This review may contain spoilers
Absolute Light is also Absolute Darkness
Ever Night 2 has ended and I already want to know the continuing story. That’s how good this production is, despite two major set backs. One, they’ve changed the original cast, second the story becomes much darker.Story
In Ever Night Season 2, Ning Que and Sang Sang’s story continues in a world that becomes more hostile every day. Sang Sang gets exposed as the person who will bring eternal night, everyone is out to get her, except for Ning Que and his Academy friends. The whole nation is about to collapse under power struggles, treason and war, and it is up to Ning Que to keep focused on his love, and the world he cares for. It turns out he and Sang Sang are the center of the ultimate power struggle between the goddess of light and the sage master. Will they succeed in saving themselves, and the human world as they know it?
Acting/Cast
Kudos to Dylan Wang. Such a pity he has to cope with an audience that’s expecting the return of Arthur Chen who was teenage boy Ning Que in the flesh in Ever Night Season 1. However, anybody who reads the book will discover Dylan plays the character of Ning Que to a T as well. In the novel, Ning Que changes from a disrespectful teenager with swag to a caring anti-hero who sticks to his one and only purpose in life, Sang Sang. Yes, it’s hard to see him mortified many times, but that’s how it is written in the book, it’s not about him being out of character like some people think.
Ireine Song has to play the biggest character development here, and she delivers. Finally she’s allowed to play her real age, and it shows, she really shines at her wedding scene at the lake.
Music
This series has a beautiful OST. The opening theme of Ever Night is simply epic, perhaps the best Ever Heard.
Rewatch Value
There are parts in this series that I never want to rewatch again. See for yourself and you'll know what I mean. It’s terrible to see the main characters in dire straits. Sang Sang is dying from the cold disease. Ning Que is constantly on the run, more vulnerable than ever, now that he’s afraid of losing Sang Sang. His Devil-May-Care attitude seems gone forever.
Still, this is a hell of a story, full of life lessons, such as Darkness and Light are intertwined, and Love can make you weak, but it makes you strong as well.
The biggest problem is the script, it handles all story lines without making choices. This throws necessary time for character development out of the window.
How to explain in a few episodes that Sang Sang has become a goddess of light, and darkness incarnate, all in one? She has the spirit of Yong Ye and Hao Tian within her, she’s cruel, detached from the world. Still she can’t let go of her human side that is Sang Sang who shared her bed with human Ning Que during their wedding night.
In this drama they let two different characters play Sang Sang’s human and goddess side, which is too confusing imo.
The same goes for Ning Que. How to depict a character development in just a few episodes that goes from a boyish dare devil attitude to an adult personality who’s able to love and care deeply? So the makers should have invested way more time in both characters, now it has been wasted on too many side characters and side stories.
Verdict
If I see Ever Night Season 2 as the Story of NingSang, this series means a lot to me. Dylan Wang plays a great Ning Que, he really becomes the character. I love the chemistry between the adult Ning Que and Sang Sang, they finally look like a pair. And in spite of all the messy Wuxia stories I also liked the master genius Fu Zi, second brother Jun Mo, the quiet strength of Chao and the girl power coming from the Addict Sisters. Go watch it!
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This review may contain spoilers
I am surprised at how many downgraded this great drama because there were changes to the cast. Dylan Wang was great, and frankly, I don't think Arthur Chen would have done as good a job portraying the changed, more adult Ning Que. Viewers who enjoyed the first season of Ever Night should be able to understand that the braggart Ning Que has been changed due to what he's experienced. He's no longer consumed with revenge, but somewhat at a loss now that his goal has been achieved. His cultivation has been weakened following his battle in season 1. He's also not quite sure what to do with the changed reality of Sang Sang. He's realized she means so much more to him than being his natal object- he truly loves her as herself. It was hard to watch both NQ and SS struggle with what was happening to Sang Sang. This was a great telling of the battle between good and evil, of how dangerous fanaticism is, and how we all carry both "light" and "darkness" within us. The question this drama leaves us with is, will we allow the goodness of Sang Sang to prevail, or give in to our baser natures? I certainly hope there is a season 3 to tell us how the battle against the Temple Master goes. The ending of season 2 was definitely NOT "the end." Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect Story line on Epic, Adventure and Fantasy!
Hello. I am giving 10 Star for this Season 2, with respect to the Main Casts and other Supporting Characters, who acted well and fine on their roles.The storyline is for the battle between good and evil which I equate with the realities of our lives.
I like to credit Dylan Wang and Ireine Song for their good chemistry as Ning Que and Sang Sang.
The cinematography of this show was an excellent one for me.
The ending of this Season 2 leave tears in us, we really looked forward for Season 3; for there are still many remaining questions that need to be answered by another episode in Season, especially with the story of the invalid father of Chen Pipi and the changed character of Long Qing.
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Loved it!
First, I want to say that Evernight 2 sound is powerful! I wished they would've started where Evernight 1 ended. I liked the first main lead actor, Arthur Chen. I must say that in Evernight 2 the main lead, Dylan Wang, is doing a fantastic job. I won't compare the two actors because both did an amazing job in portraying Ning Que! Dylan Wang is a little more energetic, the romance and the affection he had with Ireine Son's character Sang Sang. I was wowed! I still can't get over how old Ireine is. Of course, she did amazing in the first season as well as the second season. I fell in love with her acting ability. She is 5ft 2 inches tall (I'm only 5ft 1in) and Arthur Chen and Dylan Wang just towers over her at 6 ft. I love it because that was my life! Not the story life. lolThe costume designs were beautiful especially Emperor Tang's Gold Warrior Armour Costume! Episode 17 and 18 is the best! I feel that fantasy visuals are a lot better than the first season. I mean the visuals were incredibly done. The storyline was very good, I did get taken away with a couple of episodes at the end but kept my focus but anxious to get to the end. Again, I love a drama that brings my emotions to the front, the crying, wanting to put my hand through the screen, I wanted to hug Dylan Wang so many times to comfort him! I won't comment on any other actor because they all did a fantastic job of getting the screenwriter's story. Again, I do have to say you can see the acting abilities and experience of the older generation, I applaud them. Well maybe I will talk about one more actor and that is... Liu Ruo Gu, this kid was so good just in a guest role. I did see a couple of mistakes that the producers may not have caught but I will let that go because the storyline made up for it. Great job everyone and thank you to the whole team of Ever Night 2.
I feel that if you haven't seen the first season, then you must see it before you see season 2 to know the beginning of the two main characters' story and how it began.
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Love is the key
Ever Night 2 is a fantasy gem about two people who could be the keys to stopping a catastrophic everlasting night from befalling their world. The cinematography and soundtrack are awesome. Roc Chen's background music is sublime. And underneath its beautiful facade and riveting action sequences, the story runs deeper, spanning mortal, spiritual and supernatural realms, with the survival of the world at stake.The love story between the main leads is scintillating, shining brightly amidst their harrowing circumstances. Despite the attention of the world's most beautiful women, Ning Que would stick by Sangsang's side, loving, protecting and taking care of her even when the whole world has made it almost impossible to do so. Dylan Wang successfully brought the lead role of Ning Que to life with his boundless energy, swagger, passion and charismatic good looks. Ireine Song is perfect as Ning Que's cute Sangsang who can also be feisty, tough and passionate when needed.
The main defect I saw in the drama was that it did not depict the deepening romantic relationship between Ning Que and Sangsang adequately. Instead, it enhanced the role of the other woman, with Ning Que acting like a goo-goo-eyed love-sick puppy whenever he was with her. Ning Que and Sangsang's tender moments, like their first kiss, were actually romantic, yet the drama always showed them being awkward with each other when it came to romance. I think if the drama had gotten the romance right, viewers might have been more receptive to Dylan Wang as the new Ning Que in season 2.
Nevertheless, the love story was so extra-ordinary and intense that even though the drama missed several opportunities to titillate viewers, it still charmed. It was interesting to find out whether the shameless Ning Que who did not have the best moral compass would understand the distinction between love and like and act accordingly.
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Actually waiting for season 3 now,while i know how the story originally ends i want to see how this show will get there.
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This review may contain spoilers
Enjoyable Watch
I watched the 1 and 2nd season back to back. I was unsure about Dylan Wang to start with as thought Arthur Chen did a great job in Season 1. But after a few episodes I got used to Dylan and his chemistry with FL was very good. They changed some of the other cast and I did prefer the orignal. A lot of people found the first half dull as the 2 leads were constantly running away from those trying to kill them but I liked it best. I enjoyed the interaction of the leads and how loving they were with each other and the exciting fights as they tried to escape. Once they were separated and the it concentrated on the power struggle of the Palace, I skipped a lot, I just wanted the leads back together! I have mixed feelings on the ending, I would prefer a more definite no guessing ending, either way you could consider it a happy one. It has made me want to read the novel to see how the story really ends. I would say both seasons were as good as the other, different but equally enjoyable and easy watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Death is a reunion after a long separation! Daughter of the Lord of the Deceased
This series deserves the Third Season. The story makes you linger for it. The sleepless nights are so worth it. I can help but imagine myself experiencing it first hand. The screenwriter, Xu Run, did a great job! From the first season till the second season, she never fails to give justice to each and every character. They even made an effort to introduce again the characters who are going to be portrayed by new actors and actresses. Dylan Wang justified the character of Ning Xue equally as impressive as what Arthur Chen did.I hope they can make a prequel or side story of how all the students on the second floor of the academy . There were lots a revelation regarding how extensive their cultivation expanded and their identity especially with the Third Sister, Yu Lian.
Musical Scoring was indeed an important factor that brought the story come to reality. Job well done!
Kris Sun portraying Long Qing even an antagonist makes you hold on to his story. Job well done too.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a nice sequel but the plot splits into two storylines with one having Ning Que protecting Sang Sang after her identity is discovered until she ascends into Heaven where her character becomes almost non- existent and out of main characterization, to the other storyline with Ning Que becoming the Tang Empire’s protector while he and the Academy characters take center stage battling enemies of Tang. The last episodes are wasted by Sang Sang trying to humanize the cold and vicious Goddess of Light with whom she shares spiritual energy until, at the very end, the story gives the impression that Sang Sang is going to win the spiritual battle and comes back to Ning Que. Although Dylan Wang does a good job as an older and “more mature” Ning Que, the chemistry between Ning Que and Sang Sang from the first season is amiss. The first part of this season was going well until the main characters get separated. Now, to wait for the third season and hope that Sang Sang and Ning Que will recover the strength and chemistry that their characters had on the first season. Let’s hope! Was this review helpful to you?
It isn't the cast change; it is the script.
I don't recommend season two - Go out on the finale from season one. By the time you get done with this, the questions you had at the end of season one will be unanswered, and that other dramatic finale will be the only thing you remember from this series. Because from this moment on, this story changes, and becomes an unrecognizable repetitive loop not vested in the original adventure except in title only. It isn't the cast change; it is production without continuity.Season one's characters are regulated to little screen time, if they show up at all. Even, the effects, and choreographed action season-one was loved for, are absent from the screen. The main couple disappear into a cart for 75% of the episodes. I personally think the director just wanted to showcase the character Ye Hong Yu in this season - Pretty visuals, with no invested substance; filler. While, Sang Sang and Ning Que, the female and male leads, became secondary characters by omission.
Where, in the previous season the leads were the highlight of an intricate couple's tale (Sang Sang and Ning Que) of fantasy, revenge, and mystery. I blame production, that took the lively couple, and split them into a triangle, that was as devoid of color as they could paint it. With repetitive scenes, and dialog that sucked life out of a dynamic tale-of-adventure we came to know in season one. It was a waste of time, a waste of talent in 42 more episodes of what should have been amazing. I can't recommend it, not even for closure.
(Watched as aired.)
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New characters did better jobs
First I wanted to commend the new characters. I really thought they all very fitting in their roles. I liked them better than the characters in Season 1. This includes Dylan Wang. I thought Dylan was a better Ning Que than Arthur Chen was. He had better chemistry with Ireine Song. Whereas Arthur Chen had better chemistry with Crystal Yuan.The music was superb. Most of the time I was here for the music. The beginning soundtrack was excellent. It really shows that the composer is classically trained. The chants and choruses are great too. There are some contemporary vocals as well to satisfy people of different musical taste. But the classical style is different, not found in most Chinese dramas which tells me that much thought was placed in the music.
The most unfortunate part about this drama is that it's looks low budget. It could be very beautifully done with proper budget, the story line is great, but much of the episodes are a drag.
Acting is excellent. Every single character filled their roles to the T. As someone mentioned, there are some characters played by the same person from season 1, but felt like the personality has changed. The Emperor, the Sage and Mr. 2 showed the most change in my opinion.
Overall I enjoyed it, but I wanted it to end. I was a bit disappointed that it did not and I have to watch season 3.
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The entire productions of this C-Drama TV series were phenomenal! The chroma key composition, VFX, SFX, ost, cinematography, editing, cast, and the crew are all exceptional! Very smooth and clean production output compared to other C-Drama series.
However, the drawback of this C-Drama TV series (Ever Night) was the transition stage from S1 to S2, and there was an abrupt transition of characters in which everybody shook up a bit. Even myself, having a difficulty to bear the new changes in SEASON 2 because still, the back of my mind was the picture of original "Arthur Chen/Ning Que" and Meng Ziyi/Ye Hong Yu, "The Dao Addict" which my favorite lady swordmaster and cultivator in SEASON 1. Thus, the fighting scenes are epic in SEASON 2, which carried back the emotional setback of the drama.
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