I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang
3 people found this review helpful
by AStarlightMonbebe
A Flawless Continuation of the Magic of S1
As an avid enjoyer of season one, I've been waiting for this season since finishing the first one, and it totally surpassed my expectations. If you weren't sure if you should watch season two, hopefully this review can convince you to give it a try because I have nothing but good things to say.
Disclaimer, I haven't read much of the manga or watched the donghua, so I can't speak to how well it might have adapted certain things. This is also my first time writing a review haha.
Season two picks up some time after the end of season one (it's not specifically stated, but from context I assume it was few months), with a new conflict that immediately draws viewers in. Like season one, the show balances humor, action, and emotional cues. One of my highlights from watching season one was how it made me laugh like crazy, but also never failed to absolutely hit hard at unexpected moments. I think season two carried over the same storytelling, and there was very few, if any, dull moments. Season two is a more contained plotline (I believe it adapts just one arc from the original manga), but each episode felt worthwhile. My only caveat was there was a point midway through the show (eps 4-7 if I recall) where we went into flashback episodes. I don't mind these, and I actually enjoy going into side stories, so to speak, but after around three, I felt vaguely annoyed that we hadn't at least cut back and forth with the main team.
Like season one, season two also features a lot of action scenes, which were one of my favorite parts. The fight against Ma Xianhong was epic (you have to watch it to know it), and the new powers were also cool. I found it all super flawless to watch, and very satisfying. While the action features a lot of power ups and such, the show is character driven as much as it is plot driven, and each action scene also reveals a lot about the inner workings of the characters, which I appreciate.
The worldbuilding in season two was fascinating. I loved the introduction of the Divine Forge and the different types of Outsiders we were introduced to, especially all of the temporary workers, as well as the Bunker. Season two reveals a deeper understanding of the internal organization of the NDT and how it operates, as well as how different people might respond to it. There was an underlying eeriness, and a very layered feel to this season, which I think is an extension of season one as well. As someone who loved season one because of how fresh it felt in terms of setting in the cdrama world, season two continues to incorporate the modern wuxia feel.
Several familiar characters return in this season, but several new ones are also introduced. Zhang Chulan and Feng BaoBao return as a glorious team, but this time their roles are switched, with Chulan fulfilling his promise to be Baobao's protector this season. I loved the interior look into Chulan's mind, which we got glimpses of last season; he definitely comes across as more mature and very analytical. Baobao was as perfect as ever; at the start, she has somewhat of a lesser presence as the show revolves more around how Chulan views her, but her interactions with Chen Duo show another side of her. Unlike season one, she doesn't have any big emotional moments (that made us feel so much for her), and her memories weren't really addressed, but there is still an obvious tease/build up to the future.
The temporary workers were all unique and interesting. We didn't really get a glimpse into their own backstories beyond the occasional glimpse, but they all stood out, ability and personality wise. The dialogue early on between them really established them as characters, and even if they might have had a lesser presence, they all played their part well, and no one felt forgotten by the plot.
The standouts for me were Ma Xianhong (played by Yin Fang) and Chen Duo (played by Vicky Chen). Both characters doomed from the start, enacting out their own tragic arcs. I have a lot of feelings about them that I won't go into because that's a whole other meta analysis post, but their characters really compelled me, and they should win awards.
Of course, I can't forget to mention Wang Ye, my season one favorite. Although his screentime might not have been a lot, it wasn't as little as you think. Hou Minghao perfectly recreates his season one Wang Ye (down to the few aesthetic loose hairs, eye bags, and slouchy stance), and brings the same attitude too. Wang Ye as a character and narrative device had a not small impact in this drama, and I loved seeing the Fenghou Qimen again. I know some people will be disappointed about the change for the Zhuge Qing actor, and while I was too, Luo Zheng holds up well, if not completely the same, and I thought the scenes between Zhuge Qing and Wang Ye still felt canonical.
A lot of people complained this season felt filler, but I disagree. Chen Duo's story very clearly reflects Feng Baobao's predicament, while Ma Xiaonhong's struggle is a cautionary tale for both Zhang Chulan and Wang Ye.
The OSTS were also amazing. Chen Duo's OST (not sure the title) had me close to tears, while the intro had me jamming out.
In conclusion, 100/10 would rewatch (but I need to rewatch season one first)!
Disclaimer, I haven't read much of the manga or watched the donghua, so I can't speak to how well it might have adapted certain things. This is also my first time writing a review haha.
Season two picks up some time after the end of season one (it's not specifically stated, but from context I assume it was few months), with a new conflict that immediately draws viewers in. Like season one, the show balances humor, action, and emotional cues. One of my highlights from watching season one was how it made me laugh like crazy, but also never failed to absolutely hit hard at unexpected moments. I think season two carried over the same storytelling, and there was very few, if any, dull moments. Season two is a more contained plotline (I believe it adapts just one arc from the original manga), but each episode felt worthwhile. My only caveat was there was a point midway through the show (eps 4-7 if I recall) where we went into flashback episodes. I don't mind these, and I actually enjoy going into side stories, so to speak, but after around three, I felt vaguely annoyed that we hadn't at least cut back and forth with the main team.
Like season one, season two also features a lot of action scenes, which were one of my favorite parts. The fight against Ma Xianhong was epic (you have to watch it to know it), and the new powers were also cool. I found it all super flawless to watch, and very satisfying. While the action features a lot of power ups and such, the show is character driven as much as it is plot driven, and each action scene also reveals a lot about the inner workings of the characters, which I appreciate.
The worldbuilding in season two was fascinating. I loved the introduction of the Divine Forge and the different types of Outsiders we were introduced to, especially all of the temporary workers, as well as the Bunker. Season two reveals a deeper understanding of the internal organization of the NDT and how it operates, as well as how different people might respond to it. There was an underlying eeriness, and a very layered feel to this season, which I think is an extension of season one as well. As someone who loved season one because of how fresh it felt in terms of setting in the cdrama world, season two continues to incorporate the modern wuxia feel.
Several familiar characters return in this season, but several new ones are also introduced. Zhang Chulan and Feng BaoBao return as a glorious team, but this time their roles are switched, with Chulan fulfilling his promise to be Baobao's protector this season. I loved the interior look into Chulan's mind, which we got glimpses of last season; he definitely comes across as more mature and very analytical. Baobao was as perfect as ever; at the start, she has somewhat of a lesser presence as the show revolves more around how Chulan views her, but her interactions with Chen Duo show another side of her. Unlike season one, she doesn't have any big emotional moments (that made us feel so much for her), and her memories weren't really addressed, but there is still an obvious tease/build up to the future.
The temporary workers were all unique and interesting. We didn't really get a glimpse into their own backstories beyond the occasional glimpse, but they all stood out, ability and personality wise. The dialogue early on between them really established them as characters, and even if they might have had a lesser presence, they all played their part well, and no one felt forgotten by the plot.
The standouts for me were Ma Xianhong (played by Yin Fang) and Chen Duo (played by Vicky Chen). Both characters doomed from the start, enacting out their own tragic arcs. I have a lot of feelings about them that I won't go into because that's a whole other meta analysis post, but their characters really compelled me, and they should win awards.
Of course, I can't forget to mention Wang Ye, my season one favorite. Although his screentime might not have been a lot, it wasn't as little as you think. Hou Minghao perfectly recreates his season one Wang Ye (down to the few aesthetic loose hairs, eye bags, and slouchy stance), and brings the same attitude too. Wang Ye as a character and narrative device had a not small impact in this drama, and I loved seeing the Fenghou Qimen again. I know some people will be disappointed about the change for the Zhuge Qing actor, and while I was too, Luo Zheng holds up well, if not completely the same, and I thought the scenes between Zhuge Qing and Wang Ye still felt canonical.
A lot of people complained this season felt filler, but I disagree. Chen Duo's story very clearly reflects Feng Baobao's predicament, while Ma Xiaonhong's struggle is a cautionary tale for both Zhang Chulan and Wang Ye.
The OSTS were also amazing. Chen Duo's OST (not sure the title) had me close to tears, while the intro had me jamming out.
In conclusion, 100/10 would rewatch (but I need to rewatch season one first)!
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