Alegria da Vida (2019)

Welcome to Dystopia

I started watching Joy of Life because of it's epic reviews on MDL. It's rare that a title gets a consistent ranking of 9. Also, I was in hospital and on bedrest so I had nothing else to do. This is a drama that started very very slowly. So slowly in fact that I got a bit bored mid way and watched a few other shows before I went back to it (determined to give it a shot given its high ratings online). I think it only started to pick up after the 30th or so episode.

The cinematography of this show is incredible. Props to the Director and Cinematography team. The colour scheme and music they chose gives you an idea of what to expect. It's overall moody and foreboding and has an almost eerie air. Nothing is as it seems. Suspect everything. Trust no one. I feel that I was in perpetual late autumn / winter in this show. It has a very dark, dystopic aura about it.

Fan Xian is an extremely erudite, precocious and arrogant character. He's smart, but he's not that likeable. To be honest, not many people in this show are likeable. If I have to choose one person to like it's the Emperor. It took me a while to get used to Fan Xian's face and character as it's not normally the sort of face you will see in period dramas. But then this is not your typical period drama. This is in an altogether alternate reality.

I love dramas with smart, witty leads and Fan Xian is no exception (except he's arrogant and not that likeable). He was able to counteract most of the attacks against him. What I didn't like was the weakness of the FL (can we call her that? Maybe just Fan Xian's love interest). With the current trend gearing towards strong FLs who are equal, if not better than the MLs, I was surprised by how weak Lin Wan'Er was. Maybe they will surprise us in the second season. All she does is spend her time cooped up in her room because she's sick with TB (and recovering now thanks to Fan Xian). She sits around pining for him, hoping to see him next or else lying in bed coughing. I really wished that she could be stronger and solve crimes and face challenges with Fan Xian. That would really make me like the second season. Instead she's constantly playing the damsel in distress, waiting for Fan Xian to save her.

I was honestly surprised and disappointed by her character since the entire premise of the show was based on Fan Xian's own mother who everyone revered as ahead of her time. If it's so girl power - how come Lin Wan'Er is so weak? Maybe they will flesh out her character in the next season. I felt that the entire show was written by men, for men (pretending to be feminist but cannot really understand women) and a quick glance at the director, executive producer and writer proved me right.

Overall it's an extremely intelligent show (apart from the very obvious issues of the weak FL) with a fantastic soundtrack (I was happily surprised to hear Li Jian singing the opening song). I surprised myself by actually rating it so highly (because I really don't like Fan Xian that much) but I must say the plot twists and turns (towards the end) kept me going and hooked. This drama really stands out on its own. You'll be hard pressed to find another show like this.

If this series was a beverage it would be whiskey served neat. Not easily enjoyable, but if you like it, you really will.

Leia Mais

Joy of Life Season 1 is an amazing work of art

This first season is full of intrigue it’s very interesting and has heartfelt emotional story plots the action scenes are brilliant and outstanding it’s very well written the actors are very talented this is well worth watching its amazing brilliant has awesome fight scenes great character acting there’s something for everyone and some beautiful landscapes cinematically this is beautiful to watch it’s a work of art I loved this I cannot wait to see season 2 released on 30th of November 2023 available on WeTV and Viki Rankutan Tv apps and Tencent video app there is also talk of a season 3 in the pipeline possibly in November 2023 or 2024

Leia Mais

Great Chinese Period Drama

This drama is beautifully done from every perspective, ecept the cliffhanger ending that seemed to promise a sequel. It feels like the writer was promoting a sequel or maybe just wanted to be mysterious. Zhang Ruo Yun (Fan Xian) and Li Qun ( Lin Wan’er) make a compelling and adorable onscreen couple. I can't leave out everyone's favorite, XIAO ZHAN (Yan Bing Yun) addint some romantic competition for Fan Xian. I would recommend any drama that contained any one of those actors. As seems to be his choice, Zhang Ruo Yun selects parts that are unpredictable and dramas that leave you wondering. This wonderful, cultural, period piece along with the great cast, acting skill, and gorgeous cinematograhy makes this a must watch.

Leia Mais

Its a show which is great at political intrigue and fascinating complicated schemes. All else though has a lot to be desired. Mostly it suffers from unnecessary extra plot lines like romance and some really shallow supernatural elements.

The cliche of protag is always right and everyone accepts and follows him really makes this drama boring. It just devolves into a power fantasy. At first at least he had a friend.

- Romance -

In the beginning the story starts with a heavy influence of a romantic sub plot. Unfortunately, later when the ML gets the girl, the girl becomes a meaningless show piece which turns up for small glimpses. The girl is also really meaningless in the whole scheme of things and ends up as a cliche pawn for others' use.

I do think having a harem would have tantalized this or if the main girl was a lot more active, apart from her supposed beauty. But beauty is subjective, as I found the actress not special at all, completely undeserving of the role. Almost all other love interests around ML were far more beautiful actresses, who would actually even help the ML and be more meaningful part of his life.

- The World -

The overall world also gets a back seat, we don't get much clarity of what the country is about, how it is organized, who it borders etc. Rather we get one or two lines thrown here and there about some front line, some province etc.

- Martial Aspect -

The martial power levels are loosely defined, actually only the the top 3 are ever mentioned throughout. Apart from some supernatural differences of the top level, nothing is clear. Out of thin air the protag mentions a breakthrough but of what, constitutes of what or to what end is never described.

- Story Background -

The story describes the nature of ML and his mysterious mother in a way which in my opinion is similar to shooting oneself dead:

"The past humankind actually died in a high tech era from a Great Ice Age, meaning thousands of years from now. Then this race came about and progressed much like ours till the state in the drama, against infinitely incalculable odds, the world after millions of years, went in the same trajectory as before!"

This supernatural aspect was a botched attempt. I guess, the author realized its premature nature and didn't immediately follow it through as well but its position in the plot made the TV production also unable to move it around.

All the improbabilities to impossibly making the world like ancient China. Even though this mankind is completely different from the humans of past like our ML.

But I understand from experience that rarely Chinese novel authors ever give attention to world details as long as things seem fantastical.

- Overall -

The second half only has its schemes that keep it interesting, there is no strong overarching goal. This is essentially a slice of life drama where we look at how the lead lives his life without any main goal or definite end to attain.

Still this drama, if you care to ignore all its fallacies, is a good one time watchable affair.

Leia Mais

The Masterpiece that is Joy of Life

First off I must say I gave this drama 10 stars rating at completion, but due to the score I gave for music at this review, overall rating got pulled down to 9....

There are already soooo many reviews praising this drama on its plot and script (well deserved praises!!!), so I thought I would go in a different direction, and talk on a few points that few would have talked on.

THE CAST
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There are some dramas where there is cast magic (eg: Guardian, Ashes of Love, Once Upon a Time in Ling Jian Mountain), even if the cast magic did not captivate you at first, it works into your heart by middle of drama (eg: Scarlet Heart, Untamed, Love & Destiny)-- Joy of Life is the rare cdrama masterpiece that lacks this. Other then Chen Dao Ming and Wu Gang, the rest including the leading actors felt replaceable.... I love Zhang Ruo Yun! First saw him in Novoland Sky Castle 1 and fell in love with his ice-cold portrayal of the prince. But.... although he performed much better here, and JOL is also a much better drama, I would be remembering him as Feng Tian Yi from Novoland. Maybe it is personal taste, but the cast magic failed to captivate me. Somehow Zhang Ruo Yun does not "own" Fan Xian as much as he did as Feng Tian Yi. Even Tian Yu who put up an excellent performance as Wang Qi Nian did not "own" his role too. For me, only Chen Dao Ming (Emperor of Qing) and Wu Gang (Director Chen Ping Ping) stood out.

Acting wise, everyone is at top game!! Just a few supporting actors who were a bit weak, but nothing that would spoil your enjoyment of the drama ;)

THE MUSIC
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The background music can be quite off-putting at the beginning, for about the first 10, 13 eps. I wish it could have been less... but I guess the production team wanted to emphasize on the fun and comedic moments. This was why I dropped JoL initially -_-" Was excited when I saw Zhang Ruo Yun is leading this, watched it and dropped around ep 4 ~ 6 because I couldn't stomach the bgm..... All the rave reviews and high praise brought me back to this, and I AM VERY GLAD I persisted.

This is an excellent drama: with dynasty politics and schemes that make sense and do not felt too exaggerated, and I especially admire the finale eps. Director and scriptwriter are too good-- after relaxing the pace in the 3rd and 2nd last ep, filling these with extra scenes that are entertaining but adds no value to plot development, they suddenly gear up and gave us a punch-in-guts finale ep! Some might hate this (lol) but I especially love it! The impact of what they want to leave us with, to look forward to Season 2, felt especially sharp by relaxing the pace to comedy and self-reflection (you will understand this when you watch the drama), then sudden "fireworks" at the ending. Not sure if I'm making sense here, not quite sure how to express that ending in words. Looking forward to Season 2 ^^

Leia Mais

Highly humorous and secrets keep unraveling...

This drama was highly humorous. I watched it a second time and added this first paragraph. After five years, I could not remember many of the sub-plots while watching season 2. Season 2 made a lot of references to events in season 1. Then I realised how good this drama was. Exchanges were witty and the characters were scheming enough. I kept wonder what Fan Xian was going to do next when sabotaged.

If you are reading this review to figure out whether you should watch this period drama, I say I highly recommend it. It had all the hygiene factors of an excellent drama - interesting story, excellent acting, handsome lead actors, pretty actresses, lovely costumes, beautiful cinematography and melodious theme songs - elements that many contemporary Chinese dramas exhibit. The story around the lead character was mysterious. Things were always not what it seemed to be. Just as the story unveiled a perpetrator behind the assassination of Fan Xian, another revelation was uncovered. This is only season 1, and the story ended at less than the mid-point of the story.

However, if you are watching this because of Xiao Zhan, then you might be disappointed. He only appeared towards the last few episodes and he was a far cry from his outstanding performance in the Untamed. The role in this story did not suit him at all. The character was like a block of wood and did not give him the chance to perform his best. It is likely he would appear in future seasons and I hope he does better.

Chinese dramas can be very creative but in general tend to demonstrate a lot of weaknesses in the stories as well. In this drama, the link of the story to the writer and professor was quite redundant. Even if this link was removed, the drama could have proceeded well, so creating this link was really not necessary.

The actress playing the part of Fan Xiao's mother was a rather poor fit. When the episode showed her coming out of the mysterious temple, I was expecting the dramatic appearance of someone exceptionally beautiful and intelligent, but was rather disappointed to find a seemingly silly teenage girl with crooked teeth. She might have done well in a role of a bubbly teenage girl but did not fit the important role of Fan Xian's mum who was to have an immense impact on the politics and a highly successful business woman. Since it was a very short appearance, it seemed like she was just conveniently roped in - perhaps the more established actresses do not want the role.

I think details in the stories are something that Chinese dramas need to work on to perfect their dramas. Even successful epics often demonstrate illogical bits, highly stretched parts that do not gel together well or scenes conveniently thrown together to make the story progress as desired. Someone needs to fine-combed through the scripts to sieve out these bits without dampening the story, or better still, enhance it.

Leia Mais

I really like chinese historical series and it's been a while since I watched one. Because this had such a high rating, I thought of giving it a go. Let's start off with what I liked. The plot/story is good with logical explanation and not so cliche scenes. And it was bearable till the end of the drama.

Now coming to what I did not like. The characters are so short lived except for the main ones. They will start showing a guy and lots of talk about how great or powerful he is and then boom dead or gone or don't appear again. And Few important roles have very limited screen time such as the female lead. And Romance. There is absolutely no chemistry between the leads and I still wonder who really is the female lead. And as the drama progresses, there is just lot of talking about the scheme and it doesn't give you that kick. And for the main character just blurts out everything to his companion whoever it is and everything goes according to his plan throughout the series. I mean come on, give him some unexpected twist or something.

And some point in the story, there are just lot of characters without much meaning. And in such long series, character, suspense everything grows as you progress. But in this case it was just dragging.

Basically they have tried but missed it. It could have been a really good one. But NO, it's not.

Leia Mais

I enjoyed this one, but there are a bunch of did contradictions.

There isn’t a lot of joy so I’m not sure why it’s titled that way in English.

The idea that this is a modern man’s story adds a fresh perspective which is refreshing. Points to the music also being modern.

The first 2/3 are interesting and great, Then he goes on a mission and then a dozen new characters get dumped in without any real character development. The last 16 episodes then feel like any other palace intrigue drama with lots and lots of talk and then more and more talk. I wish they found a better way to keep this as fresh as the first part.

Also one plot twist was so freaking obvious that I felt the character was stupid for not seeing it.

Anyway, obviously there’s is a lot more story left since this ends on a cliffhanger.

Despite my drawbacks, I will be tuning in for the next season.

Leia Mais

Perfection, even if season 1 ends dramatically.

Yeah, yeah, another fan is writing a review and rambling about it. lol

ETA: this review was written before season 2 was aired.

*Story*

I was thoroughly engrossed in this drama. The storyline was captivating, and its ability to hold my attention was unparalleled. Each episode was masterfully crafted to add mystery and intensity to the plot, leaving me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. I was so invested in the characters and the story that I binge-watched all 46 episodes in one go, completely glued to my screen.

This drama is a true masterpiece, encompassing all the necessary elements to make it a thrilling experience. From the complex and intriguing plot to the romantic subplots that will leave you breathless, from the gripping drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the humorous moments that will lighten up the atmosphere - this drama has it all. It is a perfect blend of various emotions and genres that will keep you hooked and entertained from start to finish.

*memorable scene*

- 100 Poems Night ep 27

*Casting*

ML was fantastic! His acting skills were undeniably remarkable, and he portrayed his character with wit, humour, intelligence, and an overall lovable personality. All the other actors and actresses were equally impressive, but I must give a special mention to the Emperor, who was simply outstanding. From the beginning, I knew that he was undoubtedly the protagonist's father, and his objectives were to test him to be his successor. That's my take on Season 2 anyway, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds. I must also highlight the exceptional performance of the child who played the lead role. Wow. Just wow.

Season 1 of "Joy of Life" was broadcast in 2019, the same year as "The Untamed," which starred Xiao Zhan. Although I adored him in "The Untamed," I must say that I wasn't as impressed with his character in "Joy of Life." Perhaps it's because his role didn't allow him to shine as much, and his supporting role as a villain didn't help matters either. His character never allowed him to smile, and we know his smile is his trademark. Rumours are he has been replaced for Season 2, but we'll have to wait and see.

*Director, production*

An exceptional drama encompasses a variety of important factors. First and foremost, a great script is essential to hook the audience and keep them engaged throughout the storyline. The right actors and actresses are also crucial, as they bring the characters to life and add depth to the drama. A budget that allows for wow factors such as stunning costumes, an impressive movie set, special effects, lot of extras and martial arts choreography can also elevate the drama to the next level.

However, even with all of these elements in place, the drama can still fall flat without a clear vision from the director. The director's vision must be cohesive and consistent throughout the drama to ensure that everything comes together seamlessly. Additionally, edits must be done with precision and skill to avoid any jarring or disjointed transitions. With all of these factors working in harmony, an exceptional drama can be created that captivates and enthralls its audience.

*Love story*

The drama's plot does not revolve around romance, but the main lead (ML) falls in love with a beautiful young girl at first sight. After a few misunderstandings, they get engaged. Amidst political challenges, the girl becomes part of a small circle of people that ML trusts. However, hints dropped in season 1 suggest that the story will not have a happy ending and that the martial artist QI girl (Haintang) will play a significant role in the romantic aspect of the drama. This is my interpretation, but nothing is confirmed. It is obvious to me that the emperor of Qi is a woman. I am wondering the story behind this. Rumors say there is more to her and ML.

This drama is not centred around love. Love is only a political accessory. So, it will be interesting to see this part unfold in the next three seasons, which is a trilogy.

*music*

Once in a while, a drama produces music that I become obsessed with. It happened with “Eternal Love”, “Faith”, “Love like the Galaxy”… and “Timeless” sung by Xiao Zhan. I had no idea the images were from Joy of Life. This clip video is a masterpiece, plain and simple.

*cons, inconsistencies*

In my opinion, the modern-day part where the guy explains his story and the last part when we are back to the modern days were completely unnecessary and added nothing to the storyline. His character is already established as an anomaly due to his mother coming from an advanced technology society. Therefore, his genius intelligence, his knowledge to be out of time and place and photographic memory can be easily explained.

*special effects, martial arts choreography*

The drama was aesthetically pleasing and visually engaging. However, I noticed that there were instances where the edits were not perfectly synchronized, and it seemed like multiple takes were needed to achieve the desired outcome. Despite this, I still believe the overall production was very well executed and enjoyable to watch.

The sheer magnitude of the budget allocated to this drama is evident in every frame. The attention to detail is impeccable, and nothing seems to be done in a rushed or haphazard manner. The presence of numerous extras in almost every scene adds to the authenticity of the drama and makes it feel more genuine and immersive. Overall, it is a testament to the high production values and the filmmakers' commitment to delivering a top-notch viewing experience.

*how I understand the story but primarily questions*

The clues are scattered and plentiful, enough to keep me on edge and make me wonder about what, when, how, and who.

**His mother: how and why did she leave her world? I assume she escaped something or somebody. She went with a destructive firearm of mass destruction. Why? Why did she leave to find the blind martial artist? She seems to know the past and future. Who killed her? Was she captured by her own world people?

**Blind martial artist: he lost his memory, but everything in him looks like a robot. Is he from his mother's world? Who is he?

**Clues: His mother's book allows people to become grandmasters, the highest level a martial practitioner can reach. Where is this book? His mother explained the Ice Age and the circle of life with the return of the feudal era. How did ML know all these poems? Where did he read them? How did he get all the past knowledge?

**Divine temple: how does the wheeling chair villain know this place? What was his relationship with his mother? Did he kill her and why?

**3 amigos: emperor, wheelchair villain and adopting father… they seemed very close friends in their youth, then his mother married the prince next to be emperor. They seemed to have made a pact of silence

*Conclusion*

I recently watched the trailer for the second season, and we are in for another great ride. However, I also anticipate another bittersweet ending that will lead to the third season (nothing confirmed yet, my own assumption ). Despite my preference for happy endings, I am willing to make an exception for this show, which I consider a true masterpiece.

As someone who recently watched the first season of this drama, I consider myself lucky that I did not have to wait for five long years for the second season. According to rumours, the second season is set to be aired in mid-2024, which is quite a long time from now. However, I can confidently say that this drama is one of the best out there and is worth the wait. The plot, the characters, and the overall production are all top-notch, making it memorable and highly recommended for anyone who loves dramas. In fact, I would even say it's a must-watch and rewatch for anyone who enjoys good storytelling and quality entertainment.

If you want to read my review about season 2: https://mydramalist.com/54083-joy-of-life-season-2

Leia Mais

love love LOVE this drama~

Though my first watch-through of this drama was all the way back in 2020, even after all this time, it still remains one of my top Chinese dramas. I highly encourage everyone to give this drama a try because it's one of those dramas that has a little bit of everything: comedy, action, romance, political intrigue, mystery, time travel, etc. The characters are charming, the set design is beautiful, and the music and story direction are carefully planned and well-executed.

What really pulled me into watching this drama though, was how well everything fit together. It seemed like the pieces just fit perfectly into the puzzle, with there being a reason behind every action, a motive for each character that stays consistent throughout each series. Though the mystery is complex and delicately layered, the plotline isn't hard to understand at all, with each episode pulling me deeper and deeper into the world of "Joy of Life."

There's a certain irreplaceably unique charm to this drama, and it is obvious how much love and care the story was crafted with. If you are thinking about watching JOL, do it! Give this excellent drama a chance and it will not waste your time.

Leia Mais

This drama was so, so, so good! I have recommended it to everyone I know. I absolutely loved it! This was the first time a drama has given me goosebumps and made me gasp out loud. The drama is funny, endearing, and adventurous. The title captures what this drama is truly about, living life joyfully and the small joys of life.

Plot:
Despite being 46 episodes, the plot was somehow very tight and felt pretty fast-paced. The storyline was constantly evolving and changing, and there was something exciting and new happening in every episode. Usually, in dramas, I feel that the plot is predictable; however, nothing is as it seems in this drama and I felt genuine suspense and surprise. The details and complexity of the drama keep you on edge, as each layer is pulled back in every episode.

Characters:
The characters are amazing. Each character felt very unique and well developed as every character has multiple very different sides to them. All the actors and actresses did a wonderful job portraying the characters. Although, most characters didn't have many scenes (apart from the lead) every one of the characters were important to the plot and had a role in moving the story. The characters are very well developed where every antagonist was able to make me feel empathy and sorrow for them at some point. The main actor (Zhang Ruoyun) for the protagonist (Fan Xian) did an amazing job of portraying the character and his microexpressions made the character feel that much more real. I liked how the main character was not perfect and did not know everything, and at times he was very flawed. My favourite characters were Fan Xian's brother Fan Sizhe, his uncle Wuzhu, and Haitang Duoduo. Fan Sizhe was so funny, every time he entered a scene I would always laugh out loud. Wuzhu was just so cool yet cute, every time he had a fight scene my eyes would always be on him. Haitang Duoduo was such an amazing female character and she is also just so cool. She was a good fighter but was also genuine and did what made her happy.

Directing, editing and screenwriting:
I honestly think that the editing was a bit reason why this drama was so good. The editors did an amazing job and were able to perfectly combine funny and serious scenes. The screenwriters were very clever and are able to build up the plot then unravel a bit, before building it even more, then unravelling a bit, before building it to the peak. The directing was beautiful and the fight scenes have been some of the best fight scenes I have seen in a while. The fight scenes were all very well choreographed and the special effects used within them felt very natural and fitting. Honestly, the fight scenes were just so cool and reignited my want to learn martial arts.

Anyways, I made this account just to review this drama because I loved it so much. I highly recommend this drama and you should 10/10 watch Joy of Life!!!

Leia Mais