Divas Hit the Road Season 5 (2023)

Best season ever

I'm a fan of the Divas Hit the Road series and I watched all five seasons, including the camping season, to varying degrees of completion. I don't write reviews for variety shows in general, because there's really only so much the production team can do and the rest is up to fate, but I must say that this is the best season ever.

Divas Hit the Road is infamous for the second season where it was a shitshow with the cast splitting into small cliques, in-fighting, unpleasantries and whatnot. That season is now chronicled in Chinese entertainment history and has been memed to death. Background aside, the point I'm trying to drive across is that for a majority female variety show, the general consensus is that you need drama to entertain. People may talk about how the first season was most successful and the third and fourth were as civil as it gets, but I've watched all and the first was not without conflicts whereas the other two seasons were flops (deservedly too because they were extremely dull). This particular season was the first to showcase that a show with just warmth and kindness can also be a good watch.

Qin Hailu on first sight seems to be a hard-to-please senior, who sets very high expectations and voices her critiques freely. She looks like she's always assured, but it turns out that she has her insecurities as well. I could resonate with her when she talked about handling responsibilities as an adult and how true freedom is hard to achieve. She's expected to anchor everything as the "eldest sister", but everyone (including viewers) seems to take it for granted. I really appreciate how despite her insecurities, she did an excellent job. She's not a Liu Tao. She's actually a lot softer and I think a great fit for this cast.

Qin Lan is the person that all of us wants to be. She always knows what to say and she was the main source of emotional support for everyone. I've seen comments saying that she's too smooth and thus difficult to see beyond her perfect facade, but I think otherwise. The fact that her innermost self is not exposed to the audience is part of the realism. One cannot expect people to show everything they are, because we all need time to open up. It's precisely because she's been through a lot that she's mellowed and knows what's the best way to handle things. She's added that to her personality; it is part of her. Nitpicking at how good of a person she is is just nonsensical. In the wrap up session, she herself talks about how she's envious of Xin Zhilei because Xin feels comfortable to show her real self, but I think there's nothing inherently wrong with not opening up your heart to everyone - it's a form of protection. And the contrast between the cast's personalities was what made them click.

Xin Zhilei is really interesting. She's not just hilarious and happy-go-lucky. She also has a sensitive side to her. I actually can see all the times where she picked up on emotional cues from the rest of the cast. She has this curious mix of bluntness and perceptiveness that is very charismatic, and I find it unsurprising that she came out of the show being the biggest winner, because she is just very very likeable. She made a great point when she said that this is just a short trip, and nothing will stay a problem if everyone is willing to let go. It's actually very simple to stay cordial for such a short duration, and that speaks volumes of the season that went haywire.

Dilraba is clearly an introvert, and arguably the most reserved among the cast. I can imagine that she must have taken a long time to even convince herself to be part of the show. How she behaves is actually typical of a kid who has been brought up very strictly. She has very strong morals and hates doing something "wrong". She has to struggle with herself whenever she inconveniences others. When I look at her in the show, my heart aches a little because I see me in her and I know the thought process she goes through. I actually think she's not as astute when it comes to reading people's feelings, but when she finds that someone is upset, she feels compelled to help. I can see why she's so well-liked. Especially when she told everyone how "big sister (Qin Hailu) wants to be the little sister too" and when she told Qin Lan "I'm here for you" when Qin Lan had to wake up early for her tour guide leg. I think those were equally as powerful as Qin Lan's "happy new year". At the very end of the show, Xin Zhilei also gave a glimpse of the innocent and kind girl she is when she brought up how Dilraba sent messages of encouragement to her back when they were both nobodies.

Zhao Zhaoyi has the misfortune of being the least known cast member. I have to admit that I barely noticed her, because I have never heard of her before I watched the show. She also didn't not get her chance to shine because her tour guide leg was interrupted by the blizzard. However, it's clear that she has an excellent personality. She's also really funny and catches on all of the different puns. I will put her second to Hu Xianxu when it comes to witty remarks. She's also surprisingly thoughtful for someone who seems so carefree on the surface. I also think she's has a great sense of responsibility, but we only saw a smitch of that at the end when navigating the bad weather in Iceland.

For the guys, Wang Anyu is a little on the obtuse side, or perhaps he's just not as seasoned compared to the rest of the cast. But contrary to how he was portrayed, I think the sisters actually think he did a great job. He was not super comprehensive in his plans, but I think the subconscious reliance the sisters had on him later shows that they all agree that he's Mr. Fixit on the team. I don't think he's sensitive; he's probably just a bit of a perfectionist. When he was finally relieved of his role, he had a complete change of personality and turned into this goofy little brother.

I was actually a little surprised by Hu Xianxu. He is very loquacious for a child actor. He has the ability to carry on a conversation forever. He, with Qin Lan, sets the mood in the room. He also makes frequent references to puns in his speech, sort of like dad jokes. It's very interesting because he's so young yet so mature at the same time. He is also very sharp, and probably the best tour guide candidate. I especially like how he handled the fact that Wang Anyu was shouldering too much of the load at the start, and told him tactfully that he could delegate tasks to him instead. He is like a mini-Qin Lan, always knowing what to do, just not nearly as personable.

I just love, love, love this cast and frankly I think it will be impossible to top this season.

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Healing with 5 beauties and 2 knights

Honestly, I started to watch this bcs of Reba BUT unexpectedly fell in love with the other 6 too.

I felt as if each of them found a new “family” member throughout the 23 days abroad together. It’s also good to see their personal development throughout the journey.

Qin Hailu - at first she looked like someone scary and strict, but eventually you will know she is quite cute also very caring towards the younger sisters and brothers. I’m really touched on the hurricane episode, that she took the co-pilot seat when other members slept.

Qin Lan - the most positive and awesome person! From the start, she had been like emotional support to each of them. The way she always try to lift up the mood of others, always trying to make things fun. I also love her chemistry with Reba, the way they are in-sync with the surprises.

Xin Zhilei - she may look aloof but is a warm person. The thing that I noticed the most is how she almost always wake up early to make them breakfast. Her chemistry with Qin Lan is great too, but it’s also easy to say she got well with everyone.

Dilireba - she looks quiet at first but I guess it’s because she’s an introvert and only opens up with people she’s comfortable with, which is seen after the first few episodes. In fact, like Hailu said she is quite childlike - cheerful but gets serious when working. I felt happy bcs it’s like Reba found some new friends she’s comfortable with in this journey and hopefully they will still contact each other after this.

Zhao Zhaoyi - she is cute! The thing that I’m most impressed with is when her guiding day came and the way she can calmly change her schedule bcs oh god if that’s me I’ll be panicking. She handles it quite well, also is very nicely in-sync with the older sisters and brothers.

Wang Anyu - I think he matured a lot through this journey, especially when trying to understand women’s mind and feelings. From the first guide task to the last one, I definitely could tell he is doing a lot better. It’s definitely a character development. Aside of that, he always helped the sisters a lot especially about communications.

Hu Xianxu - at first guide task I was actually worried when he and Anyu’s style is different, and it really impressed me that they talk really calmly and even laugh after that. I love their brotherhood through the series. Xiao Hu throughout the journey is always like a playful brother, but a lot of time is pretty thoughtful too. He obviously understands a little bit more about women than Anyu HAHAHAH. He’s like a cool type that is really great to make friends with, and his English is also great.


All in all, I’m very happy with all the casts here. I love their chemistry together and how they overcame each obstacle that they had together and calmly without a drama. Travelling is never without a hiccup, even more when you are together with people that you barely know their personalities. Throughout the journey together, they seem to build a beautiful bond and it’s just very heartwarming to see. Hopefully, they will still meet in the future, and hopefully they will always be happy and successful too!

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