Once Promised (2017)

Once Promised 上古情歌 is a drama adaptation based on a novel by Tong Hua 桐华 that takes inspiration from a collection of scrolls called the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It got on my radar because of the names attached to the project such as Huang Xiaoming, Victoria Song (Ice Fantasy) and Sheng Yi Lun (Go Princess Go).

Unfortunately, Baron Chen backed out due to a broken leg and he will be replaced by Di Tian Lin instead. 

In writing this post, I inadvertently read the ending thanks to too much information found in c-drama synopses but I'll spare you the details. Once Promised 曾许诺 is the prequel to Lost You Forever 长相思 set during a legendary era of Chinese lore about the epic romance between a warrior (Huang Xiaoming) and a maiden (Victoria Song).

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

Source: Xinhuanet

Small Town Adventures

Set during the Republican era, Small Town Adventures 茧镇奇缘 is a novel-turned-drama adaptation about the murder cases surrounding the Huang family. The cast is led by Victoria Song (Ice Fantasy), Jiang Jin Fu (Legend of Qin), Zhang Zhi Xi (Three Heroes and Five Gallants) and Yang Yang (Three Lives Three Worlds). 

Victoria Song as Du Cun Xiao relies on her investigative skills to unravel the mysteries behind the deaths that ultimately leads to the truth behind her own identity.

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

All About Ice Fantasy: premieres Jul 24

Judging by the stills alone, it's hard to get anymore fantastical than Ice Fantasy 幻城, a Chinese xianxia telling the tale of a mythological era when the Ice and Fire tribes were embroiled in a long-standing war. 

It is adapted from a novel of the same name written by Guo Jingming 郭敬明 who was only 20 when the popular novel was published in 2003. 

The series stars Feng Shao Feng (Lan Ling Wang), Victoria Song, Ma Tianyu and Zhang Meng and the production seems to be going big on aesthetics by hiring Hollywood bigwigs such as Dan Hennah who won an Oscar for Lord of the Rings and I have to say that the sprawling sceneries look visually stunning, especially when endowed with a beautiful-looking cast to begin with.

The elven ears remind me of the Legend of the Nine Tails Fox if not a direct replica of LOTR. It is Feng Shao Feng's second attempt at producing and it has been an expensive affair with over 3 hundred million spent, 300 actors, 30,000 extras, thousands of costumes and mounds of manmade ice.

Even the likes of Korean actress Kim Hee Sun joins the cast as the Ice Queen but I'm most excited for Victoria Song having been a fan of her since f(x). I wonder if all the hype is enough for the series to garner attention in Korea as well or whether it will stay one-sided where Koreans cross over to c-dramas but not the other way around?

The series premieres Jul 2016 on LeTV and Hunan TV. Check out eng subs on Viki.

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

Source: 3Lian, People, Xinhua

Asian Drama Remakes from Manga

Boys Over Flowers is by far the most successful crossover from Manga to TV earning a separate posting all to itself. Yet, there are so many other Asian drama remakes based on manga that have garnered off-the-chart ratings as well.

---

Devil Beside You written by Takanashi Mitsuba 
Taiwan 2005 ( 惡魔在身邊)

At a time when Taiwanese dramas created based on manga were making waves, Devil Beside You was yet another peak in the Taiwanese drama mania. It's a typical setup about a good girl who falls in love with the bad boy yet done in such a way that it captured the hearts of many and many fans madly cheered for Mike He and Rainie Yang's sizzling on-screen chemistry.

---

Tomorrow written by Asunaro Hakusho
Taiwan (2002) 愛情白皮書

Tomorrow is adapted from manga yet I feel that it stands out for not being the typical boy meets girl story. Rather it has a subtle charm focusing more on each character's struggles and how they come together throughout the years.

It's been a while since I saw this yet I still remember the OST (Qi Cheng by Fan Wei Qi), such a beautiful song to match a beautiful drama. Tomorrow is Another Day. And need I say, Eddie Peng is in it.

---

Itazura Na Kiss written by Tada Kaoru

About a simple girl who is lacking in many ways but has a lot of heart. After harboring a crush on the smartest and cutest boy in class, she musters the courage to confess her feelings in front of the whole school but was crushed when he didn't even bother to acknowledge her presence. Dejected, she is shocked when her family ends up having to move in with his family.

It Started With a Kiss (2005) Taiwan
They Kiss Again Pt 2 (2007) Taiwan 

Playful Kiss (2010) Korea

Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo (2013) Japan

It's been a while since I last saw this and now that I look back, I realize that objectively speaking, I really ought to dislike stories like these where the relationship is very much one-sided. The guy is smart and aloof while the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve keeps putting herself out there and getting hurt again, and again. And of course, she has a much nicer 2nd lead who constantly looks out for her but trust me, that guy never gets the girl.

Despite everything I just said, I fell for it head over heels. I was such a fan of the Taiwanese version of It Started With a Kiss (ISWAK). It can be over the top and corny in some ways but as a whole, the cast was endearing, the main leads had great chemistry and the OST amazing.

---

Hana Kimi written by Hisaya Nakajo

About a girl who idolizes a star athlete from an all boy's school. Hence she decides to transfer to his school by pretending to be a boy.

Hana Kimi (2006) Taiwan

To the Beautiful You (2012) Korea

Thought it was quite interesting how girly-girl Sulli Choi was cast to play this role in Korea, awhile Ella Chen, known for her tomboyish looks got the part in the Taiwan. Either way, I think both women are capable of pulling of boyish and sultry in their own right.

---

City Hunter (2011) Korea

Diverging from the manga, City Hunter is an action revenge Korean drama starring Lee Min Ho. Unfortunately for fans, it is also through this drama where he meets his current girlfriend Park Min Young.

---

Tomorrow Cantabile (2014) Korea

A Korean drama about two extremely gifted musicians - a violinist and a pianist - who are polar opposites in every way.

---

When Love Walked In (2012) China 

Not based on a manga but the plot sure sounds very familiar. Victoria Song portrays Shen Ya Yin, the classic Cinderella who works multiple jobs to repay her foster family. There's even a bitter stepmother, jealous stepsister and an irresponsible stepbrother to boot.

However, a twist of fate uncovers the truth that Shen Ya Yin is actually an heiress to the mass fortunes that her real grandfather owns.

Romantic Princess (2007) Taiwan

Based on the manga Four Steps to Romance, this is another Cinderella story about a long-lost heiress found by her grandfather after many years of searching. She is swept into the lifestyle of the rich and famous and along with that comes the many good looking suitors to choose from.

---

Absolute Boyfriend (2012)

As I was compiling this list, just noticed that there seems to be a growing trend of dramas not only based on Japanese manga but also having actors / actresses of different nationalities.

A Taiwanese drama starring Jiro Wang and Korean actress Koo Hye Sun as the girl who is unlucky in love and inadvertently purchases an android created for the sole purpose of being the absolute boyfriend. What kind of android would it be without a six pack?

---

Skip Beat (2012)

Taiwanese actress Ivy Chen and her two leading men Choi Si Won and Lee Dong Hae from Super Junior. It's an extremely good-looking cast and that's about it.

---

Hayate Combat Butler (2011) Taiwan

George Hu plays the combat butler while Korean actress Park Shin Hye is the heiress that he swears to protect.

See here for a complete list of Korean dramas and more Chinese-Korean collaborations.