The Yinyang Master (Chinese: 侍神令) is a 2021 Chinese fantasy film directed by Li Weiran and starring Chen Kun and Zhou Xun.[1][2][3][4] It is adapted from the NetEase game Onmyōji (which in turn is based on the novel series, Onmyōji by author Baku Yumemakura).[1][4] It was filmed in 2018, and was released in China on the first day of the Chinese New Year on 12 February 2021.[5][4] Netflix, which has acquired the international streaming rights,[4][6][7] released the film on March 19, 2021, as The Yin Yang Master.[8][9]

The Yinyang Master
Chinese侍神令
Directed byLi Weiran
Written byEven Jian
Produced byChen Kuo-fu, Chia-Lu Chang, Kun Tao, Zheng Yin
StarringChen Kun
Zhou Xun
William Chan
Qu Chuxiao
Production
company
CKF Pictures
Distributed byCKF Pictures
Netflix
Release dates
  • 12 February 2021 (2021-02-12)
(China)
  • 19 March 2021 (2021-03-19)
(Netflix)
CountryChina
LanguageMandarin

Synopsis

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Qing Ming, a Yinyang Master, is a half-human half-demon officer of the Yinyang Bureau guarding demon souls and a supernatural artifact called the Scale Stone. After he is framed for the death of a guard team and his senior, Cimu, he escapes and starts a new life, traveling between the human and demon worlds.

Seven years later, when the demon king threatens to return, Qing Ming becomes embroiled in the robbery of Imperial tributes being delivered by Boya. He is also hunted by Bai Ni, head of the Yinyang Bureau, with whom he had a pact. Trapped in a fighting arena in the demon world, Qing Ming escapes with an injured Bai Ni, Boya and their friends. It is revealed that Qing Ming has been caring for and training a team of demons to fight against the Demon King’s return. Bai Ni is healed by Qing Ming and recovers the Scale Stone which had been inadvertently swallowed by one of Qing Ming’s demons. On her way back to the Bureau, Bai Ni is ambushed by Cimu and his henchwoman the Snow Lady, and the Scale Stone is stolen. Cimu is revealed to have coveted monster power since seeing Qing Ming demonstrate it when they were younger, and he makes the Snow Lady his familiar in order to hatch a plan to steal the Scale Stone. In the present time, Cimu uses the retrieved Scale Stone to turn himself into a powerful demon and uses his new power to start a demon invasion of the human world.

While Boya and Qing Ming’s demons defend the bridge between the two worlds, Cimu defeats Qing Ming, who has to make a bargain with the Demon King to obtain his powers. He defeats Cimu and releases his bond with Bai Ni, Boya and his demons, electing to leave them in the human world while he returns to the demon world.

Cast

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Soundtrack

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No.TitlePerformerLength
1."Promise 侍约"William Chan04:44
2."Where You Belong 归处"Zhou Shen04:10
3."Cross Together 同渡"Jin Wenqi04:59
4."An Enemy or Friend 宿敌亲启"Feng Qinyuan05:08
5."Against the Shore 靠岸"Zhi Ma Mochi04:05
6."Someone in the Heart 心有所主"Jill Yan Qier03:16

Awards and nominations

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Award Category Recipients Result
13th Macau International Movie Festival[10] Best Actress Zhou Xun Nominated
Best Supporting Actor William Chan Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Rui, Zhang (2021-02-09). "'The Yinyang Master' brings mobile game to the big screen". China Internet Information Center. Archived from the original on 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  2. ^ "阴阳师》影版《侍神令》定档 陈坤、周迅出演". Archived from the original on 2021-02-06. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  3. ^ "陈坤&周迅奇幻新片《侍神令》曝预告". Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  4. ^ a b c d Brzeski, Patrick (2021-02-09). "Netflix Acquires Chinese Fantasy Film 'The Yin Yang Master'". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  5. ^ "加入春节档!陈坤周迅主演电影《侍神令》大年初一见". 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  6. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2021-02-09). "Netflix Picks Up Chinese New Year Title 'The Yin Yang Master'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  7. ^ Frater, Patrick (2021-02-09). "Netflix Picks up Chinese New Year Fantasy 'The Yin Yang Master'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  8. ^ Lawler, R. (2021-03-16). "What's on TV this week: 'Justice League,' 'Falcon and Winter Soldier'". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  9. ^ "Netflix: The Yin Yang Master". Netflix. Archived from the original on 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  10. ^ "第13届澳门国际电影节提名名单公布 咋就显得那么靠谱呢!". Yule China. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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