Short, Pretty and Exotic - To The Wonder - Drama Review [CC]

[@АяБақытжан]

As a kazakh speaker, I can easily tell that Yu Shi is not kazakh when he speaks. This makes it a little harder to believe that he is a local man, but he looks like a kazakh. I loved his acting, it felt very natural. I appreciate his hard work. I am from Kazakhstan and I was happy to watch a drama about kazakh people who live in China.

[@elvira5783]

Exactly 💯

[@isabelfortuneteller]

Agreed! I really appreciate his effort to learn & speak his own lines & not getting dubbed 💙

[@amreenkhilji4194]

As someone who isn't kazakh, i too could make out that he wasn't a native speaker or even fluent in it cuz the way he spoke sounded slightly ruff and stilted when compared to the others so it took me out as well but I'm glad he wasn't dubbed

[@cookiescream548]

Most Chinese actors/actresses (especially those traffic ones) don't even bother to speak mandarin 😂. They just let voice actors do the job. So hes awesome for learning to speak another language.

[@keekeepod]

I thought Yu Shi's character didn't look like his father's son. (Maybe he took after his mother.) Did the sister-in-law sound like a native kazakh?

[@faizaquraishi4084]

Frankly I watched it twice, just to capture the details of the show. As a person who longs for something unique, this was like a breath of fresh air. A really quality entertainment and Kudos to the actors. Thanks @AvenueX for proving the details.. Enjoyed it a lot and highly highly recommend it. 🙂

[@screenplayhouse4932]

Have you ever seen the (now American classic) DAYS OF HEAVEN? Although I haven't seen WONDER yet, it sounds rather similar. For decades in America other filmmakers have tried to make another DAYS and they simply gave up. MUST SEE FILM in my opinion, with a young Richard Gere and Ennio Morricone score. The photography is a 'wonder' onto itself too.

[@BakaKageyamaBaka]

Batai is so gorgeous! And man, the actor playing him rode horses like a freaking pro!

[@elenmariano3530]

As a Brazilian fan of C-Dramas, I’d say that I’m pleasantly surprised by “To the wonder”, so far it’s one of best drama I’ve seen this year, the landscapes are breathtaking, the acting is natural and amazing, everything works here. I Loved IT.

[@noelg66]

Words I associated with this drama: authentic, poetic, unique, funny, inspiring. I also love how everyone speak Mandarin with an accent and dialogues in many scenes are in Kazakh.

[@jennyzhang6071]

One word I can think of about this drama is "respect". The whole crew demonstrated so much respect to the people in the region and their homeland. I really appreciated the sincerity they had put into the production of this project.

[@ΔεσποιναΡαφτοπουλου-π8β]

Well,for me it was a trip.....with the Han girl.....i cried, but also i smiled with her.....the sceneries was so good.....a unique ( again for me ) drama.....but only 8 episodes.....😢😢😢😢......first time and after i saw so many Chinese dramas, i wanted more episodes for The Wonder......i had dropped a lot Chinese dramas but this one........UNIQUE....modern world and Traditional world......and you know the cast was so good ....ordinary people are beautiful with out colorful clothes, makeup,like in Xia Xia dramas,palace dramas......These women in this Drama had natural beauty.....all of them even the elder women......I enjoyed every single episode, every single line from them..... Congratulations to all........Where can we categorize this drama......? i don't know but for me is a trip a heart's trip.....a Summer trip with that beautiful Han girl....❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Thank you for the video and your informations about that drama.....be well 👍👍👍

[@deannyamadodeaandrade4536]

I'm Brazilian and I'm really enjoying watching a story about a culture so different from mine.

[@locean0619]

The same to the East Chinese people😂

[@duckraft]

This was the rare drama that both made me satiated with one episode per day and had me thinking about things when I wasn’t watching. Perhaps it was the documentary style, but I thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of being a fly on the wall of the yurt watching a summer in a young woman’s life slowly unfold. Also, kudos to iQiyi for risking investment in a project featuring mostly ethnic minorities in a place far from the likes of Hengdian.

[@theNfl_Esq]

Very refreshing. I enjoyed it. Cinematography was 10/10. Overall it’s a solid 7..also being from Texas and growing up around horses I can say that Yu Shi is a very solid horseman 👏🏻 maybe even exceptional

[@daydayuu]

he got trained in in fengshen training camp, got his own license outside the training camp, and was selected as one of the 7 Chinese players for the Asian group stage of the 2023 Riding and Shooting World Cup (he got selected twice) unfortunately he couldn’t join due to busy schedule 😁

[@theNfl_Esq]

@@daydayuu lol told you he was legit and not just an actor on a horse. His very first seen can’t be done by anyone unless they have trained or grown up on them. #respect

[@aleksandrasucur8615]

There should be a separate genre for these rare kind of dramas with meager plot but with a lot of natural scenaries, folklore, local people: poetic. "Poetry" and "poetic" derive from Old Greek noun "poiesis", which literally means "creating from nothing", the author simply used the existing "creations" (landscape, people, costumes, horses, animals, collection of essays and a group of excellent actors) to make this poetic drama. Overall, it's very refreshing and Yu Shi here set up a new standard of hottiness for people acting as horsemen. Who cares which language he's speaking or is he a Han, Mongolian, Kazakh, whatever... Batay riding Snowshoes is the Altay for female public of the entire world😍👌

[@YaoZuLu]

I just went to Urumqi and Yili and then i saw this show. It is interesting to experience Xianjiang and watch this miniseries

[@burritokoh]

Loved this drama - it was honestly a breath of fresh air.

[@looksponge]

This is probably one of the most romantic series I've seen, not in the boy loves girl way, but in the way the they presented the main character trying to orient herself in this world, both in coming into adulthood and exploring her unique identity of being han chinese born and raised in xinjiang. I imagine it's less of an issue in the city/town centre but it's really heightened in this border/regional setting where's she's clearly an outsider amongst the nomadic kazak. My fav scene was probably when she was asking her grandma where she's from and it's left open ended, I think it's something that only third culture kids truly understand. It's very well done, and they've approached these issues of identity and belonging with a lot of nuance and subtlety. They never try to present a correct answer. It's a very easy watch, you just get drawn in by the beauty of the natural environment and her cute romance with the boy.

[@moniquechristiansen5276]

This short series sounds & looks very interesting. Thank you for this review.

[@euneiros]

Since its so short i might give it a watch. I like the scenery and cinematography from what ive seen

[@glyvargas7853]

I specially checked this drama review / critique of yours Ms Avenue X for this drama My Altay. I disagree with you without having the excitement to watch the next ep or to rewatch it again n again because I can watch it again. And it kept bugging my mind what would happen in the next ep, XD. The story is all about life - this is what I love the most about it. I love how they exposed the uniqueness of different group of people and how you just need to blend in / to adapt so everyone could live in harmony. I also love in this drama that there is always similarities in every nation / tribe or group of people like how the Father insisting to the younger son to marry his widow sister in - law. I also love how they tackled / showed the slowly fading culture of migrating or transferring to a place where the animals can graze healthily . I love everything in this drama. When a drama makes me to realize or reflect something in my life then I can consider a drama is successful. This drama made me to do that. I love the feeling of analyzing myself just like how I felt after I watched NiF 1&2, basically thats the feeling. For me this drama deserves awards and exposure. More than the cinematography, I love the plot. 9/10 for me because it is just so short that I want more😅.

[@ShigenoiUma]

We need more dramas like this. ❤ Incredible.

[@LuArielLor]

Haven't finished yet but I feel like it's unique as in setting and tone amongst the other cdramas but also doesn't feel spectacular either. I do really like the ensemble cast though sounds like they got lucky picking this cast and releasing this after the actors got some traction last year

[@Sparrowsnest315]

I loved everything about out this drama: the setting, the music, the acting. Not gonna lie, there were times I wept at the sheer beauty of it. You can read here for more info on the ML and his equine background, etc.: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Shi_(actor

[@yuzhang2339]

Yu Shi, the male leading actor, couldn't speak Mongolian. His father is Han, his mother is a mix of Han and Mongolian, Yu Shi grew up in a totally Han culture background (there is evidence that he was Han identity until he was changed to Mongolian to go to university more easily)

[@astarcalledsun]

As a non-Kazakh who's some what familiar with hearing the Kazakh language, I could easily tell that the actor was not a Kazakh native speaker.

[@80Gunes80]

I watched this drama after I watched you ; it’s really worth seeing

[@Novichevich]

Sounds a bit similar to the vibe of the last year's Quiet Place (or Find Yourself?). Could anyone tell if it is just me, or is it a current trend?

[@melindamucsi]

Totally off topic, but that's another amazing lipstick!

[@owl6218]

there is a genre called 'memoirs', or 'vignettes'. why are you so confused. some of the greatest writers were good it

[@keekeepod]

This type of drama is not common but it might not be as rare as claimed in this video. Feels like the technique more common in historical documentaries of using fictional and/or semi-fictional characters to "recreate" people's lives in a certain setting. I'm reminded of a Japanese drama series of a young woman in a fairly remote mountainous village with a lot of internal dialogue focusing on her seasonal and daily routines like planting vegetables/crops, making/storing food, using a wood stove, and etc.

[@msolqq]

I believe that AveX specified "unique to current Chinese dramas"

[@keekeepod]

@@msolqqI think she added something like "all over the world".

[@wii_0576]

小森林

[@cdramaaddict]

fav drama

[@bogummyfangirl2698]

my favorite C drama of the year

[@veronikabartram2092]

I loved it one of the best 😊

[@emperor270353]

I was in Northern Xinjiang in March.. so I was pleasantly surprise to watch this short drama. Simple story with beautiful scenery. I agree with you that the lead actress role was a bit irritating.. especially in the first few episodes. Love the cast and the authencity.!!

[@bapyongukgukguk2352]

Drama sounds very interesting

[@robertusie6338]

waiting for your review about joy of life season 2

[@kimberlycrichton2932]

What is the title? I want to watch it? I watched Shooting Stars. Li Xian is a lead. What did you think of it?

[@mirwanimuiz7840]

Love this drama

[@shapby]

I absolutely loved this drama as a break from other dramas. The cinematography was top notch, loved the side characters like Tokan, the ml and the Kazakh community had character development. However, I feel the weakness of the plot actually lies in the fl, she had no character development at all. Her character remained the same to the end, a bit dumb, ignorant, act/talk before thinking, etc. That was probably the only turn off I had with this drama.

[@katinla310]

I completely agree with your assessment. The FL was such a snooze compared to all the other actors characters i wanted more screen time. The actress who played the mother Yu Shi stole the show. They are such great actors. This is one of the shows I wished had more episodes.

[@demi6431]

My favourite was Tokan too!

[@shineluvslambiel]

Completely disagree re FL. I'm not sure how you could miss the self discovery that she embarked on throughout the series. She was a timid girl with a dream to write and was fixated on the belief that she could only achieve this living in big cities. But then so much has changed since she arrived at Altay. No character development??? I would say compared to the FL, the ML's character is much more static and one dimensional.

[@Redmi-xu1yo]

we nid gun for hunting

[@disappearintothesea]

I like this drama but probably won’t watch it again.

[@mimlord7329]

Exotic??

[@sleppyhead1501]

This was amazing!! thank you AvenueX!!!❤❤It was worth my money!!!👌👌(❁´◡`❁)☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

[@fifiyeohgc]

😂👍

[@keekeepod]

This drama shows far fewer cultural and living details than I anticipated. It caused questions like if a nomad rode his horse to the train station so he could take a train, what would happen to the horse? Or, if a nomad arrived at the trains station by means other than a horse then decided to ride a horse instead of taking a train, how would he get a horse and what would happen to it once they arrive at the destination? Female lead is a variant of the typical dumb-cute-clumsy, substitute "naive, unthinking and rash" for "dumb". She grew up in a very multiethnic region and she worked, but she didn't seem to know to tread carefully around unfamiliar cultures. Not hard to predict that her "growth" would come at great expense of others while she would not be held the least bit accountable. She would pay a relatively low price for everything she wanted. Until that dirtbag came to pastureland, I thought it odd that no one mentioned about being bugged/swarmed by mosquitoes and other biting arthropods. Fundamentally, this is more of a fairy tale than a documentary-styled drama.

[@arthemis_edits]

First ❤

[@moodygirl609]

Interested in watching this drama, but I don't know how it relates to the political situation in Xinjiang where from news reports there are forced labour camps and suppression of the ethnic peoples culture and language. The Chinese government is doing much the same as they have been doing to Tibet for decades.

[@lorenam8028]

Propaganda much? Still haven't figured out that the press in the west lies for political reasons? Until you go there and see it with your own eyes (and you won't, cause it's a lie), please stop spreading nonsense.

[@lorenam8028]

Still haven't figured out that the press in the west lies to manipulate the opinion of their populations? It's a lie. And the Tibetan thing too. Unlike you, I've been there myself. Get over it.

[@shenghe9861]

stupid person believes stupid stories

[@keekeepod]

It doesn't. But things are complicated. I don't know about short trips to major cities in these two provinces. Long road trips covering larger parts of these provinces require pre-approved permits laying out exact routes for even Chinese citizens. Security checkpoints (not armed) may suddenly appear to check ID and travel permit. It's unlikely for ordinary people to chance upon sensitive areas. General rule, as long as any ethnic group/subgroup is small enough and not "political agitators", central government leaves them alone, helps them when needed, and may even set policies to improve their lives. If not, draconian measures are taken. Size-wise, both provinces are huge consisting of many ethnic group. Majority of the residents go on with their daily lives like any other ordinary Chinese people. They can't/don't see, and likely don't care about, "those people". Ethnic Tibetan people have historically spread over broader region outside of that province. They don't necessarily feel what we have been reported to as what "all Tibetans" feel.

[@moodygirl609]

@@keekeepod I think that's putting a bit of a gloss on it. Over 1.2 Tibetans have died as a result of Chinese occupation. The US State Departments take on the situation is that significant human rights issues included credible reports of: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings by the government; disappearances; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment by the government; arbitrary arrest or detention. Actually this statement goes on and on describing the oppression. One million children between 6 to 18 who kept in colonial schools which operate much like the now defunct Residential Schools in Canada that alienated aboriginal children from their parents and culture. The Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama turns 90 next year, is facing interference with his traditional selection of the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama. The PRC want to have their own man in there convincing Tibet they are a part of China.

[@bluecarps]

LOL made a drama to showcase how people in Xinjiang aren't oppressed and then centred it around two han chinese characters and hired a Mongol actor to play the most prominent Kazakh character role. 🤦‍♀

[@王金龙-x1r]

？？？

[@banarama4144]

And?

[@bluecarps]

@@banarama4144 look up irony

[@chenzhouli6183]

Actually this is a drama adopted by a book , and author li Juan is Han Chinese so the story is real from hers. The drama is actually to show people in xinjiang and 50 years ago to make xinjiang develop, a lot of well educated Han Chinese came there and built railways and factories, so now there are a lot of Han Chinese in xinjiang too just like the author. And the actor cast , the director wants to find a good looking kz chinese actor who can ride horses ,but unfortunately rarely kz Chinese are actors so they can’t find. So finally they choose Yushi, a Han Mongolian chinese beautiful boy to play in it

[@下饭就行]

总是用政治的眼光去看待事物，多么悲剧的人生啊，选择合适的演员总比政治正确好。小说的作者就是汉族，她在阿勒泰的成长经历也是真实存在的。

[@thepastshecouldseebutnotto3262]

They casted non Kazakh person for Kazakh role was very despicable.

[@starmangole2265]

I loooooved it so much! I don't know what it is, but i find myself disagreeing with you on a lot of dramas lately, this being one of them, this was sooooooo refreshing, and the fact that it was a peeping hole into a very short period of her life, and it being only 8 epis, it configures well into how it came out, its suuuuch a 2.5 goldmine FOR me. Uuuhgggg! It's replay value for me is in the little questions you still have at the end "who was digging the caterpillars, about that story told by mom's boyfriend about why he strrves for wealth is true, did that other author ever come and write? SO many reasons...

[@mushipanmushipan2729]

I loved the story and how it resembles a visual version of her non-fiction essay/ prose; enjoyed it thoroughly despite some of its shortcomings. I’d say it’s one of the better c-dramas to have aired so far in 2024. It introduced me to the works of Li Juan; only 2 collections of her essays have been translated into English so far, and they’re available online - so cool!

[@PollyMohan]

I watched this show twice already. What a great show!! Although the series is only a short 8 episold mini -series, it captured all the essence of the story with breath taking cinematography while showing the way of life of a small population of China giving it an authenticity rarely being shown in Chinese dramas. I read a review of this show on Variety and the critic stated that "It is a Politically Correc Tale Of Multicultural Romance and Self-Discovery" I don't agree. I think the producers managed to show a very authentic way of life of this remote region of this ethnic population in China without inviting sensorship. This is not heavy on the romance , but rather on each main role's personal growth. Batay's true love in the series is Snowshoe until the very end. Bravo to the director!

[@hasti352]

Just finished watching it and came here to see you uploaded a video, this series was such a original and fresh one, love to see more of these being made, as a middle eastern this part of China (Xinjiang) is so ethnically close to us. The cast members were so good though the girl was a bit too dumb sometimes (gave me second hand embarrassment tbh) but the ml with his exceptional skills and language impressed me a lot. (I could see that’s not his native language but that made me appreciate his effort even more)

[@shineluvslambiel]

how was the girl dumb? yes she was a bit clumsy doing things that are definitely not her strong suit, but how was she otherwise dumb?

[@jimintatas389]

I loved this series.

[@durratulwadah7860]

Love the sister in law character, just like the aunties and grandma from meet yourself

[@PNWPawsPathsPad]

Thanks for this review. Watching it right now. I love the female lead

[@Ashley_FNU]

Could you review Tender Light 微暗之火 with Zhang Xin Cheng and Tong Yao? 😁

[@vanessajones3508]

I plan to watch this drama.

[@screenplayhouse4932]

Based on your review, I wouldn't be surprised if the filmmakers loved DAYS OF HEAVEN. Now that I've seen half of it, I'm certain it was inspired by that movie from 1978. Because there are some very Morricone music cues inspired from DAYS but not stolen. Over my life I've watched filmmakers try to re-create the magic of DAYS and fail, including the director Terrence Malick himself. WONDER pulls this miracle off over 4 decades later. WOW

[@gokuson2778]

Just finished To the wonder. I enjoyed it. ❤❤

[@manishadohre241]

Emotions are the same for any race... very fresh& touching story

[@owl6218]

good literature, written by great writers, does not have a 'story plot'....

[@locean0619]

As a Chinese,I wondering how guys can watch the dramas.

[@aishamosa7511]

Why they didn’t let Kazakh native speaker perform the voice acting

[@yuzhang2339]

I've watched it for 5 times, too short series, certainly the best cdrama in this year.

[@khatemel2968]

Does anyone have information on "Meet You at the Blossom"???

[@augustmist]

I like the drama a lot.