Favorite Xianxia Dramas

This drama does have some glaring flaws, but I can't help but love it anyway. Wei Wuxian is one of my favorite male protagonists, and he is even more charming as portrayed by Xiao Zhan (and Lu Zhixing, his voice actor). I think Wang Yibo as Lan Wangji is also an improvement, because he's able to convey a warm, soft side of the character that I feel is absent (at least, so far) in the donghua. I enjoyed "The Untamed" as much as I did because of these two characters and their relationship, but I also appreciate it for its world, story, themes, and supporting characters - most of whom are well developed with believable strengths and flaws.

Overall, Ever Night is an enjoyable and well-made xianxia drama. The cinematography is gorgeous, the music is lovely (with a couple of particularly beautiful tracks), and the fight choreography is often outstanding. The CGI is good for a drama. Ning Que has as many personality flaws as strengths, but he's a charismatic protagonist nonetheless, played charmingly (if not perfectly) by Chen Feiyu. His relationship with the female lead, Sang Sang (Song Yiren), is sweet and adorable overall; they've become one of my favorite drama couples. Some of the exposition scenes are boring and the last few episodes dragged for me. Still, it has become one of my favorite dramas and I look forward to season 2.

The main three characters are all complex and flawed, including the two you're clearly meant to root for. Watching the gradual development of one of the main villains is particularly interesting; he is a sympathetic character and it is completely understandable that he took the path that he did (though his actions were still inexcusable). There were some inconsistencies in characterization and other writing issues, but I still found Ashes of Love pretty consistently enjoyable to watch. The music was beautiful (one of my favorite OSTs along with Legend of Fu Yao and Secret of the Three Kingdoms); the CGI was pretty good for a drama; the acting was good; and the ensemble of characters was one of my favorites that I've seen so far in a xianxia drama.

Legend of Fu Yao isn't higher on this list because the drama did slump quite a bit a couple of times, and although it was not enough for me to drop it like it was for many other viewers, I can agree that those parts were somewhat tedious to get through. Additionally, the last episode was terribly written; it seemed rushed, sloppy, and just didn't wrap up the story properly at all. However, I really loved the two main characters, and that makes up for a lot in my book. Fu Yao is admirable for her strength and kindness in the face of repeated betrayals and tragedies. Wu Ji is a great balance between his larger-than-life public persona (with the talent to back up his reputation) and his private struggle related to his family's secrets. They're also one of the best couples I've come across in a drama.

It seems that Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms (Eternal Love) is a favorite in this genre; it is the drama I have constantly seen other dramas pitted against, always failing to meet the standards that were set by it. Maybe it's because I'm pretty new to the genre, but I can't say I was as blown away by it as so many others were. Still, I did really enjoy it. Bai Qian is a multi-faceted and charismatic protagonist, and Ye Hua is still quietly warm and relatable despite his stoic, "perfect" persona. They are a likable couple, but in terms of romance, the star-crossed love between Feng Jiu and Dong Hua stole the show. The CGI was a bit cringe-worthy for me at times, perhaps because it had to be relied on so heavily for the mythological creatures and worlds, but it's one of those things I've learned to just accept when it comes to dramas. The story and characters are what matter.

I actually felt Eternal Love of Dream ended up being pretty comparable to Eternal Love. I know a lot of people felt that it didn't live up to their expectations, but for me - it was about what I expected (maybe it also helps that I haven't read the novel?) and I enjoyed it about as much as I remember enjoying Eternal Love. I didn't feel the emotional impact of the Aranya's dream arc as much as some people apparently did, and I didn't care for the main villain much. But I do love the two main characters and their relationship (overall). I wanted to see a happier, more enjoyable storyline for them and that's what I got.

This was my first Chinese drama, and it was good enough that I was compelled to seek out other shows like it. In retrospect, having similar shows to compare it to, I can see some of its flaws better. Most notably, it's main couple is a bit weak in terms of chemistry. However, I really liked Dilraba Dilmurat as Lie Ru Ge, the ebullient, warm-hearted, and strong-willed protagonist. The other standout character for me was Zi Han, who despite his strategic nature and his unrequited love for Ru Ge, maintains his strong sense of integrity and loyalty. Like other series in this genre, it was way too long and its ending wasn't strong, but it was entertaining anyway.