Sword Snow Stride

Typical wuxia plot with a hilarious twist and atypical dad-son love-respect bond

I have a bias for (1) sassy, smart, sunny and seemingly badass lead who is chivalrous, righteous and pure at heart, (2) wuxia plot of chivalry and protagonist becoming a top-tier martial arts expert, and (3) Zhang Ruo Yun as the seemingly badass but righteous protagonist.

Sword Snow Stride, another series with the same ML actor (Zhang Ruo Yun), screen writer (Wang Juan) and vibes as Joy of Life, hits this sweet spot with a typical wuxia plot plus a hilarious twist, atypical dad-son love-respect bond and sizzling chemistry between the protagonist, his veteran co-stars, confidants and siblings.

This series depicts the growth and encounters of a young optimistic, sassy and determined prince who seeks out a third path that allows him to continue to provide peace and prosperity to his people amidst power struggles with the central imperial family, and also protect and reunite with his siblings and the FL (Princess of a fallen rival state). Zhang Ruo Yun, doesn’t have a handsome face, but he charms and shines effortlessly as the seemingly badass but righteous protagonist with sizzling chemistry with his veteran co-stars (his dad, Lao Huang and God of Sword), his confidants (Jiang Ni, Nangong Pu She and Qing Niao) and his siblings.

The CGIs for the numerous fight scenes throughout the series are quite eye-opening - especially those with the God of Sword. Storytelling is compelling, with doubts/questions immediately addressed in the next scene. On the downside, character development is weak for the FL and the support roles, and lacks an intriguing plot.

Overall, it is an enjoyable journey, adventuring with the protagonist as he acquires martial arts and becomes a top-tier martial arts expert, while forming alliances and friendships with other notable clans and martial arts experts. I look forward to continue his journey to Northern Mang in Season 2, and ultimately pave and succeed with this third path he fervently seeks.

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Li Chungang Secret Arts of Nose Pickin'

Novel vs Drama; Dama is very different from the novel. It is an adaptation after all. The core aspect, which is the storyline, is somewhat the same. So if you're wondering what happens with the characters in the novel, just know that it might not get translated over to the drama. That is fine. Watch the drama as a standalone, it fairs well on its own anyway.

I was super hyped like everyone else when this was announced. Finally, a deserving Wuxia, and it was even written by Wang Juan starring ZRY and Hu Jun! You cannot get more hyped than that. Unfortunately, it was a bit different than what I expected. Good or bad, depending on your taste. There are better reviewers on MDL with deeper understanding, and so, I will rant instead.

Story:
Storyline is the slow-burn type, if you're not used to it you will get bored easily. It is well paced, political, and very easy to digest. Due to the sheer size of the novel, it is well expected for this drama to have multiple seasons, and because of that reason they need to introduce the basis of the story and its characters. However, due to how long it'll take to produce each season, newcomers might shy away from it as they do not want to be left on a cliffhanger. Additionally, some parts are left for questions, like characters, as it will probably be revealed in later seasons, which IMO, might conflict with the flow of the whole story since we have to wait. The script and storyline make sense to the writer and director because they got the whole script to read, as for us audience, we only get part 1 and so we're left yearning for more.

Acting:
Actors did a great job based on what they were given. This must have been the easiest drama that some actors did, because most of the time, they are just standing around without dialogues lol. Terresa Li’s acting is not bad per se, she just needs more time to polish her acting. It's difficult not to compare when your counterpart is ZRY and other veterans.

Romance:
Not the main focus, barely any, however there’s some hints here and there. I do not mind.

Action:
The Wachowskis sisters definitely directed this drama based on how much slow motion they used. ZRY is the chosen one, he just doesn’t know it yet. Usually people skip scenes where there’s dialogue and go directly to the fight. Well, I was very eager to (but I didn’t) skip the fights and go directly to dialogue. I'm not sure if the director wanted to be poetic and filmed it in such a way that everyone becomes Neo or oftentimes, we don’t even see the fight scene and it was cut to the bad guys already being defeated, laying on the floor. If this is him wanting to experiment new things, I’d pray to the wuxia-god that he doesn't continue it for the remainder of the seasons. I am fine if the whole drama is political and no fight, I am fine if they talk all day, but if you have to include martial art scenes, please please do not cheap out. There are multiple times where they showcase that they were capable of filming a proper fight, but that sadly did not translate often enough. You can film an artistic scene and still have a proper fight.

FYI, wuxia doesn’t always mean great fight scenes, we have been spoiled for decades that every time we see wuxia tags, we think of awesome martial arts (I'm guilty). The essence of wuxia is the adventure that a hero takes, the sect he visited, enemies he encountered, the martial art manuals he collected, and other heroes he meets on the way. That is wuxia and this drama has it. However, because the wuxia fight scene is a part of the whole story, and what the audience looked forward to the most, this drama fails to deliver that aspect IMO. And that may deter viewers.

Cinematography:
I love that they used real structures, real environment. It made it that more authentic. I also love that they did not cheap out on background extras. Making it look like a real bustling place, rather than empty streets. Costumes, sets, and equipment are well made, no concerns there. The style of filming reminds me of older days wuxia, training under waterfall, deep pan looking at camera, one slap cut scene and bad guys rolling on the floor, ah.. nostalgia. Sometimes I even wonder why a scene was filmed the way it was, one scene all I saw was the butt of God of Sword. I feel as if the effort to make scenes artistic or poetic or cinematic has resulted in some becoming awkward.

Music:
Ending theme made me melancholic. Ah.. how much more will Feng Nian suffer? Such an ill fated destiny.

Overall:
The trailer got me hyped, but it’s one of those things where your expectation does not meet. If you like slow-burn type drama, ZRY, and some great story telling, give this a try. It’s easy to digest, fun, interesting and shrouded in mystery. Just ignore the action scene, weird in a wuxia theme drama I know, but less disappointment that way. It should of been a 45-50 episodes drama ;_;

I don’t often write reviews so it is extremely lengthy because that’s how much I appreciate the drama(s), thanks for reading!

Yang Mi and Zhang Ruo Yun were both born to play costume period dramas.

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An highly enjoyable period drama if you could just ignore crappy fighting choreography

Sword Snow Stride is my most highly anticipated period drama of 2021. I thought the strength of this c-drama even before watching a single episode was the cast and wuxia storyline. Casting was impressive with Zhang Ruoyun and a whole bevy of beauties in Li Gengxi, Frida Li, Janice Man, Zoey Meng, Zhang TianAi, Zhang Yishang, Ding Xiao Ying, etc. The storyline is my cup of tea with various martial artists competing for the jianghu’s supremacy. The ML started out as a complete noob who transformed himself into the most powerful martial artist who eventually ruled the world, secured the throne, and got the love of his life. Not exactly a unique storyline but it’s a favorite theme for me growing up with Jin Yong’s masterpieces.

Unfortunately, Sword Snow Stride (SSS) premiered while Yang Mi’s Pearl Eclipse, and Luoyang were still broadcasted on several platforms. Yang Mi’s period dramas have always been high budget and quality production and Pearl Eclipse was no exception. Luoyang was the surprise of the year. My only reservation is that SSS might fall below expectation because of the lofty standards set by Luoyang. Nevertheless, having watched most of Season 1 episodes, I can safely conclude that this is a highly entertaining period c-drama despite a rather average production.

Plusses for Sword Snow Stride
• The storyline. It revolves around martial arts practitioners, palace, various kingdoms, warfare, etc. Not much sub-plots because everything revolves around Xu FengNian’s adventures. But at least Xu FengNian is a funny lad, and he reminds me a lot of Joy of Life’s Fan Xian. His bantering with Jiang Ni and the other female cast is a joy to watch.
• The casting. Would prefer to see more screen time for Frida Li, Janice Man, Zoey Meng, Zhang TianAi, Zhang Yishang, Ding Xiao Ying, etc. These are all leading ladies in their own rights, but were relegated to supporting cast in SSS. Some like Janice Man had cameo appearances only. Less screen time for Xu FengNian; more exposure and beefier roles for these ladies would be preferred.
• This period drama is launched in two tiers – Season 1 and 2. The producer probably has difficulties in limiting this drama to 50 episodes only – the original number of episodes slated for SSS. Making it in 2 seasons could push this drama 60-65 range. One thing that I learnt from watching Renascence early this year is that when you cut-down the number of episodes just to satisfy the broadcasting slot requirement, you will throw away the quality. Sometimes the haphazard editing could make the series unwatchable.

Negatives for Sword Snow Stride
• The fighting choreography is too crappy with too much slow-motion actions. It is so bad that I cringe every time there is a fighting scene. Saying that fighting choreography is sub-par is a compliment to SSS.

Highly enjoyable period drama. Give it a try. Just make sure to ignore all those slow-motion fighting scenes, and you will be fine. My rating is an excellent 9.0/10.0.

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An Incredible Journey, on 'where there's a will there's a way!'

An Incredible Journey with schemes and sword fighting action.
If this is what you are looking for.
Then By all means start watching this ASAP
and go on this Incredible Journey.

The story is unique, the martial arts are unique and so are the characters.
While the Story can be viewed like it's similair to Joy of Life in a way.
It's not that similar.This is it's own show.
With a Different story line. The story is about a man Named Xu Fen Niam
who is the son of a Lord. And how he finds his reasons
to fight for what's important to him. There are lot of world building done
in the first season, and the plot moves pretty quickly.
So it's really engaging from the start, to middle and even till end.
So it's great to know the story is captivating from start to end.

The acting is excellent. Especially by Zhang Ruo Yan, the main lead.
I also really liked Lu Jun and Teresa Li. They both did great.
As well as all the supporting actors. WELL DONE!
There are familiar faces from Joy of Life, which I liked to see.
The action scenes were good and decent at times.
yet I was indeed entertained by them.
And the schemes and plot twists were AMAZING!
At times I was captivated by realising what I thought was going to happend
actually didn't. And what I never thought of had occured.

The music is great, but it could have been more memorable for sure.
I really liked the interactions of the characters. Especially the Xu family
interactions which was comical and interesting. Yeah there are comedic moments
so expect to giggle or laugh. I also liked the slight romance, with the 2 leads.

Over all this is An Incredible Drama,
I need Season 2 ASAP.
So I strongly recommend you to watch this.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVED JOY OF LIFE AND NIF!!

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Another of my all time favorites

This drama is so interesting because each episode has the unexpected and the storyline is so good. Both the ML and FL were well matched in their roles and did a great job. This drama has the mix I like- Wuxia, romance ( though not much), funny moments, intrigue, politics, scheming, great cinematography, great acting.

I enjoyed the interaction and the relationship between the male protagonist (XFN) and his father and the female protagonist (JN). JN has a secret identify that unfolds as the story progresses. She grows up as a maid of XFN who is protective of her but gives her space. It is known that she tries to kill him with sneak attacks but there is a reson why and it came in handy later on. The story shows how XFN grows, improve his martial arts skills, his schemes as he travels to retrieve a cherished sword while seeking the truth about his mother’s death.

It’s unfortunate that this is only season 1 but the good news is that this series did not end in a cliff hanger and can be viewed as a stand-alone even if it takes a while for season 2 to be filmed which I hope not.

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Do not expect good show because of the rating.

Started to watch because of high rating.
Saw ML on other pretty nice dramas.
The 1st episode was promising and gives a lot of hope for next development.
But after it is a lot of conversations, Not as sharp, somewhere silly. Very slow, not interesting women choices for the show.
No romance. No good fights or anything catching.
Drama was bad, wasted time. They picked good actor to get a good rating.
Please people stop rating high of not enough good dramas. It is misleading.
Crashed all good expectations. When rating is high, expectations are high.
It was 1 of the strongly boring shows I have watched.
Please skip it if you like really catchy and really interesting dramas.

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It’s the storyline for me!!!

FLAWLESS EXECUTION ALL AROUND!
I don’t give of tens freely. I read a lot of reviews and people were mad about the cinematography. They shouldn’t the fights were not amazing enough. Both of those things are valid and yet this was still and EXCELLENT series. The storytelling was brilliant!

Often times, especially in reference to strategy and chess moves, series tend to get lost. And you’re like why? Or storylines just don’t wrap up at all and you’re mad about it. Neither of these things happened here. They do an excellent job at explains without it being corny and it’s really pretty unpredictable. Bravo to the story telling. You did what needed to be done.

I thought my review would be a spoiler but I’m doing well so far. I have so much to say. Let’s talking about the acting. Applause all around. To be honest I should put more emphasis on the actual characters! What a great job the writers did with them!!!! It makes ALL the difference as there are a TON of characters. Excellent execution. I’m usually too lazy to google character names when I write reviews but this cast deserves it.
- Zhang Routun (ML). I last saw him in Go Go Squid and I loved his character the most actually. However I was curious to see him in a wuxia drama. What a performance!! I think he has to work on his sad and in love emotions but that’s it. He was excellent in this and his performance seemingly got stronger as the series went on.
- Hu Jun (dad). I saw him in EverNight (best fight scenes ever) but really was curious to see him play a powerful DAD. And man he bodies this. 🔥🔥🔥 Not only did he act well but I LOVE the way his character was written.
-Fair Fox. She’s from Beimang and I’m sad about that because season 2 is gonna be something. However. Loved her character and man she is really a showstopping beauty!
-Rong Zi Shan (baby brother). What an innocent face. What a character! I was SCREAMING in the end. Loved him.
-Miss He He. Best character reveal award. And I have a feeling we will see her again.
-Finn Han. As a little boy playing a grandmaster did he now kill those fight scenes. I was screaming for him!!!! Super impressive wow!!!

All of the grandmasters deserve a bow. Those characters were well written and well executed into the story line.

This series was truly a delight to watch and I haven’t felt that way about a wuxia drama in a long time. I’m usually throwing tomatoes when a series ends and there has to be a S2 but they have good closure. It felt like the end of a volume and not the end of a chapter. All series don’t do that well.

This gets a standing ovation from me. It was an easy watch. It was light and funny at parts. The love story was told throughout and it maintained as a wuxia drama. It dances on xianxia I guess. But it does get too crazy with the fantasy. I also love how someone doesn’t blink and become a sword expert. People get beat up left and right and it makes it feel more realistic. It’s a story of strategy and it keeps you engaged. I was NEVER bored. Not once!!! What a great show.

I pray with the next season the cast stays in tact. If there is a next season. All character have to reprise their roles or everything will go to sh*t. I usually hate arson 2s of shows. However, I’m looking forward to it!!! WELL DONE!

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The awesome visuals!

Zhang Ruo Yun, you did great in this drama. Thank you! You had me cheering for you all the way to the last episode. You were so believable in the character you played. I wished there were more episodes to see you bring back your brother and sisters plus Jiang Ni played by Teresa Li, she was awesome but I have to talk about the strong women in this drama. The lady in white is what I want to call her, 2nd sister, and the little crazy one Miss Hee Hee these characters and the actress who played them were just awesomely good. The child actor named Finn Han Zhao Xuan Su toward the end, I mean everything that he did was on point, I mean the tricks and his acting (dual character) was on point as well. This kid is only 12 years old! The martial arts, fantasy, man I wish I was born in that kind of life if it could be real. I loved those scenes. The visuals, OMG, I don't know how the producers came up with all of the actors/actresses flying in the air from here, there, and there but it was so tremendously good. The buildings... wow... I was so impressed. The soundtrack had me glued to the TV! Thank you to the writers of this drama, the Sword Snow Stride team (staff) who made it all happen.

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unusual history political drama

it's the first time I really enjoy this kind of drama, where sword fight meet political & historical. Usually this kind of genre they made it pretty boring, although usually there is romance to help light the drama. But here they put comedy that place very cleverly with the character.

This is really one of the most interesting drama with every character place their chess game very cleverly & interested. Expecially Xu Xiao (XX), he is one amazing chess player, he pave every stone to make the way for his son, Xu Feng Nian (FN). But FN himself also one interesting chess player, he refuse to follow the path that his father already pave for him & try to make his own way. Really interesting to see at first how FN is like always in the palm of XX, because XX can already predict what way FN will gonna take & already prepare his stone there too, but upon more episode we can see how FN actually also have hidden stone that he prepare for himself & to break the way that his father prepare for him.

This drama also have very unusual concept of martial art world. They have all that level that I don't too understand nor too care. But to see how they combine martial art & nature is really interesting.

This is the first time I'm not mad nor upset when they break the drama with season & cliffhanger to close the season 1. I really excited to wait for the season 2. This season close with how FN is preparing himself to be King of Bei Liang. I really want to see how FN is planning to make Jiang Ni his queen & how he will gonna handle the royal family...

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Marvelous storyline

I think this is my fav dramas after nirvana in fire and joy of life. I love this kind of strategist genre. Ngl, xu feng nian is the best strategist of the game. I do not know how he communicates with his siblings. And the huikun thing. Is it in purpose that Hehe kunya kill the beast? Poor thing. Maybe there is a help for XFN in the future. Goosebumps started when his siblings join the revenge. Waaaa. I love it! Also is hongxixiang is the heaven's heart? Kind of confusing there. I cried when XFN went to wudi city to bring back the laohuang's sword. Btw, the details in the movie are so satisfying and the chemistry of the roles are quite impressive. I recommend this drama to everyone!! Lots of love from me <3

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Another Season Please!

For me this was a truly enjoyable well-rounded fantasy. I looked forward to every episode, and grew very fond of All the characters. Even the support characters are so memorable, whether it be his father, his siblings, his body guards, or his enemies. I truly enjoy the complexity of the story and the twists and turns the narrative takes. Give it a try; I think you will like it. You should be hooked from the first episode. (Note:I have not read the novel.) I thought Zhang Ruo Yun as Xu Feng Nian was fascinating to watch, especially his interactions with his father and Jiang Ni, as well as his other family members, Old Huang, and The God of Blades. Oh the God of Blades ... I think I spent most episodes just waiting for the God of Blades to do something amazing. Yes! There is plenty of action!

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