Editorials 
Gotta Love The Horse
This drama had a slow start and hard to see FL not looking her usual glam self. Her costumes are horrible IMO, but it is every day people. It has a slow build and my attention gets sidetracked because it drags on instead of moving on. I have enjoyed watching parts like in Episode 23 when the male lead is surrounded, fighting for his life. His trusty horse comes out of nowhere and takes down a couple of bad guys. It was so unexpected and I LMAO and re watched the scene several times. I'm not use to watching this particular FL playing such a weak woman. There are times she isn't weak. Her character has too many flaws for my taste. Overall it's a pretty good drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Definitely worth watching!
This was a really neat look into the brocade industry-I had no idea how cool it was! Absolutely fascinating to see the process and understand why we heard about things like The Silk Road being so important in history class. It also gives me more appreciation for all the costume designs and intricate patterns in dramas. Someone must have spent years researching to write this.The story itself was great. Strong FL that used her brain instead of plot armor. There wasn't as much chemistry between the leads as I'd like, but the romance was still sweet. I loved the development of the side characters as well. Definitely worth watching!
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Interesting characters
I found each episode to be entertaining. One thing I noticed was the number of antagonists. There were just so many people trying to game the system, switching fakes for the real thing, or outright killing anyone who got in the way. The lack of morality was astounding. On the other hand, there were so many people whose loyalty & friendship couldn't be bought. This was not a perfect series, but certain scenes were thought-provoking; some were emotional. Certain characters were not purely good or evil, and their complexity made the show more interesting. There was also enough comedic relief so that the show didn't feel too heavy.Was this review helpful to you?
Don't Sleep on Ji Ying Ying's Journey
Don't get fooled by the rating! I usually classify anything above 8 as a good drama, but Brocade Odyssey is one of those dramas that I think deserves more attention. Don't expect a perfect drama, because the pacing definitely has its issues, but the story itself is much more interesting than the rating might suggest.At first, it looks like a pretty classic revenge story: rebuild the family legacy, take down the people responsible, and throw in a childhood-friends romance along the way. But the drama gradually becomes much more than that. As a foreign viewer, I particularly enjoyed how it introduced the world of Chinese brocade and its cultural significance. We get to see the craftsmanship, the skills involved, and why brocade was so valuable and important at the time. It gave the business storyline a cultural dimension that I genuinely appreciated.
The power struggles surrounding the family business are also interesting, especially because everything is tied to Ji Ying Ying's journey. Her journey isn't just about clearing her father's name. She's fighting to protect her family's legacy and prove that she has what it takes to carry it forward, while navigating a world where women had limited opportunities to succeed on their own terms. Ji Ying Ying is your classic strong heroine: intelligent, capable, talented, and, of course, beautiful enough to give the male lead some serious competition. 😂 But her beauty is just the bonus. What makes her journey satisfying is watching her grow into her own abilities and become someone who can confidently protect what she has built.
I'm familiar with Tan Song Yun and her acting, but can we PLEASE talk about Zheng Ye Chang?! This is my first drama of his, and honestly, why have I not heard more about this man? He has serious leading-man material with a decent face card. And that wedding scene?! Dramatic to say the least. Quite hot, I must admit. But honestly, his character is what really sold me. Green flag alert. He stays beside her through hardship and misfortune, respects her ambitions, and supports her dreams. I especially love that his care extends to her family too.
Unfortunately, the drama does eventually lose some momentum. I honestly think it could have been wrapped up in around 30 episodes. But then we get another romantic rival from overseas after already going through the whole first-love-gone-wrong situation. And this one comes with a lot of ego and obsession. I can understand why this part might have frustrated some viewers, and the draggy pacing certainly doesn't help. But I still think it's a shame that so many people are sleeping on this drama. The drama isn't perfect, but there's something genuinely warm and wholesome about it that makes it worth looking past the rating and giving Ji Ying Ying's journey a chance.
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Disappointing: an excellent CL but...
PLOT: The FL belongs to a renowned family of weavers who lost everything, because a conspiracy. The ML is responsible (incognito) for restructuring a corrupt brocade market dominated by a few powerful families. The conflicts (economic, financial, romantic) are multiple and the CL is gradually getting closer to facing the obstacles together.+++ Two excellent actors as CL (Zheng Ye Cheng & Seven Tang).
+++ Endearing, well-developed characters.
+++ Effective production, with great fight scenes
+++ OST well suited.
### Lengths and an unnecessary narrative arc (everything about Nanzhao)
### ML2 behavior is not consistent. I know that his character was created by the assembly of 2 actors (via AI) but he seems a little artificial throughout the series...
### Overall the storyline does not keep the tracks in the last episodes.
=> Quite disappointed, even I am a fan of Zheng Ye Cheng...
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Décevant : un excellent CL mais ...
PLOT : La FL appartient à une famille de tisserands renommée mais qui a tout perdu, victime d'un complot. Le ML est chargé (incognito) de restructurer un marché du brocard corrompu et dominé par qq familles puissantes. Les conflits (économiques, financiers, amoureux) sont multiples et le CL se rapproche peu à peu pour affronter les obstacles ensemble.
+++ Deux excellents acteurs en CL (Zheng Ye Cheng & Seven Tang).
+++ Des personnages attachants, bien développés.
+++ Réalisation efficace, avec de belles scènes de combat
+++ OST bien adaptés.
### Des longueurs et un arc narratif inutile (tout ce qui concerne Nanzhao )
### Le comportement du ML2 n'est pas cohérent. Je sais que ce personnage a été créé par l'assemblage de 2 acteurs (via IA) mais il semble un peu artificiel durant toute la série ...
### Globalement la storyline ne tient pas la route dans les derniers épisodes.
=> Assez déçue, d'autant plus que je suis une fan de Zheng Ye Cheng ...
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The cast's chemistry it's so good.
To be honest, I fee a little conflicted about this drama. It has great cinematography and costume design, and the chemistry between the actors it's really good.This is very much a character driven drama, so the performances are key for the story to work; and that's really when Brocade Odyssey works best. Tan Song Yun and Zheng Ye Cheng have good chemistry, they work really well together, and the characters they play are well-rounded and interesting. There was never a moment when I wasn't rooting for them.
The script presents an interesting setting but it's when it tries to develop the story further from the relationship and goals between the main characters that becomes too convoluted. It makes odd decisions and puts too many players in the scene. Until episode 32 the drama was okay on this aspect but it was when the scriptwriter had to start moving pieces to resolve the conflicts developed up to that point that the story suffers.
Overall, this was an entertaining watch that didn't reach its full potential but still delivers some really nice and fun moments.
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This review may contain spoilers
A bunch of good actors that makes me happy
Story is good (for half of them), some scenes are unnecessary and other scenes are lacking. Because the title is Brocade Odyssey, I thought this is about the art of brocade and silk, of course there will be politic issue surrounding the trade of brocade, but I didn't think (or want) to see it only about revenge and fighting only 1 ultimate villain. Though all the casts are terrific, including the side characters, they made this series more enjoyable. The other villains like Bai Sheng, and Niu Wuniang are played so beautifully, though they could put more depth to Bai sheng's bsckstory and more character. But instead they want to put more spotlight on FL. Don't get me wrong, I love Seven Tan. But the highlight of this story isn't just her, but the side characters: the artisan of brocade industry. But the producers and writers pushed them to tbe back and made them just as accessories. So I won't go back to this.Was this review helpful to you?
There is Much To Like About Brocade Odyssey
There is much to like about Brocade Odyssey. The acting was very good, the costuming was of a high standard (it has to be because show was all about brocade). The sets were also good. The OST was enjoyable and so was the story for the most part.Right from the get go, we see how determined and resourceful Ji Ying Ying.is. I feel that this is one of Seven Tan’s best roles. Zheng Ye Cheng put in a fine performance as the newly minted Brocade Officer who is at odds with his family. Together, both leads are a wonderful OTP. In fact, this is one of the show’s strengths - the commitment that they have throughout regarding what became a tumultuous journey.
The early episodes gave a good appreciation of the ancient Chinese brocade industry. This including understanding silk, the weaving process, the dye process and how the colours are set using the local water fall and natural pool. We also get to see the conflict between the great brocade houses and the small independents ended up by Ms Ji.
For the most part, each of the story arcs were quite good. The acting certainly made this possible. However, I felt the last two episodes let the story down. In fact, the final episode spent too much time on the villains rather than on giving show time to wrap things up better. I also have to agree with some commentators how disappointing it was regarding what happened to some of the key characters. Some characters just disappeared.
Brocade Odyssey is worth your time. The leads are worth watching just for their relationship alone.
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This review may contain spoilers
"Brocade Odyssey" is a drama about Ji Ying Ying, a young woman who is independent and doesn't care much about other people's opinions. She works with embroidery and dyeing clothes, following her father's tradition and trying to clear his name of the crime he didn't commit and that caused his death. One day she meets Jing Lan, an officer who instantly takes an interest in her and helps Ying Ying in all the difficulties that come her way.Ying Ying has someone she has liked since she was a child and that person is Xiu Yang, the two are promised to get married, but fate interferes and Xiu Yang ends up marrying someone else to protect Ying Ying... the problem is that after that he becomes a completely different person, there was no way to continue rooting for him after that, but at least in the end he found redemption for everything he had done, helping Ying Ying and the others come back home after being kidnapped by Prince Bai.
The relationship between Ying Ying and Jing Lan is cute and captivating. It takes a while for them to become a couple, but the way it happens is quite remarkable, with Jing Lan stealing Ying Ying and marrying her instead of his brother. After that, the two have some good scenes, their romance is cute, but not impressive.
What ends up being most captivating about the drama is not the romance, but rather Ji Ying Ying's journey in the brocade market, breaking new ground and becoming an example, a woman who owns a business. The big problem is that the story drags on after episode 30. I think if the drama had fewer episodes, it would have been better, because it ended up getting tiring after that.
The soundtrack is very good, specially "Red" by Mao Buy.
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Dramatic and Historical
I have seen a lot of negative comments about the focus of the silk and brocade business aspect of this drama, and it saddens me a little.What people fail to understand is that this drama *is* historical, and is relaying to the audience the great efforts it took by the Chinese to establish what is known as “The Silk Road”. It was then, a trade route that stretched from China to the Mediterranean region spanning over 4,000 miles or 6,400 kilometers. That it itself was astounding.
The Silk Road not only opened up that then monstrous trade route, but it also gave opportunity for cultural as well as goods exchanges through foot traffic. Many of those who traveled the Silk Road after it was established were Chinese merchants and Buddhist monks. It brought trades of silk, spices, metals and a myriad other items to areas that had not been exposed to them previously. Currently, since it has been rediscovered, the Silk Road has been reopened and the United Nations sponsored a trans-Asian motor highway and railroad project, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to revive and expand the ancient routes through modern infrastructure development.
The history is diverse and rich. If you are only interested in romance then this drama is not for you.
If you drop your expectations and truly watch this drama for what it is, a look back at the establishment of a massive trade route, the often overwhelming and demoralizing structure of family clans, the unjust and often brutal treatment of women and servants with a love story mixed in, then watch and enjoy.
First - just a big shout out to Mr. Beauty ( the nickname for Zheng Yecheng from Love 020). His martial arts are made incredibly beautiful due to his background in theatrical arts and majoring in opera. He is perfect for roles like this. I cannot say enough about his wire stunts or his acting as they are stellar.
Tan Songyun is as usual, fabulous. Fiesty, protective
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Love the first half, hate the second half
As a fan of TSY I was very excited for this and even planned my holiday to binge this drama. The premise of brocade being the theme does not sound entirely exciting to be honest but with TSY leading I was confident it would be a great show nonetheless, for the first half, it truly was, but after ep 30 it all went downhill and there was no saving grace for this drama.The chemistry between the leads are amazing and I was eating up all their interactions especially after they got married which to me was the highlight of the show. The tone from the beginning gives off a very light hearted drama with minimal, if any, angst so was I in for a nasty surprise when the entire tone shifted from ep 30 to a very dark, bloody, and angst where nothing really makes sense cause prince bai who is supposed to be this cold cool villian with a big political agenda suddenly turns into a pathetic delusional love boy, throw in some uncessary character deaths just for the sake of shock factor that actually adds no real value to the plot, this show went down a landslide. Don't get me started with the so called happy ending.... its like the writers ran out of steam from the last 10 ep and decided to give 0 effort in the ending.
Overall, it's not a show I'll be rewatching anytime soon.
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A Great Journey of female empowerment and Fight. And a look into the Brocade trade
Got to say that even though the last 8 episodes or so were extremely tedious, because of all the angst. This story is a great journey of female empowerment and like I saw when BO was still airing it was so easy emerging myself in Yingying's journey. She was one of the best FL's I've seen. Even though she fell she knew how to stand back up and she never gave up. Yes, this drama is not without its faults, but I loved it. The good outweighed the bad for me. And the acting was impressive. I saw complaints about the romance being underwhelming on here and I disagree. Could we have had more Yingying and Jinglan moments? perhaps but this drama wasn't about that. Romance was secondary because this was Yingying's journey to becoming Lady Silk. Still, I pretty much loved their love story and the chemistry between Seven Tan and Zhen Ye Cheng. Plus, the villains' demises are extremely satisfying for me. Everything Yingying went thru mattered in the end to get where she is.10/10
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