Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy

Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy 九州·海上牧云记 literally wows with just a minute-long trailer. I stared in awe at the cinematography and craftsmanship that can rival that of any high calibre film but wait for it... Tribe and Empires is a 50-episode Chinese drama, not a movie.

The series is a TV adaptation of a novel by the same name written by Jin He Zai 今何在, one of the seven authors that conceptualized Novoland, a fictional reality that has inspired works such as City of Devastating Love and Novoland: Castle in the Sky.

The cast is huge, which is fitting for a story of this magnitude and it stars Huang Xuan (Imperial Doctress), Shawn Dou, Zhou Yiwei, Xu Lu, Janice Man (Legend of Zu) and more. 

It has been foretold that 6th Prince Mu Yun Sheng (Huang Xuan), a half human and half demon will bring chaos and he is kept inside the palace until he meets a spirit (Janice Man) that is sealed within a painting. 

Mu Ru Han Jiang (Shawn Dou) is the abandoned son of a family of generals. 

Shuo Feng He Ye (Zhou Yiwei) is the brave and capable successor of a tribe in the North who suffers terrible losses from battles with the Mu Ru clan.

Three compelling stories in a complex world and I'm sure there is more than meets the eye. I'm not complaining about the overwhelming amount of stills but can't the show just premiere already (crossing fingers that it turns out to be as good as it looks).

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 best c-dramas. Release date: 2016

Hunter

I have yet to see Disguiser but riding on its success comes another spy thriller called Hunter 猎人starring Huan Xuan (Imperial Doctress) as the ever-persistent detective determined to uncover the truth.

The drama is set in 1948 when the Nationalist party was losing ground thereby ushering in a new period of Communist ideals. Reminds me of stuff my dad would probably watch and the lack of an idol cast doesn't help since I've been too spoiled by the pretty. If it turns out to be really good, let me know? >.<

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 popular c-dramas.

Source: Yesky

First Look: The Imperial Doctress

After years of being teased with 5-minute trailers, oh-so-picturesque stills and then being peeved that Wallace Huo might end up the 3rd wheel, Imperial Doctress 女医明妃传 finally airs last Saturday and the first two episodes look promising.

Episode 1 begins by setting up the stage for a Ming dynasty where a woman's place is relegated to the home. Hang Yun Xian (Liu Shi Shi) attends a birthday celebration in her father's stead but her family can only afford a modest gift, which is regarded with contempt by the other guests. However, Yun Xian is not the least bit concerned as she cares more about a rare medicinal herb that she finds in the compound.

Suddenly, Zhu Qi Yu (Huang Xuan) springs out from hiding threatening Yun Xian to handover the medicinal herb. Qi Yu is the king's brother and he is being chased by assassins to stop his meeting with the Empress Dowager who intends to make him king. Realizing that the man before him is desperate because he is poisoned, Yun Xian ends up helping him instead. 

Dong Chang eunuchs enter the scene in search for Qi Yu and a series of events transpire with the end result being that Qi Yu escapes with the help of Wang Mei Lin (Gina Jin) and Yun Xian is punished harshly by her father for practicing medicine.  

First Impressions: Gender inequality is still a topic for discussion in this day and age so I can't begin to fathom how women survived in ancient China where the times were far more restrictive. 

Nevertheless, the drama might be exaggerating the circumstances stating that women were not even allowed to accept cure from a doctor for fear of gender differences. I have never heard or seen that before but then again, my references are mostly works of fiction so I'm hardly a reliable source. 

Regardless of whether it is fake or factual, the prejudice and societal pressures that Yun Xian has to overcome makes for a very riveting account of her rise to become a royal doctor.

Liu Shi Shi knows how to choose her projects and she delivers as the strong-willed, intelligent and principled Tan Yun Xian who dives headfirst to question the blind foolishness of adhering to tradition.

Wallace Huo as the emperor did not appear in episode 1 but the narration seems to portray him as someone terribly misguided for placing trust in the eunuchs of Dong Chang. I already sneaked a peek at episode 2 and I think, I hope, surely there is more than meets the eye behind the emperor's careless facade.

The writing is fast-paced, solidly introducing many of the characters with enough depth to be intrigued by their motivations both good and bad. It is not chock-full of angst as one might have anticipated and I can't wait for more.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 popular cdrama listing.

Imperial Doctress Stills Released

Imperial Doctress 女医明妃传 is loosely-based on historical events telling the tale of Tan Yun Xian, a physician of the Ming dynasty. She lived during a time wherein women had no place in society, yet she was able to climb the ranks to become a renowned doctress of the imperial court. 

After a short hiatus from television, Liu Shi Shi is back in a Chinese drama with former co-star Wallace Huo (Journey of Flower). The two have developed a good on-screen rapport from numerous projects together and it will be a treat for fans to see them in tandem once again. 

Liu Shi Shi reminds me of a classic Chinese beauty with subtle features that exude elegance. I find her particularly convincing as a woman who can capture the heart of an Emperor. She did it in Scarlet Heart (Bu Bu Jing Xin) with on-screen partner turned real-life husband Nicky Wu, and Imperial Doctress will be no different as Liu Shi Shi's character Tan Yun Xian finds herself caught between two regents vying for her affections.

For more 2016 c-drama recommendations, click here. The series premieres Feb 13.