LayarHijau.com – The historical fantasy drama Feud (临江仙), starring Bai Lu and Joseph Zeng, has recently aired its final episode. While the emotional farewell between the two main characters touched many hearts, the finale also sparked criticism among viewers, with some calling it one of the most confusing and underwhelming endings of the year.
Warning: The following section contains spoilers for the final episode.
According to a report by Upmedia, Bai Lu plays Huaruyue, a Celestial Goddess of the Four Spirits, while Joseph Zeng portrays Bai Jiunian, a Supreme Deity known as Xuanzun. In the final episodes, both characters become trapped in a mystical formation that can only be broken by an imbalance of spiritual power. As their energies are perfectly balanced, Bai Jiunian chooses to sacrifice himself, allowing Huaruyue to escape and protect the Infinite Tablet.
Before vanishing, Bai Jiunian kisses Huaruyue and says, “A-Yue, see you again.” This moment, filled with heartfelt emotion, became one of the most talked-about scenes among fans. After escaping, Huaruyue and her allies succeed in preserving peace across the Three Realms. Meanwhile, the antagonist Xiao Jingshan (played by Hong Yao) sacrifices himself to create a time-reversing device. Huaruyue then uses this device to return to the past and correct multiple regrets, including her broken relationship with Bai Jiunian during their time as mortals.
She even tells her past self that Bai Jiunian didn’t return to the Nine Heavens to abandon her, but to accept divine punishment by lightning in order to protect her. Despite her efforts to change the past, she realizes that the fates of her fallen comrades remain unchanged. Still, she dedicates herself to helping those around her find closure. In the end, with the help of an ancient Time God, Huaruyue reunites with Bai Jiunian at their place of origin, where they begin a new life together.
While the drama wraps up with a happy ending, many viewers expressed disappointment with how the final two episodes were executed. First, the plot was too convoluted, with excessive time jumps and twists that left many confused. Second, the male lead’s screen time drastically decreased after his sacrifice, with Bai Jiunian appearing mostly in flashbacks, while supporting characters like Hong Yao, He Ruixian, Chen Xinhai, and Liang Yongqi received expanded focus. Lastly, the story was seen as overly cliché, repeating familiar tropes such as misunderstandings and sacrificial love that have long dominated the costume drama genre.
Bai Lu has earned acclaim for her roles in popular dramas such as Till the End of the Moon (长月烬明), Story of Kunning Palace (宁安如梦), and Only for Love (以爱为营). Joseph Zeng also rose in popularity thanks to Mysterious Lotus Casebook (莲花楼) and Snowy Night: Timeless Love (七夜雪). Although their on-screen chemistry in Feud was praised, the finale left audiences divided—proving that even strong performances can’t always redeem a flawed narrative structure.