Friday, 15 May 2020

Novoland: Pearl Eclipse

Web Drama: Novoland: Pearl Eclipse
Chinese Title: 斛珠夫人 / Hu Zhu Fu Ren
Broadcast Network: Beijing TV
Broadcast Website: Tencent

Broadcast Date: November 13, 2021

Air Time: Wed-Sun 20:00 (2 eps), 6 eps released on premiere for VIP, Daily (1 ep) with 2 eps released on premiere for non-VIP (See Viewing Calendar)
Initial Release Date: November 10, 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Language: Mandarin
Episodes: 48
Director: Jin Sha
Screenwriter: Xiao Ruse
Production Company: Tencent Penguin Pictures, Jaywalk Studio, Houhai Culture, Eazen Pictures
Producer: Gao Chen, Liu Eryun
Origin: China
Source: Adapted from a novel of the same name by Xiao Ruse
Watch Episodes On: Youtube (eng subs)

Love Meter

Synopsis and Plot Summary

Set in the vast world of Novoland is a story that follows three individuals. A young woman from a fishing village who survives a massacre is pulled into the power struggles of the imperial court. She gets into complicated relations with the most powerful official of Dazheng and its emperor.

While at the juncture of life and death, Hai Shi's (Yang Mi) pleas for help is heard by Fang Zhu (William Chan) who happened to pass by. He is the number one minister of Dazheng. From then on, Hai Shi becomes Fang Zhu's apprentice and starts to pose as a man to stay by his side.

With Dazheng in a state of chaos, its young and unpredictable emperor Di Xu (Xu Kaicheng) who has gotten tired from the endless civil strife has lost all motivation to rule. Di Xu seemingly turns a blind eye to Fang Zhu's efforts to keep the peace, yet silently keeps watch from the sidelines.

Hai Shi catches the eye of the emperor after she is ordered to become his guard. After experiencing many trials together, their relationship revolves from that of distrust to a mutual understanding. However, Hai Shi depends and relies on Fang Zhu in a way that cannot be explained in words. With the rise of the rebellion, Hai Shi bravely bears the responsibility to protect the people.

Fun Facts

Tencent held a press conference in November 2018 to unveil their upcoming projects. Yang Mi attended the event to announce her new drama Novoland: Pearl Eclipse.
After rumors that filming for Thank You Doctor has been postponed, Yang Mi was said to start filming Novoland: Pearl Eclipse instead. Her rumored leading man William Chan was also reported to to be completing his 14-day quarantine in Hengdian.
Filming started in Hengdian World Studios on May 3, 2020.
Filming wrapped after 5 months on September 20, 2020.
After posters of Novoland: Pearl Eclipse were released, some fans of Zhao Liying threw plagiarism accusations by saying that the poster of Yang Mi holding a bow and arrow was similar to Zhao Liying holding a bow and arrow in Princess Agents. Yang Mi's fans shot down the accusations by saying that Yang Mi plays a character that is adept at shooting arrows. In the past, Xiao Ruse who wrote Pearl Eclipse had sued Xiao Xiang Dong Er for plagiarism and won.
In the novel, the story centers around a young woman descended from merpeople, her teacher who is a powerful eunuch and the emperor.
A few days after it premiered online, Novoland: Pearl Eclipse is set to also premiere on primetime television beginning Nov 13, 2021.
Yang Mi and William Chan walked the red carpet together at the 2021 Harper's Bazaar Stars Charity Night.
It is the third collaboration between Yang Mi and Willliam Chan after Sword of Legends and L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties.

Cast

	Yang Mi as Fang Haishi / Ye Haishi
	William Chan as Fang Zhu / Fang Jianming
	Xu Kaicheng as Di Xu / Chu Zhongxu
	Chen Xiaoyun as Ti Lan / Zi Zan
	Jiang Yiting as Chu Jichang (Young)
	Wang Sen as Fang Zhuoying / Duo Han / Duo Luo
	Wang Xingchen as Te Muge
	Yuan Yuxuan as Zhe Liu
	Julia Ye Qing as Chu Linlang