Joy of Life - S1 - Ep 22: Spring Outing
Fan Xian takes Wan'Er and several others out on a spring outing/picnic to enjoy a change of scenery but both Wan'Er and Fan Xian have ulterior motives while they are out.
Nov 12, 2024•23 min
Chasing Dramas
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing Season 1 of Joy of Life. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Yanxi Palace, The Longest Day in Chang'An, The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.
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Episodes
Nov 2024 Chinese Drama Update - Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, The Story of Pearl Girl, Romance in the Alley, Fangs of Fortune, Kill Me Love Me
November has a new slate of dramas with the 95 flowers Esther Yu Shu Xin and Zhao Lu Si headlining a drama each. Yu Shu Xin stars in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy 永夜星河 with co-star Ding Yu Xi. Zhao Lu Si is back with her The Long Ballad co-star Liu Yu Ning in The Story of Pearl Girl or 珠帘玉幕. The surprising winner though is the 70s, 80s drama, Romance in the Alley 小巷人家 starring Yan Ni and Jiang Xin. Hou Ming Hao and Chen Du Ling star in a fantasy drama 大梦归离 Fangs of Fortune. Wu Jin Yan is back wit...
Nov 07, 2024•25 min
Joy of Life - S1 - Ep 21: Closing the Loop
In a twist, Chen Ping Ping claims that Dong Yi City Grandmaster, Si Gu Jian killed Lin Gong, and urges the Emperor to declare war on the Qi kingdom. The Emperor nor the Chancellor believes it but it is the answer that the Qing kingdom wants and this helps cover up for Fan Xian and Wu Zhu.
Nov 04, 2024•30 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Unmasking Celebrities
Happy Halloween! In China, many celebrities have been unmasked from their personas in recent reality shows or plain internet sleuthing. This includes well known actor, professor, and cook Huang Lei, who's been unmasked as a regular cook and thin-skinned person who wants to have the last say. This also includes actress Zhou Yu Tong who's appearance in Season 6 of Divas Hit the Road has set off a firestorm on social media about her potentially narcissistic personality, dragging the entire season d...
Nov 01, 2024•32 min
Joy of Life - S1 - Ep 20: Meeting Chen Ping Ping
After a tense showdown in front of the Overwatch Council, we finally meet Chen Ping Ping, Chief Justice/Director. He ups the ante of the cast of characters and immediately shows his cunning and tactical skills.
Oct 29, 2024•23 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Fashion Success
In this episode, we dive in to the fashion measures of success that fans and celebrities care about. This includes Fashion brand sponsorships with the different titles, Fashion Magazine covers, and public appearances wearing haute couture. Speaking of congratulations to Zhao Li Ying for winning best Actress at the Golden Eagle Awards wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture dress. Listen to our latest podcast episode to learn more about the competitive nature of fashion within the Chinese ente...
Oct 25, 2024•25 min
Joy of Life - S1 Ep 19: Two More Father Figures
Fan Xian is brought forth to meet both the Emperor and the Chancellor as they question him on his involvement in Lin Gong's death.
Oct 22, 2024•25 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Measures of Success
With the recent Golden Eagle Award nominations, fans went into a frenzy to begin boasting about their idol getting nominations. For today's episode, let’s talk about what are the different measures of success fans have for their favored actor or actress. That includes award nominations, ratings, marketability, and so much more! Listen to our latest podcast as we discuss the fierce competition amongst fans and the celebrities themselves on the measures of success.
Oct 17, 2024•21 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 17pt 2 + 18: Tough decisions
Fan Xian learns that the man who ordered his assassination is none other than Lin Gong, Wan'Er's brother. He has to make the difficult decision of avenging Teng Zi Jing or torching his relationship with Wan'Er
Oct 15, 2024•23 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: 2024 Pop Culture Slang
In 2024, a new slate of pop culture slang has taken China by storm. The most popular has been whether you are an i person or an e person. There's also the City Walk and the special ops vacation. Listen to our latest podcast episode to see if you recognize some of these latest pop culture references!
Oct 11, 2024•22 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 16pt2 + 17pt 1: The Interrogation
Fan Xian captures Si Li Li with the help of the Overwatch Council and its mysterious President. He sneaks into the prison where Si Li Li is held to interrogate her on details of who ordered his assassination.
Oct 08, 2024•28 min
Oct 2024 Chinese Drama Update - She and Her Girls, Love in Nirvana, Love in the Desert, Snowy Night: Timeless Love, The Rise of Ning
It's October and we have a new slate of dramas! My favorite drama this year is She and Her Girls. This recounts story of teacher Zhang Gui Mei and her establishment of the first free all girl high school in China. It's definitely a winner. Meanwhile, Ren Jia Lun just keeps having duds with Love In Nirvana alongside Li Lan Di. Uyghur beauty Ha Ni Ke Zi looks right at home in Love in the Desert with the handsome Fang Yi Lun but the plot is rather lacking. Karen's most excited about upcoming Wu Xia...
Oct 04, 2024•24 min
Joy of Life S1 ep 15 + 16pt 1: The Chase
Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian initially thought they reached a dead in on clues for figuring out who ordered Fan Xian's assassination. But, they turn their attention to Si Li Li who is now highly suspicious. Using Wang Qi Nian's expert tracking skills, they give chase to Si Li Li who is attempting to leave the Qing kingdom
Sep 30, 2024•25 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Surprising Reputation Downturns
As it turns chilly this fall, we discuss 2 actress and 1 actors who've seen their reputations take a nosedive this year despite not having any dramas or movies air this year. Ning Jing showed her disregard and dismissive attitude towards the cast and crew during the France stop of Divas Hit the Road: Good Friends Season. Ru Yi's Love in the Palace was completely skewered this summer, with Zhou Xun bearing the brunt of the criticism. Her best friend, Chen Kun, could not escape Zhou Xun's orbit an...
Sep 27, 2024•28 min
In the Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Relationship Bombshells!
Just as we said summer was a bore, new relationship bombshells and news were shared this past week! Wu Jian Yan, fresh off her success from The Double, shared a photo on Weibo shocking everyone on her update. Actress Zhang Yu Qi roasted actor Yu Shi on a talkshow for cheating on her but there's so much more to his scandalous past. Huang Xiao Ming announced his first new relationship since his divorce to Angelababy. Listen to our latest podcast episode for all the news!
Sep 20, 2024•34 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 14: Swift Revenge
Fan Xian swiftly avenges his friend Teng Zi Jing's death. He is promptly captured by Zhu Ge of the 1st Bureau for disregarding orders, but is ultimately freed by the Emperor for his public actions
Sep 17, 2024•22 min
In the Know - 2024 Summer Recap
Summer is officially over and it was a rather muted one in the Chinese entertainment industry. There wasn't one breakout star of the summer. The Double, starring Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue, performed the best but the two leads fizzled out in the summer. Lost You Forever Season 2 was the biggest disappointment this summer with its poor plot, lack of CPs, and poor characterizations. Karen and Cathy discuss their thoughts of the performance of the dramas and the stars this summer!
Sep 12, 2024•33 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 13: Fallen Brother
In episode 13 of Joy of Life S1, just when everything seemed to be going Fan Xian's way with his engagement to Lin Wan'Er and bromance with Teng Zi Jing, things take a sudden turn. Fan Xian and Teng Zi Jing are ambushed at Niu Lan Jie with a powerful assassin from the Kingdom of Northern Qi. Teng Zi Jing dies protecting Fan Xian. Fan Xian is in complete shock at the loss of his friend. He finds solace with Lin Wan Er and tries to avenge his friend's death, only to hear that the Overwatch Council...
Sep 10, 2024•23 min
Sep 2024 Chinese Drama Update - Are You The One, Go East, Melody of Golden Age, Escape from the Trilateral Slopes and More!
In August, Zhang Wan Yi and Wang Chu Ran headlined a historical romance drama Are You The One. Tan Jian Ci leads Go East in a historical comedy and Ding Yu Xi and newcomer Deng En Xi star in the historical romance Melody of Golden Age. All of these dramas have only been decent, a step down from the buzz of their prior dramas. We discuss other dramas that have aired in Aug and early September as well
Sep 06, 2024•21 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 12: Innocent Late Night Visits
Fan Xian and Wan'Er are both ecstatic to find each other's true identities as not only the person each other likes, but as each other's betrothed. Fan Xian starts to help cure Wan'Er's sickness with another late night visit with medicine. Meanwhile, something is off with Si Li Li.
Sep 03, 2024•29 min
In The Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Joy of Life in Peril?
In a recent bombshell post, Joy of Life actor Zhang Hao Wei, known for his portrayal as the Crown Prince, was revealed to have discussed prostitutes and potentially even establishing his own brothel! These voice recordings set off a whole firestorm with legal notices and declarations being posted all over Weibo. Will Joy of Life be in peril? Actress Song Zu Er who was softly canceled last year might be making a comeback after her company posted a statement that she's been cleared of any wrong do...
Aug 30, 2024•20 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 11: Heart fluttering reunion
Fan Xian takes matter into his own hands to rid his engagement to Lin Wan'Er. But when he does go to her residence to cause chaos, he finds that his chicken leg girl is none other than Lin Wan'Er herself. An incredibly cute episode where these two finally learn each other's identity.
Aug 27, 2024•25 min
Joy of Life - S1 ep 10: The Promise of Safety
The Emperor and Mei Zhi Li engage in a thrilling conversation where the Emperor shares his displeasure at Mei Zhi Li allying himself with the Crown Prince, a sign of disloyalty. The punishment? Death.
Aug 20, 2024•23 min
In The Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: Paris Olympic Fever!
We were having a blast watching the Paris Olympic games and so was everyone in China! The French certainly put on a show and the Chinese athletes performed extremely well. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we discuss the top trending sports, events, memes, and moments from these Olympic games!
Aug 16, 2024•33 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 9: The Mummy and the Trial
Fan Xian is summoned to trial after his assault on Guo Bao Kun landed the poor man bandaged up like a mummy. The trial at the Capital Court becomes a battleground for not only Fan Xian and Guo Bao Kun, but the Crown Prince and 2nd prince as well
Aug 13, 2024•25 min
In The Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: An Empresses in the Palace Reunion!
A new variety show - Travel with the Royal Family has been a hilarious Empresses in the Palace 甄嬛传 reunion. The general premise of this variety / reality show is to have the hosts and guests travel around China to experience local culture especially with the minorities within China. The regular cast includes Ada Choi - Empress. Lan Xi - Shen Mei Zhuang, Zhang Xiao Ling - Wen Shi Chu, Tao Xin Ran - An Ling Rong, Lan Ying Ying - Huan Bi, Chen Si Si - Cao Qin Mo. There's many guest appearances and ...
Aug 09, 2024•25 min
Joy of Life S1 - Ep 8: Meeting Si Li Li
Fan Xian finally runs into the girl of his dreams, his Chicken Leg Girl, at the poetry meeting. While they get to speak for a little bit longer, he forgets again to ask for her name. Meanwhile, he finds details of Guo Bao Kun's involvement in Teng Zi Jing's family's death and heads to a brothel where he meets the beautiful courtesan Si Li Li to enact a distraction.
Aug 06, 2024•24 min
August 2024 Chinese Drama Updates: Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Season 2 Journey West, Dashing Youth, Snowfall, Love's Rebellion
The Olympics are in full swing captivating audiences in China. A slew of dramas have aired but haven't been able to compete with Olympic buzz. Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Season 2 Journey West starring Yang Xu Wen and Yang Zhi Gang has been a surprising delight after a strong first season. Dashing Youth, starring Hou Ming Hao, He Yu, and Hu Lian Xin, is a prequel to the 2022 The Blood of Youth. The long anticipated Vampire drama, Snowfall, starring Gao Wei Guang and Ou Yang Na Na, started airi...
Aug 01, 2024•20 min
In The Know - Chinese Pop Culture News: The Relationship Announcement The Missed the Mark
Former k-pop boy band EXO member, Huang Zi Tao, publicly announced his relationship to Xu Yi Yang on social media on July 13. Normally, these types of announcement garners a lot of discussion but this time, there's been more mockery/ridicule. We explain who they are and why this relationship announcement missed the mark.
Jul 26, 2024•19 min
Joy of Life Season 1 - Ep 7: The Masterpiece
In episode 7, Fan Xian goes undercover to find more details on Teng Zi Jing's case and is surprised and suspicious at how easy the entire mission was. The next day at the poetry meeting, Fan Xian tries to find his chicken leg girl but fails. Annoyed at this and Guo Bao Kun's constant provocations, he writes one poem that stuns the entire gathering. News of this masterpiece, called Deng Gao, and originally written by Du Fu, travels fast to the Palace and causes a commotion amongst many in the roy...
Jul 23, 2024•33 min
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