An Unforgettable Journey

Don’t let the “xianxia or fantasy” genre detour you from enjoying one of the most unforgettable Chinese dramas. The love stories, family relationships, and friendships are the most realistic, heartwarming, wholesome, and genuine in all of drama world. Forty episodes are actually too short to thoroughly capture all the magic. However, if you like plots driven by misunderstandings, nonsense drama, and useless sacrifices then perhaps you’re not ready to appreciate a simple yet charming story like this. Like the saying, if you enjoy trauma, you’ll find stories that bring peace like this one boring or too mundane. You may even find Shao Dian You Qin too bland for your taste, as not enough is happening. Therefore, if you drop this drama after a few episodes, you can always come back to it in a few years, perhaps then, you may enjoy it after time has seasoned you.

Chen Xing Xu as five characters in here was the absolute highlight of the drama. My favorite scene of the entire drama, no, of all dramas, was when the three shards came together and revived Shao Dian You Qin. The way how they beautifully executed this scene was beyond words can convey. The music, the acting, and CGI all came together in perfect union like the shards. This scene will forever live rent free in my heart, on replay. After this drama, the word “great actor” is literally an understatement regarding Chen Xing Xu. Chen Xing Xu as Li Cheng Yin was the worst male lead. However, as Shao Dian You Qin, he has become the best male hero to ever exist. There were so many iconic scenes to phrases in the drama that no other can compare. Shao Dian You Qin has shown the world that love isn’t something to be sacrificed for one’s righteous duty, but love should be protected because without love, there is no meaning to duty.

Li Landi as Li Guang Ye Tan was a pleasant surprise. If anyone had played this role, Ye Tan would’ve resulted in a very annoying character. However, Landi brings all the right flavors to spice up the smart, witty, and brave but misunderstood princess of the mortal realm. Landi’s crying scenes towards the end were some of the most heartbreaking I’ve ever seen. Her voice projection, micro facial movements, to eye expressions were deeply devasting and amazing. Together, Chen Xing Xu and Li Landi have become my favorite CP of all times. Their chemistry, talents, and profound comprehension and portrayal of the characters made this entire drama an unforgettable journey. Shao Dian You Qin is Chen Xing Xu and his Li Guang Ye Tan is no one else but Li Landi. Fate was one of the underlining messages and in reality, it was fate that brought Chen Xing Xu and Li Landi together and together, they both crossed the Love Bridge, successfully, as the drama was an unexpected success.

I can go on and on, but I’m trying to keep my review short. I loved Chen Mu Chi as Chao Feng, He Xuan Lin as Li Guang Qing Kui, Qin Tian Yu as Di Lan Jue, Wang Li Na as Man Man, and the entire cast. Everyone had so much chemistry together and gave a spectacular performance. Again, this drama may have fantasy elements, but their stories, struggles, and lives are very relatable even in the modern world. Their hardships make them human, lovable, and charismatic. The female leads may not be as physically skilled as the male leads, but they have brains, heart, and admirable personalities that make them just as important. Everyone has their own missions and purposes. I love it that once they fall in love, their minds and hearts become clearer as to why they have to uphold their duties to protect those they love. They just don’t become love sick puppies and lose their original charms and intentions. Love adds to everyone in here and doesn’t take away or become a hindrance to their lives prior. They trust each other, communicate, never assume, don’t impose on others, making them the healthiest love relationships, ever. The comedy is also a major plus in here. I've never seen a xianxia with so much comedy. I never skipped any part of the 40 episodes, which is a first for me. It's light hearted but like life, there's sorrow. However, another main theme is perseverance. As long as you know who you are, no one can change that. Please watch when you have time and let it change you in ways you never expected.

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Lovely

This drama was a breath of fresh air from the ever powerful, smart, nobody could plot against me leads from 98% of Chinese series.

It's rare these days to find leads who are naive, silly, immature, petty, sometimes dumb, make mistakes, live as true youthful individuals who discover themselves in a series of life and death situations and fooled by the biggest villains with noble masks.

The friendships and love relationships built in the first 25 episodes had depth and meaning. Their connection was beautifully written. They all were from different parts of the world yet they chose each other and protected one another as much as they possibly could with little that they possessed. They were kids who no one had faith in. Their words to each other were not sweet but their actions were courageous, admirable, genuine, and beyond the word love. The sacrifices to actions can't be described by words, you have to watch the drama yourself to feel and see. Episodes 26 to the end showed that the youngsters who would bicker all day, run around and play, lived care freely and happily had grown up into responsible, calm, and respected adults YET their hearts will forever be pure and connected.

Yuan Qi, Yuan Qi. It can't get any better with Wang An Yu as Yuan Qi. His eyes, demeanor, to aura was gentle, sincere, full of righteousness, warmth, and love. His love for A Yin never wavered, lessened, or changed with time. If anything, it became stronger, endless, and sweeter. This is a story about a boy who fell in love with a girl and did everything he could to protect her, make her happy, and stay by her side, forever. He chose her over the world without a moment of hesitation.

Zhao Lu Si as A Yin was heartbreakingly good. A Yin loved Yuan Qi unconditionally, no matter what, above anyone and anything else in the world. She was witty, humorous, sincere, caring, selfless, cute, persistent, good hearted, and a great friend. The way she followed Yuan Qi around, ugh, so sweet. No one can be A Yin besides Lu Si, no one.

Hong Yi and Yan Shuang, the second couple, are friends you can never find EVER again in any lifetime. They were the backbone of Gu Jin/Yuan Qi and A Yin/Feng Yin.

Anyway, if it's not your cup of tea, try again next year and again next next year. Sometimes, dramas just hit different depending on the time, but don't miss out on this one. It was pretty well written if you don't skip or skim anything. Even the villains were decent. I'll remember this drama for a long time to come.

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Tragically Beautiful

The cinematography, story, and music were amazing! However, if the leads, Zhao Yi Qin as Helian Xi and Shen Yu Jie as Feng Yuan, did not have THIS MUCH CHEMISTRY, nothing would have worked. It's because of them two together as fuqi that this drama became an unforgettable masterpiece. Sometimes, it's the characters that make the actors look good, but in this case, it's the actors that owned the production. I truly hope to see them lead another drama again but please, a happy ending next time. They were soooo good, I forgot that I was watching actors act in a love story. Helian Xi is one of the purest souls out there. The way he loved, respected, and cared for Feng Yuan was the sweetest sugar in the world. And Feng Yuan, the revelation was extremely well written and executed. They LOVE each other so much and had to endure so much pain to be together but in another place that they will no longer depart from one another ever again. Despite the controversial ending, I can't get over this short drama. Their tragic love story still lingers in my mind from time to time. A MUST WATCH!!!

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