redshoe1000

I genuinely did not know how to rate this series so here is my rambling review. it's objectively not that great but I have thoroughly enjoyed it and not sure I've ever run into quite this issue before.

I want to give it 3/10 for being trash on a lot of levels. some of that seems to be a lack of commitment on the direction side. take the antagonists for example, they are literally parodies of themselves. but instead of fully leaning into that, Joker-style, we are expected to understand them as serious characters? meanwhile that Empress Dowager and her creepily obsessed sidekick will forever be jokes. technically it could have been better. fight choreography seems a little messy. you can see the intent and it's not unattractive to watch but a lot of that is on Cheng Lei and the costume people.

yet I want to rate it 9/10 for vibes. it's rare that I have this much fun watching anything. the storyline was surprisingly solid and although I couldn't care less about any of the side characters, the leads were entertaining and gave enough that I could fool myself into accepting some really odd behaviour and even odder superpowers.

so overall, a comfortable 7.5/10. not an average of the extremes because the enjoyment exceeded the criticisms. watch it if you want something pretty and fun and you're able to or want to turn off most of your non-lizard brain cells. also if topless Leizi is a thing that might please you enough to counter anything negative. don't bother if you're in drama spaces looking for intellectually or emotionally deep works. also be aware that while there is a perception that it's an enemies-to-lovers story, enemies is a mere ant compared to the great pear tree of lovers so don't be disappointed at that balance.