Love When the Stars Fall (2023)

Intriguing, fresh story but execution issues hold it back . . .

Every romantic trope is here: from opposites attract, forbidden romance, memory loss, rescues, reincarnation etc. There are fresh conflicts and an opportunity for the women to stand in the rescuing role. I was cheered to see this, but a few things hold this drama back:

1) Too many climactic, should have been the end/resolution moments
2) The acting and chemistry of the main couple is off. Chen Xing Xu (ML) plays a quite stodgy one note character in order to show difference later on - but it makes for a boring first half and a lack of chemistry.
3) Music and production values are sub par. So much so, that I would be taken fully out of the story and clearly could see how they were acting in front of a green screen. When the actors, would struggle or say no - it was really hard not to laugh given it was clear nothing was actually holding them back.

The themes were all over the place as well, though I did enjoy the challenge to an older too rigid generation. This drama is worth a try but just one too many issues to make it into my top tier.

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Ashes of Love kind of drama

I first got attracted to watch this because of the ML (the male lead of Goodbye My Princess). I read two very bad review from this site, so it made me feel a bit apprehensive at first. But oh boy, I love it so much I binge watched the first 18 episodes in 3 days!

My favourite part is actually on ep 2 when our main couple had to cross the love bridge and found out they are soulmates (despite not liking each other at that point).

I love the bond the twin girls have. I was expecting one of them to be evil, but both are good people. So heartwarming to watch the girls protect each other, putting their sister above their love interest. The older sister reminds me of Cameron Diaz, they look like twins born at two different continents LOL.

This show is has a similar background as Ten Miles of Peach Blossom (Eternal Love) and Ashes of Love. Lo and behold, when I checked, apparently it has the same writer as Ashes of Love. So if you like those kind of movie, you'll love this. The best part is that it's only 40 episodes in total!!! The nasty remarks I read in the review here are because they forget this is a lighthearted fantasy drama. Not everything have to make sense! At least this is not a drama where the leads would get stabbed and coughing blood every episodes - THAT I can't stand. But Starry Love is not like that, so it's all good.

I'm halfway through now, hope they can keep the pace. I'm still heart broken that Immoral Samsara started strong then turned rubbish in the middle, then worsen to be ridiculous until the end..

#### UPDATE #### I never ended up finishing this. Can't remember, maybe life got in the way.

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Melhor Cdrama do ano

Que brilhante atuação do protagonista interpretando 4 personalidades de um mesmo personagem e sem comentários da grande químicas que os protagonistas tem.
O terceiro príncipe nao merece a kui ele é um mentiroso que somente usou ela. Espero que ela encontre outro cara que a ame de verdade e nao use de mentiras para enganá-la.
Yetan segue sendo perfeita desde o primeiro episódio e espero que ela siga sendo esperta para que ninguém a machuque.
Nao sei o que se passa na cabeça das pessoas que estão criticando a atuação do prota sendo que ele esta arrasando nos papeis dos fragmentos

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Solid until ep 30

I've been waiting for the next drama on par with Ashes of Love and this although didn't meet that, it was a delightful drama overall. If you want action this is not it. There were definitely lots of lovey dovey scenes with > normal amount of pairings in a drama.

Wonderful Aspects:
-All that PURPLEEEEE <--- Hottest color
-Beautiful cast that can act!
-ML (which I was never crazy about) & FL had mediocre chemistry but there were plenty of laughs. I especially loved the FL Ye Tan. Thought she was just the right amount of silliness, cuteness, beauty & brains.
-2nd couple with Chao Feng & Qing Kui was definitely the best pairing in xian xia world with looks & chemistry.
-Gu Hai Chao (Chang Feng)'s 1st in command probably my favorite supporting character provided many comedic moments
-Strong supporting characters overall, few include: The wolf/dog/pup, the bird, the muscle head brother, and my favorite bad character the Void Queen. That beautiful badass mama you'd love to hate.
-Family relationships: Aside from all that coupling, I really loved the sister/sister, mom /son, & friends positive relationships.
-Cinematography / costume / makeup - One of the best aspects about xian xia dramas
-OST - yes overplayed and need a few more songs but the few songs are very good

And then after ep 30.....
-Story got sloppy, tiring and lost all the humorous moments. Scene progression didn't make sense
-One dimensional antagonist characters (both of the kings) got especially tiresome
-A bit overboard on # of resurrections & tear jerking flashbacks.
-Rushed ending with a summary narrative................ Aiyahhhh YYYYY

Lire davantage

I love this drama

I loved the “ML in fall in love” so i had high expectations for this drama based on the synopsis. And truthfully speaking I wasn’t disappointed at all. The combination of comedy and romance is just perfect but honestly speaking the drama is not too perfect due to the voice dubbing but the acting over compensated for this flaw. The FL Tan is a delight, she is just the heart of the show and I hope she continues with such energy in the show. I also think later in the show the playful side of the ML will be displayed too, since his brother has mentioned to Tan that he use to be fun before he had to go into seclusion so as to shoulder his duty as the crown Prince. But overall this my best show at the moment. I can’t wait for the next episodes to released.

Lire davantage

Decent but not great, lead couple had no chemistry

Decent, but not an great series that really tugs at any of my emotions or lingers long after I've finished the series. Seems they didn't have much budget for a star power cast.

Pros:
- I only watched it for the ML (Chen Xing Xu) because I loved him in Goodbye My Princess and the recent modern series My Boss. He just stood out so much compared to all the other leads and support characters.
- The storyline had such great potential - but the cast seemed to fall a bit flat.
- One of the few scenes that tugged at my heartstrings was when the ML was portraying the La Mu shard (fire demon) went to make peace w/ the villagers who misunderstood and accused him - he showed up w/ such hope, innocence and kindness but instead they attacked him. That broke my heart - and Ye Tan's reaction of pity and heartache for him. That was so sad.
- The scene of Man Man's death was really sad. I like her character and the funny, loyal friendship/sidekick relationship w/ Ye Tan was cute.

Cons:
- The lead couple Ye Tan and You Qing had little to no chemistry at all, which is crucial for this type of storyline of undying devotion/sacrifice for love (such as Ashes of Love, Ten Mile of Peach Blossoms, Love & Destiny).
- The cast was weak, no star power. I watch a LOT of dramas and I didn't recognize any of the lead or support actors (other than the ML Chen Xing Xu). The Heavenly Emperor was one of the worst, his acting was just awful, he literally had ONE facial expression the entire series!
- The two FLs (the sisters Ye Tan and Qing Kui) did not have the screen presence that these lofty roles required to captivate the audience - their acting wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Qing Kui character was renowned for her beauty and gentle kindness - while the actress did portray the gentle kindness part, but she did not embody stunning beauty. She looked more like an actress that would play a 2nd or 3rd support role.
- When the ML was playing the womanizer shard, he came across as super gay/feminine rather than a womanizer/playboy.

OST - just ok, not memorable

Re-watch - nah, not worth the time

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I hope my interest kicks in.

I am only on the 6th episode and I really want to like this drama. When I am watching, I usually connect with a character and love to watch their story unfold. However, so far, I have been unable to connect to any character. All of their personalities are terrible. One is supposed to be super kind and gentle but ends up just looking weak and submissive, one is supposed to be the "hero" but just seems stodgy, and judgemental, one is supposed to be the anti-hero but just looks devious and cold, and the last one is the reason I want to turn off the entire thing. The sister that is supposed to be wild and mischievous is just bitterness in the flesh. All of her actions have a very bitter tone to them. Her rebellious nature just comes off as ignorant. She is thoughtless and mean, not in the least bit funny.
The plot really caught my interest because I am a big fan of that theme, but it has been a real disappointment and hasn't shown any signs of getting better. However, I will continue to the end and see if I can find the reason so many people gave it a great review. It deserves a chance and I will return with a final verdict.

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