In the last issue, I had waxed philosophical aside from nostalgic. This time, I am back to earth (so to speak) to share with you some of my latest finds online which you may (or may not) find worth your time and attention. In my case, they filled up my time with great joy and further knowledge, so maybe the same will happen to others like you too. Somehow, I always come away with more than I had (hopefully more of a human being than I was) before I viewed the videos I will be recommending shortly.
During this age of covid, the content found online in the net have provided me a vicarious way to travel to other countries and cultures, which I miss dearly. To be sure, those pleasurable days will be back, albeit with some adjustments, but I am so grateful for all the posts online which have satisfied my desire for watching classical concerts, travelling and soaking in other cultures, roaming around art galleries and museums to marvel at both known and unknown (to me, at least) artists.
Even the space trips of Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic were a thrill to me. Another bonus I delight in is that there are videos that provide some kind of spiritual contentment or calm. So whether you seek for spiritual fulfillment of some kind or other more mundane (maybe I should say pragmatic desires), going online has provided me with endless hours of absorbing enjoyment and fulfillment.
First off are some very engaging C-dramas which I think are very well-written and whose story developments are so refreshing. There are 2 of them that I have been following with great eagerness, although, to be sure, there are a host of others just as notable if not even more than noteworthy. Sometimes, I am hard put to choose which ones that are posted online almost as early as their premier dates in China. Fabulous!
My decree is that Japan will finally post online their NHK produced taiga dramas like Go: Himetachi no Sengoku, a 2011 (was it that long ago?) Japanese historical drama television series and the 50th taiga drama. If follows the rise from daimyo to shogun of the famous Tokugawa Ieyasu (among other things) through the life of Princess Go. But let me not go on and on about this particular series or this will never end.
My focus today is on 2 new productions of China which are now ongoing both in China and online (albeit online posts of the episode are delayed). One of the reasons, by the way, that I watch so much of these Chinese dramas is that here are so many of them posted online for free. I think that is one of the most effective ways of soft diplomacy for a country.
Show the richness and beauty of your culture and customs globally through entertainment. And show them at no cost to the viewers. Not to forget, of course, that subtitles in many languages should be provided, which they do, for most of them at least.
“You Are My Glory” is a C drama rom/com television series by Tencent Video which is posted on Youtube but also on other streaming sites. It stars Dilraba Dilmurat (being of Uyghur descent thus the middle-eastern looks and name) and Yang Yang, 2 of the hottest young Chinese stars today.
Yes, it does have the first usual (I say “usual” because this is not always the case) requisite for bringing in numbers (ratings, that is)- bankable stars. But lo and behold, they are not only bankable but are very good actors, aside from being quite charming and charismatic. Aside from the “kilig” or swoon factor which comes with the chemistry of the 2 actors, it is admirable that part of the script revolves around the chosen career of the male lead, Yang Yang playing the role of Yu Tu, an aerospace engineer.
This was refreshing and informative, especially in the light of the recent space exploration events both in the U.S., the U.K and China. This was something new and different from the other romcoms. The way the drama was written, I feel, was so relaxing and life-like, aside from being wholesome and family-friendly.
One of the reasons I like watching Asian dramas, mainly Korean, Japanese and Chinese, is that they have less nudity (or should I say, none at all) and are not as violent as Western dramas. Of course, there are exceptions, but on the whole Asian culture is a bit more conservative, more so when it comes to on-screen content. YAMG (You are My Glory) is no exception, for sure, inspite of the hugging and kissing.
The emphasis was on romance and whatever ideas of sex is only subtly implied. And all these with full pajamas for both. (By the way, take note of the satin pajamas of Dilraba. Made me want to rush to Uniqlo to get me a pair. Ha ha! One other item, I must not forget to mention is the musical scoring of the series. I loved it! From the signature opening song to the closing song to the incidental scoring within the story.
I am not quite sure yet how YAMG will fare online as far as number of views as it has just ended, but I would not be surprised if it will reach billions of views (yes billions with a B. As I had mentioned before, there are C dramas that have reach 25 to30 billion views! Amazing!) By the way, I understand from a Chinese friend that they are now lessening the number of episodes for their dramas.
So, YAMG is only 32 episodes. I have been so used to watching C dramas of 50 to 70 episodes each. No regrets though. I still enjoyed them especially one of my favorites on Netflix – Rise of the Phoenixes with Chen Kun and Nini. Exquisite – Story, acting, production design. One other actor I am looking out for because of his excellent acting in the drama series Ming Dynasty is Zhu Yawen released in 2019.
I finally found one other series with him which was released in 2010 or 2011 but, sadly, no Eng subtitles yet. I am not sure but I believe it revolves around the story of the military strategist Sun Tzu, the author of the centuries-old military treatise The Art of War.
As written in National Geographic Aug 31, 2020 – “The Art of War has remained relevant over the years because it is about strategy and tactics rather than specific war technology. It has influenced leaders all over the world, not only in warfare but in many areas of life, including business.”
The second C drama which I am currently watching and am recommending as well is the period or historical drama “Song of of Youth” just recently released. If you want something wholesome and charming with all the foils and foibles (and glories as well) of being young and learning to be more responsible as one grows up, then check this series out.
It is on Youtube and other streaming sites as well like Dramacool. SOY (Song of Youth) has 43 episodes though. At least it does not have 70 episodes. It is still ongoing but so far I find it quite engaging and entertaining.
The stories of each member of the Sun family is a refreshing relief from all the hard news around. I find it literally an escape from all the negative events. Naturally, not all is rosy for the Sun clan but as they navigate their lives it is interesting to discover how each situation is resolved. SOY stars Bai Lu and Wang Yi Zhe, who play the lead roles very charmingly. I will have more to say about this series next time as I still have vestiges of a hangover from YAMG.
More on other videos – If you want to watch a video and feel like you are meditating without doing so, watch the video posts of Anna Film Production especially the ones going through forests and gardens and temples in different places in Japan.
No music, no annotation, just incidental sounds of nature. What I also find restful and deeply relaxing is the video posted on the 100 temples and shrines in Kyoto. The exquisite video puts me almost on a meditative state.
On classical music videos, the latest find for me are the ones posted of Icelandic concert pianist Vikingur Olafsson. The moment he gives a concert here in Toronto, I will be there – covid or no covid. I suggest you watch and listen to his videos. His aesthetic sense in the presentation of his videos are exactly up my alley.
Like a combination of wabi-sabi and something unearthly. Almost mystical. And his piano artistry or style is mesmerizing. Check out his rendition of contemporary composer Philip Glass’ Etude No. 2 and Etude No. 16 from the album Piano Works. As of now, I cannot find the right words to describe the way he plays.
All I know is that I was transfixed by his piano playing — restrained and yet deeply intense. Down to earth yet bordering on (corny as it is) heavenly. No flamboyance but arresting. I am eagerly awaiting the videos on his being featured at the BBC Proms just last month.
I believe this was the first in-person BBC Proms Music Festival in London after Covid. Actually, the festival is still ongoing until the first week of September. He was the guest artist just a few days ago. Lucky audience, I have to say.
There other videos online which provide delight and information to no end. To each is his (or her) taste but what I have mentioned are just some of the finds which have given me pleasure and enjoyment while being holed up at home (most of the time) for the past month. Hoping to share with you more next time while enjoying the rest of the summer.
Tessie O. Taylor
taylorteresita@gmail.com