Ashes of Love (2018)

A nice gem especially if you are new to CDramas.

I almost gave up on this story. I initially only watched a couple of episodes and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the direction it was going, but I decided to come back to it. I’m so glad that I did as this was a very well told story between the FL and two brothers.

I watched this show when I was just getting into CDramas so I wasn’t familiar with the pacing and story arcs of Xanxias. As I’ve watched more, I can definitely see similar themes across Xanxias and this does follow that typical path that Xanxias go.

All of the actors did a really good job and were very well fit for the characters they were given. I also really enjoyed the OST as I’ve added a couple of songs to my playlist. I’ve definitely become a fan of all of the main actors.

Leia Mais

Unforgettable drama

So where do i start - there are so many detailed reviews that do a better job of breaking down the plot, acting, production, etc. so I'll just summarize why I liked it so much.
1) Deng lun was a treat to watch.
2) FL was NOT perfect, did not remain childish, did something unforgivable but tried her best to make up for it
3) The dubbing - the actual actors dubbed it themselves (at least the main trio) - it was just so satisfying not to hear voice actors trying to emulate feelings that they have not actually acted out. Plus, the MLs voice perfectly matches Phoenix's personality!
4) MLs love never wavered, not even for a second (yes, even in the last story arc where he thought he'd been betrayed he still loved her)
5) The story had so much going on and all in a good way. There is love, betrayal, familial ties, politics, revenge, obsession - just a nice round of emotional ride I would say.
6) The FL made me love her, then hate her, then love her again. Second ML was just so tormented throughout that I had the perfect love/hate relationship going on with him as intended.
7) The drama differs from the novel in terms of characterization in my opinion. I did NOT like the MLs portrayal in the novel (I admit I've only skimmed through the chapters since I just wanted to read my fav parts, but from the gist of it, Phoenix in the novel seems to be much more dark(?), unbalanced(?))
8) Pretty much everyone got what was coming to them except a few minor characters.
I mean this drama gave me so many feels that I felt compelled to write this review after re-watching my fav scenes again and again. Also, I first watched AoL about a month ago and I'm still listening to the OST so yeah.
The only thing I would change is the ending - not change so much as EXTEND it. I wanted a heck lot more of the ML and the FL.

Leia Mais

One of the most classic romantic dramas

It's classic romantic historical drama that i loved. I really like the story with gods and demons and also the love betwern these of two ptotagonists. I ship a lot the main actors and i loved Luo Yunxi. I LOVE YOU LUO YUNXI!!❤️The reason that i wanted to see it it was because of him and only. But i didn't believe that i could finish this drama because has a lot of episodes. The plot was well schemed so i didnt get bored or something like that. I loved acting and the music was perfect. The special effects could be better but were quite good. I recommend it as drama because of the plot and the acting. For sure you will love it.
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Leia Mais

I've never written a review before but i felt urged to write one for this drama because.it.is.just.so.beautiful.

I've never watched such a beautifully captivating and aesthetic drama before that had everything you need.

The story is well executed, the cast is very memorable and their acting is A+++ especially the three main leads.

What this story really revolves around is the love triangle between two male leads and the female lead which has been shown really well and the love they have for her really gets to you. I wont spoil much but i want to say this, if you have decided to watch this drama, no matter what...do not drop this...just don't drop it AT ALL. Watch it till the end and trust me, you wont regret it. I don't get how some people can review the drama after watching just two episodes. This drama is gonna affect and you must watch it by all means. Ok enough of that.

As for the music, this is one the dramas that has the best osts ever. Especially the ending theme song, everyone should listen to it. Such an enchanting song. No matter how many times I listen to it, i still keep coming back to listen to it again and again. That song perfectly suits and describes the drama.

The romance is the best part of the drama. Very well done. The CGI and the sets are amazing.

Oh and the leads have the cutest behind the scenes ever. If you can't get over the drama, watch those to heal your withdrawal syndrome.

Rewatch value is 10/10. I'll never get tired of this drama. Love it so much...

Leia Mais

You might think 10 on all points is too much and I would say, I'd give it more points if I could. The story is comparable to TTMOPB but with it's own flair. It has all the elements of a great story and the ending will not leave you disappointed. The special effects/CGI are done extremely well that it is worth mentioning. The cast? Ah, Phoenix, my Phoenix! They will make you laugh, bring you to tears, make you mad - all the good stuff which will leave you satiated but wishing for more. Salute to the writers, directors, staff, anyone and everyone who made this phenomenal story.

Leia Mais

This is a wonderful adaptation from the super famous novel called heavenly sweetness ash like frost. I love the chemistry between the main leads and in my humble opinion the actors and actresses involved in this series have all shown remarkable acting skills. Feng Huang was saved by the fruit fairy Jin mi when he was attacked and badly hurt. Jin mi asked him to help her to leave the mirror world she has been living in. At first they were bickering a lot but love started to grow. However , Feng Huang was not the only one who is in love with Jin mi, his older brother also feel in love with Jin mi. After series of accident . Jin mi real identity was revealed. It turns out that she is the daughter of Flower Goddess and Water God. This is a life -changing moment for Jin mi. She was turned overnight from a grape fruit fairy into a high God. This fact complicates her started building love story with Feng Huang because ah is actually his older brother fiancé. What started as a funny loving story then turned into a dramatic story and I love how the writers dig deep into each of the characters’s Past life and love story . The only complaint I have is the filler story ranging from the demon princess love arc and night’s female guardian . I wish they will delete these parts and concentrate more in the main lead (Jin mi and Feng Huang story).

Leia Mais

This drama is so good, it has a very good cast, the costumes are beautiful (except for the wedding dress in the celestial wedding) the main couple has very good chemistry which I liked a lot. The CGI was great. I feel so happy about this drama, like someone who read the book before watching the drama, I'm just delighted. I liked that they followed the story so well, also and above all I loved that the new thing that they added (in the human world and the demon princess and Migu) was tender, sad, totally full of emotions and adapted great to the story,
I liked that, they did not fill the drama with great scenes of the villains planning, nor great monologues about how they were going to develop their plan, which Chinese dramas usually do a lot. For being mostly a love story, there was not so much political struggle, that was great.
I'm just disappointed in the final episode because I do not understand why they made Xufeng stop being a Demon Lord, but besides that it was just 10/10

I do not understand why people say that it's the same as TMOPB, the stories are so different, because both are fantasy dramas have similar elements but everything that involves the story and personality of the characters is so opposite that I simply do not understand how people can compare

Leia Mais

I wont say its bad, its very watchable if you like similar series and watched Ten Miles Blossom

First off, this is my opinion and there will be some spoilers so read at your own risk, I know lots people dont mind spoilers to get the idea of the series. This show's has quite big plot holes. There's only a couple or so from the main last half plot series. Love is really a big topic but thats where the plot holes comes in, displaying their kind of Love. There will be quite a few Angst moment but I walk into this drama knowing that, but still got hit with the feel territory. Comparison series explain after plot hole review.

Spoiler 2 plot hole reveals:

1. FL display full body love to ML and believe in him from the beginning of the series but end up not believing his word that he did not do it at mid point???? But i kinda understand the no love feeling fruit she had gotten which makes it part of her decision. But but.........

2.ML ask FL to kill him if she doesn't believe him to rid her revenge, but then when she did kill him, he returns evil, pissed, at her for betraying him? He showed quite a lot of love and he would sacrafice himself for her but it turns out not at the moment of plot. Too many suspicion that never quite make him or her think and understand.


Soo the question you guys would ask how is it compare to Ten Miles Blossom.
Although I see some likes this more than Ten miles, I for one love Ten Miles more. The fact I think Ten Miles is better is due to ML and FL are powerful characters. The plot in Ten miles to me seems more addicting to follow than this. The side characters in Ten Miles are addicting to follow as well. I like both dramas but FL in this drama is too weak. They only display as strong but never really felt it. FL here also is an airhead but very cute for the big half of the show until the final 3rd. My angst is still here after watching it so I had to write this to cool off my head. It ends happily so as long as you got thru til the end, its feelings in and out.


If you dont mind a slightly weaker with angst plot holes, but still like the type of immortals with love, go give it a shot, you might like it more than the others. My rating stays true at a 7.5 and this is not being bias to Ten Miles.

Leia Mais

I need a support group to get over this drama.

Heavy Sweetness, Ash-Like Frost *so* easily became one of my personal all-time favorite dramas. I knew I was going to enjoy this ride as soon as I got through the beautiful opening sequence. Then the leads showed up and stole every bit of my heart. I've become a huge fan of Yang Zi after watching her portrayal of Jin Mi from who she is in the beginning of the drama to who she becomes at the end. It's so raw and dynamic, you really feel all of the emotions Jin Mi goes through in this story. I couldn’t imagine any other actress, Yang Zi was perfect for the role. Her chemistry with Deng Lun's Xu Feng is *off the charts*! There are so many details in their interactions i.e. the way she lights up when she sees him, his smiles when she isn't looking, they are the ultimate OTP from the get-go.

Jin Mi’s naivety is not a new character trope, but it’s well done in a way that makes her uniquely endearing, not annoying. Even those who found her annoying will agree with me when I say we wish she could go back to the way she was by the end of the drama. Xu Feng doesn’t enjoy the same character development; in fact, I’d argue that he was pretty much set up to be an alpha male lead from the beginning. But what I love about him is that his strengths (i.e. his compassion) are also his weaknesses. The second male lead, Run Yu, also goes through dynamic character developments, and though I don’t agree with his choices, he’s a very interesting character you both wish to condemn and comfort simultaneously.

The team behind this drama did not gimp on effects. Though I can overlook bad CGI, it does take away from the drama. You don’t get awful CGI in this drama! The music is also so beautiful and haunting, I only wish that there were more OSTs! The overall plot is well-done and interesting, but I have to critique the way that the two main leads did not run the show in the latter half of the drama. It felt like they took to the backseat and there was a surge of side-stories, and though this did all contribute to the main plot, I thought that it could have been more concise, and that things could have been introduced in the first half to better flow into the second half instead of being introduced for the first time halfway through. The ending was both perfect but also left me wanting so, so much more at the same time, probably because I’m just too attached.

Regardless of it’s flaws, Xu Feng and Jin Mi’s love story resonated with me. I think xianxia fans will easily find something engaging within this, and those new to the xianxia genre, this could be your introduction! Other than fantasy elements, there’s comedy, romance, angst, family, friendship, drama—a little bit of everything for everyone!

Leia Mais

This is really good

After years of watching Chinese dramas, Ashes Of Love remains number one on my list! This drama is so crazy and really good. I'll tell you a little (not a spoiler) before that I'm a fan of Legend Of Yun Xi and Legend Of Fuyao. I haven't watched this drama even though many recommended number 1 is always this drama, I think what's good? I was not really interested in the synopsis, then one day, my heart was knocked to try to watch episode 1 Ashes Of Love, different from other dramas. Usually the first time I watch it I feel like I want to just stop but I finally like it. I like Ashes Of Love right away, this story is very interesting and I like it when Jinmi's part is known to be a girl. In Eternal Love I always waited when Bai Qian attended banquets and everyone knew he was Bai Qian, but that didn't happen and actually I was a little annoyed but it's okay. the point is you have to watch this drama, maybe you are lazy when you see the many episodes, but when you watch it maybe you will think 63 episodes are lacking, thank you

Leia Mais

I am an avid drama fan and have seen countless dramas; many of which I connected to emotionally. And yet, somehow, this show affected me far more than any other on so many levels. It touched my heart, then broke it into pieces, only to put it all back together to create an even bigger love for the show. I suffered from withdrawal for days in the aftermath.

There is a lack of substance about the show initially that appeared to support misconceptions that its popularity is undeserving. But let me tell you, as someone who had this exact thought, you'll miss out on a great and thrilling ride if you let that carry you away.

The drama begins with the unexpected meeting of a fairy named Jinmi (Yang Zi) and Phoenix (Deng Lu), heir to the throne of the heavenly realms. Soon after, she becomes sort of like his apprentice, and gradually, he falls in love with her. Jinmi is a cute, little airhead with a wide-eyed view of the world. Phoenix is playful, good-natured, and protective. There is something about his demeanor that gave me peace. I recall watching the first half passively and that's not to say the first half wasn't worth the time. It was certainly a pleasant watch, fill with beautiful people in lavish costumes; mythical creatures and characters rich in backstory to keep you thoroughly entertained. I think China's long, prolific history in art is to thank for such abundance of interesting fantasy material. And there are plenty of funny, sweet, romantic moments between our two leads to keep any romance buff happy. Add to that an exciting OST and you've already got a good show.

One of my favorite parts of the drama is Jinmi and Phoenix's time spent in the human realm, partaking in a "trial," which is kind of like a rite of passage for an individual as they seek permission to transform into an immortal god. As the story progresses and layers are peeled back from the rosy hued world, however, we begin to see the deadly and irreparable ramifications caused by the hero's seemingly good, godly parents. You'll start to question whether you were really seeing heaven when it felt like hell. This culminates in an episode that, for me, elevated the show from good to exceptionally amazing. It was a game changer. From here on out, there was no going back. You see, Jinmi is led to believe Phoenix killed her father, and in a moment of intense pain, confusion and anger, she stabs him, literally, in the back. And the most heartbreaking thing was, even at his last breathe, all he cares about is whether she loved him in return. And to which she coldly responds, "never." I was shocked by the turn of events, to say the least. Don't worry though, he will be back.

And back he is as the King of the Demon realm. Now jaded and debauched, Phoenix is unrecognizable (and super hot!). His hatred for Jinmi and revenge for what he had lost, plays out along side Jinmi's efforts to repair their relationship. The level of angst in this part of the story increases exponentially and had me completely fascinated. I pretty much plowed through the remaining episodes with zeal, no longer passively watching.

Now would be a good time to mention that Phoenix has a half brother, Runyu, who also loves Jinmi. It is his machinations that put into motion the events in the second half. After learning she has fallen victim to his trick, causing her to wrongfully "kill" the person she loves the most, in the depths of her despair as the realization hits hard for Jinmi, she confronts Runyu for all that he has done. If you thought you had any doubts about Yang Zi's talents as an actress, this would be the scene to see. You'll be blown away by her monologue; it was heartbreaking to watch.

After much hardship, Phoenix and Jinmi's reunion, which is made possible by the help of a trio of lovable characters, was so gratifying to see. But before the finale, there is an epic battle to be had (great watch in and of itself), in which Jinmi sacrifices herself for humanity, and here is where Deng Lu shines as an actor. As he sits staring into space in the immediate aftermath, you can clearly see how there's absolutely nothing left inside of him. Watching his anguish over losing the love of his life, I felt so sad for him in these scenes I don't even know how to describe it. That's why their eventual happy ending was a mend for my broken heart as much as theirs. And believe me, after what these two have gone through, they deserve every ounce of that happy ending.

I have never seen a drama with such high rewatch value before. I was amazed to learn I couldn't get enough of the scenes from the first half, the same ones I had watched without much regard the first time around. Knowing how the show would progress and conclude was in no way a detractor to enjoying it multiple times. In fact, the rewatch created opportunities to see things in a new light and appreciate the things I had overlooked. It's kind of like when you fall in love with someone you've known for a long time and you discover these wonderful things about them as a result that made you question how you could have missed it all before. The look back also made me marvel at how much change there is to Jinmi and Phoenix's relationship dynamic over the course of the story.

I cannot praise this show enough. It will forever go down as one of my favorite love stories ever, and if anyone ever ask me why I love dramas so much, I'll show them Ashes of Love and it would be more than enough to serve as an explanation.

Leia Mais

Absolute fluff and no stakes for a xianxia

Fell in love with Luo Yunxi after Till the End of the Moon, and I heard this drama is where his popularity exploded. And the masses are right; his character, Runyu, is the only interesting thing about this drama. I honestly NEVER get 2nd lead syndrome (the kdrama Startup is the rare exception), and Runyu takes the cake here.

ML (Xufeng/Deng Lun):
He is just a spoiled mama's boy. He has no character development at all. His only character trait is "I want Jinmi", yet witnesses his mother attempting to KILL HER, and he still protects her. He ignores all the abuse that Runyu gets from his stepmother, and does nothing to rebel against his parents even though they all want him to marry Suihe. Where are his motivations? What does he actually do to get what he wants? He just kinda sits there and reacts to whatever is happening around him. It really makes it hard to root for him, because he really doesn't deserve Jinmi.

FL (Jinmi/Yang Zi):
I'll give her a pass for her childishness, since I guess that part of the plot but she is absolutely useless. Why two people fall in love with her baffles me. Really nothing else to say, just a really bland girl. I liked her mortal arc character because she actually had some skill and spunk.

Runyu:
The screenwriters really were like "What are all the things a main character can suffer?" and gave them all to Runyu. His infamous scene where his mother dies gave me LITERAL CHILLS as I watching his transformation from begging on the ground to finally rebelling against his unfair life. I found myself rooting for him, even though I knew he was inevitably going to be doomed. I never cried over the main CP because I really didn't see any stakes in their love, but I cried at Runyu's unrequited love all the time.

Music:
I love the opening and ending songs, and by themselves, and they are wonderful to listen to. But because there are literally only 4 songs total on the soundtrack, they are all heavily overused in a 63 episode show and it is very easy to get tired of them. The music editing is also VERY awkward, and instrumental tracks will suddenly start or stop, and it really takes you out of the atmosphere of a scene.

Leia Mais