Half of Us (2023)

Not My Cup of Tea

I usually don't write reviews, because I find it hard to remember all the details I would like to write down, but this series was so strange that I just have to release all this confusion.
First of all, when I finished watching "My Journey to You" I felt nothing (maybe some relief to have finished). Honestly, I don't regret finishing dramas even when I didn't enjoy it that much, but with this one I felt regret! To me this cdrama does not evoke almost any emotions. I think this is because the characters lack depth and there is zero backstory for Yun Weishan and Shangguan Qian. They try to make the series sinister, dark and emotional but you don't even know the origins of the female leads? Gong Zi Ju had backstory but he was still so bland.. Gong Shang Jue was all right, definitely more interesting than the others.
Second, in my opinion there is zero chemistry between the two couples. Many people think that Shangguan Qian and Gong Shang Jue were the best, but to me, their relationship was almost stranger than Yun Weishan's and Gong Zi Ju's relationship. Like why does Shangguan Qian always have to speak in such a suspicious way? Was there ever any trust in that relationship? And another thing, there was no "falling in love" stage for Yun Weishan and Gong Zi Ju, they just liked each other the moment the series started. And yes, that works sometimes, but in this case it was just mechanical and unromantic.
Third, the story was soo confusing. I can put up with bad character and whatever, but only if the plot itself is entertaining. The original idea was really good but the execution was just eeeh. In the last three or four episodes there were so many plot twists that I just questioned every second of the last 20 episodes. And to me, that's bad script writing. I mean plot twists are good, but too many just don't work. At the end I didn't even understand the intentions of the characters throughout the entire series, because everything was kind of suddenly changed. I don't know if I am explaining this properly but if you've watched "My Journey to You" you might relate.
Okay for the positive aspects of the series: The cinematography was good, and the costumes were gorgeous.

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Poor execution of a good idea

If you want a well-written story, good editing, captivating dialogues, and a satisfying, complete ending - this is not the show for you. (It's an open-ended cliffhanger.)

Pros: The plot itself is decent. The acting, characterization, and cast choice are all excellent. Great visuals. The dynamics and chemistry between the characters—the relationships, platonic or romantic, acquaintances or temporary allies, brothers, friends or enemies—is where it truly shines. Credit where it's due; the male lead's growth is pretty solid and feels natural. The main conflict is alright. The show, I'm pleased to note, is not afraid to spill blood.

Cons: The story is severely damaged by the way it's written and edited, which easily breaks any immersion you get. It heavily relies on retrospection as a tool to explain everything, every time. If in doubt - get through 3 different cliffhangers and wait for a throwback. There's a moment in the series where you get an actual real-time scene, the scene ends, and it goes to the direct follow-up of the scene with the same characters, which then transitions into the retrospection to the previous scene with a detail that visibly wasn't present the first time around. Not shocking, not clever, certainly not necessary, and unfortunately, too common for this drama. This is usually accompanied by PowerPoint-worthy transitions. When you notice the pattern and the construction, it makes it lackluster and predictable, especially close to the end.

To sum it up, there's probably people that will enjoy it, if just for the cast and what they bring to the table. I personally feel like it was a waste of time.

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A Sweet Journey with Flaws

My Journey to You is a 2023 Chinese wuxia drama that tells the story of Li Weishan (Esther Yu), a spy who is sent to infiltrate the enemy kingdom. There, she meets Gong Ziyu (Zhang Linghe), a young prince who is also a skilled martial artist. The two of them fall in love, but their relationship is forbidden due to their different allegiances.

The drama is set in a world of martial arts and intrigue, and it features stunning visuals, an intricate plot, and well-developed characters. Esther Yu and Zhang Linghe give excellent performances, and their chemistry together is undeniable.

The Good:

One of the best things about My Journey to You is its sweet and heartwarming love story. Li Weishan and Gong Ziyu are both strong and independent characters, but they are also deeply in love with each other. Their relationship is forbidden, but they are determined to be together.

The drama also features a number of other interesting and memorable characters, including Li Weishan's best friend, Xiao Qing (Li Yubing), and Gong Ziyu's loyal bodyguard, Zhao Yi (Liu Yuning).

The acting in My Journey to You is excellent. Esther Yu and Zhang Linghe both give nuanced and believable performances. Yu captures Li Weishan's strength and determination, while Zhang Linghe captures Gong Ziyu's intelligence and kindness. The supporting cast is also very good, with Li Yubing and Liu Yuning delivering particularly memorable performances.

The drama's visuals are also stunning. The sets and costumes are elaborate and beautiful, and the cinematography is breathtaking. The fight scenes are also well-choreographed and exciting to watch.

The Bad:

My Journey to You is not without its flaws. The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot can be confusing at times. There are also some clichés, and the ending could have been better.

One of the biggest problems with the drama is the pacing. The first few episodes are very slow, and it takes a while for the story to get going. Once the story does get going, it becomes more interesting and engaging, but the slow pacing can be frustrating at times.

Another problem with the drama is that the plot can be confusing at times. There are a lot of different characters and storylines, and it can be difficult to keep track of everything. The drama also does not always do a good job of explaining its plot twists.

Finally, the drama features some clichés. For example, the love triangle between Li Weishan, Gong Ziyu, and Xiao Qing is a bit of a cliché. The ending of the drama is also a bit of a cliché.

Conclusion:

Overall, My Journey to You is a good drama, but it's not perfect. It has stunning visuals, an intricate plot, well-developed characters, and a sweet and heartwarming love story. Esther Yu and Zhang Linghe give excellent performances, and their chemistry together is undeniable.

However, the drama is not without its flaws. There are some pacing issues, some plot holes, and some clichés. The ending could also have been better.

Despite its flaws, I still enjoyed My Journey to You. I found the love story to be very sweet and heartwarming, and I really liked the characters. The drama is also visually stunning, and the fight scenes are well-choreographed.

If you're looking for a drama with stunning visuals, a complex plot, and a sweet love story, then I recommend giving My Journey to You a try.

My personal feelings;

I really enjoyed My Journey to You. I found the love story to be very sweet and heartwarming, and I really liked the characters. The drama is also visually stunning, and the fight scenes are well-choreographed.

However, I did find that the pacing was slow at times, and the plot could be confusing at times. I also found that there were some clichés in the drama.

Overall, I think My Journey to You is a good drama, but it's not perfect. I would recommend it to people who are looking for a drama with stunning visuals, a complex plot, and a sweet love story. Just be aware of its flaws before you start watching.

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Beautiful drama with twists and turns

The first thing that strikes me with this drama is the aesthetics, it really lives up to the expectations that I got when seeing the trailer earlier this year. The mixture of darkness, the light snow and the striking mountain setting is very appealing and combined with the suggestive music choice and excellent lighting, it shapes a masterpiece.

We get to follow the orphaned low level female assassin Yun Wei Shan, portrayed by Esther Yu, when she is infiltrating the Gong martial arts family’s stronghold. Her mission is unknown to the viewer but she comes well prepared by her handler. She arrives as one of many bridal choices for the young master Gong Huan Yu. Things gets complicated when the family discovers that there is an assassin among the brides. The kind but idle and immature Gong Zi Yu takes action to save the lives of these brides and things get complicated from here. A bond starts to form between Yun Wei Shan and Gong Zi Yu and she gets involved in the dangerous power struggle between the Gong brothers.

The director Edward Guo utilizes the natural elements to their fullest and the cinematography gives us stunning visuals and helps build tension in a remarkable way. I also think that the costume choices and styling feels creative and fresh. I’ve noticed this costume designer Huang Wei for a while now and she always delivers top of the art. The art direction is beautiful and even if I recognize mist of the locations from other dramas, they are now showed in a new light with fresh angles.

Another great thing is the music. The song choices are good and the instrumental pieces are suggestive and contributes to create anticipation and tension. One thing I noticed is the sound editing. I don’t know the techniqal term but let’s call it sound imaging. For example when one of the brothers remember a painful event from his past, we get to hear a large door close, but the door isn’t real, it’s in his heart.

The experienced and skilled older brother Gong Shang Jue is like a volcano about to erupt. He keeps all his feelings inside him but his face reveals plenty, and during the drama he shows more and more of his emotions. He is portrayed by Ryan Cheng who makes his best role this far in his career. He really nails everything about this tormented young man with the most emotions revealing eyes. I’m happy to know this talented actor has many main roles in his future plans. I’m looking forward to see what else he can accomplish in the future.

The third brother, the poison expert Gong Yuan Zhi is played by Tian Jia Rui. This role is his first ever and he excels in conveying the younger brother who is devoted to his idolized brother Shang Jue. I’m very impressed with this newcomer and how he can show the entire register of emotions.

The last main character is played by Lu Yu Xiao. She plays the bride to be for Shang Jue, Shangguan Qian, and she delivers a character with great depth that switches from cold to pitiful and back in an amazing way.

The acting in this drama is top notch with stellar performances from all the main actors/actresses and as a viewer I often wonder about what’s going on inside the characters heads. The script comes with a few surprises that shocks the viewer and threw me from hope to devastation a few times. The great acting and unpredictable script make me question everything in this drama and I’m constantly on edge about what’s going to happen. The tension is unbelievable and still I wouldn’t mind more if it.

The only thing I don’t find perfect in this drama is the comedy part delivered by the Gong sister which is a bit exaggerated and feels displaced. I understand the need for some comic relief from all the tension but the way it’s done here makes me a bit annoyed. In the middle of the drama the tempo slows down and a lot of the built up tension disappears, but it finds its way back in the last episodes. The ending has been debated a lot, and I actually like the idea of it although I think it was a bit rushed.

I love this drama and will surely watch it again within a year. Can’t wait to see the next drama from the director and I am very curious about what the main actors will do next.

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A Masterpiece to be enjoyed slowly

This drama definitely deserves a 10/10. The best drama I ever watched !
My review is a simple consideration to ensure that the rating is not lowered by the expectations of someone looking for something else.

If you're looking for a romantic drama with a couple of doves... don't watch it!
If you're looking for a basic drama to watch at double speed... don't watch it!
If you are looking for a drama with only 2 protagonists and unimportant side stories with mediocre actors who glorify the protagonists.... don't watch it!

If you are looking for a drama with a complex story that keeps you in suspense where all the actors play an important role in the unfolding of the plot without useless dialogues.... watch it!
If you're looking for a drama with incredible production, great actors, breathtaking visuals and an amazing soundtrack.... WATCH IT !!

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A Journey to be Remembered

From the beginning, this drama is different. The storyline is like a labyrinth. It takes you down the winding paths of scheming and deceit, and keeps you guessing at every turn if reality meets appearance. As the viewer, you sometimes wish you were perched up high upon the maze, so you can figure out the fate of those lost within it, yet you are made to walk alongside the characters until they reach the exit.

The dark hues of the lens, the riveting storyline, the elaborate costumes, the perfectly matched music and the daily dose of cliffhanger brings together a story that may not be perfectly executed, but is close enough.

The characters in this drama are multifaceted and the cast who play both the main and supporting roles all skilfully portray their respective parts with depth.

With much gratitude to the director, cast and staff for bringing its viewers on a very memorable journey.

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A Spy's Emotional Odyssey

"The Journey to You" combines intense intrigue with a deeply emotional journey. Yun Wei Shan's character breaks the mold of the traditional spy, blending vulnerability with cunning, making her journey inside the Gong residence both thrilling and moving. The house itself is almost a character on its own, shrouded in mystery and constantly challenging Yun Wei Shan's wits.
Her evolving relationship with Gong Zi Yu stands out. Their dynamics are compelling to watch. The series manages to beautifully blend romance, friendship, and personal growth against a backdrop of danger and intrigue. Some subplots may occasionally meander, but overall, the storyline remains tight and captivating.
The cinematography deserves commendation, capturing both the grandeur and the lurking threats within the Gong residence. While some characters could benefit from deeper development, the lead duo offers a strong and engaging performance. The OST is fitting, even if not particularly memorable.
For those seeking a blend of romance, action, and self-discovery, "The Journey to You" is a commendable pick.

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Give it back to me ..........i mean the time i spent watching this drama!

Soooo! this drama.... i'm usually the type to drop a drama if not interested after the first 2 episodes at most. But since people kept saying that it would get better and i was also curious about the story, i kept watching.... BAD IDEA, REALLY BAD IDEA..

The first 15 episodes were boring as hell, i will also say this is the first time and also the last time i take a WHOLE MONTH to watch a drama, knowing that i was binge-watching it.
The second part was better, but the PLOT-HOLES guysssss! We people are not stupid, we actually have brains and think a lot, so many things didn't make sense, and the cliff hanger at the end...., like i could tell something like this would happen, and they should have able to see this coming, since there were a lot of scheming from both sides, i will stop ranting here....

The main couple was kind of mehh, i will not really remember their CP. But the second lead's couple actually had some nice chemistry, i hoped they actually got a nice closure, but again, if the main couple didn't get it, i guess it would have been too much to hope for the second lead's couple to have one lol.

Do i recommend this drama? ...No i don't! because weighting the pros and cons, i think i could have watched a better drama, or even more dramas, and now i can't get back the time i spent watching it. For me a 6.5/10, and i'm being nice lol

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A good overall story

My Journey To You can be viewed a few different ways: 1) a story of an assassins' mission to infiltrate the Gong Family, 2) a story of an immature, laid back heir thrown into leadership and being forced to develop into a true leader, 3) a story of the tumultuous incidents happening within the Gong walls and the reactions by various characters within those walls.

In my opinion, the third option gives the most satisfactory story and conclusion, whereas the first and second can either be debated or can be viewed as unresolved and even unfulfilled.

I give a 9 to the story on the third point, even though there are still loose ends (two deaths are not explained, one is semi-explained but is very odd and suspicious, the other is just shown with no explanation--chances are both are tied to same person, but we will never know), as well as some suspension of disbelief (quick bride selection towards the end--both sides should've been suspicious of the other, but suddenly there is no protocol, no security, etc--should've been a red flag to the other side).

To the second point, whether the heir truly ever grew into a great leader, or rather just a competent one would be determined by fans' subjectivity. His ultimate show of brilliance is questionable because of what his reasoning and main goals were, and whether his plan was truly a win for his family, and not just a win for his love-life at the cost of some very important lives--to the point where the whole structure of the Gong Family has been changed.

He did become a capable enough person that will be respected in holding the title, but whether his strategic prowess should be respected is up for debate.

To the First point, we are still not completely clear on all aspects of the assassin's mission and whether or not she ultimately failed or succeeded for herself.

A shame the director didn't dare enough to have a specified ending, instead of an OE. Maybe he himself doesn't know what the answer is. Second Season excuse is just an excuse. An ending for a second season would be a cliffhanger, where the audience would be privy to a revelation that will lead into the next season. Not a cowardly direction to just leave the audience hanging, not even revealing to actors what they're supposed to be reacting to.

Then again, perhaps the OE was the only way the story could be told and viewed from other perspectives. And I appreciate the director and script for not falling into fan-services; but rather showed a Male Lead who is not always correct, and validated the characters whom the ML saw as foes instead of villainizing them or having their abilities be deemed lesser than ML.

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This was a good wuxia story that inserted frequent attempts to manipulate the audiences emotions that seemed awkward and misplaced. Sadly between that and queuing up the cheesy music every few minutes really broke up the momentum for me. Excellent costumes, martial arts and traditional wuxia theme but forced unnatural over the top emotive scenes in order to appeal to a wider audience were completely unnecessary and caused it to drag excessively. This could have had a similar level of appeal as say Snow Sword Stride which didn't need to rely on people shedding tears every five minutes that but it definitely fell short unfortunately.

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A unique, unforgettable cdrama

Amazing martial arts choreography, breathtaking cinematography, and a compelling spy assassin storyline = a cdrama that is unique and unforgettable. It will feed your inner demon with the delicious darkness that lingers in each well-crafted scene. If you're craving comedy, there are unexpected hilarious scenes that will make you chuckle in memory.

Romance is aplenty with 4 CPs, and you can choose to ship your sweet, heartwarming CP, your spicy hot CP, your adorable CP and/or your star-crossed CP.

Also, the excellent acting from an eye candy cast is just the lovely cherry on top! Enjoy watching!!

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This is the drama we have been looking for

I watched this drama with my husband and he only watches really good C dramas so I went into viewing with high expectations due to reviews. I have to say. This was probably one of the C dramas that had the best character development for such a short 24 episode series.

The best part of the drama for me was that I never knew what was going to happen. Just when I thought the writer was going to write some basic storyline to drive angst or tension, something else is written and craziness explodes. I wouldn't call the drama perfect. Sure, at times the bickering is a little too much and long and going from one story arc to the next can be lengthy but the characters! The entire cast is pretty important in the drama and everyone has a story which is something I enjoyed a lot. I never knew I could care so much for the B and even C cast.

Esther Yu totally shines in this drama and gone is the dizzy girl with the high pitch voice. I really think this was the drama for her to act and to show the world that she can be a good serious actress. I was really excited that Zhang Ling He was casted as the male lead and I really wanted to see him shine. We got a taste of him in Love between Fairy and the Devil. I thought he was fairly good, but he still needs to work on his camera presence. For someone who is over 6 feet tall, you want your character to command the scene and that is something I feel like he still struggles with, but there is hope because he is pretty close.

Overall, the drama was exciting to watch and isn't for the faint of heart. A lot of dramatic events happen, but you will truly feel for all the characters which is totally new for me.

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