Chinese Drama : Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy 九州·海上牧云记

Year Released

2017 - 2018

Genre

Fantasy, Historical fiction

No. of episodes

75 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Huang Xuan, Shawn Dou, Zhou Yiwei 

Storyline

The story begins with Shuofeng Tribe struggling to survive. Together with Helan Tribe, they invaded Suqin Tribe due to the geographical location at green grassland. Muru family, descendants of generals, is made aware of the incident. As Muru takes care of law and order among tribes in Novoland, Shuofeng and Helan Tribes are ordered to be killed.

Shuofeng Tribe's last descendant, Shuofeng Heye (Zhou Yiwei) vows revenge on Muru. Heye later reunites with Helan Tribe's descendants, Helan Tieyuan (Cai Lu) and Helan Tieduo (Wang Sisi). With the help of Heye, Tieduo becomes the King of grassland.

Muyun Sheng (Huang Xuan) is the sixth prince of Duan Dynasty. He is born a half-human half-spirit. Sheng is said to be the next Emperor of Duan who will destroy the world.

Muru Hanjiang (Shawn Dou) is abandoned since young due to a prophecy that he is the future monarch. Due to power struggle, Muru family is eventually exiled to the Land of Giants. 

The actual fact is, the world belongs to Novoland and not Muyun or Muru. Muyun & Muru's ancestors were all once from Shuofeng tribe. They decide to leave the tribe and build their own empire.

My View

I'm terribly oblivious that I only realise there should be a season two, mid-way through the last episode. TAESOP is one of the dramas which I really look forward to season two. Please make it happen. *begs*

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : The Wolf 狼殿下

Year Released 

2020 - 2021

Genre

Historical fiction, Romance

No. of Episodes

49 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Darren Wang, Li Qin, Xiao Zhan, Xin Zhilei

Storyline

Ma Zhaixing (Li Qin) and Lang-zai aka wolf boy (Darren Wang) are childhood friends. Lang-zai is an orphan growing up together with wolf packs on Langshou mountain. When Lang-zai is being accused as a murderer, Zhaixing chases him away with hurtful words. She wants Lang-zai to flee for his life.

Unbeknown to Zhaixing, her half-brother goes after Lang-zai and kills all the wolves. Lang-zai is at his wits end and falls off the mountain while trying to escape. He is rescued by King Chu Kui (Ding Yongdai) of Yang kingdom. He raises Lang-zai as a cold-blooded killer soldier. Lang-zai is later given the title of Prince Bo aka Bo Wang.

Fast forward eight years later, Zhaixing's father Ma Ying (Yan Shikui), Governor of Kuizhou city is murdered under King Chu Kui's decree. A deep-hatred Bo Wang meets Zhaixing by chance. King Chu Kui orders Bo Wang to marry Zhaixing in order to gain control of Ma family's army.

Bo Wang sees this as a good chance to revenge on Zhaixing due to the pain she has caused him over the years. However, Bo Wang finds out the truth halfway through and tries his best to protect Zhaixing. He knows that King Chu Kui will eventually takes Zhaixing's life.

When Bo Wang could no longer safeguards Zhaixing, he pushes her away just like how Zhaixing did to Lang-zai. Zhaixing retreats to the Jin kingdom together with Ji Chong (Xiao Zhan). Ji Chong is actually the second prince of Jin. Bo Wang, under King Chu Kui's command, delcares war on Jin.

Bo Wang takes this opportunity to make up to Zhaixing for his wrong-doings. He is ready to sacrifice himself in battle.

My View

The leads suffer never-ending love-hate relationship and I sincerely hope that they find their own happiness. Darren Wang is suitable for his role and I actually choose to watch The Wolf because of him.

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Nothing But Thirty 三十而已

Year Released

2020

Genre

Slice of life

No. of Episodes

43 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Jiang Shuying, Tong Yao, Mao Xiaotong

Storyline

This drama revolves around three women in their thirties. With different backgrounds and personalities, see how they deal with their problems in life.

Wang Manni (Jiang Shuying), a salesperson at luxurious boutique. Manni constantly struggles to make ends meet. When it comes to love relationship, she just could not find the right man.

Gu Jia (Tong Yao), a housewife and businesswoman. She manages a fireworks company with her husband. In order to let her son get a better education, Gu Jia bought an apartment near his kindergarten.

When Gu Jia comes across other rich housewives, she vows to be one of them. Gu Jia starts planning from purchasing limited edition bag, renting a shop space to sell cakes and desserts to taking over a tea plantation. These are all above her means so much so that she has to mortgage her newly bought apartment and fireworks company.

A neglected Gu Jia's husband, Xu Huanshan (Li Zefeng) gets involved with Lin Youyou (Zhang Yue) behind her back. To make the matter worse, his firework factory accidentally explodes and killed some of his workers. 

Zhong Xiaoqin (Mao Xiaotong) is a happy-go-lucky girl while her husband Chen Yu (Yang Le) is a realistic person. Xiaoqin starts to feel her differences with Chen Yu due to sudden news of her pregnancy. At the same time, Xiaoqin's colleague, Zhong Xiaoyang (Yan Zidong) takes interest in her as well.

My View

I enjoy watching every little bit of this drama especially Gu Jia & Manni's stories. Not so much on Xiaoqin though as I feel she is overly dependent on her partner. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : My Girl 99分女朋友

Year Released

2020

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

24 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Li Jiaqi, Zhao Yiqin

Storyline

Meng Hui (Li Jiaqi) and Shen Yi (Zhao Yiqin) are elementary schoolmates. Due to an accident, Meng Hui's face was being scarred by Shen Yi. Meng Hui develops split personality after that incident.

Shen Yi sets up a cosmetics company in order to create a liquid foundation which could cover facial scars. When he finds out that Meng Hui is the one he has hurt, he tries to make it up to her by agreeing to be her boyfriend. 

What Shen Yi doesn't realise is that he did fall for Meng Hui sincerely and not out of guilt. Both their relationship is put to test since Meng Hui's split personalities come and go once in a while. 

The pair manage to overcome all challenges in the end.

My View

The story is not too bad but I guess Li Jiaqi and Zhao Yiqin need to work more on their on-screen chemistry.  

Rating

3/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : The Legend of Mi Yue 羋月傳

Year Released

2015- 2016

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

81 - running time of about 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Sun Li, Liu Tao, Alex Fong, Huang Xuan, Gao Yunxiang, Ma Su

Storyline

Mi Yue's (Sun Li) life revolves around three men in a complicated way. Her first love, Huang Xie (Huang Xuan), whom she is separated from on her way to the state of Qin.

Qin's King Ying Si (Alex Fong) favours Mi Yue alone way more than the Queen Mi Shu (Liu Tao) and other concubines. Mi Shu is Mi Yue's half-sister.

Zhai Li (Gao Yunxiang) King of Yiqu who stands by Mi Yue's side when she is being banished to state of Yan.

Mi Shu hates Mi Yue to the core. She plots evil schemes against her even to the point where Mi Yue child's life is in danger.

Based on her brilliance, Mi Yue conquers everything and becomes the first Empress Dowager in China's history.       

My View

Would love to see more Liu Tao's villian roles as she is rather good at it.

Though LOMY is not as per my high expectation (due to most of the casts from Empresses in the Palace), this drama is still worth a watch.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Legend of Lu Zhen 陆贞传奇

Alternative Title

Female Prime Minister

Year Released

2013

Ge nre

Historical fiction, Romance

No. of Episodes

59 - running time of 45 minutes per episode 

Starring

Zhao Liying, Chen Xiao, Qiao Renliang, Yang Rong

Storyline

Lu Zhen (Zhao Liying) cheats her way into the palace as she killed someone by accident. In order to escape the govenment officials' arrest, Lu Zhen decides to hide in the safest place. She applies to be a lady-in-waiting.

Prince Gao Zhan (Chen Xiao) gets to know Lu Zhen outside of the palace when he saved her from being arrested on one occasion. Lu Zhen faces numerous plots within the harem mainly between Empress Lou (Leanne Liu) and Xiao Huanyun (Yang Rong). 

Based on her talents, Lu Zhen manages to rise all the way up to become the first female prime minister.   

My View

Initally, I wanted to rate a two stars as I fast forward quite a bit towards the end.

But when I think back about those palace schemes which are fairly exciting, LOLZ deserves a three.

Rating

3/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Love is Sweet 半是蜜糖半是伤

Year Released

2020

Genre

Romance, Business

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Luo Yunxi, Bai Lu 

Storyline

Jiang Jun (Bai Lu) and Yuan Shuai (Luo Yunxi) are childhood friends. Yuan Shuai has been in love with Jiang Jun since young. However, he is misunderstood by her due to an incident in school. Jiang Jun now regards Yuan Shuai as her mortal enemy.

Jiang Jun later joins MH, which specialises in investment banking. She runs into Yuan Shuai who works as an Executive Director there. Jiang Jun gradually falls for Yuan Shuai when she gets to know him better.

My View

One of the better pair of lovers I have seen in Chinese dramas. 

If they are dating IRL, I would ship for them. 

Luo Yunxi is kind of charming and somewhat different from when he is in Ashes of Love. Too skinny back then. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : The King's Avatar 全职高手

Year Released

2019

Genre

Esports

No. of episodes

40 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Yang

Storyline

Ye Xiu (Yang Yang) under the player name of Ye Qiu, is one of the best Esports professional players. He is under team Jia Shi but soon being replaced by Sun Xiang (Liang Yimu). His ID - Yi Ye Zhi Qiu - is passed on to Sun Xiang. His ID's role is a battlemage.

He then works at an internet cafe and started playing online video game, Glory. Glory is in its tenth year (often ends and refreshes again), and Ye Qiu starts from scratch with new ID, Jun Mo Xiao. He decides to go with freelancer this time.

As the Chinese title suggests, Quan Zhi Gao Shou means Master of All Roles. Together with cafe's boss Chen Guo (Jiang Shuying), they create a new team named Xing Xin.

Ye Qiu recruits a number of impressive players and trains them to battle in the professional world. The team faces other professional players from team Jia Shi, Lan Yu, Wei Cao and Ba Tu. 

My View

TKA is originated from web novel by Hu Die Lan. The story is subsequently turned into animated series.

I like both animation and drama versions. The latter covers more as Team Xing Xin has been formed and already in battle unlike the animation.

Part two is said to be out soon and I can't hardly wait. 

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : I Will Never Let You Go 小女花不弃

Year Released

2019

Genre

Action, Historical fiction, Romance, Wuxia

No. of Episodes

51 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Ariel Lin, Vin Zhang, Austin Lin

Storyline

Hua Buqi (Ariel Lin) admires Lian Yike (Vin Zhang) as a masked hero who robs the rich and helps the poor. She is unaware that he has another identity, Prince Chen Yu.

Chen Yu is under the impression that Buqi is his half-sister. Though Chen Yu harbours feelings for her, he does not make any move. Buqi is in love with Lian Yi Ke and detests the arrogant Chen Yu.

When Chen Yu realises the truth, Buqi has already found her real family. Bearing the name Zhuzhu, she gets to know Dong Fangshi (Austin Lin) who is her family's debtor.

Dong Fangshi plans to de-throne the current Emperor Chong De. Chen Yu goes undercover in Fangshi's army to stop him.

My View

The couple has lot of misconceptions making life difficult for them. 

Ariel Lin and Vin Zhang's chemistry is pretty good I must say despite their 11 years age gap.

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : My Heroic Husband 赘婿

Year Released

2021

Genre

Business, Comedy, Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Guo Qilin, Song Yi

Storyline

Guo Qilin acts as a modern businessman who travels back to ancient times and lands in the body of Ning Yi. Ning Yi is a matrilocal husband to Su Tan'er (Song Yi). 

With his experiences from the modern world, Ning Yi applies those ideas in helping Tan'er in her garment business. His intelligence is being noted by the country Right Chancellor, Qin Siyuan (Gao Shuguang). 

Siyuan continuously trying to convince Ning Yi in assisting the country's affairs. Ning Yi ultimately accepted his offer.

My View

Time travel dramas are my cup of tea as they often pair with comedy. I especially love Su family's cousin and uncle. Not to forget those humourous bandits as well.

I'm pretty impressed by those modern ideas incorporated into ancient era. Waiting for season two due to cliffhanger.  

Rating

4/5 Stars