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PODCAST

Chasing Dramas

Karen and Cathy

Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing Season 1 of Joy of Life. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Yanxi Palace, The Longest Day in Chang"An, The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among

tv & film

All Episodes

00:23:49

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 14: The Spymaster!

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/10/07

In episode 14 of Joy of Life S2, Fan Xian seems to have gained the upper hand against the 2nd Prince. Fan Xian captures one of the 2nd Prince's trusty warriors with the help of a fan favorite. Meanwhile, Fan Si Zhe has safely arrived at the Qi Kingdom and connects with another familiar face. This familiar face boasts that he is now the spymaster of the Qing network in the Qi Kingdom. Is that really the case? Fan Xian makes some moves after a meeting with Censor Lai but does it all go according

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00:27:04

Oct 2025 - Chinese Drama Update: Love's Ambition,...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/10/03

Zhao Lu Si and Chen Wei Ting's modern day romance Love Ambition is a massive surprise hit right now. Meanwhile, Cheng Yi's The Journey of Legend underperformed as both the production and Cheng Yi were panned for poor quality. Bai Jing Ting came forward with a sci fi thriller, Mobius in September and Li Qin and Chen Zhe Yuan star in newly airing Fated Hearts.

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00:24:10

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 13: Visiting the Chen Manor

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/30

Fan Xian reconciles with Wan'Er and the two head over to Chen Ping Ping's residence. The extravagance shocks them as they see a difference side of Chen Ping Ping. Meanwhile, the 2nd Prince has a few more tricks up his sleeve as he desperately tries to win against Fan Xian. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history found in this episode!

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00:26:27

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 12: Three Couples

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/23

In episode 12 of Joy of Life Season 2, Fan Xian finally decides to visit his betrothed Lin Wan'Er. The 2nd Prince has his own motives for meeting Lin Wan'Er and encounters his own betrothed, Ye Ling Er. The four sit down for a meal but are interrupted by another engaged couple, the 1st Prince and the Northern Qi Princess. Tensions are high as Fan Xian confronts the 2nd Prince. Fan Xian must also navigate his relationship with Lin Wan'Er as rumors are rampant between him and Hai Tang Duo

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00:23:34

In the Know - A Shocking Death and other negative...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/19

The surprise accidental death of 37 y/o Chinese actor Yu Meng Long shocked everyone for how sudden it was. Sadly, it looks to be drinking related. Other negative news includes Xu Kai now being accused of leading a gambling ring while filming and 2 dramas that were scheduled to film, including one headlining Yu Shu Xin, are now paused indefinitely.

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00:28:24

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 11: The Retaliation

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/16

Fan Xian had his first win at the Imperial Court with the help from Chancellor Lin. The 2nd Prince is seething at the new investigations to those loyal to him and vows to bring Fan Xian down. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince is caught in the crossfire and must navigate through his own precarious situation. Listen now to our latest podcast episode on episode 11 of Season 2 of Joy of Life!

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00:26:28

In the Know - Vogue China's 20th Anniversary + Xin...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/12

Vogue China's 20th Anniversary September Cover featured 11 Chinese actresses with Liu Yi Fei sponsored by Bulgari taking center stage. However, there was plenty of discussion around who was or was not included.One of the actresses on this cover was Xin Zhi Lei who recently won best actress at the Venice Film Festival. This became a point of national pride and catapulted her to the top of the A list.

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00:28:44

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 10: First Day at Court

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/09

In episode 10 of Season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian has his first day at the Imperial Court after receiving summons from the Emperor to respond to the allegations of corruption from the Censorate. Fan Xian has a plan but is surprised to see the cast of characters at court.Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear more about palace etiquette!

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00:21:59

Sep 2025 Chinese Drama Update - This Thriving Land,...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/09/05

The biggest Chinese drama to air in August was This Thriving Land with Yang Mi as a lead but shined as an ensemble cast. Meanwhile, the fantasy/costume dramas featuring the likes of Xu Kai, Tian Xi Wei, Chen Fei Yu, Cheng Lei, Song Yi, Wang Ying Lu all didn't make too much of a splash. Listen in for more details!

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00:27:11

In the Know - Xu Kai's Messy Love Life

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/29

On August 22nd, Weibo exploded when one of actor Xu Kai's (of the Story of Yanxi Palace fame) ex-girlfriends, Xu Li Sha, publicly posted how Xu Kai cheated on her. Xu Kai became a trending topic with billions of views about what happened. His manager, Yu Zheng also joined in on the fray by livestreaming a rebuttal. It became a whole saga which we explain in this episode.

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00:28:00

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 9: Gaining Support

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/26

In episode 9 of S2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian's acceptance of 3000 taels of silver is reported to the Emperor from the Censorate. Fan Xian must make his case in front of the Imperial Court. However, Fan Xian does not seem too particularly worried. Instead, he turns his attention to the chief clerk, Deng Zi Yue, and tries to understand what happened to this once righteous man. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history found in this episode!

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00:20:21

In the Know - 2025 W Annual Gala

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/22

Dilireba dominated social media after her unique red carpet look at the W Annual Gala on Aug 19. We discuss some of our other looks as well as the themes for the evening.

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00:33:18

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 8: New Boss in Town

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/19

Fan Xian is now the head of the 1st Bureau and heads off to his first day of work. He instead finds the men happily playing Mahjong while accepting "gifts" from others. The chief clerk, Deng Zi Yue, is full of flattery towards Fan Xian but Fan Xian isn't fooled. Fan Xian decides to investigate the Crop Investigation Bureau for all of the "gifts" it sends. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history found in this episode!

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00:27:03

In the Know - Zhao Lu Si's Saga continues

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/15

On Aug 2, Chinese Drama actress Zhao Lu Si publicly blasted her management company on Weibo for mistreatment following her illness at the beginning of the year. She has since been on continuous live streams with both positive and negative commentary. Listen in to hear more!

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00:25:38

Joy of Life - S2 Ep 7: Exile to the North

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/12

Fan Xian leaves the palace, disappointed that the Emperor will not take action against the 2nd Prince. He finally has a face to face conversation with Chen Ping Ping about the trajectory of his life. He finally returns to the Fan Manor and must inform his father and mistress Liu of Fan Si Zhe's involvement with Bao Yue Lou. The family make a decision for Fan Si Zhe's future with the hopes for him to gain some real-world experience and grow his talents in business

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00:35:58

Aug 2025 Chinese Drama Update - The Coroner's Diary,...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/08

July/August 2025 Chinese dramas that are airing include historical detective romance, The Coroner's Diary ft Li Lan Di and Ao Rui Peng, fantasy drama, The Immortal Ascension starring Yang Yang and Jin Chen and Sword Rose featuring Dilireba and Jin Shi Jia. Other dramas include The Wanted Detective and Legend of the Female General among others.

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00:25:10

Joy of Life - S2 ep 6: Clash at the Gate

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/05

In episode 6 of season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian clashes with the 1st Prince, who has just returned to the Qing capital after many years patrolling the borders. The Crown Prince comes to quell tensions as all of the Princess arrive at the gate to welcome the 1st Prince home. Fan Xian is still furious with the 2nd Prince and decides to report his findings to the Emperor. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear more!

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00:24:39

In the Know - Influencer Triggered Feud and Revenged...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/08/01

Chinese singer influencer Wang Zai Xiao Qiao recently caught the ire of online netizens for her expensive concerts but also caused singer Zhang Bi Chen and Wang Su Long to be embroiled in a feud over who had singing rights to a popular song Nian Lun. Zi Yu, the 2nd main male lead to gay drama Revenged Love, was revealed to have cheated in a recent relationship.

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00:23:14

Joy of Life - S2 ep 5: Return to Life (Publicly)

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/07/29

In episode 5 of Season 2 of Joy of Life, Fan Xian wraps up the ordeal with Bao Yue Lou. He must now return to the diplomatic envoy and devise a plan of how to "publicly" return to life as his death was widely publicized. He finds a new person as a member of the crew, a Qi Princess who is now to wed the 1st Prince. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear more!

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00:21:57

In the Know - Drama with Revenged Love, Xiao Zhan...

Chasing Dramas ·

2025/07/25

Revenged Love is a new highly popular C drama airing outside of China that features a gay couple. However, the main male leads are embroiled in personal scandals. Elsewhere, we discuss Xiao Zhan going solo from his boy band and the results of the investigation into Huang Yang Tian Tian's family.

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