‘Dance Of The Phoenix’ captivated audiences with its blend of Wuxia and fantasy elements when it aired for 30 episodes on Tencent in August 2020. This Chinese drama series presents a unique narrative that, while sparking some divided opinions among viewers, particularly regarding its conclusion, generally garnered enthusiasm for its imaginative premise, impressive CGI, and talented cast. While some commentary has focused on the female lead, Yang Chao Yue, the show’s unconventional storyline is arguably the primary source of varied reactions.
Unpacking the Premise of Dance of the Phoenix
To truly understand ‘Dance of the Phoenix,’ it’s essential to delve into the summary that initially drew many viewers in:
In modern-day China, Meng Yuan, a dedicated young student of traditional Chinese medicine, is unexpectedly transported into the body of Feng Wu. Feng Wu inhabits a fantastical realm governed by magic and martial arts. She finds herself betrothed to Prince Jun Lin Yuan, a union neither desires. Within this land of potent forces and lurking evil, Meng Yuan, as Feng Wu, must learn to navigate treacherous landscapes, forge alliances, and defend herself. Her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine becomes a surprising asset in aiding her newfound companions. Could this new life, and perhaps even her arranged marriage, blossom into something more?
However, the series itself diverges significantly from this synopsis. Key details, such as Meng Yuan’s name, her life in “modern-day China,” or her aspirations in traditional medicine, are never explicitly revealed within the 30 episodes. This discrepancy between the initial summary and the on-screen narrative is a crucial point for viewers to note.
The drama begins with an animated map and an introductory voiceover, setting the stage in the “Great Qianyuan Continent,” a fantasy world with a moon distinct from Earth, where “spirit energy” fuels magic. This prologue establishes the world’s history and power dynamics:
Life began on the great Qianyuan Continent, where cultivation is the path pursued by its inhabitants. Only the gifted are deemed “cultivators.” Junwu Academy, revered as the supreme institution, leads Penglai Pavilion in the North and Celestial Palace in the South. However, the Darknight Court in the West opposes this order, disrupting the peace advocated by Junwu Academy. Thirty years prior, demonic beasts ravaged Qianyuan, until Mu Jiuzhou, the most powerful cultivator, united the sects to suppress them and create an energy barrier. The Junwu Clan was entrusted with maintaining this barrier. Mu Jiuzhou then retreated from the mortal realm to focus on ascension, but vanished en route, his guiding star extinguished. Simultaneously, Feng Wu, heir to the Feng family, was born, her Phoenix Blood mirroring Mu Jiuzhou’s and causing great excitement. Twelve years later, Feng Wu discovered a spirit ring, encountering Mu Jiuzhou’s spirit within.
Feng Wu’s voice: “Is your spirit energy strong?”
Mu’s voice: “Remember, even with continent-dominating spirit energy, cultivators must not use it for evil.”
Feng Wu: “Let me follow you. Being fatherless, I yearn for strength to protect my mother. I vow to cultivate for good. Take me as your apprentice.”
Mu: “The Dragon Phoenix Spirit Ring links us. Feng Wu, I accept you as my apprentice, but this must remain secret.”
Feng Wu, with her Phoenix Blood, began clandestine training with Mu Jiuzhou, rapidly becoming a renowned genius. However, her talent bred envy.
This sets the stage for the central conflict. A teenage Feng Wu is ambushed by Zuo Qing Luan (portrayed by Jinna Fu), who steals Feng Wu’s spirit blood and demands her exile. When Feng Wu refuses, Qing Luan murders her. As Feng Wu’s body falls, Meng Yuan’s spirit inexplicably enters, a subtle transition easily missed without careful viewing. This is the pivotal moment where Meng Yuan’s consciousness merges with Feng Wu’s near-lifeless form.
Mu Jiuzhou (played by Li Chuan) emerges from the spirit ring, catching Feng Wu’s body. Acknowledging Meng Yuan’s presence, he reveals she is now Feng Wu and his apprentice. He bestows upon her a drop of his Phoenix Blood, weakening himself in the process. He tasks her with finding the Celestial Fruit and creating the Nine Transformation Spirit Restoration Pill, essential for her survival and possibly her return home.
Meng Yuan, disoriented and unfamiliar with this world, is left to navigate this new reality. Mu explains she is an anomaly and must forge her own path to return to her original world.
Following this, the narrative jumps forward three years. Feng Wu is now amnesiac and spirit energy-deficient, exiled with her mother and maidservant to a remote Border City. Here, she learns to survive and studies traditional Chinese medicine, setting the stage for her return to the cultivator world.
Navigating the Narrative of Rebirth and Destiny in Dance of the Phoenix
The majority of the 30 episodes chronicle Feng Wu/Meng Yuan’s journey to regain her cultivation abilities, return to the capital, and reintegrate into the intricate cultivator society.
She is reunited with Jun Lin Yuan, her childhood sweetheart and the Crown Prince of the Junwu Clan. Their prior engagement, once assumed broken due to Feng Wu’s exile, is rekindled as they rediscover their connection.
Jun Lin Yuan, now a formidable cultivator, is tasked by his father to secure the Celestial Fruit, a rare bloom appearing only once every 60 years, before Yu Ming Ye (played by Wang Hao Xuan), the prince of the Darknight Court, can claim it.
As Feng Wu/Meng Yuan and Jun Lin Yuan spend time together, their bond deepens, and they reaffirm their engagement. This decision is met with opposition from Jun Lin Yuan’s father and stepmother (Gao Sheng Hou, played by Yang Ming Na), who favor a marriage between Jun Lin Yuan and Zuo Qing Luan, unaware of Qing Luan’s role in the original Feng Wu’s death.
‘Dance of the Phoenix’ unfolds with a tapestry of romance, rivalries, camaraderie, epic Wuxia-style battles, mythical creatures, and magic. The storyline maintains engagement for a significant portion of its run, with compelling developments that keep viewers invested, even up to the nuanced and debated ending. Knowing the potential spoilers beforehand can actually enhance appreciation of the narrative’s direction.
The central plot subtly revolves around Mu Jiuzhou’s overarching destiny, with Feng Wu intricately woven into his narrative. Their relationship is complex; Mu insists on her eventual departure from Qianyuan Continent, yet her connection to this world deepens. Her love for Jun Lin Yuan is paralleled by her growing affection for the people who become her found family.
This emphasis on the journey and the relationships formed is key to understanding why some viewers who focus solely on the beginning and ending may miss the core essence of ‘Dance of the Phoenix.’
Key Supporting Characters in Feng Wu’s Journey
Feng Wu’s past connections with prominent families play a crucial role in her journey. Her circle of friends includes Jun Lin Yuan, Feng Xun (unrelated to the Feng family), Xuan Yi, and Yin Zhao Ge.
Feng Xun (played by Guo Cheng), the son of the Penglai Pavilion lord, is a skilled cultivator but largely provides comedic relief.
Xuan Yi (played by Gao Ji Cai), grandson of the Junwu Clan’s Spiritual Elder, is diligent, powerful, and fiercely loyal.
Yin Zhao Ge (initially played by Zhou Yi Qiao, later by Estelle Chen/Chen Yi Han), daughter of the Celestial Palace leader, was ostracized within her sect (explained later in the series). She initially befriended Zuo Qing Luan before forming a bond with Feng Wu. Zhao Ge’s character arc is notable for undergoing a transformation, which has drawn mixed reactions from viewers.
Feng Wu’s loyal handmaiden, Qiu Ling (played by Sun Ya Li), is particularly significant in the first half of the series.
Feng Wu’s mother also plays a recurring role, influencing Feng Wu/Meng Yuan’s choices and often becoming a pawn in the schemes of other characters, though generally portrayed sympathetically.
Yu Ming Ye, the Darknight Court prince, serves as a multifaceted rival to Jun Lin Yuan, and his romantic interest in Feng Wu further complicates the dynamics.
Reflections on the Narrative and Themes of Dance of the Phoenix
For those anticipating a straightforward, happy-ever-after romance, ‘Dance of the Phoenix’ presents a more ambiguous and open-ended conclusion. The finale invites interpretation, leaving room for viewer speculation about the characters’ ultimate fates.
The chemistry among the core group of characters is a highlight, with relationships evolving organically and becoming deeply engaging. Many characters grapple with internal conflicts, and a villain’s line, “the winners decide what is good and evil,” encapsulates the show’s subtle exploration of morality and the flawed nature of humanity.
The antagonists are not simply black-and-white villains; they possess complex motivations and backstories, adding depth to the narrative. While some supporting antagonists may lack detailed backgrounds, it’s conceivable that a longer series format could have explored these further.
The narrative intentionally withholds explicit explanations at times, relying on viewers to infer connections and nuances. For instance, the recurring theme of powerful characters being magically restrained suggests that such restraints are more prevalent than explicitly shown.
The final episode has been critiqued for its rushed pacing and unresolved plot points. However, the ambiguity regarding character fates and resurrections aligns with the show’s magical and mystical elements, particularly those involving Mu Jiuzhou and the spirit ring.
The ending, while abrupt, is arguably more nuanced than some reviews suggest. Hints and foreshadowing throughout the series provide a framework for understanding the concluding events, rewarding attentive viewers.
A central theme in ‘Dance of the Phoenix’ is personal choice. Characters are not predetermined to be good or evil; their actions stem from their choices, influenced by life events and relationships. The ending underscores this theme of agency, suggesting Feng Wu/Meng Yuan faces a significant choice, though its nature is left open to interpretation.
Similar to the ending of ‘Inception,’ which leaves the audience to question reality, ‘Dance of the Phoenix’ concludes in a way that encourages viewer interpretation and reflection on the characters’ destinies and choices.
Recognizing Familiar Faces in the Cast
‘Dance of the Phoenix’ marks the first time many viewers encountered Yang Chao Yue. Her portrayal of Feng Wu/Meng Yuan, while debated by some, effectively captures the character’s complex journey.
However, many other cast members are recognizable from other popular Cdramas.
Xu Kai Cheng (Jun Lin Yuan) previously starred as Emperor Di Xu in Novoland: Pearl Eclipse and Yan Yun Zhi in A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College.
Guo Cheng (Feng Xun) played Chen Chou in A League of Nobleman.
Gao Ji Cai (Xuan Yi) appeared as Yan Yu in The Wolf Princess.
Zhong Wei Hua (Old Man Ba) is also known for his role as Mu De Qing in Novoland: Pearl Eclipse and a shopkeeper in A League of Nobleman.
Chang Hai Feng (Wu You Dao) played Cai Can in Shining Just for You and a general in The Wolf Princess.
Chen Yu Tong (Darknight Court Lord) played Xu Yuan in Who Rules the World and Yuan Ding Shan in Romance Of A Twin Flower.
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