I Am Nobody

The Best Fantasy Drama in a Long Time

Adapted from the web comic “Under One Person” (一人之下) by Mi Er (米二), YouKu’s latest fantasy drama “I Am Nobody” is a robust mix of intrigue, mystique, suspense and comedy. YouKu dropped the first four episodes unceremoniously on 4th August, 2023. Ironically, the next day, it was announced that the show has been suspended until further notice. After a month long delay, “I Am Nobody” resumed broadcast on 6th September, 2023. In the midst of all this drama, I really didn’t get the time to watch this show. I wasn’t enthusiastic about it and when I checked the first few minutes of the pilot episode, the show seemed mediocre. Despite that, suspending my disbelief, I decided to watch this show one more time, and this is what I learned- if you could get past the first few minutes of the zombie nonsensical action, then “I Am Nobody” is definitely your time. The show chronicles the main lead Zhang Chulan’s (Peng Yu Chang) journey as his life is toppled upside down when the said zombies steal his dead Grandfather’s body from his grave. Met with unusual circumstances in the “Outsider” world and haunted by a villainous group “Sinister Pleasure”, Chulan is forced to seek refuge with NDT Express (the official organization whose job is to punish evil Outsiders). Along the way, he is tutored by Feng Baobao (Wang Ying Lu), as he gets acquainted with other powerful Outsiders like Wang Ye (Neo Hou), Zhang Ling Yu (Bi Wen Jun) and Zhu Ge Qing (Julio Wan Yan).

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Fantasy, Action, Comedy, Supernatural

Plot Summary
"I Am Nobody" blends urban fantasy with martial arts and humor, following Zhang Chu Lan, a seemingly ordinary guy whose life is turned upside down after he becomes the target of supernatural forces. He soon discovers he belongs to the world of the Outsiders—people with ancient, hidden powers rooted in Taoist philosophies. As he uncovers the secrets of his past, he meets allies and enemies, including the mysterious Feng Baobao, a quirky yet powerful woman who claims to know his destiny.

The drama is based on the popular manhua "Under One Person" (一人之下), and captures the manga's unique mix of Chinese culture, spiritual elements, and fast-paced action.

🎭 Acting & Characters
Peng Yuchang as Zhang Chu Lan: He delivers a relatable, grounded performance as an underdog pulled into a bigger battle. His emotional range shines, especially in scenes of inner conflict and reluctant growth.

Neo Hou as Wang Ye: Adds complexity and charisma with an ambiguous morality.

Wang Yinglu as Feng Baobao: Steals the spotlight. Her eccentric behavior, cryptic wisdom, and surprising strength make her the soul of the series. She balances comedy with depth seamlessly.

The ensemble cast also includes strong supporting actors, each with distinct personalities that enrich the mysterious world of Outsiders.

🎥 Production Quality
Visual Effects: Impressive CGI for a Chinese web drama, particularly in action and supernatural sequences. Energy blasts, mystical auras, and transformations are visually convincing.

Cinematography: Stylish, with dynamic fight choreography that resembles anime scenes, complete with dramatic camera angles and slow-motion effects.

Soundtrack: A mix of traditional and modern tracks that amplify emotional and intense moments. The OP and ED songs are catchy and well-suited to the story.

✍️ Storytelling & Pacing
The narrative builds slowly at first but becomes increasingly engaging as secrets unfold. The world-building is one of its strongest aspects—drawing from Chinese folklore, Taoism, and martial arts traditions to create a deep and immersive universe.

While it occasionally slips into exposition-heavy dialogue, the pacing remains balanced with alternating moments of humor, mystery, and explosive action.

💡 Themes & Highlights
Identity and self-worth

Destiny versus choice

The conflict between ancient beliefs and modern life

The outsider versus society

What sets I Am Nobody apart is how it mixes fantasy with philosophical undertones, asking questions about existence, fate, and purpose, while staying entertaining.

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I NEED SEASON 2 TO COME OUT ASAP!!

I happened to stumble upon a YouTube shorts last week showing the scene of zhang chu lan and feng bao bao fighting (I wouldn't call that a fight actually lol), and here I am today, writing a whole paragraph of review after completing 27 episodes. I have watched a ton of cdramas before, and never have I in my life rated a cdrama 10 hahaha. Despite some small plot loopholes, this is still perfect to me! The story is just so compelling and engaging that the moment I started watching I couldn't stop. I'm in love with all the superpowers!! The acting? Wow! The animation and other special effects? Top notch! The opening and ending songs are really catchy as well, they suit the drama perfectly.

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An old man with red sneakers stole the show.

A story about a college boy who, following the desecration of his grandfather's tomb, finds himself entering the world of Outsiders. A society with superpowers and qi at its core. Because of an allegedly hereditary skill, he is pursued by adversaries. On his way to the truth behind his origins, he meets an insomniac, an idol, a brainwasher, a white-haired Taoist, an unpredictable shovel lady, and a grandfather with red sneakers.

It felt like watching a martial arts drama in a modern setting with fantasy elements. Dramas with this type of backdrop are typically predictable, with the younger generation making their mark on the world and the seniors executing power plays. However, even with the cliches, I was taken aback by this one's distinctive scene changes. The comic elements were executed quite well; however, occasionally they fell flat.

It was my first time watching the main actors, and they gave a wonderful performance. Especially Wang Ying Lu. Her portrayal of Feng BaoBao with innocent and striking boldness came out fittingly.

The fight choreography was great, with good CGI. Despite appearing to be an unrelated plot, the main characters’ intricate backstory was cleverly woven into the primary narrative. The title clearly corresponds to the Zhang Chulan, who believed he was alone, that he had no one, that he was nothing in comparison to the world, but who eventually built his own family. Overall, a fun watch with some funny moments. recommended for those who wish to watch superpowers with martial arts in a present-day context.

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Fun to start, but soon gets lost in too many characters and too much exposition

Chulan, is a university student with an awkward nerdiness , who has an extraordinary super power that’s tied to the mysteries of the Outsiders and his deceased grandfather’s past . He unassumingly ends up on an interesting journey to learn the truth behind it all. However, this story quickly detours into gladiator for super humans. Power struggles between the Outsider sects, random scenes with random story threads that are never followed up and young male eye candy who seemed to mainly be around to satisfy the pretty boy quota - Huo Ming Hao and Bi Wen Jin.

The story did sprinkle in little nuggets of information here and there that slowly revealed some of the truths Chulan sought. We did learn the powers and practitioners behind the 8 supremes. Got the names of a couple of the 36 thieves, though we never learned what they did. Or perhaps I missed it in all the silliness and exposition. The Jiashen Calamity was the main mystery of the story. With people killing and deceiving to learn the truth about it, keep it secret or prevent it from happening again, but we never learned what the hell happened in the calamity, who caused it and why? Who were Chulan’s parents? I found it to be a gaping oversight that there was no insight as to who they were and where they were. It was like he fell out of the sky to become Zhang Hauyi’s grand son.

That aside, Chulan’s bond with Bao Bao was endearing. Some of the adventures could be fun and the side stories could at times be engaging, but there were too many characters. Most of whom added nothing to the story and whom I didn’t care about. Huo Ming Hao is promoted as the lead in much of the promo pics etc. for the show but in reality he’s barely seen and is a supporting character at best. Such a shame considering his charisma and talent. That’s not to take anything away from Peng Yu Chan who is very good as the lead. This show is not bad, just okay. The story could’ve been tighter, better. The ending was left open to facilitate the 2nd season which I guess is needed to finally tell the story behind the Jiashen calamity. However, after meandering plot threads and hit or miss contrivances that was this 1st season I’m not intrigued enough to watch a 2nd season of this show.

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The feeling this drama gives is out of the world!

Comedy, action, and storyline are all balanced with great acting. I don't normally wish for dramas to be longer but this one is an exception. All about this drama was great for me except for one thing I'm not clear about which I'll come to later. So, first of all, I'll describe why I like this drama.

1. At first glance, anyone can see this is not your typical Chinese drama. I really liked the feeling this drama gave me, it's neither ancient nor modern. We don't get many dramas which gives this feeling so that's a plus.

2. Feng BaoBao all the way!! Her acting is superb. How she nonchalantly displays the facial expressions needed for her character is wonderful.

3. Calm and sweet Neo Hou. For me, it felt like he's the most talented out there except for Zhang Chu Lan's grand master. Sadly we didn't get to see how far his abilities go.

5. The funny elders and the rest of the characters like Zhu Ge Qing, Feng Sha Yan.

What I was confused about was, in the last episode when Zhang Chu Lan and Lv Liang were dealing with Duan Mu Ying, how did all the others come into this 'hard-to-find-another-dimension' Valley of 24 terms instantly? Could be possible with the grand master and the elders, but how come the youngsters too came into it instantly?? Maybe I missed anything idk. Also although the barrier was made from the power of 8 superpowers, there were like 5 or 6 people using those powers out there plus the grand master who was portrayed as ultra super powerful in the ep where Sinister Pleasure attacks the temple. So it was kind of impractical imo considering how hard it was to break that freaking barrier. Other than that I'm really happy with drama.

Really hope they'll stick to the decision of continuing to the second season with the same cast.

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hey there is a song in episode 14 when shayan was fighting - find it for me please

i am absolutely in love with this show everything is so perfect ---please find me the song i can't find it anywhere .
Title: Enchanting and Unforgettable: "I Am Nobody" Takes Chinese Drama to New Heights


its spellbinding Chinese drama that captivates from the very first episode, offering a fresh and innovative take on the genre. This intricately woven tale combines elements of mystery, romance, and suspense, creating a perfect concoction for an unmissable viewing experience.

One of the standout features of "I Am Nobody" is its brilliant storytelling. The plot unfolds with a perfect balance of twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats while gradually revealing the layers of its characters. The writing is sharp, filled with suspenseful moments that are both unpredictable and emotionally resonant. The dialogues are rich with depth, and the character development is truly exceptional.

The ensemble cast delivers outstanding performances, bringing their characters to life with nuance and authenticity. Each actor is perfectly cast, contributing to the overall chemistry of the cast. The lead actors not only showcase their acting prowess but also establish a mesmerizing on-screen chemistry that adds an extra layer of magic to the narrative.

Visually, "I Am Nobody" is a feast for the eyes. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the beauty of the Chinese landscapes and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the drama. The production design and costumes are meticulously crafted, transporting the audience to different time periods and adding a layer of authenticity to the storytelling.

The soundtrack of "I Am Nobody" is both haunting and melodic, perfectly complementing the emotional depth of the narrative. The carefully selected musical pieces enhance the mood of each scene, creating a memorable auditory experience that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.

Moreover, the drama excels in tackling relevant and thought-provoking themes, seamlessly weaving social commentary into its narrative. It goes beyond the typical romantic tropes, addressing societal issues and human complexities with a refreshing and insightful approach.

i made chat gpt write it ,, coz i need to ask for the song ,,, and they want me to write 500 words

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Urban fantasy drama at its finest

As always, Chinese dramas excel in producing high-quality projects based on supernatural concepts with the touch of their culture and history. This is one of the best series I’ve watched in Wuxia’s category. Alongside the masterpieces such as The Untamed, Word of Honor, Heaven Official’s Blessing, etc. The unique thing about this show is how they set up the story in the modern world. I highly applaud the production staff for presenting extraordinary editing and visual effects. The variety of introducing numerous superpowers was cool and pleasant, all thanks to the smooth delivery of the CGI.

The 100th Outsiders Martial Arts Contest was such an anime peak tournament level. The fight scenes, bonds, and the clash of powers were just always the cherry on top within the show. This arc also has my favorite episode. The battle round between Wang Ye and Zhuge Qing. These two sorcerer magic users engaged in an astonishing duel plus the epic animation quality keeps me in my seat so tightly. Both actors are so handsome too that I can’t help but ship them. The camp night out during the middle of the tournament was so cute. I believed that it was the root of their friendships.

My favorite thing about these kinds of dramas is the diversity of groups that they can offer to the audience. We have different sects, clans, families, and sub-groups that provide additional spice to the conflicts. The notable ones are the NTD express, four crazies of sinister pleasure, ten elders, all-encompassing guilds, and the 36 thieves.

Yet, no one can top the major grouping that the show has which is the eight supremes. In this season, we were only introduced to five of these powerful abilities; the Qi Apotheosis, Qimen Manipulation, Dispatch of Detained Spirit, Infinite Heavenly Talisman, and the Double Quan Palm. All are high-powered techniques that we got to see a glimpse of their abilities.

Double Quan Palm was the only technique that was explained to us in detail. It was a creepy magic that allowed the user to control memories by removing, altering, and transferring them to another person. It can also have the ability to regenerate broken parts of the body.

The main point that I admired about the characters is how the oldies believed that the youth are now the savers of the present while supporting them from the side. In the finale episode, we got to see the four new-gen individuals, aside from the MC, who helped him defeat the creator of the double quan palm technique. Some points during the last episode were not explained well but I know they will tackle it in the sequel. Qi Apotheosis is such a broken ability and I am excited to see more from the endpoint of all Qi techniques.

While watching this, I am either laughing, amazed, or crying. The comedy was good as an entertainment but the tragic story was too painful. Even though I watched this two years after the release date, I am still happy that I will not have to wait more longer to see the sequel that was just ended recently as well. That’s all I can say and catch you up in another review after I complete the second season of this well-written fiction.

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Bao Bao Empire

*I Am Nobody* is a shonen from the *Enen no Shouboutai* school. Like *Fire Force*, it crosses off all the tropes of the genre with a knowing wink to the audience. I suppose it’s a bit like wrassling in that regard. It works if you think it’s real or know it isn’t.

Ahem!

Decades ago, the *Heishen Incident* caused immense upheaval in the world of The Outsiders — the show’s hidden class of meta-humans. A shadowy sect hopes to uncover the truth of the incident in its quest for power. The universe’s policing organisation is mobilising to stop them, and the key to all that might be an orphaned boy — a loser, naturally — named Zhang Chu Lan.

So far, so cliched. But the execution is really what sets this show apart. The mad lads snuck in allusions to *Lord of the Rings* and *Mob Psycho* in the first thirty minutes. That reeled me in and kept me enthralled for twenty-seven
episodes as the creators unpacked their Matryoshka Dolls plot.

* Who are the Outsiders?
* What do they want with Zhang Chu Lan?
* Who are the world’s power players?
* What happened in the Heishen Incident?
* Where did Feng Bao Bao come from?

The show provides satisfying answers to all those questions. Along the way, we get the usual side plots revolving around the themes of parvenus and old money, uneasy child-parent relationships, the consequences of the unethical pursuit of power, and, of course, the power of friendship—which was the point all along.

In terms of characterisation, this is a classic deuteragonist plot. Bao Bao and Chu Lan stand on the shoulders of giants like Naruto and Sasuke, Gon and Killua and — hear me out — All Might and Endeavour (*I suppose Midoriya and Bakugo in the new generation*). I wrote All Might and Endeavour because although Chu Lan is powerful in his own right, Bao Bao is basically this show’s One Punch Lass. It’s a Batman and Superman situation.

Their dynamic works because although we’re introduced to Chu Lan first, and he’s the show’s primary POV character, Bao Bao is its main character. However, she’s one of those flat, killer-bot-type characters —think Akame, as in ga kill, Hei from *Darker than Black* or Angie from *Princess Principal — *so Chu Lan’s dynamism is necessary to maintain the show’s rapid pace.

A quartet completes the lead duo. We’ve got *Zhang Lin Yu,* a monk who envies Chu Lan his virginity (*no worries, he later achieves enlightenment. Amitabha!*). Wang Ye is a Daoist plagued by visions and one of the universe’s strongest characters. Zhuge Qin is an idol descended from Kongming. He used to think he was the strongest until he met Wang Ye. Ye and Qin basically exist to sate BL-stans. *Please, random boomercrat, let the BL-stans have their shows again*! Make bros **just** bros again, damn it, boomercrat! Despite not seeing their point, I admit they consistently have the show’s most creative fight scenes! Ahem! also, *in the straightest possible way, hou ming hao is like a porcelain vase catching the first rays of sunlight rising above the horizon. like, dude! get out here being that handsome.* Ahem!

There’s also Lv Liang who’s just. . .annoying!

The show’s got a whole ensemble cast who mostly feature in its Chunnin Exam arc (*the show’s best, IMO*). The powers, albeit low-budget, are interesting. And that’s a testament to the vision of the director, Hong Yu Xu. I’m typically biased against Chinese live-action adaptations of animated shows. I’d previously always seen them as idol-laden cash grabs. This changed my mind. It’s a show with heart. All the actors aren’t world-beaters, and the final reveal ultimately turned out to have low stakes. But none of that mattered because the world Mr Hong Yu brought on screen managed to feel so alive! That's no mean feat, and I doff my hat to him.

*I Am Nobody* is like no Chinese drama I’ve seen before. Thankfully, season two is now airing. I hope for more of the same. You won't have wasted your time watching the first season.

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