The Myth (神話) is a 2010 wuxia drama out of China. The series stars Hu Ge, Bai Bing, Ren Quan, Chang Chih, Zhang Meng, and Jin Sha.
This wuxia series is vastly different than the 2005 movie from Jackie Chan. Although the main elements of the movie do drive the series. The movie was based on re-incarnation of the Jackie character. The series is based on time travel.
The series starts around with the introduction of Yi Xiao Chuan, played by He Gu. Xiao Chuan is a photographer and adventurer. On this particular day, he's gone into a remote area to photograph stuff. But in a strange turn of events, he's stung by a snake and clinging on to dear life. But a magical amulet is nearby. When Xiao Chuan touches it, he is saved.
We than move on to the site of a dig around the Terracotta Army. Da Chuan, played by Ren Quan is a archeologist and the older brother of Xiao Chuan. Get it, Da and Xiao Chuan. How convenient. You don't need to think to know who's the elder. Xiao Chuan shows Da Chuan the amulet. Da Chuan says its a archeological find. At the same time, other things are found at the site, including a magical box.
But a group of bad guys burst onto the scene and steal the magical box. Da Chuan and Xiao Chuan gives chase. Xiao Chuan catches up with the guys and defeats them to get the box back. When Xiao Chuan opens the box, he's magically brought back 2000+ years into the past. Xiao Chuan is brought to the Qin Dynasty, roughly 210 BC. Xiao Chuan brings a friend with him, named Gao Yao.
From that point on, the story forks from ancient to present. About 70/30. Xiao Chuan makes his way thought the ancient times with his present upbringing. Along the way, he befriends many many historical figures between the Qin and Han dynasty.
The series is very playful for the first third of the series. Gets more serious during the second third. The last third brings back all the movie elements. The ending can be said to fit the movie quite well.
Love Message (愛情短訊/短信一月追) is a 2005 film out of China. The movie stars Leo Koo, Angela Chang, and Ren Quan. All three of these stars are major stars from their parts of Asia.
The movie is based in Shanghai. Angela Chang plays Sue. Leo Koo plays Kai, Sue's childhood friend. Ren Quan plays a playboy that enters their life for business reasons. Sue and Kai are good friends with Leung. Leung is currently studying aboard and engaged to Sue. Kai is secretly in love with Sue, but doesn't express this due to their friendship. Kai is super thrifty and brings Sue flowers everyday. Seriously, everyday. If Sue's co-worker didn't know that she was engaged to Leung, they would surely think Kai is the Sue's boyfriend. But Kai receives news from Leung and tells Sue that Leung won't be coming back to Shanghai. Sue is depressed and Kai cannot cheer her up. Enter Ren Quan.
The movie was quite interesting. I didn't know what to expect while I was watching the movie. None of the three are great at acting. But they get their point across. I was enthralled at grand shots of Shanghai. Not a great movie, but I didn't hate it either.
