Ashes of Love (2018)

The angst of love!

That was a long ride. My first Chinese Drama and first Xianxia one too.
And I loved the main leads.
The story is good with many layers, and plot twists.
But there are issues in this story.

I did get surpised in one scene of betrayal.
The story may break your heart many times, and this drama has those misunderstandings and angst.
I Loved the fantasy elements displayed and the CGI was good for what it was.

The ML and FL, had so much passion and the love was displayed really well by them.
I Liked the side characters too, the brother was very good in his role.
He really made me irritated with him!
All the main characters had depth and nice charcter arcs.
Especially the female lead.

The music was great, definitely loved it and it's really fitting.
Will rewatch this, once I have the time to. 63 episodes is long.
I was really invested in the story and characters.
I recommend this one to everyone, who can handle a love triangle and misunderstandings!
The love trangle was not to my liking though.
And the ending could have been much more satisfying.

So over all a very good Xianxia drama, wonderfully directed and acted this one.
With many sweet/bitter moments, a couple of things would have made it better !

Leia Mais

This is my first review ever, so... Let's start!

I've completed this drama in less then three weeks which is quite short time (for me) on the drama with 63 episodes. I've planned watching this drama for so long and i find it really interesting. In this show wasn't the only episode that would bore me, the story went smoothly, actors were amazing in theirs roles, costumes were gorgerous... This drama has everything to have! And will awaken all your emotions inside you. While watching it I cry, laught, I felt uncertain, amazed and heartbroken. Sometimes dramas was boring after few episodes but Ashes of Love has plot which will keep you in tension and you want to see more and more.

The environment and backdrops give the show more of a beauty (backstage for a while reminds me a fairy tale Tinker Bell). Also costumes! Especially the Xu Feng's god of war costume. Really this one is my most favorite from this show. I read there is 3,000 pieces of clothing in total, so the male and female lead had around 30 costumes each. Music is too well done and I was surprised when I found out the ending was sung by Sa Dingding who plays Yuan Ji.

They are also two of my favorite actors! Deng Lun and Yang Zi.
First time I saw Deng Luns acting was in drama Because of You, he is my favorite actor and in Ashes of Love he didnt disappoint me. In his role as Xu Feng with his unyielding character catches my eyes again. In this drama he is the Fire Immortal/Phoenix, he is a bit arrogant but he can forgive mistakes. He have a "evil" mother and I think Deng Lun has destined to have this type of mothers in dramas (in Because of You he have also evildoing stepmother).
Yang Zi as Jin Mi is also beautiful character. She is the half elf who wants to see the world behind the barrier. Her character is little annoying, but her role only added to reality. She reminds me of Shan Shan (Boss & Me) with her appetite and love for food. She is the daughter of the Floral Fairy (the ruler of the Floral Realm), but this information about Jin Mi's birth had to be keep in secret. Before Floral Fairy died she created a magic barrier to protect her daughter from contact with the outside world.

The twoo main hero of this drama meet by chance, when the barrier is broken by mistake by the Xu Feng in his Phoenix form. Seriously injured he is saved by Jin Mi with her magic honey (but only after she wanted to make soup from him). He wanted to thank her for saving his life, so he did. As she had wished for many years, he free her from her prison behind barrier and Jin Mi becomes his reading asistant in Celestial realm.

Ours two main hero save life each other so many times and the relationship deepened between them. "I have really fallen for Fairy Jin Mi". These words say Xu Feng to Chief Zhang, after Jin Mi save his life.

There are also Run Yu/Night Immortal, the eldest son of the Celestial King. He is very close to Xu Feng/Phoenix. Despite their parents, the two half-brothers share a strong bond. Their relationship is so well done, they dont share the same mother, but they are very close. But relationship between Run Yu and Xu Feng will begin to sharpen when Jin Mi (like daughter of Watter Immortal and Leader of Flower Realm) becomes Run Yu's fiancee. Run Yu own the digital animal, white deer, which didnt eat grass or grain, he eats only dreams. First I saw this kind of stuff in drama Legend of Fu Yao and I found it so adorable.

I also like Moon Immortals character. He is so cute and childish! But I really dont like the Sui He/Peacock Immortal character right from the begginin. She is naughty and jealous of Jin Mi, also helps Xu Fengs mother with hers devil plans. I'm in love with all actors and characters in this drama, they acting skills were perfect!

So... I would end my rewiev like this:
"Phoenix flower only blooms in twoo seasons. One season for when destiny begins, the other for when destiny ends." I think this is the most memorable sentense in the whole story.

This drama is definitelly worth watching, i love the whole story. I think Ashes of Love is the best wuxia drama of year 2018 and I cant wait for season 2!

Leia Mais

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

A storyline that has potential, yet quickly grows repetitive and frustrating.

For the sake of this review, I watched the Netflix version of this show, which has all 63 episodes.

Ashes of Love has so much potential going for it, yet it sadly manages to fall flat in areas that should hold it in a stronger light. Before I talk about the things that hurt this show for me though, let me start by mentioning some of the positives:

- The show is visually beautiful. The set designs are so vivid and colourful, the costume and makeup design is stunning, and even the visual effects are great for the year of the show's release.
- The musical score for this show is lovely. No tracks feel tired of overused, and I could easily see myself listening to this soundtrack again in the future whilst working.
- The cast of actors themselves are very talented. For all I complain about the characters themselves, the actors did a fantastic job with what was given to them to work with.
- Yes, Luo Yunxi's Runyu steals this show. His character is probably the most fully fleshed out, well-rounded in the entire cast. Luo Yunxi's acting only enhances this, and his work shines despite the plot's strange directions.
- Other notable characters that brought me joy anytime they were on the screen were Suli, Kuang Li, Yan You, and Yuan Ji. (Yuan Ji, my beautiful fate immortal! How I wish you had more screentime in this show).

Now, to the negatives:

- This isn't a love story.
Oh, Ashes of Love tries to be one. It even classes itself as one. But for all intents and purposes, the romance in this is questionable. For the first half of the drama our main female lead, Jinmi, doesn't even have the ability to know or understand what love is. While her breaking of the curse which stops her from experiencing this could have been a fascinating journey, instead the viewer is stuck with watching as the two princes of the Immortal Realm - Deng Lun's Xufeng and Luo Yunxi's Runyu - take advantage of her naivety to fight over their own affections for her. Heck, even other characters outside of this love triangle are doing their best to plot about whom Jinmi should marry, while Jinmi herself is just 'sure, whatever, I'm just having fun'. Even later, when she does break the curse and learn what love is, neither Xufeng nor Runyu are deserving of her, as they continuously use her as a pawn in their own petty game.
The only time I ever felt that the romantic relationships between the characters in this love triangle were truly well written and fleshed out were during the arc where Jinmi and Xufeng experience their trials as mortals. During that period the viewer thinks 'oh, okay! So after they finish the trial and return to the Heavenly realm, they'll come out more experienced in life and better their understanding!' Haha no, that doesn't happen at all. In fact, the happenings after their return are probably the most frustrating on the entire show for me.

- This show gets repetitive.
So many interesting things happen storywise in this show. Yet ... they're all in the background, an almost secondary addition to the constant ping-ponging between the main love triangle. I hope you're in for 63 episodes of Jinmi going 'I'll marry Xufeng' 'no wait! I'll marry Runyu, because that's what was promised' 'no no, wait again! I'll marry Xufeng for sure, because I actually love him (I think?)' 'haha no, I'll marry Runyu because Xufeng hates me now' 'but ... if I visit Xufeng this one last time ... maybe he'll at least forgive me!'
Even the side pairing in this show - Liu Ying and Muci - spend a good thirty episodes running backward and forwards between one another. It's so irritating! The same problems keep happening for this cast, and yet instead of the show solving them and letting the story naturally evolve, it just rehashes them again under a new umbrella.

- Xufeng and Jinmi are self-obsessed.
Okay, so. This is actually a problem that also lies with other characters too - even Runyu suffers from it - but I noticed this particularly with Xufeng and Jinmi once they returned from their mortal trial. So this focus will be the main example I use for just how frustrating this show can get.
During Xufeng and Jinmi's trials in the mortal realm, the story also begins to take us in the direction of - in my opinion - one of the most important and interesting plots Ashes of Love has to offer. Through Yan You's guidance, Runyu learns the truth of his childhood, including his parentage and why it is the Heavenly Empress hates him so. I won't spoil too much of this arc, but tragedy strikes during this arc which is the catalyst for pushing Runyu's character to make the decisions he does later.
When Xufeng and Jinmi return, Runyu is secluded and grieving. Now, throughout the show up until this point, the viewer has been shown that Xufeng cares deeply for his brother, and Jinmi has developed a very strong friendship with Runyu, her fish Immortal friend.
Neither one of these two characters check in on him at any point in time.
It's not due to them not knowing what happened to him - they do, it's made very clear - but instead, they're so absorbed in their own honeymoon happiness that nothing outside their own bubble matters. It's another act of the show forcing this romance on us, without making it feel natural, or letting these characters continue their other important relationships outside of their romantic interests. Later, when Runyu finally strikes back for all that's been done to him, there's very little sympathy the viewer can feel towards the other characters because ... yeah, we saw this happening. We saw the neglect, abuse, and trauma this character was put through that suddenly we don't feel bad for him acting as he does.

I can go on, but this review is already getting long.
If, like me, you're tired of out-dated clichés and female characters who aren't allowed the chance to grow and be themselves, then this show isn't for you. I mentioned on my Tumblr that this is probably perfect for a younger audience who do love shows that aren't heavy on substance, but if you're looking for something with complex characters and story and a romance that feels authentic ... it's not Ashes of Love. Save yourself time and watch something else.

Leia Mais

Second male lead stole the show. The rest is too much filler and repetition.

There is much praise about this drama and it did not quite deliver for me. I loved the cinematography, visual effects, the acting was top notch but the actual story fell flat for me. It started off well and even though it had interesting premises I wasn't captivated by the plot. Too much filler and too many characters doing exactly the same thing again and again and again. Too many convenient plot devices and people doing things only to move forward the plot. Oh and by the end of the drama, almost all the characters had (without spoiling) the same type of trauma. It just felt like lazy writing.

My main issue with the drama was that as much as heartbreaking the romance is for the main leads, I never connected with them. It was actually very instant love for me considering one of them couldn't even feel love. And romance is my main focus when watching dramas. In fact I was so invested in the second male lead story that by episode 35 I was happy if they dropped the romance and it was only about his journey. He was actually what saved the show and made me finish it. In fact around episode 50 I found myself skipping lots of scenes because I just wanted to finish it.

Second male lead stole the show for me. His story was so well done. His character development is so well done. The main male lead is an excellent actor but unfortunately I found after the first half of the drama his personality was reduced to "being in love with the female lead" and "occasionally a cool warrior". It's like the whole purpose for him being in the drama was to be the love puppy of the female lead. There is so much more it could have been done in terms of writing.

Overall I feel it's a good drama but not for me. Too much focus was put on the love triangle which wasn't even a love triangle. I didn't like the ending of the second male lead and how they turned his character so probably that's why I wasn't happy with this drama. But I did enjoy lots of moments and definitely cried a lot. The drama moved me emotionally, especially the second male lead story which was worth watching.

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