Joy of Life

Joy of life is such a beautifully written drama, I have even watched it multiple times because I'll never get enough of it.

At first, the things interested me was the story idea where the main lead transmigrated from a modern world and to see more of Xiao Zhan's (because I just finished watching TU at the time). Honestly speaking, I was confused about why they didn't like focus on the time travel matter (which i loved btw) but as the story progresses I eventually forget that Fan Xian is from another timeline because of how amazing the plot is.

Fan Xian looks like an annoying and arrogant brat; though as the it progresses you can see how he actually isn't. Zhang RuoYun portrayed him so amazingly (as usual) to the point where you can feel Fan Xian's emotions, even the slightest ones.

Other's actings were so so so good as well, the one's caught my eyes were the seniors. Words alone wouldn't be enough to explain how fascinated I am with Chen Dao Ming and Wu Gang laoshi's actings. Whenever their characters appear on screen, a hundred of questions would start forming in my head. Things like, 'what are they thinking? what are they planning?' those kind of stuff.

I would write so much more but I'm keeping it spoiler free for now.

Can't wait for s2 <3 <3

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Best cdrama I've ever watched

The actors are superb, especially Fan Xian, Chen Ping Ping, and the Emperor. The director also took care to portray characters with complex motivations - even and especially villains. I didn't even fast forward or skip a single scene. I actually watched every villain scene. You will hate the villain at first sight, but end up kinda feeling sorry for them by the time they die. I appreciate this so much. I hate evil characters who are evil for the sake of being evil.

This show was also really funny and the plot is so fun - secrets within secrets within secrets. I loved it, I loved discovering the truth behind every case, and the true motivation of every character. It's also funny how Fan Xian basically has a bunch of dads.

The only slightly meh thing about this show is that Fan Xian and his fiancee don't really have much chemistry. While the actor/actress tried their best, I just wasn't feeling it. He had way more chemistry with Haitang Duoduo, even though she's more like a bro than a love interest.

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The Joy Is Real

Joy of Life came into my life at a strangely perfect time, right after I walked out of a scholarship interview that did not go the way I hoped. I was not expecting much, but somehow this drama lived up to its title in the most literal sense. It brought me joy. Not in an overwhelming or dramatic way, but in a steady, satisfying flow that kept me grounded while constantly surprising me. It feels rare to find a drama that is this witty, this fresh, and this confident in its storytelling. More often than not, I found myself shaking my head in admiration, thinking, “okay, that was smart.”

The story opens with a young man who regrets a life he barely got to live, only to be reborn as Fan Xian in a completely different era, carrying memories of the 21st century. What follows is not just a typical rebirth narrative, but something that plays out like a carefully constructed puzzle. Raised in Danzhou under the watchful care of his grandmother, trained by the mysterious Wuzhu and the terrifying yet oddly endearing Fei Jie, Fan Xian grows up equipped with skills and knowledge that make him stand out a little too much. When he finally heads to the capital, expecting a comfortable life, reality hits quickly. Assassination attempts, political marriages, inherited power, and dangerous secrets all crash into his world at once. From there, the story never really slows down, yet it never feels overwhelming either. It is layered, but light on its feet.

At the center of it all is Fan Xian, easily one of the most memorable characters I have seen in a costume drama. There is something so refreshing about how he is written. He is sharp, skeptical, and occasionally chaotic, yet grounded by a strong moral compass and unwavering loyalty to the people he loves. His modern perspective allows him to question traditions and authority in ways that feel both bold and oddly satisfying. The way he casually avoids kneeling in a rigid royal court says a lot about who he is, which is why the one moment he does kneel carries so much weight. He is clever enough to navigate political schemes, skilled enough to survive physical threats, and lucky enough to have people who would step in for him when needed. Watching him never feels stressful. It feels reassuring, like you know he will find a way, even if that way is completely unorthodox.

Zhang Ruoyun deserves a lot of credit for bringing Fan Xian to life. This was my first time watching him, and he made an immediate impression. His comedic timing is effortless, and his expressions land perfectly without feeling exaggerated. He knows exactly when to be playful and when to pull things back for emotional moments. There is a natural charm in his performance that makes everything feel believable. He does not just act as Fan Xian, he becomes him in a way that feels seamless.

Beyond its main character, the writing itself is where the drama truly shines. The premise might not sound entirely new, but the execution feels incredibly original. It treats time and memory almost like a quiet scientific riddle, something closer to a cosmic physics problem than a simple plot device. The drama does not overexplain. It trusts the audience to follow along, dropping hints here and there while focusing on Fan Xian’s journey. Sometimes I had to rewind a scene or two, but once things clicked, they really clicked. The balance between humor and politics is especially impressive. The comedy never feels forced, and the political intrigue never feels too dense. Hidden motives, shifting alliances, and unexpected twists are all presented in a way that is easy to digest yet still impactful. Some twists genuinely made me pause and think, wow, that runs deeper than I expected.

The supporting cast adds even more depth to the story, particularly the three father figures in Fan Xian’s life. Chen Daoming as the Emperor and Wu Gang as Chen Ping Ping both carry an undeniable presence. The Emperor feels unpredictable and quietly terrifying, while Chen Ping Ping, confined to a wheelchair, commands attention in a completely different way. Their interactions with Fan Xian are fascinating because they blur the line between care and manipulation. Fan Jian, on the other hand, offers a more traditional form of warmth and protection, grounding Fan Xian in something that feels genuine and familial. The contrast between these three dynamics adds so much texture to the story.

Other characters leave strong impressions in their own ways. Wuzhu remains a mystery that lingers in the background, making every appearance feel significant. Fei Jie stands out as both a harsh teacher and a deeply caring figure, someone who expresses love in the most unconventional ways. His quiet admission of seeing Fan Xian as a son is one of the more emotional moments in the drama. Lin Wan Er, while likable at times, can be frustrating with her hesitation and internal conflicts, though she never becomes an obstacle to Fan Xian’s path. The Fan family dynamic is another highlight. From the fiercely loyal Fan Ruo Ruo to the initially cautious but eventually caring stepmother and brother, their relationships evolve in a way that feels natural and rewarding.

What ties everything together is the production itself. The use of modern-style background music in a historical setting should not work as well as it does, but here, it feels just right. The entire drama has a certain sparkle to it, like champagne. It is light, smooth, and quietly celebratory without losing its depth. Even smaller characters and background moments feel thoughtfully executed, adding to the overall immersion.

By the time I reached the end, I realized I could not easily pick a single favorite aspect. It is everything working together, the character, the writing, the humor, the quiet philosophical undertones, that makes this drama so memorable. Joy of Life is something I would return to without hesitation, especially on days when I need a reminder that stories can still feel this alive.

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The Best Drama of 2020 so far for me

I started watching C-Dramas at the beginning of the lockdown but this wasn't my first show. I first came across it on Youtube then stopped. After watching some other dramas, I came back to watch it but thus time on DramaCool. I have to say that this is one of my favourite dramas ever. Zhang Ruo Yun did a incredible job as Fan Xian. His personality matched his character well and I can't wait for season 2 of this drama. The suspense, the comedy, the everything was to die for.

Plot: As far as plots go, this was superb. There were't too many twists and turns but when the plot did its turns, they were spectacular. I didn't expect the ending at all but if you haven't watched it, prepare for the shock of your life.

Cast: The casting was done very well in my opinion. I couldn't imagine anyone else playing the characters. They did well with the actors. Li Qin did very well as Lin Wan'er. She was the perfect amount of sweet and elegant. Song Yi played Fan Ruo Ruo with an excellent amount of elegance and mystery. She was a character that I liked a lot. SHe was the most talented lady and she also held her own very well.

Music: Now this, I have to say was a deal for me. I absolutely loved the opening theme by Li Jian. 'One Life, One Thought' was a very endearing song and it matched the story's theme perfectly. The ending theme was also very beautiful and Sean Xiao gave the opening a run for its money.

Rewatch Value: I gave this a 10 because I found myself watching over the 1st season already. I am itching to watch season 2.

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Joy of Life is MEGA!!!

Truth be told, I'm relatively new to watching Chinese Costume Dramas...but have recently gotten hooked based on the quality of the storyline and acting. JOY OF LIFE is PAR EXCELLENCE! I don't watch these movies because of the cast's popularity or celebrity status...if you're a great actor or actress I'll watch...bottom line I don't chase after celebrities. Yet JOY OF LIFE is definitely worth REWATCHING and I can't wait for season 2. Yes indeed...from start to finish the screen writers, production team and performers hit a home run with this one!

So very glad I didn't read any of the reviews before I watched this JOL...I don't like to be tainted about a show. Afterwards I saw some reviews about one of the cast members that was rather unfortunate. Viewers should give credit where credit's due... 'cause JOL is simply a fantastic product with great performers all around!

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A Chinese Drama that you most possibly wont fast forward or skip scenes often if any.

So I just couldn't wait to finish the drama and write a review for you guys to know how I feel so far going 3/4 into the series. First off, im the kinda guy that when watching something whether its a tv series or movie, I tend to skip scenes I find boring or non important character/non sense a lot. Almost every drama I watch, I have some skips including this one but its very rare I skip only because the scene of a boat sailing soo long as an example. So anyway here we go, first off, if you are like me, who skip scenes constantly and get bored easily on dramas, think again for this one as I have seen so far, almost every character in the show with scenes gets interesting enough to keep watching. The thrill and excitement comes from almost every character whether minor or supporting ones is, its always interesting to keep on watching. So far this show kept me over 3 days watching due to me not skipping much at all. For a 50-60 episode series I have watched, I tend to finish within a day to 2 skipping a lot but this one, took me a good amounts of days to finished. The plot and each character plans played out are soo simple but yet captivating to the extend of keeping you glued to the seat without fast forwarding. That is what I like in series, when compare to Ten miles of blossom, I skip a bit on that show due to some characters I dont like to watch, but this, almost never skipped. That is how good it is. Let me tell you, the most useless character I find in the show to be boring somewhat is the main female lead, but its just to let you know the level of thrillness I find that if you like the female lead scenes, then almost every character scenes may again captivate you just like me. I also like the main lead, the story is always revolve around him, very rare that the whole drama you only find mainly to the lead, 9 out of 10 times, its a split multiple lead couples storyline. Give it a shot and see for yourself. Waiting for season 2 as the story continues.

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Fan Xian is a very smart and strong man. His background is very mysterious. His mom was dead when he was born and he never knew who she was. This is a drama that contains a lot of surprises and mysteries. I liked this drama a lot and you guys should watch it. If u guys are watching this for Xiao Zhan, he mostly only appears about the last 10 episodes. He appears in the start but we didn’t see much of his face. Also as u have seen I liked this drama a lot but also rated it poorly. Most of the main characters especially Li Qin or Wan’er didn’t appear more than 10 episodes. Also I thought the ending was bad and I couldn’t see what I wanted to truly happen.

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Don't get fooled by the poster. This drama contains everything that you are looking for.

Initially I was a bit hesitant to watch this drama because of the serious looking poster. But then I gave it a try. I immediately fell in love. It is a mix of comedy, politics, sci-fi, cinematography and it is one of the best stories in c-dramaland in my opinion.

This is the first drama where I was not interested in the romance between ML and FL but was very much hooked to the story. Uncle Wu zhu has this charm that makes you fall in love with him even with his eyes closed. Also this is the drama where I didn't fast forward scenes (I am a chronic fast forwarder) and watched everything in its own pace.

I didn't like the FL, don't get me wrong, I am not able to tell why I don't like her but other Female Leads had amazing chemistry and very strong characters. Again, this drama is not about romance, it is about the strong story that keeps you hooked.

I finished this drama in 2 days and now I am very sad because I have to wait for season 2.

In summary best thing about this drama is its fantastic story and my new found crush Uncle Wu zhu (ahem) <3

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I can’t remember a drama with as many beautiful people (young or old, good or evil, main character or random person on the street). Mades it harder to follow the plot, haha. (It’s easier for KDramas. If a guy is good looking, he’s often good; if he’s bad looking he’s bad. If he’s good looking but bad then he gets a sad backstory to explain his badness.)

I like the main character who is funny, smart, principled (but not sanctimonious), and kind but not a pushover---he can, and does, match all of the schemers around him scheme for scheme. There are a number of great female characters, including his faithful sister and a sidekick/rival (whom, unfortunately, I like much more than the primary love interest). The fact that some of the most unlikely characters are actually martial arts experts made this especially fun and interesting.

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Fan Xian, what the hell are you?

It was a series that was completely gripping, intriguing, active, exciting, and had high emotional intensity and stress. There was love and there was love. Separations too. Friendship, camaraderie, ambition, grudge, hatred, fight, war, intrigue, espionage activities, groupings, desires for advancement, fights for the throne, they were all there. There was also a humorous narration. Zhang Ruo Yun is an actor who is very prone to comedy. He is an actor who can perform casualness, humorous approaches and lively expressions very well. This role suits him very well. That's why Tian Yu and Guo Qi Lin, with whom he was in a relationship, accompanied his joke beautifully. We can even add Liu Duan Duan. There were plenty of humorous jokes in the series. Even though he tried to frame her in the end and we learned that he was actually the one behind trying to kill her, the relationship level was humorous. Same with Xin Zi Lei. We can also count Cui Zi Gang and Jia Jing Hui. These always seemed to me to be related in a fun, humorous way. That's why I never got bored while watching it. In fact, it ended very badly. It was an intriguing ending to the next season. I'm looking forward to the second season. I expected Yan Bing Yun to do something like this. Because the more open Fan Xian was to him, the more closed he remained. He didn't even openly claim the woman he was in a relationship with, he was dying for her. He didn't mind. Even though he knew the Spy Names, he did not give them. He constantly evaded every question. Just as he did not trust himself, he did not trust the other person either. I was guessing that he was not on the road, but when they arrived at the relevant office, he would do a trick, make speeches against Fan Xian, give information, and say things against him. But he dealt the fatal blow. He found an excuse for himself by saying he was doing this for Qing. It's as if others are doing it for another state. This means that this person was also one of the 2nd Prince's men. He was working for that group. Let's see what will happen in the second season. I am waiting. I liked the first season very much. I would recommend it to everyone.

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