Better than last season but probs bc of better costuming
First impressions: Wow very strong start; I didn't know the emperor was capable of running/looking panicked. Most of the lead actors are the same and also the important side characters, but it’s also been like 3-4 years since the last season so understandable they couldn’t get all the original actors.TLDR; Can I be honest? I think this season's a whole lot better than S1. Last season I kept watching bc of the plot twists and comedy, but idk, I guess the comedy here is on a whole other level. And maybe bc the costuming is higher budget. It rlly calls out a lot of society's faults. Not in a cheesy way but realistically that makes the audience ashamed bc of it. Also 👏character development 👏. On another note, this was in the first season too, but you can never tell which side the characters are on bc of all the plot twists that keep you on your feet. Acting is amazing as always. Music is also enjoyable. Personally, this is a one time watch but it was fun while it lasted.
Story: There are a lot of lessons to take away from the show (corruption, etc.) that in a different show would seem too idealistic, but somehow it doesn't always feel that way. This show doesn't always use the plot armor card, and even when they do, it's usually bc they plant seeds beforehand instead of moments before it's revealed, which still isn’t amazing but at least it’s not a lazy bomb drop. I do have a slight nitpick tho abt Lin Waner and Fan Xian’s relationship (idr if this was called out in the last season regarding FX’s dad but if not disregard the rest of this paragraph). If FX really is the emperor’s son then wouldn’t they be cousins?? And that’s kinda weird like I know Waner is an illegitimate daughter, but the emperor is technically her uncle. And you could argue that Liu Yunrui (her mom) is not blood related so like an in-law to the emperor, but the princes call her 姑姑, which is paternal aunt sooo the emperor and her mom are blood related.. And the princes regard Waner as a sister so like?? Like I think they’re cute, but idk I’m kinda conflicted lmao
Acting/Cast: I love how instead of getting angry all the time, most conversations are just snarky comments abt the other person lol. The side charaxters are so loveable as well.
Music: I love how they still kept most of the music from last season. I initially thought the intro was sung by Fei Yuqing bc of the vibrato, but it was still Li Jian lol. Still good regardless.
Rewatch value: This is a one-and-done for me. There just isn’t a lot of small clues than last season imo that’s worth a rewatch
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Where did the mystery and exiting events go?
Being halfway through the season, I cannot rate this series higher than “average”. While the costumes, set design, and visual are excellent, there are clear shortcomings in the story but perhaps most importantly in the running of the story. My primary complaint is that the drama is purely “talking heads”. Interesting events are not shown on screen, we learn about them when someone reports on them to someone else. As if that wasn't enough, we hear about the same events several times. This is really a money-saving way, but also unfortunately boring. Before someone accuses me that I don't seem to understand that this series is about plotting, not action, I'll reply, “are you kidding me?”References to the first season are inevitable since we have a continuation, and in my opinion there was more plotting, intrigue and mystery there, but they were shown in an interesting, dynamic way and the viewer had time to think about how the situation would be resolved. This is what is simply missing in season two. We don't get the pieces of the puzzle that we can solve, the series gives us everything one by one and completes it with something obvious.
Now let's move on to the stakes. Seemingly, these stakes are important and the fate of the characters and the nation count, but are they really? Doesn't the viewer know from beginning to end that no price will be paid in this season by Fan Xien? That no one important will pay it? Even if someone dies, these are characters who have not managed to win the viewer's sympathy, so the viewer does not care about their fate.
In conclusion, in my opinion, in JoL 2 we have a clear excess of form over substance. The drama is shot very well technically, and I can even forgive it for the intrusive yogurt advertising. Unfortunately, in terms of plot, all the solutions are presented in a boring way. There are no exciting events. There are no unexpected twists and turns. There are walking heads who talk for hours about morality and state repair. And I would really like to watch a fun, adventure drama, just like season one, and not moral treatises. Sorry, 5/10 and only because the drama looks good visually.
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The pacing is all over the place
As a huge fan of the first season of "Joy of Life," I had high hopes for the second season, but unfortunately, it fell flat in almost every aspect. The magic and charm that made the original so captivating seem to have vanished, leaving behind a lackluster continuation that feels rushed and poorly executed.
The plot is convoluted and lacks the coherence that we loved in season one. It feels like the writers were trying to cram too much into too little time, resulting in a storyline that is confusing and unsatisfying. Character development has taken a backseat, with beloved characters feeling one-dimensional and their arcs feeling forced.
The pacing is all over the place, with some episodes dragging on while others rush through significant plot points. It’s frustrating to see such potential wasted, especially when the first season had such a strong foundation.
Visually, it doesn’t hold up either. The cinematography and production quality seem to have taken a hit, with less attention to detail and a lack of the stunning visuals that initially drew us in.
Overall, "Joy of Life Season 2" is a disappointing follow-up that fails to capture the essence of what made the first season great. It’s hard to believe this is the same series I once loved. I can only give it a 0.5/10, as it barely holds my interest and leaves me wishing for a return to form.
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A Symphony of Morality and Power: Joy of Life Season 2
Joy of Life Season 2 is such a masterpiece and a great continuation of the first season. The storyline is very captivating while brining back old favourites and continuing to following Fan Xian on his journey. In this season, Fan Xian has shifted into a more morally grey character which I really enjoyed as he follows or more so discovers his mother's footsteps, balances his moral beliefs and navigates the political mess between the princes. Wan'Er and Chen Ping Ping had less prominent roles in this season while allows us to really focus on Fan Xian and his evident shift in attitude, thinking and the way he reacts to the situations that are quite literally thrown at him. He literally could not catch a break not even on his wedding night. I also really liked how they reused the original soundtracks from S1 and it really feels nostalgic. However, the opening and closing songs did not disappoint at all, already added to my playlist! I really liked them and feel like they definitely have that JOL feeling to them. My only problem was the recasting of Ye Ling'Er, which I feel does not represent her role properly. From S1 to S2, the dynamic of Ling'Er has completely changed and it doesn't even feel like the same character. Overall, JOL has a very special place in my heart when it comes to CDramas, and this might (is) a biased rating but 10/10.Was this review helpful to you?
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Another masterpiece
Done! After waiting for almost 5 years, S2-36 episodes gone just like that 😭 but the whole season didn't dissapoint. Do I like S1 better, maybe. I feel S1 is more cohesive, every episode was crafted nicely to tell the whole story. S2, it's a bit more choppy like getting all the puzzle pieces thrown together at the same time and have no clue what to expect 😅 could be because of the episode limitation?But! I have to say Zhang Ruo Yun saved it all. His acting skill is more refined, his facial expressions are really impressive (and charming 🥰). Bonus - love his hair style, don't think I've seen wavy male hair style in any costume dramas 😄😄
I also love some new roles in S2. The Empress is definitely interesting and with the way she hides a bottle of wine in her sleeve - I wonder what else people actually put in there...🤔
Anyway. I heard some people who loved S1 complaining about S2 🤷♀️ Yes, more dialogues in S2 but this drama was never intended to be wuxia drama so I didn't care that part. In fact this is a very few dramas where I have to pay attention to all the dialogues otherwise I would get lost. I even had to slow down a few times too.
For me, I love both seasons equally.
I knew from the very beginning this drama has 3 seasons (the book has 800 chapters or so) and S2 ended with another open ending, but at least nobody got stabbed this time.
I just hope we don't have to wait another five years!
What's next...rewatch with a better sub!
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Best Cdrama
This is one of the best Cdrama made. While the others are so childish, lack substance and very bad acting skills. Joy of life is very good and mature, all actors are very good and I have to say the director deserve awards. Joy of life worth your time. Zhang rouyun is one of the best actor out there.Was this review helpful to you?
Done! After waiting for almost 5 years, S2-36 episodes gone just like that 😭 but the whole season didn't dissapoint. Do I like S1 better, maybe. I feel S1 is more cohesive, every episode was crafted nicely to tell the whole story. S2, it's a bit more choppy like getting all the puzzle pieces thrown together at the same time and have no clue whatto expect 😅 could be because of the episode limitation?
But! I have to say Zhang Ruo Yun saved it all. His acting skill is more refined, his facial expressions are really impressive (and charming 🥰). Bonus - love his hair style, don't think I've seen wavy male hair style in any costume dramas 😄😄
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Waited for to long but....Not feeling attached to the story
I dont write reviews generally but I invested too much time in it therefore felt to do it. I watched first season 3 rd time before watching the second season even after that i felt connection to the story of first season but i fell totally detached in second season . In the first season male lead dealing with different things like family ,love ,the king ,chen ping ping,different bullies, discovering about his mom and in second half of first season with enemy state but in second season half way through and he is only bickering with second prince not much to do with other side character. One of the major disappointment I fell their is no major movement in second season which make you feel alive,full of emotions like in first season when he kill the bigger enemy in front of every one, writing greatest poem, then writing more than 100 poem and also raising his flag while entering enemy state.I always thought why people write so much in reviews and now I get it.
I also want to say people should read comments and review but if ratings are decent they should definitely try it by themselves because people see and feel differently so it can be your cup of tea.
Finally if any one disagree they can message me or can comment ....we can discuss it
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THEY FORGOT SEASON 1…
They basically rebooted the series. The whole intrigue at the end of season 1 was the post ice age world, divine realm, futuristic mystery left behind by Fan Xian’s mother. They do not continue any of this and turned it into a generic corruption drama. It’s not even a mystery drama anymore, just corruption. They go through cases like dismantling brothels and ensuring ethical exams. New characters introduced are boring, while Uncle Wu, Eunuch Martial arts masters have all been forgotten thus far. Without a doubt, one of the biggest let downs of the year. Considering fans waited 5 years for this. The soul of the drama is lost.Was this review helpful to you?
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season 3 when??
Season 2 of Joy of Life had a lot to live up to, and while the first season is still better, this season really really good. The pacing was a little slower and the story less focused than the first season, but at this point I didn't care because a) it was still good and b) I just wanted to see Fan Xian worm his way out of all his problems.It was so much fun to see all of the characters/actors back this season (with some changes). I will say some characters seemed to have a bit of a personality makeover (the Crown Prince). Something else I noticed was that it seemed like Fan Xian was a bit less morally grey this season. He was very much For the PEOPLE this season. Don't get me wrong I actually do buy his journey from "I just want to live comfortably" to wanting to help the common people. It's just that he seemed less ruthless this season and I wanted that aspect of him back in full force.
All of the acting was still excellent (shoutout to the Second Prince. He's my favorite Barefoot Psycho) but once again Zhang Ruoyun was beyond practically everyone else. Fan Xian has become one of my absolute favorite characters and it's really due to Zhang Ruoyun. That boy is acting with his ENTIRE chest and I love him for it.
Lastly! We've been teased with that damn gun for TWO seasons now. Fan Xian better blast someone with it next season.
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The original was a masterpiece and so is the sequel, even after a five year wait.
Acting, Thrilling Action, Comic Relief, Cinematography, and great OST💌💌💌💌The year 2024 will be the year remembered by some as the year Chinese dramas out classed Korean Dramas in putting out great drama productions for this year. Like the year 2016 did for Korean dramas (the turning point for Korean dramas) 2024 abounds with some of the greatest most innovative Chinese Dramas I have seen. Forget the question about which is better, Chinese dramas have arrived.
Chinese Period Drama Joy of Life 2
From the Book Qing Yu Nian, written by Mao Ni, the Chinese drama series Joy of Life (2019) was written by Wang Juan and directed by Sun Hao. Both writer and director returned in 2024 for Joy of Life 2. It is like Wang Juan and Sun Hoa were not going to put out anything short of the perfection, like the high standards found in Joy of Life. The Chinese drama series Joy of Life sits at number one out of all 100 Chinese Dramas I have viewed. The pair of writer and director seemed to have vowed to wait out these five years until the stars aligned so that they could put out perfection and they did it again. It is a death knell to wait five years for a sequel. You lose your audience. Joy of Life 2 was going to be a masterpiece or it just was not going to be put out. There are thrills and action, great acting, great comic relief, great cinematography and filmmaking, great music and a very cohesive story. Joy of Life did not suffer from the five year wait as respects cohesive storyline between the original and the sequel. Joy of Life 2 will most likely land in number 2 on my All Time Chinese Drama List. Joy of Life is number 5 out of 400 Korean, Japanese, and Chinese Dramas I have reviewed. (To note: I have not watched Nirvana on Fire (2015) yet, which by everyone’s account should be in the top three)
What the story of ‘Joy of Life’ does is fill in all of the canvass. While many dramas are entertaining on so many different levels, many of these dramas are pencil drawings next to the Renoir of the Joy of Life drama series for me. Joy of Life 2 is so well written. Many words fill up the dialogue, leaving so many thoughts to digest, one doesn’t feel like the dialogue space is wasted with garbage words. The interplay between the good and the evil, each challenge, each victory, each loss in the cat and mouse games play out wonderfully in this Period Political drama with intense Court intrigue. The cat and mouse skirmishes are reminiscent of the great Chinese drama The Rise of the Phoenixes (2018). Joy of Life 2 is a next level experience.
Joy of Life 2 is a great interplay of serious drama with comic relief. Mapping out the comedy within the serious is not the easiest of tasks. If you throw in the comedy in the wrong places it becomes a joke. If the comedy is weaved in seamlessly, it can become a masterpiece. What Joy of Life 2 is good at is throwing in comedy amidst chaos. The viewers get scenes like where there is threatening chaos and thrilling danger and then amongst this you see dancing Eunuchs doing line dancing? You freeze in place trying to comprehend what you are viewing. This much of a juxtapose should not work in any universe, but it works in the Chinese Costume Drama ‘Joy of Life’ 2 series. What brain is that creative?
Joy of Life 2 has some of the best choreographed action sequences, as was the case with Joy of Life. Known for its trend-setting moves for its action sequences, I enjoyed the wonderful cliff scene in Joy of Life 2. The two nefarious Princes are back and a whole lot more nefarious and funnier in Joy of life 2 than in Joy of Life. (Watch out for the Poison Prince scene. Hilarious). Also back are much of the cast from Joy of Life, including the weirdest but most intelligent Emperor, who provides much angst for the protagonist. Our protagonist Fan Xian / Fan Shen again is played by Chinese actor Zhang Ruoyun. He gives another great dramatic comedic performance.
Can Joy of Life 2 stand on its own without viewing Joy of Life? There will be some parts of the drama that should produce a deeper value meaning with a deeper connection to the past that will be lost. However, Joy of Life 2 can stand on its own, because of its entertainment value. Some problems will arise for sure with the lost of all the information about the dead mother of the protagonist and her connection to the present action. This is lost to those who view this series out of sequence. It is worth putting in the 82 episodes back to back for the best experience. You won’t get bored at all if this is your kind of drama. However, the presentation of Joy of Life 2 is so good that if I could read Chinese, I would read the book.
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PEAK CINEMA
one of the best most engaging cdramas i've ever watched !!!as someone who has a kind of short attention span i did not mind the episodes dragging on AT ALL!!! this drama was written so well, i couldnt even predict what the hell was going on / going to happen.
and the politics? i dont even like it but i damn i sure had my thinking cap on!!! this is the drama i needed at the moment !!!!!! and dont get me started with the characters and acting OMG it was so goooooood!
also everytime fan xian went through something emotional i kept telling myself "FREE FAN XIAN!!" 🤣🤣i love him so much he emboided his role so fantastic i now have a crush lmaooo
(this is my first ever mdl review btw...... it was that good yall holy sh!t)
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