rietveldr_

A GRAND SCHEME!

This is definitely one of my favorite cdramas right now! I absolutely adore everything about it. The plot may seem familiar at first glance—palace politics paired with a rebirth trope— but it is executed so well that it completely stands out. It truly embodies the saying: it starts strong and finishes even stronger.

The storytelling is incredibly gripping. It constantly kept me anticipating the next episodes and what would happen next in the story. Because of this, I became deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind the Duke of Ding’s death. What I especially appreciate is that the “plot twist” isn’t forced or overly grand just for shock value. Instead, the real twist lies in the careful orchestration of events— the Emperor’s scheme alongside Ji Yong. I love how everything was so meticulously planned that it will only inevitably lead to Qing’s rebellion and the exposure of corrupt officials.

Ji Yong— I'm gonna take a moment appreciating his character. I didn’t expect him to be the mastermind all along. While I know for sure he has something up his sleeve, the fact that he operated as a double agent made him even more compelling. I’m glad I trusted him; he wasn’t purely evil, but rather morally complex. He even shows emotions he doesn’t fully acknowledge, especially through his subconscious feelings for Dou Zhao. While their relationship could have remained beautifully platonic, I still love the way his character was written— he realizes that he, too, cannot control his emotions.

Finally, the love story between Dou Zhao and Song Mo. It was also beautifully written. I love how equal they are— always standing beside each other, protecting and supporting one another. Their relationship truly is destined and they were meant for each other. Dou Zhao becomes Song Mo’s guiding light, helping him resist hatred and revenge and not to be consumed by it— reminding him that justice will eventually prevail. In turn, Song Mo saves Dou Zhao from her fear of marriage and love, showing her that they can build what their parents never had: a family rooted in love, trust, and peace.

What I appreciate most is how Song Mo never makes Dou Zhao feel inferior. He respects her choices, prioritizes her feelings, and never tries to control her. For instance, he asked the Emperor a decree that allows Dou Zhao the freedom to choose her own husband, when he could've instead asked a marriage between them. He is truly the definition of a green flag. Their yearning and chemistry are also incredibly well portrayed— the tension is already there from their very first interactions, even when they are technically at odds (mostly on Song Mo’s side). Even the slightest interactions between them were filled with so many sparks. Their romance never felt forced; instead, it unfolds as a natural and deeply satisfying slow burn.

I also love the characters beyond the main couple. They all feel deeply human. The girlhood between Dou Zhao and her friends— Zhangru, Ansu, Sulan, Suxin, as well as the Crown Princess and Dou Ming— was well written. It genuinely moved me. Even the slight misunderstanding between Dou Zhao and Ansu was insufferable to watch, but I’m so glad they resolved it maturely and didn’t let a man ruin their friendship. Ansu choosing to walk away from that toxic relationship was especially satisfying and empowering to see, even at the end where she chooses not to have a husband. Song Han, on the other hand, is a character full of potential that ultimately went down the wrong path. If only he had made better choices early on, he could have had the life he wanted. But instead, he fell into paranoia, insecurity, and greed. It was indeed a doomed love story between them.

The ending also didn't feel underwhelming— which is always crucial for dramas as most fell short in this aspect. I truly appreciate that they showed Dou Zhao and Song Mo's life with their daughter. I was absolutely satisfied with the last episode— it wrapped up everything nicely.

The cinematography is also stunning— you can immediately tell it shares the same director as POJ. Every shot feels intentional, not just visually appealing but also meaningful. As for the OST, it didn’t immediately stand out to me, but it gradually grew on me, only in the later episodes though.

Overall, this drama is incredibly well-written and well-executed. The episodes may feel short, but everything is wrapped up properly— neither rushed nor dragged. It completely held me in a chokehold from start to finish. I love it so much, and it absolutely deserves the hype and recommendations it’s getting. I will never shut up about this drama— and about my Shougo and Yantang.

P.S. I’m also really excited for Meng Ziyi and Liu Yunrui’s next drama together! Their chemistry is undeniable— they suit each other so well.

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A random Xianxia with a bad first impression— it's important you give it a second chance

THIS HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE XIANXIA! Even though I haven't watched that many xianxia dramas yet, I already have my own standards— and this drama managed to meet, even exceed, almost all of them. What made it even more compelling is how it covered many tropes and actually executed them well, which made this drama more immersive and captivating.

At first, I found the camerawork and color grading a bit off-putting. But as the story goes, it genuinely grew on me. The unconventional camerawork and odd angles ended up adding charm— making the drama feel more goofy, light, and even whimsical at times. While the story started slow— which I understand might not work for everyone— the payoff is absolutely worth it and satisfying. The buildup is intentional and the development that follows after makes everything feel satisfying and earned.

One of the drama's greatest strengths is the writing. I love how the writers carefully crafted the plot, with clear intention behind every arc and character. The characters don't exist merely to serve the plot— instead they drive it forward. That alone made it so easy for me to get invested and attached to the story.

And speaking of characters, I was genuinely surprised by how attached I became to almost all of them with the exemption of the villains— I absolutely don't have any sympathy left for them despite their backstories as all of them decided to be evil and was remorseful until the end. Even side characters with limited screen time left an impact. Grandma, for instance, made Tianyao feel more human and vulnerable— her death truly hit me all while feeling more connected to Tianyao. Then there are Xiange and Qianshuo, Xiaoyan and Zhuli, the elves (especially Yun), Mr. Yan, Chenyi and Xuelin, even Musheng— each of them contributed meaningfully to the story. I initially thought they are merely side characters who will leave the story after, but I am so glad that they were also given their own short arcs. It added depth and made their presence feel purposeful to me, leaving me more attached with them.

Xiaosheng, in particular, stood out to me. I truly loved his character. His fears and insecurities were explored so well, making his growth more convincing and emotional for me. The moment he regained his true effigy, it felt freeing— not just for him, but also to me as a viewer. I am especially glad his character wasn't reduced to a mere love triangle device or a villain in the end because he truly was more than that.

The Chenxing Mountain arc also deserves praise— Zichen and Ziyue who supported Yanhui throughout. Most especially, Master Lingxiao. He wasn't only Yanhui's master— he became a father figure to her. Their storyline was deeply emotional and while it broke my heart, it also played a crucial role in Yanhui's development in the end. (However I really would like it more if he didn't really die)

And at the core of everything is Yanhui and Tianyao. Their individual growth and shared journey were handled beautifully. Tianyao may come off as cold and stoic, but beneath that is someone deeply kind and shaped by trauma. His actions always felt grounded in his past— they were never out of character or forced. Meanwhile, Yanhui is straightforward, resilient, and true to herself. What I love most about her is that she faces everything head-on without being reckless or unreasonable— just as Tianyao saw her. She carries herself with compassion, self-control, and strength.

Their relationship wasn’t perfect— and that’s exactly why it worked. Tianyao’s trauma initially hindered their growth and even hurt Yanhui, but the angst that came from it was so well-executed. I’m not a fan of repetitive miscommunication, but here, the conflict felt justified and rooted in their personalities. Even though they went through multiple breakups, each one was different and contributed to their development. Every resolution strengthened their trust and love for each other. They always came back stronger. What made their dynamic even more powerful is how they supported each other in their darkest moments. Yanhui helped Tianyao confront his past and let go of his hatred. And when Yanhui found herself consumed by that same darkness, Tianyao never left her— he guided her back to the light. That mutual growth and unwavering support made their love story feel deeply earned. And of course, the chemistry? Absolutely top-notch. Zhou Ye and Hou Minghao need another project together so bad.

The drama was also very structured in its world-building and power scaling. The fight scenes were consistently well-executed. I was absolutely thinking that there's more to anticipate because there's still 2 more episodes left, yet just like that it was all gone? I just knew that there's something more. Though I was already thinking, had it happened to be the last fight, I will actually be so disappointed because it was underwhelming. And I am glad that the drama didn't really let me down. The buildup was already great— from Suying to Dark Phantom all along— the stakes kept rising and the final confrontation delivered. I appreciate how the drama wasn't afraid to raise the stakes and makes the risks feel real— that made the drama even more compelling.

If there’s one thing that slightly fell short for me, it would be the ending. It felt a bit underwhelming, especially considering how crucial it was. While I’m happy it was a happy ending, the reunion felt too short, and certain aspects weren’t fully explained. However, considering the 40-episode limit and censorship constraints (especially with the change from reincarnation to resurrection), I can understand why it turned out that way. Even so, it was still a decent conclusion and I am pretty biased— so long that my Yanhui and Tianyao got their happy ending, I am happy.

Overall, this drama stands out because of how well-executed its events are, as well as the characters' depth and story. Nothing felt forced or like a mere plot device— it always felt like the characters were in control of their own story. I became deeply attached to them, and that’s something a lot of dramas fell short of. Despite its heavier moments, the drama maintains a light, humorous, and wholesome tone. I genuinely can’t count how many times I found myself smiling while watching. This is definitely something I'd rewatch again sometime. I really love this drama a lot and I hope this gets more recognition and hype it deserves. Definitely a masterpiece!

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watched for the angst— stayed for the grovel and chemistry

I picked this up as a break from heavier dramas— just wanted something fun, lighthearted, and easy to watch. In that sense, it delivered. If you’re angst-deprived and craving a good grovel/chasing arc, this can definitely be an enjoyable watch— one thing I appreciated about this drama.

I liked Qianling's character. She stood her ground the moment she got rejected— Gu Xun definitely deserved the struggles he experienced after. Qianling's lack of trust and somewhat apathetic attitude toward Gu Xun felt justified and reasonable, which made her reactions more satisfying to watch (atleast for me)

That said, there are quite a lot of off-putting aspects in this drama. The characters often feel inconsistent, almost as if they’re acting out of character—I think a main factor for that is how underdeveloped they are. They lack depth throughout, which makes their actions feel less convincing. There were even moments where I found myself watching at 2x speed. While the work scenes and the game-related storyline had potential and were actually quite interesting at first, the execution felt dragging and didn’t fully pull me in.

I don’t think the writing is particularly strong overall. However, the on-screen chemistry between Zhou Ye and Lin Yi is undeniably appealing and very convincing. They truly carried the drama—and honestly, they’re the main reason I kept watching. Despite its flaws, it still works well as a light and easy watch. I was mainly here for the romance and kilig, and thankfully, that part didn’t disappoint. The OST is also catchy and adds to the overall vibe.

Would I recommend this? Definitely only for people who loves a good angst with groveling as cherry on top. Overall, this is a drama you watch when you want to turn your brain off from heavy, serious stories and just enjoy a light, slightly angsty romance.

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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)

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THE BEST THING EVER!

"Loving you is the best thing I've ever done."

I always love when there's a title drop; it really just fulfills the whole experience of watching/reading something.

I truly love how romance and relationships were portrayed in this drama. It all felt so healthy and comforting, that it really makes me hope for a love like this. He Suye, despite being a cunning and scheming type with his advances/flirting on Shen Xifan, never did disrepect Xifan's personal struggles and choices which were a contrast to her past relationship— truly the best thing that happened.

This is so "All These and More" album by The Ridleys coded! I am so not normal about them— I love this couple and this drama so much! Definitely something I'd rewatch whenever I am feeling hopeless romantic.

PS. This drama made me fell inlove with Zhang Linghe and he fr need more modern roles!! Also, the chemistry is so top-tier that I couldn't bring myself to watch Our Generation, but Pursuit of Jade truly hooked me (for me that's his best historical/costume drama look)

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peak after peak!

"In this life, the next life, for all lifetimes, we'll always be connected."

One of the best parts about this drama is the characters and how they felt deeply human. I actually sympathized with everyone, even the supposed villains, due to how compelling and deep their characters are. I really love the sense of realism here. From beginning to end, I was completely hooked and never a dull moment when watching it.

The only flaw of this drama is how short it was— 40 episodes wasn't enough. It may sound too long and can be quite intimidating, but once you actually watch it, you'll definitely ask for more. Most especially, the fact that there's a novel of this which shows there's more to unpack. (to be fair tho, there's still a restriction on episodes at the time this was being filmed)

Despite the drama lacking in more context and scenes, it was still excellently executed with its pacing. Therefore, the experience in watching this drama is still something not to miss. I really love everything about this drama and it gave me interest to read the novel!

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