I think it’s such a happy coincidence that I’m translating Tong Hua‘s fantasy romance novel Lost You Forever right now, reminding me daily of all the things I love about her writing which all started with her first novel Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling with Each Step). It’s her most famous work to-date and likely deserves all the affection it gets. She took the real life princely battle for the throne in the Emperor Kangxi era Qing dynasty and made it into a time-travel romance novel involving a few of the historical princes with a fictional leading lady. The C-drama adaptation ended up being a raging success and I was also one of the many who thoroughly loved it when it aired. A sequel has been bandied from the very beginning but getting it made turned out to be a complicated factor of aligned schedules and career interests.
In the end, the modern day sequel Bu Bu Jing Qing brought back some but not all of the BBJX cast, but you can say it managed to get the two most important returnees in Liu Shi Shi who played the leading lady Ruo Xi (or Zhang Xiao in her modern life) and Nicky Wu as 4th Prince who later ascended the throne to become Emperor Yongzheng. The sequel brings modern day Zhang Xiao back with her reincarnated 4th Prince, and I’m sure there are lots of other narratives to come in BBJQ but frankly it’s all background noise as far as I’m concerned. The thought of Ruo Xi and her 4th Prince getting a happily ever after simply can’t be topped even if it comes with other makjang filler. Ahead of its April 22nd premiere, check out the just released new set of character stills which are light years better than the first deadly dull set when the drama started filming last year.
History wasn’t kind the Emperor Yongzheng who won the throne after a heated and bloody behind-the-scenes scuffle with his brothers, and he was also sandwiched between the two longest ruling and most well-remembered emperors in Qing history, his father Emperor Kangxi and his son who would become Emperor Qianlong. But Tong Hua managed to fictionalize the life of Emperor Yongzheng to include a soulcrushing love story for the ages, so much so that the mere thought of the BBJX ending turns on my tear ducts automatically.
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I'm going to consider this drama my late B-Day present ;)
ThanYou Mz Goddess <3
This drama hasn't been release yet? It feels like waiting for elephant to give birth. I will wait for koalas recap before watching it. Her recommendation for bu bu Xiang Xiang was my first chinese drama. I loved it. I tried to watch chinese and Taiwan since then and they have all proved to be unwatchable. So unless koala say watch I am not touching this with a 10 foot pole. Lol
In Time With You and In a Good Way are unwatchable to you?
I did not watch in time with you, but I tried in a good a good way and I could not do it. Everybody sound like they are too far from the mic or something, and sometimes I hear echos. I can't focus on the acting if the sound is driving me batty, so I quit. Bu bu did not have any of those sound issues. Everything in the production from cinematography, to editing to sound was well done, so watching the actors act was a breeze.
My Queen, Office Girls, too!
I agree on the sound, though. But you can get used to it.
You know the drama that is even slower than an elephant giving birh?
Da Mo Yao.
'nough said.
Yes. Could somebody puhleaaasee release Da Mo Yao already?! Been watching the trailer for the gazillion times. God just set it free.
The mere mention of this drama brings me endless pain! This is the first time and probably the last time I will spend 2 years waiting for a drama to be aired. For the love of god, it needs to be aired LIKE NOW.
Will watch BBJQ while waiting...but i seriously hope this drama doesn't ruin the excellent work BBJX did. BBJX is one of my favourite dramas ever.
BBJX still brings tears to my eyes whenever I think of her dying without the 4th Prince seeing her again.
That novel or drama...
Kangxi, Yutan! Tenth Prince and Ruolan! I thought it was only Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu that were back but I'm so glad that there are more of the original cast on here. The icing to the cake would've been if 13th and 14th Princes also returned to BBJQ but alas, I'll take what I can get. Can't get wait to see how it goes. BBJX is my favourite drama so I hope the sequel does its predecessor justice.
I really hope this gets subbed. Thanks for the article.
Waiting, like forever, for this. :)
Plus the theme song is by Mayday! What more can a fangirl ask for?