Everlasting Longing

Missed opportunity

The plot of the novel gripped me however it introduces several notable changes that distinguish it from the original novel.



Character Development and Dynamics:

Protagonist's Portrayal: In the novel, Jun Qiluo is depicted as a resilient and multifaceted character, balancing her roles with depth and nuance. The drama, however, has faced criticism for its portrayal of Jun Qiluo, particularly concerning the lead actress's performance. Some viewers feel that the on-screen representation lacks the emotional complexity present in the literary version. citeturn0search3

Male Lead's Characterization: Xuan Lie's character in the novel is portrayed as a formidable and authoritative figure. The drama adaptation, however, has been critiqued for altering his persona, presenting him as more emotionally vulnerable, which some fans believe deviates from his original "badass general" image. citeturn0search3

Plot Adjustments:

Narrative Pacing and Structure: The novel's storyline is known for its engaging and well-structured plot. In contrast, the drama has been critiqued for pacing issues, with some viewers noting that certain episodes feel either rushed or overly drawn out, affecting the overall narrative flow. citeturn0search3

Key Plot Modifications: While specific plot details are altered in the drama, to avoid spoilers, it's noted that certain significant events from the novel are either omitted or modified, leading to a different emotional impact and character development trajectory.

Production Elements:

Visual Representation: The drama boasts high production values with elaborate costumes and set designs that bring the historical setting to life. However, some viewers have pointed out inconsistencies in visual effects and cinematography, which occasionally detract from the immersive experience. citeturn0search2

Acting and Performance: The casting choices, particularly for the lead roles, have been a topic of discussion among fans. While the novel allows readers to imagine the depth of characters, the drama's portrayal has received mixed reviews, with some praising the chemistry between leads and others critiquing the emotional delivery. citeturn0search3

In summary, while "Everlasting Longing" strives to bring Xi Juan's beloved novel to the screen, it introduces changes in character portrayals, plot structures, and production choices. These adaptations have led to varied receptions among audiences, with some appreciating the fresh take and others longing for a rendition more faithful to the source material.

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Entertaining and not that bad

Entertaining and enjoyable, though not a good drama. It's also not that bad, some people made it sound like this is the worst thing they've ever seen and it's definitely not that bad, sheesh. A 6.5 overall rating for me isn't actually that bad (I'm someone who has to be thoroughly impressed to give something above a 7).

The special effects/CGI are pretty poor but not distracting. Acting is not that bad. Production quality is decent, costumes are good, and OMG, SONG WEILONG's styling really brings out his rugged handsomeness. For Angelababy, I thought her styling was best in the 2nd half (Yannan styling). Her acting has improved from before and I think she actually did fine as a shrewd businesswoman who carefully considers every move. I thought both of the leads' characters were pretty consistent in their thoughts and actions. You know how we all hate when leads who were logical most of the first half suddenly make dumb, emotional decisions after they fall in love/when the plots needs it, but fortunately this isn't the case here. The FL is always calculated and logical, hesitant and shrewd while still being empathetic; the ML is always more emotional and passionate, acting on impulse and willing to act first and think later. This dynamic is both their ongoing struggle while also being why they balance each other out well.

I found myself binging the first 13 or so episodes, after that I had some trouble staying focused. Some of this is the drama, some of it is honestly my short attention span; even some dramas I really like and watched all the way through, I had to read episode recaps to get a look ahead to see if it was worth investing my time, and I had to do the same here with the politics. I watched the first 15 episodes, after that I read episode caps and then went to different episodes to watch certain scenes played out.

Lost points for anything involving the 2nd branch of the Jun family (literally skipped all of them) and the Jun clan + Yannan side trying to figure out what to do while Jun Feifan is missing/how to find her was skippable. I think it was still important for the story to address though, since it would be a strange gap in logic if the FL was missing for months without showing any worry or consequence from her family and the Yannan side. I just personally wasn't interested in watching it, and I suspect most viewers felt the same way.

Also: skip everything with annoying Princess Xingkou. She's abusive and annoying as hell. Lost points for that too. I liked the actor who played Shao Qin Min though, he did well as being cold in this role while being hilarious in his role as Lu Buping in Hilarious Family; I almost didn't recognize it was the same actor. Hope he gets more roles.

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A Romeo and Juliet story with Angelababy & Song Wei Long

PLOT: The FL, eldest daughter of a wealthy clan of merchants, disguises herself as a man because women are not allowed to participate in business. While traveling, she meets the ML, general of a neighboring (enemy) country. She is looking for black crystal and he is looking for her (her in the male version), to shed light on the death of his parents 12 years earlier. They bond little by little while facing multiple attacks/murder attempts (each of them has their own adversaries).

+++ Great CL with Angelababy & Song Wei Long (both magnificent) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
+++ Lots of excellent actors, bringing to life complex and well-developed characters (the main ones)
+++ Dynamic production, with beautiful images, realistic fight scenes, beautiful sets and costumes.
+++ superb OSTs

### Low-quality CGI (green background too obvious sometimes, ridiculous tiger and wolves, etc.)
### Lengths in the last third and, above all, the writing loses its coherence (both in terms of the characters' behavior and the dialogue)
### Happy ending but unconvincing (dumb final dialogue).

=> Good series, which could have been excellent if it had been better written!
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Roméo et Juliette avec Angelababy & Song Wei Long

PLOT: La FL, fille aînée d'un clan riche de marchands, se déguise en homme car les femmes n'ont pas le droit de participer aux affaires. En voyage, elle rencontre le ML, général d'une région voisine (ennemie). Elle est à la recherche de cristal noir et il est à sa recherche (elle en version homme) pour éclaircir la mort de ses parents 12 ans + tôt. Ils se lient peu à peu en affrontant de multiples agressions / tentatives de meurtre (chacun a ses adversaires +/- identifiés).

+++ Great CL avec Angelababy & Song Wei Long (magnifiques tous les 2) (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
+++ Bcp d'excellents acteurs, donnant vie à des personnages (les principaux) complexes et bien développés
+++ Réalis° dynamique, avec de belles images, des scènes de combat réalistes de beaux décors et costumes.
+++ superbes OSTs

### CGI low-quality (fond vert trop évident parfois, tigre ridicule, etc.)
### Des longueurs dans le dernier tiers et, surtout, une écriture qui perd de sa cohérence (tant au niveau du comportement des personnages, que des dialogues)
### Happy end mais peu convaincante (dialogue final NUL).

=> Bonne série, qui aurait pu être un TOP si elle avait été mieux écrite !

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Strong first half

I honestly did not expect to like this drama nor finish it. The first half of the drama was interesting and drew me in. The visuals and costumes were great in the first half. ABB and SWL had really good chemistry the first half while they were in Beixuan. However, the latter half of the drama fell short, almost as if they were rushing to complete it. Scenes that were edited out created various plot holes. I felt like I was watching on 1.5x speed even though I did not fast forward. I was too invested to drop it by the time things started going downhill. Did not regret watching it though as I really did enjoy watching the first half just wished it was more consistent.

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not bad as everyone was suggesting

this one is woth watching but along 30 episodes the storyline became boring many times , this series could have been less than 30 episodes and would have been great .

ML and FL were well written but somehow I didn't like FL acting that much

wished we could have seen proper revenge for xuan lies parents but I felt it was a little bit rushed

the 2 kings either king of beixuan or king of yannan were getting on my nerves why can't they let the leads be . their characters are poorly written like beixuan's king wanted war just because It was easier than peace for him I don't know what he was thinking, and yannan's king keep threatning qiluo with her family and at the end I don't know what convinced the 2 king to let the leads be together ,like the were suddenly okay with it ( plot hole?????)

qimin was really annoying , his one sided love for qiluo , why can't he let the leads be kept insisting on marry her even though he knew she didn't love him 😤

qingkou obsession with qimin was too much for me, maybe It became a little better at the end .

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Almost comical

Saw so many clips if this.. And it looked good..
But once i began watching it, I was quickly bored and out off.

So the fl caravan is attacked.. While the male lead did not instigate the attack he certainly did not help.
Then he kills Qi ming
Or so we think at least.

And yet it doesn't take long for the female lead to bow and scrape to the male lead.. All in the premise that she will either find information or revenge.
Once its realised that Qi ming is alive.. And a slave of the male leads sister(Princess) , he obviously wants to take the female lead and escape.. She doesn't want to.. And decides gaining infotmation is more important that the live of the friend shes had since childhood and who tried to save her life.

So Qi ming has to undergo degrading and humiliating treatment by the Princess, while our fl enjoys being flirted with by the same man who tried to kill him.
Such loyalty!

The Princess was so annoying, and I really just wished she would go away.. The fact she ended up with Qi ming was just stupid. Which man would want to stay with someone who completley demasculated him??
Him being decieved into marrying her was the absolute worst.. And I wanted to throw the whole movie away.

Our female leads acting was questionable.. And i couldn't feel any if the chemistry between her and the male lead.. It was more a business transaction than anything else.
His acting carried, while Angela babys was just dry.
I got bored.. Skipped episodes. Tried to go back and see what i had missed before deciding i didnt care enough.
This movie did not have me invested at all.

Wouldnt watch again unfortunatley,, but I am hoping to see more movies with the male lead.

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Everlasting Longing - Dropped on ep.25

I couldn't take it anymore! Found this by accident, never heard of it before. The start was interesting and had a trope I usually love. But then... things went downhill.

What I Disliked:

The FL's Acting: For the first time ever, I noticed an actress seeming limited. The FL seemed to have only three expressions. Seriously? I've watched tons of dramas where people call actors "statues," but I never noticed it myself until now. I'm not criticizing her face she looks ethereal but her expressions felt unnatural, almost painful. Bro, she needs to work on that.

The FL's Endless Lies: Her lies just kept piling up! ML, how could you trust her? Okay, I get why she hid her identity won't blame her too much for that.

The ML Stops Communicating (Ep 19): Then the ML decides... no more talking? Seriously? This lack of communication directly leads to the FL falling off a cliff! Perfect! (Sarcasm). Like, you couldn't spare 5 minutes to tell her the truth? No excuse.

ML's Illogical Trust: Early on, the FL tried anything to escape, even trying to kill him! Then he suddenly decides she's his savior after one save? Logic? Gone. You don't even know her!

FL Forgets Her Goal: I felt bad for the FL wanting to help her family. But then she gets stuck wanting to stay in Beixuan... falling in love? Girl, your family needs you! And ML, you have a contest to win! Do you care? This had potential, but I couldn't like the ML forcing her to stay. I just wanted her to go help her family!

Painfully Boring Subplot: All that screentime wasted on those two trying to steal the Jun family legacy? Unnecessary filler. Skipped 99% of their scenes. Zero care. If you wanted comedy, do it with the leads!

The Princess & Guard: Felt bad for the guard stuck with the pitiful princess. She got no real consequences or character development. Also disliked making the guard have romantic feelings for the FL. Why? They grew up like family! Just have it be loyalty, gratitude, and duty to her family. That would have been strong enough. The forced love triangle just hurt his character unnecessarily. Him and the princess could have been interesting if he actually fell for her and she wasn't so insufferable. Needed development.

ML's Guard: Actually seemed interesting! Wanted to see more of him.

Weird Red Eyes: What's up with the ML's and his childhood friend's eyes turning red when emotional? Are they okay? Is this a werewolf thing? It just looked scary...

The Pregnancy Plot: Why did the FL even keep the child? It felt forced. How did the baby survive her falling off a massive cliff when she was only about one month pregnant? (Not an expert, don't want to be, but seriously?) Then, back with her family, couldn't she... you know... avoid the huge scandal of being pregnant? They called her unvirtuous! She wanted to save her family business – dealing with pregnancy seems like a massive, reputation-destroying hurdle she wouldn't choose. Felt purely plot-driven.

ML's Crazy Actions: Him showing up at the Jun family home? Insane! FL was right: "If the king finds out, won't that confirm the Jun family is with the enemy?" Him constantly barging into her room there was infuriating! I'd be furious too.

The Few Goods:
Costumes looked good for the budget.
The FL wasn't the typical "sweet and cute girly" type.
She mostly used her brain.

Big Question:
In the first episode, the FL kills attackers! Her guard says they grew up training together, and she pretended to be a man. So... doesn't that mean the fl trained too? Just to make the ML save her every time?

Final Thoughts:
This was a long rant! Personally, I don't recommend it. I could rant more, but... it just wasn't for me. I see some people liked it in other reviews, everyone has different taste. It had some okay points, I guess? But overall, a frustrating drop at episode 25.

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Love this drama

I am totally loving this c-drama. It blends mystery, thriller, and romance into an unforgettable journey, and it had me completely hooked from the first episode.
The plot masterfully intertwines suspense with heartfelt moments, making every episode a rollercoaster of emotions. The mystery elements are intriguing, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had figured things out, another layer of the story would unfold, pulling me deeper into its grip.
The romance is not just about fleeting passion but builds on deep emotions and character growth. Watching the leads navigate their feelings amidst all the chaos around them is a treat. Their chemistry is electrifying yet tender, giving us moments that make your heart race one minute and melt the next. 🥰
The production quality is top-notch, with locations that brings the story’s world to life.
What truly makes this drama stand out, though, is the FL and the ML, the supporting cast are great too, the 2FL princess is a little annoying but i think that is due to the script and not the actress. . Each actor embodies their character so perfectly that you’re drawn in. Their performances are great for a fun c-drama that is light, serious but not dark.
Overall, *Everlasting Longing* is a must-watch for anyone who loves dramas with depth, excitement, and a little hate turned lovers. Highly recommend!

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Objective Review (i support the FL)

Overview:
Very good drama overall, would recommend watching it.


Pros:
• awesome main leads- chemistry/ acting/ kisses etc
• peak dress fashion (unlike most recent costume dramas)
• strong FL (one of my biggest turn on’s in a drama)
• concrete story (not just putting together 3 love triangles with a vague plot)
• enemies to lovers
• well laid out pace and plot (doesn’t feel rushed or too slow)
• handsome male actors, beautiful females
• pretty convincing happy ending (personally I was worried for a happy ending given how the plot was developed but they did a good job)
• major plot twists- very juicy and interesting 😋
• nice fighting scenes (not just posing with a weapon)
• antagonists acted really well too


Cons:
• The SFL was a legit pain in the ass to watch- extremely irrational and irritating (spoiler: she had trauma ok, but, still a damn freak TT)
• SML’s character was heavily sacrificed to support the main leads story- general drama plot but a quick heads up :)
• Spoiler: cousin’s family of FL can be a bit infuriating (ironically comical too) but honestly MUCH better than the SFL
• Spoiler: the antagonist was seriously blinded with love (I didn’t quite like the part but yea, much more bearable than the SFL)


My advice:
• First time watch: might wanna watch the SFL and FL’s cousins parts on 2x
• Second or more watch: god damn skip that SFL 💀 (me when I rewatch.)


Summary:
Barring the SFL (she does do a good thing here and there but it honestly far overshadows the bad she does) its an excellent drama overall.

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Everlasting Longing” is a beautifully crafted Chinese drama that masterfully blends romance, emotion, and an engaging storyline. The show captivated me from the first episode and kept me invested in the journey of its characters until the very end. The main leads are not only visually stunning but also deliver performances filled with depth and authenticity, making their love story truly unforgettable.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this drama is its ability to portray a timeless romance that feels both passionate and genuine. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their emotional journey tugs at the heartstrings. Their struggles, triumphs, and unwavering commitment to each other are beautifully depicted, making their happy ending all the more satisfying.

The ending is a heartfelt culmination of all the trials and tribulations faced by the leads. It leaves you with a sense of joy and contentment, making the entire journey worthwhile. If you are a fan of heartwarming romances with a touch of drama, “Everlasting Longing” is a must-watch. It’s a story that stays with you long after the final episode, reminding you of the beauty of love and perseverance.

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Such an amazing and wonderful drama. Worthwhile watching it.

This drama is really amazing and wonderful. The character and the roles played by each and every actor and actress are so good. This drama defines the importance of justice, freedom, betrayal of close ones, and sacrificing oneself to protect the one with whom you wish to spend your life together till death. Both ML and Fl played a robust character indeed. They are both meticulous, calculative, and kind, compassionate, and are willing to sacrifice their life to protect to protect the people of their origin. Also, the roles played by supporting actors and actresses are outstanding. They also have a similar mindset like that of the main character and are willing to protect/endanger/surrender themself to protect the ones they love or care about. This drama is must must-watch drama, and the ending is good and justified as well

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