This review may contain spoilers
My Honest Opinion
I watched this in December of 2019, and gave a review on YouTube. I know folks loved this, so I'll probably be in the minority.The story would have benefited if they had written in more of the book after her death and actual resurrection. The pain and suffering he goes through. Btwn the horrendous amount of makeup they put on him to make him look like he was closer to 50 was a real disconnect between the two main characters. Wallace Huo (Bai Zihua) was basically an iceberg the entire time. I read an article where they interviewed him and he said that it took him a while to get into the right head space for this part romantically speaking because of the 8 year age difference between him and his costar, the ever amazing and talented Zhao Liying (Hua Gian Gu). That it felt like an uncle and niece or father and daughter relationship. That’s how it felt on screen. Plus the coldness of his character, total lack of development, and the aging makeup didn’t help matters. The writers essentially shot themselves in the foot by not showing or having someone say that “love and duty can co-exist” as that’s a line from the book. Maybe have Zhu Ran explain it to him during his monologue after FL dies. That all Bai Zi Hua had to do was open his heart and love her. He wasn’t a monk and therefore celibacy shouldn’t have been that big of a deal in comparison. That the “fated calamity” was designed not to kill but to teach them to love. That perhaps failing was really the win to the “fated calamity” curse as opposed to what they were made to believe. Like with what happened to Wu Guo and Yun Ya; all he had to do was acknowledge his feelings and allow himself to love her. Falling in love, opening your heart and letting yourself feel would have saved everyone. I mean Zhu Ran came about somehow right? So Mo Yan had to have sex with his mother. Love or otherwise, Mo Yan was still allowed to be a Senior Brother. His life didn’t end. Neither did the world.
The biggest disconnect happened in FL's resurrection; it came out of nowhere with almost zilch real explanation. It seemed like the creators were rushing to finish the series so didn’t have time to give it any real semblance of an end and there was a lot of great material to finally develop the lead the way he had deserved to be developed. Maybe not go as far as “The Bet” but much of it could have been used and give it a real happy ending it deserved.
The best character out of the entire series was that of Holy Ruler aka Big Sister to his Little Thing. Ma Ke was a great actor, amazing development, and multifaceted to have him be loved more then the lead, in my humble opinion of course. I would have much preferred for Hua Gian Gu to end up with him even if it was in the sibling only love capacity. He was the only one immortal who literally did everything for her and protected her; ended up stuck in sleep until she died and he used his strength to help with her resurrection. Ultimately, for me, in the cluster-fuck of men who loved her and tried to protect her, Sha Qian Mo is the only one who ever succeeded at it each and every time with sincerity. Dongfang though he loved her, was blinded by revenge and that also put her in dangers path. So he doesn’t count. So for me the only real sincere one whose heart was always open for our heroine no matter the cost to his evil plans, was Mr. Androgynous Holy Ruler Demon Big Sister. I truly wish the creators had taken more from the book and adapted it in such a way that would have explained that totally disconnected ending or ended it on a higher note from the epilogues giving the iceberg the opportunity to melt and show emotions. Just my own thoughts of course.
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The story line, twists and turns was well drafted. I'd say everyone who'll watch this and who's seen this well even want more, that's a 101% guaranteed! Good Job Everyone!
Congratulations for creating another yet enticing, extraordinary and first-rate hit TV Series (2014) that's being aired this year 2015! Top-Grade performance for the actors and actresses on this film! Kudos to everyone! ...
Looking forward for Second season/part 2 of this excellent show and for more other magnificent shows/story like this one!
Thanks!!!!!
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I love the actors and plot, though there were some moments towards episodes 40-50 when I felt some of the story was missing or skipped; maybe I can find an uncut version of this to watch again. The actors were so wonderful I felt their character's pain and cheered for almost everyone (even the baddies). There was not a moment when I did not sympathize with both main characters.
The fantasy theme was well utilized, but CG was not great. I thought China would have caught up with better CG by now, but unfortunately if you are hoping to see a lot of cool effects, not going to happen here. These people could have also spared some budget for real flowers instead of the cheesy silk flowers that were obviously fake. I am picking at this only because the flower theme in the novel and drama is very stressed. I also did not like Tang Bao's scenes. Her personality in the novel is very helpful, intelligent and cute. This Tang Bao was mostly annoying and idiotic; ugh, that voice!
The author and director did a great job with the story and character development. The costumes were beautiful. I also enjoyed the music and setting, which made the most dramatic scenes very emotional and well balanced.
I wasn't a fan of Wallace Huo before this (I saw 3/4 of episode 1 of Perfect Couple, and he did not leave an impression for me to continue). Maybe it was the costume change or his serious demeanor that won me over immediately in this drama, but now I am a fan and hope he will make more wuxia dramas. He played the stern but loving teacher very well. He was believable and his affections for Hua Qian Gu were subdued but convincing. I know a lot of people made complaints about the lack of affection (very little kissing/hand holding scenes), but this was what sold me on their forbidden but unconditional love. I actually enjoyed this more than other dramas because the main characters were privately passionate, and I could feel the heartache of always wanting more from their ill-fated love.
Zanilia Zhao was not my favorite in the beginning, but when her character was more assertive and less hopeless, she grew on me, and I cried mostly for her character's struggles. It's nice to have a strong female lead that fights for what she believes in even when the whole world and fate is against her. She was very relatable, and in the end I'm glad Zanilia landed his role.
Overall this movie was exceptional thanks to the wonderful acting, strong storyline, and believable themes of good vs evil and loving yourself before you can love others/the entire world. I would recommend this to everyone. It's quite long, but worth it. I was addicted so I finished quickly. Immediately after its end I felt major withdrawls (that was how good it was). With the success of this drama I hope there will be a follow up or something similar.
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This review may contain spoilers
I was so happy to find this as anything where the female lead has the potential to be kickass always appeals to me. Overall this potential kept me coming back for more, although, the CGI is hilariously bad.This is not a love story, this is a story of obsession and the inability for people to see beyond what they consider to be good or bad. To me, the best moment was when the female lead had turned 'bad'.
The main female anti-protagonist is a constant thorn that escalates instead of being resolved. Another character says, at one point, that she's not evil but that is ridiculous since nothing other than actions proves whether someone is evil and her actions were constantly exactly that.
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The pacing of the story was quite good, there were some slow bits in the middle but generally only persisted for a few episodes before picking up again. I felt like there were things that could have been explained - for example while we do find out some what about why Hua Qian Gu is special, it's never explained exactly why her blood kills flowers (although this could be a cultural/historical thing that I missed). I did feel like a lot of character motivations (e.g. why character's were in love, why certain characters hated others to the bone, general lack of nuance) went unexplained but that is in keeping with the "simplistic" feel. The end of the series kind of jumped off a cliff with the story and the series as a whole really suffered for that. The pacing went from slow to way too fast and the sweetness of the earlier story was canned for a brutal approach that didn't fit. It was like they had a story and at the end they realized they had to shoehorn it into a particular genre, leaving it feeling like a separate story.
The casting didn't wow me, the main cast didn't stand out as exceptional although part of that may be due to the constraints of the story. I thought Sha Qian Mo was well played, as well as Yun Yi and Shuo Feng. The music was alright but again didn't wow me.
I felt like the magical elements were well done and not terrible all things considered.
I'd recommend this series as something to give a try but I wouldn't put it at the top of the list as a "must watch".
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Wonderful Every Episode
Acting 10/10Story 10/10
Production 10/10
Had no problem watching it start to finish class. My favourite character was the supposed bad girl, will let you find out who I mean when you watch it. What did I like about it everything it engaged me, made me want to watch the next episode, had no fillers, yet it's nearly 60 ep's.
Nothing is original, but what drama is. If you watch this, it has something for everyone and emotionally gets you on one of the competing factions sides. The ending implies a sequel, but please don't watch the sequel.
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This review may contain spoilers
Zanilla Zhao's acting in this drama is outstanding!
It's a perfect 10.This is one of the best C-costume dramas I've watched.
The main actress, Zanilla Zhao, is the best actor in this drama. She outshines all her co-stars and deserves an award for her performance.
The story is about a girl who falls in love with her master. Their relationship as master and disciple is tested when she turns evil. This part of the drama propels Zhao to be one of the best actresses in C-dramas.
I won't say much about this drama as reviews by others speak the volume.
Watch this drama when you need a drama to entertain you.
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It was ok
I watched this drama because I love stories about cultivation. This was one of them so we can say I am a bit biased about my review. Anyways the story was all good. I love Fl`s character development and the development of others too. At least they are not just static characters. Very typical human nature. The only thing I dont like about this drama is thateveryone is trying to gang up and hurt our female lead for various stupid reason. It is really annoying instead of pitiful, unbearable to watch.
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Let's kill the FL because of jealous - should be the name
Looks like all the show is about Xia Zi Xun and Mantian trying to kill the FL.Really, all the drama it's about they being ridiculous obsessed with hurting the FL because of the ML.
It's so bad, there must be a thousand dialogues about this. Especially related to the obsession of Zixun, he just allowed her to do all those things. And he knew Martian was trying to hurt the FL and did nothing!
And the ML is just a moron, never steeping up when needed. If he had a voice and stood up most of the problems wouldn't have happened.
He was also treating the FL really bad in so many moments, blaming her or avoiding her. Just take the part of that instrument for the demon clan, he left her take the blame, he could just say that he allowed her to take it.
Ah, and the romance? Pretty much non-existent.
The only good thing is the production and OST.
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Awesome
I have watched HQG 6-7 times and I am totally addicted to this.. Wallace & Zanilia Zhao are my most favorite???Love all the songs and my most favorite Shifu??
Wish to have this Shifu in my real life too... Still I feel this drama so refreshing..
I am addicted to my favorite Shifu ???
I love wallace huo and i like love me if u dare drama i pick another drama of him
The Journey of Flower is heartbreaking and heartwarming in a way.
It's just wow, amazing,.. even I don't have words to describe this beautiful drama.
Gu is very cute..
Sha jie jie I just love him.
Wonderful drama
Must go for it.
The Journey of Flower is one of the Great Chinese drama I've ever watched. Can't say anything other than I just love this drama. I can't move on from this, I wanna watch it one more time. Actors did a solid job, the story is also great.
Really loved this drama. I never expected to be the way it actually was. I especially loved the last episode, It was fantastic with a very unexpected ending. I really recommend it if you love Chinese drama.
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Not sure. You'll never understand what I mean unless you try watching it yourself.
I'm not sure how to describe how I feel about this drama to be honest. I started watching this last year but then dropped halfway through because I was so frustrated, annoyed and felt many things I can't describe due to the fact that it looks like the drama main plot was how to torture the female lead in different ways [which is a typical cdramas theme if not mistaken] however I fell in love with most of this drama's ost so they are on my playlist until now, so last weekend, I have nothing better to do so I gave it a try again and it's safe to say, I'll probably watch this again if I'm feeling empty because I'm sure it will awaken emotions and might save me money for therapist.Was this review helpful to you?
