Half of Us (2023)

Best wuxia drama = Game of thrones political intrigue + jin-yong level of world-building

I'll be honest here. I don't usually write reviews for any dramas, and I comb through cdramas, kdramas, hk dramas and Jdramas like sonic the hedgehog. This is from at least twenty years of drama binging.

This drama is GOLDEN. I was searching top 10 wuxia drama of 2023 and I came across this as number 4 or 5. I was skeptical at first reading the synopsis "oh a dark-brooding assassin drama, but hey, the list so far is pretty good".

Boy was I blown away. Episode 1 - 4 was "Okay... this is interesting." Then is just became better and better to the point where from episode 20 - 24 I was crying non-stop. You really bond with each and every character.

While it's abit of a slowburn at the beginning, I urge everyone to give it a chance and slowly watch every conspiracy and story unfold.

The world building is extremely consistent and rivals the world-building of classics like jinyong's novels, if not better.

Now for the ending, if you don't want to know how the drama ends or even the vibes to the ending ends, you can stop reading here.

The first 40 minutes of the ending is masterful, everything came to a very good conclusion, even the bittersweet endings from certain arcs are, while painful to watch, is satisfying in terms of a conclusion. But the last 5 minutes want you to scream and throw something at the TV screen.

Okay, I'm done. 10/10, easily top 5 cdrama in my 20 years + 100 cdramas of experience.

Leia Mais

A masterpiece to watch.

First and foremost, would like to rate the clothes of everyone in this show a 10/10. So pretty and all characters were so beautifully styled, especially Zhiyu.

Generally, i never watch any show which does not have a HE. That's why took me so long to watch this one.
Got to say i'm impressed by all characters here.
My personal favorite must be Zi Shang, first time watched her and she made me laugh so much... hehe.. such a cutie she was throughout the show.

Read many comments where people dissed the main couple. But for me both couples were so beautiful and had their positive and negatives. where Zhiyu and Weishan's relationship was sweet and pure, Shangguan Qian and ShangJue's was explosive because both were playing with each other for their own reasons.

Spoilers (a bit)....
Personally though i enjoyed Shangguan Qian and ShangJue's love story (kudos to the actors here), however when she actually betrayed him totally by telling the Wufeng assassins his supposed weakness so that they can kill him, and we didn't even see her trying to even save him at all or a microsecond of worry! She cared only about her mission, and though she stood as a powerful FL, she completely lost me in wanting them to even be together. Infact, ShangJue may never trust her ever and that's why their relationship would never work.
On the other side, we have Zhiyu and Weishan who stood for each till the end. Weishan never wanted to be an assassin, she was apparently kidnapped as a kid and forced into this life. so once she knew her sister was not killed by the Gong Family and she was gradually won by Zhiyu's love and goodness, she never hesitated even one second. Likewise, Zhiyu's love for her was unconditional.
also read about many hating ZLH or Zhiyu's character, but why? in fact, his character is the only character which actually had any growth or a character arc in this show. I loved his pure character a lot. (and personally in 2023, one Xie Wei was enough, i doubt we can take so many grey characters of ZLH in same year :P.)

This show needs a second season, because what the hell was that ending? what exactly did Zhiyu see when that door opened? Did Dianzhu kill Weishan?

Also if a second season comes, i guess Wufeng need not be the main villain since Zhiyu has paralysed her a lot with the information he let out. Also Wufeng apparently formed part of the Gong Family too, so we need to know that part too.
I want the backstory about the infinite heat and those "infidels" who the three houses are trying to hold in that back hill. That will be a good plot. Actually, also read that all actors are popular now and would not return. and why not? If popular actors can return for LYF2 or even that Strange Tales of Dynasty something, why not here? This show was one of the most successful shows of IQIYI last year. Just the story needs to be good to attract so many actors back. Most characters were important here, even if story revolved around Zhiyu and Weishan.

Rewatch value: definitely

Cons: it does drag a bit at times, actually a lot of times but still it's a superb show with such good actors.

Leia Mais

A masterpiece, WANT SEASON 2

I loved this series so much.

I saw the trailer of this drama after seeing Yu Shu Xin & Zhang Ling He names in the captions. After seeing them in Love Between Fairy and Devil, I wanted them to work together as a couple. After watching the trailer, I was so excited to watching it. And it didn't disappoint me.

This kind of dark wuxia mystery story I wanted to watch. There are also some funny & light moments.

I like Yu Shu Xin acting in it. This kind of character suits her a lot. I didn't like her character in My Amazing Boyfriend 2 & Love Between Fairy and Devil. Many people complain about her acting & eyes being bland, but that what her character is, Yun Wei Shan is an assassin, taught to be tough & emotionless.

I also liked Zhang Ling He acting. First, he is handsome as well as hot. Gong Zi Yu is sometimes smart and sometimes foolish. At the beginning, he was a fool, but as the story progresses, he starts to become smarter, more responsible. His smartness is shown in completing 3 tasks and plotting against villains. The plan he executed showed his smartness.

I 1st saw Cheng Lei in A Familiar Stranger. I liked his acting in that. He has a beautiful smile. Gong Shang Jue is a responsible, smart, cunning character. For him, the Gong Family is everything.

1st time seeing Lu Yu Xiao. She is beautiful. Shangguan Qian is a manipulative, cunning, smart, selfish character.

Can't believe it's Tian Jia Rui 1st series, he is so good in it despite being it his 1st show. He is hot & has a nice voice.

I love Gong Zi Shang. She makes me laugh whenever she is on-screen.

The young actor Lester Lin he played Young Master Xue, at such a young age he gave strong performance from his stone expression to his fighting scene all of it was mind-blowing, he will be a great actor when he grows up. BTW he is only 12 years old.

People comparing both couples. I don't see the need to compare them, they are unique in their own way. Gong Zi Yu fell in love with Yun Wei Shan at 1st sight. They are both always helping each other, standing for each other, protecting each other. Yun Wei Shan loves Gong Zi Yu but doesn't know how to express her love to him, but she slowly does. On the other hand, Gong Shang Jue & Shangguan Qian seductive kind of romance. As Gong Shang Jue is a smart person, so to win his heart, Shangguan Qian did all kinds of wooing & seductive things. There is love between them but also betrayal other.

I love Gong Zi Yu & Jin Fan relationship. The scarifies Jin Fan made were heartbreaking for him but he never blamed Gong Zi Yu for it instead he protected him with his life. Also, I enjoyed watching Gong Zi Yu & Gong Zi Shang interaction.

Loved Shangguan Qian & Gong Yuan Zhi bickering. Their constant fight to grab Gong Shang Jue attention. Also, Gong Yuan Zhi getting jealous of Shangguan Qian after seeing Gong Shang Jue taking care of her.

From the start, I wanted to see Gong brothers together, at last I saw it.

I loved all three Young Masters, especially Yue & Xue. The way they all supported & helped Gong Zi Yu. Young Yue story was really sad.

I loved the fighting scene, it was so well choreographed. Also like the cinematography.

Like the OST as well.

Leia Mais

BEST CDRAMA OF 2023

this drama has my ENTIRE HEART!!
firstly, the story is fantastic. the pacing and the twists in the story is terrific and out of the world. there is sufficient time given to for character development to occur. i am extremely proud and pleased with Esther's acting in this drama! extremely satisfied and amazed at her acting skills and ability to protray yun weishan emotions! shoutout to my favourite cdrama couple, shang guanqian and gong shangjue. even though they are the second lead couple, however i believe that their chemistry and the tension between both is more felt and tangible.


SPOLIERR !!
its a pity that only both of them had a sad ending :( and i hoped for S2 with a happy ending for them.

Leia Mais

Season two please - this drama is underrated

I have not watched such a great drama in a long time. From the first episode all the way till the end, I did not even look at my phone or got distracted.

Pace was fast, you want to know what's next and plot flowed through very well.

LIKE

When both Gong Shang Jue and Gong Yuan Zhi got played by Madam Wu Ji - that scene made me cry!

What Gong Shang Jue did to Gong Yuan Zhi (when Gong Yuan Zhi was trying to save him) - that scene oh my god seriously!

Hilarious Gong Zi Shang with Jin Fan

When Gong Zi Yu found out Jin Fan's identity from Xue Chong Zi

That part when everyone from back and front mountain fought together - pretty cool

When Han Ya Si saved Yun Wei Shan

Gong's family (the aftermath) after Wu Feng's attack

Chi Mei Huang Liang - season two please to know who are the two though I sort of guessed who. There were hints throughout the drama.

DISLIKE

The last two episodes which kind of slowed down a little.

MUSIC - personal fav

Yun Zhi Yu 云之羽 - Zhang Jie 张杰
Ge Zhe 歌者 - Tian Jia Rui 田嘉瑞

REWATCH VALUE

Definitely will re-watch, drama was so good that I need to re-play some scenes just to enjoy them again.

Leia Mais

I can't believe that I finally found my extended family.. My Gong Family ???

*** Spoiler Alert (PERSONAL FEEDBACK)
Title : My Journey To You - 2023 (Complete 24 Episodes)
Personal Rating : 9/10

I can't believe that I finally found my extended family.. My Gong Family!!!

"The blade of the GONG FAMILY never points inward but outwards." -- Gong Shang Jue
This is one of the best Wuxia drama that I've watched so far.. The storyline is amazing.. You will be hooked in every episodes and it always have a cliffhanger.. It is so intriguing that you want to finished the drama in one sitting.. I purposely stopped watching it in the middle of the broadcast and waited for it to be completed because I couldn't stand the 24 hours waiting time..

I am a sucker of a rom-com with happy ending drama and this drama doesn't have much of it but still it one of the best for me.. It didn't give me a tragic/ heartbreaking ending but an open ending.. It didn't just focus on the couples but on the family as well..
The cast are superb.. The action scenes are amazing that I kept repeating it..

I hope there will be a season 2 because there's a lot of mystery around Gong Family that it is not answered..

Leia Mais

I simply loved these thrills and frills.

My Journey to You (2023) has the most amount of pretty people I have seen in a Chinese Drama. Yes, I can be shallow, but that is not what worked for me (even though at times I forgot to read the subtitles, because I was looking at faces). This is a pulsating, gripping love story, where the main couples are constantly at risk throughout the whole drama. You get an overwhelming romantic journey, but many times you don’t feel at ease for these couples.

Okay, I admit it. I did not like Chinese singer/actress Esther Yu (or Yu Shu Xin) from the Chinese Drama ‘Find Yourself’. She played the helpless airhead. However, in My Journey To You, Esther Yu has the strong killer character, as she plays an assassin. I needed an immediate brain adjustment. With this outstanding Chinese Drama “My Journey To You”, in the opening scenes you get a mixture of the American series Mission Impossible and Bourne Identity. The Esther Yu’s character even has a handler in the Period Chinese Drama. So out of the gate, I am liking My Journey To You.

My Journey To You is wholly gothic and edgy, but at times comedic. It has a killer OST. My Journey To You is not the usual Chinese Period Costume Drama. While My Journey To You does not have the finesse of the 2023 Chinese drama A Journey to Love, as respect writing sophistication, it does have the action thrills of that drama. The exquisite back and forth of the principal actors amount to a chess game of wits. However, this drama is more romance intensive than A Journey To Love. A Journey to Love is a Chinese Drama that is more thrilling. My Journey to You has the more gripping love story. I wish all to see both back to back.

Leia Mais

LOVE IT!!!10/10!!!!

"My Journey to You" is a spellbinding blend of intrigue, passion, and self-discovery set against the enigmatic backdrop of the Gong residence. Yun Wei Shan, portrayed with finesse and depth, is the heart of the narrative - a spy trapped between duty and desire, seeking an escape and finding so much more. The ambience of the Gong household is both captivating and chilling, making each twist and turn even more gripping.

Gong Zi Yu, the rebellious nobleman, is not just another romantic interest but a compelling character in his own right. Together, Wei Shan and Zi Yu's dynamics are palpable, presenting a beautiful portrait of love and growth amidst chaos. Their shared experiences feel genuine and transformative, as both characters navigate the challenges thrown their way.

The series does an outstanding job of intertwining espionage elements with personal journeys, creating a unique blend that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats while simultaneously tugging at their heartstrings. Every episode feels like a chapter in an epic saga of love, sacrifice, and resilience.

Leia Mais

Great drama, except for the last 5 minutes

This drama deserves more promotion than it got. I really wanted a Zang Linghe-Esther Yu pairing after Love Between Fairy and Devil. I am glad that I finally got to watch them together as lovers.

The story is about Yun Weishan, a Wufeng spy who needs to do one last risky mission before she can gain her freedom. She must infiltrate the Gong Residence, a fortress that Wufeng needs to crush to entirely rule the martial arts world. There, she met Gong Ziyu, the degenerate son of the Gong family and the man she thinks she can use to complete her mission. But what will happen if a spy falls for her target? Then it can only end in tragedy.

The story is full of intrigues that keeps you guessing what's next. Add a capable cast then you'll have a good drama. I really like that Esther Yu as Weishan was able to prove in this role that she can play a serious and badass character. It is so far out from the cutesy and bubbly characters like Xiao Lanhua that she did in the past. I know she can do it and I'm glad to be proven right. Zang Linghe as Gong Ziyu was not as amazing as she was but he was able to passably show the transformation of a weak character into a strong leader. The second leads, Lu Yu Xiao as Shangguan Qian (another Wufeng spy) and Ryan Cheng as Gong Shangjue (Gong Ziyu's rival for the Sword Wielder position), had one of the most edgy relationships I have seen in a while. They always have the "love each other-just use each other" air between them. Both of them gave microexpressions that kept you guessing their true intentions. For the supporting roles, I always looked forward to seeing Omid as Han Yasi (Weishan's trainer), he's kind but have to be tough. I also have to mention that Tian Jia Ru as Gong Yuanzi (Shangjue's foster brother) gave me complicated feelings. He was so hateful and maniacally crazy when he was planning bad things against Ziyu but so lovable when he's being a puppy to Shangjue. I didn't like Gong Zishang (Ziyu's cousin played by Jolin Jin) that much, especially when they use her for comedy. I sometimes find her annoying when she's running after men and when she's being screechy, but she's ok in non-comedic scenes. All the remaining casts were also good. Questions that I had for some illogical things that happened were given explanations.

But, and it is a big but, the writers did not give a perfect happy ending. They used the last 5 minutes to give a cliffhanger ending, maybe so they can have room for a season 2. So if you want everything in a bow, don't watch the last 5 minutes. Otherwise, this was a great drama.

Leia Mais

Very Detailed & Very Well Thought Wu Xia

I actually started watching it because of Linghe and ShunXin (Esther) but really really stayed for the plot

It's not your typical drama which you can finish in a day or two and I personally find this drama kind of heavy because it contained so much story details. You cannot just doing anything while not paying attention to the drama and expect to understand the story lol

While I watch it I came to a realization that this story is not your usual light drama story. The person who wrote the story must have given so much thought to this, resulting to the non-dull-at-all story

The characters, The challenges, the problems, the hints, the villains, even the romances are all so good

I disliked Gong HuanZhi at first but as the story goes, I grew fonder of him. He's so good looking and I just found out that this is his first debut drama as an actor!! Wow nice.

I also thought that Esther Yu wouldn't suit this drama as we know she's a very cheerful person, but she naileddddd it. She played Yun WeiShan very well. Not to mention the fighting scene. Those scenes were so beautifully made. Kuddos to the shooting crew you guys did very good!

Overall the whole journey watching from episod 1 to 24 was a great rollercoaster ride but honestly I was kinda dissapointed watching the ending 😞😞😞😞 really didn't see it coming

But it's okay I'll still wait for the season 2 😭

Leia Mais

The end of the Journey ... and of Wufeng

I write this review because I found nowhere someone telling about the end of the story the way I understood it. So I share it with you, dear watchers of this beautifull series ... but read that only when you have finished to see it.


Many heard with the last images the sound of the door of the citadel opening. I don't deny it but what I heard as well and more loudly is the sound of an explosion. We have been given all along this story meticulously written and very precisely translated in images several clues from the begining to the end, which led me to my understanding of the conclusion of the story.
- Yun Weishan is the only one who saw the plan of the 'infinite fire' on the back of Ziyu, and says 'I saw it all'
- Yun Weishan having been discovered as an agent of Wufeng is asked by master Yue, who is the moral values keeper of the Gong Family, not to remain among them and leave someday, which she agrees with.
- Then Yun Weishan after the last battle knows that the purpose to erradicate totaly Wufeng to give peace once and for all to the Gong Community has not yet been reached, and that everything could start again as ten years before.
So having the plan of the 'infinite fire', the duty to leave the Gong community, and no plan in life now she has already found her true love, her leaving the Gong mansion is to meet Wufeng an ultimate time and blow them off after they themselves came to track her again at her sister. The last sound of explosion is a kind of maybe allegoric way to put it, but I definitely believe the story is that she sacrificed herself to blow Wufeng leader&Co away with the dreadful infinite fire and she did it.
Thank you Yun Weishan !

Leia Mais