Chinese Drama : Novoland: Pearl Eclipse 斛珠夫人

Year Released

2021

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

48 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Mi, Chen Weiting

Storyline

Ye Haishi's village was destroyed by corrupted officials though the villagers had risked their lives to retrieve pearls (from mermaid's tears) to be submitted to the Emperor. Fang Jianming (Chen Weiting) happens to save Haishi's life and makes her his disciple and renames her as Fang Haishi.

Over the years, the master and disciple grow fond of each other but Jianming often pushes Haishi away. This was due to his short lifespan by being Di Xu's (Xu Kaicheng) Baixi. The Liushang Fang's clan has a special bloodline where they can exchange the pain with another person after performing Baixi. 

This was how Emperor Xu was able to escape multiple injuries or deaths but all taken in by Jianming. Jianming was eventually let go of all these worries by ending his Baixi. His injuries over the years also being cured by drinking mermaid's blood with the help of Haishi.

My View

Pearl Eclipse has a pretty good story flows, no draggy scenes and only showing what are needed from the audience. I seriously like the ending whether it is good or bad because it kind of makes sense in that situation. 

Second leads Emperor Xu and Ti Lan Princess are a sad couple but I guess they were at least there for each other during difficut times.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Joy of Life 庆余年

Year Released

2019 - 2020

Genre 

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

46 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Daoming, Wu Gan, Xiao Zhan

Storyline

The entire plot is about a university student who writes a story about Fan Xian (Zhang Ruoyun) who has memory from the modern world though living in an ancient era. Fan Xian is constantly being assasinated starting from his birthplace Danzhou till when he reaches the Capital. 

His has the support from Emperor of Qing (Chen Daoming), Chen Pingping (Wu Gang) and his bodyguard, Wu Zhu. Fan Xian finds out the true identity of his mother, Ye Qingmei when he opens up a mysterious box which was left by her after death.

Fan Xian gets to know more about his mother when he escorts Xiao'en (Yu Rongguang) back to Beiqi. Little did he know, Xiao'en (under the manipulation from Pingping) mistakes Fan Xian as his grandson and shares with him the entire encounter years ago with Ye Qingmei. 

After rescuing hostage Yan Bingyun (Xiao Zhan) from Beiqi, Fan Xian begins his journey back to Qing but will be faced with multiple challenges.

My View

The whole drama is full of characters and almost everyone is a grand master in martial arts. Plot is extremely confusing yet intriguing. You need to follow every scene to understand and connect the story. I'mvery curious who is Chen Pingping's bodyguard "Shawdow". The ciffhanger is really my god... I was left in awe. Part two please start soon!

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Legend of Hao Lan 皓镧传

Year Released

2019

Genre

Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

62 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Mao Zijun

Storyline 

Plot depicts the life of Hao Lan (Wu Jinyan), Queen Dowager Zhao who is mother of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Hao Lan comes from the State of Zhao and is entangled with merchant Lu Buwei (Nie Yuan). She is later being presented to Ying Yiren (Mao Zijun) who is a Qin prince under hostage at Zhao.

With the help of Buwei, Yiren manages to escape back to Qin and later changes name to Zichu. Once Zichu becomes Qin's crown prince, he arranges for Hao Lan to leave Zhao for Qin to become his Empress. 

My View

For the first probably 20 episodes, it's all about Hao Lan being schemed and how she managed to clear her name. In between, also multiple love hate scenes of Princess Ya of Zhao (Hai Lin) and Yiren. I feel so sad for Hao Lan as no one truly loves her in her whole life except for Lao Ai I guess (Zhu Jian).

Most of her men may have loved her at first but in the end abandoned Hao Lan for their own prospects. Like Lu Buwei, Prince Jiao of Zhao (Hong Yao) and finally Yiren who dreams to unite the world.

Rating

3/5 Stars