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This review may contain spoilers
A Total Fan Service! Great pacing & storyline spoiled by FL's rigid morals | Cloying make out scenes
"Every lonely journey ends in a fated encounter." - Postscripts/Ending Quotes
PRO TIP: Try to be EXTRA patient and bear with the FL's behavior during episodes 10–20. if you can get through that, you'll be fine.
I eagerly want to start this review by talking about the FL, since the majority of my negative feedback is focused on her. However, I was afraid I might drift away from sharing the narrative's positive sides and get carried away by all the negative aspects. So, let me commence this review by highlighting the strengths and redeeming qualities of the show first.
The pacing and progression of the story were excellent. The narrative is fast-paced and doesn't dwell too long on a single plot point. It moves from one arc to another without going in circles or overly dramatizing conflicts to force a desired result. This helps the story move forward effortlessly without leaving plot holes behind. It also makes the story more coherent and entertaining, preventing it from dragging—even if it was admittedly frustrating for a couple of reasons.
In addition, each plot was compact and well-crafted that after the first ten episodes, it completely slipped my mind that Liao Tingyan was from the modern world. This was the story's ultimate strength, defining its value until the very end.
The story moved at a steady pace during the first 10 episodes; however, it fumbled significantly between episodes 11 and 20 by overemphasizing the female lead's rigid morals. This was the most difficult part of the show to sit through. Fortunately, it regained its momentum from episode 21 onward, recovering from that grating phase to become exciting once again.
One piece of advice I’d give is: do not let yourself carry the irritation or resentment you have for the FL once you cross the halfway mark. Doing so can cloud your judgment regarding the trajectory of her character progression. I'm saying this because I was exactly like that. I immediately judged the FL when the second half started, assuming it would be another tiring "amnesia leads to manipulation" trope. At that time, I thought it was regrettable to see her change from a clever, funny lead to someone so easily schemed against. But as the story unfolded, I realized the amnesia was actually a catalyst. It forced her to adopt the mindsets she’d previously resisted or lacked. By using a well-worn cliché, the writers managed to deliver the exact character evolution the story needed.
Talking about the climax: I initially found the sudden shift to the mortal realm an unusually odd decision, at least until I witnessed how the plot developed. I guess I was just stunned that they had the nerve to go 'Sima Jiao' hunting while still having a final villain to deal with. However, that sense of conflict and discontent eventually diminished once I understood that the entire Mortal Arc had been prearranged by Sima Jiao—even before he perished—to subdue and defeat the main antagonist.
The ending, on the other hand, is equally delightful and baffling. While it nails the main antagonist's downfall and provides a satisfying "happy ending" as the leads meet in the real world, the reason behind her journey to that cultivation world remains unexplained. After her accident, she suddenly begins "dream traveling" into this fantasy realm while in a coma, yet the story never establishes a clear cause. I suspect it relates to the project proposal she was working on, but the narrative fails to explore or confirm that connection. This sadly remains a riddle, even after finishing the show.
Additionally, I find the symbolism and depiction of corporate serfdom, burnout culture, and hyper-capitalistic exploitation to be both alarming and commendable. In this story, the female lead, Zhou Yan, has literally just been discharged from the hospital, yet she has to rush to her company to respond to her boss's summons regarding a proposal she failed to submit due to her accident. What is even more disturbing is how their conversation centers entirely on work—focusing on her failure to submit the proposal and a "make-or-break" ultimatum for her career—while completely ignoring the fact that she is clearly injured and bandaged.
While the creators’ inclusion of this reality is significant—as it accurately represents the grind ordinary citizens must endure to survive, even in life-threatening predicaments—it is truly abhorrent to witness this reflection of our own world. We live in a reality where corporate slavery and the transformation of a person into an "industrial human machine" are being normalized, which is both saddening and maddening.
Finally venturing into the 'negative rant' portion of my review. Shall we start with the biggest issue I had with the show: the female lead herself?
I was relatively fine with the female lead's (Liao Tingyan) slacker, vigilant, yet witty attitude—until I noticed two distinct changes that increasingly made me dislike her. First, when she finally earned Sima Jiao's trust, she gradually started voicing her opinions and doing whatever she thought was right without thoroughly considering the overall situation or consulting Sima Jiao. Second, she is slowly turning into a "know-it-all," complacent girl who prioritizes feelings and kindness—even toward individuals who wouldn't think twice about killing her and have every intention to do so. This shift has led her in the wrong direction and caused nothing but negative outcomes. While I understand she isn't used to such brutality, I find it unbelievable that she fails to grasp Sima Jiao's intentions. She is trying to survive a world where "kill or be killed" is the rule, so I can't stomach or comprehend her convictions and principles. Even if I technically understand her perspective, it feels incredibly unwise and, frankly, dumb. That’s why I was beaming with satisfaction during the Desolate Lands arc when Yan Huan tried to kill himself and his daughter, Zhou Zhi Ming. It was such a wake-up call for her—a reminder that she can’t just look at the "morally correct" side of life. She also has to look at the darkest side to understand the real struggles and bottom-line issues of the people around her.
Spoiler: I really thought she’d come to a realization and learn something from this, but unfortunately, she didn't! Grr!
What’s funny is that she knows she’s weak, yet she still won’t take extra precautions or train harder. She’s a slacker, and I love that she’s fully committed to it. However, it contradicts her desire to stay alive. Since being known as Sima Jiao’s most favored servant is basically a death warrant—a literal invitation for people to kill her. I really can’t comprehend how she lack the sense of urgency to sharpen her skills or master enough magic to defend herself.
She was such a total liability during the entire first half of the story that I got so fed up and pissed off watching her survive, every time, solely because of Sima Jiao's protection. She became fully reliant and complacent, tending to overlook a lot of things due to her carelessness and simple-mindedness. It was frustrating how she practically needed saving 99.99% of the time, when she could've been more powerful due to the 'cheat code' power-ups Sima Jiao had granted her.
In fact, halfway through the show, I became so irritated with Sima Jiao’s mantra about not letting her die unless he allowed it. Honestly, one big reason she stayed useless and incapable was because he pampered her so badly. Good grief!
As I grow older, I’ve realized that while sacrifice is noble, it’s often a foolish choice. This is why I’ve started avoiding Xianxia dramas over the last few years. I've grown tired of them being infested with constant sacrifices and multiple lifetime reincarnations, especially after consuming so many of them over the years.
Lastly, all the kissing and sensual scenes are nice and romantic at first. However, this show overdid it to the point of indifference and disbelief. Such scenes should have been greatly anticipated and celebrated, but the frequency and intensity with which they were presented were way too excessive. The romantic essence gradually dissipated after the 3rd time and completely vanished from the 5th time onwards. I am a person who typically enjoys such erotic scenes; however, due to the ludicrous number of times they showed them to us, they have become completely bland and even an eyesore to me. It transformed from a symbol of affection into "soft-porn" used to showcase the main leads making out and touching each other pleasurably.
In conclusion, 'Partnership Cultivation' is entirely synonymous with sexual or erotic scenes. While the authors were clever in utilizing the 'her coldness eases my burning fire' trope, they ultimately went overboard with it.
In Episode 28, at around the 40 minutes mark, it’s implicitly confirmed that the leads entering each other's 'Soul Minds' is a metaphor for sex. What absurdity! lol
Story - 8.0, My conscience wanted me to provide a rating at least 0.5 higher in consideration of the progressive plot and nice pacing. However, my mind opposes this due to the indifference and frustration I felt during episodes 11–20, the totally unnecessary kissing scenes, and the fact that the reason for the transmigration was never fully addressed.
Acting/Cast - 9.0, This is my first drama from both leads (Arthur Chen and Wang Yinglu) and they executed their roles well. However, I'm just not a fan of the FL's characterization, which turned me into a total critic. I was hyper-sensitive to her every movement, making some of her expressions feel exaggerated. Another person I scrutinized with an eagle eye was veteran actor Bao Jian Feng. His ingratiating acting style put me off, reminding me of his performance in LLTG. The difference is that his character here forced too many smiles while trying to depict a duplicitous person, which I found awkward and unnatural most of the time. I don't know why I was so sensitive to facial expressions with this show! lol
Music - 9.5, I love that the majority of the songs are melodic ballads. My personal favorites are 'In This World, I Only Love You' by Tia Ray and 'Old Wounds' by Huang Xiaoyun. I was actually about to give this a lower rating, but after listening to the drama's OST playlist on Spotify, I realized I almost did this show a total injustice!
Rewatch Value - 8.0, While I like certain elements of this drama, specifically the plot progression, pacing, and how it uses a cliché premise to facilitate the FL’s growth. I just don't see myself watching it again. The FL is simply not my cup of tea; I have outgrown the 'willful and rigid' female lead trope common in idol dramas, and she embodies that to a fault. Furthermore, the excessive skinship felt repetitive; by the fifth time, the sensual scenes lost their impact entirely.
Overall - 8.0, Had the FL's characterization not spoiled the mood and nearly caused me to drop the show, I would have given it a higher rating. That single aspect permanently tarnished the series for me. Regardless, I'm glad I stuck with it instead of dropping it like many others did.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
PRO TIP: Try to be EXTRA patient and bear with the FL's behavior during episodes 10–20. if you can get through that, you'll be fine.
I eagerly want to start this review by talking about the FL, since the majority of my negative feedback is focused on her. However, I was afraid I might drift away from sharing the narrative's positive sides and get carried away by all the negative aspects. So, let me commence this review by highlighting the strengths and redeeming qualities of the show first.
The pacing and progression of the story were excellent. The narrative is fast-paced and doesn't dwell too long on a single plot point. It moves from one arc to another without going in circles or overly dramatizing conflicts to force a desired result. This helps the story move forward effortlessly without leaving plot holes behind. It also makes the story more coherent and entertaining, preventing it from dragging—even if it was admittedly frustrating for a couple of reasons.
In addition, each plot was compact and well-crafted that after the first ten episodes, it completely slipped my mind that Liao Tingyan was from the modern world. This was the story's ultimate strength, defining its value until the very end.
The story moved at a steady pace during the first 10 episodes; however, it fumbled significantly between episodes 11 and 20 by overemphasizing the female lead's rigid morals. This was the most difficult part of the show to sit through. Fortunately, it regained its momentum from episode 21 onward, recovering from that grating phase to become exciting once again.
One piece of advice I’d give is: do not let yourself carry the irritation or resentment you have for the FL once you cross the halfway mark. Doing so can cloud your judgment regarding the trajectory of her character progression. I'm saying this because I was exactly like that. I immediately judged the FL when the second half started, assuming it would be another tiring "amnesia leads to manipulation" trope. At that time, I thought it was regrettable to see her change from a clever, funny lead to someone so easily schemed against. But as the story unfolded, I realized the amnesia was actually a catalyst. It forced her to adopt the mindsets she’d previously resisted or lacked. By using a well-worn cliché, the writers managed to deliver the exact character evolution the story needed.
Talking about the climax: I initially found the sudden shift to the mortal realm an unusually odd decision, at least until I witnessed how the plot developed. I guess I was just stunned that they had the nerve to go 'Sima Jiao' hunting while still having a final villain to deal with. However, that sense of conflict and discontent eventually diminished once I understood that the entire Mortal Arc had been prearranged by Sima Jiao—even before he perished—to subdue and defeat the main antagonist.
The ending, on the other hand, is equally delightful and baffling. While it nails the main antagonist's downfall and provides a satisfying "happy ending" as the leads meet in the real world, the reason behind her journey to that cultivation world remains unexplained. After her accident, she suddenly begins "dream traveling" into this fantasy realm while in a coma, yet the story never establishes a clear cause. I suspect it relates to the project proposal she was working on, but the narrative fails to explore or confirm that connection. This sadly remains a riddle, even after finishing the show.
Additionally, I find the symbolism and depiction of corporate serfdom, burnout culture, and hyper-capitalistic exploitation to be both alarming and commendable. In this story, the female lead, Zhou Yan, has literally just been discharged from the hospital, yet she has to rush to her company to respond to her boss's summons regarding a proposal she failed to submit due to her accident. What is even more disturbing is how their conversation centers entirely on work—focusing on her failure to submit the proposal and a "make-or-break" ultimatum for her career—while completely ignoring the fact that she is clearly injured and bandaged.
While the creators’ inclusion of this reality is significant—as it accurately represents the grind ordinary citizens must endure to survive, even in life-threatening predicaments—it is truly abhorrent to witness this reflection of our own world. We live in a reality where corporate slavery and the transformation of a person into an "industrial human machine" are being normalized, which is both saddening and maddening.
Finally venturing into the 'negative rant' portion of my review. Shall we start with the biggest issue I had with the show: the female lead herself?
I was relatively fine with the female lead's (Liao Tingyan) slacker, vigilant, yet witty attitude—until I noticed two distinct changes that increasingly made me dislike her. First, when she finally earned Sima Jiao's trust, she gradually started voicing her opinions and doing whatever she thought was right without thoroughly considering the overall situation or consulting Sima Jiao. Second, she is slowly turning into a "know-it-all," complacent girl who prioritizes feelings and kindness—even toward individuals who wouldn't think twice about killing her and have every intention to do so. This shift has led her in the wrong direction and caused nothing but negative outcomes. While I understand she isn't used to such brutality, I find it unbelievable that she fails to grasp Sima Jiao's intentions. She is trying to survive a world where "kill or be killed" is the rule, so I can't stomach or comprehend her convictions and principles. Even if I technically understand her perspective, it feels incredibly unwise and, frankly, dumb. That’s why I was beaming with satisfaction during the Desolate Lands arc when Yan Huan tried to kill himself and his daughter, Zhou Zhi Ming. It was such a wake-up call for her—a reminder that she can’t just look at the "morally correct" side of life. She also has to look at the darkest side to understand the real struggles and bottom-line issues of the people around her.
Spoiler: I really thought she’d come to a realization and learn something from this, but unfortunately, she didn't! Grr!
What’s funny is that she knows she’s weak, yet she still won’t take extra precautions or train harder. She’s a slacker, and I love that she’s fully committed to it. However, it contradicts her desire to stay alive. Since being known as Sima Jiao’s most favored servant is basically a death warrant—a literal invitation for people to kill her. I really can’t comprehend how she lack the sense of urgency to sharpen her skills or master enough magic to defend herself.
She was such a total liability during the entire first half of the story that I got so fed up and pissed off watching her survive, every time, solely because of Sima Jiao's protection. She became fully reliant and complacent, tending to overlook a lot of things due to her carelessness and simple-mindedness. It was frustrating how she practically needed saving 99.99% of the time, when she could've been more powerful due to the 'cheat code' power-ups Sima Jiao had granted her.
In fact, halfway through the show, I became so irritated with Sima Jiao’s mantra about not letting her die unless he allowed it. Honestly, one big reason she stayed useless and incapable was because he pampered her so badly. Good grief!
As I grow older, I’ve realized that while sacrifice is noble, it’s often a foolish choice. This is why I’ve started avoiding Xianxia dramas over the last few years. I've grown tired of them being infested with constant sacrifices and multiple lifetime reincarnations, especially after consuming so many of them over the years.
Lastly, all the kissing and sensual scenes are nice and romantic at first. However, this show overdid it to the point of indifference and disbelief. Such scenes should have been greatly anticipated and celebrated, but the frequency and intensity with which they were presented were way too excessive. The romantic essence gradually dissipated after the 3rd time and completely vanished from the 5th time onwards. I am a person who typically enjoys such erotic scenes; however, due to the ludicrous number of times they showed them to us, they have become completely bland and even an eyesore to me. It transformed from a symbol of affection into "soft-porn" used to showcase the main leads making out and touching each other pleasurably.
In conclusion, 'Partnership Cultivation' is entirely synonymous with sexual or erotic scenes. While the authors were clever in utilizing the 'her coldness eases my burning fire' trope, they ultimately went overboard with it.
In Episode 28, at around the 40 minutes mark, it’s implicitly confirmed that the leads entering each other's 'Soul Minds' is a metaphor for sex. What absurdity! lol
Story - 8.0, My conscience wanted me to provide a rating at least 0.5 higher in consideration of the progressive plot and nice pacing. However, my mind opposes this due to the indifference and frustration I felt during episodes 11–20, the totally unnecessary kissing scenes, and the fact that the reason for the transmigration was never fully addressed.
Acting/Cast - 9.0, This is my first drama from both leads (Arthur Chen and Wang Yinglu) and they executed their roles well. However, I'm just not a fan of the FL's characterization, which turned me into a total critic. I was hyper-sensitive to her every movement, making some of her expressions feel exaggerated. Another person I scrutinized with an eagle eye was veteran actor Bao Jian Feng. His ingratiating acting style put me off, reminding me of his performance in LLTG. The difference is that his character here forced too many smiles while trying to depict a duplicitous person, which I found awkward and unnatural most of the time. I don't know why I was so sensitive to facial expressions with this show! lol
Music - 9.5, I love that the majority of the songs are melodic ballads. My personal favorites are 'In This World, I Only Love You' by Tia Ray and 'Old Wounds' by Huang Xiaoyun. I was actually about to give this a lower rating, but after listening to the drama's OST playlist on Spotify, I realized I almost did this show a total injustice!
Rewatch Value - 8.0, While I like certain elements of this drama, specifically the plot progression, pacing, and how it uses a cliché premise to facilitate the FL’s growth. I just don't see myself watching it again. The FL is simply not my cup of tea; I have outgrown the 'willful and rigid' female lead trope common in idol dramas, and she embodies that to a fault. Furthermore, the excessive skinship felt repetitive; by the fifth time, the sensual scenes lost their impact entirely.
Overall - 8.0, Had the FL's characterization not spoiled the mood and nearly caused me to drop the show, I would have given it a higher rating. That single aspect permanently tarnished the series for me. Regardless, I'm glad I stuck with it instead of dropping it like many others did.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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