Not for the weak of heart or looking for romantic love with impossible perfect endings
In a nutshell, the paragraph from Jeana's review says it all: "Ultimately, this is a story about love, but love is not the end goal. These are complicated characters who all have their own motivations to do what they do. And, while they crave for a home, companionship, and for a future - they don’t necessarily base their choices around it. As a result, there are more or less no antagonists in this drama - just these complex people with their own internal struggles, fighting their own demons."In season 2 I jumped to the last episode, and I realized the ending was not for me, so I didn't go back to it. However, I think this is one of the best-written and performed dramas I have seen. It is much closer to how real life works, but when I watch dramas, I want the impossible perfect endings. Not real ones LOL.
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From S1, I knew it would probably not go the way I wanted it to go...and indeed it did not !
Did I enjoy this second part of "Lost You Forever" more than the first part? Certainly not.Did I think this second part had the best episodes of the full series ? Definitely.
Let me explain...
This second season was a let down to me because of the romance not going the way I wanted it. It might be unfair to the show, that still delivered a solid and compelling journey to the throne tale for Cang Xuan (my favorite character) but I never go onboard on the romantic aspects that the series was trying to sell me. Still, there were a couple of episodes between the heroine and one of the main male lead that were so good because of all of the build up in their relationships that I definitely don't regret watching the series.
As in season 1, this second season (which is really a direct continuation of season 1, the show needing to be splitted in 2 over different years to fit new requirements imposed by the Chinese governement) had the same qualities and flaws. The acting is quite good, especially for Zhang Wan Yi (in the role of Cang Xuan) and Tan Jian Ci (in the role of Xiang Liu) who have a lot of very impactful moment. The OST and the production were overall good despite some cringey CGI and noticeable green screens.
I would recommend this series to those that have seen season 1. Of course, even if the endgame is not to my taste and that the romance was hardly palatable at times, there are really a couple of impactful episodes that made me not regret the watch. Outside of its romance (which was not my cup of tea), the overall journey followed by the characters made sense, with some great and heartbreaking moments as you get more and more attached to protagonists and their world.
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Heartbreaking ?
I don't like the ending. There should have been a twist where they really pursue what their heart wants. 🥺 I am a fan of Xiaoyao and Xiang Liu tandem but also wants to see if Cangxuan would pursue Xiaoyao since there is a promise made that the two of them will protect the Zhaoyun Peak. The director could have given them the chance or anything that sparkle between Xiang Liu or even Cangxuan.. It's just so sad. 🥺 It makes my heart break. I hope there's Season 3 of this series. The story is great that I would like to crave more of it. I like the series. I love it actually. I'm just disappointed as my favorite characters are always holding back their feelings. Please give the 9 head demon a chance please 🥺🥺. I felt bad for him. 💔 It's so heartbreaking. Hope the ending would end up Xiaoyao and Cangxuan together.Was this review helpful to you?
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Lost You Forever 2
I watched all eps.So is Emperor Cang Xuan's wife the culprit, she cohorts with Tushan-Jing's brother to kill Tushan-Jing. Cang Xuan and his grandfather know this. I am unable to comprehend that XiaoYao can forgive them!
Glad that Tushan-Jing is alive for the sake of Xiao Yao.
Emperor Cang Xuan has been obsessed with his cousin Xiao-Yao all along. Such obsession is not true love, but controlling someone's life and destiny
There is too much unnecessary dialogue between Cang Xuan and XiaoYao in the last ep. XiaoYao should not accept the 'flower' from CangXuan, Also, the way CangXuan and XiaoYao hug each other appears 'weird' if XiaoYao treats CangXuan as a brother!
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the continue...
Reluctant to watch it from the first, but this is the journey that I must compete. Haha... Why...? From the first season I already don't like with the ML, that make me so d*mn lazy to watch it. But at the same time I still curious with Cang Xuan political journey. So here I am finished watch this season....The story continue with Cang Xuan (CX) start his political stage. While in this season, Xiao Yao (XY) live comfortably with CX protection, XY can do what ever she want & desire. And of course the love story of XY and Tushan Jing (TJ) also continue. In this season, XY & TJ prove that nothing happen between TJ & Fangfeng Yi Ying, so as easy as that, XY forgive TJ & their love continue to blossom into full bloom. Haha... How about Xiang Liu (XL)...? XL also continue with his suffering & one side love to XY.
In this season we also learn about the real parent of XY & their own stupid love story. And mostly about how CX take control of his throne & his plan to merging all the kingdom into 1. And in the end CX successful merging all the kingdom with the help from all the people, including XY's dad.
I think that's mostly the story from this season. But if you ask me personally, truth to be told, I can't really tell you much about it. Cause from half the season I start lose my interest with it, but like I said from the first, this is the journey that I must finished. So yeah I finished it with fwd button & speed... Haha...
But still, I still can tell you what I like & don't like.
What I like:
+ This very funny story about how love rival & enemy can still be friend & talk nicely. Like TJ & CX, CX never really jealous to the crazy point, so yeah they can still talk peacefully with each other. Or like when CX & XY's dad in the war, they still 'secretly' meet & talk like nothing happen.
+ The trust between TJ & XY. Although I don't like TJ, but I must admit, his trust for XY is unlike any other ML (jealousy became everyday food), he can still trust XY no matter how close she is with CX or XL.
+ The growth of A Nian, Although still feel sort of forcing, but she really grow into mature woman who really know how to behave.
What I don't like:
- XY is stupid woman, who never realize how CX or XL had deep feeling for her.
- The boring journey of CX political stage. Ugh... I just don't care of his way to concurring all the nation.
- I never really understand the grudge XY has with her mom. I know she feel abandoned, but I just can't grab the concept of that became the resentment in XY's heart
Overall this just another drama in my list. If I'm not looking forward to watch the end, this already become one of drop list. Haha...
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This drama will never be lost forever
What can I say? This drama was everything I had hoped for, in Yang zi’s growing career. I loved the first half more than the second half as it stayed true to the novel and didn’t let fangirls of certain actors/ characters ruined the plot line. I still will rate this drama high as spite the ridiculous changes to feed certain characters/ fans. It still was pretty good. The whole cast did an amazing job even the bad guys who you can’t help but relate to most of them. The musical score was amazing and so was the CGI. Everything was perfect in the first half which will always hold a dear spot inside my heart. The second half was nice but not as good as the first half. Again I still think this drama is a 10.Was this review helpful to you?
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What a fantastic Drama!
I watched "Lost you forever 1" almost 2 years ago and loved every episode. The storyline, the acting, the characters, it was just spellbinding. And here I am watching "lost you forever 2". It was the one drama I could not wait to watch and it has not disappointed. The twist and turns of each episode and of the characters has me waiting anxiously for the next one.Yang Zi as always, is an amazing actress, truly the best in China today. She can play any character and always gives the role she performs a truly believable one.
I just hope the ending will be a happy one.
Update: Just finished watching LYF2. I have tears in my eyes caused by the emotions I felt after the ending. Beautiful and in some ways a bit sad. Each and every actor in this drama did in amazing job. Anyone and everyone that loves a beautifully written and acted drama should watch it.
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Where did all the complexity, themes and fast moving plots go??? In this second half our Xiao Yao still feels lost and betrayed by Tushan Jing, a plot point that was already explored for multiple episodes last season. Just when you hope that you've seen the last of this story, he comes back and tries to revitalize the relationship again and she accepts!! Leading to more tiresome plots.
Meanwhile, Xiyan Cang Xuan and Xiang Liu take turns interfering and pining, interfering and pining as if they are both teenagers with no romance expertise and no power. Xiyan Cang Xuan is the most frustrating of all, he's taken wives and concubines and is apparently not going to have relations with them for their whole lives and make little moves to make Xiao Yao his wife? What's the end game there?
There's barely any mention of the politics of this world, or the wars between kingdoms in the first 11 episodes and so with the romances all stalled out, there really isn't any reason to watch this.
The first half was an excellent exploration of how to live your life after trauma and an exploration of what type of home and romance life you want to create for yourself post terrible experiences. This second half seems to miss all the insight and nuance.
I'm dropping.
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Emotionally damaged
I just finished the last episode and I am emotionally damaged. I was so attached to some of the characters like XL. CX. XY and even FL because their acting is so good it made me felt as one w their emotion through their acting. When we lost XL I broke down like a baby. Through out the whole s2 almost every episode made me cry. I have never watched a drama w so many tears from the actors and me lol. Overall I would probably not rewatch this drama not because it wasn’t good but because I can’t go through this pain again it’s a pain I will remember probably the rest of my life however I could definitely recommend this drama to anyone thinking of watching it just prepare tissues. I felt like it was little Rush compared to S1 they could have incorporate more details from the book but I might have been even more broken so…. I’m contentWas this review helpful to you?
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Since we're not fated to be together it's better to not be indebted, not longing for each other.
"Lost You Forever" season 2 has been praised for its strong performances, particularly Tan Jian Ci's portrayal of Xiang Liu.Lost You Forver’s season two, is best watched as a companion to the novel. On its own it’s more like a 23 episode epilogue to the meaty, juicy season 1.
There were a lot of well acted, emotional scenes towards the end. The cast did a great job. However, I’m still salty with how Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu ended.
Between the three guys, I think Xiang Liu loved her the most profoundly, and the drama actually portrayed this better than the book. So many feelings, from their first meeting to his last breath can be seen in his countenance and the look in his eyes. Xiang Liu kept pushing her away and hurting her, yet did everything he could to ensure she had someone to protect and accompany her. He lost so many heads and weakened himself so badly for her safety and happiness. Tushan Jing may have wanted to die when she was badly hurt, but it was Xiang Liu who spent over 30 years slowly bringing her back at the cost of parts of himself.
I cannot deny how great Zhang Wan Yi’s acting is. Same thing for Tan Jian Ci. It’s always a treat to have these very handsome men with actual acting abilities on screen! Yang Zi’s acting remains consistent , Deng Wei…still needs to step up. The set design, costumes and hairstyles are still top notch
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Sadly lacking
After watching season 1, season 2 was greatly anticipated. After waiting some more for all the episodes to be out, my daughter and I were extremely excited to finally start the first episode of season 2. Right from the first episode we were disappointed. It didn’t seem as well written as season 1. The story line was slower…it just seemed to be missing something. You had the dynamic interaction from the characters in season one, yet it seems that in season 2 they are just there for the part, to have a story. So sad.Was this review helpful to you?
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When Love Is Not Enough
Season II of Lost You Forever takes everything Season I built and refuses to soften it.If the first season asks what love means under constraint, the second answers with brutal clarity:
sometimes love is real, mutual, and still cannot be chosen.
This season is defined by consequence. Every relationship reaches its natural limit:
Cang Xuan must choose power over love—and knows exactly what he is giving up.
Tushan Jing offers stability and devotion, but not the strength or decisiveness that defines Xiao Yao herself.
And Xiang Liu embodies a form of love that is active, sacrificial, and ultimately self-erasing.
Xiang Liu’s arc, in particular, is one of the most powerful I’ve seen. His love is expressed not through words, but through actions—quiet, consistent, and without expectation of recognition. He gives everything and asks for nothing, ensuring Xiao Yao’s future even when it excludes him.
This is where the drama separates itself from typical romance narratives. It does not reward the deepest love. It rewards the livable choice.
The pacing remains exceptional. Even in its most emotional stretches, the story never stalls. Every episode moves forward with intention, and every revelation is grounded in established character logic.
The performances reach their peak here:
Zhang Wanyi delivers a deeply controlled portrayal of a man torn between love and ambition.
Tian Jianci brings devastating restraint to a character who never allows himself to fully express what he feels.
Yang Zi anchors the entire story, balancing vulnerability and strength in a way that makes every decision believable.
The ending is not designed to comfort. It is designed to respect reality:
love can exist without being chosen,
sacrifice does not guarantee reward,
and survival sometimes means letting go of what matters most.
By the final episode, there are no easy answers—only consequences that feel honest and earned.
Season II does not try to make you feel better.
It leaves you with something much more lasting:
the understanding that love, no matter how deep, is not always enough.
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