Decreed by Fate (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Decreed by Fate

Chinese title: 千金難逃 /千金难逃 (Eng translation: "Lady, hard to escape")

Episodes:  16 episodes

Genre: Romance, historical, comedy

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      31 March 2022

Synopsis:

The only daughter of a famous general, Lady Ye Rong Er is fearless and fun-loving, and a law unto herself.  Suitors are far and few between because Rong Er is not a typical lady, and that is the way she likes it.  

But when an imperial edict decrees a marriage between Rong Er and the famous General and Duke of Jing An Yin Si Shen sight unseen, Rong Er takes matters into her own hands and flees the scene after the wedding.   

Knowing that no one else will dare to arrange a divorce for an imperially decreed match, Rong Er (using the alias Wen Ren Jing) sets up her own divorce office (with a side business in matchmaking, so that she can become a top matchmaker with the credentials to conduct divorce cases).  

At the same time, two handsome men emerge in her life - no.1 matchmaker Lu Ting Xiao, and the head of the matchmaker's committee, Fang Xian Xun.  Both are handsome and charming enough to turn Rong Er's head, and both appear to have hidden motives in appearing in her life. Both are also in love with Rong Er. And one of the two might just be General Yin Si Shen, her deserted bridegroom...

  

The Long Ballad (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Long Ballad (2021) - A binge-worthy epic journey of love, loss, and growth that does justice to the source manhua

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

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

The Long Ballad (2021) is as epic as I thought it would be when I first picked up the drama. It has been a while since I finished watching this one, but I wanted to give a final review that would do the drama justice.  As I explained in my spoiler-free synopsis (👉here), for once, this is a historical Chinese drama that has an aptly translated English title, because our titular heroine Chang Ge's Chinese name means a long song or ballad. 

So the Chinese title is《長歌行》(literally "Chang Ge's journey") and the drama is her song or her ballad, a retelling of her adventures, so to speak. 

And what a gorgeous song of a drama this is... Love, loss, growth, sacrifice, redemption set against a colourful historical background.  An addictively good, binge-worthy drama indeed with a young and talented cast, which does justice to the manhua on which it is based.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

A translation of "One Love as Always" - subtheme song from The Long Ballad (2021)

A translation of one of The Long Ballad's subtheme songs: "One Love as Always" 一愛如故

Those who have watched The Long Ballad (2021) may, like me, have fallen for the Haoyan CP - the second lead couple, Imperial guard Hao Du, played by Liu Yu Ning and Princess Li Le Yan, played by Zhao Lu Si. The slow burn romance between the (not so) cold-blooded big bad wolf and the innocent fluffy bunny is unabashedly romantic.    

I've written about why I love them so much in my final review 👉here, but I love their romantic subtheme song so much that I wanted to try and provide a translation of "One Love as Always" 一愛如故, which remains a regular on my playlist.  You can find a clip of the song here. 

The song is sung by Liu Yu Ning himself (Prince of Chinese OSTs!), which makes it even more romantic, encapsulating as it does, Hao Du's perspective - a yearning, hopeless and selfless devotion.  

The song's Chinese title 一愛如故 is a play on words, the literal translation means "One Love as Always" or "One Love as in the Past", but it evokes another Chinese idiom 一見如故, which describes friendship at first sight, that is, familiarity on sight, as if you have known one another for ages (as of old/as always).  In changing "sight"見 to "love"愛, the meaning of the title evokes love at fist sight. Rather Shakespearian really - "Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?"      

Anyway, my attempt at translation below.  I have opted mostly to translate for meaning, rather than a direct literal translation (so, for eg. 'One Love as Always" 一愛如故 in the lyrics is translated as "Love at first sight").  There are also some brief footnotes for when I want to explain gaps in translation.  

All errors my own, of course!💕

  

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Frothy romcom that is watchable if a little bland

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

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

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) is a romcom typical of the genre - delivering cheap and cheerful clichés galore with a sprinkling of angst.  

It's nothing to write home about, but then again, when episode 1 has a handsome immortal literally falling out of the skies in a 'meet cute' moment with the heroine, complete with floating rose petals, you may find yourself watching in spite of yourself (or because you are looking for light frothy romcom).  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Ms Cupid in Love (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Ms Cupid in Love 

Chinese title: 姻缘大人请留步 (Eng translation: "God of Love, please stay around")

Episodes:  24 + 3 extra episode

Genre: Romance, historical, comedy

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      28 Feb 2022

Airing schedule:  28 Feb 2022 - 21 March 2022

Synopsis:

When the aloof immortal Bo Yan inadvertently messes up the red strings of fate that decree the love and fate of mortals in Yue Yang City, he is sent there to make amends.  After literally falling from the skies, he meets the City's number 1 matchmaker Shangguan Ya (aka Xiao Ya to her friends and family).  

The bright and bubbly Xiao Ya is determined to restore the city's faith in love and marriage again, and she and Bo Yan (who takes the name of Chu Ye) team up to make an unlikely but formidable duo. As the two work towards their common goal, they grow from mutual dislike to mutual affection, with fate playing a key role in tying them together.  

With friends at their side, and one or two mortal and immortal rivals in affection along the way, Chu Ye and Xiao Ya must overcome obstacles in the quest for true love, both theirs and the city's.    

  

The Imperial Coroner (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Imperial Coroner (2021) - A delightfully clever gem of a drama in the historical detective genre 

This is 9/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

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

The Imperial Coroner (2021) is the best detective genre drama I've seen in quite some time! It's delightfully clever - the plot unfolds with some truly ingenious cases, which do not insult the intelligence of the audience.  

Add to that a young and talented cast with exceptional chemistry and just enough romance to be sweet without being cloying, and you get a very enjoyable drama that's definitely worth a watch and re-watch. 

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Imperial Coroner (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Imperial Coroner

Chinese title: 御赐小仵作

Episodes:  36 + extra episode

Genre: Detective, historical, mystery, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      29 April 2021

Airing schedule:  29 April 2021 - 20 May 2021

Synopsis:

Chu Chu is an aspiring young coroner, who comes from a family of coroners.  She heads to Chang'an to obtain a post and to make a mark for herself.  There, she meets the brilliant head of the criminal investigative bureau, Prince Xiao Jin Yu, who is impressed with her talent and unafraid to hire her despite her gender.   

Prince Xiao Jin Yu assembles a formidable investigative team in Chu Chu, Leng Yue and Jing Yi. Together they investigate and solve an 18 year old cold case and uncovers its links to a current conspiracy that threatens to overturn the empire itself.  

  

Oh my Lord (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Oh my Lord (2022) - Fluffy cuteness with a cliffhanger ending

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

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

Sometimes you just need a bit of mindless sweet fluffiness to watch. If you're in that mood, then Oh my Lord (2022) will tick the right boxes. It is short and sweet at only 15 episodes.  However, it does end on a cliffhanger and a season 2 is not guaranteed.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Oh my Lord (2022) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Oh my Lord

Chinese title: 惹不起的千岁大人/ 惹不起的千歲大人 (Translation: "Cannot afford to offend Lord Qian Sui") 

Episodes:  15

Genre: Romcom, historical 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      14 February 2022

Synopsis:

When plucky adventuress Chen You You runs afoul of the powerful Qi Zeng, he forces her to play spy on Bai Li (aka Lord Qian Sui) in exchange for her father's life.  

Bai Li is the City Lord's powerful second-in-command, a eunuch, and the most handsome man in Fuxian City, a place where good looks are prized above all. But Bai Li is not actally a eunuch - he is hiding his true identity in order to investigate a cold case.  

  

The Autumn Ballad (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Autumn Ballad

Chinese title: 嫣語賦 / 嫣语赋  (Translation: "Yan's poem")

Episodes:  34

Genre: Historical, mystery, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      5 February 2022

Airing schedule:  5 Feb 2022 - 6 March 2022

Synopsis:

Qiu Yan is the clever but least favoured eldest daughter of the Qiu family.  On the day of her arranged marriage, her groom falls dead at the wedding, and her in-laws pressure her to remain widowed and to enter a nunnery.  

Qiu Yan is unwilling to concede to fate without a struggle and to give up her chance of happiness.  She fights to find a way out of her difficulties, including by investigating the truth of her ill-fated groom's death.  

Along the way, Qiu Yan meets the cold-faced duke Liang Yi, leader of the investigative bureau, and the gentle and kindhearted Qin Xuan, who falls in love with her.  However, it is between Qiu Yan and Liang Yi that sparks fly as they pitch their wits against one another whilst investigating various cases.  As understanding grows, mutual antagonism turns to mutual respect and true love.  

When the Qiu family fall from imperial grace, Qiu Yan's life is again endangered and she and Liang Yi must overcome overwhelming odds to secure their happiness...   

  

Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Detective work takes a backseat to romance in this watchable but bland take on Kaifeng

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

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

Heart of Loyalty (2021) has a promising premise - the Kaifeng court under Justice Bao and the iconic "Southern Hero" Zhan Zhao are part of a Chinese literary tradition that is well known and well loved.  However, the execution is somewhat lack luster in that detecting takes a backseat to the somewhat trite romance storyline.  It's watchable, if a little bland.    

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Heart of Loyalty (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Heart of Loyalty 

Chinese title: 一片冰心在玉壶 / 一片冰心在玉壺  (Translation: "A piece of ice in a jade pot") 

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, mystery, wuxia

Original network: Youku

Release date: 29 November 2021

Airing schedule: 29 Nov 2021 - 20 Dec 2021

Synopsis:

Having recently entered the martial world/jianghu, Mo Yan aspires to be the number 1 heroine bandit around.  When her 5th martial brother is imprisoned by the Kaifeng court, she ventures there to prove his innocence.  

Because Justice Bao admires Mo Yan's investigative talents, he gives her a post as a constable at Kaifeng court.  There she meets the famous "Southern Hero" Zhan Zhao, who serves as Justice Bao's bodyguard and an officer of his court, and whose incredible martial arts is acknowledged by the Emperor himself with an imperially bestowed nickname of "Royal Cat".  Mo Yan soon styles herself as the "Heavenly Dog". 

  

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - A lighthearted fluffy romance with architecture and teamwork thrown in

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

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

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) is a cute and fluffy watch.  There are no major surprises (only a mild dose of angst and no tiresomely drawn out love triangles).  One of the best things about it is the creative premise of the CP being in a construction team, so along with romance, you also get interesting architectural cases and building projects into the bargain.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Flowers are Blooming (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  The Flowers are Blooming

Chinese title: 清风朗月花正开 / 清風朗月花正開 (Translation: "Clear winds, bright moon, the flowers are blooming") 

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, comedy 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date: 19 Dec 2021

Synopsis:

Princess Chen Lang Yue is the little sister of the current Emperor and a lover of all things architectural.  She is a gifted craftswoman and longs to put her skill to use outside the Palace.  One day, she absconds from the Palace incognito to join the Muyu construction team, headed by the genius designer and craftsman Li Qeng Feng. Sparks fly, and love blossoms...

Also in the construction team are a number of young and talented crewmembers, all with their own hopes and dreams.  Together, this group of eight collaborate to build interesting architecture and in the process, build up their self worth and make the world a better place. 

But will Lang Yue's true identity prevent her and Qeng Feng from having a happy ending?  Or can true love (and the ability to construct an answer) conquer all?   

  

Rebirth for You (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Rebirth for You (2021) - An exercise in exasperation

This is 4/10 stars ✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         4 Stars Plot:                       3 Stars Acting/cast:            5 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      0 Stars Enjoyment factor:   3 Stars

Rebirth for You (2021) is, to put it mildly, an exercise in exasperation.  

It's a complete waste of potential, given what they had to work with in terms of the source material and two attractive and charming leads in Ju Jing Yi and Zeng Shun Xi.  Only for die hard fans of the leads, and even then, I would recommend judicious use of the fast forward button or perhaps skipping everything after episode 12 and resuming at episode 39.  Or episode 40.  Or not at all. 

*Sigh 😩

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Rebirth for You (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Rebirth for You 

Chinese title: 嘉南传 / 嘉南傳 (Translation: "The Story of Jia Nan") 

Episodes:  40

Genre: Historical, political, romance 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      17 Oct 2021

Airing schedule:  17 Oct 2021 - 22 Nov 2021

Synopsis:

Commandery princess of Jia Nan, Princess Jiang Bao Ning grew up in the palace and is beloved by her Grandmother, the Dowager Empress.  She is also loved by Emperor Zhao Yi, but she does not return his affection.  While Bao Ning is a bird in the gilded cage of the palace, she is intelligent and resourceful, and she successfully resists becoming a puppet in the palace schemes of others. 

Bao Ning meets the intriguing imperial army guard Li Qian in one of her expeditions out of the palace.  Li Qian has secrets of his own and strives for higher office in order to investigate a cold case close to his heart. The two fall in love but must strive against the machinations of others to create their own destiny, for the love of a lifetime.  

  

A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Hilarious, light-hearted, and lightweight 

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

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) is hilarious, light hearted, but undoubtedly lightweight.  If you are expecting a serious drama on female empowerment, you will be disappointed because there is only a tokenistic nod to this despite the promising premise.  

But if you want laugh-out-loud if somewhat cliched romcom hilarity, you're in the right place. The first half delivers this in spades - after all, it is the Queen of Romcom, Zhao Lu Si at the helm!  

The second half takes a marked turn for melodrama and angst, wrapping up with an entirely predictable ending.  But overall, an enjoyable and very funny watch for fans of Zhao Lu Si. I'm also now a decided fan of Ao Rui Peng, who played Yan Yan with commendable comic flair.   

  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College

Chinese title: 國子監來了個女弟子

Episodes:  30

Genre: Romcom, historical, school, mystery

Original network: Youku

Release date:      22 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  22 Sept 2021 - 14 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

Sang Qi wants to become the first female student at the male only Imperial College to fulfil her older brother's final wish.  As the only daughter of the Grand Marshal, she manages to wrangle her father into seeking leave from the Emperor for her to enroll at the Imperial College.  

However, prior to classes beginning, she makes a bet with the arrogant Lady Song Jia Yin that she will be able to get Yan Yun Zhi, the aloof no 1 young master of the capital, to accept her embroidered purse by the time of the Lantern Festival or be forced to perform on stage during the festivities.  

Sang Qi only realises after the bet that the gifting of an embroidered purse is considered a love token and Yan Yun Zhi is steadfast in refusing her purse despite the many hilarious antics Sang Qi tries to get him to do so.  When she arrives at the Imperial College, she finds, to her dismay that Yan Yun Zhi is the Dean (司業).  Opposites attract, sparks fly, and love blossoms, but Sang Qi's fellow student and childhood friend Zhou Wen Yuan is also determined to win her affections.  

  

My Dear Brothers (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: My Dear Brothers (2021) - Cotton candy sweet Xianxia drama with a modern twist 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

My Dear Brothers (2021) is cotton candy sweet and after watching it, you will probably never think of cotton candy in quite the same way😆  

A fluffy romcom that has some truly hilarious moments and a sprinkling of angst, it is a cute twist on the time-travel/inter-dimensional and xianxia genres.  It will have you wishing for a big brother Hou Chi and Shi Dong of your own, or a little sister Shi Xia to protect and love. While the drama has its flaws, it's so darn cute that you will forgive the occasional cheesiness, plot flaws, or ridiculousness. 

A very enjoyable 7.5 stars 💕     

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

My Dear Brothers (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  My Dear Brothers 

Chinese title: 亲爱的吾兄 / 親愛的吾兄

Episodes:  35 + extra episode

Genre: Xianxia, romance, historical, fantasy

Original network: Mango TV

Release date:      15 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  15 Sept 2021 - 22 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

Shi Xia and her older brother Shi Dong have depended on each other since the deaths of their parents while they were young.  When Shi Dong mysteriously disappears without a trace, Shi Xia becomes worried and searches for him.  

In doing so, Shi Xia teleports to a strange Xianxia world, where she meets the handsome immortal Hou Chi.  Having been tricked by the leader of the demonic sect into believing that his cultivation has not improved because he does not understand the concept of guarding/protecting (“守護”), Hou Chi adopts the reluctant Shi Xia as his little sister.  

But when Shi Xia finds her older brother Shi Dong, she discovers that he is the leader of the demonic sect in this Xianxia universe to which they have teleported. As both Shi Dong and Hou Chi vie with each other to guard and protect their little sister, hilarity ensues.  

Especially because the clueless Hou Chi's feelings for Shi Xia are anything but brotherly... 

  

Your Sensibility, My Destiny (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Your Sensibility, My Destiny (2021) - A sweet and satisfying drama that engages the senses  

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

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

Your Sensibility, My Destiny (2021) has a bit of everything (romance, comedy, mystery, palace intrigue, revenge etc) and balances sweetness with angst particularly well. Not too heavy, not too light - just right for a 24 episode drama in my view.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Your Sensibility My Destiny (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Your Sensibility, My Destiny 

Chinese title: 公子倾城 (Translation: "A Prince who topples cities")

Episodes:  24

Genre: Romcom, historical, mystery, palace 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      16 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  16 Sept - 2 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

A prophecy began circulating in the palace that a demon with the ability to destroy the kingdom will be born to the Emperor.  When Prince Ji Ding Lan is born, the Empress discovers that her son is unable to taste, smell, or feel. To protect his life and to keep his secret, she sends him far away from the palace. Prince Ji Ding Lan adopts the name Mo Qing Chen, and grows up in a lonely manor, far away from the palace and its intrigues.   

When quirky trickster Lin Chi accidentally gets into the wrong getaway carriage, she meets Mo Qing Chen.  Destiny has clearly brought them together, because when Mo Qing Chen touches Lin Chi, he can feel everything she feels.  Intrigued by the possibility of being able to perceive the world through her senses, Mo Qing Chen contracts to keep Lin Chi by his side.  

  

Miss the Dragon (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Miss the Dragon (2021) - Xianxia lite, which does not quite hit the right emotional notes 

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

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

Miss the Dragon (2021) is what I would call Xianxia lite in that it does not quite hit the right emotional notes.  There are some gorgeous set piece scenes and the usual themes (eg undying love through many lifetimes) that you would expect in the Xianxia genre. But because Miss the Dragon seems to have just copied and pasted iconic moments from other notable Xianxia dramas in a mishmash fashion and ambitiously tried to give us four lifetimes worth of the romance of the main leads in a 36 episode drama, it is difficult to get emotionally invested in the story.  

That said, there are moments of genuine humour, and the outstanding chemistry between the loveable second lead couple is delightful. If you are in the mood for Xianxia lite, then give Miss the Dragon a go. A solid 6.5 stars from Pandafan🐼  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Miss the Dragon (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Miss the Dragon

Chinese title: 遇龍 / 遇龙 (Translation: "Meeting a Dragon")

Episodes:  36

Genre: Xianxia, Fantasy, Romance

Original network: Tencent 

Release date:      10 May 2021

Airing schedule:  10 May 2021 - 31 May 2021

Synopsis:

When the immortal Dragon King Yuchi Lonyan is saved by a young mortal maidservant Liu Ying, he falls deeply in love and promises to marry her.  However, when a wolf demon endangers the life of Liu Ying's mistress, Yuchi Lonyan saves her at Liu Ying's request and at the cost of their happiness in the first lifetime and the next three lifetimes...