Video of Bu Bu Jing Xin's Alternate Ending Released

If you're a Bu Bu Jing Xin fan (and if you're reading this blog, you're most likely are), then you should know that there were three planned endings to the drama. One followed the ending of the book, in which Ruoxi died in the Qing Dynasty, and that was it. The second was the one shown on TV, where Ruoxi came back to  modern days, with her memories intact, and met the reincarnation of Fourth prince. The third, for some reason, made modern Fourth prince the driver who hit Zhang Xiao/Ruoxi with his car in the first episode. Besides maybe one blurry photo, there was never any evidence of the third ending, despite Tangren hinting they might show it in order to help the battle against the leak episodes. Perhaps to build anticipation for Bu Bu Jing Qing, the video of that alternate ending was recently released, along with a new version of the Three Inches of Heaven music video.

I don't really like the alternate ending. In fact, I prefer the one shown on TV. I get what they were trying to do with the new ending. It is to show that Zhang Xiao/Ruoxi and Fourth prince are fated in the modern lifetime as well. It also explains why Ruoxi's soul "leap out" when she was almost hit by Fourth's horse and didn't when hit by Thirteenth prince's. But I like the openness of the old ending, where the viewers can make their own decisions. Also, from the old ending, Fourth prince's question, "Do I know you?" seems more to come from some embedded memories or feelings from their last life (because normal people don't just go up to crying strangers and ask that) rather from the fact that he might remembered her face from the time of the accident. As for the new MV, it's basically the full song accompanied by different scenes from the drama, nothing new or innovative.

Princess Returning Pearl to be Dubbed in English

Check out the video below the cut

If you grew up in any sort of Asian household, it is more likely than not that you have heard of, if not watched, Princess Returning Pearl, or Huan Zhu Ge Ge. It is the story of Xiao Yanzi (Little Sparrow) who befriended Ziwei, an illegitimate daughter of Emperor Qianlong. Xiao Yanzi tried to help Ziwei meet her father, but, in the progress, got misunderstood as the princess herself. You also might have known about the series due to a remake which aired in 2011. I’m not going to even touch on the remake, because that would defeat the purpose of pretending it doesn’t exist. Anyway, the series was a hit across Asia, making its casts Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin, Alec Su, and Fan Bing Bing into instant stars (granted Alec Su was already well known due to The Little Tigers, but it was this series which made him a household name). This was the Chinese series of my childhood. I remembered watching with my parents, laughing at Xiao Yanzi’s antics, though some of the idioms did went over my head. It is the one series that I watch over and over again, to this day still. It is not a perfect series by any means. There are flaws in both the plot and characterization, and the second season tends to get repetitive. But what I love is that the drama has heart. My favorite character is probably Emperor Qianlong. Zhang Tielin, who is one of my favorite veteran Chinese actors, portray the Emperor’s love for his daughters very well, without losing the aura of a feared mighty king. I also enjoy the strong friendship of the characters, especially Jinsuo’s devotion to her mistress. The weakest link of the show is probably the romance, but I don’t mind it that much. Overall, it was a funny yet touching drama.