This review may contain spoilers
Just an all rounder!
I’ll be honest, When Destiny Brings the Demon was not a drama I expected much from. I wasn’t fully convinced by Arthur Chen’s acting and I only knew Wang Ying Lu from one project, so I came in with almost no expectations. But from the very first episodes, I was surprised at how quickly this drama pulled me in.I picked this up when it was already half way airing but binged it and ended up waiting for the next episodes.
The real heart of the show is definitely the chemistry between Arthur Chen as the brooding, vengeful Sima Jiao and Wang Ying Lu as the easygoing, almost slacker-like Liao Tingyan. Every scene they had together was magnetic. I found myself giggling, smiling, and even getting butterflies just watching them interact. Their dynamic felt fresh and alive, making even the smallest moments between them feel special.
The pacing of the drama also impressed me. The story moved quickly and smoothly, never dragging or feeling weighed down by unnecessary filler. The only plot point I wasn’t fond of was the memory loss arc. It’s a trope that always feels a little tired, and here it didn’t add much for me. That said, I did like that even with her memories altered, Tingyan’s heart still recognized Sima Jiao. It didn’t take long for her to fall for him again, which made it feel less frustrating.
The supporting cast had good chemistry as well. Gao Han in particular, I adored. Having seen him recently play a villain in a drama alongside MZY and LXY, I half-expected his character to betray Sima Jiao here. But to my surprise, he stayed loyal and good throughout. It gave the story a nice balance, showing that not every side character has to hide a knife behind their back. He was so soft and such a puppy for a black serpent. LOL. Actress Wang Yi Ting did well too. Her character was well written in the beginning. She was someone kind and goal driven even though some action may have been selfish. But then, her character fell flat for me after she was brought back from dying. It was as if her character had no importance, just there as a friend to hangout with Tingyan or even just a decoration for Tingyan when Sima Jiao isn't around. I would've love to see her charcter more active in the second half. But overall, her chemistry with Gao Han was cute and filled with innocence compared to WYL and AC whose chemistry was more intense and passionate.
The ending was bittersweet for me. I had wished to for them to embrace one another recognizing each other but their meeting will do it for me. I believe that they're fated for one another and bound to fall in love over and over again, doesn't matter what timeline, what their name is, they'll always find each other.
Overall this was a 10/10 watch for me. From plot to chemistry, to acting and music and cgi effects, I love every aspect of it. I'd watch this again.
The real heart of the show is definitely the chemistry between Arthur Chen as the brooding, vengeful Sima Jiao and Wang Ying Lu as the easygoing, almost slacker-like Liao Tingyan. Every scene they had together was magnetic. I found myself giggling, smiling, and even getting butterflies just watching them interact. Their dynamic felt fresh and alive, making even the smallest moments between them feel special.
The pacing of the drama also impressed me. The story moved quickly and smoothly, never dragging or feeling weighed down by unnecessary filler. The only plot point I wasn’t fond of was the memory loss arc. It’s a trope that always feels a little tired, and here it didn’t add much for me. That said, I did like that even with her memories altered, Tingyan’s heart still recognized Sima Jiao. It didn’t take long for her to fall for him again, which made it feel less frustrating.
The supporting cast had good chemistry as well. Gao Han in particular, I adored. Having seen him recently play a villain in a drama alongside MZY and LXY, I half-expected his character to betray Sima Jiao here. But to my surprise, he stayed loyal and good throughout. It gave the story a nice balance, showing that not every side character has to hide a knife behind their back. He was so soft and such a puppy for a black serpent. LOL. Actress Wang Yi Ting did well too. Her character was well written in the beginning. She was someone kind and goal driven even though some action may have been selfish. But then, her character fell flat for me after she was brought back from dying. It was as if her character had no importance, just there as a friend to hangout with Tingyan or even just a decoration for Tingyan when Sima Jiao isn't around. I would've love to see her charcter more active in the second half. But overall, her chemistry with Gao Han was cute and filled with innocence compared to WYL and AC whose chemistry was more intense and passionate.
The ending was bittersweet for me. I had wished to for them to embrace one another recognizing each other but their meeting will do it for me. I believe that they're fated for one another and bound to fall in love over and over again, doesn't matter what timeline, what their name is, they'll always find each other.
Overall this was a 10/10 watch for me. From plot to chemistry, to acting and music and cgi effects, I love every aspect of it. I'd watch this again.
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