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A long good-bye
Adapted from a very long novel, of which only a small portion is captured here in this drama, The Immortal Ascension follows an ordinary mortal named Han Li on his journey of cultivation. Along the way, he encounters friend, foe and everything in between, as he discovers that seeking immortality and power is not even the half of it.This is a world that builds slowly - perhaps too slow for some - but the climax and finale are thrilling enough to leave an indelible mark with just enough emotional weight and depth to carry the whole drama (or should I say, season). Certain aspects of the story and characters are a bit underdeveloped, but an adequate foundation is laid to build upon characters and themes in subsequent seasons - if only that were an easy task.
Just as Han Li says good-bye many times to several characters - many of them female admirers - we too as the audience must say a long good-bye until hopefully another season or two or three can hopefully be made.
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What endures
This is a great addition to the demon-hunting/solving cases genre, with some real attempts at probing some deeper themes and not just a light-hearted romance or adventure story. The first half of the show has a more eerie, creepy vibe that I found more interesting, while the second half did suffer a bit of being too long-winded and sentimental. However, overall, this is a rewarding watch for fans of the cast and period dramas in general.While the ending may leave some dissatisfied, when considering this genre historically in Chinese literature and mythology, it is not a surprising one. It also matches the overall tone of the drama - hopeful yet always with a tinge of sadness. Bittersweet, as some would say. Such is life, and such are the lives of many in this show. Only love perhaps can endure all bitterness and heal all wounds, but it may take time or a lifetime to find such love that can overcome all.
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To be continued
While this is an entertaining follow up to season 1 of Joy of Life, the story and themes do not resonant as well this time around. There are simply too many threads and characters to follow that much of the season can feel like going from one plot point to another. The set up from the end of the first season is that the main antagonist for this season should be the Second Prince. And while the schemes and back and forth between Li Chengze and our lead Fan Xian can be interesting to watch, ultimately it all feels somewhat inconsequential since not enough time is spent on fleshing out our antagonist's character. He simply begins and ends this season the same person, and the audience does not learn any more about his motivations or see his struggles (if he has any). He, like the Eldest Princess, is simply crazy bad. Other characters are sorely underused such as Yan Bingyun or woefully underdeveloped (and unfortunately miscast) such as Ye Ling'er.The more interesting character is that of the Emperor of Qing, Fan Xian's true biological father. I suspect (as I have never read the very lengthy novel) that he will be the main antagonist in the final chapter. Chen Daoming as usual gives a masterful performance of the very complex character who keeps his true intentions close to himself.
This is all not to say I did not enjoy season 2 - I certainly did. Some of my favorite episodes involve the Spring Exam and the downfall of Prime Minister Lin and the scenes Fan Xian shares with the emperor. The middle chapter of any story can be challenging to adapt. There is no real beginning or end, and I feel that lack of narrative focus when I watch this. Everything deeper was already said quite well in season 1, and I was hoping for its own story to tell in this season. I get the sense that this season is more of a set up for the final one to come, and hopefully we all get a satisfying conclusion.
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Bold, epic with a slight stumble to the end
There is a lot to love about this drama - it is epic in scope and dares to tell a complicated tale not only of love but also of friendship, duty to one's country and respect for your fellow man (or woman). Above all, it features many complex characters that develop throughout, notably several strong female characters including our fearless female lead, Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shi Shi).Ren Xin, a former deputy leader of the Scarlet Guards of the State of An, is framed for the death of Empress Zhaojie and forced to reinvent her identity as Ren Ruyi. While on her own quest to avenge the Empress, Ruyi comes across Ning Yuanzhou (Liu Yuning), himself also the former deputy leader of the State of Wu's Liudao Pavilion (a sort of spy organization not dissimilar to An's Scarlet Guards), who is busy trying to leave the world of court politics behind. They find themselves working together and join the diplomatic entourage bearing special envoy Prince Li (who is actually Princess Yang Ying in disguise) to An to rescue the Emperor of Wu.
While the story may sound complicated on paper, it is actually quite easy to follow and watch, a testament to the strength of the show's writing and performances. Particularly in the first half of the drama, with the entourage's long journey as the framework for the show, we get a terrific balance of adventure, exciting fight sequences and character development. Under Ruyi and Yuan Zhou's guidance, Yang Ying (He Lan Dou) transforms from cowardly princess to steely prince in what is to me the most satisfying and interesting arc of the entire show. Along the way, we also get to know NYZ's gang: the pretty playboy Yu Shi Shan (a hilarious Alen Fang), kind and cheerful Yuan Lu (Chen You Wei), stoic and loyal Qian Zhao (Wang Yi Zhe), and lover of all furry things Sun Lang (Li Huan).
At midway, the drama sags a bit when Li Tong Guang (relative newcomer Chang Hua Sen) meets up with the rest of the cast as his character devolves into an injured puppy in what is probably the least desirable arc of the show - his obsession over his former master Ren Xin. I would not have minded a few episodes of this, as I understand what the writer was probably going for. Having suffered a difficult childhood and losing his mother and master during his youth, I can see why he would latch onto his master at their reunion, but 10 episodes of this is overwrought and threatens to undermine his character's development from boy to man and from general to de facto leader of a nation. Fortunately, LTG's scenes with Yang Ying towards the end of the drama somewhat salvage things for me. But it is a bit too little too late.
Then we have the final 6 episodes or so, which zoom by at a more frenzied pace, making one wish perhaps less time spent on obsessive LTG would have translated to a smoother build to the climax and a more satisfying conclusion. And while I enjoy Chu Yue's (and Chen Hao Yu's performance) scenes with Yu Shi Shan, from a writing standpoint the story did not really need her character in there to work. Personally, I would have liked the ending scene to have included YY and LTG instead. Looking at the narrative and characters, these two are the most affected by our main leads, and lacking a conclusion (or at least some kind of denouement) to their story is a disappointment.
Ultimately, however, the many merits of this drama outweigh the downsides, and this is one you do not want to miss for this year if only for the truly great creation of many strong, multifaceted female characters (including villains). If I had watched this before Story of Kunning Palace (to which I gave a 9), I probably would have rated Kunning lower, as this is by far the superior of the two recent costume dramas in terms of story, characters, performances and music.
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I enjoyed this one a lot when it came out in 2021. It's a great slow-burn romance, which might be frustrating to some because the leads do make mistakes initially. Their missteps threaten to undo their relationship altogether, but it's a journey worth watching as they learn to trust and love one another wholeheartedly. Additionally, great chemistry and acting from the leads, bolstered by a wonderful supporting cast and memorable soundtrack, help move the story along.It's not all about romance - life for a woman in the Ming dynasty is hard. The opening shot of the 1st episode lays out one of these main issues/themes: the difference between the legal wife/children and the "illegitimate". This plays out throughout the whole drama, with some to tragic ends and others with heartwarming journeys of redemption and reconciliation. Highly recommend, also a great one to rewatch.
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Missing, Longing, Yearning
This is a beautiful if tragic tale of the loss of innocence, betrayal and the eternal yearning for something to remind us we are alive, human and deserving of love. All the typical ingredients for a lavish sageuk poignantly performed by a terrific cast and a killer OST make this a standout Korean drama for this year. Definitely worth a watch for any lovers of period dramas, although it carries a heavy tone and more violence than most Korean dramas out there as a word of caution.Was this review helpful to you?
Cycle of darkness
This is a remake of the French show La Mante, which I never had the chance to watch. Judging this drama on its own terms, it is a serviceable police procedural and psychological thriller, but neither sub genre is truly explored in a satisfying manner. In fact, the show manages to make the police team main cast very unlikable for nearly the entire duration. Whether it is a lack of leadership from the chief to some genuinely annoying characters such as detective Bae, the police team spend a large amount of time displaying unusual incompetence and illogical decision-making skills.On the psychological front, there is an attempt to address the very real-world impact poverty and abuse can have on its victims, but I found it hard to connect with many of the characters emotionally - with the exception of perhaps Park Min Jae and of course our Queen Mantis herself, played with commanding presence by Go Hyun Jung. Unfortunately, I found the copycat killer reveal and story somewhat formulaic - I think trying to keep it a mystery box until the end without showing enough "clues" ahead of time made it difficult for me to believe it in the end. The set up of our male lead character was also lacking - I think if we were shown more of his youth/past and struggles with his hidden identity, I would have related more to him.
All in all, worth a check if you like the genre, but do not expect a truly gripping thriller. Also as a warning, there is plenty of gore and portrayal of abuse of many forms, including child abuse, so tread carefully there if that is an area of sensitivity for some viewers.
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Turning the tide of war
Set in WWII just after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Sunset Glory details the story behind the Doolittle Raid from both the US and Chinese points of view. It is a rare find in Chinese drama land, and for most of the 44 episodes, this is a well-produced, written and performed show. The spy storyline on the island drags a bit after the middle of the drama, but the story has a strong climax towards the end both in terms of the personal stories of the characters and in terms of the larger historical context. All in all, a great story of what is sacrificed in war - one's identity, humanity and sanity - and what mankind can do to turn the tides to end a war.If more time allowed, I would have preferred to see the pilots' rescue and aid from the Chinese afterwards in more detail rather than just with a montage and monologue over it, but perhaps that is another story to tell.
Of note, this is set during war times, so be prepared for difficult themes and scenes including rape, murder, etc.
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A detailed production (I especially love the costumes) and a satisfying if bittersweet ending help make this a worthy binge watch and re-watch.
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Learning to live
This drama has all the main elements of a typical romantic comedy, but it covers topics you may not expect to find. Overcoming a learning disability, navigating social norms and when life collides with them, and dealing with difficult family relationships are some of the main themes we get to dive into. Some moments are a bit over-the-top, and some story elements remain underdeveloped, but it's an overall pleasing watch compared to many rom coms out there.At the story's heart are two seemingly very different people from very different walks of life who connect deeply with each other - brought to life by Kimura Fumino and a surprisingly compelling Murakami Raul Maito. Bolstered by a strong soundtrack and a memorable supporting cast, this is one drama to check out this year if you love romantic comedy but with a poignant message (or several) attached to it.
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I've loved you for both lifetimes
This is a great romance drama - and it's been a while since I've watched a Japanese one in this genre that was so satisfying in terms of writing and chemistry. I have not yet watched the Korean original, but this one is an enjoyable watch from beginning to end, with a love story that has poignant moments and good old palpable romantic chemistry between the leads. The rebirth and psycho thriller elements involving the antagonists are well-incorporated into the story - just don't expect anything super extraordinary there in terms of writing. At least there is an attempt to make the villains more dimensional than most idol dramas. Definitely on the of the best for me this year in terms of Asian dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
The strength of women
One story split into two parts, this second half that follows Flourished Peony suffers somewhat from contradictory draggy parts and underdeveloped plot lines for an overall uneven effect. The production quality and performances are the same as the first part, but the defects in the story writing become more apparent here. The drama is blend of a serious historical drama with more idol drama elements, and while it may work for some seeking a story about women empowerment, the sometimes lack of realism made it hard for me to fully enter into the drama. Mudan is simply too capable and strong to believe, and blending her story with Jiang Chanyang's more political story elements is a bit awkward at the end, becoming a bit preachy and sentimental.However, Yang Zi, Li Xian and the rest of the cast put up some great performances throughout, making it worthwhile to finish this story. It is in the more domestic, intimate scenes between characters that this drama really shines. The costumes and sets are lush, and a pretty solid soundtrack accompanies in the background.
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Love and revenge
This is a very watchable short drama with a very straightforward story but done well with its limited budget. A satisfying revenge story with characters you can care about coupled with a romance that is done quite tastefully and actually has some palpable chemistry - these are elements that even standard-length period Chinese dramas often fail to achieve.Cristy Guo gives a solid performance as the complex Mo Qingchuan, and Zhou Zhan is perfectly cast as the younger Xia Qiguang, who makes a great counterbalance to Qingchuan's character with his earnestness and unyielding faith in a just, brighter world.
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A muddled missed opportunity
My, where to begin?With better direction, this drama probably could have been more watchable - there appears to be at times a certain lack of attention made to guiding the performances and to creating a sense of a cohesive work of art.
But the real problem lies with the script. It tries to combine various elements that are common in idol period dramas these days but not always with good storytelling results. As a rebirth drama, not enough time is spent on establishing the "previous life" upfront. One spends most of the drama simply not understanding Jiang Si's relationship to Yu Jin or why we should care about Nanwu. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the drama's first half - when the story focuses on the domestic struggles of our female lead. Seeing her save her father, brother and sister from the previous fates was somewhat satisfying and had some emotional weight. But by the second half, as the semi-political plot takes hold, everything is a bit of a mess. The villainous mother-daughter duo of Grand Princess and her whiny Mingyue simply are not well-developed enough to carry my attention, and the rebellion plot was wildly unrealistic.
As a romance story, this too could have worked for me better with a director experienced enough in helping the actors to shape their performances for the better. Jing Tian and Zhang Wanyi are both capable of delivering far more layered and convincing performances, so it is truly baffling and frustrating to me what happened in this show. With so many other period dramas out there, I would probably skip this one unless one is an uber fan of any of the cast.
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There is a running theme about putting on a show in this drama, and for much of the first half, it is certainly an entertaining one. Xue Fangfei is cruelly betrayed by her husband Shen Yurong, who buries her alive at the behest of psychotic Princess Wanning. From there, we follow Fangfei as she is rescued by the noble Jiang Li, who faces an unjust, untimely death and whose identity Fangfei assumes on her quest for revenge for the both of them. Along the way, she crosses paths with the powerful and intimidating Xiao Heng, who is on his own mission to clear the imperial court of corrupt officials and to seek justice for his father's wrongful death.This drama has a lot of similar beats and characteristics as The Story of Kunning Palace, and had I watched this one first, I may have rated it higher. Unfortunately, it is too much of the same thing and nothing much profound is developed. Expect a lot of juicy plot and not much on the side of multi-dimensional characters or logical world building. The problem for me with these types of dramas is that without spending the time to build a story, themes and characters, the end product tends to fall flat at the climax because it is ultimately "just a show" without much substance. For example, the final conflict with Prince Cheng feels unearned. More build up with his character and his collusion with the other antagonists (Shen Yurong and Wanning had so much more potential for something truly interesting) may have helped to make that storyline work.
At the end of the day, it was still an entertaining watch, especially if you are in the need to see the good guys win and trounce all the evil guys and gals out there.
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