When I first saw the teaser for this drama way, way back in the beginning, I was going to try and watch this drama because I'm a fan of Yang Zi and have watched most of her dramas. Mainly all her costume dramas. I loved her in Ashes of Love and Immortal Samsara. And didn't think this drama was going to top those. Cause they were master pieces and Yang Zi had amazing chemistry with Deng Lun. And its pretty hard to top. Also especially since I didn't really know the ML that were casted in LYF. I thought it would be carried by Yang Zi only so it won't be that good. I was even a bit reluctant to start it but since there wasn't really any dramas out at the start of this drama, I gave it a try. But man was I so wrong. And I am happy that I am wrong!
To start off, the cinematography of this drama was amazing. The color, set, scenery, just everything was so beautiful and dreamy. The costumes were amazing too. Everyone's costumes highlighted their personality.
Next, the actors. Man did I fall in love with Zhang Wan Yi and Tan Jian Ci. I have never really seen them in any other dramas before. But they really stole the show with their acting. My favorite actors are ones that act with their eyes. And these 2 definitely fit the category. The longing, sorrowful, and even happiness they displayed in their eyes were amazing. It made me empathize with them so much. Just amazing.
The relationship that XY has with each of her ML is amazing. The complexity, the history, the story. I love all of it. Each ML shares something different with XY which makes the story has so much depth to it. Im a sucker for sibling dramas, which is why Go Ahead is one my of favorite dramas of all time. CX and XY's relationship makes me so sad. I love it. What they mean to each other and what they're willing to do for each other is crazy. Makes me want a gege in rela life too! Don't get me wrong, I love romance dramas too and all the scenes with TSJ are super cute. But my heart has always had a special spot reserved for sibling love.
The OST damaged me hard. I haven't heard an OST that made me want to cry like all the time in a while. I have been listening to it on repeat. I love that each character kind of has their own theme song. Cause the lyrics of it relates solely to them. And its so much more meaningful. Whenever I hear CX's song, it makes me want to cry cause him and XY suffered so much and you can just see CX's longing for XY. When i hear the song, the scene in ep 22 pops up in my head when XY is using her body to protect CX from FFB's arrow. That moment is so heartbreaking and also heartwarming at the same time. An the song is played whenever CX misses XY. Whenever i hear XL's song. Im just so sad cause he's so lonely and XY will never know how much he loves her. The song especially hits different because Tan Jian Ci sung it himself. Love love love all the songs.
While waiting for the drama to continue coming out, I read the novel. Cause I couldnt wait any longer to see what was going to happen next. The drama does follow the novel pretty closely which I really appreciated because the details of the novel are amazing. You know a drama is good when I pick up the novel to read because I cant wait any longer. And I do have to say from reading the novel, they really did nail the casting. I cant imagine anyone else playing the FL and the MLs. They all are exactly how I would imagine them to but if brought to life. Amazing. Im happy this Tong Hua novel wasnt butchered.
Eagerly waiting for season 2 to come out so I can be even more emotionally damaged than I am already. I know the scenes in Season 2 are going to be so much more emotional. We will get to see Yang Zi and Zhang Wan Yi display their amazing acting skills then!