Go Princess Go (2015)

Go Princess Go

Go Princess Go is a web show produce by LeTV based on the novel "The Promotion Record of a Crown Princess" by Xian Xheng (HE).  A contemporary playboy named Zhang Peng is transported into the past into the body of Princess Zhang Peng Peng, whose is having marital problems with her husband crown prince Qi Sheng, after he  is hit in the head when he falls in a pool at a party.

Zhang Tian Ai as Zhang Peng Peng

Go Princess Go in many aspects is a low budget show but despite this in terms of visuals, story, and themes I think it succeeded and the low budget seems to add some charm and having the show not take itself too seriously.  I thought the scenery, the customs, the actors and the music were beautiful.  Even though the show comedic it also dealt with some serious ideas and in a way I have not seen in Asian dramas. It dealt with palace intrigue, jealousy, power, and identity.  

Sheng Yi Lu as Qi Sheng

I thought that the crisis Peng Peng had with her identity was done rather well, though I thought there were things that could level the show into another level of sophistication.  While Peng peng voice of that of a woman there were times when we had Zhang Peng's male voice over which allowed us to get a closer look into how the male mind was working in that situation.  I liked Peng Peng slow growth through out the show with the relationships she had.  She first just lusts after Lu li who becomes a good friend, her  friendship with Jiu Wang and Yang Yan and finally actually with herself where she grew to actually care, respect and take herself seriously as she did others. 

Alan Yu as Jiu Wang 

Many people did not seem to like Peng Peng and Qi Sheng as couple as much as the other relationships. They usually point out that Qi Sheng tried to assassinate Peng Peng.  While Qi Sheng was not initially in love with Peng Peng and was cheating on her from what I saw in the show, I don't believe Qi Sheng was the one that sent the escort to kill Peng Peng. I thought this especially during the guy's interrogation and then what Jiu Wang reported later.  To me it just did not fit or make sense especially when we actually learn more about everyone's character.  

Peng Peng internal conflict falling for Qi Sheng was quite interesting. It begs the questions is love and sexual preference dictated by the mind or the body? How do the mind and body effect each other? Peng Peng for example did not really care about having her child but then grew to love and want to protect it at all cause.  So how much did the different chemical levels effect Zhang Peng being in Peng Peng's body?  

All the characters were interesting to some level each with their weaknesses and shortcomings. 

What I also loved about the show were the songs.  

The part of the show I was disappointed most with was the ending.  There three endings and for me the ending where Zhang Peng wakes up and is searching for Qi Sheng and runs into the Yi Sheng who looked like Qi Sheng and seems to be him because of the flashback made the most sense to me and allowed room for a continuation.  I read that there was a lot of controversy in China because of the theme and the allusion to maybe a same sex relationship. If this ending was tweaked a little there would have been an interesting ending.  If there had made Zhang Peng in the beginning be the actor Sheng Yi Lu and then have the doctor at the end be Zhang Tian Ai, it would have brought the whole thing in a full circle.

The ending I disliked the most was the last one where they had it that the cast were actors and the who story was fiction (though in reality it is) but that was a complete slap in the face.  For me it took away all the meaning and growth that the characters went through.  Though it was technically a happy ending, I disliked it.  

Wu Xin: The Monster Killer (2015)

Wu Xin: The Monster Killer

Despite his immortality, Wu Xin is condemned to wander the earth purposeless and penniless. In an act of kindness, Yue Ya shares her last bit of food with him, who returns the favor with a strange form of gratitude: killing monsters.

Elvis Han as Wu Xin

I don't quite remember how I cam across Wu Xin, but I am very glad I did. I really liked this show as I watched it, sometimes I watched episode after episode. I thought the show balanced the comedy, drama, action and fantasy. Though at times I though some of the graphics were cheesy but that also added to the fun and charm of the show. The relationships in the show was another point that I thought was done very well. 

Gina Jin as Li Yue Ya

I think my favorite relationship in the show was that of Wu Xin, Yue Ya and Lord Gu.  Though they often argue they were always there for one another whenever they were in trouble. Which shows how much their cared for each other.


I liked Wu Xin he was smart, caring, loyal, fierce, funny and good looking. I also liked Yue Ya, she was caring and kind hearted but stood up for what she believed in and protected those she loved to the best of her abilities. Lord Gu was funny but was an over all balanced person.  I thought his acting might become annoying but he had charm and you never questioned that the actor was that character.  

Ian Wang as Xuan Wu Gu

Yue Qi Lou was our main villain. There was a juxtaposition between her physical appearance and actual character.  She looked innocent and cute but was really mean.  I felt that at times the show wanted to make you feel bad for her but when you actually you the whole story and what she had done, I did not feel story for her.  

There are somethings in the show that I wondered about and some I did not like. 
I thought there would be a more diverse amount of villains that Wu Xin would encounter and deal with, at least that is what I assumed from the title. Yue Qi Lou was a difficult villain to deal with, but I didn't believe she was the ultimate villain.  

Sabrina Chen Yue Qi Lou

Another thing I didn't like was the sexism particularly from Lord Gu since he was a part of Wu Xin.  I do understand that it has to do with the time period and the fact that there are people like Lord Gu, even today.  But since he was a good person and the problems it created seemed unnecessary.  This got me not to like Lord Gu as much as I would have, though everyone have their faults. 

The thing I was really hoping for and disappointed we didn't get was Wu Xin's origins.  We learned a little about his immortality from his regeneration, powers and friends. But there was so many more questions such as why was he immortal, where did he get his powers, why did he have to sleep those years, why did he forget certain things but remembered he was immortal and his friends.


The last thing was the ending. 

Spoilers:

I don't understand why the cat demon threw away the ring and picture of Wu Xin and Yue Ya, though I understand the need to save the ones you love from pain.  Why did Wu Xin not keep the ring on? He was being protected while he slept so he could not have lost it.  The last scene was quite hurtful and I did not understand the point.  Why was Wu Xin staring that those pair of earrings the way he did, if he didn't remember.  You don't do that unless he holds meaning or you like it. Wu Xin doesn't seem the time to wear jewelry.  Also why have Lord Gu see him and chase after him only to have him left disappoint, be reminded of his friends.  Plus towards the end of the scene Wu Xin stopped and turned around as if he had heard but continued on.  This seemed cruel to me because it seemed like Lord Gu had started move on but now he saw Wu Xin again.  

Cuo/Xi Dian Yuan Yang (2012)

Cuo/Xi Dian Yuan Yang

Su Huan Er got a bad feeling when Shi Wu Ji agreed to marry to her. He, his two brothers and his sister hated her father with a passion. But if they thought they can torture her to settle bad blood, they got another think coming. Shi Wu Hen was only a stand-in groom at the wedding, yet he was charmed by the new bride's cheery disposition and unbeatable optimism. This created a problem because she was his brother's wife, not his. So when his brother's long lost betrothed fiancée, Liang Yu Shi, showed up at their door, he stepped in to honor the families' agreement. What he thought was a marriage of obligation turned into a heartbreaking love affair in which he was willing to risk his family's lives to save hers. Shi Wu Jie was the youngest and the most passionate of the three brothers. When he met Qin Qiu Yu, it was love at first sight. His family, however, strongly opposed to their relationship because she was a courtesan unworthy of his station. He, in turn, decided to follow her to end of earth than to leave her. Shi Wu Xia only had eyes for Leng Gang. She didn't care that he was a servant's son. Yet, the difference in their social status was a gulf he was unwilling and unable to cross.

She recruited the unconventional Su Huan Er to help change Leng Gang's thinking. 

Qi Ji as Shi Wu Ji 

This drama focuses on the romances of the four Shi siblings of Ao Long Bao as they try to avenge the death of their parents twenties before.  The first part of the drama focus on the relationships of two of the siblings. Shi Wu Ji, the eldest sibling and Su Huan Er and Shi Wu Xia, the only girl of the siblings  and Leng Gang. As well of the relationship, the show also focuses on investigating who they believe to be responsible for the death of their parents and how they plan to get revenge. 

 Zhao Li Ying as Su Huan Er 

The second part of the show focus more on the relationships of the two other brothers. Shi Wu Hen, the second brother and Liang Yu Shi, a girl who has been living as a boy and is a constable. The other couple is the third brother, Shi Wu Jie and a courtesan Qin Qiu Yu. This part of the show also focuses on who the true mastermind behind their parents death was and the business rivalries they have with another business man named Mu Rong.

Han Dong as Shi Wu Hen

I think my favorite relationships to watch were that of Shi Wu Ji/Su Huan Er and Shi Wu Hen/ Liang Yu Shi.  Both their relationship had romance but also difficulties that they had to go through and grow as people and a couple. 

Zhou Fang as Liang Yu shi

I liked this show. It had comedy, drama, some mystery and romances that were not overly cheesy or too dramatic for the kind of story it was.  The story was good and make want to keep watching it.

Nine: Nine Time Travels (2013)

Nine: Nine Time Travels

Nine: Nine Time Travels is a Korean television series from 2013. An anchorman, Park Sun Woo, one day stumbles upon 9 magical incenses, each with the ability to send him to the past. With the help of the incense Park Sun Woo travels to the past trying to remain a family tragedy that has haunted him all his life. 

Lee Jin Wook as Park Sun Woo

I really liked Nine: Nine Times Travels.   It had a very interesting concept that was intelligent and kept the story moving forward full of suspense.  They build a concept around the story and never strayed from what the focus of the story was.  Not no point did the writers, and producers find themselves in a hard position in the story and decided to just get the characters out in a way that was not plausible or fit in with the world they had constructed and that was great.

Jo Yoon Hee as Joo Min Young

What I also like were the characters. I could feel and understand the pain and dilemma they were going through.  I was constantly rooting for Park Sun Woo at every turn.

Joo Min Young was fun and I could see why Park Sun Woo loved her and how she fit as part of the story.

Though I really liked the show and followed it all the way to the end. The last couple of minutes were confusing to me.  The current timeline's Park Sun Woo remembers the one that came from the future and saved him when Min Young-ssi reminds him.  He then takes a plane to Nepal, where Min Young-ssi is on assignment and is older brother had also gone.  This brings us make to the events of the beginning of the series when his brother died in the mountain and goes to recover his body and finds the first of the magical incense. The last scene of the series is Park Jung Woo in the mountain with the blizzard that killed holding the incense stick and when he looks up Park Sun Woo is there and offers him a hand. Except this Park Sun Woo is old, much older than his older brother.  That made me think that the Park Sun Woo who went to the past to save his younger self did not end up dying in the phone booth crash. Somehow he survived and has been living up until this point.  I don't think the current Park Sun Woo who was on the plane went back to the past to save him because he never gets the first incense because his brother doesn't die. Also how would it work if two Park Sun Woo of the same age were in the same time?

Long rant, but the show was great just a little confused with the end.

Would recommend this show and if I get the chance I will wash it again.

Lan Ling Wang (2013)

Lan Ling Wang

A prophecy foretold that victory goes to the one who has the priestess blessing. Yang Xue Wu, the last priestess of her clan, unwittingly embroiled in a war between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. Although she foresees a tragic fate for the Prince of Lan Ling, the military general of Northern Qi, she nonetheless falls in love with him and helps him win the war against Yuwen Yong, the Emperor of Northern Zhou. However, her action only brings him closer to his fate. As his standing among his people grows, so does the murderous jealousy in Crown prince’s heart. Can she protect him when it’s family who wants him dead?

The prince Lan Ling, Gao Changgong, is said to be one of the four most handsome men in ancient Chinese history. Lan Ling Wang, was general during the Northern Qi dynasty and was known for this bravery and kindness. Lan Ling Wang lead his soldiers through many battles but always wore a fearsome mask to hide his beauty.

I had been listening to "Hearts of Palms" by Ding Della without knowing that it was attached to anything until I saw the video and recognized Ariel Lin from the show Seventh Fairy from Wonderland (that show's title is a bit...), Legend of the Condor Heroes also with Hu Ge and It Started with a Kiss I and II. Despite this it took a while for me to start the show. 

William Feng as Gao Changong, Lan Ling Wang

Lan Ling Wang also called "The beautiful God of War" is a great general who cares and treats everyone with kindness, but to fight battles that he hopes is necessary in bringing world peace, he wears a mask that hides his beauty and helps him to face his enemies fearlessly. 

I liked Gao Changgong, I could understand his character but it was also said because you knew that is flaws got him into a lot of trouble though he was always trying to help people and be a good person.

Ariel Lin as Yang Xue Wu

Yang Xue Wu is a young girl, who is the last of a line of female seers they call Heavenly Maiden.  Yang Xue Wu has lived her life hidden away in village on White Mountain until the day she meets Lan Ling Wang.  I liked Yang Xue Wu, she was smart, innocent and naive, always trying to help, but never went against what she believed in even if her life was in danger. Yet another of Ariel Lin's character that I liked. I think she is a very good actress. 

Daniel Chan as Yuwen Yong

Yuwen Yong is the young Emperor of Northern Zhou, who is intelligent and wise but is under the control of another. Things begin to change when he becomes trapped in Northern Qi and has a chance encounter with Yang Xue Wu.  Yuwen Yong changes through out the show but is always such a ruthless person if you dare try to cross him.  It was such a feeling just a imaging what a great team him and Lan Ling Wang could make if the situation was different. 

Nikita Mao as Zheng'er

Zheng'er was a character that I initially felt sorry for how the Queen and the Astrologer had used her. However, after a point she had just turned evil. Though, I feel that the actress did a good job, because even after she had done some horrible things and looked as if she might be remorseful, you started to maybe think differently of her. 

This show was very good. It had a good story and focused on characters and what were compelling about them.  It also had a good pace, I did not really get bored or stopped watching when I didn't have too. I also really liked the songs. 

One of the best part of the show for me were the relationships. Particularly between Lan Ling Wang and Yang Xue Wu.  It was fun and interesting watching them together, their interaction, their separation, then reunion.  I also liked that they had well done and real scenes of affection.  It was fun watching the Lan Ling Wang group together, especially when they got together to tease him.

 Though it was a very good show, there are things for me that stopped it becoming great. There were some tiny things, but I think the main thing that annoyed me was a little bit in how the world was constructed and some of the logic that was followed.  When the world is established magic or supernatural power is shown to be a real part of the world of Lan Ling Wang.  The village, the bird and the grandmother, not only is magic real but people believe in it. They even made a huge deal out of the prophesy about what would happen to Lan Ling Wang. That is why I don't understand why they detoured from it. Yang Xue Wu is a very smart and clever girl there is no taking that from her, but it was just too convenient and incredible some of the things she could come up with. When she goes to Lan Ling Wang's manor and she sees that old woman that was suppose to be the old nanny, I thought they would explain by saying that because Xue Wu's grandmother did not teach her how to be a seer then her powers manifested itself in other ways. Which is why she was able to come up with filtering water and prosthetic. But then that was shown to be false.  I could completely understand the fireworks, because at the beginning she is experimenting with it and the growing of crops, she learned from her books and studies.  But coming up with how to filter water by just seeing water dripping in a cave is a bit of a stretch.   So they either should have continued with the world having some magic or just have there be no magic and the title Heavenly Maiden is given to her by the people because of how she came to their aid. 

Bu Bu Jing Xin

Bu Bu Jing Xin 

Bu Bu Jing Xi (Startling by each step or Scarlet heart) is a ancient Chinese television series adapted from the novel by Tang Hua.  Zhang Xiao, suffers a near fatal accident that sends her back in time to the Qing dynasty during the rule of Emperor Kangxi.  She finds herself trapped in the body of the younger daughter of a Manchu general, Ma'ertai Rouxi.

I have not seen many ancient series that are more drama, although I did see Palace: Lock Heart. Palace is more about a modern girl who travels back and her love with the 8th prince.  I think what I liked most about Bu Bu Jing Xi was the production value.  They costume looked amazing, the setting was also well then and the acting over all was well done.  Other than That I felt like it was just another drama with a love story that had been well created but was not all that especially.  That is just my take but a lot of people love Bu Bu Jing Xi and the central romance.  For my I had some issues and I think because of those and probably just not the type of story for me.

Zhang Xiao is our main character and is suppose to be from the 21st century and travels back in time because of the accident to the Qing dynasty.  A lot of other people keep referring to Ma'ertai Rouxi as a past incarnation and/or avatar of Zhang Xiao.  I am not sure if this was part of the novel but really nothing in the series tells you this, you just assume it because Zhang Xiao ends up in Ma'ertai Rouxi's body.
One thing about this was that we only got one scene of Zhang Xiao from the 21st century and her mentioning, ice cream, democracy and knowing the history of the princes. Other than that we know very little about Zhang Xiao and who she is. The same goes with Ma'ertai Rouxi, we know almost nothing about the type of person she was.  So for me I questioned why there was need for time travel.  Ma'ertai Rouxi was already a more independent girl and grew up a bit differently because she was raised near military camps, her father being a general.

One theme that developed that I found interesting and was liking was the idea of fate and how people did not have any control in what happened to them and the lives
they lived.  This was a especially true and illustrated with the character of Roulan. Roulan is Rouxi's older sister and is now married to the 8th prince.  Roulan was in love with someone else but being a general's daughter. She was forced to get married, even though she marries the prince her lover ends up being killed because the 8th prince was investigating who Roulan was in love with.  Because of her lover's death Roulan miscarries her child.  This to me was a good illustration of people having little control over their fate especially women.  I found this quit compelling especially since it started to show that not only women and the poor were subject to their fate being controlled by someone else but also the princes, who were more powerful were at the mercy of it.  All it took was one word from the Emperor and someone life would be changed.  This was illustrated with the 10th prince when he was forced to marry someone he had little in common with and did not like.

Another thing I like was what Rouxi had decided when she gave the 8th price the choice.  She didn't want to have to compete for her lover affection with another woman.  This played well with the accident scene because she was upset, and suspected her boyfriend of cheating on her with another woman.  The other part was completely her right that she didn't want to be with him since she knew he would end up losing and they would not live a long life together.


Things that made me grow frustrated and lose sympathy with Rouxi was when she would say she didn't want to be part of the politics but always got involved. There were times when she had only a certain opportunity to leave the palace and not be involved. However she did not take it .  I understand that she did not want to marry in name only, but she had no other methods.  Plus that is exactly what she ends up doing in the end.

 Rouxi also gets involved with the 4th prince though she was very well aware that he had a wive, which goes against her own stated criteria that she didn't want to compete with another woman.  From the beginning she knew 4th prince would win the throne but there was not only two option left to her.  Be romantic towards him or be his enemy. I say this because from when she first enters the palace, the 4th prince was already sending her gifts, which she accepted.  By accepting the gifts she was accepting whatever feeling he was sending her though at the time it may not have been the love they later have. But what else could the gifts mean if not something somewhat romantic, since she was a maid and he was a prince. He or any other prince were sending those kind of gifts to other maids.  Rouxi in return was always very attentive towards him. She could have chosen not to be in his radar at all.

Another thing was how the Emperor though powerful was just a man like anyone else.
No matter what 8th prince did the Emperor was suspicious and biased towards him. He had this feeling that the 8th prince should be grateful that he was a prince at all and just do whatever he was told to do.  Even Rouxi said that 4th was master at pretending he didn't want anything and was secretive and patient with his plans.

This bring me to another thing I couldn't quite go along with. When the 8th Prince sent the Emperor the falcon. The 4th Prince intercepted and had it killed and Rouxi seemed to be pleased with his maneuver ever though the attendant who had done this and his family were killed because of it. It seemed that excuses were always found for the 4th Prince actions but he always had a choice in what actions he took and was well aware of it. At times unlike the 8th Prince he never wanted to admit or learn from his mistakes.

The biggest thing for me was really what the story was about. I guess, I had an expectation when the show began that it was a story about the reason why Zhang Xiao ended up in the past and what that experience would teach her. No only that but what was the connotation of the title.   Zhang Xiao ended up in the past because she jumped to conclusion, was angry and took actions that place others and herself in danger. I thought the point of her living in the past was to learn how approaching things with caution had it's benefit and how she would become a better Zhang Xiao because of it. When Rouxi broke up with the 8th Prince she had requirements that completely made sense and were valid but these seemed to go out the window as she got involved with the 4th Prince.  When she returns to the present she is in a way Rouxi, so how is what she went through to help her now when all she wants is to be back in the past and be with someone who is long dead and she could not be with when she was in the past.

I ended up not finishing the show.

Liar Game (Korean Drama 2014)

Liar Game 

Nam Da-jung is an innocent college student who passes a hidden camera audition and is invited to join the reality show Liar Game, a psychological survival game wherein participants trick each other and the one who ultimately succeeds wins the prize money of ₩10 billion (US$9.3 million). Tempted with the chance to pay off her debts, Da-jung joins the game and gets conned out of the initial money given to her. In desperation, she asks genius ex-con swindler and former psychology professor Ha Woo-jin to help her win the game.

This series is a Korean production adapted from the Japanese "Liar Game" by Shinobu Kaitani. I went into this series having just finished the first two seasons of the Japanese version. I had not seen any of trailers for the show, so I was not sure what to expect.  Unlike the manga, the show starts of with our genius ex-con Akiyama realized here as Ha Woo-jin teaching at a university.  Then we go on to our main female character and how she gets roped into the Liar game.

I really liked this series. I think the team that created the show did a great show at bringing the soul and feel of the characters in the manga but had them naturally inhabit this world that was shown to us in Seoul. I felt that the characters were realized incredible well. 

Lee San-yoon as Ha Woo-jin

Ha Woo-jin to me is very much Akiyama though Ha Woo-jin does seem a lot more mature in age compared to the manga character.  You got to know the character, what drove him and even his weaknesses. One thing that I had not liked about the Japanese version was that Akiyama was shown as if nothing moved him and had no flaws.  Though Akiyama is a genius, he is always the most social or diplomatic person which is why Nam Da-jung had a role. She could interact with people with a lot more ease and we see in a number of situations that Ha Woo-jin had to relay on her to gather people for their team.  Another thing I observed from the manga was that at times Akiyama was a somewhat defensive player, he would seat back a watch the game unfold before he made a move and this at times became very dangerous because his adversaries always took the initiative. 

Sin Seong-rok as Kang Do-young

Kang Do-young was just a menacing adversary. He too was greatly realized and not just as Yokoya Norihiko but a nemesis in this world.  We got a a good sense of his character but were constantly surprised by him. He was a match for Ha Woo-jin and might even be better than him in some ways became he seemed tuned into ways he could manipulate people. I got chills when they revealed that he was part of Walden 2. That just called to mind a certain character from a series called "Monster".

Kim So-eun as Nam Da-jung

Nam Da-jung was also well done, though there were times I felt frustrated by her, but considering the source material that is not a surprise. What I really liked was what the team created as the motivation for Nam Da-jung joining Liar Game and in particular saving her former teacher.  That motivation, I think was very compelling and that everyone could relate to. 

I thought Jamie was a great character and I could see Fukunaga (manga) in her. She was fun, smart and sassy. Jamie, the debt collector Ajussi, and the hacker were some of the side character that really rounded things out. 

Liar Game mask

We also got to see what people Ha Woo-jin had relationships with before he got involved with the Liar Game. I thought this was great because in the manga we hear about him mention a friend but that was all. This helped to see how he functioned in the world.  

Another good part about this show was that showed us that the main three characters had a past together, which brought things around to where they were now.  Getting to see the past, we find out more about Ha Woo-jin and his mother.  The reason Ha Woo-jin went to jail was because he went after the people that conned his mother and because of this she took her life.   Also knowing that Kang Do-young blames Ha Woo-jin's mother for what had happened to him in Walden 2, gives more compelling reasons as to why Kang Do-young orchestrated the Liar Game to have Ha Woo-jin involved. 

President game face off

This show also did a great job with the games and how they were realized, though I knew certain endings . It still great watching how it happened.  I liked how they brought things up to 2014, with the reality show, the cell phone and the broadcasting.  Though I suspected Jamie's character when she first appears it was still great to see the reveal.  The aesthetics of the show were also more to my liking. Although we had only two masks and they were gold.  The masks' style, I think were closer to the manga than the Japanese version which were more grotesque.  

I really liked how they changed the of "Is it wrong to be foolish?" to "is it wrong to trust people?" because for me I would yes without must hesitation it is wrong to be foolish. However, it's not wrong to trust people but like message it began to convey was that you have to get to know someone to trust them and trust is earned. Which is why I was a little disappointed at the end with Nam Da-jung, despite everything that she went through she still concluded that trust was based on faith.  I think that doesn't go along with anything that was conveyed, particularly through her relationship with Ha Woo-jin.  Then we were left with a cliffhanger. Liar Game continues. 

That being said I watched the show with subtitles and I can't be sure if the exact meaning of things are as their true meaning and connotation in Korean.

I thought this Liar Game was a great adaption of the manga.  Not only that it was just a good show.

Whether you are familiar with the manga or not I would recommend this show.