Podcasts about zhen huan

We were unprepared for the events of this episode!!! (TW: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Self Harm, Poisoning, Acting Down Boots) The fire at Zhen Huan's palace is out, but the scheming is on! And just like that.... one of the most iconic girls winds up in the Cold Palace and discovers the truth. But when two girls pass away suddenly, two girls get promoted. That's show business, baby! Then our hosts Trenty and Big Westi get into the whispers going around the palace as well as a group language challenge listing all the Cowboy Carter tracks in a row without looking. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

What is a wife? A concubine? A harem? A princess? What is the ideal three-way scenario? Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi are joined by historical drama enthusiast and murder mystery show runner Susan Clarke to really dig in to these essential questions. Big moves are being made in regards to the boy drama and Zhen Huan and her sister An Lingrong end up on Spooky Island. The 17th Prince looks dashing as the black Power Ranger and we play another round of "Listen!" (And be sure to see Women Who Kill: A Detective Mystery on March 8-9th at The Pearl!) Send us your Whispers by leaving a comment or messaging us on Instagram, WeChat, AiFaDian, or wherever you see us on the streets. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi enlist the help of local legend QianQian and her beautiful hands to guide them through the drama of episode 38. One of the girls gets a big promotion and you will NOT believe who it is! Zhen Huan continues to play it cool, despite the heat of the Summer Palace as Hua Fei acts the house down boots. We spread some whispers in the palace and play a new game called "LISTEN!" --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

Daddy is very upset, so Zhen Huan is called up to make him feel better by meddling in state affairs. Hua Fei feels a little suspicious at the new turn of good fortune she is receiving. A lot of names are dropped and our hosts have literally no concept of who or what they are. But one thing is for certain - The Empress Dowager is MOTHER. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

What is that word that ends with OON???? Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi keep things sisterly as they dive deep into the stunts and gags from episode 34. It's winter again and Zhen Huan finally decides to stop being sad. Instead she leaves the girls a little bit very gagged. This throws the Empress and An Lingrong into a spiral as the Emperor is immediately obsessed. We get some Whispers from some concubines and the library is open for Big Westi to attempt a reading challenge. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

In the second episode of our double-wide premiere, our hosts Trenty and Big Westi are once again joined by Monte X. They compare the colors of their chrysanthemums and bemoan how sad Zhen Huan continues to be. Big Westi also attempts a rather heated game of 电话. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

You heard it here first - Taylor Swift is a 甄学家 all thanks to our hosts Trenty and Big Westi. Taylor takes some time away from the road to discuss ALL things drama, lewks, and language in episode 30. Sadly, our prayers did not work and Zhen Huan lost her child. She spends the majority of the episode lying down and reading the emperor down boots. Hua Fei chooses to serve more natural girl face and hair to beg for forgiveness, and Shen Mei Zhuang has a theory..... We get into your Whispers from the Palace and Taylor Swift reads gay erotica for our language challenge. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whitegaze/message

The Empress Nala takes a swing at the Empress Dowager by exposing to the Emperor that the Empress Dowager is not his actual birth mother, but instead the woman who killed his birth mother to claim him as her own. It doesn't look good for the Empress Dowager but then we are reminded that she is the cunning and intelligent Zhen Huan who won't be taken down so easily. Even Ying Luo has to learn a few things from the Empress Dowager.

It's been rough since Roly Poly Gui Ren's untimely passing, but no one seems to care except for Zhen Huan. The Empress has a migraine attack conveniently at the same time that Hua Fei's brother slays some war stuff and gets a promotion.... Qi Fei gets used by a handful of the girls without even realizing it and An Linrong continues to scheme. Shen Meizhuang is shocked and appalled, but might be getting back into the game. Big Westi also slays a language challenge (his tones may not be right, but he's always good to fill a blank/hole) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Get the tissues ready because we are literally cryinggggggggggggg! Despite what previous legendary guests have said, we have lost all love in our hearts for Hua Fei after the evil she does in the palace this week. The emperor tries to apologize to one of the girls but she stands firm and gives him nooch. Zhen Huan has an extravagant birthday party and discovers she's setting trends all across the kingdom. Maybe that's why she has the courage to serve cunt while facing down one of her rivals in the garden. But if you have any cakes or cookies laying around, eat them. Eat them all now. You never really know if it will be your last.... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Wait a moment! Our hosts Trenty and big Westi are honored to be joined by Shanghai's very own Huang Hou, Beaverhausen! She gives us all the tea on historical makeup technicals, who is the queen on contouring in the palace, as well as laying out the most despicable conspiracy to be set upon the palace. We truly can not deal with what we learned on this day... The Empress is scolded for not hiding the evidence, as Zhen Huan enjoys the beginnings of her new life as a mother. Hua Fei summons a new doctor from outside, but truly, can we even trust doctors anymore? (Note: of course we support science and doctors duh! But this was 1723!) Two of the girls get a promotion and yet, things have never felt so dangerous for our girls. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Inhale...... Hold......Exhale...... and STRIKE! The good news is that Shen Meizhuang is finally using color on her lips. The bad news? The girls' relaxing stroll through the garden takes a deadly turn when Pine Nut leaps out in ferocious CGI. But then everyone quickly forgets about that when some more good news finally comes our way for Zhen Huan. Thank goodness Fuca Gui Ren isn't the main character... Things indicate our subscribers may be getting Zhen Huan Justice pt. 2 very soon, so make sure to like and subscribe! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

This whole episode? It's chocolate... Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi have HAD IT with the Emperor this week. A shocking discovery forces him to make a series of bad choices that ripple through the harem, ultimately resulting in 40 minutes of bullying Zhen Huan. An Lingrong is played around with and it looks like she's about to snap. We need to speak to the writers. Will anything good ever happen in the palace? Will we ever use allusion with an "a" correctly? Will we ever go back to the swing???? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

The Magpie Bridge Brigade wants YOU to serve your kingdom! Our Hosts Trenty and Big Westi did not pass the trial, but perhaps you've got what it takes. Carson Wei gives us the tea on translations and for surviving the latest outbreak. COVID 1723 has hit the capitol, and even our favorite girls at the palace cannot escape the virus! Hua Fei uses the virus for political gain (sounds familiar) and the girls struggle to get enough PPE and mugwort/ginger to protect themselves. Zhen Huan risks it all to protect her sisters, and a surprising deus ex machine arrives just in time. But is it too late to save one of our favorite girls???? Also Fuca Gui Ren is pregnant? Lol ok. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

These Momos better update their curriculum to include theatre etiquette! There is plenty of drama, looks, and language to dive into this week as Hua Fei still doesn't have enough tutoring money to keep up with her expensive lifestyle, her brother is still being an asshole to everyone he sees, An Linrong's jealousy gets the better of her, and all the girls are fighting in the middle of the theatre. Zhen Huan also schools us all on matters of poetry and history, so please send us a message if you have any context to add about allllllllll the deep references made. We simply cannot keep up with the culture! Finally, Big Westi tries his hand at calligraphy in a game of How Many Strokes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Mixers make some noise! An Lingrong has the recipe and it's called "Escucha Las Palabras De Las Brujas". Our hosts dive deep into episode 21 of Empresses in the palace and.... brrrr it's cold in here. The girls bust our their winter vests and play in the snow. One lucky girl is verrrrrry excited to serve the Emperor for the first time and Zhen Huan does some home improvements she saw on Pinterest. Hua Fei comes up with a clever scheme to make some quick cash and the Empress doesn't want any silly talk! We cover a whole lot of Whispers in the Palace and Trenty takes a trip to the hypothetical marriage market in the language challenge. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Is the Emperor a 熊 or a 猪? Is she gonna zither from there? What do eunuchs smell like exactly? Can Trenty finally win a guest language challenge? All these questions find answers and MORE as our hosts Big Westi and Trenty are joined by local legend Lady N Gentlemen! We are suddenly back at the regular palace and the winter winds are blowing from the northwest. It's a metaphor. Hua Fei is joined by her brother for a family brunch with the Emperor and Zhen Huan suddenly finds herself on the precipice of another All Star Talent Show performance. The competition is tight this week for 本周心机争宠装， and our hosts learn a LOT of new gay lingo in the language challenge. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Our hosts are really resonating this episode because the drama is THIQUE. The Emperor announces when he arrives AND when he leaves, but by then the power has already shifted dramatically in the harem. Zhen Huan has a heartbreaking reunion with Shen Meizhuang, but time is not on their side. A romantic boat ride has all of our chrysanthemums quivering. Cao Gui Ren convinces Hua Fei to try out the new holiday flavor from Double Scorpio (plz sponsor us), meanwhile Zhen Huan and Jade have a dramatic showdown, but can their sisterhood survive this betrayal? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

We've got a cliffhanger on our hands, and no I'm not talking about Big Westi's toes in a fierce pair of Christian Louboutins. Our hosts dive deep into episode 18 of Zhen Huan Zhuan, and the drama is piping (the looks not so much...) Daddy Yongzheng just wants to sit in his study and read his war papers but unfortunately the harem stays messy. Hua Fei is a naughty girl but he can't punish her. Zhen Huan keeps getting accuse of wrongdoing. And there is a secret mole in the Broken Jade Palace! Zhen Huan must lay her most devious trap yet to discover their identity and true intentions... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Come on flowers, come on other kinds of flowers, come on Nina Flowers...it's time for a new episode of Zhen Huan Zhuan! Today our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive deep into the procedural court drama that is Empresses in the Palace. Jade is acting out of pocket and Lady Melodic 2.0 is riding high on her previous successes. But when a mystery ingredient is found inside the baby food, harsh justice must be brought down upon the heads of the culprits. Will Hua Fei be exposed? Will Car Gui Ren rescue her baby? Will Zhen Huan's main character energy fall short? And please.... if you're a botanist please assist.... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

A clip of Legend of Zhen Huan, starring 16 aunts in Shanghai, has gone viral online and received a lot of praise. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of filming activities for popular movies and TV series aimed at ordinary people, and these activities also seized the moment to promote themselves.Join other motivated learners on your Chinese learning journey with maayot. Receive a daily Chinese reading in Mandarin Chinese in your inbox. Full text in Chinese, daily quiz to test your understanding, one-click dictionary, new words, etc.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at contact[at]maayot.com

Did you see that really fierce bird???? Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi go into nature this week to recap Episode 15 of Empresses in The Palace. We wanna get into that Summer Palace vibe, you know? Joining them is EXTRA special guest Sarah Bourek, who is a true Zhen Xue Jia despite her inability to differentiate tones. Zhen Huan is gloating over her victory with the Emperor when the UNTHINKABLE happens... and one of our faves is sent to pussy prison... The Emperor shows us that he's a true Katy Kat by truly embodying the lyrics of "Hot & Cold" as the Empress and Hua Fei continue their Cold War. Please let us know in the comments who do YOU think had the best look this week AND who truly won the Tongue Twister Smackdown for the Crown. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

All Stars rules are in full effect! It's Princess Wenyi's birthday and the emperor is throwing a birthday ball! Category is: Best Drag as all the girls wear their fiercest outfits in order to become the Top All Star of the week. One of our favorite girls arrives to the Summer Palace just in time to form the most unstoppable girl group performance since the Frock Destroyers. But could a voyeur at the pond ruin everything for Zhen Huan? Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive deep into this drama and more, and Big Westi plays a quick game of "Don't Take That Tone With Me!". --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

I wish we had a pool... It's getting hot in here as our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive deep into the drama, looks, and language of Episode 12 of Empresses in the Palace. The Emperor takes the All Stars All Winners concubines to the verdant Summer Palace to relax and get some fresh air. Cao Gui Ren starts meddling for attention and Hua Fei wears an ugly dress. We finally see another man and one of the girls is in the preggers mood... We relay some more whispers in the palace and close out pride month with a special rainbow vocab challenge. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Do you believe in ghosts? We thank you for taking a break from streaming Break My Soul to join our hosts Trenty and Big Westi as they dive deep into the drama, lewks, and language of Zhen Huan Zhuan Episode 11. One of the palace faves makes their butch queen first time up in drags debut in order to flush out the TRUE mastermind behind Zhen Huan's poisoning. But the girls do NOT do enjoy spooky stunts. The werkroom gets so heated that even the Empress Dowager gets involved (aka annoyed af) and ONE of the girls goes to the Cold Palace....brrr... or boo.... bitch.... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Buku! Buku! Buku! Our hosts are joined by EXTRA special guest Enema Stone as they dive deep into the drama, looks, and language of Empresses in the Palace, Episode 10. There's something sour in the tonics, and detective Zhen Huan is on the case! It reveals a deep conspiracy running through the palace - but will she discover the truth in time? Will the harem ever recover? Will we ever see the 17th Prince???? Find out all this and more, as our hosts compete in a special Pride Edition of the Chinese Culture Quiz. Be sure to follow Enema Stone on social media @ ...... idk just look up Enema Stone.... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

HE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!! Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive deep into the drama, looks, and....not the language of Episode 9 of Empresses in the Palace. Hua Fei sets her sights on our favorite girls, determined to regain favor with the Emperor. This puts Shen Meizhuang at the center of a murderous plot. The Emperor, meanwhile, gets naughty with Zhen Huan, who continues to slay on the zither. Qi Fei shoots her shot as a Pink Lady and the 17th Prince is still inexplicably absent from the palace. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

It's Pride Again! Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi ring in pride month with an especially h*rny recap of Episode 8 of Empresses in the Palace. One lucky concubine gets taken to New Star Day Spa with with the Emperor while two girls are forced to stay home and simply stare at the moon... Battle lines are being drawn between Hua Fei and Zhen Huan, who confesses that she likes it raw. Our hosts also report on listener feedback in a new segment called Whispers in the Palace, and Big Westi plays a game of "Are You Smarter Than and HSK 5th Grader." Want to submit some palace secrets? Leave us a voice message at: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Are you calling me fat??? Our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive deep into episode 7 of Empresses in the Palace, 甄嬛传. The Apricot Garden STAYS being spicy as Zhen Huan faces off against Yu DaYing....er....GuanNuZi... Suddenly, a moment of reunion changes everything for Zhen Huan. Her girls show up to celebrate and Shen MeiZhuang asks Zhen Huan the important question: do you wanna be on top? Either way, Zhen Huan's palace gets major upgrades and Big Westi prepares a very special game of Lost in Translation: Divas Edition. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

An Lingrong.... we were all rooting for you!!!! The seasons fly by and our hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive DEEP into the drama, looks, and language of episode six, COVID-19 lockdown be damned! An Lingrong has her big moment with the emperor, Yu DaYing aka Lady Melodic sings KTV deep into the night but gets into a bit of trouble, and Zhen Huan bravely goes outside and plays on a swing in the garden. They bear witness to the rise and fall of the girls who play the Game of P*ssies and Big Westi plays a game of 读书好，好读书. Native speakers.... we're sorry.... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

新年快乐！恭喜发财！ It's New Year's at the palace so it's time to party!!! Zhen Huan is finding it difficult to source fuel for her fire now that it's fully winter time and she's still pretending to be sick. Hua Fei throws the Lunar New Year party and drinks too much bai jiu. A romantic moonlight encounter, mistaken identity, and finally a HOT MAN! Plus, guest Nick Zhang (Nick Muomuo) gives us ALL the fun facts about the show and gives us the ultimate Chinese culture quiz. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

*Cough* *Cough* I'm sick :/ This week, hosts Trenty and Big Westi recap episode 4 of 甄嬛传(Zhen Huan Zhuan), otherwise known as Empresses in the Palace. Zhen Huan gets a visit from Dr. Wen, who is thankfully wearing a hat this time. Shen Meizhuang inspects her 菊花 (chrysanthemum) with some help from the Emperor. And FINALLY, we solve the case of Fuzi's mysterious death. Trenty also plays a game of How Many Strokes with a topical, current, relevant theme. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Has anyone seen the emperor? Hosts Trenty and Big Westi dive DEEP into episode three of 甄嬛传, otherwise known as Empresses in the Palace. The eunuchs stay in their bags while the girls all move into the palace. Poor An Lingrong is roomies with Xia, meanwhile Zhen Huan might as well be living in another city. After three days, the new girls have a showdown in their first meeting with the Empress and ONE of the girls..... let's just says she was not red...y. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

Zhen Huan is selected and returns home to pack for her new life in the palace. Hua Fei shows up late to the morning briefing after potentially committing a murder. Momo schools the girls on the rules of the palace and gives them their highly anticipated debut ranks. Zhen Huan learns a DEEP family secret and Trenty plays a game of Lost in Translation. Shoutout to Demi on Wordpress who helps with our plot summaries and to Carson Wei who writes the YouTube subtitles! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whitegaze/message

主播：Selah | 翩翩歌曲 : Never on Sunday1.《甄嬛传》也有美国版前段时间，翩翩老师给Selah推荐了一部中国剧——Empresses in the Palace（直译是“皇宫里的娘娘们”）。这是翻译成英文的名字。It originally airedin China as The Legend of Zhen Huan. 这部剧2011年上映，国内名字是The Legend of Zhen Huan（《甄嬛传》）。《甄嬛传》在中国，可以称得上a household name（家喻户晓的名字）。Selah看完一部分后，感受是：• I have an ‘old time' feel to it. 感到很古老。• very Chinese, traditional feeling 很有中国传统的感觉*air v.上映*household /ˈhaʊshoʊld/ adj. 家喻户晓的这部剧出了美国版本，加了英文字幕（English subtitle）。Selah评价这部剧的翻译是：● It is pretty good. 相当好。● It is translated very beautifully. 翻译得很美。● You can still get the feel of the show. 仍能感受到原汁原味的剧情。我们来看，美国人是怎么翻译、制作英文版《甄嬛传》的。《甄嬛传》的英文名：Empresses in the Palace*empress /ˈemprəs/ n. 皇后*emperor /ˈempərər/ n. 皇帝*palace n. 皇宫（故宫博物院the Palace Museum）There are 6 episodes and each episode is about 90 minutes long.美版《甄嬛传》一共6集，每集大约90分钟。第一集叫做:The Pilot 为什么很多美剧的第一集（the first episode）都叫The Pilot ？The Pilot要给观众展示的是the themes and tones of the show（剧集的主题和基调），它会告诉你，what you'll get if you keep watching the show。“pilot”这个词有“飞行员”的意思，电视剧集的“pilot”的作用，就像飞行员steers a plane and controls where it goes（操纵飞机并控制它的去向）一样。所以，pilot有试播集、首航集的意思。*episode/ˈepɪsoʊd/ n. （电视连续剧或无线电广播剧的）一集*pilot /ˈpaɪlət/ 飞行员；（电视的）试播节目*steer /stɪr/ v. 掌控方向盘2.美剧版《甄嬛传》里的精彩翻译(1) 经典名词：● 菀菀，你怎么不唤朕四郎了？Why didn't you call me “my dear”?（“四郎”翻译成了“my dear”）● 是，娘娘！ Yes, my lady.● 娘娘不用太担心。Don't worry, my lady.● 一丈红 : TheScarlet Redscarlet /ˈskɑːrlət/猩红的，a brilliant, very bright red colorIt is worn by bishops in the catholic church. 天主教会的主教们会穿这个颜色，所以，用“scarlet”翻译“一丈红”，加了一层宗教含义。而且，可以说这翻译做到了“信、达、雅”，很符合西方文化特色。在剧中，华妃说：今年的枫叶好像不够红啊! It's not striking enough. 那就赏夏常在一丈红吧：Then I will award Attendant XiaThe Scarlet Red.*striking /ˈstraɪkɪŋ/ adj. 显著的* award /əˈwɔːrd/ v. 奖励美国有本小说叫The ScarletLetter（《红字》），主要讲的是一个女人因为affair（婚外情），然后发生的一系列bad things。“scarlet”和sin（原罪）以及something evil（邪恶的事）有关，表示“罪孽深重”。不得不说，“一丈红”翻译为“TheScarlet Red”，绝了！● 别人行礼后，皇上或皇后常说：起来吧。You may rise. *rise：rise有一种royal（庄严的，高贵的），slow的感觉。● 请皇上翻牌子。Your Majesty，please select a concubine.*Your Majesty：陛下*concubine /ˈkɑ:ŋkjubaɪn/ n. 妾● 得宠: His majestyfavors her.*favor /ˈfeɪvər/ v. 比较喜欢；宠爱● 失宠: lost the favorShe has lost the Emperor's favor.*favor n. 宠爱● 惊鸿舞: flying wild goose*wild goose大雁● 冷宫: Cold Palace● 滴血验亲：blood test ● 臣妾做不到啊！ I truly cannot bear it!*bear v. 忍受；承受● 慎刑司：The Office of Punishment(2) Ranks & Titles 后宫嫔妃等级● 小主: Young mistress ● 答应:2nd Attendantattendant /əˈtendənt/ n. 服务员*light attendant空乘人员*room attendant客房服务员*train attendant列车服务员● 常在: 1st Attendant● 贵人: NobleLady● 嫔：Concubine /ˈkɑ:ŋkjubaɪn/菀嫔：Concubine Wan 晋菀嫔为妃：Let's promote Concubine Wan to Consort.*promote /prəˈmoʊt/ v. 晋升● 妃：Consort /ˈkɑːnsɔːrt/华妃:Consort Hua 熹妃回宫：Consort Xi returns.● 贵妃：NobleConsort 朕要封你为贵妃：I grant you the title of Noble Consort.*grant /ɡrænt/授予，给予的都是big deal（很重要的东西或事情）。比如我们说，“不要把别人的爱当做理所当然”就可以说，“Don't take it for granted.”• 对皇帝说话称陛下：Your Majesty臣妾参见皇上：I greet Your Majesty.(3) 漂亮的名句翻译下面这些翻译得很漂亮的名句，我们完全可以用在日常英语中：● 尽人事，听天命: Do what I'm allowed. The rest I leave tofate.*fate /feɪt/ n. 命运● 今日之恩，没齿难忘: I will never forget your kindness as long as I live.● 不入虎穴，焉得虎子: A tigercubcannot be caught without entering the tiger's lair.*cub （熊、狮、狐狸等的）幼兽，崽*lair /ler/ n.（野兽的）巢穴● 太阳从西边出来了: Pigs may well fly!（猪也会飞？）● 兵行险招: It's worth the risk.● 她非池中之物，迟早的事: She's an extraordinarygirl. Itisjust a matter of time.*extraordinary /ɪkˈstrɔːrdəneri/ adj. 异乎寻常的（注意读音，不是extra和ordinary读音的相加哦，要把a的音去掉）如果大家想看美版《甄嬛传》的话，可以到咱们公众号后台，发送“美版甄嬛传”五个字，就可以领取片源了。欢迎大家留言告诉我们：美版《甄嬛传》中，你最喜欢的翻译是哪几句？

Zhen Huan is filled with hatred towards the Emperor after the death of the 17th Prince. Ning Pin schemes to slowly poison the Emperor. Zhen Huan seizes power in the Palace as the failing Emperor's suspicions towards the 6th prince reignites. In a final confrontation between the Emperor and Zhen Huan, Zhen Huan reveals her hatred towards the Emperor. The drama ends with Zhen Huan taking the mantle as Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty as her adoptive son, the 4th Prince, ascends the throne.

The Emperor has finally caught on to the 17th prince's feelings towards Zhen Huan and sets multiple traps for the 17th prince to confirm his suspicions. Unfortunately, the 17th prince falls directly in those traps and the Emperor forces Zhen Huan to kill her beloved in an act of jealousy. In their final meeting, the 17th prince drinks the poison she wanted for herself to protect Zhen Huan one last time.

The Empress and Emperor meet for one final showdown. The Empress finally confesses to her crimes but how will the Emperor react? What will happen to the Empress? The Emperor also has to deal with growing unrest in the Empire as a familiar face comes back to stir trouble for Zhen Huan

Zhen Huan continues to turn her attention to her biggest enemy in the Imperial Harem, the Empress. She needs to destroy the Empress's remaining power in the Palace, her adoptive son the 3rd Prince. Zhen Huan and her faction are forced to make sacrifices along the way as they devise plans against the Empress. Will they succeed?

An Ling Rong's pregnancy comes to abrupt end with some help from Zhen Huan. That's just the beginning. An Ling Rong meets finally meets her downfall as Zhen Huan and her faction exposes her of her misdeeds in the past. The two former friends meet for one final conversation where An Ling Rong makes a shocking statement

The Emperor has his eyes set on Zhen Huan's youngest sister as she reminds him of his late wife. Unfortunately, she and the Emperor's 19th brother have already declared love for each other. Elsewhere, Zhen Huan's foes are starting to fall, leaving the Empress with fewer and fewer allies.

The Emperor has started setting his sights on other conquests and this time, he turned to Zhen Huan's sisters. In order to escape this attention, Huan Bi, Zhen Huan's maid/half-sister, may or may not have orchestrated an opportunity to align herself with the 17th prince. While she has loved him for many years, he still only has eyes for Zhen Huan. Unfortunately, in order to prevent any further suspicion between him and Zhen Huan, he accepts marrying Huan Bi and the daughter of a duke, Meng Jing Xian.

After a tumultuous day, Zhen Huan's heavily pregnant best friend, Shen Mei Zhuang, suffers a shock that forces her into labor. Though the doctors do their best to save both mother and daughter, Shen Mei Zhuang passes away with the two people she cares for most by her bedside. On a lighter note, after the events of the adultery accusation, Zhen Huan's younger sister gains the attention of both the Emperor and the 19th prince.

Zhen Huan is accused of adultery by the Empress's team in front of the entire Imperial Harem. The supposed lover though? The imperial doctor Wen Shi Chu. This is clearly a set up in an effort to destroy Zhen Huan. The Empress's team does everything in its power to prove Zhen Huan's infidelity while Zhen Huan's team work together to protect her. In an intense scene as the two sides battle it out in front of the Emperor, Zhen Huan must keep her nerve as she is accused that the Emperor is not the father of her twin children.

An Ling Rong lost her voice in the last episode and needs to claw her way back into favor. She hatches a plan to perform a show on the ice. However, to do so, she must practice skating and lose a lot of weight to capture the attention of the Emperor. Zhen Huan is more than happy to assist her if it means that An Ling Rong will never be able bear children. This is the calm before the storm that will engulf Zhen Huan and her loved ones.

After successfully giving birth to twins, Zhen Huan enjoys a promotion and is now the second most powerful woman in the Imperial Harem, just behind the Empress. This of course, prompts the Empress to start further retaliation against Zhen Huan. As these two powerful factions emerge in the palace, the various ladies have to decide which team to be a part of.

Following the discovery of the forbidden relationship between Zhen Huan's head maid and the Emperor's head eunuch, Zhen Huan masterfully secures their release from hard labor and further corporal punishment after a carefully crafted conversation with the Emperor. Both maid and eunuch are returned to their posts with fines. Later on, Zhen Huan, heavily pregnant with twins, meets her former lover, the 17th prince. After a heartfelt encounter, she is attacked by a group of cats that causes her to go into labor. Fortunately, she successfully gives birth to a healthy boy and girl.

Shen Mei Zhuang is pregnant but who is the father? The doctor has his hands full to take care of two pregnancies. It's been smooth sailing for Zhen Huan for a while and the Empress needs to strike. She gets the perfect opportunity to do some from a tip from a former ally. What does Zhen Huan have to do to protect herself and her servants?

Zhen Huan, having found her footing back in the Imperial Harem, has started to retaliate against her enemies. She quickly confines Qi Pin, the woman who's father framed her own father for crimes that exiled him, and her former friend An Ling Rong. Both of these ladies were part of the Empress's group who is public enemy number 1. Meanwhile, the Emperor finally visits Zhen Huan's best friend, Shen Mei Zhuang. The two have an awkward dinner where the Empress Dowager even sends them some alcohol to help them along but he decides to leave. She is saddened by her current state, gets drunk and her servants call for the Imperial Doctor Wen Shi Chu to provide her some medicine. After he arrives, one thing leads to another and... the emperor once again wears a green hat.

Zhen Huan is back at the palace and already fending off attacks to her life and her unborn child. She, being older and wiser now, is ready to face these challenges and starts gathering intel in the palace. She see there is conflict between two concubines, one of whom's father framed her own father several years ago and caused her family to be exiled. She does not provide any mercy before starting her retaliation, albeit in a cunning way, against those who have wronged her.

Zhen Huan finally returns to the Imperial Harem after three years. She is back with a vengeance! Look at that makeup, the hair, the clothes! How will the other ladies in the Imperial Harem react to her return? Some are happy but the majority are not. All we can say is Zhen Huan is BACK

In an effort to protect her grandkids, the Empress Dowager decides to allow Zhen Huan, now pregnant, to return to the palace. The Emperor, now with his mother's permission, is resolute in bringing Zhen Huan back. So much so that he gives Zhen Huan a new identity to make her path as smooth as possible, much to the surprise of the Empress. But as Zhen Huan is preparing to return to the palace, she receives a shocking surprise.

Zhen Huan "reveals" her pregnancy to the Emperor who is ecstatic at the news. Zhen Huan plots to return to the palace as a concubine but word reaches the Empress. She plots to prevent Zhen Huan's return to the Imperial Harem with the help of an Imperial Astronomer. Zhen huan needs to find another path to return. The Empress turns her attention towards the Emperor's remaining sons.

The Empress continues to wield her power in the Imperial Harem by manipulating a Consort into harming a new concubine. While the Empress Dowager sees through these horrible acts, there is no one in the Imperial Harem powerful enough to counter the Empress. Meanwhile, Zhen Huan, pregnant with the 17th prince's child, hears devastating news. She has to decide how to proceed given her precarious situation and the need to provide medical attention to her exiled father. Her only route is to seek attention from none other than the Emperor.

The main character Zhen Huan is blissfully enjoying quality time with the 17th prince. He, wanting to cement their relationship, decides that the two sign a marriage contract. The two do so before he heads off on a trip assigned to him by the emperor. Elsewhere in the palace, the emperor fell ill due to stress from work but also because in his subconscious, he missed Zhen Huan. When he wakes up, he takes a liking a horse tamer maid named Ye Lan Yi and makes her into a concubine. Many of the women in the imperial harem are jealous but they need not have been. Ye Lan Yi does not like the emperor and did not wish to become a concubine at all.

These 2 episodes give the opportunity for the 17th Prince to fully showcase his love for Zhen Huan and be that knight in shining armor. He rescues her when she is sick and stays outside her residence in the evenings to make sure she is safe. Do his efforts pay off? Elsewhere, the Emperor has decided it's time to eliminate another threat so he instructs his mother, the Empress Dowager, to remove the minister Long Ke Duo. The love/hate relationship between the two is revealed and the Empress Dowager ultimately does her duty to the throne.

Zhen huan leaves behind her life as an Imperial Concubine after giving birth to her daughter to become a nun at a temple outside of the palace. Her life there is challenging but she does it in order to keep her daughter safe. Inside the palace, the Empress is gloating about finally removing the threat that is Zhen Huan. Once she confirms that Zhen Huan is now harmless, she is able to have full control of the palace with her minions, An Ling Rong and Qi Pin. It is evident, however, that the Emperor is still not over Zhen Huan but it seems that Zhen Huan is resigned with doing hard labor at the nunnery.

Things continue to go downhill for the pregnant Zhen Huan. This time, her family is in trouble and her father is first imprisoned before the family is exiled to a cold and destitute location. All of this was done to hurt Zhen Huan by the Empress and her pawn, An Ling Rong. The two manipulative ladies, seeing that Zhen Huan is about to give birth, devise a way to cause her to miscarry in an effort to kill both mother and child. Despite this, the most devastating blow comes from none other than the Emperor himself. Zhen Huan discovers the source of all her favoritism and attention these past years in the palace. Will she be able to cope with the news?

This episode of Empresses in the Palace is full of unexpected surprises, and most of them are not good. The main character Zhen Huan is bedridden after falling from favor in the last episode. In an effort to get a doctor to see Zhen Huan, a huge sacrifice is made by one of Zhen Huan's loyal servants. When the doctor finally does arrive, it's revealed that Zhen Huan is pregnant! While this may be the only way Zhen Huan can keep her position in the palace, she is not overjoyed. Later on in the episode, Zhen Huan's friend, the imperial doctor, Wen Shi Chu also tells Zhen Huan that a gift she's been using for a long time contains a very harmful substance which was probably the root cause of her miscarriage many months ago. Zhen Huan is disgusted but it seems that all her enemies have revealed themselves. Her goal now is to make sure her pregnancy comes to term.

Having vanquished the famous Hua Fei, Zhen Huan thought she could have some peace in the Imperial Harem. Little does she know, other people have turned their attention towards her as the next target in the Imperial Harem. Zhen Huan unknowingly falls into a trap set by the scheming Empress. Zhen Huan learns of a heartbreaking secret that might break her spirit in the Imperial Harem.

Hua Fei tries desperately to cling onto power and is tricked into believing that her family is in the clear. Zhen Huan makes a scene at a banquet and is banished by the Emperor. Sensing that all is not right, the Empress orders An Ling Rong to join Zhen Huan as a sort of double agent to spy on Zhen Huan. However, the chess pieces are in place for the final checkmate to the Nian family. Huai Fei regains power and continues her lavish ways. Her brother, Nian Geng Yao, even openly mocks the Emperor. The Emperor deals a final blow to the Nian family by capturing the rest of the Nian faction including the 10th, 8th, and 9th Princes. By the end of the episode, the once powerful Hua Fei is now demoted to a lowly 1st class attendant and her brother has been sentenced to death

Despite Consort Hua's best efforts to retain favor for her family, the Emperor is focused on eliminating threats to his throne which involves getting rid of Consort Hua's brother, the famous General, Nian Geng Yao. The Emperor works with court ministers and advisors to figure out what to do with Nian Geng Yao while Zhen Huan works to bring down Consort Hua in the Imperial Harem. The result? The once powerful Nian clan sees its fall from grace.

The Emperor continues to set his trap for Hua Fei's family. Zhen Huan continues to strengthen alliances in the Imperial Harem as she also plots for Hua Fei's downfall. Hua Fei realizes she's in a precarious position and makes a heart-breaking decision to have one of her maids become a concubine. But is this enough for her?

The 10th Prince is still causing trouble for the Emperor. Zhen Huan again delivers a plan to satisfy all parties. However, she also recognizes that it's time for Consort Nian to be restored back to favor. The Empress Dowager warns Zhen Huan about the dangers in meddling in the affairs of court.

Zhen Huan has successfully recaptured the attention of the Emperor and is now back on top. With the experience of her miscarriage behind her, she is now a transformed woman. Zhen Huan spends the whole episode strategizing to strengthen her position in the palace. This time though, she is much more firm and will not be pushed around again.

Zhen Huan finally recognizes the severity of situation and her own naivety. She hatches a plan to regain favor from the Emperor with the help from some butterflies. The Emperor needs to decide marriage candidates to secure an alliance. The rest of the ladies in Imperial Harem are worried about their own future prospects with Zhen Huan's change in fortune.

Justine Cudorge, doctorante l'université de Reims, spécialistes des femmes dans les relations curiales a l'époque mérovingienne s'intéresse ici à 4 séries qui ont pour coeur de l'action un harem. Il y a 2 séries turques : « Magnificent Century » et son spin off « Magnificent Century Kosem ». Il y a aussi 2 séries chinoises : « The Legend of Zhen Huan » et « Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace ». A travers ces 4 séries elle explique le fonctionnement du harem, déconstruit les visions occidentales, souvent érotiques, sur ce lieu. Elle montre comment un harem en Chine ou dans l'Empire Ottoman est un lieu de tensions politiques, sociales ou économiques où les femmes s'organisent pour accaparer un certain pouvoir.

While An Ling Rong has recaptured the attention of the Emperor and has now been promoted to a Noble Lady, her friend, the main character, Zhen Huan is still heartbroken over her miscarriage. It's been months but Zhen Huan's depression causes a rift between her and the emperor. These 2 episodes revolve around her friends, allies and even the Empress Dowager, trying to help push Zhen Huan to understand that she needs to snap out of it. Otherwise, more suffering and pain may be in her future. Only until Zhen Huan is quite literally "slapped" out of it, does she finally decide to take some action.

Due to Hua Fei's reign of terror, Zhen Huan unfortunately loses her child. Hua Fei is punished severely and the episode revolves around the aftermath of the miscarriage. It turns out, there are more sinister forces that caused the miscarriage beyond Hua Fei's arrogance and punishment. Instead, it is Hua Fei's, now demoted to be called Nian Fei, special fragrance called Huan Yi Xiang that is the root to many mysteries in the palace. Thanks to Zhen Huan's friends, the Imperial Doctor, Wen Shi Chu, and An Ling Rong, a fellow concubine, Zhen Huan is able to understand why.

In Episode 27 of Empresses in the Palace, the main character, Zhen Huan is pregnant andjust in time for her birthday. The emperor is very excited to celebrate with her and even asks his brother, the 17th Prince, to help plan the festivities. It's quite a display and, of course, causes many of the other ladies in the imperial harem to be jealous. Unfortunately, the rest of the episode isn't as rosy. One of Zhen Huan's main friends in the palace, this cute and bubbly girl who loves eating sweets, meets an unceremonious end during a trip out in the garden.

Our heroine is pregnant but plenty of people are seething at this news. Hua fei is upset that she's not pregnant and tries everything she can to become pregnant. We learn a bit more about old feuds and past miscarriages. Zhen Huan gets promoted to a Concubine but does she realize the danger she's in? Spoiler section begins at 27:50

A seemingly harmless garden viewing party at the Empress's palace ends in chaos when the Empress's cat "accidentally" attacks the pregnant concubine, causing her to have a miscarriage. This accident was orchestrated by none other than the Empress herself and her new pawn, An Ling Rong. In a surprise twist, Zhen Huan, the main character, finds out she is also pregnant. While she is very pleased, it's clear that her pregnancy will attract a lot of unwanted and harmful attention.

Episode 23 and 24 is focused on the plague that rocks the imperial palace. Even though everyone is trying to find a cure, Consort Hua manages to infect Shen Mei Zhuang with the disease as a way to get rid of her for good. Fortunately, Zhen Huan steps in and asks her friend, the imperial doctor, Wen Shi Chu to help. Zhen Huan is also able to help clear Shen Mei Zhuang's name after the fake pregnancy scandal。 She shows the Emperor evidence that Consort Hua was the mastermind behind everything. However, Consort Hua ultimately does not get punished. Elsewhere in the palace, Noble Lady Fu Cha is pregnant (for real!) which is exciting and disappointing to many in the imperial harem and we see further glimpses of the Empress's true nature.

Hua Fei's side hustle is working quite well for her. She is making a fortune accepting bribes. Everyone at the Palace more or less knows what's happening but will anyone stop her? Meanwhile, Zhen Huan and An Ling Rong continue to drift apart. It's almost the New Year so the concubines head to the opera! We'll discuss Peking Opera and exactly what the ladies pick to watch. Only in this drama do they make us do so much research on opera titles and stories to understand how they're trying to talk to each other. Enjoy!

Hua Fei humiliates the main character Zhen Huan and An Ling Rong after summoning these two ladies to perform for her and the Emperor. We analyze the two poems that were performed. This humiliation, coupled with the fact that a cute, younger concubine named Chun Er is becoming closer to Zhen Huan, creates deeper chasms between Zhen Huan and An Ling Rong. By the end of the episode, we start seeing An Ling Rong turning away from Zhen Huan and joining the Empress's team. Elsewhere, further evidence is provided of Hua Fei's corruption and her brother Nian Geng Yao's arrogance.

In this jam packed episode, Zhen Huan finally wins a round against Hua Fei. She unknowingly flirts with a handsome Prince and confronts a backstabbing sister. Even though Hua Fei seems to have regained favor, it's not all flowers and roses for her. The Imperial Court and Imperial Harem are closely linked. Does anyone understand the pieces on the board?

It's looking like Zhen Huan has solidified her position in the Imperial Harem as her friend An Ling Rong gains favor from the Emperor. Hua Fei plots to destroy Zhen Huan, using the princess as a pawn. The princess's mother has no choice but to agree. After a few close calls, Zhen Huan finally realizes that there's a mole in her palace. Who could it be?

All the excitement and happiness around Shen Mei Zhuang's pregnancy unfortunately turns out to be...fake. She's the victim of a scheme to get her killed and she fell for it. Her "fake pregnancy plot" was uncovered right in front of the Emperor and he has her punished. Zhen Huan tries to protect herself from the fallout and save her friend but has to endure humiliation from all sides.

Zhen Huan just dazzled everyone with her dance the last episode but Hua Fei steals her thunder to regain favor with the Emperor. An Ling Rong receives some bad news about her father. The three ladies must weigh their options to save An Ling Rong's father. Alliances are created and cracks are formed. Who wins this round?

The ladies of the Imperial Harem have settled down in the Summer Palace. All seems quiet but Hua Fei's not going to stay out of favor for long. There's a birthday celebration for a princess and we get to meet a lot of princes. At the birthday bash, Zhen Huan performs one of the most iconic dances of the drama. Will that be enough to secure her favor with the Emperor?

Following all of the recent drama, the Emperor decides to take a summer retreat with several ladies in his imperial harem. They head out to the beautiful Yuan Ming Yuan (圆明园) Gardens. Zhen Huan and her friend, Shen Mei Zhuang, marvel at the luxurious amenities of this summer palace, which unfortunately, no longer exist today. Though calm on the surface during this trip, we see displays of the Emperor's dangerous paranoia towards everyone around him. Elsewhere, Shen Mei Zhuang is eager to obtain the most valuable asset in the imperial harem - a child. The question is, will she succeed?

Episode 11 of Empresses in the Palace sees the main character, Zhen Huan, and her friends putting on a show to root out the main culprit behind the plot against Zhen Huan's life in the last episode. The ghost show is successful and causes the main antagonist, Hua Fei, to lose an ally. This episode is very fun to watch and we have an even more enjoyable time discussing ghosts, superstitions and traditions around death in Chinese culture and history.

Zhen huan investigates a murder attempt. She finally decides to enter the battlefield that is the imperial harem with surprisingly good results

We discuss episode 9 of 后宫甄嬛传 Empresses in the Palace. Zhen Huan has received a lot of attention from the Emperor, causing much strife within the rest of the Imperial Harem. There's a murder attempt to one of our main characters and it becomes quite obvious that life within the Palace is perilous.

We are discussing episode 8 of 后宫甄嬛传, Empresses in the Palace. The Emperor and Zhen Huan finally have a romantic getaway. The Emperor spends much of this episode showcasing how much he favors her, much to the dismay of the other concubines in the Imperial Harem.

In Episode 6 and 7, the Emperor is enjoying spending time with, what we're calling as a Level 1 opponent, Yu Ying Er. She is a maid that is pretending to be the person the Emperor overhead in the plum garden. But of course, we know that person was actually Zhen Huan. Yu Ying Er is now a favored concubine in the Imperial Harem and is flaunting her favoritism everywhere, much to the annoyance of not just the rest of the ladies in the Imperial Harem, but also the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately for her, Zhen Huan and the Emperor cross paths again not too long after and he quickly forgets this maid and instead, turns his attention to Zhen Huan. Without having to work too hard, Zhen Huan is able to defeat this level 1 adversary.

It's winter time and the main character, Zhen Huan, is still "sick". This results in disrespect by not only her own servants, but servants who are supposed to provide her with much needed materials to survive through the cold. Luckily, her good friend, Shen Mei Zhuang, steps in to help. Meanwhile, at the New Year's Celebration, the Emperor decides to take an evening stroll to see plum blossoms. He overhears none other than Zhen Huan in the garden making a wish but wasn't able to catch a glimpse of her. Fortunately or unfortunately, the young and dashing 17th prince, and a garden maid, Yu, also overhear Zhen Huan's wish.

In this episode, Zhen Huan decides to feign illness to avoid attention from the Emperor and confrontation by the other concubines after discovering remnants of a sinister plot against the previous inhabitant of her pavilion. We discuss this sinister plot and how it's related to Chinese medicine. In her absence, Zhen Huan's close friend, Shen Mei Zhuang, starts receiving attention from the Emperor. We learn that she loves the Chrysanthemum flower and delve into why that is and what it means about her. Unfortunately, Hua Fei is not happy to share the affections of the Emperor with these new ladies and makes that clear. We also see how the Emperor has to balance court and his harem as he deals with a rebellion in his empire.

Zhen Huan and the newly selected concubines are settling into the palace. They quickly find out how deadly and dangerous the imperial harem, or hou gong, can be after just one formal court greeting in front of the Empress and Hua Fei.

In Episode 2, we discuss Zhen Huan's deliberation by the Emperor and Empress Dowager as to whether or not she has a spot in the palace. The latter tries a few interesting tricks to keep Zhen Huan from gaining entrance while the Emperor is smitten Spoiler alert: Zhen Huan gets chosen to become a concubine. We also meet the rest of the ladies in the Imperial Palace which makes for an entertaining tea time discussion.

Dr. Annie Zeng discusses the status of women in China. Using the online novel and film Empresses in the Palace / Legend of Concubine by Zhen Huan, an analysis of women and relations among women historically in China is offered. Dr. Annie Zeng teaches in the Dept. of Languages at UAA. This literary series encourages people to learn about the Chinese television series sensation Empresses in the Palace / Legend of Concubine by Zhen Huan, to read the highly acclaimed book Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongshu and to read & watch Nobel Prize in Literature author Mo Yan's Red Sorghum. This event is sponsored with the UAA Confucius Institute.

Everyone is invited to learn about the Chinese television/film sensation Empresses in the Palace / Legend of Concubine by Zhen Huan, to read the highly acclaimed book Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongshu and the book Red Sorghum by Mo Yan, recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature. The goal of this 5 part series is to view Chinese literature and media as windows for social and cultural values in China, then and now. UAA Faculty and guest speakers will lead each session. This event is sponsored with the UAA Confucius Institute.

The Breakup Guru is the latest example of how one-man's license can backfire, and how twisted China's upstart movie industry can become. Among all the Chinese celebrity couples that I know of, none is more odd than the combination of Deng Chao and Sun Li. 32-year-old Sun has recently shot to fame after her appearance in soap opera "The Legend of Zhen Huan" captured the attention of countless men and women who worship the sort of earthly sophistication known as court intrigue. Her composed and graceful manner belies a vengeful soul who sees everything and controls everything. And that's pretty cool. In contrast, her husband Deng Chao is trying to shape himself as a "Rigoletto" type of figure, going all out to defy sanity in "The Breakup Guru" and at the film's various promotional events. There are a couple of reasons behind his frenzied performances. For one thing, "The Breakup Guru" was adapted from a play of the same name by theatre director Yu Baimei, who happens to be an old-time project partner of Deng. This time, the duo are collaborating again on a story of a charlatan who makes a living by helping people breakup. The encounters are not at all pleasant. Despite the format being a film, their new joint venture emanates the same exaggerated, dramatic quality of a theatric play. Secondly, Deng Chao himself appears to be a master of this burlesque approach of performing. Since his graduation piece from China's Central Academy of Drama, Deng has repeatedly proven his talent for playing multiple roles of different yet extreme characters, "The Breakup Guru" may consist of many challenging scene of low taste, but in the end it is just a private testing ground for him to simply BE HIMSELF. Thirdly and rather unfortunately, there is no one there to rein in his overflowing performance, because he is also the director, and presumably a good friend of the other director Yu Baimei. There is also no incentive to curb his frenzy, because No.1 he is so darn good at it, and No.2 they have such a lousy script that only an overwhelming figure could keep the audience on their seats. Exactly how bad is the script? Well, the first half makes no sense, and the second half shows some futile efforts to make some sense, but arrives at nonsense all the same. As a breakup guru, Deng's only method is to try and attract the female target and sabotage the relationship as a third wheel. Doesn't sound like a skilled problem-solver at all, let alone an expert. Then he comes across this really headstrong girl who simply wouldn't let go of a good-for-nothing idiot, and guess what, he falls in love. All the while as the grotesque story develops, there is this constant mockery of people's obsession with "success", the message is pretty clear the first time, but for reasons unknown, it has to be repeated time and time again, I guess the directors must have felt pretty strongly about it. Such is the film that dared challenge the Hollywood behemoth of "Transformers: Age of Extinction". And it has actually done pretty well in terms of box office takings, earning nearly 600 million yuan in China - about one third of the Transformers and within exactly the same timeframe. Deng Chao's acting skills certainly helped, but so did the next-to-vulgarity content. Until most of our people can begin to appreciate films other than comedy, China will always be on the way to becoming a truly great nation.