Nonsuch

you do know it was sarcasm? Or maybe you think costume drama is a documentary that needs to be historically and realistically correct?

If you want to live in a system where one corrupt f*ck decides for the whole country how they should look, act, live, talk, and exist - then China is a good place for you.

CCP started their crack down on effeminate men in 2022. They worried about foreign influences (like S.Korea) shaping desirable image for younger generation. They also wanted to address military readiness; physical fitness of young men, and, last but not least low birth rates and weakening of traditional family structures. After decades of draconian one child policy they suddenly wanted women to have more children.
In September 2021 smack during peak of COVID, China’s media regulator—the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA)—released guidelines aimed at reshaping entertainment content. These included:
Banning portrayals of so-called “niangpao” (effeminate men)
Promoting “correct aesthetics” and “masculine” role models
Encouraging content that reflects traditional, patriotic, and disciplined male images
And demonstrate “Healthy” gender norms, national strength and traditional values.
The last thing they worry about is weight and health of the actors. It is not about makeup, they want dramas to serve CCP ideology.
They also wanted more control over celebrity “culture” and fans . Now think back to when cdramas started to deteriorate in quality.

Are you that clueless?

Ugly fat old men can’t stand gorgeous young men playing warriors. The contrast is too glaring.

F*ck CCP and their constant meddling in everything. Maybe if they didn’t censor everything to death writers and directors would be able to produce real original work , and actors could show their acting range, instead of endlessly playing the same tired silly tropes in different costumes. Get ready for propaganda dramas about revolution, virtues of village life, communist values and glory of CCP. But yeah, actors need to eat more.

It is “ only a problem for jealous boys who don’t get any, or who think if they can’t have someone they are attracted to it is a problem. Some people are capable of admiringly beauty without the need to grab it.

Not really. The absolute majority of this type of cdrama audiences are women. It is not surprising that they get enchanted by the gorgeous male leads. Sure women appreciate other women, but it is not the same as being enchanted.

He is smart, talented, self aware, and works on his craft , and yes he is gorgeous! Screw those "Chinese netizens who took issue with his makeup in the drama, calling him a "foundation-wearing general". It is the DIRECTOR who decides whether actors needs to wear make up or not, not actors! Why attack him? Chinese fandom is the pits, they are like a school of piranha looking to tear people to sherds.

Exactly. And besides the comment is absolutely idiotic. Dramas go through censorship and everything gets scrutinized and approved. IF the comment is real and not some spoof, or some schmuck posting drunk, is military picking a fight with censorship office? Or was it along the new directive to make men look more manly? Just bizarre.

You seems to lack even basic manners. Bye. I am done talking to you.

for someone who objects to comparison, you just spent a lot of time comparing. 🤣 Enjoy your drama! Bye.

I already dropped this drama. Enjoy!

I am comparing QUALITY of camera work, acting, writing and plot development , not genre. Unless you think there is a genre of lousy writing and bad acting. But whatever.

No, it is not what I mean. I know about her lack of senses and the rest, and it is not about genre. It is just not well done. Camera work is flat, there is no proper development of the theme; things happen out of a blue and justified in all sort of expositions, like her 'inner voice' devise. It is lame. I started to watch because of ACh, whom I like, but he is stiff as a board here, and looks out of place. She is posing, not acting. The boy is nice, though. Anyway, I don't mean to spoil anyone's fun, but I think I am dropping this.

Started to watch 1ep.... So far it is poor story telling and not very well acted. I am not sure I can handle it after POJ which was gorgeous, coherent and superbly acted.. But the rating is high, does it suddenly pick up later?

do you think that many people don't have an actual life, so they spend all their time trying to get rating go up or down? 🤣 😂

go watch something else. There are enough action flicks on the net.

One reason could be that these 20 sec are taking away from the story. They make the whole bath scene about working off the drug, instead of actually making love for the first time. When she asks him who am I? she actually asks whether his desire is for HER, or anyone would have done because of the drug. When he speaks her name the whole tone changes, she kisses him instead of trying to keep him at bay. It is now fulfilling their long pent up mutual desire for each other, not her letting him do what he wants to work off side effects of the drug.

My 2 cents on why they cut the 38 scene. It could be censorship, OR - see below with spoiler.