- Drama Title: Moonlit Reunion
- Also Known As: 子夜归, Mei Fu Ren Chong Fu Ri Chang, Midnight Return, Moonlight Reunion, Zi Ye Gui
- Director: Lu Hao Ji Ji
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy
- Cast: Xu Kai, Tian Xi Wei
- Episodes: 38
- Date of Release: August 18, 2025
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, Viki, Disney+
- Adapted from the web novel “Mei Fu Ren Chong Fu Ri Chang” by Fu Hua
Hola, dear readers! I was soooo happy these few days. The weather was nice, the food was delicious, and everything just felt lighter than usual. It feels like one of those rare moments when life slows down, and you can truly enjoy the simple joys around you. I just wanted to share a little piece of that happiness with you before diving into today’s review. I hope all my dear readers can enjoy the same happiness as I did, for whatever reason. Well, before I start babbling, let’s get down to business. This is the drama review of Moonlit Reunion. Enjoy!
Moonlit Reunion Synopsis
The city of Chang’an hides a secret, so do its people. Right under everyone’s nose lies the hidden world of Demon Market. It’s a place where demons from around the world live ordinary lives. At the heart of it all is an unconventional woman who rules the vast world with a wholehearted passion.
That woman is Wu Zhen. By day, she is the carefree and reckless Qinghe County Princess; by night, she becomes the powerful Cat Master. Her main task is to maintain the harmony between the human and demon worlds.
A young man named Mei Zhu Yu just moved to Chang’an. He is the newly appointed officer in the Mystical Appraisal Bureau. Among his colleagues, he is known for his unwavering principles and steadfast integrity. But Mei Zhu Yu also hides a secret.
Beneath his façade is a powerful ability to exorcise demons, because he is one of the Celestial Masters of the Changxi Palace. He came to Chang’an to uncover the truth behind the mysterious fire that destroyed the city and took his parents’ lives.
Mei Zhu Yu’s striking appearance immediately caught Wu Zhen’s eyes. Pursuing a man who has sworn to refrain from worldly desires was no easy feat. Over time, however, Mei Zhu Yu’s heart began to warm up to Wu Zhen, and they fall in love. But their secret identities got in the way.
Just as love began to bloom and the warmth of ordinary life started to settle in, problems arose. The shadow of the past resurfaced and threatening the fragile harmony between their worlds and their love. Will Mei Zhu Yu and Wu Zhen eventually stand side by side, or is that just a wishful thinking?
Moonlit Reunion Drama Review
I finished Moonlit Reunion a few days ago. This drama had been on my watchlist for a long time because it starred Xu Kai and Tian Xi Wei. I have a high expectation for every Xu Kai drama because I’ve found that they always have good stories.
Meanwhile, Tian Xi Wei is a very expressive actress. I loved seeing her in dramas because she brings the character to life. This fondness started with the 2022 drama New Life Begins, in which she played Li Wei, a cute girl who loved good food and was married to Yin Zhen (Bai Jing Ting), the Sixth Prince.
However, Moonlit Reunion made me see Tian Xi Wei differently. She is no longer a cute actress who can only nail a certain role. Through her portrayal of the complicated character of Wu Zhen, Tian Xi Wei showed that she could be more than just a cute and spoiled princess. She could also be a seductress, a cold beauty, and a powerful queen. Her crying stirs my emotions, and her aloof side intrigues me 😻.
When Moonlit Reunion was streaming, Xu Kai was all over the news. Unfortunately, the news was all negative. I contemplated whether I should continue with this review.
After much thought, however, I decided to start writing this article because I realized that Xu Kai wasn’t the only person who was working on this drama. There were many talented actors and actresses, as well as a solid production team behind Moonlit Reunion. They, in my opinion, should be appreciated.
Let’s just hope that everything turns out better. Xu Kai is young and has a brilliant future ahead of him. I hope he always stays on the right path.
Back to the drama (I bet you knew this line was coming) 😂
For me, the main strength of this drama is the remarkable acting and soulful performances of Xu Kai and Tian Xi Wei. Also notable is the strong chemistry between them.
Xu Kai is famous for his expressive eyes and strong emotional delivery. You could always recognize every emotion the character felt because it was portrayed vividly on his face. In Moonlit Reunion, you instantly sense that Mei Zhu Yu was also attracted to Wu Zhen, though he hides it well.
If you follow his acting career and watch many of his dramas, you will realize his versatility and his great chemistry with his co-star. Personally, I still ship him with Yang Mi in She and Her Perfect Husband. 😁
Tian Xi Wei always brings youthful energy to her roles. Her expressive acting feels effortless and sincere. She always nails roles as cheerful and innocent characters. It matches her cute appearance perfectly. However, this time, she gives us more.
As Wu Zhen, the cat demon, Tian Xi Wei did a perfect performance as a woman who was lazy, playful, proud, mysterious, independent, and cautious. You should see her in the second episode, when Wu Zhen wakes up from her nap in Mei Zhu Yu’s office. I was mesmerized. 😻
The rest of the cast also did a great job in their roles. 👍🏻
I was drawn to Wang Jia Yi’s performance as the Serpent Master, Liu Tai Zhen. Moonlit Reunion is her first drama as she just began her debut in 2023. Since her character was an ice queen, she didn’t have to be overly expressive.
Frankly, I wasn’t a fan of Liu Tai Zhen’s character either, she was a bit boring. However, as her iceberg began to melt and she started showing emotions, Liu Tai Zhen suddenly became a much more interesting character. This is obviously thanks to Wang Jia Yi.
Then there’s Yi Da Qian, who played the role of Mei Si, Liu Tai Zhen’s fiancée and Mei Zhu Yu’s cousin. It’s been so long since I watched Yi Da Qian’s acting in The Princess Royal drama as Su Rong Hua.
Now his Mei Si’s character reminded me of a golden retriever. He always seemed like a puppy waiting to be praised or patted by his favorite person, who hated dogs. Yi Da Qian truly gave me that impression…😂
I was surprised to see the familiar face of Emperor Wen from Love Like the Galaxy. In Moonlit Reunion, Bao Jian Feng also played the role of a kind emperor who was obviously scared of his empress (played by Huang Yi).
The empress also has a good relationship with the concubine, Mei Fei (Played by Hai Ling), even though they have different personalities. This one plus two setup also appears in Love Like the Galaxy. The harmonious relationship between the emperor and his consorts feels like a homage to the previous drama.
Moonlit Reunion is an adaptation of a web novel, Mei Fu Ren Chong Fu Ri Chang, by Fu Hua. She is also the original creator of When Destiny Brings the Demon. Each drama has a strong romance plot. Moonlit Reunion has a good pace, not too slow or too fast.
But the story spends too much time in building up Mei Zhu Yu and Wu Zhen’s romance. The mysterious cases feel more like a background story designed to make them closer. And in the end, the main conflict passed by like a gust of wind, there for a moment, then gone. 😁
For a romance junkie like me, a heavy romance was a blessing. But if you are hoping for more thrilling actions, you might feel disappointed. Therefore, the high rating that I gave to Moonlit Reunion was because the romance story was so darn good.
The Story – Not Really About Mystery, But Definitely About Chemistry
The main story of Moonlit Reunion centers on Mei Zhu Yu and Wu Zhen. They aren’t just some ordinary characters. They have secret identities and comes from two opposing worlds that are enemies to each other.
Mei Zhu Yu comes from Changxi Palace, a mysterious organization which is devoted to eradicating all demons in the world. They believe demons is a threat for human beings. They have been searching for a place called the Demon Market, where all demons live.
Coincidentally, Wu Zhen is the ruler of Demon Market. She is a half-demon and half-human. Wu Zhen remains human by day, but at night she transforms into a cat demon. She always surrounded by companions. Her best friend is the Serpent Master, Liu Tai Zhen.
Her assistants are Hu Zhu, the fox demon, and Wu Zi Shu, the book demon. Only Wu Zhen, Liu Tai Zhen, along with their closest assistants, could move freely between the two realms. The other demons never step out of the Demon Market in hundreds of years.
The story takes place in Chang’an, the capital of the kingdom, and the most prosperous place, filled with people who attract both good and evil. The sets of Chang’an were similar to other historical drama. The main attraction is the Demon Market.
This magical place was full of wonders. Inside the city, demons led lives similar to humans. They traded and shopped in the market, socialized in public spaces, and enjoyed entertainment. Like Chang’an, the Demon Market was also bustling with activity.
So, aside from their power and appearances, demons were much like humans. What truly made them so different from us, humans, was their lifespan. Humans only live a few decades but demons can live for centuries.
I love how the story gave each characters their own distinct traits. For example, Liu Tai Zhen is a cold, but Mei Si is passionate. Wu Zi Shu is kind and gentle, but overly infatuated with Wu Zhen. Hu Zhu loves business and quick-witted. Ling Xiao, on the other hand, is slower but more sensitive.
Wen Hua, Mei Zhu Yu’s dramatic servant is a stark contrast to Wu Zhen’s maidservant, Ming Zhuang. And you surely cannot forget Shuang Jiang who is unique for his voracious appetite.
As the story progressed, each character will grow according to their unique personality. Wu Zhen who was confident about her ability to control herself has to learn in the hard way that the matters of the heart are unpredictable.
Mei Zhu Yu has to choose between his past and his future. Liu Tai Zhen has to learn to make peace with her past. Wu Zi Shu has to learn that feelings cannot be forced. It was all the same with Mei Si, Hu Zhu, and Shuang Jiang. Each walked in their chosen path.
The central conflict of Moonlit Reunion has been mentioned from the first episode, and it was connected to the Chang’an Fire that happened 18 years ago. Mei Zhu Yu and Wu Zhen both were victim of this catastrophe. Mei Zhu Yu wanted to avenge the death of his parents, and he believed that the demon was connected to the Demon Market.
This could be a potential for a thrilling story. I was ready to follow the investigation of mysterious cases, much like in Mysterious Lotus Casebook, The Ingenious One, or A League of Nobleman.
But watching Moonlit Reunion reminded me more of Riverside Code at Qingming Festival, you were hoping for a mystery drama but ended up with a family drama. Moonlit Reunion also feels the same. The mystery was there but the execution fell flat. And in the end, this drama was all about Mei Zhu Yu and Wu Zhen saving each other.
The Changxi Palace’s masters and the demons weren’t much of some help. It’s a pity that the villain didn’t get a satisfying ending. The director should add one more episode just to kill the villain grandly, so I could finally be at ease.😉
There were also several demon-related cases to solve. Both Wu Zhen and Mei Zhu Yu worked alone, and in front of each other they pretended to know nothing about them. It was hilarious watching them lie to each other with such straight face. Mei Zhu Yu pretended he didn’t know any martial arts.
When Wu Zhen questioned his ability after he saved her, Mei Zhu Yu just brushed her off with rhetorical line, “You didn’t ask”. Meanwhile, Wu Zhen shamelessly admitted that she was checking out his “fine waist”. When in fact, she was trying to see if his sachet held the magic stone she’s been looking for.
I like how the story portrayed the demons as creative, hardworking, and smart. In terms of business, they could even be considered elites. Otherwise, Hu Zhu wouldn’t have successfully managed Ruyi Pavillion, Liu Tai Zhen wouldn’t own Yuzhen House, and Wu Zi Shu wouldn’t be running a bookshop.
Friendship-wise, I really enjoyed the dynamics in this drama. It was funny to see Mei Zhu Yu was surrounded by silly people, while Wu Zhen’s friends were the ones who catered to her antics. You should’ve seen Shuang Jiang’s first appearance. He carelessly revealed his identity that could also expose Mei Zhu Yu’s disguise.
Watching Shuang Jiang from afar, Mei Zhu Yu’s face was a mix of shock, anxious, and pure helplessness. Yes, he felt helpless. Because deep down Mei Zhu Yu knew that he couldn’t expect much from his silly friends. 😅
The Story – Where Yearning Hurt, But Kisses Heal
In many dramas, I often find the beginning of the romance phase the most interesting part. The way characters play the chasing game or playing hard to get always thrills me. Moonlit Reunion is no exception.
I loved watching Mei Zhu Yu looked so defeated when Wu Zhen decided to stop pursuing him. But then when she stepped up to help him after he was bullied, you could see a sliver of hope reignite in his eyes. And then, when Wu Zhen began to ignore him again, that hope turn into regret. It was sooo satisfying to see the usually reserved Mei Zhu Yu start questioning his own choices.
I believed that Mei Zhu Yu was the first one to fall in love with Wu Zhen. From the way he stared at her when she appeared at the Ruyi Pavilion’s windows, you could already see his admiration. Slowly those feelings grew and so did his inner conflict.
After all, a Celestial Master wasn’t supposed to indulged in worldly desires. And when Wu Zhen kissed him to save him from poisoning, his guilt only deepened because Mei Zhu Yu thought he was merely dreaming about such forbidden fantasies. 😆😆
The romance is definitely the best part of the drama. Xu Kai has always done a great job in portraying a lover, and I just can’t get enough of him. While writing this review, I even took the time to rewatch this drama, focusing only to the romance and I was completely satisfied. Every glance, every smile, every lingering stare, and every kiss between him and Tian Xi Wei made me blush.
A Cdrama is never complete without a dose of jealousy. Usually, it was the male lead who gets surrounded by admirers, which make the jealous one a female. But Moonlit Reunion is a reverse harem drama.
Wu Zhen, with her noble identity and striking beauty, attracts plenty of suitors who willing to do anything to win her heart. For instance, Wu Zi Shu and Pei Ji Ya were totally head over heels towards her. And let’s not forget Xiao Hou Ye from the first episode, who even offered himself as her birthday gift.
Honestly, Wu Zhen’s suitors were so infatuated with her that their feelings often felt more like obsession. So, if you enjoy jealous third-wheel trope, I am sure this drama will definitely satisfy you.
The Visual – A Feast for the Eyes, Flaws and All
The first thing that I noticed about Moonlit Reunion was how beautiful the visuals were. The gorgeous cast alone is a feast for the eyes. And the entire drama lived up to my expectations. Well, except for the visual effect.
The cat, the sinister fiend, the snakes, and several others were a big no-go. But there were also some impressive effects, like the way the black smoke moved (which reminded me of Dementor), or when someone use a spell or power. Those parts were great.
Many Cdramas tend to use heavy filter or excessive lighting to make the actors looked flawless. Heavy filters erase pores, while too much light can make faces looked two dimensional. But Moonlit Reunion did a wonderful job in this area.
Their makeup techniques was soo good that the cast looked flawless from afar, yet when the camera zoomed in for close-up shots, you could see natural details like the stubble, the smile lines, the frowns, and any other fine lines in the face. To me, those are details that made the characters feel more real. 😻
I also loved how much attention they paid for small details, like the calluses on Mei Zhu Yu’s thumb. He wasn’t portrayed as a pampered young master, therefore his hands has to look rough, and they really nail it. 👍🏻
The Demon Market was truly an attention-grabbing feature with its mixed style. The exteriors carry an ancient Chinese looks with fish lantern and a huge demon mask. But on the inside, you could also find a room in a classic Moroccan style, with the patterned rugs, huge lanterns (that reminded me of Melody of Golden Age), and dim lightning.
The deep and rich tone colors created a warm and inviting atmosphere. While the dim light added a mysterious aura that perfectly complemented the overall ambience.
The Characters
Wu Zhen (Played by Tian Xi Wei)
Wu Zhen, the Qinghe County Princess, was the second daughter of Duke Wu and the younger sister of the empress. Beneath her noble title lay a secret identity, the Cat Master of the Demon Market.
Although she held the highest authority in the Demon Market, she was only a half-human. This often becomes the problem that stirred disdain among the elders. However, the former Cat Master chose her as his successor, and with power none could rival, they have no choice but to obey her command.
As Cat Master, Wu Zhen ruled with a rare balance of humanity and stringency. Her compassion, born from her human heart, allowed her to lead with kindness. She treated her fellow demons with fairness and understanding, and at the same time protected them from harm. Yet, when the situation demanded it, she never hesitated to wield her power or mete out harsh punishment.
As the County Princess, Wu Zhen was infamous for her carefree, willful nature. Her age was old enough to get married, but she still refused every suitor because she never found anyone who could understand her and was handsome enough to catch her attention.
Wu Zhen’s decision to let herself indulge in love is proof of her fearless nature. Wu Zhen lived boldly. She wasn’t afraid to take risks, unashamed of her desires, and truly enjoyed her life.
Mei Zhu Yu (Played by Xu Kai)
Mei Zhu Yu worked as an Officer of the Mystical Appraisal Bureau. He has a natural talent as a demon hunter. He was famous for his righteousness and known to be a principled person. But Mei Zhu Yu has his own motive for entering the bureau.
He wanted to investigate the mysterious fire that destroyed Chang’an and killed his parents 18 years ago. He wanted to avenge them. But first, he has to know what really happened back then. And the Mystical Appraisal Bureau has the record and archives.
Officer Mei Zhu Yu was an eyesore for his boss. As an employee, Mei Zhu Yu is efficient, competent, and quite cunning, but on good terms. He handles tasks with skill and outperforms his colleagues, making his insecure boss uncomfortable. Still, he is a good person who never disrespects or undermines Commissioner Xu.
As a person, Mei Zhu Yu is very polite, respectful, and mannered. He didn’t speak much and kept an emotional barrier. But he himself is a very good boss. He treats his servant, Wen Hua, like a friend and is very generous to him.
Mei Zhu Yu follows his master’s teaching strictly. He tried to restrain himself due to the rules forbidding worldly desires. Yet, deep down inside, Mei Zhu Yu is a very passionate man who loves Wu Zhen fiercely. From the outside, he appears composed and aloof. Quietly draw lines from her. But inwardly, his emotions run very deep.
Liu Tai Zhen (Played by Wang Jia Yi)
If Wu Zhen is a cold beauty, then Liu Tai Zhen is the ice queen. She is the true serpent demon with hundreds of years of age. Liu Tai Zhen is the daughter of Minister Liu and the fiancée of Mei Si. To outsiders in Chang’an, she appeared to be Wu Zhen’s rival.
But in reality, the two are best friends. Liu Tai Zhen was known as the owner of Yuzhen House. She is smart, calm, patient, and didn’t like to speak much. She openly disdains Mei Si’s impulsive behaviours.
In the matter of the heart, Liu Tai Zhen is cautious, guarded, and has chosen to distance herself from love. Her past is painful because of the betrayal of the one she loves the most.
Wu Zi Shu (Played by Wu Jun Ting)
Wu Zi Shu is a book demon who works as the Cat Master’s assistant. He is Wu Zhen’s childhood friend. Compared to her, he is weaker. But Wu Zi Shu’s true strength lies in the vast knowledge he possesses. Wu Zi Shu is gentle, patient (only to Wu Zhen), quick-tempered, and skilled in healing.
He practically becomes Wu Zhen’s private doctor who knows everything about her like the back of his hand. Although Wu Zhen cannot see it, Wu Zi Shu already has deep feelings for her. Beneath his calm exterior, he also hides a secret that even Wu Zhen has no idea about it.
Mei Si (Played by Yi Da Qian)
Mei Si is Mei Zhu Yu’s cousin. He is the fourth son of the prestigious Mei family. Unlike Mei Zhu Yu who came from a side branch, Mei Si belongs to the main branch of the family. He has been betrothed to Liu Tai Zhen since childhood and remains hopelessly in love with her, although she treat him coldly.
One glance at Mei Si, you’ll see that he is like an open book. He is an honest man, but he tends to speak his mind without much filter. Mei Si also didn’t guard himself too tightly, making him approachable for everyone. He is genuine, sincere, and a bit naïve. He is very predictable in every way.
Hu Zhu (Played by Fan Shi Ran)
Hu Zhu is a fox demon. Officially, she is the Cat Master’s assistance and the shopkeeper of the Ruyi Pavillion. She is a bold person who often speak straightforwardly.
Her quick-witted mind was perfect to handle tricky customer, negotiate deals, and manage the daily bustle of the pavilion. Beneath her playful nature, Hu Zhu is a very loyal person. She didn’t hesitate to stand by her friends in times of danger.
Shuang Jiang (Played by Dan Jing Yao)
Shuang Jiang is quite similar to Mei Si in personality. Funny enough, it seemed that those closest to Mei Zhu Yu have this kind of temperament.
As the tenth Celestial Master of Changxi Palace, Shuang Jiang should not reveal his identity so casually, especially when people believed that Changxi Palace had vanished a hundred years ago.
Shuang Jiang’s cultivation may be low, but he makes up for it with hard work and unwavering loyalty. His kindness comes from his humanity and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. The only problem with having him around is the skyrocketing food budget, since his stomach truly resembles a bottomless black hole.
The Conclusion
Moonlit Reunion is a perfect pick if you’re looking for a romance drama to binge over the weekend. Just don’t set your expectations too high when it comes to the mystery part.
Personally, I enjoy this drama because the story was sweet, the visuals were breathtaking, and the chemistry was top notch. It’s already on my rewatch list, just so I can savor it all over again in a different light.
If you decided to make Moonlit Reunion as your daily dose, I warned you. Xu Kai’s passionate kisses might be too distracting. And I am sure you wouldn’t want your boss catching you grinning at your screen during office hours.
Just save it for home instead. Put it on the big screen, grab your favorite snack or drink, and let yourself get swept away. Just do it like that and thank me later. I’ll see you in another drama review, dear readers. Happy watching!
