Joy of Life is the rare Chinese drama that manages to be succinct, thematically cohesive, well-plotted and populated with well-written characters. It has a fairly long episode count but it makes use of each of them and doesn't drag. When I was watching this for the first time I was astounded by how many firsts I was experiencing. It is the only Chinese drama I have ever watched that has truly compelling scheming. The only drama with an emperor whose scenes I don’t want to skip. The main lead is so three-dimensional he seems to be coming alive. The world itself feels huge, but also deep — and Chinese fantasy worlds almost never do. They show a restraint with the CGI that makes it more immersive, rather than cheapening the story with poor quality graphics. When I finished it I was satisfied, but I was also very sad because I realized that I would probably never see another drama like it. With the exception, hopefully, of season two! Joy of Life is so well realized that it makes other dramas feel flat and thin in comparison.

The drama would not work nearly as well if that hadn’t cast Zhang Ruo Yun as Fan Xian. This character has to embody the show. He has to feel like a relatable everyman while also being super intelligent and charming. He has to be powerful while also feeling vulnerable, so you’re scared for him. He has to surprise his opponents and overcome obstacles set against him time and time again, seemingly against all odds. ZRY absolutely pulls it off. He is enigmatic and energetic and very funny while also handling the darker and more serious aspects of the drama.

A particular side note for Chen Doaming as the Emperor. This is hands down, bar none, the best performance I have seen of an emperor in any tv show I have ever watched. He is powerful, intimidating and sometimes cruel without ever resorting to being a tyrant and having a scene where he cuts off a peasant's head, or something. He feels like he's emperor not because he was born into the royal family, but because he was meant to be emperor. It feels like no matter where or when he was born or what status he was, somehow he would end up becoming emperor. He is so imposing and exudes so much weight on screen that you hang on every word he says. But he's not just scary, he's also funny and can be strangely warm. He is always a few steps ahead of everyone else and always seems to know what's going on, in a way that makes you love him more and also be more frightened for Fan Xian. I also love that he is almost always in what appears to be his pyjamas? Or at least his lounge wear? and in his private chambers. We never see him in his full emperor's attire or in his big hall or prancing around -- he is so regal and so clearly in charge that he just reads documents in his study and the whole kingdom comes trembling in when he calls. INCREDIBLE stuff. Truly magnetic.

The rest of the cast is also excellent, filled to the brim with upcoming and new talent as well as seasoned, legendary actors. Everyone is bringing a spark to their role, making even guest appearances meaningful. Wu Gang is wonderful as the tricky, slippery Chen Ping Ping. He, the emperor and Fan Xian make up the central trio of the show, three powers that are not necessarily in opposition, but are constantly They give legitimacy and depth to their roles and storylines, and they up the stakes tremendously. There are also supporting characters that really shine, Wayne Wang as Teng Zi Jing and Tian Yu as Wang Qi Nian are especially wonderful, but really there are so many great characters that I can't name them all. It's because they are all so great that you become so emotionally invested in the show. You never feel the need to fast-forward so we can 'get back to the main character'.

The story really rips along, upping the stakes and increasing the complexity at every turn. As it does so, the great cast fills everything out and makes you really care about the characters and their plights. As the story unfolds things get weirder and weirder, and the consequences become greater, and yet the story never really loses its joy and comedy. I am often left frustrated by historical dramas that start off very light and fun and become gloomy and tragic by the end. Even though I love a good tragedy, I also often feel that the drama isn't as good the darker it gets. However, even though Joy of Life CERTAINLY has strife, tragedy and darkness in it, the brightness we get at the beginning never goes away completely, no matter what's happening. Tonally, that's a juggling act that few dramas can pull off, but this one did. It can be deeply moving and emotional as well as incredibly funny all in the same episode.

A few things that weren't as good or that I know bothered some other viewers: The character of Lin Wan'er feels flat and underdeveloped, which is sad because she is a good actress who deserves a good role. In season two I hope that her role gets expanded and her character can gain some depth so that she will feel like a better match to Fan Xian. I do love their romance, which I think is magical and sweet, and they have good chemistry, but she becomes a bit redundant. I don't just want a weak, one dimensional invalid as basically the only woman in the show! Give me some better writing please!

Additionally, I think some people weren't expecting this to be as fantastical as it is, and were put off by it. This world feels like a heightened reality. The weird secret societies, people with incredible powers, the time travel (??), the encounter with heaven (??) -- all these things feel natural and enjoyable if you're prepared for them. If you go into this show expecting a Serious Historical Epic you will be disappointed. That is not what this show is. It's a fantasy comedy drama that is honestly more enjoyable, intelligent, well-acted and suspenseful than 90% of the dramas that I have seen in the last five years, regardless of country or genre.