Reservations are now online for the upcoming C-drama The Princess’s Gambit, which also had a new still released today featuring main leads Meng Zi Yi (Love in Pavilion) and Liu Xue Yi (A Moment But Forever) sitting in a field and wearing some kind of peasant costumes.
And, as upcoming C-drama’s go, I have to admit this one is at the top of my list as it looks visually sumptuous, features a compelling plot and with one of my favorite Chinese actors, Liu Xue Yi, heading the cast.
Along with the sweet still, which arrived via Tencent’s Weibo account and only peaked my interest more, the account also commented:
A heartbeat in the eye of the storm is the deadliest kind of allure.”
Clad in plain robes, hair tied simply beneath a flower-adorned hat—their gazes meet, hiding quiet longing beneath the surface.
Yeah, even with just that little snippet, I am even more intrigued to find out if this one will be as captivating as it sounds.
As is normal with most C-dramas, nothing has been officially announced yet as to when The Princess’s Gambit will premiere but, if you are in China, you can now add it to your reservations list via Tencent Video.
We do know, however, that it has been confirmed for a June release on Tencent so, with less than three weeks left in the month, it should be dropping soon. (Rumor says June 29th but, until that is confirmed by Tencent, we’re not going to tell you that’s true. (Update: We have just received confirmation that June 25th is its release date, so four days earlier than was first suggested. Yay!).
Meanwhile, I am excited to see what kind of chemistry Liu Xue Yi and Meng Zi Yi rustle up, aren’t you?
Especially considering Liu Xue Yi has had it in spades with female leads in dramas like Kill Me Love Me and A Moment But Forever.
Meng Zi Yi, on the other hand, doesn’t conjure up much chemistry with any of her leads in my opinion, as the problem with her performances is she is so concerned in “looking pretty” in every scene, she’s not really paying attention to her co-star at all.
Hopefully, she will be different with Liu Xue Yi, as his skills are so high, he deserves a female lead who can keep up with him. (Update: He didn’t get one. Boo!)
The Princess’s Gambit production details
Called 桃花映江山 in China, The Princess’s Gambit is directed by Yi Jun (Bloody Romance) and is written by Su Ni (Wrong Carriage, Right Groom).
Considering along with Ma Sha Sha, Su Ni did an horrendously bad job with the script for Wrong Carriage, Right Groom, I am just hoping he/she has upgraded their writing skills since then.
Their latest C-drama is based on the novel ‘Tao Hua Zhe Jiang Shan‘ (桃花折江山)’ written by Bai Lu Cheng Shuang (aka Egrets in Pairs or白鹭成双).
No announcement has yet been made as to how many episodes the Chinese drama will eventually get.
As for The Princess’s Gambit plot, Baidu Encyclopedia describes it like this:
In the turbulent political landscape of rival dynasties, Shen Zaiye (played by Liu Xueyi), the cunning and ruthless left chancellor of the Qi Kingdom, crosses paths with Jiang Taohua (played by Meng Ziyi), a sharp-witted and resourceful princess of the Beiyuan Kingdom sent for a political marriage.
Their meeting is no accident—it’s the result of a carefully orchestrated scheme by Shen’s enemies.
At first, the two engage in a high-stakes battle of wits, each trying to outmaneuver the other. Yet, as they’re forced into uneasy alliances against common foes, a dangerous attraction sparks between them.
Torn between loyalty to their nations and their growing feelings, they must navigate treachery, power struggles, and their own conflicted hearts.
In other words, it’s another enemies-to-lovers C-drama and, if it’s half as good as the recently ended The Prisoner of Beauty, I will be a happy little writer indeed.
Enjoy the previously released The Princess’s Gambit stills above, along with today’s new poster, and I will get back to you with a solid premiere date as soon as Tencent is kind enough to drop one.
RELATED: Two more cool character posters have been released for Meng Zi Yi and Liu Xue Yi’s drama The Princess’s Gambit
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