Three Emperors and three Empresses plays out the tale of Empress Wu Zetian
With an all-star cast of veterans actresses Yin Tao, Liu Xiaoqing, Siqin Gaowa and young actors Zheng Shuang, Gillian Chung, and Yu Shaoqun, The Secret History of Wu Zetian unveiled its first trailer. The trailer doesn’t really do much other than show-off its cast, but what do you think?
Bai Bing and Zheng Shuang showing off their flowy, silky Tang costumes in Phoenix Totem
Meteor Shower couple Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang’s fourth work together, Phoenix Totem (凰图腾) released its first official pictures today. While the press conferences depicted the group in extravagant costumes, the photos show a much more elegant costume and setting. The innocence of Zheng Shuang, the internal conflict of Zhang Han, and the complicity of Bai Bing are clearly visible even in just these few photos.
This will be the third major Tang drama this year, following Yu Zheng’s Beauties’ World and Zheng Shuang’s “Secret history of Wu Zetian.” I’m ambivalent about all three, so which one are you looking forward to the most?
More photos below the cut.
Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang at the press conference of "War of Desire/Phoenix Totem"
In eeMedia’s latest coproduction War of Desire (凰图腾), Meteor Shower couple Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang finally breaks up as Zhang Han will be paired with The Myth’s Bai Bing. Zheng Shuang plays the sweet younger sister role of both who is secretly in love with the secret heir to the throne played by Zhang Han. Although Zheng Shuang’s characterhas no intention of breaking the lovebirds up, Bai Bing’s role sacrifices herself for the three by marrying the incompetent Tang dynasty Emperor played by Zhang Mo. Will the palace change her? Will Zhang Han gain the throne? Who will Zhang Han end up with?
Watch the trailer from lalalaiTzME below.
Zheng Shuang relishes her few moments of modern wear in the midst of one film and three dramas set in historical times.
After having just finished her first period drama in the Secret History of Wu Zetian (武则天秘史), actress Zheng Shuang will remain in the Tang dynasty in upcoming drama Phoenix Totem (凰图腾) with Meteor Shower costar Zhang Han and The Myth’s Bai Bing. She still found the time, however, for an advertising photoshoot as the new spokesperson (following Zhao Wei and Twins) for clothing brand In.Color.
More photos below the cut.
(more…)
Gillian Chung, Yin Tao and Zheng Shuang portrays three of the most ambitious and successful females in Chinese history.
Along with a stellar cast of experienced actors, three young actresses joined the cast to play three of the most ambitious females in Chinese history in the upcoming Secret History of Wu Zetian (武则天秘史). The Empress herself will be played by three different actresses, including the prestigious Siqin Gaowa and Liu Xiaoqing. Joining them will be young actress Yin Tao, who had previously starred in You Xiaogang’s Secret History of Consort Yang.
Two other key roles in the drama will be played by young, though experienced, actress Gillian Chung and newbie Zheng Shuang in her first historical drama. Gillian and Zheng Shuang plays the no less mystical characters of Shangguan Wan’er and Princess Taiping. Gillian plays Empress Wu’s most trusted adviser and secretary Shangguan Wan’er, known for both for her extraordinary talents as well as tales of intrigue. Princess Taiping, the sole daughter of Wu Zetian, is as ambitious as her mother. Here shown as slightly spoiled but equally brilliant. She will be played by Meteor Shower’s Zheng Shuang in only her third TV drama.
More pictures below the cut. (more…)
In her first starring film role, Meteor Shower star Zheng Shuang plays a tomboyish X-treme sports fan opposite MS costar Zhang Han.
TV couple favorite Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang is projecting their relationship onto the silver screen with movie No Limits. Directed by the director of Kung Fu Hiphop, No Limits is a movie focused on extreme sports. This will be Zheng Shuang’s first lead role in a film, and Zhang Han’s second. More pictures below the cut.
Finally finished releasing its twelve photoshoots (minus the missing Liu Yifei as Arwen one) with rising artists posing as famous characters, Sohu released a short extras videos from the photoshoot, with the second half the video being the actors and actresses in varying degrees of super cuteness.My favorite moments are Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang at 0:53, Yang Yang smiling, and Shawn Dou being completely in character the entire time.
Following the Jack Sparrow and Girl with Pearl Earring photoshoots of the Under the Hawthorn Tree co-stars, another favorite screen couple – Meteor Shower’s Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang – posed as characters from Twilight for Sohu’s series of photoshoots that promotes new actors while paying tribute to popular Western characters. See more pictures here and a silent film of them as Twilight characters below. It’s unfortunate they photoshopped the two to be more Twilight-like, since they’re much more beautiful in the video.
You again? - Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang became a favorite couple after Meteor Shower
Meteor Shower couple Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang meet up again for action-filled romantic comedy No limits 无极限. Directed by Feng Huayang (Kung Fu Hip Hop), the film is funded by … a real-estate company.
That’s right, apparently, the Chinese film industry is doing so well that the Antaneus Group, a major real estate company headed by Beijing Film Academy graduate Zhang Baoquan, decided this year to invest in fifteen films, including the Korean co-production that co-starred Zhang Han - Hearty Paws 2.
Other films include Cui Jian’s rock musical The Blue Bones, French – Chinese collaboration Dragon’s Kiss, film adaptation of Italian opera Turantdot, Karen Mok – produced romantic comedy Running Girl, Yuen Woo Ping – directed Heroine, and 3-D featured animation Destiny. If you’re interested, Zhang also gives a fascinating interview on why he believes that Chinese films will rapidly rise within four – five years, especially with the building of new movie screens.
Display for the Antaneus Group at the Pusan Film Festival this year:
After high ratings for Meteor Shower, Meteor Shower II aired on August the 9th this year with an even high rating, gaining 1st place with 53 million viewers and 9.34% of the market share. Viewers also acknowledge the obvious improvements in production values, especially noticeable in second lead Yu Haoming’s hot new hairstyle, the cast’s more youthful outfits and a sleek new set.
Because of the success of the first Meteor Shower, the second Meteor Shower was highly anticipated way before it begun airing. Since two week ago, the drama was at the top of TV series searches on search engine Baidu, as are its leads Zhang Han, Zheng Shuang, Yu Haoming, Zhu Zixiao and Wei Chen.
Despite its high viewership, last year’s Meteor Shower was also prone to criticisms, especially about the sets and product placements. In the sequel, audiences found drastic changes to those two points. The sequel has less product placements, but much higher end ones such as China Bank. So despite a reduction in quality, the income from product placement actually increased.
Styling is also very different. Yu Haoming’s crazy hairdo went away, giving him a refreshing prince-like appearance. Also gone, too, are the suits of the lead males, now replaced by youthful outfits that fits their age. Along with the contemporary new sets, these changes won approval of many fans.
You can watch Meteor Shower II’s on YouTube here.
