A story worth the hype with brilliant writing and acting
I may be late to the party but I finally had the chance to watch Joy of Life. And this is one of those rare times when the high MDL rating truly matches my own feelings. The story is excellent and the acting is just as strong.What I love most is the male lead. He feels so human yet incredibly intelligent which makes sense since he’s a modern man suddenly placed in ancient times (not exactly reborn, but you’ll need to watch to see the clever twist that will blow your mind).
Unlike the typical C-drama male lead with a cold face and stiff demeanor, he’s witty, sharp, funny and refreshingly straightforward.
Every scene keeps me curious about what he’ll say or do next and the way he fearlessly throws words back at his enemies is so satisfying to watch.
He doesn’t need to be an ice-cold hero to make people fear him, his sharp tongue and ability to expose their intentions in advance are more than enough.
Another thing I admire is that he’s not written as a flawless, forced hero. At first, he just wants to enjoy his new life but his intelligence and circumstances gradually push him toward heroic choices. Unlike other dramas where the ML feels artificially chosen, here his journey feels natural and believable. He even befriends former enemies, recognizing that not everyone is born evil.
This adds depth to the story where appearances are deceiving and no one’s true nature is clear until the mask comes off.
All the supporting characters are equally brilliant. You’re never sure whether they’re truly good or bad until the story unfolds.
Some who appear virtuous may be hiding darker truths while others who seem questionable may have redeeming qualities.
This drama kept me entertained in every single episode, there wasn’t a single moment of boredom. For me, this is how you create an iconic male-centric drama, sharp writing and layered characters. Absolutely deserving of a perfect 10/10.
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A very good political drama with humor elements
If the world is filled with people who are neither good nor bad, so are the characters in this drama. It's a world of grey.One of my favourite things in a movie or show is a grey character. Always interesting and unpredictable and this show embodied that. Not even a single predictable character. You will think "oh this person must be a certain way" but they turn around and do something they have never done before. It was super fun to see this play out.
"Joy of life" is like a game with the writer whipping out a bunch of interesting, smart and power hungry people all in one show and seeing what happens. Its political yet humorous, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
This show had 46 episodes, I was gearing up for a long ride with high expectations and I would say this show has reached most of my expectations thank fully and surprised me quite a bit too. I really enjoyed most of the characters and most storylines.
It was really enjoyable from episode one to about ep 20, very clever, funny and interesting. But from 20 to 30 I started to feel a drag and it started to get uninteresting. There were alot of filler episodes and plots that could have been done without . I was almost
gonna drop it so bad, but only xiao zhan made me want to hold on. But after that phase things not only got better, it really kept me on the edge. The unveiling of the layers of the story was perfect. The story made sure that the audience always stayed alert in order to get what is happening.
This show is the epitome of equality. The women of this show are unbeatable, strong no matter thier circumstances and never a pushover. As an untamed fan this was a job well done as untamed lacked in this department.
This show hits different spots regarding dilemmas on political and social issues. I found myself questioning and debating about my own morals. This show strengthened my morals in some ways maybe. Now that's a huge impact.
As an untamed fan, it would be a lie to say that xiao zhan was not part of the many reasons why I watched this show. It was so great to see him on screen again, though it was for a support role. He bought in alot to the table and ended the show with a bang 🤪
This show was a treat to the eyes as well as the ears. The osts and the bgm used in the drama was beautiful. Plus point once again was xiao zhan sang one of the osts hehe.
In conclusion this show had a huge impact on me and I think it would impress many people so I highly recommend it! Cant wait for season 2 please release it asap 😫
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The future is a long past
Having not read the novel, I had no idea what I was in for in this first installment of the Joy of Life series. And honestly, it took me about 12 episodes before I really settled into the drama. The anachronistic elements and humor were not landing for me yet, and Fan Xian's love-at-first-sight for Lin Wan'er was not at all interesting. Once his friend Teng Zijing is killed, the drama finally finds its footing and a better balance between its heavy drama and lighter moments. As Fan Xian becomes mired in the cesspool of political and palace power struggles, the audience too is drawn in - and things do not let up until the very last shot of episode 46 when you are left with a most frustrating cliffhanger.The characters are deliciously multi-dimensional, even as some ooze pure evil (Princess Royal Li Yunrui is a standout) as they endeavor to manipulate people and events to their own benefit. Even our determined male lead Fan Xian behind his confident exterior carries a lot of pain and loneliness. My favorite scenes are those where we get a glimpse of his true inner state - the quieter moments (such as Xiao En's final moments, the last scene with Zhuang Mohan, and just chatting in Haitang Duoduo's garden).
Without getting too much into things, this story is apparently a period drama, but it is actually set in the very distant future (I know, is this story sci-fi? Historical? Have to wait and see in season 2 if this gets explained further). As such, it makes the story all the more poignant. Many years from now, what will mankind have to show for itself? Have we been able to overcome our greed, hatred and distrust of others? When will we stop hurting or killing each other? Can centuries of literature, poetry and history truly make us better? These are timeless questions, all the more pertinent in today's conflict-ridden world. I think this story, which has yet to finish, will ultimately take an optimistic stance because we all want to believe in Fan Xian - the seemingly powerless one who can stand up and continue in the endless fight for good.
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One of the best (if not THE best) chinese drama in recent years.
I started to watch this drama because of the good reviews and I had also just finished The Untamed (which was my first costume cdrama) so I had high hopes for this drama. My expectations where definitely meet!Acting/characters:
FanXian is a very lovable main character, both capable of being serious but is also a very witty character. The entire cast is amazing with some of the best acting i've seen from a drama. The older cast is especially phenomenal, even the "evil" characters" are captivating too watch. One of my favorite things about this drama is the care for the minor characters. You can tell that the production team really put in alot of thought into even the minor characters, they all have a purpose and is well flushed out.
Story:
At first I thought this drama would just be another political palace drama but there is so much more to it. And even though the story is pretty serious, there is still plenty of comedy and lighthearted moments sprinkled through out the drama, making it easier to watch. There is romance but that is not the focal point of the story. I didn't necessarily care too much about the romance but it didn't take anything away from the story, I do however wish that Wan'er had more to do (hopefully she will in the next season).
Other points:
- The intro is probably my favorite cdrama opening!
- If I where to critic something, it would be that the show slows down a bit during the last 10 episodes, but I was still interested in the story nonetheless.
- The show is very beautiful, I know that some people thought that the coloring was off and I can see why, however this did not bother me at all.
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A Brilliant Blend of Wit, Intrigue, and Heart
Joy of Life is a rare gem that blends political intrigue with witty humor and heartfelt storytelling. It follows a protagonist who is intelligent, charming, and layered, navigating a dangerous world of power struggles with both strategy and humor. The writing is sharp, filled with clever dialogue and unexpected turns that keep the viewer constantly engaged.What makes this drama shine is its balance—intense palace politics are often softened by lighthearted, laugh-out-loud moments, while emotional connections between characters give the story real weight. The acting is superb across the board, with performances that make every relationship feel genuine, whether it’s familial, romantic, or political.
If you enjoy dramas that make you think, laugh, and feel deeply all at once, Joy of Life is a must-watch—an entertaining ride that lingers long after the final episode.
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A fun ride
The main character is such a mood and the supporting characters are all master rank actors. The storyline is quite linear and easy to follow. All the strategies are also carefully explained in detail by the characters in the story. There are many scenes that make me emotional, but mostly a light paced comedy that you can enjoy while having meals.My only complaint about this is drama is that I found no chemistry between Fanxian and his fiancee, and I don't feel morally justified to ship FX with other female characters. And the storyline is simple enough to understand in one go. No chemistry + simple story = less rewatch value that's why I give it 8.5/10 in that aspect
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Historic Modern Man
The summary kinda takes you away from the main idea of the drama which is simple, "what if", a modern day man with modern day thought process, values, and scientific mindset is reborn into history itself, still preserving his values and memories from his previous life. The best part probably about this drama is that looks were not given as much importance as the plot of this drama & the acting itself. If I say anything else I'd be ruining the drama so to briefly summarise, you really can't miss this one!Was this review helpful to you?
Great Season
This review is based on a re-watch after a long hiatus. I didn't want to review it at the time due to the first season ending on a heavy cliffhanger and was waiting for season 2 to complete. As I'm about to drop season 2, this review will solely be on season 1.This season is deserving of its fame and there's no need to really go into too much details for the review because of it. The plot flow was great as there are multiple sub-plots that keep the series interesting. This is also one where you'll find yourself having multiple favorite characters. The humorous layer attached to some very serious and intense underlying situations really makes the series shine.
My only qualm is our main ML's love interest. There isn't great chemistry between the two, their romance doesn't feel natural, and the FL is pretty useless. Even during my first watch, I had skipped through most of their interactions as it was quite boring. Fortunately, the romantic scenes between them aren't heavy-handed. If it weren't for this, would have given the series a higher score.
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This isn't a typical story of a no one who rises through the ranks of the court and administration. Everything happens quickly and while it seems like Fan Xian's quick wit, pluckiness, and martial arts propel him, there is something and someone (or ones?) that are helping and even hindering the talented Fan.
I won't spoil it, but while I'm waiting (impatiently for Part 2), I will share some quick observations:
~the story moves faster than I thought it would
~Bad-ass females who are smart and strong :)
~every new "crisis"/ difficulty builds on another
~character development and backstory are well-developed.
~costumes are well-done; fx and stunts are seamless
~camaraderie between Xian and his clique is funny and endearing without being forced. The relationship he has with his brother is laugh out loud funny.
~the ending is a bit of a "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"
~Zhang Ruo Yun is adorable.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is not the completed series. There are seasons following.
For those of you that don't know, this is not a completed series and the season ends on a cliffhanger. I thought it was important to mention because if you are like me and are used to Asian dramas not having multiple seasons, you will be in for a surprise. I was quite annoyed when I got to the ending only to find that the story was not completed. I like binge watching and cliffhangers are my pet peeve.Now that is out of the way, the story is quite interesting. You are always in for a surprise and the story is never dull. The main character is witty and a master thinker. I loved the supporting characters, particularly the brother who always cracked me up every time he appeared. I also loved the relationships between the main character and his family and friends. The story is exciting, the scenes have a lot of humour and the storylines are unpredictable.
The reason I gave the story an 8.5 but overall 9 rating is because I did not like how the story begins but the overall story was great. I think it is lazy for a writer to begin a story by making it known that it is a story and just jump from the present to the past. I almost dropped it. Luckily I continued watching because it was a unique story and I'm always one for dramas with stories that are not overdone (like the typical historical political palace dramas where the ladies fight for power with one ultimate "Legend of...").
I would definitely recommend this drama if you are willing to wait for more seasons to come.
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Court Politics At Its Finest
Joy of Life is a 2019 Chinese wuxia drama that centers around a young man named Fan Xian who was born in ancient imperial China with memories and knowledge of the 21st century. He grows up knowing about a far more advanced society so he has always felt alone and isolated like a fish out of water. That premise alone made me want to watch this drama immediately, but I had to wait years because I found out that it ends in a cliffhanger and there was no confirmed date for a season 2 release. Thankfully, they finally announced the premiere of the second season this year, so I decided to start the first season. I didn't regret it. I was able to finish this 46-episode drama in just 8 days. That rarely happens to me, but when it does, it's usually because the drama is really enjoyable and has gained my full attention.I'm a sucker for royal court intrigues, and political scheming and plotting, so this captured my undivided attention from the get-go. Not to mention this drama has what I hope most series would have, a very engaging, interesting, and endearing hero that you want to root for and fall in love with. Fan Xian is hands down one of my favorite characters of all time! He is highly intelligent, witty, humorous, crafty, skilled, and relatable in his flawed nature. I haven't laughed so much since I watched Word of Honor. But this drama also made me tear up more than once because of the emotional beats and brilliant acting of Zhang Ruoyun as Fan Xian. Ruoyun really carries this drama and he does it with flying colors. Despite acting alongside some of the best veteran actors in the business, he is, in no way, overshadowed by his more experienced co-stars. I've liked him since I saw him in Under the Microscope and Joy of Life only helped me confirm his undeniable charisma and screen presence. The rest of the cast are fantastic in their own way. My favorite among the supporting characters is Chen Pingping played by Wu Gang, whom I suspect to be a legendary actor in the Chinese entertainment industry. If he isn't, then it's a travesty! He is that good! This drama has such a strong supporting cast that I liked almost everyone, even the villains. I absolutely abhor the Princess Royal, Li Yun Rui, but Li Xiao Ran is so amazing in playing this detestable character that I applaud her for it. Wang Yang is also great in this, as always. He only appears in the first half of the drama but he cemented himself as one of the more unforgettable characters in the series. I also have to specially mention the actor who played young Fan Xian, he does not only look like Zhang Ruoyun but also acts like him. That was such a great casting choice!
The script is one of the best I've seen in any drama. It's what I expect from other dramas of its kind, even better than Nirvana in Fire's in my opinion. The dialogues are remarkably well-written with carefully chosen wording only meant to hint at the true meaning behind the statements. You have to read between the lines, so to speak. And this, coupled with the subtle acting from the cast, brings more tension to the scenes. The script also interweaves beautiful poetry with tragedy and unpredictable plot twists that make you immediately think of plot armor as an excuse. But as things unravel you begin to realize that perhaps the so-called plot armors can be justified by a number of reasons, making you believe in the brilliance of the writing.
As much as I love this drama, I do have some beefs with it, though. As I mentioned, while some turns in the plot can be justified, I do think that there are far too many convenient coincidences for them to be logical. I will not mention those here but if you pay attention to how problems are handled by the characters as things unfold, then you will know what I mean. I also have some issues with the female lead. For the life of me, I cannot understand why they have to continually infantalize women in these dramas. I do not find these women cute whatsoever. It is annoying and tiresome! Lin Wan'er is played by the beautiful Li Qin, but the character is the cookie cutter type of pretty, feminine, and angelic damsel in distress. I do not want all women to be warriors like Haitang Duoduo, but Lin Wan'er acts like a cute little girl who has a penchant for stealing food from the kitchen. What is so amusing about that?! How old is she, 8?! And Fan Xian falling in love with her at first sight is far too cliché for my taste. I don't know why they can't seem to write really good female characters in these dramas. It's probably a culture thing.
Even though it's quite obvious from the cinematography and sets that this drama was not made with a meager budget, the costumes look so out of place and plasticky cheap. I mean, leather belts and leather-like garb? Weird paisely looking patterns in the garments? Did those exist in ancient China? I understand that they probably wanted to bring a more modern feel to the costumes because of the science fiction aspects of the story, but come on! The costumes are hideous! I feel sorry for the actors who had to wear those heavy-looking dreadful garments in the peak of summer! I was also disappointed with the fight choreography. There are far too many cuts that you can barely see what's going on. I expected better. It didn't hinder me from enjoying the action scenes, though. The music is hit or miss. There are some themes that work, some that do not. Whoever thought that latin music would work in a Chinese costume drama is insane! Some are inappropriately used, too. Seriously, why would you put sinister-sounding music when there's no imminent danger?! lol
But my biggest disappointment is how the writers (or original writer of the novels) failed to cleverly incorporate modern elements into the story. Considering that Fan Xian was born with the knowledge of a technologically advanced society, he rarely used that knowledge for his benefit. While he did use his expertise in poetry and literature to help him advance his career in politics, it didn't go beyond that. The drama also barely explores the true nature of Fan Xian's character and that of his mother, who supposedly came from another world. I expected it to be more like the manga/anime Dr. Stone wherein the characters are frozen in time when a second ice age hit the earth and they wake up in another stone age. They help provide the foundations of that world by introducing science, technology, literature, and even modern warfare. But this drama doesn't do anything of the sort. Instead, it focuses on political intrigues and wars of that primitive society with Fan Xian barely putting his knowledge of a futuristic world to use. He rarely even mentions it, which is a total waste of that concept. The science fiction aspects are just cosmetic tools used to make the story seem a little more unique but does not use it to its fullest potential. Shame. This drama could've been way better.
But despite all that, I still give this drama a high rating of 9 out of 10. I recommend this to anyone who wants to watch an intelligently written drama with fleshed out characters and an engaging plot.
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