A Journey to Love (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: A Journey to Love (2023) - Wuxia meets politics as a princess, an assassin, and a squad of spies embark on mission impossible

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         9 Stars Plot:                       8 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    9 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

Based on an original screenplay, A Journey to Love (2023) is an engaging blend of wuxia and politics.  The narrative centres around the journey of a delegation that embark on mission impossible: the rescue of their undeserving Emperor from the hands of a hostile State. Although they (and we) know it is essentially a suicide mission, there is so much thrilling heroics, hilarity, and hijinks along the way that it is impossible not to fall in love with the squad and to be invested in their story.  I found myself fervently hoping that their plot armour would hold forever and that they would all make it home.   

The English title of the drama is serviceable, but I much prefer the Chinese title, 《一念關山》/《一念关山》 "A Thought of Fortresses and Mountains". It is derived from "一念起關山", the penultimate line of Shen Yue 沈约's frontier poem 《卻東西門行》/《却东西门行》 But the East West Gate (which I have attempted a more detailed commentary + translation of 👉here).   

In brief, the line "一念起關山" expresses the poet's yearning for the fortresses and mountains that delineate and protect his country. Given the drama's themes, the choice of title is incredibly apt, poetically evoking the delegation's love of country and their desire to protect its frontiers, as well as their yearning to return home.  

Notably, A Journey to Love (2023) heralds the comeback of veteran actress Liu Shi Shi, as well as the first main male lead role for Liu Yu Ning in a costume drama. Their kickass power couple of deadly assassin Ren Ru Yi and Chief Ning Yuan Zhou blew me away with their awesomeness.  Liu Shi Shi is a delight to watch, especially in her mesmerisingly good fighting scenes, and although Liu Yu Ning's acting is a work in progress, I think he holds his own.  I fell for them, as well as for every member of the squad (especially Fang Yi Lun's Yu Shi Shan) like the proverbial ton of bricks.

Although I enjoyed this drama, it isn't without its flaws. A tendency to focus on characterisation at the expense of plot meant that midway through there was a marked decrease in momentum, and the rush to the ending could have been better conceived and executed. But overall, it is still a drama that scores a solid 9 from me, because there was just so much to love.

   

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

A Journey to Love (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:                  A Journey to Love 

Chinese title:     一念关山 / 一念關山 

                          (Eng translation: "A Thought of Fortresses and Mountains") 

Episodes:           40 

Genre:                Wuxia, historical, political, romance  

Original network:  iQiyi

Release date:        28 Nov 2023

Airing schedule:    28 Nov 2023 - 23 Dec 2023

Synopsis:

The State of Wu is left in a politically fraught situation when their Emperor is taken hostage by the State of An. The An Emperor demands a hefty 100,000 tael ransom and also demands that it be brought to him by a Prince of Wu. 

Princess Yang Ying offers to go, masquerading as 'Prince Li', and a delegation is assembled to undertake the dangerous mission of retrieving the Wu Emperor.  At its helm is Ning Yuan Zhou, newly reinstated Chief of the Six Paths Hall, and his squad: the free-spirited playboy Yu Shi Shan, the laconic imperial guard Qian Zhao, the animal loving Sun Lang, and clever youngster Yuan Lu, all of whom have a particular set of skills.       

When Ren Ru Yi, female assassin and former left envoy of the State of An's Scarlet Guards, becomes a member of the delegation, things get...interesting.  Especially when Ren Ru Yi decides that Ning Yuan Zhou would make a good father for the child she plans to have, to the latter's consternation and the delegation's amusement.  

  

A translation of "But the East West Gate" 卻東西門行 by Shen Yue: the poem from which the Chinese title of A Journey to Love (2023) derives

A translation of "But the East West Gate" 《卻東西門行》 by Shen Yue 沈约, the poem from which the Chinese title of A Journey to Love (2023), 《一念關山》, derives

Shen Yue 沈约 (441-513)

The Chinese title of the drama A Journey to Love (2023) is 《一念關山》 /《一念关山》 "A

Thought of Fortresses and Mountains", and is taken from the last line of 《卻東西門行》 /《却东西门行》"But the East West Gate", a poem by Shen Yue沈约 (441AD - 513AD).

The poem is a frontier poem, written in the turbulent Northern and Southern dynasties 南北朝 period. It depicts the poet on horseback, setting out from the East Gate, heading West.  As he looks back at the receding scenery of the Capital and the mountains and rivers disappearing on the horizon, he poignantly reflects on the passage of time, the remembrance of past joys and present sorrows, as well as his yearning for the fortresses and mountains  "一念起關山".  The phrase guan shan 關山 /关山 describes the frontiers and mountain ranges that delineate and protect the jiang shan 江山/the empire.   

Given the themes of A Journey to Love (2023), the scriptwriter choice of that line 一念關山 from 《卻東西門行》/《却东西门行》 to be the drama's Chinese title is incredibly apt. "A Thought of Fortresses and Mountains" 《一念關山》/《一念关山》 evokes the delegation's love of country and desire to protect its frontiers, as well as their yearning to return home.  

I've tried to capture the essence of the poem in my translation below, but inevitably, much of the beauty of Shen Yue's words are lost in translation and due to my shortcomings (ancient Chinese text is not my forte 😅).  All mistakes are, of course, my own and any suggestions / corrections welcome!

  

Scent of Time (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Scent of Time (2023) - A suspense-laden reverie on regret, redress, and redemption

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       8 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      8 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8.5 Stars

Scent of Time (2023) poses the tantalising question of what, if anything, one can do to redress past wrongs and to change fate if given a second chance. 

I didn't realise it at first, but the twist in the tale is obliquely hinted at in the Chinese title of the drama, 《爲有暗香來》/Because of the Subtle Fragrance, which is derived from a poem by Song Dynasty poet and statesman Wang An Shi王安石. Elsewhere, the twist is also foreshadowed throughout the drama, which makes it difficult to miss.

Despite this, the way the drama unfolds skilfully dials up the suspense - it is almost impossible not to root for Zhou Ye's Hua Qian in her high stakes quest to atone for and rewrite the past. The hook is in what choices she makes, what actions she takes, and the unintended fallout of those decisions.   

Viewers who are watching this drama for the romance may well be disappointed - it is protagonist rather than romance focused. Three potential love interests are presented, but Scent of Time (2023) is one of the rare dramas in which I truly did not care who, if anyone, the endgame would be.  I just wanted Hua Qian to be living her best life.  Although some of the scriptwriting in the later episodes was noticeably weaker, I stayed until the very end to find out how Hua Qian's story would conclude...

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Scent of Time (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Scent of Time

Chinese title:   為有暗香來 / 为有暗香来  (Eng translation: "Because of the Subtle Fragrance") 

Episodes: 30 (+ short animated clip)

Genre: Suspense, romance, historical  

Original network:  Youku

Release date:        13 Oct  2023

Airing schedule:    13 Oct 2023 - 1 Nov 2023

Synopsis:

What happens when you have taken one wrong step after another? Hua Qian, who has used the most unscrupulous of means to arrive at her ends, finds out that the consequences are deadly. As she lies dying, she is offered a second chance at life...

  

One and Only (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  One and Only

Chinese title:  周生如故 (Translation: "Zhou Sheng as of old")

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, palace, tragedy 

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      10 August 2021

Airing schedule:  10 August 2021 - 27 August 2021

Synopsis:

Prince of Nang Chen, Zhou Sheng Chen is an undefeated general, loyal to king and country, and famed for his inner and outer beauty.  He faithfully guards the borders at the western frontier to protect the people, far from the seat of power and its political intrigues.  However, as the younger brother to the former Emperor and uncle to to the current one, and with the love and respect of the people and a formidable army at his command, he is seen as a threat to the royal house of Liu.  

To still the mouths of those who see him as a threat, he vows to spend his lifetime guarding the borders and to never marry or have children.  

  

Wanru's Journey (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Wanru's Journey (2023) - A no frills wuxia that is surprisingly watchable up until the lame ending

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6.5 Stars

Wanru's Journey (2023) is a short, 

low budget, no frills wuxia drama. There are
24 episodes, each at 30 - 35 min long.  If you are wondering why it's called Wanru's Journey, the English title is a mashup of both of the names that the female lead goes by (Murong Zhu Wan and Xiao Ru).  I personally prefer the Chinese title 《少年江湖》which translates to "Youth's jianghu". 

This is obviously not Jin Yong quality, and the acting is nothing to write home about, but there really is a wuxia vibe to this one, including some decent CGI-lite fighting scenes. And there's Ao Rui Peng. Although this is decidedly not his best work, he looks great glowering in black or channeling young master vibes in white.

All in all, surprisingly watchable, at least up to the final 15 minutes or so given the lame ending...

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Wanru's Journey (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info: 

Title:  Wanru's Journey

Chinese title:  少年江湖 (Eng translation: "Youth's jianghu") 

Episodes: 24

Genre: Wuxia, romance, comedy 

Original network:  Iqiyi

Release date:        26 May 2023

Synopsis:

Impoverished Jianghu swindler Xiao Ru is unskilled in martial arts, but she always has tricks up her sleeve to make a quick buck and to make an even quicker getaway.  

In an unexpected turn of events, Xiao Ru is compelled to impersonate Murong Zhu Wan, the mentally impaired second young lady of the Murong manor.  

Sparks fly when she meets her 'brother' Murong Chong and her 'fiancé' Fu Hong, and she is unwittingly drawn into Jianghu conflicts.  Amidst open and hidden power struggles in the martial arts world to become leader of the martial arts world and the fight to possess the Manual of Mountains and Seas, the trio must join hands to defeat the ultimate evil. 

  

Romance on the Farm (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Romance on the Farm (2023) - Not much romance but there is family melodrama aplenty 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

When I saw that Romance on the Farm (2023)  was headed by big eyed cuties Zeng Shun Xi and Tian Xie Wei, it went on my to-watch-while-airing list.  What's not to love about a historical slice of life drama set in a rural farming setting?  Historical/period dramas on commoners are far and few between, and there is an interesting twist in this one in that the female lead is a modern gamer testing a VR farming game.  Besides, having just watched Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023), I wanted to see Xiao Bao again and that cute doggy Hu Li Jing also makes an appearance as Dai Wang in this drama...    

However, Romance on the Farm (2023) is not what I expected. Although the name, trailer, and marketing gave off a fluffy romcom vibe, romcom this definitely is not.  The Chinese drama title 《田耕紀》"Farming Chronicles" is more apt. If you watch this one, be prepared for what can often be a melodrama that makes your blood boil because Man'er's extended family are a toxic bunch and their machinations would not be out of place in a palace drama. I also think the drama would have made more sense without the VR gaming premise.  

However, despite the family melodramatics and some rather obvious logic flaws linked to the gaming premise, the drama (and Zeng Shun Xi and Tian Xie Wei) kept me watching till the rather sweet play-on-words ending. 

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Romance on the Farm (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Romance on the Farm 

Chinese title:  田耕紀 (Eng translation: "Farming Chronicles") 

Episodes: 26 + 1 short special episode

Genre: Slice of life, romance, historical

Original network:  iQiyi

Release date:        14 Oct  2023

Airing schedule:    14 Oct 2023 - 25 Oct 2023

Synopsis:

Lian Man'er enters a farming VR game set in ancient China as a tester, and soon finds herself on the Lian family farm.  To successfully win the game she needs to earn 1000 golden taels.  

When Man'er meets the mysterious Shen Nuo, she ropes him into helping her in various farming and business ventures.  As they work hand in hand, romance blossoms. But making 1000 taels is no easy task as they are repeatedly thwarted by events outside their control, as well as Man'er's problematic extended family. Shen Nuo is also not who he seems, and has a secret quest of his own to achieve.

  

Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023) - Cute and clichéd romance on a familiar trope 

This is 6.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6.5 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      2 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6.5 Stars

Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023) is a fluffy cheap and cheerful 24 episode romance, that is entirely predictable.  It is a remake of the original 2001 drama of the same name which I have not watched, so I can't compare this 2023 version to the original and can only judge it on its own merits.   

My verdict is that if you are wanting a fluffy low stakes drama that you don't have to engage your brain to watch, this one fits the bill. Both sets of leads are very cute, especially the Ao Rui Peng and Tian Xie Wei pairing, but this drama is definitely well within their comfort zones and does not stretch them as actors (which is understandable given the genre). The second pairing of Bai Bing Ke and Zhao Shun Ran have much less screen time, but also turn in competent and cute performances.  

Worth a watch if you are a fan of Ao Rui Peng and/or Tian Xie Wei but don't expect it to rock your world - it gets a bit draggy and repetitive in the middle and would have been better with 20 episodes or less.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Wrong Carriage, Right Groom

Chinese title:  花轿喜事 /  花轎喜事 (Eng translation: "Wedding Sedan, happy occasion") 

Episodes: 24 

Genre: Romance, romcom, historical

Original network:  Youku

Release date:        28 Aug 2023

Airing schedule:    28 Aug 2023 - 14 Sep 2023

Synopsis:

The powerful Du and Li families arrange marriages for their daughters, who are both reluctant to marry their chosen grooms. Li Yu Hu is to marry General Yuan Bu Qu, who is rumoured to have caused the premature deaths of two wives, whilst Du Bing Yan is to marry Qi Tian Lei, the sickly 3rd young master of the Qi household, who is rumoured to be at death's door. 

Both brides set out on the same day by sedan to their respective weddings, but due to a bout of rain, they both take shelter at a temple, where they meet and become sworn sisters.  

  

Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) - All aboard the Lotus Flower RV for a fantastic tale of wuxia, mystery, and brotherhood

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         9 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Chemistry:              9 stars Music:                     9 Stars Re-watch value:       9 Stars Enjoyment factor:    9 Stars

Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) reminds me of why I love the wuxia and detective genres so much - the drama is a fantastic combo of both.

A wonderfully witty script, fascinating characters, and action packed scenes full of thrilling choreography as befits a wuxia, this drama had me hooked from the first episode right to the very end.  The ten cases are certainly interesting enough, but the draw for me was the bromance between the trio of male leads (Cheng Yi, Zeng Shun Xi, and Xiao Shun Yao), which was both hilarious and deeply moving. 

For those who find the staple fluffy c-drama romance tiresome, this drama largely eschews the usual romantic tropes and instead focuses on the close bonds of platonic male friendship and found family.     

Honestly, I wanted the trio to continue their travels in the lotus tower RV, solving mysteries and having jianghu adventures together forever. But in many ways, this drama is about letting go and saying farewell. There is bitter-sweetness in having to acknowledge that all good things come to an end, but sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.    

Also, can I just say I want a lotus tower RV of my own. The one in the drama looked so damn cool...

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Mysterious Lotus Casebook

Chinese title:  莲花楼 /  蓮花樓 (Eng translation: "Lotus Flower Tower") 

Episodes: 40 + 1 short special episode

Genre: Wuxia, mystery/detective, historical

Original network:  iQiyi

Release date:        23 Jul 2023

Airing schedule:    23 Jul 2023 - 9 Aug 2023

Synopsis: 

Ten years ago, the leader of the Si Gu sect Li Xiang Yi was the best swordsman in the world and the shining light of wulin. But both Li Xiang Yi and leader of the Jin Yuan alliance Di Fei Sheng disappear after a deathly duel in the Eastern Sea, leaving both the Si Gu sect and Jin Yuan alliance in disarray.  

Ten years later, countryside physician Li Lian Hua travels the world, with his faithful dog and a lotus tower in tow.  He inadvertently becomes famous for his medical prowess and is reluctantly dragged into the jianghu which he no longer wishes to be a part of. 

Along the way, Li Lian Hua meets Fang Duo Bing, who dreams of becoming a hero. Fang Duo Bing suspects that Li Lian Hua is not who he seems and is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.  Meanwhile, Di Fei Sheng remerges in jianghu, recognises that Li Lian Hua is none other than Li Xiang Yi, and demands a rematch.

  

The Legend of Anle (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Legend of Anle (2023) - A decidedly average half-way house adaptation only made watchable by its cast 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

The Legend of Anle (2023) could have been so much better than it was given that it is adapted from a fantastic source novel. I wanted to see the machinations of a brilliantly intelligent but morally grey (anti)-heroine as she schemes to avenge the unjust annihilation of her family and soldiers.  I wanted to see her playing a dangerous game of the heart with the equally intelligent hero who loves her, but whose family is responsible for the death of hers.  I wanted to see love, hate, angst, and if logically possible, redemption...

But rather than giving us a Nirvana in Fire-esque thrilling battle of wits, the drama seemed unable to decide whether it was going for serious epic darkness or bubblegum pink romcom, and halved the difference with questionable results. I blame the scriptwriters and directors.  They gave us watered down leads whom we are told are intelligent, a messy and at times boring script, too many filler scenes from an annoying imposter, and logic defying plot holes that require some serious suspension of belief. I know it is not entirely fair to compare this drama with one of the best C-dramas of all time and to find it wanting, but given the similar starting premise it's hard not to. And Nirvana in Fire this most definitely is not.  

To be fair, it's not bad.  It's just not very good.  And despite its flaws, The Legend of Anle (2023) remains watchable due to committed performances from the gorgeous main leads who managed to wring emotion and entertainment from the tired script. I have such mixed feelings because while I wanted a gritty dark drama, it was also enjoyable watching a flirtatious Dilraba playing the femme fatale to a flustered Gong Jun and on one or two memorable occasions seeing him give as good as he gets...

SPOILERS AHEADS