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This review may contain spoilers
A Phenomenal Dream Lasting Three Life Times!
"When Destiny Brings the Demon" was quite an unexpected drama to say the least. There was two other dramas i began to watch simultaneously, but only WDBTD was able to enthrall me into this universe. The concept of this drama isn't new, but I usually do no gravitate towards it, however, because i was a fan of Chen Feiyu's acting aka Arthur Chen I gave it a shot and was hooked from episode one onwards!
WDBTD focuses on Sima Jiao, a powerful cultivator, and his fated love aka cultivation partner - Liao Tingyan.
Sima Jiao, played by Chen Fei Yu, was initially a cold-blooded murderer, but he is actually a very misunderstood grandmaster. He doesn't kill for the sake of killing, he kills because he can't trust anyone outside of his circle. Too many people are literally out to get his blood because of how powerful his bloodline is. His blood helps cultivators level up in their powers hence it's very sought after to the point that they won't even let him die. He was trapped and suffered for 500 years until Liao Tingyan came into the picture. Despite his tendency to murder anyone who did him wrong, in the end, Sima Jiao learned to cherish and love Tingyan and will only care about her rather than those around him. He is both a red flag and green flag, but more thge latter than former as he learned from what he has done wrong. He's willing to change, and protect Tingyan even if it means sacrificing himself. Chen Feiyu did an amazing job as Sima Jiao, I really enjoyed his microexpressions, cheeky smiles to snarky smiles, the murderous glares, ugh you can differentiate each and every expression- it's just a chef's kiss. Someone mentioned he also acts with the way he moves as well, and I do agree that the movement he portrays ties everything together! I've been a fan of CFY since Evernight S1, and I have to say his acting has improved a lot since then! ^^
Liao Ting Yan is from the modern timeline who was thrust into this xianxia world while unconscious. And boy, this dream of hers was amazing to watch! I quite liked her character because of the way she's very nonchalant about this xianxia world. For exmaple, she doesn't care about gaining power, she just want sto live life without bothering too many people, and she talks about being overworked a lot, and needing a vacation - Her little monologues makes it quite hilarious imo. It's more funny when she uses modern vocabulary and SIma Jiao would be like, "What?" But he soaks it up with judgemental comments. With the help of Sima Jiao, Tingyan eventually grew to be quite strong and became Sima Jiao's cultivation partner. And of course, his fated love through three lifetimes. Despite her nonchalant personality, she is very sweet, and caring towards Sima Jiao. She has a strong love for Sima Jiao and it shows when she's able to pull through despite losing control of her mind and body at times. Love trumps all! I think Wang Yinglu did a great job portraying Liao Ting Yan through each lifetime. This is somewhat my first time watching her. I did saw "I Am Nobody" briefly with her acting as Feng Bao Bao - she was amazing there - and here she's a total different person. It shows she has range, and I love when actors or actresses play roles of different personalities and traits because it showcases their acting ability and what they can or cannot do. I am looking forward to more of her dramas from now on!
The drama would've been flawless in my book if it weren't for Bao Jian Feng's acting. It just seemed like the actor did not embrace his character very well - it felt like he was in a play rather than the actual character himself. I was more irritated by his acting more than the villain itself. LOOL It was very much like a typical old school xianxia villain type acting.
Overall, I quite enjoy the story, and the love story between Sima Jiao and Liao Tingyan. It would be amazing if they continue another lifetime in the modern timeline and finally settle down and have children. ><
Happy ending? Yes and no, more so of an open ending since they met up in real life but one doesn't know the other so it's like they're starting over again.
Would I recommend? Definitely if you enjoy watching romance, fated love, xianxia dramas, and transmigration - go for it! :]
WDBTD focuses on Sima Jiao, a powerful cultivator, and his fated love aka cultivation partner - Liao Tingyan.
Sima Jiao, played by Chen Fei Yu, was initially a cold-blooded murderer, but he is actually a very misunderstood grandmaster. He doesn't kill for the sake of killing, he kills because he can't trust anyone outside of his circle. Too many people are literally out to get his blood because of how powerful his bloodline is. His blood helps cultivators level up in their powers hence it's very sought after to the point that they won't even let him die. He was trapped and suffered for 500 years until Liao Tingyan came into the picture. Despite his tendency to murder anyone who did him wrong, in the end, Sima Jiao learned to cherish and love Tingyan and will only care about her rather than those around him. He is both a red flag and green flag, but more thge latter than former as he learned from what he has done wrong. He's willing to change, and protect Tingyan even if it means sacrificing himself. Chen Feiyu did an amazing job as Sima Jiao, I really enjoyed his microexpressions, cheeky smiles to snarky smiles, the murderous glares, ugh you can differentiate each and every expression- it's just a chef's kiss. Someone mentioned he also acts with the way he moves as well, and I do agree that the movement he portrays ties everything together! I've been a fan of CFY since Evernight S1, and I have to say his acting has improved a lot since then! ^^
Liao Ting Yan is from the modern timeline who was thrust into this xianxia world while unconscious. And boy, this dream of hers was amazing to watch! I quite liked her character because of the way she's very nonchalant about this xianxia world. For exmaple, she doesn't care about gaining power, she just want sto live life without bothering too many people, and she talks about being overworked a lot, and needing a vacation - Her little monologues makes it quite hilarious imo. It's more funny when she uses modern vocabulary and SIma Jiao would be like, "What?" But he soaks it up with judgemental comments. With the help of Sima Jiao, Tingyan eventually grew to be quite strong and became Sima Jiao's cultivation partner. And of course, his fated love through three lifetimes. Despite her nonchalant personality, she is very sweet, and caring towards Sima Jiao. She has a strong love for Sima Jiao and it shows when she's able to pull through despite losing control of her mind and body at times. Love trumps all! I think Wang Yinglu did a great job portraying Liao Ting Yan through each lifetime. This is somewhat my first time watching her. I did saw "I Am Nobody" briefly with her acting as Feng Bao Bao - she was amazing there - and here she's a total different person. It shows she has range, and I love when actors or actresses play roles of different personalities and traits because it showcases their acting ability and what they can or cannot do. I am looking forward to more of her dramas from now on!
The drama would've been flawless in my book if it weren't for Bao Jian Feng's acting. It just seemed like the actor did not embrace his character very well - it felt like he was in a play rather than the actual character himself. I was more irritated by his acting more than the villain itself. LOOL It was very much like a typical old school xianxia villain type acting.
Overall, I quite enjoy the story, and the love story between Sima Jiao and Liao Tingyan. It would be amazing if they continue another lifetime in the modern timeline and finally settle down and have children. ><
Happy ending? Yes and no, more so of an open ending since they met up in real life but one doesn't know the other so it's like they're starting over again.
Would I recommend? Definitely if you enjoy watching romance, fated love, xianxia dramas, and transmigration - go for it! :]
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