Based on the webtoon “Demon in Kaifeng / Storm of the World,” this Chinese drama welcomes viewers on a pugilistic journey of romance and mystery in the rampant world of demons vs. humans vs. deities.
Cheng Wai Man / Steve Cheng (The Untamed) directed the series adaptation No Boundary. This C-drama has two seasons and a total of 52 episodes. To illustrate, it painted a marvelously stitched-together tale of tragedies, reprisal, romance, immortality, and death.
What is more, penned by screenplay writer Zou Ye (The Rise of Phoenixes), they brought to life the rich connections and conflicts that spins the main characters’ lives in this story.
- Main Casts: Darren Chen (Kuan Hung) | Zhang Yi Shang | Yifei Wang | Gu Zicheng
- Supporting Casts: Yang Ze | Wang Yi Nuo | Han Dong | Gardner Tse
- Romance/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- Dramas Of Similar Vibes: Blessed Girl | The Untamed | Miss The Dragon | Luoyang
Nathan Llantos watched No Boundary on IQIYI
No Boundary Quick Plot Recap ( Spoilers Alert!)
No Boundary Season One Snippets
The narrative presents the three realms of the world; Mortal, Penglai (Heaven), and the Ninth Hell (Demon Realm) of the Shang and Song Dynasty. In detail, the main protagonist of this storyline is Duanmu Cui: a carefree yet formidable female deity. Additionally, the series chronicles the story of her encounters with the human and demon protagonists and antagonists in the present human realm and how her locked-away memories and painful past intercedes with it.
The Historical Uprising
The ruthless demon monarch of the Shang Dynasty was deposed when the first female general, Duanmu Cui (Zhang Yi Shang), killed him before she perished. Thus, the human clan won the war. However, the human clan leader Jiang Ziya (Gardner Tse) abdicated his divine throne during the Gods’ Inauguration. Because of this, he was not granted divinity and immortality. Instead, he gave this blessing to his goddaughter Duanmu.
For centuries, he was willing to become the human realm’s marquis to protect the human clan. And thus, he waited for his time to be reincarnated. Consequently, he became Bao Qingtian thousands of years later, during the Song Dynasty. What is more, his goddaughter Duanmu Cui, now a 1000-year-old deity, descended to the mortal world at the exact moment and founded the Xihualiu Sect.
The Convergence of Fate and Time
The lazy deities from Penglai (Heaven Realm) needed to apprehend demons from the Demon Clan who have escaped the Ninth Realm and have to defend the inhabitants of the Human Realm. Despite this dire situation, they chose to trick Duanmu Cui into doing the job in their stead. Hence, Duanmu established her sect to defeat evil powers that attempt to harm people.
Subsequently, she teams up with a reputable and haughty sheriff, Zhan Yan,(Darren Chen) a fourth-rank imperial soldier. Together they solve crimes to help humans in distress and stop the demon clan from running amok. Moreover, amid all the predicaments they encounter, romance brews between them. The two find love along the way as they fight evil creatures and oppose the rules of Penglai. Duanmu Cui meets up with Zhan Yan, the Head Constable of Qifeng City, after she enters the Human Realm.
Moreover, accompanying Duanmu is the high-immortal Divine Doctor Wengu (Gu Zicheng). Particularly, he is the soldier she took in her camp when she was still a female general in her past life, as well as he is the demon clan’s prince. The favored son of the evil demon king that Duanmu herself killed during the Shang dynasty uprising.
Likewise, Hong Luan, a peach blossom demon, will tag along in their troop and cause both mishaps and good deeds. She is a Peach Blossom Demon seeking sanctuary with Duanmu Cui and Wen Gu. Although her demeanor is gentle and reserved, she is a Demon Clan spy dispatched to spy on Duanmu Cui. However, in love with the divine doctor Wengu, she soon leaves behind her wicked duty and befriends Duanmu and Zhan Yan.
No Boundary Season Two Occurrences
Besides getting an evocative glimpse of the lives of good demons struggling in the human realm, Zhan Yan and Duanmu will uncover old crimes and give justice to the innocent half-demon half-humans. Every character they meet will lead them to solve a bigger heinous problem made by none other than the reincarnated Jiang Yi, who is now called Jiang Wen Qing, the marquis of Qifeng City and the Godfather of Zhan Yan.
For that reason, they will travel to the past in the second season to set things right after things went awry in the heavenly realm. Furthermore, Zhang Yan dives deep into a foreign land to retrieve his real love, Duanmu Cui, who got absorbed in the parallel world in an attempt to retrieve a relic that would stop the three realms from collapsing.
After working together to solve many cases, the pious Penglai immortal and the indifferent constable have developed feelings. Unfortunately, Duanmu Cui has to recount the love-hate relationships that existed thousands of years ago at this period. She and Zhang Yan end up in the country of Shen Yuan by accident, and they become embroiled in a scheme. The two confront uncertainties and old wounds. They get entangled in the year the human tribe is about to go to war to banish the demon king.
No Boundary Peak Points
Spectacular Love Team
Bickering romances and female and male leads that start off the wrong foot is a trope everyone is so used to already. Despite that, seeing Zhang Yi Shang and Darren Chen’s pairing in this series is refreshing and lovely. Indeed, the casting director made a wise decision pairing the two. Not only does their great chemistry overflow, their individual charms, and stunning visuals shine brightly in this series too.
With that said, it is understandable why many viewers get interested in this series. Just by seeing the posters or video trailers and teasers, one’s eyes will be fascinated by the characters’ looks. More importantly, even if romance dramas can be a tad cringe at times with all the tropes and clichés, seeing Zhang Yi Shang and Darren Chen act as Duanmu Cui and Zhan Yan is breathtakingly sweet.
In fact, it would make you wish they star in more series together. Best of all, the chemistry between them continues to get stronger the more they are together in each of the episodes.
Empowered Heroine
The female lead is typically always represented as a damsel in distress. In other words, the one who gets picked on the most by the guy. Or the weak character who always has pitiful circumstances and depends heavily on her prince charming. And although that may be true, in this series of the same genre, the main protagonists don’t hold back against each other. Instead, they do not cross each other’s lines.
For once, it is refreshing to see characters get down to business and put aside their differences and work together. In particular, when they work together, they realize they make a good pair. On top of that, they both hold each other’s well-being in high regard and see each other on equal footing. They have each other’s backs and are willing to prove their love to one another no matter how many times the situation calls for.
Best of all, in the second season, viewers get a front seat experience witnessing how Duanmu’s character advocate for women’s empowerment. Indeed, feminists would appreciate seeing how her character shows that females can be strong generals with great merits. Zhang Yi Shang wonderfully exhibited the angst, fighting spirit, and perseverance needed to justify Duanmu Cui’s character.
Evocative and Enticing World-building
Overall, the production team gave the viewers cinematography that goes very well with the story’s nature. Even though the CGI needs more work, it still provided a fantasy flair to the series. Not to mention that it reminded me a bit of Disney’s Beauty and The Beast because of Xing Hua, the little talking teacup.
The production design and wardrobe team paid a significant amount of effort and keenness to detail for every character- even those with only small screen time. They made each episode as colorful or dark as needed with the set designs and other production elements.
Due to that, they were successful in supplementing and conveying each character’s background story of heartbreaks, vengeance, and triumphs, splendidly.
Despite that, it is noticeable that they provided ample budget to bring the world of humans, demons, and immortals to life on the small screens. The costumes are great, and the locations of the scenes are astonishing too.
But regardless, it is still evident that some scenes could be given more justice with enhanced CGI effects. However, the other aspects of the series make up for this, making it worth watching.
No Boundary Series Musings
Darren Chen’s Growth As An Actor
It is fantastic to witness Darren Chen enriching his career and taking on roles different from the former funny personas and typical handsome, rich male lead he took on before. Not only did he do a splendid portrayal of Zhan Yan’s character, but he also was very charismatic and youthful in this series. Besides that, it is commendable how mature and flexible he was in internalizing the character and giving justice to the storyline.
Moreover, even if a significant number of viewers say that his acting is still in the works, he was superb in showcasing acting range. He did a remarkable job acting as a benevolent sheriff, a great swordsman, and a passionate lover.
Likewise, he looks ravishing and gorgeous in all the costumes he has worn as a sheriff and soldier. It is as if long hair and costume dramas are made for him. Best of all, his growth as an actor is evident in this series. He is compelling, relatable and fun to watch.
Character Cons
On the other hand, the primary supporting characters drag the tale down Wengu is manipulative and has no personality other than his obsession in most episodes. His character build-up is quite problematic. Nonetheless, he was not always like this in his past life. More so, his character was given quite a nice ending. Meanwhile, Hong Luan is enamored with him and has no other cares. Watching her character can make one feel annoyed and sad at the same time.
Although it may be true that the side characters have problematic traits and qualities, they also showcase character development throughout the two seasons. Their origins and plights are unraveled in the pivotal episodes thus giving the viewers explanation and a chance to empathize and come to terms with them.
Moreover, it can be said that the rest of the supporting cast is competent and appealing. Like how subtly amazing the awkward yet hardworking Shangguan Ce (Zhan Yan’s God-brother) is.
Another noteworthy character is the “Star Lord” Yang Jian. Despite being overly protective towards her younger God-sister Duanmu, his character eventually becomes likable.
Redeeming Factors
But what really makes the characters great is the striking balance the director and writer strived to deliver. For instance, Duanmu’s character is a bountiful feast. She has a domineering and willful character. Yet simultaneously she is shown as a fairy-like goddess doing whatever she wants and causing a ruckus.
At the same time, she is also a reputable and strong female general fighting for her clan. Particularly, a female who leads with compassion. Duanmu is proud but oftentimes depicted as childish. Whereas Zhan Yan has a steady, upbeat trait. Additionally, he is also intrinsic and possesses great understanding, patience and determination.
It is amazing how the director and writer of the series aimed to show both the good points and the flaws of the characters. With all that said, No Boundary is a remarkable must-watch fantasy-romance C-drama.
Venture the thrilling realms of the immortals, the demons and the human tribes and wallow in mystery in romance in No Boundary.
In case you have not seen it yet, watch both seasons 1&2 on IQIYI.
Photos: IQIYI
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