Reviews

Obsessed!

I'm another fan of this series that is totally obsessed with the actors and plot. I'm waiting impatiently for the next episode! HY is so handsome and I feel bad that he is being ignored by Shao You given how much love he has for SY but at the same time what he did to Shao You was not right so I can understand SY's anger towards him.
The second couple, Gao Tu and Wen Lang are equally as interesting in their love story. I feel bad for Gao Tu for his unrequited love for Wen Lang but can't wait to see a turnaround of this (where Wen Lang accepts his love?) in the next few episodes (spoiler from Youtube).
So I think both couples will have a happy ending as the series progress?
I've read comments here that have really helped make sense of the story since I'm clueless regarding the omniverse world. For example, I didn't know that the only reason why HY pulled SY into the room was because HY was in a rut and he wouldn't have done so if SY didn't go to the hotel where HY confined himself/locked himself. And also another comment that helped was that the only reason why SY couldn't recognise HY was because the room was dark. The room was bright during the series shoot. Same with Gao Tu where the room was bright so I couldn't understand how Wen Lang couldn't recognise Gao Tu but in the novel, the room was dark. Also helped me understand that Wen Lang was "drawn" to Gao Tu that night because of the pheromones that Gao Tu released during his "heat".

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Love of the Divine Tree – Vows, fate, and a role-swap romance

🔹 A role-swap xianxia brewed with tender vows and gentle romance. Cozy to follow, even when the side plots lose steam.
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes, for the chemistry
✨ What happens when the disciple becomes the protector and old vows turn into new love?

📕 Overview 🎬
🔹 40 episodes, xianxia romance
🔹 Adapted from the web novel Xian Tai You Shu (仙台有树) by Kuang Shang Jia Kuang (狂上加狂)
🔹 Deng Wei plays Su Yi Shui, a cool exterior but deeply loyal once you look past the surface.
🔹 Xiang Hanzhi portrays Mu Qing Ge/Xue Ran Ran, who bravely faces her challenges with courage as she begins a new journey
🔹 The story begins when the once-maligned master returns with a new identity, and the roles of master and disciple are reversed.
🔹 Perfect if you are in the mood for protective romance with fantasy twists

🌸 How It Felt Watching 💙
🔹 The opening builds quickly and makes a clear promise to protect, without a heavy backstory.
🔹 Viewing feel: cozy, romantic, and lightly dramatic.
🔹 Themes: loyalty, second chances, and found family.
🔹 The leads bring warmth and believable chemistry, though some supporting roles don’t leave much of an impression.

🎭 Cast & Performances
🔹 Deng Wei as Su Yi Shui: starts distant but slowly shows his softer side.
🔹 Xiang Hanzhi as Mu Qing Ge/Xue Ran Ran: gives a performance that feels easy to connect with.
🔹 The supporting cast helps keep the story moving, though a few characters don’t get much development.

🎵 OST 🎵
🔹 One Tree One Couple (一树一双人) – Tia Ray
🔹 Like an Immortal (若仙) – Zhou Shen
🔹 Fate Circle (缘圈) – Liu Yu Ning (Modern Brothers)
🔹 Unfinished (未尽) – Victor Wong
🔹 Dedication (尽献) – Zhang Zi Ning
🔹 Heaven and Earth (天地鉴) – Zhao Pin Lin

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Costumes and sets bring the fantasy world to life.
🔹 The special effects looked smoother than expected, especially the glowing power scenes and the wide landscapes.
🔹 Pacing starts off strong, though some side plots drag.

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: lead chemistry, the protective-romance story, and a production style that fits the mood
🔹 What did not: a few side characters that felt like tropes and some uneven pacing
🔹 Still, the main couple and the core storyline were strong enough that I really enjoyed it overall
🔹 I also enjoyed the BTS clips with the cast and production team; they showed the fun and effort behind the scenes
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes, for the chemistry

☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 9/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: Full of flavor, really enjoyed this one, worth another cup

✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, I felt relaxed, like enjoying a warm cup of tea after a long day.

✨ Do you feel the pull of a promise that grows into lasting love?

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Charming and Addictive: The Nameless Delivers a Fun, Predictable BL with Heart

It’s wild how a show with such short 10 minute episodes can be more entertaining than some full 50 minute ones, but The Nameless really pulls it off! From the very first episode, I was hooked. The two male leads are gorgeous, honestly, they’re both cute and handsome in the best way possible, and their chemistry is undeniable. The acting is solid, and it’s hard to get bored when everything feels so natural and engaging.

One of my favorite moments has to be Episode 5, where they all hang out by the pool, casually eating watermelon together. It’s such a warm, feel-good scene and really captured the essence of their bond. It’s these simple moments that make the show shine.

However, I’m giving it an 8/10 instead of a higher score. The plot itself is pretty predictable, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it didn’t offer anything particularly extraordinary. It’s a cute, light BL series, but there’s no major plot twist or deep drama to push it beyond the "just good" category. That said, I found myself craving new episodes each Saturday, which says a lot about how enjoyable it is!

If you’re looking for a fun, easy-watch BL with adorable characters and no heavy emotional rollercoasters, this is the one. It's perfect for a light binge!

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Heartfelt Moments with a Few Missed Opportunities

What I Like
After Episodes 1 and 2, and my heart is so full right now 🥹💖. The way these two communicate is everything, honest, sweet, and straight to the point. There’s no drama or unnecessary games, just pure connection. The pacing of the first two episodes is fast, but it’s got me hooked; I love how quickly things develop. The chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, like, it’s almost too perfect to handle! Both actors are drop-dead gorgeous and ridiculously cute, making every scene a joy to watch 🥰.

I also really appreciated Episode 9, where we finally see them move in together as a couple. It’s so heartwarming, especially because the dynamic feels so real. You know the kind, one is neat, the other’s messy, and it’s just a perfect example of opposites attracting. The small arguments they have are realistic too, but what stands out the most is how they deal with things. They apologize and work through everything with raw, honest communication. It’s real life in its truest form, and I couldn’t love it more.

Kanade Shinichiro’s family situation was also something that hit me hard. His reluctance to go home because of his father’s expectations feels so relatable, especially in Asian cultures where family honor, expectations, and shame often loom over every decision. He’s terrified of being rejected for being gay, even though society has shifted. This is so much more than just a coming-out story, it’s about the emotional toll of living under the weight of generational pressures and fear. The way this was portrayed was poignant and made me reflect on how deep those family dynamics can run.

Episode 11 was a standout, where the whole family dynamic was brought to the forefront. Kanade's mom and sister offering their unwavering support was deeply moving, it's a reminder that sometimes, the people we fear rejecting us the most can end up being our greatest allies. It’s a beautiful portrayal of hope and acceptance, especially in cultures where the fear of disappointing loved ones can be overwhelming. The scene with Kanade and his father walking and talking together was so emotional—it felt like a real breakthrough.

What I Dislike & Room for Improvement
I absolutely loved Episode 6, honestly, the jealousy moments were peak cuteness 💕. But Japan… it’s 2025, and we need to talk about that kiss. It was, like, 0.5 seconds. A blink. A peck. A goldfish kiss lasts longer. 😅 Please, Japan, we need a real kiss! I’m all for teasing, but by this point, these two have known each other for years, their love is deep, and when the moment finally comes, it’s a total letdown. I was expecting passion, fire, but it felt so restrained, almost hesitant. For a couple that’s been through so much, this was the moment we’d been waiting for, and it just… fizzled.

The lack of emotional payoff here was frustrating. I get that there’s a fine line between restraint and giving fans what they want, but after eight episodes of building tension, this was a huge missed opportunity. The chemistry was there, and we’ve seen them grow into their love—so why hold back on the most important moment in their relationship? I’d rather have no kiss at all than a scene that feels half hearted and rushed. It wasn’t about fan service; it was about respecting the emotional journey we’ve all invested in, and delivering a moment that was worthy of everything they’ve been through. They earned it, and so did we.

Final Thoughts
Despite my frustrations with that kiss (honestly, Japan, come on), Stay by My Side After the Rain is still a beautiful series. The honest, raw portrayal of love, family, and personal struggles in a Japanese BL setting really makes this show stand out. The pacing, the character development, and the chemistry between the leads have all been incredibly strong. The series handles some heavy topics with care, and even though it’s not perfect, it’s genuinely moving. I’m looking forward to the finale, but I can’t help but wish for just a little more passion where it counts.

Rating: 8.5/10 Solid, emotional, but with room to improve on those key moments!

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underwhelming start but it picks up in the second half

Given a quick skim of the other reviews for this show, it seems like a lot of people hated the miscommunication and were frustrated by Shirasaki Yuki's struggle to pick up on Hayama Asami's feelings given their intimacy. Honestly as someone who typically hates miscommunication, I think it makes sense here - Hayama has been pining after Shirasaki for years and is unsure of how to admit those feelings (been there, rip) and Shirasaki keeps overhearing things that make him misinterpret his dynamic with Hayama (also Shirasaki's struggle with social cues gives maaaaaaaajor autistic vibes. while he frustrates me at times, I could never hate him.) They're both convinced the other cannot possibly reciprocate but desperately want this relationship to be real as their feelings continue to deepen as they keep "pretending" to date outside of the "Hiru no Yume" set.

It honestly took me until episode 4 when Shirasaki started to realize he was developing feelings for Hayama before I was fully locked in. And then episode 5 gave me SUCH a buzz when we saw their "rehersal" kiss intercut with the on-set first kiss. Seeing the continual push-pull of their dynamic as Shirasaki tries to turn off his feelings and protect his heart was entrancing, and Hayama's willingness to go as far as Shirasaki asks bc he just yearns so much for him was thrilling. Like I honestly was shocked by how much I enjoyed the drama due to their struggles to just admit they like each other.

Honestly, I think my biggest frustration with the show is that they successfully create a sensual atmosphere (in large part due to the soundtrack I think) but then most of the physical intimacy doesn't live up to that energy. The first kiss that leads to them "fake dating" is pretty awful, although it makes a lot of sense to me that Hayama would want the kiss to be very tame to not push Shirasaki into the deep end immediately. And most of the kisses up until the last couple episodes are very chaste, which just kinda makes you feel blue-balled as a viewer. The fact that they are rather adorable in their more tender moments does help ease this frustration a little though.

Also I need to say that Komagine Kiita totally makes this show. He's brilliant in the two episodes from Hayama Asami's perspective. Devoted loverboys are everything to meeeeeeeeee <3

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Scent of Time 10/10

Just finished watching this drama and I’m genuinely blown away. It’s already 2025, two years since this masterpiece aired, yet I only just watched it. Scent of Time isn’t the type of drama I usually go for, but here I am, about to drop my review after two days and 30 episodes later 🤣

While many might say the pacing was too slow, I’d like to disagree. This drama tackled strong themes like regret, trauma, and self-loathing. As expected, Zhou Ye portrayed Hua Qian beautifully. Hua Qian was originally introduced as a villain in the first few episodes, but after the downfall and eventual loss of her family and loved ones, she dies and is sent back in time. Unknown to her, this so-called second chance is nothing but a dream — an escape from her reality, not an opportunity to truly change the fate of her family.

Most of the episodes showing her “rebirth” focused on her determination to change her actions and those of her family, even though by that point, she and her father had already made the fatal mistake that destroyed them in her “past life.” Still, she never gave up. She fought to right her wrongs, even as the emotional weight of realizing some events in this new life differed from her past began to suffocate her. The relationships she rebuilt, the painful confrontations with her parents and older brother — all reflected the deepest regrets she carried.

One of my favorite aspects was the subtle foreshadowing of Zhong Xiwu as the true male lead. 😅 We can all agree he had less screen time than others. In fact, he appeared so little that he almost felt like a side character. That was heartbreaking for me, because he was the one I rooted for, not Hua Rongzhou. A part of me always knew HRZ wasn’t really the male lead, no matter how much the drama paired him with Hua Qian. Honestly, even Zhong Yelan, Hua Qian’s ex-husband, felt more like a main lead than HRZ.

The reveal at the end — that HRZ was merely someone Hua Qian conjured in her desperate attempt to not feel alone — was beautiful. She longed for one person to be truly sincere to her, regardless of everything else. Even though she had feelings for Zhong Xiwu, she clung to the belief that the one destined to stay by her side was Hua Rongzhou, though not even in a romantic sense. When she finally realized it was all just a dream and she still had to return to a reality without her family, status, friends, or loved ones, my heart broke for her. It’s devastating when the family you lost is still alive in that dream 😭.

And Zhong Xiwu… his silent love and unwavering dedication to her deserved more screen time. There should’ve been at least one more episode showing him by her side, helping her adjust to the reality she once left behind. Still, I think the drama tied everything together beautifully. Never in my life did I imagine loving a reverse-harem drama as much as I loved this one — and I’m glad the guy I rooted for was the one for her in the end.

After watching Legend of the Female General, I was desperate for another Zhou Ye drama and ended up picking this one, despite it having a trope I usually dislike 🤣. Honestly, I never thought I’d be able to watch her with anyone other than Xiao Jue (Cheng Lei) from Legend of the Female General 🤣, but Wang Xingyue delivered his role as Zhong Xiwu so well that I found myself on YouTube searching for clips of their chemistry. I still can’t believe how young he is — truly a super talented actor 👏🏽


Also, I just have to say how much I love Zhou Ye. I realized I might sound like a new fan since I mentioned her 2025 drama, Legend of the Female General, but I’ve actually been following her since 2023 when she starred alongside Neo Hou in Back From the Brink. That drama completely changed my view of her — even though I knew her from Word of Honor, I didn’t count that as my “first Zhou Ye drama” since she was only a side character and, honestly, I was too focused on the two male leads that year 😅. But after Back From the Brink, I truly became her fan and started watching more of her works, both dramas and movies.

Scent of Time actually came out the same year as Back From the Brink, but back then I couldn’t get over her insane chemistry with Neo Hou, so I wasn’t ready to see her with another male lead. Plus, I’ll admit I’m a bit childish when it comes to reverse-harem stories, I can’t handle it if my protagonist doesn’t end up with the person I’m rooting for 🤣🤣. Looking back though, I think 2025 was the perfect time for me to finally watch it. I’m more mature now, and I can appreciate it with a clearer, more critical lens. That being said… I still won’t be watching other reverse-harem dramas any time soon 🤣🤣.

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*Disappointed but not surprised SIGH.

PROS: Mark, Tonkla, and Nakan are nice to look at. I enjoyed Nakan's acting, which is why I even gave the show 2 stars.
*spoilers below*
CONS: UUUUUUMMM. Tong is really, really, annoyingly ridiculous. Rolled my eyes so many times. The dialogue was corny and the I could fit a whole tire in the plot holes. HOW tf does neither Tonkla OR Mark(who I expected to have at least a LICK of sense) not think to pull Tonkla off the pole BEFORE trying to heal him.....ridiculous. Chemistry between the main couple was kinda meh, maybe it's because Tong was so irksome, idk. I shipped Nakan and Tonkla more honestly. Even the intimacy scenes felt forced? Idk how to explain it, but it was not giving passion nor yearning.

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Especially to those who believe there’s more to love and destiny than meets the eye.

“But above all, I wish that God may take care of you and continue to protect you, even beyond the limits where I can no longer go…”
This was one of the phrases I once received from a dear friend in the past, and I have carried it with me, close to my heart, wherever I go… That is more or less what this drama represented to me. A message of immeasurable love, one that neither time nor space can ever erase.

It began as just another Xianxia, filled with revenge, melodrama, sovereign gods, terrifying demons, and stylish celestial battles, but slowly it transformed into one of the sweetest love stories among the latest c-dramas.

Rarely have I had the pleasure of following such a captivating couple. Affection, tender touches, and kisses were present in nearly every episode from the moment they first came together. In a few words, I can say it was intoxicating, charismatic, and truly addictive.

I’ve thought this before, and every time I watch a production like this, I can’t help but think it again: even if I spend the next tem years of my life watching Chinese dramas, I will still not truly grasp this culture, this spectrum of productions, and this vast range of artistic talent that sustains them. It’s surreal!

As for Arthur Chen, this god of beauty—majestic and imposing no matter the role—this was actually my first time watching one of his dramas. I’ve been eagerly awaiting China’s release of *Immortality*, na original BL work (censored, of course, but adapted as bromance) based on the web novel *The Husky and His White Cat Shizun* by the phenomenal author Meatbun. In that story, Arthur Chen plays Mo Ran, disciple of Chu Wanning. I’ve read the books and I’m waiting with great anticipation for the drama.

So, when I saw that *When Destiny Brings the Demon* starred Arthur Chen, I decided to watch it in na attempt to ease my anxious wait a little. To my surprise, I ended up falling equally in love with his partner in the story. Wang Yinglu plays three different characters, and she is absolutely dazzling. Beautiful, funny, moving, and with a unique chemistry alongside Arthur Chen. I had also never seen any of her works before, and I don’t know much about her other roles, but here she was simply wonderful.

It’s true that in the first arc of the story, both Arthur Chen and Wang Yinglu faced a greater challenge, since it was longer and more intense, but I loved all three arcs almost equally, as well as the changes in their characters.

If I have one complaint about the production, it would be the distribution of time between arcs. The first, in the Immortal Realm, was perfect. The second, in the Demon Realm, could have been shorter. The third, in the Mortal Realm, was not enough. The story set in the empire was intriguing and deserved better development. And the time given to their reunion in the modern era was far too brief. I wanted more, much more.

Yes, the plot had a few flaws—it’s true—but the main elements were completely satisfying: from the costumes, setting, and OST, to the dialogues and directing. At first, I thought of giving it a nine, but in the end, I gave it a tem. It’s not every day that a drama holds you from beginning to end with such lovable characters and moments of pure delight.

As always, it’s hard to say goodbye, but what can we do? As the story itself showed us on many occasions, no pain surpasses the pain of parting. I’ll continue here on my solitary journey, hoping that the wait will one day end in a destined reunion.

A beautiful drama. I wholeheartedly recommend it, especially to those who believe in things far beyond what our eyes can see or our imagination can reach.

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Great xianxia with a lovely 3-lives romance (and a Must for Arthur Chen's fans)

PLOT:
[eps 1-19]: The ML, super-powerful and last descendant of the Sima family, is "chained" in his tower by the eight great families (for his blood and spiritual veins). The FL (a disillusioned office worker who had an accident) finds herself, a weak spirit, sent by her clan to serve this terrible master. She gradually heals him of his darkness and tries to help him defeat the Great Villain.
[eps 19-26]: 18 years later, the ML awakens (with difficulty coming to terms with the fusion of the two spiritual fires) and the FL, suffering from amnesia, is in the demon realm. The Great Villain pretends to be her father and trains her to kill. Several villains still want to kill Sima Jiao (fake father + demon Preceptor + love rival).
[eps 26-29]: Now a frozen fish (killer), the FL, loses control and seriously injures Sima Jiao. She becomes the Mistress Daemon and tries everything to save him. However, the ML ends up dying.
[eps 30-33]: The FL eventually finds the amnesiac ML among mortals. He's a young emperor threatened by his uncle (helped by You Yan, the spirit of the late demon king who has taken another body).

+++ A super cute CL with Arthur Chen, absolutely magnificent, powerful, and charismatic, and Wang Lin Yu, very natural. The chemistry is top-notch!
+++ Many excellent actors, very convincing in their roles.
+++ Well-written story, effective and fast-paced direction, superb cinematography, OSTs well-suited to the emotions, high-quality CGI.

### Lots of sweet scenes (Arthur Chen is a king kisser :), but the narrative is slow at times.
### CLICHE: Why do powerful MLs always have to be weakened by illness/poison/... and become vulnerable??
### CLICHE: Villains are always better informed/in the right place/luckier... than the good guys.
### Happy End but the ending is a bit rushed (I would have liked it to see a little longer in real life)

=> EXCELLENT ... and superb performances from the two leads.
*****************************************************
Xianxia et ICK très réussi

PLOT:
[ép 1 - 19] : Le ML, super puissant et dernier descendant des Sima, est "enchainé" dans sa tour par les 8 gdes familles (pr son sang et les veines spirituelles). La FL (employée de bureau désabusée ayant eu 1 accident) se retrouve esprit faible envoyée par son clan, pour servir ce terrible maitre. Elle va peu à peu le guérir de sa darkness et essayer de l'aider à se défaire du Great Villain.
[ép 19 - 26] : 18 ans + tard, le ML se réveille (avec des difficultés à assumer la fusion des 2 feux spirituels) et la FL, amnésique, est au royaume des démons. Le Great Villain se fait passer pour son père et l'entraine à tuer. Plusieurs Villains veulent tjs tuer Sima Jiao (fake father + percepteur des Démons + love rival).
[ép 26 -29] : La FL, poisson givré, perd le contrôle et blesse gravement Sima Jiao. Elle devient la Mistress Daemon et tente tt pour le sauver. Cpdt, le ML finit par mourir.
[ép 30 -33] : La FL finit par retrouver le ML amnésique chez les mortels. C'est un jeune empereur menacé par son oncle (aidé par You Yan, l'esprit du vieux roi démon ayant pris un autre corps).

+++ Un CL super cute avec Arthur Chen absolument magnifique, puissant, charismatique, et Wang Lin Yu très naturelle. L'alchimie est top !
+++ Bcp d'excellents acteurs, très convaincants dans leur personnage.
+++ Story bien écrite, réalis° efficace et rythmée, superbe cinématographie, OSTs bien adaptées aux émotions, high quality CGI

### Bcp de sweet scenes (Arthur Chen is a king kisser :), mais des lenteurs par moments dans la narration.
### CLICHE : Pourquoi faut-il tjs que les ML puissants soient fragilisés par maladie / poison / ... et qu'ils deviennent vulnérables ??
### CLICHE : les Villains sont tjs mieux informés / au bon endroit / plus chanceux ... que les gentils.
### HE mais ending un peu hâtive (j'aurai aimé un peu plus long dans la vie réelle)

=> EXCELLENT ... et superbe performance pour les 2 leads.

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