Finally completed this one... overall a solid 8/10, but I can't give it any higher than that. See below.
Pros: The acting was PHENOMENAL. The cast was solid and the strongest part of this drama. Everyone was not only good-looking but also excel at portraying their characters. The romance was there and was worth watching. Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao's chemistry was unexpectedly so good. The ending (yes, I know) it was sad and tragic but it actually wrapped up everything in the drama. This is much better than those happy endings that leave you feeling empty and forced. The ending made sense. Realistically, if the emperor is your enemy, you're bound to sacrifice/die.
Cons: Too many flashback scenes that actually repeated itself many times. Pacing was awfully slow in the beginning, got much better in the middle, then dragged its feet again, I had to watch it in 1.5x and keep pushing through because I still wanted to see how everything would end. This should've been a 36 episode drama, not 40. Some side characters were unnecessary.
I really can't say if I would recommend this drama or if it was worth the watch- it's really not everyone's cup of tea. Heavy on the politics, an appropriate amount of romance, and great acting. It has its pros and cons. Not a perfect drama, but if you want to give it a try after reading all of the above, then it may be worth the watch for you.
I thought landy li's acting and chen xingxu's acting were phenomenal in their roles, however, I was not convinced…
honestly this was the first drama of hers i watched as well so i can't say yet but luyuxiao had FIRE chemistry with chen xingxu in LBL!
Edit: I'm watching love of nirvana and her chemistry with ren jialun is actually there, I'm surprised. stronger chemistry between her and ren jialun vs chen xingxu
Edit: I just finished love of nirvana, wrote a review. Her on screen chemistry with ren jialun was insane. I was so convinced of their love for each other. Love of nirvana was also filmed after The Starry Love but she probably did improve. If anyone else is wanting a good landy li drama, check out love of nirvana!
I thought landy li's acting and chen xingxu's acting were phenomenal in their roles, however, I was not convinced by landy li's portrayal of yetan's love for chen xingxu's youqin (I can tell she's acting rather than real love, the actions are there but she didn't look like she fell in love with him) but chen xingxu's youqin was definitely head over heels with her. Something was lacking in the eyes of landy li because her sister love with qingkui definitely looked genuine.
As an avid romance watcher, that's what I noticed, so their chemistry for me is less strong. Nonetheless, loved the drama regardless
Watching this for lu yuxiao, captivated by Zhang Jingyi's acting (so natural!), unimpressed by Hu Yi Tian's acting…
finished! it was a good drama. hu yi tian got better as the drama progressed, but the chemistry between them was not sizzling, although i can appreciate how much they supported each other. i like how everything was a journey and was wrapped up nicely.
Watching this for lu yuxiao, captivated by Zhang Jingyi's acting (so natural!), unimpressed by Hu Yi Tian's acting (I watched Handsome Siblings, and he wasn't that bad? but also that role was a cold, stone face, which he clearly nails... but not appropriate for this drama)
So far, on ep 20, this drama is really good. I can't watch it faster than 1x because it's that good.
first 17 eps were so good, solid. starting ep 18 it's dragging so badly i had to watch on 2x...
I don't understand why all the leads share the same enemy: Dianzhu, but they're not collaborating (SGQ is isolated). Also don't understand how the gong family could be suck so much in martial arts compared to wufeng. terrible since all the talk was about how feared they are -_-
Watching this drama, it's so good and keeps me hooked effortlessly despite minimal romance (I'm the type that…
Just finished- the drama was really good from start to finish. A true gem. Just a bit sad that MYM & TLQ didn't end up together but I understand why. Good wuxia show done right.
Who's ur favorite eye candy? Who's ur favorite eye candy? Mine are Beili Masters: Mo Chen, Ling Yun,Qing Ge, Zhuo…
yun ended up like that because of his own obsession. it was the type of "till death do us apart" obsession so when he snapped himself out of it, he realized that it was either him dying (as long as he is alive, he can't control his obsession plunging him into his demonic side without him consciously knowing) or taking wenjun away forever (he didn't want to implicate dongjun anymore), so he chose to sacrifice himself.
Watching this drama, it's so good and keeps me hooked effortlessly despite minimal romance (I'm the type that if there's no romance, I get bored). Dashing youth was lowkey a draggy pain for me to finish but worth finishing because I actually get the references in blood river
as much of a romance lover as I am, SMY & BHH's chemistry is lacking- feels so forced. I fast-forward through all of their scenes.
finally finished the drama... solid 7.5/10. it started off slow, picked up a little after dongjun leaves tianqi, then slowed down again. it wasn't until episode 28 ish that i was fully invested again.
if you want friendship, loyalty, eye candy, good acting, excessive CGI rather than fighting scenes, very minimal romance (it's more implied than actual scenes)- then go for it. if you want romance and a fast pacing, better to skip this one.
i will say he yu's acting kept me going though. also, i like dongjun's growth although i would've liked it if he developed faster in the drama. i 1000% agree with him at the end when he said he blamed wenjun. she was my least favorite character, it was a shame that he yu's character loved her so much. he did way too much for her while she was a coward. in the end, he never blamed her. everyone wished for a better ending for ye dingzhi, but i think it was the best ending that they didn't end up together. she didn't deserve him.
didn't expect myself to love this drama this much. No plotholes, the storyline makes sense and comes full circle. Nice pacing throughout. Love the songs, acting, and visuals. Lu yi xiao and neo hou had incredible chemistry and acting was great. Things I didn't like were how much deception was going on between the main leads, I've been spoiled by dramas like fated hearts so I forgot cdramas still do this style. luckily, the deception lessened halfway through the drama, making things better.
if fated hearts had the good plot and pacing like this drama, it'd be the top drama of 2025. I'd say this drama is a must watch. it is worth it. if FL is annoying you, stick it out, she will get better.
Pros: The acting was PHENOMENAL. The cast was solid and the strongest part of this drama. Everyone was not only good-looking but also excel at portraying their characters. The romance was there and was worth watching. Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao's chemistry was unexpectedly so good. The ending (yes, I know) it was sad and tragic but it actually wrapped up everything in the drama. This is much better than those happy endings that leave you feeling empty and forced. The ending made sense. Realistically, if the emperor is your enemy, you're bound to sacrifice/die.
Cons: Too many flashback scenes that actually repeated itself many times. Pacing was awfully slow in the beginning, got much better in the middle, then dragged its feet again, I had to watch it in 1.5x and keep pushing through because I still wanted to see how everything would end. This should've been a 36 episode drama, not 40. Some side characters were unnecessary.
I really can't say if I would recommend this drama or if it was worth the watch- it's really not everyone's cup of tea. Heavy on the politics, an appropriate amount of romance, and great acting. It has its pros and cons. Not a perfect drama, but if you want to give it a try after reading all of the above, then it may be worth the watch for you.
Edit: I'm watching love of nirvana and her chemistry with ren jialun is actually there, I'm surprised. stronger chemistry between her and ren jialun vs chen xingxu
Edit: I just finished love of nirvana, wrote a review. Her on screen chemistry with ren jialun was insane. I was so convinced of their love for each other. Love of nirvana was also filmed after The Starry Love but she probably did improve. If anyone else is wanting a good landy li drama, check out love of nirvana!
As an avid romance watcher, that's what I noticed, so their chemistry for me is less strong. Nonetheless, loved the drama regardless
So far, on ep 20, this drama is really good. I can't watch it faster than 1x because it's that good.
I don't understand why all the leads share the same enemy: Dianzhu, but they're not collaborating (SGQ is isolated). Also don't understand how the gong family could be suck so much in martial arts compared to wufeng. terrible since all the talk was about how feared they are -_-
as much of a romance lover as I am, SMY & BHH's chemistry is lacking- feels so forced. I fast-forward through all of their scenes.
if you want friendship, loyalty, eye candy, good acting, excessive CGI rather than fighting scenes, very minimal romance (it's more implied than actual scenes)- then go for it.
if you want romance and a fast pacing, better to skip this one.
i will say he yu's acting kept me going though. also, i like dongjun's growth although i would've liked it if he developed faster in the drama. i 1000% agree with him at the end when he said he blamed wenjun. she was my least favorite character, it was a shame that he yu's character loved her so much. he did way too much for her while she was a coward. in the end, he never blamed her. everyone wished for a better ending for ye dingzhi, but i think it was the best ending that they didn't end up together. she didn't deserve him.
if fated hearts had the good plot and pacing like this drama, it'd be the top drama of 2025. I'd say this drama is a must watch. it is worth it. if FL is annoying you, stick it out, she will get better.