The main leads do a great job. Especially Xiao Zhan who made u love and root for his character even as you knew he wouldn't get the girl in the end. what a good dude. seriously watch the show just for his character. but also the main leads are great too and have good chemistry.

The side characters are great too! I fell in love with SO many of them. Zi Shen! Ma Jing! The 'night fiends'! all so great!

Plotwise I LOVE that you are (at first) never fully certain who you are supposed to be rooting for. everyone is morally complex and politically entangled. it makes for a great watch. I loved trying to guess what will happen next!

My only complaint was that the ending felt rushed and I'm not sure how I feel about the forced 2nd lead romance though I'm glad they are friends and Ji Chong got a happy(ish) ending. Still... nothing about the ending really ruined what came before it which sometimes is all you can ask for from a show like this. haha.

OH and the COSTUMES are amazing. Especially literally every single outfit Ji Chong wears. I want his wardrobe. And also Bo Wang's black feather cloak/cape.

I still recommend it. (Especially if you're a Xiao Zhan fan).