This review may contain spoilers
When toxic love meets irresistible chemistry
The storyline itself feels familiar. However, the intense chemistry between the main leads kept me fully engaged from the very beginning. Their chemistry together is really phenomenal. The flirting, kinky talk, love biting are so hot. This kind of tension is something I rarely encounter in mainstream Chinese romcoms these days, which makes this drama stand out.
What works for me:
- The performances are undoubtedly the strongest appeal of the drama. Their chemistry is undeniable, natural yet electric, and the intensity they bring to their interactions feels raw, immersive, and extremely sizzling.
- From episodes 1 to 10, the pacing is tight and engaging, rarely feeling draggy. While the overarching theme may not be entirely original, the main characters are relatively well-developed. Their motivations, emotional struggles, and gradual growth arcs add depth to the narrative, preventing it from feeling shallow, making the story feel more complete and emotionally grounded.
- The cinematography is another highlight. Emotionally laden scenes are beautifully framed and thoughtfully directed, enhancing the emotional resonance rather than overpowering it. The visual language complements the storytelling well, making key moments feel intimate, poignant, and visually memorable.
What doesn’t work for me
- On a personal level, I didn’t enjoy the repeated references to Buddha and Bodhisattva. While I understand their symbolic and thematic purpose within the story, these elements didn’t resonate with me and occasionally felt unsettling.
- I felt Episodes 11 to 13 were quite draggy. By episode 10, Fan Xiao had already been established as possessive, manipulative, and deeply toxic. The emotional damage he inflicted on You Shu Lang and Lu Zhen had already pushed my tolerance to its limit. The introduction of the mental “kidnapping” arc further crossed a line, making his character feel irredeemable to me. Because of this, I struggled to accept Shu Lang’s return to him. The lack of focus on Fan Xiao’s transformation makes it difficult to understand his choice. Perhaps it’s lust, or something “written in their stars,” but I'm not getting this kind of love on personal level. I believe the drama would have benefited from scaling back some of Fan Xiao’s manipulative behaviours in these episodes and reallocating that screen time to explore his transformation, remorse, and growth later on. Given how rushed the ending feels, this shift could have better prepared the audience (at least for me) for the HE, making his eventual redemption more believable and emotionally resonant.
Final thoughts
If you are unable to tolerate toxic or dangerous love dynamics, this show may not be for you. Of course, there is no clear boundary between right and wrong here, and the narrative reflects the uncomfortable reality that such toxic behaviours do exist. Ultimately, these are two wounded souls who perhaps find in each other the means to confront, or mend their old scars.
That said, it’s still worth a watch for the sizzling chemistry.
What works for me:
- The performances are undoubtedly the strongest appeal of the drama. Their chemistry is undeniable, natural yet electric, and the intensity they bring to their interactions feels raw, immersive, and extremely sizzling.
- From episodes 1 to 10, the pacing is tight and engaging, rarely feeling draggy. While the overarching theme may not be entirely original, the main characters are relatively well-developed. Their motivations, emotional struggles, and gradual growth arcs add depth to the narrative, preventing it from feeling shallow, making the story feel more complete and emotionally grounded.
- The cinematography is another highlight. Emotionally laden scenes are beautifully framed and thoughtfully directed, enhancing the emotional resonance rather than overpowering it. The visual language complements the storytelling well, making key moments feel intimate, poignant, and visually memorable.
What doesn’t work for me
- On a personal level, I didn’t enjoy the repeated references to Buddha and Bodhisattva. While I understand their symbolic and thematic purpose within the story, these elements didn’t resonate with me and occasionally felt unsettling.
- I felt Episodes 11 to 13 were quite draggy. By episode 10, Fan Xiao had already been established as possessive, manipulative, and deeply toxic. The emotional damage he inflicted on You Shu Lang and Lu Zhen had already pushed my tolerance to its limit. The introduction of the mental “kidnapping” arc further crossed a line, making his character feel irredeemable to me. Because of this, I struggled to accept Shu Lang’s return to him. The lack of focus on Fan Xiao’s transformation makes it difficult to understand his choice. Perhaps it’s lust, or something “written in their stars,” but I'm not getting this kind of love on personal level. I believe the drama would have benefited from scaling back some of Fan Xiao’s manipulative behaviours in these episodes and reallocating that screen time to explore his transformation, remorse, and growth later on. Given how rushed the ending feels, this shift could have better prepared the audience (at least for me) for the HE, making his eventual redemption more believable and emotionally resonant.
Final thoughts
If you are unable to tolerate toxic or dangerous love dynamics, this show may not be for you. Of course, there is no clear boundary between right and wrong here, and the narrative reflects the uncomfortable reality that such toxic behaviours do exist. Ultimately, these are two wounded souls who perhaps find in each other the means to confront, or mend their old scars.
That said, it’s still worth a watch for the sizzling chemistry.
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