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Beautiful visuals with a decent story
After being on hold in my list for over a year i finally finished it and i get it why most people love it while others hate it. I said in a comment that i can't bring myself to love it like most people. I really have mixed feelings about it. So I will start with what i loved the most and then go on to my dissatisfaction and rants. Oh god this will be a long one and spoiler heavy.Production: Clearly this show had a BIG budget. The costumes were totally stunning. The backgrounds, cgi and the show as a whole was aesthetically pleasing.
Music: I am not a chinese speaker nor do i understand the language, so i judge basically on the music, then go for the translated lyrics. The tracks were magical. The music felt more in tune with the show than the lyrics to me. This album is one of my most favorite of cdrama albums.
Acting: The SML and FL are 2 of the actors i really love, but performance of everyone was beautiful and believable.
Story and characters: this is what i want to rant about. Why? What did Runyu ever do to the author? His character had a depth and complexity. He was thoroughly the most pitiful and pathetic character who ALWAYS got the short end of the stick. He suffered so much, lost so much. He was extremely tolerant and patient with jinmi, and loved her so much, he sacrificed so much for her, he did so much for her, but with absolutely nothing in return. It is understandable that he went down the wrong path eventually in the end because he most definitely deserved A LOT better but he got the worst.
Now on to Jinmi and Xufeng. Well i didn't like them. In the initial episodes when she was a little ignorant girl, it was better. She became horrible after she did THAT. She was indecisive and dumb. Even when she thought she avenged her parents, she failed everyone. She sacrificed so much for Xufeng, who practically was the root of all her troubles and Runyu was always her savior. This is one of the less common shows where its FL sacrifices for the ML with the SML endlessly sacrificing for her. I felt that Xufeng had the least growth in the entire series. He stayed the same- a kind, strong, privileged guy with easy life; devoted but filial lover who failed to protect his love from his parents.
Suihe was super evil and got what she deserved. Then come the heavenly emperor and empress. They were the definition of evil and what they got was too light on them. The demon princess was dumb brave and rest of the characters were okay. I must say i loved jinmi's father and his wife.
About the story... well the author obviously loved xufeng and hated runyu so everything that went on during the story were in his favor. I had it on hold for so long because the amount of evil things going on were too much foŕ me to take. The story might have played out differently if the mortal arc didn't have xufeng, she wouldn't have fallen in love with him so deeply. Many people make Runyu look like the villain but what they don't say is how xufeng forcibly kept her with him from the very beginning when she didn't even know about relationships and treated them the same. Runyu fell for her at first sight then it kept growing. It wasn't the same for xufeng who fell for her after seeing her dressed up as a woman. Well i obviously like runyu more so i shipped them. But whatever happened was for the ending to be like that. So everything was wrapped up very well, despite the bittersweet ending.
I would recommend watching it. If not for the story and characters, for the pretty visuals and beautiful music that it offers. And though similar tropes were used in LAR and this, their stories are vastly different.
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I've recently become a fan of C-dramas/K- dramas specifically historical ones. Nowadays I get so tired of all the same storylines where I can predict what is going to happen BUT this one honestly blew my mind! (Although I am an absolute sap for a happy ending)The graphics are insane- it has enough plot twists to keep you going and wanting more!
The characters are really well played, the love between Jinmi and Xufeng is quite endearing. I actually felt so sorry for Runyu in the end, it's almost like he was doomed from the start since he wasn't a legit child of the Emperor's.
I find this similar to Eternal love in the fact that the main love interests eventually found a happy ending as well as the links between the heavenly and demon realms- but nevertheless they went through ALOT of shit to get there lol.
So far I have watched:
Rise of the Phoenixes- this is the drama that sent me on this amazing C-drama/K-drama journey
Empress Ki
Princess Wei-Young
Eternal love
& of course this one.
Pleaseeeeeee send me some suggestions on similar ones I can watch?
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I might be late for the hype but I'm glad I watched this show. This show has everything: Excellent talents acts, amazing CGI, and great story and plots.Just like the title Ashes of Love, Jinmi, a grape fairy who does not have the capability to fall in love, find herself in the middle love triangle which. There are many obstacles between her and her true love, Xu Feng. Their love is tragic in a way. Both of them has been reduced to ashes due to love and reborn again just to meet another obstacle.
I love this drama a lot. There are a lot of characters that are lovable and the subplots are not being dragged but each has a purpose. If you like drama like Ten Miles Peach Blossom, this drama will be good for you.
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P.S/Update: I have watched this drama three times all the way through already, and I still can't get enough
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I really do think Deng Lun and Yang Zi are a match made in heaven and belong together IRL but even if they are just good friends I am happy. They had that fiery chemistry between them which I think is one of the reasons this drama was so successful.Cast and Acting
Yang Zi pulled off the naive fruit fairy to the heartbroken immortal very well. I first fell in love with her in Go Go Squid and that was the reason I watched Ashes of Love. Deng Lun is just so dreamy and every time I saw him I just swooned. My other favorite character was the fox immortal, he played his role as the cupid so well. I think all the cast in this drama did a good job, like even the evil giys.
Plot
I sort of did not completely like the plot but reading the story (that was translated by some very amazing fans) I begin to understand it. The ML falling in love with the FL was just too abrupt. I mean there were hints that he found her amusing and endearing but LOVE! But the FL did give some pretty confusing signals to the poor dude. I really didn't care for the Mu Ci/Demon princess love story. I mean I loved the demon princess and thought she was loyal and all that but I just wished since they were second leads and all they didn't have to have so much screen time.
The story doesn't follow the novel exactly but I really enjoyed both versions. Specially the time the FL and ML shared in the mortal world which isn't there in the book. Although the story started off well it sorta dwindled towards the end (I often see this trend in c-drama). What I mean is from the 40th some episode my attention was really scattered and the only reason I continued watching it was to catch some glimpses of my boy Deng Lun
CGI
I really enjoyed the CGI and it was very realistic. I am stunned at the visual world that was created which is really amazing and magical. Perfectly suited for a Xianxia drama.
Spoiler ** especially the part where when the FL is going to get married to the SML and the ML arrives in his literally shiny armor and then the lotus fire blossoms in his hands and a blue fire coats his body. So hot. Literally hot. I also liked the bit in the final battle where the ML and the SML are fighting and the FL flungs herself in between them, the anguish in Deng Lun's eyes, the magic. Wow! Spoiler end***
Costumes
Man I'm so in love with all the costumes specially Deng Lun's (ML). It was not flashy but royal in a subtle sense. Some of my most favorite costumes are
1. ML's white and gold battle armor
2. ML's heavenly palace garb that is white with billowy sleeves but with hints of gold underneath and red around the neckline and a similar one without billowy sleeves
3. ML's mortal king costumes
4. FL's immortal costume (soft pink/purple shades) with billowy sleeves
I could go on but i'll stop here
OST
The OST is haunting and beautiful and It will take forever to get it out of your head. Especially Sa Ding Ding ending OST. What's more both FL and ML also sang an OST together and this not only makes you fall in love with them more but makes their romance all the more bittersweet.
Overall
I really enjoyed the drama but as with all dramas where the ML and FL fall in love in the beginning the rest of the drama is about how they yearn to be together but don't and are not together until the very end. This doesn't they didn't share romantic moments towards the end. They did. But I really don't like dramas where the leads break up for a long time. I will definitely re watch this drama and I have to mention It took me countless days of listening to the OST on repeat, watching the behind the scenes on Youtube and reading the translated novel to get over this drama.
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lunzi couple
the best drama I've watched ??have a best acting skill and
the twist of this drama so nice??
the story is very nice ✨?
a lot of emotion scenes heart breaking?
this drama should have season 2 and
the character will be the same
hoping for the season 2 ??
I'm a filipino and I love to watch Chinese drama because their drama is cool ang full of emotion ??
ilove this drama vey much ✨
the character of Yang Zi as Jin mi is so cute? and innocent ?
also the character of Deng Lun as Feng is cool and glamorous ?
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The drama was cute/fun in the beginning, draggy in the middle (took a break around episode 37), then rushed at the end. Everything is gorgeous, and the CG is mostly good. I love the cast (minus some caricature/meh acting). I really liked the ending OST. Editing is wonky and lots of the same shots are used lol but that seems typical of Chinese dramas. Not too crazy about all those zoomed in eye shots. I can see myself rewatching scenes with Xu Feng & Jin Mi, and some of Run Yu's emotional scenes. The best parts are:
- Xu Feng falling for Jin Mi while she actually just wants more energy/power
- Demon Realm Visit to Kill the Beast (forgot the name)
- Mortal Realm Challenge
- Xu Feng and Jin Mi confirming love for each other
- Run Yu remembering his past
- Heavenly Wedding
I also enjoyed everything after Xu Feng is reborn and becomes Demon Lord. However, that portion really feels rushed and like I was watching a summary of events. (on a shallow note, Deng Lun looked amazing in black)
The ending was a huge letdown to be honest. However, it did end up making me rewatch my favorite scenes...maybe that was the intent. I just feel like overall the main leads don't get too many scenes together after they confirm their love for one another. Such a waste of great chemistry and cast.
My biggest annoyance with the drama is the story did not spend enough time on the main leads. I'm not usually the type to gripe about screen time. However, I felt the drama was busy showing the past love lives of everyone else that they never bothered to focus on the main leads or their current relationship and especially no focus on why the male lead was so great and amazing. If they weren't going to show us Fire Immortal's background in the first half, the part where he comes back and decides to become Demon Lord would've been the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, it was just he's perfect because everyone says he's done great things. I feel like we don't really get to know Xu Feng. I do love Xu Feng a lot more than I should though and its all thanks to Deng Lun. Deng Lun did great with the little he had especially when he's emotionally vulnerable, so so good. I've become his fan.
Jin Mi, the female lead. I grew to really like her in the drama. I was annoyed with her at first, but once you accept that she grew up super super sheltered and is more of a child, I think it was fine. Her obsession with gaining more power was fun. I was able to follow her growth and her pain at realizing her love for Xu Feng. Her emotional outburst at Run Yu was well done. My favorite version of Jin Mi was in the Mortal Realm. Next would be when she's doing everything she can to get Xu Feng back. I liked that she stayed true to herself throughout the show - honest and loyal. She made her decisions, accepted her consequences, and sought to right her wrongs. To be honest, she never really completely stopped doing stupid things, but I was able to mostly overlook.
I like the second male lead, Run Yu. Luo Yun Xi did a great job with the character and his spiraling down the revenge path. (He also did a great job acting as Mr. Puchi acting as Run Yu). I appreciate that they fleshed him out, and I rooted for his revenge. Still, I think they spent too much time on him. Also, I did not like how everyone just called him an evil person because his reasons for wanting revenge made sense and I thought more immortals would understand his side with how awful the Heavenly two were. However, I did start to really NOT like him AFTER his revenge. His continued path to darkness, actions towards Xu Feng, and most of all, the way he treated Jinmi was disgusting. He didn't know how to stop. His end was fitting, but at the same time, I did not want him to feel completely alone. I did want him to feel loved too.
I hated the Heavenly Emperor and Empress, and they deserved punishments. If anything, I was annoyed that Xu Feng kept being flippant with his parents' wrongdoings... I wanted to see him more torn over realizing how his parents were horrible people all along, and him making amends to right their wrongs. I feel like this drama should've given us a great brotherhood. They were good brothers to each other...it's just that their parents were horrible.
I skipped the demon couple. Their relationship really did not need all those scenes. Also, I did not need Heavenly Empress' past love story, but at least that was a quick short one. If anything, I really did not need all those scenes spent on the old Heavenly Emperor, Water Immortal, and Flower Immortal...I cared way more about the present and now.
I think the drama wanted to show too much, but ended up showing not enough of very important things especially the male lead and main leads. I think the writer probably liked everyone too much...if anything, the writer definitely loved Run Yu.
Sorry for the ramblings...but most importantly, CAN WE GET MORE XUFENG AND JINMI BEING HAPPY TOGETHER? I would actually be down for a Season 2 with this cast.
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This show is so ridiculous, why do I love it so much
Deng Lun was made for his role in this show, and had it been another actor, it is very possible I wouldn't have loved this show as much as I did. There are literal full episodes I will skip in this show as I just didn't care for a lot of the side plots and storylines. By the second half of the show, it starts to go downhill and fast. Especially as Jinmi's character goes from lighthearted and fun to -groan- dang near despicable and annoying, and Xufeng isn't in a lot of these later episodes due to well, you'll see.It is a long show, that could have been shortened for greater impact. Lots of annoying soap dramatics and ridiculousness that I wish had been done very differently or taken out entirely. A lot of subplots and things that also just don't even make sense.. which I am noticing more and more happens a lot in this type of genre. I also wish the second male lead was cast with someone entirely differently, and incorporated into the story in a manner that could actually cause a very big second lead syndrome to make the war in the end even more heartbreaking and understanding. From start to finish I did not like the second male lead. I also grew really tired of all of the plotting and manipulations and dramatics from the many villains of the show. So much soap when all I wanted was romantics. There were a lot of characters I really hated watching and wished were cast or presented differently.
There is a lot I have qualms with about this show .. so why the high rating and why do I still love this show?
Deng Lun is an absolute gem. He is attractive and charming, and the scenes they do have in falling in love and being together are so sweet and endearing. I haven't been able to watch his other romance shows with the same effect .. This character must have fit him so well. I keep trying to imagine different people cast for this story but it is hard for me to imagine anyone else who could be better for his role in my opinion. I feel like I rewatch this just to see him falling in love.
Production was done well in my opinion. The costumes are beautiful, the fantasy scenes and landscapes are beautiful, and even when some of the graphics or filming are very obviously film/theatre/cgi, I didn't really mind. As for the writing, I really enjoyed some of the comedic scenes and some of the sweeter side characters and plot lines. The light hearted ones were a breath of fresh air from all the doom and gloom. I loved a lot of the internal thoughts and silliness. Even the innocent misunderstandings. I still laugh at a few.
Every time I think about Ashes of Love I keep thinking about all of the ways this story had so much potential to be so much better, but I can't imagine them being able to remake this in a way to fix all of the many shortcomings of its predecessor successfully without perfect casting and impeccable planning and writing. I really don't know of any actor who would be better for the main male lead than Deng Lun. The actors and actresses would have to have amazing synergy and it's hard to imagine which current actors/actresses could even play which parts. The main leads would be incredibly important. The story would have to be improved significantly, and the many mistakes of the original ironed out.
To be fair, the reason I even consider any of this is because of how much I enjoyed the show. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider what it'd be like to remake the story. Any remake would have to be better than the original, otherwise there is no point.
I can see why a lot of people don't like this show.. but I can also see why it is so incredibly popular too. There is a reason why with every new fantasy Xianxia this show is often brought up in comparison.
My summary. There is a lot about this show I don't like.. but I keep coming back to it. Deng Lun was perfect for his role. When the show is bad, it is really bad, but the parts that are good, are really good. If you're like me, you'll end up rewatching the few episodes and scenes that are worthwhile just because they're so sweet and learn to skip over all the annoying ones (which can be more than the sweet scenes in number unfortunately). The scenes of them falling in love and getting to know one another over time are really cute. The love scenes are so sweet.
This is actually the first show that made me look for other Xianxia style shows because of how much I enjoyed it. I've watched quite a few now, all because of this show, and they all have a lot of the same problems. I'm always looking forward to creators making this genre so much better, because the potential is definitely there. I will say, there is not another Xianxia I have seen that I've liked better than this show, despite how many things I've found wrong with it.
If you have any interest in this genre, this show is a must see.
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Would have been amazing had it not been dragged out
This was the first Chinese drama I've watched. I was drawn in by the fantasy premise, beautiful costumes, and knowing to expect a turbulent romance. And I got it all. The story was very interesting, especially the worldbuilding elements. As a fan of aristocratic romances, I really like the idea of gods and relationships between them. A plentiful cast of talented actors (though some of them were overacting at times) with colourful characters, each with their own personality, albeit one-dimensional at the time. In regards to the plot, it was very well thought out, with multiple twists over the course of the story to keep you from being bored. However...The biggest problem I had with this series is that it was just... too... long... Was it really necessary to have 63 episodes, each 45 minutes long? I'm sure there was a way to tighten the story a bit to make it more appealing. It dragged out for too long, which ultimately, led to other elements suffering from it. At certain point, I've started counting the number of times the same plot points were being repeated over and over again, bringing literally nothing new to the story. I would actually love to rewatch this series at least once again, because I love the romance between the main couple, but I just cannot bring myself to do that. Also, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending (I just don't enjoy resolutions like that), but this is strictly subjective opinion (and mostly acts as a note to my future self that rewatching it might end up wasting my time).
Overall: I recommend watching this drama if you like slow burn romance - kike, the microwave is off and someone is blowing hot air behind it-kind of slow burn (thanks, Katya Zamolodchikova, for painting a perfect picture of my feelings toward this drama) - also fantasy elements, really cool cinematography & fierce costuming.
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Amazing emotional drama soap opera worthy
One of my favorites chinese dramas, Ashes of Love tells the story of Jinmi, a fruit fairy with lots of secrets and a misterious past she doesn't even know about, and Xufeng, a fenix prince from Celestial world that is about to reborn after 50 years. It´s an amazing drama that got me crying and laughing all the way through it, making me very emotional and curious about their story. The chemistry and the romance is got tier, with a lots of plottwists and drama soap opera worthy. The fact she is inable to have feelings makes everything more interesting and the angsty is almost umbearable. The acting is incredible and the OST got all of us shaking. And we are not even gonna talk about Luo Yunxis performance as Prince Runyu, the character with most character development i have ever seen in the screen that got all of us craving for his happy ending and less tears.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
An Epic Escape from Reality
As I eagerly clicked "next episode" at 4 am while binging this show all within a week, I was a bit sad knowing that this show would come to an end. I enjoyed the ride wholeheartedly. The first night I watched the first few episodes, I ended up youtubing and spoiled myself fully but I think it prepared me for the trouble lying ahead.I read reviews beforehand to see if it was worth sinking my time into 63 episodes when I feel like I shouldn't have all that time devoted to watching dramas in a week. And for me, it was worth it. Just a bit of a backstory on my viewership so you know where this review is coming from - this is only my third xianxia drama I've watched besides The Untamed and Eternal Love, so I don't have a lot to compare it to.
The music is epic. I had seen people on reddit commenting about the great Ashes of Love soundtrack so that actually piqued my curiosity. Indeed, I agree. Just looked up Sa Dingding and didn't know she was Yuanji - her voice is amazing. Upwards to the Moon is hypnotizing.
I saw some reviews from Runyu fans. He had some excellent scenes. I would not feel sorry for him because Luo Yunxi definitely got to run through all these emotions and probably had the character with the most depth. And please note, I am the one who laughs when I see the jealous unloved character on screen. So watching Runyu grip his fist at seeing Jimi and Xufeng together was a LOL for me. Runyu is f'n hilarious. Did my heart break for him even with his sad past? No, not really. That being said, I liked him and I rooted for him to get his revenge.
I had never seen Deng Lun before in my life so I was pleased with him. Xufeng is what I would describe as a primal, loyal, simple-minded and hotblooded male. I saw reviews complaining about Jinmi/Yang Zi. I have seen a few episodes of the Oath of Love where I thought Yang Zi's character was annoying so I braced myself for this. But I think she was amazing as Jinmi and Jinmi's character grew. She went from a happy-go-lucky grape to an icy petal princess clutching a dagger. Did my heart break for Jinmi? Yes, I actually felt her pain.
I also saw comments about how good the production was and I also agree. Beautiful set/visual design. I enjoyed how the show went all out for the weddings.
So, if you are looking for a roller coaster love story of a Phoenix and a Frost Flower with a Dragon raging in the background, I recommend watching. Also by the way, you have to have some degree of tolerance for all of the WUHUI you will witness.
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