This review may contain spoilers
One of the best Costume Drama for the start of 2023!
I was reading the other reviews and it seemed like some were watching a completely different drama. I was completely blown away by this historical, romcom, mystery/investigative series. After trying to find a series to watch after One and Only, Love Between Fairy and Devil, Unchained Love, Lost in Kunlun Mountain, and The Wolf this drama series checked off all my boxes. It had satire, comedy, love, friendship, hate, betrayal, action, sweetness, jealousy, tantrums and the storyline. Its a 10++++++ in my book.I'm a super fan of Li Yitong, she is beautiful, talented and her acting is really strong. Her portrayal of Jiu'er was spot on cute, witty, smart and funny. Bi Wenjun although still very new, he is a phenomenal handsome, young actor that will soon gain lots of traction. Even better than some veterans I have watched in the past. I am now a super fan of his. His portrayal of the fierce, smart, soft hearted prince HanZheng was truly amazing. His demeanor and expressions were spot on. Plus, their on screen chemistry is very in sync (not sizzling like their photoshoots but I can sense their sincerity and tenderness for each other).
The storyline for their supporting actors were also quite loving and interesting (it would have been nice to explore this more especially Chilan and Mu Yan) and diving into the Qi race more would have been great.
A lot of viewers didn't like that their onscreen romance didn't start till later in the series but it actually starts the moment they collaborate with each other to solve cases. It's exactly how two people who have a crush on each other after meeting and working together, but dear not say anything. But slowly grow to have these deep feelings towards one another such as to protect, care and feeling super excited to see each other/ never be apart from each other. Their love story actually makes it more relatable given the history of Qian-Qi relationship. And I like that her Godfather (although a dunce at times, he was comical and always straightforward) was always supportive of her no matter the situation.
I love that the cases were entangled with each other all the way till the end. Some thought the cases were not interesting enough but for the content and storyline I think it was first-rate perfect. It's not suppose to be somber like other investigative dramas or highly-charged but a little lighthearted. I saw every interaction and case pretty comical between the two leads as they solve cases together.
Chinese costume dramas have always been beautifully crafted and as a child growing up watching these films, till this day their craftsmanship always amazes me.
As far as the production team goes they did a fantastic job curating the cast, the storyline and finalizing a series that is unforgettable. I have replayed this series like 5 times and still find every scene and detail to be near perfect. For example, Blue Whisper had lots of good visual, good team and A-list actors but I couldn't till this day even finish the series. But who knows I might go back and think differently after I finally finish it.
All in all, give this series a chance. Its quite funny, sweet, the cases are interesting, lots of warmth and love.
Was this review helpful to you?
I loved it. It’s 100% better than the first installment here is why
If you watch the Donghua/ read the manhua it starts off exactly the same! The only detail I noticed at the beginning was they switched Qu Zhou to have a bigger role than Zhang Zheng, to which I disagree with. Zhang Zheng is a way more useful confidant/ left hand man than Qu Zhou. To this I gave it 9 stars for the story of Zhang Zheng (played by the amazing and wonderful Ryan Ding) not being a bigger part of the masked daoist.The main story is spot on and develops exactly like the donghua, if not better! For a 10ep. donghua of Huai Zhu and Hong Ye the screenwriter actually develops their love story where they encounter each other, experience the longing and parting, the deep love and conflict, the heroism of the masked daoists, the righteous and honorable duty of Hong Ye, the tacit understanding between Huai Zhu and Hong Ye, the calm/rational beauty of Huai Zhu, the romantic/gentle/kind/brave Hong Ye, lastly the supporting and protecting of e/o (which is explored more in the adapted drama). It exceeded my expectations and I love the donghua (watched it many times). Their love is the most precious and regrettable thing about wanting to change the world. And the acting of ZYL and Shishi was very natural their on screen chemistry for 85liners is still really good. Their aesthetics was spot on for the characters.
All the side stories were fillers because none of this matters in the actual FSMM world (it’s based on the reunion of lovers between humans and demons in their reincarnated life, not humans). But of all the side stories ZZ and A’yuan was my second favorite (I wished it was explored more at the beginning like I said) b/c the acting and complexity of the characters. Yitan and Zui (although don’t actually have a love line in the donghua I appreciate the screenwriter adding the childhood sweethearts). Mu Mie and the red leech demon (another side story filler that was nice but necessary) I liked the confession portion.
I cannot get the OST out of my head it’s been on repeat since it aired and finished airing. Knowing that Shi shi sang Half Love and Yunlong (composing and singing) Bamboo Night. The chills I get from Zhou Shen Mandala and Zhang Bichen Like Smoke every time I hear it brings back the memories of tall the masked daoist and ZhuYe love.
Also, to all those who thought this was going to be a HE drama or hoping the screenwriter to change the ending. From the moment they released the IP and finished wrapping they have already marketed it as a BE/SE even in the donghua it’s the saddest story out of all of them. This gives way to the next story Wang Quan Arc. So don’t judge solely b/c it’s a SE. Every story has its journey and the most beautiful endings are those that leave the deepest impressions. The saying of “having lost is to know love” or “to know grief is to know love.” I still have yet to walk away from this drama it’s my 4th time watching it. Plus, rewatching it actually makes it more beautiful to understand Huai Zhu and Hong Ye.
Was this review helpful to you?
The best drama in 2025 for me.
It’s fun, creative, engaging, the acting is by far my favorite from both leads and the OST is so fun and timed perfectly for every scene! The wedding song, the Hurry song, the birds chirping, don’t get me started that this OST is jammed packed with great singers and the lyrics hit hard!Honestly, tackling a light comedy genre is difficult to begin with and every joke/pun pokes fun at c-ent and ancient costume drama as it is while tackling prejudice, fear and becoming your own protagonist. Then you get the transmigration plot into the 1D world, and at the end leaves you contemplating are Xiaoyu and Nan Feng also part of another universe or script?
Loved loved loved!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
