Chasing Dramas

Dramas airing in June/early July 2026 include detective thrillers, some modern day romances and a few other costume dramas. Though some have outperformed expectations, there has yet to be an "explosive hit" this summer.

We first give an update on Bai Lu's woes. Then discuss the changes in regulations on the budding new short drama and micro drama industry. Hong Guo, a new micro drama app, was rumored to have also set new guidelines on content. Listen to our latest podcast episode for more details!

Keep Running finds itself in hot water after viewers discover that cities might be paying the show millions of dollars to film at their respective cities. One of the main cast, Bai Lu, continues to find herself in hot water in the aftermath of the Keep Running controversy from May. With her new drama, First Jasmine, airing, she needs to face the negative publicity head on. Listen to our latest pod...

Our first Video podcast! May/June 2026 Chinese dramas include: Zhang Jia Yi and Liu Hao Cun in The Lead 主角 which was THE hit in May. Yang Yang, Fang Yi Lun and Zhang Ruo Nan in Zhan Zhao Adventures 雨霖铃 Yang Zi and Han Dong Jun in The Heir 家业 Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran in Ashes to Crown 翘楚 and upcoming is Bai Lu and Cheng Lei in The First Jasmine 莫离

There's been a lot of negative commentary in C-ent over the last few weeks with 3 actors/actresses at the heart of the discussion. They are - Lu Yu Xiao, Bai Lu and Wang He Di. Tune in to hear what prompted the negativity in the Chinese discourse.

In March, a Chinese Media company released a video announcing that they signed two AI generated actors to their platform. In April, iQiYi, a major Chinese media streaming company, announced that actors and actresses have signed their AI agreement that generated a lot of buzz and backlash in China.

Ride the Wind 2026 has already garnered huge viewership and sparked major online discourse after just two performances. The live format adds an element of surprise, and three contestants have emerged as unexpected fan favorites — not because they are the strongest singers or dancers, but because they are simply so entertaining to watch. Olympian Wang Meng, actress Li Xiao Ran, and actress Tang Yi...

The Epoch of Miyu was a surprise hit in April/May, where social media was abuzz about this modern day drama that featured a main female lead who was cheated on by her husband. Costume dramas currently airing right now include A Perfect Match starring Ren Jia Lun and Wang He Run and A Splendid Match starring Ren Min and Ci Sha. Born With Luck, a modern day comedy police thriller, though is offering...

Karen and Cathy have exciting news on where they are bringing Chasing Dramas next!

Another Year, another Ride the Wind competition. Tune in as we introduce the rest of the 33 ladies participating in Hunan/Mango TV's singing and dancing competition for 2026! Some fan favorites include the likes of Empresses in the Palace alum Tang Yi Xin and 90s stars such as Dai Si, Sun Yi, and Chen Yao

Another Year, another Ride the Wind competition. Tune in as we introduce the first half of the ladies participating in Hunan/Mango TV's singing and dancing competition for 2026!

In the last episode of the season, Fan Xian discovers the location of where the Ming family hid the rest of the 3 Great Warehouses. He also discovers a plot on his life. Grandmaster Ye Liu Yun has been summoned by the Princess Royal to take his life. Fan Xian must choose between saving his life and taking over the 3 Great Warehouses. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we discuss episode 36 of...

Fan Xian heads to the Ming family for dinner but is met with a horrific sight and learns how little the Ming family thinks of human lives

In March and April 2026, Dilraba Dilmurat stars in a Love Beyond the Grave alongside Chen Fei Yu as the 400 year old ruler of the spirit real. Ju Jing Yi faced a fierce battle with her agency right before her drama Veil of Shadows starring alongside Chen Du Ling, Zeng Shun Xi, and Tian Jia Rui aired. Zhou Ye starred in a 1980s drama Dream of Golden Years. Gong Jun and Ren Ming round out the month...

Fan Xian sees the corruption in JiangNan and the power the Ming family wields in the region and decides to make a powerful statement when he docks in Su Zhou

In the last two weeks, 54 year old Qu Ying suddenly became popular again after her guest appearance on Papi Jiang's show. Her relaxed demeanor and hilarious stories took generated quite a stir on social media. Meanwhile, The Pursuit of Jade has been suffering a lot backlash on the portrayal of generals, leading to the unexpected popularity of He Run Dong for his portrayal of generals back in t...

After the Emperor proactively reveals that he is Fan Xian's father, it is time for Fan Xian to head down to Jiang Nan where the Ming family will make it difficult for him to take back control of his mother's 3 Great Workshops

On Mar 13, the Chinese Department of the National Radio and Television Administration held a press conference discussing the "issues" that it will tackle. The most pressing is the issue of top billing and who gets top billing for Chinese dramas. Listen to the latest to the solution China has decided to implement.

Wan'er confronts Fan Xian about his involvement in her brother's death while the Empress also seeks an audience with the Emperor that turns sour. Beyond that though, more mysteries of the Sacred Temple where Fan Xian's mother and Wu Zhu came from begin to surface.

In the past few weeks, there has been 3 main events that have garnered significant social media backlash including the filming announcement of a very popular book Jiang Men Du Hou with stars Wang He Di and Meng Zi Yi, Dilraba and a series of unfortunate events surrounding Paris Fashion Week, and the new drama The Pursuit of Jade starring Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei. Listen to our latest podcast...

Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei brought forth laughs in the costume romance drama How Dare You while Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei have their own costume romance drama, Pursuit of Jade, coming up soon. Love Story in the 1970s though was the winner in late February, primarily due to the second male and female lead couple's shipping.

As Fan Xian is recovering from his injuries, rumors begin flying around the capital about Fan Xian's parentage. The Princess Royal and the Empress have visceral reactions to this news and decide to take action. Meanwhile, the 2nd Prince decides to tell Wan Er a secret that leaves her with questions on how to face her husband. Listen to our latest podcast episode everything that unfurls in epis...

Actor Yang Yang just started filming a new drama after a long hiatus. However, his fans are furious over a supposed leaked script of the drama. Tune in find out what happened!

Fan Xian gives chase to the assassin but is surprisingly overpowered by his opponent. Gravely injured, Fan Xian seeks the aid from his sister to perform surgery on him. After the operation, Fan Xian learns of the shocking secret as to just who the assassin was. Listen to our latest podcast on episode 30 of Joy of Life S2!

The annual Spring Festival Gala occurred on Monday to bring in the Year of the Horse. But Robots actually dominated the stage in multiple performances which are both awe inspiring and terrifying. We go through the 4 regional performances and some other fun tidbits of the show. Overall though, we think it was overstuffed and boring.