Lost You Forever (2023)

Not the usual xian xia but still as awesome

LIKE

After Xiao Yao sent off Zuo Er and what she said to Xiang Liu - my tears!!

When Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao caught in a situation with Yu Jiang and Fang Feng Bei - my tears again..

When Cang Xuan was trying his best to get rid of his "XX" and Xiao Yao helped him through - so much tears....

DISLIKE

Tu Shan Jing drove me so mad.. he doesn't deserve Xiao Yao at all

Xiang Liu was such a flickered minded snake...

MUSIC - personal fav

长相思 Chang Xiang Si - 郁可唯 Yu Ke Wei
偏爱人间烟火 Pian Ai Ren Jian Yan Huo - 胡夏 Hu Xia, 张紫宁 Zhang Zi Ning
有你无你 You Ni Wu Ni - 毛不易 Mao Bu Yi
万物不如你 Wan Wu Bu Ru Ni - 张杰 Zhang Jie

REWATCH VALUE

Definitely as I have re-watched thrice already

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A cdrama that is very much character driven; full of interesting character dynamics

[Note: I have seen season 2 aka the second half of this season. This review and high rating is solely for the first season. If I were to rate the entire show, it would be at a 8/10. My explanation for the lower rating written below, with slight spoilers. On the "Lost You Forever" season 2 page, I will rate it 8/10.]

This drama is not very action-focused or fast-paced as it's very much character driven. What happens when traumatized children grow up? How do they heal or regress? Who are the people in our lives who were important chapters in our lives but may not stay with us forever? What's more important: my duty or my love? This drama is full of interesting and flawed characters and their relationship & dynamic to one another, especially with the female lead to the male leads. NOTE RIGHT NOW: If you dislike female leads having "romantic" moments with multiple men (or dislike the men being "disloyal" by marrying other women), then this drama is NOT for you. This drama does a fine job in showing her potential future with different men, especially how each men are important to her and how they fulfill different parts. I personally didn't have any conflict over this because it's well written and makes logical sense, considering what each character has gone through.

Also, great acting from all the characters, especially yang zi, zhang wanyi, tan jianci, and deng wei. The amount I've cried from watching yang zi crying? The way yang zi and zhang wanyi have such an electric and tragic tone underneath every conversation they have? It's no wonder that this season 1 (and some of the actors) won plenty of awards in 2023.

This drama (season 1) will break your heart. It's angst, hurt/comfort, tender, sweet, and heartbreaking. (The title is "Lost You Forever," you know?) Absolutely 10/10, no notes.

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-------------------------slight spoilers for season 2------------------------------------
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On season 2 and how it damaged this drama: I rated this drama 8/10--still high--because I enjoyed season 1 and parts of season 2 very much. But season 2's ending did irreparable ruin to the storyline and so this is really closer to a 7/10 for that unsatisfying ending. It was so lukewarm that it's laughable and so I don't even consider it a real ending.
NOTE: What caused the drastic changes? Lots of speculation: drama behind the production, actor favoritism, China censorship (which includes "hero-washing" the actions of flawed characters). Season 2 of the drama also got trimmed a lot from like 30 episodes to 23 episodes. So, it's clear at several spots that there are huge jumps in times and supporting characters who are suddenly brought forth to the main storyline...
The biggest betrayal of the storyline was that it ruined the character development of several of the main characters and thus was completely frustrating and unsatisfying. It happened in the final 4 episodes. Thus, I have personally elected to ignore most of what happened in the final 4 episodes, especially the "twist"--because it would not make sense.

If you're someone who can separate the two seasons like I have and consider that the good outweigh the bad, then you'll probably enjoy a lot of what this drama have to give. But if you're someone who considers the overall drama and considers the ending as an important part to conclude the entire drama, then this drama will hurt you. This drama was so highly rated in 2023 because of its interesting characters and dynamics. But season 2, especially the ending, did not follow through with some of them. So it's incredibly disappointing.

But I supposed this drama is like the final nail in the coffin, serving as a caution for Chinese dramas watchers: If even this incredible drama was reduced by its ending, can we trust Chinese dramas to give us satisfying endings from now on?

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My first review- I loved it

I came across this drama when I was listening to OSTs on YouTube. And I didn't regret watching it.

As many reviews have mentioned, this is not a love story, and I agree that it's more of an exploration of the lives of the leading characters, above all, the brother and sister (cousin) ML and FL.

First, this is one of the first dramas that I've encountered with multiple love interests of the FL. I've watched Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms and its sequel, however the FL would only root for the ML in both. I loved how the writer didn't give them unfair treatment. Each lover had their share of scenes with the FL, except the last lover.

One of the reasons that pulled me into the drama is the portrayal of a FL, especially one that has been hurt. The relationship of the FL between each of her lovers is exceptionally well written, that one would wish she could end up with all of them.

I also loved Yang Zi's portrayal of the FL more than those in her previous dramas, most of my family members loved Ashes of Love but I was rooting more for Luo Yunxi in the drama and wished she could have ended with him.

Originally I started liking the FL with the man she saved, TuShan Jing/Ye Shiqi but personally I felt there wasn't much growth, I mean she appreciated him from the beginning but I didn't expect her to like him back so quickly. I also felt TSJ-XY pairing wasn't that strong due to TSJ's character build and lacked particular development, the classic "I like you" and "you like me" kind.

On the other hand, the scenes with Xiang Liu, "9 headed monster" made her feelings apparent. I liked how she was willing to open up about her past to him and in my opinion they had more memorable scenes (underwater, on the bird mount, and how he looked to bully her). Personally as a writer I am also fond of "bullying scenes". Perhaps I am also in love with "silver haired characters" like Dong Hua in Eternal Love of Dream. Somehow it makes the character unique. I was a little dismayed when he turned into the black haired FangFeng Bei but it was interesting to see how the actor made both characters differ.

The transition from "boss Xuan" to the Brother Cang Xuan at the end of the drama (not to share what happened at the end) was also interesting to watch, along with the portrayals of different characters, good or evil, especially the sister, and I also loved the grandfather. In overall, everyone did a good job in acting out their characters and brought them to life 👍 Applauding the main cast for their hard work!

What I actually hoped/expected is for the FL to recover her powers, and hope this might be explored in a future season.

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The best show i've ever watch

LostYouForever conveys women independent & strong view of love. And the CP relationship in lost you forever drama is just a superficial expression of real women’s emotional demands. Unlike large scale costume drama who’s creating tempting scene of spectacle & use the narrative method to enter, LostYouForever down to earth worldview structure, live shooting is the most suitable for actor & actress to complement each other&everything in the story becoming real. And YangZi acting skill in this show is superb, she can switch character from man, women and between identitidentities.

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Lost you forever

It’s been long since I watched a series that catched me so much, since the beginning I was interested in the plot/story because I could relate kinda personally in some way. I binge watched all episodes in a short time, because the show was just so amazing. The characters are very unique and well written. I never experienced the problem that I couldn’t decide between the male leads, but here I really couldn’t decide between Tushan Jing and Xiang Liu in the beginning because all two or maybe even three (except for fenglong, he is in my eyes rather a friend to her) male leads or love interests have something special about them. At first I was so rooting for Ye Shiqi/Tushan Jing and despised Xiang Liu, but I have a weekness for unique looking characters, especially in white haha, he slowly started to develop feelings for her or even liked her since the beginning, but hid it really well, throughout the show, he gets friendlier with her, although he is still sometimes a bit rude/angry, but Xiaoyao really knows how to interact with him and I liked her really much. Throughout the show, I found myself rooting for her and Xiang Liu, similar to Tushan Jing, she has a lot in common with both of them but I don’t know why, I feel like Xiang Liu would be the best match for her, because he is there in important situations, I just wish they had more scenes together, more romantic scenes, but I have hope in the second season and really can’t wait till it airs! I guess I have to read the novel in the meantime. I wouldn’t have minded if the season had more episodes or covered everything. I find myself dropping shows when they have a lot of episodes, which is typical for chinese shows, but in this case, I always wanted to know what happens next and had to keep watching. I really really hope that maybe she will end up with Xiang Liu and will be happy but my heart hurt sometimes for Tushan Jing, especially when Fangfang Yiying kinda druggend and exploited him? Triggerwarning!! Maybe even r*ped him, but I still think that the child isn’t his son, rather the one from his brother so maybe fangfang yiying didn’t do anything with him because she was disgusted. Still, I don’t understand why she still wanted to marry him and why he did it in the end. He really kinda broke his promise to give anything up for Xiaoyao, I understand that she was hurt and angry but it actually wasn’t his fault, still, I think they somehow needed to kind of end their relationship to hopefully give change to my beloved Xiang Liu haha.
But I kinda wish they would have also shed more light on Cangxuans feelings for her, I wasn’t sure for a long time because it’s rather subtle, but now I think he has feelings for her and only her (I already spoilered myself a little bit), so I still feel sorry for him that he can’t have her, but one notizes, that his status/power is more important for him than anything… and having a wife already is I think the elimination for him being a potential partner for Xiaoyao. So yeah, I am very very curious how the story will end and how the second season will be, but I have high hopes and expectations and I‘m very glad for another season, although I hope it won’t be too long to wait. I was also amazed by the beautiful dialogues/story telling sometimes, there were themes who really resonated with me and I often was very touched by the story and really felt with the characters. The visuals, acting and music also were really really good! But now I kinda feel lost after finishing it, this show was just too good, will definitely rewatch.

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What a talented cast! I came here for Yang Zi but from episode 1 have been captivated by the actors.

What a talented cast! I came here for Yang Zi but from episode 1 have been captivated by the actors from the little ones to the grown ups. The child actors did just a great job portraying little Xiao Yao and Cang Xuan.

Was waiting for season 2 to drop so that I could watch it all together. It finally has, I watched the newly released episodes of Season 2 before coming here and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I still liked the characters but I didn't know who they really were and why they were doing things they were. So, coming to this season, I can say that Yang Zi has grown so much as an actor. From portraying the Jin Mi in Ashes of love to Xiao Liu in Lost You Forever she has mastered the art of acting like a man. Her mannerisms are so on point. It puts other actors pretending to be men at shame. Kudos to her!

My two cents on the characters so far:
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Xiao Yao / Wen Xiao Liu / Haoling Jiu Yao / Xiling Jiu Yao: The woman has abandonment issues that are well warranted. Despite all that it is clear that she has liked Shi Qi from the get go. He has always treated her well. I was a bit mad at him for not showing up with Xuan and Nian came to collect the antidote, but since then he has proven himself. He is like a healing balm that Xiao Yao needs.

Xiyan Cang Xuan / Mr. Xuan: I guess we are supposed to forget that he had Xiao Liu tortured for hurting A Nian or that he had her leg broken. Xiao Yao doesn't seem to care about these things and has faith in her brother, so who are we to hold grudges? Although I liked the little boy and girl who promised to be each other's confidantes, the grown up Xuan failed her. But since he has found out that she is Xiao Yao he has treated her great so no more complains about him.

Tushan Jing / Ye Shi Qi: I liked his gentleness and care for Xiao Yao. The only thing that he has against him is that he is sometimes seems too passive. You can't help but love him, what a kind and gentle soul. He seems like someone who'll take care of Xiao Yao. I can't believe people hate his character. Why? Because he is too nice? Aren't you just like his brother Hou then. But I do agree that is a little too slow in taking action, I mean so many of the things could have been avoided had he taken care of his brother and fiancé's affair long time ago. I mean it is not like he doesn't have a brain, he helped Xuan so much in background.

Xiang Liu / Fangfeng Bei: We all have a thing for bad boys and the character shouts bad boy in spades. However, every time Xiang Liu met Xiao Liu, Xiao Liu ended up with physical injuries. And no, it is not just the fang marks, but the forty whips and the broken leg. I mean do you want to be kicked by your partner and it is not some kind of roleplay where he'll be gentle but with actual malice? I wanted to ship these two because they look great together but I don't want Xiao Yao to suffer more. He reminds me a lot of the Novoland Sky Castle character, Feng Tian Yi.

Haoling Yi / A Nian: What a cringeworthy character. I wouldn't mind if they stopped adding such childish characters to great productions like this. Spoiled, not held accountable so keeps on bullying other people. Where's the humility? Her character improved a bit as she grew to care for Xiao Yao, but she is just a brat that you can't tolerate.

About who Xiao Yao should end up with?
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=> Tushan Jing. I see his faults, he just lets people bulldoze over him. But Xiao Yao is no angel. Following the story, the guy basically was drugged and abused. He did not have anyone to comfort him because he wouldn't speak to anyone about it. What's worse, had Xiao Yao been fully invested in the relationship she wouldn't have taken the easy way out. She should have cared that he was violated and now with the child has no option but to marry the woman who did that to him. I believe had she chosen to stick by his side, they could have figured things out.
=> I wouldn't have minded Xiao Yao ending up with Xiang Liu / Fangfeng Bei because he did give up one of his lives to save her, which was actually quite selfless. It wasn't even the only time he did something like this, he even took on the poisonous bug knowing what it meant. But what do you want Xiao Yao to do, even had there not been Tushan Jing, do you want her to throw herself at Xiang Liu at every turn, knowing full well that he is only going to reject her in brutal ways? What's more, his rejection would never be just verbal one, but also physically abusive one. Had he wanted he could have tried to be with her, but he did not really want that. He never dreamed of it because of who he was.

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Wtf. What is this drama. It's stunning.

Lost You Forever is a different breed of xianxia drama. It explores love in its many forms, whether it be possessive, destructive, enduring, or honest, in a way that pays equal attention to all characters, so you can never really know where their relationships with each other are headed (if you haven't read the source material). There are a lot of dramas boasting insane production and interesting premises only to fall into cliches at the last half of the series, but the first season of Lost You Forever kept me hooked until the end with its unpredictability and impeccable chemistry among ALL members of the main cast. The plot does get draggy a bit in the third quarter, but by then you're probably in too deep and rooting for at least one favorite character to get a nice ending.

The characters, particularly Xiaoyao, Cang Xuan, Tushan Jing, Xiang Liu, and Chishui Fenglong have their unique charms that draw the audience in and drive the story forward. The characterization is complex, but so far consistent. For example, Xiang Liu undergoes some character development, but he doesn't completely change; his cruelty and coldness remain present. Tushan Jing is smart in business but too naive and kind for his own good, even though he tries to be more forceful. Xiaoyao shifts into the role of a princess but still retains some manly habits. Personally, I like Chishui Fenglong the best (as a character, not as Xiaoyao's love interest)-- he's introduced late in the series but he brought a bright, rejuvenating energy that helped prevent the story from being too heavy or too cutesy, and he seems to be the character that pulls everyone and everything together. Also, fashion king (the colors, embroidery/patterns, and silhouettes of his costumes are so pretty).

Of the cast, Yang Zi is phenomenal as always, and I want to praise Zhang Wan Yi as Cang Xuan, because boy, can he match the Yang Zi's energy especially when acting out the lowest points and most tragic moments of their characters (the screaming, the way they clutch at each other, the shaking and crying). Another standout is Tan Jian Ci, whose looks are arguably the softest out of the main leads, but magnificently brings the deadly and intoxicating Xiang Liu/Fangfeng Bei to life (his range!!) Also bless his sweet vocals in the official soundtracks.

The first season of Lost You Forever has it all with compelling storytelling, an impressive cast, gorgeous production, and lovely music (I've read some translations of the lyrics of a couple of songs in the drama, and I'm in love with the intricate lyricism.) I caught a couple of errors in the special effects, but they're only memorable because the effects are normally so beautifully done. I've seen glimpses of Season 2 from the official trailer, and we're gearing up for heartbreak, but here's to hoping the quality is up to par with, if not better than Season 1.

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"Lost You Forever: A Disappointing Chinese Drama with Underwhelming Performances"

As an avid fan of Chinese dramas, I was eagerly looking forward to watching "Lost You Forever" led by actress Yang Zi. However, after investing hours into this series, I can't help but feel utterly disappointed and let down by the overall production.

First and foremost, the biggest issue with this drama was Yang Zi's portrayal of the lead character. Her appearance and on-screen presence were utterly distracting. Not to be overly critical, but her look was far from captivating, and it was challenging to become emotionally invested in her character's journey. As a lead actress, one would expect an appealing and charismatic presence, but unfortunately, Yang Zi failed to deliver on this front.

Additionally, Yang Zi's acting performance was heavily marred by her slapstick approach. While humor can be an essential element in a drama, her comedic attempts felt forced and exaggerated. It almost seemed like she was trying too hard to be funny, which resulted in awkward and cringe-worthy scenes that disrupted the overall narrative flow.

But Yang Zi's lackluster performance was not the only issue plaguing "Lost You Forever." The supporting cast also failed to impress with their subpar acting skills. The lack of chemistry and genuine emotion between the characters made it difficult to invest in their relationships and care about their individual storylines. A drama is only as good as its ensemble, and unfortunately, the weak performances from the supporting cast seriously hindered the show's potential.

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Too Dark.

Coming from watching The Legend of Shen Li, This drama wasn't the best one to follow. Season 1 is just a constant game of tag between love triangles or squares I'm not even sure. But the relationships are too dark and disturbing to watch especially how beautiful Shen Li's story is. This one just takes too long to resolve issues. Too few action scenes. Too much focus on unnecessary love angles and the story takes a back seat. The most disturbing part is the characters the main FL "falls" for are either a sorry pathetic clingy rich boy or a psychopath who treats her like a slave in a plantation. Like falling in love with a crybaby or your sadistic torturer who whips your skin off or breaks your legs or tries to drown you every time you go on a date. I mean if that's your type of Romantic drama, this one is for you.

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