Lost You Forever (2023)

Best Xianxia I ever watched

I never wrote a review before so bear with me.

Lost you forever is the most grounded xianxia I have seen in a long time. yes there are demons, nine tailed foxes and winged beasts but the drama, the politics, the emotions and the relationships are rooted in realism and complexity. The fantasy element is here to create wonder and an esthetically pleasing atmosphere as opposed to centering the story.

The story seldom uses genre tropes and when it does , it is successful at it. The FL here starts in the body of a man something that is never believable in so many other dramas. But here, Yang Zi delivers the most realistic "woman disguized as a man" role yet. The actress is allowed to look rugged and unglamourous, not using that hideous orange eye makeup and lipgloss. she has unassuming mannerisms and straightforward voice.
After her gender was revealed, she assumes her feminity but doesn't abandon her nonchalant attitude and priorities. for example, medecine and poison making.
The MLs(we have 4) are incredibly different and multilayered :
The 1st ML played beautifully by Zhang Wan Yi in what could only be described as a breakout role, is a politican first and foremost. He isn't aversed to using everyone including the FL for his endgame. The FL sees him as a brother and considers him the most important person in her life.
The 2nd ML : is the romantic interest, The most broken character that got a second chance at life thanks to the FL. He is smart, wealthy and savvy but because of his suffering doesn't care about material possessions and channels his means to help the FL and the 1st ML.
The 3rd ML: a demon who has 9 lives . uses the FL at first for her blood that possesses healing abilities but comes to love her and protect her later on.
the 4th ML: a good natured but ambitious politician who wishes to become his clan leader by allying with the 1st ML and marrying the FL.

I personally fell in love with the second ML for his gentleness and devotion to the FL and was happy to realize he would be endgame early on. Breaking again with the norms established within similar stories.

I also loved the complexity of the 1st ML. Rarely do we get a central character willing to do what he does.


So yes , this was a very enjoyable ride for me and I can't wait for the second season to wrap it all up.

Overall a 10/10 for me.

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The plot lost between the simping, stalking and the sea of angst.

This drama makes me confused. Logically, I don’t even think it’s that good. Sure, some characters are interesting, some have great arcs, but the overall plot was barely developed and it’s mostly the female lead bouncing between the three and half male leads (I’m sorry Feng Long, but I forgot you were even a legit option and actually part of the main cast).

That said, it’s ridiculously addicting and entertaining. I saw all the flaws, but I could not stop watching. I feel like it’s one of the dramas with well written characters and basic, underdeveloped plot. Xiao Yao had barely anything going on for her in terms of the story, but just her personality and her interactions with other characters were enough for me to adore her. Xiyan Cang Xuan's fight for the throne seemed more like a first draft than a proper strategy, and yet I love him and the internal struggle, suppressed emotions and the conflicts he had to face were amazing. Xiang Liu had some of the best character developments in the whole show, slow, well paced, realistic. He did not become an angel, the core of the character never changed, but with each and every scene we’ve got to see all the layers of personalities he had.

While I disliked Tushan Jing a lot, even his character was written in a proper way, I just don’t vibe with him. That said, the struggle between his own desires and the newly found responsibilities was well presented.

Another aspect deserving some appreciation was the variety of female characters. More straightforward and tomboyish Xiao Yao, who is truly daring and loyal. Nian who went from annoying brat, to sweet sister (whom I also adored by the end of the show - biggest surprise for me), Fangfeng Yi Ying with her cunning nature and desperate actions, calculative, but also honest Chenrong Xin Yue. Truth to be told, I appreciated all the female characters, and at times I wished the drama would focus on them more.

What’s more to love? The visuals. Not me taking over 1000 screenshots. The costumes were beautiful, the scenery breathtaking, set designs amazing. Visually speaking, there was nothing to hate and a lot to love.

The acting was great. The only performance I struggle to judge is Deng Wei as Tushan Jing - I disliked the character so much, I am not going to act like a clown and pretend like I can be objective here. That said, the whole cast MASTERED the suppressed angst - everyone delivered in that area and these scenes were truly the highlight of the whole drama for me.

Overall, extremely enjoyable watch, even if by the end I felt like there was barely any plot. I wanted to see more detail in Xiyan Cang Xuan journey. I also wished to see more of Nian, since she became one of my favorite characters. I disliked how unbalanced all the relationships were, as someone who prefers partnership, the simping and pinning, and sacrificing at times was too much - rolling eyes was inevitable.

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The bottom line that you shouldn't compromise

First of all, I am used to be a kdrama avid fan, please mind my limited knowledge about cdrama in writing this review.

The writer has succeeded in torturing me through this whole drama, but I found the storyline brilliant alas, sometimes annoying.
All the actors/actresses really did a great job in portraying their characters. kudos to all the casts.
I am grateful that I found DengWei in TTOETM that lead me to this drama, which helped me found other incredible and talented actors/actresses, particularly Zhang Wan Yi. Mannnn, ZWY is not a joke. He is even more intense than Wu Lei in LLTG (sorry to Wu Lei's fans). He delivered the role fantastically. I hope he will get a big award for this role. He really deserves it. His intense gaze and rich facial expressions really got me down. I understand CX pain and obsession, and so many times made me wanted to hug him, particularly during his wedding. The way he gazed at XY said it all, but XY never really understood his hidden desire.

YangZi, I know she is an experienced actress, but this is my first time watching her works too. Hat's off to her acting. I could tell that She really worked hard. But, her role in this drama sometimes annoying, particularly when it's related to my baby Jing. But, toward the end I could understand her actions and decisions. Even though sometimes she looked like swinging over to FFB of XL for unnecessary reasons, she is just a realistic girl with a clear bottom line that she doesn't want to compromise. I like how she is always there for CX even though she has to risk her safety and comfort. She is a loyal one.

XL, no offense to XL this is just my personal preference. I just couldn't tolerate this kind of characters, abusive. Hence, whatever kindness, gentleness and sacrifices he shows after that, it just got blurred in my eyes. I appreciate his sacrifices for XY, yet till the end he chose to be on the different side of CX, which another bottom line XY couldn't compromise. He did have his own story and reasons, and I understand that, but shipping him to XY with those things is just a big no for me.

YS/TSJ, many people might see his character a bit boring, but for me this is just my type. So, no matter what people said about him, I just don't care. DW is perfect for the role. He portrait YS/TSJ really well, his vulnerability, indecisiveness, gentleness, kindness and loyalty. I feel bad for him with having such a family, a jerk brother, a schemer fiancée, and a snake grandma. I am still hoping that he will end up with XY.

FL, he is a good brother, a loyal friend, and a fun buddy. I just hope that XY doesn't need to marry him since CX is already got the throne.

ShinYue, I didn't like her at the beginning, but I think she is my role model when it comes to choosing life partner😆 I understand why she made that kind of decisions. She deserves the best too. She did a lot for CX. She did her best, but she could let go when things doesn't go as she hopes, a bottom line she couldn't compromise.

Finally, one of my favorite quotes from the drama,
"LIFE IS HARD FOR EVERYONE"
Yep, let's just enjoy the drama, no need to bash other people because they have different opinions than yours.
See in other dramas😁

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Bawled my eyes

First I had my eyes on this full white "man" that I know soon his will make my heart ache whether it's on screen or read the novel
Only on novel he doesn't express Why he did things when everything he did comes with a price.
Then after finishing it... I knew deep down.. I love tu Shan Jing.
He is the best you can hope for someone who you want eternally.
Even xiaoyao endured alot of pains, physically and mentally. I still kinda envy her that she is never alone... literally alone.she always has someone..to care for her and stuff even it's on secret way to do.unlike Jing...
He also endured so much,yet he overcomed everything with only hope he has for xiaoyao.and he is way too amazing on handling everything that what I know even us..wouldn't do what he does when it comes to negativity.
Sorry to spoil I guess but I may not want to move on yet.
What I'm looking forward is seeing what I have read on screen. The actors and the Actresses are so good in bringing the character alive. I'm so amazed.
I said all of em. Yes all.
Yanzi, wan Yi,deng wei,hong Yi, jianci gege.
Standing ovation for all of you
May fortune downpour on you always.
Gbu

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Complex story, splendid performance

I didn't know why I didn't watch Lost You Forever earlier, I started about a week ago and just completed it. It has been so addictive to watch!

First of all, Lost You Forever is a story full of complex characters, with traumatic pasts, existential crises, and complicated family relations in a seemingly "peaceful" Dahuang, with geopolitical courtly conflicts both internally & externally. It is not an easy story to watch, I probably took some time to prepare myself to expect angst from this, but it is what made it interesting and enticing to continue. Initially, I was lost about the plot, I didn't even know what the plot truly was, I mean, I did read the synopsis, but where was the plot headed?

In my interpretation, there are two major themes in this story, both are pretty symbiotic 1) XiaoYao's love and 2) CangXuan's love (I'll talk about soon). So far, there's two arcs in this S1, in Qingshui Town, when XiaoYao disguised as a male Wen XiaoLiu amongst mortals, and second, when she reunited with CangXuan, her family/ in the diety world. I assume the last arc would be in S2, which I do not know anything about yet (except for those depressing trailers).

I'll start with CangXuan's love... his love encompasses protection for those whom he loves, and XiaoYao is The foundation of his love for the kingdom and the entire of Dahuang... :( He does all the things that he needs to because he needs to become the most capable person to protect XiaoYao, whom he loves so deeply, that he restraints so much. He hurts himself so much for her although he keeps telling her not to have much hope and expectations. Every day he lives for XiaoYao but he cannot be the one for XiaoYao... and Zhang Wanyi did a really splendid job bringing CangXuan's character to life, his deep voice, his monologues, his breakdowns, I cried so much whenever CangXuan & XiaoYao had a breakdown/life-threatening moment and all they could think about is each other.

XiaoYao's love... is so complex and multi-layered, in my opinion, she loves all three men... and that... Love is Timing..., really. XiaoYao's love for CangXuan is unwavering, she is really his support system, and she wants to be there for him forever, it's resolute since day 1, since we saw them play at Zhaoyun Peak at young age. She can't see a future without CangXuan...being the best he is... but unlike CangXuan's love for her, her love for him is not consciously romantic although they have acted like romantically a lot of times... imo ...maybe her love is unconditional love she can't see him die or get hurt, that kind of love that XiaoYao is willing to kill for him, do everything to benefit him. Her romantic love was between TSJ/SQ & XL, she was so afraid of deep sincere relationships & companionships because of her attachment and existential issues but both of them were so similar to her. I saw how XiaoYao's love for both of them grew, she pushed, pushed, and pushed them away because she did not want to be hurt. She genuinely liked both of their companionship though :") TSJ/SQ is kind, gentle & a really good man to her, XL/FFB is cold, heartless, rough & villainous & playful. She appreciated both of their existence and really cared for them, despite having serious toxic relationships with them. They are protective and romantic to her but in their own nature LOL... fox or demon PICK ONE! Anyways, I know she will end up with TSJ/SQ but this S1 was so hard to watch them together, because of this one piece of information I had. I wish I didn't know who she would end up with, it tore me apart watching CX & XL and XY having great chemistry and dynamics.

YangZi, Zhang WanYi, Tan Jianci's performances were splendid because of their complex characters, their characters are my favourite so far! I'm not sure if it's Jing's character or Deng Wei's that I didn't really feel compelled to him but I felt his pain, pitied him a lot, sure, he is handsome but not as alluring as Zhang Wanyi's or Tan Jianci's performances. Also, just as I thought I can't watch any YangZi's dramas, she is so wonderful in this, I've no regrets and I saw that her works are always so sad :(

Lost You Forever S1 had a satisfying conclusion, with CangXuan finally becoming the most capable person, king of Xiyan, most powerful in Dahuang...? and a cute exit from the grandfather and granddaughter... I'm excited to find out about their last arc & all her men are going to protect XiaoYao forever...

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A MASTERPIECE

The first half or the Season 1 of LYF has ended and god knows when will the other half be released.
The last drama historical drama that I loved was love like the Galaxy after that I'm extremely In Love With This drama.
Whether you talk about the Main Plot, Character Story, OSTs Action scene or CGI is everything just remarkable
As for me 1st episode was a bit boring but provided the background story of the main leads and from the 2nd episode onward the drama started to get quite interesting and slowly it captive me and left me wanting more and more... Sadly it has ended... waiting for S2.
Reverse harem is one of my favourite genres if done right and here all the boys are very well-versed in their field, Everyone has picked a side of their favourite ML but whoever I pick I always feel bad for others, we only have 1 Xiaoyao how am I supposed to divide her into 3 boys TT TT
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Yang Zi as Xiaoyao & Wen Xiaoliu: She has always been an amazing actress but the way she has played these 2 characters I don't think anyone else could have, She has given heart and soul to her both characters. As Wen XiaoLiu; she immersed herself into a perfect middle-aged man (and I can never forget her walk as WXL) and the transformation of her 2 characters was very good even though she turned into a girl she still had that little boyishness in her.
Xiaoyao; an identity she had left many years ago due to abandonment by her mother & father. She lived her life for herself and was always cautious of her surroundings and never relied on others, and the only life she ever wanted was to be with someone whose first choice will always be her, someone who will never abandon her.
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Wan Yi as Cang Xuan: WANYI, it's the first time I have seen him Act and I'm too Impressed cause his character Cang Xuan has suffered so much in past and lost every person dear to him, all these scars have left him with great ambition to conquer the world and get a life where he can protect his younger sister (cousin sister) the only family he has left. To me, his character is too pitiful and yet at the same time he is an exploiter using his scheming mind to make good use of every person around him.
I sympathise with him to the point then I'm like no boy don't do this you will regret it. eg; Jing has been helping him with so many things behind the curtain and still I feel he is ungrateful to him, I know Xiaoyao means the world to him yet when he wants he asks her to go meet with Jing and Fenglong, then become possessive of her being to close to them, if only he could let go of his ambition them he could have been the one she loved but sadly he didn't. Wanyi, he showed all these emotions so brilliantly that I love him as much as I hate him. :(
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Deng Wei as Ye ShiQi & Tushan Jing: Jing Met Xiaoyao at the time when he was going through the same things which Xiaoyao went through Years ago or maybe worse, he was extremely tortured, humiliated and then kicked out by his brother. Jing was near death when Xiaoyao picked him and gave him a new life and purpose as Shiqi. Although he once was a famous Tushan family heir, Now all he wanted was to accompany the person who gave him a 2nd chance at life.
He desired to be with Xiaoyao because he knew fame glory wealth is of no use if you can't be with one person you love.
Dengwei whether as jing or as shiqi was always pleasing to the eyes and ears (although his voice was dubbed :P). Despite his suffering, he remained a kind-hearted gentleman and the person Xiaoyao loved because for him Xiaoyao is always no.1, he would rather than live without her. TT TT
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Jian Ci as Xiangliu & Fang Feng Bei: Before this, I knew Jiaci as a singer and Funny Tan'ge in variety shows, seeing him act for the first time I was star struck, Xiang Liu from the start was a difficult character to play, and he perfectly played that cold nine-headed demon Aura (Superb Acting). Despite all of his actions I love him to the core and is my favourite character from the series. He played 2 different characters which showed his dynamic acting skill as well as those actions as General XiangLiu (just WOW), I think if only he showed A Little more interest in XiaoYao or Expressed His Feeling in a Better Way H could end up with her, but that's what his personality/character is all about being a *silent lover*. I read a comment where someone expressed he should have a maid beside him who could express his sacrifice and feelings to Xiaoyao but sadly there was no one to do so... Xiaoyao always saw them being just a Business, him using her for blood or helping her in exchange of something :(...
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bonus; The writer has always shown the "What could have been" perspective of the drama by giving the main characters an alter ego:
Xiao Yao and Wen XiaoLiu
Cang Xuan and Xuan
Tushan Jing and Ye Shiqi
Xiang Liu and Fang Feng Bei
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Yangzi And her chemistry with all Her Co-star 10/10
All the actor played their character so well that their emotions and their dialogue delivery are top class 10/10
I bet whoever is gonna watch it is going to love the drama. INDEED A MASTERPIECE
soo much excited for season 2, hope it airs soon or ill die of curiosity... TT TT TT TT

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DON'T READ THIS IF YOU AVOIDING SPOILERS - S1

I would consider this as the best 2023 drama. Adaptation from the novel with author Tong Hua, she's also participated in write the script. The novel has 3 phases which Season 1 covered one and half phases of the novel, bet the other one & half phases will be covered in season 2. The story was about Xiao Yao (or Haoling Jiu Yao) a beloved Princess of Hao Ling Kingdom who got lost to wilderness at really young age. She had the magic talent to transform herself into anyone any age any gender, so much so she forgot her real face. She's transformed as Wen Xiao Liu, a male doctor whose expertise in fertility as well as poison, she rescued an old deserter soldier Lao Mu and 2 human Cheng Zhi, Ma Zi and they were creating a family bond in a small town Qing Shui. One day, at the bank of a river Xiao Liu decided to rescue a beggar who were so badly injured and close to his last breath. He took care of him, medicated him, feed and wash him till he's back to health. The family decided to name him Ye Shi Qi. They bonded well and ShiQi learned quick doctoring and help out with the family business - like every thing was so ordinary and humble yet very rewarding. Then, there's news that some newcomers came to town to open a wine shop in the neighborhood; Xuan LaoBan & A Nian with their respective helpers, a dashing respectable young man with his beautiful spoil cousin. They opened business that became well known and a favorite stop for villagers. Xiao Liu's family got altercation with A Nian, resulting confrontation and nasty fight defending their side of family argumentation. Meanwhile, Wen Xiao Liu also met the most horrible General Xiang Liu, Nine-headed sea demon, military Advisor of Chen Rong Kingdom.

**Xiao Yao (Haoling Jiu Yao) a beloved Princess of Hao Ling Kingdom/Wen Xiao Liu (Yang Zhi)
She's a princess of Hao Ling, the granddaughter of Emperor Huan Yuan. She got lost in the young age looking for her father, went through some horrific experiences since then, in order to survive she used her magic to transform her identity frequently until she forgot her real face. She's kind, loyal, afraid of loneliness, free spirit, coy, well liked. Been through alot since early age, she's always on the survival mode. Her undying love to TuShan Jing was the product of his devotion to their relationship, the proven ups-down relationship from their lowest life experience to most happiest time together thru time and time again. She didn't see any man could compare with Jing while she enthralled with Xiang Liu and fully supportive and dedicated to Cang Xuan or friendship towards Feng Long, in her eyes Jing was the most important man in her life. She'e pretty forward with her love interest, she initiated the approach. Her undying support to Cang Xuan was because she wanted to be in his side in their path together, she wanted Cang Xuan to achieve happiness towards his goal. Although Xiang Liu treated her in abusive way, she got to experience many thing while travel with him and...exciting to be with the bad boy. Chishui Feng Long was her first official fiance, she didn't love him, she agreed to get engage with him after heartbreak with Jing and she thought she could help strengthen Cang Xuan position by marrying him which ended she left him at the altar.

**Cang Xuan (Zhuan Xu), Prince of Xi Yan Kingdom (Zhang Wan Yi)
He's ambitious, intelligence, firm, loyal. This's the journey of his top ambition to became an Emperor. He married many women, had 2 Empresses but his happiness were deep secret corner in his heart for Xiao Yao. His marriages were for political purposes, he didn't care much about the wives, his fully concentration was to the political gain, strategy, plots, securing states and the people, wise governing the county, stability projection for all tribes and offered peace. But he secretly harbor deep affection and love for his cousin, get really upset and jealous to any man close to Xiao Yao. He used her for political piece, he let Xiao Yao to have relationship with Jing to gain political/monetary support from TuShan Clan, he let Xiao Yao engaged to Feng Long for support from big clan ChiShui. He's happy with the break up between Jing and Xiao Yao or/and when Xiao Yao left Feng Long at the altar. Eating his heart alive, he couldn't let Xiao Yao go until he made a terrible mistake; he had his hand killing TuShan Jing. Xiao Yao found out, all their strong bond loving relationship shattered broken...irreparable. But Xiao Yao couldn't hate him...she'd rather die than hurting him. A powerful Emperor live in a lonely on top of the world.

**Tushan Jing /Ye Shiqi, second young master and successor of Tushan Tribe (Deng Wei)
Wen Xiao Liu rescued him back to health when he was broken, injured, battered unrecognizable almost a dead man. He 's decided to become Xiao Liu servant to show gratitude, he worked hard around the house, really smart quickly learn medicine to help out with clinic. Who knew he was the famous 2nd young master for the most richest powerful business family who would someday became the successor of Tushan clan. TuShan Jing was a prodigy as reserved, handsome, gentle, loyal, great personality, highly intelligent, screw businessman, no ambition in politic, brilliant accountant, calm, literate, master in playing qing and chess who had magnitude responsibilities and dysfunctional family. Unfortunately he's engaged to Fangfeng Yi Ying - a master of arrow shooter - he went missing few days before their wedding. He also had a jealous older brother TuShan Hao, who tortured Jing - traumatic emotional and physical abuser, he's the one who impregnate Yi Ying and claimed the baby was Jing's that caused Jing and Xiao Yao broke up (too bad his trusted beloved grandmother betrayed him), promised in 15 years time he wished to be back as Ye ShiQi and leave his position was broken and he married Yi Ying. Tushan Jing was a highly intelligent man, he's devious in regard to win back Xiao Yao, he initiated to wreck Xiao Yao wedding to Feng Long. His idea to support Cang Xuan was behind the screen, he devised strategy for ambitious Feng Long. His quiet and calm demeanor gave wrong impression to his peers. Jings love was forlorn yet beautifully sweet determination...with so much coaxing and pleading he won Xiao Yao understanding and heart many times over.

** Xiang Liu Nine-headed sea demon. Military Advisor of Chen Rong Kingdom/Fangfeng Bei Second young master of Fangfeng Tribe - Yang Yi's brother (Tan Jian Ci) He's an eccentric, boorish, crude, unpredictable, powerful, killer for hire, tackles but he had a soft spot for Xiao Liu. Although he treated her like a hot potato, his action spoke better than his words. He used Xiao Liu/Yao for her medicated blood saving his life many times and her knowledge of poisons, he endured many BS Xiao Liu tell but he liked his company. He could actually act gentlemanly as FangFeng Bai which he became Xiao Yao's arrow teacher, took her to gambling den, drinks and going about town, fun to be around with. He attempted to offer his heart to Xiao Yao but got rejected, he understood she only had her eyes to TuShan Jing, he realized they both came from totally different status. As they both were connected by lover bugs, he immediately knew whenever Xiao Yao got hurt. When Xiao Yao was critically injured, Xiang Liu came right up to save here. At the end though he righted the wrongs, sacrificed so much, gave up everything just to save a woman he really loved without asking anything back...none of those he wished Xiao Yao not to know about. He also saved TuShan Jing, an unlikely friendship just because they're actually made business transaction many times over.

**Chishui Feng Long/ChiShui Young Chief (Wang Hong Yi)
He's TuShan Jing's best friend, very ambitious, easy going and twin brother of Chenrong Xin Yue (Wang Zhen) one of Cang Xuan's Empress. TuShan Jing introduced Feng Long to Cang Xuan for him to gain strong political ally, Jing tought Feng Long strategies for him to pass it along to Cang Xuan which he thought Feng Long was such an amazing brilliant strategist. Although Jing knew Feng Long was interested in Xiao Yao, he shamelessly used him to lure Xiao Yao to their resident so he could woo her in person. Feng Long pledged alliance to Cang Xuan, helped him to gain power and became Great General, proposed marriage to Xiao Yao which's accepted after Xiao Yao broke up with Jing. His friendship to Jing was deteriorated when he knew Jing steal Xiao Yao at the wedding ceremony. He became Cang Xuan's right hand, most trusted general, best friend, strong ally. At the end though, he tried to kill Xiao Yao whose Cang Xuan's most treasured person. Because of regret, Feng Long requested to go war against Chen Rong rebel Army and died at the hand of Xiang Liu. His last words hunted Cang Xuan...

What I love about this drama is consistency interpretation from book to drama, outstanding setting, explosion of details, flowing story, beautiful costumes, great collaboration between main and supporting actors, loving the OST. I think this is a perfect casting, can't think anyone else perfect for the roles. Yang Zhi is perfect Wen Xiao Liu, Zhang WenYi is definitely Cang Xuan, Deng Wei is a quite gentle TuShan Jing, Tan jianCi has Xiang Liu's aura, while Wang HongYi has easy going Feng Long. I think Yang Zhi isn't a great beauty that would captured 4 men's heart (but love can do weird things to us) that would lay down their lives for her, Ep 32 she started to fall into her usual cringe chatty high pitch little girl voice - let's skip that part. I found that Deng Wei & Tan Jian Ci (he had terrifying murderous laugh) did great with their characters more so than the other. 3 strong-characters and overly ambitious men, Xiao Yao is well matched with Tushan Jing who has calm characters that so different from the rest. 39 episodes ended the Season 1 when Cang Xuan was choosen as next Emperor of Xi Yuan Kingdom and looking forward for season 2 where all this manifestation complete.

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Went in with low expectations

I was surprised at this production. I didn’t read the book so I went in with low expectations but was moved by the high quality of the story, acting, visuals, and OST.

The bad

Not much really. The CGI isn’t the best I’ve seen not the worse but doesn’t take away from the rating at all. Overall the visuals are still beautiful.

The good

The story is very captivating. I’ve never come across a story as complex as this one and it’s to the point that I really have no clue what is going to happen next as I watch each scene unfold. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a show make me feel the full spectrum of emotions. The acting is done so well from each character. Even supporting characters are able to hold their own in the acting department. I also appreciate that each character is different and has different goals and ambitions. No character is good or bad and you almost forget that they are deities or creatures. They seem so human, unlike most non humans in xianxias. I also like how logical they are which gives them a sense of realism. Though this is a romance, it’s not all filled with romance and definitely leaves you pondering about the complexities of life and relationships. This story doesn’t have the CDrama tropes that most of us come to expect in these types of xuanhuan/xianxia shows. The OST is beautiful, each song is carefully tailored at the right moment to elevate each scene.

Though I understand this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, I’d highly recommend you watch it for yourself and make your own choice.

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Best Xian Xia/Wu Xia drama with great story and acting from lead actors and actresses.

"Lost You Forever" is a two-part Xian Xia/Wu Xia drama. The first part has 39 episodes, and the second has 21 episodes with 60 episodes.

The story has many immortal and mythology characters that were confusing at first. Still, thanks to a Youtuber's in-depth story explanation, it is more interesting.

The Synopsis: In ancient times, humans mixed with deities and demons; the world consisted of Chenrong, Xiyan, and Haoling. Wandering in Dahuang, Jiu Yao from Haoling lost her identity and appearance. She settled in Qingshui Town and was renamed Wen Xiao Liu. The Prince Cang Xuan of Xiyan was Xiao Liu's cousin. To find Xiao Liu, he traveled around Dahuang and arrived in Qingshui Town. In Qingshui Town, Xiao Liu saves Tushan Jing from danger and falls in love with him. Xiang Liu and Xiao Liu appreciated each other and became confidants. After twists and turns, Cang Xuan and Xiao Liu eventually recognized each other. After recovering her identity, Xiao Liu helped Cang Xuan bring the whole world under his rule and retired from the rivers and lakes. The thoughtless man puts all his energy into governing the country because he knows that as long as the world is at peace, his little boy will be able to be happy and healthy.

The acting of the entire ensemble was excellent, especially the 4 main leads (Yang Zi, Zhang Wan Yi, Deng Wei, and Tan Jian Ci)

Xiao Yao has complex and complicated relationships with each male lead (Cang Xuan, Tushan Jing, and Xiang Liu). To make things more complicated, they are in love with her, but she only has a heart for Tushan Jing.

The script is rich and good, with complex characters, politics, and abusive and dysfunctional relationships. This drama not only has good acting, but it also has good music (OST) and special effects. It is also very colorful, for some scenes that were pleasant to watch. This is the best acting that I have seen from Yang Zi. Deng Wei did a good job too, and his character in this drama is better than in "Til the End of the Moon."

Overall, I really enjoy this drama and give it an 8.5 rating. I can't wait for part two to broadcast.

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A very entertaining drama of 2023

I don't think I can explain how the story is deeply engrossing to me, but I will try.
 
The central plot of the series focuses on the relationship dynamics between Xiao Yao and Cang Xuan (the two protagonists). They were inseparable when they were kids. They were each other's world. A series of misfortunes and sufferings befall their relationship, and they were separated for three centuries.
 
The FL has deep, imbedded scars from all the things that she experienced while she was separated from her "gege". She is not the same little girl that the ML used to know. Will that affect the kind of relationship they had before? As for the ML, I can see that he is now a good candidate to become a great emperor because he is really calculating, cunning, and ruthless. His relationship with her will probably be put to the test by the many decisions he needs to make. The question is what kind of path he would take—will he choose the right one or not?
 
As a viewer, I find it exciting to know what direction their story will go. Not only will the two protagonists have to make up for the lost time, but they will also have to deal with lots of other things. The biggest one will be the other male characters, who will play a vital part in the female lead's life. I really can't wait for everything to start unfolding.
 
Big kudos, by the way, to the whole cast and crew for making me feel enthralled by the world-building, storytelling, and acting from everyone! The actors and actresses play their respective characters extremely well. This drama is a depiction of a very popular novel by a well-known Chinese author. Mediocre acting from the cast will be heavily criticized by now from viewers, but that is not the case, and I hope they will be consistent about their portrayal all throughout the show.
 
I am enthralled with Lost You Forever and hope that I won't be let down as a viewer. I will get back to this review after I have finished watching everything. ✨

----- continuation-----

I deducted 1.5 points in my review. It doesn't seat well with me that the FL is having conflicting feelings between two male leads. I have read my fair share of books and mangas (The Legend of Basara, Saiunkoku Monogatari, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, etc) where "reversed-harem" is one of the themes, but those heroines never wavered despite whatever circumstance befall her and her love interest.

-----continuation-----
I brought back a.5 rating to this drama because of some realizations I had. The female lead (XY) wants the best man for her. A peaceful, happy life with a devoted partner is what she is looking for, and she always reminds us of that as viewers.

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Season 1 finale: 9.5/10 score.

I think season 1 of this drama gives me a great feeling of love and longing. I want to know how they will conclude all of the unfinished conflicts in season 2 because I really like how everything is written according to how it was in the novel. I'm excited to see how they will conclude everything next season.

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a cut above your typical run of the mill boys over flowers reverse harem story

If you had told me that i would genuinely enjoy a reverse harem drama w four suitors, one of whom is basically a vampire, i would've never believed you.

on principle i don't particularly enjoy love triangles unless like, there is a clear endgame and one of the options just exists for the main character to learn from (for ex. fuheng in yanxi palace). this is because usually they exist in dramas for melodrama and fantasy scenarios of what if these two different hot boys were into you lol. maybe i just haven't seen that many but i've just always written them off as understandably popular for a reason but generally silly and cringey dog blood.

lost you forever/chang xiang si was very immersive because it offered a similar reverse harem formula or structure, but the basis and core of WHY there are multiple options is a cut above the typical boys over flowers reverse harem story. it is not simply that xiaoyao is a stand in for the audience, and her options are a good boy and a bad boy please choose which one u like more, y'know? xiaoyao is a multi faceted character who has been deeply traumatized and has a host of abandonment issues that affect her relationships as an adult. her two main options, tushan jing and xiang liu, represent two different pathways for her to progress- and the reasons why she likes them are also informed by her trauma and experiences. tsj offers her kindness, softness and gentleness, unquestioned support and care, he represents way for her to truly heal and learn to trust other people again, to grow in a positive manner. while xl’s coldness, darkness and danger are attractive to her because he is a kindred spirit, and also what she knows and understands. xiang liu's love on the other hand doesn't push her personal growth, but rather supports who she is in the present. he abandons her, pushes her away, never allows her to know how he loves her, and puts the bigger political picture above her. he teaches her archery so that she can continue to stand alone without relying on others to protect her. but tsj will come to prove that she CAN rely on others (or should at least in s2). it makes complete sense why narratively tsj is endgame, but her storyline with xl is equally, if not more compelling exactly because it makes complete sense why they love each other, but ultimately won't be together. not even gonna touch on cx because he’s a non-option whose relationship with her represents the worst possible route you can go post trauma. congrats y’all actually got me to enjoy a love triangle!!!! sort of pentagonal!!

the strengths of the story are the character and relationship writing. the doomed trauma bonded siblings, xiaoyao and cangxuan are the core relationship of the story and both characters are nicely done. i particularly like cx, what an ambitious little freak who got his wires crossed and is too weird about his sister! zhang wanyi is really excellent, i enjoyed watching his acting SO much... his tight little smile that never reaches his eyes…LOL yang zi is also great and particularly committed, especially as wen xiaoliu. xl and tsj are generally well written too, as is chenrong xinyue, and even the minor support character sang tian'er was well written and so memorable (honestly her role as a former sex worker was more progressive than the entirely of a dream of splendor). However you can really tell the writer only cared about Some characters while others only exist to cause conflict, namely fangfeng yiying is just Evil for like no good reason, and tushan hou is similarly just senselessly evil. i think the writer definitely struggles with villains and they are pretty one dimensional. generally however, the characters are pretty good, and good character writing can really drive home the themes and take a story so far! AND YET......

the plot........ my absolute biggest gripe with cxs is the PLOT. i find the plot so incredibly inept at supporting its characters, and unable to push the narrative forward. the story is extremely character lead, to the point where most of the show is just conversations, with very little Events Happening. why does cx achieve the throne at the end? HOW does he even achieve the throne at the end? because grandpa said so. thats why. as an avid lover of political court dramas and little plots and schemes, this show was so disappointingly short of that. and like, i'm not asking for nirvana in fire or rise of phoenixes, because that would just be a different show, but like.... just a little bit of plotting please.... just more sense as to HOW cx is power hungry and ambitious, cunning and calculating instead of just telling us over and over again. mainly all i saw was him getting hooked on drugs and building good relationships with the right people. i wanted him to take down his uncles and enemies one by one!!! doing more and more dastardly things to do so!! it just felt like the crown was given to him instead of him having worked to achieve it. i get that the author seems to mainly just want cx to represent this kind of classic cold, ruthless, power hungry character, and doesn't actually care for politics itself but like i can't help but feel kind of cheated out of what was promised in the first episode and the premise of his character. china's political drama genre is very popular and there are plenty of sources to pull from!! the princes’ struggle for power is a classic! as a result the story feels flat and like the characters are just existing in a blurry aesthetic background. these parts are just SO weak. like i don’t know who cx is as a ruler, i don’t know what his relationship is like with the common people, has he done anything for them? a ruler doesn’t exist without citizens, idg why we aren’t shown the ways cx built up power and support from the people. literally it’s just him interacting w the same ass two nobles who are already committed to him. similarly, tsj’s family is literally CARTOONISHLY evil, from torture to rape they’ve fuckin done it all!! they exist to purely just be evil and it doesn’t even make sense, why are they forcing him to be clan leader and marry ffyy when tsh and ffyy want to KILL him so she can openly be w tsh and he can be clan leader. idk maybe it will be explained next season but so far it’s just weak and lazy story telling. there are ways to tell a story about an abusive family that uses confucian values like filial piety and duty to manipulate its members and make it resonate in a real way- the same way that xy’s fear of abandonment resonates. if the writing was stronger they would be able to explore how they keep tsj trapped in this toxic family without resorting to the most outlandishly evil dog blood tropes. and xl too!!! his relationship w the chenrong army is SO WEAK and poorly written. like everything is for his adopted dad, but it just doesn’t feel enough, esp when the army others him for being a yao. if they had more scenes that developed his relationship with them, his devotion would be so much more believable. a scene of them singing around some burning bodies does not communicate the strength of their bond or conviction. nobody in the army is even NAMED. like if we actually got to know them and hear their stories, see how xl came to bond with them, it would just be so much more believable. in general this is the issue with the scriptwriting. cx, tsj and xl are all pretty well written by themselves, but they don’t have support from the plot to make it all make sense.

Not only is the plot writing weak, at times it is pure dog blood trash. for example, the entire plot abt xy getting tortured and killed by some complete RANDOM. clearly this random guy who we have basically NEVER met or heard of was being influenced by 5 wang and 7 wang who wanted to get rid of xy to get at cx, but there was so little build up, so little development. when it happens it feels like it's out of nowhere, and just happens in order to plant the seed that she's chi chen's daughter and to compare how our three leading men will react. i wanted it to be much more clearer why xy is a target politically, instead of like, just this random guy's revenge. just felt SOOO out of nowhere, shitty writing, poor development, and really took the quality of the story down sooo much. even worse tsj’s rape and forced marriage.... i have too many frustrations, the way they handled the rape was so abysmal i don’t even wanna talk about it lmao.

i found everything more successful and enjoyable in the first arc when they were still in qingshui town and xy was wxl. honestly i am also just a sucker for stories about the common people with common every day problems so that also contributed, but it truly felt so much stronger. i think that when the stakes are lower, more grounded, the writer is much more adept at creating a plot that can support its characters. the little political things that happened felt reasonable and believable, rather than later on when the stage is bigger and stakes are higher. i loved wxl’s found family, his everyday problems, and his relationship with xl and tsj was already well developed and fully communicated the themes and messages of the story. once wxl becomes xy and we are now in princesses and nobility and palace world it loses so much of the heart and charm it had originally. also all of the gender stuff! i appreciate that tsj often takes a narratively feminine role, but nothin’s gonna come close to how fun and queer and trans the first arc was.

on the whole this show boasts some strong characters in a weak plot. a reverse harem being used to examine the different paths one can take after trauma gives this show substance that most reverse harems don’t have, if only everything could be backed up by a carefully cared for plot. excited to see how things develop season 2!

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