Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei

Drama: Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei / The Vigilantes in Masks
Chinese Title: 怪侠一枝梅 / Guai Xia Yi Zhi Mei
Broadcast Network: Shenzhen TV

Broadcast Date: December 22, 2010

Initial Release Date: January 1, 2011
Genre: Historical, Romance
Language: Mandarin
Episodes: 30
Director: Gam-Yuen Ng, Liang Sheng Quan, You Da Zi
Origin: China
Watch Episodes On: Viki (eng subs)

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Synopsis and Plot Summary

Li Ge Xiao used to be the head of the Jinyiwei but because of the death of his wife, he has become a drunkard, wandering aimlessly until the day he encounters Yan San Niang, He Xiao Mei and Chai Hu. Together, they form the four-man team Yi Zhi Mei.

During the Ming Dynasty, the country is in chaos and people are desperate to survive. Three hundred thousand pieces of gold were being transported by the government to provide help to the refugees, but it is stolen by a mysterious figure thereby causing a huge uproar in the court. Li Ge Xiao (Wallace Huo) is an unkempt man who is unemployed, broke and always drunk. Even so, there was a time when he was the number one constable of the most powerful organization in the capital.

For the sake of a friend, he promises to help retrieve the missing gold. Using schemes of his own, he employs the help of an unlikely group - Yan San Niang (Cecilia Liu) who's known as the swallow thief, He Xiao Mei (Ray Ma) who is known as a master of disguise and Chai Hu (Shi Xing Yu) who is a huge bandit. Initially wary, they eventually band together under the leadership of Li Ge Xiao to create a legendary tale about Yi Zhi Mei.

Ending Spoilers

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Fun Facts

It is produced by Karen Tsai of Chinese Entertainment Corp. (Tangren).
It first premiered December 22, 2010 on Jiangsu Zongyi to decent ratings. It earned another premiere on major broadcasting network Shenzhen TV on January 1, 2011.
Yi Zhi Mei is known in Chinese folklore as a legendary thief who lived during the Ming Dynasty. His name Yi Zhi Mei came about after he successfully stole a painting of a plum blossom. The character is often portrayed in pop culture.
In Korean, the character is known as Iljimae and has often been depicted as a Korean Robing Hood.
The production team added manhua elements to add to the uniqueness of the drama.

Cast

	Wallace Huo as Li Gexiao
	Cecilia Liu Shishi as Yan Sanniang
	Ray Ma Tianyu as He Xiaomei
	Shi Hang Yu as Chai Hu
	Edwin Siu as Ying Wuqiu
	Tong Liya as Jing Ruyi