NOVEL versus DRAMA ================== I started watching JOL S1, and almost at the end of the season, I could not bear to know what happened afterward. I read the comments, and everyone was excited that S2 was coming up. Most fans waited 4-5 years for this new season.
Few fans read the novel and were skeptical about S2—not because of the quality. Considering the first season was a masterpiece, there was no reason why it would not be a second season. The main issue was the novel's length versus a second season only and how the screenwriter would fit all the events, the martial fights, and the characters' storylines into a second season only.
During the press conference, right before S2's first-aired episode, the production announced it was a trilogy. Phew!
746 chapters. over 5800 pages. A pure happiness.
I love to read, so having 746 chapters to read didn't intimidate me at all. Once I started, I couldn't stop – I got hooked. I noticed that the first season closely followed the novel, and I silently praised the screenwriter, production team, and post-production crew. It felt like a masterpiece and immediately became my favourite drama.
So when Season 2 came out, like millions of fans, I jumped right into it. The first word I have in mind and several after that, is major disappointment.
I'd be happy to help. Here's the revised text for clarity:
The magic from season 1 was lost, along with the "wow" factor. Events were removed, altered, rearranged, and added, leading to major characters from the novel taking over a significant portion of the storyline. The plot became so different from the original novel that it was difficult to follow the story's flow. Additionally, instead of providing in-depth explanations, the screenwriter/producer incorporated comedy and yodelling sounds.
I understand that the second season of the drama couldn't follow the novel precisely, especially considering its 746 chapters. I knew some characters might be omitted, such as Sisi his concubine and other minor ones not crucial to the main story. Additionally, I realized that certain Chinese celebrities signed on for more substantial roles than in the original novel, so I expected some changes and new dialogue to accommodate their presence. I accepted that.
The story underwent significant changes. Certain events were expanded upon, shifting it from a thriller where allies and enemies were uncertain, to a scenario where everyone at the palace was considered an adversary. The season primarily focused on the second prince and the corrupt officials. While introducing additional characters, they did not elaborate on their importance to the story.
The story almost changed completely. Certain events were incorporated and expanded upon, transforming it from a thriller where we were unsure of who was an ally or an enemy into a scenario where everyone at the palace was a foe (which is incorrect). Most of the season focused on the second prince and the corrupt officials (when FX and second prince hardly met). They inserted some characters here and there but did not elaborate on their importance in the story. For example, DuoDuo, the 9-level martial artist, suddenly had his sister disappear despite her being his confidant in season 1. Cheng Pingping became a foe when, in reality, he was his main supporter and had a father/son master/disciple relationship. Also, early on, everyone in the different kingdoms knew Fan Xian was the emperor's illegitimate son and the reasons why he was favoured. This included giving him two major official positions, such as succeeding Cheng Pingping at the overwatch council and becoming the director of the revenue, which involved handling all the kingdom's money.
I could tolerate all the changes in the drama. Again, it was just impossible to retranscript every single detail and event. But my limit was reached when they changed Fan Xian's personality. In the novel, he is portrayed as a cunning, manipulative, and scheming genius character. However, in the drama, he came across as a doormat for almost two-thirds of the story. In the novel, Fan Xian has a dual soul, reflecting his previous life and his current one, which makes him a mastermind and super intelligent. He was born with the mind of a 30-year-old man and was raised, albeit from a distance, by Cheng Pingping. She sent him to Fei Jie, a poison master, who taught him about the Overwatch Council intending to take over the director position. Wu Zhu helped him gain speed, and he mastered his Quenzi at 12.
And all we got is this character that had nothing to do with the novel AND season 1. In the final moments of episode 2, I was left feeling puzzled and bewildered. Everything seemed chaotic and disorganized. The only aspect that stood out to me was the exceptional casting. The actors who played Fan Xian, Cheng PingPing, the emperor, Fan Jian (his adoptive father), and the Prime Minister (who is both his stepfather and the father of Dao Da, the incredible actor who portrayed the unforgettable simple mind character) all delivered outstanding performances and truly deserved awards! Everyone was well cast... My take is that it is only the material they were given that was the issue.
The novel and the drama were both created by men, and I didn't see any women involved in the production. In the novel, except for 4 characters, all others are secondary characters with Fan Xian being the main hero. Everything revolves around him, and the other characters, like Cheng Pingping, the emperor, and the eldest princess, have their shining moments but are forgotten for many chapters. While every character is important, their absence doesn't change the storyline over the 746 chapters.
I want to emphasize that all the women in the novel were depicted as pretty objects, except for the eldest princess, who was both extremely beautiful and a genius mastermind (I know, there are many masterminds in the novel! lol). It felt like the novel was written by a man for men. In no way is this a romance or a comedy. It depicts palace struggles with lots of deaths, plots, and fights.
This sentiment was shared by the vast majority of readers of the novels. However, those who did not read the novel consider that season 2 is equally good as season 1. They loved the humour and intimacy of the talk, which helped them connect with the characters better. They loved the new emotional Fan Xian character. I read a few reviews and comments, and in their opinion, it deserves a 10-star rating.
Did we see the same season? lol
So, my ranting will end with this: Do I regret reading the novel? My answer is a big fat NO! I loved every single word, and I will re-read it, guaranteed! I am just now not holding my breath for season 3 and will watch it when it goes out in a couple of years. Meanwhile, I will continue re-watching the 300 Poems episode 27 and a few key moments in season 1 that I truly enjoyed.
All is good. Everyone is entitled to have a different opinion.
Anyone know where I can watch it?..I try find in WeTV and bilibili but I can't find it😭
go on youtube and make a search with this video, the episodes will be listed one after another. I cannot promise the quality of the subtitles though. I am a VIP on vicki, iQYI and weTV but found youtube still nice to find some old or new dramas. The only annoying thing onyoutube are the ads (one reason I also became premium). still, a good free place (with ads). You can also go to kisshk or adsiancrush or kissasian (cannot promise the subtitles quality either but it is free)
search this title on youtube: ENG SUB【Joy of Life S2】 EP01 | Fan Xian faked his death, rumors flew | Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin
wow, now I need to rewatch all the episodes and track the watches, the shoes, the plastic bottle, the electric poles, the production people hiding, and the cameras poping up, blood stains. I personally noticed wan’er hair when she cried with FX. One image her hair down, next properly behind her back/ears. Lack of budget with martial fight and maybe post-production crew? https://youtu.be/nQ-4RY2C0oo?feature=shared
real reasons are unknown and up to rumours. Xian zhan may have refused the contract (he said that he wanted to take a step back which is not surprising considered the crazy mad disturbed fans assaulting him each time he went public). Could be he had other commitments..
Depending if you listen to gossips or not, no official statement has been shared
S1 90%S2 30%The core is there, some characters are missing, some events are missing, some scenes not in the novel…
I agree that Season 3 will be different from the novel. The direction they've taken leaves them with no other choice. Depending on the budget, we may see an epic battle. However, they can achieve wonders with computer effects now.
Any answer is going to be subjective, and we do not know where the drama will end up. What if the drama and novel…
This is my major issue with S2 is they removed his cunning, scheming, arrogant personality and made him cry and beg and bow. The hero in the novel is way more exciting and intriguing. They removed his genius mastermind side.
and, of course, the fact that the two mega-hidden and longest surprises were shared in S2. :( :( :(
The (non) harem in the TV series seems to be a result of censorship, in my opinion. It's puzzling why it's deemed acceptable for the emperor and not for Fan Xian.
at one point, every scene differed from the novel in S2. I did not recognize an identical one.
1 
==================
I started watching JOL S1, and almost at the end of the season, I could not bear to know what happened afterward. I read the comments, and everyone was excited that S2 was coming up. Most fans waited 4-5 years for this new season.
Few fans read the novel and were skeptical about S2—not because of the quality. Considering the first season was a masterpiece, there was no reason why it would not be a second season. The main issue was the novel's length versus a second season only and how the screenwriter would fit all the events, the martial fights, and the characters' storylines into a second season only.
During the press conference, right before S2's first-aired episode, the production announced it was a trilogy. Phew!
746 chapters. over 5800 pages. A pure happiness.
I love to read, so having 746 chapters to read didn't intimidate me at all. Once I started, I couldn't stop – I got hooked. I noticed that the first season closely followed the novel, and I silently praised the screenwriter, production team, and post-production crew. It felt like a masterpiece and immediately became my favourite drama.
So when Season 2 came out, like millions of fans, I jumped right into it. The first word I have in mind and several after that, is major disappointment.
I'd be happy to help. Here's the revised text for clarity:
The magic from season 1 was lost, along with the "wow" factor. Events were removed, altered, rearranged, and added, leading to major characters from the novel taking over a significant portion of the storyline. The plot became so different from the original novel that it was difficult to follow the story's flow. Additionally, instead of providing in-depth explanations, the screenwriter/producer incorporated comedy and yodelling sounds.
I understand that the second season of the drama couldn't follow the novel precisely, especially considering its 746 chapters. I knew some characters might be omitted, such as Sisi his concubine and other minor ones not crucial to the main story. Additionally, I realized that certain Chinese celebrities signed on for more substantial roles than in the original novel, so I expected some changes and new dialogue to accommodate their presence. I accepted that.
The story underwent significant changes. Certain events were expanded upon, shifting it from a thriller where allies and enemies were uncertain, to a scenario where everyone at the palace was considered an adversary. The season primarily focused on the second prince and the corrupt officials. While introducing additional characters, they did not elaborate on their importance to the story.
The story almost changed completely. Certain events were incorporated and expanded upon, transforming it from a thriller where we were unsure of who was an ally or an enemy into a scenario where everyone at the palace was a foe (which is incorrect). Most of the season focused on the second prince and the corrupt officials (when FX and second prince hardly met). They inserted some characters here and there but did not elaborate on their importance in the story. For example, DuoDuo, the 9-level martial artist, suddenly had his sister disappear despite her being his confidant in season 1. Cheng Pingping became a foe when, in reality, he was his main supporter and had a father/son master/disciple relationship. Also, early on, everyone in the different kingdoms knew Fan Xian was the emperor's illegitimate son and the reasons why he was favoured. This included giving him two major official positions, such as succeeding Cheng Pingping at the overwatch council and becoming the director of the revenue, which involved handling all the kingdom's money.
I could tolerate all the changes in the drama. Again, it was just impossible to retranscript every single detail and event. But my limit was reached when they changed Fan Xian's personality. In the novel, he is portrayed as a cunning, manipulative, and scheming genius character. However, in the drama, he came across as a doormat for almost two-thirds of the story. In the novel, Fan Xian has a dual soul, reflecting his previous life and his current one, which makes him a mastermind and super intelligent. He was born with the mind of a 30-year-old man and was raised, albeit from a distance, by Cheng Pingping. She sent him to Fei Jie, a poison master, who taught him about the Overwatch Council intending to take over the director position. Wu Zhu helped him gain speed, and he mastered his Quenzi at 12.
And all we got is this character that had nothing to do with the novel AND season 1. In the final moments of episode 2, I was left feeling puzzled and bewildered. Everything seemed chaotic and disorganized. The only aspect that stood out to me was the exceptional casting. The actors who played Fan Xian, Cheng PingPing, the emperor, Fan Jian (his adoptive father), and the Prime Minister (who is both his stepfather and the father of Dao Da, the incredible actor who portrayed the unforgettable simple mind character) all delivered outstanding performances and truly deserved awards! Everyone was well cast... My take is that it is only the material they were given that was the issue.
The novel and the drama were both created by men, and I didn't see any women involved in the production. In the novel, except for 4 characters, all others are secondary characters with Fan Xian being the main hero. Everything revolves around him, and the other characters, like Cheng Pingping, the emperor, and the eldest princess, have their shining moments but are forgotten for many chapters. While every character is important, their absence doesn't change the storyline over the 746 chapters.
I want to emphasize that all the women in the novel were depicted as pretty objects, except for the eldest princess, who was both extremely beautiful and a genius mastermind (I know, there are many masterminds in the novel! lol). It felt like the novel was written by a man for men. In no way is this a romance or a comedy. It depicts palace struggles with lots of deaths, plots, and fights.
This sentiment was shared by the vast majority of readers of the novels. However, those who did not read the novel consider that season 2 is equally good as season 1. They loved the humour and intimacy of the talk, which helped them connect with the characters better. They loved the new emotional Fan Xian character. I read a few reviews and comments, and in their opinion, it deserves a 10-star rating.
Did we see the same season? lol
So, my ranting will end with this: Do I regret reading the novel? My answer is a big fat NO! I loved every single word, and I will re-read it, guaranteed! I am just now not holding my breath for season 3 and will watch it when it goes out in a couple of years. Meanwhile, I will continue re-watching the 300 Poems episode 27 and a few key moments in season 1 that I truly enjoyed.
All is good. Everyone is entitled to have a different opinion.
NOVEL versus DRAMA
see below :)
Stupid censorship 🤮
search this title on youtube:
ENG SUB【Joy of Life S2】 EP01 | Fan Xian faked his death, rumors flew | Zhang Ruoyun, Li Qin
I personally noticed wan’er hair when she cried with FX. One image her hair down, next properly behind her back/ears.
Lack of budget with martial fight and maybe post-production crew?
https://youtu.be/nQ-4RY2C0oo?feature=shared
Here is another review that I agree 90% with
https://youtu.be/6aQKxVYv-Gg?feature=shared
Depending if you listen to gossips or not, no official statement has been shared
One thing I notice when I first saw him on screen were his teeth. They did not look natural.
I don't know. But he looks really good now
and, of course, the fact that the two mega-hidden and longest surprises were shared in S2. :( :( :(
The (non) harem in the TV series seems to be a result of censorship, in my opinion. It's puzzling why it's deemed acceptable for the emperor and not for Fan Xian.
at one point, every scene differed from the novel in S2. I did not recognize an identical one.