Drama Review: My Journey to You

My Journey to You (云之羽)

Main Cast & Synopsis

“My Journey to You” is a wuxia romance drama that centers around Yu Wei Shan, a Wufeng assassin, who is on a mission to infiltrate the Gong family. With the promise that once Yu Wei Shan completes the mission, she will be free to leave Wufeng, she heads for Jiuchen Valley to become a prospective bride. There, she finds herself struggling to complete her mission and betray Gong Zi Yu, a kind and carefree Sword Wielder inheritor of the Gong family. Together, these two lost souls find themselves entangled in a world of dark lies and dangerous schemes.

Yu Shu Xin, known for her roles in “Love Between Fairy and Devil” and “Moonlight,” portrays Yu Wei Shan, a Wufeng assassin on a promised final mission to infiltrate the Gong family. She has little information about her mission, except that she must become the chosen wife of the next Sword Wielder, Gong Huan Yu. Despite being warned not to trust anyone during this mission, Yu Wei Shan finds herself falling for the kind-hearted Gong Zi Yu while trying to deceive him as she completes her assigned tasks.

Zhang Ling He, known for his roles in “Love Between Fairy and Devil” and “Flourish in Time,” portrays Gong Zi Yu, a member of the Yu lineage and the younger brother of the current Sword Wielder. He is known for his kindness and carefree nature. However, due to his personality, weak martial arts skills, and a questionable birth story, he is neither the favorite son nor the recipient of fondness within the Gong family. When he learns of a Wufeng assassin among the prospective brides, he is determined to protect the innocent. As issues arise within the Gong family, Gong Zi Yu faces a sudden transition to maturity and leadership, and he emotionally relies on Yu Wei Shan, placing his trust in her.

Cheng Lei, from “The Queen of Attack,” and “A Familiar Stranger,” portrays Gong Shang Jue, a member of the Jue lineage within the Gong family. He is characterized as a cold and ruthless individual, widely recognized as the most suitable candidate to succeed Gong Huan Yu as the Sword Wielder. With support from Gong Yuan Zhi, the two conspire to overthrow Gong Zi Yu, aiming for Gong Shang Jue to assume the position of Sword Wielder.

Lu Yu Xiao, from “Time and Him are Just Right,” and “To Ship Someone,” portrays Shangguan Qian, another Wufeng assassin who infiltrates the Gong family under the guise of a prospective bride, but her mission is different from Yu Wei Shan; she must approach Gong Shang Jue. Shangguan Qian is a strikingly beautiful woman who uses her allure and assumes a false persona of sweetness and helplessness in her attempt to captivate Gong Shang Jue.

Questions and Answers of “My Journey to You” & Character Breakdown

heavy spoilers ahead

Gong family dynamics

The Gong family is secluded sect that is located in the Jiuchen Valley. Visitors find it tricky to navigate the heavily guarded Gong family estate, which is under constant surveillance. The Gong family is known for its rivalry with Wufeng and has a significant presence in the martial arts world. Due to their seclusion and the location of their sect, their criteria for choosing a bride prioritize the bride’s health and ability to produce offspring.

Despite being known as the Gong family, they actually consist of four different lineages: Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu. Each of these lineages specializes in a different area to serve a specific purpose within the Gong family.

• Zhi: poisons and hidden weapons
  • Tian Jia Rui as Gong Yuan Zhi (looks up to Gong Shang Jue like a real older brother)
• Shang: responsible for forging weapons
  • Jin Jing as Gong Zi Shang (referred to as elder sister and isn’t loved by her father)
• Jue: handles the family’s external business affairs and mediates in the martial arts world
  • Cheng Lei as Gong Shang Jue
  • Lang Er (Gong Shang Jue’s younger brother who was assassinated by Wufeng)
• Yu: in charge of internal affairs and defending the Gong family
  • Zhang Ling He as Gong Zi Yu
  • Ren Shan as Gong Hong Yu (Gong Zi Yu’s father and previous Sword Wielder)
  • Ji Ling Chen as Gong Huan Yu (Gong Zi Yu’s older half-brother and previous Sword Wielder successor)
• Feng: following the confrontation with the Wufeng assassins in episode 22, it is revealed that the back hill originally hosted five lineages, including the Feng lineage, from which Yun Wei Shan draws her sword technique. This lineage had defected to Wufeng, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding story and Yun Wei Shan’s true identity.

A Sword Wielder will be tattooed with a script that will bound them to Jiuchen Valley, where they will live for the Gong family and die for the Gong family. Before becoming a Sword Wielder, one would have to pass the Trial of the Three Realms. There are two rules of the Gong family:

1. The Gong family must always have a Sword Wielder. Once the Sword Wielder dies, his successor must assume the position immediately.
2. If the Sword Wielder and his successor both die, absent inheritance will be initiated.

In “My Journey to You,” the story begins with Gong Zi Yu’s father, Gong Hong Yu, serving as the Sword Wielder of the Gong family. His successor is Gong Zi Yu’s brother, Gong Huan Yu, who is tasked with selecting one of the prospective brides to be his wife.

Following the succession line, Gong Shang Jue would have been next in line to become the Sword Wielder, and then Gong Zi Yu. However, due to the absent inheritance clause and Gong Shang Jue’s absence from Jiuchen Valley during Gong Hong Yu and Gong Huan Yu’s mysterious deaths, Gong Zi Yu inherited the Sword Wielder position.

In Episode 21, the elders disclosed that the Gong family serves as the public face and forefront of the valley, whereas the heart of Jiuchen Valley lies in the back hill, guarded by the Hua, Xue, and Yue lineages, where they protect the coveted “Infinite Heat” and fight off infidels.

Jade Guardians

Only the Sword Wielder, head of each lineage, elders, and the next-in-line successor are granted to have a personal Jade Guardian. There are different levels of Jade Guardians:

• Green: The lowest level of guards in the front hill.
  • Sun Chen Jun as Jin Fan (Gong Zi Yu’s jade guardian)
• Yellow: These guards protect the elders and the back hill, led by Jin Yu Feng.
• Red: The highest level of guards.

In episode 10, it was revealed that Jin Fan was the youngest guardian to become a Red Jade Guardian; however, to protect Gong Zi Yu, Gong Hong Yu made Jin Fan step down to a Green Jade Guardian. This explains why Jin Fan has knowledge of the Trial of the Three Realms and only used 30% of his internal skills when fighting against Yun Wei Shan.

Gong Character Breakdown

People in Gong Residence / Front Hill

• Wen Zheng Rong as Ming Wu Ji (Gong Hong Yu’s concubine)
• Chen Du Ling as Madame Lan (Gong Zi Yu’s mother)
• Yao Tong as Lady Ling (Gong Shang Jue’s mother)
• He Ze Yuan as Jin Fu (guard under Gong Shang Yue)

Back Hill

• Lin Zi Ye / Zeng Shun Xi as Xue Tong Xi (Xue lineage)
• Zuo Ye as Mister Yue (Xue Tong Xi’s assistant)
• Liang Xue Feng as Master Hua (Hua lineage)

Council of Elders

• Liang Xue Feng as Mister Hua (took over Elder Yue’s position)
• Shen Bao Ping as Elder Yue
• Ding Zhi Yong as Elder Hua
• Tan Jian Chang as Elder Xue
• Hu Ha (housekeeper of the Council of Elders)

What we know about Wufeng organization

Wufeng is a sect of assassins that is divided into hierarchies of teachers (ravens) and assassins. In preparation to infiltrate the Gong family during the bride selection, the new criteria for Wufeng assassins was that they must be women. Wufeng assassins are categorized into four levels based on their abilities. These four categories are listed from the lowest to the highest levels:

• Chi
  • Yu Shu Xin as Yun Wei Shan
  • Zeng Ke Ni as Zheng Nan Yi (assassin under Hanya Qi)
  • Ai Mi as Yun Que (Yun Wei Shan’s foster sister)
• Mei
  • Lu Yu Xiao as Shangguan Qian
  • Wen Zheng Rong as Wu Ming (anonymous) – Gong Hong Yu’s concubine (see breakdown above)
• Wang
  • Zhang Xue Han as Situ Hong – poses as Zi Yi at Wanhua Pavilion in Jiuchen Valley
  • Tan Yu Qiao as Bei Xu
  • Zhang Xiao Ang as Han Yi Ke
  • Wang Le Fu as Mo Ji Ai
• Liang

Ravens

• Ou Mi De as Hanya Si (Yu Wei Shan’s raven)
• Zhu Jian as Hanya Qi (Shangguan Qian’s raven)
• Yang Xiao (杨骁) as Hanya Er

It was mentioned by Hanya Si and Yun Wei Shan, in episode 5, that for the past 20 years, anyone who sneaked into the Gong residence has gone missing without a trace, except for Yun Que. Only one person, known as Wu Ming (which means “anonymous”), succeeded in sneaking into the Gong family 22 years ago and delivered a secret letter back to Wufeng. The letter stated that the next bride selection would be in 20 years—the same bride selection that Yun Wei Shan is entering. Hanya Si hopes that Yun Wei Shan will be motivated to complete her mission for freedom and revenge against her sister simultaneously.

In Episode 24, Shangguan Qian mentioned that she had once attempted to poison Dianzhu, the individual who had recruited her into Wufeng. Her assassination attempt on Dianzhu took place two years prior, and coincidentally, it coincided with the Chief of Wufeng canceling a scheduled Wufeng meeting. This coincidence led Shangguan Qian to believe that Dianzhu and the Chief of Wufeng might be the same person.

How does “My Journey to You” end?

• Episode 21 – Yun Wei Shan departs from the Gong residence, revealing her true identity as a Wufeng assassin. In Jiuchen Valley, she encounters the four Wang assassins, and together they devise a plan to infiltrate the Gong residence on the day Gong Zi Yu is set to ascend to the position of Sword Wielder.
• Episode 22 – the long-awaited showdown between the Gong family and the Wufeng assassins, resulting in numerous casualties among beloved characters. Elder Hua, Young Master Hua, Hanya Si, and Mister Yue all meet their tragic end in this fierce battle.
• Episode 23 – the Gong family recuperating from the devastating conflict, only to confront the shocking story of Gong Huan Yu’s betrayal.
• Episode 24 – Gong Shang Jue successfully retrieves the Infinite Heat tablet from Shangguan Qian, showing unexpected mercy when he allows her to leave the Gong residence after learning of her pregnancy. Jin Fan and Gong Zi Shang are officially a couple.

The conclusion of “My Journey to You” leaves many mysteries unresolved and hints at the possibility of a second season. We are introduced to new information, revealing that Yun Wei Shan has a twin, and the prospective bride position she assumed in Li Xi town originally belonged to her sister. Yun Wei Shan embarks on a journey to visit her true family, but she is met with the unexpected presence of Wufeng. Meanwhile, Gong Zi Yu remains at the Gong residence, filled with sorrow, as he believes Yun Wei Shan has chosen freedom over him. As the screen fades to black, a heavy door creaks open, leaving the story of “My Journey to You” with an open-ended conclusion.

Review: My Journey to You

“The blade of the Gong family never points inward but outwards”

★★★☆☆ Rating: 3.3/5

The unexpected airdrop of My Journey to You was a pleasant surprise. This “darker” wuxia romance drama sets itself apart from typical wuxia series with its unique cinematography and cinematic storytelling. If you’re familiar with director Guo Jing Ming’s film work, you’ll recognize a similar aesthetic—visually stunning with compelling character setups—but it still falls short in depth where it matters most. While this drama adds more detail to its world and characters compared to his previous works, some glaring loopholes remain. Most notably, the story lacks the depth and emotional weight needed to make lead characters Gong Zi Yu and Yun Wei Shan truly memorable.

The Bad: A Story and Characters That Leave You Wanting More

Lacking Thrill and Suspense

While My Journey to You presents an intriguing world and premise, it struggles to fully immerse viewers. At times, it tries too hard to be clever and suspenseful, with characters meant to be scheming, yet there are only a handful of genuinely tense moments. The Wufeng subplot, which should have kept viewers on edge, instead plays out like a slow unraveling mystery, relying heavily on flashbacks. The female Wufeng agents, particularly Yun Wei Shan, often resort to repetitive tactics—tears and pouty expressions—to manipulate their way out of trouble, which becomes tedious to watch.

The drama also lacks a real sense of urgency or unpredictability. Even when characters face seemingly dire situations, there’s little doubt they’ll make it out unscathed due to their plot armor. This predictability makes it hard to feel truly invested in their struggles. Surprisingly, I found more enjoyment in the Gong family drama and the brothers’ rivalry, which added layers beyond just fighting for the Sword Wielder position. The mix of intrigue, humor, romance, and power struggles made this aspect of the story more engaging.

Too Many Characters, Too Little Time

It takes a while to warm up to many of the characters because the drama initially gives us only surface-level details—names, roles, and missions—without deeper backstories. For the first third of the series, many characters display only one or two emotions, sticking rigidly to their intended portrayal. As their pasts are gradually revealed, they become more interesting, but the execution could have been better.

Additionally, while there are many fascinating supporting characters, they often overshadow the main leads. Gong Zi Yu and Yun Weis Shan should be the focus, but instead, attention is spread across a large cast, making their storylines feel underdeveloped. Characters like Gong Shang Jue, Gong Yuan Zhi, and even minor players in Jiuchen Valley and Wufeng end up feeling more compelling than the leads.

Lack of Solid Growth in the Main Characters

Individually, Gong Zi Yu and Yun Wei Shan are likable enough—they’re both kind-hearted people forced into roles they don’t want, longing for freedom. That naturally makes them easy to root for. But their stories lacked the grit needed to make them stand out as leads. I struggled to fully connect with them when other characters had more compelling arcs.

Gong Zi Yu grew up without love from his father after losing his mother at a young age. Despite being trained in martial arts, he never truly excelled. He was a melancholic young man yearning for freedom, though, strangely, we never saw him bound by many actual restrictions. That made it hard to latch onto his character from the start. When his father and brother died, I expected more significant character development—maybe something following the classic hero’s journey. But instead, his growth felt minimal, with only a few strategic revelations that didn’t add much weight to his arc.

Since Gong Zi Yu is portrayed as soft-hearted and empathetic, the story quickly turns him into a hopeless romantic. His love story with Yun Wei Shan felt rushed and forced, leaving little room for him to grow outside of his devotion to her. If you love romance, you might appreciate this, but I personally prefer characters with deeper development and relationships that evolve naturally over time.

The same issue applied to Yun Wei Shan. The way her character unfolded—both in the writing and Esther Yu’s portrayal—didn’t give me the emotional depth I wanted. She had plenty of screen time, yet I still felt like I barely knew her. I wanted to connect with her struggles, but the show focused too much on the surface-level aesthetics rather than truly delving into her inner world.

We did get glimpses of her past with Hanya Si and Yun Que, but there weren’t enough moments showing her emotional growth. Honestly, Shangguan Qian had more internal conflict and depth than Yun Wei Shan. Given Yun Wei Shan’s background—having endured Wufeng’s brutal training and torture—it would have made sense to see more layers to her character, at least something on par with Gong Shang Jue’s development.

Lack of a Convincing Romance

Both Zhang Ling He and Yu Shu Xin are capable actors, particularly in certain expressions, but I struggled to feel the depth of emotion their characters were meant to convey. As two individuals who are supposed to be lost and scorned by the world, their anguish and sadness never fully resonated with me, even in the most emotional scenes. This issue wasn’t just limited to them—it extended to the supporting cast as well.

Another major reason I felt disconnected from their romance was the lack of chemistry. In a story so heavily centered on love, I expected a more palpable connection between them. The progression of their relationship didn’t feel natural or immersive—it wasn’t about needing dramatic moments or forced intimacy, but rather the way their love story unfolded. Despite the writer’s attempt at a “natural” romance, their feelings felt flat, as if they were together simply because the script said so, rather than because their connection had truly been built.

There was so much potential for a compelling love story. To me, these two characters should have been the warm light within the dark world of Wufeng and the Gong family. Their romance needed to be heartfelt—a pillar of hope in contrast to the surrounding darkness. But instead of stirring deep emotions, their relationship never quite reached that level of poignancy. Given that they were two doomed individuals, their love should have carried a sense of tragic depth, yet that chemistry never fully materialized—both in their characters and their performances.

The Good: Intriguing Supporting Characters

One of the most compelling aspects of this drama is its supporting cast. These characters aren’t just there to push the main leads forward—they have their own aspirations, grievances, and layered backstories. The challenge, however, is that with only 24 episodes to explore such an intricate world, some of these layers remain only partially unveiled.

Gong Shang Jue

Though many viewers may have disliked the Gong brothers, I found Gong Shang Jue to be one of the most well-written and engaging characters. At first glance, he appears as a cold and ruthless member of the Jue lineage, strictly adhering to the Gong family’s rules. Since he opposes Gong Zi Yu and seeks to claim the Sword Wielder title, it’s easy to view him as an antagonist. However, his actions aren’t motivated by personal ambition or cruelty—his ultimate goal is to protect the Gong family and eliminate the Wufeng assassins.

As the story unfolds, we learn of the trauma that shaped Gong Shang Jue—the loss of his loved ones to Wufeng. This revelation adds emotional depth to his seemingly rigid nature. Despite his cold exterior, he has a strong sense of loyalty and a deep, albeit restrained, capacity for care. His connection with his brother, Gong Yuan Zhi, and his internal conflict regarding Shangguan Qian highlight the complexity of his character. By the end of the drama, he transforms from an apparent antagonist into a strategic ally working behind the scenes to help Gong Zi Yu.

Unlike some other characters, Gong Shang Jue’s development isn’t always explicitly shown, but the writing allows us to piece together his growth naturally. In contrast, Gong Zi Yu, the supposed protagonist, lacks the same clarity in his arc, making the final juxtaposition between the two brothers feel more like a narrative twist than a well-earned development.

Gong Yuan Zhi

Gong Yuan Zhi is another character who, while not experiencing significant growth, is effectively portrayed. Initially, he comes across as irrationally biased and stubborn, fiercely loyal to his brother Gong Shang Jue. However, as we gain insight into his motivations and the reasons behind his unwavering respect for his brother, his character becomes more understandable—even likable.

What sets Gong Yuan Zhi apart is the emotional depth infused into his scenes. His vulnerabilities and human side are gradually revealed, making him feel like more than just a secondary figure in the Gong family’s power struggle. He plays a crucial role in the family dynamics, and by the end, he shows potential for even greater development after reconnecting with his loved ones.

Hanya Si

Despite his limited screen time, Hanya Si stands out as one of my favorite characters. While not as extensively developed as others, his smaller, poignant moments leave a lasting impact. He is a character whose depth we must infer—his significance isn’t spoon-fed to the audience, yet it’s deeply felt.

As one of the figures responsible for Yun Wei Shan and Yun Que’s training and hardships, Hanya Si could have easily been portrayed as a mere enforcer of Wufeng’s cruelty. Instead, subtle moments suggest his genuine care for them. He silently aids them in small but meaningful ways, dropping hints about their missions and ultimately sacrificing his own future for Yun Wei Shan’s.

For a minor character, it’s understandable that we must fill in some of the blanks ourselves. However, this level of interpretative engagement shouldn’t be necessary for the main leads, whose emotional depth and development should have been more clearly conveyed.

Conclusion

Despite having great ideas for a story, because there was too much to fit in, from wanting all the characters to be important to having a dynamic world setting, because Guo Jing Ming seemed to have in mind more to the story, this feels like completing arc one to Gong Zi Yu and Yun Wei Shan’s journey. This would explain why there are so many questions unanswered in the world setting and why there was little development in their characters. However, that is an assumption, and whether “My Journey to You” gets another season, if Guo Jing Ming releases the novel, we will get a more complete story to create an opinion on. This wasn’t THE Chinese drama for me in 2023 but it was a good watch with well thought out soundtrack for each character and moment. This is probably due to Guo Jing Ming participating in songwriting for the songs, which helps puts the pieces together.

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