So much potential
This TV drama had so MUCH potential!Finally we have the pairing of the FL and ML (I've seen them not together in Love Between Fairy and Devil) and Esther is not being her annoying, cutesy, whiny, child voice. She actually is mature, and graceful.
Except when she only has one whispery sad voice, and facial expression.
The cinematography, the lighting, the REAL voices (as opposed to annoying dubbed) and the start had so much potential to get to something REALLY good. There was mystery, there was an interesting premise... and even some good romance from the 1st ML and FL and 2nd ML and FL...
But I began to get really lost, confused half way through.
There are too many prolonged conversations which I think were intended to be loaded and filled with clues, but they just go too long winded.
Then there was the strange flashbacks that sometimes revealed something, but most times started to make me wonder the point of it all.
It didn't make sense, then I read that the ending was not just open ended but that it just seemed UNFINISHED. Like it had the potential to finish up properly, but ended up being vague and just incomplete.
So comes down to bad planning, bad writing.
Sadly I dropped it even having got so far as 21 episodes, because I preferred to spend those hours of my life watching sometimes that paid off rather than this that had the sparklings of a good story, but fell flat on its face.
I wish I could say the OST was good - but there was just some weird background music most of the time, not in line with the atmosphere or mood of the scene. There is again potential good songs on the OST, but just wasn't used. Usually I'd be like, oh good they did overuse it or variations of it, but they didn't use the music well for the scenes that needed it!
Don't bother. OR watch first few episodes to appreciate the filming and scenery and then ditch it because you'll end up frustrated and confused by the end. I totally wasted 21+ hours on this and wish I could have spent it reading or sleeping instead.
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"Dark and Captivating: "The Journey to You" - A Must-Watch Chinese Drama That Keeps You Hooked!"
"The Journey to You" has quickly become a dark and enthralling Chinese drama that has me eagerly counting down the days until the next episode. With five episodes already watched, I can confidently say that this series has managed to maintain a captivating story arc from the very beginning. The darkness that permeates the plot is a standout feature, providing a refreshing departure from the typical light-hearted romances often seen in dramas.One aspect that leaves me both satisfied and craving more is the drama's episode count. At 24 episodes, it strikes a perfect balance between delivering a comprehensive story and preventing unnecessary dilution of the narrative. This concise approach ensures that each episode packs a punch and advances the story in a meaningful way.
The frenemy relationship between the two female leads adds an intriguing layer of complexity. Their dynamic is a source of tension and suspense, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they navigate their intricate power struggles and personal vendettas. This element sets "The Journey to You" apart from similar dramas, and I can't get enough of the character dynamics.
Drawing comparisons to "Bloody Romance" is inevitable, but "The Journey to You" manages to outshine its predecessor in several aspects. The writing is sharp, allowing for deeper character development and nuanced storytelling. The costume and set design are exquisite, immersing viewers in the historical world of the drama and enhancing its overall appeal.
What truly sets this drama apart is its unpredictability. The plot takes unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. This element of surprise keeps me hooked and eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding the characters and their fates.
As I eagerly anticipate the progression of the romantic storyline between the leads, my greatest hope is that "The Journey to You" maintains its dark and intense theme throughout its entirety. While the potential for romantic elements is exciting, I hope the drama doesn't compromise its unique atmosphere by veering into romcom territory. With bated breath and fingers crossed, I'm excited to see how this thrilling journey unfolds in the upcoming episodes.
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Started off strong, but fell short.
Although this series started off strong with beautiful cinematography and well-established characters, it fell short in the middle to the end. The conflicts between the main and secondary characters became repetitive with no character growth and for the minor villian characters, they were never explored. Only one character in this drama had growth but was butchered in the end. Despite enjoying the wuxia genre and its serious tone, certain character storylines were more intriguing and enjoyable to watch than the main characters. Ultimately, I stopped watching the drama at episode 21 due to its messy finale.I would suggest giving My Journey to You a try. The show delves into a martial arts universe that contains engaging familial and romantic conflicts. The fight choreography is entertaining, although be prepared for a lot of slow-motion shots. The entire cast deserves praise for their exceptional portrayal of their respective characters.
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This review may contain spoilers
A great drama can go downhill in a second
my journey to you is one example where a superb good drama can slip downhill in a secon. damn this drama starting with a great steps imho. the character was so satisfying, the costumes is feast to eyes, and the most importan is the cinematography! it was amazing.. dark yet aesthetic, even there is time when i think that this one is drama with best cinematography as far as i can remember. so… my mistake to having a high expectation, after some episode the story getting draggy, the weak-mainlead not having character improvements at all, at first i think he was gonna becoming zero-to-hero character, but again despite all that happen in story he becoming more dull, blame the poor plot for that.Was this review helpful to you?
Not sure about this one
Watched until episode 8 thought this will get better but no not for me. Way too slow and I guess I don’t like the soft spoken voices. No real action more like a soap opera.Maybe because I like fast paced action.
Oh and the sister is extremely annoying I don’t see the purpose of that character.
The actors are ok not a fan of Esther Yu don’t see the big deal.
Also my preference to these types of dramas are more like Ten Miles of Peach Blossom, Novoland Pearl Eclipse, Legend of Fuyao, Who Rules the World, Love Like the Galaxy etc along those lines.
Simply my opinion.
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A little too murky for me …
I’ll keep this short since I’m in the middle of binge-watching. I just wanted to share a few things about my first impressions.this drama looked to be very grounded to its mystery, and dark edge from watching the trailer. it’s proving to be just that; and isn’t misleading it’s audience to being more campy or a romantic comedy. Instead this drama has a dark mood and starts off with a very promising story.
I’m already interested in seeing the characters develope and grow to know eachother more. From the first episode alone it gives off a lot that keeps me wanting to watch more. Especially with the cinematography.
It’s better than average right now and in seriously anticipating that the ratings will score high and this drama will be successful. It’s not like many others airing around it, it’s very unique with its mood and costuming that sets it apart already. I’m glad I picked it up and will be keeping up with it daily until it’s done. There is something about this drama that makes me believe it is so promising.
The further in, the more the setting feels constricting. I understand why some want out, and why some chose to stay. I hope they explore their surroundings though, but I am still pretty early into the drama. I must say that Ester Yu is so impressive here, she usually is casts in roles that are naive and aloof, but here she is very intelligent and cold and cunning. Zhang Le He also is too handsome to not pay attention too, and I am looking forward to more projects from him (Eternal Faith)
In the end I get what people say when they want Zhang Le He to have a break out role that gets him really popular. He has the face and the talents and the height, but this drama didn’t help him. He’s a great actor here, but the chemistry lacked and that wasn’t any of the leads fault. I fear it was because of their pairings in others dramas and the comparisons I can’t help but making. Ester Yu is very good here also, I just think the whole atmosphere ended up bogging this one down a little too much for me. I felt like I didn’t get what I asked for with the leads, I wanted a mature and steamy romance but instead I didn’t think they are in it enough to keep me watching. I also heard there is a cliffhanger so in the end if this drama doesn’t fulfill anything that it’s not worth finishing. It isn’t like the leads aren’t in anything else, and since I liked them enough here.. I’ll check them out elsewhere.
This drama is simply too dark and so much plot with little action to keep me satisfied. I have a low attention span and am a simple person sometimes, so it just got caught in the middle of other dramas I just liked better. Not bad but not great.
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Grabs your attention!
I love any show with female assassins. Costumes are beautiful. Full of suspense and keeps you guessing about what will happen next. The cold-hearted woman vs the warm hearted man. The older sister was delighful. There is an additional cold herarted man vs a cold hearted woman. Let the treachery continue! The men are gorgeousThe FL is very likable compared to the second FL. I adore the ML, but the second ML was so hot. I couldn't help but like him even though he was so cold. Again the visuals of the men, whew.
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Characters Needed Work
I had to drop this drama, after many attempts at picking it back up. Mainly because I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters enough to try to properly identify the different clans and their kin.Maybe I don't have what it takes to be a Wuxia watcher. Maybe you need to care about the Martial Arts World to watch Martial Arts centered dramas. I couldn't believe that the FL was played by the same dough-faced actress I hated so much in "Love Between Fairy and Demon". Could her role have been played better by a much better actress? Absolutely. But, she wasn't bad. She just doesn't have depth to her, naturally. She looked absolutely ridiculous in her wig, which was too large for her head. In scenes where she was supposed to outshine the other potential brides, she looked remarkably plain in comparison. Now, I am a huge fan of the moral story of a prince that chooses not the most beautiful, but the most innocent bride as his, but true goodness of character has to be expressed by the bride for us to fall in love with her.
The SFL is one that I fell in love with. They showed her vulnerability in flashbacks. They really fleshed her out. Not to mention that her beauty outshone the FL many times over.
The FL kept being saved by the SFL, the ML, and others, and without beauty, or character (like the SFL), I needed a reason to root for her, yet I found myself unable to come up with any except that she was the FL. I hated seeing the other female characters being harmed. I cared for them more than the FL, even though I knew less about them than I did about her. Without being able to care what happens to the FL, there was no tention left for me to care what happens next.
The cinematography was above and beyond the standard. It was big-budget cinematography, and bursts of colours were used sparingly and to good effect in high-drama moments.
It's not a boring drama, exactly. Just.... you have to really care about the main characters to keep your interest, as their lives are the "stake" of the entire drama. Without the two main characters, there wouldn't be a story, so if you can't care about the main characters, then you're really out of luck.
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This review may contain spoilers
Excellent series❤️❤️ with roller-coaster of emotions.
SPOILER ALERTI would have given a 10 rating if it wasn't open ended, even if it were to be a sad ending. It doesn't appear that there will be follow-up according to the news articles (as at 21 September 2023) which is unimaginable.....
Draw back..... The last 4 minutes of the final episode. Open ending which ended with Zi Yu waiting for Yan to return and at the final seconds of the episode hearing the doors opening....
Back to what I think of the series:
Story 9 (taking into account the open ending) a great plot with lots of twists which kept the viewer engaged and also gave very subtle hints on certain things. At times I didn't want to watch the next episode because I will then finish it too quickly. Roller-coaster of emotions and routed for the main couple as well as Jin Fan and Zhi Shang. Cried with deaths of family members of the Gong Family as well Han Ya Si and Yun's 'sister'.
Acting: 9 in my opinion for all Main actors as well Jolin Jin (loved her so much), Tian Jia Rui (he did a great job of portraying Yuan Zhi) and of course Sun Chen Jun.
Production and Visual FX : 10 loved all the costumes and different sets / backdrops - everything was beautiful
OST: 10 Beautiful songs and Sound effects were great.
Will definitely Rewatch. I'll just make up my own ending!
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gob smacking
Jokes aside, this is definitely one of the best historical dramas out there, if not the best. I 1000000% recommend it. Can't believe it's already ended. I hope I find another good drama like this. If anybody knows any dramas like this, lmk. It’s introduced me to some new actors I didn’t know of before which I will definitely be tuning into their dramasWas this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
Superior drama!
I was not going to write a review but I started jotting down some notes and here we are. I just finished the drama so my thoughts are not well organized but here is my reflection on this drama. I will try not to rehash the same things most people have already said.First off, the actors blew my mind away. I came for Zhang Ling He and Yu Shu Xin but by the end, I fell in love with Cheng Lei and Tian Jia Rui just stole my heart with his childish antics. All the actors without exception did a fantastic job. I wasn't a fan of the actress playing Shang Guan Qian and I was not rooting for their romance because, in the end, she broke my dude's heart. However, I can admit that, for a moment, she had me fooled when it looked like she had turned against Wufeng.
Talking about our main couple, I love ZLH and YSX but I didn't feel the chemistry between them at all. I didn't care about this couple's story one bit. I'm not sure if the reason for that was her lack of emotions. Don't get me wrong, her acting was fitting for the role of a spy, but not so much for that of a new bride who is supposed to fool her husband/ lover and endear herself to him. She got lucky that Gong Zi Yu fell first because she made zero effort to entice either Zi Yu or Shang Jue to give her a second glance during the bride selection, unlike Qian. Maybe I'm being too hard on her because this is the character YSX was given but this took away from my enjoyment of their relationship. It was so much of him being infatuated and her "being stoic as long as it fulfilled her agenda" until she fell too in the later parts.
That being said on the subject of love, I feel like everyone was treated equally. By the end of the show (with the info we're left with at least) there is only one happy pair (Jin Fang and Zi Shang). I wish we'd seen more of them.
The drama wasn't about romance which is why I overlooked that and still rated it pretty high. The qualities of this drama lie in everything else that it did. I particularly love how the things that seemed like plotholes or were not making sense in the earlier episodes, were all tied together at the end.
For me though, aside from the intrigue and the story itself, I found the emphasis on the Gong family's relationships so touching. I don't usually care about family ties and lessons in dramas. Here though... man! They made me bawl my eyes out in those last episodes...
The brothers' relationships with each other and as a whole (minus Huan Yu)... all different but similarly loving and supportive.
The parents' love and support for their kids in hidden ways... (minus Zi Shang's asshole father)
The love that the Gong family has for their members and the people they love is so deep.
From an outsider's perspective, all those things may seem cruel, isolating, and harsh but once you're in, it's an unbreakable bond that a lot would envy.
The ending seems to suggest a second season, but it could also mean that the writers are letting us interpret it the way we want. All I can deduce from Zhang Ling He's face is that whatever was behind that door was not good news or not what he was waiting for.
It's not satisfying but I'm not upset by it. In my mind, she died and I hope Zi Yu recovers soon but would it be this drama if it was that simple? Too many things are still left unanswered. They defeated the Wang warriors of Wufeng but not the Wufeng as a whole. What if the Liang warriors exist? What about his brother? Has he truly given up and been defeated? Could the whole martial world unite against Wufeng with the Gong family? Could the Gong family eventually become more open to outsiders if the former point happens? So many questions and that's why I love this drama, regardless of whether we will get an answer to them or not.
As you can tell, My Journey To You has impressed me beyond words with all its twists and turns.
If I can end this long review with a small quibble (aka what I referred to above as plotholes), I wish the story had been told more linearly. There were a lot of flashbacks and retelling of stuff that the audience had no way of knowing. It worked the way in a lot of moments but for example, when I wonder where Shang Guan Qian was amidst all the final Wufeng chaos, it feels like there is a disconnect between scenes. She only reappears during the Huan Yu showdown. It seems like it's not all happening at the same time. This did not deter me from enjoying the show, however, if there was another season, I wish there'd be less of that style of storytelling.
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