First Episode Recap: Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox

Legend of the Qing Qiu Fox 青丘狐传说 is like the Monster Killer cast reunion sans Wu Xin. Separated into six arcs, the first part is called Ah Xiu starring Sebrina Chen Yao as Hua Yue.

Episode 1 begins with a Zelda-like sequence of lush greenery and upbeat music as a tribe of nine-tailed foxes sprint across the fields of Qing Qiu. Everyone has gathered for the once-in-500-year harvest and it is said that whoever consumes the sacred fruit can gain immortality. 

Suddenly, something or someone takes over Ying Ning's (Xiao Cai Qi in green dress) body compelling her to warn Hua Yue (Chen Yao in red) that they are under attack. As the tribe moves out in defense, a masked woman seizes the opportunity to steal the sacred fruit and a lone Fei Yue (Kiton in purple) runs after the thief to no avail.

Since the attack was just a ruse, Ying Ning and Hua Yue find themselves in a frustrating position of your word against mine while tribe leader Liu Chang Yan (Jiang Jin Fu in middle white) takes the task of finding the real culprit. A hot-headed Hua Yue cannot stand the accusatory eyes staring her down so she leaves her worries behind and heads back to the human world.

Turns out that Hua Yue is extremely popular, living out her dreams of passion and romance and breaking many men's hearts. 

In comes demon hunter Zhuo Yun gliding down from the sky to capture Hua Yue for all the lives that she has ruined. Seriously thought he was Hu Ge (Nirvana in Fire) at first glance, or at least his silhouette anyway. 

A fight ensues but Hua Yue narrowly escapes after she saves a girl named Ah Xiu. Despite seeing that Hua Yue is a nine-tailed fox, the kind-hearted Ah Xiu returns the favor by giving Hua Yue a place to stay and the two easily become friends.

First Impressions: The weird ears are trending and even upcoming cdrama Ice Fantasy sports the same pointed ears. It's interesting though that the show tries to make a distinction between the nine-tailed foxes when Hua Yue says that she is not a seductive demon nor an immortal fairy but somewhat in between called a fox spirit. 

Legend of Qing Qiu Fox goes out of its way to create a magical realm that's very pretty to look at but it runs the risk of being just that, a beautiful but empty casing. 

The opening scenes are fairly rudimentary with an all too simple plot causing an entire tribe of powerful beings to leave their sacred tree unguarded at the most critical moment. The fight scene that follows is hard to take seriously as well especially amidst all the fake lanterns and computer generated background. 

While I have my reservations, things gets more interesting towards the second half when the drama plays up the life aspect rather than the wuxia. Never mind that the concept has been done plenty and the story likely a cliche, yet what I think can make or break this drama would have to be the characters and so far, Hua Yue and Ah Xiu are really turning up the charm such that I want to see what will happen to the two friends once a common love interest comes along. But then again, it could be my heightened euphoria from a Monster Killer reunion that is clouding my judgment.

For synopsis, cast and ratings, see 2016 cdrama listing. 

Legend of Qin (2015)

Qin's Moon (秦時明月) is a 2015 fantasy wuxia based on a novel and an animated series adaptation of the same name. Set after the turbulent times of the warring states, it depicts the recent unification of the Qin empire and follows Jing Tian Ming, a young lad destined to become a hero.

Translated to English, the title literally means Bright Moon of the Qin Era where bright is the english word for Ming in Jing Tian Ming (Jiang Jin Fu) and moon is english word for Yue, which is the name of his counterpart Gao Yue (Hu Bing Qing).

Tangren entertainment is really good at making dramas that appeal to the mainstream. If I were to describe it using one word, we can be sure that Tangren dramas always have style. Too bad Lu Yi has now been relegated to uncle status. His character as swordsman Ge Nie may be older but he is actually one of the coolest whereas Jiang Jin Fu's character Jing Tian Ming is one that needs a lot of growing up even though I'm already on episode 31.

Since, I'm a bit obsessed with the songs, here are some links to Qin's Moon original soundtrack, just click download mp3.
Tian Ming Jiang 天將明 / The Dawn (opening song) by Yoga Lin
Dang Gui / 当归 (ending song) by Zhou Hui
Du Huo 独活 / Solitary by Aaron Yan 炎亞綸
Kui Jia 盔甲 / Shield by Janice Yan
Yi Shuang Ren 一双人 by Lin Kai Lun.

Please check out my 2016 Chinese drama recommendations.