[Spoilers] Fans React to “Immortal Samsara” Finale
**Warning: Spoilers Ahead**
Despite a shaky start, xianxia drama Immortal Samsara <沉香如屑‧沉香重華> gripped many viewers as its story arc and characters advanced, and streaming platform Youku seized the chance to offer “advance on demand” which allowed priority viewing of the final 6 episodes along with cast livestreams. However, loud grouses of unhappiness were heard when the finale episode aired on September 2, as viewers felt robbed of a happy ending (HE)!
Physically absent from the closing livestream attended by Cheng Yi (成毅), Ray Zhang (張睿) and other cast actors, lead actress Andy Yang Zi (杨紫) only connected via audio as she was busy filming in Xianju county for upcoming drama Lost You Forever <長相思>. Despite Yang Zi’s apology and sharing that she had borrowed Wi-Fi equipment to come online, but could not appear on video since she was in her new drama outfit at that time, some fans commented that the actress was disrespectful for not showing up.
Speaking up for their co-star, Cheng Yi reminded Yang Zi to take good care as it was tough filming during summer where mosquitoes were rampant, while Ray said he was worried about the poor Wi-Fi reception over at Yang Zi’s side, which they experienced when the Immortal Samsara crew did filming for two particular scenes in Xianju. As both actors stood up for Yang Zi, fans praised the trio for their deep friendship and complemented the duo’s gentlemanliness in protecting her from fans’ fury.
BE Ending Leads to Fan Heartbreak
The lack of a happy conclusion for Yingyuan and Yandan in the finale episode shattered the hearts of many fans, since Cheng Yi and Yang Zi had viewers shipping the CP with their onscreen chemistry, and touching plot developments such as Yandan digging out her heart to save him.
As descendant of the Asura clan, Yingyuan’s bloodline was once sealed, but awakened in a duet with Hengqin. The Asura clan suddenly barges into the Heavenly Realm, and Yingyuan is finally forced to use the sword to restore peace to the three realms, sacrificing himself in the process.
Heartbroken, Yandan expresses her promise of love to him and how all meaning is lost with his death. “Yingyuan, I’m coming to accompany you,” she says and self-destructs whatever is left of her remaining heart to be with him.
Youku Teases Special Sep 7 Episode
Unhappy about the outcome of the leads, fans voiced their displeasure, commenting, “What era is it and you’re still giving me “dying in the name of love” crap!” Some expressed annoyance at having paid only to watch the central couple’s funeral, while others mock-lashed out at the screenwriter for delivering the hurtful “male lead saves the world, female lead dies for love” trope.
As Youku could customarily deliver a sad finale before wrapping the drama up with a “special episode”, many viewers saw the September 7 additional episode announced by Youku as the “real” conclusion to Immortal Samsara. Despite the excitement, fans felt apprehensive about having to reach into their pockets for the special ending, and compared Youku’s sales tactic to having “paid the full sum for bubble milk tea, yet being given only milk tea, with the pearls being given after a five-day wait”.
Source: UPMedia
Really hate the marketing tactics for this drama… What a greedy way to end the drama at the expense of loyal fans. I bet such practise will/may be one to be blacklisted by GOV… since they have just intro a list of new rules/guidelines for industry…
1) Less fantasies and more slice of life,
2) No more unrealistic white face and sickly looks and less plastic surgery artiste in lead roles,
3) No romance in military dramas,
4) Not allowing pop idols to be lead artiste
5) No marketing of CPs
6) Much less product placements in dramas
7) keeping costumes true to the period
8) Basically focus on producing good programs and less on commercialism
I dont live in China nor am I artiste that is affected by such rules but I am an audience that really want to watch a well produced program. I am glad we are getting more recently… Every Country has it own set of rules…
Politics aside, I am really enjoying the recent few dramas and love seeing male leads like Wu Lie not looking pale, skinny and full of make up.
@Hohliu wait are those rules finalized? I don’t like the less fantasy part, way to stifle creativity, unless I’m interpreting that part incorrectly.
Unlike everyone else, I think I was okay with the ending.
[Spoiler Alert]
Did they have to die? No. After all the suffering YingYuan and YanDan had to go thru, of course we as viewers want them to have a happy ending. But I think they ran out of time to end an arc properly, so had to make do with a sad ending to close out open ends. YY and YD still managed to be together forever, though, so there’s some consolation in that.
It is reported that leaks are released to industry… but such leaks are credible as the media in China is not removing the leaks from being discussed and message being spread. After years of studying how media/Gov works in China, you will note a pattern of behaviour… They will come down hard with the soft approach are not noted and action on. When they do come down hard, there is no mercy.
Personally, I think the guidelines are more positive due to the years of bad productions we are getting…. Many true producers/artistes are prevented from doing a good job by their investors/sponsors… and those with money love to throw their weight around to control/destroy many potential productions.
As for ending to IM… I cannot wait to start watching this drama. As I do enjoy YangZi projects and Cheng Yi is a good actor of his age. I just want to be entertained. But I have a horrible habit of need to watch the last eps before I embark on a drama… I watch the first and last to decide if it suits me. Lol… similar to reading a book. I have too many books/dramas/hobbies and day to day tasks to do… That is my process of elimination. But if the drama have artistes/producers I trust, I will watch at least 1/3 before I move on…
I will watch IM but I better prepare boxes of tissues..
While I like to see some of the speculated regulations put in place, feel that some are unnecessary. Though not a fan of AB or her better known name, it’s really her personal choice to be called that way.
If the list turns out to be true, I do wonder if the industry will still find loopholes to get what they want, which we are already seeing exactly what is happening on the total production length restriction. They just cut in half and called it part 1 part 2, or sequel even if the plot pacing may have been better if they write it as a shorter drama rather than trying to milk it for more capital gain.
I finished IS yesterday and only kept watching for CY. IS is a total OG kind of XianXia drama. Predictable, trope-ish, old OLD fashion with tons of unnecessary fillers, the worst part is full of shitty shallows meaningless long ass conversations that seemed to be plucked from a high school year end plays. None of those beautiful poetic Chinese proverbs we seen in Chinese costume drama. The whole team only depended on CY-YZ’s popularity to sell this drama.
Sort of watched the additional 2 episodes which they could have just shortened into 1. Can only hope YZ’s next drama is better than this.
I watched it all last week. And i am a paying Youku member. I quite liked the series, even with the sad ending. The two were suicidal and sacrificial from ep 1 so it didn’t surprise me with their final choice. I just felt sad for Yumo cos he saw it all happen. I was happy with the special episode. I didn’t mind paying for it.