Chasing Dramas

In episode 17 of Season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian investigates the new crop of scholars that are preparing themselves for the imperial entrance exams. He uncovers the blatant corruption throughout the process and finds himself the recipient of many bribes as a proctor of the exam. He must decide if there's anything that can be done. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the fun pop culture...

We're moving away from fashion to talk about the top headlines of the past few weeks! 19 year old Rong Zi Shan made a name for himself and not in a good way as he was summoned by police about his physical altercation towards his girlfriend. Hong Kong Actor William Chan announced a surprise baby boy with supermodel He Sui. There's potential martial troubles with Dou Xiao and Laurinda Ho onl...

In episode 16 of S2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian is interrupted by a gang of young aristocrats seeking revenge for the closure of Bao Yue Lou in the name of the 3rd Prince. He waves them off as petty challengers. The Emperor appoints Fan Xian as a new overseer for the upcoming imperial civil service exams, which poses new challenges for Fan Xian. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history and...

Vogue China's Forces In Fashion Gala in Shanghai didn't necessarily wow on the fashion side but had plenty of conversation topics both pre and post event. Liu Yi Fei wowed on the red carpet while actress Zhong Chu Xi is currently being blasted online for her position in a group photo.

Censor Lai brings numerous reprimands and reports of people at court, starting from Fan Xian then moving all the way up to the Emperor. However, actions of Censor Lai stepped over the Emperor's boundary and was given a shocking punishment for his actions.

Karen and I watch a lot of Chinese dramas, especially fantasy and costume dramas. Over the past few years, there's been overabundance of several tropes that we quite frankly have taken issues with. There's also many dramas that generally can't execute well. Listen to our latest podcast episode on our thoughts on the issues we have with some of the popular tropes in fantasy and costume dramas.

Several top Chinese actors/actresses had different careers before turning to acting. Many of them were dancers. Tune in to learn who were classically trained as some may surprise you.

In episode 14 of Joy of Life S2, Fan Xian seems to have gained the upper hand against the 2nd Prince. Fan Xian captures one of the 2nd Prince's trusty warriors with the help of a fan favorite. Meanwhile, Fan Si Zhe has safely arrived at the Qi Kingdom and connects with another familiar face. This familiar face boasts that he is now the spymaster of the Qing network in the Qi Kingdom. Is that r...

Zhao Lu Si and Chen Wei Ting's modern day romance Love Ambition is a massive surprise hit right now. Meanwhile, Cheng Yi's The Journey of Legend underperformed as both the production and Cheng Yi were panned for poor quality. Bai Jing Ting came forward with a sci fi thriller, Mobius in September and Li Qin and Chen Zhe Yuan star in newly airing Fated Hearts.

Fan Xian reconciles with Wan'Er and the two head over to Chen Ping Ping's residence. The extravagance shocks them as they see a difference side of Chen Ping Ping. Meanwhile, the 2nd Prince has a few more tricks up his sleeve as he desperately tries to win against Fan Xian. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history found in this episode!

In episode 12 of Joy of Life Season 2, Fan Xian finally decides to visit his betrothed Lin Wan'Er. The 2nd Prince has his own motives for meeting Lin Wan'Er and encounters his own betrothed, Ye Ling Er. The four sit down for a meal but are interrupted by another engaged couple, the 1st Prince and the Northern Qi Princess. Tensions are high as Fan Xian confronts the 2nd Prince. Fan Xian mus...

The surprise accidental death of 37 y/o Chinese actor Yu Meng Long shocked everyone for how sudden it was. Sadly, it looks to be drinking related. Other negative news includes Xu Kai now being accused of leading a gambling ring while filming and 2 dramas that were scheduled to film, including one headlining Yu Shu Xin, are now paused indefinitely.

Fan Xian had his first win at the Imperial Court with the help from Chancellor Lin. The 2nd Prince is seething at the new investigations to those loyal to him and vows to bring Fan Xian down. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince is caught in the crossfire and must navigate through his own precarious situation. Listen now to our latest podcast episode on episode 11 of Season 2 of Joy of Life!

Vogue China's 20th Anniversary September Cover featured 11 Chinese actresses with Liu Yi Fei sponsored by Bulgari taking center stage. However, there was plenty of discussion around who was or was not included. One of the actresses on this cover was Xin Zhi Lei who recently won best actress at the Venice Film Festival. This became a point of national pride and catapulted her to the top of the...

In episode 10 of Season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian has his first day at the Imperial Court after receiving summons from the Emperor to respond to the allegations of corruption from the Censorate. Fan Xian has a plan but is surprised to see the cast of characters at court. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear more about palace etiquette!

The biggest Chinese drama to air in August was This Thriving Land with Yang Mi as a lead but shined as an ensemble cast. Meanwhile, the fantasy/costume dramas featuring the likes of Xu Kai, Tian Xi Wei, Chen Fei Yu, Cheng Lei, Song Yi, Wang Ying Lu all didn't make too much of a splash. Listen in for more details!

On August 22nd, Weibo exploded when one of actor Xu Kai's (of the Story of Yanxi Palace fame) ex-girlfriends, Xu Li Sha, publicly posted how Xu Kai cheated on her. Xu Kai became a trending topic with billions of views about what happened. His manager, Yu Zheng also joined in on the fray by livestreaming a rebuttal. It became a whole saga which we explain in this episode.

In episode 9 of S2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian's acceptance of 3000 taels of silver is reported to the Emperor from the Censorate. Fan Xian must make his case in front of the Imperial Court. However, Fan Xian does not seem too particularly worried. Instead, he turns his attention to the chief clerk, Deng Zi Yue, and tries to understand what happened to this once righteous man. Listen to our lates...

Dilireba dominated social media after her unique red carpet look at the W Annual Gala on Aug 19. We discuss some of our other looks as well as the themes for the evening.

Fan Xian is now the head of the 1st Bureau and heads off to his first day of work. He instead finds the men happily playing Mahjong while accepting "gifts" from others. The chief clerk, Deng Zi Yue, is full of flattery towards Fan Xian but Fan Xian isn't fooled. Fan Xian decides to investigate the Crop Investigation Bureau for all of the "gifts" it sends. Listen to our late...

On Aug 2, Chinese Drama actress Zhao Lu Si publicly blasted her management company on Weibo for mistreatment following her illness at the beginning of the year. She has since been on continuous live streams with both positive and negative commentary. Listen in to hear more!

Fan Xian leaves the palace, disappointed that the Emperor will not take action against the 2nd Prince. He finally has a face to face conversation with Chen Ping Ping about the trajectory of his life. He finally returns to the Fan Manor and must inform his father and mistress Liu of Fan Si Zhe's involvement with Bao Yue Lou. The family make a decision for Fan Si Zhe's future with the hopes...

July/August 2025 Chinese dramas that are airing include historical detective romance, The Coroner's Diary ft Li Lan Di and Ao Rui Peng, fantasy drama, The Immortal Ascension starring Yang Yang and Jin Chen and Sword Rose featuring Dilireba and Jin Shi Jia. Other dramas include The Wanted Detective and Legend of the Female General among others.

In episode 6 of season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian clashes with the 1st Prince, who has just returned to the Qing capital after many years patrolling the borders. The Crown Prince comes to quell tensions as all of the Princess arrive at the gate to welcome the 1st Prince home. Fan Xian is still furious with the 2nd Prince and decides to report his findings to the Emperor. Listen to our latest podca...

Chinese singer influencer Wang Zai Xiao Qiao recently caught the ire of online netizens for her expensive concerts but also caused singer Zhang Bi Chen and Wang Su Long to be embroiled in a feud over who had singing rights to a popular song Nian Lun. Zi Yu, the 2nd main male lead to gay drama Revenged Love, was revealed to have cheated in a recent relationship.