Generation to Generation

A severely misjudged Drama

Firstly, I find it hilarious how people on this platform rate dramas because they hype up the most mediocre stuff ever.

However, this is not one of them but it is highly misjudged in my opinion and deserves a higher rating. The biggest issue this drama has, is the fact that people drop it after 5 episodes.

I’ve watched Chinese dramas for years and this one is pretty good and a lot of fun. I admit, the beginning is a bit confusing because things are not explained properly, like certain relationships between characters or even the way the martial arts system works exactly. If you’ve watched enough Wuxia dramas, you’ll catch on but for newcomers, it can be a bit rough. There is a lot of people and names to remember in this show, so you have to pay attention.

There is some choppy editing as well but it gets better as the show goes on.

Now the good parts:

The plot might seem complicated to follow but I like the fact that everything is connected. There are plot points that are layed out from the beginning, that come back later and for the most part, this show makes sense. I find the story genuinely interesting because it directly affects most, if not all the characters involved. It has an effect on the entire world they live in, so the stakes feel high. A lot of historical or fantasy dramas use politics and power struggles as a plot device for the leads but it gets boring after a while because they just solve cases for people or about people nobody cares about. While you’re probably not gonna care about every single character that shows up in this show, a lot of them are at least there for a reason and they don’t bore me.

Most character’s actions and behavior is understandable for who they are and I like that a lot of characters actually become bigger than who they were in the beginning, especially the second male lead and so on. I like that they have ambitions and goals beyond the title or duty that was bestowed upon them or that they were born into. A lot of side characters don’t just get thrown to the side but they have a purpose in the story, even if it is a small purpose.

In the beginning, it seems like a lot of them have a certain part to play, there are supposedly good people and bad people but it’s never as simple as that. This story makes characters question their morales and rethink their entire lives, it challenges them and their believe system.

One of the best aspects of this show is the chemistry between the cast, especially the male and female lead.

The male lead is a morally gray character with a mysterious past that gets revealed step by step as the show goes on. He manipulates everyone around him to reach his goal and get what he wants, including the female lead.

The female lead is kind of the opposite of him. She is outgoing, a free spirit, bright and righteous and has very strong morales.

Both characters come from different backgrounds and should not get along.

While the male lead might put people off because he is a “red flag", I think in this drama it was done in a better way because he is actually redeemable. His actions, while manipulative and morally gray, stem from complex psychological trauma and intense devotion rather than simple, unprovoked misogyny or abusive entitlement, like a lot of other male leads. He is more like an antihero. He is defined as a broken young man with a painful childhood and he was abused. He never really felt love or trust, besides from people in his life who died.

His red flag behaviors—manipulation and obsession—are driven by his need for the only light in his life, the female lead. He uses manipulation to be able to stay close to her (and for his other plot goals), even if it means he has to lie. He feels keeping her close to him at all times is love, because he is so afraid of losing the only person that matters to him now. He learns about what actual love is like, throughout the show. Because she sees underneath all of that and sees the broken side of him that feels hurt and vulnerable, he feels drawn to her. She accepts him for who he really is, but she struggles with the fact he manipulates her, even if his feelings for her are true. That’s why she does not back down and she tells him off when he did something wrong. She does not excuse his behavior but helps him learn from it. His intense, often desperate, devotion is viewed more as romantic obsession that turns into love, rather than malice. They have this push and pull and he knows she is drawn to him too, so he keeps pushing but once she is serious, he does not force her to stay with him.

The FL is not a weak, trapped damsel, which makes the "red flag" aspect less irritating. She is strong, intelligent, and often matches his wits, enabling her to deal with his machinations. The relationship is a slow-burn battle of wits. She recognizes his manipulative nature, sometimes uses him back, and trusts his competence even when she wants to keep her distance. The male lead is aware of his flaws—his obsessiveness, pettiness, and willingness to use dirty tricks. He doesn't act as though he is a "good guy," which makes his behavior more tolerable to viewers compared to manipulative characters who believe they are innocent.

Despite his ruthlessness, he is shown as insecure and needing to be trusted, which makes him more relatable than a purely abusive antagonist. He also doesn’t show ruthlessness to people who don’t deserve it, unless he feels like he has no choice but to use them. He showed that he is capable of personal growth and becomes more open about his intentions, aiming to be a better person for his partner. He really changes throughout the show and there is a line he never crosses so in a way, I could empathize with him.

Lastly, it makes me sad that a lot of people had issues with the costumes and so on, because this is actually quite a realistic costume for Wuxia dramas. The overly bright colors and so on that y’all see in other dramas is just to make it look flashy and good and gain attention. This is what it’s supposed to look like. I think it looks more realistic and better this way. it looks less cheap this way.

I also highly respect that the team filmed a lot, if not all of it on a real location instead of green screen. They went to the mountains and even learned a lot of fighting choreography which the actors performed themselves and looked quite good. They also used their own voices instead of dubbing.

I can see, they worked hard and tried to actually create a good story beyond your stereotypical idol drama where even the main plot is just a side plot to the romance. This drama teaches you about so much more, like where do you belong? what is right and wrong? who am I? what does it mean to forgive? why do I compare myself to others? true friendship and what it means to support each other no matter what.

I don’t want to give the plot away but there was never an episode that felt boring to me and I never knew what to believe, because I didn’t know if I could trust certain characters. It’s almost like a puzzle that you’re trying to put together along with the leads.

Sure, this drama is not perfect but if you care about a decent Wuxia, please don’t judge it based on other’s opinions who dropped it so soon. Because it’s not the easiest plot, I get why this is not for everyone but I’d still recommend it and frankly speaking, this drama is a lot better than most period idol dramas these days that get a lot more hype. I rated it so high because of my enjoyment but the rewatch value is lower because it’s simply not everyone’s cup of tea and there might be some flaws that bother others too much too overlook them.

PS: there are some tropy scenes in there but they are not cringe compared to a lot of other dramas. I thought the sweet scenes were enjoyable because it was not exaggerated. The acting in general felt quite natural to me. Sometimes when cgi was used, for example on animals, it didn’t look good but I can look past that.

Read More

Rushed ending I would say

This review will contain spoilers about the plot, important plot twists and the ending itself.




My hot take is Qi yunke never actually cared or loved pingshu.
I would say the build up was great, the man in black mystery thing was also great, but I always have guessed it would be qi yunke, so the plot twist wasn't surprising to m. It may just be because I have seen and read too many plots. But I think it was still surprising twist for most of the viewers(?). Anyway my problem isn't abt the identity of man in blackbut rather how it was handled in the end. It was actually quite ANTICLIMACTIC in a way. He did so many evil things, basically also killed innocent people yet.... All was diluted down under the name of "REVENGE". Honestly Yin Dai(the guy qi yunke hated, plus who did so many evil things plus pushing cai pingshu to fight alone) even Yin Dai wasn't as bad as Qi yunke. In a way Yin Dai, never used his daughters for Ziwei cultivation. But Qi yunke did. His character is actually rlly selfish and only cared for revenge but rlly it wasn't even revenge cai pingshu need cuz he just go against everything that Pingshu was trying to accomplish. Qi yunke never actually cared for Zhao Zhao, nor yuzhi nor his wife and especially lingbo. I hated lingbo character so much at first but her character development was solid. Qi yunke did THAT MANY EVIL DEEDS, yet.... He just died.....easily like that.... And his ashes were even buried under blossom trees right next to pingshu. Like I don't think he deserved that.

Again, going back to the point I said abt how Qi yunke never cared nor loved pingshu. He did all those evil deed under the name of REVENGE FOR PINGSHU but rlly it was all FOR HIMSELF. Pingshu herself said she never regretted going to fight alone. Pingshu cared about people so much that even if she knew Nie hengchemg was dying in 3 yrs, she went and killed him anyway. All she wanted was a peaceful jiangh. She never would wish for ANYONE to kill for her, esp the ones she cared abt, her friends. Pingshu also deeply cared for Zhao Zhao and wished zhao zhao to just live peacefully and not actually enter jianghu. This part pisses me off so bad. Qi yunke knew that and he even said in earlier episodes when cai zhao asked,"if it were my aunt, will she sit back and watch " to which qi yunke replied with," No, she wouldn't but she wish you would"
So, he did knew pingshu wanted cai zhao to live peacefully. Yet he schemed so that yuzhi get nether aura and need jade sunflower,which cai zhao help him find it and also show beast's saliva.
HE GOES AGAINST everything that Pingshu fought for and people that pingshu cared for and pingshu's morals and beliefs. Qi yunke basically became second Nie Hengcheng, I would argue worse than Nie hengcheng, for him at least he is outright evil but qi yunke till the end he was A DAMN HYPOCRITE, like the kind he hated so much.
in conclusion, loving or caring someone isn't just doing what YOU THINK would be good for them. But actually understanding that person, what that person cares for, her values, beliefs morals etc and supporting them.
Qi yunke's so called care, love, revenge alll came from a place of selfishness but HE NEVER TRULY UNDERSTOOD HER. I may be wrong but it's implied heavily that qi yunke also had romantic feelings for her(although he seems to deny it? When his wife asked him before she was killed by him)
I would say that kinda person who actually never underuher, did opposite of everything she fought for, hurting her loved ones, DOESN'T DESERVE TPFOR HIS ASHED TO BE BURIED IN SAME PLACE AS PINGSHU'S

True love and care look like cai zhao's. She cared and loved her aunt. Fought for things that pingshu would too and stand up for. That's what actual care and love is

Qi yunke is just selfish and doesn't deserve to even use pingshu's name or whatever as pity point.
I can't empathize or sympathize more nor anything with qi yunke.
"Evil Demonic sect demonic sect" and most evil beings are all from six sects.
Maybe it's just me but I also feel that Qi yunke's motivation for killing like that was not strong enough. Like all ofr his aunt? Yea he deeply cared etc but something felt lacking.


The acting was superb, mu qingyan(zhou yiran) character was really complex and honestly I hated him for some of his behaviors. For eg, forcing cai zhao to choose between her family and him. But despite all that, his live, borderline obsession with her was rlly satisfying to watch. I don't like how he keeps using her in a way but still it added spice to the story I guess. I love morally gray characters lol.

Zhou yiran's acting was rlly great. He honestly suits these more than modern dramas. This role depicted his ability to act so well and it's such a good step in his acting career.
Love yi ran💕

Read More

A happy conclusion yet tragic

Characters:
For people not familiar with wuxia, the large cast is overwhelming but it's honestly one of the best parts of cdramas set in the jianghu. The numerous friends, mentors, loves you meet throughout the story are incredible. The ties between the previous generation and current generation in the jianghu add so much depth and meaning to this story, how the new generation will learn and correct the mistakes and injustices of the previous. I do have to say the large cast means they can kill off so many characters, the heartache of seeing one after another person die, even if its seeing their death in the past :((((

CPS the woman you are! She's so legendary, she's left her mark everywhere. Not even just her, the women of Luoying Valley. Absolutely iconic!

BRO I HATE THE FOUNDATION. WHY IS THERE NO SHADE MATCHING FOR ZHAO ZHAO, AND YOU CAN TELL THE FACE SHADE IS WHITER THAN THE NECK AND ARMS SO MANY TIMES. THE WHITEWASHING OF SKIN IS SO IRRITATING. SHE'S LITERALLY TRAVELING OUTDOORS ALL THE TIME SHE CAN BE TAN. Anyways. Moving on.

Story:
I think this story really hits on the never ending cycle of vengeance, the injustices that keep on occurring while following the status quo, and the dangers of prejudice. So often the characters are 死腦經 like can we use some critical thinking? But I think that was also the point. Everyone's so caught up in the prejudices and injustices of previous generations it just keeps going.

I would've liked a little more romance, but I also liked seeing the various storylines following all the side characters as well. ZZ and MQY were really cute. Lowkey MQY was toeing the line with how manipulative he was... but it was ok since ZZ could see through it every time and call him out for his BS and keep him in line. I so wish we got to see them traveling the jianghu after marriage.

Music:
清風醉 is such a nostalgic yet joyful song. Every time it plays, I see everyone together and happy, and yet seeing everyone together reminds me of all the people that have already left and the fleeting joy they had. Such a masterpiece of a song!

Overall, recommend for a watch! I don't understand the low rating, definitely an underrated drama.

Read More

Intergenerational trauma

This will be a relatively short review, mainly as a way for me to remember that I watched this series.

I took my time with Generation to Generation because, as a wuxia, it’s packed with characters, sects, and complex relationships. Early on, I’ll admit I was pretty lost—especially in the first 10–13 episodes. Keeping track of who hated who and how everyone was connected didn’t really click until later.

Around episode 15, the pacing improved significantly. The story became more engaging, and the main couple’s romance finally started to develop, which was something I had been looking forward to.

As the plot progressed, deeper secrets were revealed, particularly surrounding the previous generation—the aunt and uncle’s story and the events that shaped everything. While these revelations added depth, they also made it somewhat predictable, and I found myself less invested in the overarching mystery. What really kept my attention was the romance between the leads.

One of the highlights for me was the male lead. I had previously enjoyed his performance in Twelve Letters, so I was excited to see him here. However, I did hesitate starting this drama because wuxia has been harder for me to stay engaged with lately. That feeling carried through, and once the main antagonist was revealed, I ended up fast-forwarding through the final episodes to focus on the key points I cared about—mainly the resolution of the aunt and uncle’s story and the ending of the main couple’s relationship.

Overall, I think “intergenerational trauma” is a fitting way to describe this series. The actions and conflicts of the previous generation heavily shaped the lives of the current one.

Despite its complexity, I found this series slightly more captivating than another drama I was watching at the same time.

Rating: 8/10

Read More

Stayed for the Fight Scenes.

This drama honestly wasn’t on my watchlist this year—I only gave the first episode a try out of pure curiosity. Surprisingly, it pulled me in almost immediately. The opening was strong, engaging, and had just enough intrigue to make me want to keep going. It gave the impression that this could be something really solid.

However, as the story progressed, things started to feel a bit messy. The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the pacing and the way the characters are introduced. There are simply too many characters thrown in within the first few episodes, and not all of them are given enough time or depth to make a strong impression. Because of that, it becomes difficult to keep track of who’s who and how they connect to the overall story.

As the plot continues, it does become clearer, and you start to understand the direction it’s trying to take—but the pacing still feels uneven. Some parts feel rushed, while others drag longer than necessary. This inconsistency makes it harder to stay fully immersed, even when the story itself has potential.

When it comes to the acting, I want to be honest but fair. I’m new to Bao Shang En, and I can definitely see her strengths. She really shines in the fight scenes—her movements feel sharp, controlled, and convincing. In fact, I’d say she even stands out more than the male lead in that department. However, when it comes to emotional delivery, I find her performance a bit lacking. There are moments that call for deeper expression, but they don’t always land as strongly as they should. That said, she’s still quite young, and this feels more like a matter of experience than ability. With more training and the right roles, I can see her improving a lot.

On the other hand, Zhou Yi Ran delivers a more consistent performance. His acting feels more natural and emotionally grounded, which helps balance out some of the weaker moments in the drama. He brings a certain depth to his character that makes him easier to connect with.

As for their chemistry, it’s definitely there. They look good together, and their interactions are cute and enjoyable to watch. However, I wasn’t as emotionally invested in their relationship as I expected to be. There’s something missing in the buildup that prevents it from becoming truly compelling. It’s pleasant, but not particularly memorable.

One thing I do appreciate is the production quality in certain areas. The music fits well with the tone of the drama and enhances key scenes without being overpowering. The fight scenes, in particular, are a highlight—they’re well-executed and add excitement whenever the story starts to slow down. These moments are probably the ones I’d go back and rewatch.

That said, I wouldn’t rewatch the entire drama. It has its good moments, but not enough consistency to make it worth revisiting as a whole.

I also think this isn’t the best choice for new C-drama viewers. The messy storytelling and overwhelming number of characters can make it difficult to follow, especially if you’re not used to this kind of narrative style. However, if you’re already a veteran c-drama viewer, you might still find it to be a decent watch—something you can enjoy casually without expecting too much.

Overall, this drama had a lot of potential. It started strong and had elements that could have made it truly great, but uneven pacing, cluttered character introductions, and inconsistent execution held it back. Still, it’s not a complete miss—it just falls somewhere in the middle.

Read More

A Good Wuxia Held Back by Its Script

Generation to Generation could easily have been another Alchemy of Souls. It has all the right ingredients: an intricate story, rich lore, and a talented cast. But where it falters - significantly - is in its script and editing. The script aims for tight narrative control but ends up suffocating the story, and the editing only makes matters worse.

Story

At its core, this is a classic wuxia tale spanning generations, where the sins of the past come to light in the present. The story revolves around seven sects - six of which look down on the seventh. Mu Qingyan, the new leader of the disgraced sect, must reclaim his position while uncovering the dark truths behind the others. He’s joined by Cai Zhou, a sharp and capable heroine from one of the rival sects.

Characters

One of the show’s biggest strengths is its morally complex characters. Most exist in shades of grey rather than clear-cut good or evil. Mu Qingyan is a particularly compelling protagonist - calculating, manipulative, ruthless and driven by revenge. Even after falling deeply in love, he never abandons his agenda; instead, he expands it to include keeping Cai Zhou by his side, even if it means using her.

Cai Zhou provides a strong counterbalance. She is principled, perceptive, and emotionally grounded. She sees through Mu Qingyan’s schemes early on but chooses to support him because she believes in his cause. At the same time, she maintains her own boundaries - refusing to sacrifice her family, yet still risking punishment to save him. It’s a dynamic that adds real depth to their relationship.

The supporting cast is solid, and the antagonist, shaped by the previous generation’s failures, is conceptually interesting, even if the execution doesn’t fully deliver.

Actors

Zhou Yiran is outstanding as Mu Qingyan. He conveys layered emotions - yearning, loneliness, calculation- often just through his eyes. His performance alone elevates the character, making his internal conflicts feel tangible.

Bao Shang En does a good job as Cai Zhou. While the character isn’t written with the same nuance as Mu Qingyan, she brings sincerity and strength to the role, and her action scenes are particularly enjoyable.
Among the supporting cast, Cheng Hong Xin stands out, bringing a fun, over-the-top energy to his role.

Script

This is where the drama begins to stumble. The script tries to be tight and subtle but ends up feeling restrictive and, at times, exhausting. It leans too heavily into “show, don’t tell,” forcing viewers to constantly piece together backstories and relationships with minimal guidance. With so many characters being introduced rapidly (often without proper development), it becomes difficult to keep track of who’s who and why they matter.

Additionally, the antagonist’s core motivation feels underwhelming, which weakens the impact of the story’s twists. The attempt at mystery doesn’t quite land either, making key reveals predictable rather than satisfying.

Editing

If the script weakens the drama, the editing actively undermines it. Scene transitions are often abrupt, cutting away just as characters are about to speak or moments are about to develop. This lack of flow disrupts immersion and makes the narrative feel disjointed.

Episode endings are particularly frustrating. Instead of building tension or delivering meaningful cliffhangers, episodes often end mid conversation or on throwaway lines, which diminishes their impact, especially during binge watching.

Overall

Despite its flaws, Generation to Generation remains watchable largely because of its cast. The actors do an excellent job carrying the material, bringing depth and emotion where the script and editing fall short.

That said, the viewing experience requires effort. Piecing together the story can feel like work, which ultimately detracts from the enjoyment. Still, if you’re willing to push through its structural issues, there’s enough here - especially in the performances - to make it worthwhile.

Read More

This is a Critique People: MY OPINION?

Story wise this series had good plot, its a really good concept, i just think that because the plot is soo intertwined with the past i did find it bland at the beginning. i do understand they needed to introduce soo many characters while also maintaining that level of mystery.. its really good it just not one to grasp your attention right away, well to me.

I really adore the actors and their acting and they did really well. I just think the editing style or the characters itself feels a little off or kinda blank idk🤷‍♀️..I do love Yiran’s acting he does really well in expressing emotions through eyes. Bao Shang En’s acting is more method i think(theres nothing wrong with method acting), don’t get me wrong she i love her i just think theres room for improvement. idk there’s just something off.

Editing style was not for me💔😭. Like i love how the series was explored through actions and events as i vaugely remember i don’t think we ever heard inner thoughts which WAS A REALLY GOOD TAKE! BUTT!! the editing style…. idk i just have beef with the editor cus they had such good materials

Visuals was amazing thoughhhhh and literally pulled every kink i had( dont judge) cus blood never looked so bloody yet so good. The tension was really good too, I love that push and pull, like forbidden and longing. I love the fact that their fights and like reasons why they cant be together isn’t about misunderstandings, like they understood each other so well but had such different goals literally had me in chokehold. the last few eps were everything, as much as we dont want toxicity irl its just so intriguing and captivating and literally i lived for it.

Hot take: I think they should’ve let him live a few years and killed him off or kill him off a few months after. I just think a good ending doesn’t have to marriage. I feel like it needed that bittersweet end.

Read More

Could Have Been A Great Drama But Became Average Due To Extremely Poor Editing

This drama is certainly not the best one, but it is not bad either. In terms of casting, it was nice to see so many fresh faces, but unfortunately, none of their acting was good enough to make me connect to their characters, except for the main leads. In terms of acting, Zhou Yi Ran and Bao Shang En performed brilliantly. Zhou Yi Ran was too good at playing an unhinged character. He really should do more costume drama. I really hope he will get to do more costume drama now. I really liked Bao Shang En doing a serious role. The leads were perfectly cast. The cinematography was really nice, especially the outdoor scenes and the scenes of the Qingque Sect. The visuals were great. In my opinion, there were significant issues with the editing and pacing. There was also a bit overdose of the FL's aunt in my opinion. I mean, the FL is always quoting her aunt this and that. Nonetheless, I liked that the FL was strong and independent. The storytelling was a bit average in my opinion. The story picked up after episode 10 for me. After that, it went well. The leads had great chemistry. Though it was a happy ending, I did not like it much. I preferred the original ending of the novel. Overall, it was a nice one-time watch for me.

Read More

great plot that was poorly executed ..

this drama had all the ingredients for a successful one yet i dragged midway and gave us a rushed ending.
they gave us a strong start with the mystery of chang fort massacre and chang ning's identity that they made you doubt it all the time

after ML identity was discovered the drama dragged for quite a bit for me .

nie zhi what kind of antagonist is that he was defeated so easily yet ML had the chance to kill him yet didn't guess it was to interrogate him about the man in black identity yet ML could have lured him using any other method.

what was ML's mother in all of this, all she kept doing is poisoning ML and finally gets killed off

ML and FL were always on and off , with her saying that he was using her and everything he did was only for his grand plan and her can't be with him because he is the young master of the demon sect.

a great plot twist at the end when it was revealed that FL's master was the man in black , the tables have turned and the demonic sect doesn't seem that bad anymore that was only great thing in the final episodes for me.

glad it was a happy ending 😊

Read More

Too Ambitious for its Own Good

Without a doubt, this show suffers from (oddly) too few episodes. The production decisions and rushed editing, especially in the beginning, created a disjointed introduction that only suffers as more characters, sects, and prequel plot lines invade the show. A storyline as complex, emotional, and generational deserves double the episodes. Both generations should have had their own show to make the impact be what they wanted.

The actors did well, the OST was nice, and there were some truly touching moments that can bring tears to the eye. If only we were allowed the time to sit in all such moments, this show could have been incredible.

Zhou Yiran and Bao Shangen carried this show, with their friendships following close behind. The middle third of the show is where it hits its stride. Unfortunately, the show suffers when it doesn’t focus on their romance, because of the long list of plot lines that overwhelmed it.

It was a fun watch after I got through the hurdle of the first arc. If you watch, don’t expect too much from it. I watched for the couple, but even that took a while to get interesting due to the terrible introduction.

Another bout of wasted potential due to a piled-high cutting room floor. I will keep an eye out on the screenwriter and the actors, as I do see their potential.

Read More