Chasing Dramas

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Fashion Success

In this episode, we dive in to the fashion measures of success that fans and celebrities care about. This includes Fashion brand sponsorships with the different titles, Fashion Magazine covers, and public appearances wearing haute couture. Speaking of congratulations to Zhao Li Ying for winning best Actress at the Golden Eagle Awards wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture dress. Listen to our latest podcast episode to learn more about the competitive nature of fashion within the Chinese entertainment industry

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Measures of Success

With the recent Golden Eagle Award nominations, fans went into a frenzy to begin boasting about their idol getting nominations. For today's episode, let’s talk about what are the different measures of success fans have for their favored actor or actress. That includes award nominations, ratings, marketability, and so much more! Listen to our latest podcast as we discuss the fierce competition amongst fans and the celebrities themselves on the measures of success.

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: 2024 Pop Culture Slang

In 2024, a new slate of pop culture slang has taken China by storm. The most popular has been whether you are an i person or an e person. There's also the City Walk and the special ops vacation. Listen to our latest podcast episode to see if you recognize some of these latest pop culture references!

Oct 2024 Chinese Drama Update – She and Her Girls, Love in Nirvana, Love in the Desert, Snowy Night: Timeless Love, The Rise of Ning

It's October and we have a new slate of dramas! My favorite drama this year is She and Her Girls. This recounts story of teacher Zhang Gui Mei and her establishment of the first free all girl high school in China. It's definitely a winner. Meanwhile, Ren Jia Lun just keeps having duds with Love In Nirvana alongside Li Lan Di. Uyghur beauty Ha Ni Ke Zi looks right at home in Love in the Desert with the handsome Fang Yi Lun but the plot is rather lacking. Karen's most excited about upcoming Wu Xia drama Snowy Night: Timeless Love starring Li Qin and Zeng Shun Xi. Zhang Wan Yi and Ren Min star in The Rise of Ning, hoping to win some audiences with another period romance drama. Let us know your thoughts about these dramas!

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Surprising Reputation Downturns

As it turns chilly this fall, we discuss 2 actress and 1 actors who've seen their reputations take a nosedive this year despite not having any dramas or movies air this year. Ning Jing showed her disregard and dismissive attitude towards the cast and crew during the France stop of Divas Hit the Road: Good Friends Season. Ru Yi's Love in the Palace was completely skewered this summer, with Zhou Xun bearing the brunt of the criticism. Her best friend, Chen Kun, could not escape Zhou Xun's orbit and was also ridiculed for his drama The Rise of Phoenixes. Listen to our latest episode to hear why these 3 in particular received such a public backlash this summer.

In the Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Relationship Bombshells!

Just as we said summer was a bore, new relationship bombshells and news were shared this past week! Wu Jian Yan, fresh off her success from The Double, shared a photo on Weibo shocking everyone on her update. Actress Zhang Yu Qi roasted actor Yu Shi on a talkshow for cheating on her but there's so much more to his scandalous past. Huang Xiao Ming announced his first new relationship since his divorce to Angelababy. Listen to our latest podcast episode for all the news!

In the Know – 2024 Summer Recap

Summer is officially over and it was a rather muted one in the Chinese entertainment industry. There wasn't one breakout star of the summer. The Double, starring Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue, performed the best but the two leads fizzled out in the summer. Lost You Forever Season 2 was the biggest disappointment this summer with its poor plot, lack of CPs, and poor characterizations. Karen and Cathy discuss their thoughts of the performance of the dramas and the stars this summer!

In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Joy of Life in Peril?

In a recent bombshell post, Joy of Life actor Zhang Hao Wei, known for his portrayal as the Crown Prince, was revealed to have discussed prostitutes and potentially even establishing his own brothel! These voice recordings set off a whole firestorm with legal notices and declarations being posted all over Weibo. Will Joy of Life be in peril? Actress Song Zu Er who was softly canceled last year might be making a comeback after her company posted a statement that she's been cleared of any wrong doing, but is she really in the clear?
Listen to our latest podcast episode to find out about this juicy tea!

In The Know – Chinese Pop Culture News: Paris Olympic Fever!

We were having a blast watching the Paris Olympic games and so was everyone in China! The French certainly put on a show and the Chinese athletes performed extremely well. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we discuss the top trending sports, events, memes, and moments from these Olympic games!