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The cdrama "Judge Dee's Mystery" became a hit even before its release. It has received over 8 million reservations on the platform, making it the highest-ever reservation record on Youku. Moreover, it marks Netflix's first purchase of a historical suspense cdrama. In recent years, suspense dramas have gained immense popularity, captivating viewers and generating high anticipation, both nationally and globally. The confidence of "Judge Dee's Mystery" lies in its captivating content.   Three new for Judge Dee's Mystery Judge Dee is a well-known figure in China, not only as one of the famous ministers of the Tang Dynasty but also through the portrayal of the righteous and fearless magistrate detective by the renowned actor Liang Guanhua on screen. With the combination of real history and fictional interpretation, the foundation of the audience is solid, and their aesthetic expectations are naturally high. How can the story of Judge Dee be further told? "Judge Dee's Mystery" brings three new dimensions to the narrative. Firstly, it offers a fresh perspective. "Judge Dee's Mystery" is adapted from the eponymous novel written by the famous Dutch writer, sinologist, and diplomat Robert van Gulik. It tells the story of Chinese court cases using the narrative techniques…

In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 93 cdramas premiered. Romance and urban genres continued to lead the pack, while mystery series showed outstanding performance. The abundance in quantity, prominence in top-tier productions, richness in genres, and diversity in themes became the notable characteristics of the 2024 Q1 drama market. At such a time, long video platforms exerted more effort in promoting their masterpieces, making the post Chinese New Year period less friendly for medium and small-budget dramas. Some dramas barely emerged before fading into obscurity, while others were more fortunate, managing to make some impact. Consequently, the pursuit of novelty and change has become the only way for dramas to stand out beyond mere production. Among the array of dramas in the post-Chinese New Year lineup of 2024, Youku's "In Blossom" and "Blossoms in Adversity" successfully broke through as dark horses. These dramas employed a method of blending genres and elements, indicating that Youku seems to have a unique approach to ancient puppetry innovation. Firstly, the ancient costume mystery detective drama "In Blossom" started with high energy. Within just three days of its release, it surpassed 10,000 in-site popularity, making it the fastest drama on Youku to…

Tonight marks the highly anticipated premiere of the historical fantasy comedy drama "Second Chance Encounters," streaming simultaneously on Taoyuan and Youku. As I watched the trailer, I couldn't contain my excitement; finally, a well-made historical drama to enjoy! "Second Chance Encounters" follows Qi Chunjiao (played by Song Yiren), a discus athlete experiencing the darkest period of her life. Her professional career abruptly ended, her first love confession failed, and she faced estrangement from her mother—all these troubles almost overwhelmed her. Then, a sudden accident leaves Qi Chunjiao with a head injury, and when she wakes up, she finds herself reincarnated as Gu Qingqiao, a wealthy young lady in ancient times. In this fantastical journey through time, Qi Chunjiao discovers that many familiar faces from her past life, including her crush Duan Yu (played by Guo Junchen), now exist in different roles around her. Together, they embark on a quest to uncover the "Four Spirits" treasures. Through their growing camaraderie, Qi Chunjiao gradually unravels the knots of her previous life and resolves to embrace this new beginning. A Fresh Perspective on Historical Dramas "Second Chance Encounters" breaks away from traditional historical drama tropes where the male and female leads are typically…

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 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…

Recently, with the simultaneous release of popular ancient costume dramas on major long-video platforms, the competition for the summer blockbuster season has intensified. Among the many highly anticipated dramas, "Dashing Youth" , launched on Youku, stands out uniquely. It belongs to the traditional genre of martial arts dramas but has carved out a new path by presenting a fresh perspective and innovative production that resonates with a youthful audience. Describing it succinctly as a good drama is challenging, yet this complexity doesn't hinder its spread among younger viewers. It vividly portrays the thrilling world of martial arts and paints a captivating picture of heroic figures. The bold youthful spirit and the protagonists' journey of growth in the vast world resonate deeply with the audience. The series features high-intensity action sequences and visually stunning designs that embrace traditional Chinese aesthetics, providing an engaging visual experience. Even though the ultimate goal may not be immediately apparent, following the young heroes as they navigate the martial arts world is compelling in itself. In today's drama market, "Dashing Youth" represents a rare breed of martial arts drama that appeals to the "youthful" sentiment. However, its debut on Youku is not surprising. In recent years,…

In the realm of Chinese animation, where creativity and storytelling converge, a new series has emerged to captivate audiences with its blend of modern intrigue and ancient mysticism. "Golden Silkworm Chronicles," adapted from the acclaimed novel "Miao Jiang Gu Shi" by Nan Wu Jia Sha Li Ke Fo, has made its grand entrance onto Youku Anime, promising viewers an exhilarating journey into a world where supernatural powers and urban life collide. At the heart of "Golden Silkworm Chronicles" lies a narrative steeped in the rich tapestry of Miao ethnic culture and the allure of supernatural abilities. The story centers around Lu Zuo, a young man thrust into the tumultuous realm of these powers after inheriting the mantle of the "Golden Silkworm," a title bestowed upon him by his grandmother. Set against the backdrop of a bustling modern city, Lu Zuo's journey unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, drawing viewers into a universe where ordinary lives intersect with extraordinary destinies. Unlike traditional Chinese animation themes centered on cultivation and martial arts, "Golden Silkworm Chronicles" pioneers a new narrative trajectory with its focus on urban supernatural fantasy. This distinct choice not only broadens the genre's appeal but also injects fresh vigor into…

Starring Luo Yun Xi, Bai Lu, Chen Du Ling, and Deng Wei, with Sun Zhen Ni, and Wang Yi Fei in supporting roles, the fantasy Xuanhuan drama "Till The End Of The Moon" has officially announced its release date. Starting on April 6th, it will be exclusively broadcast on Youku. Adapted from the "Hei Yue Guang Na Wen BE Ju Ben" by Teng Luo Wei Zhi, "Till The End Of The Moon" tells the story of the love and hate relationship between the demon lord Tantai Jin and Li Susu, the daughter of the head of Hengyang Sect. It has garnered much attention since its production began. The story is about the Hengyang Sect leader's daughter, Li Su Su (played by Bai Lu), who risks everything to save the world from the tyrannical rule of the demon lord Tantai Jin (played by Luo Yun Xi). She travels back 500 years to disguise herself as Ye Xi Wu, the youngest daughter of the Ye family, in order to prevent the young Tantai Jin from becoming a demon, before he is consumed by evil thoughts. However, she never expected Tantai Jin to be her husband in that time period. As they spend…

The historical costume mystery drama "Judge Dee's Mystery" is currently airing on Youku. In recent years, there have been two main trends in historical costume mystery dramas. The first is to extract intriguing stories from the obscure corners of history, with a stronger focus on historical details rather than dramatic conflicts. A typical example is Youku's popular summer drama in 2018, "The Longest Day in Chang'an". The second trend is to blend traditional costume detective dramas with the style of road movies, adopting an episodic format where the investigation and personal growth intertwine. These works are highly dramatic and can be considered legendary tales with a down-to-earth touch. "Judge Dee's Mystery" is a standout in this regard. This highly anticipated drama has garnered over 7 million reservations on Youku prior to its release, and as of now, the number of viewers "following" the show has soared to 9 million. The brain-teasing suspenseful detective genre has also won the favor of male viewers, making it the most anticipated series for 2024. "Judge Dee's Mystery" lives up to these expectations. It is adapted from the eponymous novel by Dutch diplomat Robert van Gulik, and since its premiere, it has shown great potential.…

On the evening of July 6th, the TV series "Second Encounter" made its debut on streaming platforms like Youku and iQiyi, marking the beginning of its highly anticipated premiere. Starring young actors Song Yiren and Guo Junchen, the series explores the intriguing premise of several youths who find themselves in an ancient setting after time-traveling, where they discover unexpected talents and embark on fantastical adventures. Song Yiren portrays the lead role in the series. In the modern world, her character is a dedicated athlete facing the brink of retirement due to injuries. Raised by a single mother who struggled after the early death of her husband, the protagonist's mother's greatest hope is for her daughter to excel in international sports competitions. However, tensions arise between them regarding the decision to retire. Adding to their challenges, a signboard from their family-owned barbecue restaurant falls on the daughter, triggering the pivotal moment that leads to her time-traveling experience. The narrative unfolds with humor and continuous laughter, establishing a light-hearted and enjoyable tone that characterizes the series as an entertaining and straightforward comedy-drama. Following her time-traveling experience, the protagonist finds herself transformed into the daughter of a wealthy merchant family in ancient times,…

On November 4th, "Weaving a Tale of Love Season 2," was released on Youku. The clever female protagonist, Liuli, repeatedly exposed the schemes of the princess, providing book fans and drama enthusiasts with a satisfying experience. Comments such as "captivating from the beginning" and "can't get enough with two episodes a day" clearly demonstrate the audience's love for this drama. As the popularity of "Weaving a Tale of Love" soared, Tencent quickly followed suit, releasing "Wonderland of Love" on November 6th, further igniting the market. A day later, "Story of Kunning Palace" premiered on iQiyi, intensifying the competition among the three Chinese major long-form video platforms. In recent years, the key factors determining the competitiveness of costume dramas in the market are no longer just big work, high viewership, and large investments, but rather the sense of differentiation brought by content innovation. Taking these three new dramas as examples, they have expanded their creative directions beyond the confines of palace intrigue, domestic conflicts, and dominant female protagonists, and instead focus more on elements such as new women, legends, and personal growth. The core of the stories also touches on the emotional perspectives, social views, and workplace situations of contemporary young…