Chinese Drama: Guardians of the Ancient Oath 山海经之上古密约

Year Released

2020

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

45 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Song Zuer, Wu Lei, Xuan Yan

Storyline

Plot revolves around You Kingdom ruled by Bai Li family. Bai Li Hongxuan (Xuan Yan) used to be the Crown Prince until his grandfather and father passed away without passing any decree. Bai Li Haohe (Wang Junkai) then became the King. Queen Dowager is always trying to control Hongxuan as well as his siblings, Bai Li Hongyi (Song Zuer) and Bai Li Hongshuo (Wu Lei).

While dealing with internal conflicts, the Wolf clan from grassland is also another enemy which Hongxuan has to face. All these incidents are pre-destined slowly pointing the Bai Li three siblings towards their entangled past thousand of years ago.

My View

I'm not sure why but I quite like the part when everyone were just usual human beings. The fantasy part is really a little boring for me. A lot of draggy scenes though this drama only has 45 episodes. Even Wu Lei cannot save it, sorry..

Rating

2/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama: Immortal Samsara 沉香如屑 沉香重华

Year Released

2022

Genre 

Fantasy

No. of Episodes 

38 (part 1) & 21 (part 2) - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Cheng Yi, Yang Zi

Storyline

Plot depicts how Lord Ying Yuan (Cheng Yi) of the Heaven Realm meets Yan Dan (Yang Zi) from the ancient Four-Leaves Clan. Their love story starts from Heaven to Mortal Realm with lots of obstacle and misunderstanding. With multiple sacrifices, the pair eventually got to be together again. 

My View

Story is in fact okay to me, somehow like quite expected who the villian is. There is not too much of ups and downs for Ying Yuan and Yan Dan as I did not actually feel heartbroken when watching unlike Yang Zi's other fantasy drama, Ashes of Love 香蜜沉沉烬如霜.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Love and Redemption 琉璃

Year Released

2020

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

59 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Cheng Yi, Yuan Bingyan, Liu Xueyi

Storyline

Legend has it that Mosha Star (who rules the Demon world) will distruct the three realms and God of War (from Heaven Realm) is the only one who could destroy him. Chu Xuanji (Yuan Bingyan) is the re-incarnation of God of War and meets Yu Sifeng (Cheng Yi) who is the 12 feathers Golden Bird Demon. Both have actually been with each other for the past nine lives but with bitter ending. 

In this life, Sifeng suffers in silence when he has the Lover's curse and saves Xuanji from danger multiple times. King Bailin (Liu Xueyi) from Heaven Realms wants Xuanji dead and to destroy Liu Li lamp in fear that Mosha Star's soul would be awaken. Bailin holds an unspeakable secret for a thousand years.

My View

Would have rated 5 stars if not for the unnecessary episodes which side tracks so much. I think 59 should just cut down to probably 39. Though storyline has certain plot twist here and there but the number of blood puking scenes are way too many! The scriptwriter is just torturing poor Cheng Yi seriously.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Who Rules the World 且试天下

Year Released

2022

Genre 

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

40 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Yang, Zhao Lusi

Storyline

In the martial arts world, there are two highly skilled masters named Hei Fengxi (Yang Yang) and Bai Fengxi (Zhao Lusi). As both shared the same name, Bai Fengxi likes to challenge Hei Fengxi to see who is more superior. She is under the impression that Hei Fengxi is a manipulative person. Little did she know, Hei Fengxi is in love with her and trying to protect her.

During these turbulent times, the Imperial family is being tricked by evil doers which in turn caused chaos to the world. Due to a fake token, it causes six States trying to fight to be the only ruler.. Hei Bai Fengxi are involved in the political struggle and eventually helped find peace.

My View

Story is not too bad and don't expect too much romance because this is more like a wuxia kind of drama. I guess Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi do not have on-screen chemistry or is it Yang Yang just doesn't match well with anyone except for Zheng Shuang (IMO) in Love O2O 微微一笑很倾城.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: The Rise of Phoenixes 天盛长歌

Year Released

2018

Genre

Historical Fiction

No. of Episodes

70 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Chen Kun, Ni Ni

Storyline

Ning Yi (Chen Kun), the sixth prince of Tian Sheng Empire had been imprisoned in Zhong Zhen temple for years after being plotted by Crown Prince Ning Chuan (Hai Yitian). After his release, all the other princes died one by one as part of his revenge for the late third prince Ning Qiao (Liu Zhehui) and his late mother Ya Le (Mei Ting).

Ning Yi meets Feng Zhiwei (Ni Ni) and initially uses her as part of his chess piece to bring down Crown Prince. The both fall in love but were unable to be together due to their statuses.

My View

Definitely a great political struggle drama but rather slow and steady one. It seems too long a story but to bring down every single prince, falls in love and the plot twist at the end shocked me really.

Rating

5/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama: The Taoism Grandmaster 玄门大师

 

Year Released

2018

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

46 - running time of 46 minutes per episode

Starring

Tong Mengshi, Pei Zitian

Storyline

A little related to God of Honour 封神榜 whereby God Yang Jian 杨戬 had predicted a grandmaster would be saving the world regaining peace between Wolf clan and human realm thousand of years later. In the meantime, he sacrificed himself to create a barrier to prevent heaven realm from destroying Wolf clan.

Zhang Ling (Tong Mengshi) meets Tie Lang (Pei Zitian) together with many others from different sects to participate in a competition and train to become the only taoism grandmaster who protects the world. Their aim is to retrieve back pieces of armours left over by Yang Jian.

My View

The plot is overall pretty good whereby the participants go through trials as a form of training before actually fighting with Demon Fox Bai Qianji (Pan Shuangshuang), who seduced King Zhou bringing Shang Dynasty to its downfall. 

I can only rate 3 stars because though there are a lot of fighting with demons but just too many and draggy. There are like four trials then probably like five competitions to find those armours. In one on the competitions, another three barriers or something.

Too much for me to bear seriously and only twist was I did not expect Tie Lang to be Wolf King.

Rating 

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Love Between Fairy and Devil 苍兰诀

Year Released

2022

Genre

Fantasy

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Wang Hedi, Yu Shuxin

Storyline

Xiao Lanhua (Yu Shuxin) whose real form is an Orchid since birth, had accidentally released Dong Fang Qing Cang (Wang Hedi) the Supreme Lord from Moon Clan, from a seal made by Immortal Clan 30,000 years ago. Due to this, both their fates had been locked by a curse in which if Lanhua is hurt, Qingcang would also be injured.

Therefore, Qingcang has been looking for an ancient sword to kill Lanhua so as to lift the curse. When Lanhua is being tortured by Immortal Clan, Qingcang has no choice but to save her life and bring her back to Cang Yan Sea where Moon Clan resides. The reason why Immortal Clan is afraid of Qingcang is due to Hellfire where only those without any emotions could master this skill.

Qingcang gradually falls in love with Lanhua's kindness and love for him. Lanhua helps Qingcang gets back his emotions be it good or bad. However, once his emotions is back, Qingcang loses the ability to use Hellfire which gives Immortal Clan a good chance to attack Cang Yan Sea. Lanhua sacrifices her own life to break the curse and revive everyone from both clans.

My View

I skipped some last part so as not to provide more spoilers. Cang Lan Jue may seems hilarious, too sweet or boring at first but if you follow through, it shows us love, sacrifice and kindness. I'm especially touched by Rong Hao's (Xu Haiqiao) love for his master Chi Di, God of War (Guo Xiaoting) apart from two main leads. This drama made me cried a lot and what Qingcang and Lanhua did for each other, just too much to bear.

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama: Gank Your Heart 陪你到世界之巅

Year Released

2019

Genre 

Esports

No. of Episodes

35 - running time of 40 minutes per episode

Starring

Wang Yibo, Wang Zixuan

Storyline

The story revolves around Ji Xiangkong (Wang Yibo) on how he moved from team Legends, to VNG and at last sets up his own team Phenix. Though being marked as 'Shou Chan' (literally disabled hand - meaning his speed) in the Esports insdustry, his game tactics are one of the best especially Shadow. 

On the way he meets up with love of his life, Qiu Ying (Wang Zixuan) and new teammates Pei Xi (Yan Yuhao) and Xia Ling (Yan Xujia). Together with Xiangkong's best friend in team Legends, Lin Yixuan (Ding Guansen) and former team leader of Pioneer (which won the World Championship representing China 5 years ago) Sun Zeyi (Cheng Qimeng), team Phenix took the second World Championship.

My View

Another well-written Esports drama which I loved. It is very genuine and like your day-to-day life. No game tactic is unbeatable and most of the time you need to play according to the flows "live".

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Long Ballad 长歌行

Year Released

2021

Genre

Action, Historical Fiction

 

No. of Episodes

 

49 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

 

Starring

 

Dilraba Dilmurat, Wu Lei, Zhao Lusi

Storyline

Yong Ning Princess, Li Changge (Dilraba Dilmurat) vows revenge against her uncle Li Shimin (Geng Le) when he killed all her families. She also has a love-hate relationship with her cousin Yong An Princess, Li Leyan (Zhao Lusi) because of this. 

She meets up with a lot of people on her way and ends up being in the grassland with Ashile Shun (Wu Lei). Changge wants Ashile tribe to help her with her revenge but she comes to realise that she only wants peace among the people whether it is the Tang Dynasty, grassland or desert.

My View

 

Some parts are draggy especially the Princess Yong An being kidnapped portion and Ashile Khatun's (Yang Ming Na) controlling the royals. I almost wanted to rate a 3 stars but overall the plot is well written. I like how the relationship between Ashile Shun and Ashile She-er (Wa Er) work out in the end.

Hao Du (Liu Yuning) is kind of adorable and he matches well with Princess Yong An.

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Moonlight 月光变奏曲

Year Released

2021

Genre

Romantic Comedy

No. of Episodes 

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Ding Yuxi, Yu Shuxin, Yang Shize, Ma Yinyin

Storyline

Chu Li (Yu Shuxin) dreams to be an editor and happens to be given a chance when she joins Yuan Yue Publishing. Her first author is young and promising Zhou Chuan (Ding Yuxi), then a once popular Jiang Yucheng (Yang Shize) and a trying to make a comeback Suo Heng (He Xinlin).

Coincidentally, Chu Li under nickname 'Monkey' and Zhou Chuan 'Mr. Fox' are web friends since young. Gu Baizhi (Ma Yinyin) used to be Jiang Yucheng's ex-girlfriend and former editor but they broke up due to misunderstanding. The four leads help each other overcome their fear, accompany each other when they need someone.

My View

Moonlight is pretty sweet and adorable romcom. The part where Jiang Yucheng is reading Liu Lao Shi's husband letter, those words are extremely touching and I cried so so much. Jiang Yucheng also mentions about He Shuhuan from Romance in the Rain drama from 20 years ago where he popped up from a box. That is funny too as I watched that drama upteen times.

Rating

4/5 Stars