Cdrama & hanfu

As the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of Jin Yong's birth, a cinematic tribute unfolds across theaters in Hangzhou and Jiaxing from June 16th to 23rd, 2024. The legacy of Jin Yong, also known as Louis Cha, spans generations, captivating audiences with his timeless tales of chivalry, honor, and martial arts prowess. To honor his enduring influence on literature and cinema, a special film exhibition will showcase six classic martial arts movies adapted from his iconic works. Among the selected masterpieces are "The Swordsman" series, including "The Swordsman" and "The Swordsman II: The East is Red," which delve into the intricate world of martial arts sects and their intricate power struggles. "The East is Red" follows the saga of the invincible Eastern Heretic, a character etched in the annals of martial arts lore. Also featured is "The Return of the Condor Heroes," a gripping tale of love and heroism set against the backdrop of ancient China. This adaptation brings to life the epic romance between Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü, two star-crossed lovers destined to defy fate and conquer adversity. "Ode to Gallantry," another cinematic gem on display, transports viewers to the enchanting realm of Jianghu, where alliances are forged and…

The Chinese documentary "Wen Mai Chun Qiu" which premiered on November 23rd, is a treasure trove documentary that chronicles the history and culture of famous historical cities. For the first time, it takes the backdrop of the geographical changes in the five thousand years of Chinese history, focusing on "historical and cultural famous cities." Through the combination of virtual digital technology and real-world visuals, it showcases the historical changes and cultural landscapes of ancient cities from different perspectives, while also exploring the culture and civilization of ancient cities, and even China as a whole. This documentary selects historical and cultural famous cities from different regions and ethnic groups in the East, West, South, North, and Central regions of China. By examining the evolution of the terrain and historical maps of cities during different periods, it explores the characteristics of city site selection, urban planning, street design, and housing. It showcases the wisdom of adapting to local conditions and the ideal of harmonizing human habitation with nature, as well as the design philosophy of unity between heaven and man displayed by the Chinese people throughout history. Currently, the Langzhong section and Shaoxing section have been presented to the audience. It can…

In comparison to the multitude of laws, rules, and formulas in Western natural sciences, the exploration methods and achievements of traditional Chinese culture in natural sciences often appear more mystical and less easy to comprehend, with the "Five Elements" being the most representative. The five elements referred to as metal, wood, water, fire, and earth each have their own characteristics, and there exists a closed loop of generation and restraint, representing a rather fundamental worldview. By creatively applying imaginative artistic processes on top of this, a colorful set of worldviews can be generated. Starting from March 23rd, exclusively on Youku and recently concluded, the adventure mystery drama "Five Kings of Thieves" creatively integrates the "Five Elements" with the background of the Republican era, creating a unique worldview that is truly eye-catching. Starring Wang Dalu and Ren Min, "Five Kings of Thieves" may only consist of twelve episodes, but it is a high-quality short drama with diverse elements, leaving the audience wanting more after its conclusion. The creative team, drawing on their experience in crafting high-quality short dramas, deeply integrated the "Five Elements" into aspects such as narrative, characters, visuals, emotions, and themes. In other words, the creation of "Five Kings…

Wuxia (武俠), which is a type of Chinese fantasy with a lot of martial arts. It’s a lot of attractive people flying aroundwith swords using powers, and it’s amazing. What you see wuxia world in dramas, what you think is the ancient Chinese cultural ideal world is actually created within the last say a little bit over half a century in the 1950s. In this post, I am going to attempt to explain the rather complicated concept of Wuxia and Jianghu that even a lot of Chinese native people actually don't quite know about that. So if you're coming from a different cultural background and you don't speak the language it might be even more confusing for you to understand what jianghu. So first we have to understand the word Wuxia, and then the concept of Jianghu. Wuxia World in Chinese Dramas If you have been watching a lot of Chinese dramas, you may realize a large proportion of current Chinese dramas are of the period drama genre and within this genre. A large proportion is the Wuxia genre or versions that branch off from this genre or even if it's really a serious political or Romantic period drama, which…

In many ways, "Moon Red Arc" exposes a crisis of stellar gravity within the realm of scriptwriting—an issue that reverberates across genres like ancient puppetry, fantasy, and martial arts. An evident phenomenon emerges: even this year's frontrunner in the genre, "Phoenix Nirvana," has failed to meet expectations in terms of both popularity and critical acclaim. In recent years, series within the ancient puppetry genre seem to be trapped in a vicious cycle, with one leg firmly stuck in the pursuit of grandiosity, meticulous production, and high viewer numbers, while the other is mired in shallow storytelling, recycled character tropes, and lackluster performances. The current state of "Moon Red Arc" epitomizes this dilemma: its script and character development lack careful refinement, instead relying on the assembly of A-list stars and bombastic marketing blitzes to satisfy the demands of fans. However, beneath the veneer of Eastern aesthetics, the series finds itself ensnared in the whirlpool of superficiality. This crisis is emblematic of a broader stagnation within the genre landscape. Despite the immense potential offered by ancient puppetry, fantasy, and martial arts dramas to explore rich cultural tapestries and deliver compelling narratives, many productions have fallen into a formulaic trap, prioritizing style over…

The drama "A Journey to Love", written by Zhang Wei, directed by Zhou Jingtao and Zou Xi, and starring Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning, is currently being widely watched. Shortly after its premiere, it quickly caught the attention of netizens and received a multitude of praise. It tells the legendary adventure story of a small team led by Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) and Ning Yuanzhou (played by Liu Yuning), who travel from Wudu to Andu, fighting side by side along the way to ultimately achieve peace. The drama encompasses both court politics and the lives of martial artists, with the road serving as the perfect backdrop for this story. This year's film and television dramas have seen a considerable number of road elements. In addition to "A Journey to Love," dramas such as "Grandma's New World," "Young Blood Season 2," "Fearless Blood," and "Parallel World" can all be considered as broad interpretations of road dramas. The protagonists are always continuously exploring the map, making new friends, and experiencing different landscapes. Life is a wilderness, not a track, and the characters in the drama reflect this sentiment. Whether it is to escape or to pursue, it seems that as…

On the list of top-rated Chinese costume dramas compiled, there are the "Four Classics" that have firmly held their ground: "Empresses in the Palace," "Nirvana in Fire," "The Story of Minglan," and "Joy of Life." Regardless of how many new costume dramas may have dazzled in recent years or how many years have passed since their release, these finely crafted masterpieces continue to unleash a long-lasting impact, continuously appreciated by both new and old audiences. In this article, we're going to dive into the "Nirvana in Fire," which has been distributed to 120 countries worldwide. Why is this ancient costume drama, produced by Daylight Entertainment, hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese costume dramas? Simply put, its emergence not only helped Hu Ge successfully transform his career but also presented viewers with an extraordinary sense of quality that had long been absent. It completely ended the era dominated by mediocre cdramas and ushered in a new era of overall improvement in costume drama production.   01 Intriguing Political Revenge Story Is "Nirvana in Fire" considered an enjoyable drama for audience? This may be the only point of controversy for this highly acclaimed drama on Douban with over 780k ratings and a…

"Ripe Town" is the most exceptional Chinese period drama of this year. This drama stands out in the market without any comparable works. It is a period mystery that delves deep into social and historical analysis, offering a captivating deconstruction of complex human nature from different perspectives. In terms of the story, it intertwines a murder case with another arson case from twenty years ago, weaving together a tightly-knit web of revenge with numerous character lines that repeatedly intersect across two timelines. It explores themes of injustice, desire, and regret. Visually, it captures the essence of ancient Eastern paintings and the aesthetics of Jiangnan gardens, constructing a lush and intoxicating small town in late Ming Dynasty. Its English title, "Ripe Town," is fitting, as the entire drama feels like a "fully ripened and almost decaying fruit." Its meticulous attention to detail and profound depth truly make it a standout dish in the autumnal lineup of cdramas. Up to now, "Ripe Town" has received a high rating of 8.5 from over 120,000 viewers on Douban, surpassing the reputation set by "The Long Season" and "Fearless Blood." Many industry insiders believed that such a quality production must have come from an experienced…

Over the years there has been a rise in the revival of Hanfu clothing, and more and more people are trying to wear it. Perhaps the first reaction to the mention of Hanfu will be that it is the clothing of the Han Dynasty, but in fact, Hanfu does not refer to Han Dynasty clothing alone, Hanfu is the short form of traditional Han national costume. In the thousands of years of history, it has carried the aesthetics of Chinese people's life, showing classical, subtle, light, and elegant to the fullest. There are more and more channels for us to learn about Hanfu, but I believe that many people were first introduced to Hanfu in Chinese historical dramas or movies. In recent years, the costumes and props in dramas and movies have become more and more exquisite, and many people have become interested in Hanfu in the process of watching the dramas. Today, we will get to know the classic female Hanfu costumes from the Tang, Song, and Ming periods through stills from several classic Chinese historical dramas. Wu Xin: The Monster Killer (无心法师) There are two types of Hanfu: (礼服, formal dress) and Changfu (常服, daily dress). The Lifu…

"Beauty of Resilience (花戎, Hua Rong)" is a ancient-style fantasy drama starring Ju Jingyi and Guo Junchen. It will be aired on June 1, 2023. Adapted from the popular xianxia novel "Wu Chang Sheng" by Lin Jiacheng, the story follows the female lead Wei Zhi and male lead Yan Yue as they overcome obstacles to rewrite destiny and save the three realms from chaos. Directed by renowned directors Chen Guohua and Hu Yijuan with script written by Qian Yu, this creative team boasts tremendous experience in storytelling; Chen Guohua has created successful ancient dramas such as "The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion", while Qian Yu is one of the main screenwriters for "Goodbye My Princess". With their expertise at play, Beauty of Resilience's production quality is bound to impress audiences. The drama centers around the growth of Wei Zhi, the phoenix reincarnate female lead character. It tells a story of her and the male lead's affectionate entanglement, featuring many highlights such as Wei Zhi's blackening reversal and the male lead's dilemma between righteousness and love. The exquisite costumes and excellent special effects render this drama with remarkably high quality. Ju Jingyi, who plays the female lead, has a sweet appearance and…

In the fascinating world of television, period dramas have always held a special allure, captivating audiences with their rich tapestries of history, culture, and personal stories set against the backdrop of significant historical epochs. As we look ahead, the upcoming roster of period cdramas promises an enthralling blend of intrigue, romance, and historical authenticity. These upcoming ten period cdramas not only promise to be a visual feast but also aim to immerse viewers in the depths of human experience across various landscapes of time. According to incomplete statistics, currently there are more than ten period dramas awaiting broadcast, with key series including "Romance in the Alley," "Liu Zi Mei," "Zu Ji," and "Created in China."   The Swimsuit Saga Director: Zhang Silin Starring: Qiao Shan, Yang Zishan, Liu Jia, Tang Jianjun, Yu Yang Recently, the period drama "The Swimsuit Saga" was scheduled to premiere. The series, led by Qiao Shan and Yang Zishan, with a special appearance by Yu Yang, mainly tells the story of the people of Xingcheng Swimwear seizing the opportunity of reform to successfully start their own business, with Peng Jinxi (played by Qiao Shan) and Luo Hong (played by Yang Zishan) as representatives. Plot Summary of…

In the vast landscape of Chinese commercial cinema, one genre stands out as a unique and iconic representation: wuxia films. As a distinctive film genre indigenous to China, wuxia movies have not only garnered immense popularity among Chinese audiences but have also enjoyed notable success in the international film market. Since the 21st century, amid the comprehensive industrialization reform of the Chinese film industry, wuxia films, as one of the leading genres, have undergone significant developmental stages. From Zhang Yimou's "Hero," "House of Flying Daggers," and "Curse of the Golden Flower" trilogy to Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Mandarin-language wuxia films have garnered genuine recognition in the global cinematic landscape. However, influenced by various factors, wuxia cinema has gradually declined after years of development. Currently, traditional wuxia films are facing dismal market performance, manifested by a decrease in film output and poor audience reception. Over the past decade, only twenty-four wuxia films have been released in the Chinese theatrical market. Moreover, the quality of these films is generally low, with most failing to meet the minimum standards for critical acclaim. They not only fail to satisfy loyal fans of wuxia cinema but also struggle to attract mainstream audiences to…

From the broadcasting of large quantities Chinese dramas around the world, to the strategy of overseas expansion of Chinese video websites and TV organizations to accelerate the pace of Chinese drama exports, the globalization model of Chinese dramas is achieving continuous progression. Recently, "New Life Begins" was launched on streaming platforms in North America, Europe, Australia, Indian Peninsula, Singapore, Malaysia and many other regions; before that, the web series "Immortal Samsara" was distributed to South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and other regions for broadcast; in addition, "Thank You, Doctor " was also launched on many overseas platforms including North America, Russia, South Korea and Japan during its broadcast.   01 Diversification Subject As an important breakthrough for Chinese dramas to go global, ancient costume dramas have always been the main force for culture export, such as "Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan", "Nirvana in Fire", "Eternal Love of Dream", "Story of Yanxi Palace", "The Untamed", "Joy of Life" and other costume dramas have driven a new round of fever to go global. Since 2022, the momentum of ancient costume dramas globally is still strong. In 2022, Korean platform bought the rights of "Love Between Fairy and Devil" and "A Dream of…

Directed by Lu Yang, starring Huang Xuan, Wu Yue, Zhang Rongrong, Lu Fangsheng, Wang Shengdi, Jiang Qiming and others, the ancient fantasy drama "The Mutations" is currently being broadcasted. The plot is set in the Tianqi period, telling the story of a sudden outbreak of a plague on a remote island outside Ningyuan City. Chu Sijing, a member of the Jin Yi Wei, secretly investigates and becomes entangled in a series of mysterious and dangerous events. This drama combines fantasy elements with Eastern culture, creating a unique temperament and style, bringing the audience an ultimate sense of freshness. This drama is based on the historical fact of the rampant plague in the late Ming Dynasty. Through the process of investigating the truth of the typhoid fever in Ningyuan City by the Jin Yi Wei, it involves various forces such as Chu Sijing (played by Huang Xuan), Ba Yan, a official (played by Wu Yue), and Captain Angelica, a foreign ship (played by Zhang Rongrong). From Ningyuan City to Ninghai Fortress, and then to Wumo Island, as the investigation deepens, the level of danger gradually increases, and the truth and secrets behind each key character are about to be revealed. The…

In recent years, with the increasing popularity of traditional Hanfu, many elements of cartoon / TV series have been integrated into Hanfu, often bringing people different surprises. Hanfu & Cartoon When it comes to the joint works of cartoon and Hanfu, I have to mention Xia Da (夏达). Her "Chang Gexing (长歌行)" is very popular. And this design comes from the illustration of the heroine "long song" when she was young. The reduction of bird embroidery pattern is also very high. "Chang Gexing" original painting Xiada's other comic book "Shi Yilu (拾遗录)" also released the corresponding style of Hanfu. The light purple round neck robe carries the heroism of women. Two Qixiong Ruqun style show the Tang Dynasty girl's lively spirit full of dynamic performance, and comic contrast, the reduction is also good. "Shi Yilu" original painting "Shi Yilu" original painting "Shi Yilu" original painting Hanfu & TV series Last year's fire "The longest day in Chang'an" made many people yearn for the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty. The following 5 sets of cooperative Hanfu can let you experience the charm of the Tang Dynasty. Similarly, the popular TV series "The story of Ming Lan" also launched the corresponding…

The xuanhuan drama "The Starry Love" is adapted from the novel of the same name by Yi Du Jun Hua (一度君华), starring Chen Xingxu, Landy Li, Luke Chen and He Xuanlin, and is the finale of the "The Honey Trilogy" after "Ashes of Love" and "Skate Into Love". With the release of the teaser and poster, the attention of "The Starry Love" is rising, the gorgeous scenes of the drama is particularly eye-catching, combined with the sweet and heart-tormenting mythological story structure, making the drama a must-see xuanhuan drama in early spring this year.   Classic drama nucleus and contrasting personalities "The Starry Love" only took two episodes to plant a very classic drama nucleus: marrying the right man in the wrong palanquin. The queen of the human race gave birth to twin sisters, the older sister Qing Kui (played by He Xuanlin) is gentle and kind, admired by the human race, and was registered as a heavenly consort by the gods; the younger sister, Ye Tan (played by Landy Li), is intelligent and cunning, but has been bullied, and she was promised to the demon world as a demon consort. Their wedding is arranged on the same day. However,…

Wedding dresses have become more and more sophisticated in recent years and continue to bring pleasing looks to the audience. But if we rewind the time to twenty years ago, would we be able to see such a wedding dress look in a costume drama? Recently, the wedding dresses of two pending costume dramas caught my attention: #Yang Chaoyue & Love You Seven Times, and #Bai Lu & Till The End of The Moon respectively. Just as marriage is used as a weight to measure love in modern dramas, costume dramas have long been adept at using weddings to move the plot forward. Wedding dresses are becoming more and more common in costume dramas, and once a drama has a wedding sequence, then the actors' level of makeup creation will reach a state of luxury peak. Whether it is a lover who finally gets married, or a tragedy caused by a wrong marriage, it can add a lot to the drama. For example, Yang Chaoyue's look, wearing a lot of gold jewelry, beads and velvet flowers as decoration. Perhaps because the show is not set in a specific dynastic context, the makeup artist has more flexible styling ideas. The black…

Against all expectations, "To the Wonder" opened with a rating of 8.5 on Douban, making it this year's top-rated Chinese drama on the platform. This long-anticipated work has been stirring up speculation ever since its announcement under the "Microdust Theater" banner. On one hand, the challenge lies in adapting essays into a drama format; on the other, the intense competition among theatrical productions on streaming platforms makes the debut of a new label quite suspenseful. After the premiere of "To the Wonder," discussion about the series has been vibrant across major social platforms, with topics focusing on the natural scenery, mother-daughter relationships, and clashing viewpoints. The series tells the story of Han Chinese girl Li Wenxiu (played by Zhou Yiran), who grew up in the countryside of Altay. Dropping out of high school, she moves to a big city to make a living and pursue her literary dreams. After facing setbacks, she returns home to run a small shop with her mother (played by Ma Yili). There, she meets a Kazakh youth, Batai (played by Yu Shi), and gradually discovers the beauty and meaning of life. At this year's Beijing Film Festival, "To the Wonder" held an advanced screening event.…

Chinese costume detective dramas have finally gained momentum. In September of last year, when "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" just premiered, the industry exclaimed, "It has been a long time since we've seen a costume detective drama." Little did all know that in just ten short months, over a dozen historical Chinese costume detective dramas would be ready for release. In the history of Chinese dramas, costume detective dramas have achieved remarkable success. From the "Justice Bao" series in the 1990s to the drama series "Witness to a Prosecution" in the new millennium, and then to "Young Justice Bao," "Amazing Detective Di Renjie," and "Judge of Song Dynasty," this genre has paved its way with equal brilliance as historical dramas. Unfortunately, in recent years, costume detective dramas haven't been very popular. However, with the emergence of shows like "Young Blood" and "Ancient Detective," this genre is once again at the forefront of the industry. The success and popularity of "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" showcase how these types of dramas have accumulated strength over time and are now poised for further development. Currently, Chinese costume detective drama have presented four subgenres: strange, romance, female-oriented, and patriotism. Among these subgenres, the…

As a traditional mythological story, the plot of "Investiture of the Gods" is already well-known to us. However, "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" still prepared many surprises for the audience. For example, we can see the presence of many Chinese national treasure-level cultural relics in the props.   01 Horses In the Creation of the Gods, Yin Shou led his military to return triumphantly from Jizhou. The Shang King and Crown Prince Yin Qi sat on a chariot driven by six white horses to welcome them. It is well known that in ancient times, the number of horses and specifications of vehicles were important symbols of identity and status. There were strict ritual regulations regarding this throughout various dynasties. “天子驾六马，诸侯驾四、大夫三、士二、庶人一。” -《逸礼·王度记》"The emperors rides with six horses; feudal lords ride with four; high-ranking officials three; scholars two; commoners one." - Yi Li · Wang Du Ji In addition to consulting ancient books, the film also referenced unearthed cultural relics - such as the discovery of a horse-drawn carriage pit called "Six Imperial Horses" at Luoyang He Luo Cultural Square in 2002. There are 26 buried carriages in total divided into two rows, with their heads facing south and…

"Gender Swap" is not an uncommon theme in film and drama works, especially in recent years where almost every year sees at least one such work being released. Due to the different ways men and women think, the natural gender mismatch after their souls swap bodies adds a certain degree of drama and often leads to many hilarious gags, making it a popular genre that continues to attract audiences. Among the current wave of "Gender Swap" dramas in the domestic film and television market, this setting often performs well, thus becoming a favorite story content of creators in recent years. However, when a theme falls into the red ocean, it will inevitably fall into the trap of homogenization, making creativity the primary productive force. The costume fantasy romance drama "The Trust (恩爱两不疑)" is directed by He Zhenhua, starring Song Yanfei, Zhang Haowei, Ma Li, Cao Junxiang and others. The drama tells the story of the city lord (played by Zhang Haowei) and his wife (played by Song Yanfei) who accidentally swap bodies. In the process of playing each other's roles, the two reconciled from mutual distrust and suspicion to true love and support for each other. "The Trust" is light-hearted,…

This summer, the entertainment charts of short videos and social media platforms have been occupied by various drama series in a myriad of ways. Audiences find themselves shedding tears for the tumultuous journey of Xiaoyao (played by Yang Zi) in "Lost You Forever," while anxiously following the poisonous schemes of Li Xiangyi (played by Cheng Yi) in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook." And the excitement surrounding the grand wedding in "Destined" for the beloved couple Gu Jiu Si and Liu Yu Ru. This year, a total of 125 Chinese dramas were released during the summer, an increase of 28 compared to the previous year, with a cumulative total of over 77.2 billion valid views. Even many mid-sized productions managed to dominate the summer season solely based on their word-of-mouth reputation. "Fake It Till You Make It" focuses on urban career, while "An Ancient Love Song" takes on the theme of reverse time travel. Various genres and storylines have witnessed changes and breakthroughs in creative direction. However, amidst the bustling data and clamor of feedback, many people are still immersed in the shock of "The Knockout" surpassing 10 billion views in the first half of the year, unable to extricate themselves. What is…

On March 19, the first episode of a new series of "Chinese Solar Terms" created by Henan Radio and Television, "The Adventures in Spring Equinox," was broadcast. Through a short story in a light-hearted and pleasant style, the program talked about the symbolic meaning and characteristics of the "Chun Fen (春分, spring equinox)." In 2021, Henan TV's "Chinese Festivals" series became popular with several traditional dance programs and was praised by netizens for its "Aesthetic Ceiling." The new series of "Chinese Solar Terms" has abandoned the form of songs and dances and expressed the connotation and symbolic meaning of solar terms with drama stories close to the life of the times. The spring equinox has an essential significance in astronomy. The day and night are 12 hours long, which the ancients consider as a day of balance between yin and yang. From the spring equinox, China will gradually enter into the sunny spring, and there are customs such as flying kites, eating spring cuisine, and standing eggs. With this in mind, the creators of the program chose this day to launch the first issue of the "Chinese Solar Terms" series. General director Chen Lei revealed: "Compared to traditional festivals, the solar…

When you first watch the Xuanhuan drama "Love You Seven Times", the first thing that catches the eye is a dazzling mythical world, followed by a sudden shift to a jungle survival tale, and then swiftly transitioning into a childhood sweetheart love story. In just the first three episodes, the story smoothly switches between three perspectives, which is truly refreshing. According to the overall setting, there are also five distinct small worlds waiting to be deciphered in future episodes. "Love You Seven Times" constructs a fascinating and imaginative new worldview - the Colorful Cloud Myth Paradise. Building upon this foundation, it introduces an innovative concept of an infinite flow while maintaining an intense pure love configuration and skillfully laying out seven captivating romantic subplots. Based on the aired episodes, both the production quality and storytelling deserve recognition. The ability to turn wild fantasies into reality and cleverly convey positive views on love through its plot is enough proof of curiosity, imagination, and drive behind its creators.   Infinite flow romantic subplots "Love You Seven Times" is adapted from Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's original novel "Yi Shi Chong Dong, Qi Shi Bu Xiang." It tells the story of Xiangyun (played by…