jasmine's drama blog

Summary: 
Adapted from Korean drama My Daughter Seo Young, The Wife's Lies tells the story of a girl named Li Xiaxi who lives a tough life due to her father's constant gambling habit. After her mother dies from a heart condition, she blames her father for her mother's death and holds a grudge towards him. She takes on a position as tutor for the Jiang's family youngest son Jiang Yiming to support her and her brother's education but eventually falls in love with their eldest son Jiang Yibin. They finally get married after his parents' approval but she lies that she is an orphan, that both her parents have died because she didn't have the courage to tell them about her father. On the other hand, her brother Li Dongxu becomes entangled in a love triangle with the Jiang family's only daughter Jiang Yishan and Sun Jianuan. Xiaxi's lies spin out of control when her father becomes her husband's savior and when Dongxu finds out about Yishan's identity.

Cast:
Jia Qing as Li Xiaxi
Zhang Xiaolong as Jiang Yibin
Qiu Shengyi (Prince) as Li Dongxu
Xu Lu as Sun Jianuan
Shen Meng Chen as Jiang Yishan
Li Tianzhu as Li Guoliang
Li Mao as Jiang Yiming
Guan Shaoceng as Jiang Tianhao
Rong rong as Xu Jinxiu
Guo Jiahao as Sun Jiahao

Episodes 1-5:
The Wife's Lies starts off setting the backdrop for the story:

Synopsis:
To Zan Feng is the illegitimate second son of wealthy banker To Co Nan. He operates a bank that loans out equipments and lands rather than money, hoping that people can grow their own food and support themselves by selling the food as well as eventually return the money. One day, he meets nuns-to-be Wai Lam and Wai Yu who are trying to pawn off their temple's land for money to treat their head nun's illness. Eventually, they are forced to become Zan Feng's maids in order to repay the debt that Wai Yu scams from him. After escaping death, he encounters the brother of the Kangxi emperor Fuk Qun and becomes an official that fights corruption with the help of Fuk Qun. Being well-equiped with martial arts, Wai Lam and Wai Yu soon become his bodyguards, protecting him on his journey fighting against the corrupted officials. He soon goes head-to-head with his brother To Zan Ming who is a student under the guidance of his mentor Wing Bak Hin, who is the mastermind behind all the corruption. Zan Feng soon discovers the truth behind Wai Lam's background and his father's death being associated with Wing Bak Hin.

During my winter break, I've began watching the newest adaptation of Louis Cha/Jin Yong's wuxia novel, The Deer and the Cauldron. I haven't watched the previous version except remember bits and pieces from the 2000 Duke of Mount Deer version, starring Dicky Cheung. But I want to say this new one is really vibrant (costumes and accessories) and actually entertaining. As a fan of Han Dong and Loura Lou, I was interested to give this a try. I've only watched up to episode 11 and then stopped because of work and another drama The Empress of China starring Fan Bing Bing. However, I really love its opening and especially its ending theme - I would definitely finish this when I have time in the future!

Music
There have been many adaptations of Louis Cha's wuxia novel The Deer and the Cauldron and each has its own opening and ending theme. These songs prove to show that even adapting a novel many times, the result can end up differently based on the perspective the production team decides to focus on and show.

The Deer and the Cauldron 2014

天意如此
This song is written from Wei Xiao Bao's point-of-view; he is saying that he is not smart, does not like to read (not erudite), does not have a wealthy background, but he is loyal, does not easily admit defeat, and a list of other good traits.

你不是我从小想嫁的大英雄 by Wang Le
The lyrics of the song is written from the point-of-view of Wei Xiao Bao's wives. They are saying that he is not the hero (he's an anti-hero) they've wanted to marry since they were young. However, they were mesmerized and attracted by all his goods and bad. Really like the lyric and rhythm of this song!

曾想象你才子风流

This TV series is adapted from a popular novel also written by the author (Gu Man) who wrote Shan Shan, Come and Eat (Boss and Me). The production team that brought to us Boss and Me also had the honor in producing this drama.



Synopsis:

I haven't watched TVB dramas for a long time - I've watched one or two episodes of a new series time to time when my parents watch them but this is the only drama recently that I've actually begun watching from the start and have been catching its new episode every day.



Cast:

Myolie Wu as Cho Ching
Ron Ng as Kai Chun
Him Law as Chin Tung
Eliza Sam as San Cha
Gigi Wong as Cho Cho Bi Yue
Koo Ming Wah as Chin Jong
Alice Chan as Chin Sheung
Jade Leung as Kai Sho
Derek Kwok as Fu Sam Yan
Koni Lui as Nang Choi Ji

Synopsis: 

Cho Ching (Myolie Wu) and her mother Cho Cho Bi Yue (Gigi Wong) travels around as beautifying conmen in search for her father Cho Dai Kung. They decided to return to their town when Cho Ching falls in love with Chin Tung (Him Law). She successfully marries into the Chin family but

Seeing her husband's close relationship with personal servant San Cha (Eliza Sam), Cho Ching becomes jealous and attempts to matchmake San Cha and her buddy Kai Chun (Ron Ng). However, her plan backfires and leads Chin Tung to realize his feelings towards San Cha and marrying her as his concubine. How will Cho Ching deal with this?



My Thoughts:

Some parts are actually kind of cheesy but I really like its comical part. The comedy is not exactly over the top so I enjoy watching it. I especially loved the part when Myolie's father returns back to town as a eunuch. Ron asks one of his buddy to pretend to be his son which unexpectedly helped Myolie's mother to be released.

Eliza's character is the third-party but since her character is kind and caring, it is really difficult to hate her. There isn't any characters that I dislike and the series is actually hilarious. I do sympathize with Myolie's character because no one in the Chin family likes her especially Him's aunt and grandmother. Since the grandmother doesn't like her, the maids and servants doesn't respect her as well. Even Eliza is more respected than Myolie is. Marriage is not only between two people, but also between the two's family. Without Him's family acceptance, the marriage was doomed from the start. I was partially excited that Myolie finally left the Chin family because then she can get together with Ron's character especially since he is by her side whenever she is upset or gets into trouble.

Music:

I really love the theme song! They've collaborated two times before, the first for Lost in the Chambers of Love, and the second for A Chip Off The Old Block.

The theme song represents the relationship between Myolie and Ron's characters in the series.

2005: Marriage Attire (嫁衣裳) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng

The title of the song comes from the phrase "为他人作嫁衣裳" which literally means to help another create a set of marriage attire. This saying talks about a person helping another be with the person he or she loves. In this case, Myolie is the one helping Ron and Michelle Ye's characters get together even though she secretly loves Ron. The story of the plot is based on a fable about Ron and Michelle's characters falling in love but her parents disapprove with the marriage. With the help of of the maid, they end up together. However, in this adaptation, Myolie as the maid ends up with Ron's character instead. She does not expect her love to be requited so she tries her best to help Ron and Michelle get together because she believes Ron likes Michelle and will be happy if they get to end up together.


2009: Don't Say I Didn't Mind You (咪话唔就你) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng



2014: Is It You? (是你吗?) by Myolie Wu and Ron Ng

My Rating:

Cast:

I finished this drama awhile ago and began writing a review right away after its finale but never got to finish until now.

I think this has become my favorite Chinese drama of all time (seems like I say this for quite a few dramas but realized it is usually not true when a new one comes along LOL). This compared to Loving, Never Forgetting, I would choose this over that because this is a pretty relaxing drama to enjoy. The whole series was too hilarious - I laughed so many times that I have the urge to re-watch the whole thing right after I finished! After watching the whole series,  I did search and watch some of the behind-the-scenes clips.


Synopsis: 
Based off Gu Man's popular internet novel, the story tells of a kind-hearted young girl named Xue Shan Shan (Zhao Li Ying) who works at a big conglomerate. However one of her weaknesses is eating, she loves to eat, and so upon discovering this, her boss, Feng Teng (Zhang Han) decides to intentionally fatten her up; she just so happens to share the same blood type as his sister, and thus has the motive of making her the blood donor. Hence comedy ensues as she melts his heart with her exceptional appetite and her cute charm.

Source: Dramawiki

The Cast:





I've first heard about when she was filming Legend of Luzhen but the first drama I saw with her playing a prominent part was Cuo Dian Yuan Yang which I liked a lot as well. I've began watching all her dramas ever seen. I saw Legend of Mermaid but didn't really like that one as the plot progress so I skipped to the ending. Secret of a Wife with Hawick Lau seems interesting but 50 episodes seem too much to motivate me to start it.

In here, she perfectly fits the role of Shan Shan. I'm so glad her real voice is kept in the series because it made the character feel more "real". I don't think anyone can portray Shan Shan as well as she did.

Five years ago, Wu Tong (Tong Liya) had a one-night stand with Li Zhong Mou (Jerry Yan) resulting in her giving birth to their son Tong Tong. She never thought of telling Li Zhong Mou about Tong Tong's existence but an accident gave her no choice but to inform him that he has a 4-years old son. After he discovers that he actually has a son, he goes into a custody battle with Wu Tong. His girlfriend Zhang Man Di (Jing Feng) recommends lawyer Xiang Jun (Denny Huang) to Wu Tong so that she can win the custody of her son. Unexpectedly, Wu Tong loses the fight and Li Zhong Mou wins the custody of their son. But through his interactions with Wu Tong, he understands her more and is moved by her actions so they finally get married. However, their relationship is interfered by Xiang Jun whose hatred is the product of the conflict between Li's mother and Xiang's father.

My Thoughts:
I was so glad when I heard this series was airing soon especially in the summer because I can catch it every day once it aired. This has officially become my favorite drama (this year) because of its happy ending (a super happy ending although it may be a bit unrealistic to some viewers).

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.