I just found out Chang Ge Xing has been adapted to live action as a C-Drama set to release sometime in 2021 (details here) and am curious what other readers of the manhua think of it.

Here's a link to the trailer on YouTube.

Does anyone have updated info on Xia Da's legal disputes over Chang Ge Xing, or does anyone know exactly how popular a work it is in China? I check her Weibo occasionally, but my Chinese is pretty mediocre, so I can only get the gist of things. I'm personally not that intrigued by the trailer, but the cast seems to be all well-known actors, so this will probably give Chang Ge Xing more exposure and maybe help Xia Da's legal fights? It's a stretch, I know, but one can hope.

So thoughts?

Yeah, excited for the drama! Not much expectations though since the costumes from the posters look like cosplay. Will still try to watch it for the sake of the story. Hope they don't butcher it.

I heard that Chang Ge Xing was very popular in China when it first started but it has been years since the last chapter was published. I don't think the author Xia Da is going to win her legal disputes as she's moved on and started another series?

Edit:
Just watched the trailer. Love that Dilraba Dilmurat is the one playing Chang Ge's character since Dilraba's also of Uyghur ethnicity! Hopefully the author's intended ending gets to be included in the drama so there's closure for all the fans.

Last edited by milkgreentea at 11:18 pm, Nov 8 2020

I know of Xia Da's new series, but I guess I still hope she can revive Chang Ge Xing one day.

Also, I know of Dilraba Dilmurat but didn't know that she was of Uyghur descent! I currently don't intend to watch the drama, but if Xia Da does include her intended ending in it, I will probably check it out.

A comment someone replied back to me about Xia Da....super excited!


as far as I know, she finally succeeded in getting the rights back, and it is going to continue, along with her other series zi bu yu (which is great!). but there are no timelines. I heartily recommend you check out her currently updating series Bu Tian Ge...while I think the story is currently not as good as Chang Ge Xing, the art is absolutely gorgeous full color and I mean, I love me some xianxia.

This is a video bilibili released last year saying they have the rights to Chang Ge Xing, that it will be continuing, that zi bu yu will continue, and also that they're going to make an animated version of Chang Ge Xing. They also say they're gonna need some time, though 😉 https://www.bilibili.com/video/av797785653/

I never read the manhua (maybe I'll read it when I have time) but I watched the drama. Haven't finished the rest tho, still in ~30 eps but damn the adaptation is probably the only Chinese drama that keep me going. Love the casts so much, the story too. It's far from the tension that Akatsuki no Yona offers, but Chang Ge Xing has its own interesting tale to tell.

Anyway, are there any developments about the continuation? Not yet?

I'd definitely recommend reading the manhua even though it's not complete yet. It's just so good and well worth the time reading it that I've read it three times already lol

Uggh, taking another ongoing (and unfinished at that) is challenging lol but yeah I want to see if the story can still make me cry (especially I cried watching A Dou's scene 😭)

That scene broke my heart too 😢

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Have you finished the drama by now? I still haven’t watched it, but I have some time to kill lately, so I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.

P.S. I also recommend reading the manhua even though it’s unfinished. I usually regret/avoid unfinished works, but Chang Ge Xing is worth reading even if unfinished.

I haven't XD but if you don't mind…it's only last few episodes for me so shouldn't be much different anyway.

As far as the actors/actresses are concerned, the acting is great. No doubt about it. For the size of a colossal drama, the selection of the cast fulfills its purpose to present memorable and interesting characters. I'm not familiar with acting in Chinese dramas but I recommend it as a first watch for those who have never tried dramas other than Korean and others.

My only regret is that they didn't make good use of the fighting part. This received a lot of criticism despite all the components in the drama getting a positive response from many people. I also feel uncomfortable when the war part is replaced with animation and only sound is heard in the background. What the hell?? Haha ngl it’s a little disappointing. I don't know why, but I've heard on the forums, they said they were limiting the crowd seeing this drama was also shot around covid already spreading. But if you want to look at it from the other side, I think this is also intentional to make the drama more “friendly” and the focus is more on the tragedy of human relationships than full action.

Lastly, I found no flaws in the pacing. They certainly take time but every minute is packed very well and in detail. I just finished Part 1 of Alchemy of Souls, if you want me to compare it, I think The Long Ballad is superior.

It's always the good characters that the writer kills first 😔 I didn't expect it, I always thought A Dou would stay with Chang Ge

Thanks for sharing! Shame about the fighting since I rather enjoy action, but good to hear the rest is done well. I'm also curious to see where the drama ends. Anyone who's read the manga and can tell me if it goes beyond what the manga has?

But guess I'll try the first episode sometime since it's on YouTube and easy to access.

Sorry I'm not much help. I have short term memory, so most of it has disappeared from my memory. In short, it's a satisfying viewing experience for me. I'm also satisfied with the romance as a bonus. Although in the end I grew to like Hao Du and Leyan more than the main couple.

I hope you enjoy it!

LOL I still haven't watched it either yet XD
I heard that they added a second romance line for the drama's second male lead (I think it might be that assassin dude Hao Dou) by introducing a whole new female character as the second female lead.
The thing is, Hao Dou wasn't second male lead in the manga so I'm always hesitant on how well the show turns out to be when they change it like that.

if you're watching the drama (or finished it) please let me know your thoughts 🙂

@Xunu
Oh I'm glad the secondary romance couple turned out well! Maybe I'll start watching it after I finish the cdrama Joy of Life on Youtube.

Wait, so Ah Dou dies in the drama??! but that's so different from the manga
(I don't mind spoilers btw)

Last edited by lambchopsil at 11:34 pm, Aug 18 2022

So it's been a month, and I actually still haven't watched it yet because I realized they made a second romance line and that Ah Dou dies right before doing so. That made me kind of cross the drama off my list because Hao Dou isn't a prominent character and Ah Dou has yet to die in the manhua.

The drama has been on my radar all this time because I've always been wanting the manhua to continue, so if it's that different, I'll skip it for now.

P.S. Excited to see you are/were watching Joy of Life though! I love that drama and have been waiting for S2 all through the pandemic until now.