There’s a new C-drama filming based on the adaptation of a very popular fantasy wuxia novel and it’s already getting readers and netizens abuzz with excitement and concern. Excitement over their favorite C-novel getting to the small screen mixed with the usual concern that the casting of iconic characters is all wrong and the plot may be tweaked for the television audiences and ruin the story. I’ve been there before but this time I’m watching from afar since I haven’t yet read the book. Without being personally invested in the characters or the story, I’m actually quite pleased with the casting of Wallace Huo and Zhao Li Ying as the leads for the drama version of Hua Qian Gu. The full novel title is Xian Xia Qi Yuan Zi Hua Qiang Gu 仙侠奇缘之花千骨 (Chivalrous God Destiny of the Flower Thousand Bone), but everyone just calls it Hua Qian Gu which is the name of the leading lady. The story is part fantasy part wuxia, with the leading lady the last descendant of the gods and is trying to make her way in the world now inhabited solely by humans.

Hua Qian Gu learns martial arts under her master Bai Zi Hua who is played by leading man Wallace Huo, and apparently there is angst aplenty as they fall in love but also get separated due to misunderstandings. The drama synopsis submitted to SARFT for approval apparently eliminated all the fantasy elements and made it a political battle story with Hua Qian Gu now an orphaned child of a battle torn country. Novel fans are furious about that as well as some are not pleased with pixie Zhao Li Ying cast as Hua Qian Gu. I adore Zhao Li Ying, she’s the cutest thing ever and manages to be adorable without ever overacting. She’s plucky without being yucky. Her pairing with Wallace rubs me in all the right ways so I’ll let the novel sticklers be mad while I gush over all the pretty drama stills from the currently filming production. An additional treat for me will be cameo roles by the stunning Jiang Xin as the villainess as well as Hu Ge in a small but important appearance. Me likes! Continue reading →