Chasing Dramas

Karen and Cathy discuss the the critically acclaimed sci-fi drama Three Body or 三体. As one of the first mainstream Science Fiction dramas that aired in China in 2023, it boasts a great source material, strong cast, and heavy investment. We discuss how the drama faired when it first aired and our thoughts about the drama itself. Listen and let us know your experience with Three Body. This podcast...

The Emperor holds court and asks about an embassy for the ambassador from Little Patola. Here, the Prince of Yong and the Right Chancellor start a verbal spat with the Crown Prince and Director He on the true nature of how the land was procured. We finally learn what happened that bloody day months ago that landed Zhang Xiao Jing on death row. Meanwhile, Tan Qi requests aid from Yan Yu Huan to sav...

The Spring Festival Gala had plenty of winners but there was one big loser caught everyone's attention. Bai Jing Ting's shenanigans during his performance with Wei Da Xun and Wei Chen drew ire from social media and he has since been flooded with negative press. Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out what he did! Elsewhere, the Chinese box office has been chugging along with one b...

Zhang Xiao Jing learns that Long Bo's true target might be the giant lantern tower built for the Emperor for the Lantern Festival. Meanwhile, we finally get to meet the famed Yan Tai Zhen aka Consort Yang Yu Huan of history and the Emperor Tang Xuan Zong at Hua E Tower during the strike of midnight.

Karen and Cathy share our thoughts about the most recent cultural phenomenon of Blossoms Shanghai (繁花) starring Hu Ge (胡歌), Ma Yi Li (马伊利), Tang Yan (唐嫣), and Xin Zhi Lei (辛芷蕾). The drama was hit as viewers flocked to the screens to see the first TV drama helmed by famed director Wang Kar Wai. He presents a beautiful vision of Shanghai that admittedly took us some time to fully immerse...

We celebrated this year's Lunar New Year eve by participating in a Chinese tradition of watching the Spring Festival Gala. This year's event celebrating the year of the dragon and a number of stunning performances as well as a magic show that quickly became a meme due to an unexpected result. Listen in to our recommendations and let us know which performances you liked from this year's...

In ep 33, we finally get a breather for our heroes. Tan Qi and Li Bi finally part ways despite Li Bi ultimately saving her from certain death. Zhang Xiao Jing head off in search of clues from the mysterious bamboo fragment. This leads them back to Jing An Si where they have a hilarious encounter with an old frenemy. The two then go off to find a blacksmith who might solve their mystery and get the...

Transcript now on our website! Chinese Paladin 4 and 6 or The Legend of Sword and Fairy 4 and Sword and Fairy sees Ju Jing Yi and Chen Zhe Yuan vs Esther Yu Shu Xin and Xu Kai fight it out with the same IP. Meanwhile Yang Zi was not able to maintain her presence in TV ratings with her drama Love Endures. Wu Lei and Zhao Jin Mai's new drama Amidst a Snowstorm of Love is highly anticipated while...

Li Bi manages to escape from the Right Chancellor's clutches and brings much needed news to the Crown Prince and General Guo. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao Jing finds Xu Bin and heads off to rescue Tan Qi held hostage at the Right Chancellor's residence. Yao Ru Neng steps up in a big way to save Tan Qi who reiterates that she is more than just a slave. She has value and is capable of more.

It finally snowed in large swaths of Southern China. Many actors and actresses shared posts of the snowy spectacles down in Heng Dian with fans speculating which film crews will take advantage of the natural scenes! However, the biggest news with the snow actually comes from the pandas in Cheng Du! Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out more!

Director He finally makes an appearance and heads to the Right Chancellor's residence along with Li Bi and Tan Qi. There, we see just how powerful the Right Chancellor is as he manipulates He Fu into giving a false confession before committing suicide and then tries to force Li Bi into signing a statement implicating the Crown Prince by threatening Tan Qi's life. Elsewhere, Zhang Xiao Jing...

Fresh in the new year, infamous producer and screenwriter Yu Zheng decides to spill some shocking tea about his latest drama Wu Fu Lin Men. This is just one in a slew of petty and passive aggressive posts that he dishes out about the entertainment industry. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we talk about Yu Zheng's history and influence in the Chinese entertainment industry and just what...

In episode 28, Zhang Xiao Jing must return to the underground to find more clues about the hired mercenaries. Ge Lao faces a mutiny from his men but, with the help of Zhang Xiao Jing, dispatches the traitors. Zhang Xiao Jing is rewarded for this loyalty. Meanwhile, He Fu's actions have escalated to the battle between the Right Chancellor and the Crown Prince. The Right Chancellor tries to disc...

Welcome to 2024! Karen and Cathy are back to discuss the latest slate of Chinese dramas to kick off the new year. The biggest drama airing is 繁花 Blossoms Shanghai, directed by celebrated director Wang Kar Wai and stars Hu Ge, Ma Yi Li, Tang Yan, and Xing Zhi Lei. Others dramas include Zhang Ruo Yun's The Hope, Zhao Lu Si's The Last Immortal, Liu Hao Cun's Derailment, and Victoria Son...

Rounding out 2023, Karen and Cathy share their favorite Chinese dramas this year via superlatives. They include drama with the best soundtrack, most uplifting dramas, most thought provoking dramas and more! Let us know your favorite Chinese dramas of the year!

Karen and Cathy discuss the ladies of the Chinese entertainment industry that were the biggest winners, most controversial, up and coming and more!

In episodes 26 + 27, Zhang Xiao Jing flees for his life as the new kill orders from Ji Wen take effect. He is aided by Isse and the Sleuth Hounds but can barely stay ahead. He Fu has been blinded by Long Bo but still is given the opportunity to "assassinate" the Right Chancellor. He fails and is brought to see him instead. Li Bi flees from his captivity and has a series of encounters in...

Cathy and Karen share their thoughts on Chinese drama actors for 2023 including the biggest winners and losers as well the up and commers, the ones in more precarious positions and those that held steady.

In episodes 24 + 25, Zhang Xiao Jing meets the leader of the mercenaries and surprisingly meets an old friend. After the massacre, Li Bi tails Long Bo and his crew but is captured. He comes face to face with the mastermind for the events, He Fu. The destruction of Jing An Si means that the Right Chancellor must take over. He orders his subordinate Ji Wen to find the culprit within 2 hours. Ji Wen...

Journey to Love features a return to historical dramas for Liu Shi Shi whose last historical costume drama was 6 years ago. Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He's The Story of Kunning Palace finally aired. Charmaine Sheh and Kenneth Ma return with a well received TVB drama The Queen of News. Tan Jian Ci, Zhou Ye lead a modern romance, Gu Li Na Zha and Xu Wei Zhoul starred in a sequel to Weaving a Tale of...

In episode 23, Li Bi still holds Yu Chang captive at Jing An Si. Long Bo and his men mount a surprise attack to rescue her. Jing An Si is unguarded and only Cui Qi remains as he decides to finally do the right thing for the city of Chang An. In the face of Long Bo's men brutally murdering the officials at Jing An Si, Cui Qi makes a last stand. He died a hero and is finally remembered as Cui Qi...

In episode 22, Zhang Xiao Jing and Tan Qi successfully capture Yu Chang and bring her to the custody of Li Bi at Jing An Si. Based on Yu Chang's words and Yao Ru Neng's memories of the day, Li Bi makes the decision to summon the officials back to Jing An Si to continue their search for "Long Bo", the closest lead they've had. Long Bo decides to mount a rescue. Meanwhile, the...

Karen shares some high level observations of the current landscape of Chinese variety and reality tv shows.

Yisi and Zhang XIao Jing chase after an assassin on the rooftops of Chang An where Yisi shows off his rather impressive parkouring skills. They didn't catch the assassin's at this point but managed to trick them later and captured one for questioning. In the meantime, Yu Chang arrives to remove any loose threads.

Li Bi finally makes a breakthrough with the dying Cao Po Yan. His final clue leads them to the Lotus Cross and their leader You Cha. Zhang Xiao Jing and Tan Qi head off undercover in search of a Persian monastery but instead find themselves at a Nestorian church or the Church of the East. Their quest hits a snag as an eager deacon gets in their way. Meanwhile, Wen Ran escapes and regroups with Lon...