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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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?
This review may contain spoilers
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!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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...
Was this review helpful to you?
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?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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?
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?
This review may contain spoilers
As Good as Season 1
When this drama started airing, I got upset watching all the deviations from the novel, as I read the novel after watching season 1. I ended up skipping most of them (majorly, like 70-80%).5 months after the show ended, I picked it up again as there's no good drama at the moment (some started really strong but then turned weak in the middle). I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed watching season 2 once I'm not so attached to the novel's storyline anymore. The acting is still amazing. I tear up as much as from watching season 1 (maybe more!).
All of the sudden it makes sense why season 2 has to deviate from the novel: otherwise it wouldn't have time to jam pack all them.
Definitely will rewatch Lost You Forever saga again in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
INTELLECTUAL FEAST WITH MORAL POISON – PART 2/2
Due to the word limit I had to divide the review in two parts. Before reading the following, please get acquainted with Part 1 (published under Season 1).LOVE AS A NON-LINEAR PROCESS
Many works treat love as fate, or a momentary decision of the heart or the mind, or a steady progress. Here we have a very complex process: turmoil, reversal, denial. An excruciating mixture of soul-searching & risk-calculation, filled with fear of the unknown, with doubt as predominant force.
The relationship between Xiao Yao & Tushan Jing starts with contemptuous indifference, as she throws a stone at him lying wounded in the bush & leaves (though a doctor, she evinces as little empathy as the snake demon would). She acknowledges his humanity only on noticing their similarity, when he reaches for a flower like she did once. She becomes aware of his masculinity when he is able to stand up. Later he would again be supine many times (wounded, unconscious, floating) but she would never cease to respect him as a man, her yearning would grow. Many times she regresses to stoicism or brutality, e.g. she steps on his piece of bread, calls him names, urges him not to follow her etc. Human body has no mysteries for her as a doctor, neither in terms of beauty nor ugliness; thus, for them the experience of gradually discovering each other physically is lost forever. As a compensation from the fate, Tushan Jing receives certainty of the woman’s acceptance of his appearance. Sadly & alarmingly, later her mirror contains “photos” only of Xiang Liu, not a single one of Tushan Jing. Their personalities differ, she is more productive & proactive, has a talent for archery (like Xiang Liu) rather than music. It is much later that they find a passion to share – the medicine encyclopaedia. However, they develop a feeling based on their perseverance to remain non-evil. It is the small gestures, the chores, the furtive smiles that build up with time as an unshakeable edifice of mature love.
The hesitation takes maximum momentum in the relationship between Xiao Yao & Xiang Liu. She is unwilling to own how difficult it is to extricate herself from this introvert’s attention. Apart from a humane wish to help a person in need, she discerns in his mute expression something that makes him worth more goodness than many non-evils. When she decides to free herself from the connecting bug, it is not just out of concern for her safety, but also to spare his integrity. Her desperate act of piercing him with an arrow, then missing the next hit, then deliberately cutting her veins for him thrice – all within one minute – show the state of utmost emotional disarray. Still, no love is possible between them because of the ‘formation’ inflicted to her heart & mind by years of torture.
HUMAN SHORTCOMINGS
Xiao Yao shows an astonishing level of blindness to feelings: with Cang Xuan almost fainting of desire next to her face, towards the end of the series, she still fails to notice & understand the nature & intensity of this feeling. All the love radiating silently from Xiang Liu’s body & face gets lost on her, too. Being healed in his shell, her detached spirit starts acting weirdly childish. It gets worse with the passage of years & her increasing boredom. The barking at the casino is one more example of infantile behaviour.
Cang Xuan fails to recognise his sister, which makes me doubt if he loves her & if he is perceptive enough to be a ruler of people. He also fails to deal with shortage of grains. Another issue is the young king’s susceptibility to intoxication. He takes drugs that would naturally impair his body, soul & intellect. He also keeps drinking before serious events, knowing he would act & speak irresponsibly. Please pay attention to the Grand King’s face, as he hears Cang Xuan’s drunken confessions: an expression of regret for having appointed such a weak man, lacking self-control, as his throne successor.
NEGLECT OF CONTACT
Xiao Yao is open-minded & expressive, longing for interactions & a steady relationship. Though a princess, she never excludes demons, foreign officials or veterans, other clans form being close to her & communicating with her. Surprisingly though, she would not visit her adoptive family till most of them die of age, never inquires about them, has no idea Ye Shi Qi pays them visits every couple of years. She lingers to go to Li Rong Ji, as well as to start a quest for her biological father. Unforgivably, she strengthens A Nian’s complex of inferiority in wit.
Cang Xuan was once a hostage & so was Chenrong Shin Yue. However, they do not get to share their experiences & remain married strangers.
Both cousins have a much too pompous attitude towards themselves & underline their martyrdom in speech, gestures & mimicry, including even an unjust blame towards their parents. Compared to them, Xiang Liu is notorious for concealing his feelings, suffering, merits, unwilling to use it in his rhetoric for any goal. This makes him more trustworthy. Yet also this gets him abandoned, killed & forgotten.
The king of Xiyan does not read crucial letters or reports prior to making a decision that affects future generations. Having spoken with Cang Xuan only few times, he makes him new king without delay. Later, as a retired king, he presents himself as a perfectly communicative individual, sharing wisdom abundantly.
The village storyteller takes great care to deliver accurate information, but as it is with old legends, much of it gets warped with time.
OBJECTIFICATION OF MEN
This omnipresent C-drama flaw is also here. The impressive number of suitors is a well-known tool to present the heroine as an exceptionally worthy individual. So is Tushan Jing’s attitude or the face-painting challenge.
QUALITY OF ACTING
The invaded sitting together with invaders, victims commiserating with harassers, love rivals helping each other, fated siblings consuming poisoned flowers in unison – the pace slows down to make us believe we also belong to the realm of deities with thousands of years at disposal. The conflicts between sentient beings are never wild. They are like negotiations.
Performance is proficient with no exceptions. The actors have even managed to soften the Freudian air to make their characters more lifelike & lovable, to mention Xiang Liu’s soft song as well. Praiseworthy are support roles too, such as the epic one-to-one battle between A Nian & Yu Jiang, or Li Rong Chang’s picturesque 'phew!'s.
This C-drama excels in conveying messages in a subtle way, e.g. when Chishui Feng Long visits Xiao Yao, he seems reluctant to leave the Go game, afraid to face her lest he gets rejected. Equally subtle is Grand King’s reaction: he stops playing, as if he wanted to encourage him to stand up & approach her.
Deng Wei seems to be taking deeply into consideration viewers’ feedback. Once he got reproached for outshining main actors & in the next drama we saw him modestly withdrawn. He got praised for that & in the next series (the present one) he moved even more to the shadow, for which he received the heaviest backlash. Then he would reappear in a 2025 drama “Love of the Divine Tree” and behold – he is a churning rocket furnace there, earning viewers’ applause.
In China, there is a culture of self-improvement & a demand to know one’s own place, to contribute to the society just the right amount & quality. Therefore we, non-Asians, must be extra cautious with evaluation. If it is not perfectly honest or precisely formulated, it may unnecessarily hurt & misguide.
Let me submit my evaluation of Deng Wei’s acting skills. It will be my first review entirely in Chinese. Here it goes: 好.
GLITCHES & FLAWS
As Cang Xuan admits metaphorically regarding his harem, he has brought too many flowers to the garden, but the one he needs is absent. Yet also literally, there are superfluous references to many flower species:
- flower of Ruomu, a tree on which the sun rests every evening, symbol of balance between heavenly order & human intervention, meant to be given by Cang Xuan to his future love,
- pointiana tree (mistaken for phoenix tree), symbolic of female royal power, present in all places where Cang Xuan expects his sister to root in,
- tree peony or Rejuvenating Flower on Xiao Yao’s forehead, corresponding to the one planted & given to her by Tushan Jing, stands for female beauty, love, wealth & status,
- plum vs mulberry wine, i.e. Tushan Jing & Cang Xuan competing for Xiao Yao’s favour,
- peach tree, planted by Chi Chen whenever he missed Xiling Heng, grows abundantly on Mount Jade,
- divine tree on Mount Dushuo, used in tea for realistic karma hallucinations,
- reef flowers opening at Xiang Liu’s touch,
- recurring proverbs about trees,
- Xiao Yao’s flower-eating habit – sweet memory of childhood, but also ability to make do in hard times before fruit is available.
Haoling supposedly did not participate in wars for ten thousand years, but in the same episode we learn that it joined the battle between Xiyang & Chenrong. The daughter of the king has never heard.
Xiao Yao is in excruciating pain after her husband has been killed, but Xiang Liu does not feel it in spite of the connecting bug.
The demon who imprisoned Xiao Yao in childhood was a face-changing children-devouring nine-tailed fox. I was actually expecting Tushan Jing to confess he were the one.
Some curtains & fabrics are machine-embroidered.
APPEAL
This drama should make us realise how important it is for the soul to keep the face intact. As usual, let me implore everyone who can turn the direction in which C-drama as a genre evolves to discourage unnecessary permanent or harmful interference in actor’s and actresses’ faces: plastic surgery, tweakments, toxic substances in make-up. Let the Western culture promote insincerity if it must, while the Eastern may serve as a refuge for authenticity-seekers.
Written by a nationless spirit confined in the decaying Mid-Europe.
EDIT 19.03.26. Tried singing the OST. High vixen howlability factor. Raised the grade to 9.5.
Was this review helpful to you?
Lost You Forever Season 2: A Beautiful Yet Flawed Conclusion
I definitely have mixed feelings about the second season of Lost You Forever. It was emotional, angsty, and did not disappoint in terms of quality; however, everything just feels so brushed over. I understand that due to censorship, many things had to be changed, but I feel this is where LYF has lost its greatness. In the end, there was closure for most of the things we were wondering about in S1, but I feel like they didn't tie it off well enough, and they definitely could have added much more depth. Similar to S1, XY doesn't seem to know what she wants, and her actions are very questionable, with no logical reasoning. Ultimately, CX suffers the most, balancing between securing the kingdom and personal ambitions. In my opinion, TSJ was XY's worst option, as he was very selfish and, as CX said, a weak man. Both XL and CX made many personal sacrifices for XY's happiness and benefit, but TSJ was very static and unwilling to sacrifice himself for her benefit. Anyway, the OST was beautiful in S1, and it continues to be in S2 in a very reminiscent way. A-Nian had some insane character development, and I was rooting for her the whole time! Ru Shou was also one of my favourite characters. In the end, S2 wasn't bad, but it had a lot of missed potential. Most of the loose ends were tied, and LYF is definitely a memorable series.Was this review helpful to you?
