jasmine's drama blog

I actually enjoyed this drama although I haven't watched any of the series with the similar cast (The Great Eunuch and Overachievers). It was very relaxing to watch this since it is a no-brainer. The chemistry between the cast is great and the whole Kam family reminds me of the family dramas produced back then (Moonlight Resonance, Heart of Greed, Can't Buy Me Love). There are villains in this drama but they are a joke so they don't get you pulling your hair out when you know they will not succeed.


Synopsis:
Eunuchs Lee Suk-gung (Wayne Lai), Dan Tin (Power Chan) and Chan Siu-fung (Raymond Cho) served the last Qing emperor Puyi and the royal family in the Forbidden City until Puyi's distrust in eunuchs led to the release of all eunuchs from the Forbidden City. Life outside the Forbidden City was miserable for the three since eunuchs were constantly berated so they had to keep their identities a secret. The three befriends Chiu Jun-sing (Edwin Siu) a fake Eunuch after encountering revolutionist Yip Ching-yee (Ram Chiang) and decides to escape to Tianjin.

Another TVB drama review (Fist Within Four Walls) --- TVB is on a roll this year, putting out good-quality productions.

Currently airing are two completely different series with totally different genres and tone. Daddy Dearest, geared more towards family with kids, is actually not gaining as much praises as Fist is. I am hearing lukewarm reviews on this series but many are praising Candice Chiu's portrayal of a mother and Jason Chan's improvements as an actor. The plot can't be compared to the action-packed Fist since it is after all a light-hearted series for kids to watch.

Since I've only followed Fist Within Four Walls, I am only going to review this series.

Fist is definitely on my top five TVB series of the year. This action-packed miracle brought the cast to new heights of popularity and boosted TVB ratings. They have to at least win something at the awards even though TVB awards doesn't mean much. The only reason why this isn't a 10 is because it has a semi-happy ending. If you like the main lead, then you will like the ending. But like other viewers, I was upset my favorite characters were being killed off for the sake of drama. I would still re-watch this for the dynamic characters and the suspenseful plot.


Synopsis:

After the death of Bajiquan masters Duen Tung-Tin and Chiu Mang-San, the Kowloon Walled City has been overtaken by triad organization The Association led by Or Man-Cheung, Fung Chun-Mei, and Fuk Luk-Kam. Fifteen years later, Chiu's son Chor Au-Kuen returns to the now triad-ridden Walled City to look for his long-lost sister Chiu Ha. Eventually, Chor, along with hair salon owner Tiu Lan and dentist Duen Ying-Fung, started the Welfare Association to go against The Association. Mysteries continue to plague the Walled City as a triad leader dies under the hands of a Baijiquan master and nightclub dancer Fa Man enters the picture as Fung Chun-Mei's left-hand helper.


The Cast:

This was recently released and has finished airing. After reading the synopsis, i gave it a try and decided to continue on. I like how each 701 member has their own skills and how they work together for the missions. And of course, the main lead is also doing an excellent job so I want to finish the drama. (It's also a happy ending - I skipped forward to check out the ending). 

If you like Republican-era series like Disguiser, then you should check this series out!

Synopsis:
The story revolves around autistic mathematical genius Rong Jinzhen and six others Zhai Li, Zhao Qirong, Han Bing, Meng Xiaoyun, Yan Shi, and Pan Shen, who are recruited into the top-secret Chinese agency 701 to decode the unbreakable "Purple Code". Initially unable to join the rest in continuing on to the main branch of 701, Rong gradually proves his ability and deciphers the code.


Cast: 

Upcoming Dramas:
Dramas that are not released yet but might be release soon or has a TBD date of release

1. Singing All Along


Chinese Title: 秀丽江山之长歌行
Episodes: 52
Cast: Ruby Lin, Yuan Hong, Li Jiaheng, Kenny Kwan, Wang Yuanke, Mao Zijun, Yu Bo
Tentative Airing Date: June 2016

Synopsis: Under the rule of the Xin empire, Liu Che met Deng Yu, Liu Xuan, Feng Yi, and the young Yin Lihua. Years later, rebels rose to overthrow the Xin empire in order to restore the former Han dynasty. After successfully overthrowing the Xin, Liu Xuan was named the emperor by the people. Although he is the new emperor, he views Liu Yan as a threat and therefore executed him.

Witnessing this, Liu Xiu and his wife Yin Lihua leaves to a territory not under Liu Xuan's control. Liu Xiu begins building a military awaiting the opportunity to overthrow the current emperor. However, he soon realizes that he needs the help of a powerful warlord and for him to extend help, Liu Xiu is forced to marry his niece Guo. With the warlord's help, he successfully becomes the new emperor and he takes both Yin and Guo as his consorts. Even though the struggle for power has ended, conflicts within the palace has just began.

Reason to Watch: I like the cast, the historical backdrop, the true romance between the lead couple, Li Jiaheng after Legend of Ban Shu, and also the costumes.


2. Princess of Lanling King


Chinese Title: 兰陵王妃
Episodes: 47
Cast: Zhang Hanyun, Peng Guanying, Andy Chen Yi, Lin Weichen, Shen Jiahong
Tentative Airing Date: TBD

Synopsis: Duanmu Ling (Zhang Hanyun) is tasked with safeguarding the two valuable treasures that gives people the power to become the ruler of a nation. As fate has it, she gets involved in a relationship with Lan Ling Wang and emperor Yuwen Yong.

Reason to Watch: Wasn't a big fan of Lan Ling Wang, so really wanted to watch another version!

-Master Su and Madame Su arrives and gift wild game and a scholar Huang Da Xian to recite poetry to enliven crowd


-ZXZ breaks into a frown after Lord Gu leaves probably indicating he's upset/doesn't like LG (he can be overwhelming but he is hilarious)

Synopsis:
This drama takes place in Tong Sai during the 1930s, an era of corruption and human trafficking. Kam Wah (Louis Cheung) is a corrupted officer from the start who takes bribes and collects tributes from commoners. But he begins to change when he meets righteous cop Sum Yat Yin (Matt Yeung) and gets embroiled in the investigation of human trafficking. As he finds his conscience, he gets closer to and develops a crush on Leung Sam (Tavia Yeung) who has taken a vow of celibacy yet fell in love with Yat Yin. Leung Sam and her childhood friend Fa Ying Yuet (Rosina Lam) were both victims of child trafficking who became separated from their family but each went down a different path. Ultimately, the four joins together to counter the mastermind behind the human trafficking organization.





Cast:
Louis Cheung as Kam Wah
Tavia Yeung as Leung Sam
Matt Yeung as Sum Yat Yin
Rosina Lin as Fa Ying Yuet
Lau Kong as Chong Ngou Shan
Akina Hong as Ho Wan Fong
Joe Tay as Chong Man Tou
Timothy Cheng as Lui Kwok
Hugo Wong as Lui Yu Wai
Koo Kung Chung as Ng Sai Cheung
Willie Wai as Shek Gau
Candy Chang as Lam Choi Dip
Brian Burrell as James Charlton
Amy Fan as Gu Sau Hing

I decided to watch this drama after my interest in The Journey of Flower has started to dwindle. Initially unwilling to watch this due to its genre (horror), I gave it a try after my sister wanted to watch it with me to improve her Chinese. First off, this is not much of a horror drama compared to the horror movies out in the market. However, some parts are not suitable to be watched in the dark since it does give you the creeps if you do. So far, I'm only up to Episode 6 and has done a search on this drama.


Synopsis:
Wu Xin is not a normal human being, he never grows old and will never die. He doesn't know where he came from or where he is going. Wandering through boundless ages, he adventures while falling in love at the same time.

To pursue his love, during the reign of Tongzhi, he and his wife lived in seclusion in the mountains. During the Republican era, his wife died of old age and as for him because of his impoverished conditions, he is forced to leave the mountains to make a living as a monk.




The Cast:

Synopsis: 
Li Yi Feng plays a sweet, rich young master, while William Chan takes on the cold, heroic, investigator. On the ladies’ side, Tang Yan embodies the spirit of a sweet, strong willed Chinese Woman, in contrast to the nobly charming young mistress of Shu Chang. Moreover, the two ladies often find their interests in conflict with each other. Aside from that, the two families will battle over producing the best incenses in the area.


Source: Dramawiki



The Cast:
Tiffany Tang as Le Yan
Li Ya Feng as Ning Chi Yuan
William Chan as An Yi Chen
Shu Chang as Xia Ya Hui Zi
Zhang Zhi Xiao as Ning Hao Tian
Sierra Lee as Ning Pei Shan
Huang Ming as Wen Shi Xuan
Lu Xing Yu as An Qiu Sheng
Yang Ming Na as Bai Song Xian


~ Episode 2 ~

• Le Yan's (LY) dog chases Chi Yuan (CY) while Yi Chen (YC) and LY has a whole conversation about their background and their similar memory loss. YC explains to LY that he and CY met a few years ago when CY was ill from alcohol poisoning. After he cures him, CY wants to become brothers but he wants to be the older one since he explains that he will look out for him forever as the older one. 
• The dog chases CY up a tree and he takes a nap, hoping the dog will be gone by the time he wakes up. Unfortunately, the dog is still there and he lands on the dog. He encounters YC's father.

• CY is seen roasting something. LY comes asking where is her Ah Wang (her dog) and he gestures towards the thing he's roasting. Angrily, LY holds up a butcher knife and tries to attack CY. YC stops LY and shows her that what CY is roasting is not her dog but a sheep. 
• CY sees PS on the streets and questions her why is she dressed so nicely, isn't she afraid she will become the next victim of the devil. She informs him that even if the devil sees her, he will be frightened away. She also discloses to him that she has someone that will marry her eventually. After she leaves, CY asks who is the unfortunate man to marry such a manly woman?

My Thoughts:
I've became of fan of Tong Liya ever since I've watched Jade Palace Lock Heart 宫锁心玉. Seeing her starring in this drama and with a plot focused on women's rights and privileges, I watched the trailer and I decided to give this drama a try and I'm up to episode 13. I know how it will end and it's not a happy ending but the plot and Tong Liya's (strong?) character captures my attention to watch this.

Plot Summary: 
The women of the Yu family are taught to abide the laws of the family. If they lose their innocence, they are no longer a woman of the Yu family unless they commit suicide to preserve their purity.

Shi Cai Feng becomes a victim in the Yu and Pan family's conflict when her husband gambles her and her son away. She did not commit suicide so as a result was not allowed to return to the Yu family.

Ge Da Ni is a strong and obstinate woman. She had an affair with the Yu family's Yu Hua Long. They were on the verge of marriage but she breaks up with him discovering that he is her second brother's killer. She gives birth to his daughter but raises her daughter by herself. After Yu Hua Long finds out that her father was the one who sent assassinators after him and caused his wife to miscarriage and become infertile, he threatens Da Ni to marry his 8th brother, Shi Cai Feng's husband.

Shi Cai Feng vows to seek revenge on Yu Hua Long and the Yu family by helping the Pan family. Besides family rivals, this era is a period of political struggle between the communist forces and nationalist forces. Family struggles and obstacles the nation faces elicit the power and strength of the women of the family of Dao Ke through their sacrifice and actions.

The Cast: 




I really liked Tong Li Ya's character from the start. She is strong and courageous. I'm only halfway into the series but I heard her character becomes really annoying afterward. Hopefully, it wouldn't be that way. She speaks whatever is in her mind and disapproves of the way the Yu family have rules for women but not the men of the Yu family.




I sympathize her character from the start. She was gambled away by her husband and because she lost her chastity, she was given the choice of suicide to preserve the reputation of the Yu women or leave the Yu family. For the sake of her son, she does not commit suicide but forcefully left and dedicated her life to avenge for the injustice done to her.

Plot Summary: 
The plot focuses on the Bai family and their family's herb business. The Bai's family eldest son Bai Qing Feng (Benny Qian) encountered a catastrophe during a business trip 5 years ago, leaving behind his kind-hearted fiancee Huang Cai Wei (Loura Lou). Ultimately, through a series of events, Cai Wei marries the Bai family's younger son Bai Qing Sheng (Han Dong). Because Qing Sheng actually had feelings for Cai Wei when she liked his brother, his wife Ma Fu Fang (Jessica Hsuan) and third mistress Qiu Lin sees Cai Wei as their strongest threat. As Cai Wei and Qing Sheng experiences life and death together, Cai Wei eventually falls for Qing Sheng. But at this time, Qing Feng reappears again. Ma Fu Fang uses him to plot against Cai Wei, causing her own downfall. But in the end, the women of the Bai family unite together to defend their home in an era of turbulence. Through this, they've discovered a new meaning in life as a woman during that period in time.