3
10
1
1
Second half explains it all
Well, I took notice that this drama had quite some divided opinions when it aired. I can't remember the content of those opinions, but I do have my own issues with it. Fact is, I was definitely swept away by the second half of the show.
Things, the first half lacked were that there was just not enough information about the characters which made me question their behaviour all the time. Esp. Hong Ye (ML) was a mystery to me. His actions, the fast change in his attitude towards Xiao Yao (FL) didn't have any explainable footing for a long time. Only way later it got explained (which was, after getting to know it, actually satisfying). Regarding him being the demon king, I believe some people found him a bit too "nice". I was never bothered by that, I must say. I liked the different approach and never expected some prejudiced stereotype.
I also kind of had a problem with the FL having a somewhat too childish behaviour at first. I did like her character and all, but it was difficult to feel that "fast blooming romance" between her an Hong Ye. Even more so because he was some thousand years old. The side stories conveyed more emotion and even the brother/sister relationship of Bing Zhu (SML) and Tan were more relatable. I was also very intrigued by his character development. He took quite a rough path which caused his soul to be quite torn. I enjoyed his encounter and relationship with Pian Pian (SFL).
Third thing that bothered me in the first half, was the somewhat chaotic and non organized storytelling. Then, the story of the Realm of Mist and Void began and they invested way too much time with that, almost bringing the story to a halt.
What kept me going? The two soul demon cat Xiao Ming/Xiao Mu! ...Just kidding. Though he was great, he wasn't the only reason. I don't really know actually. There were glimpses of it getting better in the early side stories. And maybe I just hoped that it would get better since Hou MingHao wouldn't chose total trash, right?
And suddenly the second half of the story started and it got so much better. Finally things were explained, the relationship of the main couple got a deeper bond and an understandable explanation for its weird speedy development in the beginning. Xiao Yao also seemed more grown up which made it easier to feel for her and Hong Ye. The more they showed the past of the characters, the more I got invested in the romance. So much, that it did made me shed a lot of tears in the end (which I didn't expect until a certain point in the story).
They also introduced more important side characters (the dragons) and made the story more interesting, since those new people were way too charming - each of them in their own way.
I might not agree with the outcome of some characters, and the closer I got to the finale, the more it felt like the writers were at a loss to find a suitable closure for everyone at some point. Somehow it still worked, but that didn't make me less angry about it (and I'm not talking about the ending). Though that might just be my very personal impression.
Visual contradictions:
CGI and make-up were quite well done sometimes, also the costumes of the leads and some side cast were stunning, yet other demon costumes and facial masks/add-ons were just junk. And don't get me started with those obvious fake flowers, leafs, branches. On the other hand, the fake snow was well made again.
Music was great. I love those pieces where you hear bells? Though I'm not even sure if it were those or some other instrument (a flute?). Wonder if you get what I'm talking about. Those sometimes eerie sounds that make you feel like you're in the middle of some ritual.
And I just loooooove Hou MingHao's voice in songs.
Things, the first half lacked were that there was just not enough information about the characters which made me question their behaviour all the time. Esp. Hong Ye (ML) was a mystery to me. His actions, the fast change in his attitude towards Xiao Yao (FL) didn't have any explainable footing for a long time. Only way later it got explained (which was, after getting to know it, actually satisfying). Regarding him being the demon king, I believe some people found him a bit too "nice". I was never bothered by that, I must say. I liked the different approach and never expected some prejudiced stereotype.
I also kind of had a problem with the FL having a somewhat too childish behaviour at first. I did like her character and all, but it was difficult to feel that "fast blooming romance" between her an Hong Ye. Even more so because he was some thousand years old. The side stories conveyed more emotion and even the brother/sister relationship of Bing Zhu (SML) and Tan were more relatable. I was also very intrigued by his character development. He took quite a rough path which caused his soul to be quite torn. I enjoyed his encounter and relationship with Pian Pian (SFL).
Third thing that bothered me in the first half, was the somewhat chaotic and non organized storytelling. Then, the story of the Realm of Mist and Void began and they invested way too much time with that, almost bringing the story to a halt.
What kept me going? The two soul demon cat Xiao Ming/Xiao Mu! ...Just kidding. Though he was great, he wasn't the only reason. I don't really know actually. There were glimpses of it getting better in the early side stories. And maybe I just hoped that it would get better since Hou MingHao wouldn't chose total trash, right?
And suddenly the second half of the story started and it got so much better. Finally things were explained, the relationship of the main couple got a deeper bond and an understandable explanation for its weird speedy development in the beginning. Xiao Yao also seemed more grown up which made it easier to feel for her and Hong Ye. The more they showed the past of the characters, the more I got invested in the romance. So much, that it did made me shed a lot of tears in the end (which I didn't expect until a certain point in the story).
They also introduced more important side characters (the dragons) and made the story more interesting, since those new people were way too charming - each of them in their own way.
I might not agree with the outcome of some characters, and the closer I got to the finale, the more it felt like the writers were at a loss to find a suitable closure for everyone at some point. Somehow it still worked, but that didn't make me less angry about it (and I'm not talking about the ending). Though that might just be my very personal impression.
Visual contradictions:
CGI and make-up were quite well done sometimes, also the costumes of the leads and some side cast were stunning, yet other demon costumes and facial masks/add-ons were just junk. And don't get me started with those obvious fake flowers, leafs, branches. On the other hand, the fake snow was well made again.
Music was great. I love those pieces where you hear bells? Though I'm not even sure if it were those or some other instrument (a flute?). Wonder if you get what I'm talking about. Those sometimes eerie sounds that make you feel like you're in the middle of some ritual.
And I just loooooove Hou MingHao's voice in songs.
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