Princess Jieyou Episode 3 Recap

Is Princess Jieyou a light-hearted affair rather than a serious historical drama? Whatever it turns out to be, I'm loving the humor thus far.

Jieyou (Zhang Xinyi) agrees to lead the way on the condition that the Xiong Nu general release them once they find water. Wong Gui (Yuan Hong) enlists Jieyou's help to steal his dagger back, turning up the sweet talk and showering her with praise.

Jieyou asks what's in it for her and Wong Gui answers, "I can only offer myself," which earns an incredulous laugh from Jieyou who retorts, "Fine, once I get the dagger back, you're mine."

After the Xiong Nu has had their fill and the dagger reclaimed, Jieyou and Wong Gui prepare to leave. However, the general reneges on his promise and makes a move on Jieyou, causing the two to make a run for it. 

They return safely to the circus troupe, thanks to a foresight by Jieyou to drug the general and his soldiers. Alas, Jieyou's pendant goes missing, the very same one that Wong Gui almost pawned in the previous episode. Ah Cai explains the pendant's significance since it is the only keepsake Jieyou has from her parents. Wong Gui assures Jieyou that he will find it, even leaving his dagger as a token of good faith while Ah Cai looks on with a tinge of jealousy.

What are the chances of the general picking up Jieyou's tiny pendant across a vast land of sand and dust? Apparently, quite high. The general keeps the pendant and seeks to cause more trouble by sending a sketch of Wong Gui's dagger along with the words indicating that whoever has the dagger is a Xiong Nu spy. This does not bode well for Jieyou who is in possession of said dagger and she is thrown into prison as a result.

Meanwhile, Wong Gui follows the general to a gambling den and he was close to recovering the pendant until their game is abruptly disrupted by a military inspection. Wong Gui seizes the opportunity to create a diversion, simultaneously motioning to the Xiong Nu general, "Big Brother, run, I'll cover you!" Outed as the spy, the pissed off general runs but not before realizing that he's been played by Wong Gui once again.

Our bickering couple reunite at their own execution given that both of them are sentenced to death for treason. Wong Gui manages to eke out a yes from Jieyou to marry him on the grounds that it's better to die as a couple than not. But of course, they don't die and as if becoming another person, Wong Gui stands tall and reclaims his identity as General Wong Gui of Wusun.

General Li apologizes for the misunderstanding and he invites everyone to his home. He also recognizes Jieyou's pendant, thereby letting her know that the truth behind her identity might lie with someone in the capital.

Comments: Yuan Hong is killing it and his range of expressions that are sometimes animated sometimes fierce, priceless. I've seen him as Yang Kang, Shen An, the 13th Prince and probably more but his portrayal as Wong Gui is becoming an easy favorite. 

I like the characters and their kindred ways that fit well in a story that's been mostly carefree. In hindsight, I'm actually not so thrilled to move to the confines of the palace, which I surmise is where we're headed since Jieyou is Princess Jieyou.

Princess Jieyou Episode 1
Princess Jieyou Episode 2

Princess Jieyou Episode 2 Recap

The second episode might have been devoid of action but at the heart of it is the bickering interactions between two people with sizzling chemistry. I realize belatedly that Yuan Hong and Zhang Xinyi are a real life couple, adding to the cuteness overload.

After a painful procedure that's a cross between hilarious and cringeworthy, Wong Gui (Yuan Hong) lives to see another day. Jieyou (Zhang Xinyi) is genuinely curious about her unwitting patient so she sneaks a peek only to be caught off guard when he pulls her in a giant hug, letting go only when she threatened to hit him where it hurts.

Jieyou demands to know Wong Gui's identity given that the first time she saw him, he was killing people and the second time, he was almost killed. Jieyou shares that she is an orphan and Wong Gui admits that he hails from Wusun albeit under the guise of a merchant. She goes to sleep like it's nothing until he reminds her that she is still on his bed.

The next day, Wong Gui comes bearing barbecue sticks full of scorpions as his roundabout way to relay his intention to stay with the group.

Days pass and they discover that Wong Gui is a complete drunk who is more of a freeloader than anything else. Refusing to be taken advantage of any longer, Jieyou and the circus members trick an incoherent Wong Gui into signing his life away such that he wakes up relegated to circus property. 

Jieyou volunteers almost too excitedly to be his teacher, unleashing her sadistic streak in the most ingenious of punishments. 

Wong Gui is about to do laundry when he finds Jieyou's jade pendant among her clothes. Looking to make a quick buck, he hurries to the pawnshop but Jieyou stealthily steals her prized possession back, luring Wong Gui further by insinuating that her pendant is nothing compared to circus leader's treasures.

I'm not really sure why Wong Gui, the hero, would stoop to thievery but he falls for the bait and a disappointed troupe readies to send him to jail. On their way, Wong Gui observes a desert storm approaching and his expertise comes in handy in bringing everyone to safety.

The circus members begin to panic when Jieyou fails to return from her search for water. Wong Gui eventually catches up to a Jieyou on the brink of death and he proves his abilities as he allows an old horse to lead the way, knowing that an experienced military horse would remember the places with water.

Jieyou is positively impressed, releasing him from his chains and Wong Gui bids her farewell. In what I consider the shortest separation ever, Wong Gui is instantaneously captured by the Xiong Nu barbarians and they take his dagger.

Hopelessly outnumbered, Wong Gui has no choice but to accompany them to the water source, ultimately returning to Jieyou. He earns a well-deserved bitch slap from her because, well, he technically led the baddies straight to her. 

Comments: I feel like we barely scratched the surface in terms of the actual storyline but I appreciate the time spent on character development.

Wong Gui is shaping up to be an atypical hero, unafraid to get down and dirty when he needs to. His actions are not exactly anything to be proud of but I like that he's never pretentious. Besides, episode 1 showed off Wong Gui, the courageous general, so to see his other sides is quite refreshing.

As for Jieyou, she is the opposite of a damsel in distress, which is probably why Wong Gui didn't think twice about leading the baddies back to her.

She is one dominant lady that I almost felt bad for Wong Gui. I say almost because those scenes where she tortures him were fairly entertaining. It's not a one-sided dynamic either because he is equally capable of paying her back in kind, all in good fun. That said, I am glad that the Xiong Nu appeared because it is about time to get on with the show.

Princess Jieyou Episode 1
Princess Jieyou Episode 3

First Look: Princess Jieyou

I never would have guessed that Princess Jieyou 解忧公主, which was devoid of heavy promotional efforts and sans the glitz and glamour that often comes with an idol cast would turn out to be such an incredible find.

Granted that the lead actor Yuan Hong does have his fair share of fans (myself included), his star power still wasn't enough for me to commit 41 hours of my life to this underrated historical cdrama, at least not initially.

Episode 1 is a combination of blood, tears and romance. Due to the unfortunate passing of the Han Dynasty princess who happens to be the wife of the reigning monarch of Wu Sun, Wu Sun sends an emissary to Han along with a proposal for a new marriage alliance in order to keep a united front against the Xiong Nu.

The group is ambushed en-route and General Wong Gui (Yuan Hong) narrowly escapes a ferocious battle in the desert. 

Jieyou (Zhang Xinyi) is a member of a traveling circus searching for a source of water and she witnesses Wong Gui single handedly slaying all the men in sight, therefore contaminating the water in the process. Fearing for her own life, she and her troupe are both relieved and indignant when a nonchalant Wong Gui simply walks away.

During Jieyou's turn to perform a magic act, Wong Gui attempts to hide from the Xiong Nu assassins but is shot after Jieyou's frantic screams give away his location. She later discovers that a critically injured Wong Gui was a stowaway in her trunk of supplies and she ends up saving his life albeit after a sadistic streak of literally scraping off the poison that has seeped into his bones, which despite the way it sounds was actually a rather funny scene.

First Impressions: I'm not familiar with any of Zhang Xinyi's works but her character as Princess Jieyou is quite endearing. Perhaps it's largely due to a story that is set in the Western borders of ancient China where the people tend to be more carefree and passionate but Jieyou is the perfect example of such a person and it's refreshing to see a female lead that is uninhibited yet principled, feminine yet daring.

Yuan Hong as Wong Gui compliments our feisty heroine by embodying the qualities of a courageous and occasionally wayward hero. He is undoubtedly a warrior and a flirtatious one at that, which makes for a fairly entertaining OTP. 

For anyone who has seen the City of Devastating Love also starring Yuan Hong as General Shen An, it's reasonable to conclude that he seems to always be typecast as the manly man.  Thankfully, the similarities end there as General Wong Gui seems to be a way smarter version who hopefully won't repeat the mistakes of Shen An because that other drama ripped my heart out then stomped on it again and again and again.

The first few episodes of Princess Jieyou have been enjoyable overall with enough action and conflict to keep things interesting. It may not look as polished as the highly-publicized productions nowadays but the scenic views across the vast deserts of China are breathtakingly panoramic with a cinematic feel to it. On to episode 2 recap.

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

Princess Jieyou

Princess Jieyou 解忧公主 will premiere on Feb 18 along with many other upcoming wuxia series to welcome the Chinese new year. Doing away with the highly-commercialized productions prevalent nowadays, the series goes back to basics and tells the story of Liu Jieyou, a Han Dynasty princess sent to the Western regions as part of a marriage alliance. 

Princess Jieyou has spent two years in the back burner so finally, it will grace our screens this Feb. I don't know most of the cast except for Yuan Hong (Hua Xu Yin) but looking forward to it nonetheless.

For synopsis, cast and other info, check out my 2016 Chinese historical drama recommendations.

Source: Duitang, Ent163

Upcoming Chinese period dramas this Feb 2016

The Lunar New Year is fast approaching and in true Chinese fashion, we are ushering the year with a fresh batch of TV series. It is common practice to impose a limit on historical dramas for what good reason, I really can't comprehend. For us viewers, it basically means that the number of historical dramas per channel can never exceed 15% of the total shows allotted for the same slot. 

Nevertheless, period dramas have proven time and again that they fare extremely well in the perpetual battle for ratings with hits like Journey of Flower and Sword of Legends to name a few. Lucky for us, this is why a number networks have chosen to welcome the Year of the Monkey with a lot of wuxia series.

Imperial Doctress 女医明妃传 premieres Feb 13 where Liu Shi Shi (Ballad of the Desert) will make a comeback in a palace drama opposite Wallace Huo (Journey of Flower). The promotional pictures alone feel and look like a Korean drama so I wasn't the least bit surprised that this is dubbed as the Chinese version of Jewel in the Palace.

Chronicle of Life 寂寞空庭春欲晚 premieres Feb 1 starring Hawick Lau (Legend of Flying Daggers) and Zheng Shuang (Sword of Legends). Set in the Qing dynasty, it depicts the tragic love story of a young Emperor Kangxi and seems to lean heavily towards a melodrama.

New Xiao Shi Yi Lang 新萧十一郎 premieres Feb 9 starring Yan Kuan and Gan Ting Ting. Unlike its predecessor, New Xiao Shi Yi Lang is expected to have a different take on Gu Long's classic wuxia. I classify this as a romance drama through and through but it is precisely my favorite because it masterfully combines romance and wuxia into one brilliantly written storyline.

Legend of Zu 蜀山戰紀之劍俠傳奇 was pre-released as a web drama last year and only began its TV broadcast on Jan 20 but to keep things interesting, the production team has prepared two separate endings. In a way, Zhao Li Ying reprises a role similar to Hua Qian Gu in Journey of Flower because she is once again in a fantasy wuxia. 

The Three Heroes and Five Gallants 五鼠闹东京 is about the misadventures of the noble martial arts heroes Zhan Zhao aka Imperial Cat and the Five Mice. The drama stars Chen Xiao, Yan Kuan and Zheng Shuang. Guessing it's double the fun for Yan Kuan and Zheng Shuang, both of which have two of their own dramas airing concurrently this Feb.

Princess Jieyou 解忧公主 premieres Feb 18 starring Zhang Xin Yi and Yuan Hong. The character stills remind me of a more traditional historical drama depicting the life of Princess Jieyou.

Last but not the least is The Legend of Nine Tails Fox 青丘狐传说 starring Jiang Jin Fu (Legend of Qin) and Gu Li Na Zha (Rift of the Sky), which will be seen on Hunan TV starting Feb 8. Since I actually get this channel, I might start with it for convenience sake. Which one will you be watching?

Also see upcoming dramas in March and April 2016.

Sources: Taizhou, Tianjinwe