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walkwithheroesI haven't forgotten about my Top Ten Underrated Asian Dramas list. To prove that I bring a new number to the list.
In order to come up with the list, I looked at several factors: the ratings in their original country, how often they are rec'ed to people in forums and on journals, and how many people were talking about them on journals, forums, etc as they aired. Number Ten was the Japanese ensemble drama Love Shuffle. Number Nine was the Korean drama Happy Together.
Number Eight is Young Warriors of the Yang Clan, a forty-three episode drama that aired in 2006.
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!!
Drama Name: Young Warriors of the Yang Clan
Country: China
Air Dates: 2006-Oct-06 to 2006-Dec-04
Summary: This drama focuses on the earlier days of the legendary Yang Clan when most of them were not yet soldiers. It tells of how their parents, their enemies, and the women they loved shaped their characters, influenced their lives, and motivated them to become the patriotic warriors their clan is revered for. - dramawiki
Cast: The show boost a very long (and talented)cast list. Among them:
Weng Jia Ming (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008); Amy Chan (Yi Bei Tian Xia); Peter Ho (Men and Legends, Summer Desires); Hu Ge (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008, The Myth); Eddie Peng (Chinese Paladin, Hear Me); Chen Long (The Patriotic Knights); Yuan Hong (Chinese Paladin 3; Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008); Liu Shi Shi (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008, Chinese Paladin 3); Liu Xiao Jie (Cang Hai Ying Xiong, Chinese Paladin 3); Lin Jia Yu (The Moon Also Rises); Wei Xiao Jun (Mei Gui Jiang Hu)
Writer: Wang Li Zhi and Zhang Mian - based on novels and plays about the Generals of the Yang family. Info can be found here
Director: Li Guo Li (Chinese Paladin, Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008)
Why It’s Underrated : I think when many people think of period dramas, they think of wuxias and things like Legend of the Condor Heroes and other works based on Jin Yong novels. They expect to see people jumping onto trees and going on long quest across the whole of ancient China. They don't expect to see bloody battles and realistic kung fu moves. That's what you get with this series.
Another this is this: it is brought to you by a lot of the same people who did Chinese Paladin, so many viewers thought it would be move 'video game-ish' in the way the story was told - more light hearted then it was. There is a lot of political and military storylines within this drama, and I don't think people were ready for that after watching CP.
Lastly, I have to point out that when I mention this series, many think it's a direct remake of Warriors of the Yang Clan from 2004. Actually, when I first mentioned this series, someone thought I was talking about Warriors. Those that know they are two different shows often think that Young Warriors will be an "Idol" piece, since so many young actors were involved in it.
Why You Should Watch It: The cinematography is breathtaking. Those battle scenes are just beautiful. The storylines are wonderful - it's a family drama, four romantic dramas, a war drama, a political drama, and a period drama all in one. The chemistry between all the cast is awesome - I can see why they are all often cast in the same dramas. I also have to say this: it balances the humor, the romance, the warmth of family, and the darkness of war really well.
Plus, for the romantics out there: there is an OTP for every type of person.
Favorite Scenes: SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!!
1) Seventh Brother's final battle. He's grown from a puppy!dork to a man. I love that he holds a piece of his wife's wedding's dress throughout the battle and its still in his hand at the end.
2) Pretty much anytime brothers 4 thru 7 tried to use Eighth Sister as an excuse to spend time with their OTP. The old "Oh, she wanted to see you. I didn't want her coming alone, so. . .you want to go do something?"
3) Toward the end, Peter Ho's character stops, like he senses something familiar near - it's his OTP!
4) That finale battle with all the brothers. . .so so heartbreaking and yet beautifully shot.
My score - 9/10. It's almost a perfect drama. There are a few flaws, but it's really one of the best period pieces I've seen. I'd say it's the best non-wuxia drama to come out of China in ages. I adore it to bits. The casting, the direction, the scripts - all fit together like puzzle pieces to make a memorable story of family, love, and war.
In order to come up with the list, I looked at several factors: the ratings in their original country, how often they are rec'ed to people in forums and on journals, and how many people were talking about them on journals, forums, etc as they aired. Number Ten was the Japanese ensemble drama Love Shuffle. Number Nine was the Korean drama Happy Together.
Number Eight is Young Warriors of the Yang Clan, a forty-three episode drama that aired in 2006.
WARNING: SPOILERS!!!!
Drama Name: Young Warriors of the Yang Clan
Country: China
Air Dates: 2006-Oct-06 to 2006-Dec-04
Summary: This drama focuses on the earlier days of the legendary Yang Clan when most of them were not yet soldiers. It tells of how their parents, their enemies, and the women they loved shaped their characters, influenced their lives, and motivated them to become the patriotic warriors their clan is revered for. - dramawiki
Cast: The show boost a very long (and talented)cast list. Among them:
Weng Jia Ming (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008); Amy Chan (Yi Bei Tian Xia); Peter Ho (Men and Legends, Summer Desires); Hu Ge (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008, The Myth); Eddie Peng (Chinese Paladin, Hear Me); Chen Long (The Patriotic Knights); Yuan Hong (Chinese Paladin 3; Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008); Liu Shi Shi (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008, Chinese Paladin 3); Liu Xiao Jie (Cang Hai Ying Xiong, Chinese Paladin 3); Lin Jia Yu (The Moon Also Rises); Wei Xiao Jun (Mei Gui Jiang Hu)
Writer: Wang Li Zhi and Zhang Mian - based on novels and plays about the Generals of the Yang family. Info can be found here
Director: Li Guo Li (Chinese Paladin, Legend of the Condor Heroes 2008)
Why It’s Underrated : I think when many people think of period dramas, they think of wuxias and things like Legend of the Condor Heroes and other works based on Jin Yong novels. They expect to see people jumping onto trees and going on long quest across the whole of ancient China. They don't expect to see bloody battles and realistic kung fu moves. That's what you get with this series.
Another this is this: it is brought to you by a lot of the same people who did Chinese Paladin, so many viewers thought it would be move 'video game-ish' in the way the story was told - more light hearted then it was. There is a lot of political and military storylines within this drama, and I don't think people were ready for that after watching CP.
Lastly, I have to point out that when I mention this series, many think it's a direct remake of Warriors of the Yang Clan from 2004. Actually, when I first mentioned this series, someone thought I was talking about Warriors. Those that know they are two different shows often think that Young Warriors will be an "Idol" piece, since so many young actors were involved in it.
Why You Should Watch It: The cinematography is breathtaking. Those battle scenes are just beautiful. The storylines are wonderful - it's a family drama, four romantic dramas, a war drama, a political drama, and a period drama all in one. The chemistry between all the cast is awesome - I can see why they are all often cast in the same dramas. I also have to say this: it balances the humor, the romance, the warmth of family, and the darkness of war really well.
Plus, for the romantics out there: there is an OTP for every type of person.
Favorite Scenes: SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!!
1) Seventh Brother's final battle. He's grown from a puppy!dork to a man. I love that he holds a piece of his wife's wedding's dress throughout the battle and its still in his hand at the end.
2) Pretty much anytime brothers 4 thru 7 tried to use Eighth Sister as an excuse to spend time with their OTP. The old "Oh, she wanted to see you. I didn't want her coming alone, so. . .you want to go do something?"
3) Toward the end, Peter Ho's character stops, like he senses something familiar near - it's his OTP!
4) That finale battle with all the brothers. . .so so heartbreaking and yet beautifully shot.
My score - 9/10. It's almost a perfect drama. There are a few flaws, but it's really one of the best period pieces I've seen. I'd say it's the best non-wuxia drama to come out of China in ages. I adore it to bits. The casting, the direction, the scripts - all fit together like puzzle pieces to make a memorable story of family, love, and war.
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no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:54 am (UTC)That's just evil.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 05:00 am (UTC)Because it's sad and horrible and you may have stopped.
Since when has that stopped me? I made it through The Myth :P
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 05:10 am (UTC)Too true. But, as you said, this was ep 8. And, those two crazy kids had been so dorky up until then.
Anyway, keep going. More awesomeness, humor, and angst awaits!
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 05:05 am (UTC)I am told older wuxias did this frequently.no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 05:13 am (UTC)Is it that long? Time lines in tv world always throw me off. I actually love the way they explain it away: Dad must of had an affair.
I think they do do that a lot in older shows. It seems common in wuxias - for the Hero to meet a woman who looks just like his dead girlfriend/wife.
I've never seen other dramas about the Yang Clan, I wonder if they do the same thing in those? I mean, have 7th Bro's girlfriend die and then introduce a new love interest played by the same actress?
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:38 am (UTC)It is so awesomely epic and helped heal my soul after about 5 eps of it being squashed on.Bro. 7's final fight is probably the most powerful thing i've seen in a cdrama.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:52 am (UTC)Bro. 7's final fight is probably the most powerful thing i've seen in a cdrama.
I agree completely. The way he held onto that piece of dress and kept going was just so powerful. And even when it's all said and done - he's clutching that thing. I loved his last 'dream' before, you know. . .oh, they were so my OTP of the drama despite having the shortest courtship.
no subject
Date: 2010-07-01 04:49 am (UTC)no subject
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