oppasaranghaeyo

The female lead has finally been confirmed on 4.2.21 as Yang Zi as per this tri-party - Yang Zi, Youku, and H&R Century Pictures - public notice (click link/image for enlargement):

This CP looks good! Filming has reportedly just started today, April 6th! Can't wait!

20 hours ago, NiteWalker said:

even if i dont watch the drama, the art works is fabulous 

 

Yeah. Indeed. PD Li has an eye for aesthetic and artistic essence. 

Even for battle scenes, just wow!

And awesome cinematography!

CR: PoD weibo

On 4/1/2021 at 9:49 PM, Tofu said:

Has anyone managed to catch the first few episodes yet? 

 

I had to succumb to my "impatience" lol. Although I should not start any other new dramas yet, lol, I took a peek and ended up watching Ep 1 and loved it!

I won't spoil anyone's watching pleasure, save for a few random thoughts:

1. Love the interesting interplay of comics with films. The cinematography is breathtaking overall!

2. Not liking the role and overall appearance of ZLS (Ep 1). She's one of my fave actresses, especially after "Dating in the Kitchen" but she seems so timid and lifeless here. Hopefully, there'll be better development in her role later. If not, why take a step back in your popularity and take up this role, ZLS? I haven't read up on this drama and the novel, but I may have to now, for my sanity.

3. I was transported back into the world of Harry Potter, and I must say, I loved it! 

17 hours ago, Lynne said:

The OST is crazyly good!

Yeah. Love them!

On 4/1/2021 at 10:33 PM, NiteWalker said:

not me yet....im still basking in my YAMH glory lols....

Haha. IKR!

I ought to stop starting new dramas already! So many to keep up with and so little time, even if given 24/7/365, to watch them all! There are good ones airing currently, and more good ones to come for both Cs and Ks!  

23 hours ago, Tofu said:

It's premiering tonight?! 

FINALLY! Thanks for the tag. 

CR: Screenshot from teaser.

The schedule...

For Tencent VIP subscribers:

Exclusive premiere at 2230 CST (local time, probably the usual first 8 episodes will be available in advance)
For non-subscribers:

First week (week of premiere): 2 episodes on Thursday and Friday at 2000 CST.

Following weeks: 2 episodes every Monday to Wednesday at 2000 CST.

Another source for watching with subtitles in English and other languages (at some point):

On 3/27/2021 at 12:58 AM, Tofu said:

Not sure how I feel about Kris Wu as the main male lead, but I think Yang Zi fit the role of the female lead. I hope they release The Golden Hairpin soon too. 

TBH, I'm not so keen on KW as the male lead. But I will give him the benefit of the "watch" and decide how he fares. As for YZ, oh yes, she's perfect for the role. Can't wait!

On 3/26/2021 at 7:01 AM, JenL said:

Haha, I hope everyone avoids Sageuk to be honest 

 

Noooo! Don't do that to me. Besides loving some of the modern ones, I love sageuks (and any historical, costume and period ones in K, C and J) and there are already so few to offer, let alone being able to successfully premiere or run its course on air. 

On 3/26/2021 at 7:01 AM, JenL said:

Was kinda hoping he'd pick up a modern drama, but we'll see how he goes!

Me too. I like him in any genre of dramas/movies.

Or erhem... in "salivation" genre  

PS: If you/anyone clicked on the spoilers, chances are you'd need more, such as this advice: "Please wipe that thing off the corner of your mouth" hahaha

1 minute ago, abs-oluteM said:

Is this the one?

 

Yup. Yibo is one of the celebs, among so many... 

Oops... I thought it would be merged lol

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202103/1219474.shtml

1 hour ago, Tofu said:

Is that the project he's looking at? I really enjoyed the novel so I'm all for any and possibly all adaptation of it.

Still a rumor, still in talks... It looks like a good possibility but then again, who knows? As it is, it looks like there's another Knetz vs Cnetz war going on over Joseon Exorcists, and then the BTS issue, and perhaps another Hallyu ban soon... aish.

You read the novel? Awesome! 

12 minutes ago, abs-oluteM said:

Seeing your status @oppasaranghaeyo , are there some ongoing scandals in cdrama land too?

Yeah. The latest is the Xinjiang Cotton issue. 

OMG! Just stumbled onto this piece of good news on PHS! Welcome back to dramaland! Been mising you lots!oppasaranghaeyo

CR: 1

I can't wait for your new project: The Golden Hairpin (Korean adaptation - I hope it will materialize) 

Hmm... I'm somehow looking forward more toward the K-adaptation than the C-adaptation that is taking toooooo long to be released. Who knows? The K-version may be released ahead of it if it materializes. That'd be awesome! For now, let's all pray that politics and C-cum-K anti-fans will stay out ot the way for whatever reasons they may be unhappy about.

Left: C-drama poster; Right: C-novel cover.

1 hour ago, Tofu said:

Right now, I think I'm on episode 20 or 21. I'm watching some episodes without subs and some with the bad iQIYI subs. I plan on going back to watch the English subs released through YoYo too. I can't get enough of Zhang Binbin and Jing Tian. They are just the best.

 

Be careful with YT channels. Sometimes, they are machine translations i.e.. really bad.  Some IQ subs are good. I haven't seen the subs for Rattan, so I will not comment on it.

Fully agree. Binbin and Jing Tian are smoking hot! 

2 hours ago, Tofu said:

Right now, I think I'm on episode 20 or 21.

Oh wow! You're way ahead of me. I'm trailing behind very badly

21 hours ago, SilverMoonTea said:

@oppasaranghaeyo@Olivia Kate@MorningDew@movingwheel@SnT, care to try this drama out? 🤣

TBH, this drama isn't on my radar at all. Looking at the cast, gosh, I don't seem to know or remember any of them. Now that you've brought my attention to it, I will try it sometime. Thanks for tagging  (and adding to my already huge list of to-watch and to-catch-up haha).

On 3/22/2021 at 10:18 PM, Tofu said:

How far along are you now?

 

Ep 8 only  

And too many good dramas to catch up on as well.

On 3/22/2021 at 10:18 PM, Tofu said:

From one of my favorite scenes, I think this was in episode 15 or 16?

 

Awwww.... 

Jing Tian is such a pro! And a natural beauty! Look at the painstaking process of being Si Teng and having to undergo this Inverted Face and Body Molding process.

BTS on Molding Process 

And some random screenshots below.

This OTP is so cute and compatible together, in and out of the drama. Hmm... is the ship sailing already? lol

Jing Tian & Binbin 

CR: weibo

On 3/16/2021 at 11:38 PM, Tofu said:

Wow, Zhang Binbin and Jing Tian's chemistry is insane! It seems like they always have to be together. Qin Fang's appearance change if he is too far away from Si Teng and she loses power if he's not there? Or did I understand that wrong? 

 

Absolutely INSANE!

Yes, Si Teng has placed a "spell/curse" on QF so he can't run away from her. LOL she is his master.

As for the latter part, I haven't watched that far to know if it is so. 

On 3/20/2021 at 9:22 PM, oppasaranghaeyo said:

a true representation of The Night Revels of Han Xizai (韩熙载夜宴图)

More on this...

CR: PoD's weibo

7 minutes ago, NiteWalker said:

i dunno why i find it not easy to fit Vic Zhao with a female lead to be honest....his last one with Dilreba i find it lacking too....so i didnt really watch that either....

I think I can understand how you feel on this. I didn't watch that either. 

For this drama, I like the PD and Liu Tao, and the history bit of it (though this drama isn't truly all historical, which is stated in the disclaimer in every episode), those are the reasons that drew me to it. Now that I've watched all 10 available episodes, I am beginning to warm up and loving it.

23 minutes ago, NiteWalker said:

C-Netizens is complaining about it badly....it had open at 6.1 on douban and drop to 4.4 in less than 24 hours

Yeah. It was sad. Oh well... Hoping it will get better and better, and C-netz will stop complaining and bashing the PD and cast.

So agree with this weibo'er. Well-said!

Paraphrasing briefly:

Why complain so much about the episode count change, about pacing, about Liu Tao, about makeup? Like a bunch of kids. Don't like it, why watch? Change the channel.

For me, I feel that the pace is not draggy, the dressup and makeup are authentic, without any use of filter lens to smooth out the looks, the dialogue is just right, neither slow or fast, pretty good.

Raise your hand to show me which historical drama does not begin in a speed/pace that's greater than 1.25 times? 

If you don't want to watch it, change the channel.

(end)

这微博友: 说得好! 赞!

Just now, NiteWalker said:

to be honest, i dont held much confidence with the editing department from the C-entertainment, they been known to miss some details and even the cut and add in clips

I know what you mean. Frankly, I am not sure if it is the "fault" of the authority or the crew of each specific drama project. I guess we could consider it as a combination of both, and the time constraint between airing and approval, not forgetting the business side and unforseen circumstance of it all. It is a really difficult endeavor. I am glad many pull through well enough to present to us, C-drama lovers, so many awesome C-dramas, and even more to come.

2 hours ago, NiteWalker said:

Palace of Devotion break into Top 5 for yesterday rating chart

 

Wow! That's a feat! Congrats to cast and crew of Palace of Devotion. 

Considering all the anti-drama buzz around the 15 yo age issue of young Liu E vs mature Liu Tao, and the abrupt editing when it premiered. We know though, that it is due to the reduction of episodes by the censorship authority. From an original intent of 50 eps, then to 86 eps, and mandatorily reduced to 61 (final count as of now) to be approved for airing. So there you have it. At least we get to watch the loving and painstaking good effort of 61 eps. I am happy and can gladly overlook any "mishaps" which are enforced.

So glad it is getting better attention now. The story is engaging (to me) and the cinematography and attention to Song style and aesthetics must not be ignored. I personally love to lap it up. Such a joy!

Thank you, PD Li, cast and crew. 

Some beautifully presented scenes:

It's actually an entertaining drama, a fusion of historical facts with fictionalized plot and characterization (to some extent). I'd recommend it any time, any day.

In Ep 1, there is a true representation of The Night Revels of Han Xizai (韩熙载夜宴图). Nice touch by Exec PD Li Shaohong (李少红).

CR: Self 

More from weibo...

CR: Weibo'er as tagged

Link to CUT on this scene. Click it to watch :)

Unfortunately, the editing department didn't do a good job with Eps 1 and 2 (thus far I've watched). Or perhaps due to censorship (aish, SMH). There are abrupt snips that are too obvious, done too hurriedly. Hope the editing will improve going forward. Overall, a really good look back at history and filming-wise, skillfully conceptualized, envisioned and captured. Not to mention, casting was well-done, and so the portrayals (thus far) are awesome.  

On 3/20/2021 at 8:11 PM, Tofu said:

Wow, look at that kissing scene!!

 

Yeah. Surprisingly, a really good kiss. 

(Not sure which episode it appeared in (TBH, not telling lol). Only watched up to Ep 2.)

Here are some gifs to "slow-mo" it lol.

CR: weibo hot topic

Huang Xuan 

Wang Kai 

The C-rumor mill may be right this time. There are more chatter and more news about the drama being released.

 New group poster.

 New OST cover.

 New Ending OST.

It has premiered today!

Where to watch?

TENCENT Official Site

YOUKU Official Site

IQIYI Official Site

(English subtitles are apparently in the making for all three)

VIKI Official Site

(License is still pending)

Airing Schedule:

(for TENCENT, YOUKU & IQIYI - click image for enlargement)

Where to enjoy and engage in the BUZZ?

English Forum:

JANGHAVEN, of course!

Chinese Forums:

PALACE OF DEVOTION at WEIBO (HOT TOPIC)

PALACE OF DEVOTION at WEIBO (DRAMA SITE)

PALACE OF DEVOTION at DOUBAN (FORUM)

Where to read the novel 大宋宫词(女君纪)?

Note: Palace of Devotion started out as an adaptation of the above novel,

La Royauté by Lady Mi Lan (lit. Chronicle of a Female Monarch), but has since expanded to referencing other historical materials and legends, as well as incorporating some fictitious elements to the plot that is largely inspired by the life of Empress Zhangxian Mingsu, Liu E of the Song Dynasty.

努努书坊
子午书屋

(Just listing a couple of links, available in Chinese only)

Synopsis:

Story of Liu E, the wife of Emperor Renzong, who was perceptive to state affairs, and assisted Zhao Heng in his rule.

(Source: Dramawiki)

Cast:
Liu Tao, Tamia as Liu E

Zhou Yumin, Vic as Zhao Heng

Supporting Cast:
Gui  Ya Lei as Empress Dowager Xiao
Winston Chao as Zhao Ting Mei

Pan Yi Yi as Princess Ling Yang

Han Yuan Qi as Prince Zhao Ji (Liu E's son)

Zheng Wei as Zhao Zhen
Liu Ruo Gu as Zhao Zhen (young)

Details:

Title: 大宋宫词

English title: Palace of Devotion (was Poetry of the Song Dynasty)

Genre: Historical

Episodes: 61

Broadcast network: iQiyi, Tencent, and Youku.

Broadcast period: 2021-Mar-20 to TBA

(Update in progress...)