“Cruel Romance” Achieves High Ratings
Absent from television screens for two years, Huang Xiaoming (黃曉明) returns in new Mainland drama Cruel Romance <錦繡緣-華麗冒險>, a project which he also invested in. Also starring Joe Chen (陈乔恩), Cruel Romance has achieved impressive ratings in its initial broadcast on Hunan TV.
The ending theme song, “Fate” <緣> has also been very popularly received, with the number of downloads increasing since its debut. The music video for “Fate” was officially released a few days ago, with scenes of Xiaoming in contemporary times and his Republican-era character seamlessly blended together. Fans were smitten by Xiaoming’s ability to appear both suave as his contemporary self and heroic as his character in Cruel Romance.
Adapted from a bestselling novel, Cruel Romance depicts the love story between Zuozen (Huang Xiaoming), a triad leader who is at once domineering and a devoted lover, and Jinxiu (Joe Chen), a kind-hearted and resilient country girl. In the politically unstable Republican era, the relationship between the two are repeatedly tested as they go through many trials and tribulations.
“Cruel Romance” Trailer
[vsw id=”UWpxfn7tF58″ source=”youtube” width=”500″ height=”375″ autoplay=”no”]
Source: Sina.com
This article is written by Jingles for JayneStars.com.
While her acting chops are still much up for debate, that Joe Chen sure have the midas touch in terms of picking project with most of which turning out to be rating champions.
@terminator: personally Joe Chen’s acting finesse is not up for debate to me. She’s just fabulous, hence high ratings for all her dramas. You must see her in swordsman. When she’s onscreen, my eyes draw naturally to her. She shimmers and shine on every scene.
Agree @moncheri
She totally surprised me as DFBB! Such an amazing actress. One of plus point in Joe is her ability to create chemistry with everyone.
Joe’s definitely a skilled and versatile actress.
@momo – *cosign*
i wasn’t sure if she could pull it off, but she succeeded with flying colors. honestly she should’ve been the main actress as dfbb in that drama. what a shame T_T.
joe is one of the better actresses in asian today
Sounds interesting- the plot sounds similar to Lady and Liar though. Even Joe’s hairstyle is the same as Tiffany’s lol.
At least hers is not fake. Tiffany’s hair was really bothering me. She shouldn’t have used a wig, it’s not as if all women back then had a fringe…
That style is actually very common for a republic drama…
Yeah I agree I really dislike the wigs! I was getting really annoyed with it especially on My Sunshine! One look & you can tell its fake! Though I understand that she didn’t want to cut her hair…
In a place full of gems of many sorts, Joe Chen definitely comes out the “Diamond”. Audience draw to her shining on screen, thats why her dramas always get high ratings.
I definitely will watch how she ‘rock’ Cruel Romance.
I’m watching it right now lol first time watching her drama and hxm’s drama.. I have to say it’s actually good. lol I recommend it
after watching one episode，looks like hxm selling his body. Only one episode there are several topless scene of him with wierd looking steroid muscles. Joe Chen? How many time has she act this same role, can’t stand her typical innocent and cute eyes expression. She is in mid 30 for God sake. Her acting still the same in the past and now. hasn’ improve at all. She actually start up quite decent but Nvr really improve.
Very much like k drama storyline. Anyway sex sells. I have a friend who declares quite earnestly HXM is the best actor in the universe. Proven through track record. She also says he is definitely 6 feet tall.
I am sure she will enjoy this series. I was very interested in Yue Fei series but first episode, saw him, I switched off immediately. Not my cup of tea.
Problem with yue fei is it’s too long winded :/ I tried watching that series, and it’s just long and boring -.- there is no real grips to it. You know yue fei has bad endings, and up and downs, but his triumph is never gratifying… Maybe that’s just how realistic it is, but it was too realistic for it to be entertaining -.-
Kdrama might always feature a cute, innocent main girl, but the plot is different (or I just pick good random series :p), the way they drive humor is creative. Cdrama is same old same old, lame cliche humor to the point of annoyance. You definitely can pick out who’s the useless characters that are there to fill the times lot, prolong the series while added nothing useful to the plot/story in the first 15mins >_>
Never see appeal in joe, I actually don’t like her look much, so I guess I’ll pass since idc about hxm either or the period the drama base on
Sounds like HXM is the only actor your friend knows (no offense intended).HXM came out about the height debate no long ago, admitting he wasn’t 6 feet tall.
I stopped watching Yue Fei after ZXY’s character died. They blantantly copied and pasted the majority of battle scenes, some of which they didn’t even bother to re-edit. You could always see the same soldiers killed and come back to life in the next battle, only to be killed again.
I agree with Little fishy’s statement about kdrama humor, Cdrama humor is lame and repetitive.
well, she does have a innocent and cute face so thats why they chose her? lol
For some reason I never be able to watch Joe Chen series. I tried several series of her but watch a few episode and I quit. She is not my cup of tea. The same apply for HXM too. The only time I saw his movie is the Condo of Hero in 2006 when he played Yang Wa. Now I can barely look at his plastic face.
“a triad leader who is at once domineering and a devoted lover,”
Fifty Shades of Grey? 😛
No whips! More like Twilight.
Rating champions? C’mon this is Chen Qiao En’s drama! She is fantastic, and happen to melt my heart. So yeah really like her acting.
Cruel Romance novel got me hooked. So i have high hope. The show is shaping up very nicely. Can’t wait to see tonight episodes. Haha I enjoy the grab chest! XD
forget to say,
Oh yah, the director is Taiwan’s director Lin He Long. So it feels different from other Cdramas. I like his directing, the show is definitely gorgeously filmed, with good action sequences.
The pros of Joe Chen’s acting skill is that, it does come out very natural as though she’s putting herself into the character.
However, I do feel like her acting hasn’t really improved from her Prince turn into Frog days. Which is, not necessary a negative thing because her acting is admirable during those days as well.
It’s a lot better than watching Cecilia Liu in Scarlet Heart and Sound of the Desert. I swear it feels like I’m watching the same person, same character in different stories.
Totally agree. Cecilia is a horrible actress. She is one of the worst mainland actresses. I watched Sound of the desert for Eddie, but I couldn’t even finish the drama because of her lol I also couldnt finish Scarlet heart…
IDK, Joe still acts just like how she did in Frog Prince. I’ve watch quite a few of her drama not because of her but because of the male lead, I don’t think she a great actress, she’s passable only. Ha, I just don’t understand the thrill or hype about her.
I actually feel like her acting is pretty decent. She’s good at expressing emotions with her expressions.Though i do feel like she has gotten cocky after rising to fame in china. Sometimes i feel like she’s trying to act cute with the way she talks. but oh well, that’s her personality.
Chen Qiao En is a great actress. When watching she act, I can sense the emotions coming off her.. she’s really into the character. And her eyes very expressive.
@Juniov
She’s cute in her own way and doesn’t have to try. Qiao En just always like that, so cute and funny.