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This is the drama we have been looking for
I watched this drama with my husband and he only watches really good C dramas so I went into viewing with high expectations due to reviews. I have to say. This was probably one of the C dramas that had the best character development for such a short 24 episode series.The best part of the drama for me was that I never knew what was going to happen. Just when I thought the writer was going to write some basic storyline to drive angst or tension, something else is written and craziness explodes. I wouldn't call the drama perfect. Sure, at times the bickering is a little too much and long and going from one story arc to the next can be lengthy but the characters! The entire cast is pretty important in the drama and everyone has a story which is something I enjoyed a lot. I never knew I could care so much for the B and even C cast.
Esther Yu totally shines in this drama and gone is the dizzy girl with the high pitch voice. I really think this was the drama for her to act and to show the world that she can be a good serious actress. I was really excited that Zhang Ling He was casted as the male lead and I really wanted to see him shine. We got a taste of him in Love between Fairy and the Devil. I thought he was fairly good, but he still needs to work on his camera presence. For someone who is over 6 feet tall, you want your character to command the scene and that is something I feel like he still struggles with, but there is hope because he is pretty close.
Overall, the drama was exciting to watch and isn't for the faint of heart. A lot of dramatic events happen, but you will truly feel for all the characters which is totally new for me.
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This review may contain spoilers
Infinite Heat < Infinite Slo-mo action sequences
Lots of beautiful looking people. Choreography is amazing. Sets and costumes are all well designed. Lu Yu Xiao (2FL) did amazingly well, my first time seeing her. I really hope she pops off and gets a more main role, because she deserved it.The sets remind me of Song of Glory and Jade Dynasty, it is so artificially looking, it looks funky. Albeit beautiful, but cannot be immersed in, as it looks too fake. Story seems like it could be a 3 hours movie that expanded to 24 episodes. Usually the 2ML is written to make the ML look good, but it seems like this is the reverse in this drama. Honestly disappointed in how they wrote the ML. 2ML is intelligent, ambitious, and scheming. While ML is more of: Yun Wei Shan, Yun Wei Shan, Oh- Father and Brother died, Yun Wei Shan, Yun Wei Shan, Yun Wei Shan, Oh wait, I'm supposed to be the Sword Wielder, Yun Wei Shan, Yun Wei Shan. The definition of a simp. Honestly comical. 2ML is more towards the family, and its responsibilities. He’s like a general, he’s rough and tough, but his loyalty is to the house. As far as the ML goes, he’s just really infatuated with the FL, really doesn’t deserve the position. Idk what the writer was thinking when writing the character. I think after 10-15 episodes, we can see some smartness in him, after like half the series. But honestly, it's really dull to me.
The dynamic with ML couples and 2ML couples is that the ML couples are ‘soft’, have a soft spot for personal relationships and don’t want to involve the innocent. While the 2ML couples are ‘hard’; use whatever means necessary to achieve what is needed. Who said the Gong’s mansion was hard to infiltrate? Just send 2 beautiful and smart women in and TA-DA. If it wasn’t for 2ML, Gong’s family would have been destroyed in under 10 episodes, but then again, we wouldn't have a drama to watch :D.
As for the actors/actresses, they all did well for their role. I had high hopes going in, with a rating of 8.7. But the rating is probably inflated due to how well it was filmed, the actors and actresses, and how beautiful everything looks.
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The most memorable thing about the series is the art direction, which is highly stylized and simply stunning. The writers take great care in developing each character and creating the bleak yet beautiful world of Gong Men, a powerful family with many secrets, supposedly the last bastion against the ultra evil organization of Wu Feng. The worldbuilding is impressive, until it all falls apart like a pillar of sand in the finale.
The finale feels like it’s written by someone else entirely – someone who doesn’t bother to read the early chapters. Like a video game, characters are buffed and nerfed at random. Some of them are so OOC it will make your head spin. Then we have “The Dumbest Plan Ever,” hyped up by the so-called brains of Gong Men. The plan gives away strategic secrets, leading to the deaths of longtime allies and the wipeout of the Gong’s elite guards. After all that, they still can't touch Wu Feng's upper management, but viewers are told it's a victory and that the Gongs are brilliant strategists. At this point I can’t take the show seriously anymore.
The one saving grace is the supporting cast, which is one of the best ensemble cast I've seen in a while. The actors have such rapport that I wonder if they’re all close friends in real life. Cheng Lei and Lu Yu Xiao are smoldering with a kind of sexual tension you don't often see in C-drama. The leads Zhang Ling He and Esther Yu aren’t bad. They have chemistry with everyone, except each other.
This is a show that desperately wants to be taken seriously, but has not done enough to earn it. It’s better than mediocre, even entertaining in a shallow sort of way. You'll enjoy it more if you leave logic at the door.
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A good overall story
My Journey To You can be viewed a few different ways: 1) a story of an assassins' mission to infiltrate the Gong Family, 2) a story of an immature, laid back heir thrown into leadership and being forced to develop into a true leader, 3) a story of the tumultuous incidents happening within the Gong walls and the reactions by various characters within those walls.In my opinion, the third option gives the most satisfactory story and conclusion, whereas the first and second can either be debated or can be viewed as unresolved and even unfulfilled.
I give a 9 to the story on the third point, even though there are still loose ends (two deaths are not explained, one is semi-explained but is very odd and suspicious, the other is just shown with no explanation--chances are both are tied to same person, but we will never know), as well as some suspension of disbelief (quick bride selection towards the end--both sides should've been suspicious of the other, but suddenly there is no protocol, no security, etc--should've been a red flag to the other side).
To the second point, whether the heir truly ever grew into a great leader, or rather just a competent one would be determined by fans' subjectivity. His ultimate show of brilliance is questionable because of what his reasoning and main goals were, and whether his plan was truly a win for his family, and not just a win for his love-life at the cost of some very important lives--to the point where the whole structure of the Gong Family has been changed.
He did become a capable enough person that will be respected in holding the title, but whether his strategic prowess should be respected is up for debate.
To the First point, we are still not completely clear on all aspects of the assassin's mission and whether or not she ultimately failed or succeeded for herself.
A shame the director didn't dare enough to have a specified ending, instead of an OE. Maybe he himself doesn't know what the answer is. Second Season excuse is just an excuse. An ending for a second season would be a cliffhanger, where the audience would be privy to a revelation that will lead into the next season. Not a cowardly direction to just leave the audience hanging, not even revealing to actors what they're supposed to be reacting to.
Then again, perhaps the OE was the only way the story could be told and viewed from other perspectives. And I appreciate the director and script for not falling into fan-services; but rather showed a Male Lead who is not always correct, and validated the characters whom the ML saw as foes instead of villainizing them or having their abilities be deemed lesser than ML.
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stunning visuals, great acting, very poor story
The production value of this series is absolutely amazing, costumes, sets, scenes are truly amazing. There's a host of very likeable side characters and complicated back stories.however the story itself, while has the potential of amazing spy drama, is extremely weak. The production decided that instead of shooting the story to at least indicate the plots that are happening, they jsut shot a story of a mildly intelligent guy stumbling along, then at the end within one episode showed us a host of scenes that directly contradict everything we watched for 23 episodes to tell us that the main lead is truly smartest of the smartest schemers! it's a cheap way to tell the story, it means that there's no value in analyzing any of the scenes as they are all going to be contradicted at the end.
that was a huge disappointment of the movie. the way characters choices and motivations are often just stupid or made obviously for dramatic effect instead of any gain for them.
Last 5 minutes of the show are rage inducingly stupid I have to say. there's absolutely no reason for that scene, no logical explanation at all.
All in all amazing visuals but no rewatch value other than in gifsets.
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My journey to you in S...L...O...W M...O...T...I...O...N
The drama looked pretty intriguing from the story. It started off with a bang which looked pretty promising then it began to drag in the middle, then accelerated all the way towards the end and finally stopped dead in the end. (That's the gist of the drama).All the things that I loved about the drama in the beginning began to irk me towards the end. One such example is the aesthetics. It was really gorgeous to look at the mesmerizing natural scenes now and then but they did it way too much that I began to skip them. Another example is slow motion, that is the biggest problem in this drama. It was good at first in some scenes but they were walking in slow-mo, running in slow-mo, drinking in slow-mo, fighting in slow-mo, talking in slow-mo and explaining things in slow-mo...tbh I had to watch all that in 2x many times. (I have never seen a bad guy explaining his plans for more than half an hour and that too so damn slowly that I even lost interest in the middle of his conversation. The closeup scenes for instance began to look funny because they did it way too much especially during the fight scenes which, by the way, showed really good choreography, began to look fake. It looked they were posing with a sword for some photoshoot.
The main leads for me were the least interesting couple (I just did not feel anything for them. They were good in separate scenes but whenever they were together it felt .... boring.) Even the side characters were far interesting than them. The sister was hilarious (there was overacting but still in all the chaos she was the one who made me laugh). I loved yound elders and felt more connected to their stories than the leads. Plot wise it was really interesting but due to some reasons it looked the writers were justifying ML's every action right no matter how stupid it was. The interaction of two brothers and sister-in-law was something I enjoyed a lot. I felt more connected to young elders like Xue and Hua despite less screen time than anyone in the drama even the assassin mentor Hanyesi made me cry. It had great visuals, beautiful actors, well acted suspenseful story and good songs but it lacked chemistry ( FL had more chemistry with her mentor despite few scenes, two brothers had more chemistry than second leads) and sense at times. Plus the ending which wasn't even an open ending tbh. I wonder if there will be a season 2? (So many loose ends).
All I can say in the end is that it was a good one time watch.
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Beautiful drama with twists and turns
The first thing that strikes me with this drama is the aesthetics, it really lives up to the expectations that I got when seeing the trailer earlier this year. The mixture of darkness, the light snow and the striking mountain setting is very appealing and combined with the suggestive music choice and excellent lighting, it shapes a masterpiece.We get to follow the orphaned low level female assassin Yun Wei Shan, portrayed by Esther Yu, when she is infiltrating the Gong martial arts family’s stronghold. Her mission is unknown to the viewer but she comes well prepared by her handler. She arrives as one of many bridal choices for the young master Gong Huan Yu. Things gets complicated when the family discovers that there is an assassin among the brides. The kind but idle and immature Gong Zi Yu takes action to save the lives of these brides and things get complicated from here. A bond starts to form between Yun Wei Shan and Gong Zi Yu and she gets involved in the dangerous power struggle between the Gong brothers.
The director Edward Guo utilizes the natural elements to their fullest and the cinematography gives us stunning visuals and helps build tension in a remarkable way. I also think that the costume choices and styling feels creative and fresh. I’ve noticed this costume designer Huang Wei for a while now and she always delivers top of the art. The art direction is beautiful and even if I recognize mist of the locations from other dramas, they are now showed in a new light with fresh angles.
Another great thing is the music. The song choices are good and the instrumental pieces are suggestive and contributes to create anticipation and tension. One thing I noticed is the sound editing. I don’t know the techniqal term but let’s call it sound imaging. For example when one of the brothers remember a painful event from his past, we get to hear a large door close, but the door isn’t real, it’s in his heart.
The experienced and skilled older brother Gong Shang Jue is like a volcano about to erupt. He keeps all his feelings inside him but his face reveals plenty, and during the drama he shows more and more of his emotions. He is portrayed by Ryan Cheng who makes his best role this far in his career. He really nails everything about this tormented young man with the most emotions revealing eyes. I’m happy to know this talented actor has many main roles in his future plans. I’m looking forward to see what else he can accomplish in the future.
The third brother, the poison expert Gong Yuan Zhi is played by Tian Jia Rui. This role is his first ever and he excels in conveying the younger brother who is devoted to his idolized brother Shang Jue. I’m very impressed with this newcomer and how he can show the entire register of emotions.
The last main character is played by Lu Yu Xiao. She plays the bride to be for Shang Jue, Shangguan Qian, and she delivers a character with great depth that switches from cold to pitiful and back in an amazing way.
The acting in this drama is top notch with stellar performances from all the main actors/actresses and as a viewer I often wonder about what’s going on inside the characters heads. The script comes with a few surprises that shocks the viewer and threw me from hope to devastation a few times. The great acting and unpredictable script make me question everything in this drama and I’m constantly on edge about what’s going to happen. The tension is unbelievable and still I wouldn’t mind more if it.
The only thing I don’t find perfect in this drama is the comedy part delivered by the Gong sister which is a bit exaggerated and feels displaced. I understand the need for some comic relief from all the tension but the way it’s done here makes me a bit annoyed. In the middle of the drama the tempo slows down and a lot of the built up tension disappears, but it finds its way back in the last episodes. The ending has been debated a lot, and I actually like the idea of it although I think it was a bit rushed.
I love this drama and will surely watch it again within a year. Can’t wait to see the next drama from the director and I am very curious about what the main actors will do next.
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Begins well but loses focus
I finally managed to finish this series, which turned out to be yet another drama that after a promising start slowed to a crawl and lost its way as the season went on (which helps explain why it took me so long to finish).It was at its best when focused on the intrigue and suspense surrounding the two female spies/assassins who have infiltrated the Gong palace. Will they be found out? Will they work together or against each other? Will they persevere with their dedication to their original mission once they develop relationships within the palace? Will they discover the truth about their own pasts?
If only the plot didn´t keep meandering into long aimless overly dry pseudo-mystical monologues and conversations that don't go anywhere, when it’s not getting sidetracked into a rather predictable and poorly developed storyline centered on sibling rivalry and power struggles among the Gongs. As if that weren't enough, the drama ends on something of a cliffhanger, failing to provide an unambiguous conclusion.
At least most of the fight scenes were fairly good.
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One of the best of 2023!
This is not your typical idol drama but it's definitely an eye candy fest. You'll see many so many familiar good looking actors/actresses all gathered in 1 drama.This is a quality production in a very dark setting. Ep 1 instantly got me hooked with the female assassin concept which remotely reminded me of Bloody Romance. The cinematography, CGI & fight scenes are all really good.
Make up on the MLs are a bit overwhelming but it works well on the FLs with the dark costumes. Costume designs are very beautiful with lots of black and fine gold detailing. Even the plain monk costumes you can see the fabric texture detailing. Quite impressive.
Storytelling & dialogue is engaging to where full attention is required at least the first 1/2. Story revolves some power struggles , murder mysteries, assassin frenemies making me wish this series is longer than just 24 eps.
Only parts I don't care for is the sister of ML. OTP forced humor feels out of place for this drama. A few lines were funny I admit but most I can do without. 2nd half though she did grow on me to my surprise. It's been a while since I loved almost every character and every fight scene!
Overall:
2nd FL & 2ML out acted the ML & FL
2ML's brother makes a great trio dynamic
Ending is.... tragically messy to the land of no where. Hoping S2 will magically appear one day and answer all unanswered questions.........................
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A Journey to be Remembered
From the beginning, this drama is different. The storyline is like a labyrinth. It takes you down the winding paths of scheming and deceit, and keeps you guessing at every turn if reality meets appearance. As the viewer, you sometimes wish you were perched up high upon the maze, so you can figure out the fate of those lost within it, yet you are made to walk alongside the characters until they reach the exit.The dark hues of the lens, the riveting storyline, the elaborate costumes, the perfectly matched music and the daily dose of cliffhanger brings together a story that may not be perfectly executed, but is close enough.
The characters in this drama are multifaceted and the cast who play both the main and supporting roles all skilfully portray their respective parts with depth.
With much gratitude to the director, cast and staff for bringing its viewers on a very memorable journey.
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A Spy's Emotional Odyssey
"The Journey to You" combines intense intrigue with a deeply emotional journey. Yun Wei Shan's character breaks the mold of the traditional spy, blending vulnerability with cunning, making her journey inside the Gong residence both thrilling and moving. The house itself is almost a character on its own, shrouded in mystery and constantly challenging Yun Wei Shan's wits.Her evolving relationship with Gong Zi Yu stands out. Their dynamics are compelling to watch. The series manages to beautifully blend romance, friendship, and personal growth against a backdrop of danger and intrigue. Some subplots may occasionally meander, but overall, the storyline remains tight and captivating.
The cinematography deserves commendation, capturing both the grandeur and the lurking threats within the Gong residence. While some characters could benefit from deeper development, the lead duo offers a strong and engaging performance. The OST is fitting, even if not particularly memorable.
For those seeking a blend of romance, action, and self-discovery, "The Journey to You" is a commendable pick.
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