Love Between Fairy and Devil: Hit, Ending & Popularity

Picture this: a low-ranked fairy accidentally resurrects the most feared demon lord in the universe, and instead of destroying her, he becomes cosmically tied to her. That’s the simple, irresistible hook of Love Between Fairy and Devil—a 2022 Chinese xianxia romance that took Netflix by surprise.

Release Year: 2022 ·
Episodes: 36 ·
MyDramaList Rating: 8.8/10 ·
Streaming: Netflix, iQiyi ·
Genre: Xianxia, Romance, Fantasy

Eight key specs, one pattern: Love Between Fairy and Devil is a tightly produced xianxia romance with a strong source novel and wide streaming availability.

Is Love Between Fairy and Devil hit or flop?

Viewership and ratings data

The numbers speak clearly: Love Between Fairy and Devil is a commercial and critical success. On MyDramaList, the series holds an 8.8/10 rating, while IMDb shows an unweighted mean of 8.0 and an average of 8.4/10. Netflix does not release exact viewership, but the drama repeatedly appeared in the platform’s top-10 non-English TV category in several countries during Q4 2022 (Netflix).

Critical reception overview

Reviewers highlight the visual effects, production design, and lead chemistry as standout elements. A review on Series Reviews (fan blog) rates it 8/10, calling the story simple but the emotional payoff strong. On Dramaslot (specialist drama site), it also earns 8/10 and is recommended as worth watching.

The implication: Love Between Fairy and Devil is a clear hit by both platform metrics and audience ratings, defying the risk that a xianxia romance might fail to travel beyond its domestic market.

Does Love Between Fairy and Devil have a happy ending?

Plot resolution for the main couple

Yes, the ending is widely considered happy—though it arrives through sacrifice. In the final episode, Orchid (Xiao Lanhua) kills Dongfang Qingcang to destroy the villain Tai Sui, and both seemingly perish. But a moon-shaped token later gathers Dongfang Qingcang’s spirit, and 500 years later, the couple reunites in a tender scene (Petty Drama Watcher finale recap). The drama ends with peace restored and the realms united.

Final episode summary

All factions cooperate to defeat Tai Sui. Orchid uses her power to kill Dongfang Qingcang along with the demon, an act that breaks the cosmic entanglement. His spirit is later resurrected, confirming a happy resolution for the main couple (Dramaslot).

The trade-off: the ending delivers emotional catharsis and a clear happy ending for the leads, but the path there involves significant loss, which may polarize viewers expecting a purely light resolution.

Why is Love Between Fairy and Devil so popular?

Unique world-building and production design

The series invests heavily in visual spectacle: elaborate costumes, CGI for the mythological realms, and a distinctive color palette that blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with fantasy. Netflix’s official description frames the world as one of “cosmic entanglement,” and the production design is frequently cited as a major draw (Series Reviews).

Chemistry of the lead actors

Yu Shuxin (Orchid) and Dylan Wang (Dongfang Qingcang) deliver performances that fans describe as electric. Their chemistry is the engine of the drama. A MyDramaList user praised the “off the charts” dynamic, while reviewers note that the emotional arc of their forbidden love is what keeps viewers binge-watching.

Emotional storytelling and character arcs

The story follows a classic enemies-to-lovers trajectory with high stakes: fate, memory, and sacrifice. The Netflix synopsis highlights the accidental resurrection and cosmic tie, setting up a romance that feels both inevitable and tragic. This emotional depth resonated globally, especially among viewers who had not previously watched Chinese dramas.

The pattern: the combination of high-budget visuals, charismatic leads, and a timeless forbidden-love narrative created a perfect storm for international streaming success.

Is Love between fairy and Devil worth watching?

Pros: engaging plot, strong performances, high production value

• Breathtaking visual effects and costume design (Netflix)
• Lead actors Yu Shuxin and Dylan Wang deliver compelling performances (IMDb)
• Emotional depth with themes of sacrifice, fate, and redemption (Series Reviews)
• Widely considered a must-watch for xianxia romance fans (Dramaslot)

Cons: lengthy episodes, slow pacing in certain arcs

• 36 episodes at 45 minutes each is a significant time commitment (Netflix)
• Some viewers find pacing slow in the middle arcs (MyDramaList user review)
• Ending polarizes some viewers due to sacrifice element (MyDramaList)

Target audience recommendation

This drama is highly recommended for fans of xianxia, historical fantasy, and intense romance. Casual viewers who prefer fast-paced action may find parts slow, but the overall package is strong enough to justify the watch time (Dramaslot).

The catch: for viewers who prefer fast-paced action, the runtime and middle arcs may test patience, but the emotional payoff justifies the commitment for xianxia fans.

Do they kiss in Love Between Fairy and Devil?

List of kiss scenes and their context

Yes, there are multiple kiss scenes. The first major kiss happens in episode 13, marking a turning point in the relationship between Orchid and Dongfang Qingcang (Petty Drama Watcher recap). The physical romance is moderate by drama standards—more about emotional connection than explicit content—but each kiss advances the plot.

Romantic development across episodes

The romantic tension builds gradually. The first kiss occurs after a period of forced proximity and mutual misunderstanding. Subsequent kisses become more passionate as the characters’ bond deepens. The drama treats physical intimacy as a confirmation of emotional commitment, not as filler (Netflix synopsis).

The catch: if you’re looking for steamy romance, this drama focuses more on longing and sacrifice than on physical display. The kiss scenes are earned and meaningful, but not frequent.

“Love Between Fairy and Devil is a masterpiece of xianxia storytelling with breathtaking visuals and a deeply emotional romance.”

MyDramaList user (Nishaland)

“The final two episodes let me down. The pacing felt rushed after such a carefully built story.”

MyDramaList user (Sinasina)

For viewers considering their next binge-watch, the implication is clear: Love Between Fairy and Devil delivers a visually stunning, emotionally charged romance that justifies its high ratings, but the 36-episode commitment and occasional slow pacing mean it’s best suited for fans of xianxia and character-driven fantasy. For casual Netflix browsers, the choice is simple: give it three episodes, and if the world and chemistry don’t hook you, move on. But for those who stay, the lead actors’ chemistry and the production value make it an experience that explains why this drama became a global phenomenon.

Frequently asked questions