jasmine's drama blog

I've started following this drama last year but didn't finish because I couldn't find the other episodes in better quality. I've watched up to episode 16 and decided to wait until the drama secure an official broadcast date (will it ever see daylight?). Since the cast is not as popular and it's another Chinese adaptation, I don't know if this series will ever be officially released. Princess of Lan Ling Wang took two years to air --- perhaps this will be next?


Synopsis:

The story follows the struggle between fifth prince Feng Lin and crowned prince Feng Xun. Being the eldest son, Feng Lin plots with General Du to take back the throne, which was initially his. The empress dislikes that her son Feng Xun loves scholar Yuan's daughter Yuan Yuezheng so she arranges Feng Lin to marry Yuezheng. Although he is in love with Du's daughter Du Siyu, Feng Lian marries Yuezheng to quell the empress' suspicions of his plans for power.

Feng Lin plans to use Yuan Yuezheng even though she sincerely loves him. Sent away from the capital, the couple goes through thicks and thins and Feng Lin eventually falls for Yuezheng. However, with the death of the emperor, Feng Lin becomes the new emperor and their love is tested with Du Siyu coming into the picture.

The Cast:

The Chinese drama Princess of Lan Ling Wang, which is currently airing, stars Peng Guanying as Yuwen Yong, Baby Zhang Hanyun as Yuan Qingsuo, and Andy Chen Yi as Lan Ling Wang. Aired only twice a week, the drama will take awhile to finish.

My favorite TVB actress for years is finally tying the knot with her boyfriend Him Law. They registered their marriage in England in March and decided to hold their wedding today: October 2nd at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Many people have described the star-studded wedding ceremony (hosted by Bob Lam) even grander than the TVB award ceremony itself, seeing many old faces that vow to never return to TVB.

Tavia's bridesmaids: Natalie Tong, Cheung Meini, Akina Hong, Claire You, Griselda Yeung (her sister), Sire Ma

Him's groomsmen: Ron Ng, Kenneth Ma, Vincent Wong, Pal Sinn, Quinn Ho

Guest Celebrity Couples:

I've written this review over three years ago for my now non-existent book blog. Instead of scrapping all of the reviews, I think it is a good idea to incorporate it into my drama blog especially the ones I've made movie references to.

After I finished reading this lengthy novel, I've become so captivated that I insisted to watch the movie right away (I actually got the chance to watch it after I've finished the novel). I didn't like it right away since I dropped the novel for awhile before actually finishing it in one go. The beginning was a bit slow-paced for me. However, the pace quickens when Chiyo finally understands her role; all of her family members are gone. So her only option now is to become the most renowned geisha. She almost lost her opportunity but she luckily met her savior. He encourages her and becomes her motivation to rise as one of the most successful geisha in Japan.

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:

I can't believe I actually finished this series! I genuinely recommend this family comedy because trust me, you will not regret it. Although it is 28 episodes long, the series didn't drag like last year's Ghost of Relativity. It's purely a comedy so there is no need to take it too seriously --- in some parts, it did slow down but it picked up the speed pretty quickly.


Synopsis: 
After retired cheung-fun master Po Luk suddenly passes away, his eldest son Po Foon informs his three estranged siblings Po Yan, Po Yue, and Po Yi that their father left behind a will. The will says that the siblings have to live in the family house for nine months before they can sell it and split the profit equally. Realizing how valuable the property is, the siblings ungrudgingly moved back. But they are in for a surprise as Po Foon finds out that the ghost spirit of renowned celebrity couple Bak Wah and Yi Lan have been residing in their home for decades. Po Foon also befriends Po Yan's childhood friend Chu Chan Chan after a series of bickering. As the story continues, the Po family learns to mend the hole in the family formed years ago when Po Foon chose to leave the family.

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: 

The baby girl that actor William Chan is holding in the Weibo post is his niece. In the photo, he is seen carrying the crying baby while he, on the other hand, couldn't resist from laughing. Many netizens left him messages, joking that he looks like a child trafficker.

Dating for almost close to a year after collaborating in movie The Third Way of Love, Mainland Chinese actress Crystal Liu (刘亦菲) and Korean actor Song Seung-Heon (宋承宪) were rumored to have broken up. Since both parties didn't respond, many speculated that the pair wasn't a couple from the start and just got together for promotional purpose.