When it comes to Chinese dramas, historical and fantasy themes are undoubtedly a tried and true popular choice. In recent years, outstanding works in the fantasy genre have emerged, from “Love Between Fairy and Devil ” to “Till the End of the Moon,” and then to “Lost You Forever,” all igniting a craze for drama watching. This year, the upcoming series “Fox Spirit Matchmaker” and Zhao Liying's “The Legend of Shen Li” are highly anticipated, intensifying the competition in the historical costume drama genre.
Amidst the bustling market, the highly anticipated drama “Burning Flames” has recently announced new developments. Today, the drama released a trailer and will aired in March 13th. With a strong cast and great potential for popularity, the pre-broadcast hype has already sparked a wave of enthusiasm for watching.
The drama “Burning Flames” is adapted from the cartoon “Wu Geng Ji.” This cartoon has reached the peak of popularity in recent years with its unique creativity and passionate storyline. Centered around Wu Geng, the son of King Yin Shou of the Zhou Dynasty, the story depicts a feud spanning across the human, god, and underworld realms. Wu Geng, a prince with blood ties to both the divine and human races, once fell from grace and became a slave at the bottom of a mine after his family was destroyed. Enduring hardships, he never forgets his deep-seated hatred.
To revive his homeland, Wu Geng follows his grandfather and life mentor, Fu Xi, to the mysterious Shenyin Village for cultivation, receiving careful guidance from masters like Zi Yu and Shi Xing. He later meets a commoner girl named Bai Cai and a group of like-minded friends, joining forces to resist the powerful gods. In the struggle, Wu Geng transforms from seeking vengeance for his family to fighting for the people of the world, growing into a formidable warrior.
From the series' posters, one can sense the engulfment of Prince Wu Geng, portrayed by Ren Jialun, in the devouring grip of the divine realm, with an oppressive and restrictive atmosphere looming. The trailer further stirs the blood, vividly reproducing the grand and magnificent world from the cartoon in live-action.
The meticulous special effects aim for a faithful adaptation, with a particularly striking scene of the six great gods of the heavenly realm marching down to punish humanity. As human soldiers are pushed back by the overwhelming power of the gods, King Zhou valiantly resists, showcasing extraordinary strength. The grandeur and dazzling effects are captivating, reaching a cinematic quality in the special effects production.
Furthermore, the seasoned director Zheng Weiwen, renowned for his superb control over historical and fantasy costume dramas, has garnered widespread acclaim. Having successfully directed grand historical dramas like “The Imperial Doctress” and “Secret of Three Kingdoms,” as well as creating exceptional fantasy costume dramas such as “The Untamed,” Zheng Weiwen is once again at the helm of a new series in the same genre, “Burning Flames.”
Just from the brief teaser of less than a minute, the unique ancient charm exuded already captivates the audience, assuring the success of the new drama under his direction. The convergence of powerhouse directors and the essence of the original cartoon has ignited a fervor among viewers eagerly anticipating the series. With a cast of over 40 talented actors, many drama enthusiasts are even more eager for its release.
Ren Jialun, a male heartthrob in historical costumes, has showcased his versatile acting skills and charm in works like “One and Only” and “The Blue Whisper.” In the new series, he takes on the lead role of Wu Geng, dressed in military attire with a handsome appearance, heightening anticipation. Xing Fei, in recent years, has delivered remarkable performances in historical costume dramas, leaving a lasting impression whether in “Love Is an Accident” or “Side Story of Fox Volant.” In this series, Xing Fei portrays the character Bai Cai, embodying the character's gentleness and resilience flawlessly with her gentle and healing demeanor, presenting a character that is both elegant and composed, perfectly complementing the role's design.
Yan Yikuan, captivating audiences with his exquisite acting and striking appearance, has impressed in works like “Introduction of the Princess” and “Taiji Prodigy,” Now, he takes on the role of the swordsman Zi Yu in the new series, a character seemingly tailor-made for him based on the makeup and styling in the promotional images.
Jiang Xin, renowned for her profound acting skills, deeply resonated with audiences in her portrayal of Hua Fei in “Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan.” Her performances in works like “Ode to Joy” and “A Love for Dilemma” have been highly acclaimed.
In this new series, Jiang Xin challenges herself with the role of the high priestess Xin Yue Kui of the divine realm, exuding a strong sense of oppressive villainy with just one line from the trailer, “Humans are nothing but ants in the eyes of the gods.” In addition to them, the series also features familiar faces like Chen Qiao'en, Zheng Xinyi, and Ming Dao, a lineup that is sure to ignite the audience's passion for following the drama.
