Official First Look Trailer at Brocade Odyssey with Tan Song Yun and Zheng Ye Cheng Showcase Detailed Stunning Design Elements

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• I’ve always been curious why Korean historical dramas aren’t as diverse as Chinese ones. They always feel the same silly romance dramas with fantasy or non fantasy elements. Always a King or Prince fighting for his Kingdom or some consulates palace politics or weird cross dressing. The recent historical Korean drama I thought was different was Knight Flower and to lesser extent River Where The Moon Rises mainly because the female lead was the politically aligned one. I’ve heard that in the past historical dramas had more complexity and intensity but I haven’t seen most of them so I can’t comment much. Nonetheless even those ones I get were rather depressing unlike something like Blossoms in Adversity which was very very interesting, diverse but also bright and joyful. Even Love Like the Galaxy or Wonderland of Love all have such impressive costumes and sets and storytelling that recent Korean historical dramas like. Is it because they don’t like to spend money on creating big sets like the Chinese do? They also don’t invest in costumes or props the same way China does. I’m also tired of Joseon era dramas. The best thing about River Where the Moon Rises for me was the fact it was set in a historical period that want Joseon. Hwarang was horrible and a fake historical drama but the time period again was not Joseon so it was a nice change in terms of costumes and set. It would be nice to see more Korean historical drama focus on diverse issues, be more female led and move away from Joseon.

  • Lol I laughed at hwarang mention. Most of korean saeguk somehow is modern drama plot taken literally to ancient times. I almost had allergic reaction whenever my friend recommends those idol plot saeguk. Btw it seems korea hate doing period other than joseon cause they hate the fact they were chinese vassal

  • The Chinese has budget far surpasses the K-Dramas and even Hollywood for all its dramas.
    Fantasy or historical C-dramas get bigger budget than modern fares.
    So with less money, not only less K-dramas but the length of K-dramas also reduced a lot.

  • Budget is one thing, another reason is Korea doesn't have much to take reference from other than Joseon. Even Goryeo they don't have real historical Goryeo costumes and sets to take reference from. Look at Empress Ki, their costumes are ridiculously inaccurate. It's all part guesswork and part inspiration from their Chinese counterparts.

    • But Empress Ki is Empress of China, she is supposed to dress the part.

      Besides, the quality of that show is ludicrous overall.

    • Their costumes look like they were from other dynasties instead of Yuan. I wish we get more Korean sageuks like Queen Seondeok (Mishil, anyone?)

  • I think for years now international audience have been asking for non Joseon dramas. But like Lilith said they don’t have much to take reference from and I’ve read it’s impossible to recreate the sets from the Three Kingdom era because there isn’t much historical accounts left from those years. They overlap with Chinese culture is also strong and perhaps producers don’t want to risk it incase there is audience backlash. However having said that I doubt even China is very accurate with costumes and sets for their historical dramas neither is Hollywood with Regency era dramas. For that matter Alchemy of Souls was a breath of fresh air because it took endless artistic license and gave us a fun setting. I believe you’re right that there is much scope to explore different genres in historical dramas as long as people realize it’s fiction and doesn’t have to be 100% accurate. It just needs to be fun and interesting. Maybe one day producers will be willing to take that risk.

    • The Chinese "historical" dramas often place in made-up dynasties that are vaguely influenced by real history. This is to get around the censorship issue about misrepresenting history, but also gives them the freedom to really loosen up the patriarchy and give us lots of female generals without a lot of people screaming "it's not historical!!" I also really liked the kdrama, Alchemy of Souls, for having the drama take place in Joseon-ish world that is named, Daeho. If only the writers had done that with Joseon Exorcist.

      I do like that each country have their own specialties. Though I'd love to see a kdrama version of Blossoms in Adversity.

  • Sageuks are filmed in real movie set or places. So they have more Joseon places. They film only the indoor scenes in studios.

    I prefer Korean sageuk than Chinese fantastic drama, everything looks so fake...And I hate dubbing.

    • C-dramaland is suffering from terrible acting, set design and writing issues. They should concentrate on quality over quantity. Shows like Story of Minglan are so rare while at least we get well made K-dramas each year.

  • Remember that Joseon Exorcist drama a couple of years ago? The one that got canceled after airing a couple of episodes because the audience disapproved of the fantasy representation of King Taejong? I think this is one of the reasons. Koreans want to stay close to history, whereas the Chinese have liberty for costume dramas, they can picture any Emperor as they like - their own cryptonite is Republican era dramas, where of course all communists are good, all Kuomintang are evil.

• I wish they didn't use an ai generated backgroung for the poster, it's visual slop.

• I’m looking forward to seeing Zheng Yecheng again. He is a very talented actor and has been so unlucky with quite a few of his shows being shelved or delayed for reasons unrelated to him.
  Hopefully the FL will be strong enough to make this drama a success!

  • Me too! I like Zheng Ye Cheng. 👍

• This damn drama needs to hurry up and aired because I’ve been waiting for this actor.

  • Saaaame! Can't wait for this drama to air!

• From the trailer, i can imagine the 2nd ML's fate. lol. Hope one day, that Ge will get the girl.

• I will always give Tan Songyun's dramas a try, really hope it airs soon!

  • Me too!!! I noticed there seem to be a slight increase in better dramas recently...I may be wrong to feel so. What are your thoughts?

    • I think so too. Although they haven't air, but their trailers look a whole lot more promising. Perhaps the lack of investment money finally awaken the production companies and realise they need to put in actual effort into making good work in order to make profits.

      I'm just sad that there doesn't seem to be anymore news of the historical drama projects - Da Han Fu and Da Tang Fu. People were saying they may have been shelved due to lack of investment.

• I am really looking forward to this drama!! LOve both lead cast.

• Seven Tan!!! She's adorable! Since this drama has clothing theme, I hope there's lots of colorful and wonderful costume for eye candy. And Zheng Ye Cheng is and added bonus!

• Love the trailer and Tan Song-yun never disappoints!