This drama is super light. Even though they tried to add some political drama (internal and external country stuff), the problems just didn’t feel that serious and deep. The main leads’ chemistry? Meh, honestly just so-so, nothing exciting at all. The 2nd couple wasn’t much better, but at least they’re cute, so I didn’t mind them too much. The 3rd couple though… total filler, I skipped their scenes every time 🙄.
Since the romance side didn’t give me much, I ended up way more into Lingzhuo’s arc. The whole smuggling treasures investigation from other countries was way more interesting than all the romance tropes. Honestly, that storyline was the one that carried the show and kept me watching till the end.
This drama is adapted from a novel I rated pretty mediocre, around 3/5, which I read more than 5 years ago (back before I even got married). So yeah, it’s been a while 😅. Looking back at my old NovelUpdates review, I thought it was just okay. The ML wasn’t my type, there were way too many filler parts, and the villain wasn’t exactly brilliant either. I remember reading half with “proper” translations (which I even complained about at the time 🙄) and the rest through painful MTL just to get it done. Honestly, the only real positive thing I noted was the FL’s personality.
But who knows? Adaptations have surprised me before. TPOB is the perfect example. I dropped the novel and rated it 2/5, then after watching the drama, I even tried picking it up again because I couldn’t remember why I dropped it in the first place. Halfway through, it all came back, and I dropped it all over again. Yet the drama adaptation turned out way more enjoyable, and I love that drama so much. So maybe this one will pull the same trick on me too.
Yes, this drama is a high-budget production, but honestly… who knows? Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if there’s money laundering going on behind the scenes, because the quality definitely doesn’t match the amount of money they seem to have poured into it.
episode one and it still has not pulled me in.. i hope it does before I drop it
Based on your dramalist, I don’t think this drama will really be your cup of tea. I’m at ep 21 now, and I’m the type who usually sticks it out once I start. I can usually tolerate a so-so plot and acting, but even for me this one feels a bit tough. So honestly, it might be better to just drop it before you end up feeling like it’s a waste of time.
Are the fight scenes and action choreography any good?
I commented about this last month. The fight scenes in this drama are honestly a bit weak. The camera work doesn’t always land, and the pacing feels kind of flat at moments where the tension should’ve been higher.
Good action usually has the right mix of tempo, impact, and smooth editing. Like quick cuts to boost intensity or fluid transitions to keep it realistic. Here, though, the fights come off a little staged instead of natural and dynamic. Still, it does get a bit better as the series goes on, probably because the main focus is really on the romance rather than the action, so you end up adjusting to it.
One thing worth highlighting is the male lead’s performance. His fight scenes actually look convincing and flow well, which helps balance out some of the weaker moments. Even if the action isn’t the drama’s strongest point, the characters and story keep it engaging, and I still find myself enjoying it a lot.
I’m on ep 4 right now, and honestly, I’m really enjoying the plot and both leads’ personalities so far 😍. But the fight scenes… kinda weak 😅. The framing and camera angles don’t hit, and the pacing feels flat when it should be exciting & intense.
Good action needs varied tempo, impact, and smooth editing (like quick cuts for intensity or matching motions for fluidity). Here, it all feels staged instead of natural and dynamic. There was even one scene in ep 3 that made me laugh way too hard. The FL was running, but she's running like she has low stamina 😂.
Such a pity, because the story itself has so much potential. Hopefully, it's getting better.
As much as I love this drama, I can’t help but feel so bad for Sima Jiao 😢. In the end, she still leaves him alone in the other world. Yes, they eventually meet in the modern world, but I wish we got to see more. How did he live after she was gone? Did he spend his time trying to find another world just to be with her again? And how long did he long for her? Months, decades, or even a thousand years? 💔 The uncertainty of his suffering just breaks my heart.
So tomorrow’s the last day.🥲 I’m really gonna miss this drama, especially our kitty hairstyles, they’re just too adorable 😍✨. The early episodes felt a little slow, but I get it that they were building up the story & laying the groundwork while showing demon cases in the mortal realm. Now it’s diving into the real problems and personal stories, and while some plots are almost folded, they’re not fully wrapped up yet. Can’t believe it’s almost ending!
What censorship do they have?Tell me about it?Ending was okayish (atleast both survived and met each other plus…
The Chinese government banned time-travel and transmigration stories after Scarlet Heart became a massive hit. Back then, some girls even fantasized about dying just to start a new life and probably meet a prince. That’s why, in most dramas now, whenever someone travels to another world or back to the past, it usually ends up being treated as just a dream.
I’m watching two ongoing dramas right now and wow… both second male leads are absolutely unbearable. 😒 Always sticking their noses where they don’t belong and trying to mess up the main couple. But this one? He’s the worst. Acting all self-righteous like he’s doing everything for the female lead’s sake. Please, nobody asked you. 🙄
Honestly, the early episodes had me thinking this was gonna be a solid drama, but then the script went downhill fast. The second couple? Boring. The directing? Meh at best. I actually laughed out loud at the scene where the male lead ‘wiped’ his face, but the towel didn’t even touch him. 😂 I bet he doesn't want to mess up his makeup, I guess. And don’t even get me started on the female lead’s ‘trauma’ storyline. They treated it so casually, they might as well have skipped it. But I’ll give credit where it’s due. The female lead chasing after the male lead was the highlight. She’s cute, bold, and knows exactly how to deal with his temper, which honestly saved the show for me.
Most of the time, I skip the second couple, but not this time 😍. Their personalities are so likable and their story was genuinely fun to watch. I actually enjoyed their scenes just as much as the main couple.
She’s been with the villain for almost 2 decades. Way longer than the time she’s even had with the ML 😭💔. It’s so sad to think about… I just hope her heart and mind haven’t been completely corrupted 🤞. She’s lived nearly her whole lifetime in the demon world, almost the same as in the modern world. 😢
“ Liao Tingyan: "Be reasonable, friend, if there is someone around you who thinks for you, do you still…
This. Honestly, she’s just a regular office worker, living the same routine of working all day, going home to rest and sleep, then repeating it again. Someone like her, or even us, wouldn’t have the courage to kill anyone. She’s not from a world where survival depends on taking lives. Yet, despite her gentle nature, she never once doubted him when he killed the villains, because she could see and accept where he was coming from.
This Ruling girl. Even if this girl ends up trying to redeem herself by sacrificing her life, I still won’t forgive her. What she did is beyond redemption. 😤
At this point, the immortals honestly seem way worse than the demons 😮💨. They’re basically the real devils here, and the latest episode just made their villainy so hard to stomach.
Since the romance side didn’t give me much, I ended up way more into Lingzhuo’s arc. The whole smuggling treasures investigation from other countries was way more interesting than all the romance tropes. Honestly, that storyline was the one that carried the show and kept me watching till the end.
Looking back at my old NovelUpdates review, I thought it was just okay. The ML wasn’t my type, there were way too many filler parts, and the villain wasn’t exactly brilliant either. I remember reading half with “proper” translations (which I even complained about at the time 🙄) and the rest through painful MTL just to get it done. Honestly, the only real positive thing I noted was the FL’s personality.
But who knows? Adaptations have surprised me before. TPOB is the perfect example. I dropped the novel and rated it 2/5, then after watching the drama, I even tried picking it up again because I couldn’t remember why I dropped it in the first place. Halfway through, it all came back, and I dropped it all over again. Yet the drama adaptation turned out way more enjoyable, and I love that drama so much. So maybe this one will pull the same trick on me too.
Good action usually has the right mix of tempo, impact, and smooth editing. Like quick cuts to boost intensity or fluid transitions to keep it realistic. Here, though, the fights come off a little staged instead of natural and dynamic. Still, it does get a bit better as the series goes on, probably because the main focus is really on the romance rather than the action, so you end up adjusting to it.
One thing worth highlighting is the male lead’s performance. His fight scenes actually look convincing and flow well, which helps balance out some of the weaker moments. Even if the action isn’t the drama’s strongest point, the characters and story keep it engaging, and I still find myself enjoying it a lot.
Good action needs varied tempo, impact, and smooth editing (like quick cuts for intensity or matching motions for fluidity). Here, it all feels staged instead of natural and dynamic. There was even one scene in ep 3 that made me laugh way too hard. The FL was running, but she's running like she has low stamina 😂.
Such a pity, because the story itself has so much potential. Hopefully, it's getting better.
Yes, they eventually meet in the modern world, but I wish we got to see more. How did he live after she was gone? Did he spend his time trying to find another world just to be with her again? And how long did he long for her? Months, decades, or even a thousand years? 💔
The uncertainty of his suffering just breaks my heart.
The early episodes felt a little slow, but I get it that they were building up the story & laying the groundwork while showing demon cases in the mortal realm. Now it’s diving into the real problems and personal stories, and while some plots are almost folded, they’re not fully wrapped up yet. Can’t believe it’s almost ending!
I actually laughed out loud at the scene where the male lead ‘wiped’ his face, but the towel didn’t even touch him. 😂 I bet he doesn't want to mess up his makeup, I guess. And don’t even get me started on the female lead’s ‘trauma’ storyline. They treated it so casually, they might as well have skipped it.
But I’ll give credit where it’s due. The female lead chasing after the male lead was the highlight. She’s cute, bold, and knows exactly how to deal with his temper, which honestly saved the show for me.