Of course, opposites attract. But this isn't a simple student-teacher romance. When a great catastrophe threatens to destroy all existence, Shang Gu makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the world—sealing away her essence and reincarnating as a lower immortal, Hou Chi, who has no memory of her past life.
Bai Jue, devastated by her loss, spends a thousand years grieving before he discovers her reincarnation. But can he love her as Hou Chi? And what happens when the dark forces from the past begin to stir again? 1. The Chemistry of Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai Let’s address the elephant in the room. Zhou Dongyu is a film actress (a Golden Horse Award winner), and some netizens initially felt she didn’t fit the "ethereal goddess" mold. Watch the show, and you will change your mind. She brings a raw, emotional vulnerability to Shang Gu that is refreshing. She cries like a real person, not a porcelain doll. Xu Kai, meanwhile, delivers one of his best performances as the tortured Bai Jue. The way he looks at her—equal parts love, guilt, and desperation—is acting gold. 2. A Female Lead with Agency One of my biggest pet peeves in this genre is the "damsel in distress." Shang Gu/Hou Chi is not that. She is impulsive, yes, but she is powerful and willing to bear the consequences of her actions. In the most heartbreaking twist of the show, she chooses to die to save everyone. Later, as Hou Chi, she fights for her own destiny rather than just being a replacement for the goddess she used to be. 3. The Pain of the "Second Life" Trope We have seen the amnesia trope a thousand times. But Love of Thousand Years uses it to ask a painful question: Do you love me for who I am now, or because I remind you of the ghost of someone you lost? Bai Jue struggles with this intensely. He tries to protect Hou Chi from the same fate as Shang Gu, but in doing so, he almost breaks her heart again. It is delicious, painful angst. 4. Stunning Visuals (and some CGI caveats) The production value is high. The costumes are gorgeous layers of silk and celestial armor, and the set design for the Divine Realm is breathtaking. Yes, the CGI is sometimes a little video-game-esque, especially in the first few episodes. But if you can forgive the occasional wonky green screen, the sweeping battle scenes and magical effects are well worth it. The Verdict Love of Thousand Years is not a light, fluffy watch. It will make you cry. It has a complicated middle arc where you want to shake the male lead and hug the female lead simultaneously. However, it sticks the landing.
8.5/10 Recommended for: Fans of Eternal Love (Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms) , Love and Redemption , or anyone who wants a good cry with a happy ending.