This series does offer a lot of romantic plotlines one can gush to, but the writing is one of its weaker points, often feeling like it's being written as the story plays out, trying to revise and connect certain points with some success. While it's nice to see how Chu Kong and Xiangyun's fates echo across every lifetime through details such as crabapple flowers, the Xun musical instrument, red threads and marriage temples, the whole thing doesn't feel as solid as I would have liked, with some arcs and details feeling like afterthoughts (*cough* Zihui, Ming Yue *cough*), but it's better than most dramas I've watched in terms of pacing. It didn't drag on too much, and so heightens its rewatchability. The balance of tragedy, romance, and lighthearted fun is also done well. I would like to highlight the animal arc: it had me laughing so much, but it's also really sweet that the tiger and the boar became one of their motifs throughout the series.

The acting, production, and music definitely carried the drama to a new height. For acting: Ding Yuxi in particular is all kinds of excellent in every role-- mischievous being, cold immortal, tragic hero, further magnified by his breathtaking costuming and styling (convinced that the stylists love him a lot). He's meticulous in his body language and expressions, especially as the cat demon. Props also to Yang Chaoye (Xiangyun/Cang Hai etc.); she looks so cute but she's also able to act out 'powerful empress'/'demonic-aura princess', as well as capture the mannerisms of Chu Kong in the body-swap arc. She's a dynamic actress who manages to match and complement Ding Yuxi. In general, the main cast are actually so good in playing different roles in a single drama, they worked hard! (Shout-out to the Qianren and Qian Mou brotherhood in the Shengling Sect arc.)

For production: I have so much love for the costume designers and hair and make-up artists, and I hope they got paid really, really well for this series, because they have made a work of art in every outfit and look. I'm pretty sure they asked themselves, "How do I make this character the prettiest character ever" and just went absolutely wild. My absolute favorites are: Chu Kong and Xiangyun's demon looks (this is a given, iconic really), Chu Kong's General outfits in the body-swap/Princess and General arc as well as his God of War outfits (the pieces of armor fused with flowing fabric, the color layering, the gold qilin details, wow), Jin Luo's witch-doctor outfit (she's so pretty....), and every version of Xiangyun's eye make-up throughout the series. As for the special effects and set designs, while some of it are a bit awkward, grade A for setting the right ambiance and providing a feast for the eyes.

The soundtrack is absolutely lovely as well. In particular, Faye's "Love Only" must have been played more than 40 times (in the title credits and in the drama itself), but it gives me goosebumps every single time.

Overall, Love You Seven Times is a decadent work, a story that's a bit weak in the knees but helped up by a good cast and amazing production. It's able to give laughter and heartache, and so much beauty.