XDRAMAsX’s 2017 Drama Review

2017 was a much better year for dramas in general (I’m actually more excited for 2018-2019, as all the movie actors are returning to the small screen), with several shows hitting it out of the park in terms of ratings and/or online popularity.

Web dramas really started to gain traction this year – in fact, I’m marathoning two right now, and each one stands out for various reasons, whether it be high production values or tight storytelling. These online shows have become an outlet for creativity due to the strict censorship rules applied to television dramas, though SARPPFT has decided to nip it in the bud by making web dramas undergo the same rigorous process before premiering online. Hopefully the streaming sites continue to come up with quality fare in the future despite the roadblocks that are being put in place.

WARNING: Long post ahead.

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Review: Once Upon a Time

When designer Lawrence Xu puked rainbow unicorns over Liu Yifei and Yang Yang.

Liu Yifei is pretty much the definition of fairylike for me, and so I was so excited when she announced she’ll be playing a fox immortal in Once Upon a Time三生三世十里桃花.  Unfortunately, even her and Yang Yang’s face could not savage the film’s undeveloped characters, zero chemistry, poor acting, and atrocious aesthetics. 

The film opens as Bai Qian (Liu Yifei), a fox fairy that is 30,000-years-old, runs through the forest like fairies do and then enters a giant jellyfish carriage to attend a wedding.    There we find out that the immortals have terrible taste in fashion, and Bai Qian  finds a wandering child  who speaks like Siri.    Soon we learn that Bai Qian looks just like the child’s mother, and the child’s father is her betrothed (Yang Yang) . What a small world!

It’s hard to criticize this face, but it’s about the only thing going for the film.

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More tears in Once Upon a Time’s new teaser

Liu Yifei and Yang Yang‘s fantasy romance film Once Upon a Time has released a pretty new teaser, and focuses on Bai Qian / Susu and Ye Hua’s heart-wrenching romance. Images of significant locations have also been released – for those familiar with the source novel (or drama adaption), how many can you recognise?

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Once Upon a Time confirms July premiere, releases new teaser

With a drama and a movie version of this story, I’m reminded of the story Two of Everything with the magic pot.

Once Upon a Time, formerly Three Lives Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, has released more posters, a new teaser and confirmed a premiere date of July 21st. Starring Liu Yifei and Yang Yang, fans of these actors can get a better look at the movie version.

More below the cut.

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TLTWTMPB to be released

I’m actually surprised at how well all the backgrounds meld together and don’t look out of place.

Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has been gearing up for its January 30th release date.  Starring Yang Mi, Mark Zhao, Yu Menglong, Ken Chang, Dilraba, Zhang Binbin, and Gao Weiguang, lots more goodies from the promotion avalanche in the last couple weeks.

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TLTWTMPB sets release date

Pretty water-color character posters below.

Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has continued releasing more materials and seems to have set a release date for January 30th.  Starring Yang Mi, Mark Zhao, Yu Menglong, Ken Chang, Dilraba, Zhang Binbin, and Gao Weiguang, nice theme song today for those interested (date at the end).

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Stills and anticipation for TLTWTMPB

I know… I know… some of these stills are kinda old but no use holding onto them when the good stuff might come out soon… and here’s a production video as compensation.

Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has been releasing so much that it has me really hoping this January release projection holds through.  Starring Yang Mi, Mark Zhao, Yu Menglong, Ken Chang, Dilraba, Zhang Binbin, and Gao Weiguang, everybody keep their fingers crossed.

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Super-short teaser for movie version of TLTWTMPB

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A short post for an equally short teaser – here’s the 25 second sneak peek for Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, starring Liu Yifei (Never Gone) and Yang Yang (Love O2O) as deities whose love for each other transcends three lifetimes. The movie is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2017 release.

TLTWTMPB stills and production video

Sooooo much pretty…

Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has released a production video and stills.  Starring Yang Mi, Mark Zhao, Yu Menglong, Ken Chang, Dilraba, Zhang Binbin, and Gao Weiguang, it’s nice to get a look at all the detail put into the sets!

More below the cut.

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