Latest Chinese Drama Reviews
In depth reviews for the latest popular Chinese dramas.
Review: The Legend of Zhuo Hua (2023) 灼灼风流
The Legend of Zhuo Hua (2023) 灼灼风流 Summary: Mu Zhuo Hua ft Jing Tian seizes her opportunity and sneaks…
Review: Lost You Forever Season 1(2023) 长相思 第一季
Lost You Forever (2023) 长相思 Summary: As young children, Cang Xuan ft Zhang Wan Yi, grandson of…
Review: The Legend of An Le (2023) 安乐传
The Legend of An Le (2023) 安乐传 Summary: The Han and Di families found a new dynasty with…
Short Review: Divine Destiny (2023) 尘缘
Divine Destiny (2023) 尘缘 Summary:The orphan Ji Ruo Chen ft Ma Tian Yu accidentally uncovers a blue stone…
Currently Watching: Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) 莲花楼
Mysterious Lotus Casebook (2023) 莲花楼 Summary: After suffering a humiliating defeat and becoming gravely injured, Li Xiang Yi…
Review: Fireworks of My Heart (2023) 我的人间烟火
Fireworks of My Heart (2023) 我的人间烟火 Summary: Yang Yang plays a firefighter captain Song Yan who reencounters Emergency…
New Podcast Episodes Weekly
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Chinese Pop Culture News and Drama Updates
Full series podcast episodes are available anywhere podcasts are available. Just search Chasing Dramas.
In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing The Story of Yanxi Palace. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.
With the summer over, Karen and Cathy share then completely and entirely ”objective” thoughts on the winners and losers from this slate of summer dramas. Interestingly, there was no massive hit this summer akin to The Love Between Fairy and Devil last year. Outside of Wei Da Xun, there wasn't any other major breakout star. Yang Zi held her own and brought decent popularity with Lost You Forever Season One but didn't quite capture the same magic. On the flip side, there were quite a few losers, some more serious than others. Take a listen and let us know your thoughts!
Chinese Drama Updates!
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing The Story of Yanxi Palace. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.
Ending August and starting September, we have a new slate of dramas including The Legend of Zhuo Hua starring Feng Shao Feng and Jing Tian, Love you Seven Times starring Yang Chao Yue and Ding Yu Xi, Wrong Carriage Right Groom starring Tian Xi Wei and Ao Rui Peng, Sunshine By Me starring Xiao Zhan and Bai Bai He, and My Journey To You starring Esther Yu and Zhang Lin He. Listen to our latest podcast as Cathy discusses our thoughts on them!
Chinese History Through Chinese Dramas
In depth podcast series analyzing a specific Chinese historical drama
Currently Discussing: The Longest Day in Chang An (长安十二时辰）
A 2019 hit show, this 48 episode drama depicts the events in the 24 hours of the Lantern Festival in 744AD under the reign of Emperor Tang Xuan Zong Li Long Ji. A terrorist plot was uncovered by Jing An Si (The Department of City Security). The Chief, a young Li Bi, orders the release of a local police captain Zhang Xiao Jing, who was on death row, accused of murdering the local magistrate. Li Bi needs a person such as Zhang Xiao Jing who operates in the gray zone between the local law enforcement and underground gangs to uncover the plot. The pair race against time to uncover the terrorist plot and the secret machinations at court before the plot can succeed on the night of the Lantern Festival.
Lei Jia Yin plays Zhang Xiao Jing. An ex-police captain, he was put on death row for the murder of a local magistrate but pulled from his death sentence to assist Li Bi to foil a terrorist plot. Throughout the drama, we see how Zhang Xiao Jing operates and what he holds most dear to himself.
Jackson Yee plays Li Bi, the chief of The Department of City Security. He was a Chinese Go prodigy, and upon reaching adulthood, became a member of court. He is decisive yet meticulous. His primary goal is the safety of the people of Chang’an but he’s also deeply loyal to the Crown Prince. He’ll do everything he can to protect the Prince’s position.
Featured Podcast Episodes
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing The Story of Yanxi Palace. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.
We kick off our 4th season of Chinese history through Chinese dramas by starting our discussion of the Longest Day in Chang'An 长安十二时辰。 Based off of a 2017 book of the same name, this drama was nominated for and won numerous awards for acting, cinematography, production design among others. We provide a high level overview of the drama, discuss the setting in the Tang dynasty during Emperor Tang Xuan Zong's reign and introduce the two main leads, Lei Jia Yin and Yi Yang Qian Xi.
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing The Story of Yanxi Palace. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.
Karen and Cathy discuss the first 20 min of episode one of The Longest Day In Chang'An. They introduce the layout of the city and how ”fangs” work as well as the curfew system during the Tang dynasty. They provide an overview of how time was announced then and then introduce the main characters of Zhang Xiao Jing and Li Bi. Zhang Xiao Jing is an inmate on death row selected by Li Bi to track down a member of the Wolf Squad who escaped capture that may be intent on causing harm in Chang An.
