Illustrated companion pieces to some c-drama
Links to find my "Companion pieces" in the Discussion sections of the dramas. The list is sorted by alphabetical order.
In addition to shooting dates and locations, the OST music, and popularity watch over some weeks, there are also presentations of related topics such as Earthquakes in China, cultural notes, sometimes a mini profile of actor/actress. The character galleries are built with pictures, many gifs, names in Hanzi + micro notes about the actors or actresses, linking to their social media pages. These are personal essays and info compilations in whimsical reaction to some dramas that are not necessarily my favorite but which pushed me to dig for more info, which I thought could be shared with like minded MDL members.
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1. A Date With the Future
Chinese Drama - 2023, 36 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/a-date-with-the-future/105311-earthquakes-in-china and some pictures of Chinese rescue missions and uniforms since the 2000s.
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2. A Journey to Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/a-journey-to-love/121473-a-journey-to-love-notes-on-production-location-dates-cast-characters-and-more (includes a Liu Yuning mini profile)
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3. An Ye Yu Li Ming
Chinese Drama - 2024, 38 episodes
Notes about production, shooting location, dates, cast and crew, airing and popularity, Douban rating, Music, singers, lyricists and composers : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/an-ye-yu-li-ming/131238-dark-night-and-dawn-pictures-and-production-details
Continuing profile of Chen Zheyuan : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/an-ye-yu-li-ming/119875-profile-of-chen-zhe-yuan?page=last&p=2762213#p2762213
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4. As Beautiful As You
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/as-beautiful-as-you/128207-companion-piece-places-characters-songs-and-more?page=last&p=3101057#p3101057 Dates, location, other production details, platforms to watch the series ; popularity, Douban rating etc. Character Relationship chart and alphabetical list of characters keyed to the illustrated Character and Cast gallery by order of appearance. "Xinggang" and Qingdao (film & studios base, iconic Bavarian style buildings +surroundings). Gallery of some products placements (trendy beer, high tech tools, fast food, luxury bag, luxury watches...)
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5. Bian Shui Wang Shi
Chinese Drama - 2024, 21 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/bian-shui-wang-shi/129385-escape-from-the-triangular-slopes-companion-piece -- General information, crew, book ; Shooting dates and locations + airing, and platforms to watch the series, episode titles with direct links ; illustrated selection of BTS and Live appearance links ; Music (with notes about 夏之禹/新鲜仔 and jingyun dagu style ; links to listen or find lyrics); The Golden Triangle (descriptions) ; Tapirs (focusing on the Malayan tapir) ; Youku's White Night Theater launched in 2024, and next drama link ; Alphabetical list of characters keyed to the illustrated Character and Cast gallery by order of appearance (+ a note about bhikkhus, another about wood, and short cast member bios) also featuring some Gif-Clips for highlights of some parts and a few language notes; some interesting poster collections and links to the extensive stills and pictures collections ; popularity : Douban rating , heat index and viewcounts ; some farewell messages (including one that describes the themed merchandising and product placement).
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6. Brocade Odyssey
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
Everything from dates and place of shooting, popularity, cast and crew details (120 characters spotted, most identified), music (including more from TSY), and places of interest in this Tang dynasty drama. -- Qianniu and 12 ministries guards, details like xiuqiu balls, hebao, fish tallies, and of course glorious silks, dyes, types, and history of Shu brocade which was used in preference of coins, for which I added a section : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/shu-jin-ren-jia/132940-brocade-odyssey-companion-piece
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7. Bu Yun Qu
Chinese Drama - 2023, 35 episodes
Not a companion piece, but some historical notes strewn into comments : https://mydramalist.com/53955-bu-yun-qu#comment-12888835 (and preceding comments) + the playlist with links https://mydramalist.com/53955-bu-yun-qu#comment-12924841
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8. Chinese Paladin 4
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/chinese-paladin-4/122627-chen-zheyuan-profile-link Dates of filming, location, production, billing controversy, reception,trailer link, music, interview links, behind the scenes, game universe. Illustrated character gallery along the journey going through different "places" : Qing Luan peak, Qionghua sect, Huanming realm, Taiping village, Shouyang town, Chenzhou town, Boxian Town, Jimo Town, Buzhou mountain and Netherworld (冥都 Míngdōu). Some notes about the Konghou harp ( (鳳首箜篌), the Qiankun pouch (乾坤袋), the swords, spiritual light jade (灵光藻玉 lingguang zao yu), Kun scale [鯤鳞 Kūnlín], Gou mang (句芒), Dream tapirs [梦貘一族 mèng mò yīzú] etc.
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9. During the Snowstorm
Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/during-the-snowstorm/123315-snooker-nine-ball-and-the-billiards-universe : Pictures, rules and music for the game (some pictures were also contributed in the other Discussions for locations)
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10. Hidden Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/hidden-love/109103-shooting-locations-and-dates-misc-other-links Pictures, also about fashion, car makes, license plates Xiamen film industry. Character analysis, character gallery. Links to the ongoing Chen Zheyuan profile that was started then (last updated early June 2024)
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11. Hou Lang
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/hou-lang/100789-about-traditional-chinese-culture : presentation of the solar terms (including link to music), pictures and maps for Daoism in China, TCM and acupuncture discussion ; some lore : Shennong, Lao Zi, Ma Liang, Ye Xian...
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12. Lang Jun Bu Ru Yi
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lang-jun-bu-ru-yi/110459-the-princess-and-the-werewolf-cast-characters-crew Character gallery and other details (Kui Mulang legends in Chinese literature, Qi Xi festival, magpies species in China, a ZLS ad with a music link to a song by Chinese duo Phoenix Legend titled "Wolf's temptation"). The micro notes about main leads developed into fuller profiles :
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/lang-jun-bu-ru-yi/111031-actress-and-singer-profile-of-wu-xuanyi and a continuing profile of Chen Zheyuan, which was moved to the Dark Night and Dawn discussion page : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/an-ye-yu-li-ming/119875-profile-of-chen-zhe-yuan?page=last&p=2762213#p2762213
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13. Love is Panacea
Chinese Drama - 2023, 34 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/love-is-panacea/121233-shooting-locations-dates-and-some-other-considerations : pictures and some background info : Chinese medical cooperation in Africa (Lakaya possible model on Gabon), Chengdu ("Jinhai" city), Dujiangyan, Huntington's disease and Woody Guthrie, film industry...
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14. Loving You
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/loving-you/120713-pets-my-precious-ones-and-those-of-c-drama-actors-actresses (ongoing directory of different pets in the My Precious drama and owned by Chinese actors and actresses) Visitors can feel free to add more pets (preferably with a picture and link) !
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/loving-you/120711-z-tao-playlist-and-some-xu-yiyang-thrown-in (Z.Tao is also known for his C-pop, so here's an introduction with links to a selection from his music + a profile of the actor, musician, businessman and his hailang fandom ; he and singer and actress Xu Yiyang officially announced their long standing relationship on July 14, 2024.)
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15. My Aletai
Chinese Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/my-aletai/125351-to-the-wonder-notes-about-the-slice-of-life-tv-series Maps, background info, pictures about the drama and the Kazakh and related ethnic groups in Kazakh Ili autonomous prefecture, Habahe county and Naren grasslands, heat index, Douban stellar rating, links to music etc.
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16. Ni Ye You Jin Tian
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/ni-ye-you-jin-tian/122527-mini-profile-of-cheng-xingxu-link + illustrated notes about the drama and heat index.
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17. Really Miss You
Chinese Drama - 2023, 33 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/really-miss-you/121599-love-you-love-my-voice-playlist-and-more About gufeng songs and with a Tan Jianci mini profile
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18. Road Home
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/gui-lu/91923-where-was-this-filmed-infos-about-places-where-the-action-is-supposed-to-take-place Maps, pictures, and various links to show Hemu Village, Kanas Nature Reserve, Trains and Highway cross border connections in Northwest Xinjinag, Dushanzi Grand Canyon
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19. The First Shot
Chinese Drama - 2024, 32 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-first-shot/130515-the-first-shot-companion-piece Companion piece for the thriller drama, with illustrations from the Weibo maze designs, actual shooting locations, characters relationships poster, characters and drama posters collections GIF, including the "surprise" poster of Qin Jun Jie who was added to cast as latecomer guest, kept hidden for a long while the drama aired. Also other details, a map, popularity, and OST Music.
+ Mini Profile for Johnny Huang / Huang Jingyu (as of September 2024)
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-first-shot/130149-a-mazing-johnny-huang -
20. The Forbidden Flower
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/xia-hua/87793-shooting-location-for-the-forbidden-flower Maps and pictures for the location in Wanning, Hainan, and the Sunac Legend chapel, Sun and Moon Bay (Riyuewan). and Qiang villages in Aba county north of Chengdu, Sichuan.
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21. The Inextricable Destiny
Chinese Drama - 2023, 26 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/xiang-si-gu-li-jin-xiang-si/120505-tidbits-about-2023-costume-drama-the-inextricable-destiny Character gallery, notes about Chinese names and titles.
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22. The Interpreter
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-interpreter/122523-chen-xing-xu-mini-profile (Chen Xingxu mini profile as of early 2024) + basic info about the drama
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23. The Legend of Shen Li
Chinese Drama - 2024, 39 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/yu-feng-xing/124265-notes-about-the-legend-of-shen-li-xianxia-drama Character gallery, some notes about xianxia worlds, links to music, heat index, popularity, etc.
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24. The Story of Rose
Chinese Drama - 2024, 38 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-story-of-rose/126207-the-story-of-the-rose-miscellaneous-details Dates of production, cast and crew, popularity, reception and Douban rating ; OST music links. And some notes on miscellaneous subjects (the two sorts of banknotes circulating in the PRC in the 2000s, cars and license plates curiosity ; phones and computers ; some luxury brand bags and fashion dresses ; where to take flying lessons in Beijing, on which plane, and the commercial airports of Beijing ; the art and artists mentioned in the drama ; roses and their meanings ; where to find roses in the drama and some explanations of puzzling moments (the dances, the hallucinations) ; an overview of the Chaoxianzhu, the ajumma hairdo, and Korean wedding customs... ; farewell messages from cast and friend ; excerpt about the drama from the Profile of actor Lin Gengxin
+ Profile of Lin Gengxin (as of July 2024) : https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-story-of-rose/127405-profile-of-lin-gengxin
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25. Zhu Lian Yu Mu
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/zhu-lian-yu-mu/131556-the-story-of-pearl-girl-companion-piece Illustrated notes about book, crew, production, shooting dates and locations, airing dates and platforms,music, popularity (with posters collection) etc. Directory of characters and cast (in progress). Map of the places "visited" and their importance on the "silk road" during Tang dynasty, some notes on Behind the scenes and jewels (in progress as the drama is still on air). -- I rate after watching to completion, but anticipate already that I will like it ;)
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26. Zi Chuan
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/zi-chuan/123627-eternal-brotherhood-shooting-and-dates-location-and-more (portrait gallery of characters etc) and
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/zi-chuan/123895-eternal-brotherhood-zichuan-ning-and-characters-in-the-donghua-version (some articles about the EB universe and donghua)
The drama is only 1/2 of the story ; for length reasons, it was cut, so by June 2024, the second part is still not aired. Bets are on when it will... since there are lots of other dramas vying for a slot, it may take longer than it should. In such case, the portrait gallery and notes may be of help to refresh memory.