二十

#Danmei #cdrama #kdrama

[ershisposts]

Most repressed emo boy falls for the most unrestrained free-spirited girl...

I am watching cdramas for a while and there isn't much that surprises me but this one was so unexpectedly good and wholesome that I am still hungover from this despite having rewatched the entire drama almost 5-6 times (and some scenes even 7-12 times!)

I went to admire Deng wei's beautiful face (lost you forever did him so dirty OMG!) and fell in love with su yishui, mu qingge and the story. They are both super-powered, super-geniuses who chose each other in every lifetime in every rendition and would love each other to death (literally!). Their self-sacrifice more or less transcends their obsession and THAT is what brings them back to each other. Their love is the most EQUAL out of all the cdrama pairings I have seen in any cdrama. Even in the ending (BEST ENDING EVER) where they both retire from cultivation life to tend to their married life and raising their children, they are still drawing lots (master/disciple) to determine who is gonna do housework for the day, and still bickering. It was so simple, yet so powerful and beautiful in the very last scene where their swords are hanging together crisscrossed and not separately, meaning whatever they do, they always want to be together. Their love is a choice based on their memories and experiences with each other which is why the illusion of a new world to have a "perfect" life never swayed them.

Notable aspects:

Mu qingge - I can't stress enough how much we need fls like mqg who is fun, wise, mature, carefree, kind, flirty, charming, powerful, interesting, and witty. I wasnt familiar with Julia xiang and I loved how she brought forth the character in contrast to XRR.

ML and FL needs to show equal appreciation and physical attraction for each other if it's a love story. The ml or the fl having one sided attraction for the other where they are not overt with each other but takes the other's affection for granted is NOT acceptable anymore.

Deng wei - Blew my expectations. From xiao lin and tushan jing who can be so easily overlooked to a character where he could show his full range of acting prowess in his first ever male lead role is *chefs kiss* (when he would get angry especially 🤤). He is no longer just-a-pretty-face (although still being super stunning and gorgeous).

No unnecessary miscommunication trope dragging on and making zero sense aka TTEOM which I liked at that time but when I compare to other dramas seem like quite lazy writing.

One of the best xianxias and it is so underrated that the only posts I can find is in tumblr from 2025 😭.

[fake-married-my-dead-fiance]

Su Yi Shui from Love of the Divine Tree & Ji Bozia from Love in the Clouds (novel) are both like, "I want only one thing in the entire universe and it's the only woman living who can destroy me in a fight."

[ershisposts]

The Double

Definitely the dark horse of cdrama for this year: What I liked and disliked

Liked: 1. The acting; The acting of the main leads especially wu jinyan was so stellar that in some parts I would forget that I am watching a performance. She made sure that we would remember xue fangfei/jiang li. Her beauty and her expressiveness literally shined through the screen. The way she could deliver a thousand emotions through her eyes in a second was so good. Same goes for wang xingyue as duke su. Although he did not have much screen presence, he still managed to DELIVER. The moves that would have looked ridiculous and cringy with another actor, he made it work. Both of their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS even when they are just looking at each other which was 90% responsible for this drama being a success. Shout out also to Shen Yurong and Princess wanning's actors because my goodness, they dominated almost every scene they were in. The way shen yurong's actor made me feel pity for the character yet making sure that we know how evil he is, was done so artfully I had to be impressed. Also ji shuran's actor, she played the tropey stepmother role but still managed to shine though even when wu jinyan was delivering a spectacular scene.

2. The plot, characters, and pacing: Cdramas are getting good at pacing and its nice to see this being reflected in The Double. The plot had significant amount of twists and turns to keep the viewers engaged till the end. The diverse range of characters gave this drama life as well as the character developments. Not everyone received justice or happy endings but you understand the motivations and aspirations behind their actions, even the villains. The double is one of the few cdramas where morally grey characters were portrayed brilliantly. I also liked the subtle emphasis on how systematic misogyny, the effects of bad parenting especially by the fathers towards the daughters, the implications of sexual violence even towards the main character and how the producers did not shy away from it.

3. The OST: Chenle's "Live on love on" was solid art. The opening theme was beautiful as well.

4. The cinematography was better compared to other youku production.

Disliked: 1. Although the plot is pretty solid some times you have to suspend logic to appreciate the drama in my opinion. The slapstick comedy at inappropriate times did not help. Them using wugong for not other reason than being flashy was seriously weird.

2. The leads had excellent chemistry and the romance progression felt natural but did not at the same time which is understandable given romance is not the focus of the drama but I wished there would have been more substance. Like in LLTG although there was an overarching plot the romance was also prioritized as the ml and fl gets entangled early on and it feels more developed. But with this, other than the chemistry and the subtle understanding by the audience that the leads are falling in love, there is not much to go on. It feels like the romance has taken a back seat.

3. The ending felt weird and unnecessary. I know they did that for the dramatics as this is a very soap opera-ish drama but the ending was literally not needed. They could have ended with XH and XF married, a time lapse for 1 year, then cut to them visiting tong'er and jiang li's tomb with a voice over and that would have been enough. That battle scene should have been shown early on which would have increased the angst. The slow burn would have worked out better in that way just like how it did in LLTG. But a scene at the end just goes to show they just wanted to create some hype and nothing else.

It's quite an enjoyable drama and probably the best one in this year judging by the cdrama drought.

[ershisposts]

Hyunlix

I don't want to bring negativity but why is there so much hate when it comes to hyunlix? So its fine when changlix, chanlix, hyunin, minlix, minsung is shipped- everyone is like uwu and all but when it comes to hyunlix why do I find think pieces like "don't ship real people" "hyunlix are just friends and should not be shipped romantically" under their tag? Like tf? If you don't like RPF then don't ship ANYONE?? (And yes, that includes those y/n delulu pairings y'all secretly read as well ffs 🙄)

Why do i find those remarks only under their tag???

I am not here to assume the sexuality of these people, neither am I gonna go off on whether they are real or not because that's not for me or anyone to ASSUME. Just ship whoever you want to ship and leave people alone and don't bring these salty comments? Its not that hard. Also don't even dare to bring that they are uncomfortable and was forced apart bullshit because that is simply not true.

[optreee]

Love Between Fairy and Devil spoilers.

Just thinking about all the times that Dongfang Qingcang and Xiao Lanhua tried to out-care and out-sacrifice for each other is giving me MAJOR whiplash.

DFQC: To help my people accept you as my queen, I will take on the Bone-eating Spikes. Suffering hours are midnight till dawn every night for an unspecified amount of time.

XLH: To prove that I deserve to stay by your side as your queen, I’ll stay in the Fuju cave for three days. I know you said in its whole history, only you made it out alive, but… no worries, I got this. :)

DFQC: Fine, I’ll allow this, but ONLY because I want to respect your choices and show that you’re my equal in this relationship. That’s the only reason why I would even consider this.

XLH: Thank you. Now…drink this substance so that you won’t feel any of the pain with me. I’ll suffer like hell for three days BY MYSELF, you hear?

DFQC: You fool, I’ll never drink this. *spits gracefully* I’m going to feel all the suffering with you because we gonna be hubby and wifey. xoxo

XLH: Aww… okay then let’s get married ASAP before the big war because I want to officially be your wife and go through all your tribulations with you too ❤️

DFQC: Fuk… but the Bone Orchid is slowly killing you. But it’s okay, I’ll just kill my own heart by acting like I played you and make you hate me and stop loving me. I’ll make a pact with the literal god of all evil instead to free my 100,000 soldiers. You’re free to go now, stay safe fam.

XLH: You fool, but I never stopped loving you. I’m going to stab myself with this sword instead to free you from our curse and save all your friends. Boom. Ttyl.

DFQC: Fine. I’ll just raise your spirit seed until you literally resurrect into a goddess. I’ve done this before (taken care of you and nursed you back to health) so I’m basically an orchid expert now.

XLH: Fine, but when I come back, I’ll pretend I don’t remember you so that I can protect you from the fact that I’ll sacrifice myself again, to kill the evil god.

DFQC: Yeah but I figured out what you’re trying to do. So I decided I’m going to literally change your entire destiny because ily. *kisses then vanishes*

XLH: But when the evil god is consuming you and all of the realms’ immortals and armies need to use all their power to hold you back, I’m going to walk towards you by myself because I can 100% take care of this sacrifice on my own, thanks tho!

DFQC: No no, we’re good. I already trapped him in my Heart Sea. Can you just help me out a little bit by killing me so that I can get rid of this bane of existence for you?

XLH: But… it’s my destiny to save the world…

DFQC: But it’s my destiny to save you.

Y’all ever seen a couple do like 15 Reverse Unos in a row like that? Bruising up my heart each time.

[gongjuns]

Love between fairy and devil has managed the almost impossible, i think, at least for me: giving us a second lead love triangle thing where you like the second lead without getting even a little bit of second lead syndrome.

Like, Changheng is a good guy and in the beginning i could see what Xiao Lan Hua was seeing in him. Take Dongfang Qingcang out of the equation and their story might make a great love story - a forbidden love, so much soft affection for each other, Changheng fighting the heavens for his love etc. etc. Their interest in and affection for each other makes sense to me.

However, it quickly becomes evident that this is a crush that stands no chance against the love and devotion between Xiao Lan Hua and Dongfang Qingcang. Their love blooms so naturally and beautifully, that you stop rooting for her and Changheng more quickly than you can say Dongfang Qingcang.

Instead of pitting the two men against each other in an eternal animosity however, they (begrudgingly) become friends and eventually even bond over their shared love (and grief) for Xiao Lan Hua. Meanwhile, Changheng does not *give up* on his love, but accepts the fact that Xia Lan Hua does not love him.

Overall the show thus gives us a second lead who actually makes sense as a "love rival", who is neither only there to further some jealousy trope, nor turns into a sulky idiot who cannot take rejection, thus making him actually likeable without putting into question the validity of the main couple.

[ruanbaijie]

DONGFANG QINGCANG + SMILES

[harocat]

Xiao Lanhua is my favorite kind of character because she seems timid (or at least normal) on the surface, but she's actually so balls to the wall insanely brave that it's probably detrimental to her own health.

Our first episode meeting her, she's too scared to stand up to her bullies, but she decides to go directly against fate (despite being the apprentice of the literal arbiter of fate) and basically take on a suicide mission to save the guy she has a crush on.

What's fun is that she never becomes less this person as the series goes on, but her perspective grows and matures, so instead of risking it all for a crush on a man she doesn't even know (that she knows of at least), she uses her courage to protect those she loves and to stand up for herself and for the beliefs she's acquired. She uses them to prove her mettle in situations where, in a fair world, she wouldn't have to.

And she also becomes more rational. She might be doing these crazy things, but she's doing them with a levelheaded, thought-out approach. She's not being impulsive in the way we may have seen more of early on. Sure she might (or will) still die, but she’s going into it so certain of her decision.

Her emotional strength is absolutely next level. I waver on how hard it was for her to maintain her Xiyun persona and hide her true self from Dongfang Qingcang. A part of me thinks it must have been agony at all times, because he was right there, and because yes, she is naturally a very outwardly emotional person. But the other part wonders if the desire to protect and save him (and the world) was so, so powerful in her heart that she really was able to almost shut it down. Did she cry in her room every night? Or did she really manage to hold it together until that scene on the bridge?

ANYWAY, Dongfang Qingcang calls her 'timid', and he ALSO calls her 'the bravest woman in the three realms' (in a speech in front of his entire kingdom, mind), and like... he's right!! She's both. I LOVE that juxtaposition in a character. It's one of my favorite tropes. I love her.

[xiaolanhua]

DYLAN WANG as DONGFANG QINGCANG Love Between Fairy and Devil 苍兰诀 (2022) – Ep. 8

[naughtynanzhu]

[ershisposts]

I laughed cried cz where is the lie 🤣

[huevokinder24]

I went into Love Between Fairy and Devil thinking it was just a silly romantic comedy only to find "Romeo and Juliet played by Hades and Persephone where the girl, who's destined™️ to end up with the hero, chooses the villain instead" and I've never squealed harder in my entire life.

I came looking for gold and found diamonds instead

[universeislove]

Need danmei recommendations

I finally hit the wall when I'm not sure what I could read next and enjoy it, so I need some recommendations.

Here is a list of my favorites:

1. Are You Addicted?

2.The Founder of Diabolism

3. Heaven Official’s Blessing

4. The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System

5. My Little Poplar

6. Wu Chang Jie

7. Guardian

8. Faraway Wanderers

9. The Legendary Master’s Wife

10. Copper Coins

11. A Certain Someone

12. Agreement of being gay for 30 days

13. Global Examination

14. Lovely Allergen

15. Fanservice Paradox

16. Thousand Autumns

17. Quickly Wear the Face of the Devil

18. Sha Po Lang

19. Assistant Architect

20. Golden Stage

21. My Husband is Suffering from a Terminal Illness

22. The Wrong Way to a Demon Sect Leader

23. Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know

24. Mr. Melancholy Wants to Live a Peaceful Life

25. The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

26. Little Mushroom

27. Restricted Area

28. Accidental Mark

29. Yu Wu

30. Black-bellied vs. Black-bellied: Ultimate Showdown

31. Four O’Clock Flower

32. This Omega is Sweet and Wild

33. How To Say I Love You

34. Mistakenly Saving the Villain

35. Accidentally Married a Man Full of Vinegar

36. After I Possessed the Tmall Genie of the Shool Adonis

37. Your Memes Are Better Looking Than You

38. Bite Your Fingertips

39. How to Survive as a Villain

40. Stray

41. The Disabled Tyrant's Pet Palm Fish

42. Everyone Knows I'm a Good Person

43. Qiang Jin Jiu

44. Don't You Like Me

45. Stone Age Husband Raising Journal

46. I've Liked Your Boyfriend for a Long Time

47. I Only Like Your Made-up Persona

49. The Prince Can Always Hear The Secret Servant Chanting The Qingxin Mantra Before Going To Bed

49. How Are You Guys Getting Boyfriends While Gaming

50. Silent Reading

I would like something in the same vibe as any of these, please 🙏

[xielians]

[xielians]

Fanservice Paradox || Thai Novel Publication PV

Kaleido, a talented but unpopular boy band, shot to fame by chance because of a video shot at the airport. In the video, Pei Tingsong, the youngest and most gong member of the whole group, pinned Fang Juexia Gege against a wall as he gently patted his face with a ticket. Yet, Fang Juexia just took the ticket away, biting it as he tidied up his clothes. A “bullying” incident within the group thus transformed into an intense flirting exchange, and the TingJue CP was born.

[beemovieerotica]

rings of power had a budget of half a billion dollars and yet wheel of time with a FRACTION of that is out here giving us unparalleled artistry and costuming that hasn't been seen since in this entire decade of television

if they don't win an Emmy for this i'm rioting

[ershisposts]

Wheel of time was more rings of power than the actual rings of power

[andhumanslovedstories]

Also I talk a lot about how embarrassing it is to be in angry love with Wei Wuxian, but when they first have to recite the Wen laws, and he activities little shit mode to be like “I’ll read the Wen laws :)” and then recites the precepts of the Lan Clan—if I was Lan Wangji coming fresh off my clan’s recent massacre, I’d also be so so so in love with him. That’s sexy and deeply romantic on both a personal and a geopolitical level. That’s the best kind of complex and sexy. I’m actually insane about this relationship. We say this a lot on this ole website but biting and biting and ripping and tearing for real, dude, for real.

[andhumanslovedstories]

Imagine you are a teen boy who is nicknamed essentially "We Have Very High Expectations For This One" and also you have to act perfectly because your parents' situationship is so extremely sloppy that it's a political issue, and also you are not very talkative and everyone universally finds you at least somewhat intimidating to approach, and your life is bound by over 3000 rules and some of the most important ones are self-inflicted by your pride, but then suddenly there's another teen boy who is unlike anyone you've met before (derogatory), and he won't stop bothering you, he won't stop going out of his way to tease you, he in fact won't ever leave you alone, he seems to want to spend time with you so badly if only to piss you off, and he seems to view the walls you've built around yourself as a fun little vaulting challenge, but he's also so annoying and irresponsible and disrespectful and charismatic and brave and good at fighting and sweet and loud and boorish and popular with people in every way you aren't, and he won't stop complementing you while tormenting you, and sometimes it seems like you're special?? to him???? but then he flirts the exact same way with someone else, and you've got to remind yourself that, no, you aren't special to him, this is just the Way He Is, so even if destiny seems to keep trying to throw you together, that's just because the universe is fundamentally cruel and you're gonna just compartmentalize this cringe-ass, extremely ill-advised crush because god forbid your pride get hurt, but also there's a moment in a cave after you've saved him and he's saved you and now you're trapped down here together, and you tell him to not flirt with people if he doesn't mean it, and he's accuses you of being jealous, and then suddenly a horrible new possibility occurs--that this teen boy who is unlike anyone you've met before (honorific) knows exactly what he is doing to you, that he is in fact trying to do this to you, that maybe you are not reading into something that isn't there, that maybe you ARE special to him, and there's a very very long pause where you're looking at him and he's looking at you, and you're like "THIS IS IT" without even knowing what "it" is, and then he smiles so brightly like he's figured out a mystery and says, "you've got a crush on that girl!" and NO ONE will ever know how impressive it is that you did not end this conversation by getting up and limping over to the demon tortoise so you can god willing instantly die but unfortunately there's literally years and years more of this bullshit to go

[andhumanslovedstories]

I too would simply bite the shit out of him and then not let go

[ershisposts]

Vampire in the garden

First, this is NOT a show for people who doesn't understand subtext, nuance or artistry. This is NOT a show if you want vast world building, watertight plot, excellent twists and turns, cut and dry relationship labels.

If you want something that will tug at your heartstring with raw emotions dredged by two characters who found paradise in each other then this is your show. If you want a queer love story that is more than a love story, then this is your show. This is about the human need for more than just survival, more than just grinding on, for both human and vampire alike. This is a show about wanting a place to belong and the need for acceptance.

This is not a show about fixing a broken world or creating miracles. This is not even about how love conquers everything.

This is about living.