Dawn

This is the male lead’s breakup drama. Most of the actors here came from his former company, so this drama feels like a promotion for them through the ML. I also thought it would be male-centric, and was really disappointed, but it still exceeded my expectation. I still liked it overall.

This is the male lead's break-up drama. Most actors here came from his former company. So, this drama is like a promotion for them through the ML. I also thought it would be male-centric, but, yeah...

To correct points 5 and 6, the lack of skinship is mainly because of the script. Even the shadow kiss was written into the script. There is some skinship, but it’s minimal—mostly just hugs. So I don’t think it’s fair to attribute that to the actor when these scenes were simply how the story was written.

I read the script, and although most of Allen’s dramas have very little physical intimacy, that doesn’t mean it’s because of him. In this drama, the script itself clearly doesn’t call for much skinship.

OP. Others are happy with it, but some are a bit disappointed because the ML lost his memory, and the ending is a bit short. The FL spent a long time looking for him, but in the end, the couple still met each other. Chu Ying will help the ML restore his memory, but we can't see that anymore in the drama. The three of them got on a boat together. The end.

You might not like that particular scene, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall quality of the drama. That moment was also part of Lu Qianqiao’s character development. He was in the middle of becoming a complete War Demon, and once that transformation was complete, his power was essentially comparable to a god’s. That’s why he could appear after Xin Mei had already been defeated and eliminate the villains almost instantly.

And honestly, isn’t it more dramatic to have the ML arrive after everyone has already been beaten rather than before? 😂 It creates a much bigger impact and also highlights just how powerful he had become. If he had appeared earlier, the fight could have ended quickly given how powerful he was. But I also felt he left too soon. He should have stayed a little longer.

Anyway, you can dislike the storytelling choice, of course, but reducing the whole drama to that one scene doesn’t really reflect everything it did well. iQIYI has also recognized the drama as a hit, so saying it simply “didn’t hit popularity” is a bit too broad.

The Demon Hunter's Romance, have you watched it? It has the same scriptwriter and male lead. For me, it's better than this drama in terms of overall quality. But Fate Chooses You's world views are more profound.

From what I've noticed, most of Ren Jialun dramas don't receive much promotion or almost isn't promoted at all. But most of his dramas are of high quality.

Done watching AND rewatching! ❤️
Fate Chooses You is definitely not your typical xianxia romance.
The slow-burn between Lu Qianqiao and Xin Mei had me hooked. No love at first sight—their marriage starts as a deal, slowly turns into trust, and eventually becomes something deeper. That chemistry! 🔥
Add the curse mystery, hidden identities, past lives, high-stakes trials, and gorgeous visuals… and you’ve got a seriously addictive xianxia. ✨
Not perfect, but absolutely worth the rewatch! ❤️

**If you’re skipping *Love of Nirvana*, you might be missing out.**

This is NOT your typical romance drama. Political intrigue, revenge, secrets, loyalty, redemption, complex characters, and a slow-burn romance that actually has depth. Add strong chemistry and nuanced performances, and you get a drama that stays with you long after the finale.

Worth watching!

I’m currently rewatching Abyss. I’m not really into crime-investigative dramas because I have a weak stomach for brutal scenes. But Abyss is so gripping—tight plot, realistic investigation, stellar cast, constant suspense, and twists that keep you guessing. Everything just works. No wasted episodes, no weak links. Truly a masterpiece.

Now, I’m just checking whether I missed any important details and appreciating the highlights of the drama, especially Li Cheng’s character.

Exactly.

SO GOOD, I FORGOT I WAS WATCHING HISTORY.

I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy Silent Tides. War, finance, and Macau history didn’t sound like my kind of drama. But the exceptional production and gripping storytelling completely pulled me in.

The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is immersive, and the tension comes from strategy, psychological warfare, and battles of wit rather than nonstop action. The cast is phenomenal, and Ren Jialun’s He Xian is especially impressive—subtle, natural, and incredibly detailed.

I started it for the production.
I stayed for the story.
I finished it completely invested in the history.

A MASTERPIECE.

I also think there’s great chemistry between He Xian and his wife. There aren’t any intimate or overtly romantic scenes between them, but they’re highly compatible and have a very natural dynamic. I’ve also read quite a few positive comments about their undeniable chemistry on screen. For me, their connection works precisely because it doesn’t rely on romantic or intimate scenes to make it convincing.

I agree. From what I’ve noticed, many viewers are more interested in romance, especially when there are intimate scenes. I’ve also read many comments complaining about the lack of romance or kissing scenes in Ren Jialun’s dramas. Some people automatically expect a kissing scene, as if every drama is supposed to have one. 😂
But dramas with more substantial storylines, strong writing, complex characters, and meaningful themes don’t always catch their attention in the same way. Sometimes it feels like people are more interested in the sensational parts that give them something to talk about online than in the actual quality of the drama itself. That’s probably one reason a well-written drama like this doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.

Haha. Not just Ren Jialun, but most Chinese celebrities, actually. 😂 I’ve heard that being slim makes it easier for them to adjust to different roles and look better on camera.

They're a couple, yes, but it's more of an ordinary, understated relationship. There aren't really any romantic scenes between them. And honestly, I don't think that would fit this kind of plot anyway—the story has a much stronger focus on the bigger events, the characters, and the historical setting.

Ren Jialun's dramas always seem to get low scores, even when they're masterpieces. What a pity. This drama deserves so much more recognition and a much higher rating. Meanwhile, other dramas that aren't nearly as good manage to get much higher scores. What a joke. 😂

I agree. I can still sense the exceptional chemistry between the two even without intimacy. They're a real couple to me.

That's right. Many haters were also excited to give the lowest score.

Be brought his character to life. I feel like, this is the real He Xian. He's alive!