So last month, Novoland: Pearl Eclipse 斛珠夫人 released posters announcing its cast, giving viewers their very first glimpse of the Yang Mi, William Chan and Xu Kaichenglove triangle for the drama. Well today, fans are treated to another look at Yang Mi costumed as a man from the show’s freshly dropped stills, although let’s be honest here, there’s no way on earth her getup could’ve fooled anyone into thinking she’s a man. But anyway let’s roll with it since that’s part of the story.
In the novel, Yang Mi’s character Ye Haishi is a young merwoman whose entire village was slaughtered because of people’s obsession with pearls – the precious commodity created from merpeople’s tears. In a stroke of luck, she happens upon court minister Fang Zhu’s (William Chan) cavalcade passing by and manages to convince him to take her in as his disciple, hence the need for her male disguise.
Meanwhile, Fang Zhu in the original story was supposed to be a eunuch who rescues Haishi from her situation and raises her. For generations, Fang Zhu’s ancestors always played the emperor’s “body double” to thwart any assassination attacks. So to finally end this practice, Fang Zhu chose to turn himself into a eunuch in the novel.
But now that the story has been turned into a drama, it’s more likely that part of the story will be changed as his character is simply described as a powerful official. I highly doubt they’ll still keep the eunuch bit in. Besides, as Fang Zhu is also one part of the love triangle with Haishi and the emperor later on when he finds out his personal guard is actually a girl, it’s more plausible for the drama to keep that out of the storyline.
And of course, there’s Xu Kaicheng who’s been the overbearing CEO for so long as seen in Well-Intended Love that he gives off quite a commanding presence as the emperor. The rest of the cast includes Chen Xiayun, Wang Sen and Yuan Yuxuan.
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Anonymous
Yang Mi's fan here, but this does not look new or interesting. Wished they picked a different story instead of a repetitive one, they can make the styling more refreshing, and cast other people why William Chan?
Anonymous
They have to style to fit her head not a lot of hair style they can do, her hair line is further back. I am looking forward because of the love triangle. People are out of work. Theh got to work what is offered.
Anonymous
She was really bald in 10 Miles. I was ok with the styling, she was so pretty in it. Except when she tried to be a male (Si Yin) and tied everything up, that was too much baldness.
She already had this hairstyle in Fu Yao and other actresses are all pretending to cross dress too so this theme is so meh…not very special. I am so not surprised you are a woman who pretended to be man. But why does that first pic show her with full make up? O_O
Anonymous
What's wrong with William Chan ? I like his acting.
ErisFerris
At least she got the attitude right.
SOmetimes I want to slap someone when I see that the "crossdressing" women in dramaland : 1) still look very much like women 2)still act very much like women.
You can't change your looks, but at least change your attitude, and don't look like a young lady.
Anonymous
William Chan's acting is only mediocre, nothing amazing. Doesn't look as good as other males. His past scandals make him unlikeable too. If not because he acted with ZLY a few times, he won't ever be popular.
Anonymous
I didn't finish the legend of Zu because of the bad bad story telling and his bangs bothered me and his over the top acting. I don't know how much he has improved but i do lile his styling here. I think this is a fresh pair, going to take a look at it for sure.
Anonymous
I saw a photo somewhere of William wearing full black knight armor, like Kris in The Hairpin. But William's stylist is better and makes Kris look like he's choking in his multilayers.
Man Man
I'll give this a try because of the merpeople lore. Finally something not about foxes or phoenixes. Although the story doesn't sound that different or original.
Nano13
Will give it a try for YM&WC…plotwise is not my cup of tea and zzzzz same old same old these last few years of cdrama zzzz
Anonymous
I'm surprised there are no haters here complaining about YM being too old.
Just in case:
She's 33, my dude. I'm 16 yrs old and that isn't even old to me. Yeah,she IS doing younger roles, but does she look too old for them? Not in my opinion. Her real age doesn't matter as long as she suits the role, guys. That's all that matters.