Hi  you all, have you seen The Spirealm? It's dark. The two male mainleads are very caring of each other. And you don't know what will happen.  As an escape game like story it's gory and filled with horror elements. But I like this relationship between the leads and go back often to watch some episodes again.

 mei:

The lack of romance is very fine by me and when it comes to humour what really gets a laugh out of me is the delivery rather than the joke itself (I repeated so many scenes in Joy of Life because of this). 

It's really all about facial expressions and tone of voice. I'm a simple soul like that.

then nice! you might enjoy it like I did then 🫶 is joy of life good? I haven't watched it because I thought it was full of seriousness but you mentioned you laughed because of some scenes there.

 Luna:

then nice! you might enjoy it like I did then 🫶 is joy of life good? I haven't watched it because I thought it was full of seriousness but you mentioned you laughed because of some scenes there.

Joy of Life doesn't look good. The editing is terrible, the shots even worse (as if they didn't know how to use a camera) and the colouring is pretty bad. So, if you base your liking of a drama also on how pretty it looks, don't even start this one.
But, if you don't mind poor aesthetic and cinematography, do give it a try.
The characters are amazing and all in all have dimension and motivations and are pretty well acted (love how clever and scheming some of them are), the references to the future and Chinese literature are just so well thought through (JoL is probably the best at doing this) and the balance between comedy and seriousness is almost perfect and just flows so well. I was also expecting a 100% serious drama going in, but it actually has quite a few comedic moments.


I did start Guardians of the Dafeng, but so far the comedy feels rather forced. Like, I know I'm supposed to be laughing at x point, but it gives me nothing. 

But I'm loving the story and how everything looks so far, so definitely won't drop it.

 Damengxiang:

Hi  you all, have you seen The Spirealm? It's dark. The two male mainleads are very caring of each other. And you don't know what will happen.  As an escape game like story it's gory and filled with horror elements. But I like this relationship between the leads and go back often to watch some episodes again.

I keep seeing that title popping up, but I never gave it too much thought.  Is it worth a watch?

 mei:

I keep seeing that title popping up, but I never gave it too much thought.  Is it worth a watch?

I say definitely yes! I like the idea of a game that trows you in several game realities. and you never now where you will find yourself next.  But there is the problem that I do not watch most dramas to the end. I hate endings. 😭

To write a more fitting answer for you I went to your Profile and found your rating system, but you don't write there, what you like story-wise. With the exemplary dramas there, I would recommend to you Sword Snow Stride and Word of Honor. I liked Joy of Live but couldn't go further because of the mist around the first meeting with Lin Wan Er. I don't like such things plot-wise. Though it is still on my list.

 Damengxiang:

I say definitely yes! I like the idea of a game that trows you in several game realities. and you never now where you will find yourself next.  But there is the problem that I do not watch most dramas to the end. I hate endings. 😭

To write a more fitting answer for you I went to your Profile and found your rating system, but you don't write there, what you like story-wise. With the exemplary dramas there, I would recommend to you Sword Snow Stride and Word of Honor. I liked Joy of Live but couldn't go further because of the mist around the first meeting with Lin Wan Er. I don't like such things plot-wise. Though it is still on my list.

You hate endings... are you perhaps the Doctor? (niche reference I guess lol)

Word of Honor was probably my second or third c-drama and I'm planning on starting Sword Snow Stride soon. I just need to finish the many dramas I am currently watching first or I'll lose my mind.

I don't have a preference for what I like, story-wise. I don't like romance that much and I prefer dramas with a more serious and mature tone to them, but I really try to watch everything and anything. For me it really is all a matter of how the writing and pacing are and whether I need to turn off my brain to believe whatever is happening in that plot. 

By the way, what do you mean by "mist around the first meeting"? As in, it's unclear how and why they met in the first place? If that's the only thing refraining you from keep watching the drama, I'd say give it another try. I don't know what episode you dropped at, but everything has an explanation, you'll just have to be patient.

But, I'll admit, I nearly dropped it as well for the way they treated the romance in the first episodes. The way he was "obsessed" with a girl he only ever met once and for less than five minutes... really not a fan of that. But that was really just a hiccup and the romance never really takes centre stage in the story. One can easily pretend it isn't even there, although they do share a couple of nice scenes together.

 meiwatchesdramas:
But, if you don't mind poor aesthetic and cinematography, do give it a try.
The characters are amazing and all in all have dimension and motivations and are pretty well acted (love how clever and scheming some of them are), the references to the future and Chinese literature are just so well thought through (JoL is probably the best at doing this) and the balance between comedy and seriousness is almost perfect and just flows so well. I was also expecting a 100% serious drama going in, but it actually has quite a few comedic moments.

I actually don't mind poor aesthetic and cinematography...I kinda value good storyline more. Thanks for these info, I will add it to my list and find time to watch it once am done with my current ones! 

Oh yes, the first parts of GOTD weren't that great but the latter once more of the story unfolds is better imo. It takes time to get used to the comedy and guess kinda depends on humor too! enjoy watching it!