Philosophical reflections using a xianxia setting, with a slow burn, steady romance
Originally watched it when it was first released for Liu Xue Yi, and just finished my binge rewatch of it again this week - clearly there is rewatch value here.
Pros:
- The way the drama explores themes of morality, good vs evil, action vs thought, time vs reality, balance and excess.
> some memorable moments
- Likewise, the use of the craftmanship theme was first - visually compelling and beautiful (did not look campy!), refreshingly different and also beautifully explored themes relating to technology
- Main CP's romance - there is really nothing steamy here lol, everything is super PG13. But it was beautiful seeing their commitment to each other, and definitely entertaining at the start when the ML is annoyed by the FL but still constantly intrigued by her. And the FL just has this unwavering dedication to him beyond job responsibility which she took a while to finally realise oh yeah I do like him.
- Bai Shu's acting as Mei Shan is phenomenal as usual, maybe he keeps playing similar characterizations (I always see a sniff of Teng She in his roles lol) but I always enjoy his presence on-screen lol.
- Same for Baron Chen's acting!!
Cons:
- Subpar set lighting and makeup, this aspect does not detract much from the typical xianxia where the lighting is sterile and white with little nuance and play on light vs shadow, which makes the setting look artificial and washed out.
- Side characters/couple romances were not the most compelling (Except for Pei Jiu!! I cri everytime) (incomplete review because idk how to save this as a draft lol)
- Weak plot devices - so the FL has a restraint on her falling in love/revealing her identity...but we don't really see any major repercussions from it, other than her not being able to speak. But I also have no idea how else they could have depicted it.
Pros:
- The way the drama explores themes of morality, good vs evil, action vs thought, time vs reality, balance and excess.
> some memorable moments
- Likewise, the use of the craftmanship theme was first - visually compelling and beautiful (did not look campy!), refreshingly different and also beautifully explored themes relating to technology
- Main CP's romance - there is really nothing steamy here lol, everything is super PG13. But it was beautiful seeing their commitment to each other, and definitely entertaining at the start when the ML is annoyed by the FL but still constantly intrigued by her. And the FL just has this unwavering dedication to him beyond job responsibility which she took a while to finally realise oh yeah I do like him.
- Bai Shu's acting as Mei Shan is phenomenal as usual, maybe he keeps playing similar characterizations (I always see a sniff of Teng She in his roles lol) but I always enjoy his presence on-screen lol.
- Same for Baron Chen's acting!!
Cons:
- Subpar set lighting and makeup, this aspect does not detract much from the typical xianxia where the lighting is sterile and white with little nuance and play on light vs shadow, which makes the setting look artificial and washed out.
- Side characters/couple romances were not the most compelling (Except for Pei Jiu!! I cri everytime) (incomplete review because idk how to save this as a draft lol)
- Weak plot devices - so the FL has a restraint on her falling in love/revealing her identity...but we don't really see any major repercussions from it, other than her not being able to speak. But I also have no idea how else they could have depicted it.
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