Young Blood 2 (2023)

Adulting, the Qi Zhai way

“Everyone was young once. The ambition during youth, sometimes, is just a nice dream. Now, it’s time to wake up. It’s time to grow up.” Wang Kuan’s dad, EP 5

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“Youth… [you all] only know passion…, don’t know the way of the world.” Yuan Zhongxin’s dad, EP 15

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“Growing up is not a bad thing. These 3 years with your own efforts, you all have your own direction and achievements. Why throw your lives at Xi Xia? Just treat Xi Xia as a youth’s dream. Now it’s time to wake up from this dream. Your futures now have other possibilities.” Si Gui Uncle, EP 16

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Season 2 picked up right where Season 1 left off. Our beloved Section 7 (Qi Zhai) find themselves with a new mission that brings them to Xi Xia - to kill the ruthless Yuan Hao who’d instigate wars to be the ruler of the world if he was not stopped.

And this would be the greatest challenge that Qi Zhai came across. Yuan Hao was almost invincible. At first blood, Qi Zhai barely survived their assassination attempt - they and we knew it was mainly due to Yuan Hao [kinda] letting them go.

As Qi Zhai went back to Da Song, there were many opposing voices, mainly from the older generation, who came from rightful places because Xi Xia would be a suicidal mission. We have Yuan Tian Guan, who’d rather disabled Yuan Zhongxin so the latter can’t go Xi Xia to die; Prime Minister Wang who lectured with Wang Kuan on the ways of the world, hoping the latter would “get it and grow up”; Si Gui Uncle and Bei Hexing who gave Qizhai another mission and way of living in hopes that the latter would love their new life and possibilities over going to Xi Xia.

If Season 1 was about a bunch of misfit teenagers who found camaraderie in each other at school, I’d say Season 2 was them finding their own roles and way of living in the world after graduating.

And their dynamics with their dads were the main theme of this season as they figured out what adulthood means to them. Yuan Tian Guan, Commander Wei and Prime Minister Wang were the more prominent dad figures where the tension with their sons were shown on screen. Prince Zhao’s expectations and “presence”, though absent from the show, can be greatly felt through Zhao Jian. Xue Ying’s dad was the supportive one. Pei Jing’s parents were the uncaring ones. The dynamics may be different for each family, but message remained - they all want their children to live.

I like how QiZhai dealt with these expectations. They heard their dads’ messages, but they also prioritised their inner voice and do things their way. And when they departed to Xi Xia once again, they were not accounting to any Headmaster or superior. They only had themselves to answer to and rely on.

To me, this is what proper independence and adulting looks like. …
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Though this phrase feels like a graceful and appropriate way to end the review of Young Blood 2, I have to make shoutouts to the lovely supporting cast.

Yuan Hao’s and Ning Ling Ge’s relationship is the foil of another dad-son dynamics who put power higher than relationship. As ruthless as Yuan Hao was, he gave a lot chances to his son - whether for bloodline or because he arrogantly trusted his own invincibility, no one can tell for sure. But if anything one can say with conviction, it’s the fear Yuan Hao invoked in others and his ruthlessness - indeed, any of sane mind would not want to be his enemy. It was shown time and time again how strong, smart and ruthless Yuan Hao was. It seemed like he was born to kill - those who stopped Qi Zhai may be right, it’d be a suicidal mission and it didn’t have to and shouldn’t be a bunch of youths’ responsibility to stop this “monster”.

The Queen, the concubine and prime minister of Xi Xia had interesting personalities too - more the Queen than any other. I’d say she’s probably the “smarter” one among this Xi Xia royal family when you look at their endings.

Section 8 (Ba Zhai) are one of the stars of this show! Though their moment are short, it surely represents an epitome of youth and passion. I hope they all got a spin-off from this series - am sure a lot of us would be interested…if the story is done with care!

Let’s not forget Liang Mai Xiang, Si Gui Uncle and his rooster. They may be supporting characters, but they are also characters with their own defining traits. Ok, maybe not the rooster, but you know you can’t bring up Si Gui uncle without his rooster. I thought Liang Mai Xiang is only introduced as Xue Ying’s love interest - she did get her mini arc on taking over her dad’s position at Youzhou army.

If I list anymore characters, my review will start to lose focus. But, the last shoutout must be given to Yu Chi Yuan! He is the comedic relief of this more somber season, and probably more - the kind of character that creeps into you unknowingly.

Script, story and acting wise, I would say it’s still the Young Blood we love. And I am glad they managed to make this season came on screen. The only slight regret is the directing of the show who failed to capture some comedic moments timely. While I can’t professionally critique how, there’s an art to this skill which would make a difference in the production quality. Giving this a 10 is mainly my own bias.

For audience who had not watched Season 1, highly recommend to tune in to it first because the added context and background would increase the enjoyment of this story. For audience and die-hard fans of Season 1, I’d say both story, while related, are not the same kind of themes. Hence some elements of what we love in Season 1 would not be here in Season 2.

They are still the Qi Zhai we know. It’s just the Qi Zhai who are growing up. And that’s adulting, a phase we all go through.

While we may have our own expectations, let Qi Zhai show you their meaning of adulthood. It’s their story.

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“I know, people change. Maybe someday, I will betray my current self, and live life the way I hated. But the someday is not now. People will definitely change.

But some thoughts, some persistence shouldn’t be shaken. If growing up means killing my past self, abandoning my inner spark, then I rather be youth forever.” Wang Kuan, EP 5

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“Qi Zhai wants to kill Yuan Hao, is not because of personal vengeance. It’s to prevent war and protect peace. The country has different bloodlines, but we all use the same language, experience the same ups and downs of life. To love the country is to love oneself.

Is it wrong? [to have passion]” Zhao Jian, EP 15

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“Time changes people. We have been through a lot in these 3 years and maybe matured too.

But who’s to say after all these experiences, people can’t remain as youth.” Yuan Zhongxin, EP 16

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