A Beautifully Haunting Love Story
Love Beyond the Grave opens with a striking and immersive introduction. The first few episodes immediately establish its mystique, fantasy, and emotional depth in a way that engages and draws viewers in. The storytelling unfolds smoothly, steadily building toward a larger, more intricate narrative.At the heart of the drama are He Simu, the powerful yet emotionally restrained Sovereign of the Spirits, and Duan Xu, an admirable and skilled general with secrets of his own. Their connection—through the sharing of senses—adds a unique dimension to the story. Simu, who has never truly experienced the world, and Duan Xu, who becomes her bridge to it, are written with a level of nuance that makes their relationship especially compelling. It isn’t driven by grand declarations, but by unspoken understanding—Mòqì (默契). The way he instinctively senses her presence, the way she always knows when he needs her, the quiet gestures between them, and their sacrifices for each other—these moments carry a surprising emotional weight.
What makes their bond so captivating, for me, is the subtle undercurrent of sadness running through it. Even in their happiest moments, there’s a lingering sense that something is just out of reach, that their time together is fragile.
The pacing stays remarkably consistent throughout. Rather than slowing down, the story steadily builds momentum, layering in tension and emotion as it moves toward a rewarding final stretch.
Visually, the drama is a standout. The cinematography, costumes, and settings are beautiful, with thoughtful composition and color tones that enhance the ethereal quality of the spiritual world. The special effects support the fantasy elements well, and the action scenes are well done. The OST is another highlight—it blends seamlessly into the narrative and elevates many of the key emotional scenes. Many of the songs will remain on my playlist.
The performances are what really bring everything together. The leads share a chemistry that feels both natural and intense at the same time. Dilraba and Arthur Chen fully embody their roles, to the point where it’s easy to forget you’re watching actors—they are Simu and Duan Xu.
As a couple, they’re incredibly endearing. I find myself rooting for them from the very beginning, holding onto every small moment they share because of how fragile their happiness feels. Their connection is built on strong, unwavering devotion, which makes their relationship all the more affecting. At the same time, as individual characters, both are likable, with their own strengths and vulnerabilities that make me invested in their journeys beyond just the romance.
What impressed me most is how well both actors emote. They don’t rely on dramatic lines to convey feeling—so much is expressed through their eyes, their facial expressions, and even the smallest shifts in body language. Whether it’s longing, gratitude for the time they share, or heartbreak, they make me feel it without overplaying it. It’s their excellent and emotionally rich performances that make the story resonate as deeply as it does.
The supporting cast also leaves a strong impression. Zhang Li and Miles Wei, in particular, stand out—especially Miles Wei, whose character is layered enough to be both evocative and deeply frustrating in the way a well-written antagonist should be.
Characters like Chen Ying, Feng Yi bring a welcome sense of warmth and humor, helping to balance the heavier emotional moments of the story. And beyond Simu and Duan Xu, there’s another tragic relationship that I found myself unexpectedly invested in.
By the final episodes, the emotional weight fully settles in. The drama leans into themes of obsession, love, sacrifice, and fate, and for the most part, it delivers. The ending strikes a balance between bittersweet and satisfying. Even without the special episode, the original conclusion felt complete to me, offering a sense of closure for our lead couple. The special episode simply gives a little extra for the romantic in me who wants something more complete and definitive.
Despite a few loose ends, Love Beyond the Grave succeeds in what it sets out to do. It’s a story carried by strong performances, a gripping love story, and a blend of worlds that feels both beautiful and melancholic.
This is a drama that will remain on my rewatch list.
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The Ghost Queen And Her Fated General!!!
BASIC PLOT-Love beyond grave follows the all too powerful and immortal Ghost Queen, He Si Mu, and Duan Xu, a young yet mysterious mortal general. What starts as a by chance encounter leads to such entwine fate and destiny that binds their paths together forever.
He Simu is born a spirit and thus lacks all her 5 senses since birth, she rules the spirit void as the Ghost Queen for the past 400 years.
Duan Xu is a young and reputed scholar turned general. He seems all too normal in the front but is hiding secrets far too complicated and dangerous. He may also not be who he claims he is.
Thier fated entwine when duan xu becomes He simu's bonded spell bearer (a person who can share their senses with other) .
CHARACTERS-
Both the characters are extremely intelligent and out of ordinary figures. They both have suffered in very different way but at the end of the day, they understand each other. Their understanding of each other without even saying anything, just through their actions is what makes them such complex yet amazing characters.
There’s a lingering sense of longing and understanding in almost every interaction they have together. Their smiles and eyes speak a thousand worlds without even trying.
At the end of the day they just want the other to be happy and safe. I loved how duan xu was so protective of he simu even if she is literally the immortal sovereign. And he simu totally gave off the vibes of 'touch-him-and-die' when it came to him.
And at the end of the day, even with a hundred problems, they both came back for each other. They never stopped loving and yearning.
ACTORS-
Dilraba and Arthur have portrayed the characters on point. Had seen so many people complaining about the acting and age gap between them but tbh it's perfect, the acting and age gap is on point with the situation and the overall plot of the drama.
The chemistry between the leads is a major highlight, their connection feels intense yet so natural.
The side characters do their work brilliantly. They leave their impact on the story hard and clear. Specially the bad guys, miles did such a good job with yanke, like I wanted to punch the shit out of him so many times but he made such a complex bad guy.
The side characters actually make you both love and hate their characters.
CINEMATOGRAPHY AND MUSIC-
The cinematography is breathtaking, each scene better that the last. Specially during the ghost relm arc. The whole fantasy element is justified and enhanced by the amazing colour grading and use of VFX.
The use of music and the main OST increases the impact of the scene making the drama a whole new experience.
PACING AND VIBES-
The pacing of the drama is excellent, it doesn't drag on things and with each episode ending on somewhat of a cliff hanger, it keeps you hooked to your screens. The whole ghostly aura and the themes of death in the drama gives it an out of ordinary vibes. This drama makes you fascinated with ghosts, spirits and death.
The drama balances an eerie, almost haunting tone with deeply emotional storytelling. The whole vibe of the drama carries a tone of melancholy, subtle longing and desire. It delivers the story with the perfect mix of love, hate, desire, longing, fantasy and suffering.
Overall, the drama is a must watch. It does what it promises to do really well and that too without trying too hard.
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Dilraba & Chen Feiyu’s Chemistry is Addictive! Please Cast Them in a Modern Drama
Love Beyond the Grave is the series I was most looking forward to this year, and I have to say — it didn’t disappoint me even a little bit!The story follows He Simu, the powerful and immortal Ghost Queen who lacks all five senses. She appears cold and detached on the outside, but deep down she’s incredibly fragile. Then there’s Duan Xu, the young and mysterious general with a brutal past, who turns out to be fiercely devoted and surprisingly gentle with her. He’s willing to give everything for her. What begins as a chance encounter gradually blossoms into a beautiful, intense, and heartwarming love that transcends the human and spirit worlds.Both lead actors delivered fantastic performances. Especially Dilraba — she was outstanding and played the role with such depth. She beautifully portrayed the transformation from an emotionless, icy queen to a young woman slowly learning about love and vulnerability. Every scene she’s in looks stunning and majestic. Chen Feiyu also did an excellent job conveying Duan Xu’s obsessive love and inner pain with subtle, nuanced acting. Every glance and every action makes it crystal clear how much he loves her.The supporting cast was generally solid, though I really hated Yan Ke’s character — he was so annoying and frustrating that he genuinely made my blood boil. On the bright side, Wei Zheming was great, and Zhang Li looked absolutely glamorous in her role as Jiang Ai.
The production is spectacular. The visuals are premium-level, the CGI and fight scenes are well-done, the costumes are incredibly intricate and gorgeous, and the soundtrack perfectly enhances the emotions of every scene.
What I loved the most is the chemistry between Dilraba and Chen Feiyu — it’s off the charts and so addictive! Their skinship feels so natural, both on and off screen. Every time they share a scene, the chemistry flows effortlessly without any forced moments. It really feels like the whole world disappears and there’s only the two of them. It’s such a shame that the production cut out so many kiss scenes in episode 30. Those were some of the best kiss scenes ever . I really hope the leads do another drama together, maybe a modern one next time.
Overall, Love Beyond the Grave is a romantic fantasy series that was absolutely worth the wait this year. The leads have incredible chemistry, the production is grand and beautiful, the fight scenes and CGI are top-tier, the costumes are stunning, and the soundtrack fits perfectly. 10/10 — I highly recommend everyone to watch it.
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This was just amazingly beautiful
I loved the first ep, it made me tear up when they met .. the ending was just so sad, I cried for 5 days with this and moreso thru the whole story but the end was just so sad and beautiful... And make sure to watch the "together forever" 7 min special. It's a happy ending, I still cried with that one too. But I'm so happy they followed the novel it was so beautiful and I give this a 10. All the characters were great, even the jerk Yan Ke, he was even an awesome villain.I'm very, very pleased with this and I love both lead actors and I have gained new ones that I now love and hope to see them more in. It's funny and romantic, heartbreaking to where your chest will hurt but you most definitely get a happy ending. It followed the novel so well. Please always give dramas a chance, you'll be surprised how much emotion you'll feel and I haven't ever been a huge fan of the FL, I def like her in some dramas and this one, she has made me appreciate her so much more. This is wonderful, thank you to the cast, the director, screenwriter and producer and production staff .. y'all ALL served this drama to the max.
Such a BEAUTIFUL story. I haven't cried so much in a good min and got a happy ending that made me cry. WELL DONE, 10/10 ❤️❤️❤️
Keep up the amazing work! And always, can't wait for Arthur to have a new drama. I've always loved him. And to the new actors / some I'm familiar with, keep it up and hope to see y'all again in the screen!
Always remember how much you guys touched the audiences heart here. Great work! ❤️❤️❤️
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Best xuanhuan of 2026
My experience with "Love Beyond The Grave" feels a bit personal, mainly because I went into it as someone who had already read the novel. That always comes with expectations—sometimes unfair ones—but this time, I was genuinely impressed. The drama stays surprisingly faithful to the source material, making only small changes while preserving the emotional core of the story. As a reader, that meant a lot.What really elevates this drama, though, is the acting. Dilraba as He Simu was nothing short of captivating. There’s a quiet strength and depth to her performance that makes the character linger long after the episodes end. After being a little disappointed with her previous work, I was hoping she’d get a role that truly lets her shine—and she absolutely does here.
Chen Feiyu also deserves credit. His portrayal of Duan Xu might not fit the typical image of a hardened general, but that’s precisely why it works. Duan Xu isn’t supposed to be some untouchable war hero—he’s young, impulsive, and full of life. Chen Feiyu leans into that, and it pays off, especially in moments like the North Cheong camp infiltration. And together? Their chemistry feels effortless. You don’t just watch them—you *feel* with them. I found myself laughing one moment and completely wrecked the next.
The supporting cast adds even more flavor. I genuinely couldn’t stand Yan Ke—and I mean that in the best way possible. Miles Wei did such a good job that my frustration with the character was even stronger than when I read the novel. Zhang Li as Jiang Ai was equally memorable, perfectly embodying that polished, “wrapped in luxury” presence without ever feeling flat.
That said, the drama isn’t without flaws. The middle portion does drag a bit, just like in the novel, and I had quietly hoped the adaptation would tighten that up. Instead, some choices—like changing the Duan Jingyuan discovery scene—left me slightly disappointed. The original version had a charm and humor that the drama couldn’t quite replicate. And I’ll admit, I really wish they had included the extra chapters from the novel. A more concrete happy ending would have made the whole journey feel even more complete.
One thing I can’t overlook is the music. The OSTs are beautiful in that understated way—they don’t just accompany the story, they stay with you afterward, almost like echoes of the emotions you felt while watching.
At the end of the day, this is a story that grows on you. It’s not perfect, but it’s sincere. It makes you care—about the characters, their choices, and everything they lose and hold onto along the way.
If you’re in the mood for something emotional, character-driven, and quietly intense, this is absolutely worth your time.
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Awesome Concept & Show..... BUT Anticlimactic HE w/Choppy Editing
First time seeing Arthur in anything and I have to say that he did very well with this character. Granted, I have nothing to compare it to, but for now I can say that this was a good character for this actor. I follow Reba and Zhang Li, that's why I put this on my watchlist. Again, I'm going to keep it short and sweet and not my typical review.I really like the concept of the show. It was very different. I especially liked the fact that it primarily had fantasy elements as opposed to that fun genre aka Xianxia that I do not like very much. It did have that feeling in the end, though. I know the novel readers said that it deviated a lot from the book but overall I very much enjoyed it especially the fight scenes and yes, it was slow burn but the novel concept the exchange of the five senses was really cool as well. I like the sub plots, but for the most part, the storyline was solid until we got to the end and that's when choppy editing and a very anti-climactic ending just kind of petered a very promising drama out and dropped my score. I wish the sword that DX carried was used in more than just fighting ringwraith looking evil spirits, and I wish that he was instrumental in bringing down YK who was the show's largest villain by far, but got a half assed ending. I really like Miles Wei and his portrayal as the deranged, bug eyed, obsessed, power-hungry asswipe was spot on. I have to say that every single actor and actress for however long they were on screen did a very good job. I do wish they had fleshed out the story a lot more and exited characters some of them properly instead of just shooting the breeze so to speak. The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and I like that the kid became ghost king. But the way it went from her mourning DX (meanwhile, there's another scene again completely out of nowhere where I am guessing the now deceased DX in his wedding gown is in the middle of some blizzard in the middle of nowhere trying to find her and then is going towards some sun. Zero explanation on that) and then all of a sudden his little jellyfish thingy popped up and then cut straight to naming the new ghost king and her leaving the realm and then the jellyfish thingy following her being DX with her, then walking the streets in the mortal realm being seen by the Lord of fate and her 20th generation nephew saying that he will return cut to the extra episode and we're back in her crying over his body and everything being frozen. Like it was literally all over the place. And the weird thing is the ban on the amount of episodes had been lifted at the point this drama was shot so I do not understand why they couldn't have made two or three extra episodes to properly end that, instead of the hodgepodge of last 5 episodes and then the extra episode as well.
I cannot stand when in an extra episode because the last episode was so all over the place at the end still has three of the six minutes, totally on the same thing that the last episode was on and you don't even see the characters hug when they see each other as mortals at the end. They are literally standing something like 20 feet apart from each other, just staring at each other and that was the ending and then roll credits. I cannot stand when they do that in a drama. Because they had more than enough ample time to at least have them run to each other, hug each other; if they kissed that would've been great, but just hug and hold each other would've made that connection so much more powerful given all the absolute BS they went through in the series. So again, I will say I really really enjoyed the show but those last four episodes or maybe even five, the cop out death of YK after absolutely everything he put everyone through including imprisoning her for five years so she couldn't even see DX while his health was deteriorating and that whole ending was just a complete mess.
ZL and Baron Chen and a bunch of other characters including his war buddies and the kid great characters plus his two double agent friends, one who unfortunately had to off himself because of the power plays in the capital but great characters played very, very well. Wonderful OST's; I love LYN's OST it fit perfectly with them together. Costumes, the CGI was just off the chain gorgeous for a fantasy drama probably one of the first. Thankfully the colors were normal and not Technicolor Dreamcoat and it was just a nice series. Subtract the last five (though they did have good parts to them too).
Would I recommend it? Despite my dissatisfaction with a lot of the last five episodes though there was still some good stuff in there, I would have to say this is a series that one has to watch just because it's so different. And I'm one to love unique stuff and just the topic itself and how it was portrayed was very unique so definitely give it a go.
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i love This drama
Review (Episodes 1–4):Episodes 1–4 of Love Beyond the Grave offer a beautifully crafted introduction that immediately captures attention. The drama sets a strong emotional tone early on, blending mystery, fantasy, and subtle character depth in a very engaging way.
The storytelling feels smooth and intentional, never overwhelming the viewer while still hinting at a larger, more complex narrative. Each episode builds upon the last, allowing the audience to slowly connect with the characters and understand their motivations.
The leads already show a quiet but compelling chemistry, with small moments and expressions carrying significant emotional weight. It’s the kind of connection that feels natural and gradually deepens rather than being rushed.
Visually, the drama continues to impress. The cinematography is elegant, with carefully composed scenes that enhance both the atmosphere and the storytelling. The OST remains a standout, perfectly supporting the mood and elevating key emotional scenes.
Overall, episodes 1–4 deliver a strong and immersive start, setting the foundation for what promises to be a deeply emotional and visually stunning journey.
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a drama that is worth watching
Review of Love Beyond the Grave“Love Beyond the Grave” is the kind of drama that stays with you long after the final episode. It’s deeply emotional, visually captivating, and built around strong character connections — and overall, it delivers far more strengths than weaknesses.
Direction & Aesthetics
The direction deserves a lot of praise. Every scene is carefully crafted, enhancing both intimate and dramatic moments. The cinematography is beautiful, with a color palette that perfectly matches the melancholic and romantic tone of the story. The framing elevates emotions, especially in the final scenes.
One of the standout aspects is the battlefield sequences. The drama doesn’t shy away from portraying war in a raw and intense way. The general is shown with real depth, including a ruthless, even bloodthirsty side when necessary, which breaks away from the typical “clean” heroic image.
The fight scenes are well-choreographed, fluid, and impactful, with minimal excessive cuts, allowing the viewer to fully follow the action. Visually, these scenes are striking — from costumes and weapons to the use of blood and set design — creating a powerful contrast between beauty and brutality. These moments don’t just serve as action; they deepen the characters and reinforce the emotional weight of the story.
Cast & Acting
The cast is one of the drama’s biggest strengths. The leads have very natural chemistry, making the romance feel genuine and engaging. The performances are consistent and emotionally powerful, especially in scenes of separation and suffering. You can truly feel the weight of the characters’ choices — nothing feels forced.
Editing & Pacing
The editing is well done and enhances the emotional impact of the story. The pacing is balanced: it doesn’t feel rushed, but it also doesn’t drag. Transitions help maintain the tone, especially when dealing with the spiritual and supernatural elements.
CGI & Supernatural Elements
The CGI does its job effectively. It’s not overused, but it’s sufficient to build the drama’s world. The supernatural elements are presented in a delicate and meaningful way, adding depth without breaking immersion.
Story
The story is engaging, emotional, and well-constructed. The romance is at the center, but it’s far from superficial — it’s developed through conflict, sacrifice, and difficult choices. It’s ultimately a story about love that transcends boundaries, including life and death.
Ending (Positive Interpretation)
At first glance, the ending may seem open-ended, but it still provides a sense of closure — especially if you read between the lines. The fact that he becomes a spirit to stay by her side isn’t tragic; it’s simply a different form of a “happy ending.” It’s more symbolic and emotionally aligned with the tone of the drama.
And it’s very important to mention: there is a ~6-minute special episode that delivers a clear happy ending. So for anyone who felt emotionally wrecked, this extra works as a perfect closure.
Only Criticism
If there’s one weak point, it’s the execution of the ending. The idea itself is good and makes sense within the story, but it could have been presented more clearly or with greater impact. It needed a bit more development.
Final Verdict
Even with that small flaw, “Love Beyond the Grave” is an amazing drama. It excels in direction, acting, aesthetics, emotional storytelling, and overall execution.
It’s the kind of series that doesn’t rely on a conventional ending to be memorable — and still rewards you with a happy conclusion if you watch the special
The ending makes sense in both formats. In the normal format, the protagonist is still a ghost as before, while the male protagonist, being so attached to her, transforms into a jellyfish that follows her. This also makes sense because the male protagonist is extremely attached to the female protagonist. It ends with the idea that the male protagonist will eventually have a body, and the two can be together, following each other everywhere. In the other format, the female protagonist becomes human as in the novel. This also makes sense because the series builds the story so that the female protagonist wants to live a life as an ordinary human, forming a couple with the male protagonist. In both formats, the ending doesn't hurt the viewer. I admire the series' screenwriter in several ways: in the novel, the characters lacked depth, but in the series, they wrote and filled in the details better. Overall, this is another story that impressed me greatly
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The best Xianxia/Xianhuan drama !!!
I’ve watched countless xianxia/xianhuan dramas and this one is definitely the best. This drama is very different from all the other c-dramas out there. Most xianxia dramas are about god/demon races, master-disciple, mortal-immortal, demon-mortal and contains too much misunderstandings, miscommunications and filler plots but this one is just different.[Plot Summary]- He Simu is a 400 yr old sovereign of spirits who lacks the five senses. Duan Xu is the general of the Tabai Army and he is also the Spell Bearer of He Simu (the only mortal who can exchange the five senses with her). And there are two worlds: guixu (the void/ghost realm) and the mortal world (human realm). He Simu belongs in guixu while Duan Xu belongs in mortal world which are two different realms yet they later fell in love after spending time.
Actually there’s so much more to it then just “falling in love” but this drama is quite different and complicated so I can’t mention the interesting parts since it would be spoiling. I love how the relation between the fl and ml is just pure love; no miscommunications and breakups. Both the fl and ml love and yearn for each other deeply. Also the dynamics between some side characters and the leads were very wholesome. There are some annoying characters but they made the story more interesting. There is a second ml but there isn’t any love triangle because the second ml stands no chance against the ml loll. The actors/actresses delivered such an outstanding Oscar worthy performance especially the fl. The emotions were depicted well not only physically but you could also feel the emotions in their voices. Im not sure about the side characters but Dilraba and Feiyu both dubbed for their own characters with their original voices.
Dilraba did so well as He Simu and I can’t imagine anyone as playing her. The subtle changes in expressions are too good and her versatility needs to be studied. She played two roles: He Xiaoxiao and He Simu. He Xiaoxiao is her in the mortal realm; an extremely beautiful young lady who’s innocent and pure but her cunning-ess is hidden below the mask. He Simu is her in the void world; the most powerful sovereign of spirits in all past generations and is extremely terrifying and brutal. You could clearly see the difference between He Xiaoxiao and He Simu. She was much softer and nicer in the mortal realm and more witchy and eery in the void world; even the costume and makeup style changes. Now let’s get to our ml. Chen Feiyu absolutely did justice to his character as a young general of the Tabai Army. He was absolutely ruthless and brutal in wars but was such a golden retriever when he’s the fl. The war fighting scenes were absolutely insane; especially in ep 8. I love how Chen Feiyu isn’t just there to serve face and goes to war with 10lbs of makeup. He was all bloody and looked pale with those killer eyes when fighting in war. I love how the is drama didn’t just focus on the visuals and feed on cp nachos and actually focuses on the plot, war, acting, etc all aspects. And also praises should be gone to the actors and actresses as well because they devoured their roles. Also the chemistry between the leads>>> Some people mistakes chemistry as making out and fawking but nahh. I love the chemistry between the main leads are subtle yet so visible; especially the scenes after they first exchanged the five senses. They were so cute and their eyes were filled with love and yearning. Duan Xu is such a green flag. He was willing to give up his life for He Simu’s happiness even if it’s just a fleeting moment.
Okay now let’s talk about the aesthetics. First of all, this might be THE c-drama where all the characters were well-dressed and looks scrumptious. The stylist deserves a raise for the costumes and makeup since it’s the best I’ve ever seen in my whole life. The cgi, green screen, cinematography, intro, outro everything was pure art and well-done. Not a single flaw at all. I love the osts as well. The lyrics were so emotional and represents the character/relation/situation well. Even the soundtracks were insane especially the one that turns on when He Simu is showing her authority as the sovereign of spirits; also the soundtrack that turns on when there’s a war and the citizens and solders were dying. My fav ost is probably Above All Spirits by Huang Xiaoyun; it feels comforting yet somewhat a stab in the heart (you must’ve been through so much pain feeling yk)
Overall, I love everything about this drama including the plot, acting, story, visual vfx, ost, literally everything. I read the novel for this ahead and it’s almost entirely the same until a few of the final episodes. This is my fav xianxia/xianhuan drama or even my fav c drama. Actually, I didn’t have much hopes in this drama because I wasn’t a fan of the leads (I mean I haven’t watch any of Feiyu’s drama and for Reba, I’ve watched Love on the Turquoise Land only, beforehand. However after watching this, I became an absolute fan of all the casts. I binged watched almost all of Reba’s drama like TBH, TLB, ELOAD, TLA, YAMG, etc and for Feiyu, I watched LAP, WDBTD, LSIT90s and for Miles Wei, I watched YAMFL, OFL, TPC, etc and more from the other casts. What Im trying to say is, each and everyone of the casts did so well that I got hooked up with the actors/actresses themselves and not only the characters from this show. Oh and do I have to mention that I dreamed about this drama during my sleep like 4–6 times and I specially created a playlist that reminds me of this drama and listened to it on repeat everyday before I sleep. I am that obsessed with this drama. Im not used to writing reviews and this is only my second or third time writing one so I might’ve added unnecessary informations so this is more of like a yappery and my personal opinion of this drama, sryyy. I really really really really enjoy this drama and I recommend you to watch this. This drama will be forever remembered by me. It’s that special
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UGH SO GOOD
OMFG so good i cried like a baby in the last ep. Dilraba acting oh my god i have to words. her expressions were on point and every scene with her i was mesmerized by her face and her subtle facial expressions. Arthur chen also complemented raba so well and his acting is on par. I donr have enough words to express my fondness to this show. THIS IS ALSO MY FIRST TIME I FINISHED A NOVEL. THE NOVEL although i would say the show has about 97 percent same I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE THE SCENE WHERE HE SIMU KISSED DUAN XU IN FRONT OF THE DAD AND OTHERS. ugh such pity but IT WAS SO GOOD. although the drama and the novel ended he simu becoming human and duan xu coming back to life I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE HE SIMU STILL THE KING CUZ HE RULED SO HARD AND ATE AND WOULD OF LOVED TO SEE DUAN XU BECOME SOMEONE WHO COULD SHARE SAME LIFE AS HER AND BE ABLE TO STAY WITH HER. but I dont mind the ending they chose because he simu alyaws wanted to become human. 10000000000/10NOT TO MENTION THE OSTS ATE and made every emotional scene more emotional.
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a STUNNING... SOULLESS drama...
Initial observations 🗯️🗯️I don't know what but something in this drama is just not clicking for me.
I tried to watch it and reserve judgment but as I keep watching this feeling is just not going anywhere.
This drama is beautiful, there is no doubt about it. It's pretty clear they invested at lot of money and the only word I can think of is "STUNNING". Sets, makeup, costumes everything is gorgeous but something is missing. It feels hollow, devoided of any emotion.
I like the ml and FL. They are fantastic actors and the whole cast is on point. But to me it feels like watching a super model, visually stunning but without feeling any attraction to it.
PREMISE OF THE SHOW🗯️🗯️
The Queen of the spirit wordl is taking a break in the mortal realm. Out of luck she encounters a mortal general who possesses the key to her desires: he is able to exchange his human senses with the queen to let her experience the human way of living. Thanks to this pact they destiny intertwined.
RANT🗯️🗯️
I am going to list everything that made me go "meh".
∆ This spirit queen doesn't possess the "human senses"... Which is not true.
Sight? She can see.. she is just colorblind
Earing? She can hear perfectly fine, she is just deaf to music. (But plays music on battlefields for the dying)
At the beginning her reason to experience the human life looked silly. After a while we discover that she actually had a human mother which I guess can be linked to her desire to experience life like her. I don't know because I didn't make it that far.
∆ Talking about "mothers".. at the very beginning the drama introduces the queen as the only queen born directly as a spirit. Ok, to me that implies that she just "appeared" in the spirit world. Oh no.. later we find out that she had a human mother and a spirit dad I guess(?).
∆ Moving on to the ml. He is conceiving his identity. When his turn to explain his past comes, he says that he was born as Duan xi but later is kidnapped and another guy took his place. Ok... So... Then why are you still using your original name, everyone knows by that name and call the guy who was put in your place with a different name?
Maybe I am missing something or the subs were off.. but to me that whole thing is a mystery.
Unfortunately this drama is full of these "weird "things".
∆ Let's talk about the FL. To access the mortal world she has to "possess " a mortal body. When we are introduced to her she basically uses a body that looks like her exactly. Occasionally, the mortal body needs to rest but she is free to go around in her spirit form. Later in the drama we find out that she was actually possessing a body that looks nothing like her and she is now setting her free. Emm. What? Then why didn't the body you showed us before change its features everytime your spirit left it? I don't get it.
I am either too dumb or this drama is just confusing as fuck and not too well though out.
∆ Arthur Cheng is a mortal general who never experienced magic (as far as I know) but isn't a bit surprised when the FL reveals she is the queen of the spirit world. He is cool as it gets, even happy. Shouldn't you be at least.. surprised? A bit frightened?
∆the general is trained as a killer. He murdered countless people as part of his training but one day a random man tells him" hey, the weather looks nice today" and he leaves the assassin world because that conversation changed his mind😒
∆ the general is a skilled assassin but he is still a human, right? Wrong. Because he volunteers to infiltrate the enemy camp and fight hundreds of men alone. You can be skilled as much as you want but that was just ridiculous.
∆ plot armor: there is never a real sense of danger in this drama which leads to no stakes. You never worry about the protagonists because they will always win no matter the circumstances. The Queen loses her powers and is about to die? Don't worry, the general is around the corner.
Hundred of men are about to kill the general? Who cares. He can single handedly kill them all.
∆ romance: I think this is the weakest part of the drama. To be honest I never found them believable.
At the beginning dilraba is this cool , ruthless queen willing to torture and murder when necessary but when she meets this general she basically makes empty treats to him all the time without any consequences. I get that she later is willing to protect him but even when a "punishment" is expected she never follows through.
He on the other hand is the one being "threatened" but after 2 second starts talking about love.
That surprised me quite a bit. It felt out of place because they didn't quite built that romantic energy yet. It felt weird.
After that moment he is so enamoured with this woman that it becomes ridiculous.
Especially when they arrive in the spirit underworld he switches from cold general to an annoying puppy. He seems a totally different character and she feels like his mom.
I never felt the "tension" between them. She feels like an aunt and he looks like an energetic baby.
∆ the episodes in the underworld are so far the most boring ones. They basically spend the time measuring "dicks" because the right hand and the general both are in love with the queen.
∆ while we watch the "void" episodes , what we saw that far never gets mentioned. The emperor, the power struggle, the other generals, conflict with the enemy, the little brother (really sweet actor). They never get mentioned or shown.
That's all I gathered from episode 1 to 18.
I think I might be dropping this drama because even though I am fine suspending my "disbelief", when stuff doesn't make sense with an internal logic , I just cannot enjoy it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lovesick Puppy Boy and Delulu Lunatic, Here We Go Again
"Love beyond the Grave" is one of my long-awaited C-drama and previously, I only endured the first 20 pages of its OG source 'cause the mortal world arc was too boring to my liking (I also have its hardcopy, but due to the difficulty of historical term, I'm discouraged to continue reading). After recovering from "Pursuit of Jade", I immediately enter the world of this drama. From my perspective, I can't say it's an excellent masterpiece, but it's not a catastrophe as well (err, it's going to one in the finale). I'm also aware that xuanhuan genre isn't everyone's cup of tea, hence the increasing amount of low rating. As a xuanhuan's fanatic, I'm used to seeing this phenomenon and just masticate every material given to me. Let's see my take on "Love beyond the Grave"."Love beyond the Grave" revolves around a 400-year-old ghost who is the sovereign of the spirit world, He Simu and a mortal general who is chosen by the Deliverance Sword as its master, Duan Xu/Duan Shunxi. On one of Simu's travel to the mortal world, she happens to pass by the lifeless Liangzhou City, adopts Xue Chenying after his father makes a deal with her, and finally encounters Duan Xu, discovering that he's wielding the Deliverance Sword (forged by her aunt). Simu deliberately gets close to him to dig information out of him, including his original background and the reason why he can wield that mystical sword. At first, the two play a cat-and-mouse game covered with multiple layers of deception they only know of. Over time, they share weal and woes together, open up each other's emotional wound, and learn of the predicament of life.
To put it frankly, "Love beyond the Grave" is actually plotless too. After Simu comes to the mortal world and strikes a deal with Duan Xu to exchange five senses every 10 days, everything should've come to an end. There's nothing special about it. However, the scene where Simu looks like a happy little puppy experiencing five senses makes me feel for her. A lot of people are criticizing about this part, but I guess it's normal for someone who can't feel five senses in themselves. Another issue which plagues this drama is the simp ML again. After a traumatizing experience of "Eat Run Love", I have been dreading simp ML and I guess we get another one in here. This occurs when Simu needs to leave the mortal world and returns to the spirit world to govern those rebellious ghosts and wandering spirits who can't let go of their obsessions. Duan Xu is supposed to travel to Nandu to catch up with his army, but he decides to abandon his life in the mortal world, recklessly entering the spirit world just to accompany Simu every day. Nevertheless, the amount of simping is much more tolerable compared to "Eat Run Love" where the FL repeatedly dumps the ML every time they meet (excuse me, but the simping is getting more obnoxious as the story goes - as you see, Duan Xu is always in need of last-minute rescuing, especially from Simu herself - other than her, all the characters also seem to be feeling sorry for this little general, including the spirit girl, Jiang Ai, Fengyi, and who knows). Simu loves Duan Xu himself, but she's bound by her duty and responsibility as the leader of the spirit world, so it's quite reasonable for her to push him away. Simu originally wants to take Chenying with her too if it hadn't been for her identity in the spirit world. One more, I hate the fussy Meng Wan (Duan Xu's subordinate) with her over-the-top histrionics and Xia Qingsheng isn't helping much either. Another aspect I have yet to mention is how Wei Zheming pulls off a delulu role so spectacularly that I start to loath Yan Ke. His unrequited love has driven him to an unhinged state with Simu always defying him, so it's no wonder that he will turn into an entirely different person. Moreover, he also craves for power and throne, which is why he has the motive to kill Simu's father.
Note: I shouldn't have expected much from the screenwriter of "The Journey of Chong Zi". I don't have any idea what the former had faced in the past, but 7.2 is a total cataclysm.
Dilraba Dilmurat once again rocks as a badass lady - Simu is my favorite character of hers so far, including Nie Jiuluo in "Love in the Turquoise Land". She also showcases her versatile acting skills by transitioning from a naive mortal girl experiencing the five senses to a domineering sovereign of all spirits. Her age gap with Chen Feiyu is definitely not a big problem here as they can create a sizzling chemistry hot enough to make you swoon over their couple scenes. Chen Feiyu himself also rises to another level of acting. After "Love Story in the 1970s", he continues to deliver hit after hit and is able to generate chemistry with every co-star he is paired with. However, he isn't without flaws, of course. Firstly, his simping level. Secondly, his smile is eerie enough to make you feel that he's kind of a stalker (in the early arc when he is a confident general). Thirdly, he loves to gamble with his life, which can be a bad lesson for little kids if they don't understand the underlying meaning of it. Fourthly, I totally dislike his hairstyle as the general, with those over-the-top long bangs - they don't suit him at all. Surprisingly, I love Wei Zheming as a villainous antagonist Yan Ke - he also has palpable chemistry with Dilraba when he cares for her. Meanwhile, Zhang Li hitches off as the avaricious yet kind-hearted spirit Jiang Ai and she captures the soul of Jiang Ai pretty well. This is my second time of watching her - the first being "Love on the Turquoise Land" too, but unfortunately, I don't like her character there. The rest of the casts are decent as well. Special shout out to little boy portraying Chenying, Fu Bohan. I truly feel for Chenying's loss of his father and his unwavering determination to protect his "sister", He Xiaoxiao (the identity Simu uses to deceive Chenying).
Edit: As Zogitt had previously mentioned, Simu is indeed a femme fatale type of FL, obviously seen from her code of conduct and how she keeps seducing Duan Xu. To put it simply, she's the one gravitating towards him and naturally the plot will be pushed forward.
I have mixed opinions for the OSTs though. Some of the OSTs are tolerable, but some are kind of jarring or perhaps not my cup of tea. CGI is outstanding as well, with the resplendent sets and backgrounds in the spirit world (can't imagine how they make those flying towers). Costumes are a bit of questionable (especially ML's clothes in the mortal world), but Dilraba's are beautiful though.
Edit: I've noticed that the production team has a distinctive favoritism for Huang Xiaoyun as her song is always played in almost every episode, alongside Zhou Hui and Liu Yuning's. Meanwhile, Zhou Shen's is sidelined as the ending credit and we only get to hear it several times. As for Lumi and Jin Wenqi, their songs are totally forgotten and only played twice or thrice nearing the end of the drama. Even Jin Wenqi's is dedicated for Jiang Ai - Bai Sanxing, not the main leads. This is just my personal view, but it's quite unbearable to me.
I'm not sure if I'll be rewatching it in the future as I tend to continue to other dramas soon after, but "Love beyond the Grave" takes a complete nosedive to the point that it can't be saved anymore, even after the review section is inundated by barrages of criticism, yapping, rants, and more. That's all I've got to say, good luck and happy watching!!!
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