South Sea Tomb Reviews

Hot pot lamb slices are Old Hu and Fatty's favorites, but this time it was quite unfortunate. They finally managed to join in for a fancy hot pot meal, but didn't get to eat much before they had to shoulder the responsibility of going out to sea.
It's really not enough to satisfy their appetites for this farewell meal they had been looking forward to.

How did they manage to bring romance into this damn IP? A newcomer who doesn't even receive proper training dives into a compartment without even understanding the basic structure at 50 atmospheres of pressure. This method of advancing the plot is beyond description, it's just idiotic.
What a group of screenwriters who set the story back fifty years.

/"A disgustingly bitter traditional herbal medicine soup," that sounds like a perfect description of my beloved, huh?/

Zhang Yu Qi's face kept me going till the end.

I'm about to burst into laughter because of Fat Master and Commander Yang. Fat Master wanted to criticize Shirley Yang, the intellectual from a serious military academy, for promoting "feudal superstition." But Commander Yang was even more cautious, slapping Fat Master's face with every word, saying, "This is a major taboo." It was such an awkward and embarrassing moment.
Only our old Hu could come forward to smooth things over.

Watch and cherish it! Watch and cherish it! From "Dragon Ridge Mystery" onwards, it's been a captivating journey. After waiting for so long, this might very well be the final installment of the Iron Triangle series by Director Pan Yue Ming.
I hope everyone can judge the drama based on its own merits. It's been a challenging production, so let's not give it malicious negative reviews for other reasons.

I was vomiting on the roadside when a kind passerby approached me and asked, "Brother, did you drink too much?" I stopped vomiting and, seeking revenge for his kindness, I immediately shoved the TV drama "The Ghost Blows Until It Can't Get Any Worse" in front of him and forced him to watch three episodes.
Just like me, he couldn't stop vomiting. And now, another kind-hearted person is about to come...

The opening is filled with shoddy special effects and cheesy dialogue. Not to mention the sloppy plot, lacking any logic or coherent scenes. It's such a waste of the talent the three lead actors have shown throughout.
I gave up after four episodes, and I've completely given up on this series as well.

The Chinese aesthetic is still evident in the details, with elements of Eastern folklore, an atmosphere of Eastern horror, set designs, and the interior of the ghost ship. It also showcases traditional practices such as feng shui, divination, and formations, presenting the Eastern approach to exploring the ocean.

Ever since I started watching Ghost Blows Out the Light, it feels like I've opened the door to a whole new world, with a plethora of ancient legends and mysterious treasures. This deep-sea treasure hunt is particularly exciting. Ghost ships, rituals, vast sand dunes...
Every few steps, a new element emerges. It's truly captivating!

Dragon Ridge Maze" feels like a dream. Did Pan Yueming's acting skills decrease along with his weight? Hu Bayi has turned into a greasy, intellectually diminished man.
Especially in the fifth episode when they have to go to the bottom compartment and the argument with Sherry Yang, how did they manage to make being together more difficult than not being together?
And this set design seems to be overly concerned with making it obvious that it's fake. "Dragon Ridge" also includes a segment of sailing on water. The director should compare it himself...

Actually, Ghost Blows Out the Light is written really well, but the filming of this adaptation is quite awkward. The poorly edited backgrounds and the forced "emotional" atmosphere make it hard to believe.
And to my surprise, in this drama, I finally see the "famous" Chen Mu Chi as the protagonist after observing from the sidelines for so long. Haha, it's the first time!

The first three episodes were really half-hearted. The first two episodes were quite lackluster, and it wasn't until later that they found a boat that suited their travel needs. The Iron Triangle and Ruan Hei's investigation on the ship seemed rather contrived.
Even if it was meant as a setup for the appearance of some monster later on, they laid the groundwork too thickly, and it's unclear why. We're currently at the fifth episode, and it feels quite disjointed.
Let's see how it goes; I'll reconsider my rating if it improves in the future.

It's amazing! Updating only one episode per day is too slow! Ghost Blows Out the Light is definitely meant to be watched in the Pan Yueming version! Although some of the comedic scenes may be a bit exaggerated, who can blame us for enjoying them?
Zhang Yuqi looks so beautiful after losing weight, and it feels like Chief Yang in Lost Tomb of the South Sea has become even more adorable in terms of character.

It's the first time I've seen underwater exploration in a Chinese drama, and it's quite novel. Every year, it brings a different perspective and surprises. Investing in "The Ghost Blows Out the Light" is always rewarding.
Exciting adventures, cultural stories, exotic creatures, and humorous moments... It's a rich sensory experience.

The three-masted ship that keeps appearing, like a ghost hitting a wall. It seems that the Emperors of Sand want to use Hu Ba Yi and the others' power to crash the ship that binds them.
It's inexplicably heartbreaking. The surface-level monsters are the Emperors of Sand controlling the ships, but the true darkness lies in the humans who persecute them. Everything has a spirit, sigh...

I got hooked on "The Ghost Blows Out the Light" from the very first season, and since then, I've been addicted to it. Finally, "The Lost Tomb of South Sea" has arrived, and the "Iron Triangle" is still the most exciting part.
The plot is fast-paced, with a perfect blend of mystery and excitement. This kind of adventure is truly captivating to watch.

The charm of Ruan Hei's character lies in his unwavering beliefs and steadfast personality. He and Hu Ba Yi come from different environments and have had different experiences, so conflicts are inevitable. It's hard to say who is right or wrong since they have different perspectives.
Exposing the problems is also a prerequisite for finding solutions.

You could say the "铁三角" (iron triangle) is lucky. They encountered a ghost ship and a big storm shortly after setting sail, which may seem unlucky. However, no matter how unfortunate their circumstances, the three of them always manage to survive.
It may seem contradictory, but it's actually logical because they are the "铁三角" who fear nothing and conquer all challenges from heaven to earth.

The main storyline is clear and stays true to the original work. The classic scene of the two ships colliding is faithfully reproduced. As a fan of the book, I'm quite satisfied. After all, being able to enjoy a uniquely flavored Ghost Blows Out the Light adaptation every year is something that book fans are truly grateful for.

Ming Shu is still good at flattery, huh? "Miss Yang's celestial fish, Brother Hu's feng shui skills, a wise couple joining forces with united hearts, what big matter can't be accomplished!" Suddenly, I realize that Ming Shu's eloquence is truly remarkable.
There's no flaw to be found. Not only does it appreciate the genuine talents of the two individuals, but it also wishes them success in their deep and loving relationship. Brilliant!

Each episode is imbued with a rich Chinese cultural heritage, along with the mystical colors of Eastern fantasy. Take, for example, the small goldfish that can discern directions. I reckon only we, the Chinese people, can create such a marvelous way of navigating.
This is something that other Western seafaring dramas definitely lack.

I'm really looking forward to it, and I'll continue watching no matter how it turns out. However, the pacing is indeed off, perhaps due to excessive cuts and edits.

And they've portrayed Hu Ba Yi as a clueless youngster, unfamiliar with diving equipment.
It's quite baffling.

The romantic scenes are also a bit awkward.

If Hu Yang's sweetness was subtly present in the previous season, it has now escalated to "natural sweetness" in this season. Just through their conversations, you can sense that sweetness.
Even their arguments are sweet, to the point that onlooker Wang Fatty feels shy witnessing it.

Severe cuts were made, and the first six episodes were heavily padded. The plot is convoluted, and Shirley and Hu Ba Yi seem like completely different people. What's with the romantic subplot? The underwater special effects are disappointing and unrealistic.
Fans of the original "Ghost Blows Out the Light" novel are angry online! When will Netflix buy the rights and do a proper remake?

I've watched the entire "Ghost Blows Out the Light" series by Lao Pan. In this installment, I feel that the performances are slightly exaggerated, making it easy to break the immersion, especially when it comes to their scenes on the sea or underwater.
Did they lack budget for the green screen and post-production?

I can't help but revisit the peak era of the Dragon Ridge Maze.

The special effects are so fake that they don't even bother to hide it anymore. Even when people are swimming in the water, not a single strand of hair moves. The trio either engages in romantic talk or cracks jokes, with little substance.
Watching the first three episodes, you can tell they were just trying to pass the censorship. By the sixth episode, it's clear they simply shouldn't have made it if they didn't have the skills.

The storyline is quite logical and reasonable, without any nonsensical feeling. For example, the reason why Ruan Hei chose to join Hu's team is because he couldn't make a living anymore. Not everyone has a spirit of adventure. Moreover, the show even pays attention to the details of the fishing net, which is impressive.
As long as it doesn't force characters to act foolishly, it's actually quite good.

I didn't have high expectations to begin with, but even before it aired, I knew the ocean scenes would be poorly edited with obvious cutouts and Photoshopped images. Even the onshore scenes are shot in a studio with fake backgrounds. It's so fake that it's ridiculous.
And what's up with the underwater scenes? Did they suddenly transport to the Dragon Palace in Journey to the West? Who are they trying to impress with all those flashy colors?

I'm becoming more and more disappointed. The visual effects for the ocean scenes are still stuck in 2023, and they even forcefully changed other languages into Chinese. Each episode is just over 30 minutes long, with very little actual content after cutting out the unnecessary parts.
Yet, we're still subjected to watching Hu Ba Yi and Xue Liyang engage in romantic talk. I'm only continuing to watch because of this IP.

Characterization shattered. If Hu Ba Yi were as brainless as Fatty, willing to endanger the lives of a whole ship of people just to save a mouse, he would have died in the first season. When others try to explain to him, he even resorts to physical violence.
Is this the Hu Ba Yi we know? Did the screenwriter even read the original work at all?

For the nostalgia enthusiasts, I'll give it four stars. However, the pacing is unappealing. It could have been condensed to 8-10 episodes instead of stretching it to 16 episodes, with each episode only about 20 minutes long, and not all of it is essential content.
At times, I find myself fast-forwarding. Deducting one star for that.

Worse than the previous season, the overweight character's storyline felt deliberately awkward in the previous season, and this season continues that trend. I've watched a few episodes, and it's just too lackluster.
The whole episode is filled with meaningless chatter, even when it comes to diving, they don't bother to understand their own equipment. It's completely ridiculous and lacks attention to detail. I've lost interest in continuing to watch.

Compared to the original novel adaptation, the visual impact of the TV series is more powerful, allowing us to truly experience the mesmerizing allure of the ocean. Shufen's portrayal is faithful to the original, and the dizzying camera shots create an immersive feeling of embarking on an adventure together on the ship.
Achieving this level of quality is no easy feat.

Good bros are the ones you can trust completely, without worrying about backstabbing or betrayal. After so many seasons of "The Ghost Blows Out the Light," Lao Hu and Fatty have become like family. Together, they have braved dangerous mountains and fires, fighting monsters.
It moved me to tears, and I couldn't help but cry out loud. ????????????????

The recent series has a slight differentiation from previous ones. Filming at sea itself poses challenges, not to mention the underwater plot, which inevitably stirs controversy. However, after finishing it, I feel that it is an overall good drama that adds brilliance to the Chinese maritime theme, and the special effects are impressive.

How should I put it? There are more elements of humor and romance than the main storyline of tomb exploration. But I heard that the last installment was banned from filming, so let's watch it as a commemoration! After all, it's the Ghost Blows Out the Light series that I couldn't sleep without finishing during my college days!

Here come the Teddy bears again, spouting a bunch of nonsense and chattering incessantly! The logic is flawed, even following the book would be much, much better than this! The special effects are like crap, not even worth a penny compared to a fake ray of sunshine!
You're reciting your lines, and I'm reciting mine. Oh no, wait, we're just acting together, look into my eyes! What are you looking at? I'm flexing my muscles with all my might!
Come on, let's exchange lines. I still have some punchlines here!

My long-awaited anticipation! The quality of the Iron Triangle is still something to look forward to. Watching it so far, the special effects feel average, but filming underwater is challenging, so I can understand. Our General Yang seems a bit indecisive in this installment!
Overall, it's within my expectations.

The relationship between Lao Hu and Sherry Yang feels much more natural this time. Sherry Yang has also made Lao Hu feel more of the taste of attachment. They have weathered storms together, and it's not easy to let go of complex emotions all at once.
True feelings come with concerns.

The visual effects in this drama are really disappointing. It's all green screen, and the actors seem clueless about what they're supposed to be doing. Their performances are also subpar, especially Ruan Hei, who clearly struggles with acting in front of a green screen.
The lead actor's acting skills are below average, and it's evident that he's acting rather than naturally portraying the character. Moreover, the storyline is very inconsistent. There's even a Poseidon-like character who can breathe underwater, and nobody seems surprised by it?

The ghost ship emerged through the stormy seas, with treacherous sandbanks beneath and beautiful coral reefs further down. In the depths of the ocean lies a perilous and unknown territory.
The impact brought by the Iron Triangle is still as thrilling as ever, living up to the expectations of fans.

A profound analysis of the characters reveals that Ruan Hei's insistence on diving for pearls is actually fulfilling his own mission. As a member of the "Dai" ethnic group, this is what he has been doing all his life.
It's similar to how Hu Ba Yi insists on going on adventures to affirm his identity as an adventurer.

Personally, I've been able to accept some adaptations in "The Lost Tomb" series because, no matter how it's altered, the original cast remains intact. The main storyline of the drama has always stayed true to the original novel, and various supernatural elements have been more or less preserved.
This series has consistently fulfilled my fantasies about the world of "The Lost Tomb.