First Look: New Xiao Shi Yi Lang (2016)

Re-watching Nicky Wu's Xiao Shi Yi Lang was a mistake because now that New Xiao Shi Yi Lang 新萧十一郎 is out, it falls flat in comparison, which is a pity considering I was most interested in this one out of the many dramas airing this February. 

Episode 1 opens with a scene where Feng Si Niang, Xiao Shi Yi Lang's closest friend and partner-in-crime, aptly fends off her attackers that it's hard to tell who is bullying who. A one-armed swordsman swoops in to kill all the men in sight, apparently out of mercy because they would have fared worse in the hands of Si Niang. He also divulges that Xiao Shi Yi Lang (Kevin Yan Kuan) was the culprit responsible for his missing arm. 

Cut to Xiao Shi Yi Lang in the midst of a robbery to steal a royal crown for Si Niang's 30th birthday. He succeeds rather effortlessly despite announcing his arrival beforehand and the two friends reunite afterwards for a a night of revelry and drinking.

The following morning, Xiao Shi Yi Lang and Si Niang set their sights on the legendary Deer Carver Sabre that is guarded by the Shen Household. The stealthy pair make it all the way, only to have a run in with Shen Bijun (Gan Ting Ting) who is desperate to escape her engagement with Lian Chengbi. Consequently, the episode ends with a brawl on all fronts as the three are caught in the act.

First impressions: New Xiao Shi Yi Lang promises a different twist that is a welcome change because I'd rather they leave the classic untouched to come up with something else altogether. The recent adaptation delivers in that respect showing a grander and darker Xiao Shi Yi Lang. The good don't seem that noble and the bad much worse, chock-full of throat slashing scenes that is miles apart from the wholesome 2002 version. 

There are a number of storyline changes as well, which leaves me more curious than anything else. That's about all the praises that I can sing because the rest on my list is just a whole lot of complaints.

Xiao Shi Yi Lang looks considerably older than Lian Chengbi and it's odd to envision them as rivals given their disparate appearances.

Gan TIng Ting as Shen Bijun is the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world with features so stunning that it's repeatedly acknowledged in the series. Even though Gan Ting Ting is pretty, it is still a bold claim to make and I find that she and the actress who plays Feng Si Niang bear such a close resemblance so to say who's prettier is highly debatable. 

Personally, my vote goes to Xiao Gong Zi played by Zhang Han Yun (Lan Ling Wang Fei). She is smart, cute, certainly diabolic but very intriguing and she is the drama's saving grace, if it ever needed one.

I was surprised that Shen Bijun can spar almost on par with Lian Chengbi at the end of episode 1. Unfortunately, her newfound skills might have been for convenience's sake since it effects a cooler action sequence. And as expected, Bijun relegates back to the perpetual damsel in distress in subsequent episodes.

Behind Shen Bijun's prim and proper facade is someone condescending, superficial and stuck-up, always turning her nose up at Xiao only to need his saving later. I wonder why they bothered to give her martial arts skills. Is it to stay faithful to the novel? Because Bijun's strength is in her passion and quiet resolve, and clearly not her ability to defend herself so a fighting Bijun that is kidnapped time and again makes her not the brightest bulb on the porch. 

Throwing in a couple shot for good measure because I made it to the episode where the leads start warming up to each other. Too bad I'm on the verge of giving up at this point. 

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see my list of popular cdramas in 2016.

Remembering Xiao Shi Yi Lang 2002

Because the upcoming adaptation had me itching for more, I re-watched the 2002 version of Xiao Shi Yi Lang 蕭十一郎 starring Nicky Wu (Legend of Zu), Athena Chu and Yu Bo. Without further ado, below are the memorable scenes that turned this TV series into a classic. Warning: spoilers ahead.

Xiao Shi Yi Lang (Nicky Wu) and Shen Bi Jun's (Athena Chu) love story began after an accidental meeting when the happy-go-lucky bandit Xiao Shi Yi Lang crashes through the roof on his way to steal the Deer Carver Sabre (Ge Lu Dao). Even though Xiao Shi Yi Lang succeeds, he decides to return the legendary sabre that will be used as Bi Jun's dowry when she marries Lian Cheng Bi. 

Multiple kidnappings attempts later and the two have developed strong feelings for each other as Shi Yi Lang happens to save Bi Jun time and again. Despite having second thoughts, Bi Jun ultimately carries on with the wedding for the sake of the Shen family. 

What ensues is a series of misunderstandings exacerbated by a constantly suspicious Lian Cheng Bi (Yu Bo) who is determined not to be made a fool. Beneath his kind and gentlemanly exterior is actually a perceptive yet distrustful man whose lack of faith in Bi Jun causes their relationship to wither from the very start. 

Because of his mission as the protector of the Deer Carver Sabre, circumstances keep bringing Xiao Shi Yi Lang and Bi Jun together whilst her relationship with husband Liang Cheng Bi is pulled further apart. When the three were trapped in Xiao Yao Hou's territory, Bi Jun selflessly stepped forward to save Xiao Shi Yi Lang in spite of Lian Cheng Bi's warning that her actions will ruin their marriage. 

Yet the series is not without its flaws, thanks to a meddlesome Lao Lao, a prejudiced Tai Jun (Bi Jun's grandma) and even a quasi-intelligent Bi Jun who is often deceived into hurting Xiao Shi Yi Lang. One such instance is when she stabs him with a sword after believing that he conspired with Xiao Yao Hou to capture Bi Jun's grandma. 

At times, the plot contrivance can be as silly as Bi Jun rushing in between two men in the midst of a fight so that the highly-skilled martial artist Xiao Shi Yi Lang can end up injured, effecting a much more dramatic scene. 

Feng Si Niang and Yang Kai Tai's story is quite well-developed despite being on the sidelines. Love triangles are painful enough and for Si Niang to be the fourth leg of that triangle would have been overkill so I'm glad that as the series progresses, Si Niang slowly gets over her childhood friend Xiao Shi Yi Lang and finds purpose in helping Yang Kai Tai recover from the loss of his father.

The second half of the series is when Lian Cheng Bi completely turns to the dark side creating innumerable problems for the good guys. Enraged over losing Bi Jun, he is pushed over the edge after overhearing that Tai Jun coaxed Bi Jun into marrying him despite Bi Jun's pleas to call it off.

While I don't disagree that Tai Jun should bear the brunt of the blame, a diabolic Cheng Bi exacts his revenge in the most despicable way possible. He offers the oblivious grandma a cup of tea that will cause her to lose reason and kill people every night, knowing that the only solution will be for Xiao Shi Yi Lang to become the bad guy by cutting off Tai Jun's head.

Half a year passes and Xiao Shi Yi Lang returns with a pregnant lady named Bing Bing who is actually Cheng Bi's sister Lian Cheng Jin. However, the two go through great lengths to hide Cheng Jin's identity, puzzling even her uncles Bai Yang and Lu Liu.

Sure enough, Lian Cheng Bi had to confirm his sister's identity so that he can finish the deed to kill her. Although his second attempt remained unsuccessful, Lian Cheng Bi's identity as the big bad clad in red is revealed. 

I can't end the posting without talking about the interactions between Xiao Shi Yi Lang and the masked man. Their dialogues while short are fraught with humor bringing out a pleasant father-son dynamic, which is a much-needed balance to the drama in Xiao Shi Yi Lang's love life. 

At least one thing in his life is going well given that Xiao Shi Yi Lang always had the masked man to look out for him, and not a stupid person who can be easily manipulated to stab him in the back or anywhere else because that has happened one too many times. 

The much-awaited reveal happens towards the latter part of the series when the masked Er Guo Tou finally pulls out the Deer Carver Sabre proving that he is none other than Xiao Shi Yi Lang's long-lost father. On a sidenote, I find it hard to believe that Xiao Shi Yi Lang couldn't recognize his father's face. It's not like he was that young when they were separated?

Hands down one of the most exciting battles in the entire series occurs in the last episode when Xiao Shi Yi Lang walks into an ambush of epic proportions where he gets backstabbed by not one but two of his close friends and has to face a multitude of assassins. 

Having been misinformed about Bi Jun's death, Xiao Shi Yi Lang still fought down to his last breath determined to take down as many people with him amidst the thrashing of swords. Fortunately, Bi Jun arrives in the nick of time to save Xiao for his final showdown with Lian Cheng Bi.

What drama would you like to remember next?

New Xiao Shi Yi Lang (2016)

Ranked # 4 in my top 20 period dramas, New Xiao Shi Yi Lang 新萧十一郎 is adapted from Gu Long's novel called The Eleventh Son, which is about a thief who has earned the name Great Bandit Xiao Shi Yi Lang. Through a series of events, he falls in love with Shen Bi Jun, a woman engaged to another.

The series stars Kevin Yan Kuan and Gan Ting Ting and premieres on Feb 9. I'm ecstatic for this one because I couldn't get enough when it came out thirteen years ago. A part of me still wishes Nicky Wu could have reprised his role as Xiao Shi Yi Lang. After all, he's still super popular, right? I'm also a bit skeptical whether anyone can ever surpass Nicky Wu's version of the character but fingers crossed that it'll be just as good.

This latest adaptation is supposedly unlike any of its predecessors because it will push the boundaries in depicting Xiao Shi Yi Lang as the atypical hero - no longer the noble thief but a misfit who does as he pleases.

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

Source: 3Lian, WHCB