This review may contain spoilers
New Fav XianXia drama - Pacing/Plot, Acting, Characters
8/31/2021
I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy this drama and it has become my favorite xianxia to date after watching "Ashes of Love", "10 Miles Peach Blossoms", "Love and Destiny" and "Love and Redemption". I do not share the opinion with many netizens that FL is not suitable for this role. I think her petite size actually fits her role as a god-in-training for most of the drama, and not THE powerful god yet. The drama is from the same director as "Love and Redemption" so you see some of the same actors in this drama as well.
Things I Like:
1. Pacing/Plot - I was worried that the pacing of the drama would be slow and I would be bored towards the middle. But no, I am entertained and held my attention throughout the 49 episodes. I am also happy to know that this drama differs from others that there are no trials in the mortal realm, like most of them. Yes, it does have similar tropes/plots such as amnesia, evil villains from the Ghost and Heavenly realms, one-sided obsession love. I enjoy the story is kept within the heaven/god realms. However, nothing is over-the-top. The story develops well and continues to get better as the drama goes. The pacing and the plot are what propelled me to give this a 9 rating.
2. Acting/Characters - I enjoy all the characters in this drama, including the supporting cast. We don't have naïve/innocent spoiled brats, or cartoonish villains. All the characters are smart in their own ways and don't make out-of-character dumb decisions. I enjoy seeing contrasting personalities of ML and FL in the two story arcs. Acting is great all around. I watch this mainly for Xu Kai and he doesn't disappoint. He's a little "bland" in the beginning before we see his character's real personality and character development. I love his eyes... those big eyes speak to me when he's in pain and I cry my eyes out for him as Qing Mu. I also love Liu Xue Yi as Tiang Qi as the 2nd ML. He got to have more dramas as ML where he gets the girl (he does in "Qing Luo" but it's not a great drama).
3. CGI/Costumes - This is a beautiful drama. The costumes are beautiful along with the head pieces of the ladies. However, as much as I love these costumes, I wish there are more colors (even pastel colors). They seem a little too "white", but beautiful nonetheless. The CGI is really good. I love the purple power of Jing Yuan and the black evil power.
Things I don't like or am lukewarm about:
1. Chemistry of the leads - I feel that both ML and FL acted well, but when the two of them are put together, I don't feel the romantic chemistry as much as I've seen in other dramas. This is probably a personal taste. They are both great actors.
2. Confusing start of 2nd arc - The transition from the first arc to the second arc is a little too fast and too much. I feel that many characters are introduced in the beginning before I can figure out what happened after 60k years.
3. I want to know more about the relationships/love triangle between Gun Jun, King and Queen. Why did the queen leave Gun Jun? Really because of him traveling too much? Or there's something more to it. I am more interested in this love triangle than the romance between 9-tailed fox and Sen Yu.
Overall, I strongly recommend this drama if you enjoy xianxia dramas and are fans of the actors/actresses. The pacing is better than other xianxia dramas.
I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy this drama and it has become my favorite xianxia to date after watching "Ashes of Love", "10 Miles Peach Blossoms", "Love and Destiny" and "Love and Redemption". I do not share the opinion with many netizens that FL is not suitable for this role. I think her petite size actually fits her role as a god-in-training for most of the drama, and not THE powerful god yet. The drama is from the same director as "Love and Redemption" so you see some of the same actors in this drama as well.
Things I Like:
1. Pacing/Plot - I was worried that the pacing of the drama would be slow and I would be bored towards the middle. But no, I am entertained and held my attention throughout the 49 episodes. I am also happy to know that this drama differs from others that there are no trials in the mortal realm, like most of them. Yes, it does have similar tropes/plots such as amnesia, evil villains from the Ghost and Heavenly realms, one-sided obsession love. I enjoy the story is kept within the heaven/god realms. However, nothing is over-the-top. The story develops well and continues to get better as the drama goes. The pacing and the plot are what propelled me to give this a 9 rating.
2. Acting/Characters - I enjoy all the characters in this drama, including the supporting cast. We don't have naïve/innocent spoiled brats, or cartoonish villains. All the characters are smart in their own ways and don't make out-of-character dumb decisions. I enjoy seeing contrasting personalities of ML and FL in the two story arcs. Acting is great all around. I watch this mainly for Xu Kai and he doesn't disappoint. He's a little "bland" in the beginning before we see his character's real personality and character development. I love his eyes... those big eyes speak to me when he's in pain and I cry my eyes out for him as Qing Mu. I also love Liu Xue Yi as Tiang Qi as the 2nd ML. He got to have more dramas as ML where he gets the girl (he does in "Qing Luo" but it's not a great drama).
3. CGI/Costumes - This is a beautiful drama. The costumes are beautiful along with the head pieces of the ladies. However, as much as I love these costumes, I wish there are more colors (even pastel colors). They seem a little too "white", but beautiful nonetheless. The CGI is really good. I love the purple power of Jing Yuan and the black evil power.
Things I don't like or am lukewarm about:
1. Chemistry of the leads - I feel that both ML and FL acted well, but when the two of them are put together, I don't feel the romantic chemistry as much as I've seen in other dramas. This is probably a personal taste. They are both great actors.
2. Confusing start of 2nd arc - The transition from the first arc to the second arc is a little too fast and too much. I feel that many characters are introduced in the beginning before I can figure out what happened after 60k years.
3. I want to know more about the relationships/love triangle between Gun Jun, King and Queen. Why did the queen leave Gun Jun? Really because of him traveling too much? Or there's something more to it. I am more interested in this love triangle than the romance between 9-tailed fox and Sen Yu.
Overall, I strongly recommend this drama if you enjoy xianxia dramas and are fans of the actors/actresses. The pacing is better than other xianxia dramas.
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