Previews of Upcoming Tencent (mostly) Cdramas 2023

I’m embarrassed to say it took me four days to compile this list. In the past, only 2 days! A galore of Trailers and new stills!

Which drama (s) are you looking forward to?

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Follow up to Jet Li’s Kung Fu Cult Master, Raymond Lam leads the veteran cast in film The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre

New Kung Fu Cult Master aka The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龍記) is set 20 years after the event of Jet Li’s Kung Fu Cult Master released back in 1993. Taking on the older character of Zhang Wu Ji is Raymond Lam and Janice Man as the love of his life – Zhao Min, along with other TVB veterans.

Wong Jing, what’s going on here? It’s been over 20 years and you thought to revive a sequel to this movie?! Why? I am happy you’re using all TVB actors and actresses but one would think we need something new and exciting?

O_O

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Tony Yang’s Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils drama adaptation with Bai Shu and Zhang Tian Yang to air on CCTV

After two years of zero promotion, the new adaptation of Jin Yong’s novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils suddenly gets an airing date. I guess we are used to the quick announcement of premieres by now? If you have never watched any of the previous adaptations, the story has a lot of characters and relationships, please check out Wiki! My personal favorite is TVB’s 1997.

Airing 8/14~

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Xu Lu and Janice Man slaying the looks in espionage drama The Message

The Message (风声) is adapted from wartime novel, Sound of the Wind, written by Mai Jia. There was a film adaptation in 2009 with Zhou Xun and Li Bing Bing. The story takes place in 1941 after a series assassination attempts happened to high-ranking officials of the Japanese-controlled puppet government in Nanking. Five suspects were brought to a villa for further interrogation by the Chief officer of the Japanese Imperial Army who believed the assassinations were carried out by an Anti-Japan group who has a mole named “Old Ghost” from within.

Began airing on 12/24~

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First stills for Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 2019 with Tony Yang, Bai Shu, and Zhang Tian Yang

A little behind but I finally laid eyes on the first set of stills for the new adaptation of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. I’m so jaded now. Looking at new adaptations of Jin Yong’s novels nowadays, I can’t help but sneeze out a laughter. I’m happy for some of the actors you know, being able to breathe life into some iconic characters, but at the same time, there’s a feeling of miscast as well. I know, too early to say.

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Drama Updates: Novoland: Eagle Flag, Legend of the Phoenix, Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace, The Wolf

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Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy Discussion Post Week 7: Episodes 73 – 75 “Finale.”

I’ve been reading a lot of discussion since the last post about Tribes and Empires running out of money (true!) and who’s to blame. A lot of rumors. It’s hard to say. This is director Cao Dun’s first venture into ancient fantasy series so he is ambitious and has an artistic vision and didn’t realize many costly things. It’s hard to entirely blame him because he’s well-loved by the cast and we were all wow-ed by the first trailer Tribes dished out. Weren’t we? At least now many realize a good drama isn’t just about the directing but a combination of directing, writing, and acting. Whether or not Huang Xuan’s scenes were cut, we can’t verify, but I did watch Zhou Zi Wei’s interview where he admitted that he shot the drama and then was told they could only give him so much and he replied that he didn’t need to be paid because acting out emotional turbulence like Shuo Feng in itself is a mark in his acting career. The opportunity cannot be exchanged for money. So everyone in the cast suffers in one way or another, not just any one actor.

If they are lucky to get funding for another season, let this first season be a good lesson for the production company about budget management (!!).

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