yes.. and that's what I'm looking for in Moonlit Reunion... more of that "haunting" feeling Xu Kai said the director keep playing this really eerie BGM when he was inside this dark space with only a candle - it harkened him back to GE
Wonder if this gonna be like 'fahai' monk in legend of white snake šLike all demons must be exterminated, or…
Moonlit Reunion skips the tired āpriests vs. demonsā and good-vs-evil tropes. Rooted in Taoist philosophy, it follows Wu Zhen (a half-demon) and Mei Zhu Yu (a Taoist priest) as they team up to maintain spiritual balance, confront specific threats, and fall in love. Instead of demon-hunting, itās about coexistence, compassion, and romanceānot a black-and-white battle between good and evil.
Philosophy TLOWS Buddhist morality, MR Taoist harmony and balance Tone TLOWS Tragic and dramatic, MR Romantic, whimsical, and warm Human-Spirit Relations TLOWS Forbidden and punished, MR Cooperative and protective Religious Figure TLOWS Fa Hai (rigid, antagonistic), MR Mei Zhu Yu (compassionate, Taoist) Female Lead TLOWS Bai Suzhen (spirit seeking love), MR Wu Zhen (half demon governing demon city) Ending TLOWS Often bittersweet or tragic MR Focuses on love and daily joy
In TD, the other two directors may have directed specific scenes. Lu Hao Jiji is often cited first and is mentioned in promotional materials. He is definitely the lead director. One of supporting directors is closely associated with Yu Zheng and TD is a Y Zheng production. The other director, I don't know. There is a risk with Lu Hao Jiji, he's into abstract and arts, and he did an ending that I thought was very beautiful, but no one understood it, so Y Zheng shot 40.5 to make it very clear TD was HE. What impressed me is that the 2fl in TD credited the director for how he helped her to bring out her emotions, she didn't' think she could do it.
Have they start filming this? Wu Jin Yan backed from giving birth?
have you noticed how fit Wu Jinyan is and was during her pregnancy. I bet she practically back to normal the same week she gave birth. She used to be a professional ballerina and seems to be one who kept her fitness. I saw a video of her walking out of the hospital with her new baby. They started filming ceremony. It's great to see her, that 2nd ml from TD, and Zhang Nan working together (all from same agency). https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j0LIgTM0V-c?feature=share
Douban Synopsis of Jiangshan for Hire Ā· Ā· Ā· Ā· Ā· Ā· Adapted from the novel of the same name by Yanyan. Meng Tinghui, the first strange woman in the history of the Daping Dynasty to enter the Hanlin Academy with a female Jinshi degree. Ten years ago, she was rescued from the pile of dead by him, unkempt and slurred. Ten years later, she was full of knowledge and crowned everyone, and she was generous in the women's Jinshi subject, becoming a high-profile female official in the DPRK and China for more than 20 years. In the past few years, she has been promoted from a small sixth-rank Hanlin Academy editor all the way to a councilor on an equal footing with many old ministers, and has been called a traitor by the court and the Chinese Qing Dynasty and does not care. That dragon throne was high, that man looked at the world, she willingly lay down under him, watching him consolidate the country, watching him raise the people, watching him govern the peace, and watching him step by step become the most powerful emperor in the history of the Daping Dynasty. He saved her back then, and now she repays him, even if it becomes a stepping stone for his lifelong imperial enterprise, she has no regrets, but she has done everything, but she has not calculated, in fact, he also loves her. One is a wise hero who enjoys the world's fame, and the other is a traitor who bears the infamy of the ages, and their love path is destined to be full of thorns.
I'm glad Xu Kai got to work under this director. It could mean future projects associated with him. He's the producer for a new project with Wu Jinyan as female lead.
Oh Wow, director Lu Hao Ji Ji is producer. This is his first as producer. I wonder if he will direct it too (Douban has director, Zhang Yanjie, but no info on him, maybe it's alias). and he's got the female lead and second male lead from his big hit The Double as the female lead and second male lead, respectively, here too, as well as Yu Zheng's other actors like Zhang Nan. This is one to watch for. He has been working back-to-back ever since The Double, after a decade hiatus.
"Ten years ago, she was rescued from a pile of dead bodies, unkempt and disheveled." In The Double, her husband buried her alive.
There was a lot of subtle humor in the novel, you almost have to use your imagination to see the fun. For example, Mei searched for the tabby cat, who ran away, when he found one, he wasn't sure if it was Wu Zhen, then a man said that's my daughter's cat, then another tabby showed up, and Mei thought that might be Wu Zhen, but the man said, oh my daughter has two tabbies. Poor Mei.
Mei, a powerful Taoist, cannot resist Wu Zhen. So, he has to recite chants.
My gut tells me whoever adapted it (the screenwriters are ghost) gave it a real plot so it's not the same daily life as in the novel, but the characters, the setting, the Taoism, the weirdness, is all there. I think all the characters will stay true to the novel, because they're such wonderful characters, that's the strength of the novel. So, I don't think anyone has any idea what the plot is. Then this director he's really into weirdness and sadistic themes, but to keep the characters intact, you also have to keep the sweetness. But I think he will build in some sadistic scenes. If you watched The Double, you see his style. I think Moonlit Reunion will be a very happy ending like the novel. I don't know, but it feels like that kind of story.
In Chinese fantasy dramas, spirits known as yao jing (å¦ē²¾) are often shape-shifters who take on human or animal formsālike Wu Zhenās deputy, Hu Zhu, a fox spirit (huli jing) rooted in folklore for seduction and trickery. Body swapping shows up too, though in this drama it seems more for comic relief than spiritual depth. These supernatural elements are grounded in Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes harmony between the spiritual and physical worlds. Talismans (fu, ē¬¦), often yellow in color, are drawn with ritual symbols to protect against evil, summon spiritual forces, or exorcise malevolent entities. Mei, a powerful Taoist in the story, has cultivated strong talismanic abilities. Knowing a bit about Taoist practices really enhances the viewing experience.
A huli jing (ēēøē²¾) is a fox spirit from Chinese mythology, known for its ability to shapeshift, often into a beautiful seductive woman. Wu Zhen's deputy if I recall she turns herself into a seductive woman and sometimes a man too.
Taoist cultivation is the practice of refining body and spirit to align with the Tao, often aiming for spiritual power or immortality, not in the physical sense but as a transcendence of worldly limitations. This involves meditation, breathwork, and internal alchemy to strengthen qi (life energy). Rituals include chanting, offerings, and using talismans (fu, ē¬¦) to summon, protect, or banish spirits. Taoist priests cultivate these powers over time, allowing them to heal, exorcise, and maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms. In Moonlit Reunion, Mei Zhu Yu often recites Taoist chants when his thoughts drift toward things he feels he shouldnāt dwell on ā an example of mental discipline and spiritual self-regulation, showing how deeply his cultivation shapes not just his powers, but his inner life. However, in the novel, Mei already left the temple, and I don't view him as a priest anymore, even though he still practices Taoism, which I supposed is why he can get marry. He is to me not a monk or priest, but a Taoist practitioner, even can be referred to as a Daoist due to his affiliation with the sect and its practices.
Looks like Iām ruffling some feathers among Xu Kaiās fans, but at least itās sparking a discussion. Itās…
How are you ruffling feathers? I actually agreed with you ā there are plenty of actors and celebrities in China that people prefer over Xu Kai, such as yourself. Itās totally fine not to like him. But since you brought it up, I think itās fair to also acknowledge why others do appreciate him.
When he first encountered the tabby cat, he was so kind to it, he wiped its feet that got ink on it. That impressed her about him. But he didn't know it was her, so he would ignore it. Later, he realized they were missed opportunites.
2 
1 
Xu Kai said the director keep playing this really eerie BGM when he was inside this dark space with only a candle - it harkened him back to GE
https://www.viki.com/tv/41179c-moonlit-reunion
https://www.viki.com/tv/41179c-moonlit-reunion
Philosophy TLOWS Buddhist morality, MR Taoist harmony and balance
Tone TLOWS Tragic and dramatic, MR Romantic, whimsical, and warm
Human-Spirit Relations TLOWS Forbidden and punished, MR Cooperative and protective
Religious Figure TLOWS Fa Hai (rigid, antagonistic), MR Mei Zhu Yu (compassionate, Taoist)
Female Lead TLOWS Bai Suzhen (spirit seeking love), MR Wu Zhen (half demon governing demon city)
Ending TLOWS Often bittersweet or tragic MR Focuses on love and daily joy
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j0LIgTM0V-c?feature=share
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Yanyan. Meng Tinghui, the first strange woman in the history of the Daping Dynasty to enter the Hanlin Academy with a female Jinshi degree. Ten years ago, she was rescued from the pile of dead by him, unkempt and slurred. Ten years later, she was full of knowledge and crowned everyone, and she was generous in the women's Jinshi subject, becoming a high-profile female official in the DPRK and China for more than 20 years. In the past few years, she has been promoted from a small sixth-rank Hanlin Academy editor all the way to a councilor on an equal footing with many old ministers, and has been called a traitor by the court and the Chinese Qing Dynasty and does not care. That dragon throne was high, that man looked at the world, she willingly lay down under him, watching him consolidate the country, watching him raise the people, watching him govern the peace, and watching him step by step become the most powerful emperor in the history of the Daping Dynasty. He saved her back then, and now she repays him, even if it becomes a stepping stone for his lifelong imperial enterprise, she has no regrets, but she has done everything, but she has not calculated, in fact, he also loves her. One is a wise hero who enjoys the world's fame, and the other is a traitor who bears the infamy of the ages, and their love path is destined to be full of thorns.
Also known as: Imperial Ballad
"Ten years ago, she was rescued from a pile of dead bodies, unkempt and disheveled." In The Double, her husband buried her alive.
Mei, a powerful Taoist, cannot resist Wu Zhen. So, he has to recite chants.
My gut tells me whoever adapted it (the screenwriters are ghost) gave it a real plot so it's not the same daily life as in the novel, but the characters, the setting, the Taoism, the weirdness, is all there. I think all the characters will stay true to the novel, because they're such wonderful characters, that's the strength of the novel. So, I don't think anyone has any idea what the plot is. Then this director he's really into weirdness and sadistic themes, but to keep the characters intact, you also have to keep the sweetness. But I think he will build in some sadistic scenes. If you watched The Double, you see his style. I think Moonlit Reunion will be a very happy ending like the novel. I don't know, but it feels like that kind of story.
A huli jing (ēēøē²¾) is a fox spirit from Chinese mythology, known for its ability to shapeshift, often into a beautiful seductive woman. Wu Zhen's deputy if I recall she turns herself into a seductive woman and sometimes a man too.
Taoist cultivation is the practice of refining body and spirit to align with the Tao, often aiming for spiritual power or immortality, not in the physical sense but as a transcendence of worldly limitations. This involves meditation, breathwork, and internal alchemy to strengthen qi (life energy). Rituals include chanting, offerings, and using talismans (fu, ē¬¦) to summon, protect, or banish spirits. Taoist priests cultivate these powers over time, allowing them to heal, exorcise, and maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms. In Moonlit Reunion, Mei Zhu Yu often recites Taoist chants when his thoughts drift toward things he feels he shouldnāt dwell on ā an example of mental discipline and spiritual self-regulation, showing how deeply his cultivation shapes not just his powers, but his inner life. However, in the novel, Mei already left the temple, and I don't view him as a priest anymore, even though he still practices Taoism, which I supposed is why he can get marry. He is to me not a monk or priest, but a Taoist practitioner, even can be referred to as a Daoist due to his affiliation with the sect and its practices.