Youku’s latest period drama, Brocade Odyssey, starring popular actors Tan Songyun and Zheng Yecheng, is facing criticism for its lackluster plot and questionable CGI.
Despite the star power of its leads, Brocade Odyssey has failed to captivate viewers. Many have taken to Weibo to express their disappointment with the drama’s storyline, describing it as uninteresting and predictable. This lukewarm reception is reflected in the show’s viewership numbers. According to Yunhe data, Brocade Odyssey currently sits in fourth place with a market share of just 6.8 percent. The drama’s heat index on Youku has also stalled at 8,500 after a week of airing.
Adding to the drama’s woes, viewers have also called out the poor quality of the computer-generated imagery (CGI) and a jarring face replacement for the third male lead. Originally played by Zhang Haowei, the character Zhao Xiuyuan is now portrayed by Zhao Huawei. This abrupt change has led to complaints about the character’s stiff and unnatural facial expressions, further distracting viewers from the already struggling plot.
Will Brocade Odyssey Recover?
Despite the initial setbacks, Brocade Odyssey still has a chance to turn things around. With 26 episodes left to air, it could still experience a surge in popularity, similar to the drama Blossoms in Adversity which initially received a mediocre response but later gained a devoted following.
Brocade Odyssey tells the story of Ji Yingying (Tan Songyun), a young woman from a family of brocade weavers. After her childhood sweetheart, Zhao Xiuyan, is forced to marry another woman, Ji Yingying meets Yang Jinglan (Zheng Yecheng), the son of a noble family. The two become friends and eventually fall in love. Their relationship is threatened when the prince of Nanzhao Kingdom sets his sights on Ji Yingying’s exceptional brocade dyeing skills and plots to steal her family’s secret techniques.
Will Ji Yingying and Yang Jinglan overcome these challenges and find happiness together? Only time will tell if Brocade Odyssey can weave its way out of its current predicament and win over viewers.
