Monthly Archives: June 2018

Jun 17 2018

Chinese Drama to Watch – Legend of Fuyao

I’ve recently been binge watching a lot of Chinese Dramas – especial historical, wuxia and xanxia ones. Ten Miles of Peach Blossom did this to me!

The one I am most anticipating for this year is Legend of Fuyao (扶摇).
Edit: Watch Legend of Fuyao on Viki! <— Click this link for the first ep.

Legend of Fuyao is a drama adapted from novel Empress Fuyao (扶摇皇后). It’s the story of Meng Fu Yao, a woman born from a divine lotus petal. She journeys through the five continents towards the heavens in search of a secret order and to reveal a conspiracy originating from the heavens. In the process, she falls in love with the crown prince Zhangsun Wuji. (credits: mydramalist.com)

The drama will star Yang Mi, Ethan Ruan (Juan) a Vengo Gao.

Why am I Anticipating this drama?

1. It’s a Yang Mi drama

Like I said in another post, I haven’t gotten over Ten Miles of Peach Blossom. I am still reeling the after effects of Ye Hua and Bai Qian’s love story. Since Yang Mi played Bai Qian in that drama, I am binge watching on her past dramas. Yang Mi is not really my favorite Chinese actress – but I think her style works well in historical dramas – like Palace. As the drama title’s namesake, we will surely be seeing a lot of Yang Mi in this drama.

2. Ethan Ruan (Juan) plays the male lead

I was a very big Fated to Love You (Taiwanese version) fan. I loved how quirky Ethan Ruan was in that drama. If I am not mistaken that was one of his dramas that shot him to stardom. In the past years, I have not watched a lot of Taiwanese dramas (Korean dramas has me busy :)) – so I have not seen him in dramaland for a long time. I can’t wait to watch this drama because of him – and I can’t wait to see him do some action!

3. Familiar Ten Miles of Peach Blossom Faces

Hello Donghua Dijun (Vengo Gao) and Senior disciple Die Fung (Lai Yi)! It’s nice to see you both are in the same drama. Both will be playing important roles in the drama. Although I would love to see more familiar faces with Yang Mi in a drama – but having 2 of them is enough

4. Oh those Fight Scenes

I am totally loving the fight scenes in the trailers. It might be because the drama’s martial arts choreographer – Li Cai – worked in productions like Hero and House of Flying Daggers. These 2 movies – Hero especially – are some of my favorite wuxia movies. I can’t wait to see them fight scenes.

5. Every Female Crew, Every Hardworking One is Fuyao Trailer

In the past 6 months a lot of Fuyao trailers came out – there was the Pure Heart version (posted above), the action trailer and the valentine trailer. But my favorite trailer is this:

The marketing team of this trailer is smart to have made this trailer – because one they know that their main viewers will be women and two because they know how to touch women’s hearts. I love this trailer because it recognized the women behind the scenes of making this drama. The main character Fuyao is a strong woman. This trailer is saying that there is a Fuyao in every women.

This drama will start airing tomorrow, June 18, 2018 until August 23.

Edit: Watch Legend of Fuyao on Viki!
As of writing Episodes 1 and 2 are subbed (yay! thank you subbers)
Although some shows in Viki are not available in the Philippines but I am glad I could watch this!
(ps. I was not paid by Viki to post this)

**credits: mydramalist.com + Viki Global TV @yt + movie.douban.com + 偶像剧场 Idol & Romance @yt

-chipskjaa(“,)

Jun 16 2018

Totally Enjoying Forever Young by BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK just released their new mini-album SQUARE UP. And while everyone is talking about the title track 뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU), I decided to write about the second single from the mini-album Forever Young.

I did enjoy listening to the title track, but every time I listen to Blackpink’s Square Up, my heart is with FOREVER YOUNG.

 

Why I like it?

I have to be honest, my first impression of the title track 뚜두뚜두 was kind of mixed – I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. Mixed probably because it was different from Blackpink’s music in the last year. I mean if you listen to Boombayah and As If It Was Your Last (마지막처럼) it’s different. But the more you listen to it the more the rhythm sinks in – the more you like it.

However, I think Forever Young is more the sound of the Blackpink I know and like. It’s more familiar to my ears. I am not saying it’s not a good thing to have a change in style. I actually think that it’s more advantageous to be more versatile in music – to not just have one style. But I’m someone who need time getting used to something that’s new. Also, Forever Young is more my kind of music – I’ve always preferred upbeat hits when it comes to Kpop groups.

Lyrics to the song: https://genius.com/Blackpink-forever-young-lyrics

Square Up has been anticipated by a lot of fans. I’m not a Blink – Sorry Blackpink but I will always be a Blackjack by heart – but I am kind of disappointed that YG only made a mini-album for them. I mean it’s been 2 years since they’ve debuted – I think they deserved a full length 10-12 track album by now. Four songs are not enough for their fans. But then again – this is YG’s style (remember how many mini-albums Big Bang had before they had a full length one?).

Anyway, here’s a link to Blackpink’s title track: 뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU)

And here’s a playlist to their Square Up mini-album in case you’re interested to listen to it

Happy Listening!

**credits: as tagged + genius.com

 

-chipskjaa(“,)

Jun 15 2018

Ten Miles of Peach Blossom OST – Bracing the Chill 凉凉

I was late in the Three Lives, Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossom / Eternal Love craze.

The drama was released earlier last year – but I just finished watching it 3 weeks ago. And I still haven’t gotten over it!

Ye Hua and Bai Qian story is still pulling heartstrings. I haven’t rewatched the whole drama but I’ve been rewatching a few of my favorite episodes. Because of that I cannot NOT post this!

This post is short but it is definitely a dedication to my favorite song in the drama.

The song is called Bracing the Chill (Liang Liang  凉凉) and it was played in the drama over and over again. Whenever I hear this, my heart is being pulled into a hundred different directions! Talk about having an effective OST for a drama!

It will take another blog post for me to share to you my thoughts (and love) for the drama, but for now I will make this post short.

If you haven’t seen the drama, go to Youtube or Dramafever to watch it! I promise you sitting through all 58 episodes is worth it!

Youtube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi8NbMnb2eFhaNro97G_rMoQLpOvA75bq

(PS: I might edit this post later for the lyrics – so I will only have the video for now)

credits: Croton MEGA HIT Official Channel@yt

-chipskjaa(“,)

Jun 15 2018

Meteor Garden 2018 – Interesting Bits from the Trailer

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted something. I’ve actually been itching to blog but I couldn’t find the right time and the right subject to write about. Today, I’m sitting here waiting for my friends to finish work when Youtube suggests the Meteor Garden 2018 trailer.

Perfect! Perfect subject – perfect time to write a blog post!

Before I continue talking about the (fairly) new trailer, I have to add a disclaimer that I have always been a fan of the Meteor Garden / Hana Yori Dango / Boys Over Flowers. Although Meteor Garden (Taiwan) was the first Asian drama that got me hooked, Hana Yori Dango (Japan) will always be my favorite version. Probably because it’s the closest adaptation to the manga (in my opinion). But because Meteor Garden (Taiwan) opened my eyes to a whole new world of Asian dramas – it will always hold a special place in my heart. (Not to mention Vic Zhou is still my ultimate Taiwanese actor crush! Zai zai ai ni <3! lol)

I’ve been anticipating the trailer of the new Meteor Garden drama since it was announced then Shen Yue (A Love So Beautiful) will play Shancai. I just finished watching A Love So Beautiful and I was quite impressed with her so I am quite pleased with the casting. When the trailer came out – my anticipation reached it’s peak!

Trailer

Trailer with English subs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiesmxjQozk

Here’s why:

Original Soundtrack – Qing Fei De Yi (情非得已)

Hearing the original guitar rifts of the OST from the original Meteor Garden will sure bring back memories to those who’ve seen the original drama. I think it’s great strategy for them to use the original opening theme because it definitely brings nostalgia from the fans of the original drama. Makes them curious to watch the new drama.

That Volleyball Scene

Oh yes – there was a volleyball scene in the original drama. I still remember how cringe-worthy it was watching it but – hey 4 cute (handsome for some) guys playing volleyball in one scene is too much to handle for a teen watching the drama. But I am not sure if I find the new F4 cute – just not my type now (still rooting for Zai zai!)

Similarities with Hana Yori Dango

I’ve mentioned in the beginning of this blog that Hana Yori Dango is my favorite among all the adaptations. The trailer has snippets of scenes very reminiscent of the Japanese TV version – like Ski Resort scenes, the mansion looks similar with Domyouji’s mansion and the emphasis on Hua Ze Lei’s (Hanazawa Rui’s) violin playing skills. If I remember correctly, the original Taiwanese version had some changes in the story that made it different from the original manga. Although these were ok – I am still a gal who prefers faithful adaptations. I do hope that this version will stay true to the drama.

Adapting the Story for Millenials

The first Meteor Garden version was released in 2001. That was almost 20 years ago from today. Fashion, fads, language and culture has changed since then. Although Meteor Garden’s story can be retold a hundred times – the setting indeed has to be changed. I’m glad they’ve changed it to adapt to the new generation.

Location Location Location

Meteor Garden’s story involves bringing the cast to a different country. In the new trailer – I see that they went on 3 different locations – the Ski resort (it’s probably in another country), England (I see one scene where the English flag is flying) and Shanghai. We might be seeing more than just those 3 places. This production is indeed a big one!

This trailer makes me excited for the new reboot! However, I am not quite sure yet whether I would like the drama or not – because it will still be the same Meteor Garden story and because deep inside I will be comparing it to the older versions. But I do have faith in Shen Yue! Although Barbie Hsu Shancai was quirky and strong, I think Shen Yue’s Chen Xaioxi was more effective in A Love So Beautiful. As for the male leads – I am not as familiar with them so it’s difficult to give a commentary.

Are you excited for the Meteor Garden reboot? Comment below to let us know!

The New Meteor Garden 流星花园 will start airing on July 16, 2018.

credits: Reine Redine@yt + blobfishy128 1@yt + as tagged

-chipskjaa (“,)