This review may contain spoilers
The feeling of falling in love for the first time (with yourself and someone else)
I decided to watch Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (LGIEF) on a whim, and while binge-watching this drama, I quickly became absorbed with adoration for it. From the beginning, it contains some of my favorite tropes and aspects of a story: transmigration, adorable yet touching romance/chemistry, emotional character development, and found family. I liked the fantasy elements as well.
What carried the drama for me was the acting, character development, and the main cast’s relationships with each other. The chemistry between the two main leads, Mu Zuqi and Ling Miaomiao, was my favorite. Seeing Zuqi start off by disliking and suspecting Miaomiao, then becoming increasingly curious about her, developing feelings for her, and eventually falling in love, made me feel as if I was falling in love for the first time too! Miaomiao is perfect for Zuqi/the group as she broke through Zuqi’s walls with selflessness, drove the group’s dynamic while inspiring them to believe in each other, constantly encouraged her loved ones, and was a strong pillar for all. Not only that, but the yearning between the two leads was to die for…My heart raced and ached for them. I constantly found myself wanting to see the two interact again when they were not on screen; when I did watch them interact, I couldn’t help but feel like gushing and squealing at their soft yet sweet gestures.
As for the acting: Ding Yuxi’s expressions, gazes, and body language while playing the role of Zuqi conveyed so many words and feelings without saying anything at all. With his expressions alone, I could easily feel his cockiness, contempt, hesitation, sadness, jealousy, affection, and so much more. Ding Yuxi clearly understood his role of Zuqi, showing that although Zuqi always put up an arrogant, stubborn, and cold front, he was actually self-loathing, burdened by worries and secrets, extremely loyal, protective, thoughtful, and treasured his close ones immensely. In fact, he feared losing his loved ones the most due to his belief that nobody could accept him fully or unconditionally, caused by the hostile environment/treatment he went through. It was very moving to watch Zuqi gradually realize he is loved, is deserving of love, and that only when he loves himself can he live to the fullest and give love to others. I am truly touched and impressed by Ding Yuxi’s acting; I hope to see him recognized further as well as perform in more works.
Similarly, Yu Shuxin embodied the role of Miaomiao flawlessly. She is the best counterpart to Zuqi with her naturally bubbly personality, strong will, and empathy. I agree with what Zuqi said: Miaomiao is like the sun. Her happiness and genuine care for everyone around her is warmly infectious. In contrast to her optimism, one of my favorite scenes of Miaomiao is when she shares her heartfelt feelings with Zuqi about missing her original world at first, but realizing she has become hesitant to leave the world she’s in now due to the fact that she has adapted and would never see the main group again. Yu Shuxin’s display of Miaomiao’s inner conflict along with growing sadness while she vented in this scene amazed me, especially because I have never seen a transmigrator express these feelings so sincerely eloquently. This was a beautifully vulnerable, realistic scene and sticks out to me because it is one of the moments where she puts her cheerful side away, certainly demonstrating Yu Shuxin’s range!
Some people dislike the openness of the ending, but to me, the ending is clear: It is a happy one. Some also dislike the lack of kiss scenes, and although a kiss scene would have been magical, I don’t doubt the main couple’s chemistry or affection without it. The subtle and tender displays of intimacy were more than enough to feel their love for each other, whether it was a glance, an uncontrollable smile, a subconscious touch, or gentle words…it was perfect.
Overall, going into LGIEF, I didn’t expect the message of it to be about self-love—but it is, and that is so special and important. Of course like any story, it has its imperfections. For instance, I didn’t feel as invested in the second leads, but I still enjoyed them; they had shining moments too. Furthermore, I pretend three of the episodes don’t exist because they hurt me too much for too long (iykyk) 😭…However, I love and accept LGIEF despite its flaws. The positives of this drama undoubtedly outweigh any of the negatives. This is an outstanding piece of work, and I’m struggling to move on from it! I have rewatched and still rewatch my favorite moments several times, yet my emotions are evoked as if it’s the first time. Even listening to the gorgeous soundtrack is enough to relive the scenes in which they were played. In the best way possible, I will never forget LGIEF. I encourage everyone to give it a chance to impact you the same way it impacted me.
What carried the drama for me was the acting, character development, and the main cast’s relationships with each other. The chemistry between the two main leads, Mu Zuqi and Ling Miaomiao, was my favorite. Seeing Zuqi start off by disliking and suspecting Miaomiao, then becoming increasingly curious about her, developing feelings for her, and eventually falling in love, made me feel as if I was falling in love for the first time too! Miaomiao is perfect for Zuqi/the group as she broke through Zuqi’s walls with selflessness, drove the group’s dynamic while inspiring them to believe in each other, constantly encouraged her loved ones, and was a strong pillar for all. Not only that, but the yearning between the two leads was to die for…My heart raced and ached for them. I constantly found myself wanting to see the two interact again when they were not on screen; when I did watch them interact, I couldn’t help but feel like gushing and squealing at their soft yet sweet gestures.
As for the acting: Ding Yuxi’s expressions, gazes, and body language while playing the role of Zuqi conveyed so many words and feelings without saying anything at all. With his expressions alone, I could easily feel his cockiness, contempt, hesitation, sadness, jealousy, affection, and so much more. Ding Yuxi clearly understood his role of Zuqi, showing that although Zuqi always put up an arrogant, stubborn, and cold front, he was actually self-loathing, burdened by worries and secrets, extremely loyal, protective, thoughtful, and treasured his close ones immensely. In fact, he feared losing his loved ones the most due to his belief that nobody could accept him fully or unconditionally, caused by the hostile environment/treatment he went through. It was very moving to watch Zuqi gradually realize he is loved, is deserving of love, and that only when he loves himself can he live to the fullest and give love to others. I am truly touched and impressed by Ding Yuxi’s acting; I hope to see him recognized further as well as perform in more works.
Similarly, Yu Shuxin embodied the role of Miaomiao flawlessly. She is the best counterpart to Zuqi with her naturally bubbly personality, strong will, and empathy. I agree with what Zuqi said: Miaomiao is like the sun. Her happiness and genuine care for everyone around her is warmly infectious. In contrast to her optimism, one of my favorite scenes of Miaomiao is when she shares her heartfelt feelings with Zuqi about missing her original world at first, but realizing she has become hesitant to leave the world she’s in now due to the fact that she has adapted and would never see the main group again. Yu Shuxin’s display of Miaomiao’s inner conflict along with growing sadness while she vented in this scene amazed me, especially because I have never seen a transmigrator express these feelings so sincerely eloquently. This was a beautifully vulnerable, realistic scene and sticks out to me because it is one of the moments where she puts her cheerful side away, certainly demonstrating Yu Shuxin’s range!
Some people dislike the openness of the ending, but to me, the ending is clear: It is a happy one. Some also dislike the lack of kiss scenes, and although a kiss scene would have been magical, I don’t doubt the main couple’s chemistry or affection without it. The subtle and tender displays of intimacy were more than enough to feel their love for each other, whether it was a glance, an uncontrollable smile, a subconscious touch, or gentle words…it was perfect.
Overall, going into LGIEF, I didn’t expect the message of it to be about self-love—but it is, and that is so special and important. Of course like any story, it has its imperfections. For instance, I didn’t feel as invested in the second leads, but I still enjoyed them; they had shining moments too. Furthermore, I pretend three of the episodes don’t exist because they hurt me too much for too long (iykyk) 😭…However, I love and accept LGIEF despite its flaws. The positives of this drama undoubtedly outweigh any of the negatives. This is an outstanding piece of work, and I’m struggling to move on from it! I have rewatched and still rewatch my favorite moments several times, yet my emotions are evoked as if it’s the first time. Even listening to the gorgeous soundtrack is enough to relive the scenes in which they were played. In the best way possible, I will never forget LGIEF. I encourage everyone to give it a chance to impact you the same way it impacted me.
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