BearFightingFanBackAgain

Not quite. At least not in the anime. He supposedly has a crush on Mu Yumo.

Mu Xuewei

🙌 5 more days until Dark River’s most beautiful female killer is unveiled.

Yes. Fans are counting down because we’ll either get leaks or makeup photos/videos.

Yeah, that’s her. She has that huge headdress and lace gloves.

Fair enough. Also, I somehow skipped the word devoted in your previous post. I’d say they are devoted but devotion looks like different things to them. For Xiao Huan, it’s protecting and indulging Cangcang. For Cangcang, it’s taking care of Xiao Huan and learning how to be a more suitable Queen. From what I’ve heard of the script and know of the book, it is ultimately that dynamic. They love each other and are willing to do everything for each other but the outside world and their different temperaments sometimes gets in the way. It’s just she probably won’t be a love-brain, she will have a more active roll in the drama than the book from what I can tell.

The book isn’t an equal dynamic either and this is where some readers get confused and scold Cangcang. Xiao Huan is a very interesting ML because he understands two things:
1) His love is his own problem
2) His desire to marry Cangcang puts her in a cage.
Aware of this and to compensate, he basically lets her have her own way as much as possible. It’s actually how they have an equal relationship. Some people are upset by this but the truth is his desire for Cangcang has put them in the situation that makes everything volatile. In a way it’s a payment for his “selfishness” because if he was truly selfless, he would have found a way to not marry her that allows her to stay free. So to the outside world, he has the upper hand in power dynamics but in the actual relationship, it’s Cangcang.
I think the show will keep this to some degree. I actually think the first scene of her pushing him away is him calling her bluff and then leaving when it’s obvious she’s reluctant. The second scene is harder to guess.
But there will be changes but I think they might have been made to make the story more coherent than the book. Cangcang says yes to the marriage in the book but given her temperament it really doesn’t make sense for her to say yes and want to be in a relationship. The show actually feels more correct and I think if there are changes it’s to make Cangcang more likeable because dream girls really don’t like strong willed women like her but on the flip side female audiences aren’t to keen on heroines who give everything for love either. I feel like show Cangcang is going to be a balance of those requirements.
The trailer and leaks sell misery but I think they will have their sweet moments too. Most of the leaks are from outside, but in the book most of the heartfelt moments are indoors.

Mu Xuewei makeup:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5054562865780536

Tbh, the show trailer is weird. It seems to want to hardcore sell the sadomasochistic plot (which worked cause apparently it was well received). The trailer by PXR’s studio is much closer to LCC’s image. Also I don’t understand all the scenes of her leaving or pushing him away, in the book it’s Xiao Huan in this role. Part of LCC’s character is that she chases him and she’s really into Xiao Huan’s physical appearance to the point it’s a bit outrageous.
Tbh from her side, the relationship has a lot of ups and downs but she loves Xiao Huan a lot. She takes care of him whenever he is ill and will fight if he lets her. She’s also the most genuine person in his life. The biggest problem is really the court and their roles. Cangcang is hot tempered, impatient, and loves freedom. It’s not a good mix for a Queen and so there are clashes, especially when Xiao Huan tries to keep her out of the loop or is cruel to be kind. She’s a spitfire and the marriage puts her in a cage but she’s also someone who doesn’t take nonsense even if it’s sometimes irrational or chaotic. I think what is nice about the book is that although they can’t change their core personalities, they try to better their relationship as best as they are able and they eventually get to a point where they find their own happiness.

It’s a discussion for me but this will be my last post on this too. I only replied initially because of this line:
“cause the dramas weren't good and they always want to yell at whoever working bts that's not their celebrity fave”
Some stars do have fans like this but there are also legitimate problems with the production values of Cdramas. Sometimes it’s to the point that it affects the broadcast of the drama. A part of the reason why leaks are so popular is to see the quality of the crew. The success of a drama depends on multiple factors so all aspects - from actors, to directors, to screenwriters, to costume designers-need to pull their own weight.

🤝On that we can agree. I just want my good sis, Ran’s, beauty to be fully realised.

“The costumes of "Dream of the Red Chamber" are exquisitely crafted”

This is the key sentence. Some of the costumes are actually simple but are well made. The stylist also considers the characteristics of the characters and performers to give them a quality look.

I do pay attention to both Cdrama costuming and traditional Chinese dress so I’m aware of its range. My argument is not about YXY bringing freshness to xianxia but about the quality of their work and their lack of versatility. That is the concern with them for me. I spoke about simplicity because there is often a misconception that complexity =quality but it doesn’t. I’ve even started seeing complaints that styling is going too much in the other direction. At the end of the day whether simple or complex, it’s about quality. The audience has eyes.
And people complain about FSZ but they are considered a relatively safe bet. YXY is more of a toss up.

lol, I make costumes. They’re to the level that I I get stopped in the streets for photos when I wear them. I’ve been studying sewing for over a decade, including couture and costume design. Yi Xiaoya is not the worst but they have been struggling lately . They may experiment with modern techniques and materials and use a lot of bells and whistles but it’s a facade . Their costumes never look “real” which is necessary for grounding the audience and showing quality nor do they seem capable of versatility. Most of it never surpasses the level of intermediate cosplay and no matter the genre, it feels like fantasy.
Simple is not a problem. In fact simple and good is usually the hardest to do. The problem with Cdramas is that once an element becomes popular, it oversaturates the market. She did indeed bring freshness but in the long run quality matters more. Fang Sizhe also has a feeling of repetition sometimes but even so most don’t mind them because their costumes hold a certain standard of quality.

Fair enough. I’ll be keeping an eye on the leaks of MYM. That way I can set my expectations accordingly. Some of the costumes coming out of the costumers designers other shows are terri-bad. I suspect one of the reasons the costumes look okay in this show is pressure. I don’t believe in kicking up a fuss but I do believe in professionalism so I hope showrunners are asking for quality for all the cast.

Tbh, kinda? I actually don’t get why everyone says it’s sad. They had 5 kids together, made the kingdom peaceful, and he lived longer than he promised. Their eldest son was 18 when XH passes and youngest twins 10, but it doesn’t really feel sad to me. They didn’t live long lives but they lived full lives and found their own happiness in an unhappy situation. To me it’s HE.

Honestly with marketing tying into Old Nine Gates, I want to watch it even more. It really feels like reincarnation because she was chasing him then and 100 years later she’s chasing him now 😂

A clip of Xiao Ran’s dancing. I’ve watched it so many times🥹👌:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5053912839358099

Yes, it’s very different. The US is about secrecy but then the US does more original IPs, usually has decent production, and doesn’t have censorship so mystery is a bigger selling point. With Cdrama there are cases where leaks don’t even make it into the finished product. Production and styling are also a big issue. MDL likes the styling of the costume designer but they are a more controversial choice in China, and there was concern over the looks. The Reuters have settled some of these fears.
Also you do see a version of it in the US when it’s an adaptation, concept art and official makeup photos might be released.

I hope they don’t flatten her character. She’s not demure at all. Her appeal is her chaotic don’t mess with me energy. That and how she’s totally not a shy flower. The prequel opens with the ML bailing her out of jail after she gets arrested for a getting into a yelling match with like a gangster. (she was running away from her marriage at the time too😂)