Short and Sweet
Summary:
Nominated for the 7th Cannes Series Festival in 2024, To the Wonder follows Li Wen Xiu, an aspiring writer who moves back to her mom's provision store after experiencing obstacles in the city. There, she meets Batay and experiences the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes of Xinjiang as she bonds with Kazakh nomads.
Pros:
The cinematography is one of the most compelling parts of the drama; it features lots of long shots to showcase the vast sceneries in Xinjiang in all kinds of seasons as well as the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the ethnic people. Words alone cannot capture the drama’s essence, and it’s one of the works where every frame is worthy of being a wallpaper. In terms of story, it's definitely not the strongest in comparison with “typical” dramas, its unhurried pacing is fitting for its length and leaves a lasting emotional impact. Furthermore, all types of character dynamics and relationships were explored (my favourite was definitely the friendship between Wen Xiu, Tuo Ken, and Ku Lan), which invokes a powerful sense of warmth, community, and belonging.
Cons:
There is a minor plot hole: although Li Wen Xiu only moved away at 19 for a few months, when she came back it seemed as if she was unfamiliar with the place despite the fact that she supposedly grew up there. Fortunately, this doesn’t significantly impact your viewing experience.
Overall Thoughts:
I started watching To the Wonder after seeing edits made by @_moonlitframes on Tiktok, and it quickly drew me in. The drama feels deeply authentic and reflecting, making me appreciate both the setting and its people more. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short, thoughtfully crafted drama!
Nominated for the 7th Cannes Series Festival in 2024, To the Wonder follows Li Wen Xiu, an aspiring writer who moves back to her mom's provision store after experiencing obstacles in the city. There, she meets Batay and experiences the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes of Xinjiang as she bonds with Kazakh nomads.
Pros:
The cinematography is one of the most compelling parts of the drama; it features lots of long shots to showcase the vast sceneries in Xinjiang in all kinds of seasons as well as the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the ethnic people. Words alone cannot capture the drama’s essence, and it’s one of the works where every frame is worthy of being a wallpaper. In terms of story, it's definitely not the strongest in comparison with “typical” dramas, its unhurried pacing is fitting for its length and leaves a lasting emotional impact. Furthermore, all types of character dynamics and relationships were explored (my favourite was definitely the friendship between Wen Xiu, Tuo Ken, and Ku Lan), which invokes a powerful sense of warmth, community, and belonging.
Cons:
There is a minor plot hole: although Li Wen Xiu only moved away at 19 for a few months, when she came back it seemed as if she was unfamiliar with the place despite the fact that she supposedly grew up there. Fortunately, this doesn’t significantly impact your viewing experience.
Overall Thoughts:
I started watching To the Wonder after seeing edits made by @_moonlitframes on Tiktok, and it quickly drew me in. The drama feels deeply authentic and reflecting, making me appreciate both the setting and its people more. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short, thoughtfully crafted drama!
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