The Ending: Classic of Mountains and Seas

Classic of Mountains and Seas 山海经之赤影传说 seem like a wholesome affair about a quest to gather seven warriors in a race to summon a deity, that is until jealousy rears its ugly head and everyone starts dropping like flies [spoiler alert].

The final episode begins with a one-on-one battle between Su Mo (Gu Li Na Zha) and Fu Er (Lan Ying Ying) and for the umpteenth time, Su Mo is defeated. Granted that Fu Er possesses black magic and a newfound ability for mind control; yet Su Mo's lack of improvement throughout the 46-episode run is equally frustrating.

Meanwhile, Chi Yu (Zhang Han) and his alter ego Xin Yue Hu (Zhang Han) are trapped inside an illusion. Desperate to escape, Chi Yu decides to sacrifice himself saying that he owes Xin Yue Hu who has remained in the shadows for most of their lives.

Nevertheless, Xin Yue Hu surprises with a sudden bout of altruism and instead, transfers every ounce of his energy until he disintegrates in a swift but heartfelt farewell among the unlikely brothers.

Baili Han (Li Chao) has obtained the Green Dragon's power and he has come to gloat in front of his old-time frenemy Bin Yi (Gao Weiguang). 

Scoffing at Bin Yi's unyielding love for Fu Er that stems from her resemblance to his wife, Baili Han reveals that Bin Yi's wife was his lover first, implying Bin Yi's marriage a sham. However, the joke is on Baili Han because Bin Yi knew the truth all along.

Realizing that the woman he loved had stopped loving him long ago, an enraged Baili Han deals a fatal blow to Bin Yi, leaving Fu Er devastated while he exclaims, "how come, when he was alive you didn't care, now that he is dead did he's important?"

To add insult to injury, Baili Han comes clean that the day Fu Er turned on Su Mo was a result of his scheming. 

While I feel for Fu Er, I do think that she takes the cake for most hated character so her comeuppance is welcome, more so because Baili Han is right in rubbing it in that her path to evilness would not have been so had she not been such a willing participant.

More deaths as Shangguan Jin (Kenny Kwan) and Ah Su (Liu Chang De) also die in the hands of Baili Han. Chi Yu might have too if not for Su Mo who makes a wish that finally destroys Baili Han.

Then comes the clean slate wherein everybody survives. 

Lasting Impressions: From the first casualty to the second to the third, it becomes painfully obvious where the drama is headed. Baili Han is the catch all, the ultimate source of conflict and the person to move the plot forward as seen by the number of issues he resolved in the last episode.

I honestly find the drama subpar but I enjoyed it regardless probably due to the fact that it is strikingly similar to an anime called Fushigi Yuugi.

Plagiarism or not, Classic of Mountains and Seas has a good concept and at the heart of the adventure are the characters. I could watch Team Phoenix just for their tireless banter and their back stories while tragic make for good TV. 

Mind you, I was throwing chairs when Chi Yu died and was replaced by Xin Yue Hu since real-life couple Gu Li Na Zha and Zhang Han had such sweet moments together, yet I grew accustomed to the ludicrous change made easier by a mellowed down Xin Yue Hu.

As for Su Mo's wish for world peace, it negates the events of the entire series, which is a reality that I neither loved nor hated though I suppose it's better that everyone is alive and serendipitous, putting a bittersweet end to the saga where only Su Mo and Chi Yu retain their memories. 

But what of Bin Yi, the scroll lady, her loyal wolf boy and even the face-stealing prick?

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 c-drama listing.

First Look: Demon Girl

Producer Yu Zheng's track record for ruining novel adaptations did not bode well for his latest offering but in spite of it, Demon Girl 半妖倾城 manages to turn the tide, at least in my book.

Episode 1 begins with a rundown of the laws governing the fantasy universe of demons roaming the earth. They are said to be no different from humans except for increased strength, agility and the ability to fly.

A family of four is running for their lives while the mother (Ady An) bids her husband and two daughters farewell as she closes the doors behind them to transform into a dark winged creature powerful enough to fight an army of militants.

Years pass and Nie Qing Cheng (Li Yi Tong), the elder sibling, makes a living as a dancer in a posh nightclub. During a performance, she is forcibly taken by gangsters in an attempt to bribe Ming Xia (Zhang Zhe Han), the new sheriff in town.

Ming Xia makes it clear that a rich man like him has no need for money or women and that he became a sheriff to rid injustices like this. Guns are drawn and Ming Xia emerges the victor after outmaneuvering the gang lord in his very own territory.

At home, Qing Cheng recalls her fleeting encounter with Ming Xia. Her sister Qing Xin's playful teasing result in a fun game of splash that causes a crack in the tub without either of them realizing that it is due to Qing Cheng's powers.

Qing Xin is a student at a high society school and she is devastated over being excluded from the biggest event of the year. Acting as the loving big sis, Qing Cheng sneaks them inside and stands up to her sister's bullies, allowing the more timid Qing Xin a chance to shine.

Seeing that her work is done, Qing Cheng takes a walk and she is pleasantly surprised at the sight of Ming Xia. 

First Impressions: I was intrigued before the drama even aired despite serious doubts on whether it would hold my interest at all; yet lo and behold, it has been four episodes and I'm antsy for more.

Brushing aside Mi Re's awkward shower scene, powder-faced vampiric goth and bad hair plus the undying trend of pointy ears, this drama is relatively well-made because if Yu Zheng has a penchant for anything, it would be his talent for pretty pictures, which work wonders in a supernatural realm where he has free reign to be as creative as can be.

From the flashy gold specks that tread a fine line between tacky and cool to the bits of information inserted at the beginning of each episode, Demon Girl adds nice details and retains a magical demeanor reminiscent of Monster Killer but this time around, romance takes the center stage. 

It tells a love story that's not sickly sweet but sugary syrup in a way that leaves you wanting. Newcomer Li Yi Tong may not be the best actress but she brings to life a strong, lovable and unique female character that is easy on the eyes while the boys Zhang Zhe Han and Mi Re are equally swoon-worthy.

Episode 1 is so happy that it's practically a given for things to go awry; yet the conflicts that ensued while seemingly taken out of pages of a high-school drama ended up quite entertaining nonetheless.

For more synopsis, cast and ratings, see my 2016 Chinese historical drama listing. 

First Look: Lucky Tianbao

Set during the Ming Dynasty, Lucky Tianbao 吉祥天宝 proves to be outrageous to the core from outlandish costumes to its ridiculous storyline. I reckon that heavier stuff will follow later on in the series, though I think I'll pass on this one.

Episode 1 begins with a standard introduction that is present in nearly every historical drama except this time around, the big bad is Wei Zhong Xian, a eunuch commanding two powerful agencies, Dong Chang and Jin Yi Wei, both of which are more than willing to do his biddings.

Wei Zhong Xian orders the mass killing of prisoners except for one who breaks and spills the name Wang Wen Yan after being threatened with the death of his family members. 

Meanwhile, Yang Ruo Lan (Zhao Li Ying) armed with a cracking whip is wrecking havoc inside a brothel. Pleading for her to stop, the head mistress tells Ruo Lan that she should give punishment where it's due since there is an even bigger brothel operating in the city.

Sure enough, Zhu Tianbao (Kim Ki Bum) makes his grand entrance amidst a shower of confetti where he engages in a 4-way no holds barred duel. He wins the title of biggest evil man for the second year in a row, thanks to an enormous amount of foul play.

Just before Tianbao meets his harem, Ruo Lang barges in to declare her intention to become a contender. However, Tianbao blows her cover instantly and Ruo Lan vows to destroy all brothels so that Tianbao will remain by her side.

Insinuating that it's been done many times before, Tianbao turns her down again and reiterates that a good girl like Ruo Lan is better suited with his older brother, Zhu Tianxiang (Zhao Zi Xiao), who at the very moment is devising a plan to save Wang Wen Yan and expose the atrocities of Wei Zhong Xian.

First Impressions: Girl likes boy and boy doesn't, which begs the question of whether or not Zhao Li Ying really is the female lead? She gets ample screen time to say the least but Tianbao keeps raving about a girl in his dreams, who happens to be a real person and once they meet, it's practically guaranteed that they will end up together as most drama tropes go.

Ok I couldn't help it so I just sneaked a peak at the ending and my lips are sealed. For more synopsis, cast and ratings, see my 2016 Chinese historical drama listing. 

First Look: Chinese Paladin 5

Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan (CP5) 雲之凡 comes back with a tried and tested formula that is familiar yet uniquely Paladin, rehashing the archetypical diamond in the rough, the ravishing female heroine and the quintessential cool guy to match the plucky second lead.

The series is led by Elvis Han, Gu Li Na Zha, Joe Cheng, Gina Jin and Xiao Cai Qi, a beautiful cast as usual and I expected as much from the Chinese Paladin franchise.

Episode 1 begins with a voiceover introducing the events 20 years ago when Jiang Shi Li allegedly colludes with the You Min Tribe, immortals expelled by the Goddess Nu Wa, to take over the human race. 

In the name of good, the Four Great Houses and the Seven Saints of Mountain Zu launch an attack to destroy the alliance. Jiang Shi Li is defeated and captured in a pool of red blob but not before he sends his pregnant wife to safety (so many against one, it's hardly a fair fight).

In the present, Jiang Yun Fan (Elvis Han) is a foolhardy lad under the care of the big bandit, his protective godfather, who wishes for Yun Fan to live a happy and carefree life just as his birth mother entrusted.

After a job that goes off without a hitch, the gang is astonished to discover that the treasures they lugged back to camp are merely eight men bound men kept in a box. Determined to find the real treasure, Yun Fan takes it upon himself to interrogate the head eunuch only to be knocked unconscious by a hooded figure.

Up in the air, a blue shadow soars at full speed towards the Mountain of Zu. Sensing the presence of a demonic aura, the Seven Saints of Zu Mountain rush to secure the blood jade which has engulfed Jiang Shi Li for the past 20 years. 

Long You (Joe Cheng) succeeds in breaking the stone but soon notices that it regenerates with surprising ease. Since the Seven Saints are at his trail, Long You retreats while expressing amusement at his current predicament. 

Long You is the 2nd Prince of the You Min Tribe and he learns that only a half man half human can wield the Fu Xi Sword that is powerful enough to shatter the blood jade once and for all. 

This person is none other than Jiang Yun Fan, Jiang Shi Li's long lost son who wakes to realize that he lost all the captives during his watch. Ashamed, he writes his godfather a letter saying that he is leaving to hunt down the missing hostages. 

Along the way, Yun Fan meets Tang Yu Rou (Gu Li Na Zha) as she is caught in a skirmish with a band of demon monkeys. Always the courageous man, Yun Fan runs to save the damsel in spite of Yu Rou being more than capable of handling her own as she helps him in the background.

Yun Fan takes Yu Rou back to camp where she is welcomed with open arms except for Cai Wei, the lone woman who finds something fishy behind Yu Rou's seemingly innocent persona. Upon discovering her medical skills, the men line up with their respective ailments and in order to find herbs, Yun Fan and Yu Rou head up to the mountains.

First Impressions: Despite being a fan of Elvis Han in Monster Killer, I find him oddly out of place in ancient garb. Apparently, so do netizens who pick on his auburn hair and the fact that he isn't Hu Ge. However, I refuse to stay fixated on appearances because that aside, Elvis Han has been decent as the unpolished hero of CP5.

While CP5 does not pack the same punch as CP1, in its defense, the original had the advantage of a fresh concept, enamoring viewers with iconic characters made more memorable thanks to a spectacular soundtrack. CP5 on the hand has enormous expectations to live up to, and for the most part, it manages to entertain.

Besides, talk about contrasting opinions because Joe Cheng and his blue mane is a clear winner. As an actor who got his break in Taiwanese rom-coms, he is killing it in his first foray into Chinese martial arts dramas by becoming the living and breathing incarnate of a prince from the underworld. Is he evil or is he not? I have to know (fangirls)! Continue to episode 2 recap.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 c-drama recommendations.

Source: Ent163