Finding your own path
Adapted from the novel of the same name, Love of the Divine Tree is at face value not much different from your average xianxia story. There are immortal and demonic cultivators, master-disciple relationship stories, love trials, and an ultimate baddie trying to destroy the world.
What is delightfully surprising to me about this drama is that there is a real earnestness in telling a story with developed characters and themes, brought to life by a young but talented cast led by Deng Wei and Julia Xiang. Their master-disciple love story is full of twists and turns, reflecting life's inevitable ebbs and flows and ups and downs. Thus is the core of this drama's main theme - finding one's path in life is built up on the past but not beholden to it. The past is gone, and the future is unknown. All we can know is the present, and we must learn how to cherish it. Living in regret or obsession over what is lost or not ours will not only lead to our own downfall but also the destruction of everything we hold dear.
In addition to this core story embodied by our main leads (and second leads) are many wonderful supporting characters that feel developed, relevant and ultimately endearing by the end of the drama. Wei Jiu, the would-be villain, is hilarious in this show, and Su Yishui's disciples get their time to shine throughout the drama.
A pleasing OST and production round out a very satisfying watching experience. Although not earth-shatteringly novel as far as storytelling, this drama is nonetheless a beautifully crafted epic fantasy that deserves a place alongside my favorite xianxia dramas.
What is delightfully surprising to me about this drama is that there is a real earnestness in telling a story with developed characters and themes, brought to life by a young but talented cast led by Deng Wei and Julia Xiang. Their master-disciple love story is full of twists and turns, reflecting life's inevitable ebbs and flows and ups and downs. Thus is the core of this drama's main theme - finding one's path in life is built up on the past but not beholden to it. The past is gone, and the future is unknown. All we can know is the present, and we must learn how to cherish it. Living in regret or obsession over what is lost or not ours will not only lead to our own downfall but also the destruction of everything we hold dear.
In addition to this core story embodied by our main leads (and second leads) are many wonderful supporting characters that feel developed, relevant and ultimately endearing by the end of the drama. Wei Jiu, the would-be villain, is hilarious in this show, and Su Yishui's disciples get their time to shine throughout the drama.
A pleasing OST and production round out a very satisfying watching experience. Although not earth-shatteringly novel as far as storytelling, this drama is nonetheless a beautifully crafted epic fantasy that deserves a place alongside my favorite xianxia dramas.
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