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This drama is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you watch the first episode, see those strange, not-so-scary monsters, and immediately think it’s not for you, I’m telling you right now: keep watching. Because by episode 3, the heartbreak begins and the pain doesn’t stop all the way until episode 16. Just when the drama tricks you into thinking you’ve survived the worst and a happy ending is finally within reach, it gives you two brief episodes to breathe, only to tear everything apart again. The final stretch is a brutal mix of uncertainty, plot twists, and emotional wreckage that keep you second-guessing everything until the very last moment, only to shatter your heart one final time in the last two episodes.

And if that sounds like too much suffering, I’d still tell you to be brave and watch it anyway. The emotional journey is worth every bit of pain. As the title suggests, this drama is built on a massive mystery, and it keeps feeding you plot twists one after another. What I loved most was that I genuinely could not predict where it was going, even near the end. While the supernatural elements of bad CGI may throw people off, but trust me, they’re ultimately secondary to the real core of the story: the dynamic between the leads. You stay for the chemistry between the leads and the deeply compelling brotherhood they build along the journey.

Zhang Hai Lou and Zhang Hai Xia relationship was also such a perfect mix of bickering and genuine affection. They had that classic “I can bully my brother, but nobody else is allowed to touch him” energy. I LOVED their brotherhood. Hai Lou and Hai Xia genuinely made me emotional because their relationship was built on such deep trust. They had that very natural brother dynamic where they could tease each other, argue over the smallest things, and still instinctively look out for one another. When it came to Hai Xia, Hai Lou never hesitated. Protecting his brother never felt like a sacrifice to him. It was simply instinct, something he believed he was meant to do. Hai Lou’s loyalty was never just about duty. You could feel how deeply he cared about his brother and how much their master meant to him. Even when things became complicated, that instinct to protect the people he considered family never really disappeared. Some of his quiet sacrifices hit harder precisely because he never made a big deal out of them. And Hai Xia, despite being the more serious one, clearly trusted Hai Lou and knew he could rely on him. Those little interactions gave their relationship so much warmth amid all the darkness of the story.

Spoiler alert..

What really got me was the complicated emotions between Hai Lou and Hai Xia. Hai Lou carries so much guilt over Hai Xia’s disability, and you can feel how deeply he blames himself for what happened. That guilt becomes inseparable from the way he loves his brother, always wanting to protect him and make up for what he believes he took away from him. And yet, no matter how hard he tries, he still can't protect him from the fate waiting at the end. At the same time, you could see how badly Hai Xia wanted Hai Lou to stop blaming himself. After all, if he were ever put in the same situation, he would always choose to save Hai Lou too. To Hai Xia, that's just what they would do for each other.

However, Hai Xia carries his own complicated feelings. He doesn’t want to be treated as someone fragile, yet deep down, he can’t help but feel like a burden to Hai Lou. These two used to be perfect partners, fighting side by side and relying on each other equally. Now Hai Lou is always the one protecting him, and Hai Xia has to watch the brother he once stood shoulder to shoulder with carry him instead. You can feel how much that change hurts his pride, his independence, and most of all, his heart.

And then we get to Hai Xia's death, and all of Hai Lou's guilt comes crashing down. The hopelessness on Hai Lou's face was devastating because this wasn't simply the pain of losing his brother. It was the realization that, after everything, he still couldn't protect Hai Xia. Even after the resurrection, Hai Lou isn't simply given his brother back. He has to face the possibility that the Hai Xia he knew might no longer be the same. Like... why did the writer have to put us through THIS much pain with these two? 😭 Their relationship is filled with so much love, guilt, protectiveness, and selfless sacrifice, with both brothers willing to put themselves in danger just to make sure the other survives.

I honestly believe this is THE PEAK of Ding Yuxi’s acting career so far. Ding Yuxi looks INSANELY good in Republican-era styling, and he absolutely shines as Zhang Haixia. But what really impressed me was his switch between Zhang Hai Xia and Zhang Hei Xia. The contrast was incredible. The change in expressions, mannerisms, and overall vibe was WILD. Same actor, completely different energy, and he pulled it off so effortlessly. And that says a lot because I’m a fan of Zhang Xincheng and always trust him to deliver. His portrayal of heartbreak and devastation was so convincing that it felt almost too real. But here, Ding Yuxi completely stole the spotlight. I lost count of how many times my heart ached just from the pain reflected in Zhang Haixia’s eyes. The emotional depth he brought to Zhang Haixia made the character unforgettable.

I gave this drama a low rewatch score because I’m not sure I can put myself through all that pain again. Prepare yourself for a serious post-drama hangover, because this one lingers. What can I say? I’m really going to MISS Zhang Hai Xia 😭😭😭