This review may contain spoilers
A game of deception, a war lost to love
Storyline: Overall a great storyline with unpredictable twists of fate and painful sacrifices. The good moments were fleeting, chased by conflicts. The story starts off light-hearded and comedic as we watch Jo Bozai and Ming Yi compete in a war of deception; who can out-decieve the other? We see Ji Bozai mercilessly using and deceiving Ming Yi, taking advantage of this useful pawn that fell into his arms. It isnt until he falls in love with her that he learns to cherish her. The prideful Ming Yi isnt much different; deceiving him relentlessly even as he is willing to sacrifice himself to save her again and again. And then she fell in love with him. Suddenly they were both decieving eachother in attempts to keep the other alive. Ming Yi leaving Ji Bozai not because she stopped loving him, but because she couldnt bear to steal his Golden Millet Dream. Ji Bozai keeping it a secret from Ming Yi that he endured so much pain and suffering to refine the Golden Millet Dream for Ming Yi to be cured. Omg the frustration of this deception is so much worse than the deception to self-preserve! I was constantly pulling my hair, wondering when the truth would be revealed! I love the playful and flirtatious banter between these two and their chemistry is off the charts!
Lets talk about Situ Ling. An exceptionally pitiful character chained by his upbringing and background, tortured by his obsession with Ming Yi. This character definitely brings about the question of when is obsession acceptable? Dont viewers enjoy it when the antihero sacrifices the world in order to save his one lover? Thats what Situ Ling essentially does. He tries everything in his power to take care of and love Ming Yi. He is just misguided in this illusion of love. Ming Yi never wants Situ Ling to do these things for her; she never wanted him to transfer his lifespan to her. Yet at the same time, Ming Yi didnt want Ji Bozai to sacrifice himself to save her either? So what makes it okay for Ji Bozai to do it and not Situ Ling? Is it because Ming Yi doesnt love Situ Ling and expresses again and again that she wants to leave a respectable boundary between them but he keeps crossing it? Situ Ling is a great foil to Ji Bozai: both came from backgrounds of torture and suffering and yet Ji Bozai chooses to do good. But would Situ Ling also choose to be good if he found love too? While a pitiful character, I can't get past his soft "jie jie", it gives me chills 🙈
As much as I love xianxia, i cant enjoy it because of the obsessesion with pain and suffering. If I got paid for everytime the antidote is painful to prepare/endure, I'd be rich. There also really isnt much thought-provoking happening in the drama. The answers and foreshadowing are given to us in memories immediately as the twist is revealed. It doesnt give me enough time to guess the twists myself. Solutions to problems are often some kind of herb or some kind of array.
Casting: I love Neo Hou because he is SUCH a crier! When he cries, i cry. He portrays microexpressions of love and pain so absolutely well! I fell in love with him in Back From The Brink and so many of his dramas have sad endings. Im so glad this was a happy one! Lu Yuxiao has an interesting sound of speech and is also a painful crier. I think she portrayed this role v well and im glad they picked her! A lot of times, side characters dont know how to shed tears but the entire cast knew how to cry! Which made the experience all the more real!
Music: ooh so good! Emotional and fits so well with the scenes they play in! It got to a point where hearing the ost from this drama triggered a pain response. I can recognize Liu Yuning's and Neo Hou's voice anywhere! I also super appreciate it when the actors sing the drama ost, it feels more immersive!
Overall an enjoyable experience! Just too painful to rewatch. I had to take a break from watching because i was too emotionally invested. Some plot twists, i did not see coming and i was so invested!
Extra side note: am i supposed to be assuming something between 27 and Buxiu? I feel like theres some room for that.
Lets talk about Situ Ling. An exceptionally pitiful character chained by his upbringing and background, tortured by his obsession with Ming Yi. This character definitely brings about the question of when is obsession acceptable? Dont viewers enjoy it when the antihero sacrifices the world in order to save his one lover? Thats what Situ Ling essentially does. He tries everything in his power to take care of and love Ming Yi. He is just misguided in this illusion of love. Ming Yi never wants Situ Ling to do these things for her; she never wanted him to transfer his lifespan to her. Yet at the same time, Ming Yi didnt want Ji Bozai to sacrifice himself to save her either? So what makes it okay for Ji Bozai to do it and not Situ Ling? Is it because Ming Yi doesnt love Situ Ling and expresses again and again that she wants to leave a respectable boundary between them but he keeps crossing it? Situ Ling is a great foil to Ji Bozai: both came from backgrounds of torture and suffering and yet Ji Bozai chooses to do good. But would Situ Ling also choose to be good if he found love too? While a pitiful character, I can't get past his soft "jie jie", it gives me chills 🙈
As much as I love xianxia, i cant enjoy it because of the obsessesion with pain and suffering. If I got paid for everytime the antidote is painful to prepare/endure, I'd be rich. There also really isnt much thought-provoking happening in the drama. The answers and foreshadowing are given to us in memories immediately as the twist is revealed. It doesnt give me enough time to guess the twists myself. Solutions to problems are often some kind of herb or some kind of array.
Casting: I love Neo Hou because he is SUCH a crier! When he cries, i cry. He portrays microexpressions of love and pain so absolutely well! I fell in love with him in Back From The Brink and so many of his dramas have sad endings. Im so glad this was a happy one! Lu Yuxiao has an interesting sound of speech and is also a painful crier. I think she portrayed this role v well and im glad they picked her! A lot of times, side characters dont know how to shed tears but the entire cast knew how to cry! Which made the experience all the more real!
Music: ooh so good! Emotional and fits so well with the scenes they play in! It got to a point where hearing the ost from this drama triggered a pain response. I can recognize Liu Yuning's and Neo Hou's voice anywhere! I also super appreciate it when the actors sing the drama ost, it feels more immersive!
Overall an enjoyable experience! Just too painful to rewatch. I had to take a break from watching because i was too emotionally invested. Some plot twists, i did not see coming and i was so invested!
Extra side note: am i supposed to be assuming something between 27 and Buxiu? I feel like theres some room for that.
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