Snowy Night Timeless Love (2024)

Life is short, cherish the moment.

Unhampered swordsman, Huo Zhan Bai seeks treatment for his sworn brother's child. His sworn brother's child needs to be treated by the most skilled doctor to have a glimmer of hope of survival. So for his sworn brother's child to receive the treatment he needs, he set out on a journey to the Apothecary Valley. His journey leads him to encounter the most skilled doctor, also know as a Divine doctor, the master of the Apothecary Valley, Xue Zi Ye. Their encounter isn't exactly all that great, but as time flies, they grew closer, developed mutual understanding and trust. And eventually, love blossomed between a free-spirited swordsman and a divine doctor who's always refrained from involving herself in the struggles of the Martial Arts World. However, due to the heavy responsibilities on their shoulders, a love that could have lasted for a lifetime couldn't be expressed fully.


I loved the premise of Snowy Night Timeless Love mainly because right from the first four episodes, I got to see the chemistry of Li Qin and Joseph Zeng. Plus, the stunning cinematography mustn't go unmentioned.


I've always known this one would have a sad ending cause the synopsis itself is a big spoiler, but I wasn't swayed from watching, I picked it up still. Why? Mainly because not all love lasts forever. And not all love gets a happy ending, or the forever after thing. There are love that you want to protect but couldn't. A love full of heartbreaks and sufferings. Not every love is all rosy. Love is accompanied with sadness, tears, heartbreaks, and separation. A love with regrets. There's that one person you wish to save but couldn't. That one person you'd sacrifice your life for in a heartbeat if sacrificing could bring the person back. That beloved you never want to get separated from. A beloved who bacame a memory. There's always that love. That beloved you can't help but miss as the day passes. That's the reality of life. Life is short. If there's one lesson I learnt from this drama, that'll be, "cherish the moment while it's last. More importantly, cherish the person you love while they're still around." Spend time with them, cuz you never know what will happen in the future. Don't leave regrets. Live your life spending time with the people you love. There's no eternity in this, life is but for a short while, so don't waste it. How long you live is not what matters, it's how well you live your life, spending time with your beloved, loved ones, and doing what you like that does. Regrets can be a very tormenting, so live your life without regrets.

The problem with Huo Zhan Bai is he puts others needs before his own happiness. He couldn't express his feelings, nor was he able to make too many happy memories with Xue Zi Ye. But then again, the time they spent together was fulfilling, they'll turn to memories to cherish forever. This is a sad romance that refects reality. I can't help but be reminded of "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi.

That said, Li Qin did her role as the cold Chief of the Apothecary Valley justice. The way she portrays emotions sometimes leaves me speechless. I've always known she's a great and versatile actress, still I can't help but be impressed by her acting skills everytime I watch her drama. Her acting moved me to tears in this one. Her facial expressions is spot on. She portrayed her role as the cold, aloof, yet kindhearted Xue Zi Ye wonderfully. Indeed, Li Qin doesn't disappoint.

And without excluding our selfless ML, Joseph Zeng. I enjoyed his performance in this one thoroughly. When he's pain, he acts it so well. I've seen him in a lot of dramas and have always been impressed by him. Snowy Night Timeless Love made me love him more. The way he acts when he's in pain left an impression on me. He also didn't disappoint me.

Not to mention the chemistry. There are no kisses like the other dramas I've watched, but the chemistry was there. The gazes, hugs, and their time together was enough to keep me going. If there's any complaints I have about this one, it's that Huo Zhan Bai never put his happiness first. It's looking for Mo's medicine today, and bringing justice to the Martial art world tomorrow. I didn't like this about him.

After much thought, I decided to give this a solid 9.5 for the lessons, the acting, and the chemistry of the leads.

Xue Zi Ye and Huo Zhan Bai's love will live on in my heart for a very, long, long time. I learnt a lot from their love. I can't help but love this drama because of how it reflects reality.💞


There are many controversies and mixed feelings on the ending, mainly because the ended was a sad one. And because Xue Zi Ye died in the end. But I loved it still, even though it's a sad ending, I learnt a lot. Snowy Night Timeless Love is beautifully written and executed. 💞 It's painful but I was still glad to see Xue Zi Ye die thinking of the one she loves.

Snowy Night Timeless Love is a drama that'll move you to tears. A drama about separation. A drama that moved me, even though it has its flaws. Don't miss it. However, make sure you have your tissues close by if you an empathetic person cuz this drama is emotional!

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A story of what if, chance, hope, and belief

In this story there are nods to Shakeapeare and Greek tragedies - if you enjoy those types of plays then you'd enjoy this.

There IS a romance here, but it's old school. Lingering glances, touches, unsaid words and comfort. Tons, and tons of it. The show is very ASMR-y with its presence. Up until the last 5 episodes. That's when everything has been building meets the peak and the outcome of actions comes back to haunt people.

One could say this is a tragedy, a tragedy of love, a tragedy of 'what if' 'should I have', 'did I love enough' etc. But, the beautiful thing is the woman who thought of others instead of herself, broken, but given a chance to heal and fall in love again. A man who also thought of others, worked eight years with nothing but hope in his heart and regret, fell in love with someone who gave him that hope learned to heal.

That to me is the purest kind of love.

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Letting Go, Not Letting Go, Hope, Love, and Loss

"Snowy Night Timeless Love" is a poignant and heart-wrenching Chinese drama that blends romance with themes of duty, sacrifice, and the bittersweet reality of missed opportunities. The story follows HZB, a swordsman, and XZY, a calm and compassionate doctor, who meet by chance when HZB seeks medicine for a friend's child. What begins as a simple encounter gradually blossoms into a deep, unspoken connection over the course of eight years. However, their love remains just out of reach due to the burdens they each carry.

The drama shines in its subtle approach to romance. Rather than relying on grand gestures or dramatic confessions, the drama focuses on the quiet moments shared between two people who grow to understand each other deeply. HZB rough exterior softens as he spends more time with XZY while her composed, steady nature is shaken by the bond they form. Their relationship is a slow burn, and the passage of time is felt in every glance, every word unspoken, and every moment of silent companionship.

What makes this story so powerful is the tension between their love and their sense of responsibility. Both characters are bound by duty—HZB to finding every way to save Mo'er, and XZY to finding every way to save her brother and everyone else but her. Despite their growing feelings for each other, neither feels free to truly pursue a life together. Their promise to meet under the plum tree the following year symbolizes their shared hope, yet there's a sense that they both know their love might never come to fruition.

The emotional weight of the drama lies in its exploration of MISSED OPPORTUNITIES. The snowy night setting adds to the atmosphere of longing and melancholy, as the falling snow becomes a metaphor for time slipping away. The visual beauty of the drama, with its serene winter landscapes and quiet moments of reflection, only heightens the emotional impact.

When the inevitable separation arrives, it feels all the more heartbreaking because of how deeply I have come to understand these two characters. Their farewell, marked by a thousand miles of distance and the unspoken understanding that they will never truly be together, is haunting.

The drama did very well in its visual storytelling. The snowy nights, quiet scenes by the plum tree, and the soft glow of lanterns create a world that feels timeless and emotionally charged. These images, combined with restrained performances, allow the drama to convey a depth of emotion that lingers long after the final episode.

I think that what this drama did the very best was how it explores the theme of hope, particularly through the characters' personal struggles. XZY, as a doctor, holds onto the hope of reviving her dead brother, tirelessly searching for ways to undo the irreversible. Her deep grief and unwillingness to let go of the past reflect the emotional weight of this hope. On the other hand, HZB spends years searching for the ingredients to create a cure for his friend’s dying son. Both characters are driven by their desire to change fate, which underscores how hope can sustain a person, even when the odds are impossible. However, the drama also shows the darker side of this hope—how it can blind someone to the present, causing them to lose what is right in front of them.

Li Qin was perfectly cast, embodying a sense of calm intelligence without ever crossing into arrogance. Her character is compassionate and protective, but never naive. She brings a quiet strength to Xue Zi Yue, making her both relatable and admirable. And then there is Joseph Zeng who played Huo Zhan Bai with equal depth. JZ portrayal of the renowned swordsman is filled with charm—he’s handsome and carries an aura of experience and quiet confidence that feels true to the character's background.

Their chemistry is a slow burn—it takes time to truly feel it, but once you do, it really is captivating. Just as their connection deepens, they are bound by duty and force to part, making their separation even more heartbreaking. The gradual build-up of their bond makes the inevitable ending all the more emotional.

Ultimately, this is a story of love that could have been—a bittersweet tale of two people who, despite their feelings for each other, prioritize their responsibilities over their own happiness. For people who appreciate slow-burn romances and emotionally complex narratives, "Snowy Night Timeless Love" offers a deeply moving experience that explores the quiet pain of unspoken love. It’s a story that stays with you, not because of dramatic twists or high-stakes conflict, but because of its tender, aching portrayal of love and loss.

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An Interwoven Tragic Tale with Majestic Scenery

I think this is the first drama ever where what first attracted me was the gorgeous scenery. I knew both leads could hold their own in a wuxia and I was prepared for an SE; which was done so skillfully and artfully. This was an interwoven tragic tale with a majestic backdrop.

Pros: Wherever they filmed other than Hengdian was absolutely stunning. I'm a photographer by hobby and though not a fan of the cold, that scenery was too beautiful to resist honestly. First time probably ever that that was the thing I spoke of when starting off a review. Also I wanted to point out how well they wrote and created the SE and not just for the leads but other characters as well. The near constant tragedies like of siblings reuniting after unknowingly living in the same location and hating one another for over 20 years only for one to be killed minutes later. Or of an entire family to be slaughtered just because a son in law said the wrong things at the wrong time and it was found out only years later. Our leads love story was more spiritual than obvious; it was never spoken but their bond was almost telepathic as each time HZB would be near death, something would fall over near XZY or the wind would blow harder.

Even if the prescription was fake, it saved 3 lives for at least 8 years and everyone was in some way, shape, or form intertwined; be it through blood or other ties and at the end though the closeness of the miss of ML and FL was almost painful, we knew it had to happen. Doctrine leader was by far one of the most sadistic antagonists I've seen in a while, killing whole communities and destroying, framing people just to steal gifted kids who then were raised to be as savage as beasts while unable to get away from him in a Stockholm Syndrome type of manner especially for MF/YM; as he himself said "unknowingly, I took the enemy as my father and ignored my sister's suffering." Only when MS revealed the truth did he truly understand what a monster he protected. Losing his sister seconds later and then ZY was almost more than he could take. After knowing all or most of their stories, you could forgive 3 of the assassins creed people because they were harmed, used, lied to almost their entire lives. As ZY said, "the only one to blame is the player" or the one who uses others as swords for his own monstrous deeds.

ZY was truly a hero here; even though it took the three of them to take the nearly immortal doctrine leader down; she had her cold disease, plus the king of all poisons already in her system from saving her brother and yet she still repeatedly fought until that thing was dead.

Other great characters included all of the brothers of the sect except 6th brother, MJ/Tong, the valley girls and granny, the other valley chief and the MVPs being the snow harrier and horse of HZB lol. The utter emotions of everyone especially HZB at the end when he realized ZY was dead was heartbreaking but powerful. Joseph did very well in all of his scenes; from the great fight ones to the total emotional breakdown at the end. The story itself was a bit repetitive (find medicine, fight, nearly die, get healed, repeat) but it was meant to bring their subtle but strong love story to life. Also the subtlety of them not being meant to be together in several scenes like missing the northern lights by seconds or the breaking of the hairpin in the snow, these were such great touches. As well as at the end HZB sharing the wine meant for the two of them with MJ and YM as they honored her in their own ways before her tomb; HZB being the lover calling her "Ziye", MJ the brother saying "sister Ye" and YM she being his redemption "Chief Xue." I'm actually totally ok with YM becoming the new chief of the valley instead of SH because it's something he can do well plus he's got an internal power he can use.

The ending was also done very artfully with HZB as an old man coming to ZY's tomb every year and drinking with her while the rest of time he's bringing justice to the world. MJ becoming a monk and YM the new chief was the hope for the story. Though with great loses and lifetime parting, the sun still rises and we must keep our loved one's memories alive through good deeds; I think that's what the story was trying to convey overall.

OSTs, costumes, were all pretty awesome.

Cons: I know that there wouldn't have been an original story if the Junior sister hadn't essentially created the problem by breast feeding her son when he was in isolation and specifically off limits. It's like going into a hospital room when you've been told by the doctor that it's life threatening and doing something irreversible. I wish there had been another way to go about that because she never really acknowledged that what set all of these things in motion was her own negligence. She said it once and it was never brought up again. Meanwhile, HZB is out there risking his life for them. I don't blame ZY for the fake prescription as she really didn't know one way or the other because it gave them all 8 years of extra life and experience.

Also the 6th brother was very much like his wife; arrogant and selfish. He volunteered to go undercover but that only added to his jealousy. That storyline was very weak. And I think it was the weakest arc of the entire thing plus the ending because you have 7 brothers racing to eliminate the threat while it's pretty much already been eliminated by ZY, YM, and MS. They don't know this and as Tong said, 6th brother should thank Sword Sect for giving him a few more hours to live because had Tong not known 6th brother had betrayed them and he was planning on trapping them, he would have killed him before. And of course this was also done to let the leads miss each other one final time. I think I would have just done it a bit smoother without such a burgeoning arc and let down.

Plus the Snow Harrier, couldn't locate either people that he was so good at doing for receiving messages so that was inconsistent. I also wish we knew at the end how much time had passed between HZB saying he didn't want to be chief to returning to the valley and drinking the wine because though he was wearing the same outfit; YM was already chief of the valley with vast medical skills which he couldn't have acquired in less than a year. So that was a plot hole. A few others were obviously deleted scenes where HZB found medicine and than was returning with it but we never saw what happened in between.

Would I recommend it? Yes, I would very much. Even if you don't like SE's, they're the most memorable if done right. The acting, storytelling, and again scenery is very worth it.

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Searching for Meaning in a Meaningless World

Snowy Night: Timeless Love or its (better) alternate title Seven Nights of Snow features constant, unending scenery of snowy landscapes against which this beautiful story of grief and regret is set. Some of the snow scenes were shot on location and some were recreated - yes the CGI can be a bit underwhelming, and the premise of the male lead returning to the Apothecary Valley while retaining terrible injuries during the course of eight years may sound uninspiring. Yet, underneath this repetitive facade lies a poignant and reflective tale of grief, love and sacrifice.

There's the seemingly cold medical-doctor Xue Ziye and the equally cold Apothecary Valley. Our male lead Huo Zhanbai is the righteous and kindhearted (to a fault) seventh brother of the Sword Sect. Appearances can be deceiving -as the eight years roll by we learn that Xue Ziye is neither cold nor lustful. Huo Zhanbai's task over the eight years is a meaningless one - finding herbs that will serve no real purpose apart from giving him a reason to live. His grief outweighs the pain he suffers from searching for the herbs - so he would suffer physically then lose hope altogether.  Sometimes one needs only one reason to live. Xue Ziye's shifu later on points out that a lie saved three lives. For Xue Ziye, her own reasons to survive was the hope of reviving her old childhood friend - in order to do so she herself finds meaning in several meaningless tasks - rootless water, rootless plants - all of which can hardly manifest into anything. Huo Zhanbai's path to self-redemption is itself meaningless as there is nothing to redeem. His self-sacrificing kindness overshadows everyone else in the beginning half of the show only to be surpassed by Xue Ziye acts of self-sacrifice in the last few episodes. 

Both these characters, in their silent ways, find companionship in each other and heal from their wounds. Perhaps the most poignant scenes are the ones where the two of them sit together sipping wine. Sometimes they stare at the moon, sometimes they wait for the epiphyllum to bloom. That was one of the most telling moments on the show: the beauty of a certain moment - watching flowers bloom. No physicality could surpass the silence of beauty. These were the slow moments on the show that I thoroughly enjoyed. In an age where one needs to slow down - these moments were meditative, poetic and meaningful. Sometimes the greatest meaning lies in the little things and it's those little things that make up the big things.   

By no means is this a happy show - many of its characters suffer incessantly and in different ways. Mingjie, Miao Feng and Miao Shui are also victims in some way or another. I enjoyed the way the stories of all these characters was revealed during the course of the show. Miao Feng's true personality is revealed much later and he makes for another very interesting character. The bonds that the characters share was another highlight of the show. The silent unspoken love between Huo Zhanbai and Xue Ziye. The bonds between Xue Ziye and Miao Feng which were heartbreaking towards the end. The love between Xue Ziye and Mingjie which reached its peak in episode 29 with the beautiful scene where both actors gave an outstanding and heart wrenching performance. There were other bonds too - mother and son, lost siblings, shifu and her students - each wrought by boundless sacrifice. 

Yes this is a tragedy but it is by far one of the most beautiful tragedies I've watched recently. It is never dark or gruesome and perhaps never too complex in its plots. Instead its complexity lies in human relationships and emotions, where silence outweighs the noises of the world, where love, kindness and sacrifice is unforgotten and where hope can be found even in the greatest sadness. 

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Surprisingly Delightful?

This was a very very simple drama. Some may interpret that as it being boring but I think it's simplicity makes it shine truthfully. It's one that gets better with every episode. Around episode 7 is when I was finally hooked in, and after that it was really just an easy uphill climb.

I loved how all the characters connect in some way past present or both. The relationships the female lead has with all three male leads are so unique and beautiful. The simplest thing about it I would say is the “lead” relationship (Huo Zhan Bai x Xue Zi Ye). Her relationships with Mingjie and Miao Feng are super complex and drew me in entirely. Them appearing in the later half is in part what makes it more enjoyable as it proceeds. When we're just with the first half it can seem slow, but after finishing I look at it overall as more of a slice of life drama thrown into wuxia environment.

The culmination in plot was actually really well done and exciting. It uplifted the pace in a way that had me wanting 40 episodes instead of just the 32 we got, which is surprising because typically 40 episode cdramas become my enemy.

I originally had it at a 7, but once they stepped outside of just the lead's development and let the female lead show her range of heart for others (specifically Mingjie & Miao Feng), I really began to love it.

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Disappointing

I was in it for the ML and FL, and it was great up until about episode 23, then the story and main leads' relationship went downhill and quickly sunk under the freezing lake from there. The whole 8 years of sending the ML to search for ingredients which almost gets him killed multiple times, because it gave the ML hope (which is really false hope) is a pretty dumb rationale.

STORY: First three quarter of series was good. Last quarter ruined the whole story.
CAST: Cast overall was great. The ML was awesome, and I particularly liked the helpers/students of the FL.
REWATCH VALUE: There is zero chance of me rewatching

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They met in the afterlife (finally saw the aurora lights together)

"The snowflakes on the seventh night bloom and and wither like a short reunion and a permanent separation."
This encapsulates the whole story.

"Eternal separation"
This applies to the main couple and the siblings in the story. The saddest and most brief reunion is Miao Feng (Prince Ya Mi) and his sister (Princess Shan Mi). There were many hints of their ending throughout the drama but when I saw the former valley chief and the 5th sword sect disciple I thought it would be the future of Zhan Bai and Zi Ye. I think Qing Ran and 5th were the only happy couple in the story.

Love is expressed in many ways.
Siblings love either blood and non blood related, strangers to long lasting friends to lovers, secret love, love expressed more through actions than words, parent to child, friends, sworn siblings, master-disciple, enemies...
Huo Zhan Bai and Xue Zi Ye's love is expressed more through their actions. Their love language is sometimes funny and sometimes sweet and funny.

Obsession has its consequences.
It happened to all of them including the villain which led to his demise. He never expected the kids he raised as killing machines would one day turn against him. That's the best ending for a lunatic and manipulative like him, he deserves it.
Xue Zi Ye was obsessed with bringing someone to life, Huo Zhan Bai's finding cure for Mo, Miao Feng's protecting the villain who he thought saved him but what happened was opposite. Miao Shui was on avenging her while family which she didn't expect M.F to be her only family left. Eye's is his freedom. The villain Chang Wu Jue is dominating the martial world. Seven's sworn bro, 6th disciple's is becoming the next Sword Sect chief. Mo's mother's is getting attention. She married on impulse the 6th disciple but was still in love with Seven and wanted his attention (accdg to novel readers). It's unfortunate how their obsessions controlled them for years and missed important opportunities until it was too late.

Still too late
Huo Zhan Bai couldn't save Mo but it wasn't his fault. It was his junior, Mo's mother, Qui Shui Yin. The fake prescription given by Zi Ye saved both her and Zhan Bai for 8 yrs so she can't be blamed because it was a critical time. He also couldn't save Zi Ye. His letter missed her, he was a day late to see Zi Ye alive. They could have met but he was too focused on his mission. Too late to realize he already met the dying Zi Ye.

I like how Zi Ye was a big part to the downfall of the he villain and how the siblings joined hands to kill him. He owed them. Blood for blood.
Zi Ye did so much before she died so I think she felt fulfilled. Miao Feng and Huo Zhanbai's (Seven) reactions to the death of Zi Ye are very well performed, emotionally wrecking. Zhan Bai's blurry vision and him in his old age cleaning Zi Ye's tomb are depressing.

I now understand why Zhan Bai and his gang were late because what they had to deal with is one of their people who was still in deep obsession ,6th disciple Xu Chong Hua.

I loved the start of their story ,the repetitive routine of Zhan Bai and Zi Ye for 8 yrs. There were subtle changes to their relationship. When Zi Ye thought Zhan Bai almost died from his very serious and heavy injuries, it was the first time she cried and she realized how important he was to her.After that, she learned to let go of her obsession.

Wang Hong Yi as Miao Feng is visually the most outstanding to me with his blue hair and his simple white and cream costume against the snow, very handsome smile too. He looks different when he plays his instrument looking like a snow prince. His fight scenes are amazing too, He's actually also very powerful in the martial world but he preferred to be the next valley chief, protecting the valley and become a healer like Zi Ye. I like his and Zi Ye's moments together because they also have an irresistible chemistry although only he had a crush on her. She helped revive the Ya Mi in him and helped him reunite with her sister and let go of his obsession . His performance was on point although his longest screen times were during the last few episodes.
Joseph Zheng's most attractive costume is the white one with dark blue prints. His high ponytails, side curls, and his fight scenes make him more attractive as Huo Zhan Bai. He is funniest is when he forced his snow harrier to listen to his troubled mind. His sweetest moment with Li Qin as Zi Ye was with witnessing the epiphyllium blooming, the night they spend together under the plum blossom tree, and when he was slowly realizing his feelings for her, his eyes were fixed on her, those long gazes when Zi Ye was healing her and she was too close to him.
Li Qin is so beautiful in her simple costume, make up and with less jewelries on her hair. Her purple dress matched the beauty of the snow and snowy landscape, her hair flowing with the wind. The way she holds the needles and performs healing look sexy and beautiful.
Everyone performed well.
Edward Chen's acting as Eye or Mingjie is also memorable. His role is not my favorite but his acting is convincing. He performed well. I hope he gets more roles in the future.

I never loved sad tragic endings but this drama executed it beautifully and smoothly that's it's very memorable including the 6 osts I will miss listening to them while watching the drama. Joseph Zheng's ost is my favorite but all 6 were melancholically beautiful to my ears.

Don't forget to watch it til the end for that bonus clip! It's the happy ending we wanted, better than the novel ending. For that reason, I'm giving this an extra 0.5 that it deserves.

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Love, Loss, and Lingering Hope: Snowy Night Timeless Love is a Heartfelt Journey Worth Watching

Tbh, Snowy Night Timeless Love left me emotional in the best way. This drama is a whole vibe— HZB, a swordsman with a rough edge, meets XZY, a calm doctor, and what starts as a simple encounter becomes a deep, unspoken bond. Their love story is super low-key, no big confessions, just meaningful glances and quiet moments together.

The missed opportunities theme really hits, because both of them are tied down by responsibility. HZB is out trying to save a friend’s son, while XZY is forever searching for a way to revive her brother. They make a promise to meet again by the plum tree, but ffs, there’s this feeling that it may never happen. It’s tragic, but obvi adds to the story’s beauty.

Visually, this drama is stunning—the snowy nights, lantern-lit scenes, everything has a timeless feel that just deepens the emotional weight. Li Qin brings such calm intelligence to XZY, and Joseph Zeng is spot-on as HZB. Their chemistry takes time to build, but when it does, omg, it’s impossible not to root for them.

If you’re into otp stories that hit hard with love, loss, and a hope that lingers, this drama is for you. Snowy Night Timeless Love is one of those slow-burn romances that’ll stay with you long after it’s over.

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I too would save Huo Zhanbai over and over again. But everything has it's limits.

I really wanted to write this review without spoilers at first, but I cannot. I want to rant, I want to point out stuff, so let's go. First, my review:
If you like happy endings, this is not for you, don't waste your time. Even though the first 20ish episodes are very good and not too dramatic and heart wrenching, the closer we get to the end, the more heart breaks there are. I originally wanted to write a review after episode 24 but something in me told me to watch until the end and then write a review and I'm glad I did, because this is now a different review.
The positive things I have to say about this drama: exceptionally well written characters. Especially Huo Zhanbai, such empathetic, righteous, kind, able to read the room, will confront you about the problem (I might be biased towards Joseph Zeng, but he's really a good actor). I liked that there were no misunderstandings. Dramas built on medical/poisons are usually well written. This story was quite unusual and refreshing. I also liked that half of the mystery and investigation was resolved by the half of the drama and we did not have a gut punching drama packed last episode with everything being resolved at once. The storyline was paced out quite evenly. I originally wanted to give a 9/10, but the episodes 24 and up made me lower it to 7.5. Which is getting us to my semi rant.
The negative things I have to say about this drama: Huo Zhanbai almost died getting the rare herbs and they did not get used at all???? In my opinion, they should have been used to save Ziye. This would have closed up a loop and make the herbs and Huo Zhanbai's and Ziye's sacrifice to find them fruitful at least. Mo's death was unnecessary for the plot, sixth brother was already evil and this would not have tipped him over the edge since he was already on the evil side. The last episode.... Boy, was it a train wreck. Extending it into the 45 minutes was unnecessary, it should've been 10 minutes maximum - Huo Zhanbai seeing the cenotaph, fainting, waking up, throwing an emotional fit (finally, that was the one thing i was missing in his character). Miao Feng revealed to be the new valley chief. Mingjie, Miao Feng and Huo Zhanbai reconciling over the wine. Mingjie eventually becoming a member of the sword sect. The end. Instead, we had a very tragic final episode with two minutes of jolly music? Unfitting, almost rude. The last nail in the coffin was old Huo Zhanbai. Why. Just why.
I think I got everything out and I feel better. So, long story short: if you have time to waste and don't mind a tragic ending, do watch. It's on the better note. But if you like happy endings, definitely stay away. I love Joseph Zeng, I really do. I prefer happy ending and he was the main reason I watched until the end.

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Ending could be different!

The story is simple enough. Nothing too complicated or confusing.

Sad that the pair didn’t get to express love for each other (actual confession). Had hoped for a happy ending. She was such a miracle doctor; they could have changed the story that she could find a way to slow down the poison so either at least they could meet at the end and express their love, or perhaps slow the poison while she finds the cure for herself.
I so want a new ending!!! But all in all, I enjoyed the series.

Always think Joseph is very good with historical dramas, especially wuxia. Wish I could create a Weibo account to follow and connect with him to express admiration.
The FL is pretty but seems a bit older for him - I mean he has a baby face, so (just checked, she is actually 7 years old than him! Makes sense!)

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