This review may contain spoilers
LOVED IT!! Wished it was 40 eps or more lol.
I absolutely loved this drama. The acting was incredibly believable,Neo completely won me over! This was my first time seeing him, and now I’m officially a fan. Both leads carried so much emotion in the smallest expressions and quiet exchanges. The script between them was beautifully written.**SPOILERS!!!**
Just finished this series (although I was rewatching the earlier episodes while waiting for the finale lol). The last few episodes- especially around ep 30+ felt a bit rushed. I heard they dropped four episodes, which explains the pacing toward the end could’ve used more breathing room.
Around episode 24 and beyond, I really wish we’d seen more of Ji Bozai secretly searching for Ming Ye after their separation. We just get a quick line later like, “I’ve been looking for you,” or he’s suddenly there. It works dramatically- you believe him when he says he’s done with her, yet he still shows up- but I wanted more yearning, more devastation. A few glimpses of him struggling without her, or actively trying to find her before finally finding her, would’ve made their reunion even more powerful.
I do get that Ji Bozai grew up never being able to show weakness, emotion, or trust anyone- so those quiet, isolated moments near the end of episode 23 made sense. Still, it would’ve been beautiful to see both of them yearning for each other in parallel, her searching for a cure to her illness while he tries to find her again. Or having his dragon kind of keep tabs on her here and there, maybe like a scene of him worrying about her but not stalking her like Situ was lol.
One of my favorite episodes (aside from the obvious ones like 19, 23, etc.) was when Ji Bozai tells Ming Ye she’ll be fine without him, and she breaks down and says, “No, I need you. I want to live on with you, Ji Bozai.” That moment hit so hard- especially knowing his backstory. I loved how the show portrayed his deep loneliness after learning the truth about his master, Bo Yulan, and realizing he’d been abandoned by both his mother and master (until she went to search for him to atone for her mistake). He grew up without a family and home, learning only to rely on a few people he trusted. He calls Ming Ye the “chosen one,” saying she has a future ahead of her, that she is somebody (Ming Xian), so it's okay for him to sacrifice himself. But then she turns that on him- “No, I NEED you.” They mirror each other’s childhoods in many ways, but Ji Bozai sees himself as nothing and disposable- and she has a master/father, friends, and a future. So in that scene, when she refuses to let him sacrifice himself, is her saying “You’re important to me. I won’t let you just do this alone” It was a scene to address the depression he felt after finding out he was abandoned, I think it satisfied those questions I had like okay he found out he was abandoned by his master, isn't he going to feel really sad about that after? I think this scene satisfied that question. So Ming Ye being vulnerable and doing her best to convince him like no I won't let you just sacrifice yourself, you're someone, you are IMPORTANT to me, and I want to LIVE ON and be with ONLY you Ji Bozai! UGH loved that scene.
The second male lead, Situ Ling, had real potential. His final line- “Can we start over in the next life?” was heartbreaking, but at the same time I was thinking what a tragic character, like his whole purpose was obsession over someone. You could feel his regret at the end of his dying scene. I just wished the show had given him more genuine connection with Ming Ye to make his obsession feel more gray and less abrupt. It ended up feeling more creepy than tragic because they barely had a real friendship. Like every interaction was just him helping her out of the blue, no questions asked...perhaps more moments of them actually being FRIENDS would've helped. Cause the scenes of him giving her his blood lol just like who are you to her smh. His character was obsessed and delusional, and they went that route with his character, but that's just something I wished they added. If we’d seen even a few scenes of sincere friendship or kindness between them, his descent would’ve felt more tragic and less delusional. That one memory meant everything to him, but it needed more grounding. And the way his arc ended- dying without ever reuniting with his mother- felt like such a missed chance for some kind of enlightenment or emotional payoff. Still, his story mirrored Ji Bozai’s well, both men shaped by loneliness but making completely different choices. I think Ming Ye saw him as pitiful in the end… maybe even a little disgusted lol cause like why are you constantly barging into my life but we don't even know each other! The actor playing Situ was great though- I’d love to see his growth in future dramas.
On the lighter side, Master She was an absolute gem- hilarious, warm, and genuinely lovable. It’s rare to see such a wholesome father-daughter bond in a C-drama, and it made the show feel more grounded. Zhang Tai, her best friend, was another standout- sharp, loyal, and funny. She brought balance and warmth to the heavier emotional moments and really added depth to Ming Ye's character. I mean they even tried to give Zhang Tai a happy ending too haha.
I also liked how they explained Master She and Bo Yucen’s storyline- it made sense and didn’t drag. But once the truth was revealed, I wasn’t entirely sure what the point of the tournament was anymore. Like okay Ming Ye basically doesn't need to be in the tournament anymore, she has no real ties to Yaoguang. The show tried to tie it up with quick dialogue and explanations, but honestly, the tournament itself started feeling unnecessary halfway through.
The relationships between the leads and their spirit companions- the cat and the dragon- added humor and heart without ever feeling forced. The costume design was stunning. The variety of outfits gave each character personality, and the overall styling was just gorgeous. The OST was good too, especially with the actors performing their own versions- it added emotional depth to key scenes.
Another small critique, it’s the makeup- sometimes it looked too pale. The white foundation on certain characters (especially the dragon actor) was a little distracting. Not a dealbreaker, just one of those small things that pulls you out of the fantasy a bit. And I did enjoy the scenery and CGI most of the time, some scenes could've used more stages/world building but I liked how this was filmed it looked more cinematic, compared to other Cdramas that kind of look too fake with the lighting.
I also wish we’d seen more of Ming Ye fighting or using her powers as Ming Xian. Sure, she fought Ming Xin- but he was a total weakling. It would’ve been great to see her face someone stronger or show off her power in the final episodes. When she returned to Jixing Abyss and let the mob challenge her, that could've been an opportunity to see that… but we didn’t get to see it.
During the final tournament, I really wished the Yaoguang Emperor had done more to intervene- perhaps even sacrificing himself like the Jixing Emperor so Ji Bozai could succeed him and reform the corrupt system. It would’ve been a powerful way to close his arc and connect personal redemption with structural change. At the same time I don't really see Ji Bozai fitting in or living in Yaoguang Palace, like I envision them just living in Wuxing Sea lol. So now he has prince duties?
The scene with the scallion pancake from the Empress was touching but bittersweet (when Ji Bozai hands it to Ming Ye while drunk, saying it’s from the Empress). It hinted at forgiveness and connection.
As for Ji Bozai and Ming Ye’s future- it’s implied Ji Bozai can travel to see her whenever he wants since he’s powerful enough to create the Spirit Well. Still, I wanted a more definitive scene confirming that they’d actually live together again.
And that drunk Ji Bozai confession at the end- adorable, but come on, could we please get a full “I love you”? The translation of “I like you, I really like you” didn’t hit as hard compared to Ming Ye’s “It’s not a little- I care about you so much.” Her delivery was perfect, and his stunned “What did you say?” was unforgettable. I just wished for one final surge of emotion from him to close their story, though I did love seeing that softer, more human side of him.
Their love is undeniable, and the yearning- especially the rain scene- was breathtaking when he comes to visit at Zhang Tai's wedding. Some people have commented that they don't know why Ji Bozai couldn't figure out that Ming Ye was Ming Xian sooner, but I like to believe he had a lot going on with his revenge plans and all of that, but I mean he didn't fully trust Ming Ye until later, like they kept trying to trust each other but they started from lies and manipulation, so they finally wiped a new slate clean with each other after ep 23, but I did hear it's diff than the novel in that area. Love in the Clouds left me full, heartbroken, and replaying every look and line between them. I’ll genuinely miss these characters. I hope we see Neo and Lu again as romantic leads- their chemistry was everything.
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Ten Miles of Tears
Definitely worth watching! By now you should be able to overlook the CGI for most of these ? I’ve rewatched this about five times. The OSTs are so beautiful. The tragic love story and eventual redemption arc are done so well, it really tugs at your heart every time. It’s emotional, dramatic, and just so satisfying to rewatch.Yang Mi is the main actress, and she absolutely owns this role. She plays Bai Qian with so much grace and quiet strength- it’s hard to imagine anyone else in her place. And the costuming looks so ethereal. It’s emotional, romantic, and visually stunning. A true classic imo.
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Smart Female Lead
This drama had me hooked from the very start- the scheming, the palace politics, the revenge plots… so good. I love how sharp and clever the story is. It’s one of those dramas where you’re constantly watching people try to outmaneuver each other, and the pacing keeps it engaging the whole way through.The female lead, Li Weiyoung (played by Tiffany Tang), is such a force. She’s quick-witted, strategic, and composed, and watching her go head-to-head with all the villains is ridiculously satisfying. Tiffany Tang brought so much intelligence and grace to the role- you want to root for her from the very beginning.
I also have to say, the chemistry between her and the male lead (Luo Jin) was surprisingly strong. Their dynamic felt genuine, and it balanced out the heavier revenge and court intrigue elements really nicely. The OST fit the drama perfectly too- dramatic and emotional in just the right moments.
Yes, it’s dramatic (as palace dramas always are), but it never felt messy or dragged out. Everything builds steadily, and watching Li Weiyoung turn every scheme back on her enemies was so satisfying. I've rewatched it several times and enjoyed it each time.
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Yang Mi does it again!
Definitely worth watching. I love the female lead- Fuyao, played by Yang Mi, absolutely carries the show. She’s strong, clever, and determined, and it’s so satisfying watching her grow and fight her way through every obstacle. Her crying scenes and yearning is so heartwrenching!The story blends martial arts, court politics, destiny, and romance in a way that keeps you hooked. It has that epic, adventurous vibe- a little messy at times, but always entertaining. I’ve rewatched it a couple of times and it still holds up well.
Yang Mi’s performance is fantastic, and the chemistry between her and Ethan Juan (the male lead) is solid- they have this grounded but intense dynamic that fits the tone of the drama perfectly.
The costuming is gorgeous and gives the whole thing that sweeping, historical–fantasy feel. It’s not flawless, but if you like strong female leads and big, dramatic stories, this one delivers.
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