One world, many shows (1)
2015-03-13
Being a member of the generation raised with TV and computer, there is little doubt that I’ve devoted much of my extra time on many of the TV series displayed on them, not only TV series of my own country, but also, as China’s opening up to world, from many other countries.
This is not only a process of whiling away time and having fun, but also to capture a view of the various cultures and lives of countries far away.
So in this article, I am going to share my personal views on the dramas I’ve watched from a limited numbers of countries.
1.TV series in China
Key words: idol drama, hot issues, time travel, history review
Those watched most on TV and online video platforms are always played by gorgeous actors and actress. They don’t have to be so skilled at performance as long as their looks are pretty; the script don’t have to be exceptional and innovative as long as the “prince” and the “cinderella” are finally together and live happily ever after.
Also, there are a portion of shows that featuring the reality life that keep pace with the time to show the problems facing modern Chinese famlies. But for me, I seldom watch them, cause life is already pathetic, why should I experience it again and again in such an virtual world?
Then, what about carrying on the imagination and watching something exciting? Yeah, that’s about traveling back to the ancient times with a modern brain or vice verse, a trend in Chinese TV series that rose to popularity in 2011 and gradually lose its momentum. Maybe the screenwriter should try more different versions of time-travel dramas instead of making the protagnists busy in love.
For the dramas that catch the most of my attention are those telling historic stories. No matter they are accurate records of history or not, we can always look into the ups and downs of the history and learn from the wisdom of those trully existed characters. That’s the treasure of the Chinese culture. But history is not infinite, the materials are limited. Maybe there is more for us to do to creat a history that providing our next generation with enlightenment and proudness.
Summing up: I am not trying to say that all Chinese dramas are not good enough. In the past, I can sit before the TV for all night while now it may only take me five minutes or less to finish an episode of 40 minutes. Is it me who are changing or the quality of the TV series made in China? This is a question to be found out.
Well, it seems that I’ve shed too much words over Chinese dramas, so I would like to write about those in US, UK, Japan, and Tailand for next time. Welcome to share your views.
This is not only a process of whiling away time and having fun, but also to capture a view of the various cultures and lives of countries far away.
So in this article, I am going to share my personal views on the dramas I’ve watched from a limited numbers of countries.
1.TV series in China
Key words: idol drama, hot issues, time travel, history review
Those watched most on TV and online video platforms are always played by gorgeous actors and actress. They don’t have to be so skilled at performance as long as their looks are pretty; the script don’t have to be exceptional and innovative as long as the “prince” and the “cinderella” are finally together and live happily ever after.
Also, there are a portion of shows that featuring the reality life that keep pace with the time to show the problems facing modern Chinese famlies. But for me, I seldom watch them, cause life is already pathetic, why should I experience it again and again in such an virtual world?
Then, what about carrying on the imagination and watching something exciting? Yeah, that’s about traveling back to the ancient times with a modern brain or vice verse, a trend in Chinese TV series that rose to popularity in 2011 and gradually lose its momentum. Maybe the screenwriter should try more different versions of time-travel dramas instead of making the protagnists busy in love.
For the dramas that catch the most of my attention are those telling historic stories. No matter they are accurate records of history or not, we can always look into the ups and downs of the history and learn from the wisdom of those trully existed characters. That’s the treasure of the Chinese culture. But history is not infinite, the materials are limited. Maybe there is more for us to do to creat a history that providing our next generation with enlightenment and proudness.
Summing up: I am not trying to say that all Chinese dramas are not good enough. In the past, I can sit before the TV for all night while now it may only take me five minutes or less to finish an episode of 40 minutes. Is it me who are changing or the quality of the TV series made in China? This is a question to be found out.
Well, it seems that I’ve shed too much words over Chinese dramas, so I would like to write about those in US, UK, Japan, and Tailand for next time. Welcome to share your views.
I'm so gald my recommendation helped and I hope you wil enjoy the show I suggest. It seems your Chinese are really good, but if you have any questions understanding them you can contact me online.
And I'm looking forward to your recommendation either.
Actually I just can't wait to watch the liar games but there is a lot of work ahead. I will definitely watch it as soom as I am free.
Thank you so much for this. Yes, if I watch a Chinese tv with subtitles I can usually understand around 80%, I just pause it and check the dictionary for the other 20%. I will definitely give your recommendations a watch.
I think we like similar tv shows, I also love deathnote. Fantastic show. Another one I love of that kind is full metal alchemist, very philosophical debate coupled with a lot of suspense and mystery. You will definitely like liar game. I personally prefer the Japanese version which has two seasons and 2 movies but the Korean version is less...cheesy I suppose, but I sort of find the style charming.
If I think of anymore suggestions I will let you know about more English speaking shows and movies. Thank you again for these suggestions, I really need something like this to help me improve my Chinese and keep me from being bored
The liar game series sounds intriguing. There are really good TV shows or cartoons in Japan about puting human being in a crucial game with a set of rules. My favourite one is the Death Note, it's about a notebook that can determine who to die. Watchng it was like taking a roller coster. I mean mystery was more like watching movies such as the shutter island and detective stories but I think I will try more other types.
As for Chinese TV shows, I would first suggest a series called 新大秦帝国 (the first version) wonder whether you like to watch historical dramas or not. That's a story about the rise of China's the first imperial dynasty and also the main story line is the first reform of rule of law in China. I like it because in this show every character has a strong personality and is respectable.
Another show I'd like to recommend is a reality show called 奇葩说，it takes the form of a debating contest but not so much rules involved so the participants can say whatever they think about. I assure you will see enough of debate in this show, on topics of common concern or hot issues in China. Watching them debating are funny and enlightening at the same time.
As for movies I would suggest 霸王别姬， it contains the elements of chinese opera and homosexuality. The actor who starred in it was a homo himself. If you want a tint of realism, there is a movie called 小武 by 贾樟柯 which is said to be very typical.
That's all I can think about for now, others are not so impressive so I easily forgot about them.
Plus, my recommendation is based on the idea that your Chinese are good because the former two shows don't have english subtitles.
Community has a few episodes that are funny just of how blown out of proportion the whole situation is. For example, one episode is about someone trying to find a pen...in the end it turns out a random monkey stole it. It's very surreal at times, but as you say, sometimes it would be hard to understand the more sarcastic humour.
As for mystery and suspense, maybe I would suggest spartacus? It is done in the style of 300 (the movie) but has a very good plot line (first few seasons at least). There is also things like the walking dead, falling sky. Both similar, looking at people surviving when the world is almost ending. If you are looking for tv shows from any country I would also recommend the liar game series. There is a Korean version and the original Japanese version. A very clever show about an imaginary gameshow where you have to lie to win. Lots of mystery and suspense.
What would you suggest in terms of Chinese tv shows? I like suspense and drama but I also like an element of realism. As such, I haven't really found a very good Chinese show that I like. I don't like big soppy love stories, nor do I like over the top action. So far I enjoy watching the dubbed version of 蜡笔小新(我知道是日本的可是有中文配音的)and I do like 周星驰的电影，抬高笑了. His movies are especially brilliant as it's the kind of humour that surpasses language barriers. So far however, minus comedy I haven't found much I like. Oh and my favourite movie so far is 钢的琴.Most realistic look at life in poorer communities I have seen so far.
And a bite of China is fantastic, I would recommend that to any foreigners in China.
I have never heard of people doing this in the Britain at least. If a show is so boring I have to skip to the end, I will probably just turn it off instead and find something else to watch.
I seldom watch comedies of foreign countries. It's difficult to get the point sometimes unless it's a universal joke. Shows I prefer are those of mystery and suspense or of a professional perspective like "the Newsroom", one of my favourite actually.
The Game of Throne was also recommended by one of my male friends before I decided to watch it. I do like it's background and the only character I appreciated in the first season is Tyrion.
Good question. Maybe that's merely a personal habit, the same reason as eating fast food: it's easy to get, time saving and looks good, though less nutritious. I don't know whether it is the only phenomenon in China, but I know there are literally good and bad shows in each country.
And as for watching tv shows, my new favourite all time show is "community" I thoroughly recommend it if you like comedies.
And game of thrones is actually worth watching. I would recommend reading the books instead though if you have the chance. Best fantasy novels I have read in a long time.
Interesting what you say about watching a 40 minute show in 5 minutes, I have only seen this phenomenon in China. If you have to skip the show is it really worth watching in the end?
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