There is a very pithy saying that the readers of Tong Hua novels have coined and it kills me each time to hear it repeated. “There was Xiang Liu in ancient times of gods and demons, he was reincarnated into Meng Jiu in historical times, only to end up as Lu Li Cheng in modern day.” I’ve read all three novels from whence these males leads came, and I can tell you the tears they be a-flowing from Lost You Forever to Da Mo Yao to Secrets Hidden in Time. I translated Da Mo Yao and the first time around I was majorly on the Huo Qu Bing ship but the second full read made me appreciate Meng Jiu more. The long-in-the-works drama adaptation languished because of the way SARFT viewed the story as tinkering with real life historical figure General Huo Qu Bing, an issue that many C-readers seemed to get their panties in a wad over but I could never figure out why.
DMY is a frothy romance novel, it was never meant to be historically accurate and of all the famous historical figures in China’s four thousand years of written history Huo Qu Bing doesn’t even crack the top-whatever. The drama title was changed from Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert) to Xing Yue Chuan Qi (Legend of the Sun and the Moon), though thankfully the English title has been retained as Song of the Desert. There is now talk of the drama finally getting an air date for this June and this talk is bolstered by the production company releasing a gorgeous glossy official MV for the drama theme song. It’s called “White Hair Lament” by Della Ding, a mournful song that I like the opening verse way better than the draggy chorus. Overall it’s a decent tune but all signs in the MV point to Hu Ge’s Meng Jiu owning the drama heart and soul. All the character names have been changed so Liu Shi Shi‘s Jin Yu will be called Xing Yue, Eddie Peng‘s Huo Qu Bing is now Wei Wu Ji, and Hu Ge’s Meng Jiu (aka Meng Xi Mo) is called Mo Xun.
I think Shi Shi looks cuter in character than I thought she would even sporting the very dowdy Han dynasty hairstyle. Her wolf girl looks like a tattered hobo that somehow matches. Hu Ge looks older as Jiu Ye but it amplifies his quiet aura and gives such sad depth to his character’s understated sorrow. I’ve made no secret of my utter horror over Eddie being cast as Huo Qu Bing, he’s a good actor but looks-wise he’s all wrong for the role. Plus Eddie’s massive chin just does not look good in historical garb with his hair pulled back and tied up. I’ve pretty much decided to switch ships for my drama viewing experience.
Official Theme Song MV for Song of the Desert – Della Ding’s “White Hair Lament”:
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OMG! we finally get to see big foot in the wild.
I thought that drama was a fairy tale. let see what happens in June.
I don't really like the opening song, there's something about Della's voice it sounds, meh I have no idea how to explain it but it doesn't suit the drama. Either way I really hope this picks up because my exams finish then too
I was so shocked myself I love the song and actually think Della's voice is seeping a melancholy after all the tears have dried. I love the words, I love the arrangement. But knowing TR, this could be the best thing out of this.
It's so poetic, the song. I love the first eight verses the most.
皑如山上雪 皎若云间月
闻君有两意 故来相决绝
今日斗酒会 明日沟水头
躞蹀御沟上 沟水东西流
I get you. I used to like Della because of the theme song in Autumn Concerto but I just feel that her voice is too 'modern' for ancient dramas.
I am against it myself because TongHua the author making impudent claims her fiction is truer than every historian that has written historical records of that period and the figures involved, she is delusion as in not seeing what her work is really...a frothy romance and seeing herself and her creation much bigger than what it is. She rubbed me wrong in everything she said about DMY, I am more than happy this won't see the daylight of it.
But now that they have did what they can to change names and not be so blatantly using historical figures, do whatever they want with it.
Wow, if Tong Hua had actually said that, then my esteem for her has lessened =S
----
I wonder why China was so adamant against the airing of this production?Did it concern how HQB was written? I can see how the Chinese would be offended-- that a prominent military hero would forsake his duties to his country for the love of a mere woman.
Because Chinese government don't like it when film-makers reimagine history in their works even though it's just fiction. They are so determined to protect the sanctity of historical accuracy that they decided to interfere with artists' creative process numerous times. If I remember correctly, time travel dramas are no longer allowed to be broadcast because they fear that the young generation believe the fictional interpretation of history over the real history. That's why Bu bu Jingqing was cut mercilessly and was banned from mentioning anything related to Bu Bu Jing Xin because of this time travel factor. It's a similar case for DMY. It involves the reimagination of a real historical character and the authority don't like it. It's so stupid but that's Chinese censorship for you.
yup, you got the point exactly. Under the hashtag of #禁播大漠谣 everything is there to be read what TH has said herself in interviews and even her epilogue in the novel. It is as though we all know what DMY is exactly but her stance is this as some brilliant reinterpretation of history. In that regard I respect her as much as YuZheng, who would make all darnest claims just to sell their commodities.
I love the song and have been listening to it repeatedly. I having been waiting for this drama for so long and SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
Thank you for sharing this news and for the link to the MV. I think it was from the very first time you shared the trailer on this upcoming drama, that I decided to root for the Jin Yu-Meng Jiu ship. Don't know why and I did not even notice Eddie's chin then, but Hu Ge's acting in that trailer just grabbed me. This new MV further solidify my support of that ship. :-) By chance, will you be recapping this drama?
Can't wait for this drama to be released. Have been waiting for days and years T__T Anyway ms koalas I have always found Eddie to be handsome but ya right, his face is not suitable for modern outfit. D: I have read another novel of Tong Hua and I feel that it is underrated. It's called 那些回不去的年少时光. Have anyone read it before?
Me! I like that book v much! It was too bad the ending is like most of her other books although I must say it works in this context. Afterall, how many childhood romances last till adulthood? But the last epilogue feels a little strange - the tone was a little like fan-service to give the readers a little hope that something could come out of her childhood friend.
I guess it's the best she can do when the ending is not a happy one. I find it even more sad that they actually met up in the end. Because it shows how they have changed and all. If you have read Cong Cong Na Nian (That Year, Time Flew), the ending is somewhat like that too. :(
Always here for Hu Ge to steal the world...
My Ariel and Hu Ge love has survived multiple fantasy dramas to include Ariel's terrible dubber and Hu Ge's idiot hero
thank you for sharing! it airs in june which is next month? isnt that the same time as yun zhong ge
thanks for sharing
i so love the song!