Top 5 Movie Adaptations from the Famous Novels by Author Dong Hoa

Adapted from the novel 'The Secret Buried by Time' by Dong Hoa. The story revolves around Tô Mạn, who is deeply in love with Tống Dực, a male lead often overlooked and misunderstood. In contrast, Lục Lệ Thành, the second male lead, is the quiet protector who stands by her side. While Tô Mạn's love story is originally with Tống Dực, the film adaptation shifts the focus to Lục Lệ Thành, portraying him as the true hero. The show even offers three alternate endings, unlike the book where Tô Mạn ultimately chooses Tống Dực. 'The Best Time' is the golden period when Lục Lệ Thành is by Tô Mạn's side. Tống Dực, Tô Nhụy, and Ma Lạt Năng complicate their relationship, creating a love triangle that constantly disrupts their happiness. In the end, the characters realize that time has taken away many of the most precious things in their lives, and the hidden secret is the love Lục Lệ Thành has for Tô Mạn. Regardless of whether it’s the book or film, Tô Mạn endures much suffering throughout the journey.

In the novel of the same name by Dong Hoa, Trương Tiểu Văn is a regular office worker in a bustling city. After an accident while fixing a lightbulb, she finds herself transported back in time to the Qing Dynasty, inhabiting the body of 13-year-old Mã Nhi Thái Nhược Hy. Her older sister, Mã Nhi Thái Nhược Lan, is the consort of the Eighth Prince. Eventually, she falls in love with her brother-in-law, the Eighth Prince, only to become embroiled in a complicated romance with the Fourth Prince.

In the TV adaptation, the female lead's name is changed to Trương Hi, a regular office worker who unexpectedly travels back in time to the Qing Dynasty. She now inhabits the body of a 16-year-old girl, Nhược Hi, who is thrust into the intrigues of the royal palace. Far from being the gentle and demure girl typical of the era, she is rebellious and bold, often engaging in verbal battles with the princes and even fighting palace maids. She earns the nickname 'Thập tam muội liều mạng' (The Thirteenth Sister Who Risks Everything). Caught in the fierce struggle for the throne, her personal emotions are torn apart by the political battles of the imperial court.

'The Ancient Love Song' is a film adaptation of the novel 'The Vow We Made'. The story follows the beautiful yet tragic romance between Mục Thanh Mịch, a noblewoman with a righteous and kind heart, and Xích Vân, a cold and skilled warrior. However, the movie makes several changes from the original novel. In the book, Xích Vân is actually Xi Vưu, a half-human, half-beast character who is a war god of the Shen Nong clan. Mục Thanh Mịch, named A Hành in the novel, is the princess of the Hiên Viên tribe. She is the one who causes both Xi Vưu and the Crown Prince of Cao Tân, Thiếu Hạo, to fall deeply in love with her. The love triangle and the intense struggles between the three tribes—Hiên Viên, Cao Tân, and Shen Nong—add depth and intrigue to the story.

'Destiny in the Wind' is an adaptation of the novel 'Dai Mac Dao' from Dong Hoa's series 'The Great Han Romance'. The story centers on Tân Nguyệt, a young girl raised by a pack of wolves. One day, she saves a Han man, a general under the command of the Xiongnu ruler, Thiền Vu. He takes her to the Xiongnu camp where she grows up alongside the Xiongnu princes. After a rebellion in the Xiongnu kingdom, Tân Nguyệt is captured and taken to Chang'an.

On her journey, she crosses paths with two men: Mạc Tuân, a gentle and refined scholar, and Vệ Vô Kỵ, a bold and charismatic warrior. In the book, her name is Ngọc Cẩn, and she is raised in the wild, loved by the wolves and deeply connected to Lang Huynh. In the vast expanse of the Great Desert, she meets two men: Mạnh Cửu, a calm and cultured gentleman, and Hoắc Khứ Bệnh, a dashing and heroic figure. These two men both fall in love with her, sparking a tale of love and destiny.

Adapted from the original novel 'Van Trung Ca', 'The Great Han Romance' is set during the Western Han Dynasty, under Emperor Han Zhao. The story is a continuation of 'Dai Mac Dao', with Van Ca being the daughter of Ngọc Cẩn and Hoắc Khứ Bệnh. At the age of eight, Lưu Phất Lăng is relentlessly pursued and forced to flee into the desert. When she is nearly caught, Van Ca comes to her rescue. Despite her cold and detached nature, Lưu Phất Lăng finds herself moved by Van Ca's innocence. The two exchange tokens of affection, promising to reunite in Chang'an after ten years.

Ten years later, Van Ca arrives in Chang'an searching for Lưu Phất Lăng, only to mistakenly identify Lưu Bệnh Dĩ as him. Still, she suspects that Lưu Phất Lăng has broken their promise. Along the way, she meets Hứa Bình Quân, a beautiful and graceful young woman, and as Van Ca contemplates returning to the desert, she encounters Mạnh Giác. Ultimately, she locates Lưu Phất Lăng, only to discover that he is actually the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. Just as she believes they can start a new life together, she becomes entangled in the political struggles of the imperial court, vying for the throne.