The Blood of Youth

Too many unnecessary characters

The story and the acting is good but the introduction of the crazy numbers of random characters and sects are all thrown in at once. The crazy numbers of characters then lead to lots of fighting scene. These fighting scene were actually very good if taken individually but often thrown together without any good reasons. The plot is good but there really is just far too many random introduction of characters even 8n the last few episodes for absolutely no good reasons other than to show some fighting scenes which again is random with zero reasons. The few couple that developed were all juvenile in their style of "chasing"totally one sided with zero friendship or chemistry

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Continuing the saga

Finishing this after second tries. For someone who is new to the series, I was one of the watcher who watched Dashing Youth first and decided to watch TBoY after knowing it was some sort of sequel for DY. I quite love the DY (who wont? what with all the eye candies we were spooned fed with there? lol), but my first attempt to watch TBoY was quite disheartening at first. The first maybe 10 episodes were quite slow and the eye candy were quite lacking compared to the DY. lol. I left the series for a while before taking it up again and I am very glad I did it. Though the first few episodes were quite slow and just like DY, where there were so many characters being introduced time and time again, making it quite a task to continue. At least, coming from DY, some of the characters I actually already know, just needed to refamiliarise myself with the new version from what I know. The plot was fine enough and quite a flow from someone coming from DY.

Now, on to the leads. This is my first drama of LHY. Took me some time to get attached to LHY's visual and acting, his handsomeness for me is of the type that, the more you saw him, the more he appears more handsome. His character is also quite prudish and cold at first, so it is getting me a while to warm up to him. But by the end of the series, I was getting quite attached to his Xiao Se character and even though his power seems to getting more powerful without that much effort from him (lol), his final fight with Luo Qingyang was quite awesome. I was laughing when he ended up using Wujie's idea of insulting the melancholy sword after literally calling it a dumbass idea. lol. Wuxin, on the other hand was such a funny shameless brat, and I was quite entertained by his character, though he was quite kinda fade into the background towards the end. It seems like Lei Wujie was a more important character in the series rather than Wuxin. Coming from Lei Mengsha in DY, no wonder everyone was talking about how it made sense Lei Wujie was as he was. lol. He really took after his father (or rather, LMS did a good job acting as he is in DY, making it a fine prequel for TBoY.)

Romance was aplenty with so many characters' relationship but it was only on the surface, it seems that they only like to focus on the martial arts and brotherhood theme for the series, and the romance trope was only sprinkled there as an afterthought. I cant really seem to get along with the romance between Xiao Se and Sikong Qianluo that well, the vibe was just wasn't vibing I guess. lol. The whump was also quite nice, though it seems like every one healed so fast after almost losing their lives. lol

Costumes for ML was nice and shuai, I have no problem with that. Though all the other characters got so and so costumes only. CGI was good enough not to appear too cheap, and the fight and battle seems quite believable. Tang Lian's death mourning was quite well done, I would like to be remembered like that as well if it was me. OST was so and so, nothing that stands out too much to me.

All in all, it was a nice (old) sequel in the saga and worth to watch. Hopefully I can see LHY again in something like this.

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Took a 2nd try but was worth it

My first attempt at watching this I stopped around episode 7 or 8, but kept coming back and seeing a lot of good reviews for it so decided to give it another try. In the beginning till like episode 10 there is a lot of information dumping on you and a lot of new characters to get to know. Once you get through all of that it is really worth the watch. All the actors are great in their roles and I liked most of them and loved the fights scenes this. I think I only had one little complaint through this and that was who the two main boys were paired with. I just felt there wasn't any chemistry between them and this show is not a romance show at all you will see nothing come of it, but they do have girls they like and that like them. I felt like they should of switched the girls might of been more there. Anyways don't watch this looking for romance its not there, but its still a good drama to watch about friendship. Just depends what you are into.

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Jaw-dropping Sword Choreography and Costumes

OK, I'll say this once and for all before I even proceed with this review: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST WUXIA DRAMAS EVER MADE! In fact, I would argue it's in the top three.

Now, it's time to talk about the stunning cast and costumes. First, I must be the millionth person to say that Li Hongyi is a triple threat: brilliant actor, strong with combat choreography, and prime eye candy. But let's not discount the fact that the ENTIRE main cast are exceptionally strong actors. Ao Rui Peng, Liu Xue Yi, and Li Xin Ze made my day whenever they were on screen, as did He Zhong Hua as the Xueyue Spear Deity and Dong Li Wu You as the Wushuang City Lord.

In fact, Wu Shuang became one of the more interesting side characters for me simply based on his hubris and tenacity, especially after taking the city lord position by force (threatening the council with violence). Seeing him slowly master the Wushuang Sword Box and run around getting into fights just to increase his strength-an attribute very similar to Lei Wu Jie's fiery, pure spirit-I was genuinely curious about where his story would lead. I would definitely be interested in watching a side arc showing his character development.

Back to the cast: it is rare to see so many strong actors together in one series. Even the supporting cast was top tier. From Du Jun Ze as the Jade Deity to Cao Yu Chen as the Tao Sword Deity of Mount Wangcheng, I was more and more delighted with the introduction of each and every character in the show. And let's not forget Deng Kai as Prince Chi. Not only did he do a wonderful job portraying this role, but I daresay he rivaled many of the main cast costume-wise and was strikingly handsome too (despite his character being the most ungrateful, petty, vindictive, and scheming person on the planet).

Regarding Li Hongyi as the ML: I love how Xiao Se/Xiao Chu He was both the star and the underdog in this series, having to work his way back to his optimal form. Despite his weakened state, his attitude was enough to make it clear that he isn't just anybody. I found it refreshing to see him slowly warm up to Lei Wu Jie, and I could tell that he saw his former self in Lei Wu Jie-a time when he was full of vigor and still unscathed by the disappointments and tragedies of the world. I loved their interaction, and it was a joy to watch the main cast grow together to form real bonds that transcend even life and death.

Now let's talk about the jaw-dropping combat choreography, the intricate naming system for the swords, and stunning CGI imagery. I'll sum these up with one word: SUBLIME!

This show allows the viewer to witness and savor the power structure established by the old leaders while cheering on the limitless potential of the upcoming youth of the martial arts world. The plot is solid and the ending gives us closure. After watching it for the second time, I still can't express enough how much I enjoyed this series.

If I could give it 20 stars, I would. Highly recommended!

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A mix of really good and confusingly bad.

This was a difficult to rate drama, because it was both impressively good and also confusingly bad. I would divide it into first two thirds good, last third missed the mark. What really worked in this drama were the central characters and their relationships. Throughout the scenes which were set outside Tanqi, there was a compelling story which involved the building of their relationships. It was the heart of the drama and provided an anchor for the whole narrative.

As a viewer I needed this anchor because the raft of characters that were introduced was extremely confusing. I found that I could just about keep up with which sect they belonged to, and the costuming helped here, but really lost it at times in terms of who was allied to whom and the history of the various characters’ interactions. As a result, I felt like I was tossed on the waves and in danger of drowning some of the time.

However, when the focus of the story moved to Tanqi, about two thirds through, the anchor was also set adrift. The intrigue plot simply felt like it got out of hand and was a force on its own, dragging the writer and the characters along with it. Somewhat like the effect of too much power in the hands of someone not big enough to contain it. The interactions between the main characters were disrupted and their appearances seemed to be reduced to matters of convenience, destroying the strength of the drama in the process. In fact one character was parked up in a weird sub-plot for virtually the whole of the last third.

There’s a lot that could be said about many other things, but there are also a lot of great reviews already written that discuss them, so I’ll keep this short. Just two points; when my favourite character was lost in the tea house, I was just gutted. I couldn’t go on for quite a while and I’m never going to forgive the writer. RIP. And secondly, did anyone else think that the romance interest was set up wrongly and they should have just swapped partners? I couldn’t find any reason to pair them up in that way. It made no sense and very little chemistry.

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Looking forward to season two

I'm two years late to this party and there are lots and lots of reviews here so my review will very probably get buried here. Nonetheless, I do want to write out my review even if very few people will read it. Here we go.

Overall, this drama is very enjoyable. Stupid dumb funny at times, with some really powerful moments, a pretty good storyline, extraordinarily handsome cast and incredible acting. I feel dumb for letting it simmer in my to watch playlist for so long, my online friend nudged me to watch it. Maybe it's because she presented this drama to me as "friends roaming the martial arts world with cool martial arts" that I expected something a little different. However, I still think the plot has quite some room for improvement.

I think the writers could've easily pushed this drama for even 60 episodes if they kept the spirit and flow. The storyline felt a little rushed, jumping forward three months here, one month there. I mean yes, we can't have a detailed report as a cut screen, but these fast forwards in the storyline line were put in quite often. Xiao Se, Lei Wujie and Wuxin promised each other to roam the martial arts world together and it lasted for like 5 minutes. I think this part definitely should've been longer. Wuxin and the white haired deity from Tianwantian should've appeared on Xiao Se's journey more often and overall could've had a separate story line which would occasionally intertwine with the main group. Wuxin gave Xiao Se and Lei Wujie two of his martial arts only for those two to use them minimally. Especially the Abysmal Eye should've and could've been used better. I loved the hell out of Mu Chunfeng, this part was really great. I think the storyline should've spent a longer time in the Lei Fortress. How dare they cast such a handsome actor for the new lord of the Lei Clan and give him such a short appearance. The audacity lol. The storyline of Lei Hong and Li Hanyi dissipated into thin air, especially since Zhao Yuzhen died. I think this love triangle was unnecessary. Fairy Luoxia and her disciple storyline felt a little pressured, we could've done without it (or made it longer with more episodes). I hated that we lost Tang Lian, Zhao Yuzhen's death was enough. I think that Tang Lian could've been made into the drugged puppet instead of Wuxin, although it was a very Wuxin thing to become a drugged puppet. But on the other hand, we wouldn't have had the grand scene of Lian's memorial, that scene was mind-blowing and breathtaking. The Tianqi city story and "fight" for the throne felt a little hassled. Twenty minutes ago, three friends wanted to have fun and now we're in an imperial fight, where did the time fly to? And this is why I think this drama would've benefited from more episodes. Just take it easier with the same flow, I'm sure the writers would've made it as incredible. I really loved the last two episodes, no tacky words, no forced happy end and marriage, just really ending on a good note and open for furthering the story. I just hope that if season two will be made into reality, that it will exceed this season. Or at least be equally enjoyable.

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An Addicting Wuxia Fantasy Drama with Spectacular CGI and Bunches of Superb Characters

Well, I'm supposed to write this review a long time ago, but I'm just... to lazy to write because I've forgotten most of the key scenes in the show. However, watching 'Dashing Youth' has encouraged me to do so. Sorry for the late review, guys...

This show revolves around the F6 of TBOY (Xiao Se, Lei Wujie, Wu Xin, Sikong Qianluo, Tang Lian, and Ye Ruoyi) as they traverse the jianghu world. As you can see, the storytelling and the story's pace are directed well. I really like the first half of the show when they are travelling through the jianghu. However, things start to turn over as they delve into the political intrigue. I admit I skipped a lot of scenes, especially the emperor, the princes, the pathetic eunuch, and also Yi Wenjun's.

My favorite characters will always be Wujie and Tang Lian - I adore them very much and wish they had more screentime instead of the sly little fox Xiao Se. I have no problems with the female leads - they're likeable haha. However, I don't like Wu Xin as much as everyone does - I don't know if it is just me or is anybody feeling the same.

CGI, costumes, and props are crafted exquisitely and look high-budget.

Nevertheless, a ten out of ten for me. I've rewatched for the third time and definitely will recommend it for those who love wuxia with a tinge of fantasy element in it. I'm currently watching 'Dashing Youth' and see if the prequel lives up to the sequel's reputation. I'll cover up 'Dashing Youth' review when I'm done watching. Good luck!!!

Note:
There are bunches of characters that you will need to remember from time to time in order to grasp the story.

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Spectacular display of friendship

When I first started watching TBOY, I dropped it after the first episode as it did not appeal to me. A year later I stumbled upon this show again and decided to give it another try and I am glad I did. Storyline was amazing for the front half of the show but it starts slowing down a little in the later half when politics and palace affairs start playing a big role in the plot. It is still watchable as there are still incorporations of fight scenes and martial arts. There is a balance of humour and seriousness in the show. One thing about the show that I find it amusing is Wuxin is supposed to be around 18 years old in the show but I keep forgetting about it due to the casting of the actor that plays this role. He looked more 28 than 18 years old. Other than that TBOY is a good watch and would definitely rewatch it when I have the time, can’t wait for season 2 to start filming and hope to see more of the group exploring the martial arts world in the second season.

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One of the great cdramas out there

I started getting immensed in the story from episode 25 to end. It was awesome. Episode 27 gave me goosebumps. The main lead grew on me and I really like his character. If there's season 2, I will surely watch.

Xiao Yu's death is inevitable because his mom Wejun is as pathetic as when she's portrayed in Dashing Youth. Just a pushover.

The novel author might have hated happy ever afters. Yue Yao and Zhao Yuchen's deaths aren't poetic but frustrating. I mean almost all couples have dead partners.

Wuxin's character wasn't given justice. But understandable since it's the story flow. Xiao Se's refusing the emperor role is also understandable. As emperor, he will have a harem, restricted to the palace, battling conspiracies and wars. As he said, it's boring. He is a powerful man so he belongs in jianghu.

Overall I really liked TBOY. I watched Dashing Youth as well. They are both awesome. Although I like DY a little bit more since it's more fun than TBOY.

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Classic wuxia with well-developed backlore

I absolutely loved this show for the first 10 episodes or so. The humor is excellent. Lei Wujie is so adorably dumb, in the best and cutest way (I also like that he totally just owns up to it, not offended at all). Xiao Se is kind of the opposite, but hilarious in another way- deadpan sarcastic. Add in Wu Xin, who has his own style of calm quipping, and I was laughing every episode. It is so much fun to watch them and their other friends traipsing across the Jianghu, that I barely cared that such a deep friendship came out of nowhere.

Sadly, the fun and games don’t really last. I will credit this show with maintaining some excellent flashes of humor all the way to the end. But the sparkling fun tone doesn’t make it through, and by the second half it’s pretty much devolved into classic power struggles and throne drama. These are not badly done, but power struggles can only be so interesting to me. I would have preferred more focus on the characters, their development, and their interactions.

This show does have a band-of-friends feel and a focus on camaraderie. But in the end, it’s mostly Xiao Se’s story. I found him to be a likable protagonist with his own set of relatable emotions; a sullen streak and some past trauma, but mostly a good guy and of course a very smart mastermind. In his orbit are some other likable characters as well, but it was this show’s loss to relegate Wuxin- one of the best characters- to the back burner for the majority of the show.

There are a lot of other characters of varying importance, plus a lot of complicated relations, a lot of gradually revealed backstories, and a lot of traditions and lore in this universe. Some of it is straight up told to us by Xiao Se through dialogue- lazy storytelling but still helpful to an overwhelmed viewer. Still, I had a hard time keeping track of everything. I found the show better on a second pass when I already knew a little of what was going on, but I only rewatched because I took a long break; I didn’t like this show enough to rewatch for fun.

I think the plot is not bad, just all the power struggles did not fully captivate me. There is a good amount of pathos, a realistic emperor, backstories with depth (hence an entire prequel for it!), and a villain that is easy to hate. It also, to its credit, stays strong until the end. But I think the real strengths of this show are its humor and snarky characters, which they did not lean into nearly enough.

Unlike most Cdramas, the title is actually relevant. “Blood of Youth”- there is indeed a consistent focus on the youth of the heroes and how they must forge their own paths. It’s especially relevant since this Jianghu is filled with the legends of the past generation, who’s prior actions brought us to our present state. The way this idea of youth comes up regularly and in different ways, is actually quite well done.

Unfortunately, it’s just not a theme that particularly resonates with me. It might be more meaningful to a younger person. The show in general feels very shounen, or maybe classic wuxia. For example, the endless parade of powerful legends, each more powerful than the last, and the obsession with who is more powerful than whom. Lots of posing, looking cool, and being proud to be a badass.

Some parts of this martial world I do appreciate. It feels very RPG-esque how everyone has their own characteristic weapon, as well as a few distinctive abilities that are accompanied by flashy CGI sequences of dubious functionality (what are all those flower petals for again?) It’s all good fun, but sometimes they go a little overboard trying to make people look cool. I am too old to be impressed by somebody yelling some noble-sounding catchphrase.

This show is also kind of casually sexist. Everyone seems to care a bit too much about the beauty of the women. At least it is mostly just the culture of the show’s world, rather than baked into reality- there are still plenty of strong, capable female characters. Even they, though, also seem to think that beauty is a woman’s most important trait. And don’t get me started on Li Hanyi; some of her interactions seem like they came out of my HR training.

And while we’re on it, many of the female characters come with romance stories, and the romances are not done well. I never understood “no chemistry” until I saw Xiao Se and Sikong Qianluo. My goodness, it was so awkward and cringe, but at least not that important. Plus Qianluo is not developed enough for me to care about her. Lei Wujie’s romance was funny as comedic relief only; when it seemed like it might work out, I started to cringe. Luckily, also not that important.

Acting-wise, I think this cast did a pretty good job. My favorite is probably Ao Ruipeng as Lei Wujie- this is still the best role I’ve seen him in, managed to make the guy 100% lovable instead of dumb or annoying. The emperor also did a great job.

The fighting is very CGI-based, sometimes very fake-looking, but not bad if you think of it as a CGI sequence in an RPG. The flashiness of a particular technique means nothing. They all look infinitely destructive and are countered by equally destructive-looking things.

The costumes are nice, and also color-coordinated well. Somehow nobody seems to look very good wearing them, though.

The music is very good. The songs are more energetic rather than slow or romance-y, which matches the tone and focus, and the BGM in particular sounds good and is used well to set mood.

Overall, this is an enjoyable show that I liked but did not love. I would watch the sequel when that comes out, but I don’t care enough to, for instance, watch the anime. There is also currently a prequel and spinoff that gives background on some of the other characters; however, since I already know how they end based on this show, I have no intention of watching them.

ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS





This show has a happy ending. The main conflict ends in the second to last episode, giving us an entire episode to wrap things up peacefully and send Xiao Se and friends off to happily travel the world. Some people scatter, but there is a promise to meet again. There is even a special which shows Tang Lian coming back. It’s a pretty satisfying ending. I have wanted a sequel more for other shows than this one, but I'm sure they'll come up with something good.

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