The Blue Whisper: Part 1 (2022)

Visually, musically, emotionally - This show hits all the right spots!

Season 1 ended well, leaving the audience much to look forward to in Season 2!

I was anticipating this drama not only because of Dilireba but also because of the director, Zhu Rui Bin (Chu Yui Bun), whose works included "The Long Ballad". Apparently, a casual conversation between Zhu Rui Bin and Dilireba, who was reading the "Blue Whisper" novel, led to the filming of the series and their collaboration. For those interested, the novel "Blue Whisper" is written by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang, and you can find a good English translated version here: https://wayeast.weebly.com/the-blue-whisper.html. I started reading and finished the novel when I was almost done watching Season 1, and it is a good read!

This show is tagged as a Xianxia, an ancient Chinese fairy tale set in a magical fantasy realm, with gods, monsters, ghosts, and cultivators (or xiūshì) who seek to become immortal beings called xian. As for the female lead, she is a guardian/spiritual master of the Wan Hua Valley. The male lead is Chang Yi, a Merman (or jiaoren) captured by Princess Shunde, an immortal and the older sister of Tianjun who is the Lord/Emperor of the Heavenly Court.

The drama starts with an episode highlighting the intelligence and kindness of our female lead, Ji Yun He, portrayed by Dilireba. Yun He is resourceful, and she seeks to achieve what she wants through the least harm to everyone involved. She is pitted against her "senior disciple brother", Lin Hao Qing, the young master of Wan Hua Valley. He appears crueler and one who would stop at nothing to get what he wants. However, his actions are contradictory, especially when it comes to Yun He. The audience will find out why eventually.

In exchange for a high reward, Yun He and Hao Qing accepted a challenge from Princess Shunde to transform the captured Merman into her subject by 1) teaching him to speak, 2) for him to grow legs, and 3) ensuring that he is forever loyal to the Princess.

The story focuses on the main couple's journey, as Yun He and Chang Yi fall in love, and the trials and tribulations they go through for each other. In season 1, the audience may find that the main couple does not have enough screentime together, and much of the story is also about the side characters. However, for me, each character adds depth to the story, and I find the side stories engaging. That being said, I still want to see Season 2 showcasing Yun He and Chang Yi more.

Visually, musically, emotionally - The story pulled me in so deeply. The production is undoubtedly high-quality, and a lot of attention is paid to the details. The costumes and sets provide a striking visual impact, and the special effects/CGI are well-done, immediately evoking feelings of wonder and fantasy. I like the cinematography, where the director filmed from different angles and views, providing a fresh experience, and drawing in the audience. Furthermore, the choreography for the fights, flying, and other action shots were done so superbly. I watched the "behind the scenes" (BTS) clips and it is obvious how much effort and time the actors put into practicing the wire-flying and martial arts moves.

So far, this show is a gem - it flows nicely and is well-executed. Each episode kept up the pace, never lost the momentum, and just got better and better. With unexpected twists and turns (some not in the novel), I never feel tempted to skip, and there are scenes that I would rewatch just so I could appreciate the gestures, effects, and words again.

The episodes show different aspects of a situation and the different perspectives of the characters, who are interesting and none are superfluous. No one is all good (except Chang Yi initially) or all bad. Every good character has flaws, and each villain has a backstory that makes them relatable and their actions justifiable. You will come to understand what the characters go through, the reasons for their emotions, and their circumstances. Overall, the script scores points with dynamic characters who struggle with their actions, who are not always clear if they are doing the right thing or what the right thing even is. I find myself connecting with the characters and rooting for many of them. As the story progresses, there are many more tears-inducing scenes, and I become more emotionally invested.

I have nothing but praises for the acting delivered by Dilireba, Allen Ren, and the other actors, including Xiao Shun Yao (very manly!), Hu Yi Xuan, Fan Zhen. Together, their looks are a visual feast for the eyes.

Dilireba fits the role of Yun He perfectly, but then again, this is not surprising since she often plays intelligent, quick-witted, and strong female leads. This time, it is another female lead with a tragic background that formed her resilient character. As expected, she looks gorgeous in her outfits and make-up. Just wait till you see her transform into her demon animal, you would be blown away! To me, she has improved even more in this role, honing her skills to deliver the story via her eyes and facial expressions. She does so well not only in scenes with increased, intense emotions, like laughing while crying during the ironic or tragic moments, but also in simple scenes where the audience only needs to watch her face and feel the loss or longing that Yun He is going through.

Likewise, Allen Ren impresses me with his ability to emote a myriad of feelings and thoughts just with his eyes and micro-expressions. His character does not speak for the first couple of episodes, and only through his physical acting, can still move the story well. Side note: I read that Allen got criticized for wearing a muscle suit during his merman scenes, but that still does not detract from his fineness. Chang Yi is the epitome of pure goodness in the show, which is what Yun He is drawn to at first. Allen delivers this innocence well but he is also able to easily express anger, nobleness, and arrogance. His visuals are not my usual preference, but in this show, in that persona, he's captivating. His transformation from trusting, naive, "fresh out of the water" Chang Yi to the all-powerful Lord of the North highlights Allen's acting chops.

The show does a great job, allowing each main actor to showcase their talents and skills. Yun He is featured more in the earlier episodes, and I like her character development. Then in the later part, Chang Yi has more screen time, and he becomes way cooler and more impressive.

The entire cast has performed well, and the supporting characters help to carry this show. There is such good rapport among them, like the endearing sismance between Yun He and Luo Luo, her butterfly spirit, played by adorable Hu Yi Xuan. I also appreciate Xiao Shun Yao's portrayal of Lin Hao Qing's character, who displays conflicting motivations, forced to act a role to protect someone he cares for. Compared to the novel, the show made Hao Qing more complex.

The OSTs are on another level, with appropriate pieces underscoring the scenes. The starting and ending songs are very fitting, and both set a dramatic and emotional tone that is infused throughout the show. The more I listen, the more I like them! For posterity, I have recorded the main tracks here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpzFy3Rzd74
Song: 留白是表白 (More Than Blanks)
Artist: 金志文 (Jin Zhi Wen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExRgy5Ry3C8
Song: 鮫人之歌 (The Song of the Merman)
Artist: 周深 (Zhou Shen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_pzD0itRfo
Song：#如你所想 (As You Wish)
Artist：#毛不易 (Buyi Mao)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtKnVuUxCN4
Song: 魚躍而上 (Leaping Fish)
Artist: 薩頂頂 (Sa Dingding)

On the whole, I find this drama worth watching and following. Not surprisingly, many of us are eagerly waiting for the English subtitles to appreciate it fully. I will rewatch this show when the whole show completes airing with proper subs in case I may have missed any nuances during the first watch.

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The truth will make them free.

This is a review of The Blue Whisper in its entirety - I will not review Part 1 and Part 2 separately.

The Blue Whisper is an enthralling fairytale about how love can be both imprisoning and liberating. Set in a fantasy world where sky immortals or fairies instill order and earth immortals or demons are prone to chaos, romantic entanglements between these two clans are forbidden. This kind of inter-species ban pretty much ensures that sky immortals and earth immortals fall for each other with reckless impunity.

Ji Yunhe is the most consummate spirit master among Wanhua Valley's elite cadre of demon tamers. She longs desperately to escape from the Valley; to see the world and be free. Chang Yi, a magnificent and powerful merman is captured by the wicked, conceited Shunde fairy, who tasks the Valley to tame and enslave him. Seeing it as her ticket to freedom, Yunhe vies with her sect brother, the Valley Master's son Lin Haoqing, to complete the task. Where Haoqing attempts to torture Chang Yi into submission, Yunhe beguiles him with kindness, friendship and love. Yunhe successfully manipulates and entices the naïve Chang Yi's heart for her own selfish ends. Along the way, the player gets played as Yunhe falls for his sincerity and sees that it is wrong to enslave such a pure hearted and innocent being. But even though she sacrifices to free him, her well intended lies set in motion a cycle of half truths, sacrifices. betrayals and captivity that ensnares them both. After a long and difficult quest for freedom with many trials, they understand that it is the truth that makes them free.

The story is set in a stunning, enchanted fantasy world with a vivid magical color palette, mystical sets and the best costumes and styling I have seen in a long time. The CGI is well done but errs on the side of being heavy handed at times. The storytelling however, leaves quite a bit to be desired. There are way too many artifacts, especially pearls with endless magical properties to conveniently save the day. And when dead characters keep being revived, both the element of surprise and the emotional impact is diminished. In addition to unnecessary side characters, there are altogether five well developed CPs that explore repetitive tortured themes of taboo relationships, deception, betrayal and how love can both be both confining and liberating. A few of these side stories are not interesting and too long winded and the frequent alternating between too many CPs and plot threads breaks the momentum of Yunhe and Chang Yi's story and makes the main plot stagnate as well. Thus I did not feel Yunhe and Chang Yi's chemistry or get invested in their storyline until Part 2 where many threads converge and the storytelling improves markedly.

I am really happy to see Dilraba take on the role of such a complex and conflicted character as Yunhe; one that undergoes so much anguish and such profound change. Though she made me feel her love and pain many times, I still like her portrayal of the cunning, manipulative and self serving Yunhe in the beginning best. As for Ren Jialun, he is a master of the unspoken and of intense suffering in silence. I can't fault his performance and am simply tickled that he is willing to do so many kiss scenes with the exquisite Dilraba. They look so incredible together in this production that they must be the most gorgeous costume drama couple by a wide margin. That said, while Chang Yi is intensely single minded when it comes to love, loyalty and righteousness, this is not innately a complex character and thus the role doesn't quite do Ren Jialun justice in terms of broadening his acting repertoire.

The character that compells me to the point of stealing the show is Lin Haoqing; brilliantly and sublimely articulated by Xiao Shunyao. From the get go, I was more drawn to Haoqing's chemistry with Yunhe - they are on the same wavelength, bound by history and layered and complex emotions. Like Chang Yi, Haoqing is torn between duty and Yunhe but unlike Chang Yi who is more reactive, he proactively schemes ahead, takes bold risks and tries for win win outcomes. Lin Haoqing and Yunhe get to do all kinds of interesting and important things that advance the plot while poor Chang Yi is relegated to safeguarding Beiyuan and dealing with the petty, boring issues of the fox clan. Chang Yi only comes in useful in mighty showdowns and even then, his power ups are marred by unflattering camerawork that catch him scowling angrily as if he is trying to take a dump. I can't help but feel that the plot short changes my beloved sour faced Ren Jialun, an actor I am super fond of. That said, I only have praise Xiao Shunyao's ability to make me feel Lin Haoqing's suffering no less than Chang Yi and Yun He's. I hope good things happen to this handsome and compelling actor.

Though I don't consider Xian Shi or Shunde's motives as villains that convincing, both roles are very well acted. In fact, Guo Xiaoting's Shunde can give one of my all time favorite villains, Angelina Jolie's Maleficent a run for the money. Guo thrusts herself into the role with mesmerising relish and wicked abandon. A dash of dark humor would have rendered the portrayal incomparable. As for the rest of the (too) extensive cast, even though a few characters got screen time that was disproportionate to the substance of their storylines, the roles are well performed enough to win a place in my heart. The friendship, support and sacrifice from Fan Zhen and Lishu as well as the hilarious Kong Ming and Luo Luo is clearly what gets Yunhe and Chang Yi through the loneliness of their many trials and tribulations. And I just simply love the idea of such a youthfully adorable Tian Jun.

This drama finishes strongly with an exciting and well chareographed final confrontation. But I won't lie, the ending is a bit of a blue whimper. There are simply too many reversals that make me roll my eyes. As for the final 5 minutes, it succumbs to c-drama's nasty habit of wanting to be all things to all people. Nonetheless, it is still an acceptable finale that from a certain point of view can be seen as quite fitting. The storytelling in Part 1 tried my patience and is at best an 8.0 but I really enjoyed Part 2, which I can happily rate a 9.0. Since I don't think it makes sense to rate both parts separately, this is an 8.5 overall. As of end April, this is my personal top ranked drama for 2022.

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