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This review may contain spoilers
Where (shadow) love conquers all ?β€οΈ
π Romance π
To start, I didn't expect too much from the show? It's my understanding that that same lack of expectation was pretty widespread, and that the show ended up surprising a lot of viewers. π€£
When I tell non-drama watchers about Shadow Love, I say it's sort of like some Marvel superhero meets a historical Chinese drama. I think that's a pretty accurate comp to make, lol.
Now let's take a moment to appreciate Cheng Lei in all three roles: Jin An, Man in Black, and Prince Annan, as well as some combination of those three at various points of the show. He impressed me when I first saw him in MJTY alongside Tian Jia Rui (yeeeeee, crazy poison Didi and tsundere af Gege really stole that show!). But I didn't realize just how talented he was until I saw his range in one show.
The character development was top-notch imo. Li Shuang goes from being a tough, duty-bound general by adoption to a lovestruck heroine who has to make tough decisions. Repeatedly. Song Yi captured Shuang's honorable, serious side but also her adorable, softer sides as she allowed herself to be vulnerable with Jin An.
I'm not gonna lie, I watched this show before LoTFG. It gripped me a lot quicker, honestly. The premise was just too good: enemy generals fall in love through some blood pact, doomed to eventually fight one another.
Earlier this month, I had praised When Destiny Brings the Demon for its romance. The romance in that is still applaudable. But I actually think Shadow Loveβs romance topped it. From Jin An creating magical moments all for Shuang (peach blossom pastries, sweetening bitter medicine, that plain but precious hair pin) to Shuang risking everything for her beloved, to their emotional bond overcoming the Jade Linglong, and the blood pact, and war, and AMNESIA.
~SWOON NOISES~ (oγβ½γ)oβ
I also canβt ignore the side characters. Lu Xin and Mo Yin were a delight to watch. Though their love story was calmer, I still loved the way Lu Xin gently teased Master Mo and made herself completely at home at Wuling Mountain. The smile on Mo Yin's face every time he realized just how much he liked this bold healer was priceless. And the friendship between them and Shuang/Jin An was touching and well-written!
π Comedy π
There wasnβt excessive comedy in this one, but the lighter moments really worked. I laughed out loud when Prince Li called Jin An Shuangβs wife while Mu Yang got stuck with the concubine label π₯΄. Mo Yin and Lu Xin brought a playful energy to their scenes, and Jin An was quietly adorable throughout.
π Plot π
I felt like everything was wrapped up quite nicely. I was relieved that Su Muyang was able to turn himself around in the end. I was worried there. And yes, he made some questionable decisions before we reached the finale, but the guy went through a lot.
Satisfying poetic justice deaths:
π Prince Li
π The Evil Empress
π Emperor of Taijin
π Jin Wu Jian
πΆ Soundtrack πΆ
There were so many great tracks in this show! Of course, Jane Zhang and Liu Yuning's songs were π¨π»βπ³π (That Jane Zhang ED theme is rivaling how often Kpop Demon Hunters' "Golden" gets played in my car. Sorry, kids! lol)
Apparently Cheng Lei himself sings "Caressing Shadows", one of the most haunting tracks. Omggggβ¦ and Song Yi sang a track as well? I don't think "Waiting for You" was played as much, but itβs also a lovely piece.
My favorite might be "Bringing Peace" by Huang Xiaoyun. That song is justβ¦ itβs so Jin An x Li Shuang π₯Ί "Old Age" was another gorgeous piece. This drama did not suffer from a shortage of Spotify-blastable music.
π World-Building π
The world-building was adequate. I was definitely left with some curiosity about the Jade Linglong and the Wuling Mountain sect, but the primary story was set in Taijin. The political strife was designed well, and I was satisfied with the ending. I especially loved how the leads got to live together freely with peace in the realm, just like Li Shuang always wanted.
ποΈ Visuals ποΈ
This drama had some of the most gorgeous sets, somehow, without it being a xianxia. That floral loft Jin An created early on for Shuang? Their wedding bed in Wuling Mountain? Shuang's little paradise prison during her stay in the Yao kingdom (after Prince Annan moves her out of the dungeon, ofc). These two had some truly beautiful scenes with settings to match.
π Binge Factor π
The only reason I wasnβt watching 8 episodes a day at first was because I was juggling other dramas (When Destiny Brings the Demon, Blossom). But by the end, it was nearly impossible not to stay up all night for βjust one more episode.β π
π Acting π
Cheng Lei in three roles = brilliance. His range blew me away and cemented him as one of my favorite rising leads. Song Yi balanced strength and vulnerability perfectly.
The supporting cast also shined. Lu Xinβs warmth, Mo Yinβs subtlety, and even the villains leaned into their roles with conviction.
π₯ Conflict π₯
The stakes were always high, but I think the most emotional to watch from this show was when Jin An had his memories back and was torn between vengeance for his brother, whom he thought was dead, or the life he wanted as Jin An with Shuang.
β Final Thoughts β
I posted a meme about the existential crisis one experiences after finishing a series. I definitely felt that with this one. It's hard to move on. It will be on my mind for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes action, great storytelling, and swoon-worthy romance.
To start, I didn't expect too much from the show? It's my understanding that that same lack of expectation was pretty widespread, and that the show ended up surprising a lot of viewers. π€£
When I tell non-drama watchers about Shadow Love, I say it's sort of like some Marvel superhero meets a historical Chinese drama. I think that's a pretty accurate comp to make, lol.
Now let's take a moment to appreciate Cheng Lei in all three roles: Jin An, Man in Black, and Prince Annan, as well as some combination of those three at various points of the show. He impressed me when I first saw him in MJTY alongside Tian Jia Rui (yeeeeee, crazy poison Didi and tsundere af Gege really stole that show!). But I didn't realize just how talented he was until I saw his range in one show.
The character development was top-notch imo. Li Shuang goes from being a tough, duty-bound general by adoption to a lovestruck heroine who has to make tough decisions. Repeatedly. Song Yi captured Shuang's honorable, serious side but also her adorable, softer sides as she allowed herself to be vulnerable with Jin An.
I'm not gonna lie, I watched this show before LoTFG. It gripped me a lot quicker, honestly. The premise was just too good: enemy generals fall in love through some blood pact, doomed to eventually fight one another.
Earlier this month, I had praised When Destiny Brings the Demon for its romance. The romance in that is still applaudable. But I actually think Shadow Loveβs romance topped it. From Jin An creating magical moments all for Shuang (peach blossom pastries, sweetening bitter medicine, that plain but precious hair pin) to Shuang risking everything for her beloved, to their emotional bond overcoming the Jade Linglong, and the blood pact, and war, and AMNESIA.
~SWOON NOISES~ (oγβ½γ)oβ
I also canβt ignore the side characters. Lu Xin and Mo Yin were a delight to watch. Though their love story was calmer, I still loved the way Lu Xin gently teased Master Mo and made herself completely at home at Wuling Mountain. The smile on Mo Yin's face every time he realized just how much he liked this bold healer was priceless. And the friendship between them and Shuang/Jin An was touching and well-written!
π Comedy π
There wasnβt excessive comedy in this one, but the lighter moments really worked. I laughed out loud when Prince Li called Jin An Shuangβs wife while Mu Yang got stuck with the concubine label π₯΄. Mo Yin and Lu Xin brought a playful energy to their scenes, and Jin An was quietly adorable throughout.
π Plot π
I felt like everything was wrapped up quite nicely. I was relieved that Su Muyang was able to turn himself around in the end. I was worried there. And yes, he made some questionable decisions before we reached the finale, but the guy went through a lot.
Satisfying poetic justice deaths:
π Prince Li
π The Evil Empress
π Emperor of Taijin
π Jin Wu Jian
πΆ Soundtrack πΆ
There were so many great tracks in this show! Of course, Jane Zhang and Liu Yuning's songs were π¨π»βπ³π (That Jane Zhang ED theme is rivaling how often Kpop Demon Hunters' "Golden" gets played in my car. Sorry, kids! lol)
Apparently Cheng Lei himself sings "Caressing Shadows", one of the most haunting tracks. Omggggβ¦ and Song Yi sang a track as well? I don't think "Waiting for You" was played as much, but itβs also a lovely piece.
My favorite might be "Bringing Peace" by Huang Xiaoyun. That song is justβ¦ itβs so Jin An x Li Shuang π₯Ί "Old Age" was another gorgeous piece. This drama did not suffer from a shortage of Spotify-blastable music.
π World-Building π
The world-building was adequate. I was definitely left with some curiosity about the Jade Linglong and the Wuling Mountain sect, but the primary story was set in Taijin. The political strife was designed well, and I was satisfied with the ending. I especially loved how the leads got to live together freely with peace in the realm, just like Li Shuang always wanted.
ποΈ Visuals ποΈ
This drama had some of the most gorgeous sets, somehow, without it being a xianxia. That floral loft Jin An created early on for Shuang? Their wedding bed in Wuling Mountain? Shuang's little paradise prison during her stay in the Yao kingdom (after Prince Annan moves her out of the dungeon, ofc). These two had some truly beautiful scenes with settings to match.
π Binge Factor π
The only reason I wasnβt watching 8 episodes a day at first was because I was juggling other dramas (When Destiny Brings the Demon, Blossom). But by the end, it was nearly impossible not to stay up all night for βjust one more episode.β π
π Acting π
Cheng Lei in three roles = brilliance. His range blew me away and cemented him as one of my favorite rising leads. Song Yi balanced strength and vulnerability perfectly.
The supporting cast also shined. Lu Xinβs warmth, Mo Yinβs subtlety, and even the villains leaned into their roles with conviction.
π₯ Conflict π₯
The stakes were always high, but I think the most emotional to watch from this show was when Jin An had his memories back and was torn between vengeance for his brother, whom he thought was dead, or the life he wanted as Jin An with Shuang.
β Final Thoughts β
I posted a meme about the existential crisis one experiences after finishing a series. I definitely felt that with this one. It's hard to move on. It will be on my mind for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes action, great storytelling, and swoon-worthy romance.
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