Alegria da Vida (2019)

Joy of Life! There will be NO JOY in waiting for the next 2-3 years that’s for sure. Making the fan wait with such cliffhanger is abit cruel. Seriously !!! Hahah all that said,

Story beside the part that is is a written story being told.... I like everything else. It’s so funny and enjoyable like the name of the story.
Love all characters! They seem to be well written, with depth and secrets. I just hope the truth comes out in a good way which will fit the story and can’t wait to find out.
There is a bit of twist and turns but its all really enjoyable!

Production is really well done. Love it.

Leia Mais

Ecstatic Disappointment

While I know this review is a little late, I still was driven to contribute.
First off, I have to say that I don’t remember ever being so upset by a revelation. Secondly, I don’t watch very many lengthy Asian dramas, or Asian dramas at all. I discovered them around 2018, and this is only my fourth. I was fortunate enough to have stumbled on three of the GREATEST Asian dramas of all: Ashes of Love, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (South Korea), and Nirvana in Fire, and even though I was open to another, each one I tried to watch after those ended in the first three of four episodes, if not the first.
But, Joy of Life has everything: good looking leads, strong character actors, fabulous sets and costumes, interesting score, great writing, and I could go on and on. I really don’t have anything bad to say about it. But, as I grew near the finish, I kept wandering how they were going to tie all of it together in the remaining episodes. Well, I finally got my answer, and it was a completely disappointing revelation.
The ending was so shocking, I was just left hanging after the last episode and was completely dumb struck. Surprisingly, the last episode was followed on youtube by a review (be sure to watch) Joy of Life – First Impression AvenueX where a gal shares her knowledge about the production in a semi-critique. It is actually more informational, but her comments are generally spot on. Anyway, as I sat there listening to her, she informed her audience, in the third part of her dialogue (around 11:00), that this was actually a trilogy, and this was just the first entry. OH! The first part of my revelation. She went on to say that this was originally set to spread out over 5 years of production. FIVE YEARS! The revelation went on. They may not have even started to film the second entry in the trilogy, yet. She went on to suggest that because it will take so long, many of the actors could be replaced. Ok, now I am palpitating. I could imagine some of them may even die.
I was just innocently searching for something to watch when I spied an interesting picture of a striking young man in costume, and it was episode 01! I thought it looked promising, as I always do, and by the end of the first episode I was hooked. I binge watched three, four, five, episodes, no more, at a time trying to stretch the enjoyment out over time. I got so wrapped up in it I even dreamt about it. It became, as did Scarlet Heart Reo, Nirvana in Fire, and Ashes of Love, part of my daily thoughts and imaginings. Now, it is revealed that the image of that horrible ending, cliff hanger, or whatever you want to call it, must remain stuck in my craw for MONTHS, MAYBE YEARS! What a dirty trick!

Leia Mais

The first of trilogy

Don't read the book of Qian Yu Nian, it isn't as good as the drama. Zhang Ruo Yun is an excellent pick for Fan Xian, he's amazing for the role. He's intelligent, witty, smart, loyal, loves beautiful women. He's the master of poison, medical, strategics, fight, ambassador (man, he's good in argument and making deals) he has nothing that he is not good at, picture of a perfect gentleman and example of the best scholar in the whole kingdom. I love every characters; Fan Xian, Fei Jie, Fan RuoRuo, Fan Si Zhe, Chen PingPing, the emperor Qing, Gao Da, Wang QiNian, Feng Jie, Haitang DuoDuo, Si Lili, Yan BingYun, Yan XiaoYi, Shen Zhong just to name a few. Unfortunately, I don't really like Lin Wan'Er, she's the weakest character that seems like to hold Fan Xian back, and I don't think she's the perfect girl to be his bride/the love of his life. My personal opinion, Haitang Duoduo is more up to Fan Xian's standard although in the book they'd have an affair together but not end to marriage (Wtf..) my lovable character was Wang QiNian and Gao Da...I want them to have more air time. Fighting scene was close to real, we can see Fan Xian being thrown and hays/dust/dirt all over him, we can also see Zhang Ruo Yun got sun burned at rock forest (fight scene) which looked so real. I love it when he recited 1000 poems in front of people (iconic scene - won the title as a poetry God), poisoned Haitang Duoduo with love poison, he climbed on to of moving buggy to challenge every men in Qi's kingdom. Fan Xian shone when he representing his country to Northern Qi. laid strategy to one step ahead of Shen Zhong. Yan Bing Yun (Xiao Zhan) was a skinny lad...in the book he'll be a trusty right hand of Fan Xian but I don't know about the drama, he stabbed him at the end. I was like...wth??? Come on....I want a better ending than this. Looking forward for Season 2 soon (NTBA) and season 3 (NTBA) to finish up trilogy. Faster please....

Leia Mais

Breathtaking

Breathtaking is maybe a gross exaggeration, but this series is really good. I don't do analytic essays for reviews and I'm shallow. It took me a while to finally watch it because the ML is not handsome according to my taste. So here are some of the things I like:
1. Uncle Wuzhu is the hottest uncle ever. Please don't take off the eyefold so my illusion is not shattered.
2. Fan Xian is loved by many and has so many father figures. He is doted by all his 'dads'.
3. Wan'er seems weak and blah but she has strong attitude. Love it.
4. The fighting background music is not only for physical fights; it is also used during the crazy poem night. Awesome use of music.
5. Zhang Ruoyun is not the handsomest man but he sure can play a dokidoki-inducing boyfriend.
6. Fan Xian is always one step ahead.
7. Just as you feel bored with the identity game with Wan'er, the story levelled up. Phew.
8. I'm shipping Ruoruo and Hot Uncle Wuzhu. They are both levelheaded and straight arrows, although Uncle Wuzhu acts like an android.
9. Season 2 is already out so I don't have to wait for 5 years like the early viewers.

Leia Mais

2022. That's a long wait. Great story. Zhang Ruo Yun did a wonderful job. Story was interest all the way through. Beautiful sceneries and costumes. The production sets were not cheap in quality. The cinematography was colorful and the editing is good. The ending was a classic cliffhanger. I expected it and was wondering how the season would end but was not disappointed. The only disappointment is I wish they had done it all without splitting it into two seasons and two years a part. I would have to read the novel now to satisfy my hunger for the rest of the story.
Update: Having read up to chapter 55, the drama is not the same as the novel. The characters are the same but the plots are different.

Leia Mais

Oh my this story line up is interesting as for me. I am waiting for the next season 2 and season 3 . Every casts had put in great effort into bring all the emotions and plot accordingly.
None of the cast I would say in this drama hasn’t give their best performance to bring out their characteristics.
The plot in the drama is well line up and it’s not confusing despite involving so many different cluster of plot.
Hope next two season would have same casts as the story line still keep me hung in air about what happen to each character.
Keep it up production team and cast.

Leia Mais

Quick review this gem

STORY
The story of this drama is amazing and I cannot stress out how hooked I was. The first few eps maybe not be appealing but TRUST ME, KEEP GOING. The story line is EXTREMELY UNPREDICTABLE.

ACTING AND CASTING
The main actor may not be attractive to many people but the story is all that matters and you will grow to love him. Everyone else did an amazing job at acting and I would not change a bit. I loveeeeee WU ZU SHU!

MUSIC
Sometimes I feel like there are random instrumental tracks that reminded me of Dora the Explorer. Although I didnt think that that track was suitable for the era of drama it doesn't make much of a difference.

REWATCH VALUE
I REWATCHED THIS DRAMA 20 TIMES ALREADY SO 1000000000/10

OVERLL
Overall this is my top favourite drama of all time. I feel bad for those who do not understand Chinese because you are missing out on the poems and language that cannot be translated into English subs.

Leia Mais

Must Watch!

The plot is thick. what make it different from other drama? the detail in each episode for "twist" in later episode. in short, the twist is well prepared!

the scene is funny! i.e. the scene where he is holding chicken leg, putting chicken leg in a box, "aprosidiac scene", and many other scene.

the Male Lead is smart and "shameless".

season 1 story is mostly about politic, i guess season 2 story focus on "fantasy" part of this story (about divine temple). like "Ever Night" in season 1 (politic and revenge) and season 2 (divination of ever night)

recommended!

Leia Mais

One of the best C-drama i have ever watched, there wasn't a single boring plotline & i did not fast forward any scenes. Excellent acting from all the cast including the supporting role. My favourite is definetely the Fan family , they are the only ones who truly care & support each other whereas the rest has a hidden agenda beneath. I also admired Fei jie & despite his sloppy appearance he is a true leader , seeing how united his team was from the investigation bureau even without his presence,( his team go all out to protect Fan Xian when he is in trouble). There is a right balance of comedy, drama & suspense at end of each episode. The only bummer was the cliffhanger ending! I had to wait another 2 years , that is a torture for the fans. If you pay close attention, you will be able to figure out who is the big boss /ultimate villain in the end, i managed to guess it

Leia Mais

I have watched many dramas before, but this drama is one of the best with great acting, plot, and production. In my opinion (not to compare it or anything), I think this drama is on par with Nirvana in Fire. Every episode kept me on my toes with multiple schemes and plots being played out. Romance isn't a huge part of the drama, but it is such a cute part of the story. Fan Xian is not a weak protagonist, but he did say he wanted to live a carefree life without being involved in too many complicated plots. Joy of Life gives all its characters, no matter how minor, a coherent background. There's a perfect balance between seriousness and comedy in this drama that I did not know could happen. One of the best dramas I have ever watched and I am looking forward to season 2!

Leia Mais

Super brilliant drama

I know this drama had a high rating but i don't have any expectation. I don't usually watch political drama but this JoL is brilliant. I can't believe I'm finishing this drama. Super amazing plot and twist that make me crazy haha lol.
I have watched other period cdrama but in this JoL I love how FX and the step mother can get along and support each other. And i like how the each character that has strength and power help FX.
FX brother so hilarious and FX sister i think she is strong and smart women too.
This drama has a unique story from the first episode. a story full of surprises, strategy and the unexpected. characters that will be remembered (at least, remembered with strong, clever and tactical characteristics).
I'm more shock with the ending, so Because of the curiosity I'm reading the last part of the novel. And now I know, how to breath in joy haha. I hope you enjoy this story too ^^

Leia Mais

A totally enigmatic character in a great story. Highly recommended!!!

A really great central character can totally make a drama sing even if the story isn't quite there. But, in this case, that truly amazing character is a fully story in, and of, himself and so he elevates the whole drama to quite an impressive level.

Overall, the Joy of Life world, it's premise and the story are novel; original. It starts extremely well with a talented younger actor and then it rolls out quite seamlessly with an adult actor who is genius at making his characters really come to life. The writing, the dialogue, the story's development are all impressive. It's intelligent. It's vibrant. It's clever and witty. The older characters are smart and cunning. Ruthless. And all the supporting characters are interesting, alive, and each is enigmatic too; each in their own, very memorably way. There are riches in this cast. And the production values are high as well. In fact, there's quality shot through it in every way. Everything is there. Nothing is missing.

And then there's Fan Xian who I honestly love and I bet you will too. Which is what happens when a great actor is cast to play an amazing character. Fan Xian is a good guy but not too good. He's charming, smart, talented. He's brave and loyal and all that. But he's also irreverent and cheeky and delightfully imperfect. You can't help falling in love with him. He's so easy to love. Easy to root for. He's so bright but he's also so out of his depth in ways that he isn't even aware of. You just have to sit on the edge of your seat and sweat it all out with him as he learns which way is up, down and around. And so he becomes easy to grow with. His story becomes our story and, well, it's really very involving, very motivating. Very easy to watch and so very easy to enjoy.

Yes. There's no doubt about it. Fan Xian is a special kind of character. A great central character went to an actor who could bring him to life for us to follow and really care about as he swims among the sharks and tries to survive with honour. It's really an excellent drama. Unique. Involving. Easily a 9.5. Highly recommended as long as you want to be entertained.

Leia Mais