Chasing Dramas

Karen and Cathy

Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas as well as Chinese pop culture news. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Currently, they are discussing Season 1 of Joy of Life. Completed dramas/movies include: The Story of Yanxi Palace, The Longest Day in Chang'An, The Story of Ming Lan, Empresses in the Palace, Royal Nirvana, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie) among others.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

501 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes501

Newest first

July 28 · 20 min
In the Know - China's Most-Watched Dramas of 2026 So Far (Mid-Year Rankings)
Karen lists the most viewed dramas in China through the first half of 2026. Unsurprisingly, Pursuit of Jade was THE biggest drama, dominating the metrics across almost all platforms. Other top dramas include The Lead, Born With Luck, The Punishment and others.
July 20 · 18 min
In the Know - Concerts: The New Trend
In the past few months, Chinese celebrities have flocked to giving concerts, performing at music festivals, and going on tour. That has worked well for some celebrities but not so much for others. Xie Na, a famous host, encountered significant backlash with the announcement of her tour in June. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear what happened!
July 12 · 20 min
In the Know - Lu Han's Continued Drama
On July 6, influencer Si Xiao Di posted more explosive content implicating having an affair with Lu Han. After being silent for 6 months since her January posts, she also implicates other celebrities. All eyes are on Lu Han's camp and whether or not they will make a statement. Listen to our latest podcast episode on the latest developments!
July 4 · 15 min
July 2026 Chinese Drama Update: Archives: The Nan Yang Mystery, Love Has Fireworks, The Eternal Fragrance and more!
Dramas airing in June/early July 2026 include detective thrillers, some modern day romances and a few other costume dramas. Though some have outperformed expectations, there has yet to be an "explosive hit" this summer.
June 24 · 20 min
In the Know - New Regulations for Short Dramas
We first give an update on Bai Lu's woes. Then discuss the changes in regulations on the budding new short drama and micro drama industry. Hong Guo, a new micro drama app, was rumored to have also set new guidelines on content. Listen to our latest podcast episode for more details!
June 12 · 22 min
In the Know - Keep Running's Reckoning and Bai Lu's Difficult Month
Keep Running finds itself in hot water after viewers discover that cities might be paying the show millions of dollars to film at their respective cities. One of the main cast, Bai Lu, continues to find herself in hot water in the aftermath of the Keep Running controversy from May. With her new drama, First Jasmine, airing, she needs to face the negative publicity head on. Listen to our latest podcast episode to hear the latest in Chinese entertainment!
June 5 · 15 min
June 2026 Chinese Drama Update - The Lead, Zhan Zhao Adventures, The Heir, Ashes to Crown and The First Jasmine!
Our first Video podcast! May/June 2026 Chinese dramas include: Zhang Jia Yi and Liu Hao Cun in The Lead 主角 which was THE hit in May. Yang Yang, Fang Yi Lun and Zhang Ruo Nan in Zhan Zhao Adventures 雨霖铃 Yang Zi and Han Dong Jun in The Heir 家业 Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran in Ashes to Crown 翘楚 and upcoming is Bai Lu and Cheng Lei in The First Jasmine 莫离
May 29 · 23 min
In the Know - Swirling Negativity
There's been a lot of negative commentary in C-ent over the last few weeks with 3 actors/actresses at the heart of the discussion. They are - Lu Yu Xiao, Bai Lu and Wang He Di. Tune in to hear what prompted the negativity in the Chinese discourse.
May 22 · 14 min
In the Know - AI in the Chinese Entertainment Industry
In March, a Chinese Media company released a video announcing that they signed two AI generated actors to their platform. In April, iQiYi, a major Chinese media streaming company, announced that actors and actresses have signed their AI agreement that generated a lot of buzz and backlash in China.
May 15 · 25 min
In the Know - Ride the Wind 2026 Shenanigans
Ride the Wind 2026 has already garnered huge viewership and sparked major online discourse after just two performances. The live format adds an element of surprise, and three contestants have emerged as unexpected fan favorites — not because they are the strongest singers or dancers, but because they are simply so entertaining to watch. Olympian Wang Meng, actress Li Xiao Ran, and actress Tang Yi Xin have captivated audiences with their earnest yet hilariously imperfect performances. Listen to our latest podcast to hear more about the shenanigans from this season of Ride the Wind.
May 6 · 19 min
May 2026 Drama Updates - The Epoch of Miyu, Born with Luck, A Perfect Match, a Splendid Match and More!
The Epoch of Miyu was a surprise hit in April/May, where social media was abuzz about this modern day drama that featured a main female lead who was cheated on by her husband. Costume dramas currently airing right now include A Perfect Match starring Ren Jia Lun and Wang He Run and A Splendid Match starring Ren Min and Ci Sha. Born With Luck, a modern day comedy police thriller, though is offering quite the chuckle.
April 30 · 5 min
Important Chasing Dramas Announcement!
Karen and Cathy have exciting news on where they are bringing Chasing Dramas next!
April 24 · 23 min
In the Know - Ride the Wind 2026 pt 2
Another Year, another Ride the Wind competition. Tune in as we introduce the rest of the 33 ladies participating in Hunan/Mango TV's singing and dancing competition for 2026! Some fan favorites include the likes of Empresses in the Palace alum Tang Yi Xin and 90s stars such as Dai Si, Sun Yi, and Chen Yao
April 20 · 28 min
In the Know - Ride the Wind 2026 pt 1
Another Year, another Ride the Wind competition. Tune in as we introduce the first half of the ladies participating in Hunan/Mango TV's singing and dancing competition for 2026!
April 14 · 27 min
Joy of Life S2 - Ep 36: Recognizing Humanity
In the last episode of the season, Fan Xian discovers the location of where the Ming family hid the rest of the 3 Great Warehouses. He also discovers a plot on his life. Grandmaster Ye Liu Yun has been summoned by the Princess Royal to take his life. Fan Xian must choose between saving his life and taking over the 3 Great Warehouses. Listen to our latest podcast episode as we discuss episode 36 of Joy of Life season 2!
April 7 · 21 min
Joy of Life S2 - Ep 35: The Depravity of the Ming Family
Fan Xian heads to the Ming family for dinner but is met with a horrific sight and learns how little the Ming family thinks of human lives
April 3 · 17 min
April 2026 - Chinese Drama Update - Love Beyond the Grave, Veil of Shadows and more!
In March and April 2026, Dilraba Dilmurat stars in a Love Beyond the Grave alongside Chen Fei Yu as the 400 year old ruler of the spirit real. Ju Jing Yi faced a fierce battle with her agency right before her drama Veil of Shadows starring alongside Chen Du Ling, Zeng Shun Xi, and Tian Jia Rui aired. Zhou Ye starred in a 1980s drama Dream of Golden Years. Gong Jun and Ren Ming round out the month with a modern day drama Hold a Court Now. Listen to our latest episode on these dramas! We are headed to China! Please send us questions and requests as we head off to explore Heng Dian, the location where many period dramas were filmed!
March 31 · 27 min
Joy of Life S2 - Ep 34 - Making an Entrance
Fan Xian sees the corruption in JiangNan and the power the Ming family wields in the region and decides to make a powerful statement when he docks in Su Zhou
March 28 · 21 min
In the Know - Hilarious Popularity Resurgences
In the last two weeks, 54 year old Qu Ying suddenly became popular again after her guest appearance on Papi Jiang's show. Her relaxed demeanor and hilarious stories took generated quite a stir on social media. Meanwhile, The Pursuit of Jade has been suffering a lot backlash on the portrayal of generals, leading to the unexpected popularity of He Run Dong for his portrayal of generals back in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Listen to our latest podcast on the surprising and hilarious popularity resurgences in the last few weeks.
March 25 · 27 min
Joy of Life S2 ep 33 - Journey to Jiang Nan
After the Emperor proactively reveals that he is Fan Xian's father, it is time for Fan Xian to head down to Jiang Nan where the Ming family will make it difficult for him to take back control of his mother's 3 Great Workshops