Can I just say how on point his side profile is in ep 15 as he's demanding the removal of the hairpin? I mean he's smoking hot the whole drama but he's beyond fine in this shot. Like wow.
Current obsession at the moment. I have been rewatching as if I'm in a loop. You've touched on all the things that made this drama so captivating. And thanks for the GIFs because they brought a smile to my face :)
I enjoyed it so much I wrote a long review after spending hours rewatching and writing down my feelings. I think that just speaks to how good the drama is that it elicited such a flood of response from me as a viewer, even a seasoned one like me who has been watching dramas for years. And yet, this drama stood out as one of the best. I don't think I need to convince you to watch the drama considering the rating and the popularity it is receiving. I'm merely here to say unlike some other popular dramas, it's true what they say and the rating truly reflects the quality of this drama. Get on that bandwagon and embrace the hype; you won't be disappointed.
You know that scene in the beginning when Dongfang Qingcang was like "you're mine, your life belongs to me, your breathing belongs to me, your heartbeat belongs to me," he looks and sounds absolutely menacing that I don't think a declaration of destruction would have sounded that threatening, and yet Orchid still thinks he's coming on to her, lmao. These two.
I enjoyed this drama so much that I felt inclined to write down some of my favorite parts. Here's a compilation.
Spoiler Warning
Ep 1: Orchid and Dongfang Qingcang's first encounter in Haotian Tower, sealed with a kiss; a spectacular start to the drama.
Ep 3-4: Every time Orchid starts bawling and Dongfang Qingcang reluctantly cries too, LMAO. And all the chaos that ensues from their curse connection and how it reduces this great lord's ego to the size of a peanut xD. It cracks me up endlessly every time Orchid innocently laughs in his face, like when she laughs at him for counting the flowers seriously or she snickers as she draws "Dongfang Qingcang with green face and fangs" on the mochi pastry. Esther Yu is super adorable.
Ep 9: When Dongfang Qingcang appears from fire and smoke to rescue Orchid and then proceeds to almost annihilate the whole fairy realm. Such a beast; so satisfying to watch. He could have completely destroyed them all but one word, one pleading look from Orchid and he simply stops. I love a man who respects his loved one's wishes.
Ep 10: Orchid's further witnessing of Dongfang Qingcang's immense power and position. The way he is received by the people of Changyan Sea; this scene felt like the personification of the words feared and revered. Simply awe-inspiring. Dylan Wang kills it in this role!
Ep 10: Dongfang Qingcang's surprise for Orchid that ends up exposing the chasm between them. It's apparent now that the deep impact of her emotions on him is no longer because of the connection from the curse, though he would not admit it himself. He seethes with anger out of jealousy. How he's hurt that she still wants to leave (him) to go "home." It's incredible how much he cares already and it's perfectly portrayed by Dylan. His "wei she me" gets me every time :(
Ep 10: When Orchid tricks Dongfang Qingcang into kissing her for the body swap. He knows something's up her sleeves but he cannot overcome his curiosity (or care) and falls for it. That is such a cute kiss!
Ep 18: The way Orchid helps Dongfang Qingcang reconcile with his dad. How gentle she is as she hugs him as he breaks down. How he tries to hold it together on his own, then opens to her support and cries into her shoulder as he confronts his heartbreak of losing the father he loved...
Ep 27: The way Orchid is distraught to see Dongfang Qingcang still unconscious after almost losing their lives, and then hugs him with relief when he awakes. The look on Dongfang Qingcang's face as he's moved by Orchid's sacrifice. The first true kiss as lovers. The interruption of the kiss and how she wants to die from mortification. So cute xD
Ep 28: Their romance turns epic as the moon frames the shot as they kiss, while the song Farewell Love crescendos. A rush of emotions came my way as I watched this scene (and this episode). How hauntingly beautiful and melancholic for these two lovebirds.
Ep 31: Dongfang Qingcang's denial of reality. Those tear drops make me SO SAD. I wanted him to stay in the dream just as much as he does.
Ep 36: To be frank, I was slightly disappointed with the rush ending. Nevertheless, I'm grateful for the happy ending. The reunion at Arbiter Hall, albeit short, is sweet.
I have to say even with that ridiculous ending, it was totally worth the watch. It was pure guilty pleasure and to that end, it was very satisfying. There is just so much censorship in dramaland for the faintest of physical expression of love that to see two people interact so naturally uninhibited here made it a mesmerizing watch. And also, yeah, because the male lead is incredibly hot, ha.
Re-watching the drama has given me a chance to appreciate the details I had initially overlooked while I was in a rush to see what would happen next. I'm marveling now at how amazing their first encounter was in Episode 1. It's like I'm in a loop, watching it over and over again. How stunningly colorful the galaxy like atmosphere is, the way Orchid at first panics, then freezes as if time stopped, fearful but mesmerized by the sight of Dongfang Qingcang. The way she inadvertently revives him, the kiss that completes the process as they're bonded as the music crescendos... what a spectacular start to their epic romance. Love it, love it, love it.
Thanks for sharing. And I agree. I found Esther's character charming, genuinely cute, delicate and strong; the perfect opposite of Dylan's character, complementing him well. I thought the rest of the cast was amazing as well. The talented cast and production team really made this an outstanding drama.
IKR! I just finished it but i think im going to watch it again... just the way he CARRIES himself - he WAS the…
Yes, I'm going to rewatch it as well. I thought he was just an idol actor. Boy, he proved me wrong. I can't picture anyone else in the role because he embodies it so well.
I thought he was a really cute villain in Love Between Fairy and Devil, ha. And he kind of reminds me of Xu Kai. I would love to see him in a fluffy historical romance as a lead.
I'm absolutely blown away by Dylan Wang's portrayal of Dongfang Qingcang. The assured authority, the majestic presence he carries with him held my attention at every moment. He looks MAGNIFICENT. What a grand performance as the most formidable, all powerful being in the realm. There isn't much change in his stoic expression and yet you see it, you feel it, this imposing character with complicated emotions come to life. It was evident in the way he's in complete control as he showcases his powers, or in the way he endures the burden of responsibility that comes with that power and position, or when he's seething with anger out of love. It was simply so satisfying to watch.
I thought the beginning was nonsense. The drama was all over the place in an attempt to lay the ground work for what's to come. But from Ep 4 onward, I was hooked.
I'm disappointed in Chippy though. I know she's got the acting chops considering her role in Rang Tawan, where she was able to level set with an actor of Aum's caliber. But here, she just came off cold and mean after the time jump, when I think it was supposed to be portrayed as a front. I wish there was more nuance to show vulnerability of character to her performance. And character wise, I understand that she wasn't left with much choice but to try to move on, seeing as how the person you love didn't recognize you and appeared married to someone else, while you're struggling to pay your bills and raise a child. But her increasingly cold behavior made no sense, especially when Trai was reaching out and pleading with her for the truth, and obviously struggling to overcome his befuddled mind and feelings. Speaking of whom, I like Puen better as Trai than Tai. I've never seen him before so I actually thought he was cast for only his good looks when he was Tai. Then I reassessed that he was a whole lot better as Trai; he was warm and sweet and playful. And the father/son scenes were adorable and the baby himself is an excellent actor; what a cutie.
I think in spite of being a typical lakorn with nonsensical plot and characters, there's just something about this drama that kept me watching. And the chemistry is fantastic between the leads here. The way they kiss had me forgetting I was watching a lakorn, ha. So all in all, I think it's worth the watch. But watch at your own risk, as always, with lakorns.
Spoiler Warning
Ep 1: Orchid and Dongfang Qingcang's first encounter in Haotian Tower, sealed with a kiss; a spectacular start to the drama.
Ep 3-4: Every time Orchid starts bawling and Dongfang Qingcang reluctantly cries too, LMAO. And all the chaos that ensues from their curse connection and how it reduces this great lord's ego to the size of a peanut xD. It cracks me up endlessly every time Orchid innocently laughs in his face, like when she laughs at him for counting the flowers seriously or she snickers as she draws "Dongfang Qingcang with green face and fangs" on the mochi pastry. Esther Yu is super adorable.
Ep 9: When Dongfang Qingcang appears from fire and smoke to rescue Orchid and then proceeds to almost annihilate the whole fairy realm. Such a beast; so satisfying to watch. He could have completely destroyed them all but one word, one pleading look from Orchid and he simply stops. I love a man who respects his loved one's wishes.
Ep 10: Orchid's further witnessing of Dongfang Qingcang's immense power and position. The way he is received by the people of Changyan Sea; this scene felt like the personification of the words feared and revered. Simply awe-inspiring. Dylan Wang kills it in this role!
Ep 10: Dongfang Qingcang's surprise for Orchid that ends up exposing the chasm between them. It's apparent now that the deep impact of her emotions on him is no longer because of the connection from the curse, though he would not admit it himself. He seethes with anger out of jealousy. How he's hurt that she still wants to leave (him) to go "home." It's incredible how much he cares already and it's perfectly portrayed by Dylan. His "wei she me" gets me every time :(
Ep 10: When Orchid tricks Dongfang Qingcang into kissing her for the body swap. He knows something's up her sleeves but he cannot overcome his curiosity (or care) and falls for it. That is such a cute kiss!
Ep 18: The way Orchid helps Dongfang Qingcang reconcile with his dad. How gentle she is as she hugs him as he breaks down. How he tries to hold it together on his own, then opens to her support and cries into her shoulder as he confronts his heartbreak of losing the father he loved...
Ep 27: The way Orchid is distraught to see Dongfang Qingcang still unconscious after almost losing their lives, and then hugs him with relief when he awakes. The look on Dongfang Qingcang's face as he's moved by Orchid's sacrifice. The first true kiss as lovers. The interruption of the kiss and how she wants to die from mortification. So cute xD
Ep 28: Their romance turns epic as the moon frames the shot as they kiss, while the song Farewell Love crescendos. A rush of emotions came my way as I watched this scene (and this episode). How hauntingly beautiful and melancholic for these two lovebirds.
Ep 31: Dongfang Qingcang's denial of reality. Those tear drops make me SO SAD. I wanted him to stay in the dream just as much as he does.
Ep 36: To be frank, I was slightly disappointed with the rush ending. Nevertheless, I'm grateful for the happy ending. The reunion at Arbiter Hall, albeit short, is sweet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foY9BX2naSc
I'm disappointed in Chippy though. I know she's got the acting chops considering her role in Rang Tawan, where she was able to level set with an actor of Aum's caliber. But here, she just came off cold and mean after the time jump, when I think it was supposed to be portrayed as a front. I wish there was more nuance to show vulnerability of character to her performance. And character wise, I understand that she wasn't left with much choice but to try to move on, seeing as how the person you love didn't recognize you and appeared married to someone else, while you're struggling to pay your bills and raise a child. But her increasingly cold behavior made no sense, especially when Trai was reaching out and pleading with her for the truth, and obviously struggling to overcome his befuddled mind and feelings. Speaking of whom, I like Puen better as Trai than Tai. I've never seen him before so I actually thought he was cast for only his good looks when he was Tai. Then I reassessed that he was a whole lot better as Trai; he was warm and sweet and playful. And the father/son scenes were adorable and the baby himself is an excellent actor; what a cutie.
I think in spite of being a typical lakorn with nonsensical plot and characters, there's just something about this drama that kept me watching. And the chemistry is fantastic between the leads here. The way they kiss had me forgetting I was watching a lakorn, ha. So all in all, I think it's worth the watch. But watch at your own risk, as always, with lakorns.