Generation to Generation

Poignant Storytelling: Between Shadows and Healing

"Light and darkness travel side by side."

I thought this was a beautiful examination of how layered good and bad can be, told through people trapped in a generation of hurt. Some characters were able to heal and find closure, while others remained caught in the cycle, hoping at least to leave a better world for those who came after them.

For me, it was the emotional depth that truly hooked me. The storytelling felt especially poignant, centering on a strong core theme while weaving in alternate arcs that allowed the drama to flourish with tension and excitement. This was an absolute win for me. I was mesmerized by every dimension—from the setting to the cinematography to the layered characters. There was so much intrigue and connection to the storytelling that I found myself completely absorbed in it.

This was such a win for me that I am now reading the novel.

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The Demon Sect Was the Real Star

For me, Zhou Yiran completely stole the show as Mu Qing Yan. He was cunning, manipulative, and always scheming, yet you could still feel that he was good at his core. His character was easily the most compelling part of the drama.
I liked the female lead at first, but I was disappointed that she never truly separated herself from the sect or from her aunt’s shadow. Her aunt lived boldly and freely without regret, while Cai Zhao always seemed tied to that legacy instead of forging her own path.
You Guan Yue and Shangguan Hao Nan brought great comedic moments that added some much-needed fun to the story.
Honestly, the demon sect characters were far more entertaining than the supposedly righteous sect. At times the righteous side felt pretentious, and I couldn’t help thinking the drama might have been even better if it focused more on the demon sect.

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A MATCH OF MINDS

The narrative centers on Cai Zhao, a free-spirited disciple of the Qingque Sect, and Mu Qingyan, a strategic and emotionally complex young master determined to uncover the truth behind his family's massacre. As they traverse Jianghu, they confront longstanding conflicts between righteous and demonic factions, ultimately revealing the ambiguity inherent in the distinction between hero and villain.

The gradual development of the romance between Zhou Yi-ran and Bao Shangen constitutes the series's most compelling element. Their intellectual compatibility avoids reliance on clichéd misunderstandings. Mu Qingyan emerges as a notable, morally ambiguous protagonist whose manipulative and paranoid tendencies stem from childhood trauma. Conversely, Cai Zhao demonstrates perceptiveness, often discerning Mu Qingyan's intentions, which results in a dynamic characterized by psychological tension. Notably, Mu Qingyan's devotion frequently manifests in intense or obsessive behaviors, exemplified by his insistence that the 'lady of his heart' be accepted by his sect, irrespective of her background. The first consensual kiss in episode 29 is widely regarded as a pivotal moment, offering a rare glimpse of vulnerability in Mu Qingyan.

Yuzhi is depicted as the archetypal righteous hero: upright, protective, and respectful. In the initial episodes, he rescues the protagonists from an ambush and consistently serves as a loyal ally to Cai Zhao. His frequent presence near Cai Zhao often provokes irritation in Mu Qingyan. Distinct from conventional jealous rivals, Yuzhi is commended for his maturity; he does not become antagonistic due to unrequited affection but maintains his respect for Cai Zhao. While Mu Qingyan embodies the unpredictability and peril associated with the Demonic Sect, Yuzhi symbolizes the stability and tradition of the Righteous Sect. His support during Cai Zhao's period of solitude and confinement underscores his enduring loyalty. Consistent with the author's style, the dialogue is characterized by wit, and the characters display notable intelligence. The narrative avoids contrived plot devices, and the ensemble cast, including Li Yunrui, contributes depth to the multi-generational themes, enhancing the historical authenticity of the setting.

However, numerous viewers have observed abrupt scene transitions and disjointed editing, likely resulting from extensive censorship or aggressive post-production. The pacing in the initial episodes and the concluding arc is occasionally inconsistent, with certain side plots, including significant revelations, appearing protracted. Although the series excels in atmosphere, the depiction of physical combat is at times diminished by the emphasis on plot and dialogue.

In summary, viewers who prioritize character development, compelling chemistry, and intricate plotting will likely find the series highly rewarding. Conversely, those seeking continuous action or a fast-paced narrative may find the deliberate pacing and editing choices challenging.

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Interesting and Intricate storylines from Generation to Generation but not perfectly executed

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I’m interested in checking out “Generation to Generation” because there aren’t that many wuxia dramas out there that only focus on the martial arts world without the cultivation to immortality. And there are many more political, historical and xianxia dramas out there. Besides, I haven’t seen Zhou Yi Ran in a while and especially in a period drama. “Generation to Generation” has quite an intricate plot that has storylines that span two generations. It’s an ambitious novel adaptation that didn’t quite execute perfectly.


Likes:
Mu Qing Yan (ML) - You can say he’s a red flag or a gray character. He’s not a full-on red flag as in Xie Wei in “The Story of Kunning Palace” where he would manhandle FL. Instead, he’s intelligent and calculating, obsessed and lonely. What I love about him is that he is still pretty much the same Mu Qing Yan from beginning to the end (with the exception of the very last episode). You know he has some dirty tricks and schemes in his sleeves, and you know there must be an underlying reason for his actions, no matter how innocent it seems. Mu Qing Yan is a very interesting antihero.

Zhou Yi Ran (actor) - He is the star of the show. If you are his fan, you have got to check out this drama for him. He’s no longer the teenager I remember in “When I Fly Towards You” or “The Bond”. His acting has matured, especially the subtle emotional acting, a little side eye or smirk here and there. From acting to body posture, he exudes charisma and you cannot take your eyes off him.

Cai Zhao - Cai Zhao is the perfect match for Mu Qing Yan. She is not only intelligent and can see through Mu Qin Yan’s motives and schemes. She’s also street smart and knows how to use her quick wits to either avoid conflict or skirt past them. Additionally, she’s strong physically. Cai Zhao is no damsel in distress. Instead, she often scoops in to save the day or fight as an equal partner and warrior alongside Mu Qing Yan.

General Plot - I was entertained throughout the 37 episodes and was paying attention to the intricate events and characters. I really like the plot of both generations, and enjoy seeing how the characters and the action of the older generation affect the storylines of the younger generations. I can only imagine how much better the novel is compared to the drama.


Mixed feelings and Average:

Execution of the Plot - As much as I like the general plot, the execution could use some more work. Many characters are introduced within the first episodes, and these names keep on coming back throughout the drama. At times, the drama does show flashbacks to remind you of who these minor characters are. But sometimes when they don’t, a name would be thrown out here and there, and I would have to think really hard and recall who they are. Additionally, there’s not enough time to really show what happened before and now. The story of heroine Cai Ping Shu (FL’s aunt) really took up a lot of the screentime. Everything happened because of her. I wish a whole season was dedicated to the older generation’s love triangles and one-sided loves, hatred, betrayals, and schemes. It sounded more fun than what the younger generation is going through. If we can get 2 seasons, one per generation, that would be awesome.

Acting - Aside from Zhou Yi Ran, the rest of the cast did a fine job. I don’t think anyone really stands out, and this includes the veterans. Bao Shang En did a decent good job as the female lead, but there’s still room for improvement during emotional scenes. I feel that none of the actors has done a better job than Zhou Yi Ran in those subtle facial expressions. Having said that, no one also sticks out like a sore thumb. They are just fine.

Romance/Chemistry - I mentioned earlier, I love that Mu Qin Yan is obsessively in love yet never really hurts Cai Zhao in any way. He never physically chokes her (LOL) nor puts her in any dangerous situation. Their relationship is interesting. You can say Mu Qin Yan deceives Cai Zhao many times. You can say Cai Zhao abandons and never puts Mu Qin Yan above her family, friends and principles. But as you get to know the characters, you find their actions totally make sense. Cai Zhao is smart and she will see through Mu Qin Yan’s manipulation and schemes, and the funny thing is, Mu Qin Yan knows that, too. It doesn’t matter, she will choose to be ‘manipulated’ time and time again. However, I do find the chemistry between the two leads to be just OK. It’s not sizzling and it’s not fluffy. It’s…..OK. For that, I am slightly disappointed.


Disappointments:

Fight/Action scenes - Unfortunately for a wuxia drama, the action scenes are very average or slightly below average. There are not enough to begin with. The ones we do have are filled with slow motion moves, occasional posing and just not good hardcore sword fighting.

Production Value - It’s pretty clear that this is not a big budget production. You barely have 20 people when you start a rebellion or hostile takeover or going to battle. The CGI isn’t well done and I am really disappointed in the costumes. Some of them look like random cloth draped on the actors. There’s also ugly uniforms that look like aprons made out of blankets!

Main Villain - You can tell immediately who the main villain is. No question at all! The reason for them turning evil was so hilarious and delusional. They were mysterious for a while but once the reasons for everyone’s actions were revealed, I was laughing out loud at its ridiculousness. This is probably what caused many viewers to be super disappointed in the last few episodes.

Episode 37 (Ending) - I was expecting a different direction of the ending that could be much more memorable and realistic. But I also am not surprised that the drama went with a more popular direction. But the reason for ML’s sudden health change was quite ridiculous. However, I am most disappointed in the execution of the ending. It was so cheesy!!! The drama was quite serious from start to almost finish. Yet the last episode totally changes the vibe of the drama. I really do not need a song and dance.


Would I recommend this drama? I would, especially if you are a veteran wuxia drama watcher who is familiar and comfortable with the introduction of many characters. The plot is intricate yet not really very confusing but will require your full attention. However, it does take patience to sit through the whole drama to let the stories slowly unfold. If you are a fan of Zhou Yi Ran, definitely check it out. I debated rating this an 8 or 8.5, and I settled with 8.25 rounding up to 8.5 because I was having a hard time recently finding a drama to hold my attention from start to finish. “Generation to ‘Generation” was able to keep me interested during this time when I have a very short attention span.




Completed: 3/18/2026 Review #673

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Great show, definitely worth watching!

Haven’t done many reviews on MDL, so be warned, there are spoilers!!!


This was such a wonderful show! it currently ranks top 2 for me so far this year. I loved the acting from both leads, they were phenomenal. The angst is the story felt real and justified. The dilemma between Cai Zhao picking her family over Mu Chingyan was so well done, and the fact she may still pick MCY in a life or death situation was very apparent. Even if it seemed like Cai Zhao was never chasing Mu Chingyan, I like the fact they made her say it herself. She admits that she could not do as much for MCY as he has done for her. But at the end of the day, both their love runs deep.

Maybe I’m just stupid, but I didn’t quite catch why Mu Chingyan persisted to practice the Ziwei method? I mean, I just think that he gave up because of Cai Zhao, but I guess he was so persistent because he wanted the Li Sect to unify with the others without facing prejudice?


oh my days, the last episode was a rollercoaster. I fully believed TWICE that Mu Chingyan was dead for. I was throwing my laptop and everything, but I’m glad it ended the way it did. Even though something felt missing by the end. Maybe it’s just the way c-dramas are, but all the blood spitting and being throw around, all of that just for them to recover fully felt a teeny bit unrealistic. For a good minute I thought the happy ending was just a dream, or the afterlife after MCY died and maybe Cai Zhao ended her life too...
but I prefer happy endings so let’s not go there!

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Mu Qingyan DESERVES a better story, plot--anything really?!

At its core, *Generation to Generation* presents a familiar wuxia framework: sect rivalries, political power struggles, supernatural threats such as zombies, and the blurred morality between so-called righteous clans and the demonized “other.” The Li Sect, branded a demon sect by the Six Righteous Sects, exists outside the moral posturing of the orthodox world. They do not claim benevolence; they simply live by their own code. In contrast, the righteous sects cloak their ambitions in virtue and often skirt the very line between justice and hypocrisy that they claim to uphold.

This ideological tension should serve as the drama’s strongest narrative engine. Instead, it feels only partially realized due to uneven character development and limited narrative grounding.

Mu Qingyan’s goal is straightforward: to reclaim his rightful place as head of the Li Sect. It is a classic wuxia arc featuring an ambitious heir navigating treachery, sect politics, and legacy. However, ambition alone cannot sustain dramatic momentum. The series struggles to articulate what truly drives him beyond strategy and inheritance. What does leadership represent for him: revenge, reform, validation, or survival? The script gestures toward these possibilities but rarely explores them with sustained depth. Without a clearly defined emotional core, the power struggle often feels procedural rather than urgent.

The world-building suggests considerable complexity. The Six Righteous Sects are depicted as morally compromised arbiters, while the Li Sect appears unapologetically pragmatic. Yet these ideas function more as atmospheric framing than as themes rigorously examined within the story. The drama acknowledges hypocrisy but seldom places its characters in situations that force meaningful moral reckoning.

Cia Zhao, the niece of a revered heroine from the Six Sects, serves as the moral counterpoint. She is righteous, gifted, and supported by the admiration of both elders and peers. As such, she embodies the orthodox ideal: principled, luminous, and largely insulated from the harsher realities of sect politics. Her relationship with Mu Qingyan provides some of the drama’s most intriguing tension. He is calculating and ambitious, yet notably gentler in her presence. This contrast suggests compelling possibilities, with affection acting as a humanizing force on ambition. However, the narrative relies more on familiar romantic conventions than on gradual emotional development. His vulnerability is asserted more often than it is convincingly dramatized, leaving the emotional stakes somewhat understated.

Structurally, the opening third of the drama disperses its focus across numerous subplots rather than establishing a strong foundation for character and world. Viewers are guided through a succession of side conflicts that contribute limited momentum to the central narrative. While these threads may be intended to evoke the lingering influence of the previous generation, possibly echoing the title itself, the execution can feel diffuse. Combined with uneven editing, the result is a storytelling rhythm that occasionally feels fragmented rather than expansive. Unfortunately, the closing arc proves just as nonsensical as the opening third, circling back to similarly disjointed narrative choices rather than bringing the story toward a coherent resolution.

Lately, there has been a trend in Chinese drama camera work to frame the subject from the perspective of an adjacent character, a technique seen in series like *The Double* and *Fangs of Fortune*. In those examples, the approach heightens emotional intensity: *The Double* uses it to emphasize sensuality and the stakes of conflict or demise, while *Fangs of Fortune* leverages it to reveal intimacy by showing what each character observes in the other. In *Generation to Generation*, however, this camera approach is undermined by ragged editing. Rather than creating emotional depth, the shots feel disjointed, and the intended psychological or relational impact is largely lost.

A nod to wuxia nostalgia arrives in Mu Qingyan’s entrances. One memorable scene features him floating down and landing on tree branches, levitating midair, recalling the exaggerated, heroic aesthetics of classic wuxia. My personal favorite remains the umbrella entrance, coupled with the line, “I’ve been waiting for you for half a day,” which manages to be playful while evoking the stylistic charm that wuxia fans cherish.

As is often the case in large-scale historical dramas, Mu Qingyan emerges as the most compelling figure, largely due to the inherent complexity of the antihero archetype. Zhou Yiran works with relatively constrained material and limited relational dynamics, yet he brings a degree of restraint and focus to the role. At the same time, his performance reveals an actor still developing range, with certain emotional registers less fully realized.

All the elements of an engaging, action-driven wuxia are present: sect intrigue, moral ambiguity, romantic tension, and supernatural spectacle. However, inconsistent character development, uneven narrative execution, and fragmented technical choices prevent these components from coalescing into a fully satisfying whole. What remains most immediately striking is the production’s visual appeal, including Zhou Yiran’s screen presence, which often carries scenes that might otherwise feel dramatically thin.

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Long awaited drama turns into disaster. Was it worth, the wait?

EP 1-5. This is a long review, so please bear it with me =)
What a waste of young great actors (T ^ T)

I dropped this show after few episode tried to skip and continue, but still couldn’t get into it. No matter what, I couldn’t stop complaining…

The first episode minutes felt great, but then it felt like blank. I should praise Bao Shang En, I saw how much she trained for the wuxia - fighting scenes!

If u don’t wanna read the whole review — The plot, editing and scenes as wells as acting has major problems. Literally — whole dramas.

They're not telling a good story properly,
I’m reading the novel as well — it’s better than the drama.

The exceptions are the cinematography and OST

The background and world-building are unclear, the pacing is chaotic, and the plot keeps jumping, new events appear without any explanation.

the acting is just awful! Maybe it’s not the actors fault, but the scripts…I must say before judging, FL’s lines were excellent, I kept praising her character, but later all the Conversations and dialogues went off, they are always the same…I was dizzy from all this drama. Later it was so unbearable that I just could only forward it. the ML feels under-written. After watching Zhou Yiran's few dramas, TL, Reborn, Wifty and this one, I can say there's something wrong here…His acting is actually good, but here, I can’t say like it is…Is it’s the filming or the scenes that they’re like this? The male lead scenes are just cringy; his dramatic scenes are choppy, and the constant head-cutting makes him seem even worse.

Finally why Iam even here? ^^
The only thing why Iam here, it’s because of the trailer’s chemistry, but rn I just feel cringey.

Maybe it’s too early to judge the drama, but I just can’t otherwise…I keep editing this review while hour, it would be a waste not to post :(

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A MODERN WUXIA WITH A TOUCH OF TRADITIONAL WUXIA

If you love traditional wuxia, you should watch Generation to Generation. That’s my conclusion after watching this series for the fifth time. As a fan of classic Wuxia especially the Condor Trilogy (The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber), this series remind me so much of the style of traditional Wuxia. Hero and heroine who both are equally strong and talented, Mu Qing Yan and Cai Zhao, remind me of Guo Jing and Huang Rong in TLOTCH. They also remind me of Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nü in TROTCH. The conflict between Orthodox / Righteous Sects and Unorthodox / Demonic / Evil Cult remind me so much as the story of THSADS. Mu Qing yan as the leader of Demonic Sect (Li Sect) reminds me so much as Zhang Wu Ji as the leader of Ming Cult.
Mu Qing Yan is a very stand out character that makes me want to dive deeper into this series. He is not typical green flag MLs you usually see in Chinese drama but a red flag. Every scene with Mu Qing yan smirks in the dark while wearing dark robes is my favourite scene (and he is also very handsome). I don’t usually watch modern Chinese drama so this is my first time watching Zhou Yi Ran. Zhou Yi Ran is a young, promising and talented actor. He has a very rare charisma as cunning and ruthless leader but has romantic side whenever he was with the girl he loves. I hope he will do more costume drama in the future. Cai Zhao from Qingque Sect, one of the righteous sects is a smart and talented heroine. I really love an independent strong heroine who can protect herself without clinging to the hero all the time. That’s what I expect from a wuxia, a typical strong independent heroine.
All supporting actors also really did great including the villains. Another positive point is that Generation to Generation has so many handsome guys especially Qingque Sect. I remember one of the reactors said that maybe one of the requirements to enter Qingque Sect is that he/she must be a good looking one.
My favourite characters of course the main leads Mu Qing yan and Cai Zhao. For the supporting characters, You Guan Yue (Mu Qing Yan’s right hand man) and Fan Xing Jia (fifth disciple of Qingque sect) are my favourite. I love how they always support the main characters.
The CGI is also really good. I love the Peng Eagle, Dragon and Snake CGIs in this drama. I love that this series also have a huge bird (Peng Bird) that I used to see in traditional Wuxia such as the Condor Trilogy (Condor).
I love all the soundtracks especially Intoxicated by Gentle Breeze. This song reminds me the song from the classic Wuxia song.
My final score for Generation to Generation:
Story: 10/10
Acting/Cast: 10/10
Music: 10/10
Rewatch Value: 10/10
Overall: 10/10

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Visual Perfection but a slow burn ✨✨

Generation to Generation is a wuxia drama that is truly a treat for the eyes, even if the story moves a bit slowly. Even though the plot gets a little boring or repetitive in the middle because there are so many different sects to keep track of, the acting really saves the show.

Zhou Yiran is incredibly handsome and perfect as the "cold" leader, especially during his grand entrances, while Bao Shangen (Baobao) is so cute and smart that you can't help but root for her. The production is top-tier; it was filmed in beautiful places like Sichuan, and the hanfu they wore used such pretty colors that every frame looked like a painting.

One thing that surprised me was the music. Even though I am a huge OST lover and usually have a playlist full of C-drama songs, I didn’t really enjoy the OST for this drama. It just didn't hit the same way other shows do. However, if you have some patience for the pacing, the ending is amazing. The wedding scene is a total highlight—the wedding clothes are breathtaking and make the whole journey feel worth it!

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A deep storyline but poor story delivery and execution makes confusion

1. Story : The storyline is indeed deep, the lore is great, a lot of amazing character, faction, and more, but poorly executed with a bad pacing. A lot of people would be confused right from the start even when following the drama im personally still a bit dizzy about some of the thing
2. Acting/Cast : An Amazing Cast yes, a good actingv overall especially ML, im amaze of how he always expres his feeling and i can feel it too his love for the FL, but on the contrary i cant feel it in the FL, it feels not genuine of her, feel cringed and forced.
3. Music good, especialy the ending in every episode.
4. Rewatch Value is good, very repeatable with some skippable moment, im even interested in the nove.

Conclusion : Bad start, confusing story line and bad world building, after some episode you would understand and start enjoying it until a couple of ending episode, a very underwhelmed ending, i thought as the story directing us to believe the main would clash in the end with their peak feelings and power but damn, Ml always hurting so much, and FL character is unbearable at times.

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