i would NEVERRRR i'd jst go for an anime if i didnt wanna see people like oml
Great point. I was checking out movie trailers on YT earlier, and opened up a 40 minute monster-in-the-wilderness something or other. You could instantly tell they were AI 'actors,' though they tried hard to make it look real. I watched about 2 minutes of it then got irritated and quickly moved on.
If every other C or K-Drama starts looking and feeling like a video game cut scene, I'm definitely not indulging any of those with views. Only ones with real-life people; with real lives and dreams, real talent and personalities, bills to pay, families to take care of. And an audience that gives real feedback. How does a AI 'actor' receive praise? With fake, programmed emotion? How does it go onstage and receive an award? This is so ridiculous on its face! Peace (except to AI) and out.
I imagine the executives of these companies/agencies are giddy at the thought of no-hassle dramas all produced, written, directed and acted by AI. Oh boy! Only one name on nearly all credits.
No pushback from actors, no salaries to pay them, no contract negotiations; well, no more actors needed, period. Only thing is, I suspect there will soon be no more audiences, either. The newness will wear off very quickly, and people will want their flesh and blood faves back.
I know I won't be in the audience. Time to go fishing if that happens.
Reacting to a few comments below: It's ironic that Teresa Li's portrayal is probably the most talked about aspect of SSS in comment sections everywhere. Folks either loved her performance or totally disliked it. I am firmly in the 'loved it' category, and have said elsewhere numerous times that I can't think of any actress who can adequately fill Teresa's shoes as Jiang Ni, now that I've seen her play the Princess. TL nailed the pouty, proud, often miffed and somewhat childish young Royal; but one who's also fearless in the face of the power...and death.
As for the plot for the next season; which was green lighted last Fall I think it was, some have asked where could this possibly go now. It's easy. Just have some rival in another kingdom rise up and challenge Feng Nian. That's only one of many concepts they could use. I haven't head anything for a couple months now, so am wondering if production may have stalled. Hope not. We'll see....
My favorite 'Dynamic Trio' (top 3) rising young actresses: Xia Meng, Shen Yu Jie, and Bai Bing Ke. Incredibly talented and beautiful.
Xia, I've been following you since 'Parallel World". I'm on Ep. 9 of 'Rebirth' right now, and you're playing the character perfectly in that. Here's hoping for more great things to come your way in 2026! 🥂❤️
I'm on Ep. 5 and at the moment, the most burning question on my mind is why Hu Yi Xuan (playing Zhong Yu in person in Ep. 3 & 4; not the voiceover actor shown at the end of the credits above) is not credited here on MDL or anywhere else online.
A great actress, she deserves at least a nod somewhere. How strange this happened. Just for that sleight, I sent her a bunch more flowers a moment ago. I hope you land three new FL roles soon as recompense, Yi Xuan! 🌺❤️
As far as this series itself: I'm keeping my memory blinders on and pretending I never heard of (or saw) PA years ago, lol...this is just a brand new drama with all new plot points, characters and actors in my mind.
On the other hand...if Crystal Tian Ai is not brought back for S2 of Sword, Snow, Stride, I'll be so upset I may have to start taking high blood pressure medicine... 😠 Only she can forever be Nangong Pu She in my eyes...(yes, I'm very biased indeed). Over and out. 😉
Like the dispute Rosy had with her former agency, Jing Yi's seems just as legally messy. It's like trying to climb out of quicksand, only to have someone push you back in at every opportunity.
In any event, all the best to you in 2026 and beyond, Jing Yi! I'm loving your performance in "Veil of Shadows" right now, you are an amazing young woman in every respect. May you obtain full resolution (and victory) over your former agency. 😇🌺
Maybe I'm a bit dense here when it comes to cosmetics worn by actors in C-Dramas; but to me, ZLH looks no more makeup-bedecked than 60-70% of other ML actors when they are in character. I keep asking myself what all the hullabaloo is about. If any of you are watching 'Veil of Shadows' right now, check out the ML guys in that (pretty good btw) series. They're a couple steps beyond Xie Zheng with both makeup and accessories; and though they aren't Generals, they're badass martial artists who are tough enough.
I mean, to believe the critics' over-hyped nagging on this, the oft-lamented 'foundation' sounds like it must have been so thick the crew applied it with putty knives. No such thing. No more mascara than usual for such a character. This is like a proverbial mountain out of a mole hill attack, imo. The Emperor truly has no clothes here.
Then again, there may very well be other, 'hidden' reasons for their displeasure that have nothing to do with the officially stated complaint (or excuse). You know, the things they're NOT saying.
And isn't the timing of the criticism odd considering that massive, very financially damaging "leak" a couple weeks ago? Wonder who had the means to pull that off? Has anyone been arrested or any names dropped of suspects yet? Not that I know of.
Anyway, I loved the drama, and still hope for a sequel some day. Over and out.
There's so much hidden meaning packed into this announcement by Jun Zheng Ping, that I'm not sure where to begin. So I have deleted my rather long esoteric analysis portion and will just ask: were they really referring to ZLH, or very subtly to our beloved TXW's Chang Yu? I've read their statement several times and it seems to me it could go either way, or even both ways. Previously, we had Zhou Ye, Crystal Tianai and a number of other actresses portraying female generals. Maybe 'they' don't like that very much.
This may be a case of the studios being forced by JZP to read between the lines...and make some (ahem) - adjustments. So sad if so, and unnecessary. I'm always amazed at how overly sensitive and even paranoid governments can be in general (pun intended). And I don't just mean China.
I thoroughly enjoyed every episode of this series, and am hoping for a sequel. But now...I wonder if their "call" will put the brakes on that.
Xi Zi just hit my radar again (but in a serious way) in Dilraba's Love Beyond the Grave. I mean, I'd seen her before in "Immortal Samara", but I've somehow missed all her other dramas along the way. Anyway, she deserves more main roles, and I see up there that she has three more on the way. Excellent! I really like her in LBTG, and will be sending more flower support from now on.
I see she's currently in Dilraba's 'Love Beyond the Grave', and I'm so glad she is, although her character hasn't appeared yet as of Ep. 7. Zhang Li was phenomenal in Reba's LOTQ, playing her character perfectly. And not only is she very talented, she is also (as Yuyu said below) absolutely gorgeous. ❣️😊
By the way, someone please change the PFP to something appearing less like it was shot with a nicotine-stained camera lens. Good grief! Thank you very much in advance...
I appreciate the history behind Fan Chang Yu's real life inspiration, and the other details behind the scenes. The Director has my admiration, as I've commented elsewhere. He did a fantastic job, especially with the lighting and camera angles.
If both ZLH & TXW say she worked out hard until she was able to carry him (and carry her role as super strong), then kudos to her for the effort and dedication to her work. Haven't we all seen enough female athletes to know that carrying a man (as slim as ZLH anyway) is not that hard to believe? It's not like she walked 100 yards with him; or the other actress, either. And I remember reading articles about her working out for this a long time ago, so there's no reason to call her or her costar liars.
You know what? I like TXW's acting. And her bangs. The bangs have to stay. And in closeups, you can see some freckles too, on either side of her lovely nose. When she smiles, two cute dimples appear at the corners of her mouth. And how about those huge, dark, gorgeous eyes?? 😉
News 
If every other C or K-Drama starts looking and feeling like a video game cut scene, I'm definitely not indulging any of those with views. Only ones with real-life people; with real lives and dreams, real talent and personalities, bills to pay, families to take care of. And an audience that gives real feedback. How does a AI 'actor' receive praise? With fake, programmed emotion? How does it go onstage and receive an award? This is so ridiculous on its face! Peace (except to AI) and out.
No pushback from actors, no salaries to pay them, no contract negotiations; well, no more actors needed, period. Only thing is, I suspect there will soon be no more audiences, either. The newness will wear off very quickly, and people will want their flesh and blood faves back.
I know I won't be in the audience. Time to go fishing if that happens.
As for the plot for the next season; which was green lighted last Fall I think it was, some have asked where could this possibly go now. It's easy. Just have some rival in another kingdom rise up and challenge Feng Nian. That's only one of many concepts they could use. I haven't head anything for a couple months now, so am wondering if production may have stalled. Hope not. We'll see....
Xia, I've been following you since 'Parallel World". I'm on Ep. 9 of 'Rebirth' right now, and you're playing the character perfectly in that. Here's hoping for more great things to come your way in 2026! 🥂❤️
A great actress, she deserves at least a nod somewhere. How strange this happened. Just for that sleight, I sent her a bunch more flowers a moment ago. I hope you land three new FL roles soon as recompense, Yi Xuan! 🌺❤️
As far as this series itself: I'm keeping my memory blinders on and pretending I never heard of (or saw) PA years ago, lol...this is just a brand new drama with all new plot points, characters and actors in my mind.
On the other hand...if Crystal Tian Ai is not brought back for S2 of Sword, Snow, Stride, I'll be so upset I may have to start taking high blood pressure medicine... 😠 Only she can forever be Nangong Pu She in my eyes...(yes, I'm very biased indeed). Over and out. 😉
In any event, all the best to you in 2026 and beyond, Jing Yi! I'm loving your performance in "Veil of Shadows" right now, you are an amazing young woman in every respect. May you obtain full resolution (and victory) over your former agency. 😇🌺
I mean, to believe the critics' over-hyped nagging on this, the oft-lamented 'foundation' sounds like it must have been so thick the crew applied it with putty knives. No such thing. No more mascara than usual for such a character. This is like a proverbial mountain out of a mole hill attack, imo. The Emperor truly has no clothes here.
Then again, there may very well be other, 'hidden' reasons for their displeasure that have nothing to do with the officially stated complaint (or excuse). You know, the things they're NOT saying.
And isn't the timing of the criticism odd considering that massive, very financially damaging "leak" a couple weeks ago? Wonder who had the means to pull that off? Has anyone been arrested or any names dropped of suspects yet? Not that I know of.
Anyway, I loved the drama, and still hope for a sequel some day. Over and out.
https://www.chinaentertainmentnews.com/2026/03/meng-ziyi-at-media-event.html?view=snapshot
This may be a case of the studios being forced by JZP to read between the lines...and make some (ahem) - adjustments. So sad if so, and unnecessary. I'm always amazed at how overly sensitive and even paranoid governments can be in general (pun intended). And I don't just mean China.
I thoroughly enjoyed every episode of this series, and am hoping for a sequel. But now...I wonder if their "call" will put the brakes on that.
Belated Happy B'day Xi Zi! 😊
By the way, someone please change the PFP to something appearing less like it was shot with a nicotine-stained camera lens. Good grief! Thank you very much in advance...
If both ZLH & TXW say she worked out hard until she was able to carry him (and carry her role as super strong), then kudos to her for the effort and dedication to her work. Haven't we all seen enough female athletes to know that carrying a man (as slim as ZLH anyway) is not that hard to believe? It's not like she walked 100 yards with him; or the other actress, either. And I remember reading articles about her working out for this a long time ago, so there's no reason to call her or her costar liars.
You know what? I like TXW's acting. And her bangs. The bangs have to stay. And in closeups, you can see some freckles too, on either side of her lovely nose. When she smiles, two cute dimples appear at the corners of her mouth. And how about those huge, dark, gorgeous eyes?? 😉