dHok

Beautiful women and great scenes.

For this couple Lin Yun Rui (Song Mo) was Yuan Shen in Love Like the Galaxy (my favorite drama! He was 2ML) and Meng Ziyi is super pretty. I was excited because this drama had good potential.

The good
- beautiful actors/actresses (omg I cant beileve how pretty some of the girls were!)
- cinematography
- slow mo scenes & long stares w/ main couple
- some great lines/nuances
- costume design/outfits

The bad
- storyline & pacing

Overall, I thought the cinematography was very beautiful and creative. The fight scenes had good details and interesting styles. Most of the women in the series were incredibly believable and captured their respective characters. I liked how shy Dou Zhao was, her role is a bit more subtle and I appreciate it. Song Mo did have a piercing gaze and some longing scenes too although I admit I wasnt as touched. The storyline wasnt for me. Some of it didnt make sense. Like over complicate things, because! I did like the 2nd ML and I wish there was more of him. This drama does make me appreciate changes and perspective. Like watching the changes with Dou Zhao and her sister, but also Dou Zhao and her father's relationship was incredibly touching.

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Interesting characters but a quick rant about them

Relatively popular drama, and I can see why. The storyline is entertaining, and the emotional depths that these two individuals had for one another is deeply rooting. That being said, I did find the romance rushed and chemistry to be off (why did he always kiss her when he was drunk? That’s messed up!Be sober when you kiss her you fool!) I was honestly consistently rooting for a throuple situation. I liked how the love triangle wasn’t pitted in competition, but instead focused on the characters and their connection and care with each other. I enjoyed some of the CGI backdrops (jellyfish, stars, lanterns, etc). In terms of costume, acting, music, and set pieces are pretty solid.

I liked Yun Mo’s complexity. In many ways, he didnt let Yan Dan know of his sacrifices for her but she’s smart and figured some of it out. I liked how he much he respected her. In some ways, I dont think Ying Yuan did respect Yan Dan’s choices as much as Yun Mo did. He’s such a man’s man too. He got character, good judgement, and carries the pride and wisdom of the nine fins clan. Which, I didnt think would be as big as a deal as it is. Prolly cause I kept thinking he was just a black fish. xD

Yan Dan is a fun character. I liked how carefree she was and a bit shameless, but in a good person sort of way. She’s a good FML who has a lot of earnestness towards the ppl she cares about. I do feel a bit bad for her because she went through a lot and even then Im not sure it was worth it, for her.

Ying Yuan. Lots of feelings about this guy. Cheng Yi, the actor plays sickly ppl well. Ppl who are suffering, I feel like this is a lot of his dramas! Constantly sick. lol. I can see the appeal for a ML who is noble in that way, of wanting everyone to be at peace at the expense of himself and someone who is constantly pushing forward. Yeah, his key trait is nobility. Im not sure Im a fan of nobility, honestly. What makes the relationship palatable, is that he tortures himself way more harshly than anyone else would and thats why the romance could be as deep. As much as Yan Dan loves him and sacrifices for him, he’s willing to take those pains to another dimension, and tear himself apart in the process. I loved how traumatized he was, how tortured, how much he suffered.

Some other characters that are honorable mentions - I really like the love Zhaolan (princess dragon) for Yun Mo. It did feel a bit heavy, but the way in which she loved showed so much sincerity that was incredibly refreshing. Also, she’s a great queen! I like how they didn’t end up together because it wouldn’t have been right to Zhaolan. I also like the fox princess, but I do think she could do better than the tortoise. XD She’s a sweetie, a bit brat but cute. I did feel like they did Lu Ming (Yan Dan’s attendant friend) and her sister Zhi Xi and the devil king wrong. Those who know what it’s like to have an older sibling wouldn’t do such shoddy writing for Zhi Xi. I get she had her insecurities, but she wouldn’t keep throwing her younger sister under the bus to turn out to be a good person. It’s not possible. That being said, I do think she tortured herself, which is why it makes sense her and Yan Dan were able to reunite. BUT! It doesnt make sense for Yan Dan to kill herself - esp when that’s her sister’s heart! The last thing she has of her sister, to which, she kills herself? No. Lu Ming is a great friend and he didn’t deserve that ambush assassination. I wish we saw more of him, not just in moments. Honestly I didn’t think he would be such a big character and wished there were more moments of them together. The devil king… That girl didn’t even tell him or look at him to give him an explanation! And after all he did. And she doesnt have to but I do feel so terrible for him because he loved her so much even tho everyone else told him otherwised. He didn’t need to die. He deserved to find someone who could truly reciprocate the tender love he gave the double agent chick.

Another thing to mention - around episode 48+ the consistency shorted. It’s possible they were trying to wrap up the drama but there were moments that did not make a lick of sense (ie wen did Yun Mo get hurt, why did Ying Yuan have the divine tools again, if they weren’t the tools but remnants of the tools, there needed to be better explanations, etc) which did bother me.

I would rewatch this possibly, it was entertaining.

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Interesting show that keeps you engaged.

First thing - Decisions were made. Some of the choices were distracting that made me question my own sanity for watching (that first fight WTF, fight scenes, flashbacks, esp the one where Li Lianhua stole the ring, etc - hilarious/illogical) but overall I enjoyed this series.

So many likable characters. Esp A Fei/Di Fei Sheng, Fang Duo Bing, Jiao Li Qiao. The Princess, Su Xiao Yong and She Shui. Everyone was unique with their own set of motivations, and what they wanted. The cases were always interesting - but they got me googling the heck out of some of the logic (no, not all eels are males, and no, these Jianghu techniques dont exist in real life). The acting was great all around. Special call out for Li Lianhua, Fang Duo Bing, A Fei/Di Fei Sheng, and Jiao Liqiao.

I did like how the series had twists and turns. I think the director did great tying in elements where its x guy from former cases cause it was nice seeing ppl again, but also most too the cases almost had 2+ culprits. Also, the main storyline wasn’t as typical as I thought it would be. There’s a tacit understanding some of these characters have with each other (esp Di Fei Sheng with Li Lianhua, and Li Lianhua with Fang Duo Bing) which was beautiful to see progress over the series. Each character (Li Lianhua with his cunningness, Di Fei Sheng stoicism, and Fang Duo Bing’s hopefulness, special Jiao Liqiao with her obsession hehe) has defining qualities and it was interesting to see those relationships. Im glad this wasn’t a full on romance series, and it was poignant in the way that Li Lianhua addressed Ye Bingchang I mean A’Mian after all these years. I forget, not all FML counterparts are equal, and Qiao WanMian is extremely flawed - in a way I dont like. Interesting character though. 

This show does feel like it didn’t end because it’s open ended, but also Im a bit mad at how it ended as well. Im not sure I would consider this a happy ending show.

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There’s a lot of fun characters in the series. Two characters I enjoyed the most was FML and 2ML.

The storyline of love triangle wasn’t was cliche as I thought it would be. There were a few times when I was surprised at the plot but my experience in xianxia genre is limited. Some of the situations that happened in the series felt like a disservice for not exploring more (ie Kuang Lu with Run Yu, what happened to the Heavenly Rule? What did Puchi end up doing and Moon Immortal? Puchi and Sui He? Puchi and FML’s childhood friend? Head Flower lady and the carrot? Limited scenes with 2nd couple that not fully fleshed out - their love story just kept going back and forth. More character growth with Sui He? Why did the fervor of RunYu for Ji Min suddenly dissipate? I did enjoy how you found out some of these character’s motives but I wish I saw more depth and exploration there. 


In terms of romance, they are cute together but this show had more angst overall. Im not sure the two had good understandings or interactions when it came to misunderstandings with each other. Im also not a big fan of ML’s lack of accountability - seems to serve himself more than seeing from her perspective (never really found out her father’s killer, interrupting her wedding, hurting her wen he’s hurt, death bed promise but doesn’t eat the flower, etc). This series definitely has more tragedy. Ji Min is great. She had complexity, kindness, and foresight to see a lot of things. Not reciporcating RunYu's emotions, steadiness in paying ppl back. Having a lot of restraint in her love trial and love with Xufeng- however Im not a fan of her suffering so deeply for love. I was rooting for RunYu even tho he does questionable acts. I think in many ways so does Xufeng (wtf how dare you kiss her drunkenly and call out another woman’s name? How dare you cozy up to Sui He when the women you claim is the only one you’re crazy about is hurting? How dare you use her love for you to show another girl) but it’s ok cause Ji Min loves him. That’s problematic. I liked seeing the different way in which RunYu loved her. He knew of their transgressions but still kept at her, in his own way, by repairing the pellet. By manipulating the situation. It makes sense. Xufeng's gotten everything in life so I understand why RunYu is more subtle and machinations. I do think if he had been more honest, more earnest, things may have been different. Xufeng had intensity. He does sweetness incredibly well but unrealistic in his position to demand his mom/Sui He not interfere with Ji Min, but no real repercussions or understanding until the end about how tyrannical his parents were/people in power. In many ways hes still so naive and darker than RunYu cause RunYu has years of suffering. I did like the costume and some of the set pieces/cgi was interesting. Music is beautiful. I’d rate this a 6/10. I dont think I would rewatch the series tho.

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Personally, Yanhui is a big carry in the series. The screen writer is both bad and good. Like, plotlines and dialogue is great. But pacing, and transitions is off at times. There's also a decent amount of comical moments and memorable characters. The interweaving of characters and critical thinking is managable and entertaining. This is a rewatchable series for sure.

I get the impression that the storyline did what it could in the 40 episodes. Sometimes there's uneven pacing/awkwardness but I think that was because they were trying to figure out which scenes to cut and which to keep to make the storyline flow. Some arcs you could predict, some end up being completely different than what I thought.

I do enjoy the misunderstandings, the drama did a great job showcasing the complexities of human emotions esp wen it comes to betrayal, trust, trauma, hatred, and love. I think this is one of the few dramas that really explored how characters truly feel without too much of a rush to get over feeling sadness/etc. It is more depressing at times, esp wen you learn about the different kinds of love people have in the series. Like mean girl Su Ying and Lu Mu Sheng. Or A Cha and the female Taoist I forgot her name. I liked how with all the couples you meet thoroughout the series, there's nuances and differences and getting to see that, and see our main couple is a contrast.

While main couple is cute, I dont think its the best couple I've seen in a cdrama series. It certainly didnt feel typical either. I did like how they did compliment each other, by motivating each other to be better, but like maybe twice, twice they kissed. Also saving the world, who they are, their growth is more of the storyline than the actual romance.

Yanhui is the sweetest sweet to have sweeted and a big scaredy baby who's also a complete baddie. I fell for her. Both in emotions, but also this girl I do consider a golden standard for FML. She's kind, courageous, and true to herself. Flawed, and giving. It was entertaining and I found myself relating to her a lot. Esp wen she was silly. And money, I get it girl. Yanhui cried a lot throughout the series and even tho I knew those scenes were coming, I was still surprised by the many ways in which she could explore vulnerabilities. Some series they do the crying over the top but her cry scenes shook me and I consider her a real artist actress. Im definitely a fan after this. And she's so pretty, in a lively way, mean childish way. xD

Tianyao is pretty. Which is kind of shame because I couldnt get into him. His facial expressions were off at times - like pained him looked like he smelled something bad. Him as a BABY DRAGON was cute. He did have comfort, esp saving her at times in the series but I do think he has a long way to go through emotions. It was harder to relate to him too because in the series he's more stoic ish.

Bai is adorable. I really do like him as a character. I like the development he had and how they all three were consistently together. He's a sweetheart, even wen he was being selfish. He's incredibly smart, and in many ways you never know if he's telling the truth, or a side of the truth to get a higher advantage. He had mainly honest intentions and I am kind of upset we dont see more of him. I do think hes still kind of young, young at heart and it'd be interesting to see his love story, should he get one someday.

Her sister Xian Ge, and Yun Yun are so cute too. Those are prolly my other favorite characters. xD

Overall 7/10, I would rate this higher but I do think that Tianyao needed more acting experience cause how you gonna have 40 episodes and be distracting (in a bad way)? Points off for some of the flow too since I know they had to cut it but I do think there couldve been more smoothing over. Yeah, the flashbacks are sometimes necessarily, it did feel like the flashbacks was lazy writing to explain concisely what happened. It’s a shame they rushed this series to 40. I think it had great potential but some of these arcs aren’t the best because didn’t get fleshed out enough.

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