This review may contain spoilers
I had low expectations of this drama when I first heard of it because it was a spin-off to Ten Miles of Peach Blossom (aka Eternal Love). Usually, sequels and spin-offs would not be as good as the first one and considering Eternal Love was a major success, I did not expect a lot.I have read a lot of reviews saying it did not suit their taste or that it was boring and to skip to the middle of the series which I can say they can because the real story of Eternal Love of Dream (ELoD) starts at around the 20 ep mark. Some also said it was predictable because it follows the 3 lives 3 worlds format, which to be fair was true. It was predictable but it did not mean I did not enjoy it.
Story-wise, it did follow the original novel closely. There were little changes which is something the fans of the novel will enjoy. I have nothing bad to say because I love the plot (Yes, I am biased).
The production itself had a bit of a problem for me. CGI's were amazing. Costumes were not as luxurious looking compared to Eternal Love but I prefer it because of the color scheme. It was mostly pastel colors which were soothing to the eyes. (And don't forget how Vengo looks extremely good in his Donghua clothings). The problem mainly lies on the direction of the series. I am not really sure if I should've mentioned this in the "story" section of my review. Spoiler alert, it's all about Jiheng (If you want to know why this is a problem, watch ELoD now!). Another minor problem, the make-up for some scenes was a bit... yeah. But it wasn't that bad to the point where I would stop watching it.
Now onto the cast and acting. I have nothing else to say but an extreme gratitude to the fans who petitioned to have Dilraba and Vengo reprise their roles as Fengjiu and Donghua respectively. Dilraba is already considered an A-class actress while Vengo did get some criticisms from his previous works. Vengo has improved a lot and I can't imagine any other actor playing Donghua other than him. The problem with the two of them is their chemistry. Why is it a problem? A wide grin will appear on your face and thinking if they were really acting or not (that's how good they were). They have worked a lot in the past and this has likely contributed to their overflowing chemistry on screen. As for the rest of the cast, they were amazing. I have nothing more to say.
I know I kept comparing ELoD and Eternal Love but its something that cannot be helped because it is in the same universe. As I have rewatched both series, I can confidently say I prefer ELoD. But everybody has their own preference and tastes so it might not be a favorite to all.
One more thing, if you have watched Eternal Love and was hoping ELoD was the continuation to Donghua and Fenjiu's story, then stop for a minute. ELoD follows the real story of Donghua and Fengjiu. Eternal Love did not have the rights to the novel back then so it's (technically) not canon.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great from episode 21 onwards
It was hard to rate this, as the first about 20-21 episodes were mediocre and often boring, but starting from around the episode 21 all the way until the drama was good: it held my interest, made me laugh and made me cry. For people who start this and find themselves wanting to give up, I recommend you read the recap for the first episodes and start then watching from the 21st episode, since that's where the most important storyline starts. This is actually were the novel starts, episodes 1-20 are told in flashbacks. I felt the same way with Eternal Love (TMOPB): the best part in the drama starts from the same point as the whole novel.I have read most of the novel and I can say that this adaptation is very true to the original. Even though some things are changed, most of even the smallest details follow the way they were in the novel.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A breathtaking story
So far, the most beautiful love story. After watching Eternal love (prequel), I felt there was no justice to Dong Hua and Fengjiu. This show came as a blessing. Such a moving love story. It took a while to get the chemistry going but it was totally worth it. Made me laugh, cry and love. The actors were brilliant, the story is outstanding. A huge praise to the writers, actors, producers and whole crew working on the project. Every aspect of the show deserves a praise. Definitely will rewatch it after some time. I only wish there is another season to continue this story.Was this review helpful to you?
It lives up to its hype!
This continues the story of Dong Hua & Feng Jiu from Eternal Love. When Eternal Love was being produced they didn’t have the rights to this story yet. So in Eternal Love they just made up a fictitious storyline for them. But in The Pillow Book they follow the book pretty closely. So just be aware that their story here is different and doesn’t pick up where it left off in Eternal Love. But don’t let that put you off. It’s an excellent drama well worth watching.Things that I liked:
Dilraba Dilmurat’s portrayal of a fox is spot on perfect. She’s so adorable! And I usually hate watching girls act cute but she just does such a good job of it. And the chemistry between her and Vengo Gao is off the charts just like in Eternal Love. It’s takes a while for them to get together but when they do there are lots of sweet moments for you romance lovers. There’s lots of real kisses, cuddles, flirting, and skinship. But what’s so great about this drama is that it’s way more than just romance. It has an amazing storyline. There’s political intrigue, great fight scenes, birth secrets, and warring gods. It’s a perfect combination of a deep period drama and a romance drama. It’s well paced with great music. I liked that the sad or angsty parts of the story didn’t get stretched out too long. They were there and they certainly got me more invested in the drama but they weren’t overdone to where I was stressed out and upset.
Things I didn’t like:
The storyline was quite similar to Eternal Love. It starts out with a Dong Hua having an adopted sister that’s obsessed with him just like Ye Hua had in Eternal Love. Then in the mortal realm Dong Hua has a love trial with Feng Jiu (and she has to break his heart) just like in Eternal Love. And yes, it was even harder the second time watching them suffer. Then of course there’s the evil being that’s locked up and trying to break free and destroy the world just like in Eternal Love. It’s eerily similar to Eternal Love and it made me wish it was a little different and more original. But I guess it’s really not their fault because they were just following the story written in the book.
That being said, it’s still an excellent drama that’s in my top 20 dramas and I’ve literally watched hundreds of them. Any drama that can take a similar storyline and make me love it this much has got to be great! It was well acted and the characters had so much depth and growth. It was well worth my time watching the full 56 episodes without skipping a single second. (Which is rare for me.) I liked that all of the questions were answered and there were no loose ends or open endings. And it didn’t kill off a bunch of beloved characters or make me sad or cry at the end like a lot of Chinese period dramas tend to do lately. It’s just a really good overall drama that never has a dull moment and gives you tons of characters that you enjoy and get invested in. I would highly recommend watching this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The drama was really good in terms of acting and romances type, however, the story was a bit to understand at first until you watch further to understand why things were done that way. Love the romances between the character, the ending was amazing but wish they would've shown more of the family ending because it seems like it was so hard for the two main characters to get together. But the happy family only had like 10-15mins of the family time showing in the drama. I could understand the whole story without watching the other drama and it's a totally different story. Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Feng Jiu and Di Jun Redemption
Eternal Love was great for Bai Qian and Ye Hua but HORRIBLE to Feng Jiu and Di Jun. Honestly only them in the mortal realm was cute (until the bath scene).Anyways, I’m so happy I found Eternal Love of Dream bcuz I was always heart broken about their tragic love story (or lack thereof), and THIS gives all the feels. It wouldn’t have been the same without Dilraba Dilmurat and Gao Wei Guang! Dilraba is Feng Jiu personified and Di Jun is actually allowed to portray emotion and love towards Feng Jiu (and so hot with the white hair lmao). I think the most tragic arc was Aranya’s Dream, but the CGI and set was so beautiful that even when I was crying I’d be shocked and appreciating the set lol.
Rewatch value is high because the different arcs are so fascinating that new details pop out with each rewatch. Some shows it feels that the number of episodes could be reduced without really impacting storyline but with Eternal Love of Dream I found myself wishing for more!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It is one of the best dramas I’ve seen ... the story was how the women got from a young women to a adult, how she grow with the love and life lesion she made ... the Male actor was also amazing of how he opened his Heard- and got a great husband ... all other actors wow it was all so well and exiting to watch every single episode ... the chemistry from the main actors was amazing and they grow with every episode ... the music was also great and I rewatched it already 3 time this time is now translated in Germain and so I can understand everything very clear ... this will be shure a must see for Fantasie fans but also you can learn about life lessons and that everything belong to a relationship not only honeymoon... it’s Hard work every day ... Was this review helpful to you?
Breath of Fresh Air
Contemplating for days whether I should write a review for a drama I have re-watched numerous times since it aired. To be honest, I do not know how to review this, not because of it flaws, but I have nothing to complain about. Literally NOTHING!ETERNAL LIFE OF DREAM (The Pillowbook) is damn good!
I really enjoyed this drama, so much, even more than the parents story (aka eternal love). The first drama for years that make me rewatch God knows how many time within months and I still can't move on.
Story wise, the drama followed the novel to the core. And it is a great adaptation. It was a breath of fresh air in this situation as everyone is stressing over virus and this drama manages to captures heart of millions because of how light-hearted it is. The romance between leads are very cute and sweet, you feel like snuggle between them!
But obviously , the main reason is THE CAST!
They were all that great you won't believe they are actors. They drew you into their stories as if you were really there and feels what they felt.
Salute to Vengo who did great in potraying 3 diff characters that feel like 3 diff persons. Vengo really exceeded my expectation and he has become one of my fav actor as of this moment!
Dilraba is also so beautiful and cute that I can't stop admiring her cuteness.
For this two main reason alone, rewatching value for me is high and let me tell you, for someone who rarely rewatch any movies and dramas, I have rewatched this drama 3-4times during quarantine (and the quarantine has not ended yet so I think I will get back and rewatch it again now, duh).
Just go watch, and rate later. I think you will also enjoy the ride well, the very least adding more giggles in your life at this time is a bonus!
Was this review helpful to you?
AMAZING SHOW DEFINITELY RECCOMEND
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS I HAVE EVER WATCHED IN MY LIFE ISTG IT WILL LEAVE YOU EMPTY AND WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE (BUT IN A GOOD WAY) I DEFINITELY RECCOMEND THIS SHOW. THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY AND IF UR STILL NOT CONVINCED ITS UR LOSS. :) idk this is life changing im probably overreacting but it is so worth ur time. the leads have so much chemistry going on its like a jar leaking of water and the water is their chemistry together. amazing it was so wow oh god. now the best thing you can do is top contemplating whether you should watch it or not just DO IT you only live once.Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Recommended
This is an ideal type of drama which is included with everything. Unbelievably fantasized.
Story :
"The drama depicts the love story of Bai Feng Jiu and Dong Hua Di Jun,
that spans 2000 years. Feng Jiu, the queen of Qing Qiu, is the only red
nine-tailed fox in Qing Qiu and thus being pampered by everyone. She
loves to cry and to throw tantrums but is also persistent and brave. One
day, when Feng Jiu is in the mountains for cultivation, a beast attacks her.
Luckily, the former Emperor of Heaven Dong Hua passes by at this moment
and saves her. To pay the debt of gratitude, Feng Jiu follows Dong Hua
who goes to fight the rebelling Demon Lord. Feng Jiu soon realizes that
gratitude has turned into love, however, Dong Hua already forgot what love
is. In order to keep her safe, Dong Hua sends Feng Jiu to the mortal realm,
but the guardian he sends together with her unexpectedly dies. While trying
to find the immortal fruit that can let her be reborn, Feng Jiu enters the
temple of the ghost princess"
Was this review helpful to you?
