What is this drama about?
A fox demon appears at the Wei estate and plans to kill the bride. This brings four demon hunters to the Wei family, each intent on capturing the fox demon, but each for different reasons. Among them are two sisters, Lu Wuyi and Wu Wangyan, from the fox demon clan; Wu Shiguang, who hopes to get closer to the powerful Dragon God by capturing the demon; and the innocent Ji Ling and the strong warrior Li Jie. The fates of all four begin to intertwine uncontrollably. Each harbors a multitude of secrets, especially regarding their true identities.
Visually, it’s a gem. The costumes, set design, camerawork, and the incredibly beautiful cast are Edward Guo’s trademarks. In one of the main roles, we have Tian Jiarui, who outdid himself. He played several extremely different characters that all blended into one (I know, it sounds strange, but it was true). He has something in his face and gaze that makes it hard to look away. He doesn’t play his characters; he becomes them. From the moment I saw him as the mischievous poison brother Gong in “My Journey to You,” I knew this guy was acting gold. It turns out he has solid acting skills, honed on stage and at art school. And you know what, it’s been evident since the beginning of his television career. If that wasn’t enough, she also sings beautifully and records OSTs for dramas.
But back to the drama. From the very first episodes, it’s gripping, unraveling the clues, igniting the mind, and keeping you up at night. The story has more layers than an onion, and some characters have so many identities that it’s sometimes hard to keep track. I kept wondering, “What’s going on?” It’s also one of the most wonderful romances I’ve ever seen. The tension between Lu Wuyi and Ji Ling is palpable from their first minutes together, and the longer it goes, the better. Much of this is due to the actors, Yu Jingyi and Tian Jiarui (who probably had his first drama kiss here), and the beautifully shot scenes (a very sensual hand-washing scene).
The second couple (Joseph Zeng and Chen Duling) was less expressive and interesting, especially in the second half of the drama. The acting was okay, but nothing spectacular. I liked them best when they were trapped in this illusion, living peacefully as a married couple. They were more mature and calm in their romance, unlike Ji Ling and Lu Wuyi, whose relationship ignited with extreme emotions. Overall, this drama is full of emotion. At a certain point, the feeling of loneliness experienced by one of the main characters pours out onto the viewer in buckets, and it’s hard not to shed a tear.
There’s no point in writing much here, as it would be too revealing, and uncovering all the layers of the story is the most enjoyable part of watching this drama. I was delighted with this drama. I loved everything about it, especially the tangle of tropes and the wonderful love story (though many people complain about that). I highly recommend it. It’s been a while since I’ve been so overcome with emotions like this one. You can solve puzzles, cry, and even laugh a little.
Who is this drama perfect for? For those who enjoy beautifully visual dramas, intricate and multi-layered stories, and for fans of Tian Jiarui, because here he truly showcased his skills.
