs evil' shtick, but not when you're trying to be poignant with your writing.

You know who did leave an impact? The story of Qi Feng, A Xi and Chong Zhao. You know what they had in common? Flaws. Flaws are what make a character come to life and grow on the journey that is their story. They were all such layered characters, each suffering in their own regard and making costly mistakes as a result. Each got some sad excuse for a redemption ultimately, but I won't go into it. The point is, making your main characters perfect will make them boring across a 40 episode run. Aside from gaining and losing spiritual power and falling in love with each other in every timeline possible, what growth did Fan Yue and Bai Shuo have as characters? SHORT SPOILER AHEAD, SKIP TO THE ACTING SECTION. You know what would have been gaggy? If Fan Yue never came back and Jing Yuan was stuck in that body and Bai Shuo had to fight the entire final battle on her own knowing that she's lost her love forever, is now a mortal without the Contemplation Stone and could die any moment. Just like how the other characters' deaths were so permanent, if there was any inkling of permanent consequences on the part of the leads, the drama (in my eyes at least) would easily be ratable as so much higher. Writers need to stop fearing about making their lead characters messy. Messy characters make for the best, most memorable watches.

ACTING: Since completing the drama I saw a ton of clips of Ao Rui Peng on my TikTok FYP and honestly, I should've seen this coming when he slayed as Mu and even the early Jing Yuan that his range is limited to characters that emote outwardly, have a playful demeanor and are more expressive. While he tries his damnedest to bring Fan Yue (a much more somber character) to life, he struggles and his acting is quite one note. If I had to compare, I'd say the temperament of Fan Yue is similar to that of SFL Fu Ling, and everyone and their mother knows Dai Lu Wa went viral for her incredible micro expressions. That is something that's absent in ARP's portrayal. He has gorgeous eyes but they can't hard carry everything else. In contrast, Chang Hua Sen with the most inconsistently written character of Chong Zhao outshined him in the acting department, especially visible during his scenes with Bai Lu.

As for Bai Lu, I'd been watching her since her debut, and she thrives in powerful, badass roles and she was okay here for the most part. The problem with her acting is that she performs like she's delivering a solo monologue, there's only her in the scene, and no one else. This is cool when the character is LZY from The Legends but Bai Shuo is just an ordinary girl with extraordinary responsibilities thrust upon her shoulders. When we need vulnerability from her we get an ironclad, "nothing can hurt me, I'm so badass" performance instead. There's no consistency in her progression from scene to scene, it's like it all takes place in a vacuum in her brain. For example, Bai Shuo just got done crying her eyes out at her father's funeral. Next scene, she's joking with Old Turtle and like I get it, grief comes in waves but your face has no sign of it? I hate to bring Dai Luwa back into this but gosh she's such a good actress, you can see everything in her face, the scene preceding the current one, and even hints of what's to come, a huge example of which is her scene sitting atop a rooftop watching chaos unfold in Ning An city as she holds Bai Shuo behind a barrier.

So when you have 3-5 episode character arcs (Ling Long x Rong Xian, Mu Jiu x Tian Huo, A Wu x A Qi) out-chemistrying the leads, not to mention, A LITERAL SECOND CP THAT IS HOTTER THAN FIRE AND UNLIKE ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY, you're really setting your leads up for failure both in the story and acting department. Bring back auditioning for prominent roles please.

MUSIC: 10/10 No notes. It haunts me and will haunt me for a while I fear. Sa Dingding is that girl and all the other artists were also incredible.

REWATCH VALUE: There's a very retro, kdrama-esque fairytale charm about this story, especially in the mini arcs situated in each new region. I'd say up to episode 33, the drama (although not without flaws) was pretty solid, but the XY, JY, ML arc really highlighted the cracks in the story, rushing things, introducing the most random bits of info and making characters drop dead like flies. If I were writing this drama, I'd add 3-5 more episodes, to flesh out the past, give more time for Fan Yue and Bai Shuo to interact so that their romance doesn't feel rushed, and flesh out some other characters to make them less one-dimensional (cough cough: the eternals, every single moment they were on screen was a waste of valuable footage space on the cameraman's SD card).

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Best Drama Ever

I just finished watching 'Moonlight Mystique,' and it was absolutely amazing! The intricate relationships and character dynamics really drew me in, especially the tension between Bai Shuo and Fang Yue. Their journey from enemies to lovers was filled with emotion, and I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire series. The way their feelings evolved was beautifully portrayed, making every moment feel genuine and heartfelt.

The themes of love, identity, and acceptance were explored in depth, adding layers to the story that made it even more engaging. I loved how the drama showcased the struggles between different worlds, highlighting the characters' internal conflicts and growth. The storytelling was rich and immersive, and the performances brought the characters to life in such a compelling way that I felt completely invested in their outcomes.

The cinematography and soundtrack complemented the narrative perfectly, enhancing the overall experience. Along with the story, the OST is also touching. I found myself lost in the story as well as the OST. Each episode left me wanting more, and I appreciated how the plot kept me guessing with unexpected twists and turns. Overall, 'Moonlight Mystique' is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a blend of fantasy and romance. I highly recommend it for its captivating plot and well-developed characters! I’d give it a solid 10 out of 10!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Trust me you won't regret to watching it 😉

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A Love Written in Sacrifice: When Fate Demands Everything

Introduction:
There are dramas you watch, and then there are those you feel. This drama is undeniably one of the latter, a rollercoaster of emotions that stays with you long after the screen fades to black. From its breathtaking visuals to its unforgettable soundtrack, every element elevates a story that’s as grand as it is personal.

Plot/Story: A Journey of Love and Sacrifice:
At the heart of this drama is a story about sacrifice—both the personal kind and the cosmic kind. Bai Shuo, driven by a desire to repay a divine being who saved her as a child, embarks on a journey that will change her life forever. Her path crosses with Fan Yue, the demon king of the Bright Moon Palace, and together they face a world of gods, demons, and fates intertwined by the 60,000-year-old contemplation stone. Each arc explores a different aspect of humanity—kindness, kill, love, hate, and greed—and each of them is written with the same care and depth. The emotional impact of the Fox Clan’s heartbreaking story and the tragic love of Jing Yuan and Xing Yue lingers long after the credits roll.

Main Leads: Bai Shuo and Fan Yue - A Perfect Pairing
Bai Shuo and Fan Yue’s relationship is the heart and soul of the drama. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what truly makes their love story stand out is the emotional depth and the slow burn of their bond. Bai Shuo is one of the most intelligent and well-written female characters I’ve seen in a xianxia drama. Her growth from a determined girl into a powerful woman is extraordinary, and the actress nails every moment. As for Fan Yue, Ao Ruipeng’s portrayal of the character is simply mesmerizing. He brings an incredible amount of nuance to Fan Yue, making him feel like more than just a demon king—he’s a man who craves love, despite knowing the price it may exact. The strength of their relationship lies in the unspoken understanding between them, the way every look, every touch, speaks volumes. Their bond feels raw, real, and beautifully developed over time.

Secondary Couple: Fuling and Chong Zhao - Tragic Yet Beautiful:
While Bai Shuo and Fan Yue take center stage, Fuling and Chong Zhao’s love story offers a beautiful secondary arc. Though doomed from the start, their journey is filled with emotional highs and lows. The fate that binds them is tragic, but their love is pure. It’s impossible not to feel deeply for them as they face the harsh reality of their doomed love, with both characters sacrificing everything they had for a cause larger than themselves. It’s like one was born to serve as a vessel for Mo Li’s return, while the other was destined to protect Bai Shou and be the weapon that could defeat Mo Li, I really feel for both of them. Their story might not have a happy ending, but it’s one that touches the heart.

Cinematography and OST: Visual and Auditory Perfection:
This drama is a visual masterpiece. The cinematography is breathtaking, with each scene feeling meticulously crafted. The sweeping landscapes, intimate close-ups, and vibrant colors bring the world of gods and demons to life in a way that enhances the emotional weight of the story. But it’s not just the visuals that stand out—the OST is equally exceptional. The music complements every moment perfectly, from quiet moments of reflection to intense scenes of sacrifice and loss. The ending theme by Zhou Shen is especially poignant, and it’s one of those tracks that will stay with you long after the drama ends.

Ending: Bittersweet Closure:
The ending is bittersweet, and while it may not provide a perfect resolution, it offers something far more meaningful: emotional closure. The sacrifices made by the characters are necessary, and without them, victory would have been impossible. Although it’s heartbreaking to see the characters endure so much, the final moments, though tinged with sadness, leave you with a sense of peace. The love that Bai Shuo and Fan Yue share is undeniably beautiful, and their happy ending, though hard-earned, feels like a reward for all they’ve been through.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Taking:
This drama isn’t just a story you watch; it’s a journey you take, one that explores the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the price of destiny. It’s a tale of gods, demons, and immortals, but at its core, it’s about the people who must navigate these forces and the choices they make. With stellar performances from the cast, a stunning visual style, and a soundtrack that enhances every emotional beat, this drama is a must-watch. It’s a solid 10/10 for me, and I can confidently say it’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Goodbye Bai Shuo, Fan Yue, Fuling, Chong Zhao, and all the other unforgettable characters—your journey was worth every tear.
Inspired from @bailuyuxiao

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