I'm about halfway through the #historical #cdrama Ming Dynasty in 1566 (the drama came out in 2007) and am glad I got round to watching it! Wow, the script is jaw-dropping and acting excellent. The political machinations of the court and officialdom grip you from the start! youtu.be/3vmhx_pH7BY?...

What movie do you consider perfect? A Touch of Zen 俠女, wuxia film directed by King Hu

When I did research on Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang 孝莊皇太后 for my 1st historical novel The Green Phoenix, I became aware of how disproportionately scant the official records were for empresses and consorts who had apparent impact on history, let alone female commoners. #Chinesehistory

Spurred by a reader's expression of fondness for #Nezha in my #SwordMaidenfromtheMoon duology (he's the adorable nonbinary immortal who becomes a godsend for Tang Sai'er). Guess what? He's paired with another nonbinary immortal Lan Caihe 藍采和 of the Eight Immortals! I love them! #Chinesemythology

Just finished my rewatch of historical epic #cdrama #MingDynasty #大明風華 ! I love it for 2 main reasons: 1) its main themes of karma & revenge (at once dichotomous & relative) surrounding the blood-soaked hands of the Zhu clan and the yarn of the unseated vile Empress Hu; youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Sun Wukong plays a small but significant part in #TheHeavenlySword (Book 1 of the Sword Maiden duology)!!! Still a lovable immortal!! #Booksky 💙📚

#BloodRiver (#TalesofDarkRiver) trailer looks really exciting with #GongJun !! It's been a while since a good #wuxia #cdrama came out! I seem to have spied Zhang Huasheng (the lovesick kid from #AJourneytoLove). Can anyone confirm please? youtu.be/mWyJqr_0CDA?...

In the Jade Moon Magazine, I find the publisher has a keen insight into Chinese women's status:- “History has often found it easier to blame beauty than to confront incompetence.” “History doesn’t always treat women fairly.” “This wasn’t always about balance. More often, it was about control.”

Isn't #MaTianyu supposed to have a guest role in #LegendoftheFemaleGeneral ? I'm on ep. 18 now and still haven't seen him appear!? #cdrama youtu.be/j_7pK1krlig?...

I consider it a blessing to have my #wuxiaxianxia duology not only reviewed with genuine love and passion, but actually take up the centre spread of the charming Jade Moon Magazine Issue 2!!!! This review is especially precious to me given the harsh negativities from certain quarters.

I love the Song dynasty for its spirit of freedom and creativity, as reflected in the freestyle expressive lyric poetry, & also as illustrated by Zhang Zeduan's masterpiece "Along the River at Qingming Festival" which shows the living culture in the capital. #ChineseHistory youtu.be/kxff-4GktOI?...

My small collection of lyric poetry ("ci") anthologies:- 1) Ci Anthology by Li Yu 李煜 and Li Qingzhao 李清昭 2) Ci Anthology by Su Shi 蘇軾 3) Collection of Essays re: Song Poets 4) Ci Collection Curated by Hu Shi 胡適. Li Yu 李煜, the last Lord of Southern Tang 南唐李後主, was the precursor of Song ci writing.

I started these #cdramas around the same time:- - #LegendoftheFemaleGeneral (now at ep. 11) (interest waning) - #LoveandDestiny (now at ep. 20) (bored) - #MingDynasty (now at ep. 30) (rewatch) (totally immersed Ngl, #Chinesehistory epics are my soft spot! youtu.be/_puqzuO2x1w?...

Of course no proper credit was given. This is called cultural appropriation!!!!

This is the surprise gift from the sweet Iva!! I have a soft spot for Song lyrical poetry (Song ci 宋詞). My favorite Song poets include 蘇軾, 陸游 and 辛棄疾. This book is a collection of essays that recount how the most prominent Song poets were inspired/moved to write outstanding poems. #Chinesehistory

Look what I got in the mail! Jade Moon Magazine Issue 2!!! Some highlights: - Yunnan the mosaic of ethnic cultures - Prismatic culture of the Chu 楚國 civilization; Chu poetry 楚辭 - Deng Chanyu 鄧嬋玉 the female warrior (FL in the blockbuster Creation of the Gods 2, adapted from 封神演義) #ChineseHistory

Can you believe it? I just took a peep, and the number now stands at 39,700!!!😗😗😗 #wuxia #LegendoftheFemaleGeneral #WordofHonor #ZhouYe

The views have gone up to over 16,000 now! What the hell?

This same post on Threads has got over 9,000 views in a day!!! Crazy!!! 😗 #cdrama #wuxia #LegendoftheFemaleGeneral #WordofHonor #ZhouYe

No wonder she looks so familiar!! Zhou Ye playing He Yan in #LegendoftheFemaleGeneral is the one who played Gu Xiang in my favorite #wuxia #cdrama #WordofHonor, or #ShanHeLing #山河令!!! I didn't recognize her till now 😗 The vitality she brings to her new role is the same!

Karma is one of the themes explored in my #wuxiaxianxia fantasy duology #SwordMaidenfromtheMoon. Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di were merciless murderers in their respective reigns. Many of the Zhu descendants lived very short lives. Payback certainly can transcend time.

One reason I'm obsessed with #historical #cdrama #MingDynasty is that it tells the toxic dynamics between usurper #ZhuDi (villain in my Sword Maiden duology) and his two scheming sons. Zhu Di fears payback for his bloody coup. His enthroned son & beloved grandson died young. youtu.be/k9mISlL-mMo?...

I started rewatching my favorite #historical #cdrama (or #TV) series #MingDynasty and am on episode 4. Have to say, much as I love #wuxia & #xianxia, it's a high quality historical like this one that I obsess over!! youtu.be/Bm9JPUgHSRU?...

Which 5 #wuxia / #xianxia #cdrama MLs impressed you most? I'll give first:- - Xiang Liu (Tan Jianci) in Lost You Forever - Ning Yuanzhou (Liu Yuning) in A Journey to Love - Wei Wuxian (Xiao Zhan) in The Untamed - Wen Kexing (Gong Jun) in Word of Honor - Mei Changsu (Hu Ge) in Nirvana in Fire

While on the subject of Ming Emperors, the #historical #cdrama Ming Dynasty 大明風華 (2019) starring Tang Wei, which tells the story of Xuande Emperor (Zhu Zhanji) and his Empress (Sun Ruowei) is probably underrated. I had watched this years ago and am now eager to rewatch. youtu.be/LfAzqcpnHRM?...

After watching 3 episodes of Ming Dynasty in 1566 (first released in 2007), I've decided to drop it although it looks like a quality production. The Jiajing Emperor featured in this was in real life a cruel & depraved misogynist. That kills it for me. #historical #cdrama youtu.be/awHPt_9CSOQ?...

I'm really curious to know whether I've made readers hate Zhu Di (the evil Ming emperor & Sky Wolf incarnate) in the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology! Please comment if you've read the books. #wuxiaxianxia #Chinesehistory #TheHeavenlySword #TheEarthlyBlaze

I recently came across an article that lucidly explains why #wuxia novels can't attract more attention in the anglophone world. Summary: - Cultural barriers - Linguistic abyss & translational onus - Overabundance of names & proper nouns with cultural nuances. www.thebubble.org.uk/culture/lite...

🚨new byline 🚨 for @letterboxd.social I went long celebrating King Hu's wuxia masterpiece A TOUCH OF ZEN, his swashbuckling action epic that's also a powerful, transcendent meditation on reality –– and our place in it. Very proud of this one! letterboxd.com/journal/a-to...

A Touch of Zen is indeed a sublime #wuxia masterpiece!

Started a 2019 #xianxia #cdrama #LoveandDestiny, which had been sitting on my watch list for a long time! Ni Ni was the main reason it got on the list. I'm also beginning to like the ML Chang Chen. Now on episode 7, and so far so good. youtu.be/YNTFklT0D7w?...

I finished #LegendofShenLi last night! I kind of expected a HE and was not disappointed. Overall this was a super entertaining #xianxia #cdrama with excellent ML/FL chemistry and acting. There're some unconvincing plot points, but the humor parts made up for it. youtu.be/JWYmiE1PFaY?...

One of those cheerleaders (for big five books of course) has found her way onto the #2024IndieInkAward judge panel. It means my two books, both being award finalists, stand little to no chance of winning. #wuxiaxianxia #TheHeavenlySword #TheEarthlyBlaze #Chinesefantasy

It's interesting to note that whenever my books and I get a little publicity on socmed, some "reviewers" (better described as cheerleaders for the industry giants) would post the nastiest ratings/reviews on Goodreads! I'm not even surprised now and take that as a compliment 🤩 Isn't this jealousy?

Following the 2024 #wuxia #cdrama The Legend of Heroes: Hot Blooded, now Season 2 has begun, with 4 sections to be released on these dates:- - 九陰真經 (7/26) - 東邪西毒 (7/30) - 北帝南丐 (8/5) - 五绝爭鋒 (8/10) These are basically backstories of the Five Greats 五絕 in #JinYong 's 射鵰英雄傳. youtu.be/9D8Q5uyE9kc?...

IMAO, #NovolandPearlEclipse is one underrated #wuxia #cdrama! It has a complex plot with angsty court intrigue and involves some supernatural elements. The dynamics of the lead couple and the second couple is filled with yearning and heartache. Yang Mi is my favorite too youtube.com/playlist?lis...

After the angsty #wuxia #PrincessAgents, I'm having lots fun with #xianxia #cdrama #LegendofShenli ! Really love t bickerings between Shen Li 沈離 the proud prince 王爺 of the spirit realm 靈界 and Xing Zhi 行止 the supreme deity from outer heavens 天外天!

This book review that appears in the Jade Moon Magazine Issue 2 truly strikes a deep chord with me! The reviewer is indeed a kindred spirit! The interview is a long one, but you bet it's well worth your time 😍 #wuxiaxianxia #JinYong #Chinesefantasy

Having just read the Cultural Bridges Section of Jade Moon Magazine Issue 1, I was amazed how some Balkan societies are so drawn to #Chinesehistory, culture & language. They are all from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, & Montenegro, which formed most of the former Yugoslavia. 1/

I've been wondering why #PrincessAgent was not categorized as a #wuxia #cdrama?! The main story line is on how Xing'er struggles to become a "xia-warrior", with freedom to live by her moral code and ideals, albeit it's fused with court intrigue and tortured love tropes. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

In Issue 2 of the Jade Moon Magazine you'll find (1) author interview in which I shared the inspirations behind the writing of the Sword Maiden duology, why I blended fantasy with history and my take on the #wuxia & #xianxia genres; (2) the magazine publisher's amazing review of the books.

I finished #wuxia #cdrama #PrincessAgent! Cold-faced Yuwen Yue's selfless love for Xing'er moved me deeply! The last episode almost killed me, if not for the last scene. The icy water likely activated her inner energy & she's going to pull Yue to safety. Not sad ending! youtu.be/niFqyZqaGj8?...

#Myths You no doubt know the Chinese fable of the Jade Rabbit who's lauded as a diligent worker in the Moon Palace. But what other traits do rabbits have? Well, you'll find all the answers in the novel Watership Down, which is my all-time favorite. It was adapted into an animated film in 1978. 1/2

📌Tang Sai'er, the protagonist in the Sword Maiden from the Moon duology, was a real-life White Lotus Society leader who led an uprising against the tyrannical reign of the Ming Yongle Emperor, a usurper who had incited a civil war that brought on many deaths and destitution. #wuxiaxianxia

White Lotus in Chinese culture is symbolic of:- (1) Buddhism, (2) qualities of uprightness and noble character (as defined in Song poet Zhou Dunyi's 周敦頣's poem, On the Love of the Lotus 愛蓮說), (3) secret societies vested in the belief of the Maitreya Buddha and righteous rebellions. #wuxiaxianxia

I just realized Stephen Chow 周星馳 the comedy icon has a bit part in the 1983 TVB version of #LegendoftheCondorHeroes ! This version is a real #wuxia classic with its perfect casting and memorable OST. I find the Cantonese dialogue lively and zesty too! Plus there're so many familiar faces!!!

Look what I've found! The original 1983 TVB Cantonese version of 射鵰英雄傳 #LegendofCondorHeroes! It's split into three parts. This is Part 1, 鐵血丹心. This is TVB's Official North America site and has all the old TVB dramas, including #JinYong #wuxia !!!!!! www.tvbanywherena.com/cantonese/vi...

OMG! Deng Lun appears in episode 35! He's making me split my sides!! 😂😂😂

I'm glad I have #PrincessAgent to turn to after the hangover from #ThePrisonerofBeauty! In fact, I'm in the thick of climax after climax! Before watching this #wuxia #cdrama series, Zhao Liying was not one of my favorites. Now, she's winning me over! Love her & Lin Gengxin! youtu.be/5fJZbxxw_VU?...

I've saved episode 36 of #ThePrisonerofBeauty for tonight! The previous two made me bawl my eyes out! I was warned though that the ending is a bit rushed. This revenge #cdrama has a good plot and good acting! youtu.be/opYEju9Q15g?...