Winners of 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards unveiled
On April 2, China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) held a symposium on healthy aesthetics in television dramas. Representatives from major online video platforms such as iQIYI, Mango TV, Tencent Video, and Youku, as well as from production companies including Daylight Entertainment, Lemon Pictures, Huace Film & TV, and Changxin Media, attended the meeting.
It was stated at the meeting that television dramas, as a form of art widely enjoyed by the general public, play an important role in conveying mainstream values, inheriting China's outstanding traditional culture, and guiding aesthetic trends.
In recent years, a large number of high-quality works — rich in ideological depth, exquisite in artistry, and excellent in production — have been created and broadcast, fully demonstrating the Chinese television drama industry's sense of responsibility and commitment. At the same time, there is a clear need to recognize that the industry still exhibits creative tendencies that overly prioritize "appearance above all". In some dramas, issues have arisen such as excessive makeup on actors, and certain costumes, makeup, or props being disconnected from character personalities and story settings — according to the symposium.
The meeting also pointed out that the television drama sector must thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture (the current cultural and ideological doctrine of the People's Republic of China), uphold a people-centered creative orientation, adhere to both integrity and innovation, and embrace the core values of truth, goodness, and beauty. It should go deep into real life and take root among the people, ensuring that television drama works reflect the beauty of simplicity, the beauty of nature, and the beauty of meaningful content, the report said.
It was also stated that the [Chinese] public's demand for television dramas has never been limited to visual "beauty"; it lies in stories that are compelling to watch, in works with ideological depth, emotional resonance, and cultural nourishment — entertaining people while also educating them. It is essential to resolutely discard distorted aesthetics and shift from a "star-centric" to a "script-centric" approach. Idolization or worship of looks must be eliminated, adhering to the principle that "content is king, characters are fundamental," ensuring that characters are flesh-and-blood [true to life], have warmth and soul. The most basic requirement is that "what is portrayed should be true to what it is [realistic]."
They also emphasized that the industry should avoid supremacy of looks or relying on online popularity, and place greater focus on acting skills and the quality of the work. Costumes, makeup, and props should serve character development and story expression, align with the characters' images, and collectively present a healthy spirit.
The news is garnering special attention in China after the airing of Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei.
Though the symposium did not take names, Chinese netizens were quick to connect the statements made and the recent "foundation-wearing general" controversy directed at Zhang Ling He's portrayal of his general character in the drama.
Zhang received immense praise for his portrayal of Xie Zheng, a character shaped by the pain of the past and brutality of the battlefields. Not only that, but fans also said he perfectly resembled the character in looks as described in the original novel.
However, with fame also came criticism. While Zhang's fans applauded his performance, some Chinese netizens took issue with his makeup and flawless look in the drama, calling him a "foundation-wearing general".
On March 27, the official Weibo account of Jun Zhengping Studio, run by the People's Liberation Army Daily, posted a piece with a headline: "The 'generals' in costume dramas wearing makeup cannot bear the social responsibility of embodying masculine vigor" — a statement widely believed to be criticising Zhang Ling He's look as a military general in Pursuit of Jade.
Read the full controversy here.
Source: Nanhai Media
