Tencent saw 5 Chinese dramas breach 30,000 on its popularity index in the first half of the year. Youku saw 5 breach 10,000 while iQiyi only had one. We discuss which dramas they were and also which dramas had the highest tv ratings in 1H24.
In episode 6 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian wanders off to find the Overwatch Council and is surprised and bemused to see Wang Qi Nian as a member there. Fan Xian finds his mother's tablet and has a better understanding of the world she tried to build. At the palace, everyone has their eyes set on Fan Xian's performance at the poetry meeting. Lin Wan Er tries to meet Fan Xian for a discussion but he's nowhere to be found, forcing his siblings to cover for him and presenting a rather bad image of Fan X...
The 29th Magnolia Award had quite a bit a drama when the nominations were announced including Wang Yi Bo fans being upset he was not nominated and then questioning whether Tang Yan, Yang Zi and a few others were deserving of their nominations.
Fan Xian and his siblings head out for a nice lunch in the capital. They find that the Dream of the Red Chamber that Fan Xian memorized and wrote for Fan Ruo Ruo is now an incredibly popular book that's selling in the black market. Fan Si Zhe hears this and immediately wants to partner up with Fan Xian. Meanwhile, they are intercepted by Guo Bao Kun and Li Hong Cheng and invited to a literary/poetry meeting the next day.
A full new slate of dramas have geared up for the summer season. New Wu Xia Drama Legend of Heroes is another adaptation of Legend of the Condor Heroes. Luo Yun Xi and Song Yi star in an original period romance drama Follow Your Heart. Meanwhile, Zhang Ling He has found his groove in The Princess Royal with Zhao Jin Mai. The hotly anticipated season 2 of Lost You Forever is slated to air on July 8th! Listen to our thoughts on these recent dramas in our latest podcast episode
Fan Xian meets his father Fan Jian who gives him the rundown of the capital. The Princess Royal Li Yun Rui currently controls power of the Royal Treasury which she would lose once Fan Xian marries her daughter Lin Wan'Er, thus making him a prime target for attack.
Summer 2024 has been dominated by two dramas that are star representatives of the genre of their source IP, Nan Pin or Books of the Male Gaze and Nv Pin or Books of the Female Gaze. In today's podcast episode, I discuss these two book genres, the tropes typically found in these books, and how they have translated on screen. Joy of Life represent the Nan Pin books and dramas and the Double represent the Nv Pin books and dramas.
Fan Xian heads to the Capital of the Qing kingdom but meets a myriad of characters along the way including a beautiful "Ms. Chicken Leg". When he finally arrives at the Fan Manor in the Capital, his family dynamics also become quite eventful.
Actress Zhou Ye garnered negative publicity due to her attitude towards the "6th Princess" which is actually CCTV6. We discuss what happened and why the "6th Princess" is important.
We kick off with our discussions of Joy of Life Season 1 with the first 2 episodes! We start with an episode recap and then move onto culture and history! We discuss how the author chose the name 庆余年 and references behind it. Join us on this journey for Joy of Life
Our next drama to discuss is the wildly popular Joy of Life 庆余年! Starring Zhang Ruo Yun, Li Qin, Chen Dao Ming and a star-studded cast, the drama follows the story of Fan Xian, who is reincarnated into another world as a baby, as he grows up and is thrust into the machinations of the Qing Empire. For this intro, we discuss the plot, the actors, and our own Joy of Life connection as Cathy travels around in China! Listen and get ready for Joy of Life Season 1.
The summer season for Chinese dramas is now in full swing. Yang Mi and Gong Jun offer Fox Spirit Match Maker: Red Moon Pact which is stunning in both set design and costumes, but has failed to capture audiences. Meanwhile, Wu Jin Yan from The Story of YanXi Palace returns with The Double which is a surprise hit. The Tale of Rose featuring Liu Yi Fei is slated to air on June 8, a modern day drama, and we highlight Golden Trio which features some of our favorite, more senior actors.
We wrap up our in depth discussion of the extraordinary drama, The Longest Day In Chang'An with a recap of episode 48. We also discuss overall thoughts of the drama, go over book differences, highlight key historical character endings and also elaborate on careers of the 3 main cast members. Thank you all for joining us as we complete another drama!
In the penultimate episode (ep 47) of the Longest Day in Chang'An, the characters uncover one final spy hidden amongst them at Jing An Si. The Emperor is bewildered to see Xu Bin as the one to greet him after his harrowing escape. Despite his best efforts, Xu Bin is dismayed to see that the Emperor refuses to acknowledge his abilities. Xu Bin resolves to show just what he is capable of. Listen our latest podcast episode as many more secrets are revealed!
The variety/reality Chinese singing competition Singer 2024 created quite some buzz in its latest season following the knockout performances by a few competitors in this live recording of the show that has left Chinese audiences eager to see who can compete against these strong contestants. Listen to hear what's been creating the buzz in May.
Xiao Gui and Zhang Xiao Jing hide alongside the Emperor and Tan Qi in a tavern. A barber and his young daughter seek refuge in the tavern only to find that they stepped into a lion's den. Xiao Gui wants the Emperor to be killed publicly but is surprised when the Emperor kneels and requests that Xiao Gui lets innocent civilians go. Seeing that innocent lives are in danger and that perhaps the Emperor is not as bad as he seems, Xiao Gui decides to step forward to save the day.
Phoenix Legend or 凤凰传奇, a music duo, have been known to Chinese audiences for 2 decades but their recent concert tour in China have been highly entertaining. Concert goers have become very intense and are competing to make sure they represent their concerts well with knowledge of Phoenix Legend lyrics. We share music from the duo and fun tidbits that have been shared online from these concerts.
The BIGGEST drama of the year to air, in our opinion, is the HIGHLY anticipated season 2 of Joy of Life or Qing Yu Nian. It is slated to air on May 16 with most of the cast returning from season 1 and a number of new characters joining the cast. Outside of that, In the Name of the Brother featuring Yang Mi has not gone over well with audiences despite her heavy marketing of her improvement in acting. Meanwhile Cathy enjoyed the modern love story of Will Love in Spring. An interesting short serie...
In episode 44 and part 1 of episode 45, the Emperor finally experiences the reality of Chang An. He cannot believe the poverty, filth, and corruption that is occurs right outside of his palace walls. He is also touched by the kindness shown by regular people expecting nothing in return, but he nevertheless see the reality that the Right Chancellor wants him to see. Meanwhile, Li Bi vows to uncover the mastermind behind the day's events, even if it means the end of his career. Cheng Sen agrees to...
Karen and Cathy introduce the other 18 ladies competing in Season 5 of Ride the Wind/Sisters Who Make Waves for 2024.
In episode 43, Xiao Gui successfully kidnaps the Emperor. The remaining factions, especially the Right Chancellor, begin plotting to seize power and begin moving their pawns in the city of Chang An. Only the Crown Prince is genuinely worried about his father's safety. Xiao Gui discovers that deceit from Tan Qi and threatens to kill everyone but is distracted by guards searching the city. The Emperor manages to escape and is now out in the city of Chang An and faces many surprises from his subjec...
Season 5 of Ride the Wind (formerly Sisters Who Make Waves) started airing on April 19. This popular reality tv show airing on Hunan tv/Mango Tv brings together a diverse group of women who compete to create a "girl group" at the end of the competition. We introduce 18 of the 36 contestants in this episode and will follow up with the remainder next episode.
In episode 42, Xiao Gui finally slaughters his way to the Emperor where he confronts the man on whether he remembers the 8th squad. The Emperor stands his ground and almost persuades Xiao Gui to abandon his mission. The Emperor shoots his arrow, but thanks to Zhang Xiao Jing, the explosion does not go off as planned.
Now that we know what "hua" or "hua dan" means for Chinese actresses, who are discussed on the various lists of flowers? Karen goes over some actresses most generally discussed as part of the 85 flowers, the 90 flowers and 95 flowers for Chinese actresses.
Tensions rise at the Emperor's banquet as Director He finally confronts the Emperor on how he is running his empire. Director He tries to kill the Right Chancellor, exclaiming that he is a corrupt presence. The Emperor though dismisses all of these claims. Zhang Xiao Jing part ways with Xiao Gui as the latter heads to the Palace to confront the Emperor. Li Bi escapes and persuades the Crown Prince to protect the Emperor
Karen and Cathy are here with the latest Chinese dramas in April! We have Blossoms in Adversity starring Hu Yi Tian and Zhang Jing Yi. There's Best Choice Ever with Yang Zi and Xu Kai. We have a remake of the original Chinese Paladin game with Paladin Legend. Zhang Bin Bin stars in this new medical drama Live Surgery Room. A new drama with Li Xian called Shooting Stars will begin airing in the middle of the month. Listen more for our thoughts on these dramas!
Zhang Xiao Jing finally heads up to the Lantern tower and sees the true identity of Long Bo - his fellow soldier from the 8th squad, Xiao Gui. Swiftly, Zhang Xiao Jing chokes Li Bi to death before discussing with Xiao Gui why he's on today's path. Meanwhile, the Emperor is making the Crown Prince's life difficult again and Cheng Sen is discovering more clues about Xu Bin's involvement in tonight's events.
We're providing an introduction to the Flowers or Hua in the Chinese entertainment industry. Why are certain actresses called Flowers and others aren't? What's the history of this name and who are the top Flowers? Listen to our latest episode to find out!
Wen Ran finds Zhang Xiao Jing in the Lantern Tower and she implores him to leave Chang An with her. He, however, is adamant he wants to stay in Chang An to protect its people. He wishes for Wen Ran to stay because it is what his fallen brothers hoped for on the battlefield.
We get flashbacks now of when Zhang Xiao Jing was a soldier defending the border. He and his fellow soldiers were faced with low morale, no food and no reinforcements. But ultimately, they decided to not retreat or give up.
