Ashes of Love (2018) User Reviews

Enjoyed Waching This Drama.....

[B_special · 9/10 · 18 October 2018]

Well, i just completed watching this series, and to be honest, I liked it. It was not bad. This was my first time watching a series where i didn't know anything about the cast or the story. My way to watch a drama is to first research the story then find out about the actors who are working in the project. if nothing seems off then start the first episode. I picked this drama up randomly because I was bored and had nothing to watch. I didn't do any research on it but it came as a surprise to me. I am used to drop long dramas where story take turns and fumbles from its original route but to my amaze I watched it all in a week. The story moved a little slow at first but it picked speed in the middle and towards the end it became addictive. Every actor did their parts fabulously but the one to shine the most in this series was the Jin Mi character. It was portrayed beautifully by Yang Zi. I have become a fan of her after watching her performance in this series. Overall the summary of this long review is if you give this series a little bit of time towards the first phase of this drama, you will enjoy watching this series.

This Series Grew on Me

[Geeta352 · 9/10 · 4 April 2019]

I wasn't sure that I would like this drama, but after committing myself to seriously sitting down and watching it, I was hooked. I love Deng Lun and Yang Zi, what chemistry! Their steadfast love for each other stood the test of time, death, interference and love triangles. The lead actors were the best and the supporting actors were impressive too. This series is addictive; you will watch it again and again. Kudos to everyone associated with production. What a super wonderful series!

Love Love Love (Loved it!)

[facesofine · 9/10 · 28 January 2019]

Beautiful in so many ways: great acting, lavish sets & costumes, lyrical songs and music, well choreographed fight scenes, crisp/poetic dialogue...but some scenes dragged (no need to show the long walk through the halls or corridors, etc. hence, minus 1 star). It started so light/humorous with scenes making me laugh and then it got serious and heavy where I cried in many scenes. I hadn't heard of any of the actors before, but I'm now a fan of all the young lead actors, in both good and evil roles. My favorite characters are God of War/Phoenix and Snake Deity/Puchi. Night Immortal/White Dragon made me go from loving him to hating him, then finally pitying him; he was the most tragic character, IMO. Jinmi initially irritated me to no end, but she matured and eventually won me over. Princess Suihe/peacock was another pitiful character, who was misguided by the Heaven Empress. Liuying and her lover Muci/Qiyuan were both adorable and heroic.

Almost passed this series up. At 63 episodes long, I'm not the type to have such patience and endurance. But after the first episode, I got hooked and sunk into this fantasy world! It's all about love--

Parental love: parents doing some very bad things believing they're doing it for the well being of their children; Unrequited love: those in love with someone who doesn't love them back, who make much sacrifices with a glimmer of hope for a tad of love in return, while sinking deeper into the abyss of committing evil deeds in the name of love; Friendship love: heroic feats and sacrifices for friends; Power love: those who love power will stop at nothing, scheming and committing evil deeds in all forms, to get to the top; Eternal love: pure love that lasts through space, time and the realms of heaven and earth, making ultimate sacrifices, asking for nothing in return, but due to fate must go through trials and tribulations.

Thank goodness, this one gave a satisfying ending (whew!), unlike most Asian series where the ending is open for viewer interpretation and speculation. Watch it, and if you have a soft heart, plan to have some tissues handy.

I LIKE DENGLUN AND YANGZI

[luckystar-31502 · 10/10 · 7 January 2019]

I thought this was just going to be a light drama that I would watch when I was bored but ended being the most emotional and heart wrecking drama I have watched so far. With each persona, I could feel exactly what they are feeling. This show made me want to smash my TV as well as hug it and never let it go. Yes it is long (63 episodes) but every 46 minutes an episode was worth it. Not only have the creators and cast of this show made the hours I wasted on this show worthwhile but ended the series perfectly which is surprising since I am always disappointed in endings. This show will make any normal person cry countless times. (Unlike me) I sincerely hope they make a second series. I will be a fan of this show for life. This is a show that you binge watch every year and stay up till crazy times to watch it. The cast did an excellent job and made me fall in love with ancient China all over again. Even though this show was made up XuFeng & JinMi will hold a place in my heart for eternity. This show had captured every type of love there is. Not only romantic love but mother love, sibling love, and friendship love. It also showed us that not every love story is not destined and some will forever be written in time. My favorite Character would be Xu Feng

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING !!!

[lovingangel-82701 · 10/10 · 9 January 2019]

Ashes of Love. Where do I even begin? I have watched countless dramas and I rarely give 10s. Even when I give 10s, they are never perfect 10s. Ashes of Love is a PERFECT 10. Before I start my review of this drama, let me be upfront and say that I had my reservations about it. Most of the dramas I watch are set in a more modern setting and are more realistic than this. I came across this drama when I was reviewing a list of the dramas that people deemed the best of 2018. I watched the trailer and put it on my watchlist and I am glad I did. The first episode itself hooked me. The chemistry between the main characters, the story line, and the incredible actors all made me want to continue watching. As I kept on watching (more like binging) the episodes, I fell more and more in love with it all. I will admit, there were times when I was beyond frustrated. I was frustrated that the Yun Elixir prevented Jinmi from loving phoenix (Xu Feng). I was initially frustrated by how naïve and indifferent to love Jinmi was, despite knowing that it was not her fault. I was mad at the late floral immortal who put the Yun Elixir in Jinmi to keep her from loving anyone. However, all my frustration was worth it. When that stupid elixir finally broke and Jinmi finally realized that she loved Xu Feng, I felt as if her emotions were my own. And this is a big deal. I have NEVER cried during watching a drama. But this drama made me cry, laugh, scream, and everything in between. The credit goes to the incredible actors who will make you feel as if THEIR pain is YOUR pain. Personally speaking, I think my favorite part of this 63-episode long show were the episodes that showed Jinmi's trial in the mortal world. HOLY CRAP. The chemistry between Xu Feng and Jinmi in those episodes is ridiculous. When she admits to liking him (in the mortal world) and he asks her to marry him, I couldn't stop crying. The pain of waiting and watching the before episodes was definitely worth it. Another aspect that made this show great was the villains. I have never hated any character as much as I hated the Heavenly Empress. She is a scheming and conniving lady who is utterly ruthless. Her and Sui He (bird lady) plot and scheme together so much and it annoyed me greatly. Don't even get me started on the Night Immortal. He knew that Jinmi didn't love him and yet took advantage of her ignorance of love to get her to agree to marry him which led to an excruciatingly painful love triangle. However, at points you find yourself sympathizing and even admiring these villain characters. That's how good the actors were. Sui He and Fish Fairy (Runyu-Night Immortal) were the most tragic characters in my opinion. They both loved someone who didn't love them back and it drove them to do evil things. Normally, when I binge shows, if I have time I fly through the episodes. With this show, I kept having to take breaks despite having time to watch because the episodes were so emotionally charged. I had to stop and let my heart adjust before I could watch anymore of the show. That is how affected I was. The characters are all dynamic and develop so much as the show goes on. Runyu changes from someone who is kind and merciful to someone who is cold and rather ruthless. Jinmi changes from being naïve and innocent to someone who discovers her love only after she's lost it. While this show has a happy ending, there were points in the middle where I was seriously doubting it. All in all, if you have any sort of reservations about this show, LET THEM GO. SEND THEM OUT THE DOOR. If I could love this drama this much and cry over it, you will absolutely enjoy it. The plot is incredible, and I honestly wish I could read/speak Chinese so that I could more fully appreciate the attention to detail instead of relying on subtitles. THE MUSIC WAS GOLDEN. By the end of the show, I could sing sections of the main song.

If you put a seed in your heart, it will blossom!

[M1racl3sHapp3n · 10/10 · 25 December 2018]

I've only started watching Chinese fantasy TV series recently and I got immediately hooked up. This is not my first one but definitely one of the best in terms of scenery, costumes, CGI, virtual effects, kung-fu fighting and obviously, impeccable acting!

When I started watching the first few episodes, I thought this was going to be a very light comedy. I did not expect it to turn into an odyssey. The journey is incredible and I advise you all not to read any spoilers because the many unexpected events made the story truly amazing.

I didn't know any of the actors apart from Yunxi Luo whom I've seen in another TV series named "The Screen Foxes". There are probably four leading characters: Jin Mi, Phoenix, Fish Fairy (Run Yu) and the Demon Princess. However, you also have the leading villains who did an incredible outstanding job as well: The Queen, the girl leader of the Bird Tribe, the evil demon who wants to take over the 6 realms and the graceful Mutsu:the demon princess's fiance (I apologies if I don't know their names but they are not available in the IMDB database). Overall, every single actor did a spectacular job, as a matter of fact, I still have to find a Chinese fantasy TV series where the acting is not convincing.

I am very impressed by how Jin Mi, Phoenix and Fish Fairy can switch their moods to turn from completely lovable and peaceful to extremely enraged assassins or totally broken-hearted. The way they manage to show feelings and vulnerability is so realistic that at times I found myself crying like a baby.

If you are not afraid of exploring the barriers of human consciousness to explore new territories of fantasy where romance, magic, kung fu and the mystery of life converge, don't miss out on Ashes of Love

Holy smokes. I didn't want it to end

[sarahbeacontax · 10/10 · 12 February 2019]

My initial thoughts when I saw this on Netflix I wasn't too sure if I'd like it. After the first few episodes I still wasn't hooked, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. It has twists and turns I never expected and it got serious later on (I don't want to spoil it). The love triangles are excellently played, the acting is incredible. I'm so in love with this drama! Hands down the best Chinese drama I've ever seen and the best drama I've seen so far. I finished 63 one hour episodes in 4 days and left me wanting, yearning for more. I looked up the songs after and found out they were sang by the lead actor and actress. Not only can they sing beautifully, their on screen romance is heart breaking but so heartfelt. I couldn't believe the details they added to the story and how it was all tied up at the end (I wish I saw the marriage fox god in the last episode but hoping he will be in the second season. I ended up rewatching the last 2 episodes 3 times! Please give it a go if you aren't sure, you won't regret it. The 40-63 episodes were so heart/tear jerking. Looking forward to another season even though the leads are just guests in it.

LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH

[alensiatabora · 10/10 · 22 December 2018]

Omgg it's been awhile since I watched such a good drama. I just finished watching it and I already want to rewatch it. This literally blew me away with just everything and omgg the emotions are so high with this drama.

Plot: I really dislike watching dramas where its just the same cycles over and over again of the main leads breaking up and getting back together constantly (like for example, every other episode), so I was super happy with what the writers for this show did with this drama because we none of that (yay!). There was so much creativity into writing this and there are SOOO many good plot twists. The plot is far from boring and invokes so many emotions. There are both really funny parts and really sad parts ANND those REALLY CUTE romantic scenes that most everyone lives for. The plot brings together fantasy elements and romance elements with a hint of wuxia here and there. ALSO the ending was everything you would ever want esp since nowadays so many drama endings are the absolute worst. This drama does a good job of closing out all (or most but I couldn't tell if they missed any) of the plot holes and tying everything together.

Characters: I was really happy with the character development in this drama. The changes in each character are so subtle yet if you compare two eps far apart from each other, you can tell the difference in most of the important characters eg.jinmi. They did such a good job of revealing the backstories, intentions, etc. of characters as well in a way that would be either 1. wow I didn't see this coming or 2. i wanna cry. I LOVED the way that JM and XF fell in love and gradually realized what they meant to each other. Also, some people have mentioned in the comments that they don't really like the amount of screen-time that the demon princess gets, but personally I kinda liked the storyline between her and MC as well as their characters, but that might just be me :P The demon princess (LY) is kind of that loyal badass sidekick character with a soft side and sometimes you can't help but cheer her on. Also shoutout to Moon Immortal character cuz he just made me laugh every time even if he was being serious. Of course, each character has those times when they're being annoying (esp the villainous/evil characters) but overall none of them stood out as being terribly written and I can say that I was even happy with how the evil characters were.

Costumes: Might seem weird to mention this but I just really enjoyed seeing how each realm had their own distinct style and how each were shown so beautifully. Little things like hairstyle, accessories, makeup, clothing composition, etc really add to the drama in a good way. (Example: bird realm's clothing (Sui He) compared to flower realm's clothing (JM/ Chief Zhang))

Acting: I haven't watched that many dramas with YZ in it and I didn't expect too much going into it but wow her acting was so great and the way she portrayed various emotions was crazy. The way she could make you want to cry is insanely amazing and her chemistry with DL is really really good. DL's acting is also really good, as expected, and the way he portrays pain and heartbreak is incredible. Aside from those two, I don't really have any complaints with any of the other actors/actresses. They all did a great job :)

Music: warning- the music is so perfectly inserted that you wanna cry like every time there's a sad moment LOL. No complaints with the music---I think all of the selections fit the drama really well.

Animations/CGI/Production: As with every fantasy drama especially, a lot of animating and cgi needs to go into the production since the setting includes places like Heaven, Hell, and various other "realms". The realms were all animated so well, and while there are TOMPB vibes going on (esp. the flower realm and the heaven realm), it stands distinctly on its own beautifully. The colors are amazing and I love the clouds loll xD The cgi just gives it the right magical feeling. Another commenter mentioned this as well, but the dream beast that stayed by RY's side throughout the drama was animated so well. You could see all the details and the colors and everything was just so real.

My Favorite Part: mini spoiler but I absolutely loved the part when JM and XF went to the mortal realm and lived like mortals for their "redemption" trial. Free from their immortal responsibilities and burdens, their characters were just so pure and raw. It made me laugh, smile a ridiculous amount, and bawl. When dramas bring out every type of emotion there is, you know it's a good drama.

Worth watching

[mayonettagloria · 10/10 · 16 November 2018]

Honestly I'm not really into C-drama, but this one really caught my attention, and I was lucky cause it turn out to be amazing, worth watching and I just can't get enough even weeks after watching the final ep, the fever won't go down.

The OTP chemistry on and off screen really drawn me to this story. same age and they're good friends in real life. 😍😊

Great Series for Eternal Love withdrawal...

[Arali69 · 7/10 · 7 February 2019]

For those of you who've watched the Netflix series Eternal Love and need another C-drama to deal with the withdrawal, or just want a good fantasy romance, this is a good pick. It comes out a year after Eternal Love so there are many similarities, but has enough of its own merits to make it worth watching.

I will be honest. It took 20 episodes for me to decide whether to drop it or not. I am glad I didn't. The first 20 episodes were campy and since I like dramas, wasn't sure this would be my cup of tea. But that all got settled as the pace quickened and things started to move along.

Jinmi is the daughter of the great Floral Fairy goddess who passes away from lovesickness and giving birth. Before she passes, she gives her infant daughter an elixir to swallow which keeps her from falling in love. This impediment is the root cause of all Jinmi's troubles as they keep her from forming love attachments. Growing up thinking she is a grape elf and without a care in the world, her life is soon turned upside down when a great phoenix bird accidentally lands in the floral realm during rebirth. He is actually a prince from the Heavenly realm who befriends Jinmi after she saves his life.

This show was surprisingly good and even though it isn't as good as Eternal Love, it has enough twists and turns that I never saw coming. I like a show that surprises me. The performances were rock-solid. I love the beautiful actress who plays Jinmi and the actors who portrays Runyu, her fiance. For a young actor, he does a solid job of making you love and despise him all at once. He was the most interesting character of all. I felt like the show doesn't reveal anything before it's time and when Jinmi finds out the truth about people, you find out right along with her.

Great love story, though the chemistry isn't as good between the main characters as in Eternal Love. But I chalk this up the the actors being slightly younger and less experienced with the love scenes. Another great C-drama top put on your to-watch list.

If you are considering watching this, please give it a try!

[sweetnessday · 10/10 · 2 January 2019]

This is the best xianxia drama I have ever watched. Firstly, the story is drawn out beautifully. To be honest, the beginning did not appeal much to me. I felt it was good, but not to the extent that makes you stay up all night for. But around ep 4/5, there is this uncontrollable urge to complete the entire show in one sitting (I finished it in 3 days). The character development is really good in this show and it feels like you are growing along with the characters. The speed was perfect, every episode is memorable and there are many iconic moments in the drama!

The actors and actresses also did an amazing job. They brought me through a rollercoaster of emotions and even all the supporting characters did such a great job that pulls you in without even knowing. This show was filled with laughter, happiness, sweetness. As the story continues, I become very invested into the show and couldn't resist completing the drama while hoping that it does not end so soon (Despite being a 60+ ep drama).

The songs were also great!! They are really apt for the drama and they accentuate all the scenes that the music was played making it even sweeter/ more touching.

I really do not know how to emphasize further how good this drama is!!! The plot, the acting, and songs, and the whole 'drama world' was done so perfectly. It is the kind of show you will want to rewatch so many times, but think that it is so valuable that you do not want to rewatch so much that the feelings for the drama will fade. Not only so, but it is so rare that the ENTIRE show is soooo rewatchable that even the heart-wrenching scenes are done so well that you want to rewatch them. (Usually when I rewatch shows, I try to skip the emotional scenes and only play the happy and funny scenes)

Once again, this show is REALLY REALLY VERY DAMN GOOD. Please watch it!! You will not regret! I really think it deserves more publicity and love from everyone although I know it is well-received in China.

Fairy tale love

[witsken · 7/10 · 29 January 2019]

Pretty, dramatic, tragic, and so romantic. These Characters are much like Thor and Loki with a love triangle.

is this even love ???

[makinotsukushi · 5/10 · 11 August 2019]

This drama has so much illogical stuff that doesn't make sense My question is... 1. Just becoz xe feng met her first, so he decided that he should be with her and did everything to be with her, even ignoring his own brother's feelings and her status as his sister in law. 2. If xe feng was really wanted to redeem for what his parents did then, he should have helped run yu in getting the happiness he deserved.... 3. Jin mi has never experienced the outside world...and xe feng was the first person she met, so can her feeling be called as love?? if that's love then what run yu said about she falling in love with him if he would have met her earlier isn't wrong. I have seen many drama where the female lead first loved someone else and then falls for another....but here its like first come first serve basis. 4. was it right for xe feng to keep pursuing jin mi when she herself accepted the engagement ??bcoz ultimately as per status she was his sister in law 5. If instead of xe feng, run yu had followed jin mi in the mortal realm, will moon immortal would do the same? Tie him with her then ofc she will fall in love with run yu as he has the power to make couple. Also xe feng tampered with her redemption but still pardoned why ??? bcoz he is the legitimate son, bcoz I m damn sure run yu wouldn't have the same pleasure bcoz of his birth. so i believe xe feng just wanted to have some uninterrupted romance with her.....so much efforts... 6. Even though jin mi was incapable of loving someone, she did have other feelings. If she is capable enough to trap empress in her trap, how come she doesn't know what she is doing. She is the one who decided to kill xe feng but in the end she put all the blame on run yu. 7. Run yu always helped jin mi and xe feng but when he needed them the most what were they doing ??? does they even know how much he has suffered ??? everyone has different nature but when u r there brother or friend its ur right to understand him and help him..... but here they both was busy in romance. 8. why jin mi only knows about her mother's death but not how the emperor raped his mother ??? She neglected her duties and responsibility, I would say she was arrogant, selfish and self centered about her feeling towards xe feng and that's why keeps on saying that's love. Therefore I can't really say whether it's even a love story or not...? Love and responsibility r equally important, otherwise why water immortal would will live after the death of floral immortal ...so many things just doesn't makes sense..... anyways my complaints won't end, very disappointed with this show. Somewhere it's very easy for everyone to say that they understand someone's pain and suffering but in reality they don't understand at all, it's just a notion to satisfy themselves ....it's a very overrated show, i guess it's bcoz the leads r famous unlike leo yunxi ...I m sure if the roles r reversed then there reasons and logics would change along with the character they support. Acting skills: Deng lun : he is a good actor but in this show his character was quite dull bcoz it doesn't have much growth. Leo yunxi: for a new comer, he looked very natural and i m really impressed with his acting.....specially his voice. HE OWN THIS DRAMA . Yang zi : I really didn't like her acting much except for 2/3 scenes and her character was quite annoying in most part of the show.

It's my personal opinion, no one has to agree with it.

Love it

[joanne-78049 · 10/10 · 2 April 2019]

Was one of the best chinese dramas ive seen loved the main couple . a rollercoaster of emotions. A must see.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[susannatjiawi · 10/10 · 27 December 2018]

Although this drama is 63 episodes long but it's worth it! Not boring at all. Gotta say, I can't get enough of it. If you're looking for beautiful historical/wuxia, deep true love, mature love, great ost, great acting skill, interesting storyline type of drama then this one is for you! But get 10 plies of tissue prepared because you'll need it, trust me.

The actors did a really great job expressing their emotions. The ost of this drama are so touching and emotional. Everything about this drama is great except for the fact that it broke my heart too many times ?? I didn't expect so many tragic events would happen. But somehow, those tragic events are what made this drama speacial. It showed what true love is and it carries deep meaning.

I didn't sleep for so many nights just to watch this drama. I've watched hundreds of drama but this never happened before. This drama just kept me hooked up. I just finished it this morning but now I'm missing it a lot.

I waited for months for this drama to air because of my favorite actor, Deng Lun, is the male lead. But it's worth the wait.

Give it a try y'all. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Ashes of Love is a STELLAR Film Series!

[sssowers · 10/10 · 25 October 2019]

I rarely submit reviews, but I could not ignore this outstanding film series.

The story line was as exotic and wonderfully unexpected as the set environments and costuming. The casting was truly perfect! The humor, joy and tragedy kept it's magnetic hold on the audience.

Though I've worked in the TV Broadcast & post-production for many years, being a westerner (Texan), I am fully aware I lost a good deal of understanding and depth in translation as well as through my gross lack of knowledge of the Chinese history, culture, and beliefs.

However it did not hinder me from being enthralled with this saga and being enamored with the richness of story, acting, costuming, set design and SFX.

My hats off to everyone involved in this grand and glorious Chinese fantasy romance epic with great lively humor. And the music was amazing!

It indeed compels one to learn more about the history and culture of China and it's regions.

Thank you again for this awe inspiring work. I sincerely hope you make another series of episodes with the same cast, or at least as many of these most talented actors and actresses as possible.

Best drama I have seen in ages - the acting was outstanding as their facial expression was what made the movie even better for someone like me who can not speak the language

[robynlyndon · 10/10 · 26 February 2019]

I feel this movie should nominated for an academy award - never have I seen anything like this before the actors were amazing I felt spell bound but Den Lung you could not take your eyes off him for the way he acts he lights up the screen and is a natural only a few actors have this ability. I loved all the leads and I thought the queen was outstanding as well but never cried so much in a movie and this is because the acting was amazing. I would love to see more movies like this but with Den Lung in them but his brother was outstanding as well - I could go on Yang Zi was amazing and I feel the two of them together took this movie to a higher level.

I look forward to many more like these movies

Beautiful Production

[figarska · 9/10 · 2 January 2019]

I enjoyed the series much more then expected to. And I am not a fan of soap operas. Seriously, the first thing that really caught my eyes were the costumes and sets. All wooden items were carved, all calligraphy hand made, all clothing beautifully stitched. There is a palpable tactile sense to the created universe. That in turns allowed camera to get us traveling from the panoramic vistas (CG) to close-ups with quite high quality. I applaud the casting decisions as well. Main characters were progressing along the series with some burden of experiences, and it showed. The story had a nice arch, well explored without rushing, but also without being lost. This really beats a trivel of 600 channels of the "couple friends and a couch" or "tired rushed drama" concepts, and competes well with Hollywood TV studio productions, (which should take a notice, btw.) I am getting really frustrated with TV shows cancellations before we have any closure (Timeless, Lucifer) and here we can see an emerging market production, not only well executed (which means: expensively) but also NOT cancelled due to economic reasons. Bear in mind: this is a fantasy series, so some elements might be a bit naive, and some back story a little borrowed from at least 3 cultures, but the effect is still endearing, not cynical. In terms of emotional connection with the viewer: It stuck landing, to the last scene.

AMAZING DRAMA...VERY RECOMMENDED...

[belianavinz · 10/10 · 21 December 2018]

I really love this drama, it enhanced the novel more. It brought out the intricate parts of the novel and elaborate it to better understand the characters and the plots. I initially want to watch this drama because of Deng Lun(Xu Feng) since I've became a fan of him from the Princess Agents but by watching this drama, I also learned to like the other casts especially Luo Yun Xi(Run Yu)'s role. He portrayed his character so well and was really impressed when he impersonated Yan You. Deng Lun and Yang Zi(Jin Mi) also did a great job, I've cried several times with some of their scenes. I also love their chemistry. Yang Zi portrayed being a naive fruit fairy so well and Deng Lun being an arrogant fire immortal. Their personalities may have matured overtime but their acting skills were still superb. You really can't be bored watching this drama, you'll be hooked until the end.

Big respect and great praise for the casts and production under this drama, it's really worth to watch and rewatch!

Highly recommended!!! Ashes of Love as the title as it is.

[arreannefritz · 15 May 2021]

Thank you for letting me stumble and fall deeply in love with Ashes of Love. I don't really watch Chinese drama but this one kept on haunting me on Netflix. It's highly recommended!

I admire Xufeng's love for Jinmi, it never wavers even a bit. I was on the edge of watching that I wanted to take that Yun Elixir out from Jinmi's so they could fulfill each other's affection. That's how this story affects me. They love each other so much and it's so tender that I could feel all of their emotions deeply. The story and the characters made me cry a lot. All the actors, the cinematography, the costumes, it's really beautiful. I love fantasy but I'm always on the story and the acting of the casts.

How the story go? I have everything on my mind and even stays in my heart but I cannot put into words. All I can say is, with those kind of love.. I was lost.

From the very start, Runyu already knows that Xufeng love Jinmi but he ignores those love for his own interest. That arrange marriage only came up when everything is reveal about Jinmi's parents. Jinmi's concern with Xufeng was there and Runyu witness that, even if that pill is still with Jinmi's body. It cracked when the two were in mortal world. Jinmi finally feel and know what love is. Then there's Runyu.

I saw the pain in Runyu's face when Xufeng told him that he didn't take the Hairy Feather as there's no use living without Jinmi, that everything he want in his life is to be with Jinmi, while him, Runyu, took everything from the two thinking he will be able to win Jinmi. Him realizing how he made Xufeng and Jinmi suffer. I hate Runyu with everything he does there. I know where he's coming from but he intended to do this from the very start thinking of winning over Xufeng. Making him wanting more than revenge when his mother died and when he find out Jinmi's already in love with Phoenix. But Xufeng, he may look arrogant and cold but he has the most sincere and pure heart.. he's so soft that even his mother knows (that's why it was her mother who's doing everything he didn't intend to do). I hate it when Runyu said, "If I met her first.", thinking Jinmi will love him instead of Xufeng since she met him first. But from the very start, Jinmi only likes him as a friend. Then Xufeng said that Runyu didn't do it wrong, he just never scheme (this was when Xufeng said he scheme in love, while love is taboo in scheming).

All the pain and suffering are all worth it in the end.

Xufeng gave up everything just to be with Jinmi, it was his love that made Jinmi came back. Jinmi is happily contented living in a mortal world together with Xufeng even if she can never distinguish colours. They're destined to be apart but love also make a way to find each other again to be together.

Those undying love for each other... wish it also live in the real world. I'm happy that Netflix never give up recommending me this series. This is the longest series I've ever watched and the 1st Chinese one and I will never regret spending time for this.

Ps. If you want to make a review, please ensure to watch the whole series in each and every episode. I just read some judging Yang Zi's character here in AOL. From the very start to end, you will see what kind of character development she made. Those, she has a fiance already but still seeing Xufeng, if you watch the whole series you'll understand why. That there's no love development, there was, if you watch the whole series. That she didn't show some affection and changes, it's because of the Yun Elixir, it cracks and are about to break but Runyu repair it. That, Runyu was like that because of all that happened, yes, but even if he haven't met her mother again and and recall the past, he was already scheming about Jinmi and Xufeng. So I suggest to watch every story, if you missed even a single minute from this, you may also missed something from the story.

Jinmi, Xufeng and Runyu's character 'til the end.

All of the OSTs, OMG!!! Superb!

Excellent!!🖤

Overall rating: 100/10.

A Song of Fire & Flower 💐 Ode to the Toxic Mother & the Emptiness Within °6.4° °good & bad° 💯%🔍

[50fiftillidideeBrain · 6/10 · 1 December 2023]

AOL opens to 1 angry 💐goddess in labor. Wronged by the baby-daddy, she decrees that the birth of her dtr, Jinmi/JM, be hidden. Auguring disaster in JM's, first 10k yrs, she forbids her successors to allow JM to leave The Flower Realm/T💐R, & she gives JM an elixir that blocks 💘: Love will only hurt JM. The goddess passes, leaving a rift between T💐R & THR (The Heavenly Realm). 🌻🌷🏵 have disappeared from THR & relations have faded. Raised as an orphan w/ lots of supervision but no family, the loquacious JM is lackluster in her cultivation & unmotivated in her studies. JM wants °escape°. Believing a HR supreme being is the key, JM also wants to help her murdered friend, whose spirit is preserved in a small 🌱, revive. These, JM wishes on a 🌠. Wait. That ☄ is headed right at her! A roasted "crow" is at the sight of the crash (actually, it's Xufeng/XF, a phoenix & a prince). JM renders assistance (of sorts) & finagles a ride w/ him back to THR, where she's an instant hit. Don't judge JM harshly. She's weak b/c her spirit is blocked. Hard work nets her nada. Over time this has corraded her resolve & she's given up. THR is a new setting that injects fresh hope into JM. People of the THR are 🤑 w/ spiritual prowess, & some of that begins to trickle her way. She levels up by doing favors in exchange for power. She's totally cheating. Bully for her!

AOL & the novel it adapts, Heavy Sweetness Ash-like Frost by Dian Xian, seem to provide inspiration for 2 later 📚 made into shows: Ancient Love Poetry(8.6), & Love & Redemption(10). I'm eternally thankful. As they seem to be standing on AOL's shoulders, comparison isn't entirely fair. Director Chu Yui Bun is technically outstanding but moreso, he touches the 💖. He may or may not have been involved w/ AOL. On most sites Cheng Feng is the credited director. Sadly, AOL has pacing issues, it lacks crispness & actually drags. Eps1-9 are mostly set up - interest tickled but not grabbed. It only skims the surface - no deep dives. Not every show has to go deep, but one reason Shakespearean tragedies are popular is b/c they are cathartically satisfying. Real-life is heartbreaking enough. I don't want to watch something that's going to stomp my 💓 & leave it to bleed out. Though there are parts that I 💖, I didn't like AOL much. Overall, it pales next to other fantasy pieces & I'm already too spoiled. It's not congealed well. It languishes, the plot isn't tight, it doesn't sell the romance & the characters aren't engaging enough to emotionally pull in the viewer fully. What occurs is 💓breaking, yet my emotions remained 70%... detached? Suspended?. It began to feel like a pile of compost. AOL became a weight on me that provided no release. It ironically does to the viewer what JM's mother did to her!

The characters are generic vanilla. Many are irritating & I'm not very irritable. They're either too weak, too 🙈 to the faults of loved ones, too forgiving of evil when it suits them, too naive, or too quick to accept false choices. The last 2 may be common in Cdramas, but there's a delicate balance between what one is able to brush aside & what starts obstructing enjoyment. Yang Zi is JM. W/ a dry quality, she carries The Oath Of Love, a better modern-day Cdrama. Going into AOL w/ such +feelings about her carried me through many eps before I realized that I don't like JM much. She isn't cute, smart, or diligent, she's only marginally brave & she's mostly 😑. Don't blame it on the actress.

When JM has to "do time" in the mortal realm, 🔝 of ep20, it's more interesting. 🌏 is typically where all the fun is in a Cfantasy. They'll mention how Earth's food is more savory than HR's bland fare. {For those of you who have faith only in yourselves & not a higher power, please skip this; no offense intended. This is reminiscent of how in the west we think of Heaven as sitting on a cloud w/ a harp. We just can't imagine it. I'll say to people of faith that if you believe God made this 🌍 w/ all the beauty, 💘 & 😅 in it (despite all the evil - that's another topic) you should be able to believe that if God says Heaven is better, it is better.} Anyway, on 🌏, our ML/XF is a 👑 & JM is a healer. Since the 👑 has never taken a woman she believes him to be impotent. He takes special exception to that rumor, & he lets her know what's what. As he's falling for her & tries to win her over, he & his general liken the process to war, which leads to amusing analogies. Eventually they provide fascinating backstory.

Now for some Mosts: Wang Yi Fei plays Sui He, who feels she's most entitled to marry XF. She has the most beautiful 👀. Kathy Chow is empress b!+ch, Tu Yao. In Heavenly Sword &DSS, she is a most domineering sect leader & she kicks butt! Chen Yu Qi is the most likable as Bian Princess, Liu Ying. In HS&DSS she's fantastic. Runyu/RY is most heartbreaking. He never gets a fair shake & becomes most like his father. It's understandable that RY gives up, but he certainly pulls an Anakin Skywalker: Once steeped in bitterness, he goes real bad real quick. They painstakingly build his resentment. The dam cracks here & there, then breaks. His descent into a bitter quest for revenge hurts. (I need something in exchange. AOL creates an unpaid debt to the viewer). Does he stay that way? Not telling... He Zhong Hua is Tai Wei, THR Emperor. He's completely different in L&R. Talk about most in-demand, since 2011 he's appeared in 3-6 shows/yr + some films. How is that possible? Cloning program?

Deng Lun is XF/Phoenix. The way XF hangs on seems deranged. He pursues JM as if he's entitled to her w/o regard for his brother. While he's not wrong (JM doesn't 💘 RY) his sense of entitlement & lack of empathy for RY is icky. The way XF defends his mother is off the righthand path. We should be true to family, friends, & most of all our parents, but we should be most true to what is right, or it's selfish indulgence. The emperor lived to self-indulge & later his sons do. XF acts like he owns JM & he expects his toxic, downright evil parents to be respected regardless of the heinous things they've done, while RY wants to kill everyone that crosses him, as is the case w/ most that obtain power. Being wronged doesn't make a person right. Wallowing in victimhood leads to the bad 7: discontent, ingratitude, anger, unforgiveness, hate, bitterness, & misery. They will turn the victim into the victimizer. Emotions are much stronger than logic, but if we don't check them w/ a humble perspective they will create chaos & misery. Pretending a person's dirty is clean is just existing in lies leading to XF 's regret. He & his father drove his mother to act out. She is still fully responsible for her own stuff, but he contributed. Is there such a thing as loss w/o regret? Doubtful. It's very tricky: Taking on ALL the fault would be overstating his own importance & a form of self-absorption.

Narcissistic mothers & toxic women drive the plot of AOL. The ambitions of the HR empress for XF have everything to do w/ what she wants & nothing to do w/ her son. All she can see are things related to her, for her, & against her. Her niece, Suihe follows suit. RY's mother is sadisticly vengeful. Zifen, JM's mother, utilized extreme measures to exert control as she passed. Even T💐R has a harshness to it. One way people pass down trauma to their children is thru hyper-vigilance. Not only does that hand a knife to the kids (if they want to hurt their parents, they know exactly what to do) but it keeps a family enslaved to the ongoing pain. Women & men are equal - they are equally guilty of toxic self-absorption. In AOL, the emperor is ultimately to blame. He married for power & pursued what he wanted every step of the way. He speaks of 💘, but he only loves himself. He created the incubator for the disease that spreads. Narcissistic behavior is handed down generationally & only results in bitter misery. Self-involvement is like a whirlpool: It's hard to escape once we get spinning inward. It creates appetites that can never be satisfied, leading to the bad 7. We don't need to 💘 ourselves: We need to accept ourselves (imperfection is reality) & always strive to improve. Eg - Suihe wastes her life wanting what clearly won't be hers. At the same time, instead of focusing on self-improvement which will lead to the right mate & true happiness, she works towards what she wants. People don't want the right things. I never wanted the right things. All I want now is to help others avoid some of the regrets that I have. A simple life of love & contentment w/ enough - but not too much - is the best we can hope for. Don't let wanting the wrong things rob you of 💘, 🕊 & 😃.

Aol is a visual banquet. Some of the sets are excessively busy; T💐R is almost too colorful, but there's no denying that they labored on the art of the show. What is fascinating is the 1930's streamline design in THR. Idk if AOL designers relied on Chinese motifs or if they incorporated western elements, but there are objects of stunning & familiar detail in the show, including the traditional Greek scrolling design lining THR structures. The mosaic lights in the Bird Realm are my favs. In one masterfully innovative shot, faces are reflected off of a drop of 🍷. They mention that something is made from ancient mithril - That's from JRR Tolkien's works! That connection gave me a thrill. The big battle scene is impressive. The 🎵, particularly Sa Ding Ding's song, is beautiful.

The viewer will 😄 here & there. He's a phoenix & the most popular boy in THR, but she calls him a magpie - that's once she generously stops calling him a crow. Unfortunately, there aren't many laughs. What goes on in AOL is very bitter. It gets dysfunctional, & we aren't provided any elixir to help us manage it.

QUOTES📢 You judge me from a villain's perspective

You know yourself least

〰🖍 IMHO

📣68 📝68 🎭75 💓67 🦋71 🌞49 🎨65 ⚡60 🎵/🔊68 😅35 😭55 😱40 😯40 😖35 🤔44 💤48 🔚73

12+mild sex&lang🤳

A must watch

[dinoandcarlavergeldedios · 10/10 · 15 February 2019]

Firstly, the story is drawn out beautifully. It also has a good moral story of which I know a lot of people can relate. To be honest, the beginning did not appeal much to me. I felt it was good, but not to the extent that makes you stay up all night for. But around ep 4/5, there is this uncontrollable urge to complete the entire show in one sitting (I finished it in 3 days). The character development is really good in this show and it feels like you are growing along with the characters. The speed was perfect, every episode is memorable and there are many iconic moments in the drama!

The actors and actresses also did an amazing job. They brought me through a rollercoaster of emotions and even all the supporting characters did such a great job that pulls you in without even knowing. This show was filled with laughter, happiness, sweetness. Xu fung, Jinmi and Runyu their dynamics and performance on making this series successful is epic. As the story continues, I become very invested into the show and couldn't resist completing the drama while hoping that it does not end so soon (Despite being a 60+ ep drama).

Credit to the writer on this movie series, this movie deserved a standing ovation!! Well done!!

Exhausting

[Makulit · 6/10 · 14 August 2023]

Great actors, amazing cinematography but there's just too many twists and turns, too many will they, won't they moments that it's just exhausting.

There were really funny and sweet moments that I found enjoyable. There are a lot of likeable characters. I just couldn't relate to them.

This is the second C Drama I've watched and in all 63 episodes none of them moved me enough to tears or feel for the characters.

Unlike the drama Love Between Fair and Devil where one can really root for the couple and want them to see them fall in love and be together. This drama, the heroine spends too much time crying and being miserable, that I totally agree with her mom giving the Yun Elixir so that she didn't have to go through all of this tragedy. This drama just didn't make me feel that love was worth it. It just made loving someone and being happy seem unattainable.

On the last episode, I was just relieved by the ending, not happy or cheerful about it. By that time, I was so done rooting for them that I was just relieved that they got their ending, finally.

I mean towards the half of the last episode you kind of predict how it will end anyway.

A 10... seriously? What character were you in this series?

[cin_janssens · 4/10 · 24 January 2021]

Yea a 10 is unfeasible. It was at the best of times a 7 and at the worst a 1. Terrible acting especially by the evil queen who couldn't even fake cry when her son supposedly died. Flimsy storyline. The character stories are so wishy washy you don't even know who is "good" or "bad". Couldn't end fast enough. Way too long for too little story.

And the Academy award goes to "ASHES OF LOVE"!

[mpmunoz-62990 · 10/10 · 2 October 2021]

This is my #1 Best kdrama of all time! It is hands down the best in every Academy awards category!