I Will Never Let You Go currently airing starring Ariel Lin and Vin Zhang

I Will Never Let You Go 小女花不弃 is a 51-episode Chinese drama series adapted from the novel Xiaonv Hua Buqi.  Although the announcement of its release was very low key and sudden, it looks to be a promising series... mainly because of Ariel Lin who has finally returned to doing period dramas again after 5 years. (Already in her mid-thirties, she hasn't aged at all!)  

Ariel Lin, remembered for roles in period and modern dramas alike such will top bill this one along with Vin Zhang Binbin. His career has steadily risen since Three Lives Three Worlds, incidentally, he is younger than Ariel by 11 years.  

The story revolves around a young wanderer with an extraordinary business sense and the masked hero who saves her which ultimately results in them falling in love. When the wanderer is revealed to be the Divine Maiden who will obtain a legendary treasure, various enemies hunt her down. She then lives life on the run and meets her savior who turns out to be the ambitious prince that wants to take the throne. 

It includes Austin Lin (Unexpected), Kris Sun (Ever Night), Huang Xindi, Zhang Yan, Xing En (Romantic Detectives), Xiao Xiangfei, Lin Ziqing, Song Wenzuo, Peng Bo, Bao Yanxi, Viann Zhang (Untouchable Lovers) and Huang Meng (Fei Ge Zhan Dui). 

Aside from the leads, the remaining cast was only introduced this week, many of which are new faces. Viann Zhang who has top billed a number of historical dramas is surprisingly part of the supporting cast. She plays a woman troubled by love. 

Release Date: January 8, 2019 Zhejiang TV (two episodes every Tuesday - Thursday 10pm), Tencent, iQIYI, Youku

Source:  1

Goodbye My Princess

Goodbye My Princess 东宫 is a Chinese drama based on a novel by Fei Wo Si Cun 匪我思存 that runs for 55 episodes. Hopefully, that will be enough to satisfy us drama addicts because the few shots of the main couple are very captivating.

Goodbye My Princess follows the story of the ninth princess of the Xi Liang country, who despite being spoiled, is well loved by her people. She is arranged to be married to a prince of the Central Plains. However, they are dragged into a world of politics, intrigue, betrayal and the struggle for power. Will they be able to weather the trials set before them and find each other again?

It features a mixed cast of veteran actors as well as some newcomers. Chen Xingxu (Legend of the Condor Heroes 2017) plays the mild-tempered prince while Peng Xiaoran (Legend of Ba Qing) will give life to the role of the princess from Xi Liang. They are joined by Wei Qianxiang, Si Qin Gao Wa, Gallen Lo, Wang Zhifei, Zhang Dinghan and more. 

Release Date: December 12, 2018 Youku (Postponed due to schedule changes)

Vote for your favorite Chinese dramas in 2018. 

Source: 1

The Story of Minglan (2018)

The Story of Minglan 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦 is a 76-episode historical drama based on Guan Xin Ze Luan's 关心则乱 novel of the same name. It follows our heroine, Minglan (Zhao Liying) through her childhood as she blooms into a beautiful woman and eventually marries the leading man Gu Ting Ye (Feng Shaofeng). Funny how that worked out in real life too. 

Minglan is the 6th child of the Sheng family. Her mother dies early and although she is intelligent and kind, she's not favored by her father nor anyone in her family. Through the years, Minglan hides her brilliance, hoping to one day avenge her mother. During the process, she will meet many friends and foes, including Gu Ting Ye. 

Zhu Yilong from Guardian is the other male lead. I feel like we may hear the sounds of hearts breaking when he doesn't get the girl! I've seen Zhao Liying in Journey of Flower and Princess Agents. Don't get me started with the latter, I'm still disappointed with the ending, but I really like Zhao Liying's acting and probably have a preferential bias for her dramas. This seems like a slice of life story in an ancient setting and not my usual choice. I feel confident about this though because it comes from the makers of Nirvana in Fire. 

Other cast include Kira Shi Shi, Zhang Jianing, Cao Cuifen, Liu Jun, Liu Lin, Gao Lu, Wang Renjun, Wang Yinan, Li Yixiao, Chen Jin, Wang Herun, Zhang Xiaoqian, and Li Hongtao.

Release date: December 25, 2018 Hunan TV, iQiYi, Tencent, Youku (eng subs on Viki)

Vote for your favorite Chinese series in 2018. 

Source: 1