The 10 Most Anticipated Chinese TV Shows Of 2014
We said good-bye to some not-so-great shows last year, but we also have some new potential TV series coming our way this year! Let’s take a look at my picks of the 10 most anticipated Chinese TV series of 2014 and let me know what you’re most expecting to watch in the comments section.
1. Swords of Legends 《古剑奇谭》
Swords of Legends is Chinese costume fantasy drama adapted from the role-playing game of the same title. The drama features famous actors like Yang Mi, Jia Nailiang, Ma Tianyu, Zheng Shuang and Chen Zihan.
2. The Four《四大名捕》
The 2014 mainland version drama The Four is a magical martial arts costume drama starring Zhang Han, Mickey He, Chang Chun-Ning, Yang Yang and Jia Qing. It is adapted from Wen Ruian’s classic novel of the same title.
3. Across Heaven and Earth 《风云天地》
Across Heaven and Earth is a Chinese epic television drama created by Wong Jing. The play tells the story of the rise and fall of the affluent Cho family in Hong Kong, and stars Liza Wang, Angie Chiu, Hawick Lau and Kimmy Tong.
4. Bubu Jingqing《步步惊情》
Bubu Jingqing is an upcoming romance, fashion and business war drama starring Nicky Wu, Liu Shishi and Sun Yizhou. It is a sequel of the 2011 Chinese hit drama Scarlet Heart, the story continues after the time traveling protagonist, Zhang Xiao, returns to her own time.
5. Beautiful Country – A Long Song 《秀丽江山之长歌行》
Beautiful Country – A Long Song is a costume drama adapted from Li Xin’s popular fiction novel Beautiful Country. The background is set in the Emperor Liu Xiu era in Han Dynasty. The show tells the legendary story of how the leading role Yin Lihua fight together with her husband Emperor Guangwu in the complicated situation and finally conquers the regional warlords and restores and consolidates the Eastern Han Dynasty.
6. The Deer and the Cauldron (2014 )《新版鹿鼎记 》
The 2014 version The Deer and the Cauldron is the latest TV series adapted from Louis Cha’s novel of the same title. It is directed by Hong Kong drama director Lai Shui-ching and stars Han Dong, Zhang Meng, Lou YIxiao and Jiaqing.
7. iPartment 4 《爱情公寓4》
iPartment 4 is the sequel of the hit TV series iPartment. The drama will continue the story of a group of friends living in the same apartment building. The first season was aired in 2009. This season will feature some guest appearances of well-known television hosts like He Jiong, Du Haitao and Hu Ge.
8. Perfect Couple 《金玉良缘》
Perfect Couple is a Chinese costume TV series directed by Huang Zuquan and starring Wallace Huo, Tiffany Tang and Vivian Wu. This is another collaborate TV work between Wallace and Tang Yan after Chinese Paladin 3. The drama tells the story that: in the early years of Yongle Period of the Ming Dynasty, Jin Yuanbao (played by Wallace), the only song of Jin family in charge of Weapon Manufacturing Bureau, bumps into a clever and lovely woman Yu Qilin (played by Tang Yan), then starts a humorous and touching love story.
9. Hua Xu Yin: City of Desperate Love《华胥引之绝爱之城》
Hua Xu Yin: City of Desperate Love is a costume TV series which tells a story between three Kingdoms. The drama is starring Li Dachao, Yu Min and Tan Youye.
10. For the Holy Guiguzi《谋圣鬼谷子》
For the Holy Guiguzi is starring Duan Yihong, Qi Wei, Zu Feng and Xu Qiwen. The drama is set in the turbulent Spring and Autumn Period and the story revolves around the states of Wei and Chu.
Trailer for #1 doesn’t show good production values although Ma Tianyu, Chen Zihan are often decent actors.
#2: Zhang Han was good in Queen of SOP; fine in Sui Tang Heroes. Mickey He does a lot of very similar roles; “Yu Zheng” type. Chang has improved in “Best Time” but sometimes her character is unpleasant or non-substantial. Who are the remaining actors? 😉
#3: Hawick Lau also does a lot of similar roles.
#4: Semi-confusing, non-gripping plot. Nicky Wu is over-hyped.
#5: Hope it’s good and not another “Every man loves Ruby Lin” like “Qin Shi Huang Fei”.
#6: Hard to watch Han Dong after having seen just a bit of “Xia Nan Yang”, but he was fine in some series like Bitter Coffee etc. Hope there would be limits to remakes of Jin Yong etc. novels.
#7: Doesn’t seem promising except possibly for Hu Ge.
#8: Ok. Fine/ok performances by the 3 leads.
#9 & 10: unsure. Can be good or bad.
Hope series like “Lady and the liar”, Jin Xiu Yuan, adaptation of Da Mo Yao, Yun Zhong Ge, Wei Zifu, etc. would be good. Or at least watchable.
Some series have good plots, but made hard to watch due to mediocre production values: choppy editing/camera work, overly theatrical directing work ala Yu Zheng, (garish) stage design, unusual casting (Yuan Shanshan as lead) and/or (garish) costumes. Some series have good production values, but weak plots; or have unlikeable main characters (such as female characters in “Best Time”). Or very high-pitched dubbed voices for Yang Mi, Tang Yan, etc.
It seems you have a good knowledge of Chinese TV series. Excellent analysis!