Moonlight Mystique

If "Love" has other name then it'd be "Moonlight Mystique" in my heart.

A top notch Xanxia. If only MDL offers rating more than 10. This drama for me is in top 2.

“Moonlight Mystique” is a drama about Love, Sacrifice, Loyalty, hatred, greed which makes us to live ourselves as one inside this series. It’d make us to express all the emotions the characters in the series expressed. I cried when they cry, I broke when they broke, I laughed when they did. This is one such series which I wanted to take with me forever.

I must mention the flow of this story. Unlike other Xanxias this drama started with the Human realm and moved towards the divine realm and at the very end it again ended in the earth, which gave me a very proper and flawless ending where there is no breakup between the leads, where there is a very healthy, pure and loyal mains relationship which most of the Xanxias lag. One thing that must be mentioned is the equality in the weightage of the role. Instead of “Hero saving damsel in distress” The main leads equally support each other through life and death situation throughout the series. That made me to delve deeper as the series goes on

Talking about costume, The crew really went all out on costume and make up. The CGI, the Action scenes are no joke. Every time it impressed me with a surprise element. The quality of their acting is top Notch setting the bar really high for upcoming xanxias. This series is a must watch to all the xanxia lovers.

The Upcoming are the SPOILERS…

This series starts with the Fan yue (demon king) searching for the person who can gather 5 contemplations {Love, Kill, Greed, Kindness, and Hate} to save himself from a curse. In the process he meets Bai shou who wanted to become an immortal in order to repay the kindness of a person who saved her sister and her from a demon during their childhood.

As the story goes on the collecting of these 5 contemplations divides into 5 arcs, At each arcs they will go through thick and thin with the fellow guardian of Fan yue, Tian Huo and Cang shan and collects the contemplations

……………….(Do not read it before watching the drama—Major spoilers)

I was really broke that I cried a river in Many of the scenes as the story goes on, as Bai Shou gradually fell in love with Fan yue, As she loses their loved ones one by one to save the world my heart shattered into pieces each time someone dies.

Everyone of the characters has their own meaning for their existence, their own choices to make, their own dilemma but at the end of the day It’s all for the love they have for each other.

When the Bai Shuo’s father die in Ning ‘an as a governor for his people in front of Bai Shuo, as she scream loud while the OST plays my tears flowed for the first time in this series. How can Bai Lu act so real? She is really a veteran; can anyone replace her?

As the story goes on the sacrifices made by each one was heart touching and at the same time It was choiceless. The love between all the characters was so true and I was really moved by each.
A childish love – Mu Mu and Bai shou
A Tragic love – Rong xian and Ling Long
An Unattainable love – Mu Jiu and Tian Huo
An Unacknowledged love – Cang Shan and Tian Huo
A Companionate love – Fan Yue and Tian Huo
A parental love – Bai shou and Her master
An obsessive love – Mo li towards Xing Yue and Luan Zu towards Jing yuan
A sisterly love – Bai Shuo and Bai Xi
A forbidden love – Chong Zhao and Fu ling
and
Finally,
An Eternal, fated, sacrificial, unconditional, therapeutic, Dependent love ---- Bai Shuo/ Xing Yue and Fan Yue/ Jing yuan

The story is centred around love and at the end “LOVE WINS ALL”. I must mention the Chemistry between the leads which was woahhh too too too good and in every kiss they share my heart fluttered like anything. Hats off Bai Lu and Ao Rui Peng, the chemistry was deep.

As the story goes Each character will lose their loved one either as a sacrifice for the other or killed by the villain. The one which shattered my heart was Tian Huo’s death. All through the journey she lost her loved ones in each step and walked the path of loneliness with only one thing that’s her loyalty towards Fan Yue. When she sacrificed herself for Bai Shuo, Fan Yue and died in the arms of her master(Fan Yue) to whom she showed unwavering loyalty till the end.

Ao Rui Peng from a naughty and mischievous Jing Yuan to Cold, responsible Fan Yue and Bai Lu from cold, responsible, alone Xing Yue to Carefree, mischievous Bai Shuo, the dynamics of their acting is worth to tell that they delivered the best ever Xanxia.

The director didn’t forget to give the surprise element which mad me Dumbfounded: Especially when Bai xi was the divine bow and when Bai Shuo became Supreme deity Bai Shuo rather than Supreme Deity Xing Yue, Stronger than Xing Yue due her strong Love.

At the end of the day, the entanglements and love showcased in this drama is endless until the end which is impossible in real. It was a therapy for me where I lived in a Fantasy for a while.

This drama destroyed all the other dramas in my favourite list and reached the top.
I thank each crew member(Especially the Screen writer, Director, Costume designers, Actors and the staffs who took care of the actors) for giving me this drama which I can cherish forever. I wanna bow to all the actors who did everything to deliver a Marvelous “Moonlight Mystique” Which can’t be replaced in my heart.

"Only when the right people meet at the right time, can they be together forever. I spent 60,000 years searching for Xingyue, but only now I realize that, Xing Yue, the lunar lord, is long gone. then Jing Yuan, the Demon Lord, has no reason to stay in the world. Being able to see her one last time, I'm content. Perhaps, my awakening was meant to bring you two together after 60,000 years"
- Jing yuan (I cried a river after this for a long time) This is my favourite line in this drama.

Thank you, Crew,….

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Now this is a drama to remember for a long time

10/10! Now this is a drama to remember for a long time 💜⭐💜⭐ If you have any doubts, just go and watch it. I think it's impossible not to be moved, at least by some of the ideas and principles that form the essence of the drama—besides, of course, the love story, which is one of the most beautifully crafted ones 🥹🤌❤️.

For some of us who have lost a parent or a loved one, it may hit even harder..the emotional scenes of sacrifice... I cried, laughed, and dreamed alongside all the characters—pure emotion until the very end 💜⭐🌛 "May I be like the stars, and you like the moon. As long as the world remains, the stars and moon remain, so shall we".

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The Power of Great Love

This drama has to be one of the best I have watched. It really shows how everyone can get along with each other regardless of who they are. From being a mortal seeking immortality to finally getting what she wanted, Bai Shuo never changed a bit: She was always brave, straightforward and kind-hearted. Fan Yue once only kept Bai Shuo to use her to gather the five contemplations, but slowly he too fell in love and decided to protect her with his life. Bai Xi, Chong Zhao Tian Huo, Cang Shan, Mu Jiu, Ling Long, Rong Xian, Chang Mei, A Qi, Chen Ye: There were so many characters who expressed the true meaning of friendship, the joy in being together and their love for each other and the whole world. What stood out the most to me in this drama was the many sacrifices that had to take place which showed the bravery that great love brings; the bravery that people can have, even in the face of death.

SHOULD YOU WATCH THIS DRAMA? YES! DEFINITELY WATCH IT! You will not regret it!!

"Life is like a rough journey
Enlightenment takes a moment
Where the heart leads
Let the feet follow"

In the end, Great Love always wins.

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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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Story,Acting top-notch<3

It's a much watch xianxia drama. The story and acting is so good that you can feel what the characters are feeling. For me the saddest part of a drama is a death of parents,so when this drama showed me this,tears started flowing and I didn't even realise. Osts are amazing,they give life to moments. In conclusion,even if you don't like any particular actor's of this drama,get pass it and watch this drama for the plotline. Also I love how they didn't make Bai Shuo a doormat female lead unlike in the other dramas. And Fan Yue's actions are super cool. Every character in this drama is amazing! Be it the Protagonists or the supporting characters.

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A True Masterpiece! Setting the bar really high for upcoming Xianxia and romance dramas to follow

Moonlight Mystique exceeded all my expectations in everything. There's nothing I didn't enjoy about this drama, nothing: the acting, the chemistry between the leads, the characters, the visuals, the costumes, the OST. Everything fit perfectly. Honestly when I first thought about watching this drama, I didn't think I was going to end up as obsessed as I was. Now that it's over I don't know what to do with my life. It captured me from the minute it started. I loved Bai Shou instantly and I know that some had problems with her character, but I loved her fierceness, her love for her family, her loyalty to those she loved and to that one Deity she credits for saving her and her sister's lives when young. Her belief that she needs to pay it forward which in the end brings her a lot of trouble and yes even her stubbornness. I also loved her growth thru out the series. She may have started out bratty but after going thru so much pain, she lets that side of her go and becomes even more protective, brave and loyal to those she loves. Honestly one of the best FL's in Xianxia. Fan Yue- ahhh my cold Demon who really isn't. it's just a cold front he puts up in front of his enemies for protection. I love his capacity to love, how he would give up his life for that one woman he loves beyond anything and those he cares about. Truthfully, I love the way he loves Bai Shou. He's going into my top Xianxia ML's.
Bai Lu was excellent here like always. Her ability to make me feel every time Bai Shou was hurting broke me. She was also able to portray a 20-year-old woman so convincingly. I never doubted that Bai Shou was really young. She knows how to bring her characters to life perfectly. Her mannerisms, the way she high pitched her voice etc. She earned more of my love in MM.
Ao Rui Peng was the real surprise here tho. This was my first time seeing him and I have to say he did an excellent job as Fan Yue. He conveyed Fan Yue's emotions so perfectly. I felt every single one of him. I saw some people doubt him when the drama started but as it went on, I saw him shutting people up with his performance. He was incredibly charming as FY, emotional, cold, distant, in love etc. I feel like Fan Yue will open up a lot of doors for him and he deserves it. His chemistry with Bai Lu was simply magic. Watching them I couldn't help but fall in love. They really made me feel their characters love and those kisses? some of the best I've seen in Cdrama. I really hope we get the privilege of seeing them act together again because it will be such a shame if they don't. Waste of chemistry if you ask me.
Now why I mostly say that Moonlight Mystique elevated the stakes for future Xianxia's and romance drama is because of the love story between Fan Yue and Bai Shou. While many Xianxia's tend to focus on toxic relationships and misunderstandings galore or the 2nd ml being a constant drag. MM was different. Yue and Shou's love story was unique in the way that it was refreshingly healthy. Sure, they had a couple of hiccups in the beginning when they stubbornly refused to acknowledge their feelings, but once they do... it becomes one of the best relationships ever. They support each other, they listen, they COMMUNICATE all the time. No misunderstandings here. There are also no senseless break ups, either. if they are separated it's because of circumstances beyond their control. No matter what happens to them they continue to grow together rather than apart. Their love grows stronger just as they become stronger people because of it. They never doubt one another even when others want them to. Seriously the best love story in Xianxia for me. I wish that more writers would follow this format. We need more Bai Shou & Fan Yue's out there rather than Tian Tan Jin & Li Susu's. Behind FY and BS love there's also another behind theirs that weaves everything together at the end beautifully, even if it is tragic. It was like a lesson for them to follow and learn from and they did.
As for the writing the twists, the emotional beats, the plot points were perfect. Everything made sense and that's why this drama is perfect for me. If I could rate it more than 10 I would. But since I can't on here 10/10. I know I will be rewatching it a lot because it is now my number one favorite Chinese Drama. Highly recommended. Watch and you won't regret it.

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"May I be like the stars, and you, like the moon.”

Never wrote a review on this site before, but this drama made me do it haha.

First of all, I've been a Bailu stan since OFL in 2023 and ever since, this is my 1st ongoing Bailu drama, so I've been pretty hyped up since the beginning. However, even if I were not a Bailu stan, I'd still give the same ratings because this drama is just that good

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Plot/Story -
I actually love the plot so much. It starts with Bai Shuo, who wants to become an eternal to repay a divine being who saved her when she was a kid. She then meets Fan Yue, the demon king of the Bright Moon Palace who is in possession of the 60000 year old contemplation stone. The stone goes inside Baishuo's body and it is the start of Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's journey of finding the 5 contemplations to activate the stone - kindness, kill, love, hate and greed. Every contemplation arc had a well written story. I loved how they gave so well written plots even to the minor characters, everyone stood out. My favorite one might be the fox clan's story, they had me in tears from the start till the end. Jing Yuan and Xing Yue's story was also so beautiful and tragic. They deserved to live happily ever after, if only it wasn't for rules of the heaven.

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Bai Shuo and Fan Yue, our leads -
Chemistry on top>>>
Don't you just love seeing a couple in a xianxia drama who actually know how to communicate and avoid misunderstandings that last hundreds of days or hundreds of years? Bai Shuo and Fan Yue's relationship might be one of my all-time fav in any historical dramas. They had such a strong bond that build up with each episode and turned into something stronger and stronger.

Bai Shuo is one of the BEST female characters in xianxia dramas. She is extremely smart, that's what sets her apart. Over the episodes, we've seen an immense growth and development in her character. Bailu nailed as always. She never fails to deliver, her choice of dramas are always good and she always gives so much life to her characters.
Fan Yue, oh Fan Yue, I just love Ao Ruipeng as FY so much. This was my introduction to Ao Ruipeng, and trust me, I'll be staying!! He gave so much justice to this character. His portrayal of Fan Yue/Mumu/Jing Yuan.....he really made it seem like all of these characters were different. I'm just so glad FY came back in the end because if he did not, I was really going to sue the writers for all the emotional damage🙂‍↔️
Also, let's talk about the kisses🤭 We were so well fed with all those kiss scenes.

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Fuling and Chong Zhao, our 2nd couple -
A couple that were doomed from the start. We could all tell from the beginning they were never gonna get a happy ending :( An eternal who hates demons, and a demon who is evil, I really couldn't picture them falling in love because of their early interactions. Enemy to lovers done right. CZ actually had already started caring about her and falling for her even before he found out she was BX, so that's enough for me haha. They both had such a sad life, they both were used, and in the end, they both had to sacrifice themselves. I shed so much tears when it was revealed that Bai Xi was actually the divine bow, like wdym her life was already doomed from her birth, she was meant to be sacrificed😭 same with CZ, with him being the vessel for hidden lord, he was doomed to be killed/sacrificed. I really need to see them in a modern drama as the leads, let me pretend it's their 'another life where they live as an ordinary couple who has 2-3 kids' 😭

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Cinematography and OST that is top tier -
First of all, the cinematography is tooooooo good. My eyes were blessed with all those beautiful scenarios. And the OSTs, this will go down in history as one of the cdramas with the BEST OSTs of all time. I loved every single OST, my favorite being the ending theme by Zhou Shen.

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Ending -
With all the sacrifices, by the final episode, I had already given up tbh. At first, I was like, 'were all these sacrifices even necessary?' But then, without their sacrifices, it would have been impossible to win over Moli. I am just glad they brought FY back, that's enough for me now😭 Idk if I'd call it a happy ending or a sad ending tho, but I'm just glad BS and FY had a happy ending.

*﹆𖤐𓂃• Final Review -
I'd say this was such a great start to 2025 dramas. I'm glad I started my 2025 with this drama, it was honestly a rollercoaster ride of emotions. But most of all, I enjoyed watching this a lot. It had everything I wanted in a drama. A solid rewatch material, with a solid plot and a solid cast, best osts and best cinematography and good acting from everyone. I'd highly recommend this drama to anyone. I'm sad it's over, but I'll always come back to this drama. Goodbye Bai Yue Fan Xing 👋
A 10/10 for me.

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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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MM is such a MASTERPIECE.!!??

Moonlight Mystique – A Spellbinding Masterpiece ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Moonlight Mystique is a breathtaking blend of romance, fantasy, and destiny. Bai Lu and Ao Ruipeng deliver electrifying chemistry, bringing their characters to life in a story that’s both soul-stirring and unforgettable.🤩

The cinematography is pure magic, with stunning visuals that make every scene feel like a dream. And the OST? Perfection. "Flowers fall with no trace" by Sa Dingding is hauntingly beautiful, elevating the drama’s most emotional moments.🔥🔥

With its gripping storyline, stellar performances, and mesmerizing music, Moonlight Mystique isn’t just a drama—it’s an experience. A must-watch! ✨💫🔥Sooo Proud of Lulu😭💜

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I'm writing for the first time. This is that good of a drama

1. Ao Rui Peng did a brilliant job beside Bai lu considering she's my favourite but the guy was extremely amazing. Even the other castings are impressive as hell
2. Very clearly written drama
3. No extra nonsense like misunderstandings or spitting out 10 gallons of blood every time and the progress of each character is heavy good
4. Very individual centric since each character is given equal importance in their arc making them put a heavy impact throughout the story
5. We'll thought story is highly reflected since it followed a clear path with every twist it exposed

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Stories of Love: A Girl's Journey from Mortal to God

Moonlight Mystique is essentially a cluster of stories within a grander story, each one a journey filled with love, sacrifice, and courage. After the one year-long Bai Lu drama drought, she delivers another high-quality Xianxia, while Ao Ruipeng makes his Xianxia debut. Adapted from the novel “Bai Shuo Shang Shen,” or High God Bai Shuo, by Xing Ling, Moonlight Mystique is set in the same universe as Ancient Love Poetry and The Last Immortal, but isn’t a direct sequel/prequel, nor should it be considered one. If you’ve watched ALP and/or TLI, it would be best to scrap their “worlds” and dive into Moonlight Mystique without any ‘prior knowledge.’ Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this Xianxia drama, from its elegant production style and intricate costumes to its phenomenal acting and powerful chemistry between all couples. I wouldn’t say Moonlight Mystique is one of the strongest Xianxia dramas I have watched, but it is near the top and did not fail my expectations. The plot progression and character dynamics are very logical, there are minimal to no plot fillers, and the drama stayed relatively strong throughout. I do think that MM has a few shortcomings, which I will explain later.

The setting is your typical Xianxia world: strong animosity between the mortals, immortals, and demons. The mortals are scrutinized for their short-lived and weak selves, the immortals are your so-called righteous (which we know is almost always hypocritical), and the demons are the ‘villains.’ Nothing new here. However, it’s key to point out that Moonlight Mystique is a strong female-centered drama. This is already hinted with the official poster that was initially released. Like what some Chinese netizens pointed out, what may make Moonlight Mystique more appealing is the fact that Bai Shuo doesn’t wait for anyone’s saving. When she was about to get pierced by a sword, what did she do? Instead of standing there blankly, waiting for Fan Yue to save her, she just ducks. Bai Shuo sets her heart on what she wants. She knows what she wants, and she will do everything in her power to accomplish that. As she begins to harness the power of the Wu Nian Stone, Bai Shuo transitions from an initially weak mortal to the only surviving God in the world.

I appreciate the drama’s balance of constructing a strong female lead while giving ample space for the development of other characters and their stories. The male lead, Fan Yue, is a lofty and powerful demon king, revered by many and despised by others. While lofty, he has a pure heart and only hopes for the best for others. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Fan Yue and Bai Shuo and their mutual trust in one another. There weren’t any classic Xianxia misunderstandings (fortunately). Fan Yue and Bai Shuo were honest to one another from the start, and while they did try holding back things for the oher’s benefit, we eventually see them fighting together, side by side.

Moonlight Mystique is one of those rare dramas where each supporting character really stands out. I am not exaggerating when I say that I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much for each character. Even the “villains” have their own back stories that stand out. Each story arc left me gripping the edge of my seat and fumbling for tissues. Each couple has strong chemistry that leaves me rooting for them no matter their ending. Ling Long and Rong Xian’s star-crossed lovers romance was painfully-gripping yet breathlessly beautiful. Mu Jiu and Tian Huo seemed like an unlikely couple that blossomed into such cute interactions. We witness Chang Mei’s thousand-year growth through her story with A’Qi, yet another fox romance. A major highlight of this drama was Fu Ling and Chong Zhao’s story, one where love transcends hate. Every pair just worked so well. There are also familial pairs: Bai Shuo’s close relationship with her father, Tian Huo’s final reconciliation with her father after years of misunderstanding, Fan Yue untangling his younger brother’s knots of hatred, Cang Shan standing up for his demon tribe. There is just so much love in this drama. With the spotlight on so many characters, it’s difficult for a 40-episode Cdrama to really get into the “nitty-gritty” of the main couple. There are indeed many cute moments between Bai Shuo and Fan Yue, but sometimes I am left longing for more. It also seems like supporting couples may overpower the main cp, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of every supporting character (Zhen Yu and Luan Zhu not so much, but alas, antagonists are necessary).

The acting is another major highlight. I'm relatively familiar with Bai Lu’s acting, having watched many of her works. I’ve noticed that she often carries bits of her other characters into her new ones, but her acting has grown tremendously over the past few years (One and Only is a strong example). This time around, I was very impressed with the determination her eyes conveyed and the control over crying scenes. On the other hand, I watched Ao Ruipeng for the first time, and his acting is phenomenal to say the least. His portrayals of Fan Yue, Mu Mu, and Jing Yuan are so distinct and distinguishable. His characters even remind me of the three-headed dragon meme (lol), with one ferocious head, one semi-ferocious head, and one cute head. His embodiment of each character displays contrasting personalities. Other than sharing the same Ao Ruipeng face and sharing the same ‘persona’, these characters have essentially nothing in common. It’s really all in the eyes, and ARP’s eyes effectively displayed a wide range of emotions. The scene of Jing Yuan and Bai Shuo looking at each other is probably my favorite. I could tell that they were not looking at their lovers. Bai Lu has amazing chemistry with most of her co-stars, but I’m going to be bold and claim that she has the strongest chemistry with Ao Ruipeng out of all the dramas I have watched. They are like two peas in a pod, both in the drama and in the BTS clips. I would recommend you watch an interview of them or some of those clips—the laughter never ends. I was also introduced to Dai Luwa and Chang Huasen, both of whom have starred in popular dramas. Again, their eyes portrayed everything. I could write about each actors’ skill for hours, but I hope you get the idea.

Production-wise, the costumes were designed with very specific intentions and themes in mind. Bai Shuo’s lighter clothing at the beginning reflect her mortal status, and as she gets increasingly tangled in affairs involving Fan Yue, her outfits transition to darker dresses with wavy hair (common in demons). The fox clan’s outfits really do make the characters look like foxes; Cang Shan’s Rock Clan wear outfits and makeup that reflect their rock identities. Fu Ling’s transition in clothing, from darker purples to pastel purples was gorgeous. The CGI effects were also very well produced. I wouldn’t call the production over-the-top—there was a lot going on, but it was well-balanced. Oh, and Xi Xi (Fu Ling’s spirit) was adorable.

The OST compiles songs from some of the most prominent modern Cdrama singers in China, including Sa Dingding, Zhou Shen, Jing Long and Huang Xiaoyun. Sa Dingding, as usual, delivers a painfully beautiful song filled with emotions. Zhou Shen graces us with his elegant voice. Bai Lu and Ao Ruipeng also sang a melodious song together. Each song is very catchy and written-well, but my only complaint was that the OST may have been overused, particularly San Dingding’s “Hua Luo Wu Heng” - Flowers Falling Without a Trace. The song is very powerful, but the constant playing of the main lyrics started to destroy the vibes of certain scenes.

Moonlight Mystique marks a very promising year for Cdramas. If you are a Xianxia fan, you might want to give this drama a chance. With strong characters, high quality production, and well-paced plot development, we witness the role love plays throughout. Perhaps certain arcs and relationships could have been expanded upon, but with China’s 40-episode limit, I was very satisfied with how the overall drama turned out. There are numerous connections between all the characters that I won’t give away, but the reveals are done masterfully and really enhance the overall viewer experience. So, my Xianxia lovers, you might be in luck!

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A Beautiful Journey

As far as Xianxia dramas go, this one has the full package.

It's visually stunning with beautiful costumes, sets, cinematography and CGI. The OST is beautiful and memorable. The cast is perfect. And most importantly, the story is engaging and dramatic. I really like the progression of this drama, with everything being interconnected and at the same time the story and the stakes get grander and grander towards the end of the drama.

Bai Lu and Ao Rui Peng are breathtaking together. The relationship of the main couple evolves very naturally and their trust in each other is so deep that they never doubt each other. They are both very honest and sincere and are ready to protect each other and face life and death together. It's a very beautiful love that you can't help but root for.

The second couple was also great. Chong Zhao and Fu Ling have a very turbulent relationship that is rather toxic in the beginning, but grows sincere with the revelations that follow. After everything both of them have gone through, you also can't help but root for them as well.

After 40 episodes of tears and laughter, I absolutely LOVE this drama and sometime in the future I will rewatch it and go on this amazing journey once again.

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