Princess Agents (2017)

Princess Agent 楚乔传 sounds like it could be a marriage of Rookie Agent Rouge and every other period drama starring Zhao Li Ying because this time around, she plays an agent stuck in ancient times. Given Zhao Li Ying's numerous projects for the past years, I seriously wonder how does this girl rest? 

Princess Agent will star Zhao Li Ying (Legend of Chusen), Lin Gengxin (God of War Zhao Yun), Shawn Dou (Tribes and Empires) and Li Qin. Filming began March 2016 and the drama is slated for a 2017 premiere.

Based on the novel titled Queen of No. 11 Agent by Xiao Xiang Dong Er 潇湘冬儿, the story revolves around an agent who is killed in action and time-travels into the body of a slave girl during the Xia Dynasty, no doubt accomplishing great deeds in her time.

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

Source: Aiweibang

Saimdang, the Herstory

Saimdang, the Herstory 사임당 is a 30-episode k-drama about Shin Saimdang, a renowned Korean poet. Lee Young Ae returns to the small screen after the longest hiatus since the smashing success of Jewel in the Palace more than a decade ago.

Lee plays a modern day teacher who discovers Shin Saimdang's diary and travels back in time to uncover pieces of Saimdang's life. Song Seung Heon plays her love interest as a man of equal talent for the arts. 

The character stills are tastefully done though their solemn expressions exude a feeling of unstated melancholy. I'm guessing this has to be a melodrama? Nevertheless, it is Lee Young Ae's highly anticipated comeback and it seems fitting to have chosen a traditional historical drama, minus the time-travel that is.

The series premieres Oct 2016 on SBS. For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing. 

Source: GetitK

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo coming soon

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo 보보경심: 려 is the 2016 k-drama adaptation of the popular c-novel by Tong Hua, which made waves across Asia due to the 2011 Chinese drama starring Nicky Wu and Liu Shi Shi.

Beneath the political power plays and time-travel is a captivating story about love where reigning k-pop idol IU takes the lead as the charming and intelligent heroine with Lee Joon Ki as her valiant prince. 

Lee Joon Ki's delicate features earned him the nickname minam aka beautiful man and there's more handsomeness to go around with Kang Haneul and a string of pretty boys joining the mix to complete the remaining princes of Goryeo. It is literally a feast for the eyes, but Scarlet Heart carries a great story requiring great acting so I really hope the cast delivers.

Kim Kyu-tae who is also behind the success of That Winter, the Wind Blows takes the helm as PD and the drama will be produced in its entirety prior to airing. Given the record-breaking success of another pre-produced drama called Descendants of the Sun as well as the craziness around Korea's live-shoot system, I say amen to that.

Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is slated for a simultaneous release in Korea and China on Aug 29, 2016. I have no clue whether the k-version can ever come close to the former but naysayer or not, I simply cannot wait!

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 kdrama listing. 

Source: EntMSN, Naver, Xinwen83133

Scarlet Heart

Scarlet Heart 步步惊心 is a 2011 Chinese drama that means many things for newly weds Cecilia Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu. It cemented Liu Shi Shi's status as a top star, rejuvenated Nicky Wu's acting career (he was 40 at the time) and culminated in the couple's lovely beach wedding in Bali. Yes, the onscreen couple got married on Mar 20, 2016 and it seems only fitting to talk about the drama that brought them together.

Scarlet Heart is the shorter iteration of its varied English titles. Based on a novel called Bu Bu Jing Xin aka Startling By Each Step, the adaptation tells the tale of an average white-collar worker who wakes in the body of Maertai Ruoxi, a young Manchu maiden during the reign of Kangxi. 

Scarlet Heart might be one of countless TV series in the time-travel and romance genre, yet it is so successful and far-reaching in appeal specifically because it manages to tell a compelling story extremely well, bringing to life complex characters in rich detail and throwing them in the midst of the Nine Lords War 九子奪嫡. The battle for the throne is intense, yet the writing masterfully interweaves a passionate romance that touches the heart.

Scarlet Heart stars Liu Shi Shi (Imperial Doctress), Nicky Wu (Legend of Zu), Kevin Cheng (City of Devastating Love), Yuan Hong (Princess Jieyou) and Lin Gengxin (God of War Zhao Yun). Liu Shi Shi is surrounded by dashing men in a powerhouse cast that can easily headline their own series and the author Tong Hua 桐华 is renown for penning popular novels like Song in the Clouds and Ballad of the Desert, both of which were also made for TV. 

It was a surefire formula that paid off and a Korean drama remake is in the works starring IU and Lee Joonki at the helm. There was also a sequel called Startling Love By Each Step 步步惊情 and a movie too but honestly, I try to pretend that the latter don't exist.

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

Source: Baidu

Love Weaves Through a Millennium

I finally managed to get through all the backlog and be reasonably updated in terms of upcoming dramas, now for some backdated ones.

Love Weaves Through a Millennium 相爱穿梭千年 is a 2015 time-travel rom-com starring Zheng Shuang (Chronicle of Life) and Jing Bo Ran where its production team has bought the rights to k-drama Queen In Hyun's Man to bring us a Chinese-infused replica of the former.

I liked Queen In Hyun's Man a lot even if it was a cable drama that might not have gained much of a following. As an avid wuxia fan, a genre brimming with remakes, I am definitely not against the trend and I relish to the opportunity to watch essentially the same thing with a slightly different twist. 

Interestingly, there will be a sequel 相爱穿梭千年2之月光下的交换, which is still set in the Han Dynasty but focuses on the King's investigation of his beloved consort's death that leads him forward into the future. Um, Rooftop Prince anyone?

For synopsis, cast and other ratings, see 2015 popular c-dramas. 

Source: Duitang, BZ55