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This review may contain spoilers
Very compelling story with lots of philosophical themes and social commentaries.
This drama is one of a kind. Excellently written with depth with strong philosophical themes and social commentaries. Beautifully directed that put emphasis on emotional weight of the scenes and masterfully acted by the actors that understand their characters, impact and influence in the story.
THE ACTING
Ren Jialun truly bringing his A game in this drama. Lu QianQiao is an enigma — a complex character full of layers. He is like an onion where every of his layers are carefully peel one by one slowly. You will change your opinion about him in every episode. One of the reasons I’m a big fan of Ren Jialun since he is really great at portraying tormented silent characters. The subtle expressions that he emits as Li QianQiao — you can feel his suffering just from his expressions or subtle smiles. It's like he lives for hundred of years suffering without all these senses — forced to eat despite it tasted awful just so he can survive to feeling numb and empty since literally nothing excite him. When he finally gained his ability to see color, he lets out this subtle smile instead of big celebration since ‘ohh this is what colors feels like.’ 🥲 — this unfamiliar happiness he experienced for the first time. Then when he sees the Emperor, the way he looks at him like a little kid, you believe he is the Emperor’s teacher from the tone alone. Then he said ‘Ah Ding, you have won. Relax. Go have a good sleep’ — that calm and soft tone, simple sentence yet the emotional weight it carries is abundance. He has the calmness and wisdom of someone who has lived for a long time. I personally feel this kind of gravitas is hard to pull but he nailed it to perfection in this drama. Another part of his actings that took my breath away is the details he put into the character. Lu QianQiao has this unnatural look in his eyes — unhinged and detached — almost like he just pretending to be human. Despite of that, he will have this flicker — subtle change in expression to tell us that there is something behind that eyes. Then in another times he looks so human, unbothered and the most laidback dude. And the reason behind this? We only known in 20th episode when we know he is a hybrid between War Demon and Human and it explained all the layers he has been playing the character.
Wang Herun also did a very good job on his first leading drama as a female lead. The way she play Xin Mei with gentleness, naivety, kind but not a pushover is something rare. She managed to elicit all these qualities and balanced it which usually can cross over to annoying territory. And her badass mode? How we adore all the quiet strength inside of her. Xin Mei is an excellent character — very well written, with depth and most of all consistent. Gentle, soft, full of compassion yet when she sees injustice, she will be badass and never holds back. We see it happen again and again in this drama. Some poeple might say why it is easy for her to forgive Lu QianQiao but that is what her nature is. Remember the bunny demon that she saved despite the bunny is in cahoot with the caterpillar demon? She applied the same concept on why she understood the reasons Lu QianQiao needs to lie regarding his identity. She always managed to see beyond the surface. It shows that she can be objective despite she is hurt and emotional. A high EQ female lead that think with her head instead of her heart.
THE DIRECTING
This drama is directed by Guo Hu from the famed drama One & Only and Mysterious Lotus Casebook. Just like One & Only where he like to use cinematography to influence the atmosphere and vibe of the scenes, he did it again in this drama. From the beautiful on site location of the valley of Yunnan to the high wall palace at Hengdian to the beautiful mansion at Chongling Valley, he used each location to influence each scenes and characters’ development and relationship. Like the palace high palace wall represents the difficult high place Li QianQiao went through to put Emperor Zong Ding on the throne. To the beautiful falling autumn leaves everytime Lu QianQiao sees Xin Mei again at Chongling Valley which represent yellow ‘sadness’ leaves (instead of pink blossom flowers) on the fact he still concealed her memories at that time — so their encouter again riddles with secrets. And finally when they got together, its white blossom tree to show the purity of their relationship and how from then on, we know nothing can come between them.
The visual directing is especially a standout. I love how the Director shot the scenes especially anything that involves Lu QianQiao seeing the colors for the first time. That crimson red dress that Xin Mei wore, to show how she is ready for blood for him and him seeing that color for the first time on her is just excellent — you can see her reflection in his eyes. Then the powdered colors at the bridge soon after where he starts seeing all the colors, finally. Not to mention how the Director love to shot Lu QianQiao in this position where the lighting focus on him in the dark room to show despite all the accusations he faced, he is the innocent light that we ‘have yet’ to know at that time. Excellent visual directing to tell us the truth before it is revealed to us.
I also enjoy how the Director edited the drama. The plot moves fast, gives us enough to appreciate the sceneries and characters but didnt linger on unnecessary things to make us lose focus. The pacing is almost perfect with no filler scenes. Each scene is out there for a reason with little details to support the whole narrative of the plot.
THE WRITING
I’m a big fan of the writer due to her layered and detailed writing. I enjoy her cause and effect storytelling on how environment can effect and transformed lives and how all of this interwined beautifully into the story and her characters. The writer did her signature style of setting early stages for many things that is going to happen later so the joy is collecting all of this clues and connect to them later. For an example, Lu QianQiao remembers his childhood where he is covered with burn marks all over his face and body. And we only know the effect of this 15 episodes later when the burned skin give him the ability to sleep when he was abondened by his mother — the first time he feel the pleasure of living as a human. Or the story of A’Sheng grew up in a household full of boys? We only know the full story in episode 23 and whose daughter she is which we can predicted once Xia Xuanzi made an entrance. Or the only Wushuang Society member who is alive is Tang You — Its the same guy who pointed out that Lu QianQiao is innocent in the earlier episode, the same guy who went to Capital for exam but was thrown out, and the only one who survived the library fire since he didnt take the memory pill as his own memory is good enough to copy all the texts since he is a scholar that is supposed to take the imperial exam after all. Its amazing how far the writer has set the stage for simply a supporting character. I love how the writer always scattered all these little clues, setting stage for its earlier so when it happen, it made perfect sense.
The writer also introduced lots of characters with their own quirks and personalities without it being tedious for the viewers. Mostly all characters, inluding the mains are flashed out, with their own objectives and desires and not there to exist for the main characters. Thus, their existence gives meaning to the story and their death also mean something.
And all the philosophical themes in the drama? There is a lot and very thought-provoking. For an example RULES vs MORAL. And while its pretty straightforward to answer, the writer makes us question that theme when she made Mei going on a killing rampage. Yes, Mei likes to help mortals which are good and making her a great character but the writer literally challenged that when she made her seeking justice for Lu QianQiao thus making the cultivator’s rules about not to interfere with human makes sense since you can never know whats behind things that you see. Lu QianQiao staged the whole thing for his human transformation, specifically choosing the worst ever possible death which is death of thousand cuts so he can do one of his transformation while she in the other hand think he truly died being wronged. Hearts are deceptive and she learnt her lesson the hard way that she cant simply jumped into conclusion. Then another theme the writer explores in this drama is MORTAL vs IMMORTALITY. Is it being able to live a long life is a blessing or a punishment? I also immensively enjoy her GOOD vs EVIL theme since nothing truly good or evil, they are all shades of grey. They might do questionable things in early episodes but turned to be righteous when the times comes or after learning the truth. Then people who seemed nice with great knowledge turned to be evil and unredeemable. It shows good and evil nature did not come from origin, race, power or color of skins as there are both traits in each group.
Also the whole arguments about Xin Mei’s memory wipe. Lu QianQiao did it to conceal his identity as a War Demon. While he did this for his own selfish reason, however, had he didnt wipe Xin Mei’s memories and made her retain her innocence, the mute lady will die since Xin Mei will chose to follow the rules instead of helping her with her power. I like how the writer explores this idea.
Also, all the social commentaries in this drama. Its almost in every episode where we can see the connection with history, modern day problems as well as current issues we are facing. In reference to history, the part where old people committed suicide to avoid being a burden to their children since thats what happened at China due to extreme poverty. Sometime, it dwelves into modern issue such as couples avoid having children since they cant afford it due to high cost of living (even when both parents are working like Xin Mei highlighted) which prompt China government now to give monetery incentives for couples with young children to increase birth rates. Or the the argument of Xin Mei and the masked guy about immortal sects being evil when many things that they did benefit the human race as well. Its a direct commentary about political parties and their tug of war to hold the rule in this world. The writer also highlighted how the systematic class syatem and the danger of it — how we can see Fu Tian become a villain due to his environment and later we can see the same thing happened at Tianyuan sect when Bai Zongying lose his spiritual core. And the writer did this without sounding too preachy which I like. Just like when Lu QianQiao asked Xin Mei to think whether the immortality pill is good or bad without giving the answer to her. This kind of approach is done subtlely, without giving answer on who is right or wrong and ask us to think on our own.
Aside from that, I love the poetic justice punishment the writer writes in her story. For an example for Emperor Zong Ding. While he is the Emperor and highly respected due to his position, he lives most of his life in fears and died in that state as well. He had everything yet he never truly feel happy and alive. Or another example like Bai Zhongying’s redemption arc where he from following blindly of his sect’s teaching to fight for the same cause like our leads. The poetic justice is his fall from grace. His whole arc has depth which is the danger of following blindly, his suffering once he lose his power and his fight against his destiny and save thousand of lives even when he merely a human — his whole arc filled with substance and lessons.
Apart from that, the plot twists are strong in this drama. From the fact that Xin Mei is actually powerful but her level is low since she keeps breaking rules and help people to they are all puppets at the bigger scheme at Beixiang, to Lu QianQiao sealing his own memory to Wushuang Society is behind Su Taiyi’s death when we all thought he died of natural death or lastly how Yuan Zhong from A Moment But Forever is the mastermind of the whole Jiayin tree ‘laddar to heaven’. The writer pretty much outdid herself many times in this drama. Her plot twists made sense despite being surprising especially when you can see how the stages has been set way earlier before it happened. The unpredictability in her script made her writing very compelling.
I also like the critique the writer made regarding 9th September Heavenly Talents on people who tends to believe in divinations. At the end, they all heroes that saves the human race regardless their birth dates.
THE ROMANCE
The romance is truly a bonus for this drama. Lu QianQiao and Xin Mei has one of the healtiest relationship between husband & wife in XianXia dramas. They discussed everything together and understand each other on fundamental level. Lu QianQiao is right when he said he is so lucky to meet Xin Mei. She understand him, share the same sentiment with him regarding immortality and wasnt prejudice towards his origin. Her gentleness and sincerity made him fall in love for the first time in his life.
The highlight of their relationship is through mutual understanding. They are mature, have good communication and always discuss when they are faced with conflicts — in a nutshell, they behave like what their age supposed to be which are 200 years old and 70 years old respectively — couple with very high EQ. So no unnessarily angst or misunderstandings, noble idiocy or petty games between them. And we know how Lu QianQiao got game and know how to flirt when he used his wife’s lipstick to draw the sun in his painting. 😆
Lu QianQiao and Xin Mei literally like a mirror/reflection of each other. Like they both started their relationship with their own ulterior motives. Or how the marriage bond saved Mei couple of times when she’s on the verge of death and not only him. Which also explain their understanding towards each other without much conflict even after him being a War Demon revelation. Also the part where both went and beyond to help people in need where him against his bloody nature as a War Demon and while her breaking rules to do that at the cause of her cultivation. Also how they both experience ‘memory erasing’ spell since that is Lu QianQiao’s response to trauma. Apart from that, they both cook questionable foods for each other (lol), gifted each other with clothes and shoes and seek revenge for each other when other people wronged them. Their whole relationship truly matched the Chinese title of the drama which is ‘A Perfect Match Made in Heaven’.
WHY LU QIANQIAO’S SACRIFICE AT THE END IS IMPORTANT?
Lu Qianqiao’s decision to be a Perfect War Demon in the end didnt cheapen his whole journey but actually put emphasis on the great sacrifice he has to make. We all know the length he went through to become human even at he cost of his great power. This is because at the end, he need to chose between his own personal wants versus the greater good as that decision has weight — ‘With great power, comes with great responsibility.’
When the writer told us it would be a ‘satisfying’ happy ending, it is because despite Lu QianQiao’s great sacrifice, he still get what he wants at the end — not only his divine power, his 5 senses as the curse against his clan being lifted INCLUDING reuniting with his wife and friends. A good end to the suffering he endured during his lifetime. Yes, it did come at a cost but we know he eventually will get there as all the clues, foreshadowing are going towards that direction.
THE ACTING
Ren Jialun truly bringing his A game in this drama. Lu QianQiao is an enigma — a complex character full of layers. He is like an onion where every of his layers are carefully peel one by one slowly. You will change your opinion about him in every episode. One of the reasons I’m a big fan of Ren Jialun since he is really great at portraying tormented silent characters. The subtle expressions that he emits as Li QianQiao — you can feel his suffering just from his expressions or subtle smiles. It's like he lives for hundred of years suffering without all these senses — forced to eat despite it tasted awful just so he can survive to feeling numb and empty since literally nothing excite him. When he finally gained his ability to see color, he lets out this subtle smile instead of big celebration since ‘ohh this is what colors feels like.’ 🥲 — this unfamiliar happiness he experienced for the first time. Then when he sees the Emperor, the way he looks at him like a little kid, you believe he is the Emperor’s teacher from the tone alone. Then he said ‘Ah Ding, you have won. Relax. Go have a good sleep’ — that calm and soft tone, simple sentence yet the emotional weight it carries is abundance. He has the calmness and wisdom of someone who has lived for a long time. I personally feel this kind of gravitas is hard to pull but he nailed it to perfection in this drama. Another part of his actings that took my breath away is the details he put into the character. Lu QianQiao has this unnatural look in his eyes — unhinged and detached — almost like he just pretending to be human. Despite of that, he will have this flicker — subtle change in expression to tell us that there is something behind that eyes. Then in another times he looks so human, unbothered and the most laidback dude. And the reason behind this? We only known in 20th episode when we know he is a hybrid between War Demon and Human and it explained all the layers he has been playing the character.
Wang Herun also did a very good job on his first leading drama as a female lead. The way she play Xin Mei with gentleness, naivety, kind but not a pushover is something rare. She managed to elicit all these qualities and balanced it which usually can cross over to annoying territory. And her badass mode? How we adore all the quiet strength inside of her. Xin Mei is an excellent character — very well written, with depth and most of all consistent. Gentle, soft, full of compassion yet when she sees injustice, she will be badass and never holds back. We see it happen again and again in this drama. Some poeple might say why it is easy for her to forgive Lu QianQiao but that is what her nature is. Remember the bunny demon that she saved despite the bunny is in cahoot with the caterpillar demon? She applied the same concept on why she understood the reasons Lu QianQiao needs to lie regarding his identity. She always managed to see beyond the surface. It shows that she can be objective despite she is hurt and emotional. A high EQ female lead that think with her head instead of her heart.
THE DIRECTING
This drama is directed by Guo Hu from the famed drama One & Only and Mysterious Lotus Casebook. Just like One & Only where he like to use cinematography to influence the atmosphere and vibe of the scenes, he did it again in this drama. From the beautiful on site location of the valley of Yunnan to the high wall palace at Hengdian to the beautiful mansion at Chongling Valley, he used each location to influence each scenes and characters’ development and relationship. Like the palace high palace wall represents the difficult high place Li QianQiao went through to put Emperor Zong Ding on the throne. To the beautiful falling autumn leaves everytime Lu QianQiao sees Xin Mei again at Chongling Valley which represent yellow ‘sadness’ leaves (instead of pink blossom flowers) on the fact he still concealed her memories at that time — so their encouter again riddles with secrets. And finally when they got together, its white blossom tree to show the purity of their relationship and how from then on, we know nothing can come between them.
The visual directing is especially a standout. I love how the Director shot the scenes especially anything that involves Lu QianQiao seeing the colors for the first time. That crimson red dress that Xin Mei wore, to show how she is ready for blood for him and him seeing that color for the first time on her is just excellent — you can see her reflection in his eyes. Then the powdered colors at the bridge soon after where he starts seeing all the colors, finally. Not to mention how the Director love to shot Lu QianQiao in this position where the lighting focus on him in the dark room to show despite all the accusations he faced, he is the innocent light that we ‘have yet’ to know at that time. Excellent visual directing to tell us the truth before it is revealed to us.
I also enjoy how the Director edited the drama. The plot moves fast, gives us enough to appreciate the sceneries and characters but didnt linger on unnecessary things to make us lose focus. The pacing is almost perfect with no filler scenes. Each scene is out there for a reason with little details to support the whole narrative of the plot.
THE WRITING
I’m a big fan of the writer due to her layered and detailed writing. I enjoy her cause and effect storytelling on how environment can effect and transformed lives and how all of this interwined beautifully into the story and her characters. The writer did her signature style of setting early stages for many things that is going to happen later so the joy is collecting all of this clues and connect to them later. For an example, Lu QianQiao remembers his childhood where he is covered with burn marks all over his face and body. And we only know the effect of this 15 episodes later when the burned skin give him the ability to sleep when he was abondened by his mother — the first time he feel the pleasure of living as a human. Or the story of A’Sheng grew up in a household full of boys? We only know the full story in episode 23 and whose daughter she is which we can predicted once Xia Xuanzi made an entrance. Or the only Wushuang Society member who is alive is Tang You — Its the same guy who pointed out that Lu QianQiao is innocent in the earlier episode, the same guy who went to Capital for exam but was thrown out, and the only one who survived the library fire since he didnt take the memory pill as his own memory is good enough to copy all the texts since he is a scholar that is supposed to take the imperial exam after all. Its amazing how far the writer has set the stage for simply a supporting character. I love how the writer always scattered all these little clues, setting stage for its earlier so when it happen, it made perfect sense.
The writer also introduced lots of characters with their own quirks and personalities without it being tedious for the viewers. Mostly all characters, inluding the mains are flashed out, with their own objectives and desires and not there to exist for the main characters. Thus, their existence gives meaning to the story and their death also mean something.
And all the philosophical themes in the drama? There is a lot and very thought-provoking. For an example RULES vs MORAL. And while its pretty straightforward to answer, the writer makes us question that theme when she made Mei going on a killing rampage. Yes, Mei likes to help mortals which are good and making her a great character but the writer literally challenged that when she made her seeking justice for Lu QianQiao thus making the cultivator’s rules about not to interfere with human makes sense since you can never know whats behind things that you see. Lu QianQiao staged the whole thing for his human transformation, specifically choosing the worst ever possible death which is death of thousand cuts so he can do one of his transformation while she in the other hand think he truly died being wronged. Hearts are deceptive and she learnt her lesson the hard way that she cant simply jumped into conclusion. Then another theme the writer explores in this drama is MORTAL vs IMMORTALITY. Is it being able to live a long life is a blessing or a punishment? I also immensively enjoy her GOOD vs EVIL theme since nothing truly good or evil, they are all shades of grey. They might do questionable things in early episodes but turned to be righteous when the times comes or after learning the truth. Then people who seemed nice with great knowledge turned to be evil and unredeemable. It shows good and evil nature did not come from origin, race, power or color of skins as there are both traits in each group.
Also the whole arguments about Xin Mei’s memory wipe. Lu QianQiao did it to conceal his identity as a War Demon. While he did this for his own selfish reason, however, had he didnt wipe Xin Mei’s memories and made her retain her innocence, the mute lady will die since Xin Mei will chose to follow the rules instead of helping her with her power. I like how the writer explores this idea.
Also, all the social commentaries in this drama. Its almost in every episode where we can see the connection with history, modern day problems as well as current issues we are facing. In reference to history, the part where old people committed suicide to avoid being a burden to their children since thats what happened at China due to extreme poverty. Sometime, it dwelves into modern issue such as couples avoid having children since they cant afford it due to high cost of living (even when both parents are working like Xin Mei highlighted) which prompt China government now to give monetery incentives for couples with young children to increase birth rates. Or the the argument of Xin Mei and the masked guy about immortal sects being evil when many things that they did benefit the human race as well. Its a direct commentary about political parties and their tug of war to hold the rule in this world. The writer also highlighted how the systematic class syatem and the danger of it — how we can see Fu Tian become a villain due to his environment and later we can see the same thing happened at Tianyuan sect when Bai Zongying lose his spiritual core. And the writer did this without sounding too preachy which I like. Just like when Lu QianQiao asked Xin Mei to think whether the immortality pill is good or bad without giving the answer to her. This kind of approach is done subtlely, without giving answer on who is right or wrong and ask us to think on our own.
Aside from that, I love the poetic justice punishment the writer writes in her story. For an example for Emperor Zong Ding. While he is the Emperor and highly respected due to his position, he lives most of his life in fears and died in that state as well. He had everything yet he never truly feel happy and alive. Or another example like Bai Zhongying’s redemption arc where he from following blindly of his sect’s teaching to fight for the same cause like our leads. The poetic justice is his fall from grace. His whole arc has depth which is the danger of following blindly, his suffering once he lose his power and his fight against his destiny and save thousand of lives even when he merely a human — his whole arc filled with substance and lessons.
Apart from that, the plot twists are strong in this drama. From the fact that Xin Mei is actually powerful but her level is low since she keeps breaking rules and help people to they are all puppets at the bigger scheme at Beixiang, to Lu QianQiao sealing his own memory to Wushuang Society is behind Su Taiyi’s death when we all thought he died of natural death or lastly how Yuan Zhong from A Moment But Forever is the mastermind of the whole Jiayin tree ‘laddar to heaven’. The writer pretty much outdid herself many times in this drama. Her plot twists made sense despite being surprising especially when you can see how the stages has been set way earlier before it happened. The unpredictability in her script made her writing very compelling.
I also like the critique the writer made regarding 9th September Heavenly Talents on people who tends to believe in divinations. At the end, they all heroes that saves the human race regardless their birth dates.
THE ROMANCE
The romance is truly a bonus for this drama. Lu QianQiao and Xin Mei has one of the healtiest relationship between husband & wife in XianXia dramas. They discussed everything together and understand each other on fundamental level. Lu QianQiao is right when he said he is so lucky to meet Xin Mei. She understand him, share the same sentiment with him regarding immortality and wasnt prejudice towards his origin. Her gentleness and sincerity made him fall in love for the first time in his life.
The highlight of their relationship is through mutual understanding. They are mature, have good communication and always discuss when they are faced with conflicts — in a nutshell, they behave like what their age supposed to be which are 200 years old and 70 years old respectively — couple with very high EQ. So no unnessarily angst or misunderstandings, noble idiocy or petty games between them. And we know how Lu QianQiao got game and know how to flirt when he used his wife’s lipstick to draw the sun in his painting. 😆
Lu QianQiao and Xin Mei literally like a mirror/reflection of each other. Like they both started their relationship with their own ulterior motives. Or how the marriage bond saved Mei couple of times when she’s on the verge of death and not only him. Which also explain their understanding towards each other without much conflict even after him being a War Demon revelation. Also the part where both went and beyond to help people in need where him against his bloody nature as a War Demon and while her breaking rules to do that at the cause of her cultivation. Also how they both experience ‘memory erasing’ spell since that is Lu QianQiao’s response to trauma. Apart from that, they both cook questionable foods for each other (lol), gifted each other with clothes and shoes and seek revenge for each other when other people wronged them. Their whole relationship truly matched the Chinese title of the drama which is ‘A Perfect Match Made in Heaven’.
WHY LU QIANQIAO’S SACRIFICE AT THE END IS IMPORTANT?
Lu Qianqiao’s decision to be a Perfect War Demon in the end didnt cheapen his whole journey but actually put emphasis on the great sacrifice he has to make. We all know the length he went through to become human even at he cost of his great power. This is because at the end, he need to chose between his own personal wants versus the greater good as that decision has weight — ‘With great power, comes with great responsibility.’
When the writer told us it would be a ‘satisfying’ happy ending, it is because despite Lu QianQiao’s great sacrifice, he still get what he wants at the end — not only his divine power, his 5 senses as the curse against his clan being lifted INCLUDING reuniting with his wife and friends. A good end to the suffering he endured during his lifetime. Yes, it did come at a cost but we know he eventually will get there as all the clues, foreshadowing are going towards that direction.
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