CDrama Review: Identity, Intimacy, and Balance in Pursuit of Jad (1 of 3)

Pursuit of Jade (PoJ) is not perfect. The storytelling has loopholes and the editing could have been tighter, more cohesive. But it does have big wins. The cast is amazing. The cinematography is breathtaking. The camera work and lighting are impeccable. We know these things already. Lest we forget, the chemistry between ZLH and Tian Xiwei as the main leads is one of the most potent I have seen since Hyun Bin and Son Ye-Jin. Needless to say, PoJ is worth binging, worth a rewatch and recommendation because of so much more.

PoJ is based on a novel (which I have yet to read). I watched the drama and it is dense. So, I will chunk my review in three acts: 1. Life in Lin'an; 2. Revelation in Love and Alignment in War; and 3. Restoration of the Yin and Yang. All through the three acts, the themes that figure the most for me are: Identity, Intimacy and Balance.

My review will center on the rendition of these themes in key images, dialogues, scenes and settings in all three acts. If you're up for my brain farts, you can stay as I unpack them from Acts 1, 2 and 3. Are you ready? Here we go!

Xie Zheng's introduction to idyllic life in the village of Lin'an. As the Marquis of Wu’an investigating a war crime that happened 17 years ago, he fell injured from a battle, into a river, and was washed ashore near a ferry port where he was discovered in the snow by Changyu, the butcher's daughter. He was nearly dead and was taken care of by Changyu and her neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao, who stood in as her parents. They did not know Yan Zheng is the Marquis. He became a live-in husband because Changyu’s uncle wanted the house her father left her. Without a man in the house, the uncle takes possession. With Yan Zheng recuperating, he was offered marriage by Changyu, and he said yes because he was there for an investigation. Besides, he needed to recuperate and recover.

But they fall in love while the audience or the viewers know Yan Zheng’s true identity. Imagine the tension! Delicious!