Very High Energy show, great direction and performance by Yang Yang.
It's different from the usual Xianxia romance plots, and that makes it refreshing. It's about a young man's journey to immortality. He battles his own impulses, as well as monsters and evil. I had watched the anime at YouTube, and this show is an excellent live version. Couldn't ask for better!!I only wish they hadn't cut out so many episodes. I heard it was 10. Someone in China--please petition the producers to release those episodes. Hope they start season 2 soon.
Animated is on Youtube, Dailymotion and Billibilli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXDouB-6zMM
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Fantasy Action drama a MUST to watch
Thanks to Yang Yang for bringing this wonderful fantasy action drama. The action scenes and special effects are the ceiling of Asian dramas. Yang Yang's portrayal of the protagonist Han Li's growth path from an ordinary country boy to a generation of immortal masters is vivid. This excellent drama learn me a lot of the magic of Eastern immortal culture.Was this review helpful to you?
Outstanding cultivation series
Can't wait for Season 2! Excellent story line, beautiful settings, and stirring OST. Yes, the CGI is a little low quality, but it's not a deal breaker. Yang Yang is perfect for this role and I loved Li Nai Wen as Li Hua Yuan, the Yellow Maple Valley grandmaster. The demon sect characters were a little cartoonish, but I didn't care since I was focused on Han Li's story. Highly recommend!Was this review helpful to you?
A solid product but not quite yet perfect.
Story: I will not spoil the story here given that the drama stops at a certain arc in the novel and there's still quite a lot of mileage to cover. Perhaps there will be a second and third season? Who knows? But even if this is the only live-action we get from this franchise, that's okay with me. I had read so many wuxia-xianxia-donghua-type novels and am a fan of minimal to no romance shounen type stories. Admittedly, "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" is not in my top 5 of favourites. Story-wise, my favourite from this sort of genre is "The Desolate Era" but the live-action was very disappointing and a far-cry from the novel. In a nutshell, the story is pretty formulaic and although there's very little romance in it (keep in mind that this type of genre is aimed mostly for male readers), there will be many female interests towards the ML (shadowing of the typical harem concept). If this drama's aim is to gauge interests from drama lovers to go and read the novel or watch the animation, it has done enough to achieve this aim. A word of warning though - that the novel does get very lengthy and repetitive after a while. You'll need good endurance and stamina to get through it. My personal beef with this novel though is centered a lot on how I personally don't quite appreciate the ML's character and how the author wrote him to be. Tells a lot about the writer's worldview and philosophy on life - which I disagree. But that's just my personal preference.Acting/Cast: By casting Yang Yang, this drama already achieved the visual credit it needed. You can't go wrong with Yang Yang as the actor - he is a mature actor. But maturity in acting does not necessarily translate to excellent acting because a mature actor can be quite set in his/her acting style and lack flexibility and new interpretation of his/her acting. I had seen Yang Yang in so many dramas of this similar genre - costume, special effects, wuxia/xianxia etc - and he has been pretty consistent in his acting. He has definitely carved out a reputation as an idol actor but not necessarily as a serious actor. Basically, he's a " safe choice". As for Gina, she has also played it safe in this drama. Generally, everyone delivered. There are no major flaws in acting. Acting was acceptable; just lacking that special or additional umph to push it to the exceptional realm. The biggest flaw of this drama is not the acting, but the editing. Understandably that this is a long story and they wanted to cover a certain number of story arcs in just 30 eps, it's a challenge to edit the drama without missing key scenes or plots. However, there are instances in the drama where the editing was pretty glaring - like it's done by a student who's still learning how to edit dramas. One wonders if they had budgeted on the editing team in order to pay for a big shot actor Yang Yang to star in this drama.
Music: The OSTs are suitable and definitely reflect the fact that this story is male-centric.
Rewatch value: Because I am not a fan of the story, I am not that enamored to the drama, hence the slightly lower rewatch value I gave it.
Overall: I gave it 8/10. It is a solid product worth your time watching but I won't be gushing about it because it's still lacking from being an excellent product.
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Not An Easy Plot To Follow
I truly have enjoyed this drama. I am having a hard time following what is going on. The plot jumps all over the place with no clear leads into the next scene. I will rewatch and maybe grasp the story. The war is the hardest to keep up with. The individual cleansing of evil when the disciples come together to kill evil, is easy to follow. There are just so many holes in this drama that I can't even fill them in with my imagination. The drama definitely doesn't get too detailed, but if I'm left scratching my head, then there is not enough details. I just love watching YangYang to be honest. I love that he is not stoned faced throughout, but actually smiles and endears my heart to the characters he cares about. The one love scene was shocking and unexpected. Then ...nothing more between the two since then. I don't get it, but like I said, there is so much I don't get the reason for. I hope everyone else understands the plot better than me.Was this review helpful to you?
Shows to watch for motivation.
I know it’s a story, but these shows awaken the zeal that’s been lying dormant within. That fire—once dulled by repeated failures—suddenly reignites. They remind us that hard work pays off, and that we should never leave success to fate or luck alone.We need more shows like this, ones that spark positive energy in people’s minds. These days, too many feel weighed down by disappointment, blaming others or society for not recognizing their efforts. But recognition isn’t everything. Whether others see it or not, we must keep working, striving, and believing.
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Must watch!
I've been too lazy to watch long series in the last few years, but had to watch this. The oh-so-gorgeous and talented Yang Yang in a cultivation story? Sign me up!Watching the drama is like watching a cultivation novel come to life. I actually really enjoy watching Han Li gp through the steps as he cultivates. Now, when reading cultivation novels, I can truly imagine the scene in my mind.
Yang Yang's depiction of Han Li is very nuanced. He definitely portrays the struggles of the lead character well. Just a slight look at the eyes and expression conveys his struggles and doubts.
The story itself is captivating. I normally skip through parts when watching a drama but was so entranced so far that I have not skipped through any of the 8 episodes so far.
The cinematography is gorgeous. It really gives the feel of an other worldly place where cultivation is a way of life.
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A Break From The Usual Watch..
Personally enjoyed this show. It was a breath of fresh air from everything that's playing right now in general.. IT'S A STORY.. I'm glad it wasn't focused on romance for once.. and just a story about the lead and his journey to cultivation. The show stuck to that theme. It didnt divert. I didnt read the novel or knew anything about it. So i went in with zero expectations. It was a.. for lack of words.. an easy and smooth watch. Do i recommend it? Yes. Would I rewatch it? Yes. If you are looking for something thats simple no frills story telling kind of show.Was this review helpful to you?
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Ascended
Bravo! YY did wonderful in drama. Though late to the world of A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality. I spent the last weeks reading all forms of donghua, anime and manga. I have now same conclusion and feelings for live drama as die hard fans. The biggest surprise to me is not just YY new role as he’s done martial roles before. But how he allowed more vulnerablity shown. Then there is Zhao Qing, Yes if knew me from comment section. She was the coming up. She impressed me most out of all the girlies. At times I got her confused as who was who. Was she 2FL or 3FL. It was not till netizens on Weibo say she is 3FL. Her crying is some of the best I’ve seen in years. Others got annoyed but she is a huge part of his journey and life as motel becoming immortal. To cut scenes would be injustice to source material. So I enjoyed watching her scenes and her never upset he leaves only that she can not follow. Wang Duo if some not familiar with him. I suggest try Ice Fantasy, Bloody romance (wuxia drama) The blossoming love, Sword and Fairy 4 (wuxia like and base on game etc) He is incredible actor. Him and YY played well off of each others. So much you forget he is the big bad. You want them to be friends instead. All of the other supporting cast was pretty good. It was good to see Kenji Chen for just brief guest role. I do hope if for S2 We keep most of the actors. But I would love if NGW is replaced. No offense or hate to Gina. I rewatch their scenes and do banter is nice. Chemistry is hollow. It could be cuz short scenes but even in other drama. Chemistry was hollow. Howver, I think not a S2 for years unless actors agree. Some say YY signed on for 3 seasons on Weibo. So far it is the unconfirmed. But only him not anyone else. So could get whole new cast. Still whatever come be of drama I deeply enjoyed it. Action and CGI was not as bad as The land of warriors. The creatures was better than Sword and Fairy 4. So was CGI and writing. At times we had some writing editing issues. But not so badly I give up. OST has got to be favorite. Don’t ask is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this year. Along with Moment. Then Mayfly’s will. Op theme is good too. I hope YOUKU not cheat me and give soundtrack to Apple. I have ton of Cdrama albums of favorite dramas on phone. So hope add this. I too hope instrumental is release so I have Mo Caihuan theme song. All in all, truly I lower head and bow YY you are still the 90’s flower king and even more our Han li.Was this review helpful to you?
Um bom Dorama
Gostei bastante, as lutas, o enredo, gostei muito, eu esperei muito tempo pra poder ver esse Dorama, e agora esperar ansiosamente pela 2 temporada.o final me deixou triste, pelo enredo dos outros EPS, porém fui pega de surpresa com uma 2 temporada, fiquei muito feliz.
os atores são encantadores, a música toca teu coração, e os figurinos impecáveis, realmente valeu a pena esperar todos esses meses.
mas tenho algo a dizer, tem uma enrolação no começo e no final, mas vale muito a pena, sem arrependimentos
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Mesmo sendo a primeira temporada, foi corrido
Faltou desenvolver muitas histórias paralelas que foram abordadas na trama, deixou uma sensação de correria e a impressão é que, mesmo com uma próxima temporada, mais 30 episódios ainda seriam poucos para explicar tudo.Fora isso, o drama foi divertido, com atuações maravilhosas. Senti uma nostalgia tão gostosa da época dos vídeo games da juventude, especialmente as cenas do mercado de ítens e as batalhas cheias de uso de artefato.
Para mim foi absoluto entretenimento. Obrigada aos envolvidos.
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