Zong Feng Yan is a Chinese actor. Born on July 22, 1978, he’s had a prolific career mostly in television dramas and a few films over the past two decades. Some of his recent dramas include “Singing All Along” (2016), “Qing Yun Zhi” (2016), “The Legend of Flying Daggers” (2016) and “Legend of the Condor Heroes” (2017).

Zong Feng Yan

As an aspiring hero, Li Xiao Yao (He Yu) hopes to find a way to end the ongoing drought that plagues the land. Joining forces with Zhao Ling Er (Yang Yu Tong), a descendant of the goddess Nuwa, the two set off on a quest to find the Water Spiritual Bead, which has the power to bring the drought to an end. Along the way, they befriend a group of unique individuals who all agree to help them on their quest. With their new friends' help, Xiao Yao and Ling Er prepare to take on an evil sect in a desperate attempt to avert catastrophe and bring peace to the world. Adapted from the popular video game “The Legend of Sword and Fairy” produced by Softstar Entertainment, this 2024 Chinese fantasy drama was directed by Yang Long.

Sword and Fairy

Jiang Che

Under the rule of Emperor Xuanzong, the Tang Dynasty experienced a resurgence of greatness until the sudden arrival of foreign Princess Wu Shuang triggered a demonic uprising. With the emperor’s life in danger, Tang General Xiao Yu Fan (Du Jun Ze) must unravel the mystery behind the demonic chaos before time runs out. Aided by his mentors and allies, General Xiao follows a trail of clues that ultimately uncovers a treacherous conspiracy. Will General Xiao be able to thwart evil before innocent lives are lost? This is a 2023 Chinese historical detective drama directed by Roger Lau.

Royal Guard: The Evil Menace

⚔️ Royal Protectors ⚔️

Upstanding Crown Prince Han Ye (Gong Jun) is on a mission to find Di Ziyuan (Dilraba Dilmurat), the last member of a powerful family that was wiped out a decade ago. But his search has brought him to a fierce female pirate named Ren Anle, who is determined to marry him. Could she be Di Ziyuan, the Prince wonders? But just as he is starting to develop feelings for Anle, another woman arrives in the capital, claiming that she, not Anle, is the woman he’s searching for. Will Han Ye discover the truth and find love on the way? This 2023 Chinese drama series was directed by Gary Sing, Jones Ma, and Jason So.

The Legend of Anle

🧊How to melt an Iceberg🧊

Han Zhong Yuan / Emperor Chang

Talented constable Su Jiu Er (Li Yi Tong) has a rabbit-like spirit, meaning she is resourceful and personable, but constantly feels cold. An investigation leads her to go undercover, where she meets the wolf-like spirited Qi Kingdom royal family member Han Zheng (Bi Wen Jun). His spirit grants him phenomenal strength, agility, and incredibly warm skin! On the flip side, it all means he lacks interpersonal skills, making him harsh and abrasive. Together, this polar opposite duo must work together to solve an unusual murder case that involves both of their kingdoms! Could their hot-cold connection help them crack the case – and lead them to love? This 2023 Chinese drama series was directed by Deng Wei En and Huang Bin.

Warm on a Cold Night

❤️ Warm Touches 🔥

Commander Su

Tencent

In the affluent city of Lingzhou, society is dominated by rich trading families. Few of these families can hold a candle to the Shen family – owners of scores of popular stores in the city. The family’s female heiress is Shen Miao (Zhang Xue Ying), an independent-minded and beautiful young woman who enjoys swordplay. Scores of men want to marry her, aware that marrying into her family is akin to receiving a golden ticket.

But marrying Shen Miao isn’t straightforward: She has already failed to marry twice, with her suitors running off before the big day. Regardless, two eligible bachelors have emerged. The first is the serious-minded and somewhat frail scholar Pei Yan Zhen (Xing Zhao Lin). And the second is the younger, more playful, and flirtatious Song Xi Yuan (Riley Wang) – a man who hails from another significant, albeit smaller, mercantile family. Both men must try to outdo one another in a bid to win Shen Miao’s heart. As she attempts to finally tie the knot, who will she choose?

“Choice Husband” is a 2023 Chinese drama series that was directed by Wu Qiang.

Choice Husband

Choose Me - No, Me

Magistrate Jia

Lai Dui Dui (Zhu Rong Jun) is a young college student who dreams of becoming a successful artist. She has little talent or ability when it comes to other subjects, however: She detests math, English, and other matters – and that is reflected in her dreadful grades. She is in serious danger of flunking if she does not do something about her academic performance. Also attending the same college is Jiang Zuo (Zhu Min Xin), a straight-A student who has no peers when it comes to all things study-related. The two have actually crossed paths before in high school. But due to a bout of prosopagnosia (a condition that means Lai Dui Dui could not recognize faces), she cannot recall who he is.

Jiang Zuo is trying to escape the attention of a possessive ex-girlfriend, so he agrees to help Lai Dui Dui if she pretends to be his girlfriend. She agrees, but this decision leads to countless complications. It turns out that Jiang Zuo used to have feelings for Lai Dui Dui, and that these feelings might be reunited by spending more time together with her. And when a love rival appears on the scene, the whole rouse threatens to break apart. Will Lai Dui Dui improve her terrible grades? And will she find love on the way to an A?

“Rock Sugar Summer” is a 2022 Chinese drama series that was directed by Ren Hai Ming.

Rock Sugar Summer

📚 The Straight A Students 

Li Yuan

In late-Tang Dynasty China, Chu Chu (Su Xiao Tong) is a young woman from a long line of coroners. She dreams of becoming the most prominent coroner in the land – by winning an appointment to the Imperial Palace. But she knows that in order to do so, she must first travel to Chang’an, the Tang capital, to pass an exam and prove her worth. While in the capital, she meets Xiao Jin Yu (Wang Zi Qi), an imperial prince and a budding sleuth.

The two young people realize they can be an asset to one another: Chu Chu’s quick wits can help Xiao Jin Yu solve a number of tricky cases, while she can hope to raise her profile by solving the mysteries they tackle together. When they join forces to get to the bottom of a two-decade-old secret, they realize that solving the case could help them both fulfill their dreams. But their investigations lead them to suspect that there may be untold secrets pertaining to Xiao Jin Yu’s family, while high-ranking civil servants hatch devious schemes – and the duo starts to wonder if their partnership could eventually take a romantic turn…

“The Imperial Coroner” is a 2021 drama series that was based on a novel by Qing Xian Ya Tou and directed by Lou Jian.

The Imperial Coroner

The Imperial Coroners 

Han Ji

Tencent Video

Zhou Fei (Zhao Li Ying) is the granddaughter of a national hero who was forced to become a bandit to serve the greater good. For 20 years, her grandfather, then her mother, were charged with running a secret fort, staffed by bandits.

The fort’s role is to protect the world against strange, otherworldly warriors intent on bringing their unique brand of chaos to the mortal realm.

However, the fort has fallen in status in recent years, and Zhou Fei is sick of being confined to the place of her birth. She longs to escape, and makes repeated efforts to get away.

But her life changes forever when she almost drowns, and is only saved by a free-spirited young material arts expert named Xie Yun (Wang Yibo).

The duo forms an unlikely friendship and decides to hone their fighting skills together – a timely decision as malevolent forces are now plotting fresh trouble.

The pair begins on an adventure. But as time goes by, they begin to unearth secrets…including that of Xie Yun’s true identity.

This drama series was adapted from a novel named “Bandits” by author Priest.

“Legend of Fei” is a 2020 Chinese drama series that was directed by Ng Gam Yuen.

Legend of Fei

The Flying Legend Team

iQIYI

It is the early 12th century in the city now known as Nanjing. War threatens to erupt across the land of Da Chu, and the Imperial court is rife with corruption and intrigue.

The cruel Emperor’s and his corrupt cronies plot to kill the Empress – and are successful in their malicious efforts. Meanwhile, other vindictive parties chase down Yao Mo Wan (Li Mo Zhi), the Empress’ illegitimate younger sister.

However, the night is stormy and full of mystery. The dead queen’s spirit enters the body of her younger sister…intent on taking revenge on the people who wronged her.

Yao Mo Wan enters the Imperial Court, bent on seeking vengeance.
She also meets (and falls for) Ye Jun Qing (Chen Zhe Yuan), a young Da Chu prince.

As she discovers the scale of the corruption at court, she decides to do her best to see that Ye Jun Qing deposes the evil Emperor using the best tools at her disposal: her wits and natural intelligence.

This drama was based on a graphic novel named “The Cry of the Phoenix that Reached Ninth Heaven.”

“Renascence” is a 2020 Chinese drama that was directed by Lui Hai Bo.

Renascence

🔃Lives In Transition Team🔃

iQiyi

In ancient China, the Kingdom of Heng has come to power, seemingly putting an end to decades of bloody war and social unrest. But not everyone is happy with the status quo – least of all Ding Ning (Li Xian).

Ding Ning is a young man from a humble background, blighted by a chronic illness. He bears a grudge against the new royal family and dreams of deposing them.

Armed with quick wits and phenomenal martial arts skills, he embarks on a mission of vengeance against the Great Heng. His sworn goal is to take the life of the King, and he hopes to gather like-minded allies to help him form a “Sword Dynasty” that will one day rule the entire country.

Along the way, he encounters the beautiful Zhangsun Qian Xue (Li Yi Tong), the eldest daughter of an influential nobleman. She also proves to be a lethal warrior – and possibly his most powerful ally.

Can the duo form an unlikely alliance – and could their relationship blossom into romance? Will Ding Ning and the Sword Dynasty succeed in their audacious bid for power? Will he defeat the Kingdom of Heng? Or will the ruling royal family prove too strong?

This drama is based on a popular novel by Wu Zui, which also spawned an animated series in 2018.

“Sword Dynasty” is a 2019 Chinese drama series directed by Ma Hua Gan.

Sword Dynasty

Hunan TV

There are some relationships that are doomed from the start. During the Warring States period, Qu Yuan (Ma Ke) is born into a prominent family and grows up to be a prodigy scholar. 

But Qu Yuan bucks convention when he falls in love with Mo Chou Nu (Zhang Xin Yu), a slave. Society forbids such class-breaking relationships, so the lovers decide to elope so that they can be together. 

Despite their efforts to lead a quiet life, Qu Yuan and Chou Nu become entangled in the political struggles of the power elites within the palace. 

Can their relationship survive the many obstacles? 

“Song of Phoenix” is a 2017 Chinese drama series.

Song of Phoenix

Gone with the Shirt Team

King Xuan of Qi / Tian Pi Jiang

Jiangsu TV

It was a time of great turmoil in 1st-century imperial China. 

Liu Xiu (Yuan Hong) and his brother Liu Yan (Zong Feng Yan) are peasant brothers but realize their higher calling to lead the rebel forces who want to overthrow the oppressive Xin Empire and restore the Han Dynasty. Joining them on this dangerous quest are the great military strategist Feng Yi (Li Jia Hang) and loyal friend Deng Yu (Kenny Kwan), as well as the beautiful Yin Li Hua (Ruby Lin). 

Yin Li Hua is the love of Liu Xiu’s live, and despite facing many near-death battles, the two stay by each other’s side and get married. But when Liu Xuan (Yu Bo) becomes the new Han emperor, he executes Liu Yan because he considered Liu Yan as a threat. 

Liu Xiu needs to build his military power in order to defeat Liu Xuan, but that means giving up his bond to Yin Li Hua and marrying a military warlord’s niece, Guo Shan Tong (Wang Yuan Ke). 

How much of his heart will Liu Xiu sacrifice as Emperor Guangwu in order to establish the new Eastern Han Dynasty? 

“Singing All Along” is a 2016 Chinese drama series directed by Lin Feng and produced by Ruby Lin. It is based on the novel series Xiuli Jiangshan (The Beautiful Land) written by Li Xin.

Singing All Along

Chang Ge Xing 

Liu Yan

Long coveted for its ability to grant wondrous powers to whoever eats it, the Mei fruit of Qing Qiu has been under the protection of the fox clan for generations. But when the precious fruit is stolen, the sole witness, Fei Yue (Jiang Kai Tong), and her family members are thrust into a series of adventures, in a desperate attempt to bring the fruit back to its rightful home.

As members of the fox clan journey forth to find the missing fruit, the obstacles before them are great. Often entangled in the affairs of humans, the cunning foxes must do all they can to survive; but the humans are the least of their worries. Pitting their wits against powerful families, wolf demons, and a goddess, the fox clan will do whatever it takes to bring the precious Mei fruit home for good.

But will the efforts of a single clan be enough when it seems both Heaven and Earth are against them?

A collection of tales based on Pu Songling’s “Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio”, “Legend of Nine Tails Fox” is a 2016 action, adventure, fantasy drama directed by Liu Yufen, Gao Linbao, and Xu Huikang.

Legend of Nine Tails Fox

Legend Fox Nine

The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of the young and quiet swordsman. During the Tang Dynasty, Baili Tusu (Li Yi Feng) has been infected with a mysterious aura from a demonic sword known as the Sword of Burning Solitude. The dark energy has led him to grow up alone and live without a family. When he meets two warriors, Ouyang Shao Gong (Qiao Zhen Yu) and Fang Lan Sheng (Ma Tian Yu), who are on the hunt for a magical jade that can be used to create a resurrection elixir, Tusu joins the men on their hunt. Tusu also meets Feng Qing Xue (Yang Mi), an immortal girl who is searching for her brother, and together they wander the land to face their destinies and restore balance to the world. “Legend of the Ancient Sword” is a 2014 Chinese drama series directed by Liang Sheng Quan and Huang Jun Wen.

Sword of Legends

Ancient Sword

In the 980s, former Later Han general Yang Ye pledges allegiance to Emperor Taizong of the Song dynasty. Yang leads his family and followers to defend Song from invaders of the Khitan Liao Dynasty. Having served Song for years, the Yangs are viewed as an honorable, courageous, and patriotic clan that protects the nation from foreign invasion.

Unfortunately, at the Battle of Golden Beach, the Yangs fall into a conspiracy trap, which concludes with the death of Yang Ye and four of his sons, and another son becoming a prisoner-of-war. Yang's last two surviving sons, Yang Yanzhao and Yang Yande, must continue their family's legacy to bring peace and prosperity to Song, in addition to seeking vengeance on the conspirators.

Shows

About

Discussion