Asian Dramas List (mostly Lgbt).

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The Lost Tomb Franchise: Show Character Guide

** Only includes characters who appear in 3+ franchise shows no matter how many actors portray them in said shows.

Franchise shows in order: The Mystic Nine, The Lost Tomb, The Lost Tomb 2, Heavenly Palace in the Clouds, Ultimate Note, Tomb of the Sea // Sand Sea, Reunion: The Sound of the Providence, Moonfall Echo (No characters from this qualify for the guide).

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Wu Xie (Main Character; Iron Triangle Member)

Appears in all franchise shows save “The Mystic Nine” and “Moonfall Echo”

Only heir of the Wu family, near the middle of the Mystic Nine Families.

Son of the eldest of the three Wu brothers, often referred to as “Young Master Wu”.

Goes on adventures guided by his grandfather’s notebook- a guide to tomb robbing.

“Robs” tombs in order to learn the history, trip any traps, and then hand the site over to government archaeologists for preservation.

Strict “No Looting” rule.

Constantly cleaning up after // hunting down his Third Uncle.

One of only 4 people to ever see Hei Yanjing // Black Blindman’s eyes and survive.

If a snake bites him, he can see its memories. I… I don’t know what to tell you. It’s a thing in one show and that’s it.

Brings in an unwilling student named Li Cu in on one of his adventures despite having no apparent connection to the boy. Li Cu and Wu Xie both deny any relation, but even the Wu family suspects Li Cu may be Wu Xie’s illegitimate child due to an uncanny resemblance Li Cu bears to young Wu Xie.

Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling (Main Character; Iron Triangle Member)

Appears in all franchise shows save “The Mystic Nine” and “Moonfall Echo”

70+ years old

Has a Qiling (Divine beast) tattoo across most of his left breast/arm/back that only appears when his skin is hot.

From the Northern branch of the Zhang family.

Some form of cousin to Zhang Rishan (of the Southern Zhang)

BARELY speaks.

Has two extremely long and strong fingers *hold for giggles* that can be used to trip any traps in a tomb.

Carries around a black-gold sword.

Tends to get amnesia, barely remembers anything ever other than how to be a bad ass tomb raider.

Tends to just wander off on his own for long periods of time.

One of only 4 people to ever see Hei Yanjing // Black Blindman’s eyes and survive.

Wang Pangzi (Main Character; Iron Triangle Member)

Appears in all franchise shows save “The Mystic Nine” and “Moonfall Echo”

An actual tomb robber who Wu Xie keeps in line.

Though Wu Xie and Xiao Ge are extremely close, Wu Xie spends the most time with Pangzi.

Nothing he does ever goes right XD

Constantly trying to steal from tombs. CONSTANTLY tripping traps. CONSTANTLY being caught by Wu Xie.

Extremely loyal to Wu Xie and Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling.

Is often partnered with Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling if the Iron Triangle separates on a mission (mainly because he got himself into something and Xiao Ge had to rescue him).

Wu San Xing // Third Uncle  // Uncle Three

Appears in all franchise shows save “The Mystic Nine” and “Moonfall Echo”

The third son of the Wu Family (in his name “San” = Three; Wu Xie only has 2 uncles)

Though he’s Wu Xie’s Uncle, he basically raised the boy since his eldest brother didn’t seem to care.

Wild and crazy, gave Wu Xie a taste for adventure.

The first Wu to work with Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling.

A tomb robber Wu Xie guilted into going straight.

Friends in low places, lots of mercenaries and ex-military.

Most of Wu Xie’s adventures start off with Wu San Xing going missing.

Xie Yu Chen // Xiao Hua

Appears in all franchise shows except “The Mystic Nine” and “Moonfall Echo”

Head of the Xie family- one of the strongest and most wealthy in the Mystic Nine Families.

Became head of the family at a very young age.

Likes to perform traditional Chinese opera (including full costume/makeup).

Friends with Hei Yanjing // Black Blindman. One of only 4 people to ever see his eyes and survive.

Due to his delicate looks as a child, many assumed he was female.

Appears to be solemn and overly-serious, but does in fact have a sense of humor.

A complete master of disguise, can even pose as his female companion Huo Xiu Xiu convincingly.

Extremely close with Huo Xiu Xiu.

Huo Xiu Xiu

Appears in all franchise shows except “The Mystic Nine”, “Reunion: The Sound of the Providence”, and “Moonfall Echo”

Heir to the Huo family- another exceptionally strong branch of the Mystic Nine Families.

Her grandmother’s right hand since her mother died and her aunt disappeared on an expedition.

A trained acrobat who often sleeps in a nest of ropes suspended above the ground.

Regal and dignified, but willing to get her hands dirty if need be.

Often the go-between for Xie Yu Chen // Xiao Hua and Wu Xie.

Extremely close with Xie Yu Chen.

A-Ning

Appears in all franchise shows save “Tomb of the Sea”, “The Mystic Nine”, and “Moonfall Echo”

Tomb robber under the employ of Hendry Cox ( AKA Qiu De Kao).

Hired to work against Wu San Xing and Wu Xie, typically working with ulterior motives.

Deeply respects and admires Wu Xie for his integrity and loyalty towards his friends and family; also admires Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling’s fighting abilities.

If Hendry Cox wants to invite Wu Xie on a mission, he sends A-Ning to ask.

Can be considered a romantic interest of Wu Xie’s.

Pan Zi

Appears in “The Lost Tomb”, “The Lost Tomb 2″, “Heavenly Palace in the Clouds”, and “Ultimate Note”.

Wu San Xing’s right hand man and best friend.

Formerly a soldier.

Takes the big hits- being shot, stabbed, etc.

While Wu San Xing is flighty and mysterious, Pan Zi remains by Wu Xie’s side on his behalf. Is often left behind by Wu San Xing to keep an eye on Wu Xie and protect him.

As unquestionably loyal as Pan Zi is to Wu San Xing, he’s just as loyal to Wu Xie. Though if Wu Xie asks him to go against an order from Wu San Xing, he will resist.

Has a deal with Wu San Xing to live together with him in a nursing home when they are old.

Wu Er Bai

Appears in “Ultimate Note”, “Tomb of the Sea”, and “Reunion: The Sound of the Providence”

The second son of the Wu Family, Wu Sanxing’s older brother.

Younger brother to Wu Xie’s absent father.

The brother who represents the Wu Family when his elderly mother is unavailable.

Sort of the enforcer of the family, which often puts him at odds with Wu Xie who seeks to misbehave. 

Tries to maintain the Wu family’s place within the Mystic Nine and not allow the more powerful families to push the Wu out.

Despite his stern and sometimes combative nature, cares deeply for Wu Xie and treats him as a son.

Wang Meng

Appears in “Ultimate Note”, “Tomb of the Sea”, and “Reunion: The Sound of the Providence”.

Wu Xie’s right hand, who manages Wu Xie’s store for him while he goes on adventures (and arranges said adventures).

Wu Xie never remembers to pay him, so he’s constantly trying to get money out of his boss.

FIERCELY loyal, it is impossible to drive a wedge between Wang Meng and Wu Xie.

Loves Minesweeper.

Not that great at telling real antiques from fakes.

Easy to trick.

Zhang Rishan

Appears in “The Mystic Nine”, “Ultimate Note”, and “Tomb of the Sea”

At least 120

Despite appearing in 3 separate “Lost Tomb” franchise shows, exclusively portrayed by actor Zhang Ming En.

Has a Qiongqi (Demon) tattoo across most of his right breast/arm/back that only appears when his skin is hot. 

Some form of cousin to Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling.

Head of the Mystic Nine Families, he keeps them all in line.

Though Zhang Rishan is the head of the Southern branch of the Zhang family, he does not interact with Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling, leaving him to do as he wishes without interference. Works closely with Wu Xie when necessary.

Lieutenant to Zhang Qi Shan in the 1930s. Even in modern times is fiercely loyal to the memory of Zhang Qi Shan.

Does not have the elongated fingers of the Northern-Zhang, but seems to possess a form of super-strength.

A superior strategist and tactician. 

Hei Yanjing // Black Blindman

Appears in “The Lost Tomb 2″, “Ultimate Note”, “Tomb of the Sea”, and “Reunion: The Sound of the Providence”.

100+ year old mercenary.

Has some unspecified history with Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling.

Not a member of the Mystic Nine Families, but is affiliated with the Xie and Wu branches mainly.

Hints that he became immortal after consuming a pill found in a tomb.

Hyper-sensitive to light. Blind in the day without his sunglasses, but sees perfectly in the dark.

Only 4 living people have ever seen him without sunglasses: Xie Yu Chen, Wu Xie, Ya Nv, and Xiao Ge // Zhang Qiling.

Superior at all forms of combat.

Took on Wu Xie and later the teen Su Wan as his students.

A broke-ass bitch, he carries around his own credit card reader and tries to nickel and dime everyone for anything.

Addicted to fried rice with pork and green pepper. When Xie Yu Chen lost a bet to him, the Xie family erected a food stall that serves only that- and he gets to eat for free.

Chen Pi A Si

Appears in “The Mystic Nine”, “The Lost Tomb 2″, “Heavenly Palace in the Clouds”, and “Ultimate Note”

(Eventual) Leader of the Chen family, one of the Middle Clans of the Mystic Nine (along with the Wu and Hei families)

One of the original Mystic Nine heads, though often at odds with the rest.

Originally a disciple of Mystic Nine member Er Yue Hong, though he resented that the Er family went legit rather than robbing tombs.

Was deeply in love with Er Yue’s wife Ya Tou, though it was entirely one-sided.

Hendry Cox // Qiu De Kao

Appears in “The Mystic Nine”, “The Lost Tomb 2″, “Heavenly Palace on the Clouds” (actor not pictured), and “Ultimate Note”

The main antagonist of the DMBJ show franchise.

An American businessman (originally scholar) who became obsessed with chasing immortality.

Uses A-Ning and an army of mercenaries to raid tombs for relics.

A-Ning considers him as a father-figure to her, and he refers to her as his most precious asset.

An enemy of the Mystic Nine families.

Willing to compromise only if he sees a benefit to himself in it. 

A collector of Chinese antiquities, he is a natural opponent to Wu Xie, who believes cultural historical relics should belong to their country of origin rather than foreign collectors.

YinWar will be switching in Jack & Joker, and we all cheered!

I'm not even exaggerating when I say these two have been going against industry standards since the very beggining, when they took the piss out of fanservice so hard that they became known for capsizing their own ship, and now they'll further deviate from the BL fixed pair norm and reverse roles as a way to tackle certain queer topics. Just last year @poetry-protest-pornography and I were talking about YinWar having both the willingness and the range to pull off something like this since they weren't held back by any company, and of course these men will deliver given that they have the luxury of doing whatever the hell they want as independent artists and producers of their own series. Dreams do come true!

[Eng trans.] Yin: I mean, people, let's say fans, will focus on "YinWar". By definition, "Yin" is the top in terms of roles, right? Y: So, I listened to the writers' ideas. They said that they intentionally reflected this issue, and that, in reality, it's not something fixed that way. Yin/Seoul: It switches. Y: Right. S: So it can be WarYin or YinWar. Y: Right. War: They wanted to convey that it's a matter of preference, and that it's much broader than that. It's broader than we think. The fact that two men should have fixed [sex] roles, only that way, or that people can only have one specific preference, it's not true. It's very flexible. It's something normal. Y: If people intend to be open-minded, we really have to be open-minded in the sense that they wanted to convey. After listening to it, it's brilliant. It's right. It feels like how it should be.

Favourite BLs with age gaps (4+ years).

Here’s some of my favourite bl dramas where the age gap between the couple is 4 or more years. I chose 4 or more years because there is always a different feel to those who are 4 or more years older. There’s a lot that can be done.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy.

- Minato Shouji coin laundry.

This is one of my top favourite shows ever. It’s a comfort show for me, although I recall the age gap of characters being 9 years put me off at first. Still, I tried the show and I am so glad I did.

The main plot of this show is the age gap. The issues between the characters stem from the age gap. With Shin being 17 when they meet and Minato being 27. I felt that the drama handled the age gap very well.

With the character of Minato, he does not feel creepy for being with a teenager. His character finds Shin attractive and that is where it stops. He is very strict about nothing happening between them while Shin is underage despite all the flirting and seducing Shin tries. Minato absolutely refuses to see Shin in a sexual or romantic way until he is of age despite all the other characters choosing to see their relationship as romantic. Minato continues to treat Shin almost like a younger brother despite it all, even when he gets flustered.

I was very glad to find a show where despite being attracted to a younger person, the character kept to their morals and waited until the person was 18+. Even when Shin has turned 18, minato waits until he has graduated high school.

While I would normally hate a drama with such a big age gap for the usual sexualisation of a teenager, this show didn’t do that. Whenever it started to lean in that direction, minato shuts it down.

Even so the dynamics between the characters was gold and there was a real growth and development for them. (Less so in season2 but we don’t need to talk about that). Shin learned that although he wanted Minato, he grew to respect the boundaries Minato set. While Minato learned to let Shin dictate what he felt comfortable with while also maintaining though boundaries. Throughout all of this the show maintained a light and almost puppy love atmosphere, perhaps to offset such a large agar gap.

I won’t lie and say that there’s not negatives to this show. Such a large age gap between characters itself is problematic. But despite my initial misgivings I really loved this show. The ages and dynamics work well with their characters and the actors did a great job.

Available on Bilibili and KissKH.

- Old Fashion Cupcake

Despite this show only having five episodes, it has a unique atmosphere and really works well in terms of pacing and storyline. It is a comfort show with a simple but engaging plot and it explores a story normally overlooked in BL.

This show is about 39 Nozue who is a boss of a team in a company that he has been working in for over ten years. He is feeling his age and getting stuck into a rut. This frightens him as it is affecting his mental health. When lamenting about how carefree a couple of teenagers look to his coworker, Togawa, he mentions how he’s feeling. Togawa suggests doing things that teenage girls would do (basically as a metaphor of breaking out of their comfort zones and trying new things). This leads them to a series of dates with a lot of desserts and eventually to love.

This story was so enchanting and sweet. While the characters worked so well together. The fact that both were independent adults meant that the age gap never really came into play other than when Nozue was joking about his age. The antagonist being more Nozue’s fear of leaving his comfort zone than their age gap and work dynamics. Also, they had such great chemistry that you forget about all the negatives.

Available on KissKH and Viki.

- The Eighth Sense.

Another all time fave drama of mine.

This drama was beautiful. With a unique and indie filming style and story telling you got a real sense of the characters and the cinematic style really worked.

While the age gap between Jihyun (20) and Jaewon (24-26) being a minimum of about four years (they never explicitly state it but it is said that Jaewon is around four or more years older) the drama revolves around Jaewon’s mental health and how it affects him. The characters grow through their own personal growths and it is only with these changes that they can be together. Jihyun learns to find his confidence and grows to be a self assured young man who knows what he wants, while Jaewon learns to know when to be a people pleaser and when to set boundaries and fight for what he wants too.

The way mental health was portrayed in this drama was the part that drew me in the most. It was not glorified, or brought in for just some angst before being forgotten. It was a real and persistent problem to Jaewon and despite going to therapy, he had bad days and good. It fuelled decisions that he may not have made if he wasn’t feeling so self destructive and low. Even with the happy ending of the drama, his bad mental health does not go away. It remains something that he still deal with but with far more support and in a less toxic environment. It was a realistic portrayal of how things like trauma and depression can follow someone. It may not hang over their heads like a looming storm, but they persist like an annoying strand of hair. You may not notice it at first, then something can remind you and all of a sudden it’s there.

This portrayal of mental health and its effect on a character was raw. The romance interwoven between it was sweet and lovely to watch. This show really captures the viewer, though due to its unique style some may say that it feel disjointed.

Still, this show is unique.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- Love Tractor.

A city boy goes to a countryside village to clear up his grandfather’s will and meet a young man who falls head one heals for him.

This drama is very cute and has a real ‘back to basics’ atmosphere. SeonYul (27 if I remember correctly) is a city boy through and through. At first this return to the countryside and all its old fashioned ways disgusts him, yet as time passes he begins to love the community and the peace it brings him. While YeChan (20-23 if I recall) is utterly smitten with this new face and takes great joy in helping him learn countryside life.

Is the plot complicated? No. Are there cliche tropes? Yes. Is YeChan a bit of a himbo? Definitely. (He’s more than just a himbo but he has his moments and we love him for it).

Either way this drama is cute and wholesome with two guys falling in love in the countryside. The age gap is barely ever mentioned other than a few stray comments. It’s not much of a plot point and doesn’t pose a problem between the characters.

In all, while simple, this drama was refreshing and an easy watch.

Available on KissKH and Bilibili.

- History 2: Right or Wrong.

Where Shi Yi Jie, a divorced teacher in his thirties with an eight year old daughter meets Fei Sheng Zhe, a college student in his early twenties. What starts as a simple child care job for Sheng Zhe becomes more as he slowly rebuilds and joins the little family.

I am not going to lie, at first this age gap and the power dynamics put me off. Yi Jie is a teacher at Sheng Zhe’s college, while not his lecturer for long (for one class which Sheng Zhe only had for a semester) the power dynamics that are involved put me off. Yet when I started watching this drama I found that despite Yi Jie being the older one, Sheng Zhe is the one who takes the lead in everything. Yi Jie is a bit of a wreck of a man before Sheng Zhe turns up.

He’s a workaholic with bad habits who often misjudges time and is late to collect his daughter. As the drama progresses Sheng Zhe convinces Yi Jie to take better care of himself and enables the father and daughter to bond more. What could have been a toxic mess turns into a wholesome found family with the pair raising the daughter together.

Any age gap toxicity was made null simply by their characters. Sheng Zhe being mature enough to handle the issues that could arise and Yi Jie allowing him to take the lead.

It is a sweet drama that does not shy away from the difficulties of maintaining a job while being a single parent with a messy divorce. Another great show by History.

Available on Viki or on Bilibili.

- History 3: Make Our Days Count (Second couple).

While the main couple of this show are both the same age. The second couple, Sun Bo (18) and Zhi Gang (26-30 though his age is never explicitly stated) have an age gap of around 8-10 years.

Again, much like other shows the romance between this pairing is mostly pursued by the younger.

Sun Bo works at his cousin’s gym part time where he develops a crush on regular and small time business owner and openly gay man Zhi Gang. He doggedly pursues the older, to which Zhi Gang refuses due to age gap issues. As a character, he is jaded by his past relationships and does not believe that a young man still in high school would want him. Eventually Sun Bo wears him down and they get together. (But not without a sex scene in the gym first. Which definitely surprised me on the first watch). However, despite all the angst between them, while the main couple end in tragedy (I still cry) these two make it into a lasting and healthy relationship. In history 4; Close to You (set around five years after MODC) they even make a cameo and get married.

For a couple that had the potential to be toxic and unhealthy, they actually surprised me and I grew to love their dynamic. Sun Bo is all enthusiasm and ‘follow your heart’ while Zhi Gang is a bit too restrained. He has experienced the downsides and consequences that following your heart can lead, especially when it comes to gay relationships and homophobia. The plot follows Sun Bo as he encourages Zhi Gang to take a chance on him.

Despite my misgivings it was lovely to see this couple get together and develop as characters. I loved both couples in this show and both couples made me cry at various points.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

- You Make Me Dance.

This drama, though short is sweet and adorable. There is a movie version of it available as well.

The plot covers Song Shi On (20-23), a university student studying contemporary dance, who is in debt. He has no family to depend on and no friends. Jin Hong Seok (27-30) works as a debt collector and has to go and collect money from Shi On. Instead of collecting money, he instead helps Shi On practise for an audition where he can get paid the money to repay his debt. While doing this, they fall in love.

Despite the age gap and power dynamics that could come to play in this show, the romance is equal and actually very sweet. It is two people, one who gave up on their dream and one who is fighting for his, bonding and living together. It’s a very short drama but ultimately about finding kindred spirits and the age gap doesn’t pose a problem. It’s actually very easy to forget the age gap between them as each of the character’s experiences mean that they are almost on equal footing.

Wholesome and sweet.

Available on Viki and KissKH.

These are all I can think of so far. May add to this list later. Hope you enjoy.

Boys and their “engineering”.

of course you are, love. of course

Jung Hae In as An Jun Ho  ‘A Man Holding Flowers’ | D.P. (2021) dir. Han Jun Hee

Why isn’t Joker taking off his shirt? With the wounds it seems that it would be the easiest option.

Is he hiding something? Another tattoo? What does he not want Jack to see?

I’m suspicious.

Any MXTX novel/anime (or untamed) fans out there who want to be murals and scream about everything together?? Because I miss them all so much and I need to talk to someone about it. (Especially if you’re a fan is SVSSS).

Please add me so we can be friends 🥺.

Watercolour A5 painting of Neil Josten and his feature in Exy Pro magazine.

There’s some mistakes but I think I managed to smooth them over.

Made for a friend’s birthday.

Hope all you Andreil lovers enjoy.