Monday, September 02, 2013

Overview - The Purple Hairpin

File:紫釵奇緣.jpg

This series is based on the play The Purple Hairpin by Tang Xianzu. Taking place in the Tang Dynasty, the story details how a courtesan, prince, scholar and heroine demonstrate altruism and love in the face of immense pressure from high powers. The series follows the characters' emotional journey, combining it with Tang Dynasty dancing and wuxia elements, to illustrate a heroic and tragic love tale.

Raymond Lam is a prince living outside the palace under a disguised name. He befriends the scholar Li Yi and famous dancer Michelle Ye. Seeing Michelle's purple hairpin, Raymond knows she is his fiancée from an arranged marriage. However, she is already dating Li Yi. Raymond is content with staying silently by her side and refuses to accept a relationship with the Chancellor's daughter.

Raymond is recalled to the palace by the Emperor, who thinks the Crown Prince lacks good character to take the throne. The Crown Prince, knowing that Emperor wants to appoint a new successor, colludes with the Chancellor to interfere with Raymond at every turn. Meanwhile, the competition on the Chang'an dancing stage is heating up. Michelle defeats her rivals in the imperial dance competition, winning the title of imperial courtesan. Little did she know that this was all a set-up to compel her to accompany the princess in marriage to a foreign state. This is when the purple hairpin reveals Michelle's true identity as a princess.

Li Yi's studying finally pays off when he passes the imperial exams. He wants to marry Michelle, but is opposed by the Chancellor. Fortunately, Raymond intervenes and Li Yi is reunited with Michelle at last. Raymond then moves to the mountains so that his most beloved can lead a blissful life.


The Purple Hairpin will be airing on TVB starting September 4. 


Posted Image


Extended Trailer



Theme Song: "也無風雨也無月" by Raymond Lam



Mandarin Version: "不負如來不負卿"


6 comments:

  1. Why TVB cut/shortend some of the Scenes???

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  2. Yeah I noticed that to while watching the series in Cantonese compared to the Mandarin version. Did you notice that there was a scene that was in the Cantonese version that wasn't in the Mandarin version? Like, the return to Chang'an scene when Raymond's mom were talking to Raymond and Michelle that Michelle should ride in the carriage with her when they get close to the Chang'an. I thought that sceen was funny and cute, which was a sceen I didn't notice in the Mandarin version.

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  3. Why would someone watch both versions and find fault in it..

    This drama wasn't so good in the beginning , but it got better and the editing cramped it up at the end episodes.

    http://dubaimassagepro.blogspot.ae/

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  4. tvb does alot of cutting , adding(first hearing about the additing scenes) when buying the series from mainland or whatever, they do so to suit 'hongkong views' and cut out long dragging scenes (which i thank) hahaha
    A huge example is the drama series female prime minister .
    My aunty watched the mandarin version and i watched the cantonese, she was upto episode 15 and then events she claims to happen have already happened in episode 10 in the tvb version hahahaha
    ifyouknowwhatimean

    :)

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  5. any1 know all the actresses name?

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  6. I was so EXCITED to watch this drama. I mean after all, Michelle and Raymond were my childhood idols. They give me the feeling of nostalgia. And then I saw TVB version, and it was RUBBISH. The ending was terrible. and the flow of the drama killed it for me. Certain episodes did not flow correctly. And I thought it was really weird, like the director didn't even care for it too much or something. Something felt unsettling (after all, they were basically my childhood)... so I did a little research and learned that TVB EDITS AND CUTS OUT EVERYTHING. I was so obsessed with the notion of the RAYMICH couple, I went back and watched the mainland version (I know I'm crazy). Although the ending was terrible, and the beginning was so draggy. the little moments of flashbacks and details were SOO NECESSARY (especially the relationship between Mich&RAY!). The love story betweeen RAY AND MICH, you feel it. whereas in the TVB version, I was like... there love wasn't strong enough for them to feel this way. I had no connection with them. I was pissed off. Literally my head was boiling at the very end b/c I felt like it was a waste of my time. If the drama sucked, you could've at least given me a better love story. But TVB's terrible editing skills eliminated both ends.

    Sincerely,
    A very passionate RAYMICH DRAMA VIEWER

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