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What’s New？
Review: The Ingenious One (2023) 云襄传
The Ingenious One (2023) 云襄传 Summary: After studying at Yun Tai for over 10 years, Yun Xiang ft…
Review: Till the End of the Moon (2023) 长月烬明
Till the End of the Moon (2023) 长月烬明 Summary: In order to save the world from being destroyed by…
Review: Miles to Go (2023) 人生之路
Miles to Go (2023) 人生之路 Summary: The drama follows Gao Jia Lin ft Chen Xiao and his friends in…
Review: Falling Before Fireworks (2023) 最食人间烟火色
Falling Before Fireworks (2023) 最食人间烟火色 Summary: Bank manager Si Qing 司清 (ft Lu Yang Yang 卢洋洋) has worked tirelessly…
Review: Romance of A Twin Flower (2023) 春闺梦里人
Romance of a Twin Flower (2023) 春闺梦里人 Summary: Nie Sang Yu 聂桑榆 ft Peng Xiao Ran 彭小苒 jumps off…
Review: Pledge of Allegiance (2023) 山河之影
Pledge of Allegiance (2023) 山河之影 Summary: Set during the 3rd year of Ming Emperor Jian Wen’s reign, a thief…
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Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news.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.
We're finally discussing this new season of Sister who Makes Waves! This is a reality singing competition where 33 ladies over 30 compete to ultimately form a girl group! Each season, we get a variety of ladies from different backgrounds showcase their skills to form this girl group. These year, we have Ella from S.H.E., Ada Choi, our favorite actress Alyssa Chia, Amber from f(x), Japanese singer Mai Mizuhashi, Vietnamese actress Chi Pu, host Xie Na and so many more! Listen to our latest podcast episode as we introduce all 33 ladies and discuss our favorites and thoughts from the first couple performances!
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Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news.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.
In May 2023, Chinese dramas the wuxia drama Ingenious One 云襄传 ft Chen Xiao and Mao Xiao Tong and the smaller budget fantasy drama Back from the Brink 护心 ft Hou Ming Hao and Zhou Ye are currently airing. More importantly, the highly anticipated season 2 of Joy of Life or 庆余年 has finally started filming 4+ years after the airing of the first season. From initial photos, most of the main cast has returned including Zhang Ruo Yun, Li Qin, Song Yi, Guo Qi Lin etc though Xiao Zhan's return remains a mystery. He was just cast as Guo Jing in a movie remake for Legend of the Condor Heroes. Elsewhere, Yang Mi has finally parted ways with JiaXing Media or Jay Walk Studios which she was a primary stakeholder of after helping start the company in 2012.
Currently Discussing: The Story of Yanxi Palace (延禧攻略）
The drama follows Wei Ying Luo’s journey in the imperial palace during reign of Qian Long Emperor in the Qing dynasty (18th century China). Initially entering the palace to investigate her sister’s death, she soon finds herself entangled in the rivalries of the palace. The drama stars Wu Jin Yan as Wei Ying Luo, Nie Yuan as Emperor Qian Long, Qin Lan as the Empress Fuca, Xu Kai as the handsome Fuca Fuheng, Charmaine Sheh as Consort Xian.
Premiering in 2018, this drama was the most popular drama that year both in China and overseas. It propelled the careers of Wu Jin Yan and Xu Kai while also aiding the rest of the cast into a renaissance in their careers.
This podcast is in English with proper nouns and certain Chinese phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese
Featured Podcast Episodes
Full series podcast episodes are available anywhere podcasts are available. Just search Chasing Dramas.
The Story of Yanxi Palace – Intro to the Drama
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.
The Story of Yanxi Palace follows the young maid, Wei Ying Luo’s journey as she enters the imperial palace during the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qian Long to seek answers for her sister’s death. Karen and Cathy provide an overview in this intro episode before diving into plot and historical analysis of the drama in future podcast episodes
The Story of Yanxi Palace – Ep1: Welcome Back to the Palace
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 are introduced to Wei Ying Luo, a young quick witted maid with impressive embroidery skills, as well as the imperial royal family of Qian Long, his Empress, Fu Cha Rong Yin and the rest of his harem.
Full Playlist
The Story of Yanxi Palace
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.
Tensions run high between the Empress vs pretty much everyone else in the palace with Yuan Chun Wang as the master puppeteer. In several well planned steps, he manages to make the Empress and Prince of He think that a coup might be the best option to preserve their power and authority. All of this happens while the Emperor and the rest of the palace are planning for another southern investigation trip, a grand affair to the south of China.
Key Characters
Wei Yingluo 魏璎珞/令妃
Consort to the Emperor and mother of Emperor Jia Qing, Ying Luo started out as a lowly palace maid who entered the palace for revenge. After meeting the serene Empress, her life is forever changed.
Qianlong Emperor 乾隆皇帝
The 6th Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and one of the longest reigning monarchs in history, Qian Long was an accomplished ruler that also loved his wife, Empress Fuca Rong Yin dearly.
The Empress 皇后
A serene and loving Empress, she loves her husband but struggled to cope with the grief of her son and also manage the duties of Empress.
Consort Xian 娴妃
The second Empress of Qian Long, Consort Xian started out as a kind-hearted and conflict avoidant woman in the palace who eventually turns to the dark side following her family’s pressure and death.
Noble Consort Gao 高贵妃
The haughty Noble Consort is 2nd in power in the palace only to the Empress. As such, she is arrogant, disrespectful and jealous of anyone who gains the attention of the Emperor.
Fuca Fuheng 富察傅恒
The younger brother of Empress Fu Cha, Fu Heng is an accomplished imperial guard. He cares for his sister and also finds himself drawn to Wei Ying Luo 
