This review may contain spoilers
it sadly didn't live up to my expectations
I came across this drama in Tiktok where it was heavily hyped as “one of the best xianxia/xuanhuan" which caught my attention because it indeed shows potential. Also I just recently watched PoJ (which some claims that LITC is much better) so at this point I am really expecting a lot. After watching LITC tho, I have to admit that the bar is low lol. Nonetheless, I genuinely enjoyed parts of it as it does have its strengths.
First, the acting of the cast— especially the leads— truly saved this drama for me. However the script and overall character arc/development failed them significantly. If not for the undeniable chemistry between Lu Yuxiao and Hou Minghao, I wouldn't have been convinced by their love story, because what do you mean 25 episodes were spent with continuous lying and deception and unending miscommunication. Their relationship just felt stagnant rather than meaningful.
It frustrated me most that even at the last episodes, there's no depth and proper development with Ming Yi's character. I was waiting for a moment of realization or inner monologue where she understands that lying to Ji Bozai isn’t the solution when in fact he was clearly in love with her, enough to accept all of her. For me, that’s such a major turning point and would’ve added so much depth to their story. Ironically, this kind of development was actually seen between Tianji and Yan Xiao, which solidied their relationship a lot all while emphasizing how much MingZai was lacking. I just hate that MIngZai didn’t get the kind of development and growth they deserve.
And don’t get me started with Situ Ling/Chao Yuan’s character. I was really disappointed. I disliked how the writers forced him into the role of the “true villain” when he never felt like one. What should have been a powerful and emotionally layered plot twist turned out to be so underwhelming. Situ’s villain arc lacked depth and nuance, eventually reducing him to someone driven solely by obsession. Especially, I was expecting his father to be the grand villain after Qibai’s death but even him lacked depth. I honestly don’t know what went to the writers’ head and saw Situ, jumped right into making him as the “true villain” for plot twist, and just called it a day. I’ll forever mourn the wasted potential of Ming Yi and Situ’s bond which could have added so much more complexity of the story, especially with how their story started.
Overall, most of the characters just felt flat for me and I wasn’t able to connect and get attached with them. Despite the cast delivering convincing performances, the writing just failed to support them, making it hard for me to get truly emotionally invested. As much as I wanted to care for them, but with the way their characters were written made it difficult for me. The only moment that genuinely hit me hard was Ershiqi’s sacrifice, and even then, it only fully registered on me when Ming Yi reacted. Even major plot points at the end, where you’re supposed to be mind blown, like the baby-swapping revelation, felt more like a convenient plot devices rather than organic developments driven by characters themselves. While, the plot twist itself was convincing, it still lacked the emotional intensity it should have delivered.
I truly enjoyed the first few episodes, but it just felt dragging due to its pacing as well as the lack of depth of characters, which ultimately caused it to lose its grip on me midway. I wanted to love and grow attached to them but sadly, I couldn’t. That said, I still enjoyed certain parts of this drama, particularly the fight scenes- the one thing that the production did right— it was, if not, the strongest part of the drama. The cast truly performed exceptionally well the OST is genuinely moving.
In the end, I’d still rate this a solid 8, mainly because the casts ate and absolutely hard carried the drama despite its flawed script. For me, this drama definitely fits the description: "promising start, repetitive middle, and a mid ending" It had so much potential— how I just wish it was written and executed better. (If I were to rewatch this, it would definitely just be for the wholesome moments lol)
First, the acting of the cast— especially the leads— truly saved this drama for me. However the script and overall character arc/development failed them significantly. If not for the undeniable chemistry between Lu Yuxiao and Hou Minghao, I wouldn't have been convinced by their love story, because what do you mean 25 episodes were spent with continuous lying and deception and unending miscommunication. Their relationship just felt stagnant rather than meaningful.
It frustrated me most that even at the last episodes, there's no depth and proper development with Ming Yi's character. I was waiting for a moment of realization or inner monologue where she understands that lying to Ji Bozai isn’t the solution when in fact he was clearly in love with her, enough to accept all of her. For me, that’s such a major turning point and would’ve added so much depth to their story. Ironically, this kind of development was actually seen between Tianji and Yan Xiao, which solidied their relationship a lot all while emphasizing how much MingZai was lacking. I just hate that MIngZai didn’t get the kind of development and growth they deserve.
And don’t get me started with Situ Ling/Chao Yuan’s character. I was really disappointed. I disliked how the writers forced him into the role of the “true villain” when he never felt like one. What should have been a powerful and emotionally layered plot twist turned out to be so underwhelming. Situ’s villain arc lacked depth and nuance, eventually reducing him to someone driven solely by obsession. Especially, I was expecting his father to be the grand villain after Qibai’s death but even him lacked depth. I honestly don’t know what went to the writers’ head and saw Situ, jumped right into making him as the “true villain” for plot twist, and just called it a day. I’ll forever mourn the wasted potential of Ming Yi and Situ’s bond which could have added so much more complexity of the story, especially with how their story started.
Overall, most of the characters just felt flat for me and I wasn’t able to connect and get attached with them. Despite the cast delivering convincing performances, the writing just failed to support them, making it hard for me to get truly emotionally invested. As much as I wanted to care for them, but with the way their characters were written made it difficult for me. The only moment that genuinely hit me hard was Ershiqi’s sacrifice, and even then, it only fully registered on me when Ming Yi reacted. Even major plot points at the end, where you’re supposed to be mind blown, like the baby-swapping revelation, felt more like a convenient plot devices rather than organic developments driven by characters themselves. While, the plot twist itself was convincing, it still lacked the emotional intensity it should have delivered.
I truly enjoyed the first few episodes, but it just felt dragging due to its pacing as well as the lack of depth of characters, which ultimately caused it to lose its grip on me midway. I wanted to love and grow attached to them but sadly, I couldn’t. That said, I still enjoyed certain parts of this drama, particularly the fight scenes- the one thing that the production did right— it was, if not, the strongest part of the drama. The cast truly performed exceptionally well the OST is genuinely moving.
In the end, I’d still rate this a solid 8, mainly because the casts ate and absolutely hard carried the drama despite its flawed script. For me, this drama definitely fits the description: "promising start, repetitive middle, and a mid ending" It had so much potential— how I just wish it was written and executed better. (If I were to rewatch this, it would definitely just be for the wholesome moments lol)
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