Congrats Reba will be featured in September covers in three magazines. Harper bazaar, vogue and a mainstream magazine.https://x.com/kpopsmileshop1/status/1954721706624602228
I knew the minute she was the 4th actress of Chinese descent to feature on BOF 500, I knew it was a matter of time before she would grace the cover of Vogue China. And now with a lucrative movie deal in the loop, it made sense as they prioritise film actors for the cover.
I hope Vogue confirms it soon to legitimise the claims as the lineup has changed multiple times.
I was watching an episode of The Truth, and I was just thinking, I would love to see Baba with blonde hair on the red carpet, but only if the make-up director from Dior does her make-up.
Seeing that yu shuxin contract with her company huace ended in December 2024 but was only officially free in August…
I am guessing like most contracts, there is a non-compete clause which requires a transition or cooling period for agencies to recuperate any losses and for the artist to rebuild up their resource base. The cooling off period can last from a few months to years. For all we know, the cooling period is now while her dramas are airing and will officially announce once LBTG airs. It's a great strategic move to have both happening at the same time, because it avoids any industry politics and minimises any reputational damages to both parties.
Good thing about Baba is that she established her independent studio earlier rather than later. This is good because it shows she has built strong networks and has a capable team working in her interests. Sadly for ZLS, she didn't do the same hence why the dispute between her and agency is getting nastier and nastier.
As long as a drama performs well in China, that’s ultimately what matters most. The domestic market is the foundation…
I get what you mean, the editing in the latter half of the drama really did a disservice to the overall story. So many small but significant details were either cut or glossed over, which weakened the emotional impact and narrative flow. Unfortunately, censorship often interferes with the integrity of great dramas, and I really think storytelling should be prioritised above all else, especially when the subject matter is so meaningful.
That said, Sword Rose is still my drama of the year. Like you mentioned, it’s incredible how a show that flew under the radar at first managed to break through and leave such a strong impression. The fact that it’s stayed in the top 5 across all major platforms says a lot about how domestic audiences value well-written, layered, and emotionally grounded stories. I really hope the Sword Rose team gets the recognition they deserve.
Some international fans are completely deluded about their faves’ actual standing in the industry. Just because an actor lands a role in an S-tier drama doesn’t automatically mean they’re A-list. There are levels to this industry. Longevity, consistent performance, domestic support, and industry respect all matter far more.
At least Alices understand that and genuinely support Baba in striving for excellence and making bold, thoughtful choices in her career. She’s no small-time actress in China—her name carries weight, and her work speaks for itself.
Some people on this site are so impatient and negative! I did not want to write this comment on the drama page…
As long as a drama performs well in China, that’s ultimately what matters most. The domestic market is the foundation of success for any Chinese actor or production. While China’s television industry may be relatively young compared to global counterparts, it has become largely self-sustaining. A drama that resonates with domestic audiences guarantees strong marketability, future job opportunities, industry recognition, and helps maintain or even elevate an actor’s A-list status.
That’s why many actors focus their energy on roles that appeal to the home audience, even if that means participating in seemingly repetitive genres like romance or lighthearted fantasy. These stories are familiar, comforting, and popular with viewers. International audiences often gravitate toward these "fluffy" dramas because they feel new or exotic, and they tend to idolise the actors in them.
However, when more nuanced stories are told, they sometimes struggle to gain traction internationally, as global audiences may not be interested in those themes coming out of C-Ent. Anything outside "fluffy" tends to get overlooked. But nuanced dramas tend to do really well in China because those dramas have an element of "reality" or mirroring in them which resonates with audiences and gets critical acclaim from industry insiders.
There’s a growing misconception among newer international fans that global recognition equals success. Many seem to believe that if an actor becomes popular overseas, they've "made it." But in reality, domestic success carries far more weight. Without the backing of a loyal domestic fanbase, it’s difficult for an actor to thrive, no matter how much international attention they receive.
In short, domestic success is not just the goal, it’s the backbone of a sustainable career in the C-Ent industry. International attention is a bonus, but it should never be mistaken for the foundation.
I bet they're going to give a 4 cover edition or at least preview. This marks one of the few times they have given back-to-back covers to the same person. I bet this one will outsell last year's cover which stayed as most sold magazine covers for 3 months, both male and female, editorials.
I think Wu Bin is the cripple since he wear glasses and the hands look like his
Totes right, esp since he proposed to help the Fu couple with the family trouble and then calls Gang to send a child to Shengsheng where DY's cousin is setting up operations for his project/onboarding the Fu guy.
The actress who plays Lian Qiao had nothing but praise for the women on set, including Baba for looking after her. She says, "but I never want to overemphasize her beauty because her heart is even more beautiful than her appearance."
"She wasn't afraid of me outshining her; she was only afraid that I would be overshadowed."
So embarrassing for getting caught for mass down rating such a serious drama on social issues, that too by douban…
That's lowlife behaviour for real. If a serious issue as human trafficking can't persuade people to put fandom aside, they are just as much of the problem.
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I hope Vogue confirms it soon to legitimise the claims as the lineup has changed multiple times.
Good thing about Baba is that she established her independent studio earlier rather than later. This is good because it shows she has built strong networks and has a capable team working in her interests. Sadly for ZLS, she didn't do the same hence why the dispute between her and agency is getting nastier and nastier.
That said, Sword Rose is still my drama of the year. Like you mentioned, it’s incredible how a show that flew under the radar at first managed to break through and leave such a strong impression. The fact that it’s stayed in the top 5 across all major platforms says a lot about how domestic audiences value well-written, layered, and emotionally grounded stories. I really hope the Sword Rose team gets the recognition they deserve.
Some international fans are completely deluded about their faves’ actual standing in the industry. Just because an actor lands a role in an S-tier drama doesn’t automatically mean they’re A-list. There are levels to this industry. Longevity, consistent performance, domestic support, and industry respect all matter far more.
At least Alices understand that and genuinely support Baba in striving for excellence and making bold, thoughtful choices in her career. She’s no small-time actress in China—her name carries weight, and her work speaks for itself.
That’s why many actors focus their energy on roles that appeal to the home audience, even if that means participating in seemingly repetitive genres like romance or lighthearted fantasy. These stories are familiar, comforting, and popular with viewers. International audiences often gravitate toward these "fluffy" dramas because they feel new or exotic, and they tend to idolise the actors in them.
However, when more nuanced stories are told, they sometimes struggle to gain traction internationally, as global audiences may not be interested in those themes coming out of C-Ent. Anything outside "fluffy" tends to get overlooked. But nuanced dramas tend to do really well in China because those dramas have an element of "reality" or mirroring in them which resonates with audiences and gets critical acclaim from industry insiders.
There’s a growing misconception among newer international fans that global recognition equals success. Many seem to believe that if an actor becomes popular overseas, they've "made it." But in reality, domestic success carries far more weight. Without the backing of a loyal domestic fanbase, it’s difficult for an actor to thrive, no matter how much international attention they receive.
In short, domestic success is not just the goal, it’s the backbone of a sustainable career in the C-Ent industry. International attention is a bonus, but it should never be mistaken for the foundation.
I bet they're going to give a 4 cover edition or at least preview. This marks one of the few times they have given back-to-back covers to the same person. I bet this one will outsell last year's cover which stayed as most sold magazine covers for 3 months, both male and female, editorials.
"She wasn't afraid of me outshining her; she was only afraid that I would be overshadowed."
Read the full message: https://x.com/belleameme/status/1953094227069706744