The summer drama season is in full swing, with various streaming media releasing their long-awaited high-quality drama series, bringing continuous surprises to different genres.
Among them, the Xuanhuan drama genre has been shining brightest with the exceptional performance of “Lost You Forever”. Since its premiere, this drama has achieved remarkable viewership and has continuously broken popularity records, expanding its influence among the audience and most securing the title of this year's summer popular drama.
In a market where excellent films and TV series are frequently released recently, what sets “Lost You Forever” apart from other major productions? What innovations does this work bring to the Xuanhuan & costume genre?
Record-breaking Popularity
Since its debut on July 24th, “Lost You Forever” quickly climbed to the top of online streaming indexes. It became the highest-rated drama series for June-July period across all online platforms with an impressive index score of 90.58. This trend propelled it into the ranks of blockbuster dramas for the summer season. Furthermore, it maintained its position at the top of daily charts for multiple days consistently.
The unwavering popularity surrounding “Lost You Forever” ignited a fervor among viewers during this summer season. In an era where major platforms continue to invest heavily in various sub-genres, achieving such outstanding results is truly commendable.
From its very beginning, “Lost You Forever” captivated audiences with exceptionally high-quality content that kept them hooked throughout each episode. Its viewership and popularity continued to rise steadily as the plot unfolded. As a result, this drama's reach expanded significantly and it led in every aspect when compared to other shows within similar categories.
At the same time, “Lost You Forever” has soared to the top of the overseas playback charts in multiple countries and topped the hot broadcast charts on WeTV Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, United States, Singapore, and Brazil stations. This goes to show that high-quality content is loved by audiences anytime and anywhere. The success of this drama breaking through boundaries has also contributed to the internationalization of Chinese dramas.
High-quality Character Settings and Scenes
The success of “Lost You Forever” in standing out from the fiercely competitive summer drama market can be attributed to its differentiation in terms of well-developed characters, meticulous set designs, and respect for the original work. With captivating highlights and heartfelt production efforts, it continuously expands the influence of the drama itself.
To make the characters relatable, “Lost You Forever” chooses a more realistic portrayal where imperfect yet authentic protagonists evoke a sense of familiarity among viewers. Xiao Yao's tumultuous journey shapes her independent personality; Cang Xuan understands that only by becoming stronger can she protect her loved ones who were lost; Tu Shanjing is kind-hearted but burdened by familial ties; Xiang Liu bears both military responsibility and rebellion against fate.
The creative team injects a touching sense of era into these four main characters' growth processes with their “imperfect yet authentic” character settings aligning with contemporary values and emotional needs. Through these characters' journeys, they convey positive guidance that growth is not always smooth sailing and one must strive upwards even when faced with adversity.
In addition to captivating character designs, “Lost You Forever” also puts great effort into set design. The series sets Haoling near the sea with buildings showcasing distinctive Minnan-style architecture dominated by shades of green; Xiyan situated in northwest regions characterized by solemn black-colored structures; Chenrong located in central plains featuring intricate architectural layers and elaborate furnishings. By clearly differentiating each clan's architectural style according to regions,it showcases China's aesthetic beauty while allowing viewers to easily discern the differences.
The town of Qingshui was built using real scenes, and the storytelling tea house made of Qingshui's spiritual stones exudes an ancient charm. The modest yet cozy clinic, known as Huichun Hall, provides a sense of warmth. The well-decorated tavern at the end of the street fills the air with delightful aromas, creating a vivid and lively rural life scene. The wildflowers swaying on the rooftops and fish-shaped and deer-shaped dolls scattered around add a touch of liveliness to the town.
At the same time, the creative team has put multiple considerations into details such as music, rituals, and filters to enhance its artistic conception. For example, Xiyang Kingdom belongs to a northern tribe where symphonic horns and human voices frequently appear in their music; Qingshui Town symbolizes an idyllic paradise with an overall musical atmosphere that is vibrant and light-hearted; Haoling is located in the south, thus incorporating traditional folk music that showcases Jiangnan's charm. The changing soundtrack throughout the story creates an immersive experience for viewers.
With a large fan base from its original novel form, respecting the source material was paramount for the creative team when adapting “Lost You Forever” into drama format. Director Qin Zhen emphasized in interviews that maintaining fidelity to both plot details and quality led them to invite Tonghua (the author) as one of their screenwriters. Even any adaptations were made based on subtle adjustments rooted in staying true to its original essence while ensuring consistency between core themes within both works.
In subsequent episodes, viewers can expect highly faithful portrayals from key moments in line with their source material: Xiangliu taking Xiaoyao to see ocean views; Xiaoyao facing tragic circumstances; Tu Shanjing sacrificing himself for love; Xiangliu risking his own life to save Xiaoyao.
In today's climate where many original works are heavily modified, often disappointing book fans, “Lost You Forever” stands out with its genuine approach and successfully alleviates concerns surrounding the adaptation of literary works, attracting recognition from both dedicated fans and casual viewers.
Revitalizing Realism in Costume Dramas
For a long time, costume dramas have been popular in the film and television industry. However, due to continuous development in recent years, there has been a serious aesthetic fatigue within this genre. Innovation has become a crucial challenge for creators.
In response to this situation, “Lost You Forever” introduces a groundbreaking concept of a unique relationship dynamic called “1v4”. It portrays complex and multi-dimensional emotional relationships through the interactions between one female lead and four male leads.
This breaks away from the traditional formula of single romantic plotlines seen in costume love dramas that tend to focus solely on sweetness without any hardships. By presenting authentic stories filled with passion and intensity, it bridges the gap between viewers and characters while igniting an enthusiasm for watching despite moments of heartache.
Simultaneously, the drama provides valuable examples of family relationships, love, and friendship among multiple emotional storylines that resonate with contemporary people's understanding and values. Despite being set in ancient times, it offers social templates for young people in areas such as dating, making friends, and interacting with family members. “Lost You Forever” can be considered a realistic new paradigm for costume dramas.
In addition to the portrayal of emotional connections, the character development fully meets expectations for realism. As the absolute center of attention in the series, Xiao Yao plays a crucial role throughout. The story unfolds from her female perspective as she experiences various hardships during her childhood. However, she refuses to be defeated by these pains; instead, she sprouts amidst brokenness and seeks light within darkness. She grows through adversity and gradually takes control of her own path in life – showcasing the strength of an independent woman.
This personal strength and charm also attract and support each male lead character: Xiao Yao accompanies Cang Xuan through his loss; she heals Tu Shanjing's scars; and empathizes with Xiang Liu's suffering at the fighting arena. Yet even in her darkest moments, she relies on herself to overcome them, conveying the drama's value system: one can shine brilliantly without relying on others.
The innovative setting of emotional storylines highlights its creative ability while its popularity proves its market value. With a daring approach to storytelling combined with meticulous production standards, “Lost You Forever” has ignited a craze among viewers amidst fierce competition – deserving recognition as a summer blockbuster drama.
