As mentioned 2 days ago in my summary for the first seven days of Lunar New Year, the strategy for movies such…
Great to see this film is doing so well. Reading through the comments and extra info, it seems clear everyone involved worked exceptionally hard to deliver an authentic martial arts experience. Audiences appear to be rewarding that effort.
I'm looking forward to KTTPH, too. BTW, "Above the Wall", a crime drama, is Ai Mi's first lead role in…
So very true. I'm just happy she can take on challenging roles that are good for her development and be protected from harm at the same time. Oh, do you know about "A Chan"? It's a modern drama she recently wrapped up with Lin Yi. Ai Mi's been working really hard since the end of last year.
I'm genuinely excited for Ai Mi, her first leading role! And for all of you folks worried about the age gap, Keira…
I'm looking forward to KTTPH, too. BTW, "Above the Wall", a crime drama, is Ai Mi's first lead role in a drama series. Add it to your watch list if you're interested.
Yes, Ai Mi had her minders on-set. They can be seen in the reuters.
The greatest protection for talented young performers like Ai Mi and Tian Tian, as was mentioned earlier in the thread, is the fact C-ent has strict rules, regulations, and a moral code. As long as this is in place and firmly enforced in China, predatory behaviour on-set and vulgarity on-screen will be pretty much non-existent. It doesn't mean difficult subject matter can't be explored, it means that there is a duty of care to all. The cast, the crew, and the audience. It doesn't stifle creativity, it just provides clear guidelines for artists to work within. Innovative thinking is often a by-product that emerges from working under restrictions. And, of course, Hollywood's great golden age operated within similar confines due to the famous Hays code morality guidelines.
Many of the greatest films ever made were produced under that moral framework. It often served to keep films focused on the storytelling and prevented them from wading into the territory of the voyeuristic. It also prompted filmmakers to create films more palatable to the masses rather than particular niches of society. Post Hays code, it didn't take long for Hollywood / Western cinema to develop a fetish for voyeurism and exploitation. Really from the late sixties through till today. While it was still possible for films to be banned if they pushed the envelope too far, wide-ranging classifications enabled them to get away with a lot.
I'm glad you mentioned Keira Knightley because it reminded me of something often forgotten about the beginning of her career. While the production team of TPOTC may have provided care and protection for a seventeen-year-old KK, the overall Western industry standard has been lax since the late sixties. And as many here fret over Ai Mi and the possibility of an inappropriate kiss scene (there won't be one because of strictly enforced standards to keep her safe). A fifteen-year-old Keira Knightley starred in an indie-style psychological thriller called "The Hole" which was released in 2001. In the film, Knightley's character is depicted as a hypersexualised sex-kitten school girl, a Western trope employed across many genres. She exhibits seductive mannerisms and is sexually aggressive. She lustfully kisses her older co-star, Laurence Fox (seven years her senior). She brazenly bursts into the male showers while nude men are showering to flirtatiously confront a completely naked Laurence Fox, and she even flashes her breasts.
No, the above film didn't generate controversy upon release because the content had already been normalised by wider society. Western audiences had become accustomed to these types of things. Only in more recent years has it raised some eyebrows due to her age at the time. The West often has these moral reflection points where it looks back on the things it's done and ponders if it was wrong and whether things need to change. The Epstein files, for example, have brought us here again.
Had KTTPH been a Western production, I'd be against it. But since it's C-ent, and particularly since it passed review, I'm confident all measures were taken to ensure the safety of all involved. I'm also confident the production will be tastefully done, focused on telling a great story, and appeal to a wide audience. This was the quality and charm old Hollywood possessed and what the modern version has lost. A focus on great storytelling and tackling difficult subject matter / darker themes via the implied (leaving it to the audience to fill in the blanks) rather than intensely focusing on creating / depicting events in graphic detail (the voyeurs approach).
"Auditioned for this role"Not a thing. All the momentum was behind AI Mi after they moved on from Tian…
"crazy" ... Not really.
KTTPH is an original script and there were only two actresses seriously considered for the FL role, Tian Tian and Ai Mi. So, what does that tell us? It tells us the role was always intended for an actress in that age bracket and not a mature actress. It also tells us KTTPH was never going to be a passionate, romance-driven drama.
If you factor in the fact there aren't many experienced teen actresses capable of carrying the workload of a lead role, it's not surprising that you're seeing an industry push behind these two standout teen performers.
Note: Tian Tian is exactly one year and four days older than Ai Mi.
Why would they do this? You can't tell me that she was better than every other actress that Auditioned for this…
"Auditioned for this role"
Not a thing. All the momentum was behind AI Mi after they moved on from Tian Tian due to her being embroiled in an earrings controversy. She was a lock for this role. This is an original script, so the creative team knew exactly what they were looking for.
The two other actresses loosely attached to the project were Dai Luwa and Julia Xiang. Had Ai Mi rejected the role, perhaps an audition may have taken place between these two.
Keeping in mind, if Tian Tian was the initial favourite, which of the following actresses would be the best choice to replace her: Ai Mi, Dai Luwa, or Julia Xiang?
The wrap-up trailer is very good. It is plot-focused and aims to showcase the acting ranges of the ML and FL.…
Thank you so much for the English translation. It's interesting that you would prefer ATW to air first. I watched the trailer for this again just the other day. I had forgotten just how good it looks. I'm definitely looking forward to that one, and it very well may prove to be her best work of the three 👍.
just let them be. cnetz complained he was ugly in Scent of Time but he still got the most fan growth out of the…
Yes, I definitely don't like his methods. It really stinks that most other agencies go out of their way to prevent unfair negativity aimed at their talent, while WXY's likes to encourage it.
I also don't like the way they market him. Although YZ has put him in some big hits, he doesn't lean into Xingyue's masculinity, strong physique, athleticism, and physicality. After "The Double," I really thought we'd see a lot more of a push to frame him in a heroic light. And while I always enjoy his acting, I don't always enjoy his characters.
Bravo 👏. Wonderful article rugged & Xiang83. I'm going to have to make this my first Jdrama. It looks amazing. Great to see more variety on the main page, too 👍.
Reuters ~ Jan 30 ~ 31 ~ Approx...#Ai Mi's# A Chan ~ Last Day / Wrap Up 💐...https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaX5E1QB/https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaXaLN6D/https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaX5GYGg/https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaXaRTKN/https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaXaAfxb/#Ai…
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Yes, Ai Mi had her minders on-set. They can be seen in the reuters.
The greatest protection for talented young performers like Ai Mi and Tian Tian, as was mentioned earlier in the thread, is the fact C-ent has strict rules, regulations, and a moral code. As long as this is in place and firmly enforced in China, predatory behaviour on-set and vulgarity on-screen will be pretty much non-existent. It doesn't mean difficult subject matter can't be explored, it means that there is a duty of care to all. The cast, the crew, and the audience. It doesn't stifle creativity, it just provides clear guidelines for artists to work within. Innovative thinking is often a by-product that emerges from working under restrictions. And, of course, Hollywood's great golden age operated within similar confines due to the famous Hays code morality guidelines.
Many of the greatest films ever made were produced under that moral framework. It often served to keep films focused on the storytelling and prevented them from wading into the territory of the voyeuristic. It also prompted filmmakers to create films more palatable to the masses rather than particular niches of society. Post Hays code, it didn't take long for Hollywood / Western cinema to develop a fetish for voyeurism and exploitation. Really from the late sixties through till today. While it was still possible for films to be banned if they pushed the envelope too far, wide-ranging classifications enabled them to get away with a lot.
I'm glad you mentioned Keira Knightley because it reminded me of something often forgotten about the beginning of her career. While the production team of TPOTC may have provided care and protection for a seventeen-year-old KK, the overall Western industry standard has been lax since the late sixties. And as many here fret over Ai Mi and the possibility of an inappropriate kiss scene (there won't be one because of strictly enforced standards to keep her safe). A fifteen-year-old Keira Knightley starred in an indie-style psychological thriller called "The Hole" which was released in 2001. In the film, Knightley's character is depicted as a hypersexualised sex-kitten school girl, a Western trope employed across many genres. She exhibits seductive mannerisms and is sexually aggressive. She lustfully kisses her older co-star, Laurence Fox (seven years her senior). She brazenly bursts into the male showers while nude men are showering to flirtatiously confront a completely naked Laurence Fox, and she even flashes her breasts.
No, the above film didn't generate controversy upon release because the content had already been normalised by wider society. Western audiences had become accustomed to these types of things. Only in more recent years has it raised some eyebrows due to her age at the time. The West often has these moral reflection points where it looks back on the things it's done and ponders if it was wrong and whether things need to change. The Epstein files, for example, have brought us here again.
Had KTTPH been a Western production, I'd be against it. But since it's C-ent, and particularly since it passed review, I'm confident all measures were taken to ensure the safety of all involved. I'm also confident the production will be tastefully done, focused on telling a great story, and appeal to a wide audience. This was the quality and charm old Hollywood possessed and what the modern version has lost. A focus on great storytelling and tackling difficult subject matter / darker themes via the implied (leaving it to the audience to fill in the blanks) rather than intensely focusing on creating / depicting events in graphic detail (the voyeurs approach).
KTTPH is an original script and there were only two actresses seriously considered for the FL role, Tian Tian and Ai Mi. So, what does that tell us? It tells us the role was always intended for an actress in that age bracket and not a mature actress. It also tells us KTTPH was never going to be a passionate, romance-driven drama.
If you factor in the fact there aren't many experienced teen actresses capable of carrying the workload of a lead role, it's not surprising that you're seeing an industry push behind these two standout teen performers.
Note: Tian Tian is exactly one year and four days older than Ai Mi.
Not a thing. All the momentum was behind AI Mi after they moved on from Tian Tian due to her being embroiled in an earrings controversy. She was a lock for this role. This is an original script, so the creative team knew exactly what they were looking for.
The two other actresses loosely attached to the project were Dai Luwa and Julia Xiang. Had Ai Mi rejected the role, perhaps an audition may have taken place between these two.
Keeping in mind, if Tian Tian was the initial favourite, which of the following actresses would be the best choice to replace her: Ai Mi, Dai Luwa, or Julia Xiang?
The answer is obvious.
https://weibo.com/detail/5267257204146565
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7605600674109246730
(Alt link)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FrJVJzA0i0U
PERFECT! ✌️
https://weibo.com/detail/5266951662208796
Simply perfect👌. God, he looks good here and below 🥰. The "Top Gun" vibes are off the charts. He can exude confidence like no other, too.
I also don't like the way they market him. Although YZ has put him in some big hits, he doesn't lean into Xingyue's masculinity, strong physique, athleticism, and physicality. After "The Double," I really thought we'd see a lot more of a push to frame him in a heroic light. And while I always enjoy his acting, I don't always enjoy his characters.
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7606201692032490330
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSm6c9csW/
❤️ These two 💙 Happy Valentine's Day 💘
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7606201692032490330
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSm6c9csW/
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lIyvvpxIlqo
Lin Yi wrap up extra 💪😁...
https://weibo.com/detail/526508302034763
Ai Mi wrap up extra ✌️😁...
https://weibo.com/detail/5265083610958442
+ Some more neat things...
(Lin Yi)
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7605411083205070143
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSm8EmNSk/
(Ai Mi)
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7605245183176772927
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BdiZK4aCzSY