Parallel World Reviews

I don't quite understand why the female lead wears hot shorts when entering the desert. Her entire appearance feels like a celebrity wearing clothes to a fake studio set for a video shoot.
The flawless skin of the actor in every frame is telling the audience that it's the actor herself, not the character Ye Liu Xi. As for the male lead, as someone who has suffered such heavy blows, walking the same path again and being recognized should have been a fascinating aspect if handled well.
Unfortunately, all we see is endurance, without any other layers. It's a pity. Even if we set aside the original work and treat it as a completely new story, it falls flat.
Initially, in terms of appearance and temperament, these two actors seemed to be a good match, but the opportunity was wasted. The book has been published for so long, it would be necessary to take some time to read the book reviews and understand why fans of the book like this story.
Unfortunately, based on what has been presented so far, they seem too self-important.

Ni Ni really fits the female lead so well, the casting for her is perfect! She and Bai Yu in the drama are partners and lovers who redeem each other's love! The line "We are clearly people from two different worlds, why are we involved with each other?
" carries such a strong sense of mystery! One is a powerful desert rose, while the other is an intelligent and cunning desert fang. The female lead is the protector of the male lead, and the male lead is the compass for the female lead.
Nobody expected that in the destined hardships, the healing and redemption they provide for each other would be a ray of light!

The adaptation was very successful. It made me want to read the novel. Although there are still some bugs, they don't affect the overall experience.

Ni Ni's appearance is indeed suitable for Ye Liu Xi. I really like Ye Liu Xi's personality, or should I say her personality after losing her memory.
She carries a part of her past wildness, freedom, and bravery, as well as the kindness, tenderness, and friendship given to her by the people around her after losing her memory.

I appreciate how she handles her emotions, being straightforward and clear in her communication, regardless of the outcome we might expect.
In real life, we don't possess the same strength as her, so we lack the confidence to be carefree.

It's a desert aesthetic masterpiece, with impeccable cinematography, composition, character attire, and a cohesive and striking color palette. The visual appeal is top-notch.
The female lead, Ye Liu Xi, is fierce, audacious, and unapologetically poor. It doesn't matter if she's down and out; what matters is that she loves herself. She engages in a battle of wits and courage with the male lead, Xs.
Ni Ni is breathtakingly beautiful, and her acting skills are impressive. Bai Yu's rough and rugged character fits perfectly. The dual storyline keeps the plot intriguing, and there's a desire to continue unraveling the secrets of the desert.

Ni Ni's acting feels too formulaic and forced. Her face is filled with a self-assured and beautiful demeanor, slightly oily, as if she's ready to pose for a high-fashion magazine shoot at any moment.
There are noticeable traces of performance, and the director played it too safe this time. The pacing is off, the audiovisual language is impoverished, and the eerie and mysterious atmosphere is lacking.
The suspenseful plotline is dull, and attention to detail seems lacking. The makeup feels superficial, the special effects are bizarre, the set design feels artificial, and the music is chaotic.
The pacing is slow, with many wasted scenes, low narrative efficiency, and stiff romantic storyline. The banter and slick exchanges between the male and female leads are not enjoyable.
The writing feels more like a plot-driven drama rather than a slice-of-life drama or a character-driven drama. There are too many dialogues and scenes that serve no purpose in advancing the story...

It's really difficult to evaluate Ni Ni's acting skills, and of course, the director bears half of the responsibility... Like at the beginning when Ye Liu Xi was selling melons at the intersection, who could have imagined that the female lead actually relied on various odd jobs to make a living, rather than being a "mysterious and unpredictable young lady pretending to set up a stall here while actually carrying out a certain mission"?
Wearing sunglasses and casually barbecuing convincingly portrays the female lead as someone who is here to earn money, rather than showcasing her as a "versatile and interesting woman.

I haven't experienced the joyous tears of watching a proper adventure drama in such a long time! TailFish has finally done a good job with this adaptation. The chosen ones, Ye Liu Xi and Ni Ni, perfectly embody the characters who are both poor and arrogant.
They are sassy, spoiled, yet not greasy at all! Chang Dong's character, portrayed by Bai Yu, matches his pitiful and tortured persona so well, and his acting is excellent! The best part, of course, is the plot. I was worried about too many cuts and deletions before the premiere, but as soon as the scene of Xi-jie being suspended appeared, I felt that it was so faithful to the original!
My favorite moments are when Xi-jie and Chang Dong play mind games with each other on the bridge, it's so hilarious! After catching up with the latest updates, I can say with certainty that it's an exemplary work that dances with shackles.
It's definitely worth following!

When I saw the female lead chopping meat with her hair down, I knew this drama didn't understand the sentiments of the people. In the food and beverage industry, you can't have your hair loose like that.
And later on, she even had her hair down while working as a room cleaner. Anyone who has worked in the service industry knows that's not how you do the job. In a big desert, she doesn't protect herself from the sun and shows off her bare legs.
The character is supposed to be a fighter but doesn't have any muscle definition. It's these kinds of details that are not well-executed.

I was greatly disappointed; it completely failed to capture the eerie and captivating feeling of the original work. If you haven't read the original, the drama lacks appeal.
Ni Ni's acting feels formulaic as well.

The director clearly wanted to emulate Si Teng's style and aggressively filmed Ni Ni, giving it a sense of outdoor beauty and a feeling of a glamorous photoshoot.
However, it's strange because Si Teng managed to capture various forms of beauty with Jing Tian without being out of place or overdone, whereas in this drama, it feels particularly out of sync.
They seemed too eager to showcase it, and it went too far. Additionally, the chemistry between the male and female leads is also weak.

The director's male gaze is overflowing. Ni Ni's beauty really doesn't need so many staged poses and slow-motion shots! Do these male directors even understand? They're still using outdated methods to portray women.
Furthermore, the costume and makeup department is a mess, constantly disrupting the timeline. Styling just for the sake of styling, with things like denim shorts, baseball caps, sunglasses, electronic locks...
Can't they be more sensible? This is a TV drama, not a music video! What's with all the excessive slow-motion shots? Are they going for a grand cinematic style?

I haven't read the original work, but let me briefly talk about the first six episodes. The opening creates a strong sense of suspense, with Ye Liu Xi desperately searching for her lost memories and Chang Dong trying to correct past mistakes.
They meet by chance and become partners in a desert adventure...

I quite like Ni Ni's portrayal of Ye Liu Xi, a bold and unapologetic female lead who has a demeanor that you can't quite get used to but can't help but be drawn to.
However, I find it somewhat inexplicable that the plot relies heavily on the cliché of Chang Dong carrying Ye Liu Xi, who becomes unable to walk after a minor injury. After six episodes, the main storyline has yet to fully develop, which feels a bit dragged out.
I'll wait and see for now. I'd give it a 7 out of 10.

Meng Zi Yi and Long Zhi, despite being the "antagonist" boss, perhaps disliked by many fans of the original work, but I don't hate Long Zhi. On the contrary, I appreciate her! As the eldest daughter of the Long family, Long Zhi not only has to inherit the family's unique skills but also has to grow into a cunning and scheming person with ruthless methods! Long Zhi is the heiress of a thousand-year-old family, the successor. She has carried the burden of the family's mission since childhood! There are rules and systems within the thousand-year-old family that should be judged from a modern perspective. If you hate Long Zhi for that, it's really unfair to her. I admire Long Zhi as a career-oriented strong woman! I can't control if you hate Long Zhi, but I won't be pleased with anyone who dislikes her! Look at this pitiful image of Long Zhi, who could bear to dislike her! Haha.

This show is absolutely hilarious!

1. From the opening to the ending, plus the advertisements in between, it feels like the poorest production ever. They should've known their limits and not taken on something they couldn't handle. They should go home and start farming instead.

2. The entire filming process feels like Ni Ni's personal travel vlog. If they wanted to capture Ni Ni's wild and untamed spirit, they've definitely chosen the right actress. It's not that Ni Ni is bad, but she just doesn't suit this type of drama.

3. The whole show is filled with personal romantic storylines. Oh my goodness!

Chang Dong had his destiny, destined to fall in love, destined to focus, but fate played a cruel trick and they missed each other. Oh girl, in this fleeting season, it's rare for two souls to come together, but they couldn't stay together forever. They parted, against their wishes, separated by life and death.

Chang Dong is in pain. Deep down, he had already accepted his girlfriend's demise, but her body was never found, becoming an obsession in his heart.

In the end, they saw her in Guanli, but she was already dead, turned into a sand creature. Not only devoid of emotions, but also full of hostility.

For someone who cannot be saved, who has no chance of survival, what is there to hold on to? You let go of her, she left you, and that is the best outcome.

Some say that when dealing with the deceased, one should not linger too much. Don't shed too many tears, don't dwell too much. All your tears and lingering thoughts become stumbling stones in their reincarnation.

Sister Xi is good, she is Dong Ge's future and fulfillment, the best candidate for his successor.

The past belongs to the past, and the future is yet to come. It's childish to keep dwelling on the past, not something a rational adult should do.

None of us will blame Chang Dong for not holding onto the past. The reminiscing and mourning during these days have been enough. It was even more extraordinary for him to risk his life and return to the vast desert to retrieve the body.

We understand devotion and we know how to forgive. Kong Yang has been laid to rest, please also find solace.

Do you believe in parallel worlds? Or alternate dimensions, or something like the Peach Blossom Spring?

I believe in them. The universe is so vast, not to mention just the planet we live on. We don't have a deep understanding of it, we only know surface-level things, and there are still many unknowns in various fields.

Just because we don't know doesn't mean they don't exist. Many times, I feel like I've done things before, even remembering specific details so clearly.

So have we really done those things, or maybe it was another version of ourselves in a different space.

Our bodies have memories, and even if we have two different bodies, there must be some kind of special connection on a spiritual level.

I also look forward to the existence of such alternate dimensions. Does that mean we would have another chance to make choices? If I didn't live well here, would the other version of me live a more successful and fulfilling life?

In the TV drama, Sister Xi, following Chang Dong's reasoning, speeds through the sand dunes, and she passes through to another world. This place is said to be cursed, where some talented individuals who once offended the general are sealed. It is both a coveting and a precaution, a form of control and exile.

Life inside the Guan region is tough, like the 70s/80s on our Earth. But even so, the dominant power there has never thought of leaving, enticed by the allure of power.

No matter how the overall environment is, as long as you have power and status, it's the same anywhere.

In the martial world, loyalty is highly regarded. Although Gao Shen and Ding Liu haven't been with us for long, fortunately, they are straightforward individuals. After joining, they quickly integrated themselves and didn't carry deep suspicions. When faced with the pursuit of the sand creatures, they selflessly handed over the guns they had just taken out of their bags. These guns must have been secretly prepared by Seventh Master, fearing that these two would be at a disadvantage. So he made extra arrangements to give them peace of mind.

If anyone had a little bit of selfishness, facing the imminent danger of the sand creatures, it would be understandable to keep some powerful weapons for themselves, increasing their chances of survival. However, they didn't do that. I believe it's precisely because of this sense of honor and shared glory that Sister Xi accepted them more and eventually formed a close and selfless unity.

Thinking about it, it's true that only through unity can we closely and selflessly fight side by side.

When Gao Shen and Sister Xi entrusted their backs to each other, it foreshadowed an exciting plot to come. There will definitely be a lot of tear-inducing moments. It's not that I'm being pessimistic, but it's a common tactic in TV dramas to include death scenes to evoke strong emotions from the audience.

Ah, these frustrating emotions. They have to confront the entire power of the Guan region, and how could they succeed without reliable partners?

Being an old married couple for a long time, do you know what's the most difficult thing? It's not the kind where you want to travel and he wants to work.

When the pipes in the house break, he doesn't know how to fix them. You can travel alone and have a great time, but when the pipes break, there are plumbers to call.

The most difficult thing is when you're destined to be together day in and day out, and he acts like he can't hear or ignores what you say. It really makes you frustrated.

You say ten sentences, and he responds with just one "ah" from his side, completely substituting your words. Even if you kindly repeat it again, what you get in return is not a proper response but disjointed phrases or single words.

Why go through all this trouble? What kind of bond is this? People hope to be valued and paid attention to. When you speak, he listens and gives a response. That's a sincere attitude, not brushing it off or staying silent. It means he has truly taken your words to heart.

Miss Xi said she wanted a sheath for her knife. She didn't mention when, just that the knife was a bit heavy and inconvenient to carry all the time.

Brother Dong immediately took out a small notebook, grabbed a paintbrush, and started carefully depicting the design of the sheath. Miss Xi didn't expect him to act so swiftly and decisively, but it's a style she likes, where words are followed by actions.

How envious of Miss Xi to have such considerate Brother Dong. I hope all companions have such good fortune, to have someone like Miss Xi and Brother Dong to cherish.

Based on Old Ao's description of the events back then, it can be concluded that Miss Xi's identity is most likely either a member of the Yu Lin Wei or a Scorpion.

Upon learning this information, Miss Xi became restless and couldn't sleep. It was the first time she experienced such a feeling.

In fact, Miss Xi's concerns are understandable. After all, she is not only pursuing her own origins now. Through their time together, she has uncontrollably fallen in love with Chang Dong. She hopes to be with him. Although Miss Xi is easygoing and straightforward, she does care about whether she is compatible with Chang Dong. She admires Chang Dong's kindness and is drawn to his qualities. She tries her best to understand, empathize, and get closer to him. However, if it turns out that she was once a despicable person and her memories come flooding back one day, how will she continue to face Chang Dong?

So, before dawn arrives, Miss Xi pulls Chang Dong into the closet and shares her inner turmoil with him. She genuinely wants to know how Chang Dong perceives her identity.

No, she just wants to indirectly inquire. As for Chang Dong, whether she is a member of the Yu Lin Wei or a Scorpion, how does he feel about it? Will he hold any grudges?

We, as observant viewers, have long deduced from the details in the plot that Miss Xi is indeed a Scorpion. She has a subtle connection with the current leader of the Scorpions, Zhuang Ye.

New love must surpass old love. It's human nature, and it can't be changed.

In Episode 25, I discovered that all the power strugglers in the show are idiots! Without exception!

This includes the main characters! To conquer and maintain power, their combat abilities are so naive. The female lead is a bit smarter.

Halfway through, they should have teamed up with Fei Tang to make a fortune. Then they could have spent money to find a group of reliable mercenaries, whether by training or hiring existing ones. It all depends on individual capabilities.

Then the problem would be solved. What would be the fate of the Native Americans? At that time, there were no assault rifles!

Instead of scheming and plotting, it would be better to directly sweep through, arresting all the suspects and using torture to extract information!

Then cross-check the testimonies!

The answer would become clear. It's too dangerous to go about it this way. A wise person never fights on the enemy's home turf. If necessary, it should be to completely conquer the enemy's territory and then move forward.

The gradual development of feelings between the male and female leads is something I truly enjoy. It's not love at first sight, but rather getting to know each other and accompanying each other along the way.
Slowly, two people are drawn to each other and feel that the other person is truly compatible with them.

Chang Dong may seem like a conventional and careful person who likes to plan things, but he used to be someone who practiced parkour, led teams, loved the desert, and embraced adventurous exploration with pride and strength.
However, he suppressed the aftermath of that accident, smoothing out his edges and taming his rebellious spirit. Deep down, he is still attracted to someone like Xi Jie.
It's destined. Xi Jie is strong and passionate, and they are destined to accompany each other throughout their journey, from getting to know each other to falling in love.
Both of their emotions are in sync, so everything falls into place naturally.

It's just a pity that there are too many restrictions and cuts, which greatly affects the viewing experience.
If the director and the screenwriting team were better, this drama adaptation of the novel could have been even better because the male and female leads are really good.

Does anyone understand the allure of Ni Ni in this drama to me? She has such a captivating story and is so beautiful. I've watched eight episodes, and the pacing of the plot is pretty good. They've also done a decent job of portraying the dark nights in the desert.
However, the two main characters hiding behind the sand dunes in the latest update are perhaps a bit too obvious, haha. Looking forward to the later adventures that truly take place at the Yumen Pass and the encounter of the main characters' group.
I love watching ensemble casts. However, the later episodes are not as captivating as the earlier ones, which is a bit of a pity.

The initial pace was excellent! Ni Ni and Bai Yu are truly the perfect match as Ye Liu Xi and Chang Dong. Their interactions and chemistry are so natural, it's truly remarkable.
Especially the scene where they pull the tree branch and the scene where Chang Dong wakes up, I can honestly say I've watched them at least 10 times! However, when the main storyline started to unfold, the later part of the story and the editing were slightly disappointing.
The plot development was relatively brief, and Ye Liu Xi's protagonist aura was too strong. Everything seemed to fall into place without any surprises. The antagonists felt a bit like plot devices, solely existing to highlight the main female lead's character.
It lacked a bit of sweet moments and revenge elements, giving a sense of pushing forward for the sake of pushing forward.

Of course, the ending was a happy reunion, and Gao Shen's character was somewhat bittersweet, but there was also a hint of an open-ended conclusion with Ding Liu.
Personally, I prefer the earlier part of the drama where they gradually unraveled the truth and got closer to each other. I also enjoy watching the sweet moments between the male and female leads, haha.
It's okay to have conflicts, but it must be sweet. But if it's not sweet, then the conflicts can be increased...

The pacing was a bit weak in the early episodes, but the plot was smooth and engaging. The combination of the bold and arrogant Ye Liu Xi, the responsible and righteous Chang Dong, the greedy yet still kind-hearted Fei Tang, and the mischievous Gao Shen Xiao Liu made the story more enjoyable when they formed a group of five and started their journey to the border.
The puppet show created by Xiao Yao before entering the border was interesting, and the description of the puppeteer driving the truck was subtly eerie. My favorite plotlines were the intense group battle with the sand people, the dangerous escape of Qi Niangcao, the epic mine battle, and Ye Liu Xi's counterattack on Blackstone City after recovering his memory.
In addition, the introduction of Zhenshanhe and Zhensihai added more amusement. The visual effects for the light-guided path were quite beautiful. Overall, the first half and the final few episodes were more enjoyable, while the middle part felt a bit dragged out with excessive focus on romantic relationships and too many flashbacks.
I actually liked the character Jiang Zhan; his transformation was well done. Although Long Zhi was supposed to be ruthless from a young age, the actor's presence felt somewhat lacking.

The authenticity is quite high, although the early episodes progressed a bit slowly. But as I watched it gradually, the overall result was decent. The performances of the main cast are all very good, and the sweetness between the male and female leads feels natural.
However, where there are comparisons, there are bound to be some drawbacks. During the scenes where the two Lingzhi (referring to supporting actors) have their confrontations, umm, Meng Jie (referring to the actress) did get overshadowed a bit.
It felt like she had one expression throughout the whole scene, without much variation. Surprisingly, the best part in terms of overall feeling was the segment with the twins and Long Zhi, where he appeared quite agile at least.

4.5 stars. Fans of the original work are satisfied. It showcased the domineering and coolness of Ye Liu Xi, with an amazing figure! It also portrayed Chang Dong's deep affection and sense of security.
Both the male and female leads are very intelligent. Li Jin Ao's portrayal was also fitting, and the faithfulness to the original plot was high. Although there were some changes made for censorship purposes, it didn't deviate too much from the original.
The scene of driving into the desert with Liu Yuning's song added a great touch. Fei Tang as Xiao Liu was also good, but Gao Shen's character was a bit too much of a "bootlicker." Long Zhi's performance lacked depth and felt stiff.

I want to see the plot progress, not close-ups of the main characters' faces and bodies. Can't the director capture the beautiful scenery better? The first few episodes were all close-ups. The costumes are also questionable, with ripped shirts, exposed midriffs, and super short shorts.
While it may be for artistic purposes, it feels a bit uncomfortable, with a sense of forced intention. The storyline is fragmented, and episodes 15, 16, and 17 were filled with a bunch of love stories, which became tiring to watch.

Fortunately, the later plot is still exciting, so I can continue watching.

As a desert exploration-themed series, although there are quite a few plot flaws, the overall execution is passable. Of course, the actors deserve credit. If Ye Liu Xi's character had been played by a different actor, they would probably have been heavily criticized.
Ni Ni, on the other hand, delivers a natural, seamless performance. She truly suits this kind of cool, beautiful, brave, and decisive role. Bai Yu is also good; only he can portray a seemingly delicate character with his own shining qualities.
His portrayal of emotions in certain subtle details is also delicate.

The only character I didn't like is Long Zhi. The character feels hollow, and the actor's expressions are monotonous and stiff. In reality, a character burdened with the fate of a family and unable to control their own love life should have a lot of inner conflicts and complexities, but it all comes across as blank.
Additionally, the special effects appear somewhat rudimentary and rough, definitely not up to the standards of a 2023 production.

Although I'm not sure why this drama has a low rating, I subjectively give it a 7-8 out of 10. This is the first time I've watched Ni Ni in a TV series, and I quite like her character Ye Liu Xi.
She can be salty and sweet, sometimes acting coquettish towards Chang Dong, but when it's necessary for her to take a stand, she shows great courage. Indeed, both men and women are drawn to this kind of girl, as it taps into the innate desire for strength.

As for those who say it's unrealistic for someone to wear hot pants in the desert, I don't think it affects the overall logic of the story. However, I feel that the ending is a bit confusing.
I haven't read the original work, so I don't know how it concludes in the source material, but the drama's ending feels rushed...

Ye Liu Xi is incredibly handsome, and Chang Dong's performance is superb! The two comedic characters in the drama contribute a lot of funny moments, and they had me laughing so hard.

It's truly the first time I've discovered Ni Ni's talent.
The most memorable scene for me is when she leans out of the car window, exposing half of her body... But the female antagonist is the only flaw in this drama. Her acting skills and appearance are completely disconnected from the rest of the cast, and it's extremely painful to watch!
I hope her fans won't overhype her, and it's better to deceive themselves with barrage comments if they must.

Rating it 3.5 out of 5. In the first half, I ended up pulling out the novel to read because it captured my interest. I particularly enjoyed the scene where they were catching tree branches in the deserted village.
However, the pacing in the second half was strange. It breezed through the parts that should have received more attention, resulting in a rushed ending. I was most satisfied with the casting choices.
Ni Ni and Bai Yu were great, portraying my imagined Ye Liu Xi and Chang Dong perfectly. Xiao Liu was adorable, and of course, I liked Gao Shen because it's Xiaolin, haha. Meng Jie's performance fell a bit short of my expectations.