2016 Best Chinese Period Dramas
Drama盒 2016 Best Chinese Period DramasHow are there so many good dramas that I don't even know where to begin? 2015 ended with a bang in wuxia land and there are so many upcoming ones that I am eagerly waiting to watch.
Added a rating widget so you can rate your favorite dramas below.
Legend of Chusen
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Legend of Chusen / Noble Aspirations / Zhu Xian Qing Yun Zhi / 诛仙青云志
Episodes and Genre: 55, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Li Yi Feng as Zhang Xiao Fan
Zanilia Zhao Liying as Bi Yao
Yang Zi as Lu Xue Qi
Cheng Yi as Lin Jing Yu
Qin Jun Jie as Zeng Shu Shu
Synopsis:
Zhang Xiao Fan and Lin Jing Yu become homeless orphans after their village is slaughtered overnight. Xiao Fan vows to find the perpetrators and what he lacks in talent he makes up for by an abundance in determination to become a martial hearts hero of the Qing Yun Sect.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
The Mystic Nine
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: The Mystic Nine / Old Nine Gates / Lao Jiu Men / 老九门
Episodes and Genre: 48, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
William Chan as Zhang Qishan
Zanilia Zhao Liying as Yin Xinyue
Zhang Yixing Lay as Er Yue Hong
Yuan Bingyan as Ya Tou
Ying Haoming as Ba Ye (8th Master)
Hu Yunhao as Chen Pi
Synopsis:
The Mystic Nine is about the nine families of Changsha and their long-standing history of tomb-raiding.
On one fateful evening, a train stops at the station carrying nothing but dead bodies. Zhang Qishan is a military general and the head of the Old Nine Gates and he must uncover the greater conspiracies that is shrouded in mystery.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Ice Fantasy
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Ice Fantasy / Huan Cheng / 幻城
Episodes and Genre: 62, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Feng Shao Feng as Kasuo
Victoria Song as Li Luo
Ma Tianyu as Ying Kong Shi
Zhang Meng as Yan Da
Synopsis:
Ice Fantasy is a xianxia novel adaptation telling the tale of a mythological era when the Ice and Fire tribes were embroiled in war.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Border Town Prodigal
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Border Town Prodigal / Edge City Wanderer / Xin Bian Cheng Lang Zi / 边城浪子
Episodes and Genre: 50, Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Zhu Yi Long as Fu Hong Xue
Viann Zhang Xinyu as Ma Fang Ling
Yu Qing Bin as Ye Kai
Synopsis:
Fu Hong Xue has been raised for one purpose alone and that is to avenge the death of his father using any means possible but he meets and falls in love with Ma Fang Ling, the daughter of his sworn enemy.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Demon Girl
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Demon Girl / Ban Yao Qing Cheng / 半妖倾城
Episodes and Genre: 35, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016 on Mango TV
Starring:
Li Yi Tong as Nie Qing Cheng
Zhang Zhe Han as Ming Xia
Mi Re as You Tong
Synopsis:
Nie Qing Cheng is the daughter of a human and a demon. Without knowing her real identity, she falls deeply in love with a man named Ming Xia.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Lucky Tianbao
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
My Rating: Downright Boring (1/5)
Title: Lucky Tianbao / Ji Xiang Tian Bao / 吉祥天宝
Episodes and Genre: 40, Romance Drama, Comedy
Broadcast Period: Jun 2016 on QQ Website
Starring:
Kim Ki Bum as Zhu Tianbao
Zhao Li Ying as Yang Ruo Lan
Zhu Zi Xiao as Zhu Tian Xiang
Synopsis:
Zhu Tianbao and Zhu Tian Xiang are sons of the King's brother but their once amicable relationship is tainted by jealousy over family, politics and romance in a corruption-ridden Ming Dynasty.
Yang Ruo Lan is betrothed to Tian Xiang despite harboring feelings for Tianbao. However, Tianbao already has a girl of his dreams.
Comments:
I clicked through the entire 40 episodes all in a day's work. Perhaps I was bored because Lucky Tianbao is so ridiculously mindless that it was easy to have it playing in the background.
It is an older drama that only aired this year and it shows, being a cut below recent productions in terms of workmanship but it features Zhao Li Ying and sometimes that's enough for motivation. Click for more stills.
Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan / 雲之凡
Episodes and Genre: 40, Fantasy, Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: May 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Elvis Han as Jiang Yun Fan
Gu Li Na Zha as Tang Yu Rou
Joe Cheng as Long You
Xiao Cai Qi as Xiao Man
Gina Jin as Ling Yin
Synopsis:
Jiang Yun Fan is the half mortal half demon son of Jiang Shi Li, an enemy of the mortal realm held in captivity for fear of his evil deeds. He meets Tang Yu Rou, Long You and Xiao Man, forming an unlikely group of friends. Yet Yun Fan, an innately good person who wears his heart on his sleeves is the only one capable of saving his father.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
God of War Zhao Yun
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: God of War Zhao Yun / Chinese Hero Zhao Zi Long / 武神趙子龍
Episodes and Genre: 60, Historical Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Apr 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Lin Gengxin as Zhao Zi Long
Im Yoona as Xiahou Qing Yi
Kim Jeong Hoon as Gao Ze
Synopsis:
Zhao Zi Long is a courageous warrior Three Kingdoms era and God of War Zhao Yun follows his story as a young man on a journey to become a martial arts hero.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas
My Rating: Just Another Drama (3/5)
Title: The Classic of Mountains and Seas / 山海经之赤影传说
Episodes and Genre: 42, Fantasy Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Apr 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Zhang Han as Chi Yu
Gu Li Na Zha as Su Mo
Synopsis:
Su Mo and Fu Er are sisters destined to become the Heavenly Maidens of warring tribes while Chi Yu is the forsaken prince of a country due to a prophecy that he will kill his own father.
Comments:
There are great dramas that require time and attention and Classic of Mountains and Seas is not one of them. Yet as run of the mill as it may be, it serves its purpose by being thoroughly enjoyable, that is if you don't take it too seriously.
Check out our thoughts on the ending.
Princess Jieyou
Title: Princess Jieyou / Jie You Gong Zhu / 解忧公主
Episodes and Genre: 46, Historical
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Zhang Xinyi as Jieyou
Yuan Hong as Wong Gui
Synopsis:
Jieyou is the long lost princess of the Han Dynasty and as a member of the royal family, she travels to Wu Sun to fulfill her role of forging a union between the two countries through marriage.
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
The Three Heroes and Five Gallants
Title: The Three Heroes and Five Gallants / 五鼠闹东京
Episodes and Genre: 42, Detective Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 An Hui TV
Starring:
Chen Xiao as Bai Yutang
Kevin Yan Kuan as Zhan Zhao
Zheng Shuang as Ding Yuehua
Synopsis:
Justice Bao is a revered judge known for his fight against corruption. Pang Tai Shi, a greedy and high-ranking official of the Song Dynasty, seeks to bring down Justice Bao by targeting his right hand man Zhan Zhao. He deviously urges the Emperor to bestow Zhan Zhao the title of Imperial Cat, which is a clear affront to the legendary Five Mice who will not take this sitting down
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
New Xiao Shi Yi Lang
Title: New Xiao Shi Yi Lang / The Shaw Eleven Lang / 新萧十一郎
Episodes and Genre: 42, Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 Beijing TV
Starring:
Kevin Yan Kuan as Xiao Shi Yi Lang
Gan Ting Ting as Shen Bijun
Zhu Yi Long as Lian Chengbi
Synopsis:
Xiao Shi Yi Lang is a great bandit without a care in the world. On a job to steal the Deer Carver Sabre, he meets Shen Bijun, a woman betrothed to another.
Fate keeps bringing the two together yet Bijun's pending engagement and societal pressures against two people of such disparate statures have destined them to become star-crossed lovers.
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
Imperial Doctress
My Rating: Must Watch (5/5)
Title: Imperial Doctress / 女医明妃传
Episodes and Genre: 50, Palace Romance / Historical
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 Dragon TV
Starring:
Liu Shi Shi as Tan Yun Xian
Wallace Huo as Zhu Qi Zhen
Huang Xuan as Zhu Qi Yu
Synopsis:
Embroiled in a palace drama between two powerful men, Tan Yun Xian's persistence and intelligence helps her overcome all obstacles to become a revered female doctor of the Ming Dynasty.
Comments:
In a huge contrast to the excitement over Liu Shi Shi's comeback and her re-collaboration with Wallace Huo, Imperial Doctress gains its fair share of haters upon premiering yet I beg to differ since I loved it regardless.
It is a female-centric drama about the smarts and resilience of Tan Yun Xian and her boldness is effortlessly brought to life by Liu Shi Shi who is practically made for such characters.
However, the criticisms are not unfounded. After all, there were too many contrivances that felt forced and decisions made seemingly out-of-character yet none of it deters from the beautiful romance that is so painstakingly addictive. For stills, click here.
Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox
My Rating: Tolerable (2/5)
Title: Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox / Legend of Nine Tails Fox / 青丘狐传说
Episodes and Genre: 40, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Sabrina Chen Yao as Hua Yue (Ah Xiu arc)
Jiang Jin Fu as Liu Chang Yan (Heng Niang arc)
Gu Li Na Zha as Tao Heng (Heng Niang arc)
Xiao Cai Qi as Ying Ning (Ying Ning arc)
Gina Jin as Wong Chang Ting (Chang Ting arc)
Wang Kai as Shi Tai Pu (Chang Ting arc)
Mike D'Angelo as Hu Si (Hu Si arc)
Synopsis:
The series is divided into six arcs focusing on each fox spirit's encounters in the human world.
1. Ah Xiu arc follows Hua Yue, a passionate fox spirit fascinated by worldly pleasures.
2. San Niang arc follows Feng San Niang as she heads for the Meng family and meets Meng An Ren, a man with a despicable reputation.
3. Ying Ning arc revolves around Ying Ning's journey to find the truth behind her mother's death.
4. Hu Si arc follows Hu Si, a powerful fox spirit and a drunkard.
5. Chang Ting arc features the love between a demon hunter and a fox spirit.
6. Heng Niang arc is about a fox spirit named Heng Niang who decides to help her neighbor regain her husband's love.
Comments:
The thing that gets me is the pretty pictures, the beautiful soundtrack and unfortunately, not much else.
I didn't mind that the writing adhered to standard narratives and the plainest cliches but it fell disappointingly short that a lot of characters were underdeveloped if not downright annoying and the plot certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.
At least everyone looked stunning in costume. For stills, click here.
Chronicle of Life
Title: Chronicle of Life / 寂寞空庭春欲晚
Episodes and Genre: 45, Palace Romance
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Hawick Lau as Emperor Kangxi
Zheng Shuang as Wei Lin Lang
Synopsis:
Liang Er is a little girl whose family was executed for committing treason against the king. On the run, she meets a teenage Emperor Kangxi without knowing his real identity. The two forge an unlikely friendship but get separated along the way.
Liang Er finds refuge with her childhood friend Nalan RongRuo but loses her memory due to an attempt at her life. In order to cover up the past, she is given a new identity as Wei Lin Lang and grows up as a palace maid.
Comments:
Chronicle of Life is based on a novel by Fei Wo Si Cun 匪我思存 who also penned the novel behind popular drama Sealed With a Kiss that was also top billed by Hawick Lau .
For more stills, click here.
Go Princess Go
Title: Go Princess Go / 太子妃升职记
Episodes and Genre: 35, Comedy / Time Travel
Broadcast Period: Jan 2016 LeTV
Starring:
Zhang Tian Ai as Zhang Peng / Zhang Peng Peng
Sheng Yilun as Qi Sheng
Yu Menglong as Jiu Wang
Synopsis:
Zhang Peng is a notorious womanizer but an unfortunate accident causes him to travel back in time to ancient China where he wakes up a crown princess! Aghast at the circumstances, he as a she turns suicidal until finally coming to terms with it. For more stills, click here.
Comments:
Unforgivingly wacky and brutally honest.
The Legend of Qin
My Rating: Must-watch (5/5)
Title: The Legend of Qin / Qin Shi Ming Yue / Qin's Moon / 秦時明月
Episodes and Genre: 54, Fantasy Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Nov 2015 Hunan TV
Starring:
Lu Yi as Ge Nie
Michelle Chen as Duan Mu Rong
Jiang Jin Fu as Jing Tian Ming
Synopsis:
Jing Ke died a hero after an assassination attempt at the Emperor of Qin Dynasty. Ge Nie, his closest friend and comrade must do everything in his power to save Jing Ke's only son Jing Tian Ming. Unbeknownst to everyone, Jing Tian Ming was taken as an infant and bestowed otherworldly powers due to a conspiracy.
Comments:
Produced by Tangren Media, the creators of Ballad of the Desert, Chinese Paladin and other dramas in the same genre, is it any wonder that the Legend of Qin is so beautiful? It's the right mix of history and fantasy, which is right up my alley.
Action sequences are a big part of wuxia and I really liked how the CGI wasn't as in your face. Don't get me wrong, there was an insane amount of special effects but I appreciated the realism in the fighting scenes particularly in the first episode where Ge Nie battled 300 soldiers. It brought up memories of Beggar King Qiao Feng when he defeated an army in Demi-gods and Semi-devils (Tian Long Ba Bu) and that analogy is a compliment in and of itself.
Mentioning realism and wuxia sounds like an oxymoron, yet simply put, what I hope to see is more focus on martial arts rather than the other way around, which I think is something that fantasy wuxias are lacking nowadays. For Qin's Moon stills and OST, click here.
Mi Yue Zhuan (a ratings powerhouse in terms of viewership in China)
Title: Mi Yue Zhuan / 羋月傳
Episodes and Genre: 81, Historical
Broadcast Period: Nov 2015 Beijing TV, Dragon TV
Starring:
Sun Li as Mi Yue
Synopsis:
Mi Yue was destined by the heavens to rise to power. Born as a princess but from a mother of lowly birth, Mi Yue had to fight for her right to live even as an infant. Her endless struggles led her to become the person with the ability and willpower to command an empire.
Comments:
Similar to Fan Bing Bing's 2015 hit series the Empress of China, Mi Yue Zhuan is another grand production trying to depict a woman's journey against all odds. In addition, the cast and crew of Zhen Huan Zhuan has also come together to re-create the magic of 2012, a masterpiece that is still touted as one of China's best historical dramas.
To be honest, I have only seen 2 episodes of Mi Yue Zhuan plus one needlessly long trailer where you can guess most of the story without trying. Nevertheless, what I saw was quite good.
This drama has big names, a big budget and off-the-chart TV ratings but I read that despite everything, the show couldn't sustain the hype and ended on a low last week. For those that invested 81 hours, they were probably just glad it's over.Drama盒Drama盒 2016 Best Chinese Period Dramas
Added a rating widget so you can rate your favorite dramas below.
Legend of Chusen
Title: Legend of Chusen / Noble Aspirations / Zhu Xian Qing Yun Zhi / 诛仙青云志
Episodes and Genre: 55, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Li Yi Feng as Zhang Xiao Fan
Zanilia Zhao Liying as Bi Yao
Yang Zi as Lu Xue Qi
Cheng Yi as Lin Jing Yu
Qin Jun Jie as Zeng Shu Shu
Synopsis:
Zhang Xiao Fan and Lin Jing Yu become homeless orphans after their village is slaughtered overnight. Xiao Fan vows to find the perpetrators and what he lacks in talent he makes up for by an abundance in determination to become a martial hearts hero of the Qing Yun Sect.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
The Mystic Nine
Title: The Mystic Nine / Old Nine Gates / Lao Jiu Men / 老九门
Episodes and Genre: 48, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
William Chan as Zhang Qishan
Zanilia Zhao Liying as Yin Xinyue
Zhang Yixing Lay as Er Yue Hong
Yuan Bingyan as Ya Tou
Ying Haoming as Ba Ye (8th Master)
Hu Yunhao as Chen Pi
Synopsis:
The Mystic Nine is about the nine families of Changsha and their long-standing history of tomb-raiding.
On one fateful evening, a train stops at the station carrying nothing but dead bodies. Zhang Qishan is a military general and the head of the Old Nine Gates and he must uncover the greater conspiracies that is shrouded in mystery.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Ice Fantasy
Title: Ice Fantasy / Huan Cheng / 幻城
Episodes and Genre: 62, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Feng Shao Feng as Kasuo
Victoria Song as Li Luo
Ma Tianyu as Ying Kong Shi
Zhang Meng as Yan Da
Synopsis:
Ice Fantasy is a xianxia novel adaptation telling the tale of a mythological era when the Ice and Fire tribes were embroiled in war.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Border Town Prodigal
Title: Border Town Prodigal / Edge City Wanderer / Xin Bian Cheng Lang Zi / 边城浪子
Episodes and Genre: 50, Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016
Starring:
Zhu Yi Long as Fu Hong Xue
Viann Zhang Xinyu as Ma Fang Ling
Yu Qing Bin as Ye Kai
Synopsis:
Fu Hong Xue has been raised for one purpose alone and that is to avenge the death of his father using any means possible but he meets and falls in love with Ma Fang Ling, the daughter of his sworn enemy.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Demon Girl
Title: Demon Girl / Ban Yao Qing Cheng / 半妖倾城
Episodes and Genre: 35, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Jul 2016 on Mango TV
Starring:
Li Yi Tong as Nie Qing Cheng
Zhang Zhe Han as Ming Xia
Mi Re as You Tong
Synopsis:
Nie Qing Cheng is the daughter of a human and a demon. Without knowing her real identity, she falls deeply in love with a man named Ming Xia.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
Lucky Tianbao
My Rating: Downright Boring (1/5)
Title: Lucky Tianbao / Ji Xiang Tian Bao / 吉祥天宝
Episodes and Genre: 40, Romance Drama, Comedy
Broadcast Period: Jun 2016 on QQ Website
Starring:
Kim Ki Bum as Zhu Tianbao
Zhao Li Ying as Yang Ruo Lan
Zhu Zi Xiao as Zhu Tian Xiang
Synopsis:
Zhu Tianbao and Zhu Tian Xiang are sons of the King's brother but their once amicable relationship is tainted by jealousy over family, politics and romance in a corruption-ridden Ming Dynasty.
Yang Ruo Lan is betrothed to Tian Xiang despite harboring feelings for Tianbao. However, Tianbao already has a girl of his dreams.
Comments:
I clicked through the entire 40 episodes all in a day's work. Perhaps I was bored because Lucky Tianbao is so ridiculously mindless that it was easy to have it playing in the background.
It is an older drama that only aired this year and it shows, being a cut below recent productions in terms of workmanship but it features Zhao Li Ying and sometimes that's enough for motivation. Click for more stills.
Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan
Title: Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan / 雲之凡
Episodes and Genre: 40, Fantasy, Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: May 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Elvis Han as Jiang Yun Fan
Gu Li Na Zha as Tang Yu Rou
Joe Cheng as Long You
Xiao Cai Qi as Xiao Man
Gina Jin as Ling Yin
Synopsis:
Jiang Yun Fan is the half mortal half demon son of Jiang Shi Li, an enemy of the mortal realm held in captivity for fear of his evil deeds. He meets Tang Yu Rou, Long You and Xiao Man, forming an unlikely group of friends. Yet Yun Fan, an innately good person who wears his heart on his sleeves is the only one capable of saving his father.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
God of War Zhao Yun
Title: God of War Zhao Yun / Chinese Hero Zhao Zi Long / 武神趙子龍
Episodes and Genre: 60, Historical Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Apr 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Lin Gengxin as Zhao Zi Long
Im Yoona as Xiahou Qing Yi
Kim Jeong Hoon as Gao Ze
Synopsis:
Zhao Zi Long is a courageous warrior Three Kingdoms era and God of War Zhao Yun follows his story as a young man on a journey to become a martial arts hero.
Comments:
Click for more stills.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
My Rating: Just Another Drama (3/5)
Title: The Classic of Mountains and Seas / 山海经之赤影传说
Episodes and Genre: 42, Fantasy Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Apr 2016 on Hunan TV
Starring:
Zhang Han as Chi Yu
Gu Li Na Zha as Su Mo
Synopsis:
Su Mo and Fu Er are sisters destined to become the Heavenly Maidens of warring tribes while Chi Yu is the forsaken prince of a country due to a prophecy that he will kill his own father.
Comments:
There are great dramas that require time and attention and Classic of Mountains and Seas is not one of them. Yet as run of the mill as it may be, it serves its purpose by being thoroughly enjoyable, that is if you don't take it too seriously.
Check out our thoughts on the ending.
Princess Jieyou
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Princess Jieyou / Jie You Gong Zhu / 解忧公主
Episodes and Genre: 46, Historical
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Zhang Xinyi as Jieyou
Yuan Hong as Wong Gui
Synopsis:
Jieyou is the long lost princess of the Han Dynasty and as a member of the royal family, she travels to Wu Sun to fulfill her role of forging a union between the two countries through marriage.
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
The Three Heroes and Five Gallants
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: The Three Heroes and Five Gallants / 五鼠闹东京
Episodes and Genre: 42, Detective Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 An Hui TV
Starring:
Chen Xiao as Bai Yutang
Kevin Yan Kuan as Zhan Zhao
Zheng Shuang as Ding Yuehua
Synopsis:
Justice Bao is a revered judge known for his fight against corruption. Pang Tai Shi, a greedy and high-ranking official of the Song Dynasty, seeks to bring down Justice Bao by targeting his right hand man Zhan Zhao. He deviously urges the Emperor to bestow Zhan Zhao the title of Imperial Cat, which is a clear affront to the legendary Five Mice who will not take this sitting down
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
New Xiao Shi Yi Lang
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: New Xiao Shi Yi Lang / The Shaw Eleven Lang / 新萧十一郎
Episodes and Genre: 42, Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 Beijing TV
Starring:
Kevin Yan Kuan as Xiao Shi Yi Lang
Gan Ting Ting as Shen Bijun
Zhu Yi Long as Lian Chengbi
Synopsis:
Xiao Shi Yi Lang is a great bandit without a care in the world. On a job to steal the Deer Carver Sabre, he meets Shen Bijun, a woman betrothed to another.
Fate keeps bringing the two together yet Bijun's pending engagement and societal pressures against two people of such disparate statures have destined them to become star-crossed lovers.
Comments:
For more stills, click here.
Imperial Doctress
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
My Rating: Must Watch (5/5)
Title: Imperial Doctress / 女医明妃传
Episodes and Genre: 50, Palace Romance / Historical
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016 Dragon TV
Starring:
Liu Shi Shi as Tan Yun Xian
Wallace Huo as Zhu Qi Zhen
Huang Xuan as Zhu Qi Yu
Synopsis:
Embroiled in a palace drama between two powerful men, Tan Yun Xian's persistence and intelligence helps her overcome all obstacles to become a revered female doctor of the Ming Dynasty.
Comments:
In a huge contrast to the excitement over Liu Shi Shi's comeback and her re-collaboration with Wallace Huo, Imperial Doctress gains its fair share of haters upon premiering yet I beg to differ since I loved it regardless.
It is a female-centric drama about the smarts and resilience of Tan Yun Xian and her boldness is effortlessly brought to life by Liu Shi Shi who is practically made for such characters.
However, the criticisms are not unfounded. After all, there were too many contrivances that felt forced and decisions made seemingly out-of-character yet none of it deters from the beautiful romance that is so painstakingly addictive. For stills, click here.
Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
My Rating: Tolerable (2/5)
Title: Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox / Legend of Nine Tails Fox / 青丘狐传说
Episodes and Genre: 40, Fantasy Romance
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Sabrina Chen Yao as Hua Yue (Ah Xiu arc)
Jiang Jin Fu as Liu Chang Yan (Heng Niang arc)
Gu Li Na Zha as Tao Heng (Heng Niang arc)
Xiao Cai Qi as Ying Ning (Ying Ning arc)
Gina Jin as Wong Chang Ting (Chang Ting arc)
Wang Kai as Shi Tai Pu (Chang Ting arc)
Mike D'Angelo as Hu Si (Hu Si arc)
Synopsis:
The series is divided into six arcs focusing on each fox spirit's encounters in the human world.
1. Ah Xiu arc follows Hua Yue, a passionate fox spirit fascinated by worldly pleasures.
2. San Niang arc follows Feng San Niang as she heads for the Meng family and meets Meng An Ren, a man with a despicable reputation.
3. Ying Ning arc revolves around Ying Ning's journey to find the truth behind her mother's death.
4. Hu Si arc follows Hu Si, a powerful fox spirit and a drunkard.
5. Chang Ting arc features the love between a demon hunter and a fox spirit.
6. Heng Niang arc is about a fox spirit named Heng Niang who decides to help her neighbor regain her husband's love.
Comments:
The thing that gets me is the pretty pictures, the beautiful soundtrack and unfortunately, not much else.
I didn't mind that the writing adhered to standard narratives and the plainest cliches but it fell disappointingly short that a lot of characters were underdeveloped if not downright annoying and the plot certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.
At least everyone looked stunning in costume. For stills, click here.
Chronicle of Life
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Chronicle of Life / 寂寞空庭春欲晚
Episodes and Genre: 45, Palace Romance
Broadcast Period: Feb 2016
Starring:
Hawick Lau as Emperor Kangxi
Zheng Shuang as Wei Lin Lang
Synopsis:
Liang Er is a little girl whose family was executed for committing treason against the king. On the run, she meets a teenage Emperor Kangxi without knowing his real identity. The two forge an unlikely friendship but get separated along the way.
Liang Er finds refuge with her childhood friend Nalan RongRuo but loses her memory due to an attempt at her life. In order to cover up the past, she is given a new identity as Wei Lin Lang and grows up as a palace maid.
Comments:
Chronicle of Life is based on a novel by Fei Wo Si Cun 匪我思存 who also penned the novel behind popular drama Sealed With a Kiss that was also top billed by Hawick Lau .
For more stills, click here.
Go Princess Go
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Go Princess Go / 太子妃升职记
Episodes and Genre: 35, Comedy / Time Travel
Broadcast Period: Jan 2016 LeTV
Starring:
Zhang Tian Ai as Zhang Peng / Zhang Peng Peng
Sheng Yilun as Qi Sheng
Yu Menglong as Jiu Wang
Synopsis:
Zhang Peng is a notorious womanizer but an unfortunate accident causes him to travel back in time to ancient China where he wakes up a crown princess! Aghast at the circumstances, he as a she turns suicidal until finally coming to terms with it. For more stills, click here.
Comments:
Unforgivingly wacky and brutally honest.
The Legend of Qin
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
My Rating: Must-watch (5/5)
Title: The Legend of Qin / Qin Shi Ming Yue / Qin's Moon / 秦時明月
Episodes and Genre: 54, Fantasy Romance Martial Arts
Broadcast Period: Nov 2015 Hunan TV
Starring:
Lu Yi as Ge Nie
Michelle Chen as Duan Mu Rong
Jiang Jin Fu as Jing Tian Ming
Synopsis:
Jing Ke died a hero after an assassination attempt at the Emperor of Qin Dynasty. Ge Nie, his closest friend and comrade must do everything in his power to save Jing Ke's only son Jing Tian Ming. Unbeknownst to everyone, Jing Tian Ming was taken as an infant and bestowed otherworldly powers due to a conspiracy.
Comments:
Produced by Tangren Media, the creators of Ballad of the Desert, Chinese Paladin and other dramas in the same genre, is it any wonder that the Legend of Qin is so beautiful? It's the right mix of history and fantasy, which is right up my alley.
Action sequences are a big part of wuxia and I really liked how the CGI wasn't as in your face. Don't get me wrong, there was an insane amount of special effects but I appreciated the realism in the fighting scenes particularly in the first episode where Ge Nie battled 300 soldiers. It brought up memories of Beggar King Qiao Feng when he defeated an army in Demi-gods and Semi-devils (Tian Long Ba Bu) and that analogy is a compliment in and of itself.
Mentioning realism and wuxia sounds like an oxymoron, yet simply put, what I hope to see is more focus on martial arts rather than the other way around, which I think is something that fantasy wuxias are lacking nowadays. For Qin's Moon stills and OST, click here.
Mi Yue Zhuan (a ratings powerhouse in terms of viewership in China)
Is it a must-watch, pretty good, just another drama, tolerable or downright boring?
Title: Mi Yue Zhuan / 羋月傳
Episodes and Genre: 81, Historical
Broadcast Period: Nov 2015 Beijing TV, Dragon TV
Starring:
Sun Li as Mi Yue
Synopsis:
Mi Yue was destined by the heavens to rise to power. Born as a princess but from a mother of lowly birth, Mi Yue had to fight for her right to live even as an infant. Her endless struggles led her to become the person with the ability and willpower to command an empire.
Comments:
Similar to Fan Bing Bing's 2015 hit series the Empress of China, Mi Yue Zhuan is another grand production trying to depict a woman's journey against all odds. In addition, the cast and crew of Zhen Huan Zhuan has also come together to re-create the magic of 2012, a masterpiece that is still touted as one of China's best historical dramas.
To be honest, I have only seen 2 episodes of Mi Yue Zhuan plus one needlessly long trailer where you can guess most of the story without trying. Nevertheless, what I saw was quite good.
This drama has big names, a big budget and off-the-chart TV ratings but I read that despite everything, the show couldn't sustain the hype and ended on a low last week. For those that invested 81 hours, they were probably just glad it's over.Drama盒Drama盒 2016 Best Chinese Period Dramas
