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.

Fighter of the Destiny

EXO's Luhan will star in Fighter of the Destiny 择天记, a Chinese xianxia based on a novel of the same name by Mao Ni 猫腻 about a 14-year-old orphan who leaves his master to seek a cure for his ill-ridden physique that is not meant to live pass the age of 20. Thus begins the magical adventure of a lifetime

The cast includes Luhan, Gulnezer Bextiyar and Janice Wu whose youthful aura fits the premise quite well. Then I realize that Luhan is already 26, which I never would have guessed based on the stills alone.

On the other hand, Gulnezer Bextiyar is literally everywhere much to some netizens dismay who complain that her acting does not justify the outpour of roles that she keeps on receiving. My two cents is that if I had a dime for every time I write a new drama with her name attached to it, I'd be rich.

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

Source: Ent163

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

First Look: God of War Zhao Yun

Oh God of War Zhao Yun 武神趙子龍, if you only knew how inclined I was to like you. Hint: SNSD's Girls and Peace Concert... I was there, but Yoona or no Yoona, you turned out to be such a tease.

Episode 1 begins with a standard voice over so often used in period dramas to introduce the era. The Han dynasty has reached the end of its life and the king commands Zhao An (Yu Rong Guang) and Li Quan (Zou Zhao Long) to protect the Qing Gang Sword and the Heavenly Sword. 

Hungry for power, Dong Zhuo seizes control of the capital while his subordinate Lu Bu (Godfrey Gao) thwarts any attempts against him. His first order of business as king is to reclaim the legendary swords in hopes of bringing legitimacy to his throne.

Back in Zhao An's hometown, his son Zhao Zi Long (Lin Gengxin) enjoys a day of poems and playful conversation with friends. 

One of them gets captured by Dong Zhuo's men and a fight breaks out, leading to the double suicide of Zi Long's parents accompanied by some cringeworthy dialogue along the lines of "Nooo, I'm not leaving you... thud." Thus commences Zhao Zi Long's fateful journey to become an iron masked hero, thanks to the show's fetish for ugly masks.

First Impressions: God of War Zhao Yun retains the qualities of an old school wuxia from the cake face makeup akin to Chinese opera to the flying action scenes and the quintessential young apprentice who embodies all that is just and noble. However, rather than euphoric nostalgia, comes an unexpected disappointment.

Maybe the budget was used up on casting, after all, it must cost an arm and a leg to bring together Im Yoona, Lin Gengxin, Gu Li Na Zha and Godfrey Gao, what more when adding veteran martial artists Yu Rong Guang and Zou Zhao Long to the mix.

Unfortunately, the prettiness does not excuse the poorly edited scenes that look like a photoshop job gone wrong. For anyone who has seen City of Devastating Love, the CGI tiger makes a comeback, albeit unwarranted. 

Costumes are a hit or miss inasmuch as Gu Li Na Zha is stunning in ancient garb, Godfrey Gao dons a glorious mess of red, gold and purple topped with a little fur ball.

There are also odd-looking masks, plastic props that don't belong and crazy color combinations that scream for attention, which is weird for me to say because I love this genre and its clothes. Lin Gengxin's white robe above, that's classic wuxia.

For what it's worth, my incessant nitpicking seems overly superficial and even though I didn't like the over-the-top acting nor did I connect with the characters, the story of the Three Kingdoms is one that is so complex, engaging and riveting that is too tempting to miss.

The drama is doing really well ratings-wise, which is no surprise given the hype. Nirvana in Fire didn't do as well but word of its awesomeness traveled far and wide so only time will tell whether God of War fares otherwise. In case you were wondering, Yoona appears on episode 2. Eng subs available in Viki.

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

First Look: Classic of Mountain and Seas

Classic of Mountains and Seas is filled with sword fights and neon lights with its indiscriminate use of CGI. It's a fantasy fest that doesn't shy from its premise and after being introduced to the Red Phoenix and the Green Dragon warriors, I am neither dissuaded nor captivated.

Episode 1 begins with a brief narration of the celestial beings that roamed the realms, stating that only the heavenly maidens can awaken their power.

Back to the present, a swordsman name Chi Yu (Zhang Han) is desperately searching for a magical herb called Ghost Grass, which was almost within his grasps until Su Mo (Gulnezer Bextiyar) beats him to the punch, bringing the two together as they argue about who gets their keep. 

Chi Yu attempts to grab the Ghost Grass from Su Mo only to pull away after realizing that Su Mo is in fact a girl. It was a delayed realization for me too because I completely forgot that Chi Yu couldn't possibly know Su Mo's gender once she donned a man's clothing. Su Mo escapes but not before leaving Chi Yu the herb, which he needed to save his friend.

Su Mo is from the Peach Blossom Village, a sacred community said to possess the blood of the Heavenly Maiden. However, she is not allowed to participate in the annual ritual because she is merely an outsider that was adopted as a baby.

Su Mo sneaks in with her sister Fu Er (Lan Ying Ying) anyway but the ceremony ends in utter chaos resulting in several missing women. Su Mo and Fu Er barely escape thanks to the help of Chi Yu, Shang Guan Jin (Kenny Kwan) and Su Mo's ingenuity but she ends up derided by the irrational villagers for being the bringer of bad luck.  

First Impressions: Gulnezer Bextiyar is still strikingly beautiful. I first saw her in Rift of the Sky where she really didn't leave much of an impression other than being a pretty face. This time around, she manages to give more depth to the character by bringing out a lively and feistier heroine. Do I absolutely love her? Well, not really but it's definitely better than the first time.

Zhang Han is being Zhang Han and emoting the same way Zhang Han does, though admittedly he can pull off cool with his brooding swordsman poses. I can't say much from the first episode alone because everything about his character is still a mystery. 

What I can share is that the second episode is much better, providing a glimpse of what could potentially encompass a fight for the throne and an escalating conflict amongst the countries with our leads caught in the middle, whether they want to or not. 

Besides, I want to at least watch until I see Wu Lei. 

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