The current drama market has become a trial ground for many top-tier dramas, and those who can break through the competition are receiving industry attention. The recently premiered drama "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" is a prime example. According to public data, the show garnered over 4 million reservations, with more than 21.5 million bullet comments within 5 hours of its premiere. It topped various rankings such as the trending list, TV drama list, and rising list on the platform, reaching the top spot on the daily popularity chart just two hours after its premiere. It is quite surprising that this story about Jianghu (martial arts world) can stir up such storms during the summer season primarily targeted at young mainstream audiences. Analyzing the discussion points of this drama reveals that it is this refreshing portrayal of Jianghu in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" that helps drive its positive word-of-mouth transformation and accumulates strength for future dissemination. Though seemingly set in familiar Jianghu settings: heroic individuals, martial arts sects, isolated village inns, desolate ancient tombs, these well-known elements of Jianghu are portrayed by vivid characters in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook," delivering new emotional impact and viewing experiences to audiences. This creates another legendary tale within…

Chinese costume dramas have gained immense popularity in recent years, both in China and around the world. These dramas are known for their intricate costumes, beautiful set designs, and of course, their unforgettable female leads. While each drama has its own unique story and characters, there are three distinct types of female leads that are commonly seen in Chinese costume dramas. In this essay, we will explore these three types of female leads and examine what makes each of them so compelling. Costume dramas are an enduring theme, particularly beloved by female audiences. Upon reviewing the performance of dramas over the past three years, we have observed that the female leads' characterizations have been continuously innovative in these popular works. Some are powerful and gallant heroines, whose continuous growth propels the work's excitement; while others are clever and lovable young ladies, naturally drawing closer to the audience and evoking emotional resonance.   Female Leads in Hit Costume Drama Among the latest and most popular five period dramas in the past three years, take "A Dream of Splendor," "Douluo Continent," "My Heroic Husband," "Love Like the Galaxy" and "Legend of Fei" as examples. "A Dream of Splendor" features a "career-oriented" female…

"Under the Microscope: The Tax Case of Silk" is arguably the most exciting historical costume cdrama of 2023 so far. Unlike most costume cdramas, "Under the Microscope" presents an exciting taxation curiosity case of the Ming Dynasty in only 14 episodes. The tight plot and accurate restoration of the Ming Dynasty make everyone start looking forward to the second season (there are six stories in the original, and the silk tax case is the first one). The drama is set in the Ming Dynasty time, showing Chinese aesthetics and authentic Ming Dynasty costumes. Shi Yue from Han Fu Shi Dai has compiled a list of the classic hanfu styles that appear in the drama, so let's learn about them.   Shuhe & Zhiduo Shuai Jia Mo, the main character in the drama, is a mathematical genius who relies on measuring land to earn a modest income. He was not enrolled in the civil service and was a commoner. Shuai Jia Mo often wears Shuhe and cloth shoes, highlighting his simple and unpretentious temperament. Shuhe (裋褐): also known as Heyi (褐衣), Buyi (布衣), refers to the rough cloth clothes worn by ordinary people. Feature with cross collar, narrow sleeves, usually shorter,…

The urban fantasy and action cdrama "I Am Nobody (Yi Ren Zhi Xia, 异人之下)" is currently being hotly broadcasted. The series is adapted from the popular Chinese manga series "Under One Person" by Mi Er. Upon its release, it received a high IMDb rating of 9.4. The vast world-building, extraordinary abilities of the Yi Ren (异人), and the unique visual aesthetics rooted in Chinese classical culture have sparked a wave of Chinese fantasy in early September, igniting the passion of many viewers. The ordinary young protagonist Zhang Chulan (played by Peng Yuchang) is drawn into an unprecedented world of Yi Ren after his grandfather's body mysterious disappearance. Faced with the sudden onslaught of other forces and the unexpected arrival of the enigmatic girl Feng Baobao (played by Wang Yinglu), Zhang Chulan is determined to no longer conceal his own extraordinary abilities. As Zhang Chulan gradually delves into the secrets of his grandfather's past, he becomes immersed in the world of the Yi Ren, where the mysteries of history begin to unfold. And Feng Baobao's mysterious background appears to be the key to unraveling the enigma. Confronted with successive crises, the young Yi Ren unite and form deep friendships and bonds.…

The hot-blooded Xianxia drama "Lord of Snow Eagles," directed by Li Dachao and starring Xu Kai, Gulnazar, Bai Shu, and Lu Tingyu, is currently airing. This drama is adapted from a novel of the same name. The story revolves around Dongbo Xueying, a young man with an ancient bloodline, who becomes entangled in the conflict between righteousness and evil as he strives to save his mother. Along the way, Xueying meets and falls in love with Yujingqiu, a descendant of the divine race. Together, they overcome numerous obstacles and eventually grow into the legendary Lord of Snow Eagles that shines brightly in the Orient. Xianxia dramas have always been popular among young audiences in Chinese film and television productions. Creating a unique worldview is often essential for such dramas. In terms of production value, Xianxia dramas tend to have relatively high costs due to special effects shots, action choreography, green screen editing skills etc., which require time and financial resources. Some large-scale productions even rely on CG technology to enhance visual effects. "Lord of Snow Eagles" has indeed created an expansive and innovative world view. Its fight scenes and special effects are commendable; if we overlook its conventional plotlines and focus…

"A League of Nobleman" (君子盟) is the latest thriller detective drama directed by Yang Fan and Jia Xiaoxiong, starring Jing Boran and Song Weilong, broadcast on January 30, 2023. The drama is adapted from the novel Zhang Gong An (张公案) written by Dafeng Guaguo. It tells the story of Zhang Ping, a simple and upright young man who loves reasoning and investigating, and young gentlemen Lan Jue, who is elegant and gentle Ceremonial Master. They jointly explore and investigating cases, find the true circumstances of Lan's birth, and work together to maintain justice and protect the peace of the people.   Next detective drama classic? Classic detective dramas appeared frequently in the early years. "Young Judge Bao" not only has eye-catching ratings but also makes many classic clips unforgettable to the audience. "Detective Dee" series not only had the highest ratings at that time but also created the most classic image of Di Renjie in the history of TV series. The drama "Judge of Song Dynasty" in 2005 is still a classic in the hearts of many audiences. The series is enough to surpass most ancient costume detective dramas in terms of plot, performance, and theme depth. However, with the…

In this year's Chinese film and television works, a part of them have satisfied the emotional value of the audience. For example, "The Knockout" and "Meet Yourself", as well as "No More Bets" and "Full River Red". The quantification of emotional value is difficult, but works that can be crowned with this concept are either popular or favored by certain groups, at least winning the resonance of some people. Which works belong to this category this year, and why have they conveyed emotional value?   "The Knockout": Confrontation of Emotions and Class Crossing Although it was broadcast in the first quarter, the influence of "The Knockout" unsurprisingly lasted until the end of the year. The success is essentially a triumph of emotional representation. The thrill and satisfaction of crossing classes bring indescribable pleasure to the audience. In the popular comments from the audience, there are many descriptions such as "growing stronger and becoming a big shot" and "step by step towards success". Justice triumphs over evil, and the root causes of evil provoke deep thoughts. The protagonist Gao Qiqiang (played by Zhang Songwen) and An Xin (played by Zhang Yi) complete a dual revenge. Initially, Gao Qiqiang, a fishmonger, was…

Get ready to fall in love with "Romance of a Twin Flower", the latest romantic comedy cdrama that is taking the entertainment industry by storm. This Chinese drama series is a perfect mix of heartwarming romance and hilarious comedy, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for a feel-good show. With its captivating storyline, characters, and breathtaking cinematography, "Romance of a Twin Flower" is sure to leave you smiling and swooning from start to finish." "Romance of a Twin Flower" is a historical romantic comedy television series directed by Xie Ze and starring Ding Yuxi, Peng Xiaoran, Yi Dachuan, Mark Chao, He Changxi, and Jia Nai. The drama premiered on March 21st, 2023. Based on the novel of the same name by Bai Lu Cheng Shuang, the series tells the story of Ji Man, a talented young woman with exceptional business skills who unexpectedly loses her memory. She takes the place of her twin sister Nie Sangyu in the Ning Mansion and uses her business acumen to resolve crises, while experiencing ups and downs with Ning Yuxuan and growing and finding happiness along the way.   Basic Information of Romance of a Twin Flower Also known as: Chun Gui Meng…

Every year, the most explosive, buzzworthy, and actor-elevating genre undoubtedly belongs to costume dramas. This is why every year, costume dramas flood the market, attracting both investors and actors. In the upcoming lineup of Chinese video platforms in 2024, costume dramas have earned an incredibly important position. In this article, the highlights of the costume dramas that will soon be aired on Tencent Video and Youku Video.   1-Costume dramas on Tencent Video Among the upcoming lineup of costume dramas on Tencent Video, they have the fewest number compared to the other four major Chinese video platforms, with only 14 productions. However, there are still plenty of potential blockbusters among them, most of which are sure to become highly-discussed hot dramas.   The Legend of Shen Li Leading the pack is the director Deng Ke's "The Legend of Shen Li," starring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin. It is adapted from Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's novel "Ben Wang Zai Ci." The reunion of these two actors reminds people of "Princess Agents," as the second season of that show is still eagerly anticipated. Audiences can only temporarily relieve their longing through "The Legend of Shen Li." Zhao Liying's talent is beyond doubt,…

In the past two months, the top projects in the film and television market have gathered. On August 31th, the total box office of summer Chinese films exceeded 20 billion yuan, breaking the record for domestic box office in the same period of history. Moreover, four films: "Lost in the Stars", "Never Say Never ", "Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms" and "No More Bets" all surpassed 2 billion yuan at the box office. At present, it is expected that the final total box office for this season will reach 21 billion yuan. On the other hand, the drama market lagged a little behind the movie market, especially after entering July when there was a concentration of top dramas; only "Lost You Forever" and "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" achieved explosive data. To some extent, having a concentration of popular projects can help boost market activity and potentially create blockbusters. By looking at how movies and dramas perform, we may be able to understand specific situations within both industries from an industry perspective as well as from a market point of view. Given that Chinese film and television companies are generally choosing to focus on both movies and TV dramas…

In the year 2023, supporting actors such as Gao Qiqiang, Ye Bingshang, and Meng Yanchen made a comeback with their outstanding charisma, heralding the year of supporting roles in cdramas. A year later, this phenomenon not only did not fade away but intensified. In the currently popular drama "In Blossom," Zheng Hehuizi, in a guest appearance, overshadowed the female lead Ju Jingyi in just two episodes, sparking discussions among viewers. Even though Zheng Hehuizi personally responded, urging netizens not to create opposition between female actors, it did not quell the audience's desire to resist the mainstream and assert their own voices. From supporting roles stepping up to supporting roles stealing the show, what kind of emotional journey do audiences go through? How will it affect the creative direction of the entire film and television industry?   The Ultimate Characterization of Supporting Roles For a long time, many people have attributed the unexpected rise of supporting roles to a kind of mystery. However, even in the realm of the mysterious, upon deeper examination, one can find underlying reasons. Firstly, from the perspective of creative norms, it is easier to shape an outstanding supporting role than a main character. The protagonist, as…

Directed by Su Zhaobin and Lin Ziping, with Ni Ni and Bai Yu as the leading actors, and Jin Han, Meng Ziyi, and Zhang Yishang making special appearances, the fantasy adventure cdrama "Parallel World (西出玉门)" is currently airing. The drama tell the story about Ye Liuxi and Chang Dong, one searching for the truth of their identity and the other unraveling the mysteries of the past, join forces to venture deep into the desert. In the depths of the desert, dangers lurk at every turn, as if invisible hands are pulling them into the the Jade Gate. Amidst various forces, they navigate through numerous troubles, unraveling the truth and gaining insights into true love through life-and-death trials. The truth seems within reach, but they also find themselves ensnared in a larger conspiracy. With its magnificent spectacle, unique visual style, tight pacing, and gripping storyline, the drama quickly captivates audiences of different ages and backgrounds.   A contemporary fantasy that lands with finesse "Parallel World" is a fresh attempt at Chinese fantasy drama. In previous fantasy dramas, the fantastical elements were often derived from the convergence of the past and present or the turmoil of human hearts. "Parallel World" takes a…

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…