This review may contain spoilers
Beautiful, Little Flawed, and Completely Addicting — Pursuit of Jade Had Me Hooked
When I think of Pursuit of Jade, I immediately think of how visually stunning it is, the cinematography is beautiful, the cast delivered, the OST is so fitting, and the attention to detail? You can really see it in everything from the props to the costumes, makeup, and hairstyles. It all came together to create such a rich, immersive world.And can we talk about the humor for a second? 😭 I did not expect to laugh as much as I did. The comic relief was so well done. It never felt forced and honestly made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Now… as much as I love this drama, let’s not pretend it didn’t have me questioning reality a few times.
Yes, the FL being skilled makes sense, but her defeating two highly experienced generals with zero battlefield experience? That felt a bit too convenient. I’m all for powerful female leads, but that moment needed a little more grounding.
And the cliff falls… don’t even get me started. Characters falling from insane heights, surviving near-death experiences, and then recovering like it’s nothing. At some point, it just loses its impact.😭
And the 108 whips… I’m sorry, but there’s no way someone recovers that quickly. That scene should’ve had way more weight, but the quick recovery kind of ruined the impact.
What really disappointed me though was the ML’s characterization in action. He’s introduced as this ruthless, feared marquis, but spends a huge chunk of the drama injured. When he finally returns to the military camp, I was ready to see him dominate…Instead, his fight scenes are reduced or cut short, lacking the intensity and depth that his character was built up to have. It leaves you wondering what could have been done differently.
Meanwhile, the FL is consistently stepping up and carrying major moments (which I love for her), but the balance between them felt slightly off. I just wanted more from him.
The political storyline also had potential, but it wasn’t fully realized. There were too many names and moving parts without enough depth, and I found myself a bit confused at times. The constant mention of “seventeen years ago” built up so much anticipation, but the actual reveal felt rushed and not as impactful as it could’ve been.
But honestly? Despite all of that… I still really enjoyed it 😭
It’s one of those dramas where you see the flaws, you complain about them, and yet you’re still fully seated for every episode.
It hooked me early, made me laugh, kept me entertained, and gave me characters I genuinely cared about.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Is it perfect? Not even close.
Was I still obsessed? Absolutely 😌✨
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One of the best.. ?
Just a heads up. This is not based on any fanclub side. I belong to none in cdrama land.. with that being said this show was truly WORTH THE HYPE 💜 Just the casting alone should of already drawn your interests.. all the actors/actresses are beautiful and the stylist did an incredible job making them all look good 💜 Storyline.. kept me hooked.. no draggy fillers.. no pointless scenes.. side stories were not overly done and kept the focus on the main characters.. the battle/fight scenes are just jaw dropping 💜 Each character whether mains or support were given proper development and each one good and bad grew on you 💜 Ok let's talk about the "Jade" of the show Fan Changyu 💜 this was the best representation of an actual female general in my opinion.. there have been other shows portraying female generals but fall short for me.. you tell me someone is the first female general etc.. imma expect her to be bad ass and can be as good as any male general.. Fan Changyu showed she can do what her male counterparts can do and sometimes better.. when she was in trouble she overcame it herself.. when she was around her love interest she didnt all of a sudden become "cutesy" and forget who she is.. 💜 Now Mr. Zhang Linghe omg.. I've watched all of his period dramas and i have to say this has to be his best one.. other than him being gorgeous.. his aura in this drama as the Marquis lord have mercy.. he did not disappoint 💜 So would I recommend? 100x YES! 💜 Would I rewatch? Yes thinking of doing after this review lol 💜 This show is going down in the history books as one of the best so far 💜Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
WORTH THE WATCH.
Pursuit of jade is the first chinese drama to satisfy me this much, I enjoyed every single episode, the cinematography, the scenery, the outfits, the detailing. Everything was to perfection and I loved every single detail about the show, the osts were perfect as they gave the chinese traditional music vibes. I enjoyed every single scene. The director did amazing, Zou Yue did amazing with the storyline and adaptation of the original novel, the actors acted precisely and frankly, I enjoyed the chemistry of the first couple as well as the second couple. The character development didn't disappoint either or I really thought that they would ruin a few characters. The loyalty of the ministers towards their state really moved me. No matter what, they were trying to find a right ruler to preserve their state. Wei Yan was righteous though his actions to prove that we're not. Killing is bad and no action could justify it but his side of the story was valid too, I could understand why he did do stuff he shouldn't have and grand tutor li was utterly useless. Qi Min was a pitiful character too, it's just his circumstances which lead him to be the way he was, he wasn't raised properly but his conscience did know the difference between right and wrong and his wrong can never become his right. Yu Qian Qian, a passing time traveller deserved to go back to her realm, I felt bad for her because she did nothing to have sought the cause and effects that severe but then again everyone has their own fate which they have to fulfil. Xie Zheng, Xie Jiuheng orMarquis of Wu'an, his character was truly up to the expectations, I enjoyed how Zhang Ling He protrayed his character and as for Fan Chang Yu or Wei Chang Yu, her character was written beautifully, her character development was perfect and it really shows a illiterate person has prove herself and educate herself as she embarks on her journey, Tian Xi Wei did outstanding with her performance and I look forward to more of her work. Overall, the cast was perfect, everything had been selected carefully and was persecuted with perfection. This has to be my top chinese drama. I look forward to more adaptations like these and I look forward to the future works of the director and screenwriter as well as the actors. Pursuit of Jade was truly a masterpiece 🫀.Was this review helpful to you?
The best Drama there ever was!
Okay, where this drama stands out is the story progression. What this drama does so well, is it creates a perfect storm within this phenomenal story. I started watching this expecting it to be just another romance….but by episode 40 I was in complete awe and rendered speachless. my favorite part was the ultimate reveal when Uncle is in the cell telling Tutor Tao his whole truth. the way he explains that in full detail knowing that 17 years ago one drunken conversation resulted in everything that we saw happening was a whoa moment for me. Also the thing on repeat that’s woven into the story too is how the driving force to a lot of the tragedy here has a lot of love at the heart of it. secretly tho I was rooting for Qi Min and Yan to really mend things too. I know Qi Min was a monster but he truly did love Yan. I thought in the end when they were in the cell and he told her he just wanted them to live happily with her by his side and she explained how he could have had that but his pursuit of the empire is what caused this. When she cried I thought….she really did love him. he was just such a monster that she felt she had no choice and did everything for their son. Greatest watch!Was this review helpful to you?
Everything a perfect 10 until Episode 30 - Disappointed with the last arc
I've updated my rating for this drama from a 10 to an 8.5. I think the development in the beginning is amazing. Lots of details and storytelling is perfect. The second arc about the FL's development is also very good. However, after episode 30, the structure of the drama is not as good as the book. And the editing has issues. I am disappointed at the end.I guess the problem is mystery is too convoluted to begin with. And then there's hints all along that the Prime Minister was not what he seems. And suddenly, the story delivered a surprised villain at the end. The storytelling of the drama is not perfect towards the end and loses momentum after 30. The editing was a sloppy too.
UPDATE after ep 30
I am disappointed with adaptation of the book as it loses focus and tension towards the end, starting at 30. There were some jokes that seemed random. And the fact that there's no tension between the leads on the revenge motif. Anyways they have to make extra money and fill it up to ep 40. But I wish they would focus on the events of 17 years ago to keep up the suspense. I don't need to see so many jokes. There was a meeting between Wei Yan and ML as soon as he gets to the city.
There are 3 themes that run through out most genre of this type:
1) A struggle between love and hatred and LOVE wins.
2) Loyalty to one's country
3) Mysteries that happened before the main characters were born
#1 is missing to give way to love and humor in this drama!
Also, a few scenes just happened randomly - like a problem with editing.
EP36: I think it doesn't make sense that Wei Yan can impose traditional family rule on XZ because his last name is Xie, not Wei! In the book, XZ asked for the punishment from the Xie family to be with FL!
This drama has everything going for it: chemistry, storytelling, humor, and mystery. Let’s begin with the mystery, as the other elements are more self-evident. The plot is rooted deeply in the past, with secrets hidden from both the audience and the characters themselves.
Character Backgrounds
The Male Lead (ML): Xie Zheng
Names: Xie Zheng (Formal), Marquis Wu’an (Title), Yan Zheng (Alias used while in hiding), “Xie Jiu Heng” (Name given by his teacher).
Family: His father, Xie Linshan, married the sister of Prime Minister Wei Yan.
The Mystery: After his father’s death, Xie Zheng was raised by his maternal uncle, Wei Yan. Curiously, Wei Yan treats Xie Zheng better than his own son, even convincing the renowned Grand Tutor Tao to take him on as a student.
The Female Lead (FL): Fan Changyu
Family: Her father is Wei Qilin (formerly a servant of Wei Yan). He married General Meng Shuyuan’s daughter and took the surname Meng. Later, while in hiding, he changed his name to Fan Erniu.
Other Characters:
Meng Family
FL's grandfather and Mother
Zhu Youchang (General Zhu - served under Meng Shuyuan) was imprisoned by Wei Yan for seventeen years
According to him: Wei Yan sent FL's father Wei Qilin with a Tiger Tally and a letter telling the Meng General to abandon the transfer of grains to ML's father. They should rescue the 16th prince instead.
Tiger Tally of Xunchang to no avail, it turns out Zhu Youchang had sewn it into his severed leg - when QM's shadow men came, he gave it to them hoping to clear the Meng General's name.
Wei Family
Wei Yan - Prime Minister supposedly conspired to kill the ML's father.
Qi Min/Sui Yuanhuai : The imperial grandson. As a child, he stood in for the eldest son of Prince Changxin; during this time, half of his face was severely burned, leaving him with chronic illnesses.
This chapter discusses QM's history and how he became Sui Yuanqing's brother:
https://www.readthedrama.com/novels/chasing-jade-zhu-yu/chapters/66
Why he dislike his son - Yu Bao'er? because YB can take his throne before he can succeed in overthrowing the current king.
Sui Yuanqing: The second son of Prince Changxin and the heir apparent. If Prince Changxin takes the throne, Sui Yuanqing will inherit it. Qi Min intends to use Xie Zheng to eliminate Sui Yuanqing.
The Li Family Alliance: When Prince Changxin’s path to the throne falters, Qi Min begins collaborating with the Li family to secure his own chance at power.
The Li Family:
Second Male Lead (SML): Li Huaian / Wen Kan.
Grandfather: Grand Tutor Li, a powerful court official. He married his daughter to the Emperor, but she remains a childless Empress because the Emperor seeks to balance power between the Li and Wei families. He sends his grandson, Li Huaian, to investigate the events of 17 years ago.
The Events of 17 Years Ago
Meng Shuyuan, a loyal general under Xie Linshan, disregarded military orders to rescue 100,000 besieged civilians while transporting provisions. This delay led to the deaths of the Chengde Crown Prince and Xie Linshan at Jinzhou. Meng supposedly committed suicide to atone.
Wei Yan order Wei Qilin to kill his wife. WQ refused and took his wife into hiding - changing his name to Fan.
That same year, the Eastern Palace caught fire, reportedly killing both the Crown Princess and the imperial grandson. These two events—the defeat at Jinzhou and the palace fire—occurred in quick succession. Anyone with eyes can see they are undoubtedly connected.
The Answer: The Crown Princess set the fire herself to secure a slim chance of survival for the imperial grandson.
THE Mysteries:
1) Why did Meng Shuyuan, who was not known for being reckless or disloyal, disobey a direct order?
2) If Wei Yan was the culprit orchestrating the conspiracy to kill Xie Linshan, why did he allow Meng Shuyuan’s descendants to live?
3) Did Wei Qilin pressure General Meng to delay the shipment?
4) What does the Li family have to do with all of these events?
5) Who wanted to harm the Eastern Palace?
6) What is in the box given to He Jingyuan to give to Wei Yan when Fan Changyu's parents commit suicide?
7) Did Wei Qilin mastered the events that killed Zie Chang's father? This is the question that Changyu needs to answer because if he did, Zie Chang can't be with her!
-- I think this is a predictable scenario and might make the drama feel like it's the same old type of story- star crossed lovers again.
ANSWERS (spoilers ALERT)
1) "Back then, it wasn’t the old general who disregarded military orders and delayed the grain transport. It was the Sixteenth Prince, who was accompanying the army, obsessed with glory. Seeing only a few thousand Northern Turks guarding Luocheng and tens of thousands of civilians trapped inside, he ignored the old general’s orders and insisted on leading a rescue. In the end, the Sixteenth Prince was captured alive. The Northern Turks demanded the old general exchange the army’s grain supplies for the prince’s life—or else they would use the prince’s blood to consecrate their banners!"
2) Together ML figured out that delaying Old General Meng's grain shipment—the true aim of the mastermind was to ensure Jinzhou's fall. Or rather, to ensure the death of the Chengde Crown Prince and 16th prince die so that another prince (19th) could take the throne. They attributed this to Wei Yan.
MYSTERY: However, I think it's not WY because FL's father Wei Qilin is not guilty as she claimed because then her mom would not have lived with him. WQ's letter sent to WY must be this letter!
3) Why does WY raised the ML?
When ML's mother discovered the plot, she committed suicide and made WY promise to raise ML. This way, WY won't kill him because he's under his watchful eye.
He hated his mother for killing herself but when discovered that she died for him, he was remorseful.
My Rating
Storytelling: I think it offers a fresh take. While there have been stories about butcher female leads before, the combination of the characters, the director’s filming, and the actors contributes to the show's popularity. It’s time to take a woman who is a butcher seriously. Her skills are not just there for show; they actually save lives. She is the true lead because the story focuses mainly on her journey to become an equal to the ML.
Humor: I like how the humor comes from irony as well as physical gags. The actors deliver these comedic moments with a nonchalant touch and solid acting skills.
Direction: Sometimes we give all the credit to the actors. However, in this case, the director also contributed significantly to the success of the drama.
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An unbised POV from Kdrama fan who has never watched Chinese drama
This is the first Chinese drama that is getting better over time ✨. I have never fully watched a Chinese drama before; I always dropped them halfway because the story would get boring. Right now, I am at episode 26, and it is getting really interesting 👀. It is funny, the action sequences are great ⚔️, and the story is becoming amazing too.This drama is truly one of a kind and always keeps me intrigued about what will happen next. Usually, I only find this level of satisfaction in K dramas and their storytelling. No doubt, this is a wonderful drama, which is why it is in the spotlight.
I had read some negative comments and was hesitant to watch it, but it turned out to be perfect in every aspect. The story, the action, the romance, the second lead love story with the princess, and even the villain’s obsession with his wife all stand out. The cinematography is also a perfect example of how a drama should be made.
Previously, I tried watching some Chinese dramas but always ended up dropping them halfway, like Lookism Chinese version, The Untamed, and Fireworks of My Heart. Although many people like these dramas, they did not captivate me enough to continue.
However, Pursuit of Jade is truly different. It sparked my interest in Chinese dramas and became the first one I completed from start to finish, especially as someone who has mostly been a fan of K dramas.
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Full of scenes that I'll rewatch 100 times!
Let me just say one thing that I have not seen being mentioned anywhere else. There are a lot of great dramas, but there are very few that have as many amazing spectacularly crafted scenes and details unique to this show that will stay forever etched in my mind and that I'll be rewatching over and over in the coming years. In fact, the only drama that's comparable in this respect for me is The Story of YangXi palace.I am looking back over watching this drama and what I am remembering is an absolutely amazing village story arc and a truly satisfying ending . The rest of the drama had its ups and downs but there was hardly any episode that did not contain at least one or two of those truly amazing scenes. In any case, I really recommend this drama.
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The Standard Historical Dramas should Aspire To
I didn’t expect to say this, but Pursuit of Jade is the only Chinese historical drama I’ve genuinely enjoyed, and honestly, it should be the baseline for all historical dramas moving forward.What sets it apart is how real everything feels. The acting by our two main leads is superb, layered, restrained, and emotionally honest without ever tipping into exaggeration. I especially appreciated the minimal makeup and natural styling, which made the characters feel human and believable rather than overly polished.
The cinematography is stunning, soft, atmospheric, and intentional. Combined with the incredible character chemistry, it creates something deeply immersive.
I’ll admit, the plot did start to slip a bit around ep 30, but by then, I was already so attached to the characters that I honestly didn’t care. That emotional investment carried the story all the way through.
If more historical dramas focused on authenticity, performance, and emotional depth like this, the genre would be in a completely different place.
Absolutely unforgettable.
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Perfection
I liked every detail about the story, although it was a bit complicated. Acting is pure perfection so does the story it's literally a master piece and I recommend it for every historical drama fans. I think there is more to know about the restaurant owner and I hope for an overlapped drama about her and her story.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful and captivating. Chemistry was chemistrying lol!
I couldnt wait to finish this one! Chemistry was chemistrying lol! And you also expect that from Zhang Ling He with his lead co stars. Though Xie Zheng was secretive about who he was, you can see he literally fell for Fan Chang Yu and her lifestyle didnt matter much to him after a while because he started to trust her more.I enjoyed how their relationship blossomed into love. It was beautiful.
What I love most is that they are A STRONG COUPLE, both bad a$$.
They protect each other and their family,
Gongsun Yin being clumsy unintentionally was a nice touch to the drama.
There are so many other characters to talk about but I wont. Just watch it yourself! YOU WONT REGRET IT!!!!
The only thing that made me not give it a 10/10 was the ending.....to me, thought I understand it, I just though it could have been and maybe show their own family instead.
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Best wuxia drama of all time
This was such a unique storyline with a strong female lead (physically and mentally strong) that could stand on her own without the male lead. The chemistry between the FML & ML is amazing. I am so sad it ended and will rewatch it soon. Zhang Linghe delivered a great performance in this drama. My first time watching Tian Xiwei and she amazing! Need to watch more of her dramas. Don’t hesitate to start this drama, you’ll be hooked within the first 5 mins of episode 1.Was this review helpful to you?
SPEECHLESS
I'm absolutely in shock. Dare I say this is the best Cdrama of the year???. I have watched 100s of cdrama throughout the years starting from 2019 and this is easily in my top 5. I will definitely be rewatching it a million times. Also beware guys Zhang Linghe's face card is so lethal that I forgot to focus on the story a couple of times. All the actors are absolutely gorgeous and Tian Xiewei really did deliver that strong female general role perfectly. Also in absolute love with the second lead couple. The visuals in this drama is actually insane. I really hope they do more projects in the futureWas this review helpful to you?
