O Retorno do Abismo (2023)

YanHui is best girl!

I LOVE this show very much! It is def in my top 5 favorite C-Drama of the new era (80s & 90s will always be considered the golden era in my opinion). I needed a show to love after LBFAD & the Starry Love showed up! I needed another show to get me over the Starry Love, and Back from the Brink premiered!

I appreciated the growth of the characters individually as well as the growths shown in the different relationships. It was not love at first sight for the leads and they didn’t have an antagonistic relationship for the sake of tension or drama. The development of the relationship between the leads was gradual, organic, and mature. The choices they made made sense. The ML is great but honestly the FL in this story was what made it a top tier show. Yan Hui was such a good, well rounded female character. She was smart, strong, and kind. She was also not afraid to show emotions and let people know how she felt. Her communications skills were the best- I appreciated it so much because I hate miscommunication tropes that lead to misunderstandings. In this show, the leads, especially Yanhui, were pretty honest with each other. YanHui was always upfront with her love, her hate, and her fears. She is so far one of my favorite FL.

The supporting characters were interesting too and none of them outstayed their welcome. I was worried about the 2ML and how his story would play out but I am so glad that they didn’t do anything stupid with him. He didn’t automatically fall in love with the FL but when he did, I understood why. It made sense and I loved how their relationship also developed. And most importantly, the friendship between the women in the show was also the reason why I enjoyed this show so much. I HATE HATE HATE it when the FL have no women as friends. It doesn’t make sense to me when shows have women hating women due to jealousy or envy or whatever. I hate it even more when they’re sisters. They seldom ever do that with ML (unless it’s for the throne which I get). The storyline made sense and there was logic to the choices everyone made, even if it was on the obsessive toxic side. Adults actually acting like adults. What a concept! Anyways, this a fun show that made me laugh and cry. Highly recommend it!

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I have no problem with the Casting.. The actors and actresses did their part.. When I first watch the Episode 1 I was so hooked up and anticipated for the next Episodes.. As for the reason why the story rating is low because I find the Script or Plot Bad.. The first episodes script was good then as soon as the episodes goes on the plot became Good Script to Bad Script.. Some scripts I find it irrelevant or extras... This could've been good if Only the Scriptwriter reviews the script or study over and over again, or well, how will the viewers react.. Because a bad script would end up negative reviews for actors or actresses.. While good script will bring them to a good review.. That's all for now.. Thou some episodes are roller coaster.. Still I find more episodes interesting.. I'll keep watching it and I'm only watching this because I like Neo Hou and Riley Wang.. Plus bonus for Yang Rong, Zhai Kai Ying, Zhou Ye and the rest of the cast ?☺️☺️

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Too much romance and comedy, and 2nd ML smile was enough to kill me

just beautiful masterpiece, light hearted drama if you're suffering from till the end of moon you can go for it, FL is kinda immature and weak in beginning but afterwards she do behaves like intelligent one, i love the opening ost just like the chef's kiss. i like the concept that fl never betrayed the ML and made him realize that true love do exist.
and all the 2nd 3rd love story going on didn't had any argument and fight they were sweet to each other which i love about this drama as it didn't give the viewers any heart wrenching scenes except ml and fl love story
happy ending with beautiful costumes worth giving a try ?

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I want to erase my memory to be able to experience this drama again for the first time

Where do I start, I have only superlatives to say about this drama. I jumped onto watching as soon as I recognized Zhou Ye, I loved her so much in Word of Honour. Neo Hou is so adorable, such a great actor too. The character of Bai Xiao Sheng has my heart (can I have him if he's still single /jk). Now, I'm the type of person who always questions actions and storyline. Would this character do this, why did this character not catch this thing happening since he usually knows about everything in the city, why did they do such a gut punch with the storyline etc. And you know what? Such questions never once crossed my mind once when I was watching Back from the Brink! It is such an exceptionally well executed story, I love it with all my heart. The story is so well paced, the storyline is interesting, the acting is top tier, the effects and costumes are superb. The drama is adorable, it's cute, it's lovey-dovey, it's goofy and funny but also has action in the right spots. It was exactly what needed at the time I was watching it. What I especially liked, there wasn't a moment in the storyline where writers would do a "reversing the car on the highway because you missed an exit" turn of the storyline. Just.... I really highly recommend this drama to anyone. It even has a good ending! And one last note, get your tissues ready for the final episode, I teared up so much.

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Amazing

Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me. Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me Imma keep it short. You will not regret watching this. Trust me

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A fated love between two worlds

It started off really good. I was hooked from the very first episode. I never read the novel like everyone else so I don't know how the story supposed to go. But like everyone else, I agreed that the story was dragged from around episode 12 / 13. It could've ended in episode 20 - 25 but since they had to make it 40 episodes, they dragged it way too long. It's such a pitty especially with the story build up, it ended just like that. For a drama that was made longer than it supposed to be, the ending surely is very rushed. I have certain parts that I love so much, but I also have parts that annoy me so much that I think it was so unnecessary to be put there.

Well, it was a good journey. I love both Tianyao and Yanhui. I also love Bai Xiaosheng, though a lot of the novel reader said he didn't exist in the novel ? glad it's at least a happy ending. But it was such a rushed ending ?

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The pain of betrayal and how to regain your dignity after having experience the brink of death

Back From the Brink is one of my favorite xianxia dramas. I admit that there's a little loophole in the plot, but it doesn't defect me from enjoying it. So, now let us venture into the intriguing plot and characters!

Back From the Brink is adapted from one of Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's novel 'Hu Xin' which literally means protect the heart. It tells the interspecies romance of Tian Yao (once a legendary and ancient dragon) and Yan Hui (a freshly expelled Taoist cultivator). On Tian Yao's wedding day, his lover (Su Ying) dismembered him and sealed the entire parts of his body separately. In a final despair attempt, Tian Yao managed to gouge his dragon heart and sent it away before Su Ying could take action. He later died and possessed a body of a dead boy, trying to get back his body parts by hook or by crooks. Not long after that, Tian Yao encountered a bold yet cheerful former Taoist cultivator, Yan Hui, who coincidentally possessed Tian Yao's dragon heart. At first, they seemingly played the cat-and-mouse game as Yan Hui was adamant of Tian Yao's plan to use her with the purpose of getting his body. As the story progressed, Yan Hui slowly started to be attracted by Tian Yao and so did he. Just like the saying goes, if you've never encountered failure, how could you move on to become the better you? So, this drama depicts this saying in an excellent way. Nevertheless, the leads regained their dignities after encountering a lot of dangers in their adventure and nearly being in the slump of death multiple times.

As a novel reader, the story doesn't deviate very much except for the introduction of the shadow ghost (Bai Xiaosheng). At first, he might seem to be freaking annoying due to his interference of the main leads' relationship. Thank God I'm proved wrong. He was the CATALYST that would lead Tian Yao and Yan Hui to form a deeper bond which is more than just friends and companions. Also, he had numerous antics which would make me laugh like a lunatic. If I'm not mistaken, there was no Fu Yin (lord of the dark aura) in the novel. I guess it was made up for this drama. I'm not sure but I didn't like his character very much. Moreover, his backstory wasn't properly explained which led to the confusion of the watchers. I get that Fu Yin was a lonely person with only Xue Lin (a former Taoist cultivator who would eventually marry the fox king) as his companion. After Xue Lin got married, he began to resent everything in this world and turned evil. Is that all the writers have got? I wish we could see more about Fu Yin's flashback and how he transformed into the lord of dark aura.

Don't get me started at the ending! It was a SUPER LACKLUSTER! After a series of twist and turn, the writers decided to cram everything into the last episode and the KISS in the last scene was the prove of a happy ending?? Come on, we need more than just a kiss. At least, you can explain how Yan Hui was reincarnated again and found Tian Yao in the mortal world. Because of this reason and the above one, I will have to dock one point off the story.

Actings and chemistry are all fine. I've got no problem with that. What I like the most is the bickering relationship between Tian Yao and Yan Hui - there's always something they could debate of. Meanwhile, second couple (Xian Ge and Feng Qianshuo) have a more mature relationship and constantly support each other either financially or emotionally. Third couple (Huan Xiaoyan and Zhu Li) has a worse bickering relationship than the first couple and they seem to be pretty chaotic when they're together. Special mention to the fourth couple (Su Ying and Lu Musheng) who has one-sided love effect and the latter doesn't reciprocate thingy.

Guess I will end my rant until here. Although there're several cons, you can still watch it peacefully since it's a light-hearted xianxia compared to the angsty one (for instance, Till the End of the Moon). Happy watching and good luck.

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This cdrama is the best one ive come across ao far.
The storyline line is at good normal pace and not too draggy at all..although i sometimes dont understand some lines here and there might be lost through translations.

The ML and FL are really good looking so its a bonus. They convey some of the emotions very well especially the comedy part.

Music and ost are just special it conveys their feelings perfectly.

Dont want to give too much spoilers but its worth a watch. I dont like going back and rewatch stories but this one i can go back and rewatch over and over without losing interest. I understand some people dropped this due to releasing time but its really worth a watch..you will not regret watching the ML his character is very well done and admirable not too obsessed over the FL. The FL is one of the most kind and understandable you'll ever find so this review deserves more than enough from me

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Friendship to lovers

This xianxia drama is one of a kind. The best one so far for me.

The good side:

Storyline:
good pacing not too draggy, although some may find it going by too fast.
They stay on the original plot and some side stories and side characters add to the original plotline which is great.
The main leads relationships are the healthiest ive ever seen in xianxia so far. They wrap their misunderstanding pretty quickly and not toxic at all.

The FL is pretty powerful, she saved the ML so many times during the story and vice versa. They initially hated and distrust each other but their love for each other grew slowly and not forced.

Acting:
Neo Hou and Zhou Ye are really pretty and pleasing to the eye which is a bonus. Their acting are not cringey at all especially the ML acting as a baby ?.

Song:
Great choices of songs the main lead himself sang one of the ost. Zhou Shen as well which ia really good.

Down side:
I try not to be biased as i possibly can because i really like this drama.

This is a low budget drama so the CGI is not the very best but it also adds to the storyline which i find it funny

Initially, i thought the ML acting wasnt the best but towards the end of the story i can understand his emotions really well, so just a matter of patients and understanding what they are trying to convey.

Anyways if you dont like the drama then you wouldnt like it...but hoping for a HE ?

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A refreshingly fun xianxia about ordinary people that doesn't take itself too seriously

Don't let the modest budget fool you. This is a surprisingly decent xianxia. A breath of fresh air from the angst-glutted melodramas of most modern xianxias, Back from the Brink wisely keeps the storyline strong but simple- there are no gods or demons, no heavenly politics, no protagonists who are secretly gods/goddesses/princes/princesses/calamities that will bring about the end of the world (side-eyeing The Starry Love, The Legend of Chongzi, TTEOTM and the currently airing Beauty of Resilience and that's just from this year...) This is a story about a dragon boy and a human girl who meet and inevitably fall in love. We have Tianyao (Hou Minghao), our Millennium Spirit Dragon who comes with some serious emotional baggage - he was jilted at the altar and dismembered in the most gruesome way possible by his sociopathic ex keen on using his skin to make an immortality suit for her true loved one. To counter our broody, revenge-seeking dragon, we have the cheerful, glib-tongued Yan Hui (Zhou Ye), a cultivator who's kicked out of her sect for standing up for what's right. Through a twist of fate, Yan Hui inherits the Heart Protection Scale - the final and most critical piece of Tianyao's armor, making her existence simultaneously desired and tenuous as multiple parties - Tianyao included - want the scale for their own agendas.

Drama strengths: Excellent chemistry between the two leads. I was already familiar with Zhou Ye's work in Word of Honor and am pleased to see her take on the challenge of a main role. I was not impressed with Hou Minghao's past work (Psych-Hunter and Lost Tomb 2 were just ok to me) but this project has really improved his acting chops and his microexpressions have gotten much better. It was very satisfying to see both of their characters grow and mature to complement the other. The writing itself is also very solid and the internal logic overall is surprisingly sound. Nothing groundbreaking but themes of choice, transformation, kindness vs power, what does it mean to be good/evil are consistent. Except for a blip where the writers deviated from the novel and made some Choices from ep 16-22, most characters' motivations and actions make sense. This is also one of the few xianxias where supporting characters are actually thoughtfully fleshed out rather than as artlessly discarded plot devices (cough cough TTEOTM). I appreciated the variety in the couples explored, both for the young and also the widowed (or for one unfortunate character, Lu Musheng, who has the dubious honor of both). The OST is actually great. Costuming details and set designs were also decent, considering the budget that they had to work with. I liked the styling and make-up of the characters - it was very clean and natural and not overdone.

Drama weaknesses: Ok, the CGI ranges from laughably bad to okay at best but I would say the production team spent their money wisely. I'd rather sacrifice the visuals than the writing. The ending is also a little abrupt (the last episode is noticeably a solid 3 minutes shorter than the average episode duration) which leaves me wondering if they just ran out of money and leaves quite a few unanswered questions but rest assured that the ending itself is surprisingly a happy one.
Fans who are looking for more physically demonstrative signs of on-screen intimacy will likely found our main couple to be too chaste. I personally did not have a problem with this since I don't believe characters need to vigorously make out with each other to show intimacy but that's just my two cents.

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