Love Between Fairy and Devil (2022)

Le Sigh Part 2 - The Power of Love

Rated= 4.5~ 21.5/50 ~ 4.3
RPG Scene // Troll stalking me through the Mountain Pass. Not sure the short sword is enough.

My original review 27th April 24 -

Le Sigh

I really, really wanted to like this but I just couldn't get into it. I tried 3 times but my brain just won't let me accept a romantic relationship with a lead who basically acts like a child. If it was meant to be friendship I'd be fine but I'm expecting romance from a character who is basically a 5 year old in an adult body and I just can't move past that. Also, the harem of fairies. Oh please. My first, 2 months now as of writing this, adventure into chinese dramas, I'm starting to see a pattern of shows that just aren't for me.

Visually, this show is stunning. A lot of green screen LOL The sets are glorious. It even just looks like a chinese fantasy. Palaces floating in the sky. Ornate head pieces etc The opening credits were actually my favourite thing LOL the artwork had my mouth open and I think that's why I just really wanted to like this.

It's one of those shows, I think this is my 3rd one now, where everything looks so grand but I just don't like the characters. This time I at least liked the ML but that was it. You can't force yourself to watch a show that you're just bored to tears watching. It's like a christmas cookie. All visual, no flavour.

My updated review on 15th June 24

I wrote the above review after I had initially dropped the show but because I can't write two reviews, and people had like the previous review, I just had to delete and write this instead.

At the time, I was fairly new to c-dramas in general so I was just going on instinct at the time. I have now, thanks to Immortal Samsara, have learned that Xianxia's spend a lot of time laying out groundwork for the world building and characters before they give you the plot, which seems to be happening around episode 7 or 8. I dropped this show in the first minute or 2 of episode 8 and realised that I had probably dropped this minutes before the plot arrived. So out of curiosity, I went back to it, and if I had kept watching for another 5 or 10 minutes, I'd have seen the FL's bully get a glorious smackdown LOL
And I was right. The plot arrived with that event.

So I said, ok, I will give this one more chance. For the most part, my original review still stands. It was like Harry Potter all over again. The logical part of my brain can see why this is popular. It looks good, the characters, most of them redeem themselves, really love that Danyin's conclusion, that's awesome. It's a pretty cohesive plot through out, no major plot holes, all the characters had legit reasons, even if it was just obsession and had a really sweet message under it all.

But I just didn't like it. There was a cog in brain refusing to move and unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about that. I just didn't like. It was boring. I think it was around episode 20 when I really started to skipped scenes. I just wanted it to end.

Like I said in my first review, the ML made this show for me. He was the only one I was interested in. I love an anti-hero and to be honest, even as a villain, I loved him, he was hilarious. Everyone else who might have had a reason to stand out to me just faded into the background as the plot hooked them up in a side pairing I didn't care about.
That dragon. My man. How they wronged you by dampening down your potential.
And once again with Xianxia Immortals, the Emperor is the biggest A*hole and everyone is so self righteous without logic they make me support the villains.

My original rating was -
story -3 moved to a 7. I don't think the writing was too bad. It flowed well, it was understandable, the characters had their reasons and the narrative was very plain and simple - the power of love and obsession, and what it does to us.

Acting- went from 2- 6, this all because of Dylan Wang's portrayal of the ML. That's literally, he was the only reason I managed to finish the show. This was the Moon Supreme show for me. He gave good passionate kisses. I appreciate that for a chinese show that seemed to be scared of showing any lip movement whatsoever.

Music- 2-3 -Not much change to the music, I didn't really care for it and found it a little intrusive and loud over romantic scenes.

My rewatch remains the same though, at 1. I am unlikely to watch this again.

Overall, I can only give this one extra point simply because I loved the ML character. Everyone else, meh. I just didn't care.

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Lovely story

Very first who is crazy about love stories ,as my concern it will be a choice . Except starting and ending story I loved the whole drama . In the starting their sole got exchanged and that part felt like boring .about ending I expect more with the ending story . All three couples need a perfect ending . One pairing from all of three had on sided love and it remain one sided till the end. So I think they all need a best ending. About acting Dylan Wang is the best .
Other were also very good . Even the supporting characters the one who played Dylan Wang's brother role.
Nice drama.

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The most amazing drama I’ve watched so far.

I LOVE this drama. I am a fan of Dylan and Esther, and when i saw the trailer for this drama, i freaaked out!! I got vip on IQIYI just to watch this drama. The plot is very good, its fast paced and oh my gosh, there are some sweet parts that my you smile all the way. The ML is powerful, and FL has hidden powers. There are also body swapping scenes, it was SO cool. This romance drama isn’t cringy at all, their acting is rrally good and when they cry, we also cry. Esther and Dylan really deserve the recognition for this drama, its just so amazing i dont know how to explain everything. The CGI, costume, OSTs, plot, cast, and everything is really good. Please don’t drop this drama after watching a few episodes, trust me, i was really hooked to this drama. I know people find Esther’s voice annoying because is babyish and girly, but her voice isn’t fake or forced, its her natural voice. In this drama, the character she portrays is supposed to be cute and sweet so she fits this character perfectly. Esther had to portray 3 different characters with 3 different personalities and she NAILED IT!! Please watch this drama, not only is it a sweet romance, it mas lots of action and angst too :)

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Epic way to break the law of heaven and hell

Story is really awesome. Although I liked novel much more. But in drama it's more sweet. Drama will have just 36 episodes and it's not enough to justice the novel. They really should make season 2 or it will be waste of this beautiful story

Casting is great. Dylan Wang is indeed a demon lord. Talking about Dylan his acting is far better from miss the dragon. Esther Yu nailed the job as fairy. Supported roles are also okay

Visually it's stunning. I never expected a web drama can have this kind of graphical work.


Everything is great but WE ALREADY NEED SEASON 2. DON'T LET THE STORY COMPLETED. WE NEED COMPLETED STORY WITH SATISFYING ENDING!!!

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Worth your time! Watch it for the acting, special effects and the background score!!

The sets, the visual effects, the acting are stunning! Each and every cast member delivers their respective emotions beautifully - the leads, Rong Hao, Xun Feng, Dan Yin, Jie Li, Chang Heng, Shang Que - every single one of them have carved their own space in the story. Despite the cutesy character of the FL, the she maturely delivers her emotions. And do not let this cutesy act of the FL deceive you - she is fierce with an independent thought process. Same with the ML - even though he is been shown as an immortal bad-boy, his personality is not cringy. One word for the ML - REGAL - makes sense since he is THE Supreme Being in all three realms. Big congrats to Wang He Di and Yu Shuxin for their brilliant performances in this drama. They have proved themselves beyond any doubt. And congrats to the entire cast and crew for putting up such a incredible story. Although it vastly differs from the novel story, it still does it justice. One of the best (sort of) series adaptaions I have seen of any xianxia novels! Absolutely recommended!

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I am grateful! It doesn't just follow the trope of xianxia drama.

After completing all episode...
I am so happy and satisfied with the ending! My hopes are answered in the two last episodes! All bad thoughts about the ending of this drama are melt away.

1# Why the love between fairy and devil matters? Yes, it matters a lot for the peace of the realm in the end. It gives warmth to our heart too, that this story is not a stupid romance. Self-less love is triumph here!

2# What love can do for "mankind" (the moon tribe, fairy, immortal being, and mortal being) is underexplored. No, no, no! It is very well explored in the end! Even though the sequence of events in the last episodes are a bit too fast (like without warning, the Moon tribe suddenly join troops), it is very okay. We still can follow the story.

3# The peace, the love, the unity, and the magic force. These should be the main ingredients to fight evil, right? Yes!

4# It is okay to tell about love among immortals, but it is funny to see the main purpose of their love is just to find the lost one! Finally, it is not! This drama teaches a lot about what love can do. Actually, what self-less love can do!

Watch this drama, people! Don't stop half way!

***

My review after watching until episode 32:

My hope is high when people praise the art department of this fantasy drama. I observe it well; the design of places, clothes, and the world of fairy, immortal being, devil, and mortal human are spectacular. The acting and music are good too. So, I won't talk about those things or it would be redundant. I will focus on the story.

1# Lack of background context: Why did the conflict happen from the first place?
What I like about the story is a different starting point from other xianxia dramas. The male lead (ML) is portrayed as the defeated villain. The way he met the female lead (FL) is so unexpected. So, it brought some fresh introduction that really attract my curiosity. I like how they brought also another issue to enjoy, a kind of social clash between fairy and moon tribe. The fairy is always depicted as "the hypocrites" by the moon tribe. However, something is missing. Until episode 32, it is never be explained why the hatred is so deep. What is the hypocrisy they talked about several times? A view to the past is limited to the personal family story of the ML, about his father and their sacrifice, and the conflict is already there. What triggers it? It is really a big hole for the story with many good potentials. It makes the story lack meaning, why the love between fairy and devil matters?

2# The most powerful to the weakest: Backward character development of Moon Supreme
I fall in love to the characterization of Dongfang Qingcang, Moon Supreme, who is introduced as the biggest villain in the beginning. He is cold, cool, ruthless, and fearsome. To some extents, he is admirable too, the day we learn his background story and how he choose to be humane with emotion. I think, the return of emotion (especially love) should add more strength to him. But unfortunately, in contrary, it become his Achilles heels. He becomes useless. It is very disappointing. He lost his brain to solve forthcoming challenges. I mean, how come they do battle by only relying on brute magic force? Is there no room for peace talk and diplomacy? Or at least, smart strategies and tactics to win the war?

I really want to see the Moon Supreme that turn to be a better person. They can portray him to be more benevolent and considerate, to be more open minded and have broad perspective to face his enemy, and gravitate to peace and the well-being of his people. In reality, that is the use of emotion, right? What is the use of love in him? Love has so many kinds. Eros (romance, passionate love), philia (love of friends), storge (love of parents for children), agape (love of mankind). Is his love tree limited only to Orchid, when we know he is a great person to his tribe and feared by his enemy? The meaning of love here is so shallow. What love can do for "mankind" (the moon tribe, fairy, immortal being, and mortal being) is underexplored.

3# Peace are restored so easily like it doesn't important.
The series has passed its climax, I think. It is in episode 31 where the war finally broke again, and ended by the sacrifice of Orchid. She released a power that can revive those who died in the battle and the 100.000 army of demon. It is later stated that demon and immortal being achieved a ceasefire for 100 years. This episode is so touching, but the impact is weak. The moment of Orchid released her power should reveal the true identity of Orchid as a goddess (if not, why those people kneel to her?) It should be a big good news for everybody in the realm. What we don't know is how they perceive this event and its meaning for them. This realization should be the bridge that explains the achieved peace.

I think, Dongfang Qingcang shouldn't fainted so early and easily after Orchid died. Love should produce perseverance in a person, not mental break down (as depicted in episode 32, ML turns out to be crazy). With his more benevolent and stronger heart now, he might have come back to his tribe with the last power he has, endure his own suffering, and offer peace to his enemy, reminding them Orchid's sacrifice. After that, he finally "take some rest", continuing his desire for Orchid in the dream realm. This story would be very different indeed! The 100 years peace would be his achievement and we would love him more, and understand why he indulged himself in the dream about Orchid. He is a tragic loving person! When this conflict beautifully ends, it is logical for the last arc of the story, to fight the greatest final enemy, Tai Sui. Dongfang Qingcang and friends has full power now. The peace, the love, the unity, and the magic force. These should be the main ingredients to fight evil, right?

4# The trap of xianxia love story trope
As an international viewer, it is easy to be bewildered by the worldbuilding of Chinese fantasy story. It is okay with rebirth and karma things. It is relatable because more or less it also exists in other cultures. The philosophy behind it is understandable. It is always about the rivalry of good and evil, white and black, fairy/ god-goddess/ immortal being and demon. However, we know from many series, that the lord of immortal being can be vile. God and goddess can be cunning and awful. If that possibility is exist, the similar possibility can be happen to the demon tribe, too. The tribe that is always depicted by black trait (evil, ugly, hideous, etc), actually have heart too and can be compassionate. This grey area is fantastic to be explored. Love between Fairy and Evil is promising that exploration, through a devil as the main character.

However, I don't agree with the story's over indulgence in romance in later episodes and forget the main premise, love should flourish people. It has a great metaphor already: the Love Tree of Dongfang Qingcang. In the beginning, it is deserted in a winter like place. Later, Orchid came and bring it to life. The bare tree finally sprouts and the spring is coming. Dongfang Qingcang sat below the tree and enjoyed flowers in that tree. It is a very satisfying moment! Unfortunately, after that beautiful depiction, the story change 180 degree to "a journey to find lost love one", "a quest to revive a died person". It happens in so many xianxia drama (e.g. Three Miles of Peach Blossom, Eternal Love of Dream, The Blue Whisper, etc). Come on! If you know that a person can always be born again, what is the point of grief, madness, sadness, depression, and sorrow of losing the love one? If it is to give a second chance, in this fantasy world, a person can reborn thousand times and live thousand years. They are immortal! Life is just a play for immortals. Why do they need to take it seriously? It is okay to tell about love among immortals, but it is funny to see the main purpose of their love is just to find the lost one, watch the hard work to revive him/her again, and to live forever happily ever after. For a mortal human, the most frightening thing for a lover is the loss of a loved one. Because, they only live once. But, for immortals love should be imagined differently as the most frightening thing for them should be different too.

So far, I never know any xianxia drama that goes beyond this trope. I do hope Love between Fairy and Devil would be the one. We still have four last episodes to go. Lets see!

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I know many people won't agree with me but I didn't like this series that much. I loved & enjoyed TTEOTM more than it.

Story is good. So was all of the actors acting. This is the second series of Yu Shu Xin I watched, her acting in this series is much better than Amazing Boyfriend. She overacted in Amazing Boyfriend or maybe her character don't know.

I skipped a lot of scene after they enter into mortal realm.

I liked Dylan Wang acting, especially when Orchid & Dongfang Qing Cang swapped their bodies, his acting as Orchid is very cute & funny . Didn't expect the turn of even of Jie Li & Dan Yin. Dongfang Xun Feng was irritating.

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Couldn’t finish it

I enjoy slow development of romance as that’s more realistic. However, not sure how people can rate this so high.

ML did great and I seen other of his series and I think he did the best he could in this series. FL was annoying with her child-like acting. The child-like pouting and voice was over the top. It got more and more annoying each episode to a point where she looks like a dump and ignorant. I just don’t understand how people can think it’s cute. Some part where it’s supposed to be funny and cute, instead you’re thinking is the girl really that stupid. Storyline wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. I think pushing the child-like FL lasted too long for me.

Music was good. Overall, I think it could be a better series if I didn’t get so annoyed with FL acting. Please directors, stop with the overacting of child-like characters.

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So - So

The title saids it, it’s okay, so so. Don’t know what the hype is about. I watched Eternal Love, Love and Redemption, Immortal Samara, Ashes of Love, they are way more interesting in story plot and character development. Seems like this is an easy pass for teenager audience. It doesn’t make you cry, just light humor here and there. CG and music is good but then what? Have to drop at episode 11. Pretty cliche to me that a cold emotionless man pretending he doesnt care and then. fell in love with a bubbly girl character. And they both pretend they are aren’t falling for each other…typical. Acting is alright, not a fan of calling good acting just because you can make funny faces or crying out loud like a big bawling baby as top tier acting skills.

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