First and foremost because I have total trust in the production team and actors (Jiang Xin, Liu Tao, Yang Zi, Jin Dong, Zu Feng and so on ...) and well when I read what it would be about I was filled with too much happiness, I mean there's Jiang Xin and she'll be a main character I was really overjoyed because of that and this time she could finally shine and show what great outstanding actress she is which I never doubted <3 furthermore I've always wanted to watch a drama about strong friendship between women from different background and age, to see how their relationship will evolve throughout the drama, in the end I can tell you that it exceeded my expectations, it was more than just friendship, it was sisterhood and a friendship filled with so much love, respect, funny and cute moments. And I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of Chinese Modern Dramas but now I can definitely say, this one is the best I've seen and among my fave dramas right now.
Of course what made this drama such a wonderful and unique journey is the friendship between all of them : Sheng Mei, An Di, Xiao Xiao, Ying Ying and Guan Guan, how they all get to know, accept, respect and love each other, it was simply beautiful and magical to see, everything feels so genuine, it's like they've known each other since a very long time and were able to confide in one another, joke and do lot of amusing activities together like true friends would do and yeah it did take a little bit of time for at least two of them to open up more and accept the others girls however in the end they were themselves when together, all 5 of them.
Friendship is definitely not what this drama is all about and I love this drama for many other reasons :
-The writing, I was so impressed and since the first second when I saw how the dialogues were so well thought- out, rich and intelligent, I love all those quotes Sheng Mei, An Di and some characters like Lao Tan ( Tan Zong Ming) said, very realistic, deep and sometimes pretty bitter.
-Different genres mixed so well in only one drama such as : friendship, drama, comedy (mostly scenes with Ying Ying and Xiao Xiao), romance, slice of life and also family. This is true that some situations were a bit too unreasonable but overall it was such a refreshing and realistic drama and as a big Slice of Life fan I couldn't resist and and love with all my heart all the characters and their stories, sometimes it felt also too real that I couldn't help but cry (from both sadness and happiness).
-Also love how the writer doesn't only focus on one or two characters but takes time to develop all of them and show their own stories, struggles and family problems. Just this is such a pity I still don't know much about Guan Guan and because of that I couldn't relate to her nor her story but it doesn't mean she's not likeable and that I didn't like her.
I really have too much love for this drama that will be hard to explain with words but anyway I'll try to convey my thoughts and affection for Ode to Joy without being too subjective. You know since the very first ep I already felt attached to Fan Sheng Mei, An Di and Ying Ying, I really love the way they were introduced to us, one is very mature and have such strong opinion about love and life situations, the second one is straightforward and can be very badass as well and the latter so cute and naive but also very foolish at times but I couldn't help but fall for her kindness, gentleness toward other girls. They do really have their own qualities and flaws and that's what make them humane and alive.
Of course I know If I start talking about all of them it will take me hours so I'll try to make it as short as possible and go straight to the point.
~If you don't want to know more about the character's personalities you can skip this part~
[Fan Sheng Mei : who's my absolute favorite of the show and the reason is because she's so mature, so elegant and classy, strong, independent who only relies on herself to live and survive in a big city like Shanghai, she's particularly pessimistic when it comes to love and relationship between human being but we can only go along with her as she's always stating the awiful truth.
An Di : Smart, quiet, elegant, mostly wears black and white clothes and for like 25 eps it always bugged me a little bit but that's her style :p, discreet about her life and once again for good reasons because it's hard for her opening up to others and trusting them.
Xiao Xiao, the real light of this drama, so eccentric, also sometimes very awkward with others and the words she uses to speak to people and which leads her to be misunderstood in my opinion, this can be both an asset and disadvantage. Anyway she's considerate, adorable and cool, and for that I like her a lot.
Ying Ying : cute, loving, caring, she also has an eccentric side but now in same way as Xiao Xiao, it's more in her behaviour and her cheerful personality.
Guan Guan : She's also a very understanding and compassionate person and always there for Fan Sheng Mei and Ying Ying, she's hardworking too and a bit too shy, has hard time expressing her feelings to others but once she's with her friends she can fully be herself.]
5 unique, interesting and colourful women :p
I'm really impressed to see that those 5 women who are so different can share so much and support each other during hard times, such endearing, caring and loving characters, for me it was impossible not to love and admire them though I have my personal favorites and I know all of you who watched this drama have your own favorite characters as well for personal reasons and that's what makes Ode to Joy so unforgettable. And yes my fave is definitely Sheng Mei and I love her .
I now need to say a few words about the OST which definitely became one of my all time favorites, I absolutely love all of the songs : I'll post my favorites below. But I won't say more cause I hope people who're gonna watch the drama will discover all of them by themselves and enjoy them the same way I did, and being surprised the way I was too otherwise it would not be fun for you.
My faves :
The ending song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmSGIaT4Rg&amp;list=PLlxGEDlRe5WNN-_2n7giCKga4V5YHa8-1 Love
Hui Gu Niang/Cinderella : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fGAWMfO7HQ , definitely my favorite and I love the lyrics, so beautiful and true.
Wo Yao Ni/I Want you : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL_QJkbrCKE&list=PL9ct9xr9-KGQtUXpZDeec-oi5WXSz9oNc&index=7 so punchy and addictive
Pei Ni Zuo Yu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9R4gKWn9W4&amp;amp;amp;list=RDsY6u6NbtTlE;index=2
It was overall a very great drama as I said above and I just can't wait for the next seasons to see my girls again *0*. Very very recommended as it will definitely bring you lot of smiles, laughter and food for thoughts as well. And I have to say it was really addictive, I still can't believe I completed this show :(.
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For the most part, the drama is easy to watch and the episodes go by fast. Good pacing with no time is wasted since there is a lot to tell in the given time. There are some stories that outshine others, but the story still gave a fair amount of screen time to all the characters. The music that accompanies it is excellent. The main theme song, sung by our main heroines, is perfect in portraying what this drama is all about, women of this era. The other theme song that caught my attention was Cinderella by Jiang Xin (Fan Sheng Mei) had really great lyrics that describes the hardships and hopes of women our generation.
If I were to look at the stories individually, I wouldn't call them original in anyway. Not only that, you can say they aren't that realistic either. What makes this drama outstanding and memorable in my eyes isn't the over story, isn't the result where our girls get to, but the characters, the journey they take individually and together. It makes their world feels real and complete. Every new character we meet feels that he or she is playing their main character in their own world. While watching each episode, I found myself having so much to say about each and every character. Everything they did made sense in their mindset. Everything they say had a reason behind it. And the more we discover about the characters, the more the picture feels complete and everything starts making better sense.
Honestly I could write an essay on each character in the story. None of the characters are perfect, each characters had good and bad point. But you know what the genius is in the end? At the end of the drama, we still have the same people, with the same positive and negative side, yet they felt more at peace and more satisfied with themselves than when we first them. There was definitely changes and development throughout the drama, but it is very subtle and didn't require any of them to change their personality.
While characters individually were all written well, and the relationship between the girls was great and felt the most real and genuine, when it came to the love relationships, the chemistry wasn't all there, and many times it felt awkward seeing the characters together. Somehow when they went in dates it felt everyone was being pretentious. At times that suited the characters, but other times it felt out of place. It didn't bother me much though, since the main theme of the story was the relationship between the girls, and that felt the most genuine with the most sizzling chemistry XD
The one thing that annoyed me most is the narration. First of all I just don't like the narrator's voice. And second, it's a wasted effort. Truth is the cast is all very capable, and were great at expressing their thoughts and turmoil through their facial expression. NONE of them needed someone to tell us what they were thinking. It really annoyed me in the beginning, then I just tried to ignore it.
Before finishing the drama, when I heard there would be a 2nd season I got worried the story would drag. However this isn't the case anymore. While the drama ended in a good place and I feel completely satisfied, there is a lot of potential for a second season and a lot more stories to tell. For that reason I can't wait for it. I already miss those girls!
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If you like a show that tackles real life issues and more mature topics with dashes of romance on side, I'd say Ode to Joy is pretty fitting.
The story of these five girls struggling to make the best of life is a very real situation so many people face that sometimes you can't help feel sorry for them or even realise you might be in the same position.
The five characters have been criticised a lot and cited as annoying/loud/boring girls who aren't interesting. While I agree with that on the most part, I think thats what makes the story a lot more realistic. In life, you meet people you dislike and like a lot more. In Ode to Joy, the girls don't click immediately. On the contrary, they bond more nearer the end when they are faced with their difficulties. And when I see all five of their clashing personalites overstepping their comfort zone to help each other, regardless if they are annoying or loud or boring, I can't help but love them all. you witness all their problems and demons firsthand whether they are rich or poor, smart or average.
Another thing I really like about this drama is that it also displays very raw human emotions and the thought process of each of the girls. Its just very fascinating to see how sensitive all the characters are to each other.
While the story isn't all that captivating, each of their life story is pretty entertaining to watch (sometimes, maybe not). Some characters you might find a little intolerable but empathise with them and you might see a little of yourself in all of them. I'd say the romance is a little bland but season 2 in my opinion, looks very promising for that part. The acting is alright, nothing very special but watchable.
I don't really rewatch my dramas so I wouldn't judge based on my rewatch value or any rewatch value for that matter.
In all honesty, Ode to Joy isn't a mind blowing, outstanding piece but what it is is a thought provoking show with a healthy dose of warm, sisterly love and romance and I must say that I am very excited for season 2.
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first of all, the story revolving around these five women and their growth was fantastic. they were so real. they weren't perfect and i fell in love with their flaws which are so relatable. not many dramas can bring such elements out
secondly, the simplicity. i love how simple it is yet so complicated.
thirdly, the everyday trouble they gets into. the success and the failures, the struggle of a being a middle class. the preference of a male child in backwarded family,
these five women and their friendship was the highlight of this drama. they weren't bad people, yet they were judgemental about each other, which exactly shows how human are. i could go on and on and on about this drama, so i will a stop here but i gotta say, fan jie/Xiao mei was my absolute favorite. she made me cry a whole bucket of tears. i would highly recommend this drama to those who are looking light hearted not very serious genres. plus there's wang kai, i love him ????????
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But clearly I need to have more faith in the people who brought us the gem that is Nirvana In Fire, because Ode to Joy totally blew my mind. Although I grew up here in the States, I have cousins and a lot of acquaintances in China who are in their mid 20s to early 30s, and I know just how hard it is as a young adult in modern China, especially in a big city like Shanghai. The salary that most people get - even in smaller cities - is nowhere proportional to the cost of living (especially for housing), so if you don't have family who can give you that extra allowance every month, it's basically next to impossible to make it in the big city. Forget about the hu kou issue for a second - having a car and a house is now considered the minimum standard in a partner these days, and since young adults usually don't have the money to buy those themselves, it's on the parents to provide. And if you happen to be from the country, or if you have a family who is dependent on you as the bread winner...
Ode to Joy did such an awesome job in taking a group of five unique characters and plopping them in the middle of Shanghai. They captured the struggles and obstacles of the women perfectly (the subtle social commentary was absolutely amazing and so well done in a country where dramas usually tend to act as propaganda for the government). Also - can we get a shout of joy for a great, women-centric drama? If I had one major criticism of this production team, it would be that they've done a pretty lousy job of developing good female characters (the NiF girls were strong and powerful, but way underutilized), but they've corrected that in such a major way with Ode to Joy.
The five women aren't perfect at all - and honestly, there is no miracle where at the end of the drama they've done a complete 180 - they are actually still very much the same women they were at the beginning, but they've learned a lot of hard lessons along the way, and have been influenced greatly by each other. It's a beautiful thing to watch - very rarely do you get such good character development in any drama, and across the board at that! The characters always stay true to themselves - there is nothing contrived - it all feels so organic, both in how their own characters develop, and how their friendship evolves.
Liu Tao's character was probably the hardest to relate to - a brilliant and successful but aloof businesswoman with an unknown backstory - but kudos to Liu Tao's natural warmth and exuberance that shone through to give her character some needed depth. I saw a lot of people complain about Wang Zi Wen's rich girl character but it was her that made this story so refreshing for me - a fu er dai with street smarts is such a joy to watch, especially since she still worked so hard to achieve what she wanted. She used people, sure, but she was usually transparent with her machinations, and she also had a heart of gold. And I thought Wang Zi Wen was great in her portrayal.
Yang Zi was adorable as the happy-go-lucky and simple Ying Ying, and while Qiao Xin was borderline unwatchable in her brief scenes in NiF, I did like her here as the studious Guan Guan (and resident worrywart). In a weird way, she also annoyed me the most, if only because I identified the most with her character and it was jarring seeing her flaws (which I share in spades) dissected and probed.
But Jiang Xin to me was the standout of the group performance-wise (no surprise - she made an absolutely evil character in the Legend of Zhen Huan sympathetic), and it was also her character that spoke the most to me. The situation that she faced with her family is very much a real one in China today (and real life is often worse), and it isn't one that has a real solution, because despite everything, family is family. She came across as such a wise and confident character at first, and little by little, her armor is chipped away, and the vulnerability lying within just breaks your heart.
Also - the Where's Waldo game with cameos from cast members of other Shanying productions was hilarious and so much fun (I will say I had to cheat at times where I could recognize the face but couldn't remember the role that the actor previously played).
I loved how the characters played off of each other and the writing was so smart and well thought out. The story did lag at times, but it's slice-of-life - it's bound to at times, and that's perfectly acceptable. There were times where I was annoyed with each of the characters in turn, but it just showed that they were being very human with their thoughts and decisions, and it often led to a very real life lesson.
The guys definitely took a backseat here, and none of the love lines are permanent (yet), and I loved the way they were used - none of them were princes, but they all helped with the maturation of one of the women in some way. Xiao Xiao (Wang Zi Wen) and her doctor boyfriend (Wang Kai) was a great portrayal of the modern young couple, and I can't wait to see how their relationship develops (or fails) in Season 2 because they still have a mountain of differences to wade through. (They are also so freaking cute - I kind of want to watch When A Snail Loves now just for them). Also - can we please get a show with LIu Tao and Jin Dong in a real love line?
It really isn't easy to tell the story of everyday people to an audience who is jaded and often unsatisfied with the way life is portrayed in dramas, but somehow, Ode to Joy does the impossible and delivers a show that will make you cry, make you laugh, and make you wish that you had that kind of sisterhood in your life. I wouldn't say that the show revolves around friendship, because there is still a lot of friction and misunderstanding even three quarters of the way through between some of the women, and a lot of the lessons that they learn is actually on an individual level, but it's still an integral part of the show.
Props again to the production team who have now proved they can tackle any genre and take it to the next level - I can't wait to see what Season 2 has in store for us!
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hmm.....this drama was not what i had expected , this drama might appear too real and too fictitious at the same time, sometimes i felt that the dama is fake because they were trying so hard to relate this drama to reality, or should i say, i thought the characters in it were too real to be real, yet, we should remind ourselves that no matter how good the narration was or how flawed the characters were, human psychology and personality is way too complicated for the narrator to tell us exactly what the character is feeling and in a organised manner tell us what they're thinking, perhaps this is partly what i found fake about it, the narration obviously was Omniscient which weakened the reality element in this drama, perhaps the narrator should have claimed himself to be GOD...
the script was a masterpiece, the conversations were unbelievably good, you could post screenshots of the drama non stop, 99% of what the characters said could be quoted as if your quoting some poet or writer's words (talk about reality element!!) However; sometimes i got skeptical and annoyed of the overly "smart"; conversation they had.... i said overly, not, 'very'..that would be a mistake....
you'll get to meet characters like weiwei which you could think is a fictitous character, if i hadn't had a friend like him, i would think he's not really 'real', weiwei is someone who i knew very well from the first scene i saw him, probably because i had a friend just like him, very intersting, very captivating and mystical yet narcissistic , righteous and a wiseacre although he was not competly a quack, he is just overwhelming, too overwhelming.
fan jie, Qiu Ying Ying, qiao xin felt very real, very very real, xiao xiao and DR.zhao felt real to an
extent, Andy felt too real to be true, from her success to her 'mental problem', she was portrayed as someone who is remote yet loved, she is a very likable personality yet if you would ever encounter her in real life, you would misjudge her...
why YOU should watch it??
you want to watch this show because there are REALLY hot guys in it, you don't wanna miss it!!
you'll feel joy, hate, anger, sadness, reality, yes you will feel reality and despair watching this drama, so watch it!
real and fairy-tail love stories , this drama has it all, seriously!!
you already like it !!
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It's hard for me to think of this as a "drama" - it's more so an interesting view at the contemporary Chinese woman. This series dabbles a bit into the misogyny that the Chinese are known for - roles women should play in society, the value of a daughter, etc. It also looks at the vanity some women have, and the emphasis placed on it in asia - how important it is to have a house, a car, brand name bags and clothes. *disclaimer: I lived with a bunch of "wealthy second generation" chinese students who got sent overseas for college, it's a pretty accurate portrayal based on what I've seen*
These elements, combined with incredible writing and character development made this one of the best dramas I've had the pleasure of sitting through. Each girl is unique and has their respective strengths and weaknesses, and after sitting through their struggles, you end up loving them, hating them, pitying them and feeling good for them, all excellently slated together in a way that warms your heart. (I also liked how some of them had legit Shanghai accents too)
I will note though, there really isn't a male lead - the male roles you see (Wang Kai, the guy who plays Wei Wei, Jin Dong) all play reoccurring supporting roles. This came off as a bit odd at first to me, because I am accustomed to having male/female leads, but it really doesn't detract from the show at all.
Apparently they've decided to do another season (at least from what I could see doing a quick google search) using the exact same cast, so you won't have to worry much about the series' somewhat open ended ending.
This looked like it would be boring, and I honestly gave it a watch just because I saw Jiang Xin - but this is probably one of the few dramas I've watched that go over 40 eps where I didn't skip through some dialogue because I ended up losing interest in a particular character. Absolutely worth watching!
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Story: not new just modernized saga of 5 girls who transform into women via life's trials, happiness, sadness, MEN and sisterhood. Story focused on female sisterhood that is earned and rewarded by seeing the faults, beauty & loyalty of any relationships. Story was draggy in some eps however character development was spot-on and so-far (S1) no backbiting, hair tearing or betrayal yet lots of misunderstanding!
Acting: Stellar actors of NiF bring the fire in this drama. The men were smouldering & mature. The women were spot-on their character portrayal - thus a casting nirvana. Some characters were irritating as the writer wanted us to feel however the cast & acting was refreshingly well done!
Music: fit the drama, some was cheesy, nothing memorable except the opening music was rather primal and memorable. Well played PD & writer.
RW: maybe before S2 comes to refresh - some scenes were memorable. Not telling which one for me....
Overall, this drama is for a more mature minded viewer since it lacks the silliness factor many long dramas incorporate to extend or capture a younger viewership. If you need something to bridge that NiF gap, give this Cdrama a serious view. Be prepared for laughs, sighs and tears and its all worth it!
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I knew I was watching a show, but these women were so incredibly natural in their roles I never was looking at them as actor's portraying a character. Especially the two youngest ones. I looked them and man are those two good actresses. Total transformation.
This was great. We know the world round there is an issue with men being valued over women to a very high degree. But it has been a long-time thing in China. This drama was addressing along with so many other things. They cast it well and wrote it well. It was not hard at all to discern between the characters. They were all well fleshed out. You could relate to some tie some back to people you've dealt with in your life. There were natural ups and downs just like we experience in life.
I can say I did a lot of involuntary crying on this one. I also laughed a lot, and got angry. I was frustrated and confused. I seriously feel like I know 5 additional people now. I can predict how they'll possibly respond or actions they make take. Such sorcery in writing.
This is not your typical Chinese drama. It's definitely different and deserves all the praise for telling a great story while tackling important issues.
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Interesting plot, sometimes rather repetitive. Not as light hearted as i would have liked it.
Overall, the different plots of the different characters worked and were well linked to each other to form a comprehensive story. The plot often moved too slow for my tastes and didn't pick up enough on established emotional conflicts, unless related to a boyfriend-girlfriend situation. An Di's backstory should have been explored more, and I hope this will happen in season 2.
Acting/Cast:
Great acting especially from Liu Tao (An DI) and Ning Wentong (Lao Yan). Different acting styles from the different cast members made for a refreshing show. The all-female main cast worked very well.
Music:
Absolutely great. The OST was sung by the main cast. It was performed very well and usally fit to the scenes. Loved An Di's and Wei Wei's songs. The EDM in the club scenes was top notch, very enjoyable for me as a hobby DJ. There was stuff from Laidback Luke, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, MOGUAI, KSHMR, R3HAB, and the like. The Pink Floyd like soft rock vibes in the narration segments were very enjoyable.
Rewatch Value:
If there were not a season 2 to go to, i might just rewatch this in its entirety.
Bonus point:
Great references to Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Shijing, but also mentions of Dvorak, Shakespeare, etc made this even more enjoyable. I also liked the concept of having a narrator; the man's voice fit perfectly.
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I was obsessed with this drama for more than ONE YEAR
I was pretty late with this drama, I watched it in late 2017. I got hooked instantly because the 5 main characters have such unique personalities. It was very light in the beginning, but it did get heavy and it made me emotional many times. There's just something about this drama that took me to a whole new world, and all I could ever think about for an entire year were the characters. I'm not joking; my friends got me Evian water for my birthday because of my obsession.Speaking of the Evian water, my favorite character is Andi (played by Liu Tao). Liu Tao is such a BEAUTIFUL woman; to this day she's one of the most beautiful actresses in my list. She's been in the entertainment industry since her teenage years and I'm not surprised, because you can really tell that she knows what she's doing. Her character, Andi, was the one I resonated with the most, despite our huge differences. I felt the pain she could feel; it was a very emotional and heartbreaking experience. As a character who experienced a lot of trauma, it was satisfying to watch her character develop, and during that process, a part of me was also fulfilled.
I'd love to tell you everything I love about this drama, but I'll leave that up to you. It's been a few years and I still have not found a drama that made me feel the way this made me feel. They made me laugh, cry, think, smile, and I will always go back to the little world that I was in while watching this drama.
If you've watched this, go and check out Season 2 as well. Although S2 wasn't as engaging as S1, it was still nice to know where the characters were at.
Is it worth watching in 2020? YES. Trust me, you're going to love this drama.
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