User Reviews

This is the best xianxia drama I've watched after a long time! Xiao Zhan brought Shi Ying's character alive. Quality drama means an engaging plot and storyline, the directors, scriptwriters and actors who aim for perfection and of course the ability of the leads and supporting actors and actress to captivate the audience with their presence on screen. The longest promise is not only centered in romance, but the love of the country and humanity. Xiao Zhan is not merely a traffic star, he has become an actor with strong presence on screen. I am watching this for the second time, it's that good!!

"Yu gu Yao" told the story of the cold, proud and lonely Shi Ying, the Prince of Kongsang, and the enthusiastic and righteous Zhu Yan, the Princess of the Red Clan, who together overcame difficulties, together grew up, and together protected their homeland.

The soul character played by Xiao Zhan, Shi Ying, is delicate, cold without facial paralysis, noble, pure and innocent, restrained, decisive and occasionally fragile, giving the character a more vivid charm.

They thought that magic must serve the people, therefore, as human being they killed successfully the brutal god. Shi Ying fought continuously with fate, reflecting the true spirit of immortality and chivalry. Whether it is the exquisite and elegant costumes and the ultimate Eastern aesthetics presented in the scene display, the stunning special effects produced by the special effects team of Wandering Earth, and the core presentation of the positive impact of family and country righteousness, " Yu Gu Yao" broke through the Xianxia routine, and let me reacquaint "national aesthetics" and "chivalry".

The acting of the actress played the heroine was is not a quarter as good as other actors, so it can not win higher marks.

Beautifully made drama with eye stopping main character acted by Xiao Zhan and jaw dropping special effects for a TV drama. The calm, gentle, albeit reserved but fun character ShiYing is superbly acted by Xiao Zhan! Just can't move my eyes away from him. He is the essence of xianxia Chinese dramas with his impeccable physique, and empathic acting; he is simply irresistable. He really took the Shakespearean tragedy of the exiled prince to the next level. Unlike those similar charcaters before him, Xiao Zhan's ShiYing is kind and calming to all those around him even though he is strong willed and extremely powerful. He just pulls the audience into the character through the windows of the spike of the characters.

The story of ShiYing is a story of the exiled prince who should have came back for revenge to those who cause the death of his mother and his own exile. But he in turn became the savior, rather than the avenger. To do this, he has to go against his love, a student of his, who is destined to end his life as told by prophesy. The drama is well made with beautiful scenery and wonderful costume design. The resistable Xiao Zhan will be the epiphany of xianxia charcater for many years to come. It's the Chinese drama to watch this summer!

I have waited for 2 years for this drama, and I'm not disappointed! XiaoZhan is just as gorgeous as I expected, and the female lead is pretty and cute. The whole show is in very high quality, beautiful costumes, magnificent sceneries, and interesting story lines. All other supporting roles and side plots are very good too. The only thing is that I am distracted by XiaoZhan's handsome face, and would miss what they are saying. I had to go back and replay the parts multiple times LOL. This makes me so happy, what a nice summer vacation gift! I am so excited and looking forward to the rest of the episodes!

The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan is a mesmerizing costume drama masterpiece that demands the attention of every drama and novel enthusiast. This epic fantasy adventure is a testament to the extraordinary talent of Xiao Zhan and other actors and the visionary creativity of its production team. With its captivating storyline, stunning visuals, and brilliant performances, this drama stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in the realm of Chinese dramas.

1. Enchanting Storyline: The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan takes viewers on an enchanting journey through a world filled with cultivation magic, love, and self-discovery. The intricately woven plot follows the character portrayed by Xiao Zhan as he embarks on a perilous quest to save his country and protect the important person in his life. The narrative effortlessly combines elements of romance, action, and fantasy, creating a riveting and immersive experience for the audience.

2. Visual Spectacle: From the very first frame, The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan captivates viewers with its breathtaking visuals. The cinematography transports you to a realm where reality blends seamlessly with fantasy. The drama's stunning landscapes, intricate costume designs, and imaginative visual effects create a feast for the eyes. Each scene is meticulously crafted, showcasing the attention to detail that went into the production.

3. Xiao Zhan's Exceptional Performance: Xiao Zhan, known for his exceptional acting skills, delivers an extraordinary performance in The Longest Promise. He effortlessly embodies the complexities of his character, showcasing a wide range of emotions throughout the film. His portrayal is nuanced and captivating, making the audience empathize deeply with his journey. Xiao Zhan's on-screen presence and charismatic performance are undeniably a highlight of the Chinese Costume Drama.

4. Emotional Depth and Themes: Beyond its dazzling visual and narrative prowess, The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan delves into profound themes that resonate with the audience. Love, sacrifice, self-discovery, and the pursuit of destiny are expertly explored, creating a tapestry of emotions that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. Even from just 20 aired episodes this drama successfully tugs at the heartstrings, leaving a lasting impact and provoking introspection. There are more exciting, heartbreaking, and sweet moments in the next episodes to come. So excited until its last episode (40).

5. Cinematic Excellence: The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan is a testament to the artistic brilliance and technical expertise of its production team. The seamless blend of CGI, practical effects, and exquisite set designs elevate the drama to a whole new level. The attention to detail, impeccable sound design, and skillful editing contribute to an immersive cinematic experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

Conclusion: The Longest Promise of Xiao Zhan is an unmissable drama experience that showcases the pinnacle of Chinese drama-making. With its enchanting storyline, breathtaking visuals, exceptional performances, and profound themes, it is a true masterpiece that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, or romance, or simply appreciate exceptional storytelling, this drama is a must-watch. Prepare to be transported to a world of cultivation magic, wonder, and emotional depth that will leave an indelible mark on your Chinese Drama journey.

I was really hooked around episode 8

I'm a Wuxia fan but I always enjoy a great Xianxia, and this happens to be one of them. Xiao Zhan is an incredible talent. Xiao Zhan is a consummate actor, able to play any role and become that character. I had just finished his beautiful & latest drama The Youth Memories 2023 not too long ago, where he played the confident, assertive, and gregarious Xiao Chun Sheng. That drama was a slice of life/coming of age. In The Long Promise, he played Shi Ying, a loner, calm, quiet, and introspective with a tragic past. Very few artists can reach that depth of acting in two totally different types of characters as successfully as Xiao Zhan has.

The overall story is solid and the chemistry between all characters is excellent, it's not just 2D between ML and FL so that's another really strong point about this drama that many other dramas lack... The different relationships between all the characters and their character growth. I loved Gen Qing & Yuan. Chong Ming kept me smiling though.

I wanted to add that at first, I was skeptical about the FL because she's not a big-name star but she stepped up to the plate and played Zhu Yan wonderfully. A young, strong girl, who stands up to bullies even if she has to face adversity, and isn't afraid to show her true emotions. I always found little games like playing hard to get so annoying in other dramas (pet peeve) but that isn't the case in this drama. There is angst though, that's Xianxia for you, but the silly games that are annoying are not present in this drama.

Finally, the CGI, cinematography, and fighting scenes are so well done. The usage of natural geological landscapes is stunning. Scenes have a Zen-like quality. My favorite parts are usually the marital arts scenes since as I said, I favor the Wuxia genre. They were seamless and fluid, with great choreography. The color, the lighting, and the movement were done very well. It's just a stunning visual treat from beginning to end.

Highly recommended., especially if you love Xianxia.

Watched 4 episodes so far, I can honestly say this fantasy drama is very well made. Xiao Zhan is at his best in both his look and his acting. Unlike his role in the Untamed, this time Shiying, is a very elegant, calm, a bit cold most of the time but occasionally witty character. Xiao Zhan's temperament just perfectly suits this role. And his look is just beyond this world. I can't find suitable words for it. His acting ability has notably matured comparing to his last fantasy drama in my opinion, more subtle but still very powerful in delivering the character's emotions. His acting is always very genuine and touching, especially in sad scenes.

Other casts are doing pretty good jobs too. The costumes are stunning and special effects although not prefect, are definitely better than most of the dramas in this genre. If you are a fan of Chinese fantasy drama, don't miss this gem!

I recently completed watching 12 episodes of "The Longest Promise," and I must say, this fantasy drama is absolutely breathtaking. Xiaozhan's acting prowess is truly remarkable. His profound understanding of the characters shines through, enabling him to flawlessly portray their essence.

Furthermore, the scenery throughout the drama is truly amazing, immersing the viewer in a visually captivating universe. The scenic vistas and finely created sets lend depth and charm to the overall look. Furthermore, the action sequences are extremely powerful, demonstrating the production team's passion and skill.

The producer and the entire crew clearly put their heart and soul into creating this outstanding series. The attention to detail and obvious hard effort make "The Longest Promise" a remarkable watching experience.

After watching all 43 episodes of this drama in Netflix, I decided to put down my thoughts as most reviews are either really bad or super duper the good. The Longest Promise really is neither, nor does it have as good a story as The Untamed.

On the plus side, the sets and costumes were really nice. You could tell that it was high end production and that the producers had the budget for it. The acting was solid as well for the most part, and I think the actors chosen all fit their respective roles. Everyone seems to rave about the male lead, Xiao Zhan, from his doe-eyed looks to his acting skills. However, for me, the breakout star was actually the main male supporting actor, Alen Fang Yilun, who was able to portray everything from a loyal butler, to a tender lover, to a fierce warrior, and a creepy villain. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future as he definitely has the acting chops to boot, and hope that he gets recognized for it.

On the negative side, there were problems with the plot and storytelling.

1. Based on a fantasy novel, the world building could have been better in terms of the different clan and races. I think there needed to be a bit more historical context right from the get go so we know why the ice clan is evil or why the merfolk are persecuted.

2. There are multiple villains, but none of them were remotely interesting. Even the main big bad reveal at the end was disappointing.

3. Parts of the plot were very simplistically wrapped up or even shown offscreen. If you watched this drama, you will know what I mean.

4. I see some reviews talking about the excellent CGI. First of all, it is by no means excellent. Excellent is Game of Thrones level CGI. This drama ranged from a decent dragon to a laughable giant bird.

5. The Longest Promise was simply too long, especially the slow moving first half, and the dragged out ending! Too many lovey dovey or fluff scenes given to the main couple at the expense of the plot, and not enough of 1 through 4 above. They could of easily done all of the above while also doing a proper romance.

6. Literally all the main characters were obsessed with a specific person leading to their downfall or using it as justification for their actions. This trope got old real quick and was just bad writing.

I would rate this a 5/10 but given that I at least somewhat enjoyed it, I will bump it up to a 6.

Male lead and female lead are lack of chemistry.

Female lead doesn't have actress aura for this kind of Xianxia drama.

Male lead can change new method of acting because his acting is still exactly the same with wei wuxian (the untamed) in some scenes, especially when he heard his mother's news, the devastating way of acting is totally wwx version 2.

Visual effects are nice but too whitening.

Male lead' hairstyle is not good in some scenes for him.

Male lead should change new method of acting because his acting is still exactly the same with wei wuxian (the untamed) in some scenes, especially when he heard his mother's news, the devastating way of acting is totally Exactly the same with wwx which is like wwx version 2.

The special effects and artistry in the drama are of exceptional quality. It will be another master piece from Xiao Zhan's performance life.

The script also reasonably and concisely portrays the process of the main characters' acquaintance and understanding. After watching six episodes, I am deeply impressed by Shiying's determined mindset at such a young age! Both Shiying and Zhuyan cherish each other with such kindness. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they continue to advance the wheel of destiny in the name of the nation's righteousness. Every cause has its effect, and they are interdependent. Isn't it true that destiny is irreversible and not a mere repetition?

Xiao Zhan's performance truly touches the heart and evokes a strong emotional connection. His exceptional talent shines through in his crying scenes. Moreover, the drama's costume and makeup work are the most exquisitely crafted I have ever seen in a historical fantasy TV series.

Istg, i have been waiting for this drama huhuhu, i love XZ, which why i've been waitingg for this drama. But oh my god T^T the FL acting, i really couldnt bear it anymore T^T.

Even in the first episode, when the FL defend her best friend because of the dress, the bully and anything, then suddenly she felt so HEROICLY so then she go down to the ally or so whatever to help her friend recover the dress bcs the dress fall down, BUT THEN she casually wear it when she FOUND it in the ally cus 'WELL I JUST FEEL LIKE IT IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND THE EUPHORIA' without feeling guilty or whatever bcs its her best friend mother legacy.

Ok then, NEXT IS THE MOST Oh MY GOD, I CANT SAY IT ANYMORE, when the male lead aka XZ, fight against the men in black, she foolishly still asking the male lead 'HE CAN TALK? HE HEAR EVERYTHING?' llike what...T^T???? You life is in VERGE OF DEATH SIS???

Even when the ml powers almost nearly hit her or some men in black almost nearly killed her, she didn't control her expression in a good way (i mean adjust with the situation), she stay still, like ha he ho? Without that scared or shocked expression, or atleast close your eyes. Oh my god the FL actress really couldn't carry her role in a good way T^T.

Honestly i understand if this character wants to bring out some kind of innocent cute bright girl, but she just couldn't bring it out/carry it out in a good way.

Other than that, i think everything is okay, even the cgi (effect) are quite nice. The wardrobe are quite colorfull too, not too plain or so whatever.

Ok just that T-T.

The longest Promise is a love story recently broadcasting in China. The male character, a prince who was framed and had to exile since he was a teenage, then grew up becoming the most charming, skilled chivalrous was portrayed by Xiao Zhan. He is absolutely stunning in this C-drama. I hardly can move my eyes away from him while watching this drama. His elegant physique, empathic acting and handsome face are irresistible. The story line is very exciting and the special effects are absolutely wonderful. I've never seen any C-drama having such a grand, awesome scenes along the show. I guarantee anyone who starts watching this show will fall in love with Shiying, the main male character.

This drama seriously left me breathless and changed my perception of typical china costume drama. It's of a different level and I'm amazed how the ending actually linked to all the beginning developments. It seriously hit me hard and caused me to be hooked!

On first sight it's really like a China's version of Hogwarts, but the message that the drama is trying to convey is mind blowing. It teaches you about what life is and what one's belief should be. Not to mention the actors' and actresses' acting, coupled with the effects are fantastic!

How I hope China have more similar costume drama of this level instead of just boring lovey dovey costume drama's plot.

For me, the most important things about the drama are: if it's consistent, if the story and its characters' relationships progress in a natural way, if there is an internal logic, and if the threads connect with each other. The Longest Promise meets all of these conditions. The Longest Promise has amazing visuals and beautiful music that complements its visual side, but what's most important it's led by an exceptional Xiao Zhan. His portrayal of Shi Ying is captivating, fascinating, vibrant, and dramatic. I really admire how the characters of The Longest Promise are written. There's some ambiguity about them, uncertainty, mystery, complexity. I think Da Si Ming is a good example. Since the moment he was introduced I couldn't make an opinion on him. Although he gave the impression he cared for Shi Ying, I couldn't stop thinking he had a hidden agenda. That created tension and kept me wondering who he really is. This drama also has an incredible villain. He hides himself behind the mask, disguises as the Emperor Xingzun, deceives everyone but in the end it turns up he is truly powerful and terrifying. In so many storries villains are introduced as powerful and unbeatable, but throughout the story they lost all their appeal, are stripped of mystery and in the end the final battle is boring and disappointomg. It's not the case in the Longest Promise. The scriptwriter and the actor who was portraying him (don't want to spoil) did a great job creating real atmosphere of terror and desperation. The Longest Promise script is very well written. All kinds of elements of the plot are scattered all over the story. Even if at first they seem not important, later they connect with each other and become crucial. The Longest Promise is a drama that is smooth. Some might find its pace slow but for me it was perfect because it felt like I entered the world of Kongsang and stayed there for three weeks. The Longest Promise doesn't have bloodsheds every three episodes, but the fight sequences are simply epic (Xiao Zhan simply outdid himself). The final has everything. If you want intense experiance, you will get it for sure. The visuals of the drama are amazing, the production is top-notch.

Yeah! I mean what I said. I'm currently re-watching TLP and still feel fresh as if I were watching the series the first time. There are so many details to digest in this Xianxia drama including unpredictable plot, poetically beautiful setting, fantastic CGI, great BGM to compliment the storylines at the right times, and great acting from the cast specifically the OTP to make the storytelling convincing. TLP is the best xianxia drama I've watched since The Untamed. To be fair, TLP has even much better production values than The Untamed that was filmed in 2019 under more constrained budget.

Xiao Zhan, the ML of The Untamed, again delivered another memorable costume drama with his costar, Ren Min. Xiao Zhan's character in TLP is to the opposite of Wei Wuxian in The Untamed. I'm amazed at his acting range and how he could play such different roles exuding totally opposite aura so perfectly fit to the heroes. He is such a great acting talent that his new role won't remind you of his old roles in other dramas. That's how versatile he is as an actor and I admire his acting chops once again. Besides, XZ's ethereal beauty and angelic looks with elegant mannerism has never met rivals on par with him in the C drama industry to make such a strong statement about hero's near-deity disposition in a Xianxia world. XIao Zhan as the ML, visually or acting-wise, just makes the hero of a Xianxia drama more convincing so that viewers are able to be more engaged in the plot without feeling awkward about actor's appearance. Heroes in the Xianxia world usually are described as extremely handsome/beautiful and that's what a Xianxia fan like me would expect. But most of the time that's not the case when a Xianxian drama was produced. Fans would tolerate visual flaws if actors' acting is good enough. That's not something TLP's viewers have to be concerned about. You're gonna see an extremely beautiful ML in TLP whose acting impresses me even more. Ren Min, as the FL of TLP, has done a great job as a rash (at her whim almost all the time in the original novel), but brave and righteousness-seeking, cheeky teenage girl. She looks gorgeous in the drama and her acting exudes the aura of the heroine quite well.

I read the original novel before watching TLP. The novel has a female-centric storyline but the adapted drama was changed a lot to deviate from many arcs in the book. Whether the adaptation was done for better or worse depends on personal preference from different perspectives. I personally like some parts of the novel better than the film including the ending. That being said, TLP scriptwriter and director did such a great job adding/revised many details to rationalize the storyline where the book ran short of logic to make sense of what'd happened and left readers disconnected. And the collective efforts from the cast of TLP made the story alive. Overall, I enjoyed the drama way more than my reading experience of the book. I'm not a fan of the book but have become a fan of the adapted drama after watching it.

TLP is the most satisfying Chinese costume drama I've watched since The Untamed. I could go on and on raving about this epic drama in many aspects including artistry (there's a lot to say), cinematography, and the philosophy behind the plot themes. Rather, I'll leave many intriguing features of this drama to potential viewers to explore. TLP topped almost all the rating charts in China during it's first run of airing. The drama also received many great reviews from professional critics in the C drama industry. It's highly rated, acclaimed, and recommended.

The drama is beyond my expectations. The story development is logical and rich. The growth of the characters and their interactions are well described and shown.

The sceneries are breathtaking, which were shot at real locations. The visual effects are fantastic, no complaints. They likely have good budget.

The script is good. The story is not the usual martial fantasy with characters reincarnating, hating, and fighting each other; then all of a sudden, they get married. The story is about kindness, forgiveness, and maintaining your belief albeit sad destine on the surface. There are also cute interactions and humor.

Last but not least, Xiao ZHan 's looks and acting are unbeatable. He is so god like in the drama, with his appearance and elegant, calm manner. One must drama.

The Longest Promise is a whole package drama, each following episode is growing on me. The world needs to see the ethereal beauty of Shiying and the amazing production of The Longest Promise! And it looks magnificent on my huge screen. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Can kill the gods and guard Kongsang, and is willing to suffer the death penalty, ShiYing sticks to his heart and never changes👍🏻 I really want to see the off-screen on Netflix .There's so many Shiying and Zhuyan cute moment of Offscreen. What is Shi Ying's heartbeat? It's the red fire flowers growing wildly on the wishing tree! Hahaha.

Top🥇: ShiYing's last wish to himself: "it is me who have returned to see you (zhuyan) when the snowy rosa blooms every year"

A must-watch!!

There's a lot to like here. The special effects are impressive, and the sets, while artificial looking, are gorgeous. The actor who plays "Master" (Xiao Zhan) can convey a world of emotion through a glance or the slightest expression. But the actress who plays Zhu Yan is often wooden and unconvincing. She pouts and simpers and her childlike voice and silliness makes her sound and act like a ten-year-old child. "Master," on the other hand, for the first half of the series, supposedly hasn't even turned 18. But he looks like a 30-year-old and his demeanor is that of a 65-year-old sour-faced, old man. In spite of this, little by little, both characters take on some nuance and appeal. The endless fighting, battles, and politics were mindless and boring and without impact. Also, the ML kept rejecting the FL to "save her", and his treatment of her was cruel, belittling, and offensive to my modern sensibilities.

Still, the story is extremely touching and brought me to tears more than once.

Historical dramas like this one can be made to work for a modern audience-another good example is the K-drama, Alchemy of Souls.

Why would you destroy this story for everyone with a useless stvpid ending like that?? If you didn't know what to do then just end it earlier!!

The writers of this show needs to present the author of that ending for sentencing with hard labor!! Can't believe I wasted days of my life watching this only for it to be turned to a joke by some joker in the end. Damnnn I don't think I've ever been this pissed by a show!!

Who thought that was a good idea? Why even bother making the shoe then if you don't intent for anybody to enjoy it in the end? Who will watch this to the end and not curse everything about you all?

Watched 22 episodes so far, I was so touched by Xiao Zhan and REN Ming's performance, the story is well written, the costumes , make up and background are perfectly present the China accent style, I enjoy each episode everyday, laugh and cry, happy or sad. Xiao Zhan is an excellent actor, not only handsome but also a great performer. His eye can tell, his hand can tell as well. He said he doesn't want to repeat others' way to play a priest in frozen face. He tried hard to find his own way to express the internal motions through eyes, hands and body language in addition to talking, he is succeeded. Honestly say this is a fantasy drama.