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© Karen and Cathy
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Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news.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 others.
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Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei brought forth laughs in the costume romance drama How Dare You while Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei have their own costume romance drama, Pursuit of Jade, coming up soon. Love Story in the 1970s though was the winner in late February, primarily due to the second male and female lead couple's shipping.
As Fan Xian is recovering from his injuries, rumors begin flying around the capital about Fan Xian's parentage. The Princess Royal and the Empress have visceral reactions to this news and decide to take action. Meanwhile, the 2nd Prince decides to tell Wan Er a secret that leaves her with questions on how to face her husband. Listen to our latest podcast episode everything that unfurls in episode 31 of S2 of Joy of Life!
Actor Yang Yang just started filming a new drama after a long hiatus. However, his fans are furious over a supposed leaked script of the drama. Tune in find out what happened!
Fan Xian gives chase to the assassin but is surprisingly overpowered by his opponent. Gravely injured, Fan Xian seeks the aid from his sister to perform surgery on him. After the operation, Fan Xian learns of the shocking secret as to just who the assassin was. Listen to our latest podcast on episode 30 of Joy of Life S2!
The annual Spring Festival Gala occurred on Monday to bring in the Year of the Horse. But Robots actually dominated the stage in multiple performances which are both awe inspiring and terrifying. We go through the 4 regional performances and some other fun tidbits of the show. Overall though, we think it was overstuffed and boring.
Fans erupted into chaos during the 2025 Weibo Night because of a mix up/change in seating arrangement that caused Xiao Zhan and Yang Mi (Weibo King and Queen) to not be able to sit for the event. Fans were outraged and even shouted during the evening. Meanwhile, the overly waxed/slippery floors caused quite a few people to slip or get injured in the evening. Suffice to say, odd drama to occur on an otherwise snoozeworthy event.
In episode 29, everyone at court heads to the Hanging Temple for the Chrysanthemum viewing event. Fan Xian is somehow tasked with protecting the Emperor. Things go awry at the last minute and Fan Xian must decide who to save. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the history and significance of Chrysanthemums in Chinese history!
Jan/Feb 2026 currently airing Chinese dramas include modern romance Love Between Lines with Chen Xing Xu and heavy historical drama Swords into Plowshares with Bai Yu. Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue are currently starring in Unveil: Jadewind as a Tang dynasty detective drama. There are several other shows on offer but most have not made major splashes.
News travels fast to the Capital about these new bonds that Fan Xian is trying to sell. The Emperor makes no comment but instead orders the Chrysanthemum viewing festival be moved up to whenever Fan Xian is available. This sends a huge signal to others in the Capital and they decide whether or not to buy Fan Xian's bonds. Listen to our latest podcast episode on episode 28 of Season 2 of Joy of Life!
There were a few stories that dominated the headlines these week. Two female celebrities were exposed to have engaged in activities with questionable legality. Zhang Yu Qi is accused of having one of her children born via surrogacy which is illegal in China. Jin Chen might have been involved in a hit and run. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the scoop!
Fan Xian takes Wan'Er to Cang Mountain for a honeymoon but it turns into an investor pitch as he tries to sell Qing kingdom bonds in order to plug the 20mm taels of silver debt from the Imperial Treasury.
The annual voting period for the upcoming Weibo night is underway. We explain how exactly do fans stay engaged and how that reflects fandom popularity
After the wedding, Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian heads to the Hall of Joy, the business created by his mother Ye Qing Mei.
Well known Chinese 35yo actor Tan Jian Ci was exposed to have dated a 20y/o actress quite recently. Though he now says he's single, this is his second relationship reveal in a month. 44 yo Singaporean singer JJ Lin (Lin Jun Jie) publicly announced that he is dating 23y/o Qi Qi on social media in December. Meanwhile, Zhou Qi and Xiang Han Zhi have broken up after the news of their relationship was revealed but also when Zhou Qi was implicated with having something with influencer Si Xiao Di.
At long last, the Emperor has agreed for Fan Xian to be married! The two only have 3 days to prepare for the event. Lin Wan Er's mother decides to return to the capital to see her daughter once more but also give her future son-in-law a "present". Listen to our latest episode on our thoughts on the wedding and the political currents pushing the events along.
Jan 2026 airing Chinese dramas include: Shine on Me 骄阳似我 ft Song Wei Long and Zhao Jin Mai , The Punishment 罚罪2 ft Huang Jing Yu and Wang Chuan Jun, The Unclouded Soul 逍遥 ft Tan Song Yun and Hou Ming Hao, Glory 玉茗茶骨 ft Hou Ming Hao and Gu Li Na Zha and many others!
3 days into 2026, the Chinese entertainment industry was abuzz with the latest bombshells from an influencer "iamroosie". She claims that she has had dalliances with many popular Chinese actors and idols including Lu Han, Lin Geng Xin, Tan Jian Ci, and others. Listen to our latest podcast episode on this explosive news and how it progressed over the past 48 hours!
In our last podcast episode for 2025, Karen and Cathy go over their subjective list of the Chinese actors that were the winners, losers and everything in between in 2025.
Karen and Cathy go over their subjective list of the Chinese actresses that were the winners, losers and everything in between in 2025.
In episodes 23 and part 1 of episode 24 of S2 of Joy of Life, the Chancellor resigns from his post and leaves the capital towards retirement. However, this journey is not a simple as it seems. Fan Xian must make moves to protect his father-in-law's life but it seems like everyone has been played as a pawn by the Emperor. Listen to our latest podcast episode to learn about the pop culture and history found in this episode!
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