Chasing Dramas

We kick off with our discussions of Joy of Life Season 1 with the first 2 episodes! We start with an episode recap and then move onto culture and history! We discuss how the author chose the name 庆余年 and references behind it. Join us on this journey for Joy of Life

Our next drama to discuss is the wildly popular Joy of Life 庆余年! Starring Zhang Ruo Yun, Li Qin, Chen Dao Ming and a star-studded cast, the drama follows the story of Fan Xian, who is reincarnated into another world as a baby, as he grows up and is thrust into the machinations of the Qing Empire. For this intro, we discuss the plot, the actors, and our own Joy of Life connection as Cathy travel...

The summer season for Chinese dramas is now in full swing. Yang Mi and Gong Jun offer Fox Spirit Match Maker: Red Moon Pact which is stunning in both set design and costumes, but has failed to capture audiences. Meanwhile, Wu Jin Yan from The Story of YanXi Palace returns with The Double which is a surprise hit. The Tale of Rose featuring Liu Yi Fei is slated to air on June 8, a modern day drama,...

We wrap up our in depth discussion of the extraordinary drama, The Longest Day In Chang'An with a recap of episode 48. We also discuss overall thoughts of the drama, go over book differences, highlight key historical character endings and also elaborate on careers of the 3 main cast members. Thank you all for joining us as we complete another drama!

In the penultimate episode (ep 47) of the Longest Day in Chang'An, the characters uncover one final spy hidden amongst them at Jing An Si. The Emperor is bewildered to see Xu Bin as the one to greet him after his harrowing escape. Despite his best efforts, Xu Bin is dismayed to see that the Emperor refuses to acknowledge his abilities. Xu Bin resolves to show just what he is capable of. Listen...

The variety/reality Chinese singing competition Singer 2024 created quite some buzz in its latest season following the knockout performances by a few competitors in this live recording of the show that has left Chinese audiences eager to see who can compete against these strong contestants. Listen to hear what's been creating the buzz in May.

Xiao Gui and Zhang Xiao Jing hide alongside the Emperor and Tan Qi in a tavern. A barber and his young daughter seek refuge in the tavern only to find that they stepped into a lion's den. Xiao Gui wants the Emperor to be killed publicly but is surprised when the Emperor kneels and requests that Xiao Gui lets innocent civilians go. Seeing that innocent lives are in danger and that perhaps the E...

Phoenix Legend or 凤凰传奇, a music duo, have been known to Chinese audiences for 2 decades but their recent concert tour in China have been highly entertaining. Concert goers have become very intense and are competing to make sure they represent their concerts well with knowledge of Phoenix Legend lyrics. We share music from the duo and fun tidbits that have been shared online from these concerts...

The BIGGEST drama of the year to air, in our opinion, is the HIGHLY anticipated season 2 of Joy of Life or Qing Yu Nian. It is slated to air on May 16 with most of the cast returning from season 1 and a number of new characters joining the cast. Outside of that, In the Name of the Brother featuring Yang Mi has not gone over well with audiences despite her heavy marketing of her improvement in acti...

In episode 44 and part 1 of episode 45, the Emperor finally experiences the reality of Chang An. He cannot believe the poverty, filth, and corruption that is occurs right outside of his palace walls. He is also touched by the kindness shown by regular people expecting nothing in return, but he nevertheless see the reality that the Right Chancellor wants him to see. Meanwhile, Li Bi vows to uncover...

Karen and Cathy introduce the other 18 ladies competing in Season 5 of Ride the Wind/Sisters Who Make Waves for 2024.

In episode 43, Xiao Gui successfully kidnaps the Emperor. The remaining factions, especially the Right Chancellor, begin plotting to seize power and begin moving their pawns in the city of Chang An. Only the Crown Prince is genuinely worried about his father's safety. Xiao Gui discovers that deceit from Tan Qi and threatens to kill everyone but is distracted by guards searching the city. The E...

Season 5 of Ride the Wind (formerly Sisters Who Make Waves) started airing on April 19. This popular reality tv show airing on Hunan tv/Mango Tv brings together a diverse group of women who compete to create a "girl group" at the end of the competition. We introduce 18 of the 36 contestants in this episode and will follow up with the remainder next episode.

In episode 42, Xiao Gui finally slaughters his way to the Emperor where he confronts the man on whether he remembers the 8th squad. The Emperor stands his ground and almost persuades Xiao Gui to abandon his mission. The Emperor shoots his arrow, but thanks to Zhang Xiao Jing, the explosion does not go off as planned.

Now that we know what "hua" or "hua dan" means for Chinese actresses, who are discussed on the various lists of flowers? Karen goes over some actresses most generally discussed as part of the 85 flowers, the 90 flowers and 95 flowers for Chinese actresses.

Tensions rise at the Emperor's banquet as Director He finally confronts the Emperor on how he is running his empire. Director He tries to kill the Right Chancellor, exclaiming that he is a corrupt presence. The Emperor though dismisses all of these claims. Zhang Xiao Jing part ways with Xiao Gui as the latter heads to the Palace to confront the Emperor. Li Bi escapes and persuades the Crown Pr...

Karen and Cathy are here with the latest Chinese dramas in April! We have Blossoms in Adversity starring Hu Yi Tian and Zhang Jing Yi. There's Best Choice Ever with Yang Zi and Xu Kai. We have a remake of the original Chinese Paladin game with Paladin Legend. Zhang Bin Bin stars in this new medical drama Live Surgery Room. A new drama with Li Xian called Shooting Stars will begin airing in the...

Zhang Xiao Jing finally heads up to the Lantern tower and sees the true identity of Long Bo - his fellow soldier from the 8th squad, Xiao Gui. Swiftly, Zhang Xiao Jing chokes Li Bi to death before discussing with Xiao Gui why he's on today's path. Meanwhile, the Emperor is making the Crown Prince's life difficult again and Cheng Sen is discovering more clues about Xu Bin's involvem...

We're providing an introduction to the Flowers or Hua in the Chinese entertainment industry. Why are certain actresses called Flowers and others aren't? What's the history of this name and who are the top Flowers? Listen to our latest episode to find out!

Wen Ran finds Zhang Xiao Jing in the Lantern Tower and she implores him to leave Chang An with her. He, however, is adamant he wants to stay in Chang An to protect its people. He wishes for Wen Ran to stay because it is what his fallen brothers hoped for on the battlefield.

We get flashbacks now of when Zhang Xiao Jing was a soldier defending the border. He and his fellow soldiers were faced with low morale, no food and no reinforcements. But ultimately, they decided to not retreat or give up.

A slew of new dramas just began airing in March so we wanted to do a mid-month update! Burning Flames starring Ren Jia Lun and Xing Fei. In Blossoms starring Ju Jing Yi and Liu Xue Yi. Simple Days starring Tong Yao and Chen Xiao. The Legend of Shen Li starring Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin War of Faith starring Wang Yi Bo and Li Qin With so many stars gracing our screens, listen to our thoughts on...

Zhang Xiao Jing is making his way up the lantern tower but is met with an tough decision. Who does he save? The civilians in the square? Or the Emperor.

Zhang Xiao Jing finally makes it into the grand lantern and is closer to see his adversary of the night. The Crown Prince and the Right Chancellor square off in front of the Emperor in the Flower Sepal Tower. Meanwhile, back at Jing An Si, Cheng Sen offers his services to investigate the case in order to not be a scapegoat for today's events.

A slew of new dramas began airing in February and March including Eternal Brotherhood, The Hunter, Always on the Move, Judge Dee’s Mystery, White Cat Legend, Pegasus, Detective Chinatown 2, and Everyone Loves Me. Karen and Cathy have begun chasing several of these dramas. Listen to our latest episode to see what we think about them!