To me, Love You Seven Times never aspired to claim the title of the best drama of the year. It didn't set overly high expectations, yet it managed to provide an enjoyable and satisfying piece of entertainment.

I've noticed that many readers of the novel were left disappointed with the adaptation. While I believe the novel might offer a more finely crafted story, I haven't read it, which could explain why my assessment isn't as harsh.

Let's begin with what garnered the most discussion about this drama: the acting. Ding Yuxi undeniably delivered an outstanding performance. He immersed himself in his character, breathing life into it in an admirable manner. It's fascinating how, across different lifetimes, he portrayed subtle distinctions while maintaining consistency in his character. His portrayal was both concise and brilliant.

On the other hand, Yang Chaoyue's acting didn't reach the same level. While some viewers disliked her portrayal, I found it to be passable. She's neither a standout actress nor a terrible one, just somewhere in the middle. The issue may have been that she was placed alongside an exceptional actor, making her shortcomings more noticeable.

Despite the imbalance between the leads, I wouldn't trade their pairing. Their on-screen and off-screen chemistry is one of the drama's highlights, convincingly portraying them as a loving couple.

One aspect I thoroughly enjoyed was the visual aesthetics. This drama boasts some of the finest costume and scenery designs I've seen in a while. They fully capitalized on the opportunities presented by the Xianxia genre, resulting in a stunning production, from the celestial Heavenly Realm to the vibrant Mortal Realm and captivating Demon Realm. All three were a feast for the eyes. Additionally, the soundtrack was delightful.

The comedic moments were numerous and highly entertaining, with Yang Chaoyue shining brightest in these scenes.

The theme of multiple lives and the unwavering choice of each other in each one resonated with me as a sucker for romance, providing a satisfying narrative arc. The way these various lives intricately wove together and explained events as they unfolded was enjoyable. The one exception was the princess/general storyline, which felt rushed and out of place. I couldn't even form an attachment to that setting before the characters returned to the Heavenly Realm.

The third life and the Demon Realm arcs were the highlights. They both offered many elements that I found highly enjoyable.

The heartwarming relationships between Chu Kong, Xiangyun, Qian Mou, and Qian Ren, especially the latter two and their amusing yet endearing friendship, were satisfying to witness. However, I felt that the development of an equally strong friendship between Zihui and Jin Lian was lacking, leaving me expecting a rekindling of their bond that never materialized.

Turning to the aspects I didn't appreciate, I must mention the rushed romance. While I loved the leads' relationship, their sudden intense love for each other caught me off guard. It felt abrupt, almost as if I had skipped an episode and missed a crucial development between them.

The villain and overall conflict in the story were lacking depth and intrigue. It's challenging to pinpoint specific shortcomings because they simply failed to engage or offer anything novel or captivating.

Xiu Ming's character was particularly bad. I found him more detestable than the main villain and was genuinely disappointed when he received redemption at the end. His initial annoyance persisted, and he largely remained inconsequential during the middle parts until his sudden return to aid the leads.

The ending left much to be desired. I've grown weary of one of the main characters dying only to miraculously return in the final moments without any explanation of how, why, or when they managed to rise from the dead. While I understand that this may sometimes be a workaround to censorship, it's disheartening that the writers couldn't devise a more innovative solution to this recurring issue.

In conclusion, Love You Seven Times is worth watching. It may not become your favorite piece of media or a life-altering experience, but if you're seeking an enjoyable Xianxia romance, it's a solid choice.