If you had asked me at the start of 2025 what my top 3 most anticipated Cdramas would be, I would have told you it’s Journey of Legend, Immortal Ascension, and Dark River. Immortal Ascension came and gone. (It was fun, read my review here) Now here comes The Journey of Legend. I still say they should keep the title as ‘To The Mountain and Seas‘, it’s just cooler. Because the Jianghu is the Rivers and Lakes, so To The Mountain and Seas would be fitting. But at last, we ended up with a typical title.
Never mind that, after what felt like the longest wait ever, it’s finally here! And with it, my early impression review.
So, how is it?
I like it! It’s pretty fun. The show started fairly light, if not filler. I won’t spoil the plot, there’s not much of it to spoil, but it’s basically about our lead hero Cheng Yi (Yes, I’m just gonna call him that), he finds himself in a world where he doesn’t belong, yet this was also the world of his dreams. It’s basically a wuxia fanboy story.
What would you do if you were a wuxia fan who woke up in a wuxia world? Yep, pretty much that.
Ever since this production started, I’ve always seen it as a love letter to Wuxia. And it is! The way the story is structured, paced, it all felt so 90s TVB. (They even brought Jackie Lui, who played my favorite Linghu Chong ever from State of Divinity 1996, and Julian Cheung, who played Guo Jing from The Legend of the Condor Heroes 1994) And their bright, colorful, overdesigned costume. Yep, straight up 90s vibes.
But yes, the pacing is fairly fast, the plot is fairly thin, but it’s enjoyable enough to keep you following.
The highlight here is not the plot or the main hero; it’s the secondary male lead. (I’m just gonna call him second Male Lead, aka Feng Lang, aka Fake Feng Lang) When you watch it, you’ll get it.
This character/actor nailed his role. It’s so good to watch his character on screen. The way his character walks the middle line between good, bad, and how the actor portrays his role, is perfection. He’s easily the highlight so far.
As for all the Female characters, well, there are a few of them, not much to say. We’re still early. I think they’re okay. But this is a male-centric story. We’re here for the heroes.
I hear a lot of, “Is there Romance?” Well, check back after episode 40.
If you’re one of those people who felt disappointed by the first two eps or so (Yes, I’ve read a few dropped out early), if you are reading this (You’re not reading this), I would say give it another try. From episode 6 onward, things picked up and got quite serious and heavy, plot-wise. This is what a Wuxia is all about. Fast-moving, lots of traveling, lots of mystery and action, and drama. This is Wuxia. And I’m here for it. We don’t get pure Wuxia often anymore. So I’ll take whatever I get.
So yes, 8 episodes in and the story is still cooking. But I can feel the hero journey is being set up, and I’m waiting for that. But as far as the introductory phase goes, this is good.
I can tell whoever made this loves Wuxia. I mean, come on, they went and did a cover song to the old Swordsman movie from the ’90s. (Based on Smiling Proud Wanderer) My favorite novel ever. So this speaks to me.
And they had Cheng Yi sing it. And it’s not even a part of the real OST. It’s just a fun side project.
That alone is a bonus point for me.
So do I recommend it? Yes. Watch it.
The first 8 episodes are available now.
And here’s the official link to that throwback mv.