My First Chinese Ancient Drama

My review is based on the fact that it's my first chinese historical/ancient drama. I wasn't into these earlier until my friend recommended this to me.

ACTING-

Full points on acting to every actor here. I heard that Luo Yunxi was severely ill and had surgeries right before this drama and he was on a liquid diet. So, some scenes of Bai Lu were shot before him.
Luo Yuxin did a great job portraying all the four characters. (His eyebrows were paid actor)

Bai Lu sometimes felt irrational with her acting and showing too much cuteness but rest in all, she nailed it.

PLOT-

The plot is very different not having the usual romance and actions. It has an open ending which I see as a happy ending but rushed. There are more gloomy, sad, pessimistic scenes than happier ones. It's rather a brutal drama based on a more brutal novel. I liked how they showed TTJ's journey from innocent gloomy childhood to the dark devil god in just 40 eps. How he developed hatred, never received love from anyone, was always betrayed and misjudged; then how he collected all that in his heart, started developing emotions, gained power, ruled a kingdom, burnt in search of his wife, did cultivation, absorbed devilish powers and destroyed the whole world.

Even the side stories and plots were pleasing to watch. They gave us a moment to rejoice and soothe down our pain.

There were three different realms briefly shown, though I felt that the Bore's life in dream was too long. It could have been made shorter (at max covering 2 episodes)

ACTION-

The CGI and Costumes and background scores made the action sequels wayy better. I was worried at the amount of blood they were spitting, they might die from Amnesia. There wasn't a aingle episode without leads spitting blood. lol

MUSIC-

I loved the music!!! The osts are soo good. My favourites are - Black Moonlight, Sending the Long Moon, Black Bird and My World.

COSTUMES-

The costumes were the prettiest. I liked each and every costume of every character. Esp. the all red costume of Pian Ran. The jewellery, Headgear, hairstyles.. everything was superb!!

THINGS I DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT-

Keeping in mind that the series had originally 56 episodes but due to new Chinese policy, they cut shorted it to 40 eps, the ending was rushed. When the last episode ended, I was like "It's just this???"
I'm okay with open endings but not open threads. I am counting it now.

1. When TTJ asked his master why he named him Cang Jiumin, he said I'll tell you later. But then he never explained why. He died like that, keeping secrets.

2. When almost everyone reincarnated from 500 years back, why not Pian Ran?? I legit loved her character. Where did she go?

3. What happened to Xiao Lin at the end? Did he died? Was he alive? Did he reincarnated?

4. What happened to Nian Biayu? Did TTJ killed him? Where had he disappeared?

5. The world didn't know the real intentions of TTJ/Devil God at the end. They still think he was bad and used his power for wrong things. Will they ever know he sacrificed himself for the world? Why he killed his master? When will all the misunderstandings be cleared?

OVERALL-

Overall, it gave me stress, tears, hatred for the world. It's the type of drama which can even depress the happiest person on Earth. Comparing with the novel, they made TTJ a bit softer but Ye Xiwu as it is that's why sometimes her behaviour seemed frustrating. Ep 24-26 were too boring with all gloominess filled. It could have easily been made shorter here and stretched at end to give us a proper ending.

Though this drama has it own shortcomings, it was super addictin to watch. Despite all the gloominess and sorrow, it made a special place in my heart. Kudos to the actors and the whole team.

Hands down Best Chinese Drama of 2023!

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One lady, two revenge - a perfect summer drama!

This drama hooked my attention from episode-1. What a thrilling beginning! Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue deliver stellar performances as the leads, bringing depth and nuance to their characters.

The story development and different arcs of Jiang Li's struggle held a tight grip.

While the pacing falters somewhere in the middle in the Huixiang arc, I liked how it grabbed it again with the Xue Fangfei's revenge arc. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable but personally I'm not a fan of slow burn romance. The candles and curtains need to paid less in the show. lol

I liked the CGI and music of the intro song. Beautifully expressed, seasoned with the hairpin highlight. It makes me want to buy one. The costumes were elegant.

A bit disappointed with Jiang Li's hairstyle, as I like her hairs fully down but I am much satisfied with the right hairstyle of Duke Su. His costume was also eye-catching.

Wanning did just to the role by making her hate for her deeds and feeling pity at her past. Never imagined that I would feel bad at her death.

The ending was a bit rushed. Shen Yurong died and after that Duke Su went to fight again. Xue Fangfei married him, waited for him and again they met after he achieving the victory. Everything was just done in 30 minutes. Although there are after scenes, they didn't well smooth with the plot. In the Huixiang arc, I felt it was slow paced and the mine scenes, the famine scenes and rescue shots were just elongated while nothing bringing much to the table.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot. I loved the female lead and her bravery. She's too smart and daring. Such a darling to remember her promise and first sought justice for Jiang Li and rebuilt her relations with her family. The direction, costumes, music and acting were just on point.

Will surely recommend to you. Hands down the best 2024 revenge drama.

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Honest Review

The only reason I was able to watch this till 19 episodes was the male lead. He is damn handsome!!

The story is slow paced and after few episodes is annoying. Everyone is literally on their computers 24×7. At night, at day, at home, at workplace, at school, at restaurant, literally everywhere. This is such an unrealistic drama.

The main lead is a genius who can crack any code within minutes and never fails at anything. He is a super genius who treats his fellow mates poorly and looks down upon them. The female lead has nothing to do except working for the main lead. A drama totally obsessed with computers.

If you are watching this for romance, it's slow paced. Their chemistry is good but the writers failed to present it. Only watch this drama if either you're obsessed with computers and coding or you're obsessed with any of the leads else it's a time waste

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I am comparing with 2gether

First of all, this is my second BL series ever. Before watching this, I looked up for some good BL series and saw it's hype. It isn't disappointing.

The series is indeed a good one with young actors expressing wide range of emotions. I just couldn't resist myself from blushing or smiling the whole time while watching this. Can't just think that I binge watched it in a single day.

The plot is interesting. The leads have a healthy chemistry without the unnecessary drama, misunderstandings, second leads and cunning girls. The acting is again, top-notch. Plus he OST and other songs are unforgettable.

Now, finally comparing it with my first BL series 2gether (Bright and MetaWin). They both have more or less similar setting of a university and school and doing majors in different branches. The one thing that unites them is music, band and guitar.

I think that Sarawat there is Pran and Tine is Pat in this series.

Sarawat/Pran- The cold guy, sings and plays guitar well, has supportive 3 friends, fell first but held back for long.

Tine/Pat- The guy interested in girls at first, one who doesn't thinks much, instinctive, cute one, has 3 supportive friends, a sibling

There are little differences in both the series. But things that I liked in Bad Buddy more are they don't have any misunderstanding, no husband-wife concept, more chances to see each other daily and nothing like cringe.

Overall, these two are at par with each other but the OSTs and dialogues were better in 2gether. There are minute differences in the ratings of both but I like 2gether more. d

Thank you!

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Watched for the hype

Story is good but exactly not my genre. 50 episodes is too lengthy for me. Starting few episodes and direction is poor. Really hated that they converted bl to bromance due to chinese regulations. The novel is definitely great. Casting is superb. Only gave 8 for my favourite character Wei Wuxian. I want his chenqing and whatever lol.

Lan Zhan's headband was so cute including his poker face.

I hated the fact that every other person had 2-3 names. It maybe easier for Chinese people but it's difficult to remember all names by the international audience. Another thing, some names were too similar to be not confused. (Jin Zixun- Jin Zixuan) (Jin Guangyao - Jin Guangshan)

Maybe you can try this, it's good but just not my type.

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