Came to watch Yang Yang - stayed for the cool magic battles
I've watched a lot of Yang Yang dramas this year: You are My Glory, Love O2O, Fireworks of My Heart, Who Rules the World - all which aired prior to 2024. So, I was pretty excited when Immortal Ascension (filmed over 2 years ago) finally got a release date.Things to love about this show include the detailed magical system that defines the life of all cultivators. This is especially exciting during the battle sequences where different techniques and artifacts are used. Another high point is Yang Yang's performance - one of his best - as Han Li convincingly matures from a powerless human boy to a powerful cultivator. (I still laugh at the constant description of Han Li as being plain and unassuming. It is Yang Yang after all! But he imbues the essence of Han Li well.) Yang Yang's background in dance is also on full display through the intense fight choreography.
What could have been better is the weaving story that randomly brings the myriads of characters in and out of the picture. This includes the beautiful cultivator, Nangong Wan (Gina Jin), whose reluctant fascination with Han Li becomes a frustrating plot point. Even though Han Li achieves his main goal, the ending feels somewhat anticlimactic - however it does set up Season 2. (Yang Yang may be signed for 3 seasons, but who knows when the next one will actually be filmed.)
A big bright spot of The Immortal Ascension is the incredible soundtrack featuring the powerful opening song, Mortal Heart by Reno Wang, and the emotional Mayfly's Will sung by Shi Yan.
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Disappointment
WARNING!!! - This review is scathing on a few levels - production, storyline, pace, and acting....Im a huge Yang Yang fan but Immortal Ascension was not one of his best efforts here's why, the focus was on Yang Yang and not the blending of all actors into the plots and subplots, YY's character was overused and glaringly obvious from the start. Other characters never got a chance to develop and kept the plots and subplots at a generic level - cos the camera was always on YY???- visually i liked it like all XanXia series - but this series lacked good storyline to back it up since the beginning shows why YY goes on an ascension training journey - even tho some good fighting scenes in the series, by ep 24 I was done with just seeing YY always on the cameras view....The pace also was soooooo slow and generic too...compared to Shadow Love with Ryan Cheng and Song Yi and The Wanted Detective , The Legend of Female General all kept you engrossed in the series because there was a grip hanging after each episode....(the signs of a good director and production team). So, in ending, IMMORTAL ASCENSION the series needs its own ascension journey to come up to the standards of the aforementioned hits....Shadow Love, The Wanted Deetective and The Legend of A Female General, and many many others to name here....
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A journey to immortality
I started to watch this drama due yanyan previous work such as who rules the world, hoping the drama would have the same vibe.Watching few episodes and waiting for new episodes to come out. I try to watch the previous on YouTube, and finding out there is a 3d animation called " A mortal journey ". As right there are 156 episodes. One big mistake I did, it was watching the 3d animation before finish the drama.
It seems most of the budget was invented for the firts half of the drama and later on the quality went down.
Overall is good wuxia drama. I really recommend the 3d animation " A mortal journey " which is free on YouTube and for those want to know the rest of the story.
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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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When Immortality Takes Three Seasons and a Lot of Pills
When I watched this drama, I could not help but suspect that the screenwriters were men. Why? The story revolves around Han Li, a humble mortal from a poor family, who somehow captures the hearts of four women—without even trying. No seduction, no sweet talk, just pure existence. A scenario straight out of many men’s secret ego-driven fantasy, I suppose (lol).In this first season, it is impossible to guess which woman he will ultimately end up with. Romantically, Han Li appears almost indifferent to all of them, though he clearly sympathises with Mo Cai Huan. Personally, I am rooting for the Senior Immortal Nangong Wan—especially after that one unexpected intimate moment between them. Unfortunately, the setting for this scene feels rather cliché and underwhelming; the execution is so vague that it is hard to even tell what truly happened.
If I were to nitpick, the scene where Han Li saves Nangong Wan and she accidentally absorbs all his powers feels a little off. His reasoning that it is simply repayment for their earlier intimate moment struck me as somewhat cheesy—reducing something so personal to a mere transaction - is poor taste.
Han Li’s journey to immortality is anything but easy. Born with weak spiritual roots, he faces enormous hurdles. He is bullied in his sect and even the seniors think that the Foundation Pill to enhance spiritual growth is going to be wasted on him. Yet, through his deep knowledge of herbs and medicine—and a few fortuitous encounters—he manages to break through multiple cultivation stages. The one moral lesson to take away is don't give up on yourself.
Expect a lot of pill-popping in this drama. Han Li seems to have a pill for every spiritual need, and true to the genre, there is never a shortage of characters suffering severe injuries that require urgent treatment, acupuncture, or mystical remedies.
Yang Yang plays the suave hero perfectly—always calm, always ready to rescue a damsel in distress. To overcome his spiritual shortcomings, Han Li arms himself with an impressive arsenal of magical artifacts, which means plenty of dazzling special effects throughout the series.
The drama ticks all the boxes: an engaging storyline, breathtaking CGI, a stellar cast of attractive actors and actresses, and exquisite costumes. All the production measures are top-notch.
The only catch? This is just season one, with two more seasons still on the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and cannot wait to see what the sequels bring. Hope that won't take too long.
That said, I did feel a bit cheated—nowhere was it mentioned that this was only the first season, and there I was, expecting a grand finale in episode 30… all in vain. For now, all we can do is sit back, relax, and daydream in a tropical paradise while we wait for the sequels.
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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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Um Final que Testa os Limites da Boa Vontade
Olha, há momentos em que a gente precisa parar, respirar fundo e tentar entender que tipo de despropósito se passou na cabeça de um roteirista. É o caso do episódio final desse drama, que dedica mais da metade de seu tempo a uma das tramas mais anódinas e francamente ofensivas à inteligência do espectador. Temos uma cultivadora que, em tese, seria uma figura de poder e respeito, mas que na prática se revela uma caricatura de adolescente obcecada por um encontro fortuito que aconteceu há uma eternidade. E o pior nem é a fixação dela, mas o espetáculo de humilhação autoimposta: a criatura arrisca a própria vida e a sanidade por um vislumbre de um protagonista que, sejamos honestos, estava mais preocupado em encontrar a saída de emergência do que em corresponder a esse delírio. É um desfecho que não apenas subestima seu público, mas também joga no lixo qualquer construção de personagem que pudesse haver.E se a narrativa tropeça em sua própria inépcia, a produção não fica muito atrás. Alardeia-se um investimento milionário em CGI que, na tela, se transforma em algo que cheira a naftalina. Enquanto as cenas de luta mantêm uma decência mínima, os monstros e as sequências de voo parecem saídos de um software de 1980, um descalabro visual que beira o cômico. A série até ensaia um bom começo, com capítulos iniciais que prometem uma jornada interessante, mas se afunda numa reta final modorrenta, com um herói que abdica de seu papel para virar espectador passivo da própria história. Ainda assim, a gente fica. A gente cogita uma segunda temporada, talvez por masoquismo, talvez pela esperança teimosa de que, com sorte, eles finalmente decidam fazer jus ao potencial que um dia insinuaram ter.
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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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