Yep. They're pretty poor. I'm trying to figure out where all the money went, as the production budget for this…
I'm a journalist who covers Chinese dramas among other things. Been doing it for about 25 years, in Asia and in the west.
So yes, I have an opinion on a drama that is big budget yet, at least 3 episodes in (haven't watched Ep4 yet) is a shallow copy of the donghua with only 'mid' production quality versus the money spent on it.
If you haven't watched the donghua, which is one of the best and most popular ever made with over 3.2 billion views and counting, you don't know what the drama is lacking. So yes, you may like this.
Meanwhile, I've hated dramas people love, and been obsessed with dramas people hate. But nowhere have I ever said to anyone "Don't watch it". In fact, I just told someone who wasn't planning on watching this to watch it and make up their own mind.(You should always watch a drama for yourself and make up your own mind, and not let anyone, including me, make up your mind for you).
So, no, I'm not trying to "convince everyone how bad it is", I'm simply stating my opinion.
The Immortal Ascension arrived with a huge build up and fan fare for about 2 weeks before it dropped. So far, the drama has not lived up to the hype. (Other than Yang Yang, who was a good choice as Han Li). Disappointingly, as this was THE drama I was looking forward to this year.
And it doesn't matter if the "heat index" on YOUKU is high or not. That just means people are watching it and/or commenting on it, it doesn't mean people like it.
They're trying to cram the entire novel into 30 episodes.:) It's crazy fast. And probably an easy drop for me…
Yep, you're correct. They started out at 40. Then dropped it to 38. Then 36. And finally 30 with a few episodes that are over an hour (apparently).
Not sure why. But, like you inferred, 40 would have given them much more time to fully flesh out the plot and the character development. As it is now, they're just skimming the surface of the plot and showing the highlights.
May improve, but I'm now 3 eps in, and it hasn't developed a more solid storytelling yet.
Performances are pretty solid, Yang Yang is doing a decent job at portraying what is an iconic character in China, and the directing is decent. But the production, pacing and script are the letdowns, IMO.
They're trying to cram the entire novel into 30 episodes.:) It's crazy fast. And probably an easy drop for me…
It's not Tencent's fault. The Chinese government has mandated dramas cannot be more than 40 episodes and, if they need more episodes, a second season can't release for at least 1 year after the first season.
IMO, this one should have been several seasons as the pacing would be much better.
I was listening to AvenueX and she mentioned the CGI and special effects were cause for concern and unimpressive.…
Yep. They're pretty poor. I'm trying to figure out where all the money went, as the production budget for this was huge.
The CGI is poor, the video quality and camera work is poor, the script is mid, and the performances are "meh". (Yang Yang is doing a decent job, but...)
This has been THE drama I've been waiting for for eons, and I doubt I'll get passed the first couple of episodes. It's all just so "meh".
Ohh Zhang Tie... Such an adorable character.. Just finished 3 eps and so much has happened. The pacing feels too…
They're trying to cram the entire novel into 30 episodes.:) It's crazy fast. And probably an easy drop for me as it just seems so empty as there's little development of any events. They just happen, whizz by, and then another major event hits.
The donghua is superb and, at over 150 episodes and still releasing 2 episodes a week, it still hasn't covered half the novel. I just can't get into the drama at all.
Guys how is it? I'm looking for a sincere and honest opinion to know whether to start it or not as I just finished…
If you're a donghua fan it's a disappointment, Only watched the first Ep but they've cut out so much. There's zero character set up or development, as everything rushes by at breakneck speed. If you haven't watched the donghua though, you might enjoy it.
It will probably be a drop for me, as only 30 minutes in and the pacing in the donghua is 1,000 times better, but I'll give it a few more episodes before making a decision whether to continue.
It's one of the most popular donghua in China 3.2 billion views back in February and earning about 100 million more every month. And it's EXCELLENT too. Available on YouTube.
Drama will be a success just because there are tens of millions of donghua fans that have been waiting AGES for the drama.
Liked that the leads were older, the humor is funny, and the performances are excellent. Very interesting characters with actual depth as well. Gorgeous cinematography, superb CGI, and set and costume designs are beautiful. A fun watch for the most part.
Like almost all Chinese dramas though, it's too long, and there is ZERO chemistry between the leads. Those two things made me drop it from a 10 to an 8.
Still a great watch though (even if those supposed sad scenes in EP38 are ludicrously bad), and do recommend.
It's subbed on YOUKU's YouTube channel, Better to watch there and give the views to the actual producers, and not to some fan who's just copied it to their X account without linking back to the original video.
Agreed! Generally I love sweet fluffy shows. This one has great cast but such a bayish story line. Whatapad scribbles…
That's exactly what it feels like. A drama for teenagers. I couldn't get passed Ep 4. Disappointed too, as the cast is superb, so I expected much more.
Ye Gods, the cast is amazing but the acting in this is terrible, and the dubbing is even worse.
Throw in the script feels like it was written for teenagers, and the CGI is laughably bad, and honestly there's not much to recommend with this one at all.
Watched too many excellent dramas recently to waste any more time on this. Dropped.
1 
So yes, I have an opinion on a drama that is big budget yet, at least 3 episodes in (haven't watched Ep4 yet) is a shallow copy of the donghua with only 'mid' production quality versus the money spent on it.
If you haven't watched the donghua, which is one of the best and most popular ever made with over 3.2 billion views and counting, you don't know what the drama is lacking. So yes, you may like this.
Meanwhile, I've hated dramas people love, and been obsessed with dramas people hate. But nowhere have I ever said to anyone "Don't watch it". In fact, I just told someone who wasn't planning on watching this to watch it and make up their own mind.(You should always watch a drama for yourself and make up your own mind, and not let anyone, including me, make up your mind for you).
So, no, I'm not trying to "convince everyone how bad it is", I'm simply stating my opinion.
The Immortal Ascension arrived with a huge build up and fan fare for about 2 weeks before it dropped. So far, the drama has not lived up to the hype. (Other than Yang Yang, who was a good choice as Han Li). Disappointingly, as this was THE drama I was looking forward to this year.
And it doesn't matter if the "heat index" on YOUKU is high or not. That just means people are watching it and/or commenting on it, it doesn't mean people like it.
Not sure why. But, like you inferred, 40 would have given them much more time to fully flesh out the plot and the character development. As it is now, they're just skimming the surface of the plot and showing the highlights.
May improve, but I'm now 3 eps in, and it hasn't developed a more solid storytelling yet.
Performances are pretty solid, Yang Yang is doing a decent job at portraying what is an iconic character in China, and the directing is decent. But the production, pacing and script are the letdowns, IMO.
IMO, this one should have been several seasons as the pacing would be much better.
Don't like it. Don't read it. Follow that advice and you'll waste less time in life :)
The CGI is poor, the video quality and camera work is poor, the script is mid, and the performances are "meh". (Yang Yang is doing a decent job, but...)
This has been THE drama I've been waiting for for eons, and I doubt I'll get passed the first couple of episodes. It's all just so "meh".
The donghua is superb and, at over 150 episodes and still releasing 2 episodes a week, it still hasn't covered half the novel. I just can't get into the drama at all.
It will probably be a drop for me, as only 30 minutes in and the pacing in the donghua is 1,000 times better, but I'll give it a few more episodes before making a decision whether to continue.
Drama will be a success just because there are tens of millions of donghua fans that have been waiting AGES for the drama.
https://leosigh.com/a-record-of-a-mortals-journey-hits-3-2-billion-views-donghua-earns-100-million-in-a-month/
Like almost all Chinese dramas though, it's too long, and there is ZERO chemistry between the leads. Those two things made me drop it from a 10 to an 8.
Still a great watch though (even if those supposed sad scenes in EP38 are ludicrously bad), and do recommend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8D8WmI11m4
Throw in the script feels like it was written for teenagers, and the CGI is laughably bad, and honestly there's not much to recommend with this one at all.
Watched too many excellent dramas recently to waste any more time on this. Dropped.
https://leosigh.com/dong-zi-fan-and-li-kai-wens-returned-master-aka-the-generals-youngest-son-premieres-july-18th-new-poster-drops/