Two of the hottest stars of 2011 come together in 2012 for drama, music and love.

2011 was the year for Yang Mi. From the most influential drama of the year to the  highest grossing horror film in Chinese history all the way to a musical debut, the actress finally reached a top after 20 years in the industry (she’s only 25).  To top it all off, Yang Mi admitted today that she was dating actor Hawick Lau. The story has resulted in more than16 million weibo’s after less than two hours.

According to Yang Mi, the two became good friends during the filming of upcoming drama Ruyi. She then introduced him to her company, and he ended his long independent actor status. Hawick Lau recently called Yang Mi in a surprise phone call on Happy Camp, and the two filmed a MV together for Yang Mi’s new album.

In an interview published today to Southern Metro Weekly, Yang Mi said that previously, she always thought she was too busy for a relationship ( I don’t know how she has room for anything else given her workaholic attitudes), but found new confidence in Hawick Lau.

I hope Ruyi has been approved, because this would be a perfect time to air it.

“To be honest I’ve thought about dating, but never really wanted to date because I felt like dating is a waste of time. I’m too busy with work and has been afraid I won’t have time to face a relationship, but you can find confidence and security on this person. It’s really hard for me to trust someone, and he can make me trust him,” said Yang Mi. “This circle is very fast-paced and superficial, and many, including me, have gotten bad habits. But when I’m working with him, I’ll reflect on myself. I’ve never met someone who could make me do that. ”

The publishing of the interview was followed by a weibo announcement by Hawick Lau a few minutes ago.

“I can finally loudly say I have a girlfriend! I want to apologize to everyone who’s been caring and worrying about my relationship status. This unveiling took a lot of courage. Little Mi is very insecure, so I hope everyone can support her and protect her. She says that she hopes everyone can look at us like other friends who are dating. If we can receive your blessings we’ll be very thankful,” said Hawick Lau. “A new relationship is little a budding treeling and must be protected. Because of work, it’s seems not so simple at all to have a simple relationship. I just want to say it’s difficult to meet someone who I love, and I really want to treat this relationship seriously and be together. As a man, I will try my hardest and do everything possible to protect everyone near me and this little treeling. @Yang Mi.”

Bright red posters for the first 3D wuxia film, Flying Gates of Dragon Gate 3D by Tsui Lark, was released for four of its six leading stars. The film, which stars Jet Li, Zhou Xun, Gui Lunmei, Chris Li Yuchun, and Marvis Fan, is spinoff of Tsui Larks original film of the same name. The film will be available in IMAX 3D, making it the first 3D wuxia film. More posters below the cut.

Zheng Shuang plays one of a hundred flower fairy in the fairyland of Painted Mural

Painted Skin sequel Painted Mural 画壁 released several trailers recently. One definite improvement from the previous version is the way more gorgeous sets and colors. The theme song, by the leads Sun Li and Deng Chao, has also been released and can be watched here.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much of Zheng Shuang, who’s as cute as ever, there are in the trailers. Watch one of the trailers below and tell me what you think.

Six of the nine fairy posters released for Painted Mural.

In the land of the Painted Mural (画壁), everything seems as if it were paradise. Fairies as beautiful as the flowers their names indicates dance and sing in joy. The film, sequel to the Painted Skin, focuses on exploring the distinction of this place that embodies both heaven and hell.

Posters of some of the starring fairies, including Sun Li, Yan Ni and Zheng Shuang, were recently released. Which fairy is your favorite?

The cute Zheng Shuang plays the first love of Deng Chao’s “Student” who brings him to the mural fantasy. Innocent and sweet but also brave and frank, Zheng Shuang plays a character not unlike herself.

The mural fantasy is ruled by Yan Ni, the supreme ruler of the fantasy world and a despiser of romances. Intermixed with feelings of protection for both her own emotions and subjects, she tries to rid her world of the men.

Her favorite fairy Paeonia is played by Sun Li. Logical and strictly obedient, Peony’s role longs for friendship and live without knowing it. She ultimately befriends Deng Chao’s role, and it is for her that Deng Chao’s role finally falls for.

Boyish and fearless, Jade Bamboo is played by Xie Nan.  She agrees to marry Deng Chao’s role to make her friend Peony happy, but eventually falls for Deng Chao herself.

Charming, clever, and a bit of a glutton, the fairy Lily is played by Bao Wenjing.

Sexy and emotional, Cloud Plum is played by host Liu Yan.

Even high-end business intrigue cannot stand against Tang Yan's natural cuteness

After her fame in Chinese Paladin 3 and My Daughter, Tang Yan continues to rule the screen as one of the most popular new actresses.  Upcoming this fall will be two dramas starring her in a business setting. First up is Unbeatable II, where she plays the last hold of innocence and love in a world of business intrigue.  She will be opposite familiar costars Hu Ge and Roy Qiu.    In Ad Mania 广告风云, Tang Yan moves away from her recent happy-go-lucky image to become a fierce businesswomen. Surrounding Tang Yan will be the three lead males composed of Raymond Lam, Yuan Hong, and Chi Shuai.

Watch the trailers for the two below the cut. Which one are you looking forward to more?

Hunan TV shows who's the boss in promotions with the new HZGG trailer

Finally, a trailer that makes me want to see the series.

It’s not hard to see why Hunan TV dramas are so popular after comparing this trailer with the original Qiong Yao ones for the New My Fair Princess 还珠格格.  While Qiong Yao’s was awkward, Hunan TV’s trailers that aired this week brings out all the nostalgia of the first one, the pretty scenery of the new one, and combines it all with a dramatic drumroll and solid voice that builds up the excitement.

The series will premier on July 15th on Hunan TV, and will  be aired in late July by Taiwan’s CTS and Hong Kong’s TVB. Sohu and Youku will both also stream the series online, hopefully without too much regional limits. In addition to the casts promoting on Hunan TV, CTS has announced that they will spend about 3 million taibi ($105,000) in promoting the cast in Taiwan, more than triple the previous record for drama promotions for the channel and definitely a first for a mainland drama in Taiwan. Rights for the drama has also been sold in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea and Singapore.

Hunan TV will use the original actor’s voices for all the leads, while the CTS and TVB versions will all be dubbed by a different cast.

Watch the first two Hunan TV trailers below.

Could a butterfly unlock the truth?

A rare romantic fantasy films from China,  肩上蝶 Rest on Your Shoulders released its first trailer today.  The story, dubbed a “live action fairytale for adults,” follows a young woman (Jiang Yiyan) who becomes a butterfly in exchange for the recovery of her sick fiance, a biologist played by Chen Kun. Yet when he recovers from his illness, Chen Kun’s character is struck by the disappearance of his fiancee. As the three year time for her return to human form comes near, however, a plague spreads across Celestial Island. When the butterfly realizes she may hold the key to the cure, she goes on a journey to seek the truth. Meanwhile, the biologists’ neighbor (Gui Lunmei) and a visiting journalist (Gigi Leung) have both fallen for the scientist. Will the butterfly save the dying land from the epidemic? Will she successfully become human again after the three year limit?

The gorgeous depictions of the scenery is filmed in Guangxi, Beijing, Hong Kong and Japan. According to Jacob Cheung, the drama spent three quaters of its 80 million RMB budget on special effects, and is a rare art film with so much special effects. “Although China’s special effects have yet to compare with that of Hollywood, as long as we continue to try and innovate, the industry will get more mature,” Peter Cheung said to China Joy.

Watch the trailer from Filmsmash3 below, and the extended intro here.

Ephemeral in white, Crystal Liu Yifei returns to ancient characters as the spirit Xiaoqian.

Starring Liu Yifei, Louis Koo and Yu Shaoqun, A Chinese Fairy Tale released its first trailer. The film is an remake of the film A Chinese Ghost Story, based on one of the many spirit-human love stories told by Pu Songling.

Upper L clockwise: Jiang Mengjie, Heechul, Yang Yang and Zhou Mi

Starring Leo Ku (古巨基), Dream of Red Chamber leads Jiang Mengjie ( 蒋梦婕) and Yang Yang (杨洋) and Super Junior/SJM members Heechul (金希澈) and Zhou Mi (周觅), drama “Melody of Youth” held its press conference on the 9th.

Melody tells of a group of recent college graduates and their first steps into the real world. Leading the drama is Leo Ku, an unconventional older student with a mind for business; Jiang Mengjie plays the female lead, a headstrong tomboy who earns her own livings and is a pro at video games; Heechul plays a professional video gamer who begins to woo Jiang Mengjie; Zhou Mi plays a humorous rich boy who seeks to prove himself worth more than just his parents’ money.; As for Yang Yang, cfensi forum’s shared new love after his gorgeous smile at Happy Camp appearance last week? He plays a sweet boy whose true calling lies in nail painting.

Fan picture of Heechul (L) and Yang Yang (R)

These two NBA stars might be in a movie together

The slogan of the National Basketball Association — “where amazing happens” — might be going international, as the Shanghai Film Group Corporation is planning to film a basketball movie starring Yao Ming and other NBA stars. Backed by NBA commissioner David Stern, the movie is reportedly named Amazing, a name suggested by Stern and inspired by the NBA slogan. The Chinese name is Shen Qi (神奇).

The movie, to be directed by mainland director Hu Xuehua, will be about American basketball stars training in China, but apart from the name and general plot, not much else has been revealed. When telephoned by reporters yesterday, the chairman of the Shanghai Film Group Corporation, Ren Zhonglun, stated, “At the present time, it can only be said that the name of the movie has been determined. The actors, investors, and other details and problems will have to wait until after we sign the contract to be revealed.”

Nevertheless, thanks to the support of the NBA, the possibility that NBA stars will participate is enormous. Apart from Yao Ming, there are hopes that Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant and the retired Magic Johnson will join the film. According to reports, Yao Ming and Johnson have already agreed to act, and the company is currently in contact with Kobe. In reply to this, Ren Zhonglun only admitted that they really were in contact with Yao Ming, Johnson, and other NBA stars, but that before signing the contract, it was not convenient to say more.

Filming will begin in August, exactly during the NBA off-season, and must finish before October to match with the start of the new season. Insiders revealed that the most important film roles will be the master and apprentice, played respectively by Yao Ming and mainland star Huang Xiaoming. Hong Kong actor-singer Shawn Yue may also be appearing.

Shawn Yue, who had once been on the Hong Kong youth basketball team, said to the Hong Kong media yesterday that it was true that both sides had been in contact, and that he hoped to participate if his schedule fit. Huang Xiaoming’s manager, Zhou Siwei, confirmed that they were in the middle of discussion with the company.

translation by Jo
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