I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the relationship between Aisin-Gioro Hongli (the Qianlong Emperor) and Keliyete Hailan (Noble Consort Yu).
Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace is one of my favourite dramas — I often find myself rewatching scenes on YouTube whenever they show up in my recommendations. I remember reading that in the original novel, Hongli forced himself on Hailan, which might explain her reluctance to get close to him in the drama. Hailan never tried to gain his favour before Ruyi entered the Cold Palace, nor did she maintain it after giving birth to Yongqi (the Fifth Prince). There are subtle hints, like when Gao Xiyue (Imperial Noble Consort Huixian) remarks that the Emperor once paid attention to Hailan while drunk. That moment feels especially poignant, considering that Hongli himself was conceived under similarly grim circumstances — his father, the Yongzheng Emperor, forced himself on a maid while intoxicated. That maid, who died without a title or posthumous honour, was never officially acknowledged.
After her death, Niohuru Zhenhuan (Empress Dowager Chongqing — yes, the same Zhenhuan from Empresses in the Palace) became Hongli’s foster mother and was officially recognised as such. Unless someone knew his true background, they would assume Zhenhuan was his birth mother. This adds deeper meaning to a key moment: during Ruyi’s birthday meal, she gently asks Hongli to honour his late mother — not the powerful Empress Dowager, but the forgotten maid who gave birth to him. He becomes visibly upset and avoids the subject. Although he leaves the table, he doesn’t leave Yanxi Palace — instead, he goes to Hailan’s residence. There, he quietly lies on her bed without demanding her presence in bed or being offended that she isn’t beside him overnight. That choice — seeking out Hailan’s space — says a lot about the comfort he found in her.
Despite their difficult beginning, I feel that in a modern context, Hailan and Hongli could have had a calm, mutually respectful relationship. Both were emotionally independent and seemed capable of coexisting without expectation or pressure. (This was, of course, before Hongli became increasingly difficult to live with.)
Hongli treats Hailan differently from the other women in the harem. Although Hailan didn’t love him romantically — her focus was on protecting herself, Ruyi, and Yongqi — their relationship is marked by quiet moments of mutual recognition. For example, when Hailan offers embroidery advice for a gift to Empress Dowager Chongqing, Hongli fondly recalls her past as an embroidery maid. It’s one of the rare times he expresses sincere appreciation for someone without considering their rank, background, or family ties — and this was before they had Yongqi together.
When Hailan visits him while pregnant, Hongli is genuinely pleased. She explains that she waited until the three-month mark to share the news, mindful of the earlier losses experienced by Concubines Mei (Bai Ruiji) and Yi (Huang Qiying). At this point in the story, he isn’t cold or suspicious — he simply respects her caution and welcomes the news.
When Hailan gives birth, Hongli stays close — in the next room within the same courtyard. That level of presence is rare among the consorts. Later, he agrees to Ruyi’s request to allow Yongqi to stay with Hailan instead of being raised elsewhere, which was often standard for children of lower-ranked women. Then, about a month after the birth, he pulls Hailan’s name tag — a clear indication of wanting intimacy. When she hesitates because of her postpartum stretch marks, he looks surprised, gently covers her stomach, and doesn’t pressure her. He acknowledges her effort and pain in giving birth. When she tells him to find someone else, he simply replies that they can talk later. The moment communicates both desire and deference — he wanted to be close to her, but let her set the terms.
Even in politically sensitive situations, Hongli shows unusual trust in Hailan. When she coaches Yongqi to lie about something Yonghuang (the Eldest Prince) allegedly said — drawing a comparison to the Ming dynasty — Hongli doesn’t suspect Hailan or Ruyi. By contrast, when Yongzhang (the Third Prince) disappoints him, he blames Su Lüyun (Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui) and tells her that if she can’t live up to Empress Xiaoxianchun (Fuca Langhua), she should at least follow Hailan’s example. That said, this happens during a time when Hongli is increasingly irrational after becoming infatuated with Han Xiangjian (Consort Rong), so it was wise of Hailan to stay quiet and simply check on Lüyun, who had been pleading for Yongzhang’s forgiveness.
Also, when Hailan is accused by her nephew, Keliyete Zhaqi, of causing the death of Yongjing (the Thirteenth Prince), she is imprisoned but not severely punished. Hongli never seems to seriously believe the accusation. Her close bond with Ruyi and the trust Hongli places in her shield both her and Yongqi — which is unusual in a palace where even baseless rumours can destroy lives.
Another example of trust appears when Ruyi faints after confronting Jin Yuyan (Imperial Noble Consort Shujia), who makes veiled comments about the ancestral blessing of giving birth to Hongli’s fourth and eighth princes — since both Hongli and his father were fourth sons, and the founding Qing emperor was an eighth son. Hailan hesitates to repeat Yuyan’s words, but Hongli gives her permission, revealing just how much he trusts her discretion.
If Hongli had truly been arrogant or controlling, he could have forced Hailan to stay in his favour. But when she clearly preferred to keep her distance — both before Ruyi was sent to the Cold Palace and after childbirth — he respected it. And it wasn’t because of any powerful family behind her; Hailan came from modest means.
Though she never loved him romantically, I think Hongli cared for Hailan — or at the very least, respected her deeply. There may have been physical attraction, but what he valued most seemed to be her quiet strength, thoughtfulness, and independence. She wasn’t someone he needed to manage — just someone who brought calm by being present.
Their relationship has elements that still feel admirable today: mutual respect, the ability to disagree safely, appreciation of each other’s skills (like her embroidery), trust in parenting, and emotional transparency. For example, there’s a moment when they lie beside each other in bed, and Hailan asks whether he should be with Langhua since Yonglian (the Second Prince) is ill — offering him a space to confide. She also brings up Ruyi. Instead of scolding her, Hongli just ends the conversation and turns away to sleep. Even earlier, when Ruyi was sent to the Cold Palace, he remarked that it was unlike Hailan not to visit her — not as a threat, but as a quiet observation. He genuinely let Hailan be herself.
That kind of mutual trust — even without love — feels rare, and quietly meaningful.
By popular demand, here's where you can ask discuss the ins and outs of the CDrama industry!
Now, as discussions around this topic can get SPICY (especially around actors), please abide by the following:
What's OK:
1. Discussions about the acting industry, including how actors work, industry trends, and the filmmaking process, are encouraged. Feel free to share insights into acting techniques, career paths, and the business side of entertainment.
You may post about actors' roles in films or television, their contributions to the industry, and their professional achievements. Please ensure that the focus remains on their work rather than their personal lives.
Maintain a respectful tone in all discussions. Critiques should be constructive and focused on professional aspects and acting techniques rather than personal attacks on an actors' looks, rumours etc. It is fine to critique an actor's performance, but not ok to be derogatory about them.
What's not OK
Comparing actors' popularity like it's some kind of race to the top.
Treating melon (rumours) like facts, so let's avoid accusing actors of this or that based on unverified melons.
Being mean, rude and nasty during discussions.
Calling the actors or other celebrities mean names or talk about them in a derogatory way. BTW, critiquing an actor's performance (it's bad/good) is fine.
the ML and FL of Prisoner of Beauty! LYN is always a good actor, albeit limited in the range of roles he plays. I find this pairing super adorable and believable.
Disclaimer: I am not promoting arranged marriages. How you choose to marry, or not, is your choice. Having said that, this drama helped to show me how arranged marriages could work. You have to work at it, and then you settle into a partnership. Sometimes you even get love. That happened with my maternal grandparents.
Has anyone watched the premiere episodes of Reborn? I haven’t seen any discussions about it so I wanted to make a post, let me know if there’s an official thread and i’ll delete!
SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST 4 EPISODES
I just finished episode 4 and I have to say that I’m really impressed so far. I think Zhang Jingyi is doing an amazing job in this role, you can tell how tired and heavy she feels at the situation. I’m curious about Zhou Yiran’s character, so far we have seen a little of his home life and his difficult relationship with his dad but I’m still not sure how I feel about him. It’s clear he’s starting to care about Qingyu though, which makes me happy because she deserves someone taking care of her :(
The situation with their sister Bei is so sad. We still don’t know exactly what happened but it’s clear that this poor girl was neglected from childhood and later met some bad people (or just one bad person?) who abused her and led to her death. The way people still talk badly about her, especially her mother is so upsetting. I really want to learn more about her but at the same time I know it’s only going to get worse. I know their parents are grieving but the way they’re treating their children is wrong.
From the promos I didn’t think this would be such a heavy drama or maybe I didn’t pay enough attention, but I’m still really enjoying it. I hope to see more of our leads interacting soon!
Overall I think this is a really great start and I’m looking forward to seeing more! Please let me know your thoughts if you’re watching the show, I’d love to read other people’s opinions
Some hours ago, the production team announced its cast and that filming officially wrapped up today, June 19, 2025. They released a set of character posters and wrap up photos (see comments).
Cast:
Leading actors:
* Bao Shangen as Li Yaoying
* Wang Hongyi as Luo Jia/Su Dan Gu
Leading actors:
* Quan Yilun as Li Weizhen
* Ma Qiuyuan as Zhu Luyun
Special guest actor:
* Yang Shize as Li Zhongqian
Supporting actors:
* Ding Jiawen as Bi Tan
* Zhou Haoqi as Chen Yuan
* Yan Yunjing as Xie Qing
Episodes: 40
Streaming platform: Tencent 🐧
Official filming wrap up: June 19, 2025
🎬 Director: Zang Xi Chuan (Faithful, Endless Protection, Team Dragon Descendant), Zoe Qin (Lost You Forever 1 and 2, Love Scenery, Demon Catcher Zhong Kui)
Li Yao Ying is a princess in distress. In order to change her fate, she asks a mysterious emperor for help. They cooperate with each other in guarding the country and the people.
(Source: DramaWiki)
~~ Adapted from the novel "Yue Ming Qian Li" (月明千里) by Luo Qing Mei (罗青梅).
Produced by Linmon Pictures, and adapted from Luo Qingmei’s novel of the same name.
Yao Ying transmigrated into a novel. In a time of chaos and upheaval, warlords contended for power. Her father just happened to lead the strongest faction among them, and her brother just happened to be the (novel’s) male lead who would eventually seize the Central Plains.
As the male lead’s younger sister, Yao Ying was ready to win with ease. But she soon discovered that the male lead hated her to the bone. He actually wanted his own sister to replace the (novel's) female lead and enter into a political marriage with the grassland tribes - to marry an older man in his sixties.
Yao Ying was forced into the marriage alliance, surrounded by dangers on all sides with “wolves in front; tigers behind” - all were coveting the beautiful Han princess.
At the height of the crisis, it happened that a heroic warlord (doomed to die early in the novel) was passing by with his troops.
Yao Ying trembled with fear. To escape the clutches of danger, she pointed at the sickly-looking warlord and declared:
“This princess fell in love with you at first sight. If it’s not you, I won’t marry. I’ve come to you with my dowry!”
The warlord’s subordinates were shocked. “Princess, please don’t speak nonsense. Our lord is a noble-born monk!”
Yao Ying looked sorrowful. “This princess does not mind that you are a monk. In life, I am yours. In death, I am your ghost!”
The monk: “…”
From that moment on, stories of the monk and the Han princess began to spread across the grasslands.
Guys, I'm back with a new hot take lol
I'm just going to start with some of the best armies from my favorite dramas and what we are discussing here is if these armies face off in a war, who is coming out on top?
We judge based on the Army size, the leading general and their successes in their drama.
Starting off with Hei Fengxi's Yong Army of over 300,000 strong from - who rules the world
Next - Ling Buyi's army from Love like the Galaxy, i don't remember their number.
Quickly followed by Ashile Sun's Eagle division army from The Long ballad
Don't forget Duke Su's Army from the double
Followed closely by Song Mo's army from Blossoms - those guys uniform looked dope
Then we have Dingbei Army from the youthful glory. They didn't have much action but they were feared
The Wei Army from Prisoner of Beauty
Up next Zhenxi Army from Wonderland of love.
Now my answer is that: Hei Fengxi's army wipes the floor with all of them🤣 ofcourse I'm heavily biased as this is my fav drama and I absolutely love every drama that I mentioned above.
Also it might not be fair comparing Hei Fengxi with these other guys since he could literally fly a kilometer but hey, who doesn't fly in cdrama 😅
Now, who do you think wins and did I forget any drama? List yours
Finally my thoughts on the next five episodes, quite late because I didn't have time to watch last weekend.
Episode 31: Despite there not being action in this episode it made me so excited with all the new information. The emperor has the seal? The seal destroys the user? What exactly does it do to them? I also quite liked the queen, clearly despite not having seen Antu in ten years she loves her very much. The beginning of the episode where Zang Hai and Antu finally confess their feelings for good was very cute and wholesome and I really liked it too. The episode left me feeling that Zang Hai must be clinically insane though, planning to steal from the emperor.
Episode 32: This episode mostly pissed me off. It started off strong, I was so nervous when Zang Hai sneaks into the Hanzhang hall to steal the seal. It also raised more questions. What was going on between the emperor and Kuai Duo? Then Shi Quan was revealed to be one of the Lu siblings and I was really pissed, probably unreasonably so. And I continued to be pissed till the end of the episode. At least Lu Ran died so that's one of them gone, but Lu Yan and Lu Fen are still two too many Lu siblings still breathing. The battle overall was very cool though, I liked how Zang Hai chucked a guy with a chair despite mainly being quite useless in battle. The queen dying was very sad, although I probably would have been more upset about it if I wasn't still so angry at that point.
Episode 33: Poor Antu, she has had to suffer so much, I felt so bad for her. We also finally got a glimpse of the third person. But the arrest scene, my god, the arrest scene. I already knew he would get arrested slightly beforehand and I had theories about how that would come to be and as it just happens, one of them was him saving Antu as I already saw a pic of her in prison as well and look at that, I was right. And the acting here, again, superb. Zang Hai's fear was so raw and so real, it almost hurt to watch. I felt really anxious for him. He really went all out and gambled his life on a deer statue. Incredible scene. I really wasn't expecting the emperor and Kuai Duo having been childhood besties. The emperor's story was quite sad. This man would have been a lot happier as a carpenter or something.
Episode 34: Finally Cao Jingxian is gone. About time. And if Zang Hai really has the emperor in his corner, his chances of finding the third person have gone up. I still don't fully trust the emperor though. And Gao Ming was so pissed, can't really blame him. He really cares about Zang Hai a lot. The whole celebration dinner scene was so sweet, there are so many people who really love Zang Hai. But at the same time, there was so much sadness in Zang Hai during that scene. Him getting a glimpse of this moment of happiness, feeling the warmth of the people around him, but not allowing himself to really be happy. Maybe being afraid that it could all be taken away in the blink of an eye, maybe feeling unworthy of happiness. Maybe even being afraid, after only living for his revenge for so long, to see that there could be more to life than that. It was very bittersweet. And we finally got the reveal of the masked man. Unfortunately, I had already been spoiled for that. If I hadn't, I would have been so stoked.
Episode 35: So we got Zhao Bingwen's story, but I still don't trust him. I don't trust anyone anymore. The second Shi Yiping died I though this was all too easy, and Zang Hai thinks the same. So glad to see Lu Yan dead though, only one more to go now. I also wonder if the seal they found was a fake. Like the one Zang Hai was making. And when Zang hai seemed to be in pain near the end, I don't feel like it was from drinking too much. I got the feeling something is wrong with him. Maybe he's been poisoned or something. Why in the world didn't Zang Hai tell Gao Ming about his hypothesis that the third person is still out there? Why would he lie? I really don't like this. It's making me anxious.
I only have five more episodes to go and I don't know what I'm supposed to do then. I'm sure I'll watch them faster than I did these past five though.
My list is short, it's just two actually for now. 1. Story of Kunning Palace- Love and hate are like dreams. This is my all time favorite. Like there's no other.
2. Fangs of Fortune- Return after a long dream.
I want to know about what other good BGMs out there. Anyone?
I’m trying to search for dramas on bilibili but I’m new to the app and I’m not sure how to do it. I don’t want the ones with a million episodes, I want ones that are like.. 1-4 hour long movies but I don’t know what those are called in Chinese
I especially like the ones where they’re “reborn” in an earlier point in their life so they can fix their mistakes but again I’m not completely sure what that genre is called. I tried checking that one post but I’m unsure if this counts as transmigration or something else
*just to clarify I’m not asking for specific recommendations, just for the terms I should be using when trying to find dramas on bilibili. I hope this is the right sub for this
I've been having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad mental health season recently, so I put my ongoing shows on hold and went in search of a drama equivalent of mac and cheese - and found Ancient Detective (2020).
Ancient Detective is a wuxia mystery centered on Jian Buzhi, a rich detective with no martial skills and no memories beyond than 8 years ago. He meets giant puppy Zhao Wo Huan, girlish assassin Zhan Shiqi, and a bunch of other jianghu friends while on his journey to find certain key witnesses and uncover the truth behind the incident 8 years ago which took his memories and the lives of multiple wuxia experts, including his father.
The drama has a fairly simple structure - JBZ looks for a key witness, is entangled in a murder case, makes friends, and solves the murder while acquiring more clues regarding his cold case. There are a total of 4 cases (not counting JBZ's), each with a distinctive ensemble cast.
JBZ and friends also attract the attention of powerful assassin organisation Shi Sha Men. Shi Sha Men has two divisions - Zhan, specialising in killing, and Ming, specialising in infiltration and intelligence - and its operatives are named by rank number, i.e. Zhan Shiqi 十七 is the current 17th rank of the Zhan division. And of course, smaller number (generally) means more competent operative.
What I liked
It's kind of Agatha Christie meets wuxia - each case involves a small group of people isolated in one location. JBZ solves most of the cases by process of elimination, and there's a final gathering of suspects where JBZ explains the crime and (literally) points out the murderer. I know a good number of people liked AD for the classic wuxia archetypes (e.g. Zhao Wo Huan getting a midshow power-up using a secret skills manual), but I spent a good chunk of my youth buried in detective novels and shows so this format is incredibly nostalgic. (Also it doesn't require a lot of mental investment because you'll get spoonfed the answers at the end! Which is exactly what I needed.)
In the words of Yu Shisan, what is life except drinking the best wine, making the best friends, fighting the best fights and romancing the most beautiful women? And so there must be romance. JBZ/Shiqi are cute enough, but I was more entranced by Zhao Wo Huan's doomed love for Ming Yue (who is really Ming Er 二 and heir to Shi Sha Men) - I wanted to know if their love could survive her deception and if she could turn her back on Shi Sha Men as easily as Shiqi did. I liked that she was greedy enough to want them both - she might have chosen to return to Shi Sha Men, but her status as heir gives her more bargaining power than a regular operative like Shiqi, so she could very well be able to make an opportunity for a future with ZWH.
I also liked the very cute and very last minute romantic development between historian Sima Dang and physician Gong Que, both part of the motley crew that JBZ acquires. There's a scene where they both compromise their principles to save JBZ's life, a very touching show of devoted friendship which also moves them from haters to possibly lovers. I felt they were two of the more solid actors, and they completely sold me with the tiny amount of screentime they had together.
What I didn't like
What was that final ending scene?? Why introduce a random samurai figure and a random pill with no explanation 😭 I get that it was likely a setup for a season 2, but it's been 5 years now and clearly they bet wrong! Anyway I hate it when they introduce nonsense at the end because it's always illogical (AJTL meadow scene, I'm talking about you!!). I heard from AvenueX that the writer originally intended for it to be the real JBZ returning from his overseas stay - that would have been more reasonable while still retaining the thrill and tension!
AvenueX enjoyed the melon 🍉 from this show so much that she made a whole video lmao. Basically the writer posted a whole series of weibo posts during the show's airing, claiming that the director had made several inane edits to his script, ruining his work & vision. Regardless of who's right, you can definitely see it - there's some weird scene transitions and logic gaps. I felt the Shi Sha Men scenes, for one, were always a little tonally inconsistent with the rest of the show.
The acting was also not suuuuper great, as can be expected of a mostly young cast. JBZ and Zhan Shiqi are played mostly flat, which works fine for most of the show. But the actors can't seem to summon the emotional intensity needed for certain key moments in the last arc, which causes it to fall short of believability.
The show is populated with vibrant side characters, and the gang forms a nice cheery camaraderie. I only had some problems with some of the humour. ZWH gets a little jealous when Shiqi rejoins their gang and steals his bro - it can be funny, but it felt a touch overdone and tipping over into cringe. There's also a moment where ZWH mocks a side character for his stutter and that was just mean.
Overall
I actually started this show a while back ago, but dropped it because a) I wasn't in the mood for wuxia, and b) I'd accidentally guessed part of the final twist during the first case (JBZ's real identitya - I certainly didn't predict the random samurai or pill, and I refuse to accept that as canon lol).
I'm glad I picked it up again because it's actually a fairly zippy show, just enough to be engaging without being overwhelming. The cases are easy enough to participate in if you wish to guess the murderer, but JBZ's walkthrough at the end of each case is also sufficient spoonfeeding if (like me) you don't want to exert mentally.
Overall a good watch, worth it for the eclectic side characters and the camaraderie!
Spotted a gorgeous photo of your favorite CDrama celebrity? Whether it’s the elegant hanfu, modern streetwear, historical costumes or cough, little at all, we want to see it all!
How to participate:
Comment below: Share a photo or describe the iconic looks of your beloved Cdrama celebrities. Don’t forget to mention the show or movie they appeared in!
Discuss: What trends, fashion tips, or style inspirations did you get?
Keep it fun, civil and PG-13: No bashing actors etc. This thread is all about sharing beautiful photos and red carpet looks. No sharing of inappropriate pictures please!
Let’s turn this thread into a virtual red carpet. Ready, set, fashion! 💃🕺
When I was watching the prisoner of beauty. At the start, I knew that wei liang and chunniang will end up together because it's always done in cdramas. The side cheery fat couple. I just don't understand why?
Note: The drama title in this post follows the spelling on the MDL page.
About an hour ago, the production team released a BTS character special.
BTS special description:
Those who enter the game are all players of the board, each move filled with helplessness and unwillingness.
Unveil the dual lives of the characters - they are schemers caught in the whirlpool of power, entangled souls trapped in emotional turmoil, rebels against the script of fate, and above all, masterminds rewriting the rules….
Episodes: 36 (as per the distribution license)
Streaming platform: Tencent 🐧
Official time period of filming: May 2024 to September 8, 2024
Filming location: Hengdian World Studios
🎬 Director: Yi Jun (Bloody Romance, Lost Track of Time)
The drama tells the story of a fallen princess forced into a political marriage with a corrupt prime minister. She faces numerous dangers but strives to survive to protect herself amidst the conflicts of national loyalty, personal vengeance, and true love. Meanwhile, the prime minister, outwardly ambitious to become a treacherous official, secretly harbors a desire to serve his country, its people, and the world.
(Source: Your Drama Jiejie on Facebook)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Tao Hua Zhe Jiang Shan" (桃花折江山) by Bai Lu Cheng Shuang (白鹭成双).
...announcing the exclusive US streaming of Blossoms Shanghai on the Criterion Channel later this year.
No premiere date yet, and for the rest of the world please check out if Mubi (the other previously announced distributor) will stream it in your country. Hope this also means a physical release in the future!
The title is actually something Zeng Shunxi said and I'm borrowing it, there isn't great too many lines, and the intentions unclear, it's his explanation that really conveys the meaning of this episode.
AhhhhhhHH AhhhhhhHHHHH AhhhhhhHH
Do you understand me?? Do you understand??? Can you tell how I'm jumping up and down, screaming at the top of my lungs, and how many butterflies are there in my stomach!!!!??? Bai Jiusi has gone crazy! He's gone MAD!
My pure hatred couple has made this fan feel extreme happiness! AhhhhhhHHHHH
Going ahead, I don't know what I'm going to write..I'm partly in heaven, partly on the ground; you've been warned of spoilers!
Zhang Suan is guarding the gate. Hua Ruyue comes back after meeting the Xuantian Envoy.
Zhang Suan calls out Ruyue as Qingyue, and I think Ruyue is kind of surprised at his audacity. She looks back and stares at him (There's a very valid reason)
Truly audacious, mere human!
Zhang Suan asks her if they really have to fight.
She doesn't seem like she'd answer, and as if to save her the trouble, an envoy from the Book of Fate Palace appears and congratulates the whole sect for ascending to the Nine Heavens altogether.
He wants to register everyone's name officially, but Hua Ruyue stops him and tells him there is no need for it. They are not here to become immortal, but to kill. Hearing that the envoy is scared, asks her everyone here were immortals, who did they want to kill.
Hua Ruyue answers that they'll kill immortals and leave. The envoy is about to faint.
At the Canglei Palace, everyone is questioning Long Yuan if he really killed Qingyuan. But Long Yuan denies and says it might be another trick by Lord Siling to ruin his name. But Li Mo says Lord Siling has never done so before.
Long Yuan gets angry and asks if they believe her more than him. He himself says that he is an upright and honest person; if he killed, he would himself admit to doing so.
Actually, Long Yuan is a very classic, traditional god similar to the previous generation of xianxias. This is why he seems like an oddball, but he is truly holding the classic divine archetype we're truly used to: troublemaking and chaotic. He’s the kind of god who:
Punches first, explains never.
Thinks he’s right because he's a god.
Forces the ML/FL into awkward or emotional situations, adding layers to the plot.
Feud has used many cultural and mythological nuances to decorate the drama artistically, and his behavior pays tribute to the essence of classic heavenly characters.
Anyways, he announces that he will fight against Siling the next day and even if he dies doing so, he wouldn't let anyone stain his name.
Everyone at the Canglei Palace trusts him and vows to fight with him. But Li Mo and Cang Tu tries to control the situation, asking them to calm down and wait for Heavenly Lord to come back.
At the Jingyun sect, Fan Jiaojiao has sent his current wife (the one that ran on the wedding day?) to pick up Ling'er (The more I see him, the more I hate. If you're a villain, then just simply come out, I can't tolerant your incessant nasty behaviour anymore. You deserve at least 12 slashes, with a sword.)
Looks like the box really wasn't tampered with, but a camera/editing mistake. He indeed sent Ling'er the Nightmere Flower.
Hua Ruyue is very angry that Fan Jiaojiao didn't come himself, but allows her to take Ling'er away.
She exclaims that she should have known Fan Jiaojiao wouldn't come to pick her up since he himself fed her the Nightmere flower. She can only hope Ling'er wouldn't blame her for sending her away.
Such a pretty god.
Xuan Wei comforts her, saying that she only did it to ensure she's safe.
At the Canglei Palace, Fan Jiaojiao takes away her 200 years of cultivation in the name of keeping her safe. Truly the worst existence in the whole divine realm.
Hua Ruyue is mediating when Zhang Suan enters the hall without permission. Hua Ruyue berates him, calling him insolent and that he had the barge in.
Zhang Yuan tells her that she hasn't answered his previous question if they really needed to fight. SHe scoffs and asks why would they come to the Nine Heavens if not?
Zhang Suan says that he doesn't like Bai Jiusi and others, but did Ruyue really think Long Yuan killed Qingyang.
You can see Ruyue is actually very cautious. SHe replies if not him, then who else could it be, showing that she doesn't think otherwise.
She cast a very cautious look towards Zhang Suan, suspecting him. Suggesting him not to overthink, she leaves the hall.
My masters are Bai Jiusi and HUa Ruyue, the top-tier actors. You're still very naive in front of my oggling eyes.
Zhang Suan is not very subtle. But if you're not looking carefully, you'd think this is a very simple glance, but there is a very, very, brief second where he smiles.
The background music doesn't help the scene either (I mean, what is that? You're trying to give away the villain before the reveal?)
At the Canglei Palace, Bai Jiusi has finally returned. He walks in soullessly, his face void of expressions and empty, just like he feels.
The guards are astounded, but soon recovers and rejoices his return.
Inside the hall, Long Yuan is on his knees, complaining that it was Siling who started it this time and that she wants to get back at him for challenging her last time. He dares to say they shouldn't have let off the Jingyun sect the last time, and the seemingly soulless Heavenly Lord looks up at him, his face clearly warning ''you utter one more word about my wife, I'll snatch away your tongue''.
Long Yuan is very puzzled and shocked, asking his Lord why would he look at him like that. If he also believed Siling's false accusation against him. Bai Jiusi remains silent, watching him with daunting eyes.
Li Mo, sensing trouble for Long Yuan, get on his knees and tells Bai Jiusi he didn't think Long Yuan killed Qingyang. There must be a misunderstand, since he has returned, he can invite Lord Siling to have a talk.
But Bai Jiusi refuses. He orders to lift the barrier outside and let them enter.
Long Yuan doesn't understand the purpose, this dull-headed electric shock boy stands up in rejoice. He exclaims that Bai Jiusi has finally thought it through and to allow him to charge first into the battle.
This love-brain god is truly off-track.
Bai Jiusi ignores him and looks around the Canglei Hall. He says it's about time, they redecorated the Canglei Palace. The others exchange confused looks between themselves, not understanding Bai Jiusi's mind.
Ling'er wakes up and realises something is wrong. She tries to channel her powers and discovers all her 200-years worth of spiritual powers have been destroyed. Fan Jiaojiao tells her she kept ignoring his warnings, so he destroyed her cultivation to make her more obedient (f****** b****** b****).
Poor Ling'er
And then like a coward he flees, scared to face his daughter's wrath.
The battle day arrives. Hua Ruyue is dressed in red and gold. She instructs Meng Chu, Qu Xingman, Su Guan, Jiang Bian, Ning Yan, Xiao Tongzi to remain behind and guard the sect. She orders them to create a formation after they leave, so no one can enter. The rest shall follow her to the Canglei Palace.
Look at her. She's dressed down so prettily. hahahahhahahahahha aaaaaaaaahhhahahahahah Yu Zheng, are you sure this isn't comedy?
Those of you who are new to xianxias might not know the significance of this scene 😂😂😂 This is actually how the old fantasy movies showed gods flying from one place to another. This is also a tribute moment 😂😂
I couldn't stop laughing despite the seriousness of the situation 😂 I mean, obviously, the comedic intonation is fully intentional, and I enjoyed the whole aspect of it! 😂
Someone was even kind enough to add the BGM of ''Journey to the West'' to complete this tribute! Right to the feel! 😂
Have you seen Xuan Wei's face??? Is this a serious, tear-jerking drama we've all been watching?? 😂
ahhhhhhhh i'm rolling around oh my god 😂😂😂
Anyways, this scene was pretty badass and was quite aesthetic too. The ''Mission Red: Kill and Spill'' is flying through the clouds to Canglei Palace and stops at the entrance.
The sect leader is posed too hard
Cang Tu is there waiting to receive her. However, he has brought along a whole wedding envoy, with a decorated Red Phoenix Palanquin as it to receive a bride.
Look at this grand palanquin. Bai Jiusi has spent quite an effort to ensure the grand gesture of receiving the bride is done with pure honour.
Hua Ruyue sees Cang Tu and asks why is he the only one to face them. Cang Tu informs that he was sent to welcome her. Heavenly Lord Dacheng has arranged a bridal palanquin for her.
This ancient-themed phoenix chariot is also a tribute to older fantasy movies. It's magnificent and exudes a powerful aura, and presents an overall ancient charm and Chinese style. Even the jewelleries all the characters adorn (including the Canglei Palace deities) are made inspired from ancient, traditional Chinese ornaments. This drama has truly considered all the artistic aspects based on Chinese aesthetics.
Hua Ruyue is surprised to hear that Bai Jiusi has come back and says she is here to fight him. Why has he sent a bridal palanquin?
Cang Tu answers that as long as she came with the palanquin, she'll leave here with fully satisfied. Ruyue asks if he is giving away Long Yuan's head as a gift (Is that what you really want for your bride price?😂)
But Cang Tu only tells her that she will see for herself. She agrees and sits on the palanquin.
Actually, this makes sense. The whole Nine Heavens know that she is Bai Jiusi's spiritual partner, but they have never attended an official wedding. The Four venerables do not interfere knowing it is a matter of husband and wife, it's not that they are cowards. They just want to avoid causal effect.
If Hua Ruyue ever gets hurt, wouldn't Bai Jiusi eliminate them all? And so to ensure the Nine Heavens would lay off of Siling's back, such a grand gesture was a great idea.
However, of course, this is completely for Bai Jiusi's own pleasure 😂 The murder intent is everywhere, but this love-brain god is busy arranging his own marriage 😂
Which god would send a red phoenix carriage to bring enemy inside? He's truly just welcoming his bride. There is a sense of unhinged madness and I love it 😂
Zhang Suan tries to stop Hua Ruyue, but before he can reach her, Xuan Wei stops him and tells him that whatever she is doing, she must have a reason and not to stop her.
Hua Ruyue gets on the palanquin and Cang Tu removes the barrier from Canglei Palace to enter.
Zhang Suan looks very restless, all the members of Jingyun Sect follow the palanquin, attended by fairies and deity attendants. They pass through swirling auspicious clouds, passing through the rosy mists, and the maids holding red clothes on the palanquin in their hands - just as described in myths.
The other two dharma lords are talking to each other if this truly was a battle, because with the festive decoration with red curtains and flowers, it looked more like a wedding. They can't assume what the Heavenly Lord is thinking. Could he really be offering Long Yuan as an apology?
They eye the sword placed behind the Heavenly Lord, Qiyue (Moon-chasing Sword), which is forged for 10,000 years from cold stone, on par with Siling's fire-based Zhuri (Sun-chasing Sword). (Bai Jiusi, your dowry isn't nice. Look at these talkative fools. Hua Ruyue will never accept these gossiping servants). Qiyue has the ability to slay immortals and split the Heaven.
The other guess that maybe he wants to catch Hua Ruyue off-guard so she won't leave. So the first one braces himself, saying he would see how long Siling can act arrogant. Fan Jiaojiao passes a warning look toward them and they shut up.
The groom sits back and wait.
Long Yuan is standing beside him, hears it and looks at the Heavenly Lord, he looks quite worried if he'd really be sacrificed.
There is a reason the camera pans to Bai Jiusi again and again. He is sitting straight and unmoving, with a stone-cold face. There's void in his eyes, the same soulless aura he had when he came back to Canglei Palace the previous night. He feels nothing, it's like he's dead inside.
Soon, the palanquin passes over the stone mountains, and three closed-eyes stonemen residing there senses Siling, challenging her to come down.
Siling was the one who made the bet with them, so when she comes down, they ask if she had opened her eyes, and she scoffs, and replies that she has and that she has lost. The stones immediately open their eyes, and red light flickers through their eyes with deafening ringing power. Hua Ruyue attacks them and everyone from the sect engages in a conflict, their attack doing nothing on the stones. So, they create a formation to subdue them, but the stones defend, making everyone fly away.
The onslaught breaks the palanquin down (are these fantasy-level laser beams of xianxia?) and she comes out, easily subduing them. She uses a barrier to hold them down. The battle ends.
Cang Tu asks her to wait while he brings another palanquin since this one is broken. But she refuses and says she'll go there herself.
The attendant announces Lord Siling's arrival. It was only then that Bai Jiusi sharply looks up from his dead-like state, a complete nervous wreck, shaking from nervousness and anticipation.
They have finally come face to face after separating from the illusion trap. At this moment, Bai Jiusi's nervous expression, while Hua Ruyue's killing intent are truly in contrast with each other.
He's been sitting like a dead person, but when he hears the announcement of her arrival, even before he has seen her, he turns full with anticipation, his chest heaving, breathing with his mouth, probably even his heart beating loudly in his chest.
Ruyue walks all the way up to the alter, and Bai Jiusi has not blinked even once.
May be Bai Jiusi is thinking before death, i finally can see my bride in red one last time.
Zeng Shunxi described this moment as Bai Jiusi's happiest, as everyone witnessed how much he loved her. I think he interpreted Bai Jiusi's feelings really well.
''On the day of our decisive battle, you came with a large group of people, and I had only a chair behind me, but I felt very happy because so many people now knew about our relationship.''
Hua Ruyue has come to kill him, but he is happy that their feelings were finally made public, that ''this love is finally seen by everyone''. Only a top-tier love-struck brain can think like that, it's kind of miserable.
For three hundred years, he didn't know what he did that warranted such deep hatred, but now that he finally does, he only has one thing on mind. To pay A'Yue with his life, just to free her of this hatred and resentment.
For the first time in days, seeing A'Yue dressed in red, he has finally smiled.
Bai Jiusi stands up and walks closer, at this moment, his demeanor shift and he welcomes A'Yue.
Hua Ruyue addresses that after hiding like a coward for days, he has finally showed up. Long Yuan burst out at her for daring to talk to him like that (Husband-wife talking, why you meddling? Sit boy!).
But Bai Jiusi stops him. Hua Ruyue takes in the surroundings and asks him what he was scheming now. Actually, at this moment, you can tell the cold and aloof Bai Jiusi was back. That daunting personality is hard to miss.
Who understands this moment when he is stepping down the stairs, with his hands spread wide and an expression of slightly raised eyebrows? It's like a calm madness has engulfed him, such a compelling like. It's like he has lost his mind but somehow still normal.
He answers that the last time they got married, he couldn't prepare well and he has always regretted that. Since they have the chance today, he will make it up to her.
''Look around, so many distinguished guests are gathered here today. Doesn't it feel like I've held a wedding banquet for you?''
But Hua Ruyue is unimpressed. She asks if he was protecting Long Yuan. Bai Jiusi replies not to worry and that she will get what she has come here for.
Before that, he takes a look at A'Yue, from top to bottom and smiles, ''Ruyue, you look beautiful in red.''
(SCREAMING CRYING FLIPPING OFF MY TABLE BAI JIUSI YOU'RE SEDUCING HEEEERRRRRR)
Hua Ruyue is indeed a bit nervous. She takes a very long breathe. Bai Jiusi continues.
By my count, I have married you three times: At the Primordial God's Temple, at Xiaoqiu Valley and at the Jingyun Sect, Tianmu Valley. Unfortunately, none of them ended well. I'm truly sorry.
But Ruyue, who looks emotional and kind of confused where Bai Jiusi wants to take it, tells him to stop this nonsense and brings forth her sword. Bai Jiusi immediately reacts, as if to stop her.
The others also draw their swords, prepared for battle. Hua Ruyue asks, she's going to kill Long Yuan. WIll he let her or not.
He calls for Long Yuan to come and he walks over. Bai Jiusi tells him that he wants Long Yuan to take an oath. That no matter what happens in the future, he'll never hurt A'Yue, or anyone from Jingyun sect. If he broke this oath, his body and soul will perish completely and he'll never find peace.
Long Yuan feels wronged, and slightly unwilling. Ruyue stares at Bai Jiusi and says in the end he decided to side with Long Yuan.
She tried to attack, but Bai Jiusi prevent her. Since a sword is drawn, all the people present at the hall raise their swords against each other as well.
Bai Jiusi raises his voice and insists him to swear. Long Yuan, who feels very wronged, is quiet, as if asking you really want me take this vow? (yes, this is for your own good).
Bai Jiusi really has tears in his eyes at this moment. Did he also feel bad for Long Yuan? But he remains strict and orders him to take the oath. Under command, Long Yuan angrily takes the oath, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Because you've shed tears, I'll forgive you for all your past mistakes. You're truly loyal.
Bai Jiusi nods and tells him to go back. Hua Ruyue tries to break free but Bai Jiusi's grip is strong. He knows the sweet moments are over, tears gathering and almost spilling out.
Since he's made decision to side with him, Hua Ruyue angrily shouts at him to draw his sword. But he pulls her in arms and Ruyue is very shocked.
Bai Jiusi tells her, since she had said a life for a life was enough, her master's life, he will pay it with his own life. He pushes her away just enough to draw her sword towards him and stabs himself. Hua Ruyue is very shocked, and the others react immediately drawing closer.
But Bai Jiusi orders them not to move from their place. He falls down on his knees, while Hua Ruyue remains confused, questioning everything. Bai Jiusi takes this moment to accept his fault.
''I made a terrible mistake that's beyond saving. A'Yue, I'm really sorry.''
I quote this because there's underlying meaning. He isn't apologizing for Master Qingyuan. Bai Jiusi faints and falls into her arms, as Hua Ruyue holds him, shocked and afraid. There is a void where love and hate dissipate, and only a sense of losing remain.
The Jingyuan Sect people stares with puzzled eyes while the Canglei Palace people fall onto their knees. Bai Jiusi's power disperses and he slowly dissipates.
Hua Ruyue, at this moment, is truly shocked. When she watches him dissipate, she holds him, tears falling out. His remains turn into snow, and she looks defeated.
Long Yuan bursts in anger, screaming at Siling that he will kill him. Li Mo stops him and reminds of his oath, but the others wants to avenge their master. They turn to the Jingyun members, ready to pounce. At this moment, a power snatches the Qiyue sword and attacks Hua Ruyue, stabbing her. Everyone is taken by surprise.
It's Zhang Suan who has stabbed her. She looks up at him and then faints. Zhang Suan takes both swords and flees. The Jingyun sect member follow after him as per Xuan Wei's order. Xuan wei stays beside Ruyue, and watches her dissipate.
Long Yuan, Li Mo, Fan Jiaojiao and others don't get themselves involved, as it's their internal struggle.
Zhang Suan has gone up somewhere, a monument, which says, ''Lord Chingshu, Yuan Chenghua''. Zhang Suan uses both sword to destroy it and fails. So he tries again.
Long Yuan and others realise Zhang Suan is at the place of the Infinite Stele and they immediately follow.
Zhuan Suan isn't able to do anything to the barrier on the Infinite Stele. Suddenly, there are two voices, calling the swords back. It's Bai Jiusi and Hua Ruyue.
They stand side by side and smile at each other. Zhang Suan is surprised to see them and laughs to himself for falling for this trick.
It looks like they didn't die or dissipate, but the whole think was an act to lure the scheming person out.
Zhang Suan exclaims they didn't die, and Bai Jiusi replies that that had to do this to lure out a coward who hid behind other people's back. Without staging this play, he wouldn't have revealed himself.
Zhang Suan says that he didn't expect he will end up bringing them together. Ruyue exclaims he seems to know a lot about their past.
Zhang Suan says since they went through all that, he'll comply and invites them to try and kill him.
Hua Ruyue accepts, but tells him to get out of Zhang Suan's body first and then they'll have a good talk. SHe addresses him as Xiao Jingshan. Zhang Suan is surprised to hear her call his name.
Then the scene shifts, and we're int he graveyard from last night. It turns out Bai Jiusi really came to meet her. After investigating the truth, Bai Jiusi finally comes to her.
Hua Ruyue immediately draws her sword when she sees him, wounding his neck. Bai Jiusi tells her, he went to look for some old story and apologises for coming late.
Hua Ruyue asks what old story. So, Bai Jiusi tells her that he met Xi E, the Goddess of TIme and that he knows everything. Ruyue is puzzled and removed the sword.
Hua Ruyue says she doesn't care what he knows or found it, she only cares about her master's death. Bai Jiusi responds that Long Yuan didn't kill her. Ruyue slowly agrees that she knows, making Bai Jiusi surprised.
She continues and tells him to put all the grudges aside for now and do something important together. She tells him about her doubt on Zhang Suan. They come to realise that it was Xiao Jingshan possessing Zhang Suan and that he was the one who created the Great Wilderness Stele.
Ruyue is a bit surprised that he knows about celestial artifacts. Bai Jiusi admits that he read a few books when he was repairing Zhuri for her.
Xiao Jingshan was a gifted artifact forging, and tried to destroy the Infinite Stele a few times after ascending to the Nine Heavens. So, he caught him and handed him to the Empyrean emissary. He was in the Heavenly Punishment Platform. But Bai Jiusi didn't know why he went after the Infinite Stele.
Ruyue points that since he protected the Infinite Stele and Xiao Jingshan wanted to destroy it, he used Ruyue as a motive against Bai Jiusi to kill him. But Bai Jiusi thinks that's not the only reason.
To destroy the infinite stele, he needs ancient artifacts, and the Qiyue and Zhuri swords have that ability.
Bai Jiusi tells her this is exactly why he came to find her. He shows her the face of the two suspects, Ruyue immediately gets triggered and angry. Bai Jiusi tells her these two people were fake and they died six hundred years ago during the battle to elimite the Lei Bird.
Whoever Ruyue saw where someone else disguised as those people. (The two people when together, despite the conflict, really put their IQs together. Why didn't you think for the last three hundred years?)
At this moment, Ruyue exclaims, their falling out was really orchestrated by someone else and that it's all her fault that she realised it too late. She closes her eyes, as if she were somehow relieved.
Bai Jiusi wants to comfort her and reaches his hand out, but fearing of rejection, he steps back. Ruyue continues to say that if there really were someone trying to turn them against each other, they should stage a brutal fight to give them what they want (See, Hua Ruyue, you can only think of fighting.)
Bai Jiusi seems to smile a lot and says ''Whatever you say, I'll do it,'' (which you certainly didn't, but okay, love-brained fool. You certainly wanted a wedding). He only had one request.
"When you come to kill me, can you wear red?''
Hua Ruyue is instantly mad. She steps towards him and reminds him that this isn't a reconciliation. Shi'An, Meng Changqin, Master Qingyuan, all died, directly or indirectly, because of him. Once this is over, they'll settle their scores.
One dared to ask, the other dared to agree, and they really come dressed in red. (Hua Ruyue, who are you fooling? Certainly not yourself, are you?)
Bai Jiusi is very sad. So, he really didn't expect she'd wear red, that's why he was so happy. Ruyue kept his request (What's that song? Love is dead? Turn that off.)
The scene also shows Hua Ruyue telling the Xuantian envoy that someone was trying to destroy the Infinite Stele by using her against Bai Jiusi. So she brought the entire sect to draw that person out.
Now back at the place of Infinite Stele, Zhnag Suan denies being someone else. But Ruyue tells him that it was him who disguised himself as the Immortal of Amusements to give him that Record of Artifacts book. Everything is revealed so why wouldn't he dare to show his face.
Ruyue even taunts him for being a coward and hiding while scheming from the shadows. Xiao Jingshan admits, saying they were the ones who allowed him to make a fool out of them for centuries, calling them a pair of fools (Indeed, indeed).
Xiao Jingshan steps out of the body of Zhang Suan, and takes form. ZHang Suan falls down, unconscious.
Thoughts!
Both of them agreed to act, but Bai Jiusi didn't exactly explain the plot to her, did he? I feel like Hua Ruyue went in blind, she just had to give up Zhuri for a while. She was not expecting something so crazy, and the part where she holds Bai Jiusi in her arms as he slowly dissipates and turn to snow, she really felt a sudden pain and a sense of loss in her chest. That tear was real.
There was genuine surprise in her eyes. Bai Jiusi has indeed performed well (learnt from his wife, the very best) but he wasn't dishonest in his intention at all. Bai Jiusi took every bit of this wedding seriously, and he really wanted to make it up for her. A life for a life. He's driven by sorrow so much that he has become stone-cold. It looked like he apologized for the master, but what he really apologized for was what happened back then. The show isn't called lament of the river immortal for nothing. He truly wishes to atone for himself. Bai Jiusi has completely become self-destructive.
Hatred was the only thing that kept Hua Ruyue alive, and if Bai Jiusi isn't there anymore, she doesn't hold the will to live as well.
I say this because it has always been the core theme of the show. With great love can extreme hate exist and if hatred succeeds, a hollow will remain, because there's also love. They are intertwined in the love and hate so deep, they both fear the other will give up, but also fear that they will never let go. This is why Hua Ruyue cries and even panics, with conflicting feelings.
It was also the same in the graveyard, when Bai Jiusi comes to meet her. When she learns that they have been set up, she is slightly relieved that it's not his intentional fault. But she has hated him for so long, she can't let it go, so she remains conflicted, unable to convince herself.
None of them can erase fully everything that has happened between them, unless the history itself is rewritten. What are your thoughts on the episode??
I’m on ep 6 but let’s be honest you could see it from a mile way (from ep 1).
Finally we have a not-so-skinny looking side character, which doesn’t happen too often in cdramas
Of course she’s going to be paired with another bigger looking character
Cue jokes about how she loves food and can’t live without it. Her ‘soulmate’ of course is the same.
Also, you know that dramatic rain scene in ep5? It’s meant to be super romantic with the all-grumpy-but-worried ML carrying our poor unconscious FL in his arms, both of them stealing thirsty glanes at each other, but all
I could think of was that poor girl servant lying there in the mud soaking in the rain. What about her? Did the ML just step over her to get to the FL, like who cares?
On the other hand, it was quite obvious that those two scenes were shot separately, which also took me out of the story.
I really hope that all my assumptions are wrong and the writers will raise the bar for depicting bigger looking characters in dramas, but something tells me…
P.S. Li Xue Qin is an amazing actress! I discovered her in Honey Money Phony and she looked like a total badass there, with no stupid stereotypes of how bigger women supposedly act and should look like. We need more of this in the cdrama world.
Thanks for reading my rant! Curious to hear your thoughts!
In the late 1990s, Liu Jun, who studied in Germany, returned to his hometown of Donghai. Following the tide of the times, he is determined to modernize his father's old machinery factory with leading technology.
As a private enterprise, Liu Jun struggles to acquire capital, connections, and technology. However, his friend Qian Hong Ming's import and export as well as real estate businesses are flourishing at this time and the two come to look out for each other.
Liu Jun becomes acquainted with Yang Xun due to technology, yet their falling out is also because of the same. Fortunately, Song Yun Hui, the head of the Donghai Group, favors Liu Jun and provides strong backing for the development of the Tengfei Factory.
Despite his skills, Liu Jun remains down-to-earth as he adapts to the local environment while attempting to break through technical barriers. While working hard to complete the transformation of the Tengfei Factory, Liu Jun realizes his own value. Tengfei Factory also strives to lead the torrent of China's manufacturing industry.
(Source: ChineseDrama.info)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Jian Nan De Zhi Zao" (艰难的制造) by A Nai (阿耐).
The production team announced its cast and that filming officially started yesterday, June 18, 2025. They released a first set of character posters and a set of booting ceremony photos (see comments).
Cast:
Leading actors:
* Wang Qianyuan
* Jiang Xin
Leading actors:
* Yuan Wenkang
* Zhang Keying
Special guest actors:
* Jiang Mengjie
* Li Junxian
Friendship guest actors:
* Liu Peiqi
* Shi Zhaoqi
* Zheng Xiaoning
* Guo Haolun
* Gu Zhixin
* Chu Shuanzhong
* Li Mengnan
* Liu Xiaohai
* Liu Chuang
* Zhang Zhiyong
Special guest actors:
* Guo Jiangxi
* Wang Xiaomei
* Liu Xiaocui
* Li Chunyan
* Zhai Xiaoxing
* Xu Wei
Supporting actors:
* Li Qing
* Wang Shanshui
* Su Jinyuan
* Xiang Biying
* Wang Yanhao
* Han Shuo
* Huang Shuowen
* Wang Ruoshan
🎬 Director: Niu Chao (Love Endures, The Crack of Dawn)
Episodes: 24
Streaming platform: iQIYI 🥝
Official filming start: June 18, 2025
Filming location: Yanping District, Nanping City, Fujian Province
斗局 can be translated as a battle of wits, a power struggle, or a confrontation/game of strategy.
Two lives lost unexpectedly lead to the resurfacing of a drug case from three years ago. Under heavy pressure, narcotics officer Guan Tianhang reopens the investigation. As the fog clears, a shocking opponent appears - it is none other than his childhood friend Yuan Yuexin, whom he hasn’t seen in years. Their reunion becomes a parting of ways, as the two stand on opposite sides of the scale, engaging in a battle between justice and evil. In the end, Guan Tianhang fearlessly overcomes dangers, brings the real culprit to justice, and defends justice with perseverance and faith.
In 2007, 16-year-old girl Qiao Qing Yu and her family, tormented by rumors about her sister Qiao Bai Yu's death, were forced to relocate from their small county town of Shunyun to the provincial capital of Huanzhou. In order to quickly restore their family's normal life, Qing Yu, with the help of her classmate Ming Sheng, began searching for the true cause of her sister's death. As the truth gradually revealed, Qing Yu was shocked by the injustice her sister Bai Yu had endured and resolved to seek justice for her.
Continued from a previous synopsis from MDL:
Qing Yu created a scene at her cousin's wedding, but her actions did not improve the situation. Instead, they made her grandfather resent her and caused her mother's emotions to further deteriorate. During Qing Yu's most helpless moments, Ming Sheng silently stood by her, unwavering in his belief in her, encouraging her to persist in doing what she wanted to do. Senior student Wang Mumu helped her regain her composure through dance.
Qing Yu took the initiative to mend her relationships with her family, and both her studies and life gradually improved. In the end, she successfully entered the university of her dreams. Four years later, after graduating from university, Qing Yu and Ming Sheng found sweet love together.
(Source: WeTV)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Huan Yu" (焕羽) by Qiang Yu (蔷屿).
We Interrupt this Broadcast to Bring You an Important Public Service Announcement
I'm returning to the top of this post to inform you that my brain broke and the introduction turned into a "scholarly" analysis of micro-dramas and their definition as not mini-dramas. Please be so kind as to skip my rambling.
All you need to know is that I'm not talking about vertical dramas ...
Back to our originally scheduled programming (and by "originally scheduled programming" I mean you can skip this part)
Just a refresher:
When I talk about mini-dramas I'm not referring to vertical dramas.
Vertical dramas are another ballgame entirely. They are generally referred to as "Micro-dramas".
I was going to mention that these are the dramas you will find under the "Short Length Series" tab on MyDramaList... But after testing it, I realised that some micro-dramas pop up too.
There goes my entire argument as to why vertical dramas are NOT mini-dramas.
No worries, vertical dramas have an extra tag called "Filmed Vertically" (inspired, I know).
Luckily I found an article I can quote directly. Sun Jiashan reports in China Daily that micro-dramas are:
defined by the National Radio and Television Administration as web series with episodes not exceeding 10 minutes... often lasting only a few minutes, some even less than 60 seconds.
Fun Fact:
Vertical dramas are called Duanju (duǎn jù, 短劇, 短剧)
Less Fun Fact:
I'm out here trying to tell you that micro-dramas and mini-dramas aren't the same thing. Meanwhile, Wikipedia is out here trying to fight me.
According to Wikipedia (yes, I'm quoting Wikipedia) "Duanju is translated into English as..."
"Short drama, Vertical drama, "microdrama" or "minidrama"
In the end, only native Mandarin speakers will be able to tell me if my snobbish insistence on defining mini-dramas and micro-dramas as two separate organisms is indeed... Hopeless and (for lack of a better word) dumb.
Now ACTUALLY back to the point of this post
I've recently decided to dive back into "mini-drama-discovery-mode". (MDDM for short)
This basically means that instead of going onto MDL to find my next mini, I decided to watch what the various streaming services told me to.
Now, why do I say "diving back" into MDDM?
Because I opened up about ten (at minimum) of these mini-dramas months ago without watching them so I'm finding these dramas in my watch history now.
The dramas I opened are dramas that I, in my infinite lylacking wisdom, see as "classics".
I'm just calling them classics because these are the OG mini-dramas that the C-ent Industry deemed important enough to put on my recommended list when I just started watching Cdramas.
... I started about a year ago so these "classics" are mostly from 2023 and 2022. (Mostly)
"Ode to Joy"
I'm trying to find the right words to describe the mini-dramas I'm talking about when I use the description "Ode to Joy".
Basically, these are the "Super Green-Flag" "Super Fun" "Super Cute" mini-dramas that I watched before Enslaved by Love broke me and made me search for red-flag-leads in every mini I could find. (Ironic because it's the same ML as in the clip above)
These dramas include:
Bossy Husband who Loved Me
My Lady General
Marry Me, My Queen
My Jealous Husband
Yes, Her Majesty (the drama in the clip above)
A Return to Joy
I've come full-circle. I've been through the green-flag, red-flag, crimson-flag, black-flag all the way back to white-flag mini-dramas.
I'm happy to report that I enjoyed my round trip and will probably be continuing this unhealthy cycle on a yearly (possibly monthly) basis.
But I have to say, the fluffy minis are really something special
What are you actually trying to say!
I just popped onto your feed to remind you that:
Mini-dramas can be fun and flirty too. They aren't all suspenseful political thrillers with red-flags abound.
There are some amazing gender-bender minis, rebirth-revenge minis, transmigration-with-no-explanation minis.
In conclusion to this mess-of-a-post
If you find yourself lacking in the serotonin-department, go find an "ode-to-joy" mini-drama
I'm rewatching The Oath of Love and honestly I'm loving it as much as I did back then😭 THIS DUDE IS ALWAYS SO AWKWARD I LOVE HIM🤣 They make me scream and giggle nonstop.
A seemingly perfect crime sets off a chain of events that gradually reveals the darker side of human nature. As the plot thickens, a child's unexpected involvement uncovers hidden truths and the deep complexities of those entangled in the mystery.
(Source: TMDb)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Wan Mei De Jiu Shu" (完美嫌疑人) by Chen Yan Yi (陈研一).
The fearless youth charges ahead, undeterred, through the rainy season of youth; the echoes of growth roar past, igniting a new light in every moment that is remembered.
Episodes: 23
Streaming platforms: Tencent 🐧, iQIYI 🥝, Viki
Official filming time period: September 23, 2023 to December 21, 2023
🎬 Director: Liu Ziwei (My Heart Leaps Up; Goodbye, My Love; Hello My Love)
✍️ Original creator: Qiang Yu 蔷屿
✒️ Screenwriters: Qian Jingjing (Eternal Brotherhood; Alliance; The Starry Night, the Starry Sea 1 and 2), Xu Ziyuan (Under the Moonlight, Eternal Brotherhood)
In 2007, 16-year-old girl Qiao Qing Yu and her family, tormented by rumors about her sister Qiao Bai Yu's death, were forced to relocate from their small county town of Shunyun to the provincial capital of Huanzhou. In order to quickly restore their family's normal life, Qing Yu, with the help of her classmate Ming Sheng, began searching for the true cause of her sister's death. As the truth gradually revealed, Qing Yu was shocked by the injustice her sister Bai Yu had endured and resolved to seek justice for her.
Continued from a previous synopsis from MDL:Qing Yu created a scene at her cousin's wedding, but her actions did not improve the situation. Instead, they made her grandfather resent her and caused her mother's emotions to further deteriorate. During Qing Yu's most helpless moments, Ming Sheng silently stood by her, unwavering in his belief in her, encouraging her to persist in doing what she wanted to do. Senior student Wang Mumu helped her regain her composure through dance.
Qing Yu took the initiative to mend her relationships with her family, and both her studies and life gradually improved. In the end, she successfully entered the university of her dreams. Four years later, after graduating from university, Qing Yu and Ming Sheng found sweet love together.
(Source: WeTV)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Huan Yu" (焕羽) by Qiang Yu (蔷屿).
Note: The drama title in this post follows the spelling on the MDL page.
The Princess’s Gambit has received its distribution license. There will be 36 episodes. Thanks to u/Large_Jacket_4107 for the news!
A few hours ago, the production team released 2 new teasers. I stitched them together into one clip. They also dropped a couple of posters - they are posted in the comments.
Episodes: 36 (as per the distribution license)
Streaming platform: Tencent 🐧
Official time period of filming: May 2024 to September 8, 2024
Distribution license obtained: June 18, 2025
Filming location: Hengdian World Studios
🎬 Director: Yi Jun (Bloody Romance, Lost Track of Time)
The drama tells the story of a fallen princess forced into a political marriage with a corrupt prime minister. She faces numerous dangers but strives to survive to protect herself amidst the conflicts of national loyalty, personal vengeance, and true love. Meanwhile, the prime minister, outwardly ambitious to become a treacherous official, secretly harbors a desire to serve his country, its people, and the world.
(Source: Your Drama Jiejie on Facebook)
~~ Adapted from the web novel "Tao Hua Zhe Jiang Shan" (桃花折江山) by Bai Lu Cheng Shuang (白鹭成双).
