Cang Lan Jue (2022)

Your patience will be rewarded

Okay, so I wasn't even hooked on this until 7 or 8 episodes in. The leads weren't that appealing to me at the outset, and while the plot moved at a cracking pace, I wasn't fully bought into the world.

Until I was.

And I got obsessed.

The leads show AMAZING growth, the kind that's really rare in modern fiction of any kind, so just be patient if they are not quite your thing early on. Both of them are actually excellent actors and they will show you their artistic range and remarkable connection if you just get past the more mono-tonal first quarter and into the deeper parts of the story. The emotional connection between the characters seems to resonate with the actors themselves (watch some BTS if you don't believe me).

The story itself is lively, twisty and worthy, epic and free of the fetters of filler.

I never got bored when the focus of the plot shifted to the side characters because there were many rich, complex characters with unique motivations and perspectives. I was genuinely invested in a far greater range of characters' wellbeing than is normal for me. There was not a moment that I was bored, or could look away.

The art was beautiful (give me a cloud whale!) and the music sublime, and never overly intrusive.

Rong Hao was a deliciously complex villain played by an always masterful actor whose work I have loved elsewhere.

The comedy was perfectly timed, the romance deeply believable, the action sequences gorgeous.

I am going to rewatch this drama for the rest of my life. My new favourite Cdrama of all time.

Lire davantage

A fairytale love story, a new type of xianxia

I can finally do something like a review for this amazing gem of a drama!
I clearly remember the moment I feel in love with ot and it consumed my thoughts - it was ep. 9 when DFQC showed a power that we neeeever see from a ML, when the most magical first kiss happened and they used a mix of an ethereal BGM and the most beautiful song from the entire OST- The Other Side. That music captivated me so much, it honestly surprised me, I was like "wait, what am I watching, why it is so good, can this be real? Is there reeaaally such an otherworldly drama ? Is this finally it?!?" I was totally unprepared for this, it caught me in my pyjamas late at night, I was just giving it a reluctant chance because Immortal Samsara was somewhat dragging but I was totally going to return watching it, wouldn't I? Right?Right???? But that moment, when he slowly went to her in the depth of the lake, like a big dark shadow, like a creature from somewhere else but with such a bigger than life aura, with a presence like an underworld prince learning about another life form that he finds so confusing but so tempting to just...taste...I was afraid to replay that magical moment for fear that the dark magic would disappear the second time but...alas, I replayed it a hundred of time and was totally converged as a fan of only this.one.show
Honestly, from first ep it was evident that this drama is different. Every xianxia we have ever watched has the same setting and art design, same tropes, same costumes of the actors, same world-building...it repeats itself and repeats and repeats and repeats. Neither Love and Redemption, nor Immortal Samsara or Ancient Love Poetry escaped from this cycle of dry well-known overall concept...when we think of xianxia we think of the white robed immortals, the same old white big Heavenly realm hall, the demons, the bound by inner suffering ML aaaand the not so good CGI. LBFD just completely overturned this with new art design, original places, different colors used, even different hand gestures when using their immortal power! This is not just light or dark smoke, it was a s serious level up, more dynamic and colourful. The interior of the Moon Palace was not just the same as the heavenly Realm but darker, it was a different style, a ClEARLY different culture. It looked like the palace of a powerful sultan, of a desert ruler that has the world's most opulent treasures.
And the clothes! The clothes were so well made, especially those of DFQC and the dresses of the FL after she went to the Moon Tribe. So intricate and majestic. The headpiece, the metal decoration on his battle clothing .so original! Like nothing before, I thought in xianxia they would never support artists' imagination and ideas but this was like they turned some young artist's amazing sketches i to reality. It was like a high fantasy Western show good, it escaped the genre's self-imposed boring norms. I see a big part of the budget was put into giving life and making the creative ideas real and as beautiful as they were on paper. Complete freedom of talent!
The music was what elevated many scenes and gave a soul to the plot. Sooo good songs and melodies! The lyrics themselves could make you feel the enotions of the characters. Especially in episode 31, as the sun was.coming up and he was taking her to see it ,.the song was telling their story in that moment - Would you give your whole life for this infatuation dream tonight?
Telling the message that the sweetness of love is the deepest desire of every being for which they would sacrifice
I also absolutely loved the acting! Havent watched Dylan nor Esther before but they put so much emotion in their roles. In the last episodes especially their talent shone through, there were heartfelt and soo realistic scenes that conveyed the inner world and sometimes devastation of the character. Im praising Dylan the most, for such a young actor he created an unforgettable Dong Fang Qin Cang and set a standard for MLs!
One negative thing - the HE was cut short, they tried to appease us by a series of kisses. For every emotion, for every scene, there was a specific kiss in the last two episodes, they stopped with the words, who needs them lol
Again ,incredibly beautiful illustrations, special effects ..it turned into a fairytale, not a normal tv series but something out of a magical story. For me this is the best Xianxia ever created, no doubts, it's a new genre all in itself and is the greatest love story in C-dramas till this moment

Lire davantage

It is very rare that I write a review of a series before it has completed but I feel compelled to do so because of some of the mixed feelings that I have as well as a lot of the comments that I view regularly while I am watching this series. I have watched 25 of the episodes.

I believe that the series is well written and that the acting, wardrobe as well as the scenery and graphics are amazing. I really love the concept of two individuals from what is supposedly the opposite side of the tracks developing a genuine love, sincerity or friendship for one another. I have not been a huge fan of the ML in the past because of one of the series that I watched him in and I just felt like his character was just like too much for me, so I was hesitant to watch this but I have developed a new found love for the ML because he has really shown great acting skills throughout this series.

What I like most about the series is that the ML has really portrayed his character well in every aspect, the good side, the bad side, the protective side, the caring side, the daring as well as bold and fearless. He has really portrayed them all really well. I am also a huge fan of fantasy historical dramas, so this really plays into the genre that I gravitate to. There’s some excellent fighting/power scenes that will make you really want to rewind it and watch it again and there are some heartbreaking scenes in which you see how some of the individuals background and hardships that they went through. I think that they did a really great job giving us a full view of who the male lead was. I really enjoyed watching his scenes and learning about who he was and why he is the way his to who he is right now. It’s amazing.

What I did not like about this series unfortunately was the female leads character. I know many people will disagree but it’s my opinion right. I feel that the writers gave her too many annoying habits/traits that were hard to digest together.
Writers have taken that naïve and innocent character way too far and it teeters on the line of sheer stupidity. I honestly did not like it.
#1The female characters voice sounded like a eight or nine-year-old the entire time. If it was just that I would’ve been able to tolerate it a little better.
#2 they also made her character really naïve and at times completely clueless, borderline stupid. I just don’t think that crap is cute. And I don’t mean the naïve kind like Ji Mi from ashes of love, I mean this was another level.
#3 her character was one that seem to completely be infatuated with the 2ML because he saved her. Because of this she seems to lose all sense of reason.
#4 she constantly got into things that made it appear that she had no survival instinct at all. Who goes to reason with someone that was just trying to kill you and had you tied up.
#5 because of all of these it made it really hard for me to view her and the ML in a more romantic relationship because her character just seems like someone that was 12 years old, unrealistic and that quite honestly needed to be supervised because she’s clueless. She is absolutely cute but those looks can only take you so far.

The action in the series is really good. There are not a significant amount of side relationships throughout the series but there are a few that have significance to the story. In the beginning there’s a lot of screen time but as we got to the middle it kind of dwindled and then they just popped up again. Up to episode 25 the FL is still not gelling well with the ML. She is not sincere, or honest towards him. But she is able to see that he is a person other than what others portray him to be. No budding relationships just yet but the chemistry is okay.

Lire davantage

Fall in love not only with the story, but everything!

I'm gonna say that I'm totally in love with the story, the acting, the character, the CG effects, the wardrobe, the setting and also the songs of this drama!!

I've been waiting for this drama since last year, and my instinct is right.. this is a totally worth watching drama.

This drama shows a significant improvement in both Esther Yu & Dylan Wang's acting. Their chemistry is so good.. in both of on and off screen. Their laugh, their tears and even their eye gazing moments towards each other are totally stunning!

If you love a fairytale.. a xianxia drama, then this must be one of the best dramas in 2022!

I watch both drama (live action) and anime version of "Love Between Fairy and Devil", and both give the same background and vibe of the story and character, however with different progress and plot, but I still love with both of it.

I never read the original novel, but when it's successfuly getting produced to drama and anime, it's probably a masterpiece!

I know that some people will get bias towards the cast, but please don't judge.. just give your time to watch it.. and you'll find the story is very interesting since the beginning. There always be some iconic scenes in every episode, and you can't get enough to see the scene where main characters' slowly develop feeling one to another.

The way Dong Fang Qing Cang protect Xiao Lan Hua is totally romantic and fascinating! I love when his power awaken and his eyes turning blue. I love how he give a cold shoulder to everyone except Xiao Lan Hua, and Dylan Wang is totally suitable to play as the devil that showing cold gaze and killing gaze. Esther Yu is very suitable to be the orchid fairy since her voice is very cute, and she is very energetic and beautiful! She can show a naive and kind character flawlessly, and at the same time turn to be cold when she should be act as
Dong Fang Qing Cang during the body swap.

Now talking about the body swap between main leads itself.. At first, I thought it's gonna be just another body swap drama, but both of Dylan Wang and Esther Yu can represent one another character in a perfect way.. and the story is not focusing on that. There are so many progress in the story.. and I love how the production crew make it very detail...

I love how Dong Fang Qing Cang described as a powerful devil that slowly getting back his emotion bit by bit because of sharing joy and sorrow with a little fairy. I love how he is slowly can get along with the cute and naive fairy that probably will be a stronger character later, and be a very important person that bring the story to a climax later on.

Anyway.. at first I'm kind nervous about how they will have the ending... I keep trying to read some spoilers from weibo. Also.. It gives me addiction! i couldn't stop to rewatch some cute and cool scenes.

P.S. How come all of sound track in this drama are so damn good!!! Every song is totally beautiful.

The ending is a bit rush... but I love DFQC and XLH so much! So I don't care as long as they are happy! Also.. I though there will be a twist, like they're gonna have the body swap again at the end to make a big surprise.. But it turns out to be another sacrifice for love.

The ending is a bit confusing.. whether it's real or just a dream. Well.. I really wish to see them with their happy life in more episodes. Just why.. why.. the screen writter decide to stop there. At least we need 3-4 more episodes to complete the romance between goddess and devil! Ok then, they should comes up with a new season called "Marriage Life Between Goddess and Devil". *finger cross*. I will definitely rewatch this drama again like for 10x more. So addicted with the beautiful story, CG, costumes, make up, casts, songs, and the whole production! *Thumbs up!* *Standing applause*

No wonder this drama is blooming like orchid in the paradise! They have successfully reached the massive numbers of viewers and fans for both actors and drama!

Lire davantage

Best of Dylan Wang

A brilliant show with a splendid cast.

First when I started I wasn't expecting much but I must say it's one of the best Xianxia dramas out there with a well written and great plot. It keeps you wanting for more and making you guess what's gonna happen next. There is not a single scene which you can skip because each scene holds importance and necessary to watch to know the story and for the development of the characters. It's not a bit dragged and 36 episodes were perfect.


So coming to the cast -
Dylan Wang is not a new face for me. I've seen his debut with meteor garden and later miss the dragon(which I had to drop. That's how bad it was) but I must say, he had improved so much in acting that I could literally feel his each and every emotion. When they swapped bodies and he had to act like a scaredy cat to being the domineering moon supreme, his attitude was just too good. Loved how even when his love tree revived he stayed true to the roll of moon supreme and the writers didn't make his character overly cheesy that it'll feel like he was totally someone else. DFQC is one character which will stay memorable because of his acting. I genuinely felt proud while watching DFQC throughout the drama.


The FL is a familiar face but I can't remember where I've seen her. I want to applaud her for her acting too. From being a clumsy, naive and innocent person to being mature person who got to know about the world outside of her little place and how cruel while still maintaining her purity made little orchid one of the best female leads to ever exist. When they swapped and she had to play DFQC, damn she did looked mean. And let's not forget how exceptionally she played goddess xi yun. Even though she played all the characters but every single one had a different flavour to it and that's what did it for me.


All the other characters did a wonderful job too, from Shangchue and jaeli, changheng and Dayin, Rong hao and lady chidi, everyone played their respective character perfectly.


This drama will make you see that what you actually think of the world is not always correct. Just because they are gods that doesn't mean that they are right and moon tribe is wrong. Everything is not black and white, it could be grey too.

Even though DFQC was portrayed as a monster and his character was flawed but he deep inside he was good. While Chengheng was the perfect man and a woman's ideal type, DFQC is someone who you truly fall in love with. Everyone did everything is this drama because of love that's why even if you hate someone especially the villains or Rong Hao, you could still sympathize with him. Btw the actor who played Rong Hao did an amazing job.


This drama isn't about kissing or explicit scenes, but about deep conversations and warm hugs. The slowburn love between little orchid and moon supreme was the best kind of love you can see in a drama. Their love was soo deep for eachother that they were ready to sacrifice themselves to save the other and they always did that. They went through life and death together. There wasn't heavy angst between the couple because at the end of the day they always believed in their love which conquered it all, no matter how forbidden it was.


I was literally a proud mom watching DFQC and little orchid's love bloom and grow with their own characters. Their love was the purest, bloomed in the middle of cruelty, hurdles and a thousand conspiracies. Love can really melt the coldest heart.

Honestly I can't explain how good the drama is until you watch if yourself.


Last but not the least the OST was too good and made you feel the emotions which every passing scene. The opening one is my favorite.


The production, cinematography, script, direction, costumes, every thing was perfect. They literally made DFQC look majestic in black and his costumes were the best.


This drama will literally pull at your heartstrings and make you cry. Go try this brilliant masterpiece to witness it yourself.

Lire davantage

Glad I watched this!

It's been a long time since I've watched
something this beautiful and gave a review.

I have no words. This was such a beautiful drama. The definition of this drama is literally BEAUTIFUL. The production is crazy. Everything is etheral. The background music is one of the best I've seen. The vfx is beautiful. The only word I can say to this drama is BEAUTIFUL! The relationship between leads is BEAUTIFUL!

Orchid and dongfang cincang are meant to be together. They are magnificent!!❤️ I absolutely love the story and everything really went how it should.

THE ONLY WORD TO DEFINE THIS DRAMA IS ✨️BEAUTIFUL ✨️
Background music is BEAUTIFUL
VFX is BEAUTIFUL
Leads are BEAUTIFUL
Scenery is BEAUTIFUL
Story is BEAUTIFUL
Dialogues are BEAUTIFUL
Everything is BEAUTIFUL

I think it will be really difficult for me to get into other dramas after this. After watching this i need to change the genre because other cdramas may disappoint me.

Lire davantage

I Loved this

This story made me laugh especially when they first meet, it was such a funny scene and I really loved it. I really liked the acting of the actors because they showed many emotions and you could feel them through the screen. I would re watch it 100% because not only is a beautiful story is also a story that I manage to finish without ever stopping for months. This drama made me cry laugh and made me really happy while watching, it not only the actors that show great emotions, they also have a lot of chemistry. I 100% recommend this if you like watching dramas like fantasy and romance.

Lire davantage

overrated

According to legend, in order to obtain terrible power, Dongfang Qing Cang of the Moon Tribe became an emotionless monster. He killed his father, seized the position of Moon Supreme and led an army of 100,000 Moon Tribe soldiers on a path of devastation. Shuiyuntian (the immortal fairy realm), Cangyan Sea (the Moon Tribe), and Yunmeng Lake (the mortal world) were in grave danger.

To save the world and stop Dongfang Qing Cang and his army, the first God of War of Shuiyuntian destroyed her primordial spirit. Dongfang Qing Cang’s army and primordial spirit were sealed and his body was locked away in Haotian Tower under the immortal bonds of the Haotian Matrix. However, if his primordial spirit was restored and Dongfang Qing Cang were to break free from his tower, the world would be in danger once more. Legend says that only the Goddess of Xishan can prevent this catastrophe, but she vanished without a trace.

30,000 years after the first God of War’s sacrifice, there was a disturbance in the Haotian Matrix. While attempting to help the new God of War reinforce the Matrix, Orchid, a weak and low-ranking flower fairy, accidentally finds herself inside Haotian Tower and face-to-face with the Moon Supreme himself. Their encounter sets off a chain of events that threatens to change the fate of the world once again.

(Source: Wikipedia, Netflix; edited by AH at MyDramaList)

~~ Adapted from the novel "Cang Lan Jue" (苍兰诀) by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (九鹭非香). Edit Translation

Lire davantage

Watched it Only for the last 7 episodes

First blow to the rating is because of Esther yu ...let's accept her performance was pathetic..Fairies are playful but her fairy character was "retard".. absolutely zero acting talent ... Annoying voice modulation ... Though her character was quite serious and had no necessary demand to over-act this superficially cute .. yet hell knows who suggested her to that act this way
.Even in the serious situation she doesn't give her cringe a break.


These things are even more highlighted when your co actor is an immensely talented artist .... Dylan wang on the contrary played her own character better than herself during the soul swipe parts ...


Enough ..let's discuss the good parts

Both ML and PML did an amazing job ..effortless performance.

Vfx and stunt scenes are on spot ...

I love the soundtracks.. I don't remember but the opening soundtrack gave me a feeling of nostalgia..like some other drama has a similar sounding track

One of the main highlights of the show was their costume design ... Big thumbs up to the stylist and designer.

Chemistry between leads was 95% form Dylan's side ... While FL was busy acting like his daughter in that annoying child voice 😔

Plot was little slow paced and very ridiculously multidirectional ..things got a way out of track in median episodes when they visited the mortal world ... Things accelerated from around episode 29 ..

Bottom line : this particular story was not meant to be stretched all the way to 36 episodes ...for what it's worth even a 16 epsiode series would have been enough and more intriguing.

PS: I loved Dylan wang's performance this is my first drama watching him act ...looking forward to more .. XOXO

Lire davantage

OUTSTANDING!

Dylan is so AMAZING! He owns the screen, his micro expressions are on point. He is just so talented. Esther Yu was also perfectly casted to play the FL. Their blazing chemistry is undeniable.

Congratulations to the Director and Writer of this drama. They really put so much effort in the details. Weaving the storyline putting together a very memorable and touching love story between two opposing characters. The dialogues and score are beautifully done.

The lead actors brought their A game into this, putting it all out there, the emotions seemed so real, the funny scenes even came out natural. You will laugh and cry, this has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

One of the best cdramas i have ever watched.

Lire davantage

Worth Watching

This was a very cute and entertaining drama for younger audiences. At first I was disappointed in the stiff and emotionless ML character and worried that I would be watching yet another drama where the ML has to be emotionally stunted. Even though I hated Meteor Garden, I was impressed by Dylan Wang and felt he had potential. What a pleasure to see him on screen once again. Dylan Wang plays Dongfang Qing Cang, a demon lord whose spirit is imprisoned by the enemy fairy realm and a fairy named Orchid who accidentally sets him free. Although, our main leads fall back on the overplayed tropes of cold, domineering, tough guy and annoyingly childlike adolescent girl, both characters develop into better versions of themselves. I love character growth in dramas. The best part was the love story between this couple. You feel completely invested in them and how far they are willing to sacrifice for the other. It seems that Dylan Wang gets better and better with each drama he is cast in. I hope he continues to hone his craft. He has a beautiful onscreen presence.

The costumes and set design are gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking and with great attention to detail. The demon realm had a dark Western feel while the fairy realm was light, ephemeral and heavenly. There is the typical formula of a secondary supporting couple who are either friends, or servants. of the main couple.

The OST is amazing. There are some beautiful themes that have now been added to my playlist of Asian TV soundtracks. I recommend this romantic drama.

Lire davantage