Not totally fantasy and more pseudo history maybe, but the fact is FL has a "different soul" and memories from…
It's not really reincarnation since she seems to be from a "future", "alternate modern but war riddled" universe, war setting there unspecified : Middle East? civil war torn countries elsewhere in South America, Europe, Africa, or American ganglands ? Where do female sniper soldiers appear in "modern times"...
There is some mystery there but I am not sure there will be too many explanations. The story up to where I read it reminds me of Joy of Life, The Eternal Love 1-2-3, (I suppose most are familiar with those) and 2024 Fateful Love (an explorer girl with martial arts skills falls into an alternate "ancient history kingdom" like universe, sucked in by a mysterious dagger inside a cave).
About tags, perhaps it would be better to wait till there are more leaks about how this drama will be handled?
But I am not in charge of MDL, just modestly forked out some money for "subscription" to yearly VIP to add some "flowers" to some actors/actresses I appreciate, in a moment of squandering generosity... I thought that would grant me more "flower spending" power, but am looking with doubts at my measly "credit". Not that it really matters that much. Just fyi, VIP tag doesn't mean much on MDL... I actually look up more to the real enthusiastic fans, tagged or not with VIP, that I notice in comments, like yourself !!
Not totally fantasy and more pseudo history maybe, but the fact is FL has a "different soul" and memories from other world which makes her an "unexpected warrior". There is also the "lightness techniques" typical of "cultivation".
The story looks pseudo historical. Less fantasy than lightly tinged with time travel, wuxia, even perhaps xuanhuan if some demons emerge.
The link to the novel in translation was interesting, but I was too lazy to hunt for original text (which would arguably help with possible mistranslated bits and better understanding "setting" even if imaginary). Although I am not sure I would take the time to tackle reading it all in the original: I usually prefer to just watch dramas, and am usually disappointed by them if I read the book, or sometimes by the novel, if the drama was enjoyable... So this is also an experiment for me. Trying to let myself some margin for not being too spoiled in the future, I will perhaps stop reading soon.
In the translation, the story is set in Da Chu. Da Chu did exist, but as a months long puppet empire in 1127 with capital in Jiankang, (modern Nanjing), under the Jin dynasty. By then Nanzhao (which had been important during the Tang dynasty) had been overthrown in 902, giving way to what was called the Dali kingdom (937–1094, 1096–1253). Chu ancient kingdom can point to different more ancient kingdoms before the Tang and before the rise of Nanzhao. So that rules these more ancient settings out.
Mention of kesi silk : this was a technique of Chinese silk tapestry "admired for its lightness and clarity of pattern" "Chiefly used to protect scrolls containing paintings (but also for court clothing). It was also employed as a support for paintings, later becoming an esteemed art form. This art form especially flourished between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries". "Kesi first appeared during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and became popular in the Southern Song (1127–1279), reaching its height during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The style continued to be popular until the early 20th century and the end of the Qing dynasty in 1911–12."
Would better ancient history specialists pinpoint this imaginary Chu kingdom more precisely in time and space?
The FL, on her part, is said to be a "15 year old" (or so), young lady who has spent her youth half neglected in a relatively isolated courtyard in the Ye mansion, with a nasty stepmom and rather unlikeable stepsisters, somewhat reminiscent of the "Chinese Cinderella" story of Ye Xian, a fairy tale compiled in Tang dynasty... She also suffered some mysterious "life threatening disease when she was a child" (usually that sort of device announces "soul swaps" like in The Eternal Love 1-2-3). She remembers having been a trained sniper in a more advanced time. That seems either to be a parallel universe, or a time travel like in Joy of Life, from a modern society but one riddled with wars where female soldiers were snipers and trained in hand combat...
She is variantly referred to as Ye Li or Li Ying "Ding Consort", and her spouse as Prince of Ding or Duke of Ding, Mo Xiuyao, "Prince Wang" (Duke, Prince, or even King/Wang were rather interchangeable ways, historically, of referring to Chinese rulers under or not a more powerful one, so that's not a big deal. Duke or Prince: ok.).
There is also reference to "lightness technique" and flying, which smacks of cultivation and wuxia. And some Buddhist nuns are thrown into all that as of Chapter 61....
It's an entertaining read, but also to me, somewhat tiring with many repetitive moments and dialogues. It looks like the story will be rather tropey too, with that "strong female" decidedly Mary Sue type, allied to "disabled hero" (will he be cured?) The main body of the novel deals with palace intrigues and conflicting states using hostages or marriages with "foreign princesses" to keep some stability.
We shall see what screenwriters get from that basis.
Since there are mentions of "tasteful translucent pale jade" (Khotan like?) and shimmering red kesi silk, I hope there will not be too many hanging curtain face ornaments, but really pretty dresses and outfits, to showcase Bai Lu fittingly, and make the drama a visual feast with exciting swashbuckling moments, at least as pleasant as Moonlight Mystique was.
Can Cheng Lei fit in a wheelchair with as much commanding and wicked presence as Wu Gang in Joy of Life but better romantic presence?
This means that she has kind of become a household name in mainland China for this role or not? I mean once l…
Thank you for really liking Bai Lu's work and wanting to see more people appreciate it. 💙 AMA was so good! Different but right on top for me together with O&O/F&E, TTEOTM, SoKP and now Northward. I did watch the other dramas too, which were entertaining.
Let's hope she never will be brought down by negative minded people who like to criticize only, and probably are jealous of her success. (These are the real abnormal people in my mind, but many like those do exist, sigh, hence the cyberbullying cancer).
I think "ordinary" people in China with no special interest in c-dramas or c-ent may view her as a familiar face, but may not really recognize her name. "Ordinary/normal" people : who enjoy TV dramas and shows occasionally. But being too quickly famous brings about a lot of dangers, as we well know now from the fates of people like Zhao Wei, Fan Bingbing, Zhang Zhehan... Even Xiao Zhan almost got in trouble after The Untamed and the AO3 ban in China. It looks like people are more aware of scandals than of excellence. I only hope she will stay happy, do what she wishes to do, and that she will not have too meteoric a rise, like Jackson Yee (who she once said was "her type") and have to resign from a position...
Meanwhile, I am looking forward for the episodes she will be in, in Keep Running S13, and the Feud drama upcoming sometime soon in June or before August. And starting to read the novel from which the drama she will begin shooting end of May is adapted (Mo Li) 🤭.
(Sad that some people here find the end of Northward "makjang" or can't get into that excellent drama. It also shows that people abroad may have very different sensibilities about c-dramas in general: some crave for romance and nitpick at what they perceive as lacking chemistry -being used to a certain style of love demonstrations-, some go rail that this slice-of-life drama is marred by a happy end with a ship and a wedding which they see as too much sugar and lacking in realism.... Anyway; for me the Mo Yan acknowledgement was heavy weight enough to confirm my warm feelings! (and the "seminar" later). Bai Lu is starting to be recognized as "quality actress" in "quality work" domestically, that's what most important. Abroad? well she gets endorsements from big names in fashion already, and the c-drama fans there are certainly not unaware of her, we can't hope for her to become as famous as Gong Li or Zhou Xuan overnight, but who knows, perhaps in the years to come, if she is lucky enough with her choices, like for Northward.).
This means that she has kind of become a household name in mainland China for this role or not? I mean once l…
I was twitching with amused incredulity about the notion that people here who know about c-dramas and actors/actresses/celebs are .... abnormal people ? And that you take your info from reddit. Why don't you try Quora as well? Although Quora people may be more interested in replying about Dilraba or other "ethnic minority" celebs. Now that AI is powering Google, you might also put your query there. This is what I got as answer to "is bai lu well known in China"
"Bai Lu is well-known in China, particularly for her roles in various dramas and her versatile acting skills across different genres. She has starred in popular series such as "Untouchable Lovers" (2018), "The Legends" (2019), "Arsenal Military Academy" (2019), "Love Is Sweet" (2020), "One and Only" (2021), "Forever and Ever" (2021), and "Till the End of the Moon" (2023).
She has received recognition for her performances, winning awards such as the "Popular Actress of the Year" at the 2021 iQIYI Scream Night for her role in "Love Is Sweet" and the "Outstanding Actress of the Year" at the 2022 Chinese American TV Festival - Golden Angel Awards for her role in "Forever and Ever".
Bai Lu is also recognized for her roles in music videos and short films, and she is the face of many national and international brands, including Michael Kors and Chopard.
However, her recognition is primarily within the Chinese entertainment industry, with limited international recognition."
I don't doubt the latter. I have family in different countries and industries, and those who are not in China or watching Chinese TV dramas or such shows, of course don't know her, just as I have no idea about who is the most well-known actress in Argentina these days, despite the recent burial of the Pope drew attention to that country. Someone called Monica Villa or Cristina Banegas who played in a story about two popes, but what was her role exactly in that movie ? Although I did watch The Two Popes in a cinema some-when around 2019, I don't remember Banegas. It's just like that : we are raised and programmed to become more specialized in interests and generally "parochial" minded, even when having eclectic interests in music or culture, lol.
This means that she has kind of become a household name in mainland China for this role or not? I mean once l…
I will add that being named Tourism ambassador for her birth city which is not exactly a "little one" means she got attention from people in power at different levels of officialdom... Differently but nonetheless not to be dismissed as also being an iQIYI ambassador figurehead. She is appreciated and certainly appearing not only in the golden book of alumni of her "small vocational college".
As you stated, it's been a while since she started gracing fashion magazine covers and billboards small and huge. The people who noticed her may not even have watched her dramas, but Keep Running? Probably yes.
Still, despite it was not her childhood dream profession, she is very serious about acting, always has been, is one of the few who did multiple roles (up to three characters), and not having watchers confused about them. And she is not even haughty about being a celeb, just matter of fact about being self taught and "still learning", and (unfortunately) also like so many peers, having to cope with some deluded fans and haters. She stays level headed and contagiously cheerful. Her fits of uproarious laughter have also made her famous. It's like a guarantee of sunshine to have her in a show, even if hail, snow, or rain is pouring down!
But I have not watched everything, just did some "archaeological" digging and sampling there, lol because the show is mentioned in currently airing Keep Running Season 13, first episode of which is about Y2K. The Home With Kids "drama" was more like a show, with jingles and recorded laughter to underline funny sentences or moments, a bit like in American shows of the period, such as "Friends".
"Little NianNian" is Bai Lu's dog in case someone wonders. Have a look at her pets here : https://kisskh.at/discussions/740015-bei-shang/139996-mini-profile-and-filmography-of-bai-lu-illustrated
There is now a 6hrs43'15 compilation edition on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp8seIi91Cs Double hardwired subtitles in English and Hanzi + optional other languages.
having a look for Dawn Chen, since I missed that one for rather delightful Rainkissed Fate with her often "best screen partner" Dai Gaozheng.
It does not make sense to keep the Chinese name on MDL for two different dramas and not separate clearly in two different pages. The one I was looking for was Rainkissed Fate, which I enjoyed. Dawn Chen and DGZ are such dolls! I have zilch interest for the other title even it has "same director" but nothing else similar.
I actually kinda started getting interested in TCM-related dramas after starting this ....lil long before I had…
Enjoy! GenZ is different in focus though, not a "perfect sweet romance" and visual trip to Hangzhou "Paradise on Earth" with flowers and positive atmosphere, visiting different hot spots like The Best Thing (West Lake of course, but also canals, views of both traditional buildings in "ancient town of Tangji", ancient Baochu pagoda and cutting edge "Golden Globe" Hangzhou International Conference Center, Olympic Sports Impression City commercial center, First People’s Hospital of Lin’an, Xianghu Xiaoyao Manor Hotel, Mengxiyuan courtyard, many well known streets, trendy coffee shops and eateries: I'll try to add some of that together with the discussion already started about the beautiful cinematography; I believe the other location, Nanjing, was for inside studio filming and such, whereas the many outside views are in Hangzhou).
Actually GenZ is much less romantic than this one, and less specific on location, filmed in "5 different regions", since it is about the growth of an unbeliever to become heiress of a Daoist-TCM sect! despite the buildup to marriage to seal the deal. Less sentimental, the drama is also showing beautiful images and the core is about the value of traditions which remain while pushed forward and adapting, not without some crises, to new times, like the waves pushing the tide forward.
I added some data and opinions in Discussions section for GenZ to shed some light on the more "arcane" stuff, maybe not well known to everybody. https://kisskh.at/discussions/hou-lang/100789-about-traditional-chinese-culture It is, as usual from me, very illustrated, with links to other papers, including the blog of Cho Na who recapped the selection of herbs used in The Best Thing which is also touched on but more lightly in GenZ. In that other drama, other practices of TCM are featured including chiropractic bone-setting, Qigong and together with the importance of the 24 solar terms for diet and else, including superstitions and persuasion, and the limits to healing when mental troubles are involved.
What's important to remember is that while TCM is holistic, it can indeed complement Western style medicine that focuses on one ailment at a time.
When GenZ was filmed, the cast, crew and scriptwriters were still in a country with many places under lockdown for covid pandemic, so the consequences for TCM did get addressed there as well, although not in minute details, and the background for that is also in the "companion piece" which also became a conversation about acupuncture and acupressure with a practitioner.
for reaalll 😭😭 i was going to watch Such a Good Love, saw the comments and gave up, now i started watching…
TWOT was tough... Not for every random c-drama watchers, should come with a watchers advisory notice for violence (like Drifting Away).
If you are curious about background stuff, I did illustrated companion pieces for both TWOT and Northward, and also two profiles for Vanda Margraf and Bai Lu who play in Northward. There are sections in the companion pieces for the music with details about singers, composers, etc, and links to listen, including the music that came in as non OST, and the bgm. The pieces are organized with links to a Table of contents, so readers can skip to the section they are interested in, and go back and forth along the development of the story in the illustrated "characters and cast" with micro bios of actors when available. There is a section about when and where these dramas were filmed, what was notable in shooting. There is also a section showing how they were received chronologically, with the Douban rating, and the standing among 10 most watched along the weeks + testimonies, and farewell messages from some cast members.
for reaalll 😭😭 i was going to watch Such a Good Love, saw the comments and gave up, now i started watching…
If you want a good drama, watch Northward. But don't expect sizzling hot kisses throughout : it is a realistic slice-of-life period piece of the years 2000-2017; lauded by Nobel prize winner Mo Yan, no less!! Or, if you want to laugh... watch Filter: very good drama with Looney Tunes vibes, and yet some serious contents on top of sweetness. It was my laughs pill while I was watching more heavy stuff (The White Olive Tree). Ah, you watched it already :) It can be re-watched...
2 
4 
1 
Here is the description in French : https://www.festivalducinemachinoisdeparis.com/spip.php?article763&lang=fr
There is some mystery there but I am not sure there will be too many explanations. The story up to where I read it reminds me of Joy of Life, The Eternal Love 1-2-3, (I suppose most are familiar with those) and 2024 Fateful Love (an explorer girl with martial arts skills falls into an alternate "ancient history kingdom" like universe, sucked in by a mysterious dagger inside a cave).
About tags, perhaps it would be better to wait till there are more leaks about how this drama will be handled?
But I am not in charge of MDL, just modestly forked out some money for "subscription" to yearly VIP to add some "flowers" to some actors/actresses I appreciate, in a moment of squandering generosity... I thought that would grant me more "flower spending" power, but am looking with doubts at my measly "credit". Not that it really matters that much. Just fyi, VIP tag doesn't mean much on MDL... I actually look up more to the real enthusiastic fans, tagged or not with VIP, that I notice in comments, like yourself !!
The link to the novel in translation was interesting, but I was too lazy to hunt for original text (which would arguably help with possible mistranslated bits and better understanding "setting" even if imaginary). Although I am not sure I would take the time to tackle reading it all in the original: I usually prefer to just watch dramas, and am usually disappointed by them if I read the book, or sometimes by the novel, if the drama was enjoyable... So this is also an experiment for me. Trying to let myself some margin for not being too spoiled in the future, I will perhaps stop reading soon.
In the translation, the story is set in Da Chu.
Da Chu did exist, but as a months long puppet empire in 1127 with capital in Jiankang, (modern Nanjing), under the Jin dynasty. By then Nanzhao (which had been important during the Tang dynasty) had been overthrown in 902, giving way to what was called the Dali kingdom (937–1094, 1096–1253).
Chu ancient kingdom can point to different more ancient kingdoms before the Tang and before the rise of Nanzhao. So that rules these more ancient settings out.
Mention of kesi silk : this was a technique of Chinese silk tapestry "admired for its lightness and clarity of pattern" "Chiefly used to protect scrolls containing paintings (but also for court clothing). It was also employed as a support for paintings, later becoming an esteemed art form. This art form especially flourished between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries". "Kesi first appeared during the Tang dynasty (618–907) and became popular in the Southern Song (1127–1279), reaching its height during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The style continued to be popular until the early 20th century and the end of the Qing dynasty in 1911–12."
Would better ancient history specialists pinpoint this imaginary Chu kingdom more precisely in time and space?
The FL, on her part, is said to be a "15 year old" (or so), young lady who has spent her youth half neglected in a relatively isolated courtyard in the Ye mansion, with a nasty stepmom and rather unlikeable stepsisters, somewhat reminiscent of the "Chinese Cinderella" story of Ye Xian, a fairy tale compiled in Tang dynasty... She also suffered some mysterious "life threatening disease when she was a child" (usually that sort of device announces "soul swaps" like in The Eternal Love 1-2-3). She remembers having been a trained sniper in a more advanced time. That seems either to be a parallel universe, or a time travel like in Joy of Life, from a modern society but one riddled with wars where female soldiers were snipers and trained in hand combat...
She is variantly referred to as Ye Li or Li Ying "Ding Consort", and her spouse as Prince of Ding or Duke of Ding, Mo Xiuyao, "Prince Wang" (Duke, Prince, or even King/Wang were rather interchangeable ways, historically, of referring to Chinese rulers under or not a more powerful one, so that's not a big deal. Duke or Prince: ok.).
There is also reference to "lightness technique" and flying, which smacks of cultivation and wuxia. And some Buddhist nuns are thrown into all that as of Chapter 61....
It's an entertaining read, but also to me, somewhat tiring with many repetitive moments and dialogues. It looks like the story will be rather tropey too, with that "strong female" decidedly Mary Sue type, allied to "disabled hero" (will he be cured?)
The main body of the novel deals with palace intrigues and conflicting states using hostages or marriages with "foreign princesses" to keep some stability.
We shall see what screenwriters get from that basis.
Since there are mentions of "tasteful translucent pale jade" (Khotan like?) and shimmering red kesi silk, I hope there will not be too many hanging curtain face ornaments, but really pretty dresses and outfits, to showcase Bai Lu fittingly, and make the drama a visual feast with exciting swashbuckling moments, at least as pleasant as Moonlight Mystique was.
Can Cheng Lei fit in a wheelchair with as much commanding and wicked presence as Wu Gang in Joy of Life but better romantic presence?
Answers in 2026...
AMA was so good! Different but right on top for me together with O&O/F&E, TTEOTM, SoKP and now Northward. I did watch the other dramas too, which were entertaining.
Let's hope she never will be brought down by negative minded people who like to criticize only, and probably are jealous of her success. (These are the real abnormal people in my mind, but many like those do exist, sigh, hence the cyberbullying cancer).
I think "ordinary" people in China with no special interest in c-dramas or c-ent may view her as a familiar face, but may not really recognize her name. "Ordinary/normal" people : who enjoy TV dramas and shows occasionally. But being too quickly famous brings about a lot of dangers, as we well know now from the fates of people like Zhao Wei, Fan Bingbing, Zhang Zhehan...
Even Xiao Zhan almost got in trouble after The Untamed and the AO3 ban in China.
It looks like people are more aware of scandals than of excellence.
I only hope she will stay happy, do what she wishes to do, and that she will not have too meteoric a rise, like Jackson Yee (who she once said was "her type") and have to resign from a position...
Meanwhile, I am looking forward for the episodes she will be in, in Keep Running S13, and the Feud drama upcoming sometime soon in June or before August. And starting to read the novel from which the drama she will begin shooting end of May is adapted (Mo Li) 🤭.
(Sad that some people here find the end of Northward "makjang" or can't get into that excellent drama. It also shows that people abroad may have very different sensibilities about c-dramas in general: some crave for romance and nitpick at what they perceive as lacking chemistry -being used to a certain style of love demonstrations-, some go rail that this slice-of-life drama is marred by a happy end with a ship and a wedding which they see as too much sugar and lacking in realism....
Anyway; for me the Mo Yan acknowledgement was heavy weight enough to confirm my warm feelings! (and the "seminar" later). Bai Lu is starting to be recognized as "quality actress" in "quality work" domestically, that's what most important.
Abroad? well she gets endorsements from big names in fashion already, and the c-drama fans there are certainly not unaware of her, we can't hope for her to become as famous as Gong Li or Zhou Xuan overnight, but who knows, perhaps in the years to come, if she is lucky enough with her choices, like for Northward.).
Looking forward to Bai Lu's next dramas before that one. 💙
"Bai Lu is well-known in China, particularly for her roles in various dramas and her versatile acting skills across different genres. She has starred in popular series such as "Untouchable Lovers" (2018), "The Legends" (2019), "Arsenal Military Academy" (2019), "Love Is Sweet" (2020), "One and Only" (2021), "Forever and Ever" (2021), and "Till the End of the Moon" (2023).
She has received recognition for her performances, winning awards such as the "Popular Actress of the Year" at the 2021 iQIYI Scream Night for her role in "Love Is Sweet" and the "Outstanding Actress of the Year" at the 2022 Chinese American TV Festival - Golden Angel Awards for her role in "Forever and Ever".
Bai Lu is also recognized for her roles in music videos and short films, and she is the face of many national and international brands, including Michael Kors and Chopard.
However, her recognition is primarily within the Chinese entertainment industry, with limited international recognition."
I don't doubt the latter. I have family in different countries and industries, and those who are not in China or watching Chinese TV dramas or such shows, of course don't know her, just as I have no idea about who is the most well-known actress in Argentina these days, despite the recent burial of the Pope drew attention to that country. Someone called Monica Villa or Cristina Banegas who played in a story about two popes, but what was her role exactly in that movie ? Although I did watch The Two Popes in a cinema some-when around 2019, I don't remember Banegas. It's just like that : we are raised and programmed to become more specialized in interests and generally "parochial" minded, even when having eclectic interests in music or culture, lol.
As you stated, it's been a while since she started gracing fashion magazine covers and billboards small and huge. The people who noticed her may not even have watched her dramas, but Keep Running? Probably yes.
Still, despite it was not her childhood dream profession, she is very serious about acting, always has been, is one of the few who did multiple roles (up to three characters), and not having watchers confused about them. And she is not even haughty about being a celeb, just matter of fact about being self taught and "still learning", and (unfortunately) also like so many peers, having to cope with some deluded fans and haters. She stays level headed and contagiously cheerful. Her fits of uproarious laughter have also made her famous. It's like a guarantee of sunshine to have her in a show, even if hail, snow, or rain is pouring down!
But I have not watched everything, just did some "archaeological" digging and sampling there, lol because the show is mentioned in currently airing Keep Running Season 13, first episode of which is about Y2K. The Home With Kids "drama" was more like a show, with jingles and recorded laughter to underline funny sentences or moments, a bit like in American shows of the period, such as "Friends".
https://kisskh.at/discussions/740015-bei-shang/139996-mini-profile-and-filmography-of-bai-lu-illustrated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp8seIi91Cs
Double hardwired subtitles in English and Hanzi + optional other languages.
having a look for Dawn Chen, since I missed that one for rather delightful Rainkissed Fate with her often "best screen partner" Dai Gaozheng.
I have zilch interest for the other title even it has "same director" but nothing else similar.
Actually GenZ is much less romantic than this one, and less specific on location, filmed in "5 different regions", since it is about the growth of an unbeliever to become heiress of a Daoist-TCM sect! despite the buildup to marriage to seal the deal. Less sentimental, the drama is also showing beautiful images and the core is about the value of traditions which remain while pushed forward and adapting, not without some crises, to new times, like the waves pushing the tide forward.
I added some data and opinions in Discussions section for GenZ to shed some light on the more "arcane" stuff, maybe not well known to everybody.
https://kisskh.at/discussions/hou-lang/100789-about-traditional-chinese-culture
It is, as usual from me, very illustrated, with links to other papers, including the blog of Cho Na who recapped the selection of herbs used in The Best Thing which is also touched on but more lightly in GenZ. In that other drama, other practices of TCM are featured including chiropractic bone-setting, Qigong and together with the importance of the 24 solar terms for diet and else, including superstitions and persuasion, and the limits to healing when mental troubles are involved.
What's important to remember is that while TCM is holistic, it can indeed complement Western style medicine that focuses on one ailment at a time.
When GenZ was filmed, the cast, crew and scriptwriters were still in a country with many places under lockdown for covid pandemic, so the consequences for TCM did get addressed there as well, although not in minute details, and the background for that is also in the "companion piece" which also became a conversation about acupuncture and acupressure with a practitioner.
If you are curious about background stuff, I did illustrated companion pieces for both TWOT and Northward, and also two profiles for Vanda Margraf and Bai Lu who play in Northward. There are sections in the companion pieces for the music with details about singers, composers, etc, and links to listen, including the music that came in as non OST, and the bgm.
The pieces are organized with links to a Table of contents, so readers can skip to the section they are interested in, and go back and forth along the development of the story in the illustrated "characters and cast" with micro bios of actors when available. There is a section about when and where these dramas were filmed, what was notable in shooting. There is also a section showing how they were received chronologically, with the Douban rating, and the standing among 10 most watched along the weeks + testimonies, and farewell messages from some cast members.
Or, if you want to laugh... watch Filter: very good drama with Looney Tunes vibes, and yet some serious contents on top of sweetness. It was my laughs pill while I was watching more heavy stuff (The White Olive Tree). Ah, you watched it already :) It can be re-watched...