Yulan Ji
Guanyin Yulan Ji or simply Yulan Ji is a Ming dynasty play with 32 acts. The written version was first published by Wenlinge, a Nanjing publisher owned by a Tang family during the Wanli era. Set in 11th-century Song dynasty, the play tells the story of a carp spirit seducing poor student Zhang Zhen by metamorphosing into a woman, who closely resembles Zhang Zhen's lover Jin Mudan. The goddess of mercy Guanyin, the Dragon King and the legendary judge Bao Zheng work together to subdue and capture the spirit in a fish basket carried by Guanyin.
Modern versions
In the Yue opera tradition, the play is known as Zhuiyu. In this version, Jin Mudan is a material girl while the carp spirit is kind. This version ends with Zhang Zhen's marriage to Carp Spirit instead of Jin Mudan.In 1957, Tian Han and his wife wrote a modern version titled Jinlin Ji.
Film and TV
The play has been adapted into numerous films and TV series, including:Film
- The Carp Spirit, a 1958 Hong Kong film starring Yam Kim-fai and Ng Kwan Lai
- Chasing the Fish, a 1959 Chinese film starring Wang Wenjuan and Xu Yulan
- A Mermaid's Love, a 1960 Hong Kong film starring Xia Meng and Fu Chi
- Golden Peony and Her Imposter, a 1965 Hong Kong film starring Tsang Shan Fung and Chan Chor Wai
- The Mermaid, a 1965 Hong Kong film starring Li Ching and Ivy Ling Po
TV series
- Double Fantasies, a 1981 Hong Kong TV series starring Louise Lee and Kwan Chung
- Justice Pao, a 1993–94 Taiwanese TV series
- The Legend of Mermaid, a 2000 Chinese/Taiwanese TV series starring Yuki Hsu and Roger Kwok
- The Romance of a Carp Fairy, a 2002 Taiwanese TV series starring Chang Yu-yen and Jimmy Ni
- The Legend of Chasing Fish, a 2013 Chinese TV series starring Zhao Liying and Kenny Kwan
- Under the Veil, a 2015 Hong Kong TV series