Sweet, adorable and the landscape alone makes it worth watching
I enjoyed every episode of this series. Actors I didn't know previously to watching this show. It is an adorable and sweet story filled with emotions. The landscape alone makes it worth watching as it made me see some of the barren wilderness, I may never get to see in my lifetime. This is a must watch for anyone especially listening to the different languages spoken throughout the episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
A masterpiece
It is absolutely a masterpiece. Extraordinary cast, photography, story. True poetry.... It was so long time that a drama didn't give me this vibe. Since from the first scene to the last, the watcher can live the life of the characters, Immersing in their world and want to know about their tradictions even more. To see.Was this review helpful to you?
Short and Sweet
Summary:Nominated for the 7th Cannes Series Festival in 2024, To the Wonder follows Li Wen Xiu, an aspiring writer who moves back to her mom's provision store after experiencing obstacles in the city. There, she meets Batay and experiences the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes of Xinjiang as she bonds with Kazakh nomads.
Pros:
The cinematography is one of the most compelling parts of the drama; it features lots of long shots to showcase the vast sceneries in Xinjiang in all kinds of seasons as well as the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the ethnic people. Words alone cannot capture the drama’s essence, and it’s one of the works where every frame is worthy of being a wallpaper. In terms of story, it's definitely not the strongest in comparison with “typical” dramas, its unhurried pacing is fitting for its length and leaves a lasting emotional impact. Furthermore, all types of character dynamics and relationships were explored (my favourite was definitely the friendship between Wen Xiu, Tuo Ken, and Ku Lan), which invokes a powerful sense of warmth, community, and belonging.
Cons:
There is a minor plot hole: although Li Wen Xiu only moved away at 19 for a few months, when she came back it seemed as if she was unfamiliar with the place despite the fact that she supposedly grew up there. Fortunately, this doesn’t significantly impact your viewing experience.
Overall Thoughts:
I started watching To the Wonder after seeing edits made by @_moonlitframes on Tiktok, and it quickly drew me in. The drama feels deeply authentic and reflecting, making me appreciate both the setting and its people more. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short, thoughtfully crafted drama!
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Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Beauty
There are some dramas you watch for the plot.Others you watch for the romance.
Then there are dramas like To the Wonder.
The story follows Liu Wenxiu, a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer. She's not extraordinary. She's awkward, she overthinks, she embarrasses herself more than once, and she sometimes has no idea what she's doing. Her growth was born out of her experience.
At first, I couldn't read Batay at all. I kept wondering what was going on in his head because the guy genuinely seems more comfortable talking to horses than to actual human beings. Then, a hint of jealousy that made me pause and think, "Hold on... since when?" I actually changed my mind about him several times while watching.
The Kazakh community was also an important part of the story. The traditions, the hospitality, the expectations placed on younger generations, and the struggle between preserving a way of life and adapting to a changing world. It simply feels like people living their lives, while you appreciate the beauty in that.
Speaking of beauty, this drama is stunning. Every mountain, river, and grassland looks like it belongs in a painting.
The humour comes from people just being awkward, misunderstanding each other, saying the wrong thing, or simply existing together.
The drama deals with themes like dreams, grief, home, and purpose.
This definitely won't be for everyone though.
The pacing is slow. Really slow. If you're constantly waiting for a dramatic twist, you might wonder when the story is finally going to "start." I thought that too during the first couple of episodes.
The romance is equally understated. There were several times I caught myself wondering, "Wait... are these two actually falling for each other, or am I reading too much into this?" If you're expecting dramatic confessions and sweeping declarations, you won't find them here. The romance grows quietly.
You'll also need a little patience with some of the characters, especially Liang and maybe Sulitan. There were moments when I wanted to climb into the screen and tell him, "Just say what you're thinking!" So many misunderstandings could have been avoided if people simply communicated. Then again, people are frustrating like that in real life too.
To the Wonder reminds you that ordinary lives are already extraordinary if we're willing to pay attention.
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What Do You Think About Civilization and Modernisation?
Civilization has impacted the world, transforming even the time-honored traditions that once brought comfort to people. While we can commend those who are open-minded enough to adapt to change, we must also acknowledge the struggles of those who find it challenging to abandon the familiar ways of their past. For those who have clung to these traditions since childhood, is it fair to blame them for their reluctance to let go?It's been almost a year since I downloaded this drama. Came close to deleting it many times but I am glad I did not. I enjoyed every scene, every episode.
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Great slice of life let down by the end
Recently I've been into slice of life dramas that is usually about family and life in general, and this one is a great choice if you are even slightly interested in knowing more about a ethnic groups, how they live, and what are their values and habits.8 episodes of chinese Kazakh life... Really enjoyable except for the last episode maybe, I speak Turkish and I was trying to figure out what are they saying and ignore the subtitles but failed miserably.
That's how much I was invested in it ~~
Sadly I didn't finish it with the same feelings I started it.
I've nothing against the way the story was written, and all the actors were great, but I don't understand the need to show drama that is completely unrelated to the main theme of the show.
Which is why my rating dropped ~~
Characters and actors representing them were all spectacular, nothing worth being mentioned except that you will enjoy their performances very much.
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This review may contain spoilers
Heartwarming and Gut-Wrenching
To the Wonder is a moving slice-of-life drama that is both heartwarming and gut-wrenching, just as life truly is.The Cultural Immersion & Scenery
The scenery as we spend time at the summer ranch is absolutely breathtaking. The gorgeous visuals of the Altai region instantly drew me in, and one of the very first things I noticed is the incredible presence of animals—camels, horses, and sheep weaving naturally into the fabric of daily life. I enjoyed being immersed in Kazakh culture, pastoral traditions, and the rhythm of the seasonal moves.
Characters and Growth
The journey of each character is rich and engaging, but since this is a slice of life and only 8 episodes, we are not privy to everything. The female lead, Wenxiu, character's arc ultimately comes full circle as she learns to embrace the culture and experiences love and heartbreak in more ways than one while collecting experiences for her writing. The actress' performance and characterization of the female lead felt a bit lacking at times. Rather than coming across as a mature, emerging writer on a true coming-of-age path, she occasionally felt a bit too childish, which made her character harder to fully connect with.
Fortunately, the supporting cast shines brilliantly and anchors the story:
Fengxia and Touken: It was fascinating to see the stark contrast in how these two women grieved their husbands in the first part of the drama. Fengxia’s storyline with the motorcycle man is heartbreaking and serves as a powerful, cautionary reminder to be wary of who we let into our lives when we are feeling lonely. One bad person can cause an immense amount of destruction, but watching Fengxia ultimately wake up and take a stand was powerful. Touken demonstrates the hardship that women have when agency is not a given.
Sulitan and Batay: Sulitan’s journey of learning how to let go of a rigid legacy and accept changing times added so much depth. Meanwhile, Yu Shi did a phenomenal job portraying Batai. Learning more about the actor behind the role made it even more impressive: Yu Shi spent six months learning the Kazakh language for the show, and leveraged his extensive real-life training in equestrian arts and horseback archery to not only perform his own stunts but also help coordinate and advise on the horse-riding and action sequences. His physical athleticism combined with such profound tenderheartedness toward horses made his heartbreaking sacrifice utterly soul-crushing. The man is also quite stunning on a horse!
Grandma: She provided wonderful comic relief throughout the series with her constant eating and humorous commentary. She never feels like a burden, but rather an integral family member helping to ground them.
Final Thoughts
While the climax packs a heavy emotional punch, reminding us how high the cost can be when emotion takes the wheel, the story recovers to find healing and grace. My only minor wish is that it hadn't opted for an open ending, as I would have loved more time to explore Batay and Wenxiu. Even so, it is a gem of a show that is worth the watch.
(Show #152)
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Best mini cdrama
The drama is very refreshing to watch, the ml's acting is really great, the chemistry, the slow burn, perfect.The ending is an open ending which is a bit sad, but definitly worth watching.
There are some scenes that carries a lot of emotions, his love confession, when he has to save her from her frightened horse. The overall landscape of Xinjiang is beautiful, a breathe of fresh air from all the cdrama filming in big cities like Beijing or Chongqing.
I also have to note that seeing minority ethnic groups in cdramas like Kazakh and Mongolian was really nice.
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The Perfect Medicine…
I’m temporarily unemployed and what do you do in that situation? You binge. Healthier if it’s dramas and not Doritos. That’s how I ended up watching all of To the Wonder in one day.Honestly, it almost cured my job angst :). Instead of a stressful plot, this show takes you into the beautiful, quiet grasslands of Altay (I think that’s how you spell it?). The filming is amazing—every scene looks like a painting. Watching the FL, leave the stressful big city to live with a nomadic community will resonate if you need a mental break yourself. (I may do this!) The show moves slowly, almost luxuriously so, which is exactly what my fried brain needed.
Everything feels real. It doesn’t feel ‘written’. It lets the scenery and the local culture do the talking. It is a peaceful, beautiful watch. I recommend!
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm curious about what was happening with the Muslim minority in non-Muslim countries.
I watched it as an Arab Muslim who wanted to know what was happening with the Muslim minority in non-Muslim countriesKazakhs and Mongols I have always known that their customs and traditions are similar to those of the Turkish tribes, their clothes are also similar to them, Kazakhs are known to be Muslims and even when the religion was not mentioned in the drama, it was clear that they are Muslims. I do not know about the traditions of the Kazakhs, so I have no authority to judge whether the director was able to portray them in a good or bad way, but I am a Muslim and I think that I have the right to criticize those things that contradict my religion.
first of all : Alcohol is Haram(forbidden) for Muslims
It is not (you CANNOT drink alcohol) but (you MUST NEVER drink alcohol)
It is not something that can be taken lightly in Islam, I admit that in our time there are many who drink alcohol despite their Islam (but they are considered deviants from the religion and their action does not make drinking alcohol permissible)
Everyone in the drama drank alcohol and danced together at the wedding
Which makes me remember the second thing: Intermingling.
It is wonderful to spread a cheerful culture about Kazakh traditions but mixing that image with alcohol while both men and women dance together? That is not something Muslims would do.
Finally and most critically was: Why did no one object to Tuoken's relationship with that non-muslim Mongol guy?
In the Mongol tent there was a statue of Buddha and paintings of the Buddhist religion, if Su Li Tan family was really Muslim how did they allow their dead son's children (the children were born Muslims) to be raised with a husband from another religion? It is okay for a Muslim man to marry a non-Muslim woman (because the children will follow their father's religion) but for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man? This is HARAM.
actually I don't understand many parts.
Is it because the writer was interested in conveying the suffering of the Kazakhs without paying attention to the details related to Islam? Or is this really what happens to the Kazakhs? I hope to get my answer from a real Kazakh !!
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A window to the China the world does not much know about
I have just completed one episode and I could not resist expressing how lovely the show is. It is cinematic in its treatment, the cinematography, natural acting, stunning visuals...I am so looking forward to watching the remaining episodes.This is a China and people the world does not know much about beyond the news about unrest that trickles out to the world.
I had to pause at several places to start reading about Xinjiang, about Altay, about the Uyghur language and in just one episode the show is opening a window to China that outsiders like me barely know about.
I am hoping that as episodes pass by I can give higher scores to the story and overall to the show.
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Eu vejo você
❝Na cultura cazaque, a amizade ou o amor entre humanos florescem ao serem vistos. Então, "Eu gosto de você" em Cazaquistão, "Men seni zhaksy koremin", significa "Eu vejo você claramente.❞Uma obra prima! Em seus poucos episódios conseguiu transmitir leveza e profundidade. A fotografia parecendo que saiu direto do Studio Ghibli. Atuações excelentes, apenas com o olhar foi possível ver os sentimentos que queriam demostrar. Tudo muito bem dirigido e produzido. O desenvolvimento da história e a finalização sem defeitos. Terminei com gostinho de quero mais.
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