It’s been years. Yet, if you walk into any Asian drama forum or scroll through Weibo, someone is inevitably arguing about Ye Hua’s parenting or Bai Qian’s "trial." Eternal Love, or as most of us know it, Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, isn’t just a show. It’s a literal cultural monolith.
When the series dropped in 2017, it racked up billions of views—and I’m not being hyperbolic. We’re talking over 50 billion views across Chinese streaming platforms. That’s a staggering number. It basically redefined the Xianxia (fantasy cultivation) genre for a global audience. But why? Why did this specific story about a fox spirit and a dragon prince stick when so many others faded into the background?
Honestly, it’s because it’s messy. It’s long. It’s occasionally frustrating. But the emotional payoff is massive.
The Three Lives of Bai Qian (And Why We Can’t Stop Watching)
Most stories give you one chance to fall in love. This one gives you three.
The structure of Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms is built on the Buddhist concept of reincarnation and karma, but it plays out like a high-stakes soap opera. First, you have Si Yin, the mischievous disciple at Kunlun Mountain. Then, the heartbreaking mortal arc of Su Su. Finally, the "High Goddess" Bai Qian.
The Su Su arc is usually where people get hooked. It’s painful. Watching a powerful immortal lose her memory, live as a helpless human, and eventually get her eyes literally stolen by a rival is a lot to handle. It’s peak melodrama. But it serves a purpose. It makes Bai Qian’s eventual "awakening" and her quest for revenge feel earned.
When she finally walks into the Nine Heavens to take back what’s hers? Chills. Every single time.
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The Complexity of Ye Hua
Mark Chao’s performance as Ye Hua is arguably the reason the show succeeded. Initially, fans were skeptical. He didn't look like the "most handsome man in the heavens" described in Tang Qi Gong Zi's original novel. Then the show aired. Chao’s ability to convey deep, soul-crushing grief with just a slight twitch of his jaw changed everyone's mind.
Ye Hua is a complicated lead. He’s stoic, borderline obsessive, and makes some truly questionable choices regarding Su Su’s safety. Some fans call him the ultimate romantic; others see him as a red flag wrapped in black silk. That's the beauty of the writing. He isn't a perfect hero. He’s a man burdened by duty who keeps failing the woman he loves until he finally learns how to sacrifice himself properly.
Why the Xianxia Aesthetic Changed After This Show
Before 2017, many Chinese fantasy dramas looked... cheap. Bright, saturated colors and questionable CGI were the norm. Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms shifted the aesthetic to something more ethereal.
The production design, led by Oscar-nominated William Chang, leaned into muted tones and flowing silks. The peach blossom forest wasn't just a set; it was a mood. This "Ten Miles" look—the pastel pinks, the foggy mountains, the heavy emphasis on Taoist mythology—became the blueprint for everything that followed, from Ashes of Love to Love and Redemption.
However, it’s worth noting that the show didn’t just change visuals. It popularized the "tribulation" trope. In this world, becoming a powerful god isn't about training; it's about suffering. You have to go through a "Love Trial." Basically, you have to get your heart broken so badly that your soul levels up. It’s a brutal way to look at personal growth, but it makes for great TV.
Supporting Characters That Stole the Spotlight
You can't talk about this show without mentioning Feng Jiu and Dong Hua Dijun.
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Dilraba Dilmurat’s portrayal of the red fox spirit Feng Jiu was so popular it spawned its own sequel, Eternal Love of Dream. Her unrequited love for the literal "grandfather" of the heavens, Dong Hua, provided a lighter, albeit still tragic, contrast to the main couple.
Then there’s Zhe Yan, the old phoenix who just wants to drink peach wine and stay out of trouble. And the Ghost Tribe villains, who actually had semi-understandable motivations. The world felt lived-in. It didn't just revolve around the leads; it felt like a sprawling bureaucracy of gods and demons who all had their own paperwork to file and grudges to hold.
Addressing the Controversy: The Plagiarism Allegations
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has been dogged by plagiarism claims since its inception.
The original web novel by Tang Qi Gong Zi was accused of lifting significant plot points and prose from a BL (Boys' Love) novel titled Peach Blossom Debt by Da Feng Gua Guo. This sparked massive debates in the C-drama community.
While the TV production is a separate entity from the source novel, the shadow of these allegations remains. Some viewers refuse to watch it on principle, while others argue that the drama’s adaptation added enough original flair to stand on its own. It’s a reminder of the complex ethics within the web novel industry in China.
Why It Still Ranks in the Top Tier
If you’re new to C-dramas, this is usually the "gateway drug." It has the perfect mix of high-budget production, a sweeping soundtrack (the opening theme "Bracing the Chill" is a literal masterpiece), and a story that rewards patience.
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The pacing is slow. You’ve got to get through 58 episodes. But the way it handles the passage of time—thousands of years passing in a heartbeat—gives the romance a sense of gravity you don't find in 12-episode rom-coms.
It’s about memory.
It’s about the scars we carry.
It’s about the fact that even if you forget someone, your soul might still recognize the scent of peach blossoms.
Actionable Insights for New Viewers
If you're planning a rewatch or jumping in for the first time, keep these things in mind to make the experience better:
- Pace yourself through the first 10 episodes. The Kunlun Mountain arc is vital for world-building, but it can feel a bit slow compared to the drama that hits later.
- Watch the "Su Su" arc with tissues. Seriously. It’s one of the most emotionally taxing sequences in modern fantasy television.
- Pay attention to the artifacts. Items like the Jade Purifying Flask and the Kunlun Fan aren't just props; they drive the plot in the final act.
- Explore the spin-offs later. If you love the Fox/Dong Hua dynamic, Eternal Love of Dream (2020) offers a much deeper exploration of their story that aligns more closely with the books.
- Ignore the movie version. There is a 2017 film version starring Yang Yang and Liu Yifei. While the leads are stunning, the condensed runtime makes the plot nearly incomprehensible. Stick to the series for the full emotional weight.
The enduring legacy of Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms lies in its ability to make the mythological feel deeply personal. It took the vast, cold heavens and filled them with people who are just as petty, loving, and flawed as we are. That's why, years later, we're still talking about it.
To fully appreciate the impact of this series, look at the "Sino-center" movement in fashion and media today. Much of the Hanfu (traditional clothing) revival can trace its mainstream popularity back to the stylized costumes seen in this drama. It didn't just entertain; it helped a generation of viewers reconnect with a romanticized version of ancient aesthetics, proving that a good story, regardless of its flaws, can change the cultural landscape entirely.