Sparrow

Based on an original novel by Hai Fei 海飞, Sparrow 麻雀 is a 2016 Chinese spy thriller set in the 1940s and it is expected to air this year on Hunan TV, going head to head with Zhao Li Ying's spy drama Rookie Agent Rouge. 

Chen Shen (Li Yi Feng) leads a double life as he works under his friend and comrade Bi Zhong Liang (Zhang Lu Yi) as part of a specialized task force that captures anti-Japanese revolutionaries. Chen Shen's codename is Sparrow and his real mission is to bring down the Japanese conspirators.

Despite being explored many times before, the undercover premise never gets old and the stakes are particularly elevated especially in the context of the Sino-Japanese war. Sparrow has the potential to become innately complex in terms of characterization and storyline and if done right, it can prove to be a breakthrough in Li Yi Feng's career as he delves away from his usual roles. 

I realize Zhang Ruo Yun from Monster Killer, who is popping up everywhere these days, is in this as well suggesting a love triangle to further complicate things. The stills look legit and I sure hope the drama doesn't disappoint.

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

Source: Duitang

Legend of Chusen

Based on a novel called Zhu Xian written by Xiao Ding, the Legend of Chusen 诛仙青云志 is a big-budget fantasy wuxia starring Li Yi Feng (Sword of Legends), Zanilia Zhao Li Ying (Legend of Zu), Yang Zi, TF Boys, etc. and it premieres on July 2016. 

All the excitement surrounding this drama is largely due to casting where names like Angelababy where thrown into the pot until it finally secured its leads in Li Yi Feng and Zanilia Zhao Li Ying, two of the most sought after stars of today. 

Period dramas is a genre that is getting a lot of love these days that even c-pop idol boyband TF Boys is appearing in the series, no doubt to cater to younger fans.

Legend of Chusen is about Zhang Xiao Fan, a young man with mediocre skills made up for by an abundance in determination to become a martial arts hero of the Qing Yun Sect. 

Li Yi Feng will once again play a character that has an alternate persona, Sword of Legends much? Frankly, Li Yi Feng's character looks and feels like a reboot of him as Bai Li Tu Su, which is not a bad thing considering the former's success but redundant nonetheless.

On the other hand, Zanilia Zhao Li Ying is getting a lot of flak for not fitting the bill as the character Bi Yao. It was unexpected given that she is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful faces in the Chinese entertainment industry but stills don't lie.

No wonder people are making comparisons to cosplayer Qiu Xiao Chen and some netizens even took it upon themselves to photoshop their own version of Zhao Li Ying as Bi Yao the way that it should be. At least the production team seems to be listening since the recent batch of promotional stills are certainly eye-catching.

For plot summary, synopsis, etc., check out my 2016 c-drama recommendations.

Source: Newyx, DuiTang, Douban