The character of Su Muyu & Shounen type Wuxia
I want to paint a picture of his personality in hopes that Su Muyu is not misunderstood but beloved.
Tales of Dark River is part of the 'The Blood of Youth' and 'Dashing Youth' world. Both shows depict the characters who move in the 'righteous' realms whereas Dark River is about the assassin sect and the shadow realms, the underbelly of society.
So consider that our main character in the 'TBoY' is sarcastic, emotional, thoughtful and strong willed. And our main character of 'DY' is youthful, jovial and mischievous.
While Su Muyu is reserved, calm, quiet, introspective, resolute. Then we have Changhe as our second ML and he is verbose, willful, playful, ambitious. He is Muyu's foil in Blood River. Considering these more charismatic character types, Su Muyu could seem bland or boring, not charismatic. But I don't think so. He is an atypical ML character type. It isn't that 'likable' or 'relatable' personality. We got those character perspectives in the other two dramas. Muyu's character type plays a big part in how we are meant to experience and witness this story arc, much more somber and darker.
Su Muyu has been raised as a weapon. He has been raised with the enforced beliefs that his life and value are tied together in obeying and killing. What is the meaning of life without freedom? Why should I kill? What do I stand for? These are the existential questions we see Su Muyu and the new generation of Dark River are working through as the story unfolds. And just as much as in the other two dramas, we are seeing the main theme is brotherhood.
I am very much looking forward to Gong Jun's interpretation of this character. I think he is perfect for the part. Especially because he has expressive eyes which are needed to play a role with someone who talks more with their eyes. However, 19 episodes in and I just really don't like what he did with his voice. It really has made Su Muyu seem like a robot when he is actually an interesting character even if more reserved.
The reason I have given the acting a rating of 6 has to do with all the actors and not just our MLs (which both equally have some flaws in really embodying their characters). It's not about Su Muyu's personality. There is something that feels slightly off with all of the actors. It might have more to do with the director's directions than with the actor and their skills. But idk. Something just feels restrained with all of their movements or it's that something feels lifeless in their movements.
It could have to do with the sets and the space they have to act in idk. But it also gives off that, 'I'm on a set' feel. There is a lack liveliness which should still be there even if there is a lot of standing around and talking. It's been disappointing but is also remissible. I know all the actors work so hard and so much work goes into filming and making these dramas. It's great when the drama can meet our expectations. Ofc we feel disappointed when the drama doesn't. I haven't been able to get past these issues and have dropped the drama. I'm so sad about it because I loved loved loved TBOY and DY and had such hopes.
As far as how the story gets told. One thing I really liked about 'TBoY' is that the storyboarding for the episodes paralleled the animation. Blood River is also following the storyboarding of the animation also. Also, if you need something to do between updates you can also watch the animation of this series here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI7aLF7AWBk. And ofc, if you haven't yet, definitely watch 'Dashing Youth' and then 'The Blood of Youth' which are both phenomenally done (Su Muyu also makes appearances in these dramas as well).
Also, please note that this is a Shounen Drama. All three of these series are. Already reviewers have criticized this aspect of this series. There are going to be fights ever other scene. This is going to be high action scene after scene, constantly meeting new opponents and epic quests. The plot is wrapped up in the character growth, with especially a focus on heroism and perseverance of the ML. There are usually strong themes of friendship and personal growth and minor emphasis on romance. Think Dragon Ball Z or Jujitsu Kaisen or Naruto. These type of series have open worlds with open endless stories and are focused on the characters moving through experiences. Don't judge the show and rate it low because you expected it to be something else. Or because you just don't have a great grasp on shounen story-telling. It may not be your preferred story type, but rate within its genre context please.
Tales of Dark River is part of the 'The Blood of Youth' and 'Dashing Youth' world. Both shows depict the characters who move in the 'righteous' realms whereas Dark River is about the assassin sect and the shadow realms, the underbelly of society.
So consider that our main character in the 'TBoY' is sarcastic, emotional, thoughtful and strong willed. And our main character of 'DY' is youthful, jovial and mischievous.
While Su Muyu is reserved, calm, quiet, introspective, resolute. Then we have Changhe as our second ML and he is verbose, willful, playful, ambitious. He is Muyu's foil in Blood River. Considering these more charismatic character types, Su Muyu could seem bland or boring, not charismatic. But I don't think so. He is an atypical ML character type. It isn't that 'likable' or 'relatable' personality. We got those character perspectives in the other two dramas. Muyu's character type plays a big part in how we are meant to experience and witness this story arc, much more somber and darker.
Su Muyu has been raised as a weapon. He has been raised with the enforced beliefs that his life and value are tied together in obeying and killing. What is the meaning of life without freedom? Why should I kill? What do I stand for? These are the existential questions we see Su Muyu and the new generation of Dark River are working through as the story unfolds. And just as much as in the other two dramas, we are seeing the main theme is brotherhood.
I am very much looking forward to Gong Jun's interpretation of this character. I think he is perfect for the part. Especially because he has expressive eyes which are needed to play a role with someone who talks more with their eyes. However, 19 episodes in and I just really don't like what he did with his voice. It really has made Su Muyu seem like a robot when he is actually an interesting character even if more reserved.
The reason I have given the acting a rating of 6 has to do with all the actors and not just our MLs (which both equally have some flaws in really embodying their characters). It's not about Su Muyu's personality. There is something that feels slightly off with all of the actors. It might have more to do with the director's directions than with the actor and their skills. But idk. Something just feels restrained with all of their movements or it's that something feels lifeless in their movements.
It could have to do with the sets and the space they have to act in idk. But it also gives off that, 'I'm on a set' feel. There is a lack liveliness which should still be there even if there is a lot of standing around and talking. It's been disappointing but is also remissible. I know all the actors work so hard and so much work goes into filming and making these dramas. It's great when the drama can meet our expectations. Ofc we feel disappointed when the drama doesn't. I haven't been able to get past these issues and have dropped the drama. I'm so sad about it because I loved loved loved TBOY and DY and had such hopes.
As far as how the story gets told. One thing I really liked about 'TBoY' is that the storyboarding for the episodes paralleled the animation. Blood River is also following the storyboarding of the animation also. Also, if you need something to do between updates you can also watch the animation of this series here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI7aLF7AWBk. And ofc, if you haven't yet, definitely watch 'Dashing Youth' and then 'The Blood of Youth' which are both phenomenally done (Su Muyu also makes appearances in these dramas as well).
Also, please note that this is a Shounen Drama. All three of these series are. Already reviewers have criticized this aspect of this series. There are going to be fights ever other scene. This is going to be high action scene after scene, constantly meeting new opponents and epic quests. The plot is wrapped up in the character growth, with especially a focus on heroism and perseverance of the ML. There are usually strong themes of friendship and personal growth and minor emphasis on romance. Think Dragon Ball Z or Jujitsu Kaisen or Naruto. These type of series have open worlds with open endless stories and are focused on the characters moving through experiences. Don't judge the show and rate it low because you expected it to be something else. Or because you just don't have a great grasp on shounen story-telling. It may not be your preferred story type, but rate within its genre context please.
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