A beautiful remake of a classic tale with beautifully sung OST by the FL
I had been putting off watching this drama due to its poor review. However, I'm glad that I finally watch it, and completed it.I had watched the New Legend of White Snake (1992) by Angie Chiu and Cecilia Yip in my younger days, but do not remember much except for the main plot. I enjoyed watching this 2019 version, as I get to understand more about the main message.
Despite some poor comments about the acting, I think the acting was decent, most of the close-up scenes did show corresponding emotions from both Alan Yu & JJY. I didn't like most of the scenes in the Heaven and under the sea, as they feel really fake. The casting for the immortals doesn't seem to fit, except for Lu Dongbin, Guan Yin & the Goddess in charge of the rebirth. I like the scene where Suzhen went to take the Bancheng lotus, that scene struck a chord in me! Ruyi was really annoying, but that only shows that the actress (Yu Lang) did well portraying her. Tim Pei did well as Fa Hai, too. And of course, Xiao Qing was the most adorable character in this version.
For those who complained about the lack of chemistry between the leads, they ought to understand that this is a classic tale, the original was in opera form. It was set in an era where husband and wife show their affection in a very subtle way. I like the way the ML defends the FL in front of his sister. That was considered very outstanding for that era, where filial piety is the basis of individual moral conduct and social harmony.
It is interesting that they involved the actresses from the 1992 version in this 2019 version. Even though Cecilia Yip fit into her role as Xu Xian's mother (due to her ageless beauty), I think the actress who portrayed Xiao Qing's mom looks a bit aged to be her mom. The worst part was they cast Angie Chiu's son as Xu Xian's son, he really looks too old for the role (he is older than Alan Yu), and doesn't seem to fit with the image of the Star of Wisdom.
The ending seems a bit rush, Suzhen came out in the exact same dress, and look exactly the same as when she went in, which was probably around 20 odd years later. And yes, I agree with some of the comments that the two leads should at least embraced when they met again after such a long time.
And last but not least, I like the way JJY sang the OST, which to me is much better than the 1992 version, even though it is basically the same song.
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First of all, I was quite interested because of the poster I Netflix. I was satisfied with it and I was curious about the storyline.
Second, is that I don't know. I am a blabbermouth. LoL
My Aunt is very picky about what she watches especially if its from the upper part of Southeast Asia. At first, I tried watching it out of curiosity but eventually got bored, At that time I was watching with my aunt for like 2 episodes. Then the next day she urges me to watch the next episode of it so I say that she likes it and she enjoys watching it, eventually I enjoy it too. One time because I was very lazy to go down and watch it on our tv she actually watches an episode without me. Swas very mad about the character of Yu Lang and it was funny for me to see murmuring ow hateful Yu Lang's character Jin Ruyi is.
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Thus far, Legend of White Snake is a series of moral parables or tales. At the centre, are Xu Xuan and Bai Su Zhen - one a human, the other a snake spirit/demon. Both kind, generous beings committed to living an upright and moral life.
Various characters try to corrupt them or bring them down but they stay steadfast. Indeed, so steadfast that there is not much interest or plot. Everything resolves in the same predictable manner. The actors - due to the script, direction, or their own talents show very little range.
Xiaoqing provides some comedic life and interest as a good hearted prankster. The colour palate of gray/white/green provides some lovely moments, and a contrast to many other Chinese dramas. But it does get a bit monotone after awhile.
I don't need my dramas to be full of operatic drama, alpha self-destructive heroes and vicious or saintly women. I truly was looking forward to a different model. But this is just too one note.
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The subsequent tantric ‘revolution’ aimed on the contrary to exploit mutual sexual pleasure as springboard to self-transcendence that instead enhanced sensual enjoyment, but free of delusory worldly entanglements. The instinctual inheritance of our animal physiology was visualized to be rooted at the base of the spinal column as a coiled dormant snake that upon awakening would rise to unite with cerebral self-awareness. This kiss of the serpent resulted not only in the (inner) ‘death’ of the (limited worldly) self: the fiery expansion of consciousness (agni) consumes the entire body to be drenched with the rejuvenating elixir (soma) of immortality. Already encapsulated in the Vedic Agni-Soma complex, such esoteric knowledge was diversely propagated in later Hindu mythology, e.g., through a forest conflagration extinguished by torrential rains, narrated in an erotically charged context.
The Legend of the White Snake reconfigures this trans-sectarian tantric vision into the ideological parameters of Chinese popular culture. Having performed austerities for a thousand years, Bai Suzhen is instructed by the Goddess of Mercy to live as a human to attain liberation . The virtuous snake falls deeply in love with and marries the mortal healer Xu Xian . But her unwitting husband’s vital force is sapped away by this ‘unnatural’ union with her demonic essence, culminating in his sudden death upon witnessing her reversion to reptilian form . The faithful wife then risks her life to steal the elixir of immortality from its heavenly guardians. All this while, puritanical monk Fahai is bent on exposing and capturing the snake with his magic staff and begging bowl. As Xian, with the Mind-Demon finally helpless within his pure body, is scorched alive amidst sacred chanting, Bai in this climax invokes the flood to extinguish the fires. Defeated in battle, the now pregnant demon is spared and, having served her purpose, banished beneath the basement of Lei Feng pagoda at West Lake in Hangzhou city .
Chinese ‘religion’ was already a fusion of two distinct ritual traditions: Confucianist ethics that underpinned the social order and Taoist esotericism that permeated popular culture. The introduction of Buddhist monasticism ran counter to their respective this-worldly orientation and quest for bodily rejuvenation. Indian tantricism, exemplified by this elevation of the serpent power, offered a fresh platform for harmonizing their rival claims. Taoist ‘immortality’ became grounded in self-transcendence, inner renunciation the precondition for full enjoyment of the world. The child-prodigy conceived through such consummate sexual union was believed to be born of and for enlightenment (bodhi-citta). Topping the imperial exams before returning to redeem his imprisoned demon mother , Bai’s ‘orphaned’ son is not a happy afterthought appended to an otherwise tragic tale of impossible love .
The Indian embodiment of such harmonious synthesis is the tantric sage Abhinavagupta (c. 950-1016 CE), believed to be the ‘offspring’ (yoginī-bhū) of such a felicitous union. The transgressive nature of such practice is underlined through the motif of theft, which is how Vedic god Indra acquired the Soma: hence the ‘unaccountable’ (stolen) treasures that Bai keeps conferring on Xian, for which the ‘innocent’ husband is even punished. Yet Abhinavagupta’s authoritative public writings on theater and the arts are imbued with the overriding intention to preserve and reinforce the Hindu socioreligious order (dharma).
The White Snake opera, which ends with the filial son redeeming his parents, begins by declaring: “They disclosed the immortal design […] With the Three Teachings accomplished, all hatred was gone.” Devout custodian of Buddhism, Confucianism and (Manchu) shamanism, the Qianlong Emperor was so impressed during his 1765 tour of South China that this supreme connoisseur brought its performance back to Beijing to celebrate in 1771 the 80th birthday of his beloved mother, the empress-dowager.
Touring Hangzhou’s Ling Yin temple (3 July 2016) during our first visit to China (Shanghai), we stopped to pay respect to the dedicated scholar-monks who had brought such spiritual wisdom from India . Youthful Chinese pilgrims kept asking Sunthar, the brown-skinned stranger, to join in selfies before these statues . Heading directly from there to Lei Feng pagoda, we came across key scenes from the legend carved into wood panels along its inside walls. As students of comparative religion and Hindu tantrism , we could immediately ‘recognize’ its hidden meaning. Having recently enjoyed ( on Netflix ) all 36 episodes of its most recent (web-) production, we feel privileged to share this bare outline of our decipherment.
Sunthar Visuvalingam. & Elizabeth Chalier, " White Snake - tantric sexuality in Chinese popular culture "
(Review published India Post, 25 Oct.. 2019; pp. 19 , 22 )
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Better than expected
This style of show is not my norm. Started this as filler between on air shows. I got hooked. Beautiful to look at. The theme song and music are haunting, huge add to the depth and emotions of scenes. The last 6 episodes are powerful emotional storms. They drained me, sad to heart crushing. Don't freak, there is some tearful happy mixed in. The introduction and development of Bai and Qing will get you heavily vested in their stories. Ruyi is a pitiful image of desperation pursing a never to be love. She performs evil blinded by her one direction love. Her emotional pain and dispare are so real. Yu Lang mastered her roll as Ruyi. In the end I still had sympathy for her. Qing (Xioa Yan) beautiful and enduring radiance. Funny, angry, sad, mean, childish, vengeful, she delivered every scene worthy of award recognition. Bai (Ju Jing Yi) is entrancing. Her macro/micro expressions and body language perfect in character. My only dump would be Xu Xain. I just thought to flat and lacked personality or emotional expression. The acting, visuls, music, and directing all come together to make this series perfect for your currently watching list. Fantasy, romance, acton, heart breaks, abound in this wonderful adventure.Was this review helpful to you?
However, after Bai Suzhen, the white snake, and Han Wen, the physician, get married they lose their sparkle and often look sick and helpless which shouldn't be because they married for love and were (apparently) very happy together. Qing, the green snake, saves the day! Although temperamental, she's basically kind and wants to do well, becomes very attached to Bai Suzhen and tries to protect her. She also brings much needed humor to the episodes. B.Z. is in a difficult position being a 'demon' and having to conceal it and fend off the jealous young competitor for the love of Han Wen, but does she have to look so miserable all the time? She has the upper hand, anyway, but both she and her husband seem to be exceedingly good and kind to the point that they become boring. It took me a long time to watch all the episodes because of this. I do hope the sequel is livelier.
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So-so.
If you are into story wherin leads have strong chemistry, this is for you! The male lead is very good in depicting love at first sight. I watched this because of him. I love Qing qing's character too. She adds color to the story. She is the second reason why I watched the show.For the white snake, I understand it's not Ju jing Yi's fault but her character is bland. Like ugh. For the plot.. the dragging of story mades it boring though honestly speaking, it is not too cliche. Like a not cliche story but not beneficial to the whole. Also qing qings lover just vanished to thin air after the sad ending. The ending is rushed.
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The storyline was original, but had a lot of potential given the well designed graphics. Unfortunately, with a staggering length of 36 episodes and a lack of well choreographed chemistry between characters, it was difficult to watch all the way through. At certain points, I even lost track of the storyline as there were lots of underdeveloped plotlines and an exorbitant amount of needless scenarios.
I still think this series is worth giving it a watch if you're curious, but it just wasn't the right fit for me.
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It’s an ambivalent watch.
I can’t quite figure out how I feel about this one. In general I enjoyed it, but I also felt incredibly anxious throughout. The antagonist is incredibly annoying. I did really like that in this drama FL is the powerful and older one. ML is a mortal. But a lot of stupid choices are made and misunderstandings because of assumptions and not saying things clearly are part of the things that go wrong. That’s a lot of what makes watching it feel ambivalent, because it’s infuriating, just say stuff!Was this review helpful to you?
The main leads had as much chemistry as two rocks, which is sad cause I really liked the main actress when she was in The Legend of Yun Xi, the main actor is just all around bad, can barely show any emotions. The monk and Xioaqing would have made better leads.
The story was redundant and weak, it had some good moments but not nearly enough to save the show, it was lucky to be short so you can power through it.
Overall, I would say watch it if you're a fan of the actors or if you're interested in the lore of it but I can't say I'd ever re-watch this.
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Pretty, but boring
The Legend of the White Snake first caught my eye because of the beautiful opening ost and the incredible set. Everything is just so pretty! The sets are so lush a pretty, though albeit unrealistic but either way- very pretty- which is kinda expected when produced by a large company like iQiyi.And given that iQiyi has produced quite a few hit dramas like Legend of Yunxi which also starred Ju Jingyi, I thought I might give it a try.
I was pretty disappointed. I've always prided myself in being able to push through dramas all the way to the end, but this one- sorry just no. It's not worth my time, thank you.
First and foremost, let's start with the acting. The acting is obviously the most important part of any TV drama, that's something anyone should know. Even though Ju Jingyi's acting is not horrendous, it's rather empty, you really don't feel the emotions she is trying to portray. But Bai Suzhen's character was already rather bland to begin with. To make matters worse, it's the same with Yu Menglong. And to make matters even worse, the two lead actors have zero chemistry. It's just problem upon problem.
Whoever was in charge of casting- I have no words.
On the bright side, however, I feel the character of Xiaoqing ( Bai Suzhen's sister-figure and best friend) was pretty well casted. the actress did manage to successfully give Xiaoqing that edge of spunkiness and fun. I also understand that she also gets her own romance arc later on... from the snippets I saw in the opening OST, it looks okay. It's my loss I guess.
The script, when compared to the casting, is slightly better. I rather enjoyed it when it came to mystery parts. But when it came to characters, it fell flat. The villains seem rather typical, their motivations were pretty typical and the two main leads' characters are probably the most typical of the typical. But I suppose that kind of has to be blamed on the original storyline.
In short, it's boring really. And dare I say it, the production company seemed far more interested in earning money through aesthetics and looks rather than the raw quality of the story. So I'm dropping it. I'm bored.
NOTE - Ju Jingyi's acting has improved since Legend of the White Snake, I saw her in the Blooms at Ruyi Pavillion and thought she did an okay job, the character of Fu Rong really amplified what she was strong at. Plus, she was collaborating with Zhang Zhehan again (who's acting is *chefs kiss*) and they share some decent chemistry.
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Debo decir que esta versión de "La Leyenda de la Serpiente Blanca" no fue lo que esperaba, esta adaptación ha dejado mucho que desear, sin mencionar que algunos capítulos se sienten monótonos, como si fueran solo relleno. Lo que ayudó mucho a no volverse un drama tan tedioso, es la esencia nostálgica y serena que se pudo apreciar en todo momento , esto hizo que fuera un drama bonito; al igual que las escenas divertidas de la Serpiente Verde (fue lo mejor del drama). El romance de la Serpiente Verde tuvo más química que el romance principal, no pude sentir en ningún momento la química entre la Serpiente Blanca y Xu Xuan, a pesar de que trataron de representar el amor verdadero y eterno con estos dos personajes, se enfocaron más en lo visual que en el sentimiento, creo yo que, la causa es la plana actuación de Yu Menglong y un tanto las circunstancias.
También quiero mencionar una de las tantas incongruencias en la trama, Por Ejemplo.
★Se supone que cuando un demonio siente amor por un humano, el veneno ocasionado por el amor del demonio hace que progresivamente el Humano se deteriore hasta ocasionarle la muerte. ¿Como explican que la Serpiente Verde, al momento de despedirse del amor de su amado, le haya dado la pócima del olvido a él y no se lo haya tomado ella? ¿No se supone que la serpiente verde debió haberse tomado la pócima del olvido para radicar el veneno?, pero esa no es la verdadera incógnita, la verdadera pregunta se encuentra en el hecho de que el amado de la Serpiente Verde se encuentre con vida y buena salud, yo que recuerde por un largo tiempo la Serpiente Verde seguía amándolo, respecto a cómo funciona el veneno del amor, se supone que su amado ya debería estar muerto.
No es un mal drama si lo vemos del punto de vista espiritual. Creo yo que tiene varias enseñanzas y una de las enseñanzas que nos presentan es: "Un demonio puede tener un corazón bondadoso y un humano puede tener un corazón malvado" lo que significa que no tenemos que guiarnos por los prejuicios, ya que muchas veces pueden ser incorrectos.
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