Revenged Love is a new highly popular C drama airing outside of China that features a gay couple. However, the main male leads are embroiled in personal scandals. Elsewhere, we discuss Xiao Zhan going solo from his boy band and the results of the investigation into Huang Yang Tian Tian's family.
Fan Xian is furious to find his brother Fan Si Zhe as the owner of the brothel, Bao Yue House. Except, he's not the only one. Shortly after, the 3rd prince, the 2nd prince AND the crown prince arrive for an eyebrow raising gathering.
Fan Xian continues his quest to discover the secrets of Bao Yue Lou. With guidance from the courtesan, Sang Wen, he learns of a new girl, Miss Jin, who has been forced to the brothel. Fan Xian encounters a vegetable vendor, Old Man Jin, who is desperately trying to save his daughter, the same woman Sang Wen mentioned. Fan Xian agrees to help the old man but is shocked at the outcome. Seething, Fan Xian vows to find the owner of this mysterious establishment. Listen to our latest podcast episode ...
Karen and Cathy list the most viewed Cdramas both on streaming platforms and on TV as well as the dramas that breached coveted popularity thresholds across key streaming platforms.
We're now hitting the high summer season and all of the major platforms are releasing what they hope will be the smash hit of the summer. There's thrillers including The Seven Relics of Ill Omen. There's spy dramas such as Deep Undercover. There's period romance dramas including The Princess's Gambit, A Dream Within a Dream, In the Name of the Blossom, and Qing Chuan's Veil of Vengeance. But the biggest winner so far is the modern day case thriller In the Name of Justice. Listen to our latest po...
Despite advice to leave the capital, Fan Xian decides to seek an audience with the Emperor instead. The meeting turns out fine and his next step is looking for Teng Zi Jing's widow and son in Bao Yue Lou, a new brothel.
Labubu has taken China by storm and has gotten a ton of traction in the West! What exactly is Labubu and why is Brad Pitt even talking about it on his F1 press tour? There's also an update on the Naer Naxi college entrance exam scandal that exploded everywhere on social media. Listen to our latest In the Know podcast episode to find out!
After 5 years of waiting, we finally learn how Fan XIan actually survives from being stabbed by Yan Bing Yun. His "fathers" are distraught but then pleased to learn he faked his death. Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian return back to the capital to find a rather interesting sight.
Lei Jia Yin returns to the Tang Dynasty with his new drama the Litchi Road. It's a welcome return to see many familiar faces from The Longest Road in Chang'An. But the biggest controversy is with actress Naer Naxi, a woman from Inner Mongolia and of the Mongolian minority. News surfaced that she might have taken advantage of her minority status to get preferential treatment for her college entrance exams. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear more!
We provide a brief intro to Season 2 of Joy of Life that was presented to audiences 5 years after Season 1.
There's been quite a few new topics dominating the trending topics in China. The first is an interesting fan feud between the two female leads of the 2015 drama, The Diamond Lovers. The two female leads (Tang Yan and Dilraba) didn't instigate anything but rather, a producer decided to jump into the fray. Then there's an influencer He Qiu Shi who was accused of plagiarism at his most recent concert. He tried to defend himself but it didn't go over too well. Lastly, the two leads of the 2021 dark ...
The Prisoner of Beauty ft Song Zu'Er and Liu Yu Ning and The Legend of Zang Hang ft Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jing Yi were heavy hitters in May. For upcoming dramas, Bai Lu and Zeng Shun Xi come forward with Feud and Lei Jia Yin returns to Chang An in the Tang Dynasty Drama, the Litchi Road. Listen in to hear more!
We noticed a LOT of electric vehicles in our latest trip to China. This episode discusses latest EV trends that are also making headlines in the west.
The biggest bombshell over the past two weeks involve the 17 year old actress Huang Yang Tian Tian and a pair of earrings that she wore. This set off a firestorm with everyone focusing on her background and potential corruption. Meanwhile, Zhao Li Ying has a new rumored boyfriend that has sent her fans spinning. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear about these two new events!
Fan Xian and company head out on their journey back to the Qing kingdom. Turns out, the 2nd prince was behind everything Fan Xian suffered in the Capital. He threatens Fan Xian into working with him but Fan Xian refuses. However, this results in a shock ending that left fans waiting painfully for season 2.
In the penultimate episode of season 1 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian must tie up the loose ends before heading home. That loose end is Shen Zhong. He cleverly sets a trap for Shen Zhong by building a fragile alliance with Shang Shan Hu. Sure enough, with some prompting from Shang Shan Hu, the Empress Dowager strips Shen Zhong of his powers. Before Fan Xian departs, he pays one more visit to the Qi scholar Zhuang Mo Han. Fan Xian informs him of Xiao En's death, providing closure to the old man. Listen...
Fans of different celebrities (Wang He Di, Bai Lu, Zeng Li etc) have been the center of different stories over the last few days. Listen to hear what's happened, often times without input from the idol/celebrity they represent.
Hai Tang Duo Duo invites Fan Xian to her residence after a grocery trip. They have a delightful meal together where Fan Xian finally let's down his guard. After several drinks, he reveals to Hai Tang Duo Duo that he is lonely. He has no friends. He wants to do more in this world than just politics and here he recites the inspiration of this whole story of Joy of Life. The poem Liu Yu Qing from Dream of the Red Mansion. Fan Xian wakes hours later and is shocked to discover Si Li Li sitting next t...
Here are the dramas that aired in April and are airing now in May The Demon Hunter's Romance 无忧渡 starring Allen Ren Jia Lun and Song Zu Er surprised everyone with its airing as Song Zu Er was soft blacklisted a few years ago. Love in Pavilion 淮水竹亭 is part 2 to the Fox Spirit Matchmaker series starring Liu Shi Shi and Zhang Yun Long. Serendipity 榜上佳婿 features Lu Yu Xiao and Wang Zi Qi. We discuss other dramas, many of which have actually faired quite poorly in April
In episodes 43 and 44 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian begins to set in motion his plan to seize power within the Overwatch Council and gain favor in the Qi Kingdom. The best way to do so is to form new allegiances with different factions and defeat the formidable Shen Zhong. Fan Xian brings to light the of embezzlement occurring in the kingdom to the Empress Dowager and makes a persuasive case for Shen Zhong to reveal his secrets. Listen to our latest podcast episode to understand more about the politi...
Social media was all abuzz around April 20th because for the 1st time since they started dating 7 years ago, Guan Xiao Tong did NOT wish Lu Han a happy birthday on Weibo. We talk about what the implications are and the speculation around their relationship.
In episode 42 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian is stunned to discover that not only is he a prince, but that his whole life has been nothing more than a lie that was masterminded by Chen Ping Ping. The reason for his move to the Capital, his friendship with Teng Zi Jing, and his trip to the Qi Kingdom was all pushed forward by Chen Ping Ping. He also deduces that there must be more to his mothers death and vows to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Chen Ping Ping and the Emperor are pleased with the turn of ...
In 2025, Zhao Lu Si and Zhang Wan Yi have dominated the trending topics on social media, but not all to their benefit. Zhao Lu Si, who publicly announced she was suffering from mental illness late last year, released a new reality show that resulted substantial backlash in China. Zhang Wan Yi has fallen out of favor with Chinese audiences despite his prolific output in the past year. Listen to our latest podcast episode on our thoughts on the events surrounding these two stars and how a break fr...
Fan Xian spends time with Xiao En on his deathbed who reveals shocking secrets to Fan Xian after mistaking him for his grandson.
We're back to discuss the remaining 15 ladies for this season's Sister Stage 2025! There are actresses, singers, former idols, hosts, and rappers! Listen to this episode to learn more about these ladies and how they performed during the first round of individual performances!
With Yan Bing Yun rescued, Fan Xian now needs to work on rescuing Xiao En under Shen Zhong's watch. To do so, he partners up with Shang Shan Hu
Karen and Cathy discuss the latest dramas that have aired in March and April! Ski into Love 嘘，国王在冬眠 starring Esther Yu Shu Xin and Li Yin was a disappointment ratings wise despite all of the promotions. The Glory 雁回时 starring Chen Du Ling and Xing Yun Lai was a surprise hit for Tencent due to the strength of the plot, not the acting from the leads. A Moment But Forever 念无双 starring Tiffany Tang Yan and Liu Xu Yi marks Tang Yan’s return to fantasy dramas after many years. Sun Li of Empresses in t...
Fan Xian and company tail Shen Zhong's sister in order to find where Yan Bing Yun is hidden. After some scheming, the group is successfully able to rescue him.
It's that time of year again! We introduce 15 of the 30 sisters for this year's singing competition Sisters Who Make Waves but now renamed as Sister Stage 2025.
Fan Xian is brought forth to meet the Qi Kingdom Emperor who is more than meets the eye. The Emperor proposes that Fan XIan works with him to achieve their own separate goals
