Cdrama Insights

In the year 2024, the espionage genre is experiencing a long-awaited resurgence. On one hand, the innovative spy drama "War of Faith" has just concluded with great success, while on the other hand, "In the Name of the Brother" is quickly taking the spotlight. Looking at the lineup, the director is Zhang Li, and the screenwriter is Wang Xiaoqiang, both of whom have produced excellent works in the past, with Wang Xiaoqiang excelling in the espionage genre. As for the cast, Yang Mi partners with Qin Hao, possessing both beauty and acting skills. "In the Name of the Brother" is set in the puppet state of Manchukuo before the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, telling the story of Communist intelligence officer Song Zhuowen (played by Qin Hao) being mistaken as a savior by Guan Xue (played by Yang Mi), who is the head of the Special Service Department of the Harbin Police Bureau. Song Zhuowen, who is actually his brother Song Zhuowu, then infiltrates the enemy's ranks with a calculated plan. Thus, a grand drama of twin spies unfolds. Familiar with Espionage Dramas "In the Name of the Brother" exudes a sense of urgency from the very…

In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 93 cdramas premiered. Romance and urban genres continued to lead the pack, while mystery series showed outstanding performance. The abundance in quantity, prominence in top-tier productions, richness in genres, and diversity in themes became the notable characteristics of the 2024 Q1 drama market. At such a time, long video platforms exerted more effort in promoting their masterpieces, making the post Chinese New Year period less friendly for medium and small-budget dramas. Some dramas barely emerged before fading into obscurity, while others were more fortunate, managing to make some impact. Consequently, the pursuit of novelty and change has become the only way for dramas to stand out beyond mere production. Among the array of dramas in the post-Chinese New Year lineup of 2024, Youku's "In Blossom" and "Blossoms in Adversity" successfully broke through as dark horses. These dramas employed a method of blending genres and elements, indicating that Youku seems to have a unique approach to ancient puppetry innovation. Firstly, the ancient costume mystery detective drama "In Blossom" started with high energy. Within just three days of its release, it surpassed 10,000 in-site popularity, making it the fastest drama on Youku to…

"War of Faith" continues to ferment in reputation and heat, breaking theratings record on the eve of the grand finale. The series has put great effort into character development, from the meticulous portrayal of characters like Arwen, who pulls a cart in Qibao Street, to the profound and restrained senior consultant Shen Tunan. The multi-dimensional conflicts make the characters full of tension, well-rounded in their portrayal, logically sound, and build a rich and diverse ensemble of characters. Recently, "War of Faith" reached its grand finale, where we witness Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo) transforming from a naive newcomer in the workplace to a resolute revolutionary, after realizing the Nationalist Party's pursuit of interests disregarding the suffering of the people. Wei Ruolai undergoes a long process of reshaping after a collapse of faith, which proves to be an exceptionally challenging journey. Fortunately, after the agony, Wei Ruolai is reborn. Two pivotal figures in Wei Ruolai's life are his mentor who introduced him to this world, and a comrade who helped reshape his beliefs. Essentially guided by his mentor Shen Tunan to form his initial understanding of society, Shen Tunan provides him a glimmer of hope in his darkest moments, disregarding…

April approaches, the spring atmosphere gradually thickens. Although the fervor of the Spring Festival dramas has not yet dissipated, it is already time to review the performance of the dramas in the first quarter of 2024. Looking back at the outstanding television dramas of the first quarter of this year, the period drama twin stars composed of "Blossoms Shanghai" and "Always on the Move" have left a refreshing impression; the popularity of "Detective Chinatown 2" and "The Hunter" once again proves that the innovative advancement of intense plot-driven dramas is far from reaching its peak. The comedy trio of "A Soldier's Story," "Our Parallel Universes," and "The Great Nobody" have demonstrated the effectiveness of activating business innovation through theater operations; while recent hits like "War of Faith" and "The Legend of Shen Li" have achieved outstanding broadcasting results, thanks to their innovative approach to traditional themes with a fresh perspective. Although it may sound cliché, it must be acknowledged that in the first quarter of this year, the dramas that have stood out are still inseparable from the crucial catalyst of innovation. However, the innovation required by the long video industry today is no longer just imported genre formulas, but…

At present, what kind of historical drama can still possess a unique charm for the audience? A jade pomegranate, an old street, the turbulent modern history intertwined with the fate of ordinary people's daily lives. The hit drama "The Gate of Xuan Wu" has provided its own answer. In early March, the historical drama "The Gate of Xuan Wu" premiered. The story begins with a jade pomegranate symbolizing the prosperity of the nation, spanning from 1898 to 1945, covering multiple historical events such as the Hundred Days' Reform, Siege of the International Legations, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Unlike previous works of the same genre, "The Gate of Xuan Wu" cleverly integrates high ideals, multiple perspectives, and strong empathy, breaking away from the usual focus on the political intrigues in the court and the temple often seen in historical dramas. Instead, it turns the historical lens towards a jade carving family and a lively old street. For the audience, whether it is the initial concern over the fate of the national treasure jade pomegranate or the immersion into the lives of the people on the old street, the drama evokes a sense of empathy and captivation.   The historical ordinary…

When the ancient costume dramas were in full swing, a spy cdrama burst into the hot lineup of March. Since its premiere, "War of Faith" has been climbing in viewership ratings and online popularity. As the only spy-themed drama in March, "War of Faith" can be considered a "new wave" in the current market dominated by ancient idol dramas. In Shanghai in 1930, Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo), an ordinary employee of the Central Bank of the Kuomintang, gradually gained the appreciation of senior consultant Shen Tunan (played by Wang Yang) due to his outstanding work ability. In this process, Wei Ruolai witnessed the many corruptions and darkness in the Kuomintang's financial sector. In his confusion and distress, Communist Party member Shen Jinzhen (played by Li Qin) used Marxism as a guiding light to illuminate Wei Ruolai's inner self, leading to different choices that ultimately led him to part ways with Shen Tunan. Arranged by the organization, Wei Ruolai and Shen Jinzhen moved from Shanghai to Jiangxi. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party, Wei Ruolai participated in the non-smoking war to break the Kuomintang's economic blockade of the Central Soviet Area, gradually growing into a prominent red…

In mid-March, three costume dramas were successively released online. The appeal of "Zhao Liying + Xianxia dramas," the freshness of "Ju Jingyi + villain roles," and the uniqueness of the male protagonist work, have firmly secured the top three spots on the popularity chart for the dramas "The Legend of Shen Li," "In Blossom," and "Burning Flames." In terms of data, "Burning Flames," which was first released on iQIYI on March 13th, reached a total of 21.979 million views on the second day of its release, second only to the top-ranked modern puppet drama "Everyone Loves Me." By the third day of its release, it surged to the top, surpassing the starring drama "Simple Days" by Tong Yao and Chen Xiao. However, the first-place achievement of "Burning Flames" was only briefly maintained. "In Blossom," exclusively broadcasted on Youku, rose to the top with 40.071 million views on the second day of its release. "In Blossom" became the dark horse of March. The first two episodes showcased Ju Jingyi's fierce villain character breaking the stereotype of her delicate ancient beauty image, which was deemed as the most suitable role for her by netizens. The character of the villainous supporting actress seemed…

In comparison to the vast number of literary work adaptations, there are relatively few cdrama adaptations based on games or comics as the source. This is partly due to the scarcity of game works or comic works that are suitable for visual adaptation, as well as the undeniable challenges of adaptation. However, this has not dampened the industry's enthusiasm for the development of game adaptations and comic adaptations, as the traffic effects and audience influence of these two special works far surpass those of ordinary literary works. Especially in the current wave of online literature work adaptations, game adaptations and comic adaptations are becoming increasingly lucrative. Just from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, we have seen the release of game adaptations such as "Sword and Fairy" and "Sword and Fairy 4," as well as comic adaptations like "The Hope" and "White Cat Legend," among others. Additionally, there are highly anticworkated upcoming series such as "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact," "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Love in Pavilion," and "Fox Spirit Matchmaker 3," indicating the enormous commercial value of game adaptations and comic adaptations. While there have not been many game adaptations and comic adaptations in the…

The martial arts film "The Wild Blade of Strangers" officially landed on iQIYI. From its theatrical release on March 2nd to its online debut on March 8th, "The Wild Blade of Strangers" only took 6 days. However, unlike previous films that quickly made their way online, the release of "The Wild Blade of Strangers" was a strategically planned proactive move. According to the creators, from the inception of "The Wild Blade of Strangers," they aimed for a release on the streaming media. After the film was completed, many audience representatives and industry peers were invited to watch it. While they praised the quality of the film, they also suggested the idea of trying to enter theaters. It has been a long time since such an exciting Wuxia action film has graced the big screen. Subsequently, with the introduction of the concept of "theatrical release," and after rapid preparations, "The Wild Blade of Strangers" finalized its strategy of releasing in theaters and then transitioning to online streaming on the streaming media. Since iQIYI launched the "Master of Action Season" on January 18th, the film and television industry has been closely watching iQIYI's next moves. In recent years, martial arts films have…

In Jin Yong's world, the jianghu transcends its origins as a realm outside the law in traditional knight-errant novels, evolving into a timeless symbol of order and spirit. The role played by actual locations and scenery in live-action filming is not merely decorative - rather than being extravagant landscape promotion, it serves as a probing and revisiting of the order and chivalrous spirit of the jianghu. As a self-contained realm of power, the jianghu has dissipated after a long period of decline. In recent years, a wave of Jin Yong dramas and films born out of the overflow of the film and television industry has made it increasingly challenging to authentically capture even the superficial aspects of the martial arts jianghu. From 1957 to 1959, Jin Yong, after leaving the "Ta Kung Pao," joined the Great Wall Movie Enterprise as a screenwriter and director. His two years of foray into the film industry may be considered insignificant in his lifetime. However, in terms of the influence of Jin Yong's works in the Chinese-speaking world, the credit cannot be overlooked for the film and television adaptations based on his novels. Since the two-part film adaptation of "The Legend of the Condor…

"Eternal Brotherhood" is a costume drama directed by Zhang Meng and Wei Lizhou, written by Tian Liangliang, starring Yang Xuwen and Liu Yuning, with special guest appearance by Zhang Ming'en. It premiered on February 27, 2024. Adapted from the original novel "Zi Chuan" by Lao Zhu, the story unfolds on the Xi Chuan Continent, where various family forces are in constant turmoil. The plot follows the efforts of Zichuan Xiu, along with his sworn brothers Di Lin and Siyi Lin, to protect the Xiuchuan family from internal and external threats, restore order, and defend against external enemies. Through the baptism of blood and fire, and the clash of blades, the three brothers evolve into heroes with ambitions to change the world. Amid the chaos on the Xi Chuan Continent, tensions rise between the Zichuan and Sairong tribes. In this turbulent era, war looms on the horizon, where those around you could be either trusted allies or long-planted moles. Friends may wear smiles to your face but wield knives behind your back. Those entangled in power play a dangerous game, akin to walking on the edge of a blade, with each step filled with peril. Zichuan Xiu (portrayed by Yang Xuwen),…

The historical fantasy drama "White Cat Legend" adapted from the highly popular anime "Da Li Si Ri Zhi" has a strong lineup of familiar actors, such as the male lead Ding Yuxi, along with Zhou Qi, Wei Zheming, Ren Min, and others. In this series, these actors have broken through their previous images and portrayed different roles, bringing a fresh perspective to the audience. The storyline of this drama itself is quite innovative. The male lead in the series witnesses his father's murder, which leads him to premature aging overnight. However, during his father's funeral, he is once again attacked but this time he is transformed into a cat. After years of wandering, he returns to Dali Temple to uncover the truth and explain his new identity to others. Ding Yuxi rose to fame through his collaboration with Zhao Lusi in the historical drama "The Romance of Tiger and Rose," which was not a traditional costume drama. He has since ventured into various genres of film and television, working with outstanding actresses such as Yu Shuxin and Zhang Yuxi. The role he takes on in this new drama presents a significant challenge for an actor, requiring not only acting skills…

Before the Spring Festival, "Judge Dee's Mystery" officially premiered. This is the second series after 2010's "Detective Dee" to feature Di Renjie as the main character, vividly portraying his meticulous investigative abilities. While it may not have the original cast, it can be considered a revival of the classic IP of Di Renjie. However, audience data indicates that viewers seem somewhat unconvinced by this incarnation of Di Renjie. Currently, "Judge Dee's Mystery" has accumulated a total valid viewership of 287 million, which, for a series of this scale, can only be described as average. Coincidentally, "Sword and Fairy 4" and the adaptation of "Chinese Paladin 6" titled "Sword and Fairy" also premiered around the same time. Both are derived from the classic IP "Xian Jian Qi Xia Zhuan (Chinese Paladin)." As cherished memories for numerous viewers, "Chinese Paladin" and "Chinese Paladin 3" are untouchable classics. Naturally, viewers will scrutinize these two series with a critical eye. Presently, "Sword and Fairy 4" has a Douban rating of 4.3, while "Sword and Fairy" has a rating of 5.0, both receiving lukewarm reviews. In recent years, the revival and development of classic cdrama IPs (Intellectual Property) extend beyond Di Renjie and the Chinese…

The historical costume mystery drama "Judge Dee's Mystery" is currently airing on Youku. In recent years, there have been two main trends in historical costume mystery dramas. The first is to extract intriguing stories from the obscure corners of history, with a stronger focus on historical details rather than dramatic conflicts. A typical example is Youku's popular summer drama in 2018, "The Longest Day in Chang'an". The second trend is to blend traditional costume detective dramas with the style of road movies, adopting an episodic format where the investigation and personal growth intertwine. These works are highly dramatic and can be considered legendary tales with a down-to-earth touch. "Judge Dee's Mystery" is a standout in this regard. This highly anticipated drama has garnered over 7 million reservations on Youku prior to its release, and as of now, the number of viewers "following" the show has soared to 9 million. The brain-teasing suspenseful detective genre has also won the favor of male viewers, making it the most anticipated series for 2024. "Judge Dee's Mystery" lives up to these expectations. It is adapted from the eponymous novel by Dutch diplomat Robert van Gulik, and since its premiere, it has shown great potential.…

An evil sect has brought calamity upon the world, and a turbulent period of catastrophe is imminent. A pair of young boys and girls awaken in Wuyan Village, embarking on a journey to uncover the mysteries of their origins and their mission as sword bearers. On January 18th, "Sword and Fairy" as promised, immediately claiming the top spot on various charts. This drama revolves around the intertwined fates of Yue Jinzhao and Yue Qi, who possess a magical resonance connection. It unravels a series of mysterious events, including the rebellion of the Qiyuan Sect, ultimately leading the Yue siblings and their newfound allies, Xianqing and Luo Zhaoyan, to form the team and face the hardships alongside the common people. It becomes apparent that the reason this drama stands out in the saturated market of xianxia dramas lies not in any particular attention-grabbing element, but rather in the synergy of its many strengths. Firstly, drawing upon Chinese traditional mythology, the series portrays the ancient behemoth Kun as the Ming Zhu, creating a fantastical xianxia world that is both real and illusory, thereby adding a sense of weightiness. Secondly, the emotional bond and destined fate between the Yue siblings, as well as…

At the beginning of 2024, the television series market was full of surprises, with various genres presenting innovative works. One of them, "Different Princess," which premiered on January 12th, broke the conventional impression of love-centered narratives in similar works. Through the fusion of "fantasy + mystery" elements, it firmly grasped the audience's attention with its highly recognizable and refreshing content.   Unconventional Plot in Different Princess With its fast-paced storytelling and unconventional plot, the series offers a thrilling and satisfying viewing experience. From the first six episodes, it can be seen that "Different Princess" intertwines multiple suspenseful standalone cases within the main story, and its fast-paced narrative and continuous plot twists have become the primary elements for retaining viewers. The series tells the story of the female protagonist, a web novel author, who is punished by a system and transmigrates into her own novel, becoming a supporting character who is supposed to be killed by the antagonist male lead as soon as she appears. In order to survive, the female protagonist, Hua Qing Ge, must escape for her life on her wedding night. Fortunately, with her detailed understanding of the plot, she narrowly escapes the clutches of the antagonist male…

Directed by Lu Yang, starring Huang Xuan, Wu Yue, Zhang Rongrong, Lu Fangsheng, Wang Shengdi, Jiang Qiming and others, the ancient fantasy drama "The Mutations" is currently being broadcasted. The plot is set in the Tianqi period, telling the story of a sudden outbreak of a plague on a remote island outside Ningyuan City. Chu Sijing, a member of the Jin Yi Wei, secretly investigates and becomes entangled in a series of mysterious and dangerous events. This drama combines fantasy elements with Eastern culture, creating a unique temperament and style, bringing the audience an ultimate sense of freshness. This drama is based on the historical fact of the rampant plague in the late Ming Dynasty. Through the process of investigating the truth of the typhoid fever in Ningyuan City by the Jin Yi Wei, it involves various forces such as Chu Sijing (played by Huang Xuan), Ba Yan, a official (played by Wu Yue), and Captain Angelica, a foreign ship (played by Zhang Rongrong). From Ningyuan City to Ninghai Fortress, and then to Wumo Island, as the investigation deepens, the level of danger gradually increases, and the truth and secrets behind each key character are about to be revealed. The…

It must be acknowledged that "The Last Immortal" does not belong to the type that amazes people from the beginning. To be precise, the early plot of "The Last Immortal" hard strikes a chord with the audience. In the first episode, the male protagonist, Gu Jin, plays an extremely clichéd scene of apologizing, which results in the dispersal of the fairy essence of Feng Yin that had just helped him. Afterwards, the Feng Yin essence attaches herself to a water condensing beast egg, and after hatching from it, it becomes Gu Jin's fairy servant, A Yin, instead of the noble successor of the Phoenix, as originally intended. This farmer and snake-like beginning makes it impossible for the male protagonist to escape criticism, while the pitiful female protagonist evokes sympathy from the audience. Even though A Yin's magical power is weak after transforming into a water condensing beast, she is still cute in appearance, pure in character, and ambitious in nature. This further highlights the foolish and detestable nature of the male protagonist, who mistakenly admires the supporting female role. Furthermore, the beginning of the story of "The Last Immortal" already spoils the fact that Gu Jin will disperse A Yin's…

Novels with farming themes are common, but dramas with farming as the main theme are rare, especially in the realm of fast-paced and emotionally-driven micro dramas. The fast-paced nature of micro dramas distances them from traditional theater and brings them closer to short videos. Therefore, whether in landscape or portrait mode, revenge, suspenseful twists, and intense tragic love stories dominate, allowing viewers to quickly satisfy their dopamine cravings. However, for creators, it is easy to fall into the vortex of homogenization. Recently, a fresh and uniquely presented micro drama called "Invincible Stepmother" on Youku has caught the attention of many micro drama enthusiasts. As drama fans have said, for the first time in a micro drama, the female protagonist travels back to ancient times not to pursue love or engage in political machinations, but to earnestly raise children and make money through business ventures in the countryside. "Invincible Stepmother" is adapted from the novel "Chuan Cheng Si Ge Tuo You Ping De E Du Hou Niang" by Fanqie novel. It is also a key project of Youku's micro drama development plan. The female protagonist, Chi Yue (played by Jin Meichen), was originally a martial arts star who accidentally transmigrated into…

In this year's Chinese film and television works, a part of them have satisfied the emotional value of the audience. For example, "The Knockout" and "Meet Yourself", as well as "No More Bets" and "Full River Red". The quantification of emotional value is difficult, but works that can be crowned with this concept are either popular or favored by certain groups, at least winning the resonance of some people. Which works belong to this category this year, and why have they conveyed emotional value?   "The Knockout": Confrontation of Emotions and Class Crossing Although it was broadcast in the first quarter, the influence of "The Knockout" unsurprisingly lasted until the end of the year. The success is essentially a triumph of emotional representation. The thrill and satisfaction of crossing classes bring indescribable pleasure to the audience. In the popular comments from the audience, there are many descriptions such as "growing stronger and becoming a big shot" and "step by step towards success". Justice triumphs over evil, and the root causes of evil provoke deep thoughts. The protagonist Gao Qiqiang (played by Zhang Songwen) and An Xin (played by Zhang Yi) complete a dual revenge. Initially, Gao Qiqiang, a fishmonger, was…

Directed by Ding Hei, starring Zhang Ruoyun and Huang Yao, the drama "The Hope (鸣龙少年, Ming Long Shao Nian)" has sparked a perceptual advancement in the minds of the audience since its premiere on Youku. In the first episode, in a unique form of social news, it was revealed that "Ming Long (鸣龙)" is the new name of the merged schools "Ming Ying (鸣英)" and "Long Hai (龙海)". After watching the process of the formation of Class 11 in the first five episodes, the audience immediately perceives that the significance of the word "Ming Long" goes beyond being just a school name. It symbolizes the voice of the suppressed, unheard, and unseen youth. This sense of advancement is also a shared experience among the audience while following the drama. Whether it is the plot or the characters, the reality-based core or the cinematic quality, "The Hope" is not presented all at once, but emerges layer by layer. As the audience continues to watch, each episode becomes more profound and immersive. This is related to the creative process of the drama. The creative team conducted extensive research and on-site investigations of real-life events before writing the script and shooting, and then…

The drama "A Journey to Love", written by Zhang Wei, directed by Zhou Jingtao and Zou Xi, and starring Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning, is currently being widely watched. Shortly after its premiere, it quickly caught the attention of netizens and received a multitude of praise. It tells the legendary adventure story of a small team led by Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) and Ning Yuanzhou (played by Liu Yuning), who travel from Wudu to Andu, fighting side by side along the way to ultimately achieve peace. The drama encompasses both court politics and the lives of martial artists, with the road serving as the perfect backdrop for this story. This year's film and television dramas have seen a considerable number of road elements. In addition to "A Journey to Love," dramas such as "Grandma's New World," "Young Blood Season 2," "Fearless Blood," and "Parallel World" can all be considered as broad interpretations of road dramas. The protagonists are always continuously exploring the map, making new friends, and experiencing different landscapes. Life is a wilderness, not a track, and the characters in the drama reflect this sentiment. Whether it is to escape or to pursue, it seems that as…

The most popular Wuxia drama in December is undoubtedly "A Journey to Love". It has been hailed as Liu Shishi's comeback work and an original road costume drama. Since its premiere, it has attracted countless viewers and its popularity has soared. With a gathering of talented individuals and impressive techniques, the quality of "A Journey to Love" is evident. Whether it's the plot or the visual presentation, it is a rare surprise at the end of 2023. In the chaotic era of multiple countries at war, the An and Wu countries stand out, with An gradually devouring the neighboring cities, causing Wu fear. The encounters between the two countries have led to a turbulent situation, with spies infiltrating both sides. Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) is one of them. Ruyi pretense as the lowest-ranking spy in the Country An Imperial Guard and is arranged, along with her sisters, to serve as a dancer in Country Wu. With her beautiful appearance, she catches the eye of the crown prince of Wuguo and naturally takes on the task of gathering intelligence. However, their originally foolproof plan takes an unexpected turn. The Liudao Hall of Wu orders the execution of all the…

Ever since the finale of "Story of Kunning Palace" reached a popularity of over ten thousand, "A Journey to Love" immediately took its place. Just three days later, its popularity skyrocketed to 9500. As a drama that had garnered enough attention even during its preparation phase, "A Journey to Love" is receiving attention from all sides. The opening plot of "A Journey to Love" is captivating enough, with Liu Shishi in excellent form. What's even more important is that, as the story unfolds in several episodes, people are drawn into a world that combines innovative characterizations for both male and female leads, as well as a grand narrative that encompasses both traditional and modern elements. A good start is half the battle won, and "A Journey to Love" has received commendable praise. The identifiable wardrobe and set designs, as well as the thoughtful development of certain storylines, are worth contemplating. Both the industry and the audience need more dramas like this.   The plotline of A Journey to Love The plotline of "A Journey to Love" begins with an action-packed scene. Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) was originally a high-ranking assassin named Ren Xin in the An Guo Zhu…