Mindfulness Viewing
Each. And. Every. Time.I return again to this story like it’s my go-to comfort food. It feeds my soul. My visual therapy.
This time, I am sharing some thoughts... Throughout the story, I always find myself smiling secretly, as if I have been recruited into some enlightened society composed of those who have seen this and “get it.”
We all enter this world alone but we can seek solace in our loneliness together. Framed within a background where humanity reawakens and redevelops throughout various epochs and where history has an active opportunity to shape the future is an intriguing storyline. This story irrevocably wakes up something in me and I am left craving more to understand the purpose of my actions and the courage to accept the consequences.
In all honesty, if it is the last story I ever know, I would accept it as fate and I would be completely satisfied. At its core, it is a deep love story. Love of life. Love of everything that makes us whole. Even the layers of sinister plots are balanced beautifully with the lighthearted ways the story unfolds. The ML is not perfect and I understand he is more of a realist in the novel version, but the noble tenets of friendship and loyalty are still solid and worthy of note. Also, his jovial demeanor is a great coping strategy and is a reminder we must remember to be light. To laugh often. These years are short. Let us live.
Season 2, please come soon. I admit that I miss this stellar masterpiece. It is a story I would keep forever in my heart if I had to survive somewhere as I could live on the courage, hopes, and dreams of this young man. Let us inspire great things. Life is indeed better with Joy of Life in it.
Right now. Smile. You know you have arrived when you suddenly have a sense that this story has profoundly changed you in some way. Welcome…
Was this review helpful to you?
Fantastic Drama So Far! Season 1 is A Masterpiece
This Drama surprised me. It's already a Masterpiece!I have to say the comedy was done really well on this show.
Gotta applaud them for that.
The Story is also really good, which follows the novel.
I haven't read the novel.
But I know there are changes made.
The Acting was brilliant and I liked most of the characters.
The characters were smart and had thier own uniquness.
Even the bad guys of this show are really fleshed out.
The Music was really good also, there was music for tension, for comedy,
for action and for romance.
Really excellent production here.
I am eager to watch Season 2. The story is not complete yet.
So if you watch this now, be prepared to wait for season 2.
Looking forward to see where the story goes.
I hope I wont be dissapointed by the end of Season 3.
But I have confidence in this Director, for that to not occur.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
First time watching drama where almost everyone are strategists, smart and scheming
Started slow, but then wow it's progressing and now the best political theme drama I've ever watched.It reminds me of NIF (Nirvana in Fire) and MLC (Mysterious Lotus Casebook), its like Mei Chang su (strategist) and Li Lian Hua (smart, relaxed) combined into one, but not only in just one role here, but almost every roles are that smart and scheming.
Yes literally almost everyone and it got me speechless. The dialogues also direct and smart.
Conclusion : its one of the few cdramas we should watch in our life ?
Kudos to the novel and script writer, its the best political plot I've ever watched, unpredictable.
Looking forward for s2 soon ?
Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect
First time i write review in My Drama List.I love the storyline. Never bored to watch and watch every episode.
Acting all casts really SUPER GOOD, especially the senior casts.
I just can say everything about JOY OF LIFE really AMAZING. And worth to watch.
I wishes that some important cast from Season 1 which are still give us mysterious question, will comeback again at season 2, without changing the actor/ actress.
Still wait their are can give us more information for Season 2. Can't hardly wait for sure ?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Entertaining and Enjoyable
Great characters, interesting plot and no lazy filler plot. The music was very cleverly utilised- including rock, blues and yodelling! Fantastic application of music to highlight a diplomatic discussion which degenerates into a free-for-all while one character disassociates. Romantic elements included and managed with sensitivity, warmth and humour. The character development is integral to keeping the story moving and preventing the plot from fizzling out over one character. Wonderful to see the actor from Sunshine By My Side (the horrible husband) turning into a friend worth having despite his greed and slipperiness. A long wait for Xiao Zhan’s appearance but well worth it due tis outstanding performance in a non-romantic, complex role. Good acting all around with a great Dorian Gray- type character in there as a ticking time bomb. The premise for the film is, what if we used contemporary values in a hanfu drama? This makes for compelling watching without the usual cliches. Refreshing indeed with plenty of laughs and a young fire-breathing lead fighting for his integrity. I wish all C-drama was this much fun to watch. Wonderful to see representation of disability in the form of chronic illness, blindness and also wheelchair use. All of these characters think for themselves and do not let their disability define them; one of the drivers for FL is the way she and ML combat the prevailing wisdom to get better health outcomes for her and help her improve her independence. Excellent viewing which can be watched by a whole family if desired. I have already started watching s2.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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....Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
