The Longest Promise - bit of a rant

A bit of rant. I really really want to like The Longest Promise, but after watching episode 21 last night, I am getting to the point that I don’t think I can do this anymore. I am more invested in the relationship between Zhu Yan and Zhi Yuan than in the supposedly main relationship Zhu Yan / Shi Ying (unless I have misunderstood the last 21 episodes. They are the main relationship, right?).

I’ve found Zhu Yan to be extremely annoying and infantilized (one of my pet-peeves of c-drama)… the voice, the reactions, the bangs, the silly bun… But for the past few episodes her character was starting to grow on me. Once leaving Jiu Yi Mountain she seemed a bit more mature and more comfortable with herself.

What triggered me of episode 21 is the whole Zhu Yan changing into Yaoyi (I’m forgetting her name, I hope this is correct). How is transforming into your friend’s long lost love and making him believe that she’s back a good idea?!!!! WTF, Zhu Yan?!!! I don’t know, maybe I was tired, maybe I was just frustrated with how much this whole thing is dragging. But. Should I continue? Is it worth it? Does it get better? I'm not looking for spoilers because I'm sure I can find plenty of them with a quick Google search. I just want to know if the show is worth finishing.

Also, I am extremely annoyed to see Xiao Zhan in a role where he doesn’t smile. His smile is one of his best features… what a waste!

That's all. Thanks for listening!

Edit: UPDATE - I have finished the show. Here are my last thoughts.

The show really picked up after about episode 34. I’m honestly glad I stuck to it and finished. I still feel like the writers were pulling plot justifications out of the hat and on a whim’s notice. And regardless of the effort they put into explaining everything, I also feel like there are plot holes all over the place. But the Qing Gang/ Bai Xuelu storyline was lovely and Xiao Zhan’s performance in those last episodes was absolutely superb (I just wish there would’ve been a bit more chemistry between the two main leads…). I also appreciated the way Bai Xuelu and Yan’er were portrayed on equal ground as their partners. The fight scenes were well choreographed and the special effects were great! And I loved the ending. It went full circle, with Shi Ying appearing at the garden where they first met, and the snowy rosa blooming. Does he stay for good? Does he disappear and only come back once a year? Either way, he fulfills his promise to be back.