Legend of Heavenly Tear: Phoenix Warriors

Legend of Heavenly Tear: Phoenix Warriors 天泪传奇之凤凰无双 is a 70-episode Chinese drama adapted from a novel written by Bing Lan Sha 冰蓝纱. Yeesh, it's long alright because revenge is a complicated thing.

The female protagonist's life is turned upside down and back because of four men - her husband who backstabs her and her family, her brother who commands an army of twenty thousand, her savior who extends a helping hand and his benevolent king brother who also harbors feelings for her.

The cast includes Wang Li Kun, He Jian Ze, Ding Zi Jun, Zhang Xiao Long and Joe Cheng. For someone who just started acting in period dramas, Joe Cheng is quick to follow-up his successful run in Chinese Paladin 5 with an even grander historical drama and I definitely ain't complaining at the sight of him in ancient garb.

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

Source: Bendibao

Nirvana in Fire

Nirvana in Fire 琅琊榜 is the best historical c-drama in 2015, in recent years, maybe ever and that's saying a lot considering dramas are a dime a dozen nowadays. 

It is based on a popular novel but despite the existing fanbase, NIF premiered to a lackluster response. Nevertheless, its success came slowly but surely, providing an interesting parallel to the story's quiet pacing where protagonist Mei Changsu's (Hu Ge) intentions went from subtle nuances to a full blown revenge. 

In the simplest sense, NIF is about a man who goes through great lengths to exact vengeance, systematically planning every step against all odds. However, put the story in a historical setting inside the palace and we have the makings of an engaging political plot. 

NIF is the guy-centric answer to more successful Chinese palace dramas and it works, offering a fresh take on the usual palace conspiracies that tend to revolve around women. I run the risk of sounding like a chauvinist but I welcomed the change since women in the palace are often relegated to a fate of fighting over a man to gain power, which is so good when done right, but it can get catty alright.

Gone are the days when Hu Ge was fresh meat 小鲜肉 because his performance in NIF along with the cast in its entirety is on another league, catapulting many names such as Wang Kai, Jin Dong and Wu Lei into mainstream popularity. Liu Tao wasn't my favorite actress but she is admittedly the best choice to play a warrior, truly embodying a female hero.

Apparently, there is a Nirvana in Fire tour catering to Korean fans where tourists get to visit places such as Heng Dian (a gigantic land where pretty much most historical dramas are shot) and they also make a pitstop at Hu Ge's restaurant in Shanghai. If it's real, I kind of wanna go.

For synopsis, cast and other ratings, see 2015 historical c-drama recommendations.

Source: Bz55

The Princess Weiyoung

The Princess of Weiyoung 锦绣未央 is a Chinese historical drama that started garnering attention before filming even began due to a poster release of Tiffany Tang Yan (Chinese Paladin) as Li Weiyoung. 

The rights to broadcast online have already been purchased by QQ and media outlets are eagerly anticipating this multi-million project that has put together a powerhouse cast and a script that has spent 2 years in the making.

Tiffany Tang Yan deviates from her typical roles to become Li Weiyoung, a princess of the late regime who experienced the harsh cruelties of life yet comes back wiser, stronger and with a vengeance. The plot already sounds like the female version of Nirvana in Fire but I remain a skeptic that it can even come close to the former's glory.

The series also stars Vanness Wu and and Luo Jin and avid fans of the original novel can only further fuel the hype. Looking at the stills, I just have two questions. Does Vanness Wu get with someone else? And dreadlocks, really?

For more Chinese drama recommendations, click here.

Sources: Croton, Yesky, Yesky2, Yule