Your Fate is in your hands
If you're looking for a script with a strong storyline and adventurous plot, this one is for you. It's been a while since I saw a drama with a captivating story, and this drama has everything: the value of friendship, teamwork, no silly misunderstandings, anguish, romance, and everything you'd want in a perfect drama.The main lead, Wu Geng, starts as an impulsive fallen young prince filled with hatred towards the immortals. He transforms into a responsible individual whose goal is not just to engage in battle but to save the people of the three realms, which includes the immortals also. Every encounter he has during his journey teaches him valuable lessons. Being a true king is not just about ruling but also about forever living in the hearts of the people. Those who were against him in the beginning turn out to be his allies in the end, all because of his pure heart and selflessness. Every area in the story has its own objectives and goals, from the Xin Kingdom to the mine camp, and so on...
The best thing about this drama is the character development. It's not only the main leads but also the supporting characters whose development is well thought out. I didn't expect to feel pity for our evil queen.
Now, coming to the love story...
Wu Geng and Bai Cai's love story has clear depth and foundation. I can't find words to describe how beautiful it is. Despite not being powerful, Bai Cai tries her best to help Wu Geng in every situation, protecting him and stopping his impulsive behaviors. She becomes his strength. For Wu Geng, after losing his parents and kingdom, Bai Cai becomes his family and makes him a better person.
As for the ending...
Bai Cai tries her best to be with Wu Geng until the end, and Wu Geng can let go of everything in the world except for Bai Cai. Their love is built on faith and trust. Wu Geng knows that one day he will find Bai Cai, and he never loses hope. I like how they ended the drama. Wu Geng always wished for a warm home with Bai Cai by his side. In the end, he meets her again in the small house where he first met her and becomes her A Gau. It's a perfect ending.
A Lan and the mermaid girl are the strongest and most selfless characters. I like how they confess their love to Wu Geng despite knowing they can't be with him.
The only negative point for me is that I can't with the CGI fight scenes; I always skip them.
overall i enjoyed a lot..
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
rushed ending but overall good drama
This is my first review..From episode 1, we can see powerful ML and FL and a bunch of other characters who are friends of the ML. I liked the way they wrote the ML and FL characters; the audience can understand their love and respect for each other without too much speech. Initially, this was okay. After that, it felt repetitive. I was like, "Stop with these dialogs. I want the plot to move forward." However, these episodes didn't seem like fillers, for that I have to praise the screenwriter; otherwise, I would have dropped this drama long ago.
Now, coming to this shipper squad, what's with all this eavesdropping? I couldn't help but wonder if anyone would feel comfortable with someone listening to their private conversations. Here, the screenwriter made it look like comedy.
One of the best character developments is YY. I like her very much. Still, I have another question mark: when did YL and YY fall in love? All the episodes we have seen, they were acting like siblings. I can understand from YL's perspective; maybe he had secret admiration or a crush on her but did not dare to say. Coming to YY, she loved another guy from the start, and knowing he betrayed her, she was left heartbroken. But when did she fall in love with YL to the extent that she can't forget him her whole lifetime? Just a few minutes of talk on the rooftop – no, their conversation felt childish. Here, the plot is lacking. The same goes for Yu Shi San and Chu Yu. I hoped their love story was given more screen time.
And what's with LTG? This is the only character I hated, loved, felt sad about, and had mixed emotions. In fact, I really cared about him. His character is creepy from the start, and I really hoped his character would have proper development by the end. I just want him to get over his obsession with his shifu. This guy won't even realize that what he has for her is respect and admiration, but not romantic love. We viewers can't see romantic love in his face. And the romantic love aspect was missing between YY and YL as well. The unresolved aspects of LTG's character, coupled with the rushed explanations, left me extremely disappointed. What's with that impulsive nature at the end?
And the wedding arc... Stop, man. I am tired of NYZ teaching LTG.
coming to the deaths of the remaining squad members . Why they wanted to kill each and every character??.
I hold the belief that a loveless marriage requires time to develop genuine love. I hope that eventually, LTG and YY can develop feelings for each other and build a happy family. Life should not come to a standstill because of one person; we must continue to move forward.
The ending, it makes sense that Chu Yu died after 10 years and reunites with other people.
My only problem is they rushed these last 6 episodes. The plot is moving very fast, difficult to catch up.
Overall, it is an enjoyable ride.
My score: 6/10.
Sorry, it has a lot of flaws. What I appreciate is it has good fighting scenes, and I literally enjoyed Strong FL here.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Emotion
I'm a huge fan of this genre; it's similar to 'Alice in Borderland' and death games drama. This show encompasses everything one could ask for in a perfect drama: from friendship to romance to angst, it covers it all. The actors did a commendable job in portraying emotions, and the games they designed are highly entertaining to watch. Despite the predictable plot, the execution is exceptionally well-done. The best thing about it is that it has no filler episodes.I'm familiar with the lead actor from other dramas where he typically plays CEOs and in romance dramas. Hence, it's truly refreshing to see him in the fantasy genre.
Each character is depicted with a clear motivation. Even those who start off as annoying gradually learn from their mistakes and come together to form a perfect team. The father-daughter dynamic is shown in a very realistic manner.
The only downside is that I find myself less invested in the love story of the leads. Instead, what captivates me is the chemistry each character shares with one another.
Overall, it's a very well-done drama. The OST is great.
Was this review helpful to you?
Unwavering Loyalty: Ling Yue Ru Shines as the True Heroine in Both Versions.
Okay, I'll start my rant...It deeply bothers me when a love story lacks a solid foundation; it simply doesn't resonate with me.
Many dramas begin their love stories with love at first sight, attempting to depict it as everlasting. They put the lead characters through numerous struggles and trials to sustain their love, showing unwavering commitment and determination to keep their relationship alive. They call it character development. The same formula is applied here, but disappointingly, there's minimal character development in the male lead even by the series' end.
The male lead, Li Xiao Yao, exhibits zero character growth:
What prompts the male lead to agree to marry FL in the first place? Just because he saw something about their past or future? Is that reason enough for marriage? He goes ahead and marries her without questioning further. Sure, Linger is adorable, but that's hardly a reason to accept her proposal outright. Their love story is established within the first few episodes, and the rest of the episodes show him falling for her more and more. That’s it...
He always makes fun of the SFL just because she strong , outspoken and is completely opposite to the FL. I dislike how he calls her a tomboy and always mocks her, making fun of her. Can't he see how hurt she feels? Has he ever considered her emotions? I'm not suggesting he should reciprocate her feelings, but even a small act of kindness could bring her some happiness. Whenever the trio is together, he always leaves her alone and have fun with the female lead. He fails to understand her true nature and wrongs her, saying he and Linger are burdened to her. Just imagine how she must feel after all she's done for them. I'm so invested in Yue Ru's character that I find myself moved to tears.
Yes, The grief he felt when SFL died is understandable because he never expected that she would sacrifice herself to save him and linger, and he can never make up to her for how he treated her because she is no more.
ML is not a horrible person, but he fails to see through people and understand them.
I don't understand why people hate the sSFL(Yue Ru). She is, without a doubt, the most remarkable character in the series. She remains true to herself, refusing to conform to societal expectations merely because she's a girl. Beneath her tough exterior lies a heart of gold, and her loyalty to her friends is unwavering. She's the only character in the drama with profound depth. Yes, she always sticks around the male lead, which many might find annoying, but she has a clear reason to do that. How can she leave her friends alone when they're in danger?
Now, let's talk about our female lead, Linger: She's by far the most frustrating character. She's constantly whining and crying over Xiao Yao. At one point, I found myself skipping her scenes altogether. She lacks the courage to openly communicate with him or confront him with her true self, always listening to others and leaving him in the name of saving him.
The difference between the original and this version:
Hu Ge's portrayal of Xiaoyao had a delightful comedic flair. We enjoyed the playful banter between him and the second female lead, and he was far more likable compared to this rendition.
The only redeeming aspect is that the storyline is better than SF4 and SF6. Everything else falls short...
Was this review helpful to you?
Inconsistent Plot Development and Lackluster Romance
The starting episodes are really interesting, but then later on, the plot focuses more on hairdressing and makeup. Then it picks up again for three episodes, but after that, there's not much interesting to stick to. The mystery isn't captivating at all. Compared to this, fan-made theories are really good. They could have explored the romance part more. I can't understand the male lead's feelings at all. The problem lies more on the execution side. Until the 20th episode, we were shown that she is a different person from another world. Suddenly, he found out she is the same person and starts wooing her. Until then, he abused her and treated her badly, but there's no proper apology. Their relationship doesn't make sense at all. Side characters are not explored well.Was this review helpful to you?
The biggest drawback is having two different actresses play the same character.
The premise of the drama is truly compelling. The initial actress portraying YCW did justice to the character, depicting her as a person who has faced numerous hardships without parental support. The scar on her face made her standout in contrast to JJY.Regarding JJY's portrayal of YCW, there's a notable absence of similarity in mannerisms compared to the initial actress. It's challenging to perceive them as the same character. Her acting style is similar in "Legend of Yunxi" and "In Class of Her Own".
and her makeup (it is same in every drama and every character she plays)..
i liked her acting more when she played evil SZ , it is really refreshing...
I think both actresses need to have a proper discussion on how the character YCW should be played. Their differing styles create a disjointed viewing experience, especially when the drama frequently presents flashback scenes featuring the YCW played by the initial actress. This inconsistency makes it increasingly difficult to stay engaged with the drama.
Regarding the love story...
We've been shown that the ML loves YCW deeply and is genuinely devoted to her. However, there's no solid foundation or explanation for his love. The only justification provided by the drama is that they met in childhood and he developed feelings for her, which isn't very convincing.
Given that the ML and YCW only met during childhood and were separated for a long period, there hasn't been enough time for their feelings to naturally develop. His desire to marry her seems to stem from a sense of pity for not being there for her during difficult times, or perhaps because of a marriage contract. Additionally, YCW doesn't seem to reciprocate his feelings.
The chemistry between the leads is lacking.
I would have preferred the story if the ML started to like SZ/YCW as a completely new person, rather than because she resembles his deceased wife and shares similar personality with YCW.
Apart from the face swapping and love story, the drama has several strong points:
1. The mystery element is very well executed.
2. The storyline is well-paced.
3. The costumes are excellent, and watching LXY is a treat for the eyes.
ok, I am dropping this drama.
However, I would recommend it to people who aren't bothered by face swapping or body swapping plots.
Story: 10/10 (The mystery and investigation are really interesting).
Was this review helpful to you?
Slow pacing and a boring storyline.
This is my Honest Review.This drama has impressive CGI, with fight scenes surpassing those of many Xianxia dramas. The scenery resembles something out of a painting, and I can't praise the background music enough. It's pretty clear that they have put a good amount of money into the production. However, does this all truly matter if there's no clear plot? I've watched up to episode 14, and so far, not much has happened. This drama is really slow. The first 5 episodes were really good and engaging, especially the interaction between the CGI chicken/phoenix and the main lead.
I thought they were starting slow and that the plot would pick up, but no. I can't even understand what the main objective of this drama is, what they're trying to accomplish. This drama feels so unserious, especially the male lead; he's really boring. Yes, I can understand why he's like that, but maybe because of the lack of depth in the plot or an unattractive main lead, I can't take him seriously.
The plot centers around the main lead not being allowed to be with the female lead because it goes against the rules or would be dangerous to the three realms or something like that. I've already seen this kind of plot in Immortal Samsara, but the difference is, there, it has enough depth in the plot and angst which is quite convincing. It has its own faults and pacing issues, but there's always something going on enough to keep me hooked, which is not the same case with Legend of Shenli.
If I want to talk about the story, really nothing has happened until episode 14. All I can say is it's a story of one woman and three boys. I really can't understand what's really attractive about the main lead which made the female lead fall for him twice. Their interactions are funny, but I can't feel any chemistry between them. This show doesn't do a good job of making me care for the side characters.
Someone said in the comments that the real story starts from episode 22. It's too long for me to wait; until then, what we got is unnecessary filler, comedy, immature side characters, a tug of war between the male and female leads, and not much else.
Okay, I'm dropping this. I want to see Zhao Liying in another historical drama which has a strong buildup in the plot.
Was this review helpful to you?
Another Predictable Revenge Plot
After watching the trailer, I expected some intense palace intrigue. The drama started out so well, but after watching 10 episodes, all we've seen is the stepmom and stepsisters scheming against the female lead. There's a lot of unnecessary filler, with too much talking and comedy that makes the plot feel unserious.I've dropped many dramas like "Love Like the Galaxy" because I don't enjoy plots where all the female characters gang up on one person, making the female lead a perpetual victim. The supporting characters in this drama aren't compelling enough for me to care about them. The stepmom's hatred for the female lead simply because she's the daughter of the first wife is such a cliché; we've seen this plot in so many dramas.
The main reason I've stuck with this drama is because of Wang Xing Yue. His strong presence, acting, and voice are impressive, and I will definitely check out his future works. I don't mind a slow-burn romance, but we're not getting enough screen time for the male lead, and there's a lot of pointless dialogue between the main leads. To be honest, Wu Jin Yan is not the right choice for the female lead role.
For now, I'm dropping this drama, though I might pick it up again in the future just to watch the male lead.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Tale of Love, Duty, and Sacrifice
this is a love story between the supreme lord of the Nine Heavens, Ying Yuan, and the carefree and witty Four-Leaf Lotus, Yan Dan. Despite being one of the most powerful beings in the heavens, Ying Yuan's life is monotonous until he encounters Yan Dan, who brings light and happiness into his existence.Ying Yuan's life has always been dedicated to the well-being of the Six Realms, adhering strictly to rules, especially the one forbidding love. Guilt-ridden for millennia due to his bloodline and influenced by his uncle's warnings, Ying Yuan feels compelled to sacrifice his own desires for the greater good. However, living as Tangzhou has taught Ying Yuan what it feels like to have a choice and live for yourself.
Ying Yuan prioritizes Yan Dan's safety above his own feelings, often leading to misunderstandings. Yet, living as Tang Zhou teaches him the delicate balance between duty and affection, proving that he can safeguard Yan Dan while acknowledging his love for her.
Yan Dan emerges as a standout character with remarkable growth. Fearless in expressing her emotions and unwavering in her love. Though initially appearing selfish in her pursuit of love, Yan Dan gradually comprehends the gravity of her actions amidst the strictures of heavenly law. Her evolution is marked by the trials endured alongside Ying Yuan in the mortal realm, fostering growth both individually and as a couple.
Yan Dan and Ying Yuan's relationship may appear to be a series of back-and-forths, and they never formally confess their feelings to each other until the final episode. However, deep down, they are both certain of their love for one another. Yan Dan sacrifices her whole heart to save Ying Yuan while Ying Yuan is willing to defy heavenly rules and silently guard her at all times.
Their complexity and depth in the relationship is the of the best things to appreciate in this drama.
Initially, Yan Dan harbors resentment towards Ying Yuan for prioritizing the world over her. However, she gradually realizes that love goes beyond mere companionship, it involves fulfilling each other's desires. She comes to understand the weight of Ying Yuan's responsibilities and willingly prepares to set aside her own feelings and even her life if it means he can fulfill his duty.
Her most significant character development occurs when she wholeheartedly accepts Ying Yuan's entirety —a man tethered by duty yet capable of loving her despite his obligations. She refuses to force him to choose between her and the world. Ying Yuan ultimately doesn't select either the world or her; he embraces both.
Xuan Ye and Ran Qing love story is one of the best part of the drama . both of them choose world over there affection . But they never regretted their love. Ran Qing never hated him and still wished to meet him if given another chance. Xuan Ye understood he had already attained longevity because he always lived in her heart.
Yan Dan: "You protect the Three Realms and I will protect you."
Ying Yuan: "I must protect this world because when the Three Realms remain, you remain"
Yan Dan and Ying yuan : not even death can separate us a part.
Negative elements of the drama are filler content and pacing issues, common to the xianxia genre. I found my self skipping lot of side character stories.
This drama has wonderful OST
story 9.5/10
This is one of the best Xianxia drama for me
Was this review helpful to you?