Reviews

Clever, cruel, and hilarious—Joy of Life is political drama done right

Joy of Life presents itself as a clever political drama wrapped in humor and time-travel intrigue — but beneath its sharp dialogue and playful protagonist lies a darker, more unsettling truth: life is terrifyingly cheap in this world. Especially for those without power.

What’s shocking — and oddly amusing— is how casually sons of noble families and princes treat human life. Staff, guards, even long-time allies can be discarded at a moment’s notice. "Kill him." "Take care of his family." These lines are uttered with the same ease one might order tea. If I had a dime for every time a noble gave that command, I’d have enough to fund a comfortable little estate of my own. And honestly, it makes you wonder — was there ever a budget set aside for compensating the families of the fallen? Or was that too much paperwork? Too much conscience?

It’s not cruelty — it’s logistics. Life and death are business transactions, collateral damage in the endless chess match of political survival. This ruthlessness isn’t hidden in shadows. It’s front and center, normalized to the point of absurdity. No one bats an eye when an entire household is wiped out to silence a rumor or protect a secret. The irony is thick: in a court so obsessed with appearances and rules, the easiest thing to get rid of is a human being.

And yet, what elevates Joy of Life beyond pure cynicism is the way it handles its characters. The cast is absolutely flawless. Their acting is superb. Everyone — from Fan Xian to the minor ministers lurking in the background — brings nuance and depth to roles that could have easily turned into caricatures. There are so many standout performances, but the one that intrigued me the most is Li Chengze, the Second Prince. He's one of, if not the most fascinating character, who embodies JOL's chilling duality to the fullest.

He’s a masterpiece of contradictions: eccentric, insolent and often barefoot, with a crooked smile that feels more like a warning than a welcome. Beneath his charm and the apparent indolent exterior is a mind that calculates swiftly and kills cleanly. There’s always an eerie calm about him, as if he’s ten steps ahead in a game only he fully understands. His unpredictability makes him terrifying — and unforgettable. You’re never sure whether he’s amused, offended, or quietly orchestrating someone’s execution. And when he says “take care of it” no one dares ask what that means.

Fan Xian, our modern-minded protagonist, walks this tightrope with a constant awareness of this world's cruelty. His charm, wit, and sarcasm are his shields — but he sees the rot. He’s surrounded by characters who are brilliant and monstrous in equal measure, and he’s all too aware that power doesn’t just corrupt — it kills. Sometimes with elegance. Sometimes with a smile.

What makes Joy of Life so gripping is that it doesn’t sensationalize these killings. It treats them as part of the world’s logic. That’s what’s truly haunting. There is no justice system in the way we expect it. There’s only survival, maneuvering, and choosing whether to kill or be killed.

And yet, Joy of Life isn’t devoid of emotion. That’s where it cuts the deepest. When someone does die, especially someone Fan Xian truly cares about, the grief feels suffocating. Not because the death is surprising — but because we always knew it was coming. This world doesn’t allow for mercy. Loyalty is a death sentence. Compassion is a liability.

It’s this emotional dissonance — this coexistence of amusement and horror — that makes Joy of Life so powerful. You laugh, then you flinch. You admire the strategy, then mourn the cost. It’s a reminder that in a world ruled by ruthless power and noble egos, a human life is worth less than a secret, a mistake, or a whisper.

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a beautiful happy ending

Things that i liked the most about this drama are how the fl and ml always had each other's backs, reasonable actions, a real dramatic climax that was built well, well written character, a beautiful happy ending with a proper wedding AND 3 CHILDREN!

the MC went up against an enemy much more powerful than them combined, so honestly if they actually managed to defeat him just with their strengths alone, i would've been surprised. though it felt like he had some infinite life glitch in the last episode. thankfully in one drama finally they logically brought down the higher powers to deal with the villains instead. even for a xianxia which usually most dramas do illogical stuff, this one had concrete reasons for almost everything.

the crown prince was obsessed with fl but not without a reason, he also fell for her slowly n not abruptly. the way fl fell for ml in her 2nd life was also understandable, just as how the ml fell for his master was very convincing. as for the original mu qingge, id like to think that she never fell for her disciple until her rebirth without her memories when she fell for her master and she accepted it when she regained her memories long after that. the 2fl was an annoying b, but she was greedy n greed has no explanation. i understand her actions but i dont sympathize with her at all, however i find her ending fitting and well deserved. she had done way too much evil to just die like that. 2ml had a fitting end too.
all too often we see that there's a horde of miscommunication and misunderstanding between the mc, but this one had none of it. both had mutual sacrifices and a lot of love for each other. they were ready to die for the other but fought harder to live with the other. not even the amnesia plot felt like a trope. this one didn't have some noble idiocy with unnecessary sacrifice and i am so thankful for it. like most xianxia dramas thia one also had the self righteous heavenly sects n ill reputed demon sect, however it wasn't as extreme in this drama.
i liked the side stories, the teamwork and unity between characters.

as for the acting, it was my first time watching julia xiang, she was decent enough. deng wei didn't disappoint as always. however the villain's performance did fall short in my opinion, i dont know why. 2ml was very good too. 2fl got my blood to boil but that was mostly because of how her character was. the original 2fl performed better than the reborn 2fl from what i saw.

fl was a white character, and to some extent a one dimensional character without much growth. the ml however was a very grey character, but he had a lot of character growth. 2ml was also very grey, borderline dark, he had a negative growth. 2fl was just evil through and through, she didn't even have the worst backstory or tragic life for her to do the things she did just out of jealousy and greed. wei jiu for a supposedly negative character, was actually not bad. even its actor did very well. he had growth and he was less grey than 2ml. his love story was downplayed but it was still satisfying to see him get his happy ending.

now on to the negatives, this did feel sort of long. some scenes kind of felt repetitive in the middle and dragged out a bit. the story of their first life was very necessary to show how he fell for her so it took the right amount of time. but the second life with her amnesia did feel a bit stretched out even after she fell for him. maybe an episode or 2 could've been saved. it was slow overall. the ending was perfect. the climax was good, took the necessary amount of time and delivered a fitting ending.

production and editing was actually very good. costumes were gorgeous in some scenes, particularly for the ml. the music was nothing worth remembering but at least it wasn't annoying.

overall it was a great watch. i suggest watching it for sure. it isnt at all overrated. deserves the rating it got. deserves more recognition.

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Amnesia four times is insane

a book on not to trusting people disguised as a love story, badly written and executed without enough substance to even fill 16 episodes but they made 20.

what I liked:
the ML actor is just so good at what he does.
the little seconds when they genuinely loved each other and no one was stabbing anyone in the back.
all the actors killed it
what I HATED:
I hated how dirty he was and how he was basically a gigolo, how cold he was at the begining and it lasted way to long. They keep breaking up and coming back together like they have nothing to show and just keep teasing us. They still didn't make up their minds to be together even by episode 9. They show a resolution only to take it away in the next 30mins. He still loved the horrible woman after all she did to him. It was over the top with music and slowly showing scenes to waste time. They broke up and got back together like 3 times already by episode 9. Oh and the little 11 months hiatus in the middle like whyyyyy.The love story was too weak for how cringy the camera angels and music and all the melodrama extra stuff got thank God they toned it down after episode 10. I loved how unconditional her love for him was, in the begining. Nothing fazes her and she was so smart.

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I was hooked!

Drowning Love hit different IMO. At first, I was loving the vibe with the soft, detached mood, but then things went bad fast — and I wasn’t ready for that.


The return of the attemped rapist character? Mate, I had to pause the movie. It made me SO mad. But honestly, that anger just added to how intense the movie is. It drags you through everything, even making you feel all the rage and heartbreak. Also the casting was really good! The characters are both fine and I love how they made the attempted rapist character more ugly than them 2 😋

The whole time, you’re drawn to Kou — he’s this intense, almost like yk mysterious presence that you can’t stop watching. The fire dancing scene, where it’s unclear if he’s even really there. It’s like you’re feeling the emotional chaos more than actually seeing what’s happening.

and the thing with Kou, man… by the end of it, you’re left wondering if he actually died. The movie doesn’t outright say it, but the way everything shifts after that makes it feel like he’s gone. Natsume’s whole tone in the end, how she’s reflecting, almost like she’s mourning someone who isn’t coming back — it hits hard.

The OST was another highlight. The music fits perfectly with the vibes — it really complements the emotional intensity of the film. It adds to the dream-like atmosphere while also pulling you back into the harshness of reality when it needs to. I even downloaded Chasing Kou!!!

I’m not someone who usually sits through an entire movie without getting distracted, but this one? It had me hooked the whole time. The story is really clear and easy to follow, even with all the emotional stuff. And even though I was angry, confused, and sad, it still gets 10 stars. That’s how you know it’s a good film...when it makes you feel everything, good and bad.

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Not boring! It's a series, not a 3-movie.

I watched both the cut version on ONE31 channel and the uncut version on IQIYI (It's also on YouTube for the first episode only).

For those who don't know, I feel like the cut version is straightforward without the scenes like when Khanin was having his moments of sadness and anger after he found out about his real identity. The cut version also has no scenes of cute and sweet moments between Khanin and his foster dad since he was young. So people who did not watch these scenes might not feel the strong bond they had and maybe not even feel sympathy for Khanin's feelings on what happened.

But even without these scenes, I feel it is still good enough to capture my attention. Mind you, when i was watching the cut version on ONE31 channel, there was no subtitles so I could have lost focus or whatever but it was so easy to understand as someone who does not understand Thailand language.

I think what makes me so glued to the screen is the production and cinematography. Even the acting is good. This series production looks way better than many others that I have watched. It feels like I am watching a movie.

Movies will be much more fast pace because movies are like 3 hours long so they will have to make sure it captures viewer's attention for 3 hours straight. So the scenes need to be good, easy to understand, and straightforward with drama, of course.

On the other hand, for drama series, it will be slower paced, and I find the pacing for the first episode is good enough. Not too dragged out or boring. I am unsure why some people are saying it's boring for a first episode, but like, this first episode is just a start, to explain whats going on in the main characters' life and what brings them together. It's showing how the two main characters met. How do you want the episode to be?

Like reading a book, it always explains slowly what is going on in the main characters' life, and then something happens and they meet and yada yada. They, of course, didn't suddenly fall in love and get married. Then the book will be like, a 2-page book lmao.

So same goes for series; it should not have super crazy things going on because if the first episode is already super crazy, how are they going to maintain that throughout the 14 episodes? Remember, this is a series and it is meant to have this kind of pacing. There's ups and downs for each episode. This is not a movie that have to be crazy throughout the 3 hours.

Other than that, I feel like the actors are doing great. I know for sure the action scenes are not easy to film. To remember the choreography for the fighting scenes, where the camera is going to be, making sure no one is hurt, etc. Not an easy thing to do. And when Khanin cried when he found out about his real identity and that his father is not his biological father, I cried my eyes out. That scene gets me every time, even if I rewatch it numerous times.

Anyway, the gunshot at the end is already a suspenseful and dramatic scene, so if you still find that boring and you are not curious about what is going to happen in the next few episodes, I don't know if you should be watching drama series. Maybe try movies instead, just a suggestion. Oh, let me guess, maybe you are not into books, too.

People who don't appreciate art, the facial expressions of actors, little gestures, and innuendos scare me. Are you here just to watch a series with dramatic things going on every second, or what? Is your life that 'boring'? My goodness. Just learn to enjoy the production, quality of sets, the outfit choices, the sceneries, the acting etc. Be more appreciative of their work.

It's not easy to come up with these while you are here spewing your one cent because you find it 'boring' and it doesn't suit your taste that always wants something tragic to happen lmao.

I also saw someone said this episode is too rushed. So, which one is correct? Boring or rushed? LOL We can never satisfy everyone, huh?

Anyway, I really cannot wait to watch the next episode! I am so curious and eager to watch the scenes they film at the castle (or mansion?). Oh, and on their way to the destination, what could happen? The 2 main characters will have the whole episode to try and bond with each other while trying to survive, right? I am so thrilled! Oh, and the outfits? Royal outfits! I am so excited to see the outfits. Can't wait!

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FEEL GOOD DRAMA?

Such a wholesome and heartwarming watch🩷.
The countryside vibes, friendships, and family ties felt so real❤️.
It’s simple, yet it hits you emotionally in the best way🩷.
The characters grow on you and leave a lasting impact❤️.
A sweet reminder to find joy in the little things life gives us🩷

What makes this drama special is its simplicity🩷. There’s no unnecessary rush, no forced drama—just heartfelt storytelling😍. The characters feel real, like people you’d meet in your own life❤️. Their struggles, friendships, and moments of quiet growth are relatable and touching🩷. You’ll smile at their little joys and maybe even tear up during their silent heartbreaks❤️.

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oww, uhhh... alright

this was bad, terrible, unenjoyable, etc.

The chemistry is there but again, for me, if they can't act or at least they don't have a good plot, the chemistry won't even matter.

A lot of nc, not a good story, the second couple is terrible and one of the main reasons why I don't like this series. their acting is so cringy, their story is bad, no chemistry at all😭 please give those girls acting classes.

now, the main couple, there were moments where I liked the acting but the story It's just mid 😭 definitely the main thing here is the fanservice. I don't have a problem with SOME FANSERVICE, but when the production makes that the main points, it's definitely going to ruin the whole series, because they don't focus on a good story, not even if their actors are keeping the same poses for the next scenes, the lighting doesn't matter, editing it's going to be mid, they only focus on the nc scenes and that makes the series bad.

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Spoiler ahead!!

This movie is too good, ive rewatched it two times thats how good it is. Its a mix of genre's despite that its still good, ive never seen this kind of plot before. The acting is so good actor Austin Lin portrayed it so well and also Greg Hsu. The ending is too bad though i wish we couldve gotten a reincarnation as the characters said throughout the movie about getting a reincarnation. They should create a second movie about maomao reincarnating and the officer finding him. The ending is what dissapoints me 😔. This movie is good and a must watch if you like a mix of genre.

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Season two of My Day: Stayed for FifthZeke

This is the second season of My Day and honestly, I had mixed feelings going into it. They replaced Aki Torres with Teejay Marquez as one of the leads due to some management issues, which I get but continuing the story with a totally different actor just didn’t sit right with me. It totally ruined the whole seasons.

It kind of felt like they poured a lot of resources into something that didn’t quite land. The chemistry between Miko and Teejay just wasn’t there for me, and even though they’re supposed to be the main couple, their screen time felt limited. I couldn't really connect with them.

The main reason I stuck around was for Fifth and Zeke. Their chemistry was on point, and I really enjoyed watching how their story unfolded. They totally carried the series for me.

There were also a few characters that felt kind of... random? Like they were added in just to give someone a role, not because they added anything meaningful to the plot.

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Soft, Healing & Full of Feels?

This drama was such a comfort watch😍. The Oath of Love gave me all the soft, cozy vibes I didn’t know I needed🩷. It’s not over-the-top or dramatic—it’s just a beautiful, slow-burn love story that feels real and super heartwarming❤️.

Xiao Zhan as Dr. Gu Wei? Perfect❤️. He nailed the quiet, caring, slightly awkward doctor role and made it so easy to fall for him🥺❤️. His chemistry with Yang Zi was natural and sweet—their relationship felt healthy, respectful, and genuine. No cringe, just pure softness🩷.

What I loved most? It gave me hope🥺🫂. Even when life gets messy with family, health, and career stuff, this drama reminds you that love and healing are possible. It’s full of positive vibes, and I was honestly smiling through most of it🩷.

Also, the visuals were clean and pretty, the OST was super calming, and the whole vibe🩷? Just feel-good energy🩷

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NOT SO SPOOKY BUT TOTALLY CUTE

I’m usually not into ghost stories because they tend to feel sad, but after watching the first episode of this series with everyone partying and drinking, I decided to give it a shot. Haunted Hearts is actually a cute BL ghost series that takes place over a short period of time. The plot is so unique and definitely interesting. One thing, I liked it is there are only few casts on it so it is easy to follow.

That said, it was pretty entertaining! I wasn’t bored at all and really enjoyed it especially whenever Gina the ghost showed up. It’s an easy, fun watch with great cinematography. The actors did a solid job too. Marc Alonzo (who plays Magic) is super cute and charming, while Larence Brenches (Jack) has that cool, laid-back vibe.

Where to watch: YouTube (Oxin Films)

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