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This review may contain spoilers
Love versus Fate. A captivating tale of destiny and the bonds that bind us and set us free.
"The Blossoming Love" is a story about two lovers whose love, after 10 000 years of struggle and suffering, ultimately manages to overcome all obstacles, even destiny itself. The series first introduces us to three main characters who remain the central focus of the plot throughout all 40 episodes. The world in which the protagonists live is divided into several races and territories. The demons, or Dark Clan, live isolated behind barriers in an area called the Dark Domain, while humans and the Spirit Clan coexist but are constantly at war, fighting for dominance and control. In this struggle, the humans, led by the Immortal Alliance and its cultivators, achieve dominance over the Spirit Clan and keep its members enslaved and in captivity.
Mu Xuan Ling, the Holy Maiden of the Dark Domain, is a member of the Spirit Clan, and at the beginning of the story, she saves Xie Xue Chen, one of the most powerful members of the Immortal Alliance, from imprisonment in the Dark Domain. As members of opposing sides in the battle between good and evil, they have different views on the world they live in. However, despite their differences, they continue their journey together, growing closer over time, mutually influencing each other and gradually changing their long-established beliefs. On their shared journey, they are soon joined by Nan Xu Yue, Xie Xue Chen’s childhood friend, who was once at the pinnacle of the cultivation world alongside Xie Xue Chen. However, after being captured and crippled, he now lives a reclusive life.
What I personally liked the most about this series are the characters, their relationships with each other, and their overall development. Xie Xue Chen, portrayed by Vin Zhang, is a righteous cultivator who carries the fate of the entire human race on his shoulders. As the son of the leader of the Immortal Alliance and the most promising young cultivator, he is burdened with high expectations and standards that are nearly impossible to meet. Forced to give up all personal desires, he has been trained since childhood to be ready to sacrifice his life in the fight against evil. As the story progresses, Vin Zhang portrays two more versions of this character, each with its own nuances and differences. I really liked how he managed to gradually and convincingly show the evolution of his character, his "softening," and his gradual falling in love with Mu Xuan Ling.
Mu Xuan Ling, portrayed by Sun Zhen Ni, is an interesting example of a "strong female character." She isn’t unbearable, aggressive, or forceful, but rather possesses the right combination of traits that make her both powerful and feminine. From the very beginning of the series, she is coquetish, teasing the male lead and trying to get in his head. However, she hides great secrets within herself. Over time, she falls in love with Xie Xue Chen, and her love becomes insurmountable. She loves the male lead, shows it, helps him, and even sacrifices herself for him, but never loses her sense of self in the process. When the second male lead falls for her, she sets clear boundaries and never crosses them. She remains loyal until the end.
Like Vin Zhang, Sun Zhen Ni also portrayed three different versions of her character over the course of 40 episodes, and managed to make each of them unique. She was strong, yet feminine and gentle. She could hold her own, but also allowed herself to be guided. Sun Zhen Ni was a perfect choice for this role. She possesses both the innocence and allure needed to bring out all of Mu Xuan Ling's qualities.
My favorite character, however, was Nan Xu Yue, played by Wang Duo, and I believe his evolution and overall actions throughout the series were what truly drove the plot and made it so captivating. Nan Xu Yue is an incredibly interesting, enigmatic, and mysterious character. Although he is deeply devoted to his friends from the very beginning, there is always the underlying possibility that he might actually be the main antagonist, and that a moment will come when all his masks will fall. Without giving too much away, the masks did fall, but what was revealed behind them wasn’t what I expected. Essentially, Nan Xu Yue is a tragic and complex character, driven by selfish goals and a desire to save the world. Throughout this process, he doesn't shy away from working with villains or committing horrific acts.
Wang Duo portrayed two different versions of this character, both quite distinct and intriguing. The way he transformed himself into this, essentially anti-hero character, was mesmerizing.
Another thing I really liked was the fact that the series doesn't have too many side characters. The plot is mostly focused on the main characters and their relationships, and the secondary characters who do receive attention are developed in a careful and beautiful way, so each of them has an incredibly touching story.
The series also boasts beautiful cinematography, stunning costumes, and exceptional CGI. The way the battles between cultivators are depicted using CGI might be considered over the top by some, but I absolutely loved it. The fight scenes are also perfectly choreographed and executed. When it comes to that, I have nothing but praise.
The music is another element that was given a lot of attention to, and it shows. The compositions used for specific scenes managed to complement and elevate each moment. The main song used in the more dramatic battle scenes, along with the whispering compositions used in the more mysteriously dramatic moments, were perfect.
Those are my compliments, and now I’ll move on to the one aspect I found some issues with: TIME TRAVEL! At one point in the series, the characters have to defeat the main antagonist using time travel. The way it's explained is somewhat clear, but every time I try to analyze how the plan was supposed to work, I come across logical inconsistencies.
But in general, regardless of this specific series, I can feel my brain short-circuiting whenever I try to logically understand time travel. I’m pretty sure our brains just aren't wired to fully comprehend it. That being said, this is xianxia, so I just went with it and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a fantastic series, with a captivating story about love, fate, and predestination. The characters embodied different philosophical perspectives, ranging from Nan Xu Yue's fatalism to Xie Xue Chen and Mu Xuan Ling's belief that people have the power and responsibility to shape their own destinies. The character development was deliciously satisfying!
10/10.
Mu Xuan Ling, the Holy Maiden of the Dark Domain, is a member of the Spirit Clan, and at the beginning of the story, she saves Xie Xue Chen, one of the most powerful members of the Immortal Alliance, from imprisonment in the Dark Domain. As members of opposing sides in the battle between good and evil, they have different views on the world they live in. However, despite their differences, they continue their journey together, growing closer over time, mutually influencing each other and gradually changing their long-established beliefs. On their shared journey, they are soon joined by Nan Xu Yue, Xie Xue Chen’s childhood friend, who was once at the pinnacle of the cultivation world alongside Xie Xue Chen. However, after being captured and crippled, he now lives a reclusive life.
What I personally liked the most about this series are the characters, their relationships with each other, and their overall development. Xie Xue Chen, portrayed by Vin Zhang, is a righteous cultivator who carries the fate of the entire human race on his shoulders. As the son of the leader of the Immortal Alliance and the most promising young cultivator, he is burdened with high expectations and standards that are nearly impossible to meet. Forced to give up all personal desires, he has been trained since childhood to be ready to sacrifice his life in the fight against evil. As the story progresses, Vin Zhang portrays two more versions of this character, each with its own nuances and differences. I really liked how he managed to gradually and convincingly show the evolution of his character, his "softening," and his gradual falling in love with Mu Xuan Ling.
Mu Xuan Ling, portrayed by Sun Zhen Ni, is an interesting example of a "strong female character." She isn’t unbearable, aggressive, or forceful, but rather possesses the right combination of traits that make her both powerful and feminine. From the very beginning of the series, she is coquetish, teasing the male lead and trying to get in his head. However, she hides great secrets within herself. Over time, she falls in love with Xie Xue Chen, and her love becomes insurmountable. She loves the male lead, shows it, helps him, and even sacrifices herself for him, but never loses her sense of self in the process. When the second male lead falls for her, she sets clear boundaries and never crosses them. She remains loyal until the end.
Like Vin Zhang, Sun Zhen Ni also portrayed three different versions of her character over the course of 40 episodes, and managed to make each of them unique. She was strong, yet feminine and gentle. She could hold her own, but also allowed herself to be guided. Sun Zhen Ni was a perfect choice for this role. She possesses both the innocence and allure needed to bring out all of Mu Xuan Ling's qualities.
My favorite character, however, was Nan Xu Yue, played by Wang Duo, and I believe his evolution and overall actions throughout the series were what truly drove the plot and made it so captivating. Nan Xu Yue is an incredibly interesting, enigmatic, and mysterious character. Although he is deeply devoted to his friends from the very beginning, there is always the underlying possibility that he might actually be the main antagonist, and that a moment will come when all his masks will fall. Without giving too much away, the masks did fall, but what was revealed behind them wasn’t what I expected. Essentially, Nan Xu Yue is a tragic and complex character, driven by selfish goals and a desire to save the world. Throughout this process, he doesn't shy away from working with villains or committing horrific acts.
Wang Duo portrayed two different versions of this character, both quite distinct and intriguing. The way he transformed himself into this, essentially anti-hero character, was mesmerizing.
Another thing I really liked was the fact that the series doesn't have too many side characters. The plot is mostly focused on the main characters and their relationships, and the secondary characters who do receive attention are developed in a careful and beautiful way, so each of them has an incredibly touching story.
The series also boasts beautiful cinematography, stunning costumes, and exceptional CGI. The way the battles between cultivators are depicted using CGI might be considered over the top by some, but I absolutely loved it. The fight scenes are also perfectly choreographed and executed. When it comes to that, I have nothing but praise.
The music is another element that was given a lot of attention to, and it shows. The compositions used for specific scenes managed to complement and elevate each moment. The main song used in the more dramatic battle scenes, along with the whispering compositions used in the more mysteriously dramatic moments, were perfect.
Those are my compliments, and now I’ll move on to the one aspect I found some issues with: TIME TRAVEL! At one point in the series, the characters have to defeat the main antagonist using time travel. The way it's explained is somewhat clear, but every time I try to analyze how the plan was supposed to work, I come across logical inconsistencies.
But in general, regardless of this specific series, I can feel my brain short-circuiting whenever I try to logically understand time travel. I’m pretty sure our brains just aren't wired to fully comprehend it. That being said, this is xianxia, so I just went with it and enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was a fantastic series, with a captivating story about love, fate, and predestination. The characters embodied different philosophical perspectives, ranging from Nan Xu Yue's fatalism to Xie Xue Chen and Mu Xuan Ling's belief that people have the power and responsibility to shape their own destinies. The character development was deliciously satisfying!
10/10.
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