This review may contain spoilers
the journey of a liquor deity.
watching Dashing Youth is like eating a cake with too many toppings on it. it’s a treat for sure - but it tries to squeeze in too many side plots and characters into 40 episodes, all while trying to show our main character, Baili Dong Jun’s growth, and his relationships with our other main characters.
characters are introduced, say a few lines, and disappear for a few, if not, the rest of the show. sometimes people pop up and while my brain is still trying to remember their name and their alliance they have already said their piece and hopped off screen. it’s a pity because many characters here are quite likeable and of course, dashing to look at. we had time skips every other episode (especially at the start and in the last arc), which could’ve been woven into the plot or show differently. the characters also don’t look like they’ve aged at all despite all the years gone by (except the kids who obviously are now teenagers).
towards the end, key plot developments are simply animated and narrated - i get that it would’ve been too much to show everything, but at least show a few snippets here and there instead of narrating everything off screen? this creates a disconnection within the world the show is trying to build. (for example, Yue Qing ends her life completely offscreen when she’s been one of the more important supporting characters? Lei Mengsha is suddenly a General?)
acting wise was done well. weakest link would’ve been Yi Wen Jun. her character was already not written very well, but i think the actress could’ve portrayed her better.
i was quite disappointed with the fight scenes. the first half had solid fight choreographies, but after that it was just CGI after CGI (though done well), and sometimes fights are skipped entirely. i was looking forward to seeing good sword fights here, but unfortunately did not get enough.
the only redeeming factor would be the friendship between Dong Jun and Ye Yun. i loved their camaraderie, and wished they had more screen time together. i also hoped to see more friendship/teamwork scenes where Dong Jun explores and fights alongside his new found buddies.
i would’ve enjoyed this cake more, if it just stuck to a few toppings that help bring out the core flavour.
overall: 8/10 (i rate pretty leniently)
characters are introduced, say a few lines, and disappear for a few, if not, the rest of the show. sometimes people pop up and while my brain is still trying to remember their name and their alliance they have already said their piece and hopped off screen. it’s a pity because many characters here are quite likeable and of course, dashing to look at. we had time skips every other episode (especially at the start and in the last arc), which could’ve been woven into the plot or show differently. the characters also don’t look like they’ve aged at all despite all the years gone by (except the kids who obviously are now teenagers).
towards the end, key plot developments are simply animated and narrated - i get that it would’ve been too much to show everything, but at least show a few snippets here and there instead of narrating everything off screen? this creates a disconnection within the world the show is trying to build. (for example, Yue Qing ends her life completely offscreen when she’s been one of the more important supporting characters? Lei Mengsha is suddenly a General?)
acting wise was done well. weakest link would’ve been Yi Wen Jun. her character was already not written very well, but i think the actress could’ve portrayed her better.
i was quite disappointed with the fight scenes. the first half had solid fight choreographies, but after that it was just CGI after CGI (though done well), and sometimes fights are skipped entirely. i was looking forward to seeing good sword fights here, but unfortunately did not get enough.
the only redeeming factor would be the friendship between Dong Jun and Ye Yun. i loved their camaraderie, and wished they had more screen time together. i also hoped to see more friendship/teamwork scenes where Dong Jun explores and fights alongside his new found buddies.
i would’ve enjoyed this cake more, if it just stuck to a few toppings that help bring out the core flavour.
overall: 8/10 (i rate pretty leniently)
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