My Journey to You

Visual Feast

I do love the director's works, and this My Journey To You seems to be more in line with the current aesthetic than the ones made a few years ago. Not only are the male characters very handsome, but the female characters are also pretty and bravr. The director Guo Xiaosheng is good at capturing the emotions between two people, whether it's love or affection, and it always gives me a deep feeling. Whether it's the main characters, or the minor characters, they all have their own stories and I felt the whole story line is rich. And some of the scenery in the show is so incredibly beautiful that it could even stand alone as a landscape movie. Really enjoy watching it

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So much potential

This TV drama had so MUCH potential!

Finally we have the pairing of the FL and ML (I've seen them not together in Love Between Fairy and Devil) and Esther is not being her annoying, cutesy, whiny, child voice. She actually is mature, and graceful.
Except when she only has one whispery sad voice, and facial expression.

The cinematography, the lighting, the REAL voices (as opposed to annoying dubbed) and the start had so much potential to get to something REALLY good. There was mystery, there was an interesting premise... and even some good romance from the 1st ML and FL and 2nd ML and FL...

But I began to get really lost, confused half way through.

There are too many prolonged conversations which I think were intended to be loaded and filled with clues, but they just go too long winded.

Then there was the strange flashbacks that sometimes revealed something, but most times started to make me wonder the point of it all.

It didn't make sense, then I read that the ending was not just open ended but that it just seemed UNFINISHED. Like it had the potential to finish up properly, but ended up being vague and just incomplete.

So comes down to bad planning, bad writing.

Sadly I dropped it even having got so far as 21 episodes, because I preferred to spend those hours of my life watching sometimes that paid off rather than this that had the sparklings of a good story, but fell flat on its face.

I wish I could say the OST was good - but there was just some weird background music most of the time, not in line with the atmosphere or mood of the scene. There is again potential good songs on the OST, but just wasn't used. Usually I'd be like, oh good they did overuse it or variations of it, but they didn't use the music well for the scenes that needed it!

Don't bother. OR watch first few episodes to appreciate the filming and scenery and then ditch it because you'll end up frustrated and confused by the end. I totally wasted 21+ hours on this and wish I could have spent it reading or sleeping instead.

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Re main CP v second CP

Some reviews say that series fail because the second CP more popular than the Main CP I totally disagree, the second CP was for me annoying and too much time devoted taking away from the main CP which is the reason I watched the show. The second FL voice was soooo slow as calculating as the character she portrayed and second ML and his hanger on fake brother ( more like his gay lover) were just jealous of ML driven idiots, so how can such characters be of any interest to viewer. The main CP is the attraction in this series. The Main couple looked good together, they grew as the show progressed into more mature characters, they were influenced by each other so their relationship was one of growth and depth unlike the second CP who from the beginning just used each other their only progress was physical they had sex which is the only depth of their relationship not love

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An Intriguing Mix of Suspense & Romance

Set in a fantastical universe, My Journey to You reunites “Love Between Fairy & Devil” co-stars Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He. This drama is a long overdue treat for those fans who secretly shipped Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He’s characters in LBFAD and hoped to see them together in another drama. If you are one of those fans, then it is time to rejoice; because this show pretty much hinges on the natural & refreshing chemistry between Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He. Directed by Guo Jing Ming who is well known for helming fantasy artworks like L.O.R.D 1, L.O.R.D 2 and The Yin-Yang Master: Dream of Eternity, the show has the distinctive Guo Jing Ming signature. It is a big budget project with a high production value; set in a cinematic universe, everything about this drama screams opulence. Jing Ming never spares any efforts when it comes to building a fantasy world that is rich, divergent and intriguing; My Journey to You follows through on the same premise. You can’t help but gasp or swoon at the lush green locales or the snow-clad mountains; the settings are mesmerizing and beautiful. The costumes are resplendent and understated. Starring alongside Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He are Ryan Cheng, Lu Yu Xiao who have prominent roles as well.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2023/09/08/my-journey-to-you-first-impressions/#more-114

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Dark and gritty mystery, with surprisingly a touch of comedy!

What a fun mystery series!

This was a really good dark and gritty series. I loved watching all the plotting, scheming and mystery behind the Wufeng spies and their mission to infiltrate the Gong family. I had so much fun coming up with my own theories and watching the revelations. The web of lies and mystery had me on my toes!

The only frustrating thing was that a lot of the fighting capabilities of the "good" characters seemed quite inconsistent. They'd win fights against strong people but lose to weaker people so it had me scratching my head at times. I just wish they found a way to move the plot along without creating that kind of inconsistency.

Surprisingly enough, I didn't really care much about the romance in this. Like it was nice, but I personally would have preferred more focus on the bonding between all the Gong brothers/cousins etc. I wish we got more scenes of all the brothers working together than the romance plot imo. But I'm still overall satisfied with how things played out.

I loved the OST in this drama so much! I loved that we got to see the backstories of some of the spies and why they became what they were. The way the ost was used during backstories and all throughout the drama was A+.

Also, scene stealers for me in this series were the scenes between ZiShang/Xiao Hei, and ZiShang/Jin Fan. Common denominator being ZS. I just loved this girl so much. She's so wacky and every scene with her brought out so many fun and light moments that gave us a break from the bleary and dark tones of this drama. Everybody's acting in this was amazing. Shang Jue's menacing glares but rare soft smiles, Yuan Zhi's psychotic smirks but childish nature, ZiShang's happy go lucky personality covering her sadness/desire for love, Yun Weishan's girlish nature hidden behind her cold upbringing, Zi Yu having a boyish/unserious nature while wanting be acknowledged and taken seriously. Each one of these characters played their roles so well and I loved that they weren't one dimensional characters. More so, I loved that we were given enough time to actually flesh out these chsracters and see their true nature behind the face they put on for the world. Everyone on the cast did a fantastic job.

I don't like that this was set up for a S2 but there was still some plotlines and character backgrounds that beed to resolved so it makes sense that a S2 will be needed and I'm more than likely going to watch it if/when released. I also just want to see my man, Shangjue, be happy and smile. Sigh.

Overall, it was a really engaging mystery drama!

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It could have been the best based solely on the aesthetics

The strength of MJTY lies in the cinematography and the various eye candy actors yet it still falls prone to the C drama Achilles heel where the audience is given a taut beginning that rapidly descends into hum -drum. Time and again the middle will drag and answers that could have been provided incrementally are dumped at the last minute. In addition, there was barely any chemistry between Esther Yu and Zhang Ling He with both performances verging on robotic, meanwhile, Ryan Cheng and Tian Jia Rui's looks and performances overshadowed the main leads.

Also, the fight scenes were a tad acrobatic-ish (and boring) with multiple skirts flying amid the ridiculous gymnastics but overall a good drama

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Best wuxia drama = Game of thrones political intrigue + jin-yong level of world-building

I'll be honest here. I don't usually write reviews for any dramas, and I comb through cdramas, kdramas, hk dramas and Jdramas like sonic the hedgehog. This is from at least twenty years of drama binging.

This drama is GOLDEN. I was searching top 10 wuxia drama of 2023 and I came across this as number 4 or 5. I was skeptical at first reading the synopsis "oh a dark-brooding assassin drama, but hey, the list so far is pretty good".

Boy was I blown away. Episode 1 - 4 was "Okay... this is interesting." Then is just became better and better to the point where from episode 20 - 24 I was crying non-stop. You really bond with each and every character.

While it's abit of a slowburn at the beginning, I urge everyone to give it a chance and slowly watch every conspiracy and story unfold.

The world building is extremely consistent and rivals the world-building of classics like jinyong's novels, if not better.

Now for the ending, if you don't want to know how the drama ends or even the vibes to the ending ends, you can stop reading here.

The first 40 minutes of the ending is masterful, everything came to a very good conclusion, even the bittersweet endings from certain arcs are, while painful to watch, is satisfying in terms of a conclusion. But the last 5 minutes want you to scream and throw something at the TV screen.

Okay, I'm done. 10/10, easily top 5 cdrama in my 20 years + 100 cdramas of experience.

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A masterpiece to watch.

First and foremost, would like to rate the clothes of everyone in this show a 10/10. So pretty and all characters were so beautifully styled, especially Zhiyu.

Generally, i never watch any show which does not have a HE. That's why took me so long to watch this one.
Got to say i'm impressed by all characters here.
My personal favorite must be Zi Shang, first time watched her and she made me laugh so much... hehe.. such a cutie she was throughout the show.

Read many comments where people dissed the main couple. But for me both couples were so beautiful and had their positive and negatives. where Zhiyu and Weishan's relationship was sweet and pure, Shangguan Qian and ShangJue's was explosive because both were playing with each other for their own reasons.

Spoilers (a bit)....
Personally though i enjoyed Shangguan Qian and ShangJue's love story (kudos to the actors here), however when she actually betrayed him totally by telling the Wufeng assassins his supposed weakness so that they can kill him, and we didn't even see her trying to even save him at all or a microsecond of worry! She cared only about her mission, and though she stood as a powerful FL, she completely lost me in wanting them to even be together. Infact, ShangJue may never trust her ever and that's why their relationship would never work.
On the other side, we have Zhiyu and Weishan who stood for each till the end. Weishan never wanted to be an assassin, she was apparently kidnapped as a kid and forced into this life. so once she knew her sister was not killed by the Gong Family and she was gradually won by Zhiyu's love and goodness, she never hesitated even one second. Likewise, Zhiyu's love for her was unconditional.
also read about many hating ZLH or Zhiyu's character, but why? in fact, his character is the only character which actually had any growth or a character arc in this show. I loved his pure character a lot. (and personally in 2023, one Xie Wei was enough, i doubt we can take so many grey characters of ZLH in same year :P.)

This show needs a second season, because what the hell was that ending? what exactly did Zhiyu see when that door opened? Did Dianzhu kill Weishan?

Also if a second season comes, i guess Wufeng need not be the main villain since Zhiyu has paralysed her a lot with the information he let out. Also Wufeng apparently formed part of the Gong Family too, so we need to know that part too.
I want the backstory about the infinite heat and those "infidels" who the three houses are trying to hold in that back hill. That will be a good plot. Actually, also read that all actors are popular now and would not return. and why not? If popular actors can return for LYF2 or even that Strange Tales of Dynasty something, why not here? This show was one of the most successful shows of IQIYI last year. Just the story needs to be good to attract so many actors back. Most characters were important here, even if story revolved around Zhiyu and Weishan.

Rewatch value: definitely

Cons: it does drag a bit at times, actually a lot of times but still it's a superb show with such good actors.

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A masterpiece, WANT SEASON 2

I loved this series so much.

I saw the trailer of this drama after seeing Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He names in the captions. After seeing them in Love Between Fairy and Devil, I wanted them to work together as a couple. After watching the trailer, I was so excited to watching it. And it didn't disappoint me.

This kind of dark wuxia mystery story I wanted to watch. There are also some funny & light moments.

I like Yu Shu Xin acting in it. This kind of character suits her a lot. I didn't like her character in My Amazing Boyfriend 2 & Love Between Fairy and Devil. Many people complain about her acting & eyes being bland, but that what her character is, Yun Wei Shan is an assassin, taught to be tough & emotionless.

I also liked Zhang Ling He acting. First, he is handsome as well as hot. Gong Zi Yu is sometimes smart and sometimes foolish. At the beginning, he was a fool, but as the story progresses, he starts to become smarter, more responsible. His smartness is shown in completing 3 tasks and plotting against villains. The plan he executed showed his smartness.

I 1st saw Cheng Lei in A Familiar Stranger. I liked his acting in that. He has a beautiful smile. Gong Shang Jue is a responsible, smart, cunning character. For him, the Gong Family is everything.

1st time seeing Lu Yu Xiao. She is beautiful. Shangguan Qian is a manipulative, cunning, smart, selfish character.

Can't believe it's Tian Jia Rui 1st series, he is so good in it despite being it his 1st show. He is hot & has a nice voice.

I love Gong Zi Shang. She makes me laugh whenever she is on-screen.

The young actor Lester Lin he played Young Master Xue, at such a young age he gave strong performance from his stone expression to his fighting scene all of it was mind-blowing, he will be a great actor when he grows up. BTW he is only 12 years old.

People comparing both couples. I don't see the need to compare them, they are unique in their own way. Gong Zi Yu fell in love with Yun Wei Shan at 1st sight. They are both always helping each other, standing for each other, protecting each other. Yun Wei Shan loves Gong Zi Yu but doesn't know how to express her love to him, but she slowly does. On the other hand, Gong Shang Jue & Shangguan Qian seductive kind of romance. As Gong Shang Jue is a smart person, so to win his heart, Shangguan Qian did all kinds of wooing & seductive things. There is love between them but also betrayal other.

I love Gong Zi Yu & Jin Fan relationship. The scarifies Jin Fan made were heartbreaking for him but he never blamed Gong Zi Yu for it instead he protected him with his life. Also, I enjoyed watching Gong Zi Yu & Gong Zi Shang interaction.

Loved Shangguan Qian & Gong Yuan Zhi bickering. Their constant fight to grab Gong Shang Jue attention. Also, Gong Yuan Zhi getting jealous of Shangguan Qian after seeing Gong Shang Jue taking care of her.

From the start, I wanted to see Gong brothers together, at last I saw it.

I loved all three Young Masters, especially Yue & Xue. The way they all supported & helped Gong Zi Yu. Young Yue story was really sad.

I loved the fighting scene, it was so well choreographed. Also like the cinematography.

Like the OST as well.

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BEST CDRAMA OF 2023

this drama has my ENTIRE HEART!!
firstly, the story is fantastic. the pacing and the twists in the story is terrific and out of the world. there is sufficient time given to for character development to occur. i am extremely proud and pleased with Esther's acting in this drama! extremely satisfied and amazed at her acting skills and ability to protray yun weishan emotions! shoutout to my favourite cdrama couple, shang guanqian and gong shangjue. even though they are the second lead couple, however i believe that their chemistry and the tension between both is more felt and tangible.


SPOLIERR !!
its a pity that only both of them had a sad ending :( and i hoped for S2 with a happy ending for them.

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