Unlike most people, I did not start the drama because of Xiao Zhan (though I do love him) but damn this show is great. Each character had their motives and weren't shallow, the acting was good and so was the story! I just finished this but want to rewatch it already.
If anyone reading this is wondering if this show is worthwhile, i'd say give it a go. It's honestly one of the only two cdramas for which i did not take a break in between (the other one is 'go ahead'). Usually it gets difficult for me to keep my attention on cdramas since they are sooooo long but i wish this one was longer :(
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Must watch!
My favourite c-drama by far. About to watch it for the third time. So looking forward to the next seasons, especially after having just finished reading the novel.The script for season 1 of the drama is a bit different from the original novel but they did a great job with it and i am very much looking forward to seeing how it develops over the next 2 seasons.
Casting for season 1 is amazing, all actors did a great job, especially the actors playing Fan Xian, Wu Zhu ( Tong Meng Shi as Wu Zhu is my favourite character ever), Wang Qinian, Chen Ping Ping and the Emperor.
Zhang Ruo Yun and Li Qin have great chemistry and they portray the characters ( Fan Xian and Lin Wan'er) very well.
Would be great if they would cast Ma Tianyu as Thirteenth Wang in the next seasons. I thought of him when reading the novel and i think he would be perfect for the part.
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Feels like an Anime showing
I'm kind of torn on how I feel about this one.I'll spoil one sentence that was said in the show to summarize how I feel about it, and it was said by the Emperor... and he said the ML's life so far has been too easy thus far.
This is how I feel about the series overall. That one sentence can kind of summarize it too well. I felt kind of unimpressed by it since it did feel like our super smart ML just happens to know everything and have an answer to everything, guided or not... my one line summary would be: it feels like I'm watching a classic mainstream anime but in real life acted version.
Likes:
- Acting was good
- Enough interesting scenes to keep me interested, like parts making you wonder what'll happen next
- Visually not bad, but expected from a modern day series
Dislikes:
- I didn't really enjoy the theme of a return to a point back in time at the start, but I guess overall it fit into the story alright.
- Everything is way too easy for the ML and even in any points of danger or what not... he simply outspeaks the other.
- The music was not to my taste. They tried to bring music that you'd see in more "current day" type of dramas in my opinion into it and the humor that went along just wasn't to my taste either... it felt forced... like they were making some really "witty or funny" joke, but it really felt like a okay... cmon... to me. I guess I personally just prefer a more to the point and follows a main storyline more so rather than slice of life interactions.
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*MUST WATCH*
This is a must watch drama, I've been hooked to it from the very first episode. After years I finally stumbled upon something fresh, humorous, witty, and with a good story line.PLOT :
The plot of it is very amazingly done. The screenwriter and director did the best job. I loved every bit of the storyline. I don't see any plot holes. Kudos to the screenwriter for the amazing job. I like how there is a comedic touch to the serious problem, in that way the drama doesn't become boring and it doesn't make you depressed or sad. I love love how it is not predictable (some things may be predictable ) This drama may be draggy to some people but it's not the same case for me. All the things, All the plots are creatively staged and I love that.
ACTING/CAST :
Honestly i cannot imagine this drama without Zhang ruo Yun. He is the perfect and the best at doing his job. He may not be as popular as other but I fell in love with his acting. He was so natural so good. And His character omg fan xian will always have a spot in my heart. His humor, his intelligence, his comedic behaviour, his loyalty everything's perfect. And all the other cast did a very good job. I got to say this that The acting aspect of drama is very huge. I especially loved the acting of second prince, the tyrannical emperor, chen ping ping, fan Jian, Princess royale and the one and only wang qinian. And l love how every character has something deep inside to them, their little stories make it more interesting than it is already. I literally can't hate anyone in this drama.
MUSIC :
There is only two ost but both are very powerful. The xiao zhan one is very good but I specially love the Opening ost. I feel strength from it. I love how it makes you feel all the emotion of the drama. The singer did a good job.
REWATCH VALUE :
Usually don't like to rewatch dramas even if they are so good. But I would love to watch this drama for that amazing and witty story. And I would love to understand the plot more . Can't wait for season 2 and 3. I hope they come out real fast.
(Lastly, this is not the drama for romance genre lovers, it does have some little romance but it does not focus on it whole. I would suggest this drama to anyone who wants to spend their time on quality drama. To anyone who likes mystrey, power struggle, Intelligent characters, time travel and good acting- good plot.)
Have a good drama day :)
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Mindfulness Viewing
Each. And. Every. Time.I return again to this story like it’s my go-to comfort food. It feeds my soul. My visual therapy.
This time, I am sharing some thoughts... Throughout the story, I always find myself smiling secretly, as if I have been recruited into some enlightened society composed of those who have seen this and “get it.”
We all enter this world alone but we can seek solace in our loneliness together. Framed within a background where humanity reawakens and redevelops throughout various epochs and where history has an active opportunity to shape the future is an intriguing storyline. This story irrevocably wakes up something in me and I am left craving more to understand the purpose of my actions and the courage to accept the consequences.
In all honesty, if it is the last story I ever know, I would accept it as fate and I would be completely satisfied. At its core, it is a deep love story. Love of life. Love of everything that makes us whole. Even the layers of sinister plots are balanced beautifully with the lighthearted ways the story unfolds. The ML is not perfect and I understand he is more of a realist in the novel version, but the noble tenets of friendship and loyalty are still solid and worthy of note. Also, his jovial demeanor is a great coping strategy and is a reminder we must remember to be light. To laugh often. These years are short. Let us live.
Season 2, please come soon. I admit that I miss this stellar masterpiece. It is a story I would keep forever in my heart if I had to survive somewhere as I could live on the courage, hopes, and dreams of this young man. Let us inspire great things. Life is indeed better with Joy of Life in it.
Right now. Smile. You know you have arrived when you suddenly have a sense that this story has profoundly changed you in some way. Welcome…
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Fantastic Drama So Far! Season 1 is A Masterpiece
This Drama surprised me. It's already a Masterpiece!I have to say the comedy was done really well on this show.
Gotta applaud them for that.
The Story is also really good, which follows the novel.
I haven't read the novel.
But I know there are changes made.
The Acting was brilliant and I liked most of the characters.
The characters were smart and had thier own uniquness.
Even the bad guys of this show are really fleshed out.
The Music was really good also, there was music for tension, for comedy,
for action and for romance.
Really excellent production here.
I am eager to watch Season 2. The story is not complete yet.
So if you watch this now, be prepared to wait for season 2.
Looking forward to see where the story goes.
I hope I wont be dissapointed by the end of Season 3.
But I have confidence in this Director, for that to not occur.
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Perfect
First time i write review in My Drama List.I love the storyline. Never bored to watch and watch every episode.
Acting all casts really SUPER GOOD, especially the senior casts.
I just can say everything about JOY OF LIFE really AMAZING. And worth to watch.
I wishes that some important cast from Season 1 which are still give us mysterious question, will comeback again at season 2, without changing the actor/ actress.
Still wait their are can give us more information for Season 2. Can't hardly wait for sure 😆
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This review may contain spoilers
Joy of Life! There will be NO JOY in waiting for the next 2-3 years that’s for sure. Making the fan wait with such cliffhanger is abit cruel. Seriously !!! Hahah all that said,Story beside the part that is is a written story being told.... I like everything else. It’s so funny and enjoyable like the name of the story.
Love all characters! They seem to be well written, with depth and secrets. I just hope the truth comes out in a good way which will fit the story and can’t wait to find out.
There is a bit of twist and turns but its all really enjoyable!
Production is really well done. Love it.
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Ecstatic Disappointment
While I know this review is a little late, I still was driven to contribute.First off, I have to say that I don’t remember ever being so upset by a revelation. Secondly, I don’t watch very many lengthy Asian dramas, or Asian dramas at all. I discovered them around 2018, and this is only my fourth. I was fortunate enough to have stumbled on three of the GREATEST Asian dramas of all: Ashes of Love, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (South Korea), and Nirvana in Fire, and even though I was open to another, each one I tried to watch after those ended in the first three of four episodes, if not the first.
But, Joy of Life has everything: good looking leads, strong character actors, fabulous sets and costumes, interesting score, great writing, and I could go on and on. I really don’t have anything bad to say about it. But, as I grew near the finish, I kept wandering how they were going to tie all of it together in the remaining episodes. Well, I finally got my answer, and it was a completely disappointing revelation.
The ending was so shocking, I was just left hanging after the last episode and was completely dumb struck. Surprisingly, the last episode was followed on youtube by a review (be sure to watch) Joy of Life – First Impression AvenueX where a gal shares her knowledge about the production in a semi-critique. It is actually more informational, but her comments are generally spot on. Anyway, as I sat there listening to her, she informed her audience, in the third part of her dialogue (around 11:00), that this was actually a trilogy, and this was just the first entry. OH! The first part of my revelation. She went on to say that this was originally set to spread out over 5 years of production. FIVE YEARS! The revelation went on. They may not have even started to film the second entry in the trilogy, yet. She went on to suggest that because it will take so long, many of the actors could be replaced. Ok, now I am palpitating. I could imagine some of them may even die.
I was just innocently searching for something to watch when I spied an interesting picture of a striking young man in costume, and it was episode 01! I thought it looked promising, as I always do, and by the end of the first episode I was hooked. I binge watched three, four, five, episodes, no more, at a time trying to stretch the enjoyment out over time. I got so wrapped up in it I even dreamt about it. It became, as did Scarlet Heart Reo, Nirvana in Fire, and Ashes of Love, part of my daily thoughts and imaginings. Now, it is revealed that the image of that horrible ending, cliff hanger, or whatever you want to call it, must remain stuck in my craw for MONTHS, MAYBE YEARS! What a dirty trick!
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Perf!
If you're coming for romance, don't bother,If you don't like complicated build ups or are slow when it comes to complex world building, this isn't for you.
But if you don't mind then this is a master piece and I urge you to watch it. And yk what even if you're here for. romance or and are slow; grow up and watch it regardless. It's genuinely really good.
Thanks.
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