[First Impression] Joy of Life ( 庆余年)

Don’t get fooled by the title! The drama isn’t as “joyful” is it seems…! Lots of plotting, scheming, and killing happen just within the first few episodes. And, to make it even more sadder, is that Xiao Zhan hasn’t even shown up yet..!!! Still waiting to see him appear!!! But, honestly, the drama is quite fun to watch. Zhang Ruo Yun is such a great actor and he really keeps the story moving forward!

BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! 

Title: Joy of Life ( 庆余年)
# of Episodes: 46
Release Date: November 26^th, 2019
Where to Watch:  YouTube

Why did I start watching this?

For the Zhang Ruo Yun and Li Qin pairing!!! Finally, a drama where Li Qin is the female lead!!! And, of course, for Xiao Zhan!!!

Plot/Synopsis Recap

In modern times, Zhang Qing is a college student who is has a strong interest in history. However, his modern ideals aren’t aligned with his history professor and the two often clash. But Zhang Qing is determined to let people know of his ideas and decides to enter a writing contest with a story that he has written. His story is about a modern man who is transported into a young baby and how he uses his modern ideas to survive in the historical world. As he ponders what to name his story, he decides to call it Qing Yu Nian, to reflect the true meaning of the story—to live in the moment and live the best life.

Fast-forward to Qing Yu Nian…

A modern man transmigrates into a newborn baby who is being chased by assassins. The baby is named Fan Xian who is saved by Wu Zhu, a servant of his recently deceased mother Ye Qing Mei. Wu Zhu is eventually able to fend off the assassins, but is stopped by Chen Ping Ping.

Chen Ping Ping suggests that Wu Zhu leave Fan Xian with him, but Wu Zhu refuses. With Ye Qing Mei dead, Fan Xian is in danger and Wu Zhu doesn’t want his master’s son life to be in danger. He tells Chen Ping Ping that he will raise the child by himself. Chen Ping Ping is against Wu Zhu raising Fan Xian since Wu Zhu only knows how to kill. He advises he take Fan Xian to Dan Zhou to be raised by his paternal grandmother. Wu Zhu silently agrees and heads out for Dan Zhou.

For the next 18 years, Fan Xian is raised in Dan Zhou. But knowing that his life will soon be threatened, Wu Zhu teaches Fan Xian martial arts and Chen Ping Ping sends a poison master to help teach Fan Xian. As an adult, Fan Xian uses his modern knowledge to help him fend off assassins and survive. Soon, he is summoned back to the capital city by his father for unknown reasons. Although he initially didn’t want to go, Fan Xian decides to go to find out who wants to kill him. He bids farewell to Wu Zhu and his grandmother and returns to the capital city to meet the family he’s never known and the enemies who continually target him…

And that’s a wrap!

Cast/Characters

Fan Xian (范闲), Zhang Ruo Yun
The son of Fan Jian and Ye Qing Mei. He is a modern man who comes to possess the body of Fan Xian. And, despite being subjected to danger at every corner, he decides to live his own away. He refuses to follow the footsteps of his late mother and only wishes to live a life of his own free will. He is engaged to Lin Wan Er.

Lin Wang Er (林婉儿), Li Qin
Illegitimate daughter of the Grand Princess and Prime Minister. Her birth is a secret since she was born out of wedlock. When she was born, she had a weak body and an unknown illness. That is why she is often forbidden to go outside and only stays inside her house. Due to this, she comes off as a timid and shy-natured girl. However, she is curious and loves to eat chicken drumsticks (often getting caught by Fan Xian). She is engaged to Fan Xian.

Fan Ruo Ruo (范若若), Song Yi
Fan Xian’s younger sister. She is smart and intelligent. She often stayed in Dan Zhou with Fan Xian and their grandmother as a child. She is completely loyal to Fan Xian and always sticks up for him in front of her parents and others.

Emperor (庆帝), Chen Dao Ming
The current reigning emperor. He is a meticulous and calculating man. He is a ruthless and cold ruler who sees people as his pawns. He never shows himself, but as the power to control everything. He has his eyes set on Fan Xian and always tests him.

Chen Ping Ping (陈萍萍), Wu Gang
The head of the Overwatch Council. He was friends with Ye Qing Mei and secretly helps Fan Xian.

Wu Zhu (五竹), Tong Meng Shi
Ye Qing Mei’s servant and Fan Xian’s master. He taught Fan Xian martial arts and secretly guards him. His martial arts is high and he is considered as one of the best fighters in the kingdom.

Yan Bing Yun (言冰云), Xiao Zhan
Son of Yan Ruo Hai. Because of Fan Xian’s meddling, he is sent away to be a spy in a neighboring kingdom.

Fan Si Zhe (范思辙), Guo Qi Lin
Fan Xian’s step-brother. He is born from a concubine. Despite his spoiled and arrogant personality, he has the talent for business. He initially didn’t like Fan Xian, but starts to follow him once Fan Xian stands up for him in front of their father.

Fan Jian (范建), Gao Shu Guang
Fan Xian’s father. Assistance Minister to the Department of Revenue.

Teng Zi Jing (滕梓荆), Wang Yang
A spy from the 4^th department in the Overwatch Council. He was an initial assassin sent to kill Fan Xian but ends up befriend him. He becomes one of Fan Xian’s first followers.

Fei Jie (费介), Liu Hua
The head of the 3^rd department in the Overwatch Council. He is a poison master. He is one of Fan Xian’s masters.

Li Cheng Qian (李承乾), Zhang Hao Wei
Crown Prince. He wants to kill Fan Xian and has been sending assassins to kill him.

Li Cheng Ze (李承泽), Liu Duan Duan
2^nd Prince. He is vying for the throne against the Crown Prince. He wants to get Fan Xian on his side.

There’s many, many characters in the drama, but I’m not going to list all of them since the list will be far too long.

Overall Impression

I’ll admit—I had no idea what was going on for the few episodes of this drama. I did little research about the drama and I didn’t know what to expect going into it. And this wasn’t a good idea, because I was completely lost and clueless to what was going on. I didn’t realize that Fan Xian was a modern man transmigrating to the past. So, when I started the drama, I was super confused to what was going on because so many things were happening and lots of characters were showing up. It was had to keep track of who was who and what was really going on. But, honestly, the longer you watch, the more the story becomes clearer and you can start to understand what the story is about. And, really, it’s all about Fan Xian’s journey to live the live the kind of life that he wants to life while trying to battle all the scheming and plotting thrown at him from people of high power.

Before I dive into the story, I really want to talk about Fan Xian. He’s a really interesting character. He’s very smart and extremely intelligent, which is most likely because he comes from modern times. And what I find very interesting about Fan Xian is his personality and outlook in life. To be honest, he’s really just a simple man. However, Fan Xian’s existence is very unique. He is born an illegitimate child to Ye Qing Mei and an important official, Fan Jian. Even though his birth is scorned upon, it’s very special. His mother, Ye Qing Mei, was a progressive woman who once held a powerful position in court and someone who fought against injustices. His father, Fan Jian, is an important official who is close to the emperor. And, despite Fan Xian’s low status, he actually is highly regarded by everyone around him. The emperor appoints him to head the national treasury (once held by his mother) and his father hopes that he will reclaim his mother’s prestige and powers. However, despite strong backing from his father, Fan Xian has no interest in doing anything of it. He only wants one thing in life—to live the life the way he wants. He doesn’t want to be restricted and he doesn’t want to follow anyone’s footsteps. He just wants to live his own life. And everything that he does is really to live out this dream of his.

So far, the drama really focuses of Fan Xian’s journey to overcome the expectations that are thrown at him. He forced to marry a woman he’s never met before and take on a heavy responsibility that he doesn’t even want. And he, despite all the obstacles thrown at him, Fan Xian really does his best to not follow what people want him to do. One thing that I’ve found really cool is that Fan Xian’s outlook in life really resonates with the people that he befriends. It’s what draws people towards him because they become enamored with his ideals.

The only part of the drama that’s been really disappointing for me is Li Qin’s character, Lin Wan Er. While she looks beautiful and delicate as a young miss, Lin Wan Er is really flat and has no special characteristics other than being born with a weak body and having an unknown illness. She doesn’t really do anything to the story, and that’s the disappointing part. Like, her existence is just there so that Fan Xian can have a love interest. And while it’s fine since Fan Xian is the main character, it’s also very saddening to see because Li Qin is a really good actress. Personally, I felt that they could’ve done so much more with her character. But, then again, the drama is adapted from a novel, so changing characters will only infuriate its fans. Otherwise, the drama is pretty good, and I don’t have any other complaints about it.

Overall, I really am enjoying this drama. I love watching Fan Xian deal with the people who’s out to get him. However, I expect the drama to take a turn soon, as I know for sure that Fan Xian’s life in the capital city will not be easy and he’s bound to get himself into trouble soon. So, if you’re not a person who’s into all the extravagant and intricate palace scheming and drama, I don’t think this drama is for you. I also don’t sense much romance going on through this drama too. However, it doesn’t mean this drama isn’t worth a try. I still recommend it for anyone who’s into historical dramas.