They were once a group of six, now reduced to three, then ultimately separated.

This drama by far was one of my most anticipated drama since the first trailer release. I have always known that this story will revolve more on each characters and have a found-family genre. I have always been fond of found-family genres, especially to the fact that one of my favorite books is "Six of Crows"

Reminded me greatly of that as to how quite similar they are that they formed a group, though Six of Crows were a group of thieves.

Now let's talk about the plot. I must say, the first impressions were quite epic for me, the visuals, cinematography, CGI, and fighting choreography were stunning. However though it started quite slow, but I get that since they were actually building up each and everyone's story so them as a group can develop into something more than a group, more like a family. That it until you'll reach around the 16 episode, the story drastically change the route of the quite comedic and epic vibe to the most depressing thing you'll ever see. I must warn you that episodes 16 upto the finale, your heart will start aching for them and wouldn't want anything to happen to any of them.

Zhu Yan/Zhao Yuanzhou is the most fitting for being the main character of this story, his character is really complex. He's the most pitiful character among them, even though he hides it among his sweetest smile, you can feel his pain through his eyes

Wen Xiao, though I have seen people hating on her character but I think those who instantly call her weak does not understand how her character was written. She might be a goddess but she's still a mortal. She might be weak physically but she's still mentally strong. She's very well-written and almost feel like the mother-figure of the group. Sometimes, we don't need the usual strong badass FL, we just need a well-written FL, whether they're weak or not.

Zhou Yichen, he's your typical hero complex character but he in fact is not the bland type of hero. He has singlehandedly became my favorite character as how he developed really well and understand each other in the group. I also found him one of the most pitiful character, it seemed that in his life, those whom he considered very important to him always leave him (EYEING ZHAO YUANZHOU RLLY HARD).

Pei Sijing, this girl too. She started out coldly in the group and also probably rlly started as a spy. But slowly, she warmed up to the whole group and even teamed up with Zhao Yuanzhou's plans with the Chongwu camp. I also made a realization that she started wearing lighter colors after warming up to everyone.

Bai Jiu and Ying Lei, these two were my favorites when it come to something comedic, they always made me feel relieved that they seem to be the one who wants to lighten up the groups mood. But man, they were still so young, too young for them die. Their deaths actually hurt me. They were also one of the closest to Zhou Yichen, and they both left him at the same time. My heart still stings whenever I remember their inevitable fate.

Music:

I actually lost the count how many times I've praised their songs and BGM's, this drama has the most beautiful OST'S. Those Emotional BGM's as well as those epic ones are very engaging. Personally, my favorite will be the main theme

"Big Dream Return" - this song was dedicated to the whole group, no one can convince me otherwise

"Plants do not grieve" - this one is my current obsession at how emotionally good it is, the voice is also quite swift and ugh, I dunno how to explain how beautiful this song is. I must say that this song is dedicated for Yuanzhou and Yichen, you can't change my mind.

"Broken-tailed Bird" - imma tell you how I start bawling my eyes whenever I hear this song, it sounded like a lullaby, quite comforting but also quite hurt. Tian Jiarui's voice kinda hurt here

"Heaven and earth are unrivalled" - No words, just love YANAN'S Swift and smooth voice.

As per rewatching, LOL, I'd rewatch this all day whenever I'd have the chance, it has too many iconic scenes.

Overall: it's more than 10/10 for me. This is the type of magical and engaging series that I kept looking for in the western media. That last one movie that made me felt like this in terms of western media was "The Maze Runner"

Paired with such a fleshed out plot and great world building which is something what I want, just made this drama the best one for me, not just in 2024 but in almost the CDrama years

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Li Lianhua, Everytime you walk away, it feels like you're going somewhere faraway.

I have been following this drama ever since this was a rumor back in December 2021, to June when this started filming and now when it finally released, as I've read so many articles about the novel and the ending, the story is about letting go of the past and I thought the ending would be a good ending for Li Lianhua.

I knew of the ending but when I watch the last episode, I'd never thought that it would make me stare at an empty wall for hours. There's something about his character that when he's walking away and you look at his back, there's this lingering feeling that he's going somewhere far far away where he lives a quiet and peaceful life alone. I don't know how to describe it but everytime I watch him walking while looking at his back, there's just this indescribable feeling that I couldn't meet him again everytime he walks away, and who knows if we'll ever meet again.

I also love the character development of each Characters and how they hold important roles in the story. And I must say, I love and Hate Jiao Li Qiao AHAHA, there are some parts that I hate her but I can't keep myself from also liking her for some reason, I like the way her character is written.

Kudos to the directors, screenwriters, actors & actresses, and to everyone ‼️‼️

Even as a student journalist, I'm not good at making a good and detailed review lol.

PS: This might be random but as an LOTM fan (Lord of the Mysteries[A Chinese Novel]), I can Consider Cheng Yi as Klein Morreti. No, I really consider Cheng Yi as Klein Morreti if they will ever make a live adaptation (Since the Donghua PV Released a few days ago, it's not impossible for a live adaptation to happen). Considering Omniscient readers Viewpoint is having a live adaptation, Can LOTM have one too starring Cheng Yi? I'm blabbering rn but I'm already imagining it lmao. 😂

Thank you too for everyone on the comment section, I had a good time with you guys even though I'm only reading comments from the sidelines. I'll probably still camp here as I am having withdrawal symptoms.

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I Feel Empty after Watching

To summarize, The story is about our leads getting together, Job hunting, and initially found a permanent and stable job. However, when something is going very greatly, you would actually question "Why is everything going smoothly?" As if implying that something very wrong is gonna happen in a blink of an eye.

The story started off very fluffy, the couple's meeting was super cute. What surprises me the most is that they got together at the 2nd episode HAHA. You know, if the leads are together in the early episodes, you would know that something will go very wrong.

1st episode to 10th episode, showed the way their relationship developed. The way they learned to be independent, earning their own money, and all, was actually very relatable for my part. As a college student, I will also soon to do these things, like Job hunting, facing disappointments (from failed interviews), and applying to more and more jobs.

From those episodes, everything was going smoothly and they have a very promising future, the leads have a stable job, FL runs a cafe and ML is soon to be promoted as a designer. However, in a glimpse of an eye, everything changed.

Everything changed when ML gets the diagnosis of his illness, the way he reacted to his diagnosis felt so raw and real. I can't blame him from hiding it from his friends, his family, and his lover. To be honest, if I were also in his shoe, I'd probably also keep it as a secret, since I don't want to be a burden, which made it more relatable.

But when he revealed it to them, everything really hurts. Even worse when the grandpa died not knowing his little grandson is not as healthy as he expected him to be before he left them. And the scene where the FL stopped him from attempting to drown himself hurts too much. The emotions were too raw, the emotions were too raw and too real at that part. The FL's plead and the ML's cry was too damn real.

I don't know how to interpret the ending in my point of view but, at the very least, it gave me hope.

To be honest, after finishing the drama, I just stared at an empty wall, feeling so empty. My eyes were too red from crying, that I didn't know how to feel after watching it anymore.

Be warned though: Starting from episode 11 to 24, pls do prepare tissues.

Since I like to torture myself into watching these types of dramas, I'll keep rewatching those memorable but heartaching scenes. This time, my tissues will be fully prepared.

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