Qing Luo (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Qing Luo

Chinese title: 清落

Episodes:  24

Genre: Romcom, historical, wuxia, mystery

Original network: Youku

Release date:      19 May 2021

Airing schedule:  19 May 2021 - 3 June 2021

Synopsis:

Yu Qing Luo is a skilled "ghost" doctor, who uses poisons to heal.  She is also an amnesiac single mother, who wants to find her missing memories and a father for her precocious 7 year old son Nan Nan, who decidedly does not want any father but his real one.       

On her journey, Qing Luo meets Prince Ye Xiu Du, and sparks fly (not all the right kinds). She mistakes him for a notorious Casanova, while he is both annoyed and intrigued by the feisty doctor who may be able to cure his brother. Nan Nan, takes a liking to Ye Xiu Du though, and takes him on as a 'disciple' in exchange for endless supplies of fried chicken.

Despite their bumpy beginning, Qing Luo and Ye Xiu Du fall in love. But when there is amnesia involved and enemies left and right from the past and also the present, the path to happiness is not exactly smooth...

  

A translation of Su Shi's "Prelude to Water Melody" (theme song in My Heroic Husband (2021))

A translation of Su Shi's 蘇軾 "Prelude to Water Melody" 水調歌頭 

One of my favourite theme songs in My Heroic Husband (2021) was the ending theme - Prelude to Water Melody《水調歌頭》, which sets the famous Song dynasty poem of Su Shi 蘇軾 aka Su Dong Po 蘇東坡 (1037AD-1101AD) to music. It is sung by Zheng Yun Long in My Heroic Husband - you can listen to the song 👉here. 

Ep7: A show stopping rendition

As well as being the ending theme song, Prelude to Water Melody《水調歌頭》is used to great effect in episode 7, when Ning Yi saves the day by pulling off a stunning performance of this song, directed with modern day special effects (wire work, lighting, petal machines, fireworks etc) and alongside a secret weapon break out star.  See 👉here for a short clip💛

I think Prelude to Water Melody《水調歌頭》is a great choice of song for the drama - it captures all the wistful longing for reunion with loved ones who are far away and who may be wishing on the same moon...  

  

Final review - My Heroic Husband (2021)

Final review/rating: My Heroic Husband (2021) - An enjoyable game of two halves with a hilarious and sweet power couple

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       8.5 Stars Acting/cast:            8.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      8 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The first arc of My Heroic Husband (2021) is laugh out loud comedy at its absolute best, with a hilarious and witty cast ably led by Guo Qi Lin's Ning Yi as the titular matrilocal husband (zhui xu/赘婿).  He and Song Yi's Su Tan Er are an unstoppable comedic duo and very cute OTP, running rings around their commercial rivals.  Definite shades of Joy of Life!

Unfortunately the second half is no where near as perfect as the first and the drama spends too long on the rather tedious bandit arc in an abrupt change of pace and tone, from about episode 18 onwards, no doubt to provide the set up for Season 2.  But overall, My Heroic Husband is still a very enjoyable watch. A solid 8.5 stars.    

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final Review - Be my Cat (2021)

Final review/rating: Be my Cat (2021) - Fluffy, short, Cat-centric romcom

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5.5 Stars Acting/cast:            6.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

There's nothing to write home about in terms of plot or acting with Be my Cat (2021), but this short 16 episode cat-centric fantasy romcom is a nice way to unwind if you need a break from more serious angsty dramas. 

I think you have to be in the mood for light fluffy nonsense to enjoy Be my Cat.  There's plot holes and inconsistencies aplenty and no real attempt to tell a coherent story.  But cat lovers (and those with a sense of the ridiculous) may warm to this one.  It's one of those a dime a dozen, low budget, fluffy and short fantasy romance dramas with tropes a plenty.  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

Be my Cat (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Be my Cat

Chinese title: 我的宠物少将军 (Translation: "My pet, the young General")

Episodes:  16

Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Romance

Original network: Sohu TV

Release date:      8 Feb 2021

Airing schedule:  8 Feb 2021 - 1 March 2021

Synopsis:

Pet store owner Su Xiao He (whose name is literally "Peppermint") goes on a quest to find her missing older brother.  In the process, she comes into possession of the Blue Soul Orb - a magical artefact that also accidentally awakens a Cat Prince, Mo Xiu Ren from the faraway Cat planet.  

Mo Xiu Ren finds himself trapped in the body of a General and is contractually bound by the Blue Soul Orb to have Peppermint as his owner and master, much to his dismay.  But as the two embark on a sometimes dangerous quest to find other Orbs and to send Mo Xiu Ren home, Mo Xiu Ren finds that perhaps he doesn't want to go home after all.  

  

The Long Ballad (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Long Ballad

Chinese title: 長歌行 (Translation: "Chang Ge's journey")

Episodes:  49

Genre: Historical, Action, Romance

Original network: Tencent 

Release date:      31 March 2021

Airing schedule:  31 March 2021 - 3 May 2021

Synopsis:

The Tang Dynasty, in the year 626 AD...  Princess Li Chang Ge's entire family is slaughtered after the infamous Xuanwu Gate Incident - a palace coup in which her mentor and uncle Prince Li Shi Min successfully wrests control of power and becomes the Crown Prince, and later, Emperor Tai Zong.     

Vowing vengeance, Chang Ge flees Chang'an city to muster an army powerful enough to overthrow the new emperor.  

  

My Heroic Husband (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  My Heroic Husband

Chinese title: 赘婿 (Translation: "Matrilocal Son-in-Law")

Episodes:  36

Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Time travel

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      14 February 2021

Airing schedule:  14 February 2021 - 3 March 2021

Synopsis:

Ning Yi, a modern day financial businessman, is double crossed by a commercial rival and left for dead...  His story is "rewritten" and he is transported back in time to the Wu dynasty and into the body of a man who is about to be married into the prosperous Su family as a matrilocal husband of lowly status.  

Using modern day business methodology and his own special brand of acumen, Ning Yi helps his wife Su Tan Er prosper in her business, cornering the cloth market for her and his friends, and successfully battling corrupt local businesses.  Love blossoms between Ning Yi and Tan Er, as their marriage of convenience becomes a marriage of equals.  

  

Final review: A Love so Romantic (2020)

Final review/rating: A Love so Romantic (2020) - An enjoyable, laugh out loud funny first part followed by last third cliché

This is 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

This was fun to watch! Light hearted romcom, that doesn't take itself too seriously.  After a very promising first 20 or so episodes, the drama unfortunately descends into drama land cliché, but all in all, still a very enjoyable watch😊

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final review - The Winner is Love (2020)

Final review/ rating: And the Winner is Love (2020) - Aesthetically beautiful but too much talk and not enough action

This is 6.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6.5 Stars Plot:                       4 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      3 Stars Enjoyment factor:   5 Stars

Smiling Leo! Bring it on! 💓

Full disclosure: I came for Luo Yun Xi and stayed for Luo Yun Xi... 

I was so excited when And the Winner is Love (2020) was in the works - finally, a historical wuxia drama in which Luo Yun Xi is the main male lead?  No more going through the tortures of the damned as Luo Yun Xi suffers endlessly in heartbreaking scene after heartbreaking scene as the second male lead? (Don't get me wrong, Luo Yun Xi does heartbreak and tragedy gut wrenchingly well.  It's just that I want to see a drama where he gets to smile, and flirt, and get the girl for a change).  And the Winner is Love ticks all those boxes, so that's a win, but... 

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

And the Winner is Love (2020) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  And the Winner is Love 

Chinese title: 月上重火 (Translation: "Moon above the Fire")

Episodes:  48

Genre: Historical, Wuxia, Romance 

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      28 May 2020 

Airing schedule:  28 May 2020 - 5 July 2020 

Synopsis:

Chong Xue Zhi, the beautiful young leader of the Hall of Flames, ventures into wulin 武林 (the martial arts world) for the first time.  Her legacy is her father's invention of a martial arts named the Lotus God Nine Stance technique (莲神九式), which makes men mad if practiced incorrectly, but is coveted by the so called righteous sects and evil sects of wulin alike.

When Chong Xue Zhi is ambushed, she is rescued by Shangguan Tou, the intriguing young master of Moon Valley.  The two join hands to investigate the theft of the Lotus God Nine Stance technique manuals and fall in love.  At the same time, a mysterious villain begins to kill prominent members of wulin with the distinctive Lotus God Nine Stance technique...  

  

Dr Cutie (2020) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title: Dr Cutie 

Chinese title:  萌医甜妻(Translation: "Doctor sweet wife ") 

Episodes: 28

Genre: Historical, Romcom, Cross-dressing, Revenge

Original network: Youku

Release date:  18 January 2020 

Airing schedule: 18 January - 12 February 2020

Synopsis

Shen Zhao Er (aka Tian Qi) masquerades as a male physician to enter the Ji mansion, home of General Ji Heng, to act as the personal physician to General Ji Heng's fiancée.  Tian Qi does so in the hopes of investigating who murdered her parents - she has reason to suspect that the perpetrator is related to the Ji mansion.  

  

Final Review - Dr Cutie (2020)

Final review/rating - Dr Cutie(2020): Fluffy fun with a Heroine who outshines the Hero

This is 5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         5 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   5 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      4 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

Dr Cutie (2020) is a fluffy, fun romcom with a satisfying happily ever after.  It's not overly ambitious in terms of plot and the "will he find out she's actually a girl" trope gets drawn out for far too long, but Sun Qian is absolutely delightful as the titular Dr Cutie. She outshines her male co-star, Huang Hun Jie, whose acting is unfortunately not as good as his male lead looks.  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

Final Review - General’s Lady (2020)

Final review/rating - General's Lady (2020): Cute Couple and many happily ever afters 

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

General's Lady (2020) is a fairly enjoyable watch, full of well worn tropes and sweet moments between the leads as well as between almost every single other conceivable pair in the drama. It's not overly ambitious in terms of plot (and some of the middle episodes are rather draggy) but the ending is all one big happily ever after. 

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

General's Lady (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title: General's Lady 

Chinese title: 将军家的小娘子 (Translation: "The Bride of the General's home") 

Episodes:  30

Genre: Historical, Romcom

Original network: Youku

Release date:  9 October 2020 

Airing schedule: 9 October - 27 November 2020

Synopsis 

Shen Jin, the unfavoured daughter of a concubine of the royal family, is married off, sight unseen, to the notorious "demon" General Chu Xiu Ming in her older sister's place when her older sister refuses to honour the imperial marriage decree.  

  

Final Review - Heroes (2020)

Final review/rating - Heroes (2020):  A fitting homage to one of China's legendary heroes 

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

This, my friends, is a truly fitting homage to one of China's legendary martial arts heroes! A thrilling, action packed, never-a-dull-moment gem of a drama, reminiscent of the days where kung fu/action drama relied on actual skill rather than CGI.  Definitely not your typical fluffy idol drama. 

And it's not just the stunningly choreographed fight scenes that will keep you glued to your seat (or jumping up and down in glee).  The plot and characters will definitely keep you glued to the screen...  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Heroes (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title: Heroes 

Chinese title: 大侠霍元甲 (Translation: "The heroic Huo Yuan Jia") 

Episodes:  45

Genre: Historical, Martial Arts, Action

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:  28 July 2020 

Airing schedule: 28 July - 20 August 2020

Synopsis  

Heroes is a quasi biographical drama about the famous martial artist Huo Yuan Jia.  The drama begins with the 1898 Reform Movement, which resulted in the deaths of the "six heroes" and Huo Yuan Jia becomes embroiled in the fall out when he rushes to the rescue of his sworn brother, "Broadsword" Wang Wu.  

When Huo Yuan Jia's father and brother are murdered by the villainous Ying Si, Huo Yuan Jia embarks on a quest for vengeance.  

Thereafter, he makes a name for himself in Shanghai, establishing the prestigious Jing Wu martial arts school and demonstrating by word and deed that China is not "the sick man of Asia".    

  

Final Review - Jiu Liu Overlord (2020)

Final Review/rating -  Jiu Liu Overlord (2020): Pride and Prejudice in the Tang Dynasty which begins well but sadly fizzles out 

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

I've finally finished Jiu Liu Overlord (2020) and have mixed feelings.  This started with such promise - think Pride and Prejudice in a Tang dynasty setting with a Darcy-like Li Qing Liu rethinking his prejudices and falling for the proud and carefree Lizzie-like Long Ai Yi. Unfortunately, the drama loses steam part way through and doesn't quite live up to its promising beginning.  That said, if you're a fan of Bai Lu, this is still worth watching for her alone.  

  

A Love so Romantic (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  A Love so Romantic 

Chinese title: 少爷与我的罗曼史 (Translation: "The Romantic History of Young Master and I") 

Episodes:  32

Genre: Historical, Romcom 

Original network: Tencent

Release date:  24 December 2020 

Airing schedule:  24 December 2020 - 28 January 2021

Synopsis:

Plucky flower seller Su Xiao Wan needs money to help her younger brother regain use of his legs.  She meets Gu Yan Xi, the talented jewelry maker and young master of the prestigious Gu family and applies to be a maid at the Gu residence.  Due to a mix up, Su Xiao Wan ends up having to play the part of Gu Yan Xi's long lost younger sister, Gu Wan'er to keep his grandmother happy, much to Gu Yan Xi's exasperation. Gu Yan Xi insists that she pay her dues by serving as his personal maid servant.  They antagonise each other constantly but also start warming to each other... 

  

Jiu Liu Overlord (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Jiu Liu Overlord 

Chinese title: 九流霸主

Episodes:  36

Genre: Historical, Romance, Palace, Mystery

Original network: Tencent

Release date:  23 October 2020 

Airing schedule:  23 October - 11 November 2020

Synopsis:

When haughty silk tycoon Li Qing Liu meets Long Ao Yi, the beautiful rough and tumble gang leader of the Longzhu Clan, the scene is set for a collision between the upper class/upper jiu liu and lower class/lower jiu liu of Silver City.  

  

Final Review - The Sleepless Princess (2020)

Final review/rating: The Sleepless Princess (2020) - Adorable couple chemistry and a Tale of Two Endings 

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   10 stars Music:                    9 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The Sleepless Princess (2020) definitely lived up to the promise of the first few episodes. It's a squeal worthy romcom, which (fair warning) gets increasingly angst filled in the middle to end episodes.  For those who felt shortchanged by the open ending in episode 35, fear not, there is an epilogue episode that ties up the loose ends! 💕  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final Review - Maiden Holmes (2020)

Final review/rating: Maiden Holmes (2020): Light hearted, satisfying romance between equals

This is 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

A romance between intellectual equals💕

Maiden Holmes (2020) is so wholesomely satisfying! Finally, an intelligent heroine and an equally intelligent and high EQ hero, who isn't intimidated by having a smart lady by his side.  I get the feeling that Prince Qi would happily cook dinner and change the kid's nappies while his wife goes out and kicks baddies' butts, while also providing any backup she needs. In a word, ideal!

  

Maiden Holmes (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Maiden Holmes 

Chinese title: (少女大人) 

Episodes:  32 

Genre: Historical, Romcom, Cross-dressing, Palace, Revenge 

Original network: Tencent  

Release date:  27 August 2020

Airing schedule:  27 August - 1 October 2020 

Synopsis:

Maiden Holmes is about Su Ci, a highly intelligent female detective who disguises herself as a man to investigate the conspiracy that led to the massacre of her clan.  She meets the equally intelligent (and handsome) Prince Qi, who poses as a dissolute commoner playboy, but who is actually investigating a conspiracy which led to the ambush and crushing defeat of his army.  

On their mutual quest for truth, they join hands to investigate a number of cases, fall in love, and team up with another pair of quick witted young sleuths, Dong Ru Shuang (an accomplished poison doctor) and Xie Bei Ming (a swashbuckling martial artist), to uncover the greatest conspiracy of all within the gates of the Imperial Palace.  

  

Final Review - In a Class of Her Own (2020)

Final Review/rating - In a Class of Her Own (2020): Heartwarming tale of friendship that strikes all the right comedic notes 

This is a solid 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan!🐼

Overall rating:         8 Stars Plot:                       8 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

I highly recommend this drama if you want a friendship heavy, fluffy romcom that hits all the right comedic notes and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The cast are gorgeous, the scenery and costumes are gorgeous, the entire drama is gorgeous. 36 episodes is about the right length - some episodes did falter a little in terms of pacing - but I had so much fun following our Fab Four that I’d happily have sat through another 10 episodes of their adventures. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to our Yuanshang Quartet - it’s been such a feel good, angst free, often laugh out loud 36 episodes with our plucky heroine and her hot friends. A real joy to recap 😃 

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

Episode 36 Recap - In a Class of Her Own (2020)

Episode 36 recap

In which we get a happy ending 

"Wen Bin" returns to the Academy to everyone's joy and all are proud of the Quartet.

Ep 36: Awww💓

Meanwhile Han Sheng Zhi drinks alone. Miss Mu comes to see him, he tells her to leave, saying he has nothing left. But Miss Mu says - you still have me (🐼:Awww💗)  

  

Episode 35 Recap - In a Class of Her Own (2020)

Episode 35 recap

In which all is revealed 

Just as Xue Wen Xi is about to be killed, Miss Mu comes to the rescue in black with some very stylish moves. Lei Ze Xin also arrives to lend his aid, telling the girls to run, while he holds off the rest of the assassins.