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113 results for “xuanwo”
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hope dangling by a string
✍️ fic by #KouriArashi💭 #TheUntamed
💭 #LanWangji / #WeiWuxian
💭 70k, Mature, canon divergent
💭 LWJ's spell of silent communication in the Xuanwu cave persists
💭 LWJ and WWX can hear each other's thoughts and it changes everything
💭 Passionate emotional powerful teens in love, it's good times:ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23262115/chapters/55704931
NSFW #FicRec
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CW: Drawn skull
My turn to do one of these!
Hungry Ghost
✍ written by dragongirlG
🖌 illustrated by me! :happey:
📕 as part of Night Haunt Zine🗡 1.4k words
🗡 Major character death after the fight against the Xuanwu of Slaughter
🗡 The body never makes it back home...
🗡 Wei Wuxian must deal with the consequences
🗡 Bite-sized angst-fueled horror goodness
🗡 Did I say illustrated?ttps://archiveofourown.org/works/43181004
#FicRec #MDZSFicRec #MDZS #WangXian #MajorCharacterDeath #Angst #Horror
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the warm circle of arms
✍️ by Deastar🖤 Untamed, wangxian
🖤 Canon divergent
🖤 4k, explicit
🖤 POV: asexual service top LZ
🖤 In Xuanwu Cave, WY tries to sacrifice his own comfort for LZ
🖤 LZ takes the opportunity to care for WY, keep him warm, give him pleasure
🖤 They learn about what the other likes
🖤 It's deeply satisfying#fic #rec #TheUntamed #WangXian #RatedExplicit #CanonDivergent #AsexualCharacter
🔗 https://archiveofourown.org/works/39427608 -
the warm circle of arms
✍️ by Deastar🖤 Untamed, wangxian
🖤 Canon divergent
🖤 4k, explicit
🖤 POV: asexual service top LZ
🖤 In Xuanwu Cave, WY tries to sacrifice his own comfort for LZ
🖤 LZ takes the opportunity to care for WY, keep him warm, give him pleasure
🖤 They learn about what the other likes
🖤 It's deeply satisfying#fic #rec #TheUntamed #WangXian #RatedExplicit #CanonDivergent #AsexualCharacter
🔗 https://archiveofourown.org/works/39427608 -
the warm circle of arms
✍️ by Deastar🖤 Untamed, wangxian
🖤 Canon divergent
🖤 4k, explicit
🖤 POV: asexual service top LZ
🖤 In Xuanwu Cave, WY tries to sacrifice his own comfort for LZ
🖤 LZ takes the opportunity to care for WY, keep him warm, give him pleasure
🖤 They learn about what the other likes
🖤 It's deeply satisfying#fic #rec #TheUntamed #WangXian #RatedExplicit #CanonDivergent #AsexualCharacter
🔗 https://archiveofourown.org/works/39427608 -
the warm circle of arms
✍️ by Deastar🖤 Untamed, wangxian
🖤 Canon divergent
🖤 4k, explicit
🖤 POV: asexual service top LZ
🖤 In Xuanwu Cave, WY tries to sacrifice his own comfort for LZ
🖤 LZ takes the opportunity to care for WY, keep him warm, give him pleasure
🖤 They learn about what the other likes
🖤 It's deeply satisfying#fic #rec #TheUntamed #WangXian #RatedExplicit #CanonDivergent #AsexualCharacter
🔗 https://archiveofourown.org/works/39427608 -
Check‑in xuân sớm tại vùng cao Xứ Thanh, hoa đào & hoa mận rực rỡ ở các bản Son, Bá, Mười (xã Cổ Lũng, Thanh Hóa). Còn chưa đến Tết nhưng đã ngập tràn sắc xuân! 🌸🏔️ #XuanSom #ThanhHoa #HoaDao #HoaMan #Vietnam #Travel #Spring #CheckIn #Nature #ExploreVietnam
https://vietnamnet.vn/check-in-xuan-som-o-vung-cao-xu-thanh-hoa-dao-hoa-man-khoe-sac-2484362.html
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Trước trận đấu quan trọng, đội trưởng Đỗ Duy Mạnh đã dành những lời xúc động tri ân người đồng đội Nguyễn Xuân Sơn. Anh nhấn mạnh tinh thần chiến đấu, lòng tận tụy và sự cống hiến thầm lặng của Xuân Sơn là nguồn cảm hứng lớn với toàn đội tuyển Việt Nam. Duy Mạnh chia sẻ: "Cậu ấy không ồn ào, nhưng luôn cháy hết mình vì màu áo đỏ. Đó là kiểu người mà chúng tôi rất cần".
#DuyManh #XuanSon #TuyenVietNam #Football #VietnamTeam #BongDa #DoiTruong #CamOnDongDoi #Inspiration #NguyenXuanSon #DoDuyMan
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Film Review: HAIR, PAPER, WATER...: A Cinematic Tapestry of Rich Values and Intriguing Family Dynamics [Locarno 2025]
#FilmFestival #HairPaperWater... #LocarnoFilmFestival #MinhQuyTruong #MovieReview #NicolasGraux #ThiBatCao #ThiHauCao #ThiHieuCao #TócGiáyVàNuóc #XuanDoanhCao
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#DOTD: Li Dan Li Dan 李旦 (662–716), Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–690 & 710–12), Emperor Emeritus 太上皇 of Tang 唐 (618–907). Deposed by his mother, Empress-regnant Wu Zetian 武則天, he yielded the throne to his son, Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, Xuanzong 玄宗, r. 712–56). #MedievalTwitter
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#DOTD: Li Dan Li Dan 李旦 (662–716), Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–690 & 710–12), Emperor Emeritus 太上皇 of Tang 唐 (618–907). Deposed by his mother, Empress-regnant Wu Zetian 武則天, he yielded the throne to his son, Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, Xuanzong 玄宗, r. 712–56). #MedievalTwitter
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#DOTD: Li Dan Li Dan 李旦 (662–716), Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–690 & 710–12), Emperor Emeritus 太上皇 of Tang 唐 (618–907). Deposed by his mother, Empress-regnant Wu Zetian 武則天, he yielded the throne to his son, Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, Xuanzong 玄宗, r. 712–56). #MedievalTwitter
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#DOTD: Li Dan Li Dan 李旦 (662–716), Ruizong 睿宗 (r. 684–690 & 710–12), Emperor Emeritus 太上皇 of Tang 唐 (618–907). Deposed by his mother, Empress-regnant Wu Zetian 武則天, he yielded the throne to his son, Li Longji 李隆基 (685–762, Xuanzong 玄宗, r. 712–56). #MedievalTwitter
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#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
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#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
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#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
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#DOTD in #MedievalChina: #Tang #唐 Emperor Li Heng 李亨 (Suzong 肅宗, 711–762; r. 756–762), who ascended the throne in the midst of the #AnLushanRebellion #安史之亂 while his father Li Longji 李隆基/Xuanzong 玄宗 was still alive, forcing the latter to retire. Both died in 762.
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Celebrating the Flower Gods (贺花神) – Spring Gala Festival 2026
Admittedly, this isn’t a typical Chinese drama post (but it has CDrama actors!), but I was so wowed by the Spring Gala Festival 5-minute performance, 贺花神, that I had to share it with everyone.
This is the kind of performance that you need lots of context and knowledge to truly appreciate. Most Chinese audiences would’ve had basic Chinese history and literature lessons, but not most of the world. So I’m here to provide some context to this magnificent performance.
First, watch the performance below:
https://youtu.be/CELpUCjLzp8?si=piMkJt6qs8Iwygr8
The inspiration for this performance is The White Jade Monthly Cycle Set (白玉月令组佩), a Qing Dynasty artifact with twelve petal-shaped jade pendants. Each “petal” represented a month, carved with the representative flower of that specific month.
Source: SinaThe Flower Deities:
- January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
- February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
- March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
- April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
- May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
- June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
- July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
- August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
- September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
- October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
- November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
- December: Goddess of the Luo River
January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
Plum blossoms
Played by Ning Li“Thin branches cast slanting shadows on the shallow, clear water,
Subtle fragrance drifts in the twilight of the moonlit hour.”The poet, Lin Bu, hailed from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He is a hermit of sorts, famous for considering plum trees and cranes as his only companions.
Most memorably, Ning Li played Song Chen in Ripe Town. He has appeared in Joy of Life season 2 and The Long Night and The Bad Kids.
February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
Apricot blossoms
Played by Liu JunThe poet Lu You (1125–1210) lived through the fall of the Northern Song dynasty. When the Jin dynasty conquered the capital of the Northen Song dynasty, his family fled south. A poet, historian, and government official, he wrote over 9,000-10,000 poems in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific Chinese poets ever. Lu You wrote poems describing apricot blossoms and their beauty.
Liu Jun has appeared in dramas such as Romance in the Alley, Guardians of the Dafeng (Emperor Jing) and The Tale of Rose.
March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
Peach Blossom
Played by Qin Lan.“The peach tree is young and tender, brilliant and bright are its flowers.”
Lady Xi (also known as 息妫, Xi Gui), one of China’s Four Great Beauties, was a princess from the State of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (around 684-680 BCE). Forcibly taken by King Wen to the palace after he killed her husband and kingdom, she refused to speak a single word for three years.
Her life has been honoured in countless poems.
Qin Lan starred in The Ingenious One, Story of Yanxi Palace, among many others.
April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
Peony
Played by Tang ShiyiYang Yuhuan (719-756), better known as Yang Guifei*, was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and the beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She is associated with the peony flower, which was extremely popular during the Tang Dynasty and symbolized wealth, honor, and feminine beauty – qualities that Yang Guifei herself embodied.
Tang Shiyi is the principal dancer of the China Song and Dance Opera House. I adored her “Once Upon a Time in Luoyang” dance where she played the controversial Princess Anle of the Tang Dynasty.
* Guifei is her title.
May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
Pomegranate Flower
Played by Hu BingThe famous Han Dynasty explorer and diplomat Zhang Qian is historically credited with introducing pomegranates to China from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
Lotus
Played by Wang Yang“I alone love the lotus that emerges from the mud yet remains unstained.” A famous quote from his essay, “Love of the Lotus”, he praises the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing a gentleman who remains virtuous despite being in a corrupt environment.
Wang Yang starred in War of Faith, Joy of Life (he was Fan Xian’s beloved bodyguard) and Under the Microscope
July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
Hollyhock
Played by Zu FengXu Wei (1521-1593) was a legendary Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, poet, and literatus. He was the founder of the bold, expressive ink wash painting style, as portrayed in this performance. Xu Wei painted and wrote poems about hollyhocks
Zu Feng has appeared in dramas like Welcome to Milele Village, Minning Town and Faith Makes Great.
August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
Osmanthus
Played by Li QinLi Qingzhao is celebrated as one of China’s most distinguished poets and is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history.
Her first marriage was deeply harmonious as her husband is a lover of poetry. After the fall of the Northern Song capital, she fled south, and her husband passed away shortly after. Her second marriage was not as harmonious as he mistreated her, and she divorced him, a courageous act for a woman then.
Li Qin recently appeared in Fated Hearts, which I adored.
September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
Chrysanthemum
Played by Yu AileiTao Yuanming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Chinese poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who is particularly associated with chrysanthemums. He famously loved these flowers and often wrote about them in his poetry, especially celebrating their symbolism of integrity, resilience, and noble character blooming in autumn when other flowers fade. He is considered one of China’s greatest pastoral poets.
Appearing in Joy of Life (season 2), Hunting and Silent Honour.
October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
Hibiscus / Cotton Rose
Played by Wang ChuranWang Zhaojun (c. 50-15 BCE) was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and a famous court lady of the Western Han Dynasty. She was sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain as part of a peace treaty, leaving the Han court to live among the northern nomads. In one of the legends about her, it is said that on her journey northward, it was said that she was overcome with sadness and began to play her pipa in sorrow. A flock of geese, overcome by the music, forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground.
Wang Churan has starred in How Dare You?!, Are you the One, Joy of Life season 2
November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
Camelia
Played by Liu XueyiBai Juyi (772-846) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for his accessible and socially conscious poetry — he often criticized government corruption and the suffering of common people. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌) is about the tragic love of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It is among his most famous narrative poems. Many of Bai’s poems are quoted in the Japanese classic The Tale of Genji.
Incidentally, Liu Xueyi also played a flower God in Love Never Fails, except that his true form is a Peony flower.
December: Goddess of the Luo River
Narcissus
Played by Li YunxiaoGoddess of the Luo River is a famous figure from Chinese mythology, originally from a poem by Cao Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period. She is associated with the narcissus flower, which blooms in winter and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity during the Chinese New Year season.
Li Yunxiao is a Chinese actress and Yue opera actress. You can hear her performing this in her sequence.
#CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Culture #LiQin #LiuXueyi #SpringGalaFestival2026 #TangShiyi #TV #WangChuran #WangYang -
Celebrating the Flower Gods (贺花神) – Spring Gala Festival 2026
Admittedly, this isn’t a typical Chinese drama post (but it has CDrama actors!), but I was so wowed by the Spring Gala Festival 5-minute performance, 贺花神, that I had to share it with everyone.
This is the kind of performance that you need lots of context and knowledge to truly appreciate. Most Chinese audiences would’ve had basic Chinese history and literature lessons, but not most of the world. So I’m here to provide some context to this magnificent performance.
First, watch the performance below:
https://youtu.be/CELpUCjLzp8?si=piMkJt6qs8Iwygr8
The inspiration for this performance is The White Jade Monthly Cycle Set (白玉月令组佩), a Qing Dynasty artifact with twelve petal-shaped jade pendants. Each “petal” represented a month, carved with the representative flower of that specific month.
Source: SinaThe Flower Deities:
- January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
- February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
- March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
- April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
- May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
- June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
- July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
- August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
- September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
- October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
- November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
- December: Goddess of the Luo River
January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
Plum blossoms
Played by Ning Li“Thin branches cast slanting shadows on the shallow, clear water,
Subtle fragrance drifts in the twilight of the moonlit hour.”The poet, Lin Bu, hailed from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He is a hermit of sorts, famous for considering plum trees and cranes as his only companions.
Most memorably, Ning Li played Song Chen in Ripe Town. He has appeared in Joy of Life season 2 and The Long Night and The Bad Kids.
February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
Apricot blossoms
Played by Liu JunThe poet Lu You (1125–1210) lived through the fall of the Northern Song dynasty. When the Jin dynasty conquered the capital of the Northen Song dynasty, his family fled south. A poet, historian, and government official, he wrote over 9,000-10,000 poems in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific Chinese poets ever. Lu You wrote poems describing apricot blossoms and their beauty.
Liu Jun has appeared in dramas such as Romance in the Alley, Guardians of the Dafeng (Emperor Jing) and The Tale of Rose.
March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
Peach Blossom
Played by Qin Lan.“The peach tree is young and tender, brilliant and bright are its flowers.”
Lady Xi (also known as 息妫, Xi Gui), one of China’s Four Great Beauties, was a princess from the State of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (around 684-680 BCE). Forcibly taken by King Wen to the palace after he killed her husband and kingdom, she refused to speak a single word for three years.
Her life has been honoured in countless poems.
Qin Lan starred in The Ingenious One, Story of Yanxi Palace, among many others.
April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
Peony
Played by Tang ShiyiYang Yuhuan (719-756), better known as Yang Guifei*, was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and the beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She is associated with the peony flower, which was extremely popular during the Tang Dynasty and symbolized wealth, honor, and feminine beauty – qualities that Yang Guifei herself embodied.
Tang Shiyi is the principal dancer of the China Song and Dance Opera House. I adored her “Once Upon a Time in Luoyang” dance where she played the controversial Princess Anle of the Tang Dynasty.
* Guifei is her title.
May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
Pomegranate Flower
Played by Hu BingThe famous Han Dynasty explorer and diplomat Zhang Qian is historically credited with introducing pomegranates to China from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
Lotus
Played by Wang Yang“I alone love the lotus that emerges from the mud yet remains unstained.” A famous quote from his essay, “Love of the Lotus”, he praises the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing a gentleman who remains virtuous despite being in a corrupt environment.
Wang Yang starred in War of Faith, Joy of Life (he was Fan Xian’s beloved bodyguard) and Under the Microscope
July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
Hollyhock
Played by Zu FengXu Wei (1521-1593) was a legendary Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, poet, and literatus. He was the founder of the bold, expressive ink wash painting style, as portrayed in this performance. Xu Wei painted and wrote poems about hollyhocks
Zu Feng has appeared in dramas like Welcome to Milele Village, Minning Town and Faith Makes Great.
August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
Osmanthus
Played by Li QinLi Qingzhao is celebrated as one of China’s most distinguished poets and is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history.
Her first marriage was deeply harmonious as her husband is a lover of poetry. After the fall of the Northern Song capital, she fled south, and her husband passed away shortly after. Her second marriage was not as harmonious as he mistreated her, and she divorced him, a courageous act for a woman then.
Li Qin recently appeared in Fated Hearts, which I adored.
September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
Chrysanthemum
Played by Yu AileiTao Yuanming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Chinese poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who is particularly associated with chrysanthemums. He famously loved these flowers and often wrote about them in his poetry, especially celebrating their symbolism of integrity, resilience, and noble character blooming in autumn when other flowers fade. He is considered one of China’s greatest pastoral poets.
Appearing in Joy of Life (season 2), Hunting and Silent Honour.
October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
Hibiscus / Cotton Rose
Played by Wang ChuranWang Zhaojun (c. 50-15 BCE) was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and a famous court lady of the Western Han Dynasty. She was sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain as part of a peace treaty, leaving the Han court to live among the northern nomads. In one of the legends about her, it is said that on her journey northward, it was said that she was overcome with sadness and began to play her pipa in sorrow. A flock of geese, overcome by the music, forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground.
Wang Churan has starred in How Dare You?!, Are you the One, Joy of Life season 2
November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
Camelia
Played by Liu XueyiBai Juyi (772-846) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for his accessible and socially conscious poetry — he often criticized government corruption and the suffering of common people. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌) is about the tragic love of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It is among his most famous narrative poems. Many of Bai’s poems are quoted in the Japanese classic The Tale of Genji.
Incidentally, Liu Xueyi also played a flower God in Love Never Fails, except that his true form is a Peony flower.
December: Goddess of the Luo River
Narcissus
Played by Li YunxiaoGoddess of the Luo River is a famous figure from Chinese mythology, originally from a poem by Cao Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period. She is associated with the narcissus flower, which blooms in winter and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity during the Chinese New Year season.
Li Yunxiao is a Chinese actress and Yue opera actress. You can hear her performing this in her sequence.
#CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Culture #LiQin #LiuXueyi #SpringGalaFestival2026 #TangShiyi #TV #WangChuran #WangYang -
Celebrating the Flower Gods (贺花神) – Spring Gala Festival 2026
Admittedly, this isn’t a typical Chinese drama post (but it has CDrama actors!), but I was so wowed by the Spring Gala Festival 5-minute performance, 贺花神, that I had to share it with everyone.
This is the kind of performance that you need lots of context and knowledge to truly appreciate. Most Chinese audiences would’ve had basic Chinese history and literature lessons, but not most of the world. So I’m here to provide some context to this magnificent performance.
First, watch the performance below:
https://youtu.be/CELpUCjLzp8?si=piMkJt6qs8Iwygr8
The inspiration for this performance is The White Jade Monthly Cycle Set (白玉月令组佩), a Qing Dynasty artifact with twelve petal-shaped jade pendants. Each “petal” represented a month, carved with the representative flower of that specific month.
Source: SinaThe Flower Deities:
- January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
- February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
- March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
- April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
- May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
- June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
- July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
- August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
- September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
- October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
- November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
- December: Goddess of the Luo River
January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
Plum blossoms
Played by Ning Li“Thin branches cast slanting shadows on the shallow, clear water,
Subtle fragrance drifts in the twilight of the moonlit hour.”The poet, Lin Bu, hailed from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He is a hermit of sorts, famous for considering plum trees and cranes as his only companions.
Most memorably, Ning Li played Song Chen in Ripe Town. He has appeared in Joy of Life season 2 and The Long Night and The Bad Kids.
February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
Apricot blossoms
Played by Liu JunThe poet Lu You (1125–1210) lived through the fall of the Northern Song dynasty. When the Jin dynasty conquered the capital of the Northen Song dynasty, his family fled south. A poet, historian, and government official, he wrote over 9,000-10,000 poems in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific Chinese poets ever. Lu You wrote poems describing apricot blossoms and their beauty.
Liu Jun has appeared in dramas such as Romance in the Alley, Guardians of the Dafeng (Emperor Jing) and The Tale of Rose.
March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
Peach Blossom
Played by Qin Lan.“The peach tree is young and tender, brilliant and bright are its flowers.”
Lady Xi (also known as 息妫, Xi Gui), one of China’s Four Great Beauties, was a princess from the State of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (around 684-680 BCE). Forcibly taken by King Wen to the palace after he killed her husband and kingdom, she refused to speak a single word for three years.
Her life has been honoured in countless poems.
Qin Lan starred in The Ingenious One, Story of Yanxi Palace, among many others.
April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
Peony
Played by Tang ShiyiYang Yuhuan (719-756), better known as Yang Guifei*, was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and the beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She is associated with the peony flower, which was extremely popular during the Tang Dynasty and symbolized wealth, honor, and feminine beauty – qualities that Yang Guifei herself embodied.
Tang Shiyi is the principal dancer of the China Song and Dance Opera House. I adored her “Once Upon a Time in Luoyang” dance where she played the controversial Princess Anle of the Tang Dynasty.
* Guifei is her title.
May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
Pomegranate Flower
Played by Hu BingThe famous Han Dynasty explorer and diplomat Zhang Qian is historically credited with introducing pomegranates to China from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
Lotus
Played by Wang Yang“I alone love the lotus that emerges from the mud yet remains unstained.” A famous quote from his essay, “Love of the Lotus”, he praises the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing a gentleman who remains virtuous despite being in a corrupt environment.
Wang Yang starred in War of Faith, Joy of Life (he was Fan Xian’s beloved bodyguard) and Under the Microscope
July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
Hollyhock
Played by Zu FengXu Wei (1521-1593) was a legendary Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, poet, and literatus. He was the founder of the bold, expressive ink wash painting style, as portrayed in this performance. Xu Wei painted and wrote poems about hollyhocks
Zu Feng has appeared in dramas like Welcome to Milele Village, Minning Town and Faith Makes Great.
August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
Osmanthus
Played by Li QinLi Qingzhao is celebrated as one of China’s most distinguished poets and is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history.
Her first marriage was deeply harmonious as her husband is a lover of poetry. After the fall of the Northern Song capital, she fled south, and her husband passed away shortly after. Her second marriage was not as harmonious as he mistreated her, and she divorced him, a courageous act for a woman then.
Li Qin recently appeared in Fated Hearts, which I adored.
September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
Chrysanthemum
Played by Yu AileiTao Yuanming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Chinese poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who is particularly associated with chrysanthemums. He famously loved these flowers and often wrote about them in his poetry, especially celebrating their symbolism of integrity, resilience, and noble character blooming in autumn when other flowers fade. He is considered one of China’s greatest pastoral poets.
Appearing in Joy of Life (season 2), Hunting and Silent Honour.
October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
Hibiscus / Cotton Rose
Played by Wang ChuranWang Zhaojun (c. 50-15 BCE) was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and a famous court lady of the Western Han Dynasty. She was sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain as part of a peace treaty, leaving the Han court to live among the northern nomads. In one of the legends about her, it is said that on her journey northward, it was said that she was overcome with sadness and began to play her pipa in sorrow. A flock of geese, overcome by the music, forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground.
Wang Churan has starred in How Dare You?!, Are you the One, Joy of Life season 2
November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
Camelia
Played by Liu XueyiBai Juyi (772-846) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for his accessible and socially conscious poetry — he often criticized government corruption and the suffering of common people. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌) is about the tragic love of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It is among his most famous narrative poems. Many of Bai’s poems are quoted in the Japanese classic The Tale of Genji.
Incidentally, Liu Xueyi also played a flower God in Love Never Fails, except that his true form is a Peony flower.
December: Goddess of the Luo River
Narcissus
Played by Li YunxiaoGoddess of the Luo River is a famous figure from Chinese mythology, originally from a poem by Cao Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period. She is associated with the narcissus flower, which blooms in winter and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity during the Chinese New Year season.
Li Yunxiao is a Chinese actress and Yue opera actress. You can hear her performing this in her sequence.
#CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Culture #LiQin #LiuXueyi #SpringGalaFestival2026 #TangShiyi #TV #WangChuran #WangYang -
Celebrating the Flower Gods (贺花神) – Spring Gala Festival 2026
Admittedly, this isn’t a typical Chinese drama post (but it has CDrama actors!), but I was so wowed by the Spring Gala Festival 5-minute performance, 贺花神, that I had to share it with everyone.
This is the kind of performance that you need lots of context and knowledge to truly appreciate. Most Chinese audiences would’ve had basic Chinese history and literature lessons, but not most of the world. So I’m here to provide some context to this magnificent performance.
First, watch the performance below:
https://youtu.be/CELpUCjLzp8?si=piMkJt6qs8Iwygr8
The inspiration for this performance is The White Jade Monthly Cycle Set (白玉月令组佩), a Qing Dynasty artifact with twelve petal-shaped jade pendants. Each “petal” represented a month, carved with the representative flower of that specific month.
Source: SinaThe Flower Deities:
- January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
- February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
- March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
- April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
- May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
- June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
- July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
- August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
- September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
- October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
- November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
- December: Goddess of the Luo River
January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
Plum blossoms
Played by Ning Li“Thin branches cast slanting shadows on the shallow, clear water,
Subtle fragrance drifts in the twilight of the moonlit hour.”The poet, Lin Bu, hailed from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He is a hermit of sorts, famous for considering plum trees and cranes as his only companions.
Most memorably, Ning Li played Song Chen in Ripe Town. He has appeared in Joy of Life season 2 and The Long Night and The Bad Kids.
February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
Apricot blossoms
Played by Liu JunThe poet Lu You (1125–1210) lived through the fall of the Northern Song dynasty. When the Jin dynasty conquered the capital of the Northen Song dynasty, his family fled south. A poet, historian, and government official, he wrote over 9,000-10,000 poems in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific Chinese poets ever. Lu You wrote poems describing apricot blossoms and their beauty.
Liu Jun has appeared in dramas such as Romance in the Alley, Guardians of the Dafeng (Emperor Jing) and The Tale of Rose.
March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
Peach Blossom
Played by Qin Lan.“The peach tree is young and tender, brilliant and bright are its flowers.”
Lady Xi (also known as 息妫, Xi Gui), one of China’s Four Great Beauties, was a princess from the State of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (around 684-680 BCE). Forcibly taken by King Wen to the palace after he killed her husband and kingdom, she refused to speak a single word for three years.
Her life has been honoured in countless poems.
Qin Lan starred in The Ingenious One, Story of Yanxi Palace, among many others.
April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
Peony
Played by Tang ShiyiYang Yuhuan (719-756), better known as Yang Guifei*, was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and the beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She is associated with the peony flower, which was extremely popular during the Tang Dynasty and symbolized wealth, honor, and feminine beauty – qualities that Yang Guifei herself embodied.
Tang Shiyi is the principal dancer of the China Song and Dance Opera House. I adored her “Once Upon a Time in Luoyang” dance where she played the controversial Princess Anle of the Tang Dynasty.
* Guifei is her title.
May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
Pomegranate Flower
Played by Hu BingThe famous Han Dynasty explorer and diplomat Zhang Qian is historically credited with introducing pomegranates to China from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
Lotus
Played by Wang Yang“I alone love the lotus that emerges from the mud yet remains unstained.” A famous quote from his essay, “Love of the Lotus”, he praises the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing a gentleman who remains virtuous despite being in a corrupt environment.
Wang Yang starred in War of Faith, Joy of Life (he was Fan Xian’s beloved bodyguard) and Under the Microscope
July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
Hollyhock
Played by Zu FengXu Wei (1521-1593) was a legendary Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, poet, and literatus. He was the founder of the bold, expressive ink wash painting style, as portrayed in this performance. Xu Wei painted and wrote poems about hollyhocks
Zu Feng has appeared in dramas like Welcome to Milele Village, Minning Town and Faith Makes Great.
August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
Osmanthus
Played by Li QinLi Qingzhao is celebrated as one of China’s most distinguished poets and is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history.
Her first marriage was deeply harmonious as her husband is a lover of poetry. After the fall of the Northern Song capital, she fled south, and her husband passed away shortly after. Her second marriage was not as harmonious as he mistreated her, and she divorced him, a courageous act for a woman then.
Li Qin recently appeared in Fated Hearts, which I adored.
September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
Chrysanthemum
Played by Yu AileiTao Yuanming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Chinese poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who is particularly associated with chrysanthemums. He famously loved these flowers and often wrote about them in his poetry, especially celebrating their symbolism of integrity, resilience, and noble character blooming in autumn when other flowers fade. He is considered one of China’s greatest pastoral poets.
Appearing in Joy of Life (season 2), Hunting and Silent Honour.
October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
Hibiscus / Cotton Rose
Played by Wang ChuranWang Zhaojun (c. 50-15 BCE) was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and a famous court lady of the Western Han Dynasty. She was sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain as part of a peace treaty, leaving the Han court to live among the northern nomads. In one of the legends about her, it is said that on her journey northward, it was said that she was overcome with sadness and began to play her pipa in sorrow. A flock of geese, overcome by the music, forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground.
Wang Churan has starred in How Dare You?!, Are you the One, Joy of Life season 2
November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
Camelia
Played by Liu XueyiBai Juyi (772-846) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for his accessible and socially conscious poetry — he often criticized government corruption and the suffering of common people. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌) is about the tragic love of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It is among his most famous narrative poems. Many of Bai’s poems are quoted in the Japanese classic The Tale of Genji.
Incidentally, Liu Xueyi also played a flower God in Love Never Fails, except that his true form is a Peony flower.
December: Goddess of the Luo River
Narcissus
Played by Li YunxiaoGoddess of the Luo River is a famous figure from Chinese mythology, originally from a poem by Cao Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period. She is associated with the narcissus flower, which blooms in winter and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity during the Chinese New Year season.
Li Yunxiao is a Chinese actress and Yue opera actress. You can hear her performing this in her sequence.
#CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Culture #LiQin #LiuXueyi #SpringGalaFestival2026 #TangShiyi #TV #WangChuran #WangYang -
Celebrating the Flower Gods (贺花神) – Spring Gala Festival 2026
Admittedly, this isn’t a typical Chinese drama post (but it has CDrama actors!), but I was so wowed by the Spring Gala Festival 5-minute performance, 贺花神, that I had to share it with everyone.
This is the kind of performance that you need lots of context and knowledge to truly appreciate. Most Chinese audiences would’ve had basic Chinese history and literature lessons, but not most of the world. So I’m here to provide some context to this magnificent performance.
First, watch the performance below:
https://youtu.be/CELpUCjLzp8?si=piMkJt6qs8Iwygr8
The inspiration for this performance is The White Jade Monthly Cycle Set (白玉月令组佩), a Qing Dynasty artifact with twelve petal-shaped jade pendants. Each “petal” represented a month, carved with the representative flower of that specific month.
Source: SinaThe Flower Deities:
- January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
- February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
- March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
- April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
- May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
- June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
- July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
- August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
- September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
- October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
- November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
- December: Goddess of the Luo River
January: Lin Bu (Northern Song Dynasty)
Plum blossoms
Played by Ning Li“Thin branches cast slanting shadows on the shallow, clear water,
Subtle fragrance drifts in the twilight of the moonlit hour.”The poet, Lin Bu, hailed from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). He is a hermit of sorts, famous for considering plum trees and cranes as his only companions.
Most memorably, Ning Li played Song Chen in Ripe Town. He has appeared in Joy of Life season 2 and The Long Night and The Bad Kids.
February: Lu You (Southern Song Dynasty)
Apricot blossoms
Played by Liu JunThe poet Lu You (1125–1210) lived through the fall of the Northern Song dynasty. When the Jin dynasty conquered the capital of the Northen Song dynasty, his family fled south. A poet, historian, and government official, he wrote over 9,000-10,000 poems in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific Chinese poets ever. Lu You wrote poems describing apricot blossoms and their beauty.
Liu Jun has appeared in dramas such as Romance in the Alley, Guardians of the Dafeng (Emperor Jing) and The Tale of Rose.
March: Lady Xi (Spring and Autumn period)
Peach Blossom
Played by Qin Lan.“The peach tree is young and tender, brilliant and bright are its flowers.”
Lady Xi (also known as 息妫, Xi Gui), one of China’s Four Great Beauties, was a princess from the State of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period (around 684-680 BCE). Forcibly taken by King Wen to the palace after he killed her husband and kingdom, she refused to speak a single word for three years.
Her life has been honoured in countless poems.
Qin Lan starred in The Ingenious One, Story of Yanxi Palace, among many others.
April: Yang Guifei (Tang Dynasty)
Peony
Played by Tang ShiyiYang Yuhuan (719-756), better known as Yang Guifei*, was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and the beloved imperial consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. She is associated with the peony flower, which was extremely popular during the Tang Dynasty and symbolized wealth, honor, and feminine beauty – qualities that Yang Guifei herself embodied.
Tang Shiyi is the principal dancer of the China Song and Dance Opera House. I adored her “Once Upon a Time in Luoyang” dance where she played the controversial Princess Anle of the Tang Dynasty.
* Guifei is her title.
May: Zhang Qian (Han Dynasty)
Pomegranate Flower
Played by Hu BingThe famous Han Dynasty explorer and diplomat Zhang Qian is historically credited with introducing pomegranates to China from Central Asia along the Silk Road.
June: Zhou Dunyi (Song Dynasty)
Lotus
Played by Wang Yang“I alone love the lotus that emerges from the mud yet remains unstained.” A famous quote from his essay, “Love of the Lotus”, he praises the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and nobility, representing a gentleman who remains virtuous despite being in a corrupt environment.
Wang Yang starred in War of Faith, Joy of Life (he was Fan Xian’s beloved bodyguard) and Under the Microscope
July: Xu Wei (Ming Dynasty)
Hollyhock
Played by Zu FengXu Wei (1521-1593) was a legendary Ming Dynasty painter, calligrapher, poet, and literatus. He was the founder of the bold, expressive ink wash painting style, as portrayed in this performance. Xu Wei painted and wrote poems about hollyhocks
Zu Feng has appeared in dramas like Welcome to Milele Village, Minning Town and Faith Makes Great.
August: Li Qingzhao (Southern Song Dynasty)
Osmanthus
Played by Li QinLi Qingzhao is celebrated as one of China’s most distinguished poets and is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history.
Her first marriage was deeply harmonious as her husband is a lover of poetry. After the fall of the Northern Song capital, she fled south, and her husband passed away shortly after. Her second marriage was not as harmonious as he mistreated her, and she divorced him, a courageous act for a woman then.
Li Qin recently appeared in Fated Hearts, which I adored.
September: Tao Yuanming (Eastern Jin Dynasty)
Chrysanthemum
Played by Yu AileiTao Yuanming (365-427), also known as Tao Qian, was a famous Chinese poet from the Eastern Jin Dynasty who is particularly associated with chrysanthemums. He famously loved these flowers and often wrote about them in his poetry, especially celebrating their symbolism of integrity, resilience, and noble character blooming in autumn when other flowers fade. He is considered one of China’s greatest pastoral poets.
Appearing in Joy of Life (season 2), Hunting and Silent Honour.
October: Wang Zhaojun (Western Han Dynasty)
Hibiscus / Cotton Rose
Played by Wang ChuranWang Zhaojun (c. 50-15 BCE) was one of China’s Four Great Beauties and a famous court lady of the Western Han Dynasty. She was sent to marry a Xiongnu chieftain as part of a peace treaty, leaving the Han court to live among the northern nomads. In one of the legends about her, it is said that on her journey northward, it was said that she was overcome with sadness and began to play her pipa in sorrow. A flock of geese, overcome by the music, forgot to flap their wings and fell to the ground.
Wang Churan has starred in How Dare You?!, Are you the One, Joy of Life season 2
November: Bai Juyi (Tang Dynasty)
Camelia
Played by Liu XueyiBai Juyi (772-846) was one of the most famous poets of the Tang Dynasty, known for his accessible and socially conscious poetry — he often criticized government corruption and the suffering of common people. “The Song of Everlasting Sorrow” (长恨歌) is about the tragic love of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei. It is among his most famous narrative poems. Many of Bai’s poems are quoted in the Japanese classic The Tale of Genji.
Incidentally, Liu Xueyi also played a flower God in Love Never Fails, except that his true form is a Peony flower.
December: Goddess of the Luo River
Narcissus
Played by Li YunxiaoGoddess of the Luo River is a famous figure from Chinese mythology, originally from a poem by Cao Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period. She is associated with the narcissus flower, which blooms in winter and is considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity during the Chinese New Year season.
Li Yunxiao is a Chinese actress and Yue opera actress. You can hear her performing this in her sequence.
#CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Culture #LiQin #LiuXueyi #SpringGalaFestival2026 #TangShiyi #TV #WangChuran #WangYang -
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty season 2 (drama review)
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty season 1 was my comfort watch during the tail end of the pandemic. iQiyi had dropped the entire season free on Youtube, which totally boggled my mind as it seems like a totally unChinese thing to do (speaking as a Chinese myself) to offer someething 100% free, but with the number of ads I had to endure watching it maybe they’re making a killing.
The strength of Strange Tales is the relationship between our two main detectives: The hot-tempered, obstinate, stubborn-as-hell Lu Ling Feng and the sly and charming Su Wu Ming, the legendary sleuther Di Renjie’s disciple.
Its episodic nature was also a draw, which meant that I could watch episodes arc by arc and take a rest.
It doesn’t have the usual “idol traps”. (For one, this drama isn’t considered one.) While Yang Xu Wen is indeed a looker, there are not many gorgeous men here, and the romance is dialed down so low I completely forgot that Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng both have love interests now!
This drama’s season 1 was fairly popular in China, can season 2 do just as well?
The story
The team is once again embroiled in several mysteries:
Mara’s Defeat
Su Wuming is called out of seclusion after Lu Lingfeng disappears on a case. Apparently the god Mara is out hunting for souls… has Lu Lingfeng become his latest victim?The Death of the Coroner
A coroner is found mysteriously murdered at his funeral shop.Mo’s in a Snowstorm
On the way to their new outpost, the team gets stranded at an inn in the middle of a snowstorm. Many strange things happen at the inn, starting with them having to “prove” their worth to lodge at the inn.Qianchong Dock
The team tries to board a ship on a mysterious dock, but finds themselves at the centre of a strange mystery.Tongtian Rhino
Rebel factions from an old empire threatens to kill off the Tang Dynasty.Drunk in Yunding
Letter from Shangxian Hall
A man is found dead in a bathtub after having read a mysterious letter.Provider
The team finally reaches the West, and meets a prominent and mysterious family with many secrets.Characters
- Su Wu Ming (苏无名) – Played by Yang Zhi Gang (杨志刚) A brilliant detective and disciple of the famous detective, Di Renjie.
- Lu Lingfeng (Yang Xuwen): Su Wuming’s sworn brother and capable partner in solving cases.
- Wu Ting(Liu Zhiyang): assisting the duo with key insights.
- Pei Xi Jun (裴喜君) – Played by Zhai Zi Lu (郜思雯)
A clever and resourceful woman who assists in the investigations. - Fei Ji Shi (费鸡师) – Played by Chen Chuang (陈创)
A quirky and eccentric character who provides comic relief and assists in solving cases. - Xue Huan (薛环) – Played by Shi Yun Peng (石云鹏)
A young and talented individual who aids the team in their investigations. - Princess Taiping (太平公主) – Played by Yue Li Na (岳丽娜)
A powerful and influential figure in the Tang Dynasty, involved in the political intrigue of the era. - Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (唐玄宗) – Played by Zhang Zi Jian (张子健)
The emperor of the Tang Dynasty, whose reign is marked by both prosperity and mystery.
What I liked
- The writing is solid.
- The cases were not only intriguing and kept me guessing, they had an emotional payoff and a deep message. It’s not a mystery box for mystery box’s sakes.
- The friendship between our main detectives remain solid and entertaining.
- There were character growths for almost everyone.
What I didn’t like
- The female characters remained bland, even if they had more things to do in the second season.
- The romance for Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng feels rather forced. Fortunately, this isn’t a romance drama!
Final thoughts
The second season of this drama was, in my opinion, better than the first—or at least of equal quality. The writing, camerawork, sets and costumes have gone up in quality.
Our duo still retains their contrasting and delightful personalities, even if they are sworn brothers now.
While the first season focused on building the relationship between Su Ming and Lu Lingfeng, the second season deepened their friendship while introducing new obstacles.
At the end of the first season, Liu Lingfeng’s true identity was revealed (though never really confirmed, leaving it a big question mark). This explosive revelation complicated their crime-solving work and the dynamic between the now sworn brothers because it forced the team to navigate political sensitivities to ensure Lu Lingfeng’s safety. This adds lovely layers of tension and intrigue to the story.
Su Wuming took the noble idiot route as a result, acting unilaterally, making choices for the team without consulting them. (Which of course, didn’t go down well with any of them.)
While this behavior frustrated some viewers, I actually thought it was in line with his personality and an understandable trait for his character.
It created significant tension within the group, which, in my opinion, was necessary to keep the story engaging. Without this friction, the drama would have lacked the emotional stakes that made it so gripping.
That said, the season wasn’t without its flaws. Our two female leads is still bland compared to our male cast, who were far more interesting and memorable.
And the romantic subplots? Oof, it felt forced, especially the one between Su Wuming and his love interest. Their relationship lacked natural chemistry, and I couldn’t help but feel that a platonic friendship would have been more compelling.
Thankfully, romance isn’t the focus of the show, so these moments didn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
Where the drama truly shines is in its mysteries and cases. Each case is not only creative and unpredictable but also carries a deep emotional and social message. One standout mystery involved the coroner—a poignant and emotionally charged story that kept me guessing until the very end. Another favorite was the Mo’s Inn mystery arc, which felt like a classic whodunit reminiscent of Cluedo. The team gets stranded at an inn during a snowstorm, surrounded by mysterious characters whose motives are unclear. The twists and turns were masterfully executed, making it one of the most enjoyable episodes of the season.
Another memorable case was Tongtian Rhino, which explored themes of legacy and fate. It told the story of someone dragged into a life they never wanted, simply because of their family’s history. The emotional weight of this story stayed with me long after the episode ended. Similarly, Letter from Shangxian Hall was another brilliantly written mystery that delivered a powerful message by the end.
As you can see, drama’s biggest strength lies in its writing. While the acting was uneven in some parts, the main male leads were the glue that holds the drama together, and without them, the story would not be as fun. The supporting characters also played crucial roles, particularly Fei Ji, whose quirky personality provided much-needed comic relief.
One of the most surprising aspects of the second season was how quickly Lu Lingfeng’s identity was addressed. The first case of the season revolved around his disappearance, which immediately set the tone for the rest of the series. This arc introduced a cult-like faction aiming to topple the Tang Dynasty, and it featured some of the best fight sequences in the drama. The eccentric painter, played by a singer who also happened to sing the show’s credit song, was another standout character.
While the drama isn’t entirely historically accurate—costumes are tailored more for appeal than authenticity—it still captures the essence of the Tang Dynasty era. The production quality has noticeably improved, with exotic settings like the western regions and the caves adorned with ancient art adding richness to the story. The fight scenes remain stellar, and the cinematography, while not groundbreaking, is solid and effective.
Themes of justice, loyalty, and brotherhood are central to the drama, especially in light of Lu Lingfeng’s secret identity. Throughout the season, the bond between Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng is tested, but they ultimately prove their loyalty to each other. Their relationship is the heart of the show, and seeing it withstand political intrigue and personal challenges was deeply satisfying.
The second season left me eagerly anticipating a potential third instalment. It’s rare for Chinese dramas to have second seasons, let alone third ones, so if the series continues with the same level of quality, it will undoubtedly stand out as a unique and remarkable production in Chinese entertainment history.
What’s even more impressive is that the drama doesn’t rely on big-name traffic actors to succeed. Instead, it proves that strong writing, good acting, and high production values are the keys to creating a compelling story.
So, what are you waiting for? This drama is a rare gem that combines intricate mysteries, emotional depth, and stellar production quality.
If you haven’t watched Season 1 yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance. (Yes, I feel you need to watch Season 1 to truly enjoy the team dynamics to the full, even if the mysteries are self contained.)
Here’s hoping the team behind it continues to create more exceptional dramas in the future, because we sure need more of those in CDramaland.
Final rating 4 out of 5 stars
#4Stars #CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #StrangeTalesOfTangDynasty2