What is Jianghu? This is Jianghu.
It didn't occur to me that the concept of Jianghu (江湖) is unique to the Chinese culture until recently when my friend asked us "what is Jianghu?" and I realised I had difficulty explaining it.
Indeed, what is Jianghu? It's not a venue, it's not a society/clubs/gangs, it's not a country, so what is it?
When people mentioned "Jianghu", we all knew what it meant - it is "somewhere" where people with martial arts ability from different walks of life meet each other. They fight for all sorts of reasons but principled and they are definitely have 义气 (another term that doesn't have an equivalence in English, closest translation is loyalty/brotherhood).
The Blood of Youth depicts such a Jianghu too. It also asked this question in one of the episodes. The answer gave was "Jianghu is where your heart desires." Indeed, the Jianghu in TBOY is what all the characters desire - Xiao Se desired for people who support and love him for who he is as a person and not after his status and/or position, Lei Wu Jie desired for improving his martial arts ability, etc.
TBOY is also about youth - the fervour that the characters have, the pain from the misunderstandings that they have about their parents and loved ones, the maturity after learning from their mistakes... this is exactly what youth is, it is loud and emotional, it is painful yet the joy and happiness experienced are also exhilarating. TBOY did such an excellent job until I would want to join their Jianghu and experienced youth together.
Amazing drama and I can't wait for Season 2.
(tried watching Dashing Youth but the pacing of the drama was a bit off...)
Indeed, what is Jianghu? It's not a venue, it's not a society/clubs/gangs, it's not a country, so what is it?
When people mentioned "Jianghu", we all knew what it meant - it is "somewhere" where people with martial arts ability from different walks of life meet each other. They fight for all sorts of reasons but principled and they are definitely have 义气 (another term that doesn't have an equivalence in English, closest translation is loyalty/brotherhood).
The Blood of Youth depicts such a Jianghu too. It also asked this question in one of the episodes. The answer gave was "Jianghu is where your heart desires." Indeed, the Jianghu in TBOY is what all the characters desire - Xiao Se desired for people who support and love him for who he is as a person and not after his status and/or position, Lei Wu Jie desired for improving his martial arts ability, etc.
TBOY is also about youth - the fervour that the characters have, the pain from the misunderstandings that they have about their parents and loved ones, the maturity after learning from their mistakes... this is exactly what youth is, it is loud and emotional, it is painful yet the joy and happiness experienced are also exhilarating. TBOY did such an excellent job until I would want to join their Jianghu and experienced youth together.
Amazing drama and I can't wait for Season 2.
(tried watching Dashing Youth but the pacing of the drama was a bit off...)
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