Rumi

I am a huge fan of both fantasy and romance genres. So much so that I do not mind clichés and overly used tropes. In fact, in terms of worldbuilding, I do not mind suspending disbelief, sometimes to even an incredible extent, as long as both the execution and writing are good and static.

I tried to understand Moonlight Mystique’s overall direction because the first episode really made me look forward to how it will pan out. While watching the first episode, I was actually reminded of Love Between Fairy and Devil, my first xianxia (which remains to be one of my favorite dramas of all time).

I didn’t mind the similarities. Actually, it was because of the resemblances that I had high hopes: misunderstood, “unsympathetic” ML who carries the weight of responsibilities, a nobody FL, demons, deities, revenge, pain, grief, good vs evil, justice…

I really had high hopes, but as the story progresses—you don’t even need to reach far out—the terrible writing becomes increasingly evident:

Plot
– I understand that a plot may carry subplots, with storylines having multiple narratives. It’s xianxia, after all. But the way these were simulated did not provide any impact and depth.

The writer had a thing in their mind, and I know that the vision is there. But the writer did not know where to go and how to get there, that it has become difficult to establish connections with the story and characters.

Characters—

FL
– Her character is inconsistent. Yes, she was initially arrogant and selfish, which is needed for her character development to materialize, but I find her anger towards SML is often misplaced and out of character, as someone who “values” family and ties.

I understand that SML is not perfect, was coerced into lying multiple times, and is not the best in decision-making. But ultimately, he was really left with no choice and the choices he made were the best ones among those handed to him. Which is why I don’t understand the deeply-rooted resentment the FL has for SML, when in fact, the FL did not deserve to act righteously at all during the first episodes.

– It was established from the onset that the FL’s motivations are grounded on repaying (kindness for the immortal who saved her and her sister) and revenge. These two were rather dissolved quickly, without a good exit.

Yes, the redirection was inevitable, but it was done haphazardly that it felt like cutting the characters from one scene and putting them onto the next sequence just so the story could continue.

SML and SFL
– The SML’s shift from one love interest to another feels unnatural.
The trope is enemies to lovers, but the change was too abrupt that it felt like their love story is more implied.

Editing
– The use of echo to reiterate, exaggerate, and highlight a character’s lines and the “swoosh” as a transition are a miss.

I first encountered the use of echo in a dialogue in Story of Kunning Palace (2023) and it was… ok.

For this series though, rather than amplifying the supposed to be emotional impact of a dialogue and a scene, it came out ridiculous and utterly unnecessary.

Ending
– Again, I am able to suspend disbelief adequately. I can even tolerate plot holes to a certain extent, as long as the writing and execution are good, and consistency and depth are there to establish enough emotional investment.

I am even more tolerant on these when it comes to xianxia, as they use reincarnation as an element to tie loose ends.

So, using reincarnation or second chances as a way to have a happy ending is not an issue at all. This actually gives the writer plenty of elements to play with as well. But Moonlight Mystique’s ending is so terrible that a happy ending cannot compensate it.

So, the ML willingly sacrificed his life for the greater good and to ultimately eradicate evil. Heartbreaking, but sounds good.

Time passed, and the FL traveled around the world and achieved so many things by herself—good, this is consistent with her character.

And then, the heaven reached out to FL and told her that “Those who died for the great cause will eventually return in another way." Ok, seems fair.

But a few moments later, as in after a few seconds, you can literally see the ML emerging from who knows where, walking on the water, towards the FL, for the reunion and happy ending—WHAT?

Even as a hopeless romantic, I still cannot let this pass—I need the why AND how.

It is a fantasy, but I need a motive. An effect that has sprouted from a missing cause only ruined their entire tribulation.

They could’ve used something to set off the resurrection: a surviving strand of soul or a part of a demon core of ML that overcame death. Whatever remnants—heck, a nail or a strand of hair would do— or explanation, I am willing to accept, but this? NO.

Also, it’s not only the ML who died for the greater good. There are plenty of characters who died fighting evil. Why are they not resurrected and walking on the water with ML?

It is a happy ending, but I’d rather have an open ending or a sad ending if this is how ridiculous the conclusion is.

I could only muster enough emotional connection with the characters, but the ending diminished it to a huge degree.


There are not only bad things in the series, though, as there are aspects where it surprisingly delivered well:

OST
– The OST is hauntingly beautiful that it could actually compensate for the unsteady writing and bad execution. Instead of the writing, the OST carried the storytelling on its back—it did not elevate the experience. It’s an experience in itself.

Ao Rui Peng and Bai Lu
– The chemistry between Ao Rui Peng and Bai Lu is there.

Ao Rui Peng is one of the pleasant surprises that this series has to offer.

Bai Lu is a good actress, and while Ao Rui Peng’s character portrayal has room for improvements, he does not lag behind Bai Lu’s performance at all.

Chang Hua Sen and Dai Lu Wa
– The actors cannot do anything with the terrible writing, but I find their character portrayal decent. They made the best out of it so they can transition well from one character to the next.

Chang Hua Sen’s portrayal of Chong Zhao and Hidden Lord is pretty good as well. You could tell which character he’s trying to portray based on his demeanor and facial expressions.

Lead’s relationship dynamic
– The good thing about the leads’ relationship is their effort to communicate, which eliminates unnecessary misunderstanding.

When the ML realized his growing feelings for the FL, his first thought was to sit down with FL to talk and settle this, which is quite an uncommon trait for any xianxia characters.

The development of their relationship is lacking, but both leads try to communicate with each other, which makes their relationship healthy.

In general, I think this could have been one of the best xianxias, but is ruined because of terrible groundwork and writing. All things considered; it is still a quite enjoyable watch.