When I first came across Qingqiu Apothecary, I wasn't expecting much.

The recently aired Chinese wuxia fantasy drama follows Qing Xuan, an immortal from Qingqiu who descends into the mortal realm in search of answers. Along the way, he encounters demons, uncovers long-buried secrets, meets both old and new companions, and gradually learns truths about himself that have been hidden for far too long.

On paper, it sounded interesting enough. In reality? The drama ended up surprising me in ways I did not expect.

If you're wondering whether Qingqiu Apothecary is worth watching and whether it contains BL or bromance elements, here's my spoiler-free review.

First Impressions

I'll be completely honest: I almost dropped this drama.

The first few episodes left me confused, and I wasn't entirely sure where the story was trying to go. The introduction felt somewhat misleading, and for a while I kept asking myself whether continuing was worth the effort.

The only reason I stayed was because of He De Rui, who plays Chen Fei Lu.

And thank goodness I did.

Looking back, I genuinely think the production team knew exactly what they were doing. The opening episodes create certain expectations, only for the story to gradually reveal its true intentions later on.

My advice? Don't judge the drama too quickly.

If you're feeling uncertain during the first few episodes, stick with it. By the time you reach the middle portion of the series, you'll probably understand why I nearly dropped it and why I'm now recommending it.

Thankfully, this isn't a huge time commitment. The drama consists of only 24 episodes, with each episode running for roughly 10 minutes.

About the Drama

Directed by Niu Chuan, Qingqiu Apothecary combines wuxia, fantasy, romance, and supernatural elements into a compact short-drama format.

Unlike many larger xianxia productions that spend dozens of episodes establishing their world, Qingqiu Apothecary moves at a relatively fast pace. There is always another mystery to uncover, another demon to confront, or another piece of the puzzle waiting to be revealed.

The shorter format works surprisingly well, allowing the story to remain engaging without becoming overly complicated.

Is Qingqiu Apothecary BL?

This is probably the question that brought many readers to this article.

The short answer?

No, Qingqiu Apothecary is not officially marketed as a BL drama.

However, the longer answer is much more interesting.

The production team somehow manages to walk a very fine line. If you're watching the series primarily for romance, you'll find enough material to support that interpretation. If you're a bromance fan searching for meaningful chemistry and emotional connections between male characters, you'll likely notice those elements as well.

Personally, I think this is one of those dramas that gives different viewers exactly what they want.

Some people will see romance.

Others will see bromance.

And honestly, I think that's part of the drama's charm.

Without venturing into spoiler territory, I'll simply say that viewers who finish the entire series may come away with a very different understanding of what the creators were trying to achieve than viewers who stop after only a few episodes.

The Characters

Considering the drama's short runtime, the characters play a major role in its success.

My personal favorite was He De Rui as Chen Fei Lu. His performance was one of the main reasons I continued watching when I was considering dropping the series, and by the end, I felt completely justified in that decision.

Meng En also does a solid job portraying Qing Xuan. As the immortal protagonist searching for answers, he carries much of the story's emotional weight while maintaining enough mystery to keep viewers invested.

The supporting cast deserves credit as well. Despite limited screen time, most characters leave a lasting impression and contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative.

The Unintentional Comedy

I have to emphasize the word unintentional here.

There were several moments throughout the drama where I became very aware that I was watching actors perform. Certain scenes felt slightly theatrical, creating comedic moments that I don't think the creators originally intended.

Oddly enough, this ended up adding to the charm.

At the same time, the drama also contains genuinely funny scenes that land exactly as intended. The result is a surprisingly entertaining viewing experience that balances fantasy, mystery, and humor quite well.

What I Liked

• Short and easy to binge-watch.

• Strong chemistry between the main cast.

• Several genuinely surprising story developments.

• Fantasy and supernatural elements that remain interesting throughout.

• A story that becomes increasingly rewarding the longer you stick with it.

What Might Not Work for Everyone

• The opening episodes can feel confusing.

• The low-budget nature of the production occasionally shows.

• Some performances may come across as overly dramatic depending on your tastes.

• Viewers expecting immediate answers may find the early episodes frustrating.

Final Verdict

Overall, I would give Qingqiu Apothecary a 9/10.

A large part of that rating comes from how effectively the drama exceeded my expectations. I started the series with doubts, nearly abandoned it entirely, and ended up enjoying it far more than I ever expected.

Is it perfect?

No.

Is it one of those hidden gems that catches you completely off guard?

Absolutely.

If you're a fan of fantasy dramas, supernatural adventures, short-form Chinese dramas, or you're simply curious about the ongoing discussions surrounding its BL and bromance elements, Qingqiu Apothecary is definitely worth checking out.

And if you're anything like me, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by the time the final episode rolls around.