Have you ever heard of that trivia tidbit where it's like "the Chinese were so impressed by Kung Fu Panda that they held meetings to figure out why they couldn't produce something as good as it with their own culture"? Well, it's true. That did happen. And the answer is probably a combination of a lack of financial and cultural support for artists, government censorship of storytelling, and animation not being taken seriously as an artform. But what did Kung Fu Panda do that was so right? What influences did it take from Chinese culture? I'm gonna try and figure that out. I'll talk about my opinion on whether it matters that this movie was made by white people when Chinese audiences liked it so much. So let's start! Wuxia Jianghu Dream To begin with, these mountains in the opening immediately reminded me of Huangshan, or the Yellow Mountains. It's a pretty famous mountain range in China with a lot of these jagged stony peaks and clouds surrounding them. The Kung Fu Panda artbook confirms that the Valley of Peace is inspired by the Yellow Mountains and the Li River Valley, another place famous for being really, really pretty. And…

One of the questions or requests that I get most often lately is to write a video about why The Untamed cast is so popular. The Untamed is a 2019 fantasy Chinese costume drama starring Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. It is based on the famous BL novel or Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. The drama ran from June 27th to August 20th and I believe it's safe to say that it's one of the biggest if not the biggest hit of the year. So I will start by getting into some of the cast and characters and then I'll talk about the synopsis and then why it's so popular. 1. The Untamed Characters Xiao Zhan plays Wei Wuxian, a disciple of the Jiang sect. He wields the Suibian sword and Chenqing flute, and his specialty is demonic cultivation and the invention of new spiritual techniques. Wang Yibo plays Lan Wangji of the Gusu Lan sect. He wields the Bichen sword and the Wangji zither. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji regard each other as soul mates. Zoey Meng plays Wen Qing, a doctor who belongs to the healing branch of the Wen sect. She is aloof but kind and is protective…

The new record of the fastest topping on the IQIYI drama list, seven consecutive days of the Chinese broadcast market share of the first, "New Life Begins (卿卿日常)" has become the biggest dark horse in the early winter drama market with its extremely high popularity. "New Life Begins" is produced by New Classics Media. In a marriage election, girls from all over the country gather in Xinchuan to marry the young prince of Xin Chuan. The 6th Prince, Yin Zheng (Bai Jingting), who is hiding his light, and Li Wei (Tian Xi Wei), who just wants to go back home and live comfortably, have a laughable marriage. This drama features a fresh style, a cheerful plot, and delightful characters. It combines love, cuisine, humanities, and history together, supplemented by comedy and laughs, ultimately presenting a life story. "New Life Begins" is different from the usual sweet comedy, the sweetness and joy presented are not a mindless spoof, but a romantic distillation of the fragments of life. Some people think that this drama wins in the background and the freshness of the persona, but after watching a few episodes, you will be able to feel the deep skills of the team…

The Ruqun(襦裙) is one of the earliest and most basic forms of clothing in the history of Han costumes. From the Warring States period with physical evidence, at the end of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with the "shaving and easy clothing". Is the most basic form of traditional Han costumes. In the meantime, more than 2,000 years, although the length and width have changed, the basic form has always maintained the original style. The Ruqun(襦裙) consists of the lower dress and the upper jaw (is short coat) and is generally called the Changfu (常服, uniform). According to the collar type, the Ruqun can be divided into: "Jiaoling Ruqun (交领襦裙, cross collar Ruqun)" "Zhiling Ruqun (直领襦裙, straight collar Ruqun)" According to the waist position of the dress, can be divided into: "Zhongyao Ruqun (中腰襦裙, a middle waist Ruqun)" "Gaoyao Ruqun (高腰襦裙, a high waist Ruqun)"  "Qixiong Ruqun (齐胸襦裙, a chest Ruqun)" "Jiaoling Ruqun" "Zhiling Ruqun" the Jiaoling Ruqun: the cross-collar dress is quite common in the Song Dynasty, it is characterized by the captain for the cross-collar.Can be subdivided into three: Jiaoling-Qiyao Ruqun(交领-齐腰襦裙,cross-collar Qi waist Ruqun): Qiyao Ruqun: dress's waist and waist are flush. Jiaoling-Gaoyao Ruqun (交领-高腰襦裙,cross-collar high waist Ruqun):…

10 exciting historical series will be broadcast in 2022, tradition history, biography, suspense, what surprises will they bring for us? On the whole, in the past, "romanticism" is the main theme of Chinese costume dramas, but from the list of 2022 historical series, the "realism" genre of historical subjects, may be an important breakthrough in the drama market in 2022. From the market's perspective, differentiated competition is the greatest motivation for the revival of historical series. Not only do viewers want to have other choices than realistic themes, but even historical themes have the expectation of continuous innovation and upgrading. We can see that almost all Chinese mainstream video sites have historical drama projects.   Historical series is now returning strongly Earlier, costume dramas and historical dramas were distinct. Historical dramas were often based on famous historical figures and had a more strict historical basis. The characters in costume dramas, on the other hand, are not strictly limited to whether they are real people or purely fictional, and there is no requirement for the plot to fit with history. Over the past decade, costume dramas have flourished while historical dramas have gradually withered away. The ancient costume dramas: Imperial drama,…

The drama "The Legend of Shen Li" starring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin is a fantasy Xianxia series. This drama was highly anticipated before its premiere, partly due to the combination of Zhao Liying's talent and popularity playing a fairy character once again, and also because Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin's collaboration resolved the regrets of many fans of the drama "Princess Agents." On its premiere day, it has been leading in viewership ratings in all aspects. In recent years, most fantasy dramas revolve around the basic themes of protecting the people and safeguarding loved ones, and "The Legend of Shen Li" stands out as a unique work in this genre. In terms of the storyline, the female lead played by Zhao Liying, Shen Li, is not just a supporting character who highlights the strength of the male lead. Shen Li, as the Bicang King of the spiritual realm, traps demons and protects her realm. On the other hand, Lin Gengxin plays dual roles, one in the mortal world and the other in the heavenly realm. Each character has their own responsibilities and missions based on their identities. From escaping a forced marriage in the mortal realm to saving a…

Clothing, food, shelter and transportation, the word clothing is the first. Throughout history, the Chinese have consistently showcased their pursuit of clothing. From the exquisite attire donned by emperors in ancient palaces to the fashionable ensembles spotted in bustling city streets, people appear to consistently have a wealth of commentary regarding fashion trends. Today, a documentary that was specifically created to delve into the rich Chinese clothing culture would be recommended - "Wearing China on the Body". It tells the story of Chinese etiquette, clothing expression, folk art inheritance, and human relationships through vivid clothing, and skillfully reflects the changes in people's aesthetic preferences in the era. The Chinese documentary "Wearing China on the Body" is composed of six episodes, including Sang Ma, Bu Yi, Ni Shang, Jin Xiu, Zi Jin, and Jiang Xin. This documentary interprets Chinese culture through the perspective of clothing, arousing the audience's profound longing for clothing aesthetics from various perspectives such as fashion, elegance, intricacy, culture, humanity, and emotion. Enable them to comprehend the China within which we reside from the dreamlike clothing realm.   Episode 1: Sang Ma This episode will trace the origin of magnificent Chinese costumes, choose the life course of different…

What is Xia? Some say they are skilled warriors, others say they are outsiders on the fringes of society, and some even say it is an adult fairy tale. A knight-errant can take on many forms, but one thing is certain: from the moment they step onto the stage of history, their extraordinary allure ensures that the concept of a "Xia" will never fade away. What is Xia? Who can be called a knight-errant? To answer these questions, let us first go back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when knights-errant roamed.   01 When did ancient China have Xia? During the Pre-Qin period, warfare was frequent. One day, the powerful state of Chu was preparing to attack the weak state of Song and hired the renowned craftsman Lu Ban to create siege weapons. The military strength of Song was far inferior to that of Chu, and the people were filled with fear, scattering in all directions in an attempt to escape. Mozi, who had a deep background in craftsmanship and was skilled in defending cities, received this news and immediately rushed thousands of miles to the capital of Chu, hoping to utilize his expertise…

In recent years, the phenomenon of "live-action adaptations of Chinese comics" has surged in popularity, captivating audiences with its unique blend of comic book narratives brought to life on screen. This burgeoning market offers a diverse range of themes and holds immense potential, attracting significant attention and investment from major platforms in China. However, the journey to success in this realm seems fraught with challenges, with the specter of difficulties in adapting comics to live-action looming over many productions. How can creators navigate the complexities of bridging the gap between two distinct mediums, ensuring a balance between the essence of the original comics and the demands of live-action storytelling? The answer to this question remains elusive, requiring ongoing exploration and innovation. The anticipation surrounding the release of Fox Spirit Matchmaker: "Red-Haired Girl" was palpable, with high expectations from various quarters. Fans of Chinese comics eagerly awaited to see how a beloved IP would transition to the small screen, while aficionados of historical dramas rejoiced at the prospect of encountering the "ancient costume beauty ceiling" once again. Moreover, the production team's announcement of utilizing virtual production technology for the first time in a domestic long-form drama only served to deepen the…

In the early 1920s, when the popularity of upper coat and lower dresses was dwindling, qipao quietly emerged and underwent bold improvements. This can be considered a remarkable revolution in women's clothing, elevating qipao to become one of the world's distinctive Eastern female outfits. During the Republican era, qipao was a long robe-style one-piece garment that cinched at the waist and highlighted women's natural beauty while accentuating their curves and slender figures. Instead of wearing long pants underneath, silk stockings, thread stockings or underwear were worn. The thin and transparent material of the cheongsam should be worn with a white petticoat, which also has white lace. In this way, the slender legs and lines can also be shown in the slit of the cheongsam. In this article, we will introduce the basic 9 type of cheongsam sleeve for you.   Sleeveless The sleeveless style is a universal design that can be worn by anyone regardless of body type or age. The most significant feature of this style is its coolness and comfort, showcasing one's entire arm, making it perfect for summer wear. Zhang Manyu wore many sleeveless qipaos in "In the Mood for Love", which complemented her tall and slender figure…

Compared to the more complicated and dignified styles of Hanfu suits, the style of Han element suits is much simpler. For many people who are new to Hanfu, Han elements are a very good choice. Han element set that can make us feel the classical style of Hanfu and also be easy to wear in daily life. We would like to recommend six sets of Han element suits for daily wear, which we hope helpful for you. Black & White Checkered Jin-style Set This black and white checkered Jin-Ru (晋襦) with black striped skirt is based on the Jin Dynasty Han clothing system, using simple lines to highlight the outline of the Wei-Jin clothing, without unnecessary decorations and colors, and the large black collar and skirt make the overall style stand out, showing the modernism of urban Han clothing. The black color itself is skinny, and with the narrow blouse and sleeves, it makes the figure look slimmer. Airplane Sleeves Song-style Set The design is based on the Song-style Hanfu costume, with a black cross-array for the airplane sleeves shirt, a full sequin for the Moxiong (抹胸), and hand-sewn cross-array decoration on the black skirt pleats. It has a wider…

Combining the elegant tradition of the literati in the Song Dynasty and the natural characteristics of the Qingming Festival, Adventures on Qingming Festival 2022 extends the cultural connotation of the series "Chinese Solar Terms" and takes viewers to a spring elegant gathering with a classical flavor. On April 4, Henan TV's Chinese Solar Terms series, "A Wondrous Landscape of Qingming - Adventures on Qingming Festival 2022" aired, recreating the elegant gathering of the literati in the Song Dynasty, and opening an elegant "Wonderful Tour" in the spring and scenic. Coinciding with the Qingming Festival, the program takes advantage of a wonderful spring elegant gathering to express the multiple meanings and emotional expressions of Qingming again. Join a spring elegant gathering together In ancient times, the gathering of literati was called "Ya Ji (雅集)". In the early years of Yuanfeng, Wang Shen invited sixteen contemporary literati, including Su Shi, Su Zhe, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu, and Qin Guan, to a gathering in the West Garden. This "Xi Yuan Ya Ji Tu (西园雅集图, West Garden Elegant Gathering)", which took place in Bianjing (now Kaifeng, Henan Province) of the Northern Song Dynasty, is equally famous as the "Lanting Gathering" of the Eastern Jin…

There's a dialogue in Gone with the Wind: "Darling, I want to know why you keep smiling at the kale?" "Because when I think about tomorrow's picnic, I can't help feeling happy." Although we often see in European and American movies, the protagonists in the trip can easily take out a set of wine glasses in the trunk and put a picnic blanket to sit down and chat, but in Chinese movies rarely appear in such scenes. However, you should not think that only Western countries have such a picnic habit. In fact, it has been practiced in China for a long time. It's a good way to say that a literary person with a good sense of humor would never put down " travel" or "picnic", it's actually a sentiment about spring. Let's follow Han Time's lead to learn more about the history of Chinese picnic culture, and learn how to choose the best traditional Chinese clothing for a picnic. The Pre-Qin Dynasties Back in the pre-Qin dynasties, the third day of March was the scene of a large garden party for blind dates. At the Shangsi Festival, there were always "uninhibited" men and women exchanging love at the…