Jenai

Literally one of the best directors in China. I loved every series ive watched from her thus far, Love and Destiny being my absolute favs.

This drama is simply OUTSTANDING! Honestly, I ended up liking it way more than Eternal Love, Love Between a Devil and Fairy, and Till the End of the Moon. But I have to be real: it took me four attempts to get into it. The first 18-ish episodes are painfully slow — like “staring at drying paint” slow — and there isn’t much eye candy to help you power through, ugh.

So my expectations were low… and then somehow, the story suddenly clicked. Next thing I knew, I was binge-watching 40 episodes in two days. I look like I haven’t seen sunlight in a decade, my eye bags have their own zip code, and I regret nothing.

If you’re like me and nearly gave up because the beginning felt endless, don’t drop it yet. Skip/fast-forward the dull side plots (I definitely did) and get to the good stuff. The main couple’s love story is absolutely gorgeous — genuinely breathtaking. I fell HARD for them.

By the time I hit episode 60, I was actually sad it was ending. That’s how invested I got. I'm writing this whole essay for anyone who stalled early on, because I was this close to missing out on a masterpiece.

This drama is now officially my favorite Xianxia of all time. I would’ve given it a 10/10 if the first chunk weren’t such a slog, so it’s a 9.5/10 for me.

What to expect:

-A super slow burn romance, but once the plot picks up (after ep 18), it’s all about their relationship.
-She falls first, but he falls way harder.
-Age-gap dynamic.
-Not an “idol drama.” None of the MLs are pretty boys, but they grow on you — don’t let that stop you. If you want visuals and a teen vibe, go watch LBDF or TTEOTM. This cast is older, and the story hits deeper because of it.
-ML is insanely powerful.
-FL is cute, playful, innocent — but never annoying. (I usually hate naïve heroines, but she’s fantastic and no baby-voice nonsense like in LBDF.)
-Potential for massive second lead syndrome — I really felt for the 2ML 😭

On my Watch List simply because of who the writer & the director is.

Is the 60ep version missing scenes? There are 2 versions of this series, and I'm wondering if I'll be missing out on anything if I watched the 60ep version.

Where can you watch this in good HD quality with Eng subs please? The YT link posted above has a country restriction, and the copy on Kissasian is too blurry to bother watching.

Edit: Found this site, quality is good too, if anyone else was looking. :)
https://moviesjoy.plus/watch-tv/watch-the-return-of-the-condor-heroes-34542.5227081

https://www3.asianvote.net/drama/a-beauty-in-troubled-times/episode-1

Found it here with Eng sub as well https://www3.asianvote.net/drama/legend-of-fragrance/episode-1
or https://www9.myasiantv.tv/tv-series/legend-of-fragrance/episode-1

Thanks, I'll check it out! :D

Thanks so much, I'll try it. :D

I dont find her pretty either. Shes common looking, she isnt someone you would ever look twice at walking down the street.

Not gonna lie, the ML's hair is whats stopping me from watching this lol.

They get together almost at the very end (I dont remember the ep), so there isnt a break-up really, but they are apart for a few days/weeks due to her illness (last maybe 10mins in the ep).
The SML is on screen more than the ML, because the FL falls in love with the SML first, so expect to see the FL with the SML for most of the series, and her feeling confused when she starts developing feelings for the ML as well.

Keep going, once the ML finds out she's a girl (ep 5-6), it picks up and the hilarity begins. Its a slow burn, but it becomes super hilarious eventually.

Is the ML a rich, powerful guy or is he an average Joe type?

Please recommend me more cdramas like this? I loved that the story focused on the romance, it was like watching a romance novel in motion. Best part, the couple got together early and had a real, loving relationship.

PS. if you're just checking out this series, its super slow and draggy the first half, then it picks up and will blow your mind if romance is what you're looking for.
I'm so glad I didnt drop it like I wanted to at the start.

Thanks so much! :)

I heard this actor doesnt do kissing scenes in his dramas, can you please tell me is there kissing in this? Thanks in advance! :)

I didnt find her all that pretty from watching her in Arsenal Military Academy, but she seems like a very good actress. Her profile pic doesnt even look like her to be honest.

i laughed my ass off, which was totally unexpected. Just skip all the boring side character plots and politics, and watch only the main characters. These two are hilarious together, and if you love a crazy, "constantly" jealous ML, you just found your perfect drama with this under rated gem.

Gotta say though, the ML is SO gorgeous that he even makes the beautiful FL look plain! Doesnt help that she has the most hideous mushroom hair that i've ever seen, poor girl lol. Why didnt she get her hair cut where the guys went. All the men in this series had great hair, especially the ML, and looked hot AF in uniform!

Thanks so much! That was very helpful. :D
I think I'll pass, I wanted to watch a romantic series.