This review may contain spoilers
Mysteries, puzzles, slow-burn romance, exhilarating action
It's a beautiful drama . The actors all have eye candy faces. Watching this drama feels more like watching a high budget hollywood fantasy movie (even though there aren't that many fantastical elements in this one).
This is one of the few Chinese dramas that I watched where some of the characters make impressive entry scenes at crucial moments to protect the ones they love.
This is also one of the few dramas where I see the way the main female lead shields the main male lead (from hair-breadth-danger )being presented in a glamorous, epic manner. All the shots are excellent because the director has got the timing right while taking shots of all crucial moments.
All the actors and actresses, especially the main male lead looks breathtakingly, ethereally elegant, mesmerising. In the very first shot of the main male lead itself, he looks so handsome that I was at a loss for words. The makeup artists and visual effects editing teams etc must have put in a lot of efforts to make everyone even the most ordinary -looking supporting character look remarkably special. š In this drama, all main characters look like walking gods and goddesses. I had to check again to ensure that this is a wuxia, not a xianxia. š
Now, coming back to the main topic, plot revolves around one big prominent sect , 'the Gongs' who calls the shots in everything concerning the martial world, and an equally powerful rival sect, 'the Wufeng' who mainly specialize in factory-production of spies. The spies are all trained and sent with missions to harm the powerful Gongs in one way or the other. The story begins that way...
I was just dissatisfied with three things:
1) the death of female lead's raven: this wasn't necessary. They should've made him live --- not killed that character.
I especially loved the dialogue, "You are the Yun Weishan in my heart! "
Omg that monologue is it's so deep!
2) the death of lady Wuji: really not necessary. They could at least written a more merciful death scene for her(if the director wants a death scene for her that much!)
3) the ending: everything in episode 24 was being perfectly wrapped up. They even showed how the villianous elder brother ended up.
They could've just wrapped up the ending nicely instead of producing a fresh mystery to solve.
Thankfully, Yun Weishan told Gong Ziyu that she has a twin before leaving... So that's some relief. Even if as some viewers say, if it's her twin who takes her place, he'll find out if something is amiss( considering the point that he's observant & smart).
Still, in my opinion, the whole story could've been wrapped up, sealed and ended in this season 1 itself.
Why kill viewers like me with anticipation?
But if I overlook the three points I specified above, everything about this drama is good & unique.
This drama really stands out as a good drama but with an extremely unsatisfactory ending.
There are also too many rules and clan obsession in the story which won't even allow the main lead to venture out --- travel in the outside world.
Too many rigid rules restrain the lead as well main supporting characters.
Would like to watch a season 2 or watch special episodes were the main leads as well as main supporting characters figure out solutions to bend the rigid rules, especially to evade the main problem that prevents the main male lead from travelling to the outside world.
Because it's really impractical if the main lead shuts himself in like that just because the other half of the blueprint in tattoed onto his back.
The progression of the plot including the ending is written out in such a way that it'll be hard for the main male lead as sword weilder to sustain the tradition of never venturing into the outside world forever.
Watched the trailers before watching this drama. From the trailer, understood that this is a wuxia story, so didn't expect much romance.
Still, it'd would have been nice if they could've given more depth for the love felt by both main female leads in the story... The second female lead (shangguan Qian) was really a disappointment in that aspect.
The biggest surprise could be as an audience member, you might feel resentful towards one of the second main male leads, Gong Shang Jue.
But that very character will turn out to be someone you admire the most in the end because he turns out to be almost as gentle and kind as the main male lead, Ziyu. Gong Shang Jue just happens to be a severe, strict character, but who in the end, is like a lighthouse for the some of the important characters in the story, especially the main male lead. He also turns out to unexpectedly have a gentle, kind side which he doesn't like revealing to the world.
And of course, when it comes to the main male lead, Gong Ziyu is the best among all characters in this drama(and this is biased opinion from my side).
He just knows how to handle everything well. He is so well balanced in personality, character.
I was just disappointed with the way he handled the execution news of his foster mom. His inaction there really knocked my breath away, but that aside, the male lead is perfect in every other aspect.
This drama could've have ended with a satisfactory happy ending. Bur at the last moment, the director had to throw the spanner in the works.
Hope there will be special episodes or a season 2 to wrap up the mysterious ending nicely.
By the time you finish watching this drama, you'll be left in suspense... "So, what happened in the end? "
Why does the male lead have that flabbergasted expression? š
The osts of this drama are real good, especially one of the theme songs, "Bestow dreams". The duet version of that song is even more beautiful.
This is one of the few Chinese dramas where I like some of the osts sung by male singers because all of them sound good.
All in all, each episode of the drama is engaging, filled with mysteries to solve, and the last episode ending with a big suspense (Which is the only flaw of this drama in my pov) .
Regarding the romance and love aspects, the main male lead seem to be the only one fighting for love as a one man army, but by second last episode, the female lead seems to be warming up to the male lead with almost the same intensity...
This makes the ending even more dissatisfactory to watch because you could get concerned about the ending oc the main couple's love story...
When it comes to cinematography, this is one of the best dramas. This drama has beautiful, elegant, powerful action scenes. Watch out for all intense action scenes in episode 22! It's one of the best episodes of this drama with all the important characters coming together in one episode itself to participate in fierce battles.
What you'll love most about this drama is the huge amount of suspense, mysteries. Every episode leaves you wondering about something (and that includes the ending too). š
By the time you reach the second last episode, you'll end up admiring the smartness of the main male lead and the big, brotherly heart of the second main male lead.
This is also one of the few Chinese dramas where you will enjoy watching the romance of a 'guard' character which is absolutely unique, comical at the same time romantic and full of tenderness.
To sum up, this drama can be summed up in four words: action, mystery, suspense, romance.
Even when the drama ends, viewers will be left with some half answered questions in their heads regarding the female lead's identity, how she acquired her skills etc.
Must give this drama a try if you don't mind watching an unfinished ending.
This drama definitely makes you think as you watch each episode...
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A Gripping Spy Drama with Stellar Performances
"My Journey to You" has proven to be a thrilling and immersive escape into the world of espionage, suspense, and hidden secrets. From the very first episode, it was clear that this was not just another drama, but a story that captivated and held your attention with its brilliant execution in every aspect.First, I must take a moment to congratulate Yu Shuxin for her flawless portrayal of Yu Weishan. She truly shines in this mature role, showing off her immense talent and versatility as an actress. It's clear that this type of character suits her perfectly, and her ability to transition into such a complex role proves her growth and capability. Yu Shuxin deserves far more recognition for her incredible performance. She effortlessly brings depth and authenticity to Yu Weishan, making her character come alive in a way that is both refreshing and impressive.
As for the other leads, Zhang Linghe as the male lead gives a compelling and nuanced performance, matching Yu Shuxin's intensity in every scene. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and their dynamic was one of the highlights of the show. Together, they created a magnetic connection that kept viewers on edge, drawing you deeper into their story.
That said, the second couple in the dramaāLu Yu Xiao and Ryan Chengādeserved a special mention. Despite this being their first time working together, their chemistry was extraordinary. Their partnership was so electric that it felt like they had been acting together for years. Honestly, I believe they could have had their own storyline developed in a separate drama. Their interactions were so engaging, and it was a pleasure watching their relationship unfold.
Visually, "My Journey to You" is a masterpiece. The cinematography is top-notch, capturing the dark and mysterious essence of the spy world while still showcasing breathtaking landscapes and intriguing set designs. Every frame was carefully crafted to evoke the right mood and tone, making the viewing experience all the more immersive.
The OST perfectly complements the tension and drama of the plot, with its haunting melodies and stirring instrumentals. Itās not only a beautiful addition to the series but also enhances the emotional weight of key moments, leaving a lasting impression long after the episode ends.
The storyline is rich with suspense, secrets, and twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. Itās a spy drama that never loses its edge, constantly keeping you on your toes with unexpected turns and deeply hidden mysteries. Every character has their own journey and secrets, making for a thrilling ride thatās as much about psychological depth as it is about action.
In conclusion, "My Journey to You" is a remarkable series that blends strong performances, a gripping storyline, and stunning cinematography into a memorable drama. I canāt recommend it enough to anyone who enjoys an intense and well-crafted escape into the world of espionage. Itās a perfect balance of tension, romance, and suspense, making it one of the standout dramas of the year.
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Stunning! Like a movie. DO NOT miss it.
Incredible scenery, cinematography, music, acting, plot. It was all fabulous, like a high-budget movie. The acting was sensitive and realistic. The story was dark and heart-wrenching. It had the appropriate number of twists and minimal distracting subplots. You could truley feel the fear, desperation, hate, and hope lived by these characters. So moving! There was a new beautiful actor who blew my socks off. I hope fake social media gossip doesn't ruin his very promising career. This production raises the bar for other dramas. It should have much higher ratings.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Unpredictable in Every Sense
I watched this drama while it was airing and all through out the comment section was filled with theories and ideas of how the drama would unfold. Luckily none of us were right as this drama is pretty hard to predict if youāre watching it with no prior knowledge. The characters truly felt like real intricate people with real feelings and real emotions. Each cast member played their role to the best of their ability and you can definitely tell in the quality of the drama. Furthermore it was honestly a success as a whole as the cinematography was absolutely stunning, the script was flawless, the soundtrack has made its way into my everyday listening music playlist, basically I can go on and on praising it, but I think everyone should give it a try. When I began watching it I didnāt think I would really like it since Iām not a fan usually of dark dramas, but this drama aced it and truly left me with a hunger for more like it. As for the ending I think each person has their own opinion about it, as for me I hope to see our questions answered in a second season and hopefully we will see the same quality of work and meet our cast members one more time as they bring these characters to life. Now after reading my rant you should go watch it. I have a guess you probably wonāt regret it!Was this review helpful to you?
A cinematic masterpiece with only one flaw
My Journey to You (MJTY) is dark story yet is able to find use of comedic relief to balance out its harder themes. Honourable mention to the very well choreographed fight scenes because they are simply *chefs kiss*. So much detail was put into this drama, and the production level was like watching a movie and not a long drama. If you like a happy ending, I would suggest stopping at 42:30 of the last episode and not finish the last few minutes.Story:
The story is very well paced and thought out, and I'm constantly trying to figure out who is a Wufeng spy and who isn't. I really enjoy dramas where I feel like the story can outsmart me as a viewer, and MJTY was no exception. Every time someone was assassinated, the story was able to make the viewers guess and give them time to try to figure it out, but always added a good amount of twists to the murderers. I really enjoyed the stories of all the side characters, and the support cast played each character so well. The only flaw I found was that they ended the drama on an open note, possibly to encourage season 2 but seeing how big the cast is and the popularity of Esther and Linghe rising it's gonna be virtually impossible to see another season for years to come.
Acting:
The entire cast for this drama was phenomenal. Can we talk about how all the actors learned their martial arts scenes?! The fight scenes were so beautifully executed and I could see there was a minimal use of stunt doubles because the director is so adamant about creating masterpieces. Even down to Young Master Xue who is literally a kid, executed their characters perfectly. The chemistry of the second couple, Shangguan Qian and Gong Shangjue was insane; I could literally feel sparks fly off the screen. Although I felt like the main couple lacked chemistry together, both Esther and Zhang Linghe did a great job at playing their characters. The main comedic relief of the entire drama, Gong Zishang, was SO funny I literally could not stop laughing every time she was on screen.
Music:
I love my period dramas, and although this drama outshone in everything else, I did feel like the music was a bit lackluster. The music did not give me goosebumps or do much to enhance the scenes like in other dramas I've watched. However the background music score for the fight scenes did a good job at creating the atmosphere. I'm just disappointed there isn't any good OST songs for me to listen to after I finish watching.
Rewatch:
I will 100% be rewatching this because I want to pick up all the details again. The fight scenes were insanely good and I need to see it again.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this drama, and I think its becoming one of my favourites of 2023 after Hidden Love. I really loved Love Between Fairy and Devil last year and started this thinking it would be a great twist cuz now Esther is with the second lead, but I totally fell in love with the entire cast and was rooting for the entire Gong family to win. I also felt like the action scenes were so well done as if it came out of an animation, so it must have taken the actors so much effort to do those scenes and I'm so proud of all of them. I will definitely be following everyone's projects from now on!
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Story is fantastic. Caught me and I can't stop watching.
Excellent writers job.
Cast - incredible performances.
Director did awesome. I can see how she had all movie in her head before filming.
High level production.
I can't find mistakes in make up.
Light and atmosphere are fantastic. With so much feelings.
Music also.
It was hard for me to start rewatching this drama, because I knew I need two days, now I have them.
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This review may contain spoilers
Amazing cinematography and intriguing plots
This is my first time watching wuxia historical drama and it set my bar high. Even though one or two episodes at the end, probably their cut didn't blend seamlessly coz it left me feeling there was something that I didn't watch yet. Thank goodness for the top reviewer bcs at least they give me heads up.The Male Lead, Gong Ziyu started as careless unpolished young man that disappointed his father but suddenly got thrust into Sword Wielder position and always got criticised by his cousins that he didn't deserve that spot which was true. Thankfully, he decided to prove them wrong. At the same time, quoting from his personal guard, "he was a foolishly good man". His heart was big and ofc he fell hard for the bride to be, Yun Wei Shan.
So our Female Lead, Yun Wei Shan was a Wufeng assassin that was sent to infiltrate Gong Family to get their families secret. Being in Wufeng just a job to her bcs what she craved the most was the freedom and not under their control anymore. She was smart and very skillful in martial arts. Although a bit impulsive at certain times, she witnessed how honest and kind Ziyu toward her, fell in love with him and decided to help him through the journey of getting the Sword Wielder position.
I really enjoy this drama bcs aside from romance, we got to see how strong brotherly bond between the other cousins in other lineages which was Shangjue and Yuanzhi, how wise, kind and gentle some of the Young Master in the back hill (Xiaohei, I love you and Xue Young Master, I adore you) and the funny antics of Eldest Young Miss Zishang pursuing Jin Fan.
I'm glad I watched this drama even though I am the type that want happy ending but I really understand why it ended like that. Their missions are not done yet and if Wufeng is not destroyed, Gong Family and people in martial arts world would not live in peace. Looking forward to season 2 if it exist, huwaaaaaa
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama started out slow, but after a few episodes, the story picked up and became more interesting as it went. I like the juxtaposition of characters and Iāve seen both leads in other works and theyāve already proven their acting prowess there, especially when I have viewed four of Zhang Ling Heās works before I watched this one. So I knew what I was expecting. Who surprised me though is Ryan Cheng. I didnāt realize he was also the main in āA Familiar Stranger,ā but maybe itās because his character there wasnāt as flushed out as Gong Shang Jueās. The characters in this drama are multi-dimensional, that they are not necessarily āall goodā or āall evil.ā Despite what has been portrayed, most of them have the freedom of choice, whether to follow along the path that was created for them, or carve out one for themselves. This is why I admire Yun Wei Shanās character and Yu Shu Xinās portrayal of a skilled assassin. She cleverly integrated herself into the Gong family and made her own judgment, not solely relying on what had been fed to her, while also following the edicts of her organization.
Gong Zi Yu, for his part, turned from a playboy to a love-struck fool, from a supposedly incompetent āspareā to become the new Sword Wielder. Throughout his journey through the trials, Gong Zi Yu has proven himself to be more than a sitting duck everyone assumes him to be. His ingeniousness, coupled with his compassion for the people, made him a formidable leader.
I find myself second-guessing the true nature of the characters, which is rare for me as I have usually found them predictable in other shows. Even I find the pairing of Gong Zi Shang (Zi Yuās sister) and Jin Fan (Zi Yuās guard) hilarious. Perhaps the only person I truly detested here is Shangguan Qian. I really have no tolerance for her type of character, through no fault of the actress.
As for other aspects, the production, cinematography and the costumes were breathtaking. Likewise, the plot here is also intricate and engaging. Everything here in this drama is smoke and mirrors, and it is up to these characters to decipher the truth from all of it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Perfect Casting and Most Beautiful Costumes I've ever seen
I'd rate the casting and costumes as 10000/10! Truly a perfect casting, not one is miscast. The costumes are also so beautiful probably one of the most beautiful I've seen in movies and also the setsšÆ. As for the story overall its a masterpiece, however as I was watching it, there are some parts I find boring. The action scenes are well choreographed and the directing of each scenes made it more intense and entertaining. While the story should've a clear ending for me, i didn't dislike the part that they gave a cliffhanger in hopes that it could have a season 2. Looking forward for it and I hope they will continue the story and with the same casts if possible.The reason I watched this drama is for Zhang Linghe and now that i finished the drama I can say that he did fine, not spectacular but at least he did give justice to the role. Ester Yu is quite a surprise and she was one of the things I really enjoyed watching in this drama. This type of role is clearly different from her past roles and she nailed it!
Overall, I really enjoyed the drama and I hope they get a Season 2, w the same castsš
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Disappointed with the end
I liked the first episode . As drama progressed it got little bit bored but no reason I continued to watch it . After -8th episode it gets little bit interesting . I liked first lead's pairing but I start shipping 2nd leads also but at somewhere I felt that they were have sad ending but still I was excited to know the end but the end was not only sad ending with 2nd lead but also with first lead. sorry for being spoiler . So disappointed with the end . But I think there will be second season , if it is not then director sir kindly think about it . Actually we need second season because they were so many parallel stories which remain incomplete.Background Music and songs were good .
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A Great Beginning With an Unfortunate Downfall
Literally just finished the show a few hours ago. Finally watched this show because I like the main leads and really enjoyed the supporting actors too. If it weren't for them I would've dropped it to be honest.I feel like it was initially supposed to be a one season show. Even before watching the show I was surprised that it was only 24 episodes and had concerns on how they'll execute it. Unfortunately them introducing so much stuff was a mistake. The last third of the episodes had so much exposition dump and characters just talking instead of properly showing made things so unsatisfying. Yes they're very interesting but this is only doable if the show was at least 40 episodes.
I loved the all the characters they introduced both good and bad guys but since they introduced so many in a short time no matter what happened to them I did not care for them as much even though the show tried to make this whole emotional/dramatic thing. There was not enough build up and it's so disappointing because I know the writers had more they wanted to show but lacked the episodes to do so.
This show was beautifully shot and the fight scenes are choreographed well . Just be warned that you aren't getting the conclusion that you hoped for.
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