Famous Calligrapher Wang Xi Zhi

Wang Xi Zhi is a man of incredible talent that he is widely recognized as the Sage of Calligraphy. Famous Calligrapher Wang Xi Zhi 书圣王羲之 is a 40-episode Chinese historical drama revolving around the calligrapher's life from his days as a martial-arts loving youth to the person that is revered till this day.

The cast boasts an international collaboration between Japanese, Chinese and Korean artists led by Wu Li Peng and Kim Tae Hee. Wu Li Peng gained recognition from his role as the Third Prince in Legend of Zhen Huan though he is definitely a newbie compared to A-lister Kim Tae Hee.

Asked why Kim Tae Hee chose this project out of the dozens of offers that have surely gone her way, she explains that it is an honor to depict the esteemed calligrapher's story and that she views the drama's emphasis on the arts as an opportunity to promote Chinese and Korean culture. She also noted complete trust in the director Zhang Xiang Lin who is a calligrapher himself.

It sounds good and all but considering that filming wrapped towards the end of 2014 with very minimal promotion thus far, I'm not sure if Famous Calligrapher will ever see the light.

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

Source: Ent163, Xinhuanet

Dating News: The stars of Princess Jieyou say I do

Gushing about the Yuan Hong and Zhang Xinyi pre-nuptial pictures just a week before and what do you know it's the day, reuniting Hu Ge, Liu Shi Shi, Eddie Peng, Ma Tianyu and more in a wedding ceremony inside the majestic Hohenzollern Castle in Germany.

Now if only I can secure an invite to Hu Ge's wedding when it's his turn? If you want more, found this Chinese site that has a number of pictures.

Source: Taiwan.cn, SinaCN

Jade Lovers

Jade Lovers 翡翠恋人 is a c-drama dubbed as Diamond Lovers 2, produced by DMG Entertainment in an attempt to repeat the success of a Korean-Chinese collaboration by casting Lee Jong Suk opposite Zheng Shuang.

Set in the 1930s, the story centers around Shen Chen Xi, the daughter of a former magnate whose family falls to ruin after going bankrupt. Her experiences thereafter help her grow from someone muddled in love to an inspirational goddess. 

Bai Luo Han is a man treading morally ambiguous territory by working indiscriminately with both good and bad. Whilst he appears cold and calculating on the outside, inside is a kind-hearted man constantly on the lookout for Chen Xi.

The plot is quite run of the mill but at least there's some potentially exciting conflict given Bai Luo Han's trade and the advantage of a Republican era setting. For that alone, I already like it more than Diamond Lovers, which I never actually saw.

By the way, does anyone feel like Zheng Shuang resembles Jin Se Yeon (Flower in Prison) more and more? Because I seriously did a double take when I mistook the stills for Doctor Stranger.

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

Korean stars crossover to Chinese ent

Rather than bore you with a spiel on hallyu; here is a compilation of Koreans in Chinese films proving that the Korean wave is here to stay.

The trend reminds me of Hollywood stars shooting Japanese commercials and I bet they're paid handsomely too. Due to language barriers, actors usually run lines in Korean that is then dubbed in Chinese. 

#1 Lee Min Ho in Bounty Hunters 一諾千金 (premieres Jul 1, 2016). After City Hunter comes Bounty Hunter, a Chinese action flick led by Lee Min Ho, Wallace Chung and Tiffany Tang Yan (Princess Weiyoung). Both the romance and the bromance look promising in this one.

#2. Im Yoona from SNSD Girls Generation in God of War Zhao Yun 武神赵子龙 (2016). She is the sword wielding heroine to Zhao Yun played by Lin Gengxin.

#3 Kim Jeong Hoon from Princess Hours is also in God of War Zhao Yun. So Yoona can have a friend or two because I swear there is one other Korean actress also in the series.

#4 Park Min Young in Braveness of the Ming 锦衣夜行 (2016). Always stunning even in ancient garb.

#5 Park Chan Yeol from EXO in So I Married the Anti-Fan 所以，我和黑粉结婚了 (premieres Jun 30, 2016). A movie based on a Korean manhwa about a top star and his biggest anti-fan.

#6 SNSD Girls Generation Seohyun in So I Married the Anti-Fan as the hot and successful other woman that is bound to lose against Plain Jane.

#7 Lee Min Ho in One Line Romance 一线钟情 (2014). A cross-cultural drama where Lee Min Ho plays a Korean musical producer who meets an ordinary Chinese girl. Brought to us by LINE at 3 episodes and 16 minutes each, it's like a very long advertisement for the messaging app.

#8 Lee Jong Suk in Jade Lovers 翡翠恋人 (upcoming). From the producers of Diamond Lovers, comes Jade Lovers following a similar Cinderella story set in the 1930s. Lee Jong Suk stars opposite Zheng Shuang (Chronicle of Life).

#9 Rain in Diamond Lovers 克拉恋人 (2015). Rain Jung Ji Hoon's first foray into c-drama is in the form of a highly-accomplished executive who meets the ugly duckling played by Tiffany Tang Yan (Princess Weiyoung), that is until she gets a makeover. Rain lends his voice for the opening song, in Chinese!

He also ventured into his first c-movie For Love or Money (2014) where he stars opposite Crystal Liu Yi Fei.

#10 Kim Tae Hee in Famous Calligrapher Wang Xi Zhi 书圣王羲之 (upcoming). It is a 40-episode historical drama following the life of Wang Xi Zhi. Sadly, this is barely on anyone's radar, which is weird since it is Kim Tae Hee, begging the question as to why she took on such a nondescript project in the first place.

#11 Former Super Junior member Kim Ki Bum in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 天龙八部 (2013) and Lucky Tianbao 吉祥天宝 (2016). Netizens are mixed about casting a foreigner into such an iconic role from one of the most popularized wuxia nonetheless. I actually liked him in this but it's a shame the series wasn't nearly as good. And then, he goes on to star opposite Zhao Li Ying, nice move.

#12 Choi Si Won from Super Junior in Dragon Blade 天将雄师 (2015). You won't often hear the names Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody, John Cusack and Choi Si Won together in a movie and a historical film at that. 

Choi Si Won is also in a number of other c-dramas and movies so it's no surprise that his popularity is skyrocketing in China.

#13 Nichkhun from 2PM in One And A Half Summer 一又二分之一的夏天 (2014). Why did I know that the title would have the word summer in it? Nichkhun has always had such a bright and sunny personality it kind of fits though.

#14 Lee Da Hae in Love Actually 爱的蜜方 (2012). With Joe Cheng (Chinese Paladin 5) and Li Yi Feng (Legend of Chusen) as the two leading men, who needs the plot.

#15 Jang Nara in My Bratty Princess 刁蛮公主 (2005). Did every k-actress back in the day partner up with Alec Su. First Chae Rim, then Jang Nara? Props to Jang Nara for her performance in My Bratty Princess, a quirky drama beloved by many to this day. She sang the opening too, in Chinese!

#16 Chae Rim in Warriors of the Yang Clan 杨门虎将 (2004). One of the first k-actresses to venture into the land of c-dramas.

#17 Cha In Pyo in one of the earlier c-drama adaptations of The Four 四大名捕会京师 (2004).

Given that You From Another Star and Descendants of the Sun has done wonders for Kim Soo Hyun and Song Joong Ki, catapulting them to top star status worldwide, I wonder if and when they will make the leap to c-ent. 

If you know any more, comment below and I'll add it whenever I can. For a couple more k-celeb crossovers that include Park Shin Hye, Choi Si Won and Goo Hye Sun, click here.

Chinese Paladin 5 Episode 2 Recap

"If a person becomes neither human nor ghost, should it keep on living?", ponders Tang Yu Rou (Gu Li Na Zha) following a thoughtful conversation about an evil that turns humans into monsters.

She takes out her flute and plays an emotion filled melody that evokes Jiang Yun Fan's (Elvis Han) memories of his mother. Just as he did as a child, Yun Fan promises that he will stay by her side and that there is hope in everything. Surprised at the sudden words of comfort, Yu Rou denies feeling sad and stresses that she is simply playing music.

On the way home, Yun Fan and Yu Rou become increasingly anxious that they are being followed, which is true enough as a ginormous gorilla appears in their midst.

Yu Rou orders Yun Fan to grab her hand, earning a silly smile from him at the thought of warranted intimacy. She uses her powers to fly themselves to safety and a fight ensues until Yu Rou stuffs a magical herb down the gorilla's throat to reveal nothing but an unassuming man. 

Yu Rou attempts to tend Yun Fan's wounds only to realize that it has already healed. Yun Fan admits to having a unique ability and boasts that he has never been sick, saving his godfather loads of medical bills.

Back at camp, Yun Fan pulls a classic Yun Fan by exaggerating his role in the fight, much to everyone's excitement except for Cai Wei who remains skeptical.

While Yun Fan is out hunting, a shadow attacks and it turns out to be the gorilla man from before. Fortunately, Long You (Joe Cheng) arrives in time to defeat him and his eyes flash with a hint of recognition upon seeing the gorilla man in possession of a certain glowing stone.

Yun Fan is impressed by his savior's fighting skills and they exchange niceties that consist mostly of Long You's stoic glares and one liners. When asked what he would like as a thank you, Long You utters, "water." 

They walk to a nearby stream where Long You gulps down water like it's the best thing in the world. And of course, no scene is complete without the quintessential bath scene.

Cai Wei is still perturbed over Yu Rou's identity so she drags Yun Fan to sneak a peek. However, they're both in for a shock when something comes bursting through Yu Rou's door and neither of them notice that it is none other than a blown up version of Yu Rou.

Apparently, her transformation from petite to gigantic is her best kept secret and also the reason why her father captured eight men as sacrificial lambs to rid Yu Rou of her affliction.

Given that Cai Wei fell unconscious after seeing the thing come out of Yu Rou's chambers, the bandits begin to suspect Yu Rou.

Comments: Aww, the episode is cute if you don't take it too seriously. Though I gotta say, what message is it trying to send? Yu Rou doesn't look like a monster at all, bigger yes, but at the end of the day, it's still her. It's a pun on Shrek and Fiona, I suppose.

Chinese Paladin 5 Episode 1