I like to watch Vicky Zhao in "lian xi ju"- that is a "movie" of sorts that is very long and split up in multiple episodes, usually approximately an hour each- there can be 20 plus episodes (even more than 40 at times). These episodes are aired weekly, or daily as reruns. They are essentially the Asian version of tv shows. They usually last only one "season" unless there is a sequel. Sort of hard to explain, but look one up and you'll see what I'm talking about. I recommend the "series" that made Vicky Zhao famous: "Huan Zhu Ge Ge", or "Returning Pearl Princess". There are actually two sequels (three different "movies") but the in the third, Vicky Zhao along with two of the four lead actors have been replaces. I haven't bothered to watch that one.
Essentially, the story is set in ancient China. Vicky Zhao plays Xiao Yian Zhi (Little Swallow), a young orphan with a penchant for getting into trouble- let's just say she hasn't completely grown up. She befriends another woman (Zhi Wei) who turns out to be the illegitimate daughter of the Emperor (played by Ruby Lin- or Lin Xing Ru). Ruby is the complete opposite of Vicky- a gentle woman talented in everything- from speech and verse to music and even cooking. Ruby is travelling to the palace to reveal herself to the Emperor because her mother recently died. After Ruby is injured, Vicky offers to bring her message to the Emperor. Somehow, Vicky is mistaken for the Emperor's illegimate daughter and is welcomed as the "Returning Pearl Princess". Unused to all the attention, Vicky is unwilling to give it all up and so she decides not to tell. One of the Princes (known as Wu A Ge- or Fifth Prince) finds himself falling in love with Vicky and her mischevious personality and is thoroughly disgusted with himself, as he thinks she is her sister. Wu A Ge's best friend, Ar Kung (an important figure in the Palace- not sure how, but he's not a blood relative) finds himself in love with Ruby, who has entered the palace as Vicky servant after making up with her. However, he cannot marry a "commoner" according to the rules. The first "movie" deals with this plot.
The sequel, which is the first one I saw, has Ruby in her rightful place as the princess, while Vicky has become essentially the Emperor's adopted daughter (and a princess) because she managed to worm her way into the king's heart. They befriend a man who apparently does not know Ching Gong (air kung fu- basically those that know it can almost fly) but carries a Shiau (upright flute) and knows how to fight with a sword (his name is Shiau Jiang- literally Upright Flute and Sword) The foursome (Vicky, Ruby, Wu A Ge, and Ar Kung) find themselves in trouble when they help a princess from a different country (possibly Tibet) who was given to the Emperor as a present, probably to ensure peace. The King develops more than a crush on her (Han Xiang)- but she is already in love with someone else- Mung Dan. The unique thing about her is that she naturally has a very fragrant scent. The foursome help Han Xiang to escape the castle and run away with her lover. They get caught afterwards and the Emperor, who has a very bad temper apparently, overreacts and sentences both Ruby and Vicky to get their heads chopped off (hey I said he had more than a passing crush on Han Xiang- besides he was prodded along by the evil second wife who has it in for them (she had it in for them from the first movie becuase she found out that Vicky wasn't the real princess and she was losing the Emperor's attention and probably her power to Ruby and Vicky). Ruby and Vicky are rescued by Wu A Ge, Ar Kung, and Xiau Jiang, who, by doing so, reveals that he actually does know Ching Gong. They all go into hiding. Xiao Jiang eventually reveals that he was hanging around them because he was looking for Vicky because he is her brother when Wu A Ge thinks that Xiao Jiang is trying to steal Vicky from them. Eventually, the situation is resolved and everyone returns. The evil second wife is saved from being executed by Ruby, who calms down an infuriated Emperor after he finds out she manipulated him- the second wife's equally evil servant does get the beating of her life though. At the end, Wu A Ge and Vicky and Ar Kung and Ruby get married- but not without one final joke- the brides accidentally get switched (traditional chinese weddings beack then included very opaque cloths over the headresses).
Anyway, "Huan Zu Ge Ge" I and II are great, and run the whole gamut of genres, from action and martial arts in the fight scenes; to romance, and humor such as the many situations Vicky manages to get herself into, to drama and tragedy- heavy stuff like the several times the evil second wife gets her hands on Ruby and tortures her- she really had in in for her (you really learn to hate that wife), and when Ruby and Vicky are about to get executed and when Ruby temporarily loses her sight, etc. Like all "lian xi ju", it does have some quality problems but it's well worth watching.
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kayne-3
8 years ago
I also follow Shu Qi and Zhao Wei. Both are pretty good international actresses. "Vicki" has a lot of charisma, and can fight. Shu Qi is a beauty and looks very believable while fighting.
In addition to this Huan Zhu Ge Ge is great, I would recommend it.
BTW I loled at the long summary of Princess Returning Pearl, don't ruin it!
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