What the Shell Lounge Bar (Xiang Liu's Underwater Luxury Lounge)

 Kokuto:

But I'm betting part of the reason why he got this role is last year's movie, where investors and producers could see he could fill theater seats and had the acting chops.  It's all steps in his career.

The good showing for I Miss You would have helped him at least be considered for movie projects. Baby steps. 

 Kokuto:

Yes!  For the right, good, big production, a solid supporting role would be fine.  Though I'm sure some fans would try to make it a billing issue.  :(

While the word "toxic" is overused these days, I think it's a very apt one for C-fandom culture. Particularly the liu lang world. Those fans truly lived up to the fanatical meaning of the word.  It doesn't help that some stars and their management team encourage the parasocial relationship to the nth degree. Hopefully, TJC will steer clear of the more negative aspects of fandom with the influx of fans following his XL role and their fanaticism. 

 Kokuto:

I'm starting to reach the conclusion that despite his skills and success, Tan Jian Ci doesn't have quite the resources that actors at other agencies have.

Isn't he an independent operator? Major studio/production companies will give their projects to artists signed under them or even develop projects with their specific talent in mind. It's like the studio system of old Hollywood.  Without this built-in job source, TJC probably needs to seek jobs and attend auditions. Hopefully, he has a good agent with strong connections who can help with this aspect. His work ethic and ability are there, but it's always who you know. 

 Kokuto:

Yes, I'm wondering if they are actually going to start filming this year, or if it will be next year when they are ready.

I think it would be a good idea to wait until next year. More time to write a good script and to give the audience a bit of a break between the seasons. The first 2 seasons were successful, but I think the audience interest/investment might declined with subsequent instalments. TJC might also not want to be "stuck" as Shen Yi. 

 HeadInTheClouds:

I can't access weibo for some reason.

I had to Google what this is. Seems like a highly anticipated production based on a popular online novel.

It's competition for sure. I wonder why they decided to release Filter so close to a strong opponent like this? Perhaps the storylines are different enough that the 2 dramas will find their own audience. 

It's the sequel to Hidden Love, the Zhao Lusi and Chen Zhen Yuan bit hit ... two years ago, I think.  And of course, Bai Jing Ting is always popular.  They're over 6 million in reservations, which is some kind of record for Youku.  So yes, tough competition.

Well, they can only dodge so much.  And yes, Filter is different.  I mean, it is also a contemporary romance, but it has a SF / Fantasy element, as well as the comedy.  Plus, it I'm betting Tong Hua is a more popular writer than whoever wrote that book, even though this isn't based off one of Tong Hua's books.  And Tan has his own fans, even if Tencent isn't as invested in him as maybe some other stars.

I'll post the links from YouTube later.  You have to see tipsy Tang Qi confessing.

Tencent is shameless.  Now they've got Xiang Liu / Tang Qi mash up videos to promote the drama!

I approve.  lol

https://weibo.com/7870610825/PexICzrqd

https://weibo.com/7870610825/PexSP4Cxr

On YouTube:

https://youtu.be/l528bw5ODow?si=jWowzsZxy0utJM_d

 Joa:

Lol I have mixed feelings about this. Much as it's nice to see XL again, will it be a little (?) insulting to rely on his old character to push the new? 

I understand.  But fans (me) just can't let go.  There's usually a few fan made XL mash ups for his roles since then.  And if it brings more viewers to Filter, that will be good.  It's such a strange show, I'm sure they need all the help they can get to market it.  Plus, at least this one has the Tong Hua connection, and they didn't do it for Love Me Love My Voice.

 HeadInTheClouds:

A search of My Dramalist informed me that Bai Jing Ting was in Rise of the Phoenixes. I remember his character in that, but I haven't seen any of his other work. I didn't know that he was so popular.

I am not quite sure that he was in the top of the 90s generation actors (he was born in 1993).  Last year, he was infamous for his dress code or position violence in a stage performance in the New Year Spring gala of CCTV. However, after some time, everything settled and it seems that he became even more popular after that. It seems that he had quite good support. Last year his drama as 1st role - Always on the Move (Nam lai Bắc vãng) was broadcast on CCTV8 and it was a kind of big hit with highest CVB rating in 2024 on this station

I don't think I ever watch any of his drama. But I know he belongs to the 90 generation. Thus I found he was super brave to take that role (starting from 15 years old) when he was 31 year old in reality. I saw some clips and was surprised that he looked quite young on those. One of my friends said the post production probably used the filter and polished his face to make him look young :D 

 Kokuto:

It's the sequel to Hidden Love, the Zhao Lusi and Chen Zhen Yuan bit hit ... two years ago, I think.

They belong to the same universe (not really sequel) written by the same writer. Hidden Love focuses on the younger sister's story while The first frost focuses on the elder's brother story. Hidden Love was a big hit in summer 2023, thus there is a lot of expectation for The First Frost

I'm pretty sure this is AI, and probably fan made, but WOW!

https://x.com/AMPiiz3e/status/1892055626462921214

 Janex:

Wow! Mind blowing! We need a costume drama!!!!!

IKR?

I can't stop watching that clip. lol

 Janex:

Speechless! We definitely need a costume drama! Historical Wuxia whatever

Keeping my fingers crossed that will be his next project after the movie.