Loved Yang Chao Yue!!!
For me this drama, like the name implies, is all about Chong Zi and her relationship with Yin Fan. I looooooooved Yang Chao Yue! I've seen tons of complaints about her character and I have absolutely no idea why, she is so cute and adorable. Her character especially at the beginning is a Sa Jiao character and I especially love that type of character if done right which I think Yang Chao Yue did an excellent job with. The story reminds me of Love and Redemption a bit where it's light and fun at first and then they just pile on the pain through misunderstanding after misunderstanding which is kind of annoying plus they introduce the amnesia trope in later episodes which I hate. Speaking of similarities to Love and Redemption, Yang Chao Yue did Sa Jiao way better than the FL in Love and Redemption who I thought was super annoying.The story wasn't too bad but after the soul binding string in the last few episodes it got a little weird but with the epilogue, which is basically the ending, it ended up being quite nice. There were three characters I hated, Min Yun Zhong was terrible, he was sneaky and wanted to kill Chong Zi the entire drama. The other two were MiaoYuan who was so jealous and privileged she was evil, and Ting Xue who was a terrible person, both hated Chong Zi for no reason except jealousy and did terrible things to her. Fortunately those two got what they deserved but Yun Zhong definitely needed a greater punishment.
The love story was strong and Jeremy acts with his face which you rarely see, you could see all of his emotions through his facial expressions alone. When the two do finally sort of figure it out it's pretty cute but unfortunately everything is against them so they also feel a lot of pain. I loved the ending epilogue which really is just the ending because it starts exactly where episode 40 leaves off so don't think 40 is the end. Episode 41 is on Viki.
I would definitely recommend especially if you like well done Sa Jiao characters, but remember there is a lot of pain and sadness in this one as well, the ice prison scenes are pretty much unbearable.
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Not as awful as I had expected
Before watching this drama I read the reviews and was shocked to see how so many people gave it a low rating. Some people even gave it below a 5 star so that scared me and I was mentally prepared to watch something truly terrible. However, after I finished watching the whole thing (plus the bonus epilogue), I can say that Journey of Chongzi is not as bad as people make it out to be.Bad Parts:
• Some characters (like Ting Xue and Sima Miaoyuan) are there just to hate on the female lead. They don't have any other personality except than being jealous of CZ
• There are some plot holes as well
↪ For example, in episode 26 CZ is in ice prison and LYF had put her in a deep sleep along with a barrier to give himself time to master the mirror heart spell to purify her evil aura. Ting Xue, who obviously has a far lower cultivation level than LYF, was able to easily break through the barrier and torture CZ (later episode causing misunderstanding between them) like huh?? LYF didn't even think of putting an alarm of some sort in case someone wants to harm CZ? And he never visited her in those three years while she was in ice prison?? That was really out of character for LYF since he is generally very careful, which is why some points are taken away. Then when he lost his memories because of phoenix tears he shouldn't be able to remember what he used to call her (Chong'er) and instead call her Demon Zi but he called her Chong'er upon seeing her (TZX disguised as her but still because that is before TZX attacked LYF to try to make him remember). A few episodes later he calls her Chong'er again and asked, "Did I call you that before?" Like yes, obviously, because you already called her that a few episodes back when you had that encounter with TZX
• Quite a lot of misunderstandings and the immortal sects being hypocrites, which was annoying
Good Parts:
• LYF's character development and his love for CZ
↪Throughout the drama, LYF believed that he can protect the world while also protecting CZ but this simply made it more difficult for him to do so. Later on he realizes this and was willing to give up his position to be with CZ. He is not afraid to show people that CZ is special to him. In CZ's first life he had no choice but to kill her with his sword to protect Nanhua. During the final battle he chose to do the opposite. He protected and saved her from the demon sword because he couldn't bring himself to kill her again the second time
• The acting of the main leads
↪ Some people think the female lead can't act and complain about her pouty face but I don't have a problem with her face or acting. When the male lead was suffering from heart poison his portrayal of his pain was so convincing that I felt his anguish as well (not literally but you know what I mean)
• CGI and costumes are decent
• Gem side characters, Qin Ke and Mu Yu/Tian Zhixie (TZX)
Conclusion:
Yes, the storyline is not perfect and there are flaws. Some parts of the drama can definitely be better. Despite the flaws and plot holes, it doesn't affect the general understanding of the plot. The storyline is average but the character LYF and some side characters make up for it imo. LYF is not a boring male lead and is actually interesting. He has several layers beneath him. Based on the reviews, I can say that this drama is a hit or miss, you either like it or you don't but definitely give it a try before rejecting the idea completely. You could end up liking it.
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Only finished it because of Jeremy
By far one of the worst series that Jeremy has done and he’s a favorite of mine. Very talented.Here we go:
ML does a great job with what the writer did. I’ve always enjoy watching Jeremy as he’s a strong actor.
FL was by far the worst. Too much child-like pouting and whiny. She’s pretty but her acting needs a lot of work. Forcing herself to look cute is more like annoying. I almost wanted to drop it after 4th episode because of her. Even when she was evil or supposed to become this strong person she couldn’t do it. Sorry to bash her but it was bad.
I actually enjoyed the supporting actors/actresses more than leads because FL just ruined it for me. I understand now why all the negative comments on her. There were a lot better people out that that would have been better and are pretty as well.
Storyline line of teacher and student love could have been written better. However that concept is getting old.
Music was very good and cinematic graphics was well done. I love the costumes as well.
Overall: I won’t recommend this even though there were other good actors and actresses that tried to pull it through. FL will make you drop the series. I had recently dropped another one of her series because it was just horrible acting as well.
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Starting amazing, then again went wrong with the plot
Started amazingly, and took a bad turn, just like other dramas lately.She dies, then comes back again, scenario is the same, even the dialogue...
They actually accuse her wrongly all the time, and she keeps getting into trouble without saying anything to her Master. the Uncle died too soon.
The actors did an amazing job, scenery too.
The wrong ending, I am European and I love happy endings... Chinese dramas have too many sad endings all for honor, not love.
Anyways, could have been an amazing love story, but it is such a bad story in the end. ML and FL lets just doo another drama. They are amazing.
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Possibly spoiler heavy, continue at your own risk.Holy grief from hell what was that?!?
I loved this show so much like I knew without a doubt it would be a 9 or a 10 from me. Even with all the dumb petty side characters, I loved it.... Until episode 35 exactly. After that, it just all went to crap.
There were soooo many unnecessary deaths!! SO MANY!! like why?!?
There was literally only ONE person to blame (okay, maybe 2) and that was the old fart Min and his rat nose princess student. Had those two been put in their place at the start, none of this would have happened. No of it.
Can we just talk about how it's always the immortal/heavenly realm pulling this stuff too? But they say the demon realm is the bad guy. Lmao bro where? WHERE AND WHEN?! Y'all had more internal deaths on your own hands than they did. Not to mention in the demon realm, no one hurt her. Every time she was in the immortal realm, she was in slme kind of fight or drama. Sheesh.
And the ending?? With the flick of her hand in less than 5 minutes, she was able to fix ALL of that? She has the power THE WHOLE TIME?!
WHAT ? WAS ? THE ? REASON?!
I am irate and disappointed. All but 2 of my favorite characters died. Technically 1, cuz the other got sucked up into some portal she threw him in. But still. -_- those that loved her so much dies for no reason and it's bullcrap.
I must say though, all the actors did a wonderful job. Like their acting is definitely more than 10 stars. They were fabulous. But this story can eat dirt.
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milkymochi is speaking
The plot of the story is a little unique but overall it is like other drama stories and there are no plot twists! Wasting my time to watch this drama, really!Tbh, the FL is annoying and really sticks to the ML. there was a point where, ML said stay here and don't go anywhere but FL kept going with his friend like... "I have my teacher and they respect my teacher. I won't pay attention to what they say because my teacher will definitely protect me."
When FL is being bullied by the girls, he cries a lot and makes up exaggerated stories that might cause misunderstandings. Like a tongue without bones.
I don't know how to say it anymore. When I watched this drama it really made me almost angry and annoyed with FL.
Once again, don't watch this if you can't stand FL's behavior!
The ending is very clear, the ending is good even though my heart is still annoyed with FL.
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storyline
When i starting watch this drama it good at first then i keep continued then i feel that i can't feel the chemistry between the female lead and the male lead also their chemistry really just for student and master. Then the plot of the story start mess, the FL character kinda annoyed also ML too. I also were confused what exactly the main conflict. Yes i admit i love angsty xianxia, wuxia drama. But this drama look a roller coster it gonna make you feel angry and frust. I didn't really feel the pain also the acting kinda umphh. Plus i didn't cried when i watch maybe cause i just not into thi. It took 3 month to finished this drama. If you guys like this type of trope you guys should watch it but if you ask my opinion for me no it just urghh frustating.Was this review helpful to you?
Entertaining at first, but derails quickly in the second act.
I was really enjoying this show at the start and thought that although not the best show I've ever seen, it certainly wasn't as bad as people were suggesting. I briefly wondered if perhaps the bad reviews I'd seen were just a product of the internet being too harsh as usual, but once Legend of Chong Zi hits the second act ... oh do all the problems start showing themselves clearly.The story ping pongs back and forth so much that it becomes exhausting along the way as to what the characters are doing or thinking, and honestly apart from a very select few most of the characters are so cruel and stupid in their decision-making to the point that it’s frustrating to watch, and doesn’t really add much to the already weakened plot. One moment Chong Zi is in love and wants to be an Immortal, the next she's feeling (rightfully) betrayed, and wants to use her demonic power to fix things her way. Then an episode later, she's in love and wants to ignore her demonic heritage -- the cycle continues like that throughout the show all the way until the end.
The main pairing feels weirdly forced throughout the story (although I think this problem partly has more to do with scene cuts and censorship, as I heard it got chopped around a lot due to the nature of the master/pupil relationship) and the number of people that are involved in whatever love hexagon? pentagon? that's created is something else.
No, really. It feels like so many people are either in love with the main female lead, or are in love with the main male lead. And it's not in a way that feels fleshed out and developed either.
Things I really did enjoy whilst watching however include the gorgeous graphics on the set designs, as well as the beautiful costumes. Both Qin Ke and Wang Yue are really interesting characters, although both deserved to be fleshed out far more. I also enjoyed the side stories of the other couples that were shown too and felt that those were far more interesting than whatever the main couple had going on.
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Great first half but was completely ruined
Now I know some people might actually like this drama cause not gonna lie the CGI was good if not brilliant the setting and everything was brilliant the actors and the music were also great but the story oh no no no1. I think the writer of this story was drunk while writing it or was in a serious heart break and wanted to get back together with his ex cause the stubbornness of the female lead wanting to be together with Ynfan was crazy even though there were three other men who wanted to be with her.
2. The three other men (Mu Yu, Zhao hao and Qin ke) didn't deserve that ending they didn't deserve to die trying to save
Chong Zi casue tbh she didn't deserve to be loved by them. The three wanted to see her happy and sacrificed themselves to see her smile and this is what they get extreme pain and no happy ending.
3. I was so annoyed by the female lead as she was the biggest cry baby for Yinfan like just stfu there is no point in crying just take it as a sign that you are not meant to be together (those who liked this drama will call it true love but khawwwkthuuuu)
4. Zhao Hao didn't need to turn evil he lost everything because of Chong Zi his smile was what kept me going through out the drama his love for Chong Zi was so truueee but she only hurt the hell out of him
5. Qin Ke was the best one out of the three extras cause he hid his love and pain and wanted to protect her at all costs he was the most genuine character like a person like him is worthy of love but chong zi didn't deserve love in general
6. Mu Yu was the one I thought she was going to end up with casue you could see that she cared for him but he was there to entertain her and keep her happy cause her life had been soo miserable that she needed someone to keep her company
7. Many characters that deserved death by the hands of the female lead didn't die such as ting xue and miaoyuan(she killed herself) and you could also include siuquiu or what ever her name was they gave her pain in life and made her suffer hard so she should have gone on a rampage killing them.
8. Many characters that didn't deserve death died and I got so pissed each time someone I generally liked died this included Chu BuFu, Zhen Zhu, Mu Yu, Yixuan, Gong Ke Ran ,Qin Ke like wtf how can you kill so many people that the audience would love to see.
9. The ending is absolutely dog shit like wtf WHY DOES CHONG ZI GET TO LIVE LIKE WHYYYY. I would have preferred if Yinfan lived and Chong Zi killed herself to destroy the hatred amongst the world and that would have given it a better ending than this. Cause now that she is perfectly fine she should have had a good ending with Zhao Hao who thank God is still alive (cause this writer really likes to kill people), cause he would protect her as everyone would still hate her no matter what as she still caused the death of many people and nearley destroyed the world and this is a fact cause she was in her full conscious when she did this.
*Now for the good parts of the drama*
1. Chong Zi suffered a lot in her life so seeing her change to a demon wasn't shocking and is something that you would like to see. Her powers exceed expectations and she is one of the most powerful buy the end.
2. MiaoYuan dying she didn't deserve a life anyways
3. Qin Ke and Chong zi moments were absolutely beautiful and from the episode that he appeared to end he protects her at all costs he was a heart touching character that was not annoying or impulsive.
4. The first couple of episode and the sceens in which the female lead fights were nice as well
thats it generally it
If I was you I would stop watcing after her first death of Chong Zi and would call it an end cause the rest does not deserve your time.
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Don't waste your time - Listening to dubbing is annoying and acting was bad by the entire cast.
The Journey of Chong Zi - is a historical fantasy drama that is not my genre. I am watching because nothing interesting has been released this month from CDrama land.The plot is so stupid and repetitive. Chong Zi was killed by her master Luo Yin Fan; why did he bother to resurrect her into another life and name it Wen Zi? Brought her back to the heavenly realm, then renamed her Chong Zi again. It was ridiculous. When he brought her back to the heavenly realm, there was no appearance in the huge age gap between them.
The onscreen chemistry between Yang Chao Yue and Jeremy Tsui was awkward and bad. What's up with the dubbing? Listening to it was annoying, and Yang Chao Yue's acting was so bad. She is a one-dimensional actress. After 22 episodes, I was hoping for something more exciting and better plot, but it was the same old thing.
I am dropping this drama and giving it a 4.0 rating. The production quality was not good either, and everyone was so white. Tencent does not know how to produce good quality production drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
The part of this review with spoilers will be at the very bottom and clearly marked.I was initially very excited for this drama because I liked Jeremy Xu in The Autumn Ballad last year, and the description of star-crossed lovers caught my eye. Unfortunately, after watching 17 episodes, I do not see this as a romance, and found it too repetitive, frustrating, and uninteresting to proceed with.
This is a story about a teenage girl who is destined to suffer from prejudice, at the hands of those who claim to be righteous. Born with "evil breath" (this is how the Viki subtitles translate it), Chong Zi constantly faces suspicion from immortals. While Chong Zi is sometimes a bit rash, she is straightforward and speaks her mind, and stands up against injustice. Luo Yin Fan, a powerful immortal of the Nanhua sect, accepts her as his disciple to try to prevent her from becoming a demon. Some have an issue with Yang Chao Yue's acting but I thought her emotional immaturity was true to the character, who was isolated and sheltered by Luo Yin Fan.
As Luo Yin Fan's only disciple, Chong Zi inevitably grows close with him, but I never saw it as romantic nor did I want it to be. Luo Yin Fan's role is a teacher and parent/guardian figure. Even without romance, I would've been fine with continuing this drama had it not been for Luo Yin Fan making several choices that I couldn't forgive. I can't bear to see the same conflicts occurring again and causing Chong Zi to be on the defensive and suffer again. If Chong Zi becomes a demon later on, I would consider watching from that episode because that'd be a more interesting turn of events.
What I did enjoy was the heartwrenching and captivating story of Chu Bu Fu (and I'm happy to see Gao Han here after last year's LLTG). His interactions with Chong Zi were always my favorite scenes. Qin Ke is a potentially interesting character, but he didn't get enough screentime in the episodes I watched. Instead, we get Miao Yuan vehemently hating Chong Zi from the start and Zhuo Hao repeatedly bothering Chong Zi, which made me cringe. This supporting cast full of familiar faces had much potential but is really underutilized.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
As the person who was closest to Chong Zi, Luo Yin Fan should've known the kind of person Chong Zi was, trusted her and stood by her. But I understand, that's the whole point of the first arc, so I was expecting it to end like that. I felt that he truly regretted it when he secretly allowed her to be reborn--but then what does he do? He barely hesitates before accepting her as his disciple again, and despite hiding her appearance from others, decides to give her the name "Chong Zi." Instead of an ordinary, peaceful life, he is the one who throws her in the path of suspicion and suffering once again. Instead of choosing to give her a second chance, he is choosing to give HIMSELF a second chance, to prove that he can prevent her from becoming evil this time. I had no interest in seeing history repeat itself, without Chu Bu Fu this time, and with Luo Yin Fan more overbearing and controlling than ever.
By the way, Wang Yue tells Chong Zi "I'm a good person" so many times I thought my eyes would roll out of my head. He looked good in the role though.
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I am trying to do my best
I really try to keep up with The Journey of Chongzi, but gosh, I just EFFIN hate the pouting, imbecile, annoying sweetie-cutie FL trope. I AM SO FED UP WITH HER. I really would like to watch it because of the other actors and the beautiful costumes, but gosh. Also, the most disgusting and lazy CGI ever. I am sorry, but not even Wang Zhuocheng is going to save the day. What is with all these stupid, ignorant and childish female leads recently? Who in their right mind would think that grown ass men would fall for young girls who behave as mentally challenged, LITERALLY ALL THE TIME.Was this review helpful to you?
