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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This review may contain spoilers
Yang Yang did a great Job!
Yang Yang was a perfect choice for this role, he did such an amazing job, his acting skills was so good especially his character development after he grow up at the first few episodes, the fighting scenes was my favorite part of this drama, both the CGI and martial art moves was top notch, the story itself was a bit boring at some points, everything works for the male lead, he was so lucky along his journey, but he had a few friends along the way, non of them was that close to him, with no good relationship development and emotional scenes between characters, I felt nothing at all after finishing it, side characters was so boring, also, the harem romance isn't my cup of tea.Was this review helpful to you?
You'll be surprised why you like it
I would agree with most reviewers who finished the drama and didn't skip. Yang Yang is what keeps you enthralled but not for his mesmerizing good looks. It is for the male leads single-mindedness to achieve ultimate cultivation. There is no going backwards for him. He doesn't even consider straying off course .. not for anyone. He literally had tunnel vision and I had to say I liked his ambition and was surprised by it. We also know he was successful.However what it cost him was regretful. Yang Yang played this part very well. He was ruthless without being ruthless, greedy without being greedy and ambitious without being ambitious. All of which made people love him but also made people hate him. Overall I thought it was a great character and look forward to seeing him again. I want to know more.
I won't give you insights to the story the other reviewers are doing that. I will say that they are right. However it is still worth watching.
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Good and bad at the same time
If I could give two separate votes I would do it.Being a Donghua lover I found myself conflicted in watching the drama.
The first 15 episodes are a mess. Parts of the story cut out or modified, focus on useless points leaving out the basics of Han Li's growth and character development.
Women inserted all at the same time not respecting the timing and only creating confusion. I literally dropped the drama while loving the story and the actor Yang Yang.
Then I decided to insist and I took him back. I did well!
From episode 16 everything is back on track and flows smoothly without the hitches created by senseless cuts and plot changes.
The acting is good, CGI is good and the fighting are stellar.
So, to avoid low rating, if you like the donghua version, start from episode 14 and you won't be disappointed
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This review may contain spoilers
Great potential but dwindled halfway through...
The series started off as a solid 8.5, particularly around our main lead. His beginnings were intriguing and unique compared to many other cultivation series I've seen. I really appreciate the time they took to build this foundation.The ML's cultivation journey kept me locked on the screen until about halfway through the episodes. I've never read the novel but the plot started to feel discombobulated as well as his interactions with those around him. His thought process of consistently living for only himself is actually what makes his character quite brilliant. Someone who only wants to continue to surpass himself no matter what methods he needs to take to get there - but without crossing that fine line. However, the execution of this for the latter half of the episodes were poorly done and it wasn't able to maintain that same draw for me. A huge part of this was his reactions to the tons of people who were sacrificed for his growth. While it might make sense for his to have just a fleeting moment of sorrow or perhaps not much at all, it also felt much too repetitive and the timing of the momentary wistful to the excitement of finding yet another artifact was too abrupt. I also appreciate how he manages to overcome not being born as a genius for cultivation by utilizing creative methods but it also doesn't make sense why he's the only one who is capable of them when the same tools and resources are there for others to also take advantage of. He can't be the only one who is ambitious in the entire sect. It didn't help as well when he also became almost everyone's saviors, undermining everyone's abilities and experiences.
Outside of the ML, there are some great supporting characters who brought a lot of fun to the series. But (with exception of the mortal female), all of the other females falling for him were annoyingly distracting to the plot and there were too many unnecessary scenes around this.
Overall, I get the gist of what it's trying to portray and appreciate the thought behind it but they tried to squeeze way too many moving parts into the series. This caused the flow to just fly off and the chemistry to get chopped off. The action scenes were okay - a little corny as usual but not terrible. I finished the remaining half by lots of fast-forwarding only for a meh ending with tons of plot holes. It's always hard to rate shows that start off great with a story of great intentions only for it to dwindle off.
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A Cultivation Extravaganza!
Majority of productions that tag cultivation, focus more on the Romance/Political side of things. Not this one!Follow MC with his medicore talent as he fights fate through sadness, laughter, defeat and victory on the road to Immortality.
Martial Arts, Magical Skills, Alchemy, Sects, Factions, and Epic Battles galore!
This is how i'd imagine a full length/live-action Cultivation Story to be depicted, and it nails every aspect!
Highlights
- Cinematography that shows how vast the world is.
- VFX / Battle scenes that are as martial, magical, thrilling and impactful one would imagine reading a cultivation novel.
- The most fitting OST for every scene, whether it brings a tear, or gets the blood pumping.
- A strong lead actor and supporting cast.
All the above combined made every scene a treat for the senses!
Even scenes with minimal dialogue, reminded me of the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words".
There are some minor plotholes here and there, but nothing that affects the overall product.
With a market oversaturated with Romance/Detective Stories, this is a refreshing change.
Cannot wait for Season 2!
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A drama about cultivating immortality can actually expand my depth of reflection on life
The plot and drama are captivating, and the action sequences are truly eye-opening, but what captivated me even more was Han Li's growth and transformation. This approach of "hiding one's ingenuity within clumsiness, using obscurity to achieve clarity"—a cautious, low-key, and steady approach that is both profoundly wise and seemingly foolish—is worth learning. Such a style of action ensures peace of mind.A person's life is a process of experiencing and understanding the world. But even throughout their lives, they may not be fully aware. It's even possible to remain unaware for their entire lives. Being able to realize something afterward is a worthwhile journey. To foresee the future, plan carefully before taking action, and act with every step carefully requires meticulous and thorough thinking.
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This series drama really worth to watch
The acting and storyline really perfect. The cinematic level is really great hoping this series will be available in Netflix soon. Some fans they annoyed by FL doesn’t appear in the first few episode but for me i think writer did a great job for keeping us wonder about FL. I love how ML have ambitious and clear commitment to be an immortal without entangle with any FL yet so far. I find it really interesting and funny how ML try to buy and create many artifacts to protect himself and boost his cultivation level. Everyone keep surprising by his artifacts when they have dual match with him I think he’s have enough artifacts weapon and medicine pills to open a shop himself 🤣. He’s been visit YUE KINGDOM many times yet he’s can’t have a proper chit chat with his family and can’t even see his sister off during wedding ceremony that part really left me disappointed. Even though this drama only have 30episodes but I hope the ending will be satisfied for us viewer.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Suitable for Yang Yang fans
I enjoyed this series because I'm a huge Yang Yang fan. It's all about Han Li's journey, his smartness and strategies on his way to achieving his goal of becoming an immortal. I loved his character, although he seemed like a robot at times. He doesn't have much in the way of emotions at all. It was all about his determination to reach his goal. Thus, this series doesn't draw out any emotions for viewers as well. The songs and graphics were great. The other cast members were all lackluster except for Ms. Mo. Clearly, they put Gina in the poster just for the sake of putting her there. She wasn't a main character at all. Also, she looked a lot like BB Gandanghari hahaha! The sect elders were so annoying. They didn't seem like they deserved to be called elders at all. They all acted silly and stupid. Even when there was "war" going on, there was no sense of urgency from them. There was more talking instead of actual fighting. This made the show somewhat boring as a lot of other viewers complained. The ending was a bit of a disappointment. The first half of the ending was so unexpected and too much talking again. The second half made up for it somewhat. It ends with the caption "end of season 1" so I guess there will be another season coming up. I hope they improve on it based on the reviews.Was this review helpful to you?
The Immortal Ascension Earns Its Place Among Xianxia’s Best
I don’t give rave reviews lightly, but The Immortal Ascension stands out. It's a gripping odyssey of breaking free from the shackles of fate to forge your own path. A rare xianxia that stays grounded despite increasingly heavy CGI, and feels refreshingly free of toxic tropes, with a more male-centric focus in an industry that leans heavily toward female audiences.We follow Han Li, a lowly peasant with poor spiritual roots/magical potential, as he ascends the cultivation ladder through ambition, willpower, and cunning pragmatism - hardened by early betrayal, tempered by an unshakable moral core, and enabled by a single, extraordinary stroke of fortune that turns his limitations into fuel for his rise.
Romance is deliberately restrained, reflecting the cold realities of the cultivation world, yet still delivers a deep range of emotions. His connections with a gentle mortal, an admiring senior sister, and others feel meaningful but fleeting, while his bond with Nangong Wan stands apart as the only relationship to fully transcend that distance. Each carries a quiet emotional weight and lingering regret, reinforcing that love is a luxury in a harsh, unforgiving world - and that some bonds are destined to be left behind.
Visually striking, with a strong musical score, solid pacing, and a compelling lead, this is the best xianxia adaptation in years. It ends on a cliffhanger and fully earns a sequel. Highly recommended!
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No deeper meaning
The first three episodes of THE IMMORTAL ASCENSION were promising – they take place in a gorgeous setting and show a warm relationship between the two boys. Both boys are under the care of a menacing antagonist, in the guise of an old “master.” Yang Yang’s acting was superb in these episodes.Then the series fell apart.
The rest of the drama seemed to be slapped together without much effort or forethought. This version of taoism seems too materialistic to me. Shouldn't the “masters” who represent the epitome of sagacity be looking for truth and enlightenment? Instead they seem to be bereft of any real wisdom and to have no real moral compass.
Han Li was a constant puzzle. Where was the meaning in his life? His goal seemed to be to acquire magical artifacts, to rise in status, and eventually achieve immortality. He's not interested in creating any meaningful connections with anyone--male or female, human or immortal. He did have a few tender moments with an animated mouse. Even his affection for his family seemed almost non-existent.
A number of mostly forgettable women pursue him. Does he have a capacity for intimacy? For love? If he did, I sure couldn’t detect it.
Generic demons and bad guys show up, fight Han Li, and are destroyed. We know they’re evil because, they scream at their underlings, smirk and laugh diabolically, and try to kill the good guys. Monsters include lizards with glowing eyes, a serpent, and a mantis demon or two, each, in turn, dispatched to the great beyond. Lots of spiky golden wheels turn in the sky.
I DID like the ending, and I’ll probably watch Season 2.
As for Yang Yang the actor, I understand he studied dance and plays the piano. I’m glad he’s got other interests. Hope there’s someone around him encouraging him to build a life on something other than his youthful good looks (which are mentioned by reviewers incessantly) so that he’s not totally devastated when they’re gone.
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Leave your brain at the door....
The number of people praising The Immortal Ascension as being the best xianxia of 2025 have set the bar shamefully low.Absolutely everything about this show is overhyped. In fact, the success of this show is possibly powered entirely by Yang Yang's fans, who insist that Yang Yang "delivered a captivating performance." I think we need to be clear about which aspects of his performance were captivating. First, he really is very good at the combat choreography aspect of his role, and it doesn't seem like he needed a stunt double (based on the behind-the-scenes footage). However, acting-wise, it's like watching paint dry. He doesn't emote in a convincing way, and though he does display some degree of "spatial awareness," it feels forced (that is, he doesn't come across as being fully immersed in the role). Simply put, his acting feels very wooden, which is exactly how I feel about Zhao Xiao Tang's performance as well. This proves that having an attractive cast doesn't guarantee a show's success, especially when the actors are a mismatch for their roles.
To make matters worse, the storyline was all over the place. The first few episodes served as a clever smokescreen that piqued my curiosity, but after that, it starts going downhill fast. By episode 20, it becomes evident that the key to enjoying the show is not thinking too deeply about the plot or caring at all about character development. Just enjoy the combat sequences and CGI because that's literally all that's being served here.
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