While I was waiting for the Bai Lu and Cheng Lei C-drama The First Jasmine to drop next week, getting in earlier in a surprise is Ashes to Crown (翘楚 Chu Qiao) with Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran. It’s her first big female lead drama role since breaking out with The Glory last year and this looks right up her alley. Wronged woman with smarts and cunning takes her second chance to change her fate in the game of thrones in whatever kingdom she’s in. The previews look intense and I like the poster designs and strong color saturation of the visuals, but genuine don’t know if the two leads will have the requisite chemistry and equals sparring that makes this work. I also realize what Zhou Yi Ran has been for me, he’s the C-drama version of Song Kang where you can tell productions and agencies are trying to make him the next It Boy but his own acting limitations are the ceiling he can’t break (yet).

Ashes to Crown preview: