Upcoming Period Dramas May to July 2016

The Flower in Prison (April 29 MBC)

A drama about a female lawyer born in the prisons of the Joseon Dynasty and her resolve to fight for human rights. Starring Go Soo and Jin Se Yeon (eng subs on Viki).

Mirror of the Witch (May 13 JTBC)
A princess is abandoned for being born with a frozen heart until she meets a man named Heo Jun, the famed physician from the Joseon era who is revered till this day (eng subs on Viki).

Chinese Paladin 5 Yun Zhi Fan (May 23 Hunan TV)

The much-anticipated sequel to the Chinese Paladin franchise starring Han Dong Jun and Gu Li Na Zha. The series premieres right after The Classic of Mountains and Seas (eng subs on Viki).

Lucky Tianbao (Jun 6 QQ)
Two brothers fight over love and life in a historical comedy that's also a drama? Starring Kim Ki Bum, Zhu Zi Xiao and Zhao Li Ying.

Legend of Liu Shan Men (Jun 20 QQ)

Liu Shan Men is will revolve around investigative bureau in the Ming Dynasty. Starring Raymond Lan and Dilraba Dilmurat.

Decoded (Jun 20)

A pitting of intelligence not unlike the acclaimed spy drama Disguiser (eng subs on Viki).

Chang Ge Xing (Jun 23) (Jul 26) 
Liu Xiu and his friends are youthful passionate individuals during a tumultuous period and as time passes, they each end up playing significant roles during the Han Dynasty. Starring Ruby Lin and Yuan Hong

The bad news is Chang Ge Xing is delayed again but on the bright side, Ruby Lin and Yuan Hong have some exciting news of their own (eng subs on Viki).

Demon Girl (Jun 30)
A half demon falls in love with an earnest man from a wealthy family in a fantasy romance drama by Yu Zheng. Starring Zhang Zhe Han.

Old Nine Gates (Jul 4)

Set for a simultaneous web and TV broadcast, Old Nine Gates is the prequel to The Lost Tomb. Starring William Chan and Zhao Li Ying.

Legend of Chusen (Jul 17)

Another much-anticipated fantasy xianxia of swords and magic in a never-ending fight between good and evil. Starring Li Yi Feng, Yang Zi and Zhao Li Ying.

Border Town Prodigal (Jul 18)
Gu Long's classic wuxia will be remade with a fresh twist starring Zhu Yi Long and Viann Zhang Xinyu.

Novoland: The Castle in the Sky (Jul 20)
After City of Devastating Love comes another fantasy c-drama set in Novoland about the battle between the humans and the Yu Clan. Starring Zhang Ruo Yun, Guan Xiao Tong and SNH48 Ju JIng Yi.

Ice Fantasy (Jul 24)

The big-budget Chinese production about about the Ice and Fire tribes in a land of fantasy and magic. Starring Feng Shao Feng, Victoria Song and Ma Tianyu (eng subs on Viki).

Above dates are estimates only, the actual air date might vary. Dates that have been crossed out means that the premiere is delayed.

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