Eleanor
California, USA
This review may contain spoilers
If you're looking for a sign to stop hesitating to watch this drama, this is your sign.
• Contains spoilers, read at your own risk. You can skip to the bullet points if you want a more general review. •
Love and Redemption has an amazing cast as well as an amazing storyline. I usually don't watch dramas like this because they're never able to catch my attention but this drama was so captivating that I couldn't resist watching. From beginning to end, there was always some element of surprise or conflict that kept your curiosity going. I'd find myself watching one episode after another even at 3 in the morning. Despite it having a fascinating storyline, I could only give it a 9.5/10 because there were parts in there that I wished would progress a little faster or that I thought were an unnecessary contribution to the storyline. It also took awhile for Xuanji and Sifeng to get the happy ending they deserved after many misunderstandings between them. I also do wish that we got to see more of their future rather than just seeing the last 5 minutes of the drama be their happy ending. I also really liked the side couple of Linglong and Minyan. It was so touching how he followed her through thick and thin and never gave up on her even when she wanted to give up on herself. One other huge element that I loved about this drama was that our God of War was a woman rather than a male which they usually are in most dramas. Kind of a powerful feminism element in this. This drama also contained a message to the public that I think us as humans should always keep in mind (I like to read deeper into things lol). In some ways it told us that we should never look at what's just at the surface of things as depicted by Xuanji and Sifeng's misunderstandings and there's a root of good in even the most evil (with exceptions) shown through the Star of Mosha's friendship with Bailing and when he saved Sifeng at the end. Also that sometimes even when we believe we're doing what's good for humanity, we're actually causing more harm than helping (shown through Bailing's actions). Honestly it surprised me what amazing chemistry the FL and ML had on screen. The kisses that they shared on screen were so realistic that I could believe that they had something going on in real life haha (they weren't like those emotionless kisses that usually happen in dramas). They were picked perfectly for their roles and I would not have it any other way. I highly recommend this drama everyone even if you're usually not into these categories of the drama; it's worth giving it a shot.
To sum it up in bullet points:
• Storyline was well written and always included some element that kept your curiosity at its peak.
• Some parts were unnecessary to progression but not too many so that's good.
• Xuanji and Sifeng's happy ending took awhile to get to.
• Wish it showed more of Xuanji and Sifeng's happy ending but still cute.
• Linglong and Minyan made a cute side couple.
• Really liked that our God of War was a woman instead of male like usual (small powerful gesture of feminism).
• Contains messages that we should all remember (if you want to read deeper into things).
• Chemistry between FL and ML was absolutely amazing.
• Highly recommend that everyone gives it a shot.
OST: The OST wasn't the most catchy but I really enjoyed the song in the beginning. It went especially well with scenes where Xuanji showed her God of War personality to protect Sifeng and her loved ones. Overall though, the OST was suitable to the drama and the scenes that they were paired with. Powerful song with powerful scene and loving song with loving scene.
Acting: As stated before, FL and ML chemistry were amazing. Their on screen kisses showed so much chemistry/emotion that it seemed so realistic unlike those monotone kiss scenes in most dramas. Their acting was phenomenal and they played their roles so well. This was actually the first time I saw a drama with our ML in it and while he isn't the most handsome hunk, he was perfectly chosen for this role. Quiet and sentimental yet powerful. I've seen our FL in one other drama so I was iffy about her but she surprised me so much in this drama. Her naive and cute personality in the beginning but how she was able to also transform into the powerful God of War when she needed to while retaining her cute personality was absolutely captivating. She had amazing facial expressions whether she was acting cute and naive or powerful. I look forward to seeing them both more in future dramas.
Ending: The ending was happy but it was a bit short so I wish we got to see more of Xuanji and Sifeng's future as well as Linglong and Minyan's. It was cute what we got to saw and it proceeds to have the happy ending that many of us hoped for. I do believe that there is a S2 in making for Love & Redemption that is set in modern times but I personally believe that this drama doesn't need a S2. I think I like Xuanji and Sifeng's romance in historical timing better but it's hard to say without seeing S2.
Rewatch Value: I would and will definitely be revisiting this drama in the future. I really enjoyed everything about it and I hope to see more dramas like this in the future.
Love and Redemption has an amazing cast as well as an amazing storyline. I usually don't watch dramas like this because they're never able to catch my attention but this drama was so captivating that I couldn't resist watching. From beginning to end, there was always some element of surprise or conflict that kept your curiosity going. I'd find myself watching one episode after another even at 3 in the morning. Despite it having a fascinating storyline, I could only give it a 9.5/10 because there were parts in there that I wished would progress a little faster or that I thought were an unnecessary contribution to the storyline. It also took awhile for Xuanji and Sifeng to get the happy ending they deserved after many misunderstandings between them. I also do wish that we got to see more of their future rather than just seeing the last 5 minutes of the drama be their happy ending. I also really liked the side couple of Linglong and Minyan. It was so touching how he followed her through thick and thin and never gave up on her even when she wanted to give up on herself. One other huge element that I loved about this drama was that our God of War was a woman rather than a male which they usually are in most dramas. Kind of a powerful feminism element in this. This drama also contained a message to the public that I think us as humans should always keep in mind (I like to read deeper into things lol). In some ways it told us that we should never look at what's just at the surface of things as depicted by Xuanji and Sifeng's misunderstandings and there's a root of good in even the most evil (with exceptions) shown through the Star of Mosha's friendship with Bailing and when he saved Sifeng at the end. Also that sometimes even when we believe we're doing what's good for humanity, we're actually causing more harm than helping (shown through Bailing's actions). Honestly it surprised me what amazing chemistry the FL and ML had on screen. The kisses that they shared on screen were so realistic that I could believe that they had something going on in real life haha (they weren't like those emotionless kisses that usually happen in dramas). They were picked perfectly for their roles and I would not have it any other way. I highly recommend this drama everyone even if you're usually not into these categories of the drama; it's worth giving it a shot.
To sum it up in bullet points:
• Storyline was well written and always included some element that kept your curiosity at its peak.
• Some parts were unnecessary to progression but not too many so that's good.
• Xuanji and Sifeng's happy ending took awhile to get to.
• Wish it showed more of Xuanji and Sifeng's happy ending but still cute.
• Linglong and Minyan made a cute side couple.
• Really liked that our God of War was a woman instead of male like usual (small powerful gesture of feminism).
• Contains messages that we should all remember (if you want to read deeper into things).
• Chemistry between FL and ML was absolutely amazing.
• Highly recommend that everyone gives it a shot.
OST: The OST wasn't the most catchy but I really enjoyed the song in the beginning. It went especially well with scenes where Xuanji showed her God of War personality to protect Sifeng and her loved ones. Overall though, the OST was suitable to the drama and the scenes that they were paired with. Powerful song with powerful scene and loving song with loving scene.
Acting: As stated before, FL and ML chemistry were amazing. Their on screen kisses showed so much chemistry/emotion that it seemed so realistic unlike those monotone kiss scenes in most dramas. Their acting was phenomenal and they played their roles so well. This was actually the first time I saw a drama with our ML in it and while he isn't the most handsome hunk, he was perfectly chosen for this role. Quiet and sentimental yet powerful. I've seen our FL in one other drama so I was iffy about her but she surprised me so much in this drama. Her naive and cute personality in the beginning but how she was able to also transform into the powerful God of War when she needed to while retaining her cute personality was absolutely captivating. She had amazing facial expressions whether she was acting cute and naive or powerful. I look forward to seeing them both more in future dramas.
Ending: The ending was happy but it was a bit short so I wish we got to see more of Xuanji and Sifeng's future as well as Linglong and Minyan's. It was cute what we got to saw and it proceeds to have the happy ending that many of us hoped for. I do believe that there is a S2 in making for Love & Redemption that is set in modern times but I personally believe that this drama doesn't need a S2. I think I like Xuanji and Sifeng's romance in historical timing better but it's hard to say without seeing S2.
Rewatch Value: I would and will definitely be revisiting this drama in the future. I really enjoyed everything about it and I hope to see more dramas like this in the future.
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