Novoland: Pearl Eclipse

Set in the Zheng dynasty of the fantasy realm Novoland, Novoland: Pearl Eclipse follows Ye Haishi, a young woman from the merfolk tribe whose life collides with the imperial court when she meets Emperor Fang Zhu. Their relationship grows under unusual circumstances, and personal feelings have to find room inside a palace where politics and tradition shape every move. The series keeps the focus on their evolving bond while also widening out to show rival factions, shifting loyalties, and the ways identity and duty pull characters in different directions, all without revealing key twists or the finale.

Novoland: Pearl Eclipse premiered in 2021, directed by Lam Yuk Fan, Yu Bo, and Sha Jin. The series was created by Xiao Ruse, Liu Ran, and Zhang Linnan, and stars Yang Mi, William Chan, Xu Kaicheng, Chen Xiaoyun, and Wang Sen.

The show didn't secure major international awards, and official accolades were limited. It drew notice in fan communities and earned occasional nominations in domestic television awards, but it wasn't a dominant presence on the broader festival circuit.

As part of the larger Novoland universe, the series helped sustain interest in Chinese high fantasy on television. Fans responded to its visual treatment of merfolk and imperial settings, producing fan art and discussion online, and the chemistry between the leads became a frequent topic on social platforms.

Critical and audience response was mixed to positive, with a vote average around 7.1/10 from a small sample of viewers. Reviewers often praised Yang Mi and William Chan for their performances and highlighted the production design and costumes, while some critics pointed to uneven pacing and plot threads that could've been tighter. Major themes include love across social divisions, personal identity in the face of pressure, and the costs tied to power and lineage.