Melancholia1

Aww, thank you for replying :) It is good to hear, that Xiao Zhan inspires you to do some sports :D I wished YT have recommended me TU back in 2019 as well haha. My first c-drama was WOH, and I discovered it by a total accident. I loved it a lot, and I found Gong Jun extremelly pretty, so I watched another BL show he was in (it was such gulity pleasure). And then, naturally, The Untamed appeared on my recommendation list. I remember that seeing Yibo and Zhan for the first time I thought they were not as good looking as WOH male leads. Oh, how wrong was I! :D I watched the whole show during my holidays and loved it even more than WOH. Then I read about Xiao Zhan difficulties in 2020, learned that he can sing too, watched another drama of his (Oh! My Emperor) and I was totally sold on him ;)

I just hope his commitment will be worthy and he gaves us another great role that would be liked both by viewers and critics ;) But you know, if nature gifted Xiao Zhan with both singing and acting talent. then why not use both? I do not particulary demand from a poor guy to sing idol like pop-songs forever, because this is not usually my kind of music...But something mature, like the piece from "Joy of Life" would be nice! I really hope he surprises us with some new music when TLP comes out! ;)
Also, this is horrible what you said about C-ent. 2-3 years? :( That is so sad. And even more sad, if you think that almost whole 2020 was a "dead year" for XZ. :(

Oh, why should I be offended, I am not, do not worry, because you said nothing offensive ;) Everyone is so nice here so far and does not mind my constant whining. Yes, I hav heard about that show you mentioned, maybe will give it a try ;) BTW, have you seen XZ reading a poetry today? His face looks so thin...I hope he finds time to rest with his cat on a bench, just like in that poem ;(

Thanks for all kind replies guys and sorry for being such a doomer. Yes I am new, I joined XFX in Sep last year and I am always jealous of those who witnessed Untamed craziness, Our Song times, all those awards shows or New Year' appearances...Maybe I am not qualified to say if XZ kept the low key before, since I have not been there then..But last year he had New Year's Eve concert - this year despite rumours - nothing. There was TLP press conference and some videos from the set, this year - nothing ;( Ofc I also have my life and job, but by getting to know Xiao Zhan I expected more content that would bright up my miserable and grey reality lol...And I feel like the only things we have now are throwbacks from glorious 2019. It is even painful to look at it, since those times won't return, not after 227, covid and all idol-hunting in China. I just simply feel being late to the party and this is kinda frustrating lol

Why is XZ staying so hidden these days, I wonder? I am really disappointed with this year to be honest, even though we got AT and TOOL. Weibo Night seems to be cancelled due to the epidemic, yet Covid somehow did not stop the awards from being held in the previous two years, when ofc I had no idea of Xiao Zhan's existence. There are no new photos of him at all, and by this I mean some good ones, with proper lighting and styling, just as he used to do before. Some time has passed since his vlogs too... There are no good new ads. And Xiao Zhan himself looks different, like something has changed to his face, that makes me worried. And now the constant problems with WDB shooting that may lead to not having any XZ drama for a year (if TLP broadcasts this summer). I think I should not stan any actor or celebrity, because I always jinx them...Call me crazy, but this is not the first time when it happens. I wish Xiao Zhan comes out and proves me wrong. I want his bright smile and clear, shiny eyes from the past to return :(

I am now worrying that WDB will be such show after reading the synopsis and seeing pics lol. At first I expected bell bottom pants, opened shirts and disco, but got soviet fur hats lol. I hope his next drama will be something like "Reset" ;D

I heard a lot of good things about this c-drama so I gave it a try. And I must say I really enjoyed that explosive bus ride, even though the closure (though happy) and the reason behind the events were not completely satisfying for me. For example, I would prefer more open ending, like main characters still appearing in another loop after saving the passengers. I also hoped the girl that worked in police and had same Pachelbel ringtone was also involved in the case or that the guy in glasses who molested Wangmeng was Xiao He Yun still trying to break the loop, yet in another timeline :D
Overall, I do not regret time spent with the show. Even the smallest characters caught my attention, from the silent guy in headphones to the Apostle of Cat. Two leads were also great and I could easily symphatize with them and their constant struggle to break the loop. And I think this is the strongest point of this drama - the relationships between those two, or broken families, that get fixed at the end. I hope this show eventually appears in European or USA Netflix, so more people could enjoy it and see that Chinese dramas are no worse than Korean or Japanese ones.

Wow, thanks for reply! Such pity too he was not shown.

I recently came across the pictures from some shooting with Xiao Zhan wearing some kind of Peaky Blinders styled hat and a scarf. I thought it was maybe from WDB set, but the date was January 2021. Anyone knows what show it may be?

That's a pity then! Because it makes the role less challenging. To be an actor means trying to be different than your own persona. And I never understood people who associate the role with an actor (though I know such people exists). But I can not wait too! Because Xiao Zhan suffers really beautifully if I can put it this way haha.

In his first scene in a book Shi Ying gives Zhu Yan a good beating O.O. People say she is too cruel to him, but he is not pearl white either, for example he wants to kill the whole race because of the prophecy. I read only first volume, so I do not know what happens next and whether his actions are justified. But yes, the character of Shi Ying is so far not entirely good person, rather a grey one (in my opinion), so it will be interesting to see XZ portraying him.

I would like him to start shooting as well, but I have nothing against a movie. Maybe it is an old-fashioned way of thinking, but starring in a film used to be considered more prestigious for an actor than being in a TV show (however, I do not know how it applies to China). With a good cinema work XZ has opportunity to be seen abroad more widely, for example in international film festivals. But drama could be great as well. Anything with Xiao Zhan could be great :)

LOL we got 10 seconds of XZ standing before white wall. Well, now I am looking forward to WDB press conference that is said to be held this month. Maybe there XZ will bless us with longer appearance :D

I wonder how it is gonna look like. Hope it won't be only a voice over but we see XZ in a person there lol.

I think the transformation is already happening. He barely attends any events these days and focuses only on his acting work. It is good for Xiao Zhan as an actor, but as a quite fresh fan of him I cannot hide being a little sad I have such rare occasion to see him now singing or doing silly stuff (I am sounding like a broken record here).
I read somewhere XZ is more into doing a movie now, and with a famous director, which is a good step for him and I sincerely hope it happens eventually...Because the shooting of Where Dreams Begin ends soon (I think this month?). I can not believe he is not going to shoot anything for the rest of the year?

Yes, that's why I wrote that it won't happen, which is truly a pity ;(

After watching his Oath of Love I would not mind it now, but maybe let it not be romance but a dark thriller? I would like to see him as a cop chasing a villain and then falling for her or - even better - for him. The latter won't happen anywhere soon but I can dream, right?

I am really wondering what made this show to be kept in dungeon for so long? It's really cute! I read some opinion it is an idol drama, but I do not agree. Yes, it is simple and funny, but not stupid IMHO and tells some truth about life and relationships in a very endearing way. Because, real love is not about grand gestures and cringy lines (like in LXZ dreams lol), but about small things, learning another person and trying to fit in.
I am suprised how much I like XZ an YZ chemistry. I thought nothing will beat Yibo and Zhan together, but I was wrong. They really play each other so well, all what is happening between the characters feels so natural.
No one mentioned before the wonderful side character of Dr Du. He is so adorable and does not know how to pretend when needed, often putting poor Gu Wei into awkward situations.
I really did not expect to like it so much.
The only thing that pains me is the constant ageism and how everyone keeps talking to poor Gu Wei like "you are 30, you are not young anymore". Made me feel really ancient somehow lol.

Thanks for explanation. Now when I think about it I do not want TLP to release too soon, since then the only drama of Xiao Zhan left to watch will be WDB. It would be bad to have everything at once and then a year without nothing.

Hoped he posts something though...Oh how I wish I knew him before 2020 era when he was everywhere. I am starving for some new content.