I'm at ep4 and all I have to say is the absence of telling the truth is stupid. the directors could have told…
Thank you — I completely agree. It’s such an immature reason, and it’s not sustainable at all. She’s an adult; she should be able to handle the truth, and if she can’t, that doesn’t say much for her as a supposed heroine. She claims she wants to protect these children, so she should understand what she’s really up against. Sure, she’ll be sad — but so what? How is this any better? Letting her cling to an idealized image of her master only gets in the way of holding people accountable and fighting for justice. And on top of that, it just makes her look weak and honestly as dense as a brick.
Thank you for giving a clear cut clarification. From what l have seen he is the one who is criticized most of…
I guess it really comes down to viewer interpretation of what counts as a SE versus a HE. I get what you mean—it’s nice that there’s a hint of reunion or hope at the end. For me, though, I don’t really count that as a truly happy ending, especially when most of the story is full of struggle or tragedy… or there’s very little resolution for the main leads. I tend to think of a truly HE as one that feels satisfying and complete, rather than something left up to interpretation.
That said, I totally see the point about not wanting to scare people away—some might not want to invest the time if they expect an unsatisfying end. Personally, I still think this actor has just as many happy dramas as sad ones, so it’s not a huge deal if people prefer to skip something they think might be disappointing. Even if I interpret ‘happy ending’ differently, there are definitely positive aspects as you point out that could even be enough to consider it a HE, and people who give it a chance may still really enjoy it depending on what they like.
And you’re right—cdramas do seem to favor this kind of ending, so I guess that’s just part of the style or genre’s charm!
I usually lose patience with drawn-out misunderstanding dramas—seriously, why can’t people just talk? I’m sticking it out with this one, but I really hope they don’t stretch it forever or keep the FL hopelessly clueless—instead, give her a chance to wise up and grow quickly. I get the ML trying to protect her by looking like the villain, but plots like this almost never justify stretching the confusion. Him playing the unnecessary martyr isn’t exactly satisfying. Especially when it leads to nothing for the FL and every circumstance keeps shoving them together anyway—it’s like, just skip to the part where they use their words already!
And do they have to make the FL so clueless? Sure, her father and everyone she trusted is lying—but come on. She’s so far in the dark she doesn’t even realize she’s in the dark. Watching her purely just react to what’s directly right in front of her only … without thinking even a little but deeper until everything spirals into overblown drama is exhausting. A little imagination goes a long way! It’s like, ask the right questions already, or literally do anything anything other than feed the emotional chaos.
Honestly, she’ll probably end up suffering just as much or more anyway, because the truth always comes out and reality always hits — usually harder the longer it’s put off. All this “I’m lying to protect you” business just ends up feeling futile and pointless—why not be honest, let the chips fall where they may, and actually support her through it? I get the gesture, but drama plots like this almost never become useful…just unnecessary suffering. I’ll keep watching, but hopefully before my brain turns to mush from all this miscommunication.
But as a side note the fighting and martial arts in this are very cool. 😎
Thank you for giving a clear cut clarification. From what l have seen he is the one who is criticized most of…
Oh, that’s cool to know and totally makes sense for him. You can really tell he’s very intentional about his craft and driven by the characters he chooses.
I will say, I don’t think it’s only 4 sad endings—he actually has about as many sad-ending works as happy-ending ones, plus a few that are kind of ambiguous depending on interpretation.
Sad endings: The Glory of Tang Dynasty, Autumn Cicada, One and Only, Thousand Years, Burning Flames, Love of Nirvana, Demon Hunter’s Romance
Happy endings: Under the Power, Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard, Love a Lifetime, Blue Flame Assault, Forever and Ever, The Blue Whisper, Twilight
Ambiguous / open: The Destiny of White Snake, Never Say Goodbye, Detective Dee
However — Demon Hunter’s Romance could be seen as more ambiguous or open-ended, especially if there’s a second season. 🤞🏼🤞🏼And I don’t think sad endings are inherently bad—the point is, he has about as many happy ones as sad. So I agree with you that it’s not really fair to say otherwise. Plus, these decisions aren’t always in an actor’s hands anyways. Actors often sign on before an ending is finalized, and even then, producers or the network can change it …as was the case with Demon Hunter’s Romance. Regardless, he consistently chooses interesting projects, and I love seeing his versatility. 👏🏼
Thank you for giving a clear cut clarification. From what l have seen he is the one who is criticized most of…
Honestly tho. There really js so much misinformation about Ren Jialun that gets far too much credence, and I just don’t understand it. In addition to your points — the idea that his dramas “always have sad endings” as if he’s the scriptwriter or controls production is completely off. First of all he has many dramas with happy endings. And sencondly … he’s an ACTOR, not the person running the show. Decisions about endings, storylines, or production are not his to make.
He’s said himself that he chooses dramas based on the character and the story, usually from the first few episodes of a script that genuinely interests him. He actively looks for roles that are different from his past work, avoiding repetition. That’s why he has such a diverse portfolio. He also has to choose from what he is offered, I mean hello. The man has to make a living.
I think a lot of people just don’t understand how the industry actually works. Actors get unnecessary scrutiny and blame for choices that are mostly out of their hands. They’re the face of a project, so it’s easy for fans or critics to assume they “run the show,” but in reality, they don’t. It’s frustrating to see this kind of ignorance spread about someone who’s clearly thoughtful and intentional about his craft.
Ren Jialun isn’t controlling the universe — he just focuses on doing justice to his roles and picking projects that challenge him. Criticizing him for plot decisions or drama endings way overestimates how much power actors actually have. I mean that should be obvious.
I could go on … basically the romour mill and misinformation is beyond ridiculous. Ren JiaLun obviously works hard with what he has to choose from and does a great job! I wish people would stop spreading unnecessary and baseless negativity.
Totally disagree. Ren Jialun has fantastic chemistry with his female co-stars — it’s just expressed differently than what some people expect. He doesn’t rely on heavy or overly intimate scenes to show connection. His strength is the slow burn: subtle eye contact, micro-expressions, emotional tension. That’s chemistry based on storytelling, not on how intense a kissing scene is.
The “no kissing” rumor is also false — he does film kiss scenes. They’re simply lighter and more restrained, which fits his style and the tone of many of his dramas. Chemistry isn’t defined by how much physical contact two actors have; it’s the way he conveys love, respect, and longing on screen. And honestly, that emotional depth stays with viewers longer than a heavy make-out scene.
Some people prefer more explicit intimacy, and that’s fine — everyone has different tastes. But saying he has “no chemistry” just because he doesn’t do aggressive kissing scenes really misses the point of the characters and the genre.
Ren Jialun shows love with emotion, not shock value — and that’s a skill, not a limitation. ✨
I really enjoyed this drama — it’s beautifully done with engaging storytelling and strong performances from the cast. The the world-building is rich and immersive, and every episode pulled me deeper into its atmosphere. The mix of romance, supernatural elements, and mystery made the story exciting to follow, and the dynamic between the leads was genuinely enchanting.
My only note is about the main twist: the reveal that the demon hunter is actually a demon. While I understand the narrative intention and see how the clues were planted early on, I found that the story became less compelling once that moment arrived. Personally, I was more intrigued by the version of his character who was haunted by his tragic past and unraveling new mysteries with each encounter — and I genuinely wish the show had leaned into that in a more compelling way. I can’t help feeling that a more layered, less predictable twist near the end (with a more interesting or challenging final villian) would have given the climax much greater resonance.
Overall, though, it’s a fantastic show — captivating, touching, fun, and memorable. I’ll be recommending it to others.
I deeply understand the frustration with Zhousheng Chen’s (ZSC) ending — I, too, longed to see him find cause within himself to just abandon the system, defy duty for once, and ride off with Shi Yi and his army family. But that would not be consistent with who he is. His choices are never about futility or protecting doomed ministers or his bloodline for selfish reasons — they are about principle. He is not selfish. He cannot, and will not, put innocent lives at risk for his own escape or happiness. This is a man who has repeatedly risked his life and the lives of his soldiers to protect others; it is who he is to the core. Integrity, for him, is not negotiable, even when the world conspires to make it appear meaningless.
The tragedy is this: evil does not win because it is stronger. Evil wins because virtue fights with rules while evil fights without them. ZSC’s integrity feeling fruitless, and Shi Yi’s remark about it at the end, is not a reflection on him but on the space the villains were allowed to occupy. The crown prince and the forces of evil deliberately sought to strip him, all the way down to his very memory, of any true nobility. Evil was envious and wanted everything he stood for and symbolized to feel useless, to appear meaningless. The flaw was never in ZSC’s virtue or his decisions — it was in the system around him. ZSC did not “fail the kingdom” — the kingdom failed him. The court’s paranoia was bottomless, and paranoia cannot be satisfied.
ZSC’s one flaw — if it can be called that — is trusting the system would honor loyalty and integrity. Even so, his fate is not a failure of character, but a reflection of how virtue can be cornered by evil. His integrity remains intact, even if the outcome is bitter. I do feel that, as a seasoned general, he might have been a little more prepared, more discerning, perhaps anticipating some of the traps he faced. Yet even that would not compromise his principles; he would still act with honor, selflessness, and care for the innocent. That is the heartbreak, and the enduring power, of his story. 😢😭I do so long for justice on his character’s behalf. Great review!!
2nd male lead is the best part of this series. he liked her for who she was! plus he was hilarious and overflowing with personality, and was decent from start to finish. the ML / guy she ended up with only liked her for their childhood memories and was a jerk to her before he knew she was actually his old childhood friend. meh. hard pass.
Am I the only one who is absolutely sick of BSR’s immature mother? why do ppl insist on allowing her to act like a 2 yr old as if there’s nothing wrong. she accuses her friend of being all high and mighty but she’s the one walking around with a proud chip on her shoulder over literally every minor thing. I cannot stand her lack of character development - it’s absolutely infuriating to watch her pouty, sniveling, martyr fits over NOTHING.
FINALLY ROMCOM IS ROMCOMING after such a long wait 😭 This epsiode is going to be my most favourite one in this…
seriously!! it’s finally picking up true romcom vibes - the rollercoaster ride we had to take to get to this cuteness 😍 was no joke. But now that we’re finally here … the joy cannot be contained 🥹🙌 pls writers let’s keep this going until the end 🙈❤️
That said, I totally see the point about not wanting to scare people away—some might not want to invest the time if they expect an unsatisfying end. Personally, I still think this actor has just as many happy dramas as sad ones, so it’s not a huge deal if people prefer to skip something they think might be disappointing. Even if I interpret ‘happy ending’ differently, there are definitely positive aspects as you point out that could even be enough to consider it a HE, and people who give it a chance may still really enjoy it depending on what they like.
And you’re right—cdramas do seem to favor this kind of ending, so I guess that’s just part of the style or genre’s charm!
And do they have to make the FL so clueless? Sure, her father and everyone she trusted is lying—but come on. She’s so far in the dark she doesn’t even realize she’s in the dark. Watching her purely just react to what’s directly right in front of her only … without thinking even a little but deeper until everything spirals into overblown drama is exhausting. A little imagination goes a long way! It’s like, ask the right questions already, or literally do anything anything other than feed the emotional chaos.
Honestly, she’ll probably end up suffering just as much or more anyway, because the truth always comes out and reality always hits — usually harder the longer it’s put off. All this “I’m lying to protect you” business just ends up feeling futile and pointless—why not be honest, let the chips fall where they may, and actually support her through it? I get the gesture, but drama plots like this almost never become useful…just unnecessary suffering. I’ll keep watching, but hopefully before my brain turns to mush from all this miscommunication.
But as a side note the fighting and martial arts in this are very cool. 😎
I will say, I don’t think it’s only 4 sad endings—he actually has about as many sad-ending works as happy-ending ones, plus a few that are kind of ambiguous depending on interpretation.
Sad endings: The Glory of Tang Dynasty, Autumn Cicada, One and Only, Thousand Years, Burning Flames, Love of Nirvana, Demon Hunter’s Romance
Happy endings: Under the Power, Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard, Love a Lifetime, Blue Flame Assault, Forever and Ever, The Blue Whisper, Twilight
Ambiguous / open: The Destiny of White Snake, Never Say Goodbye, Detective Dee
However — Demon Hunter’s Romance could be seen as more ambiguous or open-ended, especially if there’s a second season. 🤞🏼🤞🏼And I don’t think sad endings are inherently bad—the point is, he has about as many happy ones as sad. So I agree with you that it’s not really fair to say otherwise. Plus, these decisions aren’t always in an actor’s hands anyways. Actors often sign on before an ending is finalized, and even then, producers or the network can change it …as was the case with Demon Hunter’s Romance. Regardless, he consistently chooses interesting projects, and I love seeing his versatility. 👏🏼
He’s said himself that he chooses dramas based on the character and the story, usually from the first few episodes of a script that genuinely interests him. He actively looks for roles that are different from his past work, avoiding repetition. That’s why he has such a diverse portfolio. He also has to choose from what he is offered, I mean hello. The man has to make a living.
I think a lot of people just don’t understand how the industry actually works. Actors get unnecessary scrutiny and blame for choices that are mostly out of their hands. They’re the face of a project, so it’s easy for fans or critics to assume they “run the show,” but in reality, they don’t. It’s frustrating to see this kind of ignorance spread about someone who’s clearly thoughtful and intentional about his craft.
Ren Jialun isn’t controlling the universe — he just focuses on doing justice to his roles and picking projects that challenge him. Criticizing him for plot decisions or drama endings way overestimates how much power actors actually have. I mean that should be obvious.
I could go on … basically the romour mill and misinformation is beyond ridiculous. Ren JiaLun obviously works hard with what he has to choose from and does a great job! I wish people would stop spreading unnecessary and baseless negativity.
The “no kissing” rumor is also false — he does film kiss scenes. They’re simply lighter and more restrained, which fits his style and the tone of many of his dramas. Chemistry isn’t defined by how much physical contact two actors have; it’s the way he conveys love, respect, and longing on screen. And honestly, that emotional depth stays with viewers longer than a heavy make-out scene.
Some people prefer more explicit intimacy, and that’s fine — everyone has different tastes. But saying he has “no chemistry” just because he doesn’t do aggressive kissing scenes really misses the point of the characters and the genre.
Ren Jialun shows love with emotion, not shock value — and that’s a skill, not a limitation. ✨
My only note is about the main twist: the reveal that the demon hunter is actually a demon. While I understand the narrative intention and see how the clues were planted early on, I found that the story became less compelling once that moment arrived. Personally, I was more intrigued by the version of his character who was haunted by his tragic past and unraveling new mysteries with each encounter — and I genuinely wish the show had leaned into that in a more compelling way. I can’t help feeling that a more layered, less predictable twist near the end (with a more interesting or challenging final villian) would have given the climax much greater resonance.
Overall, though, it’s a fantastic show — captivating, touching, fun, and memorable. I’ll be recommending it to others.
The tragedy is this: evil does not win because it is stronger. Evil wins because virtue fights with rules while evil fights without them. ZSC’s integrity feeling fruitless, and Shi Yi’s remark about it at the end, is not a reflection on him but on the space the villains were allowed to occupy. The crown prince and the forces of evil deliberately sought to strip him, all the way down to his very memory, of any true nobility. Evil was envious and wanted everything he stood for and symbolized to feel useless, to appear meaningless. The flaw was never in ZSC’s virtue or his decisions — it was in the system around him. ZSC did not “fail the kingdom” — the kingdom failed him. The court’s paranoia was bottomless, and paranoia cannot be satisfied.
ZSC’s one flaw — if it can be called that — is trusting the system would honor loyalty and integrity. Even so, his fate is not a failure of character, but a reflection of how virtue can be cornered by evil. His integrity remains intact, even if the outcome is bitter. I do feel that, as a seasoned general, he might have been a little more prepared, more discerning, perhaps anticipating some of the traps he faced. Yet even that would not compromise his principles; he would still act with honor, selflessness, and care for the innocent. That is the heartbreak, and the enduring power, of his story. 😢😭I do so long for justice on his character’s behalf. Great review!!
rest of the ep was cute tho 🥰
THIS is the heart melting, fluffy, cute, and goofy content I am here for!!! 😆😆