This review may contain spoilers
SOUL - CRUSHING BEAUTY
'EVERYTHING HAS STARTED ANEW, EVERYTHING IS JUST ONLY BEGINNING'
This story centres around the Jade Wine Divine Spring ( Yuli Spring), a mythical source ofpower that has caused a hundred years of conflict between the humans and demons. The story follows Xiao Yao, a spirited and adaptable human girl who stumbles into the valley of ten thousand demons. She encounters Hong Ye, the demon king, who has grown disillusioned after centuries of war and betrayal. While it begins with a lighthearted 'mortal girl meets cold demon king' trope, the plot eventually dives into a complex, non-linear mystery involving time travel and reincarnation. It presents the idea that some tragedies are inevitable, even as the characters travel back 10,000 years to change the past, they find themselves fulfilling the very destiny they sought to avoid.
Moreover, Tan Songyun is known for her range, as she breathes life into Xiao Yao, transitioning seamlessly from a quick-witted con artist in the early episodes to a woman burdened by the weight of ancient memories. While some viewers found her early 'childish' persona polarizing, her emotional depth in the latter half of the series is widely praised. Minghao delivers a restrained, nuanced performance. He portrays Hong Ye not just as a powerful ruler, but as a 'heartbreakingly devoted' figure whose instinct is always to protect. His chemistry with Songyun is a slow-burning, relying more on subtle tension and shared glances than overt romantic gestures. ( NEO HOU WAS SOO PRETTY IN THIS DRAMA, AND THAT JUST MADE ME SO HAPPY ♪(´▽｀)
Furthermore, the production value is one of the drama's strongest suits. The cinematography creates a stark contrast between the two realms. The demon realm is rendered with vibrant, whimsical colors ( think pink glowing grass, silvery skies, and glittery blue water). It feels like an enchanting, whimsical adventure. The human realm is more grounded and traditional, emphasizing the grit and Greek that fueled the search for immortality. Also, the CGI is polished, particularly in the large-scale battles and the depiction of the Yuli Spring, though the costume design stays within safe traditional xianxia territory.
Lastly, one of the characters that made me so disappointed and angry was Dali. She was seriously just a fake flower. Xiao Yao's intentions were very pure, and she just wanted to be friends with her, but her expectations let her down as Xiao Yao got stabbed in the back by Dali only because she felt inferior and not loved by everyone ( which is not exactly true). That reason was too lameand if I were Xiao Yao, I would never forgive her or let alone be friends with her anymore.
This drama avoids the typical 'happy ending' tropes in favor of a more philosophical conclusion about loss and the purity of the heart. While the pacing can be slow in the middle arcs, the emotional payoff and visual world-building make it a must-watch for 2026.
This story centres around the Jade Wine Divine Spring ( Yuli Spring), a mythical source ofpower that has caused a hundred years of conflict between the humans and demons. The story follows Xiao Yao, a spirited and adaptable human girl who stumbles into the valley of ten thousand demons. She encounters Hong Ye, the demon king, who has grown disillusioned after centuries of war and betrayal. While it begins with a lighthearted 'mortal girl meets cold demon king' trope, the plot eventually dives into a complex, non-linear mystery involving time travel and reincarnation. It presents the idea that some tragedies are inevitable, even as the characters travel back 10,000 years to change the past, they find themselves fulfilling the very destiny they sought to avoid.
Moreover, Tan Songyun is known for her range, as she breathes life into Xiao Yao, transitioning seamlessly from a quick-witted con artist in the early episodes to a woman burdened by the weight of ancient memories. While some viewers found her early 'childish' persona polarizing, her emotional depth in the latter half of the series is widely praised. Minghao delivers a restrained, nuanced performance. He portrays Hong Ye not just as a powerful ruler, but as a 'heartbreakingly devoted' figure whose instinct is always to protect. His chemistry with Songyun is a slow-burning, relying more on subtle tension and shared glances than overt romantic gestures. ( NEO HOU WAS SOO PRETTY IN THIS DRAMA, AND THAT JUST MADE ME SO HAPPY ♪(´▽｀)
Furthermore, the production value is one of the drama's strongest suits. The cinematography creates a stark contrast between the two realms. The demon realm is rendered with vibrant, whimsical colors ( think pink glowing grass, silvery skies, and glittery blue water). It feels like an enchanting, whimsical adventure. The human realm is more grounded and traditional, emphasizing the grit and Greek that fueled the search for immortality. Also, the CGI is polished, particularly in the large-scale battles and the depiction of the Yuli Spring, though the costume design stays within safe traditional xianxia territory.
Lastly, one of the characters that made me so disappointed and angry was Dali. She was seriously just a fake flower. Xiao Yao's intentions were very pure, and she just wanted to be friends with her, but her expectations let her down as Xiao Yao got stabbed in the back by Dali only because she felt inferior and not loved by everyone ( which is not exactly true). That reason was too lameand if I were Xiao Yao, I would never forgive her or let alone be friends with her anymore.
This drama avoids the typical 'happy ending' tropes in favor of a more philosophical conclusion about loss and the purity of the heart. While the pacing can be slow in the middle arcs, the emotional payoff and visual world-building make it a must-watch for 2026.
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