This review may contain spoilers
It's great! Go watch it!
The way the director, writer, producer, and actors approached the story of a character who transmigrates into a fictional novel is brilliantly executed. They truly did justice to the emotional and psychological complexity of being transported to an unknown land. In many previous dramas, leads are often shown as mildly confused but able to assimilate seamlessly into their surroundings within seconds. However, this drama takes a refreshing and more realistic approach. Ling Miao Miao’s immediate and desperate desire to escape her unfamiliar circumstances establishes her as a character who is self-aware and relatable. This quick, instinctive reaction defines her personality right from the start, and impressively, her growth throughout the story—particularly in the context of love—remains cohesive and believable without diminishing her initial characterization.Speaking of love—despite the severe lack of kisses (lol)—the chemistry between the leads is nothing short of explosive. The drama doesn’t rely on overt displays of affection to convey their bond; instead, it is built through meaningful dialogue, their constant need to be near each other, and the intensity of their gazes. Mu Sheng’s unwavering looks toward Miao Miao, in particular, speak volumes about the depth of their connection, as though their very existence is intertwined. Their love feels almost fated, transcending the typical tropes of romance, and resonates deeply with viewers.
One of the drama’s standout elements is how the second leads, Mu Yao and Liu Fuyi, are given room to shine. Unlike many stories where secondary characters feel like mere backdrops, here they are well-developed and integral to the plot. Their struggles and relationships are treated with care and purpose, adding another layer of richness to the story.
I also want to highlight on the how they tie it to modern life of Ling Miao Miao and the author, it gave actual contrast to the world Miao Miao is transported into which added more depth to the story than a simple transmigration to a fantasy world.
There are some critiques:
1. Where are the kisses!!!! Lmao
2. The aunt of Mu Sheng, Luniang...was she necessary? Here acting wasn't as impressive but perhaps if the character had
shown more clinginess and affection towards the Goddess Mei, a more believable act of being close as kin to each other and the initial or eventual hate towards the father of Mu Sheng be more expressed more than spewed words that might be better for the plot, justifying her actions towards Mu Sheng.
3. Certain parts toward the end felt rushed, particularly as the drama tried to resolve major plot points. A slightly longer runtime or more thoughtful pacing could have helped provide a more satisfying conclusion.
4. While his decision to sacrifice himself was a pivotal moment, it lacked the emotional weight it could have had. A private, heartfelt conversation between Mu Sheng and Miao Miao before his decision would have beautifully showcased the depth of their understanding and love for each other. This could have made the moment even more impactful for viewers.
Overall, it was funny, romantic, heart-warming drama perfect for any day of relaxation or a break from life.
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An Idol Drama That's Unexpectedly Enjoyable
I initially expected to drop this drama by the second episode since I'm not huge on romance, not to mention I'm not overly fond of Esther Yu. But color me surprised, I actually ended up enjoying it! Not only did I enjoy watching it, it was all I could watch for the past week! I'm still not a fan of Esther Yu's, but she did manage to convince me that she can act (unlike some of her peers) because of this drama. She can actually speak without her usual cutesy “aegyo” voice and knock her dramatic scenes out of the park. But even with her childish mannerisms and squeaky voice, I somehow became less annoyed with her as the drama went on.The real revelation in this drama is Ding Yuxi, though. I tried to watch two of his other dramas, Love You Seven Times, which I dropped (I don't even know why I considered watching it), and White Cat Legend, which I put on hold. They didn't pique my interest and I thought he didn't quite have that leading man charisma. Boy was I wrong! Mu Sheng is definitely his breakout role and he even stole the spotlight from his co-stars. Let's just say that I'm totally giving White Cat Legend another go after this.
Storywise, Love Game In Eastern Fantasy is pretty much an isekai reminiscent of series like Re: Zero and The Rising of the Shield Hero. One of the reasons why I decided to check this out is because I do like this subgenre of fantasy. True enough, it did grab my attention from the get-go. It follows an ordinary girl named Ling Miaomiao who somehow finds herself inside a novel written by her favorite author. And in order to return to her world, she must play a game of love and win the heart of the crabby and standoffish, Mu Sheng. She must maneuver her way into this world, join the demon hunting team led by Mu Yao, and learn how to fight demons to survive. The story within this world is nothing new, though. I've seen a lot of xianxia and xuanhuan dramas and read fantasy books that follow similar plots. But I have to give credit to the writers for making it seem fresh and entertaining. For an idol drama, it's actually pretty good.
In terms of production value, I can't say it breaks new ground, though. It looks and feels like every other idol C-drama I've seen. Even the sets are the same. I know I saw those exact same sets in The Double and probably from other dramas I can't recall right now. The music, for the most part, is good. But again, the song choices are pretty much the same as other idol dramas I've seen. I feel like one of the reasons why people liked this is because it's familiar. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel or do anything innovative. It relies solely on its well-established story, which was adapted from a popular novel, and the acting prowess and star power of its actors. I read somewhere that this is an S+ drama but I was disappointed to see the same production quality I normally find in other dramas of its kind. I expected it to actually have better CGI, costumes, cinematography, color grading, and set designs, but it doesn't.
I was also disappointed with the second couple. I'm sorry but they are sleep inducingly dull. Every time the main CP weren't on screen, I dozed off. Zhu Xudan is actually not bad as Mu Yao, but her partner is just plain meh. The actor who plays the second male lead looks half-dead throughout the drama. Sorry, but I think if they had gotten a more capable actor for that role, who actually has an ounce of chemistry with the second female lead, the second CP would've been far more interesting. I found myself getting bored every time the story focused on them. That rarely happens to me as I often find the second couple more engaging than the main couple. I just wasn't invested in them at all. The rest of the cast are great, though. The kid who plays Cuicui is so cute! And of course the veteran actors excelled in this.
Now for the ending. I can't say I liked it but I can't say I hated it either. I know many viewers complained that it ended abruptly with no real resolution or explanation. But I do get why they ended it the way they did. They don't need to show Miaomiao and Mu Sheng reuniting, it's already implied in that last scene. Of course we all want to see that happen, but the writers left the ending to our imagination. And in my book, they found each other again and they got their happy ending. That's what I choose to believe. I guess I'm used to open endings in Japanese stories that it didn't bother me one bit. I do understand the frustration of some of the viewers, though.
All in all, this is a cute romance drama that'll take you on an adventure in a magical world filled with demons and demon hunters. It'll make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with the first male lead. Oh wait, that's just me! Hahaha! I give this a solid 8 out of 10.
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Review: Drama vs. Novel Comparison ?
I loved all the characters in drama rather than the novel.Having read the original novel, I couldn’t help but compare it to the drama. In the novel, the FL (Female Lead) is deeply in love with another guy, and staying true to her feelings is central to her character. However, her goal to increase the ML’s (Male Lead’s) favorability towards her adds an intriguing conflict. This dynamic, which highlights the FL walking a tightrope between her true emotions and her mission, is missing in the drama, which felt disappointing.
While the novel has moments that might make you dislike certain characters, the drama redeems those elements, giving us a more cohesive and wholesome story. The ending was satisfying, but I did miss certain standout scenes from the novel, like the one where the ML controls the FL and marries her. I was excited to see how they’d execute it, but sadly, it wasn’t included.
Instead, the drama introduces a love spell track involving the FL, but it’s not directed at the ML, which felt like an interesting twist but a missed opportunity for their relationship. On the other hand, the ML’s heartfelt three-line description of the FL while searching for her was beautifully executed and one of my favorite moments.
In summary, while the drama diverges from the novel and skips some iconic scenes, it excels at delivering an enjoyable and heartwarming narrative. Worth a watch, definitely a big YESSSSS!!!
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Amazing story and acting, uneven ending
This is an amazingly creative writing, a very unusual Chinese xianxia trope, which is a high praise.Acting, cast, music are all on point. There are some episodes first half that’s more draggy than necessary but for most part you can’t skip. For this I deducted half point.
The other half point deducted is the ending. It could have been done better. Don’t worry it is a good ending but having invested 31 chapters, we deserved more closures to all the characters.
Overall highly recommended and enjoyable. This year is truly a good year for cdrama watchers.
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drowning in this drama
What an amazing drama! Though it's a common plot in fantasy novels, the direction that this drama takes it makes you want to keep watching more and more. I'm 27 episodes in and i feel like this is one of the perfect castings and perfect stylings as well -- especially for ding yuxi, he looks STUNNING in this styling; shuxin always looks pretty regardless but this styling elevated it even further. I love that this drama doesn't put the supporting or 2nd leads to the side but helps build up their stories and it's definitely helping the story! I'm actually using this drama in my senior thesis so I'm really enjoying catching small details for it. I think this is honestly one of the best costume dramas of the year!Was this review helpful to you?
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A pleasant surprise!
This drama exceeded all my expectations. Such drama is usually not my alley abd I only plan to watch this one for fun but oh boy, I was so wrong. I was in for a ride, waiting for the next episodes to come. Honestly, I don't plan to make a review for this one if not for the spamming behaviour.Pacing is surprisingly good. They didn't dwell too long on that damn bracelet.
Comedic timing is on point. The lightning, fake end credits, dust demon missing a decimal and Miao miao dying several times to offer medicine are funny.
Ding Yuxi is so good! His eyes are enough to express emotions. Yu Shuxin is good too. I cried during the father scene.
Script is the best selling point of this drama. The scriptwriter made changes that I actually appreciate, such as Miao Miao not being too clingy to Fuyi for the mission. I also appreciate how Miao Miao's remarks resonate with me as a viewer.
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my feelings towards the show
I wish there was a better way to describe this show, but all I can say, it was special. I enjoyed it, I felt immersed into the plot, characters, ost, (just everything about it) it was perfect, I'm sure many people would disagree, yes there weren't many romance scenes such as kiss scenes compared to the 2nd lead couple, but I love them. Ziqi and MiaoMiao was special, each time I see them together on screen I couldn't stop myself from smiling. They had such excellent chemistry, though I wish we had at least 2 or 3 extra episodes, either way the ending was bittersweet. I still hear the song playing on repeat in my head, over and over again. I don't want to move on, I want to stay in their world where humans and demons could try to stay together in harmony. Become a part of the four bamboo forest masters squad :(I will miss that feeling...
To have love you before makes me satisfied with my whole life - Stare intensely by Cyndi Wang
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The moments I love
LOVE GAME IN EASTERN FANTASY💗 The moments I love 💕 (Ep.1)
This series boasts a multitude of beautiful moments that I prefer to highlight rather than review the series.
Note 3 moments from the first episode.
🎮 When Ling Miao Miao initially entered the game dimension, also known as the parallel world, Ling Miao Miao unknowingly failed at her quest twice. The series' cinematography is notable, as it seems to guide viewers through the scenes alongside Miao Miao, much like the experience of playing an MMO; and so, we begin, game on. 🎬
☄️ When Mu Sheng first appeared, it was at the pivotal moment to rescue Miao Miao from the Mirror Demon's evil act. As I watched the series to its conclusion, I recalled this scene and grasped its subtle message. This is a veiled message from Fu Zhou (also known as Zi Qi), the author of the novel "Demon Catcher". Fu Zhou composed the novel to create his own world where he could show to Miao Miao that he can protect her. That's why the first time they encountered each other in the parallel world, he rescued and protected her. ❤️🔥
💗 The moment that brought tears to my eyes was when Ling Miao Miao met her character’s father in the game, who shared an identical appearance with her late father. Her emotional reaction was a complex mix of shock, delight and profound joy. I believe this was a heartfelt gesture by Fu Zhou/ Zi Qi, who had thoughtfully preserved this element for Miao Miao. He was aware of the immense love and longing she felt for her late father, as well as the remorse she harbored regarding his passing. As a result, he intentionally designed Lin Ngu's father to bear a striking resemblance to Miao Miao's, thereby creating a moving and comforting experience for her within his world. 💝
[Cont.]
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The Chemistry is Amazing + Endings isn't for everyone!
I rarely watch any Chinese period / costume dramas ...This drama drew me in the plot is quite unique.
The story starts off great .We are thoroughly engaged and entertained till ep 19 then the story might go downhill a bit ...
But the story is still quite interesting and worth following.They could hav done better work in terms of the screenwriting ...It could hav been a little more well thought.
I hav no regerts watching this drama ...
But I do wish a few things were better .
Pros:
1. The cast is absolutely outstanding they didn't leave any gaps in their acting ..It's their best work so far .
2.The VFX is totally on point ...this is great when u watch it on TV ...Very beautiful work
3.The plot is quite interesting and unique.
Cons:
1.After ep 19 there can be many NPC like conversation that can cause boredom
2.The romance is visible but there No kiss scenes for our leads .But there r a few scenes for our second leads.
3.The ending is not what u would typically expect.It is still heartwarming when u take a minute and think about it .
4.It has quite an open ending with happiness .
It's not everyone's cup of tea.
It's a great watch ....the ending is quite satisfying if u take a minute and think about it.
It was a nice and heartwarming experience at the end .No regrets!
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One of the best dramas I will EVER watch
The story was incredible, the characters all felt like they had an incredible thought out heart and soul to them. The twists and turns the story took was just amazing and there's never a second of being bored throughout it all. I love stories of this style and this being a true fantasy just made it all the better.And of course, everyone has to love Ziqi and Miao Miao
Absolutely an 100/10 from me
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a drama with beautiful world building and lovable characters
one of the best cdrama for me this year!the best thing about this drama has to be the world building. the world consists of demons and demon catchers. and are protagonists are demon catchers. our fmc lands in the novel of her fav author and has to complete the story to get out. a very common setting but how the drama went about it was beautiful.
the plot was well written. although the pacing did get off (almost all cdramas do) it still kept me hooked. all the side characters had personality and their own stories. they were given the time they needed and i loved their stories too.
the whole found family trope was so good to read. i loved the little team they formed and how they cared for each other. i so wanted a mirror of it all in the modern world once ling miaomiao got out. im not disappointed with the ending but i did want more from it.
overall, a wonderful drama with high rewatch value. a cozy fantasy that you can watch this winter.
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Dare I say one of the best of 2024...
I love every minute of the this show. Personally, I thought the ending was really confusing but it still somehow worked. The last 3 episodes was so just so much information for it to be mushed into 3 episodes. The ending felt really really rushed and for that I had to bring down a point. The storyline other wise was amazing as well as the cast of characters; from the main character to the side characters, everyone was very well flushed-out and they're not just NCPs in a story; they are their own characters and have a flushed out story. The ending message was so meaningful: "When can someone love someone else at 100%? Of course it's not when I love you more than I love myself. It's only when I truly love myself, believe in myself, then I can full-heartedly and truly love you."Casting choices was amazing. Yu Shu Xin and Ding Yu Xi did absolutely phenomenal. Their acting was so well done from the micro-expressions to the emotional scenes to the comedic scenes. However, I wish they would've let DYX use his actual voice in the drama because it suited the Zi Qi so well. He has that youthful rebellious voice that suits him so well. From the second I watched Moonlight, another drama with YSX and DYX as the mains, they've been my favorite duo/couple because their chemistry is so good together. Please, I need another drama with them. I love how this is both YSX and DYX, and Zhu Xu Dan and Yang Shi Ze's 2nd time working with each other as couples. ZXD and YSZ were together in Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red Moon Pact. YSX, DYX, and YSZ all worked together in Moonlight as well.
Overall I really really loved this drama, truly one of the best dramas of 2024, if not only of my personal favorites of all time (it changes a lot, but i think it secured a spot in the top 10).
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