Personally, I thought this was a very one-dimensional substandard performance from Arthur Chen, though he did…
Yeah, it felt that way for me too at first — kind of flat and distant. But later on, you could really see the shift in him. All that chaos around the FL wasn’t for nothing; he did change because of love. That’s the part that stayed with me
Let me tell you, I seriously started watching this C-drama just for the ML. 😅 Of course, with the number of episodes, it did feel a little tormenting at times. But I actually liked it — the period setup, the cast, the cinematography — everything gave me that nostalgic “Alchemy of Souls” vibe I’d been missing (though it can’t really be compared). There were moments when it felt a bit dragged, like they could’ve gotten to the point sooner, but it didn’t bother me much since the humor kept things light. Honestly, my mind stayed glued mostly because of that ML smile — he portrayed his character with such grace, majesty, and quiet power right till the end. The FL did equally well; no regrets watching this one. What stood out to me most was how the ML, being this all-powerful sorcerer dominating realms, would throw away everything — power, principles, even his life — for the woman he loved. It perfectly captured that idea: “A hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would destroy the world to save you.” That’s exactly what this drama was about. And that’s what made it worth it.
OMG Captain Ri just stole my heart. His dialogues were all heart piercing. "If you give up on waiting, the pain of loss will kill you. Thats why you wait." God what was he thinking. I don't know if there are men really out there with those characteristics as Captain Ri. If they are, damn women you are blessed. I have seen a lot of long distance romance but this one hit me different. Really? You can love someone even though it's impossible to be with them. I don't know at least I have never experienced. And I just hate myself for postponing this drama for such a long time. Both the male lead and female lead justified.
Cause he was the only reason I watched the series completely. He was all calm and that time he started experiencing those human emotions seemed very real.
Jang Ki-yong as Shin Woo-yeo was the heart of this drama. He portrayed the ancient, emotionally guarded gumiho with such grace and restraint. There’s something haunting in the way he carries centuries of solitude behind those quiet eyes—never overacting, but letting the stillness speak. His calm demeanor, subtle expressions, and soft-spoken delivery made Woo-yeo feel timeless yet heartbreakingly human. What really stood out was how he embodied vulnerability without losing strength. Whether it was his gentle smiles, the way he protected Lee Dam, or the quiet way he fell in love—every moment felt sincere. He made you believe that a 999-year-old fox spirit could love more tenderly than any human ever could.
There were moments when it felt a bit dragged, like they could’ve gotten to the point sooner, but it didn’t bother me much since the humor kept things light. Honestly, my mind stayed glued mostly because of that ML smile — he portrayed his character with such grace, majesty, and quiet power right till the end.
The FL did equally well; no regrets watching this one. What stood out to me most was how the ML, being this all-powerful sorcerer dominating realms, would throw away everything — power, principles, even his life — for the woman he loved. It perfectly captured that idea: “A hero would sacrifice you to save the world, but a villain would destroy the world to save you.”
That’s exactly what this drama was about. And that’s what made it worth it.