Came to watch Yang Yang - stayed for the cool magic battles
I've watched a lot of Yang Yang dramas this year: You are My Glory, Love O2O, Fireworks of My Heart, Who Rules the World - all which aired prior to 2024. So, I was pretty excited when Immortal Ascension (filmed over 2 years ago) finally got a release date.
Things to love about this show include the detailed magical system that defines the life of all cultivators. This is especially exciting during the battle sequences where different techniques and artifacts are used. Another high point is Yang Yang's performance - one of his best - as Han Li convincingly matures from a powerless human boy to a powerful cultivator. (I still laugh at the constant description of Han Li as being plain and unassuming. It is Yang Yang after all! But he imbues the essence of Han Li well.) Yang Yang's background in dance is also on full display through the intense fight choreography.
What could have been better is the weaving story that randomly brings the myriads of characters in and out of the picture. This includes the beautiful cultivator, Nangong Wan (Gina Jin), whose reluctant fascination with Han Li becomes a frustrating plot point. Even though Han Li achieves his main goal, the ending feels somewhat anticlimactic - however it does set up Season 2. (Yang Yang may be signed for 3 seasons, but who knows when the next one will actually be filmed.)
A big bright spot of The Immortal Ascension is the incredible soundtrack featuring the powerful opening song, Mortal Heart by Reno Wang, and the emotional Mayfly's Will sung by Shi Yan.
Things to love about this show include the detailed magical system that defines the life of all cultivators. This is especially exciting during the battle sequences where different techniques and artifacts are used. Another high point is Yang Yang's performance - one of his best - as Han Li convincingly matures from a powerless human boy to a powerful cultivator. (I still laugh at the constant description of Han Li as being plain and unassuming. It is Yang Yang after all! But he imbues the essence of Han Li well.) Yang Yang's background in dance is also on full display through the intense fight choreography.
What could have been better is the weaving story that randomly brings the myriads of characters in and out of the picture. This includes the beautiful cultivator, Nangong Wan (Gina Jin), whose reluctant fascination with Han Li becomes a frustrating plot point. Even though Han Li achieves his main goal, the ending feels somewhat anticlimactic - however it does set up Season 2. (Yang Yang may be signed for 3 seasons, but who knows when the next one will actually be filmed.)
A big bright spot of The Immortal Ascension is the incredible soundtrack featuring the powerful opening song, Mortal Heart by Reno Wang, and the emotional Mayfly's Will sung by Shi Yan.
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