A must-watch for every drama watcher out there.
This drama is at first one of the most confusing dramas ever. Admittedly, at my first watch I was skipping around quite a bit. But funnily enough, the main charm about this drama is about its rewatch value. Every time you rewatch this drama you will discover a new hidden detail about something that you hadn't before, and you'll be drawn more and more into its intriguing and romantic storyline.Storyline
Just by reading the synopsis, pretty much everyone can tell that this drama is stuffed with potential. The storyline is interesting and it hints at a slight romance/bromance that blossoms in the later episodes. What I do want to say about the storyline though, is that it's quite confusing at first. If you're like me, you'll probably be skipping parts at times kinda confused about what's happening. However, if you ever decide to rewatch the drama, then you'll understand how intricately and masterfully designed the plot truly was, you just gotta give it some time.
Cast
Ngl, at first I was hesitant with the idol-casting in this drama. As truthfully, they don't often happen to be great actors, especially in a complex drama like this. But truly, the main leads were so well picked. The actor for WWX portrayed his bubbly personality extremely well and the actor for LWJ did a great job for his character as well.
Rewatch Value
Like I've already talked about before, this drama is one of the best to rewatch out there. As for myself, I've already rewatched it 3 times and I'm seriously considering to rewatch it again after writing this review. In your first watch, you'll probably be so confused or immersed in the storyline that you may miss some hidden expression an actor made or some hidden meaning behind a line said. But rewatching will not only increase your understanding in this drama but your appreciation for it will grow as well.
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WILL MAKE YOU CRY (maybe)
I want to start by saying, I love The Spirealm. This drama caught my eye from the beginning with its plot featuring a bromance between the leads and also just because the I LOVE mystery/thriller dramas. But knowing that its a censored adaptation of its novel counterpart, I didn't have high hopes for this at all. As I approached the last few episodes though, I found myself dreading to see the end. This drama does an exceptional job at making you attached to seemingly insignificant characters like Tan Zaozao, Cheng Qianli and Li Dongyuan (and yes these characters did make me cry), but despite me rating it a 10, it is definitely not objectively flawless.The Story (a general overview)
The plot revolves around our protagonist Ling Qiushi as he enters a game called the Spirealm. There are 12 doors that you must pass in this game, each as sort of a "mystery room" where you must find the key and open the corresponding door to pass. Each door has a different story with different NPCs involved, and most importantly different "taboo conditions". Violate these conditions and you're dead, in game and in real life. Through this game, Ling Qiushi meets Ruan Lanzhu, and they quickly become partners determined to pass through all 12 doors, hoping to purify this game and return it to its original, harmless, form.
My Thoughts
Now, I love the overall idea of this drama. And for the most part, it does a pretty good job in terms of execution. Each door teaches you a valuable lesson about life, and it gets pretty emotional. HOWEVER, there are many plot holes and things that don't really make sense when you look into it. I was confused at times, searching things up online to try to find an answer. But, as I progressed through the drama, I found myself obsessing over the characters and story regardless of its many flaws. I also feel like it would've benefitted with more eps, as if some storylines were more fleshed out it would've taken this drama from great to even better.
The Acting
Amazing. Even though there isn't necessarily a super big actor in any of these roles, everyone did their job very well. Our leads are handsome and charismatic, side characters are fun and likeable, and the villains did a great job of making me hate them. Overall, I am very satisfied with the cast.
Music
I normally never have anything to say about music, but the slightly creepy/eerie songs of this drama really gets you into the mood. There's this one thing that replays throughout the entire series, and trust me, IT WILL become nostalgic in the end.
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