Love Between Fairy and Devil (2022)

Followed the hype and BOY WAS IT WORTH IT

Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of costume dramas, whether historical/period, xianxia, even republic dramas I find difficult. I could probably count on one hand the number of costume dramas I’ve actually finished. For a time, I really wanted to like them because they were so aesthetically pleasing, but after dropping bunches of dramas because of silly FLs or concubine drama or impossible MLS or boring stories, I gave up and focused more on modern dramas to save myself time.
When I saw different posts on tumblr singing the praises of this one, I was hesitant, but interested. And since I’d never finished a drama with Wang He Di, I thought I’d give it a go.

There’s likely nothing I could write that hasn’t been written already, but this truly is a rare gem in costume dramas. The story moves quickly and the characters are dynamite. You get a bunch of tropes done in a way that’s familiar and refreshing all at once and some scenes just sort of steal you away to Shui Yun Tian or Si Ming Hall or Cang Yan Hai.

Honestly there’s a lot of joy and a lot of pain with only the tiniest bit of frustration towards the end because it seems the universe is conspiring against them, but even among the frustration the story is absolutely breathtaking and the themes are absolutely worth it. Love is sacrifice, love heals, love is strong. This story isn’t anything super new, per se, but it takes what it’s given and executes it perfectly. Highly recommend.

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Perfect fairytale

CLJ now is hands down the best xianxia I ever watched. Mostly because how it was written, brought in life and performed. No major fillers or sideplots that annoyed you. It wasn't perfect-perfect, we have some lines not closed, but not that many and I put the blame on limited time that they have (I can't believe I am saying this abt xianxia, but I wish CLJ was atleast 4 eps longer). The last 4 or 6 eps, even if I love the pace of this drama to pieces, indeed felt a little bit too fast.
I think it is quite different watching pleasure when drama from which you sidn't expect anything amazed you that much. From how thought out art, OST and CGI was to actor's perfomances and their chemistry.
CLJ is indeed xianxia ceiling for me from now on.

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A beautiful drama simply about ... LOVE.

Probably one of the best Xianxia dramas I have seen. All the boxes where checked off on this drama. You couldn’t get a more perfect drama, from casting, to music, to costumes to CGI budget and incredible storyline.

I enjoyed Dylan Wang in Meteor Garden and The Rational Life, but I’ve never watched him in a serious role and I have to say, he can act. It’s not easy to be playful and serious boss character. I enjoyed listening to his real voice and watching him play both playful and serious parts.

I liked Esther Yu in Moonlight but I do know people find her voice very high pitch and as much as I love a high pitch voice, yes the voice is very high, however, it grows on you. I really enjoyed her acting and she kind of captivates you. I do love her bubbly side and it was good to see her in a more dramatic and serious role.

The best part of the drama for me is the chemistry and epic love story of the main characters. I didn’t think there could be a 36 episode drama just about love, but they did and it took you on a crazy journey. I never felt like it dragged or there was too much silly misunderstandings. I felt like each obstacle the main leads had to overcome was engaging and really addicting to watch.

I liked that it was a drama between two sides, however there wasn’t a bad or good side, despite, one side being lighter and the other side being darker. It was refreshing to see each character’s inner issues and having them worked out. The character development was really good.

The costume and CGI was REALLY fantastic to watch. I loved all of the head pieces and colorful costumes. I loved the CGI backgrounds with the stars and shooting flowers and beautiful trees. The drama looked so organic and alive and mystical. I didn’t think I would like a drama with so much CGI, but it really took you to a different world.

The OST is good too and yes you can purchase the theme song in iTunes America! It’s always hard for me to find C drama songs on iTunes in America, so now I can play it over and over again. The music is really catchy, I promise.

Overall, The raving reviews have merit. It’s a beautiful drama simply about Love and that’s exactly why I watch C dramas.

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My favorite drama of 2022 easily.

To me, this drama was the underdog in it's genre this year. It successfully won the hearts of so many lovers of this genre and I couldn't be happier that it did. When I first added it to my PTW in 2021 when it was announced, I thought I'd give it a try since the visuals were so pretty and the chemistry between the actors from the BTS we had gotten seemed good. Little did I know this drama would prove to be worth the wait!

Firstly, the story is magnificent. I will say I was watching passively at first, unsure if I was going to like it or not (I've been burned by dramas a lot this year okay, starting strong then falling flat) but this was the opposite for me! The story kept getting more exciting as time went on and before I knew it I was staying up late just to catch up more on episodes of this addictive drama. While a lot of xianxia drama's tend to start by throwing the characters into a plot and overloading the viewer with information and backstory, this one kept itself and it's story simple without overcomplicating anything. The characters are not driven everywhere randomly by the plot, they are responsible for the plot and their actions and choices make sense as we grow to know them, nothing is senseless.

Another thing I loved is how DFQC was a well-written xianxia ml who didn't fall into the usual tropes we see, he wasn't a teacher or a noble figure who was holier than thou. He was also given good development and most importantly it was development that actually made sense. Falling in love didn't take away the vengeance he had before, which would've been unrealistic if he ditched all his previous goals just because he fell in love. Like usually dramas act as though falling in love changes a persons every thought, nope, DFQC was still himself, just a bit less sociopath-y.

The acting was another beautiful aspect of this drama, I could feel the passion Esther and Dylan had for their characters. They also both pulled off the body swap's without making it seem like they were mocking, instead it was really like they picked up on each other's core mannerisms. The chemistry is also undeniable. They channeled it perfectly, and you can tell both actors are listening to each other well. It is just lovely to witness.

There is so much obvious passion here, from the directing, the music, the production, gcostume design, editing. It all feels like no details went untouched. The team wanted to create an enjoyable drama for the summer, and in my opinion they did just that!

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This will blow you away

Enjoy this show once, twice, a thousand times! This show is what drew me into Asian drama and cinema.

In this show the realm of the gods is very much xianxia, while the Demon Lord's world and Orchid's recreational vehicle between worlds seemed very different. It wasnt the world-building that hooked me, it was the dialogue as soon as silly Orchid came onscreen. It was very irreverent and the more I watched the funnier it became. The soundtrack was amazing. The cinematic intelligence in LBFD was way above and beyond any USA production. What makes this show so perfect, funny and awesome? I wanted to know.

When I heard that Esther Yu, a strong woman in her own right (as opposed to her role as Orchid), greatly influenced the LBFD production with constructive ideas drawn from kdrama, I had to find out more. I learned eventually and happily that although fantasy combined with irony in western cinema is not always successful, it is a fully mastered and developed style in asian cinema of all kinds.

So.....watch and laugh and cry (the ending is amazing).

ps. This review is a perfect illustration of my review philosophy -- we write as a group and my chosen parameter is not to be a judge of works I dont like, but a cheerleader for those I do. There are so many great reviewers with beautiful prose and good analytical skills who work on shows like this. I have chosen to define my contribution as an attempt to amuse and entice people who like my style to watch great shows.

first posted on viki april 27th 20214

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❤️❤️❤️LOVED!❤️❤️❤️

I absolutely ADORED this! ❤️ The chemistry between our ML and FL was SO cute and sweet! 🥰 They’re progression of love was very natural, and times quite amusing. Especially when our ML doesn’t understand the feeling of being jealous. 😉 I really enjoyed the music. I was also pleased at how they wrapped up all the characters endings so you weren’t wondering what had happened to them. I really felt the second ML deserved better though, that’s probably the only disappointment factor I had. 😔
However with that said, I will DEFINITELY rewatch this again and again and again!😉❤️❤️

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This drama is simply the best

This drama is very touching as the anime of the same title and story was very funy made the drama is made to be very dramatic abd tragic and I love the ending of this drama alot...the drama does have some funny moments as well as it also makes you very sad and to cry at some moments and also the reason I value this sad drama ending is partly because I love sad moments in dramas for some odd reason and also because that kind of ending fit perfectly to the drama but also I love how in the end it all ended up that both main male character ended up having favor beyond just mere friendship by a female main character but both were actually at positive success and that is something its never seen in any other drama I have ever watched

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Love That Ascends All

I would like to preface this by saying that I actively avoid 仙侠 (xianxia) dramas, as the CGI always feels off-putting. For those who used to feel similar, this is your sign to give this series a chance.

Love Between Fairy and Devil is a masterpiece. It is well-rounded in every major aspect. The cast is phenomenal, and everyone truly brought these characters to life in a convincing and multi-dimensional way. Esther Yu (小兰花 / Xiao Lan Hua / "Orchid") and Dylan Wang (东方青苍 / Dong Fang Qing Cang / "Moon Supreme") have undeniable chemistry. Both brought to this production absolutely praise-worthy performances that will leave a lasting impression in your heart.

I wish to give a shout-out to Esther because some have found the female lead annoying/fake. Those who are familiar with Esther from Youth With You 2 will know that in real life, she has a lively personality very similar to Orchid. The producers intentionally cast her for good reason. That is indeed her real voice. Personally, I found her character funny, endearing, and lovable from beginning to end. From the body swap scenes to the final episodes, she demonstrated impressive acting range, skill, and sincerity for this role.

The story and overall pacing is excellent. It is not perfection, nor is the story particularly groundbreaking in and of itself. However, the cast and production team took the story in front of them, presented it well, and told it with love. The story progresses steadily, with momentum, and with tension at just the right points. Pared down, this is a heartfelt love story that will remind you of love, make you rethink your perspective on love, and perhaps rekindle some of it in your own heart.

Lastly, the CGI and the musical score of this drama is outstanding. Not once did the CGI disrupt my immersion in the drama as a viewer. Rather, every episode had moments of breathtaking CGI beauty that literally made me gasp and admire the artistic vision and level of post-production effort that went into this series. Overall, Love Between Fairy and Devil is a fantasy stunner. The scenery, costumes, battle scenes, and overall world-building is commendable. Adding to the visual feast and completing the picture is an incredible soundtrack. The songs, as well as instrumental tracks, blend perfectly with the scenes they are paired with and elevates the emotional experience.

Sit back, relax, and give this memorable gem a chance.

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I DIDN'T KNOW, forgive me <3 <3 <3

This is the first time I have EVER fully watched a Chinese fantasy drama and I am kinda mad I never gave one a chance before now. This is NOT my regular genre preference at all, I normally love modern c-dramas, specifically youth or school related types. I decided to watch, "Love Between Fairy and Devil," simply because I was curious about the casting for the main couple. I am so glad I decided to watch this because it was phenomenal! I cried and laughed the whole way through. If you've never watched a fantasy c-drama, I implore you to definitely try this one out there is so much intrigue, romance, and beautiful imagery. I loved this show so so much, and I have a bit of a drama hangover now that it's over.


Things I LOVED:

1.) MAIN COUPLE. Esther Yu and Dylan Wang, were THE couple. I need them to have another drama, be it modern, youth, fantasy, historical or whatever genre, they have to be a drama couple again. This is a NEED, not a WANT. Their chemistry was electric and I ate every little interaction uppp!

2.) TROPES. The use of the "Grumpy/Sunshine" or "Good/Evil," trope was EVERYTHING. I didn't realize how much I like when the villain gets the girl. The amount of times I replayed all the scenes where DFQC swooped in to save our girl, was ridiculous. It was just so hot, I don't even know how to explain it.

3.) DYLAN WANG, did an an amazing job in this role. Whoever cast him knew what they were doing because I can't get over DongFang QingCang. He was evil yet adorable, like how is that even possible???

4.) HE STAYS DARK (kinda). Dongfang QingCang's character arch was perfect IMO. I really appreciate that they didn't make him become a fully pure hero, he gained his emotions, but he was still morally gray in some ways and I loved that.

5.)THE CURSE. I loved the use of the, "One Heart Curse." It offered great comedic relief in the beginning and later on it played a key role in the most tragic moments. Truly it can't even be called a curse because the amount of times they were able to save each other because of it was undeniable.

6.) ESTHER YU AS ORCHID, was the cutest thing ever, argue with the wall if you think otherwise. She was an adorable hyper girl, but I appreciated that she wasn't an idiot; she caught on to things pretty fast and was proactive. Go, little miss goddess, go!

7.) THE CGI was actually pretty beautiful especially in the Arbiter Hall and the Xilan Holy lands. This was something I was wary about going in, but after a couple episodes, I got used to it.

8.) THE STORY was not that complex, surprisingly. When I initially started watching I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to follow along very well, but they do a good job of not complicating things too much. There are a lot of smaller details that could be overlooked, but the main storyline never strays IMO.

THINGS I DIDN'T CARE FOR:

1.) JIELI. Omfg, I wanted to throttle her character so many times. She had so many opportunities to make better choices and she ALWAYS (except for one time), chose to be a backstabbing, greedy, annoying, thief. I also hated how self deprecating she was when confronted. The gaslighting was insane, her excuse every time was that she was the way that she was because of her tragic childhood. I understood her trauma in the beginning, but I quickly got sick of it, because after every time she was caught she threw it in everyone's faces for sympathy and forced understanding. She was an awful friend to Orchid too. Just annoying all around. No hate to the actress tho, she's beautiful and clearly played her character well.

2.) Honestly, hot take, but I felt that LADY CHIDI, was ultimately pretty useless. They all tried so hard to snatch up her primordial spirit, only for it not to be used in the end. My girl, Orchid is the one who saved everyone and righted all the wrongs. Lady Chidi's character could probably be cut out of the whole middle and end of the drama and you would still be able to understand the entire storyline. She was destined to die and should have stayed that way IMO.

3.) RANGHAO, wasn't just evil but very creepy. I couldn't get a good read on his true intentions. Was he in love with Lady Chidi? Did he see her as a mother figure? What exactly did he want after he revived her? It's hard to believe he became a murder for 30,000 years collecting "evil qi," just to play the gd flute for her, sword fight and keep her company for the rest of eternity. He was the character that confused me the most because he quickly went from typical villain to creepo real fast.

4.) ORCHID, should have had more fight scenes after realizing her true identity. That's my only complaint about her character, there was so much potential for her to become a super badass heroine. Her action scenes were mostly in the beginning with her basic plant fairy powers and at the very end with her recovered goddess powers. I kept waiting for her to unleash hell on all her enemies as a the Xishun Goddess, but it never came. I still loved her tho, this complaint is mainly directed at the writing of the story.

5.) THE LAST WEDDING SCENE. Basically the entire reason I watched this show was because I wanted to see DFQC crash Orchid and ChangHeng's immortal wedding, but I was a teensy bit disappointed that he didn't do it because he was jealous, but because he was possessed by TaiSui the evil spirit dude, he still looked hot tho with his extra evil makeover (white hair, completely black eyes and dark markings on his skin). The TikTok edits really got me with this one ngl.

6.) THE ENDING. WTF. What is this horrible new C-drama trend where the main couples have a happy ending, but its literally 3 minutes long (I actually timed it for this drama, out of curiosuity). So unjust, like honestly. On the one hand I am overjoyed that they could be together and in love again, but on the other hand I was pissed that we couldn't even get a glimpse at their future and more of their happiness. UGH. It was still sweet and made me cry happy tears, but after everything they went through they deserved so much more IMO. After proposing and beginning to plan it, I wish Orchid and DFQC could have had their own wedding scene :(


Watch this, its so amazing and I loved every second of the 36 episodes that were released. It was a great first Xianxia/Wuxia Chinese drama, I couldn't have asked for a better introduction into the genre. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to get into these types of dramas for the first time, as well. Don't be dissuaded by the length, it went by pretty quick because you get sucked in so much. I am normally a huge binge watcher, but I paced this one out because of the episode length over the course of one week and it was well worth it. I think giving myself more time allowed for better comprehension of the world building, story line and the many details explained along the way. Truly loved this one, and now I can't wait to start another fantasy
C-drama, I think this has sparked a new addition.

P.S. I would have given this drama a 10, if not for that ending. They needed a longer reunion, and I will never stop talking about this.

P.P.S. Prepare tissues for episodes 30-36 (especially ep.31) !!! I cried so hard my eyes literally swelled shut. You have been WARNED! (So worth it tho, it was a beautiful story so don't avoid it because of a couple of sad scenes, it was all amazing I swear.)

-A

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I started and dropped this drama three times before finishing it. The biggest problem I had with it was the Orchid fairy character. I rarely enjoy dramas where the female lead character is artless, naive, and not too bright. There was also something about Esther Yu's wide-eyed delivery that exacerbated all of those characteristics. But I kept hearing such glowing reviews about the drama that I pushed through to the end. I think I understand why people like it. Both the Esther Yu and Dylan Wang characters do evolve over time. There is some welcome humor to leaven the plot. Plus the costumes and sets are alternately beautiful and over-the-top campy, which made it fun. I also liked the Dan Yin and Jie Li characters.

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