Advisors Alliance (2017)

Advisors Alliance 军师联盟 is a 2017 Chinese historical drama starring Wu Xiu Bo, Liu Tao (Nirvana in Fire), Janine Zhang (Empress of China), Li Chen, Zhang Zhixi (Three Heroes and Five Gallants), Tang Yixin (Legend of the QIng Qiu Fox) and more. 

The plot revolves around esteemed strategist Si Ma Yi and his time in Wei during the Three Kingdoms. Veteran Wu Xiu Bo double hats as actor and producer and his attachment to the project brings together the star-studded ensemble of acting heavyweights, creating much anticipation from fans.

God of War Zhao Yun's attempt at the Three Kingdoms turned out to be such a letdown, which I hope Advisors Alliance does not repeat. 

As war-ridden and bloody as it may be, Three Kingdoms remains one of the most marvelous clash of wits amongst the brilliant minds in Chinese history and Advisors Alliance certainly looks to deliver a legit depiction of the same, though I have no clue why the characters are in suits, must be a new concept that they're trying out.

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

Source: 391k, Ent163

First Look: The Three Heroes and Five Gallants

Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu 王朝馬漢張龍趙虎. It's been ages since I last heard those names.

If you like the venerable Justice Bao and the many martial arts heroes that help in his unyielding stance against crime, there is no reason why you won't enjoy The Three Heroes and Five Gallants 五鼠闹东京.

Episode 1 begins with an ambush that turns into a police raid once Zhan Zhao (Kevin Yan Kuan) joins the fray and Justice Bao's team triumphantly captures the perpetrators. 

In an attempt to fight back, Pang Tai Shi and his daughter Consort Fei request for Zhan Zhao's presence in the palace but their feeble attempts to charge him of treason falls flat at every instance.

Ultimately, the evil pair settles for backhanded insults ill-advising the emperor to give Zhan Zhao the title of Imperial Cat, a move that will certainly do more harm than good since it is a direct challenge to the legendary Five Mice of Hollow Island.

First Impressions: Three Heroes and Five Gallants brings forth a bout of nostalgia reminiscent of the warm fuzzies that I used to get from watching the long-running Taiwanese series Justice Bao. 

Even though the first episode barely had much dialogue and the writing fraught with one-dimensional characters whose motivations are clear as day, the heart of the Justice Bao series and the like has always been its overarching mantra that justice shall prevail. 

From the moment Kevin Yan Kuan as Zhan Zhao descends from the sky, the drama spends a good fifteen minutes on non-stop action that's flashy and filled with a nonsensical humor that is so cheesy, yet I'm loving it. 

Chen Xiao makes his comeback as Bai Yutang, the handsome Fifth Mice who also happens to be full of himself. There are plenty frame by frame close-ups of the actor and I'll just sit back, relax and enjoy the show. 

Jokes aside, the first couple episodes were mostly for entertainment's sake and the tireless banter among the Five Mice a fairly enjoyable affair. It has potential but seriously not much to offer in terms of substance at this point. I really hope to see some interesting cases down the line so that it can live up to its name as a detective wuxia.

Last but not the least, I'm glad to see a feistier heroine in Zheng Shuang and not her doom-and-gloom character in Chronicle of Life that has become too melodramatic for me to continue on.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 best cdrama listings.

The Three Heroes and Five Gallants

Set in the Song Dynasty, The Three Heroes and Five Gallants 五鼠闹东京 is a detective wuxia centering around one of the heroes Zhan Zhao against the Five Gallants aka five heroic mice. It is adapted from a Qing Dynasty novel written by Shi Yu Kun, which inspired a more well-known version titled Seven Heroes and Five Gallants, a novel that has been remade into film many times before.

I honestly don't know why I continue to drop pop cultural references but I can't help but see it a la Batman v Superman or even a metaphorical Tom and Jerry, wuxia style. Kevin Yan Kuan (New Xiao Shi Yi Lang) and Chen Xiao (Romance of the Condor Heroes) in the lead roles of Zhan Zhao vs Bai Yu Tang is to watch for because it's so rare for the viewers and the production team to unanimously agree on casting choices and in this instance, it was so on point. 

As an imperial guard, the righteous Zhan Zhao is somewhat of a straight arrow compared to the mischievous Bai Yu Tang. While both are polar opposites in every sense, they are undisputedly heroes in their own right. Yet the fangirl in me can't resist the deviant charms of the latter and with Chen Xiao as the actor (>.< happiness). 

The ending song is mildly reminiscent of a 90's theme song and it's called Bu Ru Huai Nian 不如怀念 by Chen Chu Sheng 陈楚生.

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

Source: Huaxunnsw