Was ok will watch again if bored
I am not gonna lie, I was hoping for way more but this was not a bad show either. What I love most is watching XUN KAi , play a much more mature role, they always have him playing roles where he acting kidish and after awhile it gets hard to swallow so I really enjoyed watching him mature into a role such as the one he was playing in. The story it self was superb, I only wish they would have given us a little bit more in the romance department. the acting was great, the production value was really good, I would like to see more of this type of dramas considering fantasy is my favorite thing to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Need Some Warming Up!
The way I see it is that there are 2 main reasons why you might end up abandoning Ancient Love Poetry after a few episodes. One is the actress. It is a case of love or hate. If you love Zhou Dong Yu as Shang Gu, it is easier to enjoy the story. This is because everything that happens revolves around her. Hence, if you think she was wrongly casted as the female lead, then it might just turn you off as you watch. For me, I don’t think she is perfect for the role. It took me some time to warm up to her and the way she portrayed the role with her smiles. She just doesn’t have the aura of a Chief God to me.Two is the slow start. The beginning plot is very typical of a xianxia drama. The presence of an imprisoned Demon Lord trying to break free and a young goddess falling in love with a more matured and cold god actually remind me of Love And Destiny and Eternal Love Of Dream. So, the familiar storyline is there but the good news is it is condensed to about 16 episodes before the second arc begins. Nevertheless, that is still 16 episodes to sit through if you find the start to be boring.
In short, Ancient Love Poetry will need some warming up for a section of viewers before the story starts to get more captivating and you begin to get used to the female lead. Basically, some patience is needed if you can’t get into the story from the word go.
Interesting Overall Plot
Despite the familiar opening plot, I find the story takes a more refreshing turn after 16 episodes. There is a certain anticipation of how Hou Chi, Bo Xuan, and Qing Mu are related to Shang Gu and Bai Jue. You know there is a connection there which would make you look forward to the moment everything is revealed. So, the boredom dissipates by the time you reach the second arc of the story.
In addition, the supporting characters are interesting to give a more complete and satisfying drama. Despite being gods and immortals, they have their struggles and selfishness to protect the person they loved such as Tian Qi and Mu Guang. Most dramas do not have well-developed supporting characters but not Ancient Love Poetry. I think the team did well to give more life to these characters to heighten the viewers’ emotions to the story.
Acting And Chemistry
As mentioned, I’m not too gung-ho about Zhou Dong Yu’s portrayal of Shang Gu. It has nothing to do with her looks. Instead, the switch from a playful to a more commanding goddess is not obvious when required. She doesn’t have the screen presence to carry that aura of a Chief God convincingly. In contrast, I think Yang Mi did it better in Ten Miles Of Peach Blossoms as one can see her character’s commanding nature when the scene calls for it.
In a way, Zhou Dong Yu’s performance seems to be overshadowed by Jenny Zhang’s portrayal of Wu Huan to me. Wu Huan is a hateful but insecure character due to her past experience. But the way Jenny Zhang displays Wu Huan’s regal stature and deceit is very persuasive which is why it is easy for viewers to hate her.
As for Xu Kai, playing Bai Jue or Qing Mu isn’t really a problem to him anymore. He is a pretty versatile actor and can be cold or mischievous like in Dance Of The Sky Empire. At least, I can detect a difference in Xu Kai’s portrayal of Bai Jue and Qing Mu which are 2 different characters in the drama.
The chemistry between Zhou Dong Yu and Xu Kai isn’t off the charts but good enough to make it watchable to me. There are sad moments for the couple in the drama and their watery eyes could break your heart. This is where this couple could hook you and make it hard for you to let them go after the drama is over. But generally, I find that the teasings, quarrels, hugs, and kisses are like most on-screen couples which is nothing really extraordinary.
My Verdict – Watch!
Ancient Love Poetry isn’t perfect but the overall plot is good enough to keep you interested once you have warmed up to the story and actress. It is the initial stage that you possibly need to get over to go on to enjoy the drama. Moreover, not everyone will find the first arc to be boring. It really depends on your tolerance level for recycled plots. It is also obvious that this is a high budget production compared to the usual romance dramas. The CGIs are realistic and costumes look beautiful. All these little details add up to give viewers a quality production.
My opinion is not to let the actress and first few episodes to bother you too much if those are what make you hesitant. Be a little patient to wait for the story to unfold. I know 16 out of 49 episodes is a little long to gauge if it is worth watching but I think the characters will grow on you as you follow their journey. I see this as a plot-driven drama and the supporting characters also have their own backstories to keep things more engaging.
For this Ancient Love Poetry review, I would give it a score of 8/10. Some would love it while others would end up dropping it. I’m not crazy over it like some fans and I don’t think this is the best drama for 2021 because the chemistry could be better and the ending is rather predictable and simplistic especially the last scene. But it is still worth a watch for the plot and well-developed characters. Don’t be swayed by the high ratings by international audience and the low ratings by Chinese viewers. To me, it is somewhere between the 2 and that is a fairer assessment for Ancient Love Poetry.
Was this review helpful to you?
A drama series you all definitely cannot miss!!!
First thing first, I'd like to show my biggest appreciation to the writer/s who gave the role of Shang Gu and Bai Jue to Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai. They both portrayed their characters successfully and I give them my enormous respect for that. In the first few episodes, I was a bit reluctant to continue watching the series since I could not find the chemistry between the two of them. However, I pushed myself to continue it and by the time I reached episodes 20 above I got myself hooked on it once again. And that's basically the success of Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai as each of them played two characters (Shang Gu/ Hou Chi) and (Bai Jue/ Qing Mu).This was my first time watching Zhou Dongyu and I must say I like her a lot as she could express her sadness with her eyes only. Her chemistry with Xu Kai was also on point and I hope they both could work together again in the future. Another thing that I like most in this series is the soft colour combinations in each costume. They did not need to use complicated accessories to match up the costume, the simplicity itself makes the costumes look attractive and elegant. I just love to see Xu Kai in all costumes he's wearing here. He looked very charming as well as handsome on all of them.
Overall, if you are a fan of Chinese Wuxia or Xianxia series, "Ancient Love Poetry" is something you definitely can't miss. I believe you all will enjoy it. Thumbs up!! Cheers!!
Was this review helpful to you?
About historical,god realm and more things about love
This is an very amazing and lovely drama I love this drama from trailer and the concept of drama is outstanding ☺️😊 and background music 🎶🎶 and so lovely 💖 I feel so good after listening this background music 🎶 and hope you make another drama of xu Kai and Zhou dong and drama is very outstanding and keep going and make us entertaining 💕💕 and main lead and supporting role are doing their act so perfectly and lots of love from Nepal 😊😊🥰 hope you all like my CMT 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💓💓Thank You 💓💓🥰🥰🥰
Was this review helpful to you?
Don't drop this
Super love this drama, honestly i cried not because of the drama but because of the song, the lyrics got to me. I wonder how they came up with lyrics to match the plot of the drama. And the protagonist isn't the female lead but the male lead, I honestly thought it was all about Shanggu but towards the end I came to the realisation that it was all about Baijue, and if you watch the end with the waiting for his return and all, you will also understand it. I was angry at the beginning because all of them were just protecting her and making decisions for her when she was obviously the most powerful one of them all, they didn't allow her to show her full potential but just kept her in a bubble all because of love, so I was angry at all the male in the drama and the most stupid one of them all is the heavenly emperor, he got off easily for my liking. So for me this drama is special and I love it. Been a while that I was so invested in a drama because L&R really ruined me for a long time, couldn't focus on any other drama until this ALP. Kudos to all the casts, both the MAINs and SUPPORTING casts. 10/10Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Best drama in terms of story and cgi
This is the must watch drama for everyone who loves xianxia genre...When I stand watching this from 1 to 15 episode I like every interaction between our leads and it is a cute and flittering story
But from episode 16 the real drama begins and all the emotional scenes forces us to shed all the tears from eyes. .
I do not even remember when I cried that much ...
Osts are the best part of drama...
In short I think everyone should try this one because it is s masterpiece ....
DO.not. HESITATE...
Was this review helpful to you?
The acting is on point and I love the story line. I think the character developments done really well. All the cast has done a great job! Even the supporting cast his done phenomenal work.
The affects and the story line got me hooked right away. Can’t wait for the next episode. This is a show I will watch over and over again.
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama is excellent
This is my first time watching Zhou Dong Yu in a drama, and I love how she acts her character in here. I like Xu Kai and been watching in whatever drama he is in. The story is great, the characters are amazing, the plot is good and the CGI IS PERFECT. No matter what, I love this drama and will watch it until the end. I don't care what others think about this drama, but for me this drama is worth watching for and I hope the production crew will not drop this drama because of some negative comments.Was this review helpful to you?
A beautiful ending for this couple
A very exciting drama, a story that catches you little by little, a gorgeous love, full of many problems.From the beginning to the end, a story that will trap you, full of emotions, of an almost impossible love.
What will happen at the end of this story, can they be together, or will they have to wait years to see each other again?
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful Story - Must Watch!!!!
This is my first time writing a review on here. I loved everything about this drama. At the end, i dont know if i was crying tears of joy, sadness, or relief for everything they had to go through. Their love for each other was so beautiful! The acting, cinematography, and story was so well done. I started watching it for xu kai but i fell in love with everyone else in it as the story progressed. Kudos to everyone involved in this production and the translators for all of their hard work! I hope i can come across another drama thats as great as this one!If you are second guessing watching this, just go watch it! You wont regret it!
Was this review helpful to you?
Watch it for yourself Don't go by reviews.
After all the negative stuff i read about this drama i was expecting something quite boring.....as it turns out it was far far from boring. The story starts off slowly but as it progresses u get hooked in. The visuals of this drama are beautiful, the fighting sequences are really good, and the acting from zhou dongyu and xu kai is soo good. I think the last 12 episodes i ran out of tissues the story is so bittersweet at times, and the music is wonderful and really fits the events. I won't write anything else except that it's really worth watching.Was this review helpful to you?
A must watch and worth for rewatch
Ancient Love Poetry after so many years is still standing out. Indeed it a superb drama with majestic characters of Bai Jue by Xu kai and Shanggu by Zhou Dong yu. Their love through 3 lives and 3 realms breaks hearts and brings joy to us. It's a must watch. It's worth a 10/10. Xu kai deserves an Oscar. There has never been any other actors bring so much satisfaction, emotional response and entertainment as Xu kai did.Was this review helpful to you?
