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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.
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From bad boy to predestined evil child to remorseful yet selfish good guy
Do you guys also feel like you've lived half of a lifetime after finishing a Xianxia? There's always so much happening over such a long time that I hardly remember certain details from the beginning when I reach the last quarter. I definitely felt that way with this one.So, here are my thoughts about this gem~
The synopsis sounded quite good and when I started this one I just hoped that it wouldn't disappoint me. I was worried, because the introduction of the FL felt weird. Weird as in "not likeable". But thank god, it didn't turn out like that at all. She was actually likeable, even more so her reincarnation, while I liked the ML right from the beginning. Esp. his hair, lol. Man, I was overwhelmed when it turned white the first time (I'm getting weak over white hair these days... they manage to make it look amazing in these newer Xianxias).
But for real, I enjoyed the character's development alot. Starting from bad boy to predestined evil child to remorseful yet selfish good guy. The actor performed that transition quite impressively, and every time a turning point occured, I got goosebumps because he delivered so well.
As for the main actress, it's funny... or let's say astonishing how well she managed to display two somewhat different characters despite having the same facial expressions. As I already said I liked the reincarnated disciple version even more than the master's one. And I totally enjoyed the reversed roles between ML and FL.
Though this one got 40 episodes, I got fully rewarded with lots of sweet and fun and exciting interactions between the main couple, lots of adventures they experience, lots of lovely sceneries, impressive fighting scenes, stunning CGI, beautiful costumes and interesting (though quite long) side stories of the supporting cast. I was especially impressed with the Crown Prince's story and development. Having just watched the actor in "Feud", he now demonstrated such a complex character and showed even more what he's capable of than in "Feud". I wouldn't mind seeing him as a ML in another Xianxia.
I'm also glad that they didn't make the sects' elders as annoying as I've seen it in other shows.
The music seems to be the only "complaint" if I would even call it that. It was so so, nothing you would call long lasting.
Nevertheless I can highly recommend this Xianxia to anyone who looks for something with many episodes, a bunch of likeable characters, long-lasting character development, a fun couple, really good acting and well made cinematography.
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First of all: The acting performance was a feast.
Second: I never thought I would actually say this but: I so much prefer the white hair over the black version of the ML in this!! Probably one of the reasons why I didn't like the mortal trial.
As I said before, this one had beautiful settings, CGI was well used here. They were even able to keep the obvious fake plants somewhat in the background, so it wouldn't diminish the optical look/value.
I really liked the beginning, a not so good cultivatress happens to marry a deity. The whole concept, including the deity's suspicion and his obvious discontent while she is trying to convince him of her sincerity. I really hoped that it would work out somehow for both of them and that the deity was wrong about his suspicion. I was actually a bit disappointed, when it turned out otherwise.
The next part, the mortal trial felt a bit long-winded and I liked it the least. But once this part was over the story became more interesting again, even though I kinda hated the FL for a long time after the outcome of the story's beginning, since there was a never a real explanation for her actions, and the ML seemed way more sincere, yet somewhat aloof. This is actually funny having those not so good feelings about both leads at the same time. But I still loved watching their interactions, always hoping both of them would give in and reconsile.
Overall it was a pleasure to watch this. Especially after getting to know all the background stories. I also liked some of the side characters' stories, while a disliked other side characters equally.
And here's the thing about the music. There were really good songs and there were some mediocre ones, esp. in the beginning. I usually love most of the music of a xianxia, but here it was actually 50/50. But that's probably a personal thing.
Overall a great xianxia and definitely recommended to watch.
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As expected I didn't quite get all the details after having that forced break from part I. But I remembered enough to get into the story again. Thank god.
And I still love the whole story. The concept, the storytelling, everything was well planned, well written and played out almost perfectly. I loved the methods the FL used to get her revenge, the people she approached, the way she made them dance at her tune and how everything was slowly unraveled. The characters were well crafted and every actor/actress did a great job with their performing, because it made the story so much more enjoyable.
I don't know why but the husband got some special attention from me. I just wanted to hug him all the time. At the same time he had a strong demeanour which attracted me quite alot, and it only slowly crumbled piece by piece. I really liked his encounters with the FL and it's a pity, that he didn't get more screentime. The only thing I couldn't agree with was his last act. That just didn't fit his character and would have been better to be left out.
The ML was also some interesting character. Being the headsman of the FL worked well despite his bright personality most of the time. Though I do think that the actor could have put some more darkness into his ego, make him more branded. The one thing I couldn't comprehend at all was the love story. It felt forced, I didn't feel the passion. Every bit of intimacy felt out of place, even though I liked the concept of them supporting and using each other.
Definitely something worth re-watching.
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I think that would be quite accurate.
This was such a lovely, heartwarming and captivating story. The poster doesn't give away a serious vibe. But when you get to know the story, it actually fits perfectly. It captures the tragic theme and still remains somewhat happy. The further you watch, the heavier it gets, and yet it doesn't weigh you down. Even though it makes your heart ache, it keeps its joyful atmosphere and spark of hope. The tragic that lies beneath only seeps in with small drops, and only at the end you feel its heavy scope while it wrenches your heart.
Amnesia is one of the most hated tropes in dramas, but Devilish Joy made it its main force. I'm not that much against memory loss in stories, but I admit that I was skeptical in the beginning. They tried to explain how it worked for the main lead, yet I didn't completely understood. And since I work in the medical field, it shreds my heart into pieces when they use words like "atrophy". It's as if you cross the ocean with a small boat and forget your paddles at the beach. Later on I could somewhat grasp a rough sketch of the big invisible "monster" without getting too many details that would might have confused me eventually. In the end though, it doesn't even matter if you know the smallest cogwheel because other more important things come to the fore.
So, despite my initial doubts, the story cast a spell over me. So much that I desperately wished for a wonder to come. The cast lashed out and comforted me at the same time. Most of it a big hug though.
The music, the side characters and most of all the main leads played a big harmonic part in the story and turned the drama into something precious. I'm glad the focus stayed on that one important relationship facing that illness. The leads were plain great here. Their acting felt very natural and nonchalant, their relationship felt mature and sensual, yet fragile.
Who would have thought that this drama became one of my absolute favorites. One of the better surprises in a long time. For the sake of a composed and touching story, it made me overlook tiny irregularities and small makjang elements.
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What I liked esp. in the beginning was that despite the story not being really deep or heavy, it does have basic approaches to trigger thoughts like what does it mean being "human"? How can you compare these things? Where stops the logic and where starts the "heart"? When can you call something an object and when a person (with that the character Seo Ye Na became quite the annoyance which lasted till the end). Is it right to treat something that looks, acts and "kind of feels" like a person, still like an object (is it right to treat it any way you want to)? What does it mean to love it? It's makes you think of those people that marry their dolls or cars or... whatever they feel bonded with. Who is the crazy one?
For a while the story follows a similar path as the movie "Bicentennial Man". So, you might get a clue of what will await you. The approach of a robot to understand human emotions? Trying to feel them, too? Nah, it's nothing new, but still a luring treat, right?
Just awhile ago, I wanted to say that Shin felt a bit too human sometimes. But then I remembered James Cameron's "Aliens" and the android character in it. Everyone thought he was human until... well, until it was accidentally revealed. Seo Kang Joon did a good job with portraying his character. Repeating certain habits that made you recognize him right away, i.e. the subtly awkward blinking or that stiff smile.
What I thought was scarier than a robot imitating a human, were the company projects. I mean with every new thing that is being developed for humans' safety and longer living and eventually avoiding death... Call me cruel, but I'm always thinking about global overpopulation and further consequences.
Even though this drama has a mainstream plot, it's still an enjoyable ride. I'm thankful that it stayed consistently good and didn't change between good and bad periods. The plot was predictable like certain details you anticipate to see on screen. It even surprises you sometimes. Most of characters' motivations are relatable and if they are not clear enough, it's due to the actor's good performance and his ability to stay grey until the right time comes. Yes, I'm talking about Lee Joon Hyuk. No matter the role, he keeps impressing me.
I'm a bit sad that they didn't explore the relationship between the real Shin and his secretary a bit more. There was so much telling within their acting in those rare moments, that it made me wish to know more about their past. And in the same breath it's a shame that they didn't show more of the real Shin's growing-up either.
Towards the end when a certain step within the story was reached, it became a bit TOO predictable and I kind of wished for another ending. The funny part is now, I actually wished for this ending regarding the basic concept. But because of HOW it happened, I would have been much happier about a different path. It just became TOO k-drama-like for my taste. The grand finale was well done regardless and a real tear-jerker. The characters grew on me so much that they turned me into a crybaby after all.
Yet there's one crucial point to be mentioned: The finale is constructed on a major plot hole. It makes me wonder if I'm the only one who noticed it or if it was just because I marathoned the drama and therefore didn't miss it.
The OST is really nice listening to, and fits the story well. And as being one of the newer dramas out there, this one also gets a place in the "visually beautiful" row.
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First of all, Kim Soo Hyun upstaged all of them. He was the brightest actor among them all, his acting was matchless and the awards he got for this are damn well deserved. Yeah, the other leads were good, too (esp. since I really like Gong Hyo Jin), but not as much as him. Following KSH, IU was the second one I was really impressed with. I totally loved her character and IU acted her out pretty well.
I laughed off my butt through every episode. Seriously, Kim Soo Hyun's character was so loveable from the beginning to the end, esp. his drunken state (and his family! was great). The actors and their characters went very well together. They harmonized pretty nicely, you could feel it.
The unusual way of handling the camera, the scenes, editing, interviewing and everything else was refreshing and fit into it (well, this drama WAS all about 'producing'). It took on so many clichés and exaggerated them so hilariously, that it clearly made my day (well, many days, to be exact).
There were two things I was disappointed about. First, the romance part. It started nice, I was full of expectations, but the way it turned out left me quite unsatisfied. Why start something like that, develop it so nicely and then...? I don't want to spoil the outcome though, maybe I'm the only one who felt that way and others were satisfied with it. Idk.
The second one specifies the "2Days, 1Night" scenes. I would have loved to see more scenes from the show that was aired within the drama. They shot the scenes and talked about the editing and the airing, but showed too little exact scenes from it. Every time I got so damn curious and was left empty.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the drama and I did gave it a 9.0 rating because I laughed so hard so many times that I won't forget about it for a long time. It even got me to cry in full scale in one scene.
Rewatch value only 5.o because although it was good, I don't think I will watch it again, in reagrd to my 'plan to watch'-list. It didn't get to the point where I would rewatch it when there are so many other dramas prior.
Music was nice, nothing remarkable though.
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