花儿与少年(Divas hit the road) S1

• Episodes – 8
• Year – 2014
• Genre – Celebrity Reality TV

Flowers and young men is how the title translates, but Divas hit the road is quite appropriate. This is a reality TV show where a group of “stars” (ming xing) travel for 15 days to Italy and Spain on a restricted budget. Episodes are available on Youtube, but only parts of S1E1 are translated on viki. Season 1 was in 2014, and Season 2 has a completely different cast. I doubt there will be a Season 3 with SARFT declaring no more celebrity reality shows. I’ll add summaries as I watch, but they won’t be detailed. Description of the cast below the cut.

Zhang Han

Idol actor, 32 (29 in Season 1), made popular from Let’s Go Watch Meteor Shower and other dramas. Known for being stylish and quick-witted. In episode 1 the ladies in the group nick-name him Shao-Ye (Young Lord) for his seeming lack of planning (he was the appointed tour lead) and selfishly oblivious decision making. He redeems himself as the days progress.

Hua ChenYu

Young musician, 26 (24 in Season 1), gained fame from winning the SuperBoy (like American Idol) singing contest in 2013. His first album was also wildly popular in China. He is something of a music savant, writing his first song at age twelve. He is appointed the group accountant and his math skills seem good, but he’s never traveled and seems like a homebody. He goes by Hua Hua and is often lost in his own world.  Everyone worries about him getting left behind.

Li Fei Er

She is a film and drama actress, age 29 now, who most recently was in a drama called Far Away Love with Park Hae Jin. She was also in Royal Tramp with Huang Xiao Ming, as one of the seven wives. She is perky and carefree and gets along with everyone, but is often tasked with making sure Hua Hua doesn’t get lost.

Liu Tao

She is a well known film and drama actress, age 38 now, respected for her craft in many different dramas over the years. Her major works include Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils as well as more recently Ode to Joy. She is also famous for marrying one of the “Beijing Playboys”, Wang Ke, and having one of the most lavish weddings in China. In the show she comes off as well traveled and prepared for any and all circumstances.

Xu Qing

Another well known film and drama actress, age 47, having been selected by director Chen Kaige for his movie Life on a String. She was also well regarded for her Ren Yingying character in the popular 2001 version of Laughing in the Wind. She seems like the diva having the most issues coping with traveling on a budget and on a tight itinerary.

Zhang Kai Li

A film and drama actress, age 54, perhaps not as well known as the others. She seemed the most trepidatious of traveling out of China, even crying in the first episode after the language lesson, but once she arrived was most enthusiastic about seeing all the sights.

Zheng Pei Pei

She has had a long and illustrious career, age 70, in Hong Kong and China films and dramas, usually in pivotal supporting roles. She was the Jade Fox in the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. In episode 1 in Divas we hear her speaking English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. She is quite comfortable traveling overseas and is a strong traveler, never complaining about the lack of food or non-stop walking.