Chu Liu Xiang
Ken Chu of F4 makes his period drama debut in the highly anticipated wuxia series Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi (”The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang”). Dashing, carefree, and chivalrous swordsman Chu Liu Xiang has previously been portrayed by stars like Adam Cheng, Michael Miu, Ti Lung, and Richie Jen, and this time Ken Chu brings his own unique charisma to the role. In comparison to previous depictions of Chu Liu Xiang, the storied hero walks closer to earth in this drama, painting a more realistic character who feels, falters, and at times fails, but always stays true to his heart and principles. Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi co-stars idol drama heartthrob Kingone Wang (Why Why Love), Mainland starlet Hu Jing, and Hong Kong television star Benny Chan Ho Man (Gods of Honour). Featuring a talented cast, high-caliber special effects, and location shooting in Xinjiang, Yunnan, and Hengdian, Chu Liu Xiang Chuan Qi sets a new high standard for fusion period dramas.

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Also known as Legend of the Condor Heroes.

One of Jin Yong’s most beloved martial arts stories comes to screen again in the highly anticipated new drama The Eagle Shooting Heroes. Having played star-crossed lovers in The Little Fairy, Mainland heartthrob Hu Ge and top Taiwan actress Ariel Lin (It Started with a Kiss) strike pitch-perfect chemistry as the newest generation of stars to take on the classic roles of Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Julian Cheung and Athena Chu, Li Yapeng and Zhou Xun, and most memorably Felix Wong and Barbara Yung are just a few of the big names to have previously headlined this timeless tale about the adventures and romance of a noble, naive swordsman and a petite, clever heroine. The Eagle Shooting Heroes is produced by Lee Kwok Lap, director of the popular trendy period drama Chinese Paladin which first launched leading man Hu Ge to fame.

Forced to flee the Central Kingdom after troops wiped out their village, Guo Jing and his mother settle in the Mongolian grasslands with a tribe led by Genghis Khan. Their quiet life on the steppes is interrupted one day by seven strange masters from the south who have come to take Guo Jing as their pupil. Eighteen years later, Guo Jing (Hu Ge) is now skilled in martial arts, but still every bit as naive and kindhearted as he was as a child. On his masters’ orders, Guo Jing leaves the grasslands for the first time and encounters the cute and crafty Huang Rong (Ariel Lin). Together they embark on an epic adventure of myriad dangers and fateful encounters.

The Eagle Shooting Heroes brings together a star-studded ensemble cast from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong including Yuan Hong (The Young Warriors) as Guo Jing’s cunning sworn brother Yang Kang, Leung Ka Yan as North Beggar Hong Qigong, Elvis Tsui as the power-hungry Ouyang Feng, and Kathy Chau as Yang Kang’s mother Bao Xiruo. The most exciting addition though is probably the casting of acclaimed Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong as eccentric martial arts master Huang Yaoshi.

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Ratings: 2 out of 5

I really don’t like the way the story was very much changed around. The only good thing about this adaptation was casting Hu Ge as Guo Jing. Li Ya Ping’s retarded version ruined what would have been a great effort.

Everything was wrong about this version from Ariel as Huang Rong to Anthony as Huang Yaoshi

What was aceptable was Yang Kang who did a commendable job albiet one that was too favourable towards his character. Ou Yangke is also very good except for the changed script of him falling deeply in love with Mu Nianci and finally killing kimself when she rejected him. Now that’s not the Ou Yangke that I know and expected. Another grouse is the cheap sets that looked as though they were just put up yesterday and ready to be dismantled anytime. Colour depth was another problem as everything looked washout. Oh how I longed for Zhang Ji Zhong’s epic feel of his aaptations.

Aka Lu Ding Ji aka Duke of Deer Mountain.

After winning fans across Asia with his starring turns in The Return of the Condor Heroes and Shanghai Bund, top Mainland actor Huang Xiaoming steps into another classic role in the new period drama Royal Tramp from renowned producer Zhang Jizhong. Based on Jin Yong’s timeless novel, this Qing Dynasty drama revolves around the mischievous, amorous, and sometimes dangerous adventures of accidental revolutionary Wei Xiao Bao. Portraying a character previously made famous by Tony Leung Chiu Wai (The Duke of Mount Deer), Dicky Cheung (The Duke of Mount Deer 2000), and Stephen Chow (Royal Tramp), Huang brings his own natural charm to the role of a young man who grows up in the brothels and bumbles his way into the Forbidden City. Torn between his friendship with the temperamental Qing emperor and fiercely upright Ming insurgents, Wei is thrown into many life-threatening predicaments – but still finds time to woo and marry seven wives along the way!

Hong Kong actor Wallace Chung (The Patriotic Knights) co-stars as Emperor Kangxi, while the seven beauties who compete for Wei Xiao Bao’s affections are embodied by Hong Kong actress Cherrie Ying (Throw Down) and Mainland starlets Ning Jing, Hu Ke, Xiao Li Fei, Shu Chang, Liu Zi, and He Zhuoyan. Royal Tramp also co-stars Elvis Tsui and Tae.

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As war breaks out during the Ming Dynasty, Shaolin monks choose to leave their ascetic life behind to join forces at the frontline and defend their country and people from enemy invasion. Based on true historical events, The Shaolin Warriors is a grand historical kung fu drama starring Hong Kong action legend Sammo Hung. Receiving the full support of the Shaolin Temple while filming, the drama features location shooting at the temple’s famed sights and the participation of real-life Shaolin disciples. A showcase for authentic Chinese martial arts and Japanese kendo, The Shaolin Warriors tells a heroic tale of war, patriotism, and sacrifice. In addition to Sammo Hung, the drama stars Li Man from Curse of the Golden Flower, Sammo Hung’s son Hung Tin Chiu, Cui Lin from Beijing Bicycle, and Singapore actor Christopher Lee.

Starring:
Sammo Hung
Hung Tin Chiu
Cui Peng
Christopher Lee

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Jordan Chan takes center stage in the new period drama Chen Zhen, a follow-up to 2007’s Huo Yuan Jia. Chan reprises his role as titular hero Chen Zhen, a fictional figure that attained iconic status through Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury and was previously portrayed by Donnie Yen in a popular ATV drama. Produced by renowned Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan, Chen Zhen co-stars Mainland starlet Dong Jie (2046) and Hong Kong actor Terence Yin (The Heavenly Kings), as well as Tang Yifei, Norman Tsui, Leung Kar Yan, Liu Zihao, and Chu Yinan. Veteran action director Benz Kong To Hoi (Twins Mission) stays close to Bruce Lee’s fighting style by spurring theatrics and wirework in favor of simple, intense action scenes.

After the passing of master Huo Yuan Jia, Chen Zhen (Jordan Chan) leaves Shanghai and moves to Beiping with Huo’s only son Dongjiao. Keeping his identity a secret, Chen takes on a job at the Fang manor and dedicates himself to raising and teaching Dongjiao, hoping that he can continue in his father’s footsteps. Though Chen wants to stay low, he is forced into action when disputes between the Fang family and their rivals explode to the forefront. With his identity revealed, Chen is pulled back into the conflicts of the time as tensions between the Chinese and Japanese reach a boiling point. On the eve of a Japanese invasion, Chen Zhen must rise to the occasion and lead his people to defend their homeland.

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Starring:

Jordan Chan