Chinese period fantasy drama The Journey of Legend (赴山海) has become one of the hottest topics online this season—though not for entirely positive reasons.
A minor script blunder and some questionable production details (yes, the infamous “crocs spotted in a wuxia world” moment) sparked heated discussion across Weibo.
But despite the backlash, the series is riding high at No.1 on Maoyan’s drama popularity chart, proving just how much buzz it has generated.
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| The Journey of Legend Tops Rankings Despite Criticism – Cheng Yi Breaks Silence |
Cheng Yi Responds at Public Event
Leading star Cheng Yi recently addressed the noise during a public appearance, where he urged audiences to engage with the drama sincerely.
“I hope everyone can watch this drama wholeheartedly. For an actor, it’s a blessing when people sit down and give a show their full attention. Don’t just say, ‘oh, he’s acting,’ then leave to eat or wash vegetables for ten minutes and come back for a glance. That’s not really watching,” Cheng Yi explained.
He added: “But if you do watch properly, and then afterwards say, ‘your acting is terrible,’ I’ll actually be very grateful. That kind of feedback helps me grow as a performer.”
His comments immediately trended on Weibo, sparking divided reactions.
Some netizens criticised him for being inconsiderate of modern viewing habits—after all, many juggle dramas with chores. Others defended him, pointing out he was simply sharing his personal viewing preference, not dictating rules.
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Why Fans Are Split
The online conversation can be boiled down into two camps:
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Critics of Cheng Yi’s take – Some argued he doesn’t understand that multitasking is normal now, and if a drama is good enough, audiences will naturally want to immerse themselves without distractions.
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Supporters of Cheng Yi – Others stressed he was being misinterpreted, and that his comment reflected his own way of watching shows. They also agreed that giving full attention makes criticism more meaningful.
On top of that, some netizens think the show itself hasn’t lived up to its “S+ drama” expectations, citing inconsistent set design, “cheap-looking” costumes, and editing hiccups.
Still, many viewers remain hooked, praising the martial arts cinematography and emotional character arcs.
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One trending post summed it up: “Yes, there are flaws—but no drama is perfect. What matters is that it keeps me excited for 6pm every day when the new episode drops.”
The drama follows Xiao Mingming (Cheng Yi), a modern man obsessed with martial arts novels who ends up transported into the world of his own imagination, becoming the character Xiao Qiushui.
Across the story, Qiushui experiences heartbreak after heartbreak—losing his family, his parents, and his closest friend Tang Rou. From reckless youth to heroic fighter, his journey is one of sacrifice, resilience, and justice.
Love it or not, The Journey of Legend is the kind of drama that keeps people talking. For some, it’s a reminder of why they adore wuxia epics. For others, it’s proof that even hyped S+ dramas can stumble. But as Cheng Yi says, watching properly—then critiquing—might just be the fairest way forward.