#HUO SHAO MY LOVE

[danmeiconfession]

This is the most popular BL ships in China according to Lofter

**1. wangxian (MDZS)**

10. Shen Weni / Zhao Yunlan (Guardian)

**12. Lan xichen / Jiang Cheng (MDZS)**

15 Wen Kexing / Zhou Zishu (Word of Honor)

**16 Hualian (MDZS)**

**17 Lan Xichen / Jin Guangyao (MDZS)**

21 Li Yu / Jian Suiying (In Love with an Idiot - 188)

27 He Zhao / Xie Yu (Fake Slacker)

**38 Bingqiu (SVSSS)**

**42 Xiao Xingchen / Xue Yang (MDZS)**

44 Moran / Chu Wanning (2ha)

**52 WWX / JC (MDZS)**

56 19 Days

**57 BingJiu (SVSSS)**

59 Qin Jiu / You Huo (Global University Entrance Examination)

**61** **WWX/LWJ (MDZS) -it's reverse**

**63 Si zhui / Jin Ling (MDZS)**

67 Luo Wenzhou / Fei Du (Mo Du)

**68** **Xue Yang / Xiao Xingchen (MDZS)**

69 Yuan Yang / Gu Qingpei (Beloved Enemies - 188)

73 Zhao Jinxin / Li Shou (Winner Takes All - 188)

77 Jiang Tian / Sheng Wang (Mou Mou)

78 Yan Xie / Jiang Ting (Po Yun)

85 Song Ju Han / He Gu (Years of Intoxication - 188)

87 Shao Qun / Li Cheng Xiu (Sissy - 188)

104 Chang Geng / Gu Yun (Sha po lang)

126. Zhao Yunlan / Shen Weni (Guardian) - reverse

134 SCI

135 Jiang Cheng / Gu fei (Sa Ye)

**138 Nie Mingjue /Jin Guangyao (MDZS)**

141 Yu Fengcheng / Bai Xinyu (My Little Poplar - 188)

**149 JC / WWX (MDZS)**

**161 FengQing (TGCF)**

183 Luo Yi / Wen Xiao Hui (Additional Inheritance - 188)

**185 Moshang (SVSSS)**

195 Bu Chonghua / Wu Yu (Poyun 2 )

.

[bananaproved]

Top 6 shelved dramas that I would still really like to see

Ranked in no particular order, selection based on my personal tastes.

1) The Prisoner of Beauty

Plot : Adapted from the novel "Zhe Yao" by Peng Lai Ke, it tells the story of the arranged marriage between Wei Shao (Liu Yuning) and Qiao Man (Song Zuer). The fun thing about this marriage is that they both hate each other for complicated family reasons (in the novel Qiao Man's family is directly responsible for the death of Wei Shao's father), so they start they relationship by trying to make the life of the other a living hell. Ultimately, their relationship will develop as they are impressed by each other's ingenuity and discover common interests. There is also an important "let's protect the empire and the common people" plot behind the romance.

Why I wish I could see it : It looks good !! The main duo of actors are both really good looking, but the production in general looks really high budget, with good costumes and sets. I would love to see that. Just look at this trailer !

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : Song Zuer :/ bestie :/ tax evasion is bad !!

Can we have some hope ? : Not really, at this point of time, no c-actors caught for tax evasion managed to make an actual comeback in the industry (even really popular ones like Deng Lun or Fan Bing Bing). Song Zuer is still being investigated, so maybe we can hope to see her name cleared but it's a little unlikely because they don't investigate people just for fun. However Song Zuer was involved in a lot of high budget projects so I am sure a lot of people are really motivated to try to airdrop at least some of her projects if they have the possibility.

2) The Fated General

Plot : Classic high-budget historical drama telling the story of real life historical figure Huo Qubing (Zhang Ruoyun) during the Western Han Dynasty. It follows his military feats that got him the reputation of being one of the best military generals in the history of China.

Why I wish I could see it : First, the cast is incredible. We have Zhang Ruoyun (famous for being really good at choosing his scripts), Mao Xiao Tong, Bai Yu, Li Hongyi, Xu Yue, and others. It's really an all star cast except the drama was shot in 2016, before some of them became really famous, so it can be really interesting to watch ! Plus it's a really high budget drama, most of the outdoor scenes are shot in real landscape and not in a studio and it globally looks really good. For a better impression, look at this nice looking MV based on the different trailers of the show :

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : In 2019 (I think ?) the censorship rules changed concerning historical dramas and established the fact that dramas were forbidden to "distort" certain historical facts. This kind of put an end to traditional historical dramas as they became a way more risky investments, and stopped this one from airing as it already took some liberties in terms of storytelling. Huo Qubing is also a semi-controversial historical figure so it is not helping.

Can we have some hope ? : It's been 7 or 8 years and the regulations concerning historical fiction only got more restrictives in China so I would say no.

3) Immortality

Plot : I'm sure everybody knows the plot of Erha so I don't need to write it but just in case the important tags are : xianxia, dangai, shizunfuckers, reincarnation, blood spitting, stairs, ...

Why I wish I could see it : Outside of the obvious reasons (gay people on my screen, Luo Yunxi spitting blood), it's also produced by the same people involved in the production of Till the End of the Moon and Shui Long Yin, so I have I hopes for the artistic direction of the drama. Also for dmbj fans : did you know Liu Chang played a guest role in this drama ? Idk what he is doing here but I would love to see it.

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : We are all aware of the famous 2021 dangai ban, but in general the chinese government is not a big fan of massive and really agitated fandoms (in the way The Untamed fandom was), so Immortality is in a pretty bad position.

Can we have some hope ? : Yeah !!!!! Hyx TOMORROW !!! Believe in your dreams !!!

For real : Two options. 1) On a random morning of the year 20XX you wake up to danmei fans in your tl losing their marbles bc the 6 first episodes of hyx were randomly airdropped during the night with no promotion and no warnings. You cry some tears of joy and immediately go watch Luo Yunxi spit some blood on screen. 2) After many years hyx is still not out but there were so many leaks that the fans managed to recreate the entire series from scraps and now you can watch it in full. Look, they already started :

4) Night Wanderer

Plot : Zong Yin (Ni Ni) is a forensic expert living in Shanghai in 2021. She met, in her own apartment, a man, called Sheng Qing Rang (Deng Lun), claiming to be the owner of this apartment but in 1937. Together they discover that they can travel to their respective time periods through their shared apartment and start to develop a strong relationship, first as confidence and progressively as lovers. However, the situation get complicated as the Battle of Shanghai broke out in 1937 putting both of their lives in danger.

Why I wish I could see it : First, for lesbian reasons as I would never miss an occasion to stare at Ni Ni for 36 episodes (Wang Yuwen also has a supporting role here and I really like her ! Double win !). Second, it's actually a really nice and original plot for a CDrama and I have full confidence in both actors' capacity to pull off a really good performance to go with it. Look at this trailer ! It looks so promising !

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : Deng Lun !!! Tax evasion is bad !!

Can we have some hope ? : Even less than for The Prisoner of Beauty as Deng Lun is 100% proved to have committed tax evasion. There is often rumors about him coming back to acting but it's unlikely.

5) Winner is King

Plot : Based on the novel "Sha Po Lang" by Priest, set in a steampunk version of the Liang Dynasty. It tells the story of Chang Geng (Chen Zhe Yuan), a young man living in a random countryside village, who discovers after a raid on their village that the closest people around him were hiding a big secret about his identity. He also discovers that the people around him are not who they pretend to be, especially his yifu (adoptive father, played by Tan Jianci), and realizes that his life will never be the same.

Why I wish I could see it : Outside of the reasons already mentioned in hyx's case, Winner is King is also directed by the same director as Guardian and a Journey to Love. I really like his work and he proved that he was able to do really good things even with a really low budget, so now imagine with a decent amount of money ? It could be great. Also I really like the idea of an ancient china steampunk but I am too lazy to read the book.

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : Same reason as hyx and all the other dangais </3 Also I am not sure of how advanced the production was when it was stopped, because I feel like there are not as many content leaks.

Can we have some hope ? : If we can manifest hard enough the end of the ban, it is possible.

6) The Love of Hypnosis

Plot : During the end of Qing Dynasty, a (patriotic) young man named Yen Shen (Jing Boran) meets a fragrance shop owner named Lu Man Sheng (Liu Yifei). Man Sheng has the special ability/ mission to relieve the hearts of people suffering because of love, but it does not mean that her own romantic life is easier to deal with. Together they fall in love and have to navigate the really troubled times of the end of Qing Dynasty.

Why I wish I could see it : If you are familiar with Liu Yifei and Jing Boran acting I'm sure you can see the potential of this pairing ??? Just the poster has more on screen chemistry than some pairings have in 40 episodes. At this point the plot could be written by a cat walking on a keyboard and I would still have hope for a good chemistry. Also the drama has Liu Mintao in a supporting role and I am in love with her so it's a plus.

Why I am not seeing it any time soon : First, there are some copyright issues with the original manhwa author. Second, the second male lead, Zhao Lixin, got more or less canceled a few years back for political reasons (sorry I don't have the details).

Can we have some hope ? : I would say maybe a little. Copyright issues can be solved and I've heard that Zhao Lixin is still shooting in dramas, meaning that there is hope for some of his stuff still being released.

That's all <3

Sorry for depressing information maybe ? Next time I promise I will make a post about dramas I am looking forward to and that are likely to be released sooner or later. 

[dangermousie]

Oh, brother...aka keeping it in the (royal) family

I recently realized that for some reason “multiple brothers one girl” seems to be a popular category in costume dramas. I am not sure why such sharing is necessary in a polygamous society for fancy royals each of whom can get himself a whole harem, but I am not complaining that it appears any remake of the Hollywood classic “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” would clearly be changed into “One Bride for Seven Brothers, and Some of the Brothers Spit Blood and Die” if it were a cdrama. Here are some of the dramas at issue. 

Liu Shi Shi appears to be the queen of this subgenre to such an extent that I am vaguely wondering if it’s in her contract. We are gonna start with THREE of her dramas:

Bu Bu Jing Xin - Liu Shi Shi has not one, not two, but THREE hot royal brothers, played by Nicky Wu, Kevin Cheng and Lin Gengxin, pine for her time-traveling self. Since this is an exquisite (no, seriously, it’s amazing) period piece about loss and longing, she ends up with none of them, instead of a hot vagely-’cesty gangbang as one might expect from that set-up.

Lost Love in Times - poor Liu Shi Shi, she’s a sexy witch having to pick between William Chan and his shady brother Joe Xu. To make it even trippier, the two actors look like each other, to really hammer the whole “siblings want her” theme.

The Imperial Doctress - why bust what’s not broken? It’s the true and tried Liu Shi Shi and hot royal brothers formula. She’s a doctor who spends most of her time practicing medicine, escaping barbarians and creating feminism, not noticing that as she pines for one royal brother played by Huang Xuan, another royal brother, played by infinitely hotter Wallace Huo, is pining for her.

Gong/Jade Palace Lock Heart - if Liu Shi Shi is the queen of that set up, Feng Shao Feng is the king, what with this and Military Seal, both of which star Yang Mi. Clearly, there are worse ways to make a career than stealing Yang Mi from a royal brother. Here, Yang Mi is a spunky time traveler in the middle of Kang Xi’s sons’ fight for the throne. She first falls for Four but ends up with Eight. In between, she offers to bang Four to save Eight as one does. Gives a whole new meaning to sharing is caring and “have you brought enough for the entire class?”

Legend of the Military Seal - Yang Mi and FSF strike again. FSF is madly in love with his brother’s wife, and since she’s not afflicted by blindness, she shares his feelings. Surprisingly, but delightfully, happy ending ensues. 

Who Rules the World - more like which brother rules awesome Zhao Lusi’s heart. Going by the rule of “hottest brother wins,” Yang Yang gets the girl in a drama that is pretty yum yum.

Colourful Bone - one hot seriously whumped out royal brother and one whiny immature one, oh who should the heroine pick? This drama stands for the proposition that you should protect and save abused people, especially if they are hot men, since they will always turn out to be an emperor in disguise. This drama btw is one giant kinkfest for yours truly.

The Eternal Love - you could make THREE whole seasons out of timetravel and brothers into the same girl, who knew.

Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty - if you’ve seen Gong or BBJX, you know the drill. Horde of queued brothers queueing for the heroine.

(Mine and all my brothers’, that is -Ed.)

Princess Jieyou - Yuan Hong narrowly escaped the curse of fancying his brother’s woman in BBJX, being about the only sibling not in love with LSS in that one. But clearly, you can’t fight fate and shortly thereafter he’s got to be a sister-in-law luster in a drama of his very own. He is a barbarian general who falls in love with a woman only to discover she’s to marry his brother. Angst and deliciousness and eventual happy ending (the husband fulfilled the uglier brother’s duty by eventually kicking the bucket.)

The Promise of Chang’an - if you want to watch brothers with the same woman but no happy ending, and have already watched BBJX, I present this recent drama where Cheng Yi gets to, as always, suffer beautifully watching the woman he loves marry his annoying brother. Pretty much everyone dies at the end of this one, going off to a great big threesome in the sky.

Twisted Fate of Love - will Sun Yi pick the delicate Tan Jianci or the sexy as fuck bastard that is Jin Han? Being a smart woman, she picks the latter and my hormones rejoice.

Go Princess Go - this is a drama that parodied every cliche there is, so why not brothers into one woman? Who is actually a man in a woman’s body making it even more delightful!

Ashes of Love - even being divine, with women from three separate realms available will seemingly not prevent love interests being a scarce resource leading to sibling love rivalry. Deng Lun and Luo Yunxi duke it out ostensibly for Yang Zi but in reality for who can suffer more prettily. Deng Lun might get the girl, but LYX wins the suffering crown, so it all more or less evens out.

Princess Silver - are siblings in love with the same woman not spicy enough for you? How about TWINS in love with the same woman? One awesome (Aarif Rahman) and one psychotic (Jing Chao) want our heroine and both marry her at one point. Only the awesome one gets to bang her though. (But the psychotic one gets to stick meathooks through his brother in compensation for not being able to stick...ummm...meathook through the heroine, so it’s all OK.)

Secret of the Three Kingdoms - and now we are gonna go REAL PERV! If twins are not enough for you, seekers of strong sensations, how about IDENTICAL twins? Ma Tianyu replaces his dead identical twin brother as the last Han emperor and gets to woo Wan Qian (whose plan it was in the first place.) At least she doesn’t need to get used to a new face?

We are gonna end here and not get into father and son sharing the same woman a la Empress of China.

(Congrats to Aarif Rahman for getting to bang both his brother’s and his father’s wives on screen. That is an interesting niche.)

[wobster109]

Kaeya's writing in English: Explosion inside city wall, grounded be thy woe, Explosions can hurt people, Jean can be dreadful, Mondstadt be bombed, Klee be doomed.

Traveler: "Kaeya writes like this?" (derogatory)

The original Mandarin (from https://zathong.com/klee-voice-lines-english-chinese-japanese-korean-genshin-impact/): 城里放炮 禁闭室报到 (cheng li fang pao / jinbishi bao dao) 炸弹伤人 琴找上门 (zha dan shang ren / qin zhao shang men) 放火烧山 可莉完蛋 (fang huo shao shan / ke li wan dan)

My god, it's gorgeous! It rhymes and the rhythm is nice, it feels very lofty and pithy, the end of each line feels like a punchline, and it's reminiscent of those 4-word proverbs 😍😭🥰💖🔥

The sentence structure with the two clauses in each line imply a cause-and-effect. A completely literal translation would go something like this: [If you] set off explosions in the city -> report to the confinement room [If you] set of bombs that hurt people -> Jean (Qin) comes to your door (Qin is Jean's name in Chinese) [If you] use fire to burn the mountain (Mondstadt = mountain?) -> That will be the end of Klee! (Ke li)

Asashfjahsfg. Kaeya's a poet, and (based on my VERY limited Mandarin, he appears to be) a damn good one!

Now I am desperate to hear the "She doesn’t love him at all" poem in the original untranslated form!

[hottakesdutp]

Hot Take: Huo Shao

Man of your Dreams

A) The Hair (probably not military Standard)

B) Cute cute cute cute cute cute <3

C) We got a Two Lip Club member ya’ll

D) Definitely not the kind of collar on military uniforms of the time and area

E) FLUFFY CAPE <3 +5 points

F) Gloves! :D (I have a problem)

G) Love a Gold and Blue Color palette <3

H) Those some good boots

Additional Notes:

Aloof? Cynical? Authoritarian? Repressed?

That’s my type

That’s My TYPE

[walkingencyclopediaofweirdmayo]

FUCK!

[immagrosscandy]

Y e s

Huo Shao’s interactions with Yunting are 90% him squinting at her and doing… this..?? Idk each time it makes me laugh, give this man glasses

[aphroditelovesu]

Beloved (Y/N),

I'm not very good with words, you know that, but I felt like I had to write you this letter. I know we spend very little time together, and it makes me upset. I got attached to you, did you know? I can't say how exactly or why this happened, but I have developed strong feelings for you. I feel a little uncomfortable writing something so important rather than saying it in person, but I'm afraid this is the easiest way. Funny, isn't it? The feared commander Huo Shao scared of the woman he so desperately fell in love with.

I may be being hasty and I don't care, but I miss you. So much. Days in Huating are empty and meaningless when you're not around. I feel empty and so lonely, no one can but you can take me from this dark and lonely place I am when you're away from me. I fear for you, as you may already know, when you are far from me I cannot protect you and it hurts me, my duty is to protect all citizens, but none of them matters to me as much as you do. I know you feel the same for me too, I can see it in your eyes, and I know that together we will be happy.

I need you by my side, (Y/N) (L/N). You have no idea when, how desperate for you I am. Please come back to me soon. Or I'll come get you, I love you and we won't be apart again. That is a promise.

Only yours to love,

Huo Shao.

[itaitaita-ita]

“ can i tell you something? “ “what?” “ I love you, Mr. Suzuki. I’ve always loved you.” “ Innocent bunny, don’t you see the clear line that divides us? Now that you’re Madame Miyagawa, you’ll never cross to this side” “ You’re right, Akira. There is a line that divides us now. Because you’re the one who draws that line, and as long as you have your walls up i’ll never cross it.[…] I already told you before, whatever happens you’re still Mr. Suzuki to me.. am i no longer Yuko to you? “ “. . . . “ [ . . . ] Mr. Suzuki looks down and stays quiet for some time, before turning on his shoes and leaving without another word. Don’t be a coward, Akira Suzuki…

🫧🫧 : Everyone pls look at them i care them sm. I recently got the 100% for this book and i was surprised to see how much Akira grew on me 😭. I thought i was gonna like Hino more since i do have a type ( cough Huo Shao ) but i fell in love with them, their dynamic and THEIR ENDING 😭. I loved how it left space for Akira to grow and make piece with the fact that he’s no longer alone, while still being realistic and showing how he hasn’t gotten there but will try and eventually will.

if you like this pls pls consider liking, commenting and reblogging, it would help my engagement a lot 🥹💓

[alixennial]

@violettduchess​ I just saw your top 10, here’s mine. We have 2 in common, who’d have thought it! XD

10. Chevalier Michel (Ikemen Prince)

He’s fallen down my list a bit due to chapter 16. @aquagirl1978​ tells me things will improve very soon so he gets to stay!

9. Sherlock Holmes (Sins Of London // Romance Club)

A ton of missed potential imo, but he’s still a bastard and I have a type.

8. Eli Sipes (Wake The Dead // Choices)

I don’t even care whether Choices bothers to develop their relationship any further or not, it’s nice to have someone competent around. 

7. Joshua Tobin (MeChat)

Hot demon boy.

6. Matteo Vasari (Titanic // StoryScape)

Certified sneaky bastard. “I want you. But worse still, my dear, I care for you.” Ugh, I love him.

5. Huo Shao (Ancient Dreams // Time Princess)

Aloof yet noble Commander. Nice cloak. My type. I expect to find more husbands from TP but I’m only on my third story. It’s a great app though, I’m hooked.

4. Kai Winters (MeChat)

Hot, polite, vampire husband.

3. Nikolai Stirling (Queen Of Thieves // Lovestruck)

Cat dad. Perfectionist. Nerd. A Problem XD

2. Dr Vile (Lovelink)

Super polite supervillain. Currently refusing to return from the fucking moon.

1. Antares Fairchild (Starship Promise // Lovestruck)

If you couldn’t guess this, you don’t know me ❤️

[emmaelix]

So out of all my storybooks I have (I'll put screenshots at the end) here are my favorite companions. All male, because I'm straight. I could probably enlist my bi younger brother for help though, if I do a part two.

But in order 1 (best) - 10 (least favorite) I have

Huo Shao because he's such a closeted sweetheart. He's handsome, and while I read Ancient Dreams fairly recently, I haven't read anything yet that surpassed it, especially not whem it comes to companions.

Yazdan is from The Sacred Beast, which was either the second or third book I read, so already he holds a special place in my heart. But his backstory is so compelling and his personality is very close to my boyfriend's (except for the sleepy part.)

Honda Itsuki has such a good storyline, and I love he and Alina's story. They work very well together.

I adore Vane, but he's a bit of a dick, so he's lower on the list. He and Cordelia do have a good story, so he's still pretty high on my list.

Louis XVI holds a special place in my heart, even though he never got a proper storyline (still pissed about that one).

Reza, while I don't find him that attractive, his story alone gets him a spot on my top ten.

Ha Jin-Hyuk, while once again isn't stealing my heart looks wise, his personality is so enjoyable to read about that he gets number seven purely on his interactions with Si-Woo.

Vincent gets number eight with both looks, and the fact that he's a vampire not of the Edward Cullen variety gets him top spots.

Obviously, the cult favorite, Vittorio Puzo. The only problem I have with him is that his personality comes from the fandom, not TDP.

And finally, Light. While he is a sweetheart, he's very childish and not from one of my favorite stories. Still a good character, though

So that's what I think of my top ten favorites. As promised, the screenshots.

[silverloreley]

DUTP characters with Artbreeder (Ancient Dreams)

(Other sets: Swan Lake - Magic Lamp - Gotham Memoirs - Romy & Julius - The Perfect Storm - The Sacred Beast)

Gu Yunting (elegant and mature as she acts, it’s dreadful how childlish some of her outfits are. Not that it takes anything from her as a character, who I love)

Huo Shao (at first I didn’t know he was a real historical figure. He’s one of the most frustrating ML we got... and the one I really hoped would get an happy ending)

Xiaojing (most precious baby, she almost made me both laugh and cry more than once during the story. No spoilers, but, ouch, my heart)

Huo Lan (needless to say, the hair are not the same. Whatever)

Pei Jingli (I went crazy trying to get the hair right and I didn’t manage, unless I gave up the glasses. Pity)

[cheri-translates]

[3rd Anniversary] Special Hotpot Interview

A 30 min video of the CN VAs eating hotpot while doing a Q&A was uploaded on Weibo on 19 December and I translated some of the more interesting segments:

Question for Wu Lei, Victor’s VA: If your character and your companion fell into the water at the same time, who would you save first?

Wu Lei: [even before the question finishes] I’d save my character first of course. There’s no need to ask.

-

Question for all: Please give your character a nickname.

Xia Lei (Lucien): 老许 (“lao xu” - akin to “Old Lu”)

Bian Jiang (Kiro): 小太阳 (“xiao tai yang” - Little Sun)

Ah Jie (Gavin): 起子 (“qi zi” - akin to “Little Gav”)

Wu Lei (Victor): 你的言 (“ni de yan” - akin to “Your Vic”)

Zhao Lu (Shaw): 佛锅少年 (“fo guo shao nian”)

This is an absolutely witty nickname and I’ll try to explain why

It’s meant to sound like 火锅少年 (“huo guo shao nian”) i.e. Hotpot Youth

But Shaw’s VA replaced 火 (“huo”) with 佛 (“fo”), because 佛 relates to Buddhism / Buddha

HE’S SO PROUD OF HIMSELF:

-

Question for Zhao Lu, Shaw’s VA: Aside from your character, which character in Love and Producer is the most dashing?

Zhao Lu: Eli.

Everyone: [laughs]

Xia Lei (Lucien): IS THAT ALLOWED?!

-

Bian Jiang (Kiro’s VA) questioning whether the meat Ah Jie’s (Gavin’s VA) prepared for him was cooked properly:

Bian Jiang: Fine, I’ll trust you.

-

Wu Lei sharing about his experience voicing Victor -

Wu Lei: When I first started voicing Victor, I was all “It’s no big deal. Bring it on.”

Wu Lei: Then... [gasps]

Wu Lei: Then... [defeated sigh]

Wu Lei: And then... [resigned sound]

> He shared that he struggled because he was told not to fluctuate his tone much, not even adding stresses to his words

> During the first year, he felt extremely scared that he wouldn’t do it well. So he’d hold a gigantic water bottle while recording:

-

Zhao Lu (Shaw’s VA) beating Wu Lei (Victor’s VA) in rock-paper-scissors:

-

Question for Zhao Lu, Shaw’s VA: If you could pick an anniversary gift for the character you’re voicing, what would you pick?

Zhao Lu: I think I’ll give this sumptuous table of hotpot to him. He loves eating hotpot. He's made a post about hotpot on Moments before. So I think this big meal we’re having today - I hope there’ll be a chance for him to try it too. 

-

Question for all: Actually, all of you have gotten used to recording on set dates every month. Have you ever considered how you’d feel if these dates disappear from your calendars one day?

Xia Lei (Lucien): [sighs] 

Bian Jiang (Kiro): [contemplative] I never thought about it. It won’t happen, it won’t happen. 

Ah Jie (Gavin): [cheerful] It won’t happen!

Wu Lei (Victor): [chuckles]

Xia Lei (Lucien): First of all, the players wouldn’t agree. 

Zhao Lu (Shaw): Yes yes yes.

Xia Lei (Lucien): I think one way Love and Producer differs from other games is that other games may just be a game. Love and Producer has become a part of the lives of many players. Kiro, Gavin, Victor, Lucien, and Shaw - these characters have become part of their lives. 

Zhao Lu (Shaw): Company.

Xia Lei (Lucien): Right. It isn’t simply a “I’m going to tap the game open and claim a daily reward pack and do tasks”. It’s not that simple. The interaction between players. For example, I never thought about the day this game would end. Thinking about it is pretty... [nods emotionally and then cheers with everyone]

Bian Jiang (Kiro): After so many years, we’ve walked together with them, whether it’s in the form of company or being ‘fettered’. Together, we’ve developed a connection between the him in there and me in real life. If it truly disappeared from life one day, I would be very reluctant to part with him.

Xia Lei (Lucien): To me, I think the role has become a friend in my life. Would you ever think of your friend leaving? You wouldn’t think about this question seriously. 

Bian Jiang (Kiro): I would be very reluctant to part. I believe everyone would be very reluctant to part.

Interviewer: Let’s hope that next year, and the following year, and every year, we’ll have the chance to sit here.

Everyone: [claps]

[potahun]

Show Rec: Great Escape 2 Master Ver. (2020)

Synopsis: If you’ve seen the variety show called “Great Escape”, you know it consists of 5 celebrities (Yang Mi, Justin Huang, Deng Lun, Da Zhangwei, Guo Qilin) who get dropped into an intricate escape room each ep and have to break out by solving puzzles, complete challenges, and piecing together the story behind the rooms (no time limit). This is the “Master” version, in which the cast is composed of (mostly) top students who “test” out the escape rooms by playing it in advance of the celebrities team. 

Why watch it? 

Short answer: The fun, the moments of brilliance, the suspense, the wholesomeness and the hilarity. Watch it!

Long answer:

1. THE ROOMS!  

Each room is a complex and comes with a theme + a mystery that the players have to uncover together, making the process fun in itself. Some rooms even include horror elements. In the 1st ep, the players act as teachers searching for a student who mysteriously stopped coming to school. The child’s mother has died and only a nanny seems to be in the house. What happened? 

2. THE CAST!!!!!!

As mentioned the “Master” ver. is only a “test”, as the cast plays the escape rooms in advance of the celebrities, so that the production team can make adjustments if needed. Accordingly, the “Master” cast is composed of widely unknown people. So why was it made into its own show and called the “Master” version? 

Because the cast is absolutely brilliant. The team of 6 in any ep rotates between a list of young people with (mostly) impressive academic records:

Pu Yixing: also known as “A Pu”. “Tank” of the group. All-round capable player. Pro of thinking outside the box / finding loopholes to escape. Quirky af. Chill af. Has enough guts for the whole team (When A Pu is here, never fear)

Qi Si Jun: Mom friend of the group. A new generation MC with EQ off the charts. Literally makes anyone feel comfortable within a three-mile radius.  Big Hufflepuff energy. Just the warmest and nicest. 

Huo Shu: Doctorate and engineer friend of the group. Will dismantle any prop he needs to serve escape purposes. Pu Yixing finds loopholes; Huo Shu invents tools to get them out in the most unconventional ways. Also in charge of screaming.

Zhou Junwei: Psychology major (I believe). Can do as much brain work as physical work (srsly what can’t he do). 2nd mom friend, but in the ‘I was sports team captain all my school life and it shows’ way. Born in 1995 but is somehow already married. 

Tang Jiuzhou: One of the didi of the group. In charge of 1000watt smiles, great mood and admiring the bros. "My brain’s not good~!” but solves all the puzzles. Optimistic sunshine boy. I want to see him grow healthily.

Shao Mingming: Precious scorpio boy. One of the only ones without an intimidating academic record. His sass can move mountains. Ultimate cheerleader. Will make you laugh and love him and also respect him. A screamer.

Guo Wentao: Graduate from Bei Da. Quieter than Pu Yixing (how is it possible?). Takes everything seriously and diligently. Will never back down in front of responsibilities.

Shi Kai: Was a contestant in Super Vocal. Now mostly in charge of physical prowess and being great because he’s Shi Kai. Has sass in impressive amounts (but less than Shao MingMing)

Shao Bangzhu and JY: Less present, no less likeable. 

The teamwork between these kids is...seamless. It’s not just about chemistry, which they have in heaps: each of them’s just rly good at teamwork! No one tries to be the best or looks down on anyone, everyone cheers for and takes care of everyone. Riddles? They got brains to power through at light speed. Physical tasks? Can’t stop them:

Most importantly, their dynamics are adorable and hilarious. They may not be celebrities but their sense of variety can rival celebrities 100%. In fact, they’re perhaps even more spontaneous! Add this to the wholesome team spirit and it’s pure serotonin. How to not love them?

3. THE PACING!

This is a low time-investment show because, as said, the teams just...power through. No one lingers on purpose to make the ep. more “entertaining”. Each ep is only 40mins-1hr long, and in that time, you’ve had time to cheer at the brains, laugh at their antics, and coo at the organic teamwork. You’ve also uncovered a mystery, enjoyed some puzzles and felt like you used your brain a bit. All-win!

The only downside: ...It has no subs. S2 is available in full on YT (Link to Ep.1) but so far, no subs. For the riddles and stories, the celebrity ver. is subbed, so cross-checking helps, but I do prefer the “Master” ver. by a landslide. Not having subs means many puns & references go down the drain, but it’s probably still a fun watch, if only for the situational comedy, contagious laughter, some self-explanatory stuff, and their charming personalities.

Conclusion: Great Escape “Master” Ver. is an underrated gem with a brilliant, unconventional and loveable cast, and great stories...Great Escape pretty much goes unseen here, and the “Master” ver. is even more of an undiscovered treasure. Give it a chance!

[dangermousie]

Mousie’s New and Improved Top 20 Cdramas List

Because why not. These are ordered in terms of being my favorite as opposed to pure quality - if I was trying to be objective, it would probably be rearranged, but I like being petty and subjective.

You will notice that literally every drama on this list is a period drama. Much as I adore period cdramas, contemporary ones rarely work for me.  

20. Princess Agents (tie)

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll6x8zf2CnQ

Our heroine is a slave in a brutal society who becomes a feared general, fighting for freedom and love of a Yan prince. But her heart might actually lie with a seemingly cold adversary who is madly in love with her (I shipped them so hard!) I was one of five people who loved the infamous cliffhanger ending because it made a brutal kind of sense (You can read the novel if you want a different resolution.)

20. Tribes and Empires (tie)

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyRsPAGUz-Q

This one has a hell of an open ending, but it’s so gorgeous and epic, I don’t even care. Set in a fantasy empire, it follows three men - a half-human prince, a cursed son of a general, and an orphaned leader of a barbarian tribe. A feast for the eyes.

19. Ice Fantasy

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C05lhfrWgQg

A visually stunning high fantasy with elves, quests, a shockingly wonderful hero, brotherly love, toughest lady general ever as OTP and basically everything I like.

18. The General and I

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XDR17kwXYM

The lengthy OTP separation brings its place in this list down, but otherwise a gorgeous romance between two enemies - a general and a female strategist, is a total swoon and so intense. 

17. Three Kingdoms 2010

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3RVpdYDpYA

This one is a magnum opus of 100 episodes, with a tour de force performance by Chen Jian Bin as Cao Cao. Battles, politics, and even though it’s very secondary, one of my favorite love stories in cdramas. This one is if you want to use your brain as well as your heart.

16. Colourful Bone 

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4O5yb3VBh4

It probably doesn’t deserve to be this high on the list but it hits all my narrative and shippy kinks with a common-sense heroine taking in an abused and mistreated death machine and teaching him to be human. Mmmm.

15. Young Warriors 

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO83qvKaoSM

What do you get when you have seven awesome heroic brothers, a star-studded cast, tragic stories about heroism and love and just amazingness? You get this drama. 

14. Strange Hero Yi Zi Mei

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFVDAuFOyWE

Band of misfits fight corruption and uncover mysteries. This one is the most underrated drama on my list. Also, Wallace Huo has never been hotter in his life and that is saying something.

13. The Battle of Changsha 

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbgFMaUfpnE

By the same people who wrote Minglan, this follows a family in 1930s China and is a quiet, devastating masterpiece.

12. Prince of Lan Ling

MV (warning - spoilery): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jUVGP0HETo

He’s the consummate battle god. She is a mystical shaman. He is fated to be with someone else per prophecy but he doesn’t care and chooses her. True love, politics, battles, jealousy, amazingness, tragedy. I love them so. 

11. Gong/Jade Palace Lock Heart

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVFPVkHaweo

This is Boys over Flowers goes Qing (where Domyoji’s behavior finally makes sense since he’s a literal prince and Rui likes to kill people.) This is such a amazing good fun, about a modern woman time traveling to the time of the fight for the throne between Kangxi’s sons. She thinks she likes the seemingly gentle Four but ends up with hot-blooded, awesome Eight. She herself is tough as all get out and this is pure deliciousness from beginning to end. Yang Mi and Feng Shao Feng had such amazing chemistry, people RPShipped them for years. 

10. Return of the Condor Heroes 2006

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzXsBqVYp0I

My first cdrama ever, and what a gorgeous one it was. That’s what got me into cdramas. The childhood eps are pretty awful but after that, it’s pure shippy perfection with an incredible OTP. If you want to be in a constant romantic swoon, in that story of female master and her male disciple and their forbidden love, this one is for you.

9. Eternal Love/Three Lives Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9-ry-W4Crg

Fated immortal lovers, reincarnations, the whole enchilada. Yang Mi and Mark Chao have insane chemistry that burns up the screen. The first few eps are slow, but it makes up for it afterwards.

8. Legend of Fuyao

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkMX1d0v7t0

A twisty epic romance with a super-powered heroine who is plain awesome and may destroy the world, and a smart, ruthless prince who’s only soft for her. I love it so much!

7. Legend of Condor Heroes 2008

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2fea109_qM

Plot twists, good guy hero with a mega smart OTP, tragic anti-hero who becomes a villain for a while with an amazing OTP, bromance, fights, everything. I just adore this one. 

6. Bu Bu Jing Xin/Startling By Each Step

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9B3Rddrqt0

The one that started the time-travel craze (well, that and Gong), about a modern woman who time travels to the time of Emperor Kangxi’s sons’ fight for the throne, this is a gorgeously filmed tragic love story, with one of the most perfectly brutal endings out there. I adore it.

5. Nirvana in Fire

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4wps7SK9xo

This is a smart story about politics and revenge, where a survivor of a wrongly destroyed family comes to get justice. Seemingly laid back until it explodes. Not much romance but it doesn’t even need it. 

4. Rise of the Phoenixes 

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0BUvMKSj4E

Like the dramas to destroy you? Come right in. A story about a disfavored prince and a lost daughter of a previous dynasty, this is smart, gorgeous, and is going to wreck you.

3. Ever Night (s1)

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x99seU5qJuc

I have talked enough about it recently so I won’t say much more, but if you want epic, movie-like quality, characters you will love, amazing battles and cinematography, complicated world-building and an OTP to die for, come right in.

2. The Myth 

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rfyfKM_Ww0

For the longest time, this was my favorite cdrama, to be replaced only by Minglan. It starts out funny and ends up tearing out your heart. This is the only time in my drama watching experience I cried so hard I threw up. The story is about two accidental time-travelers - a photographer and a cook - who end up in Qin Dynasty China. And from then on it’s about how that cruel, horrifying world takes two perfectly normal men and by wracking their very souls turns one into a hero and the other into a monster. To me, this is Hu Ge’s best performance and as you see his protagonist desperately try to hold on to his humanity and his love in a world that is doing its best to destroy it, I dare you not to cry like a baby. His character is my ultimate cdrama crush.   

1. The Story of Minglan

MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA7m2QktiUk

Aaaaaand, my n1. cdrama is the amazing, too short at 73 eps, The Story of Minglan. It is very hard to describe the plot of this - a sort of Elizabeth Gaskell meets period China. It follows three interconnected upper-class families, but more specifically, it is about Shen Minglan, a concubine-born daughter of a minister and Gu Tingye, the oldest, legitimate, and hated by his family son of a Marquess. Their narratives run largely parallel for the first half of the story and such is the genius of this drama that I, the ultimate romance junkie, did not mind that. Minglan is a rarity in dramaworld - she is fiercely smart, very collected and emotionally detached. Life in the troubled Shen household taught her to survive and to hide her feelings and talents. Tingye is a big cdrama love. Abused and reviled by his household where he can do no right (the Marquess hated having to marry his merchant mother for money and has displaced that hate on her son), Tingye manages to keep his warm heart but acquires the ability to go his own way. Both of the protagonists are wonderful and smart and magnetic and rootable for separately, but when they get together, the sparks go off the charts and they become my n1 cdrama OTP of all time. A lot of the story is about family battles, women’s world dilemmas and relationship (of all sorts) interactions. There is also politics and battles, but the true charm of this drama are the mundane details of the world and the fully-fleshed out people who inhabit it. If you watch only one cdrama in your life, make it this one.     

[merinnan]

DMBJ Episode 10

Episode 10, the final episode for season 1! 

 We begin Episode 10 with the Xiaoge Rescue Count at 10 for Wu Xie, 14 for the protagonists, 15 for everyone 

 And the Wu Xie Swoon Count at 5

- We open back up on a slight recap of Wu Xie being a little shit, and it's delightful 

- I love how when Wu Xie sits in the other chair, the lead boduguard dude is like surprised Pikachu face, Huo Xiuxiu is shocked, and Xie Yuchen is like, hmmm, interesting

- And Granny just closes her eyes with a brief sigh 

- For she has triggered stubborn little shit Wu Xie 

- And I think she knows it 

- She's like, enough of this shit, and Pangzi is like, nope, my turn to stir it up

- Some subtle threats, a brief scuffle, and now what are you up to, Pangzi? 

- Oh, they settled down a bit once he left, being the troublemaker. Or at least the over troublemaker 

- And now Xie Yuchen playing a bit of a peacemaker 

- Hmm, I wonder who the 'friend' in question is?

- Just stay sitting in the seat until half past four 

- Simple tasks like that are never simple 

- So now I'm super curious what's going to happen between now and 4:30 

- Wu Xie is suspicious. Because he's smart like that. 

- Oh, another fishy with sneks!

- And god, the auctioneer lady's wig is AWFUL 

- Oooh, there's something important or weird about the left side seats in the upper floors. 

- Let's see what happens here 

- lol, the attendant's face when she came in and saw Wu Xie sitting in that chair

- There is apparently Some History with these chairs 

- Xiaogeeeeee   

 - God, Chengcheng, food, and money. Can't she just like shut up about it for once? 

- I feel like I'm missing something with this lantern here. I don't get why everyone is staring at it.

- Or why everyone is applauding once it's put up 

- Yes, Xiaoge is definitely dressed like a staff member. And staring up where Wu Xie is.

- Pangzi's back, and evidently now knows about the seat 

- Oh, so apparently the lantern is tied to Wu Xie sitting in the seat 

- It's creating quite a stir 

- Oh, Wu Xie now seems to realise what this is, I think?

- Huh, I thought it was just me thinking that using bells for bidding was odd, but no, Pangzi has confirmed that the auctioneer girl is pretty good to be able to tell which bell is which 

- Her hearing used as a detection tool. Why am I now thinking of Liu Sang?

- Oh shit. That's what that means. 

- And that's why Granny is so fucking smug about it. 

- Ouch. 

- It's okay, it's the last episode, so I'm sure it'll turn out fine. 

- WOW her hearing is good to pick that up 

- God damn it Pangzi 

- Why do you always have to start shit like this?

- I think Xiaoge realises his Wu Xie is about to be in trouble

- I like these little hints we're seeing of early Xiao Sanye

- Lol, Pangzi pulls out a hidden baton, all the grey suits pull out batons, and he looks so shocked that he's not the only one with one 

 - Go, Pangzi, go! 

- Oh, ouch 

- Ahahah, thank you, Wu Xie. This is the Wu Xie I like to see. 

- Oh, kicking a girl like that, tsk tsk

- Them trying to drag Wu Xie out his chair, and him clinging on for dear life 

 - He's so stubborn. I love him. 

- Granny casually drinking tea while there's this huge fight going on around her 

- Xiaoge keeping an eye on things

- OH YOU CHEATING BITCH 

- Pangzi to the rescue, keeping the chair propped up! 

- But like 

- FUCK YOU YOU CHEATING BITCH 

- YES TIME UP HE WON YOU LOST 

- And now Wu Xie enters the fray 

- Hahaha, good girl, Chengcheng. Like, I still don't like or trust you, but sometimes you do good.

- Granny was NOT expecting the silly little girl to take out her guy like that 

- I like Yuchen's reactions here. Everyone else seems either surprised, or angry, or smug, and he's just like "...this is interesting." 

- I know Xiaoge's gonna turn up any second now, and I can't wait

- But for now, I'm enjoying Pangzi being a badass, kicking people down stairs 

- Yuchen to the rescue! Nice 

- And Wu Xie thinks he looks familiar, so now I'm wondering where they know each other from

- XIAOGE! YES! Just casually walking out from the side with his hands in his pockets. Shit is about to get real

- Xiaoge Rescue Count is now 10 for Wu Xie, 15 for the protagonists, 16 for everyone

- It seems Granny has sent her guys after them 

- Wu Xie's expression is like "you have to be fucking kidding me" 

- Pangzi is like, yes, time for a fight! 

- I can't entirely blame her, because Wu Xie is still baby and has not yet developed the reputation that he'll have later on

- But I certainly see where his reputation is starting 

- This ep is confirming that Pangzi is a much better character outside the Lu tomb. It's as if Pangzi in the tomb was a doppelganger with a different personality that's similar enough to fool people into thinking it's real

- Pangzi beating up Granny's guys while Wu Xie and High Shao...just stand and watch? 

- Oh, now they're finally trying to run 

- Pangzi continuing to single-handedly keep the Huo guys at bay 

- A narrow alleyway seems like a bad place to run into, guys

- Grey suited guys have obviously never learned that you should never split the party 

- No, I'm not sure you're safe just yet, guys. Maybe hide a bit longer. 

- Your shoes aren't exactly quiet, since they're dress shoes 

- Wu Xie still proving that he's the smart one

- Chengcheng, they already know who you are. Forget the dumb phone. 

- Unless you have some ~~secrets~~ on there. Like who you really work for? 

- Wu Xie, baby, no, don't do that - You're too nice sometimes 

- You're a good boy, too, High Shao

- AND THERE WE GO 

- I KNEW SHE COULDN'T BE TRUSTED 

- I'm wondering why it took her so long to make her move 

- Wu Xie Swoon Count: 6

- Wu Xie, you still don't get it, do you?

- Chengcheng, why are you surprised at his naivete? You've been pretending to be his friend for how long now? Haven't you realised yet that that's just who he is? 

- I'm impressed Wu Xie managed to stand up with his ankles tied like that

- She's not wrong, they were all fucking idiots when it came to just trusting her like that 

- No, Wu Xie, she's not your friend 

- I'm confused. If she wanted the fishy, why didn't she just take it once she knew Wu Xie had it? Or did she know there were 2 & she wants both of them?

- I'm pretty sure he didn't give his away anywhere, and he told Granny he had it, so his can't be the one at the auction. 

- Wu Xie, Wu Xie, Wu Xie. She doesn't care. It's sweet that you're trying, and you wouldn't be Wu Xie if you didn't, but it's not going to work.

- No, sweetie, A-Ning is so much better than you are. She's at least honest about who she is, and has some kind of ethics. 

- Oooh, who's come with a motorbike. I can think of three possibilities. Now we'll see which one it is. 

- Oh, and it was one I didn't think of

- I'll give her credit for being a good actress, though. Or, at least, she's good at pretending to be a silly, flighty girl. I'm not sure if she knows how to put on a different act than that.

- How did she miss that she dragged them next to a broken bottle? Like, even being in a hurry I feel that that's something she should have noticed. It's not like it's hidden, it's just right there under the window where she put them.

- Oh, she's a pretty good fighter, too. 

- Zipties? Oh, honey. Wu Xie, you need to learn how to break zipties without needing something sharp to cut them. 

- I'm sure Ershu can have Heiye teach you, if Xiaoge doesn't teach you first 

- A pink car. OMG. That is such a cliche.

- And hey, it's Huo Xiuxiu. For a sec I thought it was going to be Chengcheng, and if it was, I was gonna be so mad that she'd somehow got a custom pink car just waiting for her in Beijing 

- But I can accept Huo Xiuxiu having a pink car

- And they're back home already? Just like that, with no other explanations? 

- Yes, Sanshu, you were rather careless 

- Hang on, how did they know the guy's name was Qiu Dekao? I mean, I get that Sanshu might have, but why was the name familiar to the boys?

- Poor Sanshu, so cut up about Wenjin's niece turning out to be a fake 

- And now, mysterious photograph of mystery that High Shao has found online 

- Aaah, 20 year old photo of Sanshu and Xiaoge (and others) 

- I know what's coming up next, then!

- Well, not in the like 5 mins left of the season 

- But maybe in season 2 

- Why are they now talking about some box that hasn't been mentioned at all so far? 

- Sanshu's at-home outfit is pretty smart, though. That subtly patterned white shirt with black slacks and black vest

- It seems a lot of convenient fires conveniently burn important documents in DMBJ shows 

- Yes, Sanshu, how can they look so alike 

- I wonder what it is that you've just realised, that's so important you just abruptly threw Wu Xie & High Shao out and locked the door behind them

- Did they send the photo to Pangzi as well? Since he began talking about Xiaoge being a mummy as soon as they called him 

- Ah, there are two fishys. I didn't miss something there. 

- Hm. Messy shoes in the entryway. That's not a good sign. 

- Ofc Sanshu has gone & run off on them

- Probably doesn't want to drag them into a mess again 

- After how the last one went 

- And especially with that gang after the same kind of stuff 

- It's okay, Wu Xie, Xiaoge might have left without saying goodbye but he was still watching out for you when it mattered

And with that little narrated epilogue, both episode 10 and season 1 come to an end! 

Season 1 Xiaoge Rescue Count was 10 for Wu Xie, 15 for the protagonists, 16 for everyone 

Season 1 Wu Xie Swoon Count was 6