Xiang83

You're welcome! This article would not have happened, until you raised the necessary for my consideration.

The official website is graphic-heavy so it can lag when uploading the necessary home page. Meanwhile, here's 48 images that will be much easier to enjoy from the drama: https://natalie.mu/eiga/gallery/news/649987/2717215

There is a fan-subber for this. Another option for subtitles is to raise this to the attention of Netflix. They will assess the premise of subtitling it, if there is enough demand.

I'm summarising the method of doing so to a viewer above.

The "Unclouded Soul" is an S++ budget-production-level investment by IQiyi and Youku. The screenplay is based on the writing of the Director for "The Knockout", whose previous crime-thriller drama in a totally different genre generated an average of 200+ million effective views per episode across all three channel categories (not just online streaming platforms like IQiyi). That drama also broke the highest IQiyi's heat index at 11,800 to make IQiyi history, with "This Thriving Land" coming second in IQiyi's heat index history for crossing the 11,000 heat index.

"The Knockout" surpassed more than 400 million daily views on IQiyi, also reaching a high of 3.8% for peak viewership index on CCTV-8. Articles have been written about this: https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/iqiyi-presented-series-the-knockout-achieves-record-breaking-popularity-in-china-2023.

That said, xianxia and romance are genres that the Director is previously unknown for with the domestic audience, even though he directed a crime drama smash hit. He took at least 10 years to finish writing the screenplay for "The Unclouded Soul", if I'm not wrong.

Older mandarin-speaking viewers with at least 20+ years of C-Ent experience do not associate success in one genre as automatically translating into another genre. In fact, we became pensive to hear of this attempt by the Director, who should have gotten other veteran screenwriters in xianxia genre to vet his screenplay plus the version that eventually was made into this drama. International viewers are least likely to realise this. Directing and screenplay writing are different fields, and it becomes very dicey when genres are totally different.

If one can evaluate the viewership numbers across different ages, that will give the best indication of appeal statistics for this drama. The category with the least viewers will definitely be the older viewers of a certain age. and above

There are three demons, including Xiao Yao's role as the Azure Dragon being the fourth demon. If people are familiar with texts such as "Classic of Mountain and Seas", the four demons are huge turn-offs for being completely unrecognisable. I couldn't stomach the rendition of Tengshe, legendary divine assistant to Nüwa.

The Azure Dragon is associated with Protection, and is one of the four symbols of Chinese Constellations. When using creatures of great symbolism aiding or wielding divine power in Chinese mythology, you can turn them into cartoons but the worst insult is to caricature and diminish them beyond recognition. This is not a concern in modern dramas, but would be unsuitable for historical dramas, and uncertain if the Director was aware of this.

The cast did their best (and I'm sure criticisms also surfaced in that aspect), but the screenplay has massive issues across all three lifetimes (the least problematic is the final lifetime). Examples include romance between Hongye and Xiao Yao being too rushed feelings-wise within the first ten episodes, Pian Pian's change of character towards Xiao Yao isn't believable, and the drama ending is too cruel on Bingzhu and Hongye.

Hongye is punished in every lifetime, no matter what he does. He winds up sealing himself for eternity, a sacrifice that is questionable in its necessity because the flaws and evils of humans have existed even before this Kunlun Mirror came into existence. There is no redemption for him. Knowing his backstory and why he came to be the way it is only made it more terrible to realise that he cannot change any outcomes. I was so horrified for HMH's role (and I'm not even a fan of his) that I thought he had been forced to do this drama, which I would have frankly rescued him from participating in.

Acting standards of supporting cast is a mixed bag. Wang Duo did well, but that assistant demon to Hongye within the first two episodes really got on my nerves. Considering I couldn't stand Wang Hongyi's character Qing Cheng in SaB (and his character was so hated that he made a weibo post at one point proclaiming his character was going to kick the bucket), and that was only because of the writing and production team across several episodes... I actually reconsidered that view because this demon in this drama "Xiao Yao" is the most annoying demon I have ever encountered in a C-drama, partially due to the unpalatably bad acting.

Xiao Yao is understandably distraught, but when she goes to a certain time period of the past, viewers are confused as to whether she is living in a re-loop due to her consciousness taking over her physical body at that time to console herself while Hongye is still sealed away, or whether Xiao Yao is going back in time to try to change events (which is the story that people would have wanted to watch).

Viewers can claim 2ML is more developed in terms of complexity, compared to ML drama-wise. ML at times felt more like a plot device and not as well-fleshed out as 2ML. This is primarily a problem with the screenplay, not the directing or acting. The writing is the biggest weakness of the drama, because the characters are affected, especially when it comes to consistency such as Bing Zhu's decisions about demons.

Needing to use the book that came out after this drama, or anything else, to try to make the ending positive means the drama didn't succeed in making the ending what it should be to viewers.

You'd have to watch this drama without an inner critic and in total ignorance of certain Chinese texts to enjoy it. Your friend didn't do that. Any negative reviews on MDL can be downvoted as "not helpful". At some point, I understand viewers didn't want to comment on this drama page after being constantly bashed for anything remotely disagreeable from the public consensus of a very-vocal few, then only shared views away from this page. Hence you see what you see, comments-wise. But that doesn't stop them from rating episodes.

I have not rated this drama at all.

Dai Xu as Ao Hen is another demon I couldn't watch, but he is a golden supporting actor and did wonderfully as 2ML in "Love Between Lines" and hence trended massively on weibo at one point.

HMH's other drama "Glory" where he is also ML aired at the same time as "The Unclouded Soul", and is a totally different type of drama. The writing for ML in ""Glory" is much better in my opinion, character-wise. Some have wondered why the schedule for "Glory" was uneven, at times airing only one episode a day. I came by to take a look at something after someone asked me one thing, and saw your comment.

This is my superficial views for "Glory" also covering the creative team shortly after four episodes aired, which I watched: https://kisskh.at/772283-ming-men-shi-jia#comment-24642016

I also put together an article for MDL recently, about the not-yet-aired movie "Blades Of The Guardians" which will be in a box-office showdown for the Lunar New Year: https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17

I leave all this for you to make your own guesses. The title of this drama in Mandarin is "Xiao Yao", not the "Unclouded Soul". Tan Songyun is the focal character, not anyone else.

When you recommend a drama, always look at the reviews that come across as being able to dissect a drama in multiple aspects (language fluency or not is not an issue). That will be your best indication.

Bei Popo is a terrific character, being willing to run errands and do anything with messages and more. When she's not making me laugh out loud, she's also touchingly endearing in sharing stoicism or tartness.

Cen Jintian is growing on me, just like Li Yunxi (kudos to the actors in these roles!) Episode 9 is a wonderful amalgamation of everyone in it, seamlessly shifting between moments of seriousness, comedy, and scheming. I can't find myself disliking any of the characters for being fleshed-out as people, including Xiahou Bo and Xie Yong'er and the Empress Dowager. Episode 9 paused on a perfect cliffhanger.

As to episode 10... Awwww.

To see different perspectives carefully conveyed and interwoven, by turns sad and sweet- the transition of scenes from 13:16 to 13:17 onwards is wonderful. I'm reminded of the final minutes of episode 4 of "Glory" because the combination of camerawork, script, acting and editing is excellent. Xiao Tiancai has made himself unforgettable. I can feel what Xie Yong'er is thinking and believing.

An umbrella earnestly extended, concern and herbs- The night does not feel so lonely.

When a creative team works well together, a drama like this is easy to binge. I praised the powerhouse creative team for "Glory" after watching the first four episodes when that drama had just aired, and the creative team here is also heartily laudable for 10 episodes of intricately-connected emotional layers and laughs. Making a story look easy to tell and eager to absorb always has me in awe of amazing teamwork across so many different departments. 2026 has been enjoyable for dramas. This far, "How Dare You!" is definitely carving out a special niche in the transmigration genre while skilfully guiding me into a splendid buffet of moods to experience.

I will always have a soft spot for Chi Yun. His character theme song hits different within the first thirty episodes versus the final ten episodes.

Drama-Chi Yun is an improvement on novel-Chi Yun for me. Ao Ziyi shared 9 clips in a weibo post from his account, of different scenes where he's on wires, the wind machine is working overtime, and he is wearing the excellently-considered outfits of costume designer Huang Wei while conveying lines and specific actions (you don't need a weibo account to be able to access these clips, and these are not spoilers):

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5226487967912153

His enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism is impressive!

2026 will be a big year for Ai Mi, given the news and expectations.

Yesterday Pote posted from their official weibo account about a limited- edition cover on a red packet of Pote x AiMi, with only 713 packets available, so fastest fingers first!

Only two ways to get this red packet. Pote will allow the public to try and obtain this red packet tomorrow, 9 February, at 12 noon.

[ 祝你马年「米」满，心想事成、顺遂常伴！] - They know how to make a prosperous lovely pun using her name in well-wishes XD

Her signature is on the red packet, with her image vibrantly embracing the chic young lady that she is.

https://m.weibo.cn/status/5263655802510097

Goodbai, the casual chic lifestyle clothing brand started in 2021 by Bai Jingting, also gave her a shout-out and thanks from their official weibo account for wearing certain items of clothing:

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5245292364695038

I don't know who will do a fansub. This MDL friend of mine might be able to do so, if enough people ask and if his schedule can accommodate it: https://kisskh.at/profile/ruggedsource

True, but I must admit TJR's portrayal of Gong Yuanzhi's tender affection mixed with fiercely intense devotion towards his older brother Gong Shang Jue while displaying almost-petty dislike (of course, because GYZ is the emotional equivalent of a teenager in MJTY) for Shangguan Qian wasn't helping XD

And on that note, Zhang Yunlong and Cheng Lei's interactions are nothing short of hilarious: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5263029265505041

Throw in Ao Ziyi, and things take on another dimension of hilarity: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5262795887346552

When not being funny together, Zhang Yunlong and Cheng Lei get along veryveryvery well: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5246779730956750

Alright, off to watch episodes 7 and 8 of "How Dare You!"

That one call of how TJR addresses his Gege since MJTY has probably fuelled at least 90% of fics on A03 and elsewhere about Gong Yuanzhi and Gong Shangjue 😆😆😆😆

I will pause with these four episodes, and continue with episodes 5 to 8 tomorrow *stomachache* 😆😆.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚

These two will never stop being funny and adorable together in any situation, and I adored them in MJTY. Everytime TJR goes "哥哥～哥哥～" 😍😆🤣🤩

https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:5202068372652044

Here's Tian Jiarui having a video call with Cheng Lei in November 2025, then being all adorable about whether his 'older brother' missed him and whatnot XD: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5234065118596651

People are dying with laughter all over weibo, sharing clips from "How Dare You!"

Thank you for also sharing more details of how everyone is encouraging each other. It's great to see artists supporting each other like this, and I hope fans will follow suit too!

I think the cast list on this drama page needs to be updated in details, such as the actor for Xu Yao.

4 episodes in, I am pausing because I need to stop laughing until my sides hurt.

Also, after Cheng Lei released a post at 9.40 am today on his weibo account encouraging people to watch this drama, a lot of fellow artists all responded to his weibo post with similar sentiments within 2 hours, showcasing his popularity amongst fellow stars (here are screencaps): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5263303145429607

Here's more screencaps (you don't need a weibo account to view the links I have shared): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5263372728928782

Stars encouraging everyone to watch "How Dare You!" include Chen Zheyuan, Zhang Yunlong, Xu Ruohan, Zhou Ye, Ao Ziyi, He Yu, Tian Jiarui, Lester Lin, Bi Wenjun, Chen Yao, Fu Longfei etc

Wait till you get to episode 3. Do not eat or drink anything while watching this XD

She's glowing. Dressed in the likes of LaFine Couture from Paris (the official weibo account showcases her here on 6 December) for IQiyi 2025 Scream Night, wearing in advance a specific gorgeous gown from the 2026 Spring-Summer collection:

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5240847336473169

South Korean streetwear athleisure brand FDR thanked Ai Mi yesterday via their official weibo account for wearing their mid-length detachable-collar coat (during the shooting process for A-chan):

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5263027256689911

Hengdian Studios also posted about her on weibo after she was one of three artists to win 2025 Promising Young Actor of the Year on 1 December 2025, in a regal pink gown:

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5229701447813256#&gid=1&pid=1

I dunno about MDL but amongst mandarin speakers, my friends and acquaintances have all expressed admiration and respect for Ai Mi finally getting lead roles in dramas after that female lead role in the 'Break Through' movie which aired in November 2024, because they are aware of her roles in previous dramas. As Shui Duopo, the consensus for her being comfortably able to hold her own against Luo Yunxi was also duly noticed by many older mandarin-speaking viewers preferring actors and actresses who can act well.

Having filmed this movie just before they next commenced filming for WoF, Chi Yun (Ao Ziyi) and Shui Duopo (Ai Mi) look very different in this trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqYIiSdg6mc

[ We see a child onscreen and then we're supposed to believe and root for her romance with a grown man? ] - This sentence says it all about the original post and the poster's intentions.

They also replied to someone else below with "I've said what I needed to say here. I'm not responding anymore and I'm blocking anyone else who comments back to me with more creepy bullshit trying to excuse this." I'll be impressed if they can actually stick to what they are proclaiming, and they definitely sound like someone whom reasonable people don't want to associate with offline.

Such accounts are not here to find out about the drama or novel. They are not here to have a discussion. They don't actually give a damn about context or ethics. They have a scenario about Ai Mi and about romance in their mind whereby they don't care about whether it's realistic or delusional, because they just want to bash Ai Mi and crap all over this page to ruin her career. They also sound as if they assume Ai Mi is stealing roles from an actress they support. The reality couldn't be more hilarious because you can't steal roles you were never considered for, and this applies to Ai Mi and all other actresses. Ai Mi isn't considered for all not-yet-filmed dramas. Neither is every actress.

Ai Mi is not a child. She's been in this industry for more than 10 years working her way up, networking and being trained by some of the best Directors and honing her craft.

Yesterday the official weibo account of FDR thanked her for wearing their mid-length down jacket with detachable fur collar (as seen in the A-Chan shooting process): https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5263027256689911

If an individual persists in being unreasonable with the aim of ruining someone else just because they want to, the person's behaviour simply translates into choosing to be a troll. So don't get upset over a troll, because there are many such people offline. There are also many more good people offline. I hope you will feel better.

You're welcome. It's lovely to hear from different viewers, especially those who realise this C-drama is very different from a lot of other Chinese dramas and why. I would like to hear your insights at some point. I'm sure you have your own views too, and you don't have to agree with me :)

This drama reminds me of certain HK movies I watched in the 80s and 90s, rich in lore and religious philosophy and Chinese mythology. But no such C-drama equivalent has ever surfaced, until now.

I actually hesitated to go more into the novel aspects of Tang Lici, Liu Yan and A-Shui, because I don't know if you would want to know. Fang Pingzhal in the drama is not as fascinating as novel-Fang Pingzhai for me (and it's understandable because of the changes that had to be instituted). Drama-Xifang Tao is still very interesting (and Chen Yao did a great job), although greatly changed but certain traits preserved.

At one point earlier on this page, I started a thread about what I perceived to be minor changes I would institute for the drama to improve on what I considered to be flaws. There were two options, and for the first option, I went with the premise of keeping all the current characters.

If someone hasn't read the novel (plus I had also watched "Whispers of Fate" twice at the time of writing it), it's not possible to fully understand why I would suggest certain edits, primarily focusing on A-Shui and also most likely, anyone reading the edits wouldn't understand what I said about Fang Pingzhai and A-Shui. To retain the philosophies in the drama, have scenes that create maximum impact with those in mind yet have characters portrayed as icons to remember, is my end goal.

What annoyed me at that point is one account that kept objectifying A-Shui as if she was primarily and only a means to an end as romance for Tang Lici, while also lying to other viewers repeatedly about the drama (such as misrepresenting statistics). I'm talking about characterisation and being iconic and preserving novel traits, and that one is going on about romance for A-Shui as if that is A-Shui's best significance for this drama. To me, there's almost nothing more insulting to a female character than to reduce her worth as being defined by a man. On top of that, they didn't seem to understand A-Shui in the novel for what she is. But then again, they also lied about Fang Zhou's significance to Tang Lici in the novel on this drama page.

I very resolutely do not want A-Shui with Tang Lici or Liu Yan in the novel (and if you read the first 32 chapters, you would know exactly why), I am not alone in this sentiment with other novel readers, and this translates to the drama but for different reasons.

The most mystifying part was before this drama aired. That account tried to bully three of my friends off this drama page and make potential viewers think this drama would have romance in certain aspects, while all three of them honestly insisted this drama is heroism-focused. What resulted after that account misled a bunch of their fellow fans was melodrama on this page from those fans over A-Shui not getting what that account had made them believe, once episodes 34 and 35 aired. The producers already had a final vision, and that isn't going to change regardless of what anyone wants, especially fans of a certain actress. Poor Lin Yun. Having at least one fan that gives others a terrible impression about her fans on a drama page is terrible.

My other comment to you later will bluntly go into the dynamics of Tang Lici, Liu Yan and A-Shui in the novel. "Whispers of Fate" has been beautiful for me. Very beautiful. Not a drama, but a fantastic glorious experience.

Posters look fantastic! Thank you for sharing! But I cannot be there during CNY due to other commitments D:

I think it will be even more vibrant and resplendent than the "Whispers of Fate" pop-up event at the Shanghai Tower in November 2025 less than two months ago (official Migu Youtube channel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUmpxqLvlno

BTW, friends have been kind enough to send me stunning visual media of "Whispers of Fate" theme park in Chengdu when it first opened in 2025. There are also videos galore on douyin. Can't share it here, but I'll share other videos of the theme park in day and night:

1) https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jjRaH8O5OPQ

2) https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7594307341450157029

3) https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7589559272867431232

Nobody watches 'Renegade Immortal' in the beginning for romance. Wang Lin isn't getting anywhere in that aspect for a good portion of episodes. It was so weird to see three accounts mention this 'romance' aspect as a first similarity over three consecutive days. 😆😆😆

But we've seen those accounts trolling this page in other aspects ever since 28 October 2025, including sharing data and deliberately taking them out of context, so kwanto and a few other viewers have made it clear how successful this drama is.

The drama is a domestic smash hit because it touches so many themes that mandarin-speakers enjoy but would naturally be missed by non-mandarin speakers. In episode 1, when Tang Lici says the same sentences to someone three times, someone needs to be able to hear and understand the enunciation differences to realise Tang Lici means three different things for each time. Right away, majorly disadvantaged if not a mandarin-speaker. Mango TV subs sucking majorly doesn't help. Tang Lici has a conversation with the abbot of a certain temple also in episode 1. How many non-mandarin speakers are going to get the Buddhism references off the bat without Google? I greatly sympathise with non-mandarin speakers who know they are missing a lot and want to get the rainbow nuances of this drama but can't do so, because of the language barrier. And if someone really wanted to grasp enough without subtitles, I'd say the person must have spoken mandarin for at least eighteen years, being understood conversationally and in a professional working environment.

Whispers of Fate is the only drama of 2025 nominated for CPOPwave 2026, smashing more than 4.9 billion views on MangoTV within 40 days. Migu and IQiyi have not yet been included (and IQiyi as rival platform bought at least one ad in central Hong Kong for "Whispers Of Fate" during its airing). You need excellent international and domestic results to achieve a nomination for CPOPwave. Thailand alone hit more than 1 billion views on Monomax for "Whispers Of Fate", setting a record no other chinese drama has achieved. If we look at CSM data, the total number of views for WoF as of end-December 2025 exceeds 2.8 billion views domestically across all three channel categories.

Here is an update of the statistics which I put together as of early-January 2026: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24719990

kwanto's even-bigger posts of successes are here, along with another viewer, which I attribute my summary to (plus suzuko_d_law): https://kisskh.at/discussions/755725-shui-long-yin/146888-shui-long-yin-whispers-of-fate-3weeks-post-svip-finale-achievements

Because I understand certain details, I also shared three classical mandarin sources [《诗经》(Book of Odes), Analects of Confucius and《溪山琴况》(Zither Theory of Mountain Streams) ] with explanations of why "Whispers of Fate" is grounded solidly in wuxia themes, encompassing Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism: https://kisskh.at/755725-shui-long-yin#comment-24569086

This is not a drama for people who want romance or a weak ML who will cultivate and become strong. This is a ML who more often than not, knows what he wants and doesn't want, and is strategically ruthless yet hides his compassion for what he believes in. This kind of ML who is emotionally-solid in himself despite certain philosophical and emotional issues while making mistakes... isn't the typical male protagonist of a C-drama. He doesn't need a woman. Heck, he doesn't need a partner. He's focused on bigger issues and enemies and rectifying what once went wrong between himself and those he values at Zhoudi Lou. He values his friends. Matches certain key traits of the protagonist in the original novel "Enduring A Thousand Tribulations".

"Blades of the Guardians" is an old-school wuxia epic airing on 17 February in cinemas worldwide, as one of four films in the Spring Festival box office showdown. Five generations of martial arts legends and artists came together for this movie based on the manhua, so putting together an article for this unique creation was naturally inspiring:

https://news.mydramalist.com/article/cinematic-wuxia-epic-blades-of-the-guardians-premieres-on-february-17