Drama critique. Too much money to the actor and not enough money in production. The cable work is horrible. The actors look terrified even when they have to port down off a stone. That poor little girl in Ep. 5 (40.03) looked like she was on a carnival ride. Arghhhh.
This is a hybrid wuxia/xainxa drama used to tell the story of a person moving from being a mortal to being an immortal. Adaptation of the storyline to this artform is going well (so far). At the center of this drama is the cultivation of a hero.
Other artforms used to tell this very cultivation story are a Donghua and the Novel. Each mode has its own rules of engagement - all have high points and low points as it relates to the telling of the story. Best to not expect too much from any of the forms nor try to get novel blood from a drama stone.
If you want to be visually entertained and enjoy learning about cultivation along the way then watch the Drama. If you want an emersive visually saturated detail driven story version that includes romance then watch the Donghua. If you want to learn how to cultivate from human to immortal then read the novel.
Drama: right here right now - The Immortal Ascension
Donghua: seach 'donghua a record of an immortal's journey to immortality'
Novel: search Record of a Mortal's Cultivation (by Wang Yu)
Would not say this drama is for everyone's enjoyment but if you know you know. This wuxia/xianxia hybrid wonder starts to fill in the dynastic drama gaps of both genres and I am all in. Finding TIA exhilarating and 'spellbinding' in the geeky amount and depth of paced detail put into the cultivation aspects of the storytelling.
The writing adaptation in this drama is a standout as it cultivates the viewers' nascent xianxia as an artform drama souls without compromising on entertainment value. In a refreshing framework of seeking to be immortal and continuing to act mortal, the writing is offering layer after layer of breadcrumbing brilliance that is often not tied to the visuals requiring the viewer to pay careful undivided and divided attention to the story line.
Also love the ML wuxia by accident element - 'out of necessity', happenstance, or convenience - which also calls to the complexity of mortal manifestations mirrored against hero intent.
Finally, Yang Yang doing Yang Yang is itself a wonder. Acting is solid enough to be believable and this man moves from not handsome to kinda maybe handsome to blindingly handsome like a visual kaleidoscope. I like that the director/production paid no attention to shooting from his 'good side'. Its like having 5 ML heros and/or drama bfs all at once.
Slowly the cases are becoming more abrupt. Especially the deducing and solving part. In fact, in the novel, the…
Jumping for certain. Can be seen and felt. Still enjoying the heck out of it. The cases are interesting and the relationship between leads is adorably sweet and affectionate (which for now feels refreshing). Still make the argument that Ao Rui Peng needs to eat more noodles. Would be even better if his face was at least the same size as the FL. 😂
Spider scene. Have not laughed that hard, loud, and long for forever. Really enjoyed the FL and ML acting. People here on MDL recommended this drama for a good funny brain vacation and I am glad I followed their lead. Recommended.
I am also not fan of ARP because of childish personality character but he is ok here and his acting improved compared…
Am not - not a fan of ARP - he hits me so so to the point that I do not give it much thought either way. Will not avoid something he is in cause he is in it. And, I do agree with you - his acting has improved.
Am enjoying this one. Like the pace and mystery. The FL is a good actress and I think she is doing her role justice. Enjoy the ML. Actor is not my fav though he rarely dissapoints just the same (Moonlight 'madness' was not his fault). For some reason he never hits me as handsome - maybe cause I still think he needs to eat more noodles.
This is more than just watchable. Not a fan of the mini dramas though this one did not disappoint. The FL actress…
Not sure I am overstating that Na Yi appears to be having a good acting start. She strikes me as having real talent. That and I do hope they leave her nose alone.
This is more than just watchable. Not a fan of the mini dramas though this one did not disappoint. The FL actress was good. Na Yi is someone to watch out for. In fact, the acting in general and the tight story line are surprisingly solid with few exceptions. Recommended.
Well written review. Agree with and appreciate most of your comments. I too came for the ML and given that his acting held up I stayed till the end. Would I recommend this drama - absoluitely no (never).
Other artforms used to tell this very cultivation story are a Donghua and the Novel. Each mode has its own rules of engagement - all have high points and low points as it relates to the telling of the story. Best to not expect too much from any of the forms nor try to get novel blood from a drama stone.
If you want to be visually entertained and enjoy learning about cultivation along the way then watch the Drama. If you want an emersive visually saturated detail driven story version that includes romance then watch the Donghua. If you want to learn how to cultivate from human to immortal then read the novel.
Drama: right here right now - The Immortal Ascension
Donghua: seach 'donghua a record of an immortal's journey to immortality'
Novel: search Record of a Mortal's Cultivation (by Wang Yu)
The writing adaptation in this drama is a standout as it cultivates the viewers' nascent xianxia as an artform drama souls without compromising on entertainment value. In a refreshing framework of seeking to be immortal and continuing to act mortal, the writing is offering layer after layer of breadcrumbing brilliance that is often not tied to the visuals requiring the viewer to pay careful undivided and divided attention to the story line.
Also love the ML wuxia by accident element - 'out of necessity', happenstance, or convenience - which also calls to the complexity of mortal manifestations mirrored against hero intent.
Finally, Yang Yang doing Yang Yang is itself a wonder. Acting is solid enough to be believable and this man moves from not handsome to kinda maybe handsome to blindingly handsome like a visual kaleidoscope. I like that the director/production paid no attention to shooting from his 'good side'. Its like having 5 ML heros and/or drama bfs all at once.