NRTA Reveals Dramas With Episode Count Changes

It could be for many reasons that a drama series has to cut down or increase their episode count. The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) released a list of drama series that recently made changes to their episode count. 

Novoland: Eagle Flag 69 to 70

The Majesty of Wolf 48 to 58

Yi Shen Gu Zhu Zhi Wen Rou 40 to 52

The Legends 50 to 55

Hai Zhi Yao 36 to 45

One Step to the Heavens 40 to 50

Another Me 48 to 53

My True Friend 46 to 48

The Moonlight Doesn't Understand My Heart 46 to 48

Handsome Siblings 50 to 53

Listening Snow Tower 60 to 56

City of Desire 45 to 42

All Is Well 55 to 46

The Story of Minglan 76 to 73

Puzzle 40 to 52

The Longest Day in Chang'an 60 to 26

You Are My Answer 40 to 42

The Golden Eyes 60 to 56

A Journey To Meet Love 46 to 53

Qing Yu Nian 52 to 46

August Not The End 80 to 60

Against the Light 30 to 46

Chen Xi Yuan 58 to 60 

Among them, the most noticeable is The Longest Day In Chang'An for having a drastic reduction from 60 to 26 episodes! It is an action thriller based on the novel of the same name by Ma Bo Yong starring Jackson Yee and Lei Jiayin. Netizens immediately feared that the reason for the drastic change could be censorship. 

Director Cao Dun appeases viewers with an explanation.  Apparently, The Longest Day In Chang'An is divided into 2 parts for the NRTA review.  The first part reviewed by NRTA was 26 episodes long and the second part is still in post production.  Cao Dun reassures that no substantial cuts were made.  

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The Legends

Based on the novel by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang 九鹭非香, The Legends 招摇 is a fantasy romance drama that tells the story of Lu Zhaoyao, the leader of the demonic Wan Lu sect. It spans 40 episodes and features a cast led by Bai Lu, Xu Kai, Dai Xu and Shane Xiao Yan.    

Synopsis from chinesedrama.info

Lu Zhaoyao is the fearless leader of Wan Lu Men.  She falls into a dangerous situation while she was attempting to claim the sword that the old Demon King left behind. She mistakenly assumes Mo Qing to be the culprit who betrayed her.

Five years later, Lu Zhaoyao manages to establish a connection with Qin Zhiyan of the Immortal Sect. She also returns to Wan Lu Man, hoping to reclaim her position as leader. Howere, Mo Qing has already taken back his identity as Li Chenlan, the son of the Demon KIng, and currently sits in the center of power.  Lu Zhaoyao entices him to steal another sword for her sake while she colludes with Jiang Wu with a scheme of her own.

Contrary to expectations, Lu Zhaoyao gets kidnapped by Jiang Wu instead. Secrets for the past are revealed and Lu Zhaoyao realizes who her enemies are and who has stayed by her side all along.

Bai Lu plays Lu Zhaoyao, the fearless leader of the Wan Lu sect. While attempting to recover the former Demon King's sword, she is ambushed by the ten immortal sects.

Xu Kai is cast in the role of Mo Qing, a disfigured guard who is in fact, Li Chenlan, the son of the former Demon King.  

Dai Xu plays the character Jiang Wu who seems to be the main antagonist in the series.

Shane Xiao Yan plays Qin Zhiyan who belongs to one of the immortal sects. She and Lu Zhaoyao establish a connection with each other.

I think that this series is going to be fun to watch. It only has 40 episodes and also has Xu Kai playing the male lead.  He has risen in popularity after Story of Yanxi Palace, and this will no doubt bring a positive influence for The Legends.

Release Date: TBD

Vote for your favorite Chinese dramas in 2018. 

Source: 1