After translating thirty-eight dense chapters and following the drama progress for over two years, I think I’m done writing about Da Mo Yao. At least done when it comes to having more opinions about the casting, struggle to get on air, and first peeks at the end product. The upcoming C-drama renamed Sound of the Desert is finally arriving on the small screen … Continue reading →
I’ve been thinking about the most wonderful yet thoroughly depressing to read male leads in Tong Hua novels and she’s done a fantastic job of creating many unforgettable such men. 8th Prince got it bad in Bu Bu Jing Xin since he had the girl until the tides of history kicked him in the arse and she left him rather … Continue reading →
The labored production history of the drama adaptation of the Tong Hua romance novel Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert) is best described as potential hot mess meets the boy who cried wolf. The start and stop of when this long completed drama would finally air left me sapped of nearly all interest in it, not to mention I’m … Continue reading →
With the spread of Hallyu so prominent and prevalent across all the Asian countries, especially in Mainland China, it’s nice to see the occasional reverse happening especially with works that I personally love. The C-drama Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling with Each Step), adapted from the popular time-traveling novel of the same name by writer Tong Hua, aired in Korea … Continue reading →
Looks like it’s back to the waiting board for two long finished drama adaptations of Tong Hua novels. It’s been over two years since Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert which is now called Song of the Desert) was filmed and over a year since its sequel Yun Zhong Ge (Song in the Clouds) wrapped production. Both were supposed … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
I’ve written so many recaps I’ve lost count, but to date I’ve only managed to translate one entire Chinese novel from beginning to end, which is a feat I doubt I will ever replicate. It requires time and love, and I’ve had neither these days, and if I did I would finish plugging in the missing chapters in my Yun … Continue reading →
Brother Wolf approves, yes he does. The long drawn out Da Mo Yao–SARFT debacle has finally come to an end. On August 5th, a drama titled The Sun Moon Legend quietly got issued a SARFT permit and eagle-eyed fans recognized it as the plot synopsis of the drama adaptation of Da Mo Yao but with a different title and character … Continue reading →
Some C-dramas finish filming and sit in the vault gathering dust for various reasons. It sucks and can’t find a broadcast network, there’s no money left to finish post-production, the drama can’t clear SARFT approval for whatever reason, anything goes in what feels like the Wild West of television programming in China. The typical wait is between 6 months to … Continue reading →
The drama adaptation of Tong Hua’s Da Mo Yao recently wrapped production after four months of filming, with the cast filming the Chang An scenes first in Heng Dian and then moving to Xiang Shan to film the desert and Xi Yu sequences. At this point I’ve seen all the BTS stills, which are so thoroughly leaked that I’ve pretty … Continue reading →
Well, the most I can say is that at least Tangren found a real pair of pigeons to play Xiao Tao and Xian Cian in the currently filming drama adaptation of Da Mo Yao. Unfortunately Brother Wolf and the desert wolf pack won’t be nearly as realistic, though it won’t be going the CGI route. Just as I expected, a bunch … Continue reading →
If you’ve read Da Mo Yao along with me, then you should all know exactly where this scene is from in the book. Can I just say a “oh hells yeah”, and then give the poor long-suffering GeShi shippers out there a tissue so they can weep tears of joy. The filming for Da Mo Yao continues to chug along, … Continue reading →
I’ve already rendered my initial opinion of Da Mo Yao the drama (miscast, shoddy costuming and wacky set pieces, sure-to-be poor CGI based on Tangren track record). I’m fine being proven wrong, but I doubt that will happen. I’m genuinely not following the filming, except this bit of stunning casting news hit my news feed and I had no choice … Continue reading →