Back From the Brink (2023)

ngl they had me going in the first half

for some years now i've been feeling quite burnt out from modern xianxia/wuxia (not enough to stop watching lol), one of the main reasons being that so many shows seemed to be following a set of exhausting tropes. main character has mysterious origins and tuns out to be reincarnated/reborn/memory sealed ultimate goddess/princess/savior/demon/apocalypse bringer, her love interest is a super powered ultimate high god/war god/crown prince/demon lord. if the stakes are not high from the outset, they become THE HIGHEST WORLD IS ENDING STAKES EVER, the ultimate battle of good and evil, dark and light (which is also a concerningly judeo-christian western value found in western fantasy (lotr, harry potter, star wars) but maybe there is chinese precedent for this and i just dont know enough but idk), the entire world Will Be Destroyed unless one of the main characters sacrifices their life!!!! sometimes they even go back and forth sacrificing their lives for each other/the world REPEATEDLY!!!!! then one character dies and the other waits for them to come back/regenerate/reincarnate and then they DO for one last brief appearance/reunion in the last two minutes!!! because no one dies and actually suffers the consequences of self sacrifice!!! nothing matters!! what is the meaning of self sacrifice when they are gods and deities and will just come back???? the stakes are so high and yet there are no real stakes!!!! instead everyone is just rewarded over and over with a happy ending for sacrificing themselves!!! its EXHAUSTING!!!!!!! it's like writers don't know how to get people invested and care about stories anymore unless the stake is their LIFE or the WORLD!!! and more often than not the 'world' is such an abstract concept where they don't even truly express why this world is precious, valuable or worth saving. i've been calling this the the marvel cinematic hell zone because the stakes are SO high that the story loses humanity, relatability and empathy from the audience (me at least) and just becomes meaningless.

what made huxin so special in the beginning was that it was very clearly NOT this. it was SO refreshing, a true breath of fresh air that felt nostalgic of older wuxia in so many ways. the stakes were simple and lower, it was about adventures and fights and collecting all the body parts and gaining powers! fighting injustice! the main characters were special not because of their birthright or their destiny, but because they were just skilled fighters or spirits. yanhui is a normal girl part of a normal sect and even though tianyao is powerful, he's also just a yao dragon. like thank you for giving us HUMANITY!! RELATABILITY!!!! charm and sweetness they had it all!!!!! i truly LOVED this show in the beginning and binged it so quickly, it felt like i was watching my fav childhood wuxias, but still new and fresh! zhou ye and hou minghao are perfect as the main leads, they're both so cute and have great chemistry and charisma! the villains were hateable and HUMAN! the taoists and suying were lead by human constructs and emotions- racism and prejudice, obsession, desire for power and control! NOT an indescribable incomprehensible innate EVIL. the lower stakes adventures, the themes of oppression and inequality, the relatable heroes and villains, and the character and relationship development too all made this show an amazing standout that allowed me to truly care about the story and characters.

sadly, and inevitably, this did not last, and the show eventually became everything it wasn't, everything that i hate abt modern xianxias and wuxias. it lost everything that set it apart from the others. listen, unlike many other viewers, i was okay w many things, i was ok w tianyao stabbing yanhui, i was ok w them having communication issues, i was ok w their relationship being set back and tested, and them having to work and expend time and energy to gain yanhui's trust again. that was all fine and i thought it made sense for both of their characters and i don't think it was terrible writing. what i am NOT okay with was the new ULTIMATE EVIL DARK LORD with the WORST NOSE CONTOUR I'VE SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!! why the terrible drag make up???? WHY???? why did he have to show up and ruin literally everything??? why can't the villains just be the taoists?? why can't the stakes just be that tianyao needs to retrieve his body parts and get revenge and yanhui wants to survive?? that was a wonderful story i was enjoying that story!!!!! now it's no longer a fight against systemic oppression, a battle to settle personal vengeances!! now it's saving the world from apocalypse... AGAIN....!!! the taoists aren't just shitty actually they are being POSSESSED and MANIPULATED by the evil dark lord!!!!!! actually every single thing that has happened from the beginning wasn't driven by human motivations, greed and cruelty, but by the EVIL INCOMPREHENSIBLE DARK THING!! pulling the strings from the beginning for the big dark master plan of apocalypse!!!!!!!!!!!!! like come on!!!!!! can we not?????? can we please not do this it is literally ruining all of the villains and shifu!!!!!!! shifu whips and tortures yanhui not because he is a shitty but complex man who values adherance to taoist sect traditions and orthodoxy over his own daughter, but because he's a goddamn idiot who got TRICKED by the evil darkness into thinking it was yanhui's life or the WORLD. like this kind of writing RUINS characters! they damn near got suying too by saying the idea to manipulate and kill tianyao was evil dark lords idea instead of her own. at least she stayed terrible and obsessed w lu musheng till the end but still!!! don't even get me started on lingfei!!! truly abysmal writing for the story and characters, a great way to get me to stop caring because nothing matters anymore, everything is about the great evil big bad who also has no character writing and is just a psycho and manifestation of everything bad in the world. i didn't even care about yanhui and tianyao and their relationship anymore and i had loved them so much in the beginning. everything and everyone just loses their charm, bai xiaosheng is destroyed once they turn him into a love rival, and then the show just completely forgets about his existence for the latter half. i never cared for the side characters but they get even more grating. at a certain point i was just finishing it to finish it.

all too often we have main characters in cdrama who give up EVERYTHING and sacrifice themselves for the greater good, for the world, for their lover, etc. etc. and for once we got a main character who didn't do that. who believed in self preservation, and was still a good person. yanhui was a normal human being who valued her life like normal humans, who wanted to live and wasn't willing to give up EVERYTHING for other people. that isn't a bad thing lmao, human beings should not be taught self sacrifice as the ultimate marker for goodness and moral purity. in fact it's really unhealthy to live your life for other people. so it was extremely disappointing to have her character go down that road like all the rest... like does anyone have anything new to say???

all in all.... the beginning was a 10/10 and the ending was a 0/10 generic boring meaningless pointless garbage.... final score
5/10.

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A millennial Dragon Loves a Taoist Girl ❤️?

Back from the Brink" is an enthralling Chinese drama that captivates viewers with its compelling storyline, well-rounded characters, and satisfying ending. This drama takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster, blending intense moments with heartfelt connections and personal growth.

The story revolves around the lives of four individuals from different backgrounds who find themselves facing their darkest moments. As fate intertwines their paths, they are forced to confront their pasts, overcome their struggles, and ultimately find redemption. The narrative beautifully explores themes of love, friendship, forgiveness, and second chances.

The drama's character development is one of its greatest strengths. Each character is complex and multifaceted, with their own personal demons to confront. Their growth throughout the series is both realistic and inspiring, allowing viewers to connect deeply with their journeys. Whether it's the flawed yet determined protagonist or the supporting cast members, the performances are outstanding, bringing depth and authenticity to the characters.

The chemistry between the actors is remarkable, and their portrayals breathe life into the story. The romantic relationships in "Back from the Brink" are delicately woven into the plot, adding an extra layer of emotional resonance. The drama skillfully explores the power of love to heal and transform lives, providing viewers with memorable and heartwarming moments.

As the series progresses, it maintains a well-paced narrative that keeps viewers engaged. The plot twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and the emotional beats are delivered with precision. The production values are top-notch, with stunning cinematography and a well-curated soundtrack that enhances the overall viewing experience.

While "Back from the Brink" can be emotionally intense at times, it also offers moments of lightness and humor to balance the drama. The dialogue is well-written, showcasing both poignant and witty exchanges between characters. The series strikes a remarkable balance between its dramatic elements and its ability to uplift and inspire.

With a satisfying ending that ties up loose ends and provides closure for each character's arc, "Back from the Brink" leaves viewers with a sense of fulfillment. It reminds us that no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, hope and resilience can lead us back to the light. The conclusion of the drama is both poignant and heartwarming, leaving a lasting impression.

In conclusion, "Back from the Brink" is a must-watch Chinese drama of 2023. Its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and emotional depth make it a standout production. If you appreciate captivating narratives, strong performances, and a good balance between drama and heartwarming moments, this series should be on your watchlist. Prepare to be moved and inspired by the resilience of the human spirit as it triumphs over adversity.

In "Back from the Brink," there are several important aspects that viewers should know:

Redemption and Second Chances: The drama explores the themes of redemption and second chances. It highlights how individuals can overcome their past mistakes and find a way to rebuild their lives. The characters in the drama go through personal transformations and learn to forgive themselves and others.

Personal Struggles: Each character in the drama faces their own personal struggles and challenges. These struggles are integral to their growth and development throughout the series. The drama delves into issues such as family conflicts, career setbacks, emotional trauma, and societal pressures.

Interconnected Lives: The lives of the main characters in the drama become intertwined through a series of events. Their paths cross, and they find support, understanding, and love in unexpected places. The connections they forge with one another play a crucial role in their individual journeys.

Power of Love: Love is a powerful force in "Back from the Brink." The drama explores various forms of love, including romantic love, familial love, and friendship. Love becomes a catalyst for healing, redemption, and personal growth for the characters. It emphasizes the importance of genuine connections and the impact they can have on individuals.

Emotional Intensity: "Back from the Brink" is an emotionally intense drama. It tackles deep-rooted emotions and difficult situations faced by the characters. Be prepared for intense scenes that evoke strong emotions such as sadness, anger, and joy. The drama aims to strike a balance between intense moments and lighter, more uplifting moments.

Resilience and Hope: The drama emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit. It highlights how individuals can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and find hope in even the darkest moments. The characters' determination and perseverance serve as an inspiration, reminding viewers that there is always a chance for a brighter future.

By understanding these key aspects of the drama, viewers can fully appreciate the character arcs, emotional depth, and the overall message conveyed in "Back from the Brink."

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The most fun and best xianxia of 2023!

Where to even begin. This story is set in a world where humans and spirits of all kinds coexist. There is a sort of enmity between them yet some fall in love with each other. Enter our main leads, a dragon that was betrayed by his ex and had to throw his heart scale away and our fl a Taoist, that was born with a heart disease and is alive due to that heart scale. And thus ensues the most fun adventure.

The best part of this drama is definitely the characters and the humour. Our main leads have a firy chemistry since the first time they meet. There interactions and bickering is just too fun to watch.

The fl in this drama is my favorite fl ever. She is strong and smart. Yet kind and fun. What she lacks in magic, she just uses brute force to cover. I've never once seen a fl so logical and soo relatable. She holds are grudges well and I'm so glad for it. She also pays back her favors ten fold. The most adorable, smart and downright beutiful soul fl I've ever seen.

The ml is just as adorable too. Hou Ming Hao 's acting really suprised me. He just has so much emotions. He suffers quietly. The ml probably has been through the most in this drama yet he has the purest heart of all.

The second ml Bai Xiaosheng, I won't lie I liked him better when he was a matchmaker to our couple. Later when he falls in love with the fl I kinda disliked him. But don't worry it lasts only 2-3 episodes and he is back to being the best matchmaker ever.

Then comes the supporting casts. ZhuLi and Huang Xiao Yan, these two are soo soo cute. Adorable kids fall in love and try their best to protect each other. Xiangge and Feng Qing Shou probably has the hottest setup in the story. Rival business owners who actually love each other. They have a beautiful relationship too.

My favorite parts in the drama is when all the three couples gather together, helping each other or just having fun. The friendship in this drama really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

There are so many other couples that were tragic. The snake man and monastery's QinYu. Xi Feng and Pufang. Chen Yi and Xue Lin, Lu Musheng and Fox Princess, etc. I liked their story bits too.

I really liked the wise old men Shifu and brush Sprite as well as Yan Hui's senior Zi Chen. As for the villains they are despicable but I like how none of them are one dimensional, they all have a proper reason to be how they are.

Bonus: the songs are super nice. Also this drama has a really beautiful opening ;)

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The Heart Never Dies

Starting with curiosity to watch Hou Minghao's first costume drama, I ended up falling in love with each part of this drama.


Story,
Such a new breeze for the Xianxia world. Even though it is almost like Xuanhuan with many fight scenes, this drama really one of a kind for me. This drama surprisingly is my preference for the beginning to the end. I started watching this with no expectations, but it turns out to be one of my top-list favorites drama. The second drama that makes me cannot move on after The Blood of Youth. For me, the simplicity makes this story can be enjoyed anytime,

Cast and Acting,
Shout out to the casting crew and all of the actors for their effort to make this drama so perfect. I'm glad that this is one of the dramas that have perfect actors for each character. I know Hou Minghao from his drama with Cheng Yi but not paying attention to him at that time. But this piece really opens my eyes to how amazing he is as an actor. Now I can't imagine Tian Yao if it's not Minghao. It's the same for Zhou Ye as Yanhui. Even though it's not perfect, she really has a good job to portray Yanhui. I don't have any complaints about all of the supporting actors too.

Music,
This is definitely the perfect example when I said the ost should have matched the drama perfectly if they want to succeed. Because the soundtrack is one of the important aspects of the beautifulness of the drama. I know when I heard Zhou Shen and Liu Yuning singing ost, this drama really worth full of my attention. I fell in love with Minghao's voice too.

I dare said that this drama is one of my top-list favorite Xianxia dramas. It is worth watching and of course for me to rewatch. Now if someone mentions Mighty Millenium Dragon, All that I can think of is just Tianyou and Longbaobao <3
Hou Minghao, I really looking forward to your next costume drama!

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Neo Hou's first xianxia drama!

I'm really in love with the couple in this drama. I'm re-watching this for the second time. The character development was at a good pace. There's a lot of funny banters at the first few episodes in the drama before it starts getting serious as it gets deeper into the story. There's already a few sweet scenes and there's more later throughout the episode. A good mix of romance, comedy, and drama.

I have watched Till the End of the Moon too, and I have to say... I felt much better watching Back From the Brink, mostly because even though there were misunderstandings that led to thoughts of betrayal, they overcame it and gained back each other's trust. Lots of sweet scenes, a much healthier relationship compared to the couple in TTEOTM.

I knew about Zhou Ye from Word of Honor, and fell in love with Neo Hou's acting after watching this! They're so cute together which is why I'm watching it again!

You won't be disappointed. You'll get to see the different sides of his character, Tian Yao! Both Neo Hou and Zhou Ye were great in this drama!

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Not your typical Xanxia thank goodness!

Never thought there would be a Xanxia with no heavenly realm, psychotic second lead obsession and multiple lives which explains why I loved this drama so much! I am not a fan of the typical trope of killing the one you love for the greater good on repeat. The constant misunderstandings and angst is too frustrating and draining for me. Hence BFTB has been a breath of fresh air and had all the elements in a story (romance, adventure and comedy) that kept me entertained, invested and sad when drama ended. I’ve only been able to finish 2 other Xanxia which were LBFD and TSL both of which I also enjoyed because it did not fit the typical Xanxia mould.

Drama was not perfect nor a masterpiece but the positives far outweighed the negatives.

What I loved:
• gorgeous leads who had amazing chemistry despite the lack of passionate kisses. The progression of their relationship from annoyance/bickering to friendship then lovers was beautifully done. Except for one silly incident their trust and support for each other never wavered. My favourite CP!
• FL who can fight and was intelligent, straight forward, righteous yet practical. Loved her face slapping lol My favourite FL !
• ML who overcame his past trauma to become the most loving and tender ML. Gives FL everything yet ask for nothing in return. I loved the way he says “Yan Hui “ and how he sharpens knives for FL to vent her frustration. My favourite ML!
• the quest to find ML’s body part meant CP were together for most of the drama. Lots of CP interactions, working together for a common goal. Loved the character development, consistency and pace.
• the endearing secondary cast and couples
• no delusional second lead that serve no purpose other than obsessing over main lead from
start to end.
• the dodgy cgi that somehow works with the adorable cartoonish characters

What could have been better:
• the stabbing scene in episode 16. Understand it was a plot device but was poorly executed. Please bear with this unfortunate plot device in an otherwise great script as the drama redeem itself within next few episodes.
• kept BXS character as a shipper of the CP instead of falling in love with FL. Luckily this didn’t last long.
• one passionate kiss at least? Why c drama why?
• although this was a happy ending would have appreciated more scenes of their reunion and life together. Why c drama why?

Highly recommend this drama as well as the novel.

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Beautiful Xianxia Love Story of A Dragon King and a Taoist Girl!

Back from the brink is light and fast-paced romance, xianxia!
It's a beautiful xianxia story of a dragon king, who got hurt by love but still learned to love again and found his true love in a kind-hearted Taoist girl.
If you were a fan of Love Between Fairy and Devil, I highly suggest watching this drama as the original stories are made by the same author, Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (九鹭非香)

STORY:

Dragon King Tianyao gets betrayed on his wedding day by the woman he was going to marry, a Taoist called Suying from Guanghan Sect. She dismembered him and tried to steal his heart protecting scale and inner core, which are the main sources of his powers. He combines them and tosses the heart protecting scale away.
The heart protecting scale went inside a little baby girl, who was abandoned because of her weak heart. Yanhui got to live thanks to the heart protecting scale and was picked by Master Lingxiao of Chengxing Sect.
Yanhui gets expelled from the sect and soon is kidnapped by Tianyao. Tianyao had noticed that Yanhui had the heart protecting scale inside of her. Tianyao wants to find his body parts and needs the help of Yanhui, and they start their journey of finding his body parts.
Yanhui and Tianyao slowly fall in love with each other in the midst of the chaos.

SPOILER PART OF THE STORY & MY OPINION:

Tianyao and Yanhui had a couple of misunderstandings in the drama, which were understandable. I feel like Back from the brink was a great drama, but in my opinion it was lacking just a certain spice. I feel like Yanhui and Tianyao fell in love a little bit too early, and I was a little disappointed how both of their weddings weren't because of their mutual feelings. The wedding in Qingqiu was beautiful but for me, it was a little ruined due to Yanhui's attitude, it was understandable but at the same time disappointing, knowing that she was very much in love with Tianyao but hurt by him at the same time and thus wasn't excited at all that she was going to marry Tianyao. The drama was filmed beautifully, and the outfits were cute. It was fun and light for a xianxia. Yanhui wasn't annoying or naive, and Tianyao wasn't the typical "VERY cold and stern main lead".

ACTING:

Neo Hou as Tianyao,
His acting was great! There's just something in the way he looks so naive and kind yet strong at the same time. A great pick for this role.

Zhou Ye as Yanhui
She was great as Yanhui. Her crying scenes were the best in this drama! She was very believable.

Riley Wang as Bai Xiao Sheng,
The black horse who surprised me time and time again. His acting just stood out the most to me due to his mischievous and mysterious presence. I wished for his happiness the most, since Bai Xiao Sheng had suffered the most ever since his childhood.

Overall a 8!

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Boring Male Lead

I really wanted to like this cdrama. Female lead actress is cute, fun and animated. Supporting male actor is handsome, fun and animated. Male lead is boring, stiff, same frown face the entire 15 episodes. It was a struggle for me finish ep 15. Weak plot, slow moving, boring.

So the villain, Cuying, wtf was her problem? Her mad love story is not convincing. . . .

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Brings out the emotional side of one's being!!!

The title would definitely be like of course it does bring out the emotion but what about it? Of course it did not make me cry as much as the red sleeve did or made me laugh as much as the business proposal and it didn't make me binge watch it as much like the lighter and the princess nor was it a hidden gem like fall in love but it had all of this...
It started out strong and finished strong... It's not easy to do that but it actually did.
The characters were superb I actually did not know the FL before this and now I am a fan .. Neo Hou well the last time I enjoyed his show was a girl like me and he has come a way from that show and boy I'm I glad I decided to give it a chance...
Bai xiaosheng was the one character that made me like and dislike him the whole drama and I prefer him here to song of the moon....

The OST!!! Oh my loved it not all songs are worth remembering compared to hotel de Luna or even the long ballad in my pov but it's OST is better than most this past year....

The whole drama as a whole was really nice... All I can say is that it is worth watching and the romance as a whole was not too little and not too much just enough seasoning...

What I did not like was that somewhere in the middle it kind of lost its plotline and scattered its plotline but got along its path eventually...
The millenium spirit dragon was not as strong as I hoped and imagined him to be...now that was a disappointed!!! He was saved by his woman most of the time but the upside was he would rather save her first in lieu of his life which was unexpected loved it

Would you chose to save the one person you love or the whole world????

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