Half of Us (2023)

Dark, beautifully shot….and pretentious

My Journey to You started off very well- it was mysterious, beautifully shot, and with a lovely soundtrack. The world of the show is one where all the female characters except one have ties to a mysterious spy organisation and three (or four) of these women have infiltrated the highly-guarded Gong family. For some strange reason, the Gong family holds a bride selection ever 20 years, and as the show begins, the spy organisation Wufeng has sent spies dressed as brides. Our female lead is also a spy, albeit among the lowest order in this cruel organisation, and she has been handed over an assignment which we as the audience are not fully aware of. It is not enough to trust one woman with a task so Wufeng decides to send three female spies. The bride arc is undoubtedly the most interesting and engaging in the entire show.

Immediately a number of different mysteries are placed in the world of the show to be solved by the end. What is Wufeng- what is its purpose, why does it exist? Why is the Gong family so guarded? Why are brides sent to the Gong family? Who are the other clans in this world and what role if any do they have in this Wufeng-Gong fiasco? As the story progresses, similar other questions prop up.

The first ten episodes are fairly well-paced after which I felt the show started dragging: the Gong cousins were at each other throats for far too long without any real reason. It was quite clear that Gong Shang Jue’s primary concern was the Gong family itself and that explains his tough stance towards Gong Zi Yu, so in the end it isn’t really a surprise. Yet, many of the confrontations between the cousins just seemed to repeat themselves, episode after episode. The three trials were far too spaced-out (and frankly somewhat underwhelming) to hold attention. It’s only the last five episodes or so where the pacing improved and the main questions (including who killed Gong Zi Yu’s father) were answered…to some extent.

For a show with so many female spies, women really didn’t have much to do beyond spying (and falling in love). Women are either crazily in love or become coy soon after falling in love (Ziyu’s mother, Gong Zi Shang, even Yun Wei Shan) or chasing some mumbo-jumbo ideas of “freedom” (again, Ziyu’s mother, Yan Wei Shan and Shangguan Qian come to mind), or the verdict is not out on them (e.g., Wuji and Shanggan Qian). Are any of these women (except Gong Zi Shang) even free? Whether it’s being a Wufeng spy or married into the Gong family (which very much resembles a prison for women as they can’t go outside)- all women are in chains, physical and emotional. Gong Zi Shang’s seeking her family's attention is placed on the back burner in front of the love story. What can be more important than romantic love? If women aren’t married or in love they can surely end up being as cruel as the head of Wufeng! The show started off as the FL’s story and ended up being the ML’s story, as he had the strongest arc.

The last episode solved some of the questions asked and then left plenty of other questions unanswered. Perhaps the most jarring one of them: why did the FL go there, and what happened to her? Instead of also critiquing some of the Gong family practices, the screenwriter decided to present Wufeng as a single-headed, mindless organisation with a psychopathic female killer as its head. Of course, plenty of logical fallacies too appear- how did Shangguan Qian manage to mortally injure Jin Fan.

At the end of the show I liked how the cousins had finally bonded; the separation of the back hill boys was sad. Yet, what really was the point of the back hill? What was the point of many of the devices used in this story? There are many positives on the show- particularly the lovely soundtrack, the costumes, the beautiful cinematography, the characters, and the acting to a great extent. The weakest link in my opinion was the plot which meandered to the point of being pretentious. The greatest stories always have deeper subtexts- scratch this one and it is hollow with hardly anything to say beyond its stylistic machinations.

Leia Mais

I’m here for pity fights and family drama.

Not many dramas can make a certified clown out of me, but this one did, and I kind of appreciate that. Countless rants in the first half, but at the end I became speechless - the twist did its thing.

What got me to start the show was the premise of the female spy assassins arc. What made me stay were the family drama and pity senseless fights when the focus should have been on the enemy. The dynamics between all the siblings were extremely entertaining to watch. While I still believe some of the motivations were… not the smartest, I don’t think it’s the case of characters being poorly written - it was intentional. Because the reasoning was flawed at times, it made the characters more relatable, even if the setting of the drama itself was something none of us could relate to.

Did I care about any of the romances? No. Funny, because that was also one of the things I actually wanted to watch this drama for. The puppy love was too puppy, the “toxic” romance did not get enough highlight to be well developed, the comedy crush was too much. Personally I would prefer if they switched the pairings around a bit - get the puppy with the cunning one, and the cold and heartless with the good natured one.

What the drama did perfectly though were all the visual aspects of the production - from set design, costumes, make up, accessories to the way it was all shot. The fighting scenes? Perfection. This is how you use slow motion to highlight the sequences and certain moves, instead of overusing it to hide bad choreography and lack of skills. Each fighting sequence deserves to be watched at least two or three times to fully appreciate it.

The acting was great. I was kind of traumatized by Yu Shu Xin in Love Between Fairy and Devil and her toddler character, and I’m glad to see how well she does in more mature roles. Personally, I think they fit her better. Zhang Ling He was fine. I do believe Gong Zi Yu’s character was the most boring, so I never truly focused so much on him… My favorite performance goes to Lu Yu Xiao - easy choice. Ad for Ryan Cheng, let’s say I get why everyone got so obsessed with him in that role.

On the bad side - I hated the line delivery of most of the main cast. Separately, they were great. The issue is: they all spoke with exactly the same whisper, slow mannerism, it became exhausting. Any dialogue heavy scenes between Yun Wei Shan and Shangguan Qian? Close your eyes and it’s impossible to tell which one is speaking - they sounded the same. I get it, they are all mysterious spies, but that does not mean they have to speak in the same way.

At the end of the day, it’s a great show. The middle part is the slowest and probably the reason why someone might drop it (I was close to dropping it too), but it picks up later when a lot of things get slowly revealed and explained.

Leia Mais

Dark, mysterious and extreme spy × target troupe

We have already come completed the plot, and the foremost comment I have regarding this is WOW. To all the viewers out there who are still hesitating, just gice it a try. You would regret missing this masterpiece. There are just so many things brownie points this drama has earned.

Cinematography: top notch! Can we talk about the aesthetics first and foremostly. The dark clothes, dark music and dark vibes make it all so cool! The fight scenes by the artists are just so attractive and addicting. You are really gonna be blown off after watching those supercool fighting scenes.

Plot- up until now the plot has all been them openning up clues, and the viewers being unpaid detectives analysing those clues and predicting the possible theory behind each gesture and sentence. You could actually see how everyone has different theories. It's really fun predicting those theories. The funfact is there's reason to everything being done. So the satisfaction you get when some or the other fact is revealed is worth it.

Acting: First and foremostly, every character, literally every character, be it major or minor, doing just guest role or acting as a passerby has a story. And every character plays significant role in the plot. And hence, in these kinds of plots, the acting of the actors become an important factor to enhance these plots and explain these plots. And hence acting of the actors won't disappoint you. Every single actor here did a great job in displaying their emotions. The fact that every gesture was perfect to explain everyone's character. There's not a single character in the cast you won't be curious about. Even a passerby character who was probably mentioned once in the whole plot would make you curious about their role in this story.

And then most importantly, anyone who is major fan of assasin troupe, strong and scheming male and female characters, this ones a must for you.
You definitely won't find any single character insignificant here!

To all the people who were annoyed by GZY's personality, this is a small consolation to you!
"GZY isn't a character who turns from immature boy to an adult man within a day. He is a character who turns from immature boy to an young man with responsibilities because of gradual support from his family and loved ones"

Leia Mais

Highlights: The Women of Wufeng

Gorgeous actors, great acting, intriguing script that kept you guessing, luxurious costumes, beautiful sets, detailed choreography, this is one of the best produced drama I've seen. Even the fight scenes look so pleasing to the eyes.

MJTY has a dark theme to it, with black, red, gray color pallete with rarely a bright yellow scene with warm sunlight in it. The drama mostly takes place in the Gong Residence, and even with all the spies theme, it kinda feels sort of like a slice of life to me, but filled with lies and intrique, like a palace dynamic but make it wuxia. I liked it.

The story flows through the characters with ease, and i loved how the plot really depends on each characters and how it includes all of them in the story. This is thrilling, but also melancholic and filled with mind games.

For those who didn't mind a slow paced, a bit heavy story, with dark undertone, I think you'll like this one.

P.S: Personally the Wufeng women are the highlight of this show like they carry nearly all the plot it's amazing. Their dynamics?? Their backhanded interactions?? The best.

Leia Mais

The Surest Thing is Being Unsure

In contemplating this drama, one is struck by its intrinsic uncertainty; every attempt to foretell an outcome based on personal theories is swiftly invalidated. Amid fervent discussions within the MDL community, the narrative unravels like a colossal jigsaw puzzle, with assumptions and theories constantly evolving, only to be refuted in due course. The plot remains shrouded in secrecy, devoid of any prior references, leaving viewers to speculate and generate their own theories.

Performances are commendable, with fight choreography leaving a lasting impression. Tian Jiarui's portrayal of Gong Yuanzhi stands out, his wicked smile sending shivers down one's spine. Zhang Linghe's Gong Ziyu exudes an endearing, love-struck quality akin to a teenager in the throes of first love. Lu Yuxiao's Shangguan Qian strikes a delicate balance between reality and deception, leaving the audience perpetually guessing. Cheng Lei's Gong Shangjue subtly conveys secret satisfaction with a telltale quirk at the corner of his lips. Even Omid's portrayal of the ostensible antagonist, Hanya Si, brims with emotional depth and inner turmoil. The costumes are meticulously crafted, and the makeup work is remarkably convincing. The drama also boasts a collection of poignant ballads, expertly timed to heighten the emotional resonance of each scene.

Although the undertones are somber and shadowed, the narrative interjects moments of levity through humor, wordplay, and irony. An instance arises when Yun Weishan addresses Gong Ziyu as "Yu Gongzi," prompting him to retort, "Call me Gong Ziyu," a clever homophonic quip laden with layered meaning. Above all, the story revolves around the romances of various couples. While the first couple commands ample screen time, the second couple receives comparable attention, their relationship characterized by well-defined characters and an air of suspense and suspicion. Just as the audience anticipates a continuation of playfulness, the mood shifts abruptly, veering into darker, more grave territory as the characters confront their would-be assassins, their lives imperiled by unseen poisons.

"My Journey to You" also serves as a cautionary tale on how not to construct a drama. The beginning is amazingly good. It commences with a dark air of mystery, introducing enigmatic characters each with their own strengths, flaws, and hidden agendas. Discussions abound, speculating on the intricacies of the plot and the ultimate antagonist, as every character harbors ulterior motives. By Episode 22, the grand reveal occurs, divulging the whole plot and the mastermind's identity. However, this revelation falls flat as the element of surprise of who the mastermind is has disappeared; the audience has already figured this out in the prior episodes. On top, the supposedly multi-layered scheme by the protagonists becomes not so perplex anymore as the characters settle into their defined roles of virtue or vice, the earlier allure and intrigue fade.

At the end of the story, Gong Ziyu, though growing stronger and less naïve, retains moments of folly. Perhaps most notably, the once wicked Gong Yuanzhi transforms into an endearing figure, affectionately addressing most of his older comrades as "ge ge." The drama concludes with numerous unresolved mysteries, chief among them being the true leader of Wu Feng and the fate of Yun Weishang. These loose ends leave the narrative feeling somewhat deflated, ending with a sense of anticlimax. While a potential sequel is hinted at, it remains unconfirmed.

My Verdict
Despite the drama’s less-than-stellar development, it is redeemed by a cast of strikingly handsome men, from Zhang Linghe to Zuo Ye. Even the juvenile Lester Lin is amazingly good looking. Each one possesses a distinct charm. It is regrettable that Zeng Shunxi makes only a belated appearance with limited screen time.

Though a missed opportunity for a more compelling conclusion, this drama comes highly recommended for its rich entertainment value and the presence of exceptionally charismatic actors.

Bravo! Strongly recommended! Don't miss it!

Leia Mais

A Den full of Cunning People who are Unpredictable.

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Plot:
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The setting is in the martial arts world.....

There is an assassin organization named Wufeng to which almost every other martial arts family has surrendered other than Gong family.

Gong family, lives in a valley consist of two hills, front hill and back hill. But freedom comes with a price, so, Gong family paid a huge price for this and faced a huge massacre of its family members and lost almost all males of the family. After that they completely sealed their borders and forbid their members to go outside the valley. Everyone is thoroughly searched and investigated before entering and exiting the valley. Wufeng sent its assassins in the bride selection ceremony held by Gong Family to select brides for the young adults who are reached marriageable age.

Wufeng has four positions for its members: Chi, Mei, Wang, Liang and the leader or head, ascending in power respectively.

Gong family has four lineage: Shang, Jue, Zhi and Yu, all live on front hill, other than these, there are family of three elders: Xue, Yue and Hua live on back hill and are forbid to leave the back hill untill summoned or in case of emergency.

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Actors and Characters:
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Gong ZiYu (Zhang Ling He): He was a lazy and fun loving person at first, who usually has self-pity for himself but also very clever, observant, loyal and kind-hearted. He had low martial arts skills when he crowned as family head, after the murder of his father and brother, by the elders to fill the position as there is rule in family that the position of head cannot be vacant, it should be filled immediately. He faced objections, pressure and a fierce competition to become a true Sword Welder(head) but, he did it and become truly powerful. He knows how to pursue his love and made Yun WeiShan to fall for him by his love, trust, kindness and loyalty. Gong ZiYu proved, pressure makes a man work hard, LOL. Zheng Ling He did a good job with this character.
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Yun WeiShan (Yu Shu Xin): She was an assassin sent by Wufeng to assassinate the Young Lord and Sword Welder(no matter whoever he is) of Gong family but end up falling for Gong ZiYu. She just wanted freedom from Wufeng so she accepted this deal of assassination as her deadly last task. In her life, freedom was the only thing she has been longing for but after entering Gong Family she fall in love and defected from Wufeng for her love. She also has some kindness even after being a assassin for long time. I like her character but don't love it very much because there are not much dimensions in her character.
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Gong Shang Jue (Chang Lei): He is a fighter and a righteous person having a scaring look and cold gaze on his face. His smartness is the second to none in Gong Family. He loves his family and wanted to protect them at any cost. He is the most capable person in the Gong Family, never trusts others easily and ruthless to ones who have intention to hurt his family. Reasonable person and knows rights from wrong. Have a little warmness for the ones he cares for, but never show it outside much. One of my favourite character in this drama.
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Shangguan Qian (Lu Yu Xiao): She is a cunning person and an assassin sent by Wufeng to handle the most hard-to-deal person in Gong family, Gong Shang Jue. She managed to deal with him but was going back and forth between her feelings for him and her mission. At last, she confessed her feelings as well as completed her mission. She is an interesting character from start to end and shows many sides of her character.
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I liked other characters as well like Gong Yinzhi, Jin Fan, Young Master Yue, Young Master Xue, Young Master Hua, Yan Que, Xue Gong Zi. But I don't like the character of Gong Zi Shang, she feels annoying at times. All cast did a pretty good job in portraying their characters well.

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OSTs and Costumes:
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OSTs are okay for me and costumes are decent, but I feel they could have make it better in costumes.

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Ending and Recommendation:
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The ending is a cliffhanger and don't know if we will have a Second Season or not. Many secrets are not resolved yet.
This is a must watch drama for those who really love thriller and mystry genre. I loved this drama and its in my favourite's list now.

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Leia Mais

Poetic Cinematography

As a Guo JingMing fan, this wuxia drama exceeded my expectations!

Production 10/10:
The production quality on this was top-notch, and the attention to detail in every scene blew my mind. It was like watching a painting come to life. The sets & scenery; martial arts choreography; character visuals & costumes - these were all literally a feast for the eyes and beyond breathtaking.



*****************SPOILERS***DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU LIKE SPOILERS*****************



Story 8/10:
The overall storyline is about Yun WeiShan's journey as a Wufeng spy infiltrating the Gong clan; and Gong ZiYu's journey into becoming a worthy leader of the Gong family. This story is full of twists and turns, mystery, and the action sequences are intense! For a story with only 24 episodes, many of the characters were written surprisingly well and with so much depth.
If the last 8ish minutes of the final episode were omitted or written better, then I would have given the storyline a minimum of 9/10 rating. My main beef for the plot was that it was incomplete, with the cliffhanger/open ending. There wasn't closure to some of the storylines, especially for the leads. Maybe if there was a 2nd season, then I'd edit my rating. I also disliked that Shangguan Qian did not get her 'just deserts' and escaped relatively unscathed at the end.
My favourite characters throughout the story were the Gong brothers, Gong ShangJue & Gong YuanZhi. The actions of both brothers throughout most of the story made them seem more like villains, but they ended up being very loyal to the Gong family. I would have liked to have seen more of a backstory for Young Master Hua and Han YaSi, they seemed like fascinating characters. I cried during their deaths, especially Han YaSi's.
HYS's death scene with the playbacks of his and YWS's memories together was emotional yet beautifully written. When HYS tells YWS:

I belong to the sunset,
but maybe you can wait
to see the sunrise that belongs to you . . .

What's gorgeous is not the sky,
but the clouds.
It's colorful,
Like the clothes made by clouds . . .

You are the Yun WeiShan
in my heart . . .

The last line is a play on YWS's name. When he said that, it made me think that he was indirectly telling her that he loved her. I'm still not sure if he felt a romantic love for her or if it was more of love between a family type bond -- either way, it made me cry way too damn hard.

Acting/Cast 10/10:
The cast members were both beautiful and talented. It was great to see Esther Yu as Yun WeiShan, a badass lethal spy but with compassion. I liked that she had a normal tone of voice rather than the cutesy child voice from previous roles. For me, this was one of her best roles.
Ryan Chen is one of the main reasons I decided to watch MJTY, his visuals are just WOW and his performance did not disappoint. As Gong ShangJue, I hung on his every word, with the soft yet masculine cadence in his voice . . . Felt every emotion with his expressive eyes, whether it was suspicion, amusement, pain, affection, anger, sadness, and even contempt. When he gives people the side-eye and when he gives that hint of a little smile. . . Okay fine, I admit it, I'm totally biased towards him haha!!!
Tian JiaRui was quite the surprise and definitely a scene stealer. With this being his first drama role, his performance as Gong YuanZhi was exceptional! He embodied his role perfectly as the immature, sadistically psychotic younger brother of ShangJue. JiaRui really had me believing how menacing his character was, with his sinister eyes and creepy AF smile - there were even moments when I felt like I wanted to smack him, lol. But then he was also able to convey YuanZhi's vulnerable side, his sweetness and undying loyalty towards his older brother and idol, ShangJue. I like to call him 'Beautiful Psycho'. The scene where he thought big bro was dead really broke me *sigh*.
Another scene stealer for me was Lu YuXiao as Shangguan Qian. Although I disliked how conniving and untrustworthy her character was in the story, it was still an undeniably stellar performance. I've only seen her play sweet and innocent characters, so it was interesting to watch her as a spy.


***Notes***
My original rating for this was 8/10 because of the open ending. But now that I'm calm and not so bitter, lol, I've raised it to a 9/10 -- I will just pretend that the last 8 minutes of the show did not happen. I had so much fun discussing this drama with fellow MDL'ers and Asian Drama friends. Re-watched several of the episodes and scenes (some more than others) to search for clues in who the real Anonymous was. It was also fun to come up with possible theories and even having some of them come true!

I highly recommend this drama to everyone, especially to the ones who are into the cinematography and artistic aspects of dramas/movies!

Leia Mais

My Journey to you is Superbbbbbb

I really really love the story, casts, bg music and direction.
10 of 10!!!!!
No dull moment watching MJTY
Definitely a must watched drama.
One of the best cdrama that I’ve ever watched.
I really really love the story, casts, bg music and direction.
10 of 10!!!!!
No dull moment watching MJTY
Definitely a must watched drama.
One of the best cdrama that I’ve ever watched.
I really really love the story, casts, bg music and direction.
10 of 10!!!!!
No dull moment watching MJTY
Definitely a must watched drama.
One of the best cdrama that I’ve ever watched.
I really really love the story, casts, bg music and direction.
10 of 10!!!!!
No dull moment watching MJTY
Definitely a must watched drama.
One of the best cdrama that I’ve ever watched.

Leia Mais

"云之羽" is an exceptional Chinese drama that has truly captivated my heart.

From its compelling storyline to its remarkable cast and breathtaking cinematography, this drama offers an unforgettable viewing experience.

The plot is intricately woven, filled with twists and turns that kept me eagerly anticipating each episode. The character development is outstanding, and I found myself deeply invested in the lives and struggles of the protagonists. The lead actors' performances are nothing short of phenomenal, bringing their roles to life with passion and authenticity.

One of the standout aspects of "云之羽" is its stunning visuals. The picturesque landscapes and beautifully crafted sets transport viewers to a world of enchantment. The attention to detail in the costumes and the overall production design is commendable, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

Moreover, the drama's exploration of themes such as love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of one's dreams resonated deeply with me. It not only entertains but also leaves you with valuable life lessons.

In summary, "云之羽" is a masterpiece in the world of Chinese drama. It combines a gripping narrative with outstanding performances and exquisite visuals to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you're a fan of romance, fantasy, or simply great storytelling, this drama is a must-watch that will leave you enchanted and inspired.

Leia Mais

The only dark thing about this drama is the lighting and colors

One thing I appreciated about this drama is that they didn't make the opposition incompetent for the sake of the plot.

Was it frustrating? Yes, every time we lost an argument or fight, I seethed and became agitated cause obviously I don't want my side to suffer any losses .

And every time I saw ShangJue and YuanZhi, I wanted to put them through a wall and for Ziyu to smash a pie in their faces publicly but it would've been a disservice to the characters had they disregarded their capabilities in favor of propelling the ML forward. They put up a fight-a strong one and in the end, it culminated in a ceasefire, instead of a loss-for the sake of their family which I felt was as true as you can be to these characters.

The ML's story and journey progressed naturally (annoyingly slow and filled with interruptions) but they didn't make him overpowered overnight by virtue of him being the ML. He fell on his face...a lot but he got there eventually.

This drama really left its FL behind in its ML's dust.

Who the hell even is Yun Weishan?

I couldn't tell you with a gun to my head. Couldn't tell you what she likes, or what she dislikes. I know she's kind and values those closest to her but that's about it. Couldn't tell you what her personality is or if she even has one. Apparently what she desired the most was discovering her identity and background and if she has a home/family, but we did not get a single inkling into this supposed yearning of hers until they literally told us at the end through a damn letter from Hanya Si. The girl is a blank slate personified and it's kind of odd to witness.

Idk if this was the director's choice or Esther's take on the character. Maybe this is intentional as Wufeng would need to strip its spies of their identities in order to make them compliant and careless with their lives but how come she's the only one with this vibe or lack thereof?

The girl doesn't take up space at all-it's like she isn't there even when she is.

Even now, when we don't know how she's fared, we're focused on his waiting for her. His longing and heartache are the focal point and we never know if she's alive or dead.

Even worse, the question doesn't even arise...

Because her existence and value in this story seems to only be tethered to him and their romance. We experience her through him and his affection for her.

Another thing was the lack of exploration into Wufeng. They were established as the antitheses to the Gong family-their literal arch nemeses, yet we never get to know anything about them. Wufeng is formidable you say? How would I know, I only ever saw their foot soldiers in the Gong mansion-never got to experience their power beyond the influence we're told they wield in the world. They trapped us in the valley with the Gong family the moment we begin the story but much like Gong Ziyu and the boys of the back hill, I would've liked to have explored the world, even if just for a minute.

Also, how many times was the Gong family's way of life highlighted? How many times were they insulted for hiding themselves away? How many times did they themselves acknowledge that this is no way to live and it's doing them more harm than good? Did we get a resolution in the end?

Nope, but we should've. Wufeng wasn't the only obstacle in this story that they needed to overcome-freeing themselves from the prison that they built and grew accustomed to was something I felt needed to happen for their story to be properly concluded but in the end, we just went back to business as usual-it almost felt like there was no point to it all.

The ending and the entire drama as a whole really, definitely feels like a setup for a 2nd season. Nothing is resolved and it feels more like an intermission than a finale.. They dipped their toes in so many different waters but never fully plunge in so you're left waiting for the more that never comes. Why open the door at all if you didn't want me looking in? the way it ended leaves it primed for picking up in the next chapter of the story that might force them to finally leave that damn house.

Leia Mais

A Rare, Dark Wuxia Gem with supporting cast stories that touched my heart

“My Journey to You” dropped without much promotion and it appears to be a dark horse this late summer. I also succumbed to the hype and wanted to check out a dark wuxia drama, and I am so glad I did. You might not agree with me, but this drama reminded me of a combo of “Bloody Romance” (female assassins, gray characters and love stories) and “The Wind Blows from Longxi” (scheming and plot twists). I don’t have any major criticisms, just a few that are very subjective.


What I Like:

1. Genre - A dark pure wuxia drama is hard to come by. No matter the tone, cinematography, or the theme, “My Journey to You” tells a story of secrets, scheming, plotting, and you don’t know the real truth until the very end when everything unfolds. I wish there are more wuxia dramas like this.

2. Main Cast Acting -
= Esther Yu - I applaud Esther Yu to finally branch out and not play another cute character. I’ve seen enough of her in that role in 3 of her previous dramas. I would not say she was excellent, but she definitely meets my expectations and more. I still find her serious face quite emotionless (I have the same criticism of her in the body swap portion of “Love Between Fairy and Devil”), but overall her sad scenes are much better than anticipated.
= Zhang Ling He - Quite a few criticisms of his acting and character when I read some comments. His character might not be as interesting in the beginning (more of that below) but I do find him decent in this role. He improves throughout the drama as his character grows.
= Ryan Cheng - Wow… this is the perfect role for him. He’s not my kind of handsome, but he’s definitely charismatic and attractive in his role as Gong Shang Jue. HIs side-eye looks are devilishly good. I went back to watch clips of him in “A Familiar Stranger” and he is definitely a lot better in this drama. I am glad to see him in a big production after so many smaller web dramas.
= Lu Yu Xiao - Is this really the cute teenage girl in “Time and HIm Are Just Right”? She’s only 23 years old and is so talented and beautiful. She captures the essence of Shangugan Qian beautifully and has excellent chemistry with Ryan Cheng.

3. Supporting Cast - Love all the characters, including the little annoying brother Gong Yuan Zhi. The acting of the supporting cast is great and I don’t have anyone to single out and pick on. I’ve only seen Jolin Jin in “Remembrance of Things Past” and I really did not recognize her as the hilariously crazy and obnoxious Gong Zi Shang. She really brings some comedic relief to this serious drama. At one point, I worry she’s a little too much, but her antics stop and we move on. I love the supporting cast stories (more so than the main romance) and I was worried how many would survive in the end. In C-dramaland, you know there will be plenty of deaths and I just pray they are not my favorites. Each of their stories touched me and I’m so glad this drama balances the main cast’s stories and the supporting cast’s stories very well.

4. Different Perspectives of the World - The four main characters have very different upbringing and they bring their own perspectives of the world they’re living in. One thing in common is that none of them had a very happy childhood. Actually, most of the characters seem to be missing some type of love & affection when growing up.
= Gong Zi Yu (ML) was criticized for being dumb and not as intelligent as the other leads. But I beg to differ. If you look at things from his point of view, he has intentionally ignored all that’s going on in his family and world. When he was pushed into the leadership role, of course he can’t have the same knowledge and wisdom as everyone around him. He needed time to learn, experience and grow. This drama really did focus on his growth.
= Gong Shang Jue (2ML) was the strongest and the smartest, yet he was not chosen to lead. He has got to be one of my favorite gray characters in a C-drama. His perspective has never wavered - to have the best person to lead, whether that’s him or someone else.
= Yun Wei Shan (F) is the unwilling assassin. She was forced into the world of assassins and longs for her freedom. In a way, she reminded me of the FL in “Bloody Romance” (but she actually kills and is a lot smarter and more experienced).
= Lu Yu Xiao (2FL) is such a beautiful little vixen. Without going into spoilers, her motive of causing trouble and her assassin instincts are fun to watch.

5. Gong Shan Jue/Sangugan Qian romance - I love these two intelligent characters trying to outsmart and out-scheme each other. Their interactions sizzle with chemistry. Their conversations are a game of chess. Did they really fall for each other despite all the mistrusts? Probably. Was I looking for a little more PDA and skinship? You betcha! But what we get is a game of cat and mouse and I am quite satisfied with their ending.

6. Production Value - I love all the elegant costumes. Simple hairstyles for men and women. Detailed patterns on their clothing with layers over layers. I also appreciate the use of natural lighting. Even though the drama appears a little dark (figuratively and literally), no fake bright light was used in many of the scenes. I enjoy the simple sets and rooms, which reflect the characters' lifestyle. Beautiful people and beautiful cinematography. Most importantly, almost all the main characters and supporting cast are using their own voice. I also like all the songs, especially the title song 云之羽 by 张杰 Jason Zhang and 远山如昨 (love the sound of a guitar). I am so glad the songs are not overplayed.


What I have Mixed Feelings (Minor Criticisms):

1. Main Romance - I hate to pick on a romance when this drama is a lot more than a love story. However, when the romance between Yun Wei Shan and Gong Zi Yu does play a big part in the big scheme of things, it does matter. Unfortunately, I am not feeling the chemistry between Esther Yu and Zhang Ling He. Compared to the secondary romance’s sizzling chemistry, this love at first sight is lacking in depth and feels. Is it because of the assassin’s personality/role, or Esther's emotionless acting? Or maybe It’s Zhang Ling He’s acting or the writing of the romance? I actually do feel the love from Zhang Ling He’s gaze but not much from Esther.


2. Action/Fight Scenes - I was going to put this in the positive category, but then the slow motion scenes are gnawing at me. “My Journey to You” has beautiful fight choreography and cinematography. I would say the use of slow-motion scenes are probably better than many other wuxia and xianxia dramas I’ve seen before. However, I still feel that there are too many. When it was a big fight, the excitement is halted when a slow motion scene comes into play. I also would have loved to see more fights throughout the drama, especially in the middle of the drama. This is a minor criticism because I do really think the fight choreography is excellent and the actors did a really good job as well.

3. Pace - I wonder if this drama is trying to make the episodes a lot longer (a little over an hour) to bypass the 40-episode guidelines. If you add the runtime, this equates to a regular 36-40 episode drama. There are a lot of dialogs because of the scheming, so it could feel slow if you don’t like the conversations. I find the pace to be OK, maybe a little slower in the middle. The last 5 episodes are my favorite because it’s action-packed. But, when it’s slow, it feels so much slower when everyone walks and talks slowly, especially with some slow-motion scenes.. Is it just me?

4. A few questionable things - The 3rd assessment, I was prepared to ball my eyes out but then ML sorta bypassed it so easily? The secret passage isn’t really very secretive when everyone uses it. Some characters I thought would never survive after getting hit and stabbed so many times, but they did. Others get stabbed once or twice and they die, or someone is still alive and body intact after a huge explosion.


Overall, I strongly recommend this drama if you are looking for a more serious and darker wuxia drama. There are comedic moments, but this is not a fun drama. Many criticized the ending but I am quite satisfied. I am not sure if there will be a season 2, but one should never expect a very happy ending with such a dark C-drama (not saying this is a sad ending either.. LOL)


Other Random Observations:
* These supposedly cold-blooded assassins are full of feelings and emotions.
* I love the first real kiss of the main leads after CPR. It was quite nice and romantic.
* This is a drama full of sad characters with no good childhood. Parents seem to be non-communicative with their love for their children.
* It’s so sad when the green jade turned to red ?



Completed: 9/17/2023 - Review #354

Leia Mais

My Journey to One of the Best Series. Ever.

It’s only 24 episodes. For a Cdrama, that’s only an appetizer, but it’s the main course and dessert wrapped with a cherry on top kind of good.

The storyline and cinematography are enough to pull you in but what really keeps you engaged are the characters and the acting. All the characters are intertwined and you follow them on their incredible journeys of growth and development. It’s all done in an intricate and smart way to keep us invested in all the wonderful characters, no matter how small of a role you may assume they play. The story is fast paced and you can’t catch a breath because it’s so incredibly good. You may think you know a character or where the story is going but they always surprise you with all the twists. You end up wanting to binge all the episodes at once. The visuals and cinematography are STUNNING. It’s dark, gritty, intense and captivating.

The acting. The stellar cast is beyond amazing. Every subtle reaction is incredibly powerful. Every big reaction is riveting. The actors really know how to make impacts with their skills. The director deserves an award. The script writer deserves recognition. This is truly a masterpiece.

Leia Mais