Best Xianxia drama of 2023 for me <3

I never posted a review to any C-drama I've watched before even if they were on the list of my top C-dramas to watch and this drama made me!!!

I have 3 points to say: Actors, Story and CGI/OSTs

Actors:

I've seen a few of Li Landy's dramas, but this one has the most varied and realistic performance I've ever seen. She is able to convey a lot of emotion just through her eyes. When she cries, you will also cry; when she laughs, you will also giggle; and when she is in love, you will also experience the love! She perfectly captured Ye Tan's persona, making you believe that Landy endured these experiences as a child but stayed on the right road thanks to a caring sister. We all know from whence she got her "not backing down" attitude, but she did a great job of portraying Ye Tan. She is innocent (despite being mostly imprisoned in her room) and brave (despite all the murder attempts), but she still receives all of her sister's love and righteousness (QK dote on her like a mother dotes on a favorite daughter). She was definitely the best candidate for Li Guang Ye Tan, despite your views about this evaluation being biased.

I've only seen snippets of Chen Xing Xu's dramas previously, but this actor was too handsome! Looking back, I can't think of another actor that could represent five different personas simultaneously! He perfectly captured the icy and upright Shaodian Youqin version 1, the innocent but protective LaMu, the money-lover yet selfless Mei You Qing, the beauty lover but is willing to love only 1 beauty Wen Ren, and the combination of these as the Shaodian Youqin version 2. (Chao Feng calls him the Fifth ahaha) The way he expressed so many different emotions with his facial expressions—especially his smirk!—left the crowd thinking about him for a while. I was surprised to see that even while all three of the shards' personalities are shown at once, you can still tell them apart individually depending on the perspective, area of his face, or action you're observing! The shards were all very distinct, but when I saw how CXX switched between them in a matter of seconds behind the scenes, I was astounded.!!! Because of this drama, I'll see his other film!

In terms of fighting scenes, Luke Chen was an expert rookie! I'd like to see him in more action-packed films! I also adored the fact that, although being new (I believe he is new considering his first drama was in 2021), he can cry and express his pain. He performs better than other veteran actors I've seen, lol.

I watched He Xuan Lin in GO Into Your Heart with Landy and I can say she matured! She nailed the righteous-big sister-mother role for Ye Tan! In this drama, she is totally different. She seems to have grown up to the point where you might actually believe she is Landy's sister. She also perfectly captured the essence of Li Guang Qing Kui! She is understanding yet won't hold back from correcting you if you are wrong. She was the main factor in Ye Tan's upbringing and choice of path. If Qing Kui wasn't there, I don't believe Ye Tan would be the Ye Tan we are familiar with.

Story:
Although I haven't read the book, the drama storyline was excellent! The plot flowed easily, and I enjoyed being taken on this drama's emotional roller coaster. I can't help but squeal with glee at the romantic sequences, chuckle during the comedic scenes, and sob hard during the sorrowful scenes in every episode. I don't think the film was rushed, which is a testament to how effective I find this drama to be. I enjoyed how three to four emotions were felt in one episode! Or if the first two episodes are filled with joyous moments, the next one will have me sobbing nonstop, and so on.

I appreciate how the author presents the FL; she is smart, cunning, willing to go to any lengths to defend a loved one, even if it means giving up herself, naïve but not stupid, and full of optimism despite being labeled as a jinx. I enjoyed the values she learned, from standing her ground to knowing when to give in (when he was bullied by the supervisor dean). I adore growing and mature characters! Ye Tan was made to experience the worst sensation a person can go through when she witness her sister's death in front of her, her only light growing up. She felt the pain on her neck but when she opened her eyes she's the only one alive :( If that were me I'd rather die or will instantly die of heart attack >_<. This was the part that really gave me goosebumps!

I believe that portraying the ML is one of the most difficult. 4personas in one, all very distinct from one another! I adored the way the ML was written; ready to give up the world for the FL, ruthless but not cruel, and prepared to act silly only to make the FL happy. <3 From the 3 shards, I loved La Mu the most (the only shard to get a kiss from Ye Tan), all shards are lovable but the pure and innocent La Mu captured my heart <3

Another thing to consider is whether the drama's author has a problem with fathers. LMAO hahaha this is the drama where I witnessed the worst fathers in c-drama history >_< Thank goodness Emperor Tun found forgiveness and the Void Tyrant/Heavenly Emperor received their just retribution!

This isn't your standard Xianxia drama where a certain portion drags on for too long (like when ML loses memory for at least 5 episodes or FL prepares then exacts retribution for 7 episodes). The characters' maturity impressed me. Except for Emperor Tun's action, they will discuss any agreements as quickly as possible. The FL never gives up on the ML. The FL adored her sister dearly and never carried any anger toward her. I really appreciate how they use foreshadowing! Damn, they turned the spectators into investigators! It's the kind of drama that makes you want to hold out until the very final episode but unable to do so due to impatience.

I already expect a happy ending, but whatever the ending is, it won't change the fact that the previous episodes are well written and my views with the drama (will still love it even if it's bad ending).  I am aware that the last episode can make or break a drama for certain people, but I like the way the plot is going thus far (but still fingers crossed for a happy ending)

Even though it isn't flawless, it beat out Love and Redemption/LBFAD as my favorite Xianxia drama and Love like the Galaxy as my all-time favorite drama. It's worth seeing again!

CGI/OSTS:
CGI and OSTs were just as outstanding as LBFAD's! It's kind of magical, and I love how they use constellations to demonstrate YQ's power! It's too beautiful! The outfits were straightforward, but if I had to pick one, I would go with Void's. My eyes couldn't handle the richness of the purple and black with gold or red highlights. If Liu Yuning and Sa Ding Ding perform the drama's OST, expect high-end drama content! My go-to music for weeks has been the OST playlist:)

My review was quite long and looks like ranting but this is what I feel about this drama :) It's also my first time to do a drama review so please bear with me >_<

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