Chasing Dramas

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Surprising Reputation Downturns

As it turns chilly this fall, we discuss 2 actress and 1 actors who've seen their reputations take a nosedive this year despite not having any dramas or movies air this year. Ning Jing showed her disregard and dismissive attitude towards the cast and crew during the France stop of Divas Hit the Road: Good Friends Season. Ru Yi's Love in the Palace was completely skewered this summer, with Zhou Xun bearing the brunt of the criticism. Her best friend, Chen Kun, could not escape Zhou Xun's orbit and was also ridiculed for his drama The Rise of Phoenixes. Listen to our latest episode to hear why these 3 in particular received such a public backlash this summer.

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Relationship Bombshells!

Just as we said summer was a bore, new relationship bombshells and news were shared this past week! Wu Jian Yan, fresh off her success from The Double, shared a photo on Weibo shocking everyone on her update. Actress Zhang Yu Qi roasted actor Yu Shi on a talkshow for cheating on her but there's so much more to his scandalous past. Huang Xiao Ming announced his first new relationship since his divorce to Angelababy. Listen to our latest podcast episode for all the news!

In the Know – 2024 Summer Recap

Summer is officially over and it was a rather muted one in the Chinese entertainment industry. There wasn't one breakout star of the summer. The Double, starring Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue, performed the best but the two leads fizzled out in the summer. Lost You Forever Season 2 was the biggest disappointment this summer with its poor plot, lack of CPs, and poor characterizations. Karen and Cathy discuss their thoughts of the performance of the dramas and the stars this summer!

In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Joy of Life in Peril?

In a recent bombshell post, Joy of Life actor Zhang Hao Wei, known for his portrayal as the Crown Prince, was revealed to have discussed prostitutes and potentially even establishing his own brothel! These voice recordings set off a whole firestorm with legal notices and declarations being posted all over Weibo. Will Joy of Life be in peril? Actress Song Zu Er who was softly canceled last year might be making a comeback after her company posted a statement that she's been cleared of any wrong doing, but is she really in the clear?
Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out about this juicy tea!

In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Paris Olympic Fever!

We were having a blast watching the Paris Olympic games and so was everyone in China! The French certainly put on a show and the Chinese athletes performed extremely well. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we discuss the top trending sports, events, memes, and moments from these Olympic games!

In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Book Genres

Summer 2024 has been dominated by two dramas that are star representatives of the genre of their source IP, Nan Pin or Books of the Male Gaze and Nv Pin or Books of the Female Gaze. In today's podcast episode, I discuss these two book genres, the tropes typically found in these books, and how they have translated on screen. Joy of Life represent the Nan Pin books and dramas and the Double represent the Nv Pin books and dramas.