A great start but ended in a disappointment
I started out being so captivated, and a bit bored honestly with the start, just seemed like any other story and got better after some epiodes, with huge anwsers. Then it was exicting and i was looking forward to watching it every single day, but after 25/27 episode, everything when straight down hill.Now i will say everything is perfect BUT the story, after then. The story just seems like it's rushed and gives you less and less anwsers to every problem. There is so many other ways it could have went and the huge, why is the female lead, wanting to do what she wants. Also the villan is straight up boring, sorry. I loved the starting one more, and the male lead never! gets a chance to redeem himself. Sorry for the rant but i loved this show at the start and pushed throu the starting episodes, because of the male leads character, how interesting it was and hearing everything he had and what was happening and ended up happening. Just made the last 4 episodes and a little befor, not fit the narrative that was going on already, and made me hate the story a bit, because it could become SO MUCH MORE!
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Where is my chest pain inducing angst?
Bai Lu and Joseph Zeng's acting was great. Everything else was questionable. They wasted so much time on trying to throw plot twists at the viewers that they forgot they still had characters and a story to develop. This was very underwhelming and it's a shame because two of my favorite actors were the main leads.I finished the show in the morning, but I had no idea what to rate it. I decided to settle on a 6/10 because Bai Lu and Joseph Zeng did carry this on their backs. I had no issues with their acting, just with their characters in general and the issues the plot was centered around. Honestly, some things were completely unnecessary and the energy wasted on those things could have been better used on other parts of the story which would have been more interesting. All in all, it just made the plot weaker than it already was and never allowed the story to reach its full potential. I was completely detached from the characters and did not care for their fates. I finished it because I liked both main leads and had already watched too much. So, "I might as well finish it".
Feud, where was my tragedy, my angst, my pain? Xiao Jing Shan did give me a good hearty cackles in those last two episodes though. Whether those scenes were actually meant to be funny is another question. But considering the lack of circus music and silly effects, I’m guessing they were meant to be serious. It wasn’t that deep, though. lol
A very generous 6/10
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The story is actually rather intriguing
Its funny that the reviews so far are love/hate, as that is what this drama features, but if you consider the underlying premise, it's actually rather thought provoking as to the question of whether/when immortals intervene and whether/what the consequences are for mortals and the immortals. Much like A Moment But Forever, That said, the dialogue to get us to the deeper point of the story is really lacking but then perhaps it may be lost in translation into English?The way the story unfolds sets you up with 'what the heck?' and then eventually provides the context-which I suppose is for dramatic tension/get you to want to watch more, but it does happens a bit too frequently that the Haters are justified in saying the drama fails. There was also a 'what the heck' storyline, ex: why did the ML seek blind date/matchmaker--totally didn't add to the story.
That said, give it a try, if nothing else the eye candy of the cast and their costumes is quite pleasing. I find it more intriguing than the recently completed Legend of Zang Hai which commentors made Xiao Zhan walk on water (crack me up, he does do this in a romance scene!)
And, consider better angst dramas, see Immortal Samsara for xianxia, and Royal Nirvana for costume.
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The Drama Lives Up To Its Name!!
What do I think of the title?Previously, the drama was called Lament of the River Immortal. I kind of liked it because it sounded and looked nice. And then came Feud. It seemed odd at first but it ended up being the perfect title for this drama. 100% representation of the story 🤣
What do I think about the actors prior to watching this and my expectations?
Bai Lu is an amazing actress. I've watched a few of her dramas and I knew she can pull off strong roles. Zeng Shun Xi on the other hand, I've never watched any of his dramas at all so I went in blank about his acting. I'm glad I watched this drama as now I can look forward to his other dramas too.
Did I like the plot and why?
The plot might be obvious to some regarding the genre this is but the take on it was completely new for me. I liked how they focused on the Feud side of it as opposed to the more lovey dovey side. They highlighted that no communication can cause a lot of misunderstandings etc but even when you know the truth, you really might just want someone else to blame and take your emotions out on even if they may be innocent.
How was the acting?
I wasn't disappointed with the leads' acting. It was good. Sometimes you had to go watch scenes again when new information was revealed and when you did, you realise that 'oh wow so this was why he/she did that and had that expression'. I didn't feel like the acting was forced. I enjoyed it.
Did I like the music?
Okay so this department might be where more work could have been done. There is a particular background music I really like (when they get married in the mortal realm and he lifts her veil up - I don't know the name if it has one) and specific OSTS with one being Say To You by ZSX the lead. There were some scenes where I think the music didn't match but that didn't put me off.
The music can grow on you but I don't think all of the OSTs were to my liking.
Was the ending as I expected?
I have an issue with cdrama endings. They always tend to rush things at the end regardless of HE or SE. I was confused on whether I liked this ending or not. I still I am I guess but it was better than being left open ended. They had a HE but I hoped that somehow Shi An would make an appearance. The FL went back in time and warned her past self about certain things but that would create an alternate timeline where yes they would be with Shi An but the present FL and ML wouldn't. So it's bittersweet because although there was a reunion between the leads... it was just that. Just the leads. Not their son unfortunately. In reality, that means BJS the ML never got to meet his own son.
Overall, I liked this drama because it wasn't sugarcoated and gave you all the happy things. It gave you the sad things too. That's life. I loved the take on this. I loved the mind games. I loved the love-hate relationship between the leads (more so hate part came from FL actually).
What would I rate this?
I rated this 9 most of the time but a final rating would be 9.5 because everyone's story concluded to some level of my liking and understanding.
Should you watch this?
After reading all this including all of the spoilers, if you haven't watched it, should you? Well that's your choice. It wasn't some people's cup of tea but if you do start it, I'd recommend to get past episode 14/15 and it might pick up for you from there.
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A betrayal disguised as complexity — Feud is not deep, it’s emotionally dishonest
I went into Feud expecting a layered xianxia romance — something in the vein of Love and Redemption or Mystique Moonlight, where divine pasts add emotional weight, not erase it. Instead, I got a show that pulls the rug out from under everything it built — and then has the nerve to call it a “brilliant twist.”For 11 episodes, we follow Li Qing Yue — a fragile, kind-hearted woman whose quiet strength and emotional journey had me fully invested. Her relationships felt raw and real, especially with Bai Jiusi and Zhang Suan. And then… poof. Turns out she was never real. Just an act. A shell. A lie.
The writers expect us to believe that all her emotions, her trauma, her growth — were part of some grand revenge scheme. Sorry, but no. That’s not clever. That’s character assassination.
And don’t even get me started on Zhang Suan. His love and loyalty for Li Qing Yue were genuine. But once Siling wakes up, he’s tossed aside like a narrative inconvenience. There’s zero emotional payoff, zero justice for his arc.
What’s worse is that the drama treats manipulation and emotional erasure as depth. The plot twists aren’t “smart” — they’re cold, detached, and honestly, disrespectful to the audience’s emotional investment.
The only positiv about all this is the cast which is really amazing and really poured genuine emotion into every scene, even when the writing didn’t deserve it.
If you care about character integrity, emotional realism, or meaningful love stories, stay far away. Feud looks pretty, but it guts its own heart and calls it art.
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Bai Lu Ate, but My Brain is Fried
We love a good fierce feminine energy and Bai Lu slayed for that. It’s so refreshing to see a female lead who isn't just a passenger in her own life, she’s the one driving the bus, orchestrating the chaos, and staying five steps ahead of everyone else. It’s genuinely inspiring, but it’s not for the weak. but this is not a "chill and scroll on your phone" kind of drama.It’s a total mental workout. If you don't lock in and binge this in under three days, you will skip a few or a lot of scenes just to get to good parts but if you do not you’re going to get lost in the tea and probably drop it. The plot is doing the most, the political maneuvering and shifting alliances are so dense that if you blink, you’ve missed three betrayals and a legal loophole. I actually found myself researching about episodes just to make sure I understood the logic. It’s definitely not easy watching, but for the right person, it’s addictive.
Bai Lu is genuinely such a great actress, and in this drama she nailed it. She absolutely ate this role as a hater, lover, leader and even a mother. She brings that perfect mix of grit and vulnerability, making the "Strong FL" trope feel real instead of one-dimensional. She was the mastermind. On the flip side, Joseph Zheng felt a bit out of place. It’s hard to tell if it was just a lack of screen time or if the producers didn't give him enough to work with, but the chemistry just wasn't hitting like it should have. The production value is top-tier. The sets and cinematography are high-budget and perfectly capture that intense, "everything is at stake" vibe.
Story: The plot is actually super interesting, especially the master plan. It’s a solid 7.5 now because the vengeance aspect is so well-done.
Acting: Bai Lu carries, but the lack of development for Joseph Zheng and some supporting roles holds it back from being a 9.
OST/music: Total flop. For a drama this intense, the OST was weirdly forgettable.
Rewatch Value: I love the FL, but re-navigating that confusing plot feels like a chore.
The main issue is that the show tried to do too much. I was really looking forward to the side-stories for certain supporting characters, but they barely got any focus. If the writers had just committed to making this a pure vengeance drama, it would have been a 10/10. The "hidden lineage" twist and the rushed ending felt like they were trying to check too many boxes. That said, seeing a female leader with a flawless master plan was a highlight.
The drama is genuinely good but too much, too overwhelming and too confusing. You would probably find yourself pausing in between episodes, going to google and researching to understand what heck is going on. Absolutely reccomend but do not rewatch, i don't the drama is that good that I would personally rewatch it.
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Lots to love and hate about this drama
The twist, windy, curveball filled plot follows two characters who seem to love and hate each other with equal passion yet the plot only starts to make any sense once the FL (Hua Ru Yue, AKA the Grandmaster of the Yinlian Sect AKA immortal goddess Siling) steps out from behind her poor quality junior cultivator disguise (Li Qing Yue) and the viewer realises they’ve met before and that there is a huge amount of baggage between them.Her love interest / arch nemesis Bai Juisi ( AKA Immortal Lord of Dacheng) knows who she is even disguised as the helpless yet adorably naive Li Qing Yue and eventually forces her to admit who she really is. Once the truth is out, this sets the storyline for several of the characters who love or hate her depending on how they first met her, mostly these views never change.
The supporting actors are brilliant and there are some fantastic and often funny one liners from them (especially in the beginning when half of the Yinlian Sect head honchos can’t recall Bai Lu’s character and even her master has almost no idea who she is!).
What to love: phenomenal acting from every member of the cast, beautiful costumes with great production values and excellent choreographed fight scenes. The emotions that the characters experience are so raw, honest and believable. There is excellent attention to detail in terms of what supporting cast are up to when the main characters in a scene are doing their thing. For example, ML turns into a petulant child that can be seen kicking furniture with boredom as the ‘grown ups’ discuss how to deal with the baddie!
What to get frustrated about: The story is told piece meal, flitting back and forth between present day and flashbacks which keeps the viewer guessing though at times this does tend to confuse somewhat until more of the puzzle pieces emerge. Additionally, although everything turns out well in the end the final scenes are a little confusing and the viewer has to rack their brains to understand the refences made by Hua Ru Yue and put them into context. Also at the end the baddie gets a complete change of fate and therefore has no need to turn evil but this absolute 180 doesn’t make sense as there should have been some sort of butterfly effect and there isn’t..
Overall a great watch and the music is wonderful. Would I watch it again? Absolutely, even if just for Joseph Zeng’ puppy dog eyes 😍
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Feud – A Love Forged on the Edge of Hatred
🔹 What happens when love is so scarred by grief that it’s hard to tell if it’s still love at all?📕Overview
🔹 40 episodes, xianxia romance with tragic undertones
🔹 Adapted from Lament of the River Immortal
🔹 Bai Lu plays Hua Ruyue, an immortal who carries both love and unbearable loss
🔹 Zeng Shunxi plays Bai Jiusi, a man bound by duty who hides his feelings too often
🔹 The story begins with a romance that looks like a fairytale but hides a painful past
🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 At first, it felt like a sweet romance, but something was unsettled underneath
🔹 When Hua Ruyue’s true identity was revealed, my heart sank, and the whole story shifted
🔹 It turned heavier and more complex, full of longing, anger, and forgiveness
🔹 Watching them fight, love, and hurt each other made me feel torn between sorrow and hope
🔹 The themes of love, betrayal, healing, and destiny carried me through to the end
✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Bai Lu as Hua Ruyue: She gave the character both tenderness and rage, and I felt every moment of her pain
🔹 Zeng Shunxi as Bai Jiusi: His restraint worked well; his love often felt strongest when unspoken
🔹 The supporting cast, especially Fan Linger, added warmth and made even the side characters feel alive
🎵 OST
🔹 Lin Jiang Xian (临江仙) by Bai Lu
🔹 Say to You (对你说) by Zeng Shun Xi
🔹 Reach for the Stars (摘星) by Shin
🔹 Beautiful Scenery (风月) by Zhang Yuan
🔹 Karma (因果) by Lu Hu
✏️ I like it when the leads sing for the soundtrack because it feels more personal and tied to the story
🎞️ Production Style
🔹 The way it was filmed felt soft and moody, which fit the emotions
🔹 Costumes stood out with detailed designs and elegant colors that matched each character’s journey
🔹 The CGI wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t distract from the emotions, which mattered more to me
☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What stayed with me most was how the story was less about victory and more about finding peace after pain
🔹 For me, it’s not one I’d rewatch, but I’m glad I experienced it once
☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 8/10 — a thoughtful brew, heartfelt even with its flaws
✏️As SpillTheDramaTea, this one felt like watching love stumble, break, and still reach for the light. It stayed with me after the final scene.
✨ Which moment broke you the most, and which gave you hope again?
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Great Plot . Great ML/FL . Not to be missed!
Not a fan of Xianxia actually, At first, I watch because of Bai Lu and Joseph Zeng, but once I started EP 1, it draws me in. The story alone is already strong enough . What more with great ML and FL for this drama.I totally enjoy the story progression and how the plot unfolds with unexpected plot. That is what truly make me stick to the end. If you like something unexpected with a strong story line, please try watching this drama. You are in it for a treat for sure. It's not just eye candy for having the ML and FL alone. Finally, a XianXia i can connect to and like it after so long.
Give it a good watch ya!
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Fascinating original xianxia diminished by some weird tone choices and a missing final act
He is yin, she is yang, she's fire, he's ice, he's aloof and detached, she's passionnate and involved. When the balance is broken, one takes the advantage and rises while the other falls. This drama was NOT joking with its title, huh. This is not really an enemies-to-lovers story, it's way darker and more complicated than that, and it takes you on a RIDE, whether you want it or not. Bai Lu is back in her full glory, as fiery rebellious roles suit her so well, and Joseph Zeng made me feel things, a bunch of them. He might be my favorite version of this cold, heavenly emperor role (think Dijun in Eternal Love of Dream). I do think the drama was restrained from achieving its full vision, and noticed the editing and sound choices were dumbed down for some reason (what's up with all these stupid sound effects ?), which surprised me, as the promotion had me believe it was going to have a mature and serious vibe. For example, every scene with Bian felt like they were shaking a puppet for the kids falling asleep in the back and were superfluous, especially as the story is so tight with episodes (why not even 40 for such a big scale story ??). It was walso weirdly tame for a story about two gods using an entire human realm tribulation to explore love together. Finally, we were robbed of a true final redemption arc with more Joseph Zeng : Bai Lu's character took the upper hand, a shame for a romance about finding true balance. Why so many fantasy shows feel unfinished these days ? Appart from that, this is a fascinating, if a bit frustrating piece of philosophical fantasy, with several layers to unpack.Was this review helpful to you?
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beautiful visuals but not enough good writing.
this worked best when it was strictly about the conflict of hua ru yue and bai jiu si, as it talks about a really fragmented relationship of grief and misunderstandings, honestly i find it really hard they could have gone past all of their history to end up together but at the same time i was hoping they could, however at some point they drop us a main villain as fitting of any other xianxia and therefore a big messy fight for the finale (side note: xianxia dramas starting to make the same mistakes as the mcu: big messy cgi fights with no purpose for the finale) which kinda undermines the whole plot.but then again removing xiao jing shan (the villain) would mean we would not get to see hong yao and his amazing visuals, with having such a small scenes and still able to stand up among the rest of the cast (honestly he looks very good but i haven’t been able to find still pics of him), even his motivations and background story makes him a compelling character and thanks to him i can almost forgive the whole mess the last episodes were.
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A heavy and emotional tale of love, revenge and destiny.
Feud tells a story of love, revenge and fate. It follows two people caught on opposite sides of a long-standing family grudge, despite sharing a deep connection from the past.As the story unfolds, secrets, betrayals and difficult choices gradually come to light, pushing the characters through cycles of pain and emotional turmoil.
What I appreciated most is that the drama doesn’t just focus on romance, it also explores themes of duty, sacrifice and how the past can shape a person’s future.
Some scenes were truly heartbreaking and a few lingered in my mind long after watching.
Bai Lu delivered a strong performance, capturing both the sorrow and quiet strength of her character.
The overall atmosphere felt heavy but meaningful.
But the beginning was a bit slow and confusing and it took time for the plot to become fully engaging.
The characters felt trapped in a repetitive cycle, hurting each other without ever having honest conversations. The romantic chemistry between the leads also felt weak.
The CGI was underwhelming and some costume choices didn’t quite match the tone or setting of the story.
Anyway, Feud’s not an easy or light watch but it does offer depth and emotional weight for those who are drawn to more tragic narratives.
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