Ok let me start by saying that the only reason this drama is bad in my opinion...it's because it's NOT great and it wasn't setup to be "just good". And that's annoying because it could have easily been great. I know you don't get it but let me explain. This drama had all of the elements to be a bomb drama. From the costume, to the acting, to the visual effects, the music...just everything was flawless and my expectations were so high...and then the last five episodes happened 😭. So the reason the drama is bad it's not because is bad per se, but because of its wasted potential. Compared to a lot of other dramas released this year, it's way better.

First, the acting from the main leads was amazing. Everybody deliveredT (yes, with a T at the end) and brought their A game. Luo Yunxi and Bai Lu bodied theirs roles, child. The chemistry between them was the exact type you not only want from people who have worked together several times BUT also the exact friend-lover-enemy dynamic required for this drama specifically. Usually when you say "chemistry" in Asian dramas, actors bring in the sexual/love aspect of it, but sometimes the drama demands the cantekerous bantering that exists in those type of relationship. And given that the story is about that girl going back in time to kill "the devil that doomed the world and kill every single member of her clan" (think going back in time to kill baby Hitler)...so it makes sense that you get actors who are comfortable enough with each other and can pull that type of relationship progression. It's very hard to pull if you're just "acting". But the fact that Lulu and Yunxi are friends, it felt very natural.

Second, as a matter fact the whole crew had impeccable chemistry and good storyline, which made the world building of the story seamless. I personally was able to get immersed and avidly follow along. I was not bored because the chemistry between even the supporting cast help you forget the most blatant plots (they were several). My favorite "brother-sister" romance was between the Fox and Tantai Jin. They were so funny together.

Third, Omg the costumes were amazing. I was expecting just another boring ass tule fabric galore, because apparently fantasy in C-drama means boring colors and even more boring designs with pastel tulles everywhere. Well, I was wrong! They tried very hard to give a good depiction of what the deities as portrayed in "real life" and it was gorgeous. To be fair, it's not like they were the "BEST" costumes ever (I wished they kept the girls shoulders covered sometimes), but the fact that they were so different from what they usually serve us made it 10X better. I am so tires of these damn tulle dresses!!!

So now that I have rambled enough let's talk about the bad: The storyline. Here's the thing, some dramas should NOT be that long. Because, it's one thing for the story to drag and for the characters to have multiple redundant moments were they were completely miserable AND THEN have then have a happy ending but it's a whole different thing when it's a sad ending. As a viewer it's just crushing to watch 40 episodes (that could have easily been 30 eps) for a sad ending from a drama if we're being honest, I only watched because it's a "love story". Like...no one want to watch a sad love story. I mean don't me wrong there are GOOD MELODRAMAS but this one was not setup to be a good melodrama from jump. So as soon as you realize that they are not gonna end up together by episode 35...there is a hard disconnect that happens and everything feels like a waste of time. Maybe it's just me, but that's how it felt. Then, the details and small plot holes that seemed trivial before are now very irritating.

Listen, as a C-drama watcher, I tolerate a lot of things. I don't expect any of these dramas to be some big Blockbusters that's going to win all of the awards. We're all watching this for fun and to waste time ( because some of us are depressed and trying to escape the dumpster fire that is the world right). However, the implicit deal is that us viewers will tolerate "ok dramas"...and they will give us romance and love stories where everyone live happily ever after or a semblance of it. Like, which romance lover has time to watch sad love stories right now? Come on!!!

Anyways, it was an Ok drama and you should watch it if main charactera dying at the end doesn't bother you., Or if you're a fan of Bai Lu and Luo Yunxi.