Nat

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is hands down one of the best xianxias out there! I remember binge-watching it while it was still airing on Netflix only to scramble for an IQIYI subscription when Netflix’s episode release schedule lagged behind.

The setting isn’t groundbreaking—it’s your classic opposites attract trope featuring a dark, brooding male lead and a bubbly, somewhat childish female lead. But everything from character, arcs and costumes and dialogues in this drama will blow you away.

I also have to give you guys a fair warning. If this is your first drama with Esther Yu, don’t let her voice or the way her character acts be a dealbreaker! It just takes some time to warm up to her.

I’m not usually a fan of childlike characters, but her Orchid evolves significantly throughout the series. Trust me, Esther is talented! (If in doubt, check out "My Journey to You.") So, even if you’re not a fan of her character at the beginning, hang in there—it’s absolutely worth it.

Now, onto our male lead! Dylan Wang’s performance really impressed me, especially when I reflect on his earlier work. I believe I saw something with him before LBFAD and he wasn’t all that amazing. But his portrayal of Dongfang QingCang was captivating—his facial micro-expressions and character growth kept me thoroughly entertained, especially when he was in his bad boy era. His acting really improved.

At its core, this drama narrates a love story between a cold and ruthless male who has his people to protect—justifiably so even if his means are not that great—and a clueless yet endearing female lead.

There's a love triangle too, which is actually something I enjoy a lot as long as both mail leads are on the same level.

I must admit, I struggled between my preference between Dylan Wang and Zhang Ling He. they are both very flawed and they both grow throughout the show. The bromance later in the series was cherry on top.

In a nutshell, it’s a tale about characters evolving beyond their own selfish desires and willing to sacrifice those desires for the greater good.

The series combines various beloved tropes like opposites attract and body swap delivering intriguing situations while allowing the actors to showcase their skills. The CGI is visually appealing, and the costumes are stunning! Sure, I noticed a few uneven CGI moments, but that’s expected in most C-dramas.

I have several favorite scenes that I often revisit:
- **Episode 9**: Dongfang QingCang being a bad$$
- **Episode 13**: Captivating and emotional.
- **Episodes 25/26**: Pure magic.
- **Episode 28**: Just incredible!
- **Episode 31**: An emotional rollercoaster—prepare to be crushed!

That said, I agree with others who felt the last few episodes dragged a bit. After episode 31, the pacing slowed down, and while I understand the creative choices behind it, I believe the execution could have been improved. The finale felt rushed, and after investing in this emotionally draining journey, we deserved a stronger resolution. Sometimes, a mere 30 seconds of characters basking in their happy ending just doesn’t cut it!

Nevertheless, this remains one of my favorite xianxia dramas. I seldom rewatch shows, but I recently dove back into this one. The emotional impact was just as potent, and I actually discovered nuances I overlooked the first time.

My verdict: I highly recommend "Love Between Fairy and Devil" to all xianxia lovers! 🎉

PS I think every single person who watched and enjoyed this drama will agree with me. LBFAD has one of the best soundtracks you will probably ever hear in a C-drama. I mean, I hope that they will make something even better. But so far from everything I’ve seen music from this drama tops everything else.