Playing Ep 01

What people are saying

• giantwalrus

  Overall 7.5

  Story 7.5,  Acting 7,  Music 8,  Rewatch Value 4

  A thrilling twist of miscommunication, misplaced trust, and endless frustrations awaits in this captivating xianxia journey. While I can't say I was head over heels in love with the story, I adored the angst that accompanied it, making me eagerly anticipate each episode. Having enjoyed the similar vibes from the beloved "Journey of Flower," I was hooked from the start. This installment, however, dialed down the angst, which was a refreshing change of pace.
  
  The beginning episodes were a breeze to watch, delivering a light and...

  easygoing atmosphere. The soundtrack perfectly complimented the xianxia genre, with melodious tunes that transported me deeper into the fantastical world. The CGI, while not groundbreaking, was more than satisfactory. There were no major faults to be found here.
  
  Now, onto the less enjoyable aspects. At times, scenes felt abruptly cut, leaving me momentarily confused and questioning whether there were technical issues with the platform I was watching on. Additionally, random characters would pop up out of nowhere, giving the illusion that they had been present all along. It left me scratching my head, wondering if I had missed something crucial.
  
  The acting, I must admit, fell into the realm of mediocrity. The male lead, portrayed by Jeremy Tsui, seemed to wear the same expression throughout. Whether he was happy or devastated, I could predict his demeanor beforehand. As for Yang Chao Yue, I must confess, I didn't warm to her from the beginning. However, since the initial episodes were enjoyable, I soldiered on. Yet, as the drama unfolded, her acting and expressions failed to impress. Someone aptly described her as a pouting female lead, and I couldn't help but agree. While a few cast members delivered acceptable performances, most seemed to be merely "acting," lacking that natural and convincing touch I've seen in exemplary dramas.
  
  What further added to my frustrations were the contrived scenes. You know, the ones that seemed forced and cliched. I often found myself questioning why the male lead couldn't rescue the female lead when she needed him most, only to discover he was gallivanting off elsewhere. Meanwhile, other characters who had nothing important to contribute were handling tasks that could have easily been delegated. These moments tested my patience, leaving me exasperated and yearning for a more coherent storyline.
  
  Ultimately, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this xianxia drama. For me, the negatives unfortunately outweighed the positives. There wasn't enough angst to truly tug at my heartstrings, and the supposed undying love between the main leads failed to move me. Perhaps the lack of sacrifices played a significant role here. After careful consideration, I believe the main issue lies in the absence of strong chemistry between the leads, something crucial in any xianxia story where love takes center stage.

• JollyLin

  Overall 6.5

  Story 4,  Acting 8.5,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 3

  Once upon a time, there was a drama adaptation of an old novel called "Chong Zi". The novel's premise centered around a master-disciple relationship, which was quite outdated in the eyes of the audience. People had seen similar works before, such as "Journey of Flower," and naturally compared them to this adaptation. The official synopsis of the drama gave away the entire plot, leaving little room for a compelling and refreshing story.
  
  Despite these challenges, the drama had its fair share of good points. One of...

  the standout aspects was the male lead, Luo Yin Fan, and the exceptional portrayal by Jeremy Tsui. At first glance, Luo Yin Fan appeared to be a typical, gentle, warm, and caring male lead. However, beneath this facade, there was a darker side waiting to be revealed. As the story progressed, Luo Yin Fan's descent into madness for love became apparent. This twist added depth to his character and made for an interesting portrayal of a morally grey lead. His character and Chong Zi, the central protagonist, were like mirror images of each other, both possessing light and darkness within. They completed each other, much like the Taichi symbol, showcasing the duality of good and evil in humanity.
  
  The drama also conveyed a thought-provoking message through its side characters. Seemingly righteous immortals turned out to commit heinous crimes, their hearts tainted with demons far worse than any physical demon in the story. This powerful message challenged the notions of good and evil, highlighting the complexities of human nature.
  
  Symbolism played a significant role in the drama, adding depth and meaning to the storytelling. The Taichi symbol appeared in the drama poster and even in the black-white necklace gifted by Chong Zi to Luo Yin Fan. Costumes were also carefully chosen to reflect the characters' inner struggles, with kind-hearted demons wearing predominantly black costumes with white fringes and evil immortals/fairies donning white costumes with dark accents. The gradual shift in Luo Yin Fan's costumes from white to purple as his affection for Chong Zi grew was a cute touch. The drama's OSTs were beautifully crafted, each thematically linked to the main characters.
  
  However, despite these positive elements, the drama suffered from various shortcomings. The directing, writing, and editing fell short of expectations. Scenes that viewers eagerly waited for often ended up being choppy, censored, and emotionally underwhelming. Certain pivotal scenes from the source material did not make it into the final release due to censorship issues. This affected the overall flow and coherence of the story, leaving some episodes disjointed.
  
  Some plot changes were made to make the male lead more likable and forgivable, but not all changes were beneficial. The dialogue, at times, became cringeworthy, lacking logical thinking from the characters. The removal of the forbidden aspect of the master-disciple relationship resulted in character decisions and dialogue that didn't align with the original premise. The addition of unnecessary misunderstandings only served to drag the plot along, detracting from the overall storytelling.
  
  The side characters, while serving the central theme, lacked proper characterization, often feeling like tools to move the plot forward instead of resembling real-life people. Female supporting roles had shallow motivations, and most male supporting roles were simply love interests without solid chemistry. The reverse harem aspect of the drama felt like a failed gimmick, with love interests falling for the female lead without sufficient development or explanation. Fortunately, the chemistry between the main couple was decent, building up slowly and lighting a fiery passion.
  
  The drama garnered criticism for its portrayal of the female lead. Many viewers struggled to get through the first arc due to her childish, bratty, and trouble-making personality. However, she underwent a three-stage character development, maturing from a naive and impulsive girl to a more composed yet possessive young woman until she ultimately becomes independent and seeks justice on her own terms. While this character growth may not satisfy all audiences, it added depth to her journey.
  
  Visual aspects such as costumes, makeup, and props fell short of expectations. The predominantly white funeral-style costumes had some intricate details, but the bright and smooth filter effects diminished their impact. The makeup, especially the eyeshadow on handsome men, appeared overdone, and close-up shots revealed unblended powder and skin tone differences between the face and neck. The CGI effects were also subpar for a drama of this caliber.
  
  In conclusion, as a fan of the original novel, I had high hopes for this drama adaptation. Unfortunately, it fell short of its potential. Despite some strong performances, symbolism, and a thought-provoking message, the sloppy directing, writing, and editing overshadowed these positive aspects. Certain changes to the plot and poorly written side characters further detracted from the overall experience. The drama had its moments, but it ultimately failed to deliver on its promises. For those interested in the premise, I recommend reading the original novel for a more satisfying experience.

• lazywill

  Overall 2

  Story 1,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 1

  This problematic TV series explores themes and ideas from a renowned novel. The story revolves around demons, a complex master-disciple love relationship, morally ambiguous characters, and the internal struggle of a female protagonist who wants to escape her demonic nature. These elements are considered unconventional for Chinese television, but the series still forged ahead. Unfortunately, the show spans multiple episodes that revolve around misunderstandings, and the infatuation of every male character with the main protagonist. Additionally, crucial moments of confession and understanding are needlessly delayed,...

  prolonging the storyline. Furthermore, the series lacks positive female role models and portrays every male character as being in love with the female lead. Despite its commendable soundtrack and talented cast, this adaptation ultimately fails to do justice to the greatness of the original novel. The evident struggle to make the source material work through extensive modifications should serve as a cautionary tale against future adaptations of this nature.

• ancientyang

  Overall 7.5

  Story 8,  Acting 7.5,  Music 8.5,  Rewatch Value 5

  So, this TV series that I just watched is called "A Clueless Shifu with an Unlikable Pouty Face FLThe Journey of Chong Zi." Let me tell you, it's a romance story about a master and his student and all the challenges they go through. Now, I have to say, the female lead character is just not written or acted very well, and it really takes away from the whole drama. There are plot holes everywhere, and they try to cover them up with bad logic...

  and a poor screenplay. It's like the immortal sects in the story have no intelligence at all and believe every single gossip they hear. And don't even get me started on the confusing and sorry lot that is the demon sect.
  
  Honestly, this series can make you want to vomit blood, yet somehow I managed to watch the whole thing and feel like I aged years in the process. The storyline is nothing new, I mean, we've seen the whole teacher/pupil romance thing before in similar xianxia stories like "The Journey of Flower" and others. It basically revolves around this immortal guy, Luo Yinfan, played by Xu Zhengxi aka Jeremy Tsui, who falls in love with his student, Chong Zi, played by Yang Chaoyue. And their journey involves romance, retribution, death, reincarnation, and a very confusing and bizarre ending.
  
  Now, Chong Zi is supposed to be this pure and kind girl, despite her troubled background. And not only does her shifu love her, but there are also other guys who would die for her. Even some of the female characters love her in their own ways. So, you would think she's a really lovable character, right? Well, unfortunately, that message doesn't really come through. Yang Chaoyue just doesn't make Chong Zi authentic or likable at all. She constantly has this pouting face that makes her look angry all the time, even when she's supposed to be playful and mischievous. The actor really needs to go back to acting school because it just didn't work.
  
  Another thing that bothered me about the series is how they try to portray all the injustices Chong Zi faces that eventually lead her to become the Ultimate Demon. But honestly, her encounters just aren't dire enough to justify such a drastic change. She's constantly being blamed for things she didn't do or for trivial things she may have done without realizing it. And it's so frustrating to watch how these misunderstandings aren't clarified sooner, and the culprits get away with it time and time again.
  
  But you know what really bothered me the most? The reason for her transformation into the Ultimate Demon is just so unconvincing. After having a few blissful days with the man she loves, she decides to become a demon because he's away doing some chores and can't protect her. I mean, seriously? That's a glaring hole in the story for me.
  
  Overall, I only kept watching this series because of Jeremy Tsui, even though his character wasn't that impressive either. So, all things considered, I would give this drama a rating of... well, I'll just give it a "meh" out of five to reward myself for actually finishing it.

• oldkingkong

  Overall 2.5

  Story 3,  Acting 3,  Music 1.5,  Rewatch Value 1

  DROPPED WITHOUT REGRETS...TRIED MY BEST
  
  Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions with this unique and polarizing TV series. If you're up for some irritation mixed with a hint of cringe, then look no further!
  
  Our female lead character will definitely get under your skin. She embodies everything that can be frustrating about a character - sulky, annoying, and oh-so clingy. Her forced cuteness becomes unbearable at times, making you roll your eyes and wonder why she just can't stop with the pouting!
  
  But let's not forget the...

  potential this plot had. It had all the elements to be a fantastic drama...or so we thought. Sadly, it falls short and veers into the realm of poorly executed xianxia. It's like watching a low-budget version of a genre we know and love. The portrayals are comically frustrating and the overall execution lacks charm.
  
  Thankfully, the acting is a saving grace. The male lead delivers a solid performance, but it's the female lead that leaves us scratching our heads. We know she's a talented actress, but this role just didn't do her justice. It seems like the character was written by someone who had never interacted with another human being before.
  
  Now, it's not all doom and gloom. If you're a fan of reverse harem dynamics, this series might just pique your interest. The love interests provide an exciting aspect to the story, even though our leading lady fumbles the cuteness factor. It's a shame, really.
  
  In the end, this drama had so much potential, only to falter along the way. It's certainly not for everyone, unless you're ready to embrace the annoyance and cringe factor. Proceed with caution.