It would be sad to see this become a lost drama. It is one of ZJM's best performances. If it does happen, she'll…
Please, no. She's too talented to waste it exclusively doing idol dramas. Once in a while, sure. But she should continue down the path she is on. She trusted that the writers did their job and didn't plagiarise. She trusted that those in charge of production had done things correctly, ethically, and with sensitivity. She got burned by it. As the face of DA, she is taking both the praise and the criticism. At the end of the day, Jinmai turned up to work and put in one of her best performances. The fallout from this is just a bump in the road on a long journey.
It would be sad to see this become a lost drama. It is one of ZJM's best performances. If it does happen, she'll…
It's understandable that if not handled correctly, and trauma / distress is caused by an insensitive representation of true events, this type of wider negative reaction can occur. Ultimately the crew has a responsibility to their fellow citizens not to cause harm. I believe ZJM can still do crime / suspense dramas. Her team just needs to identify if the story is based on a true crime event or if it is a genuine work of fiction. If it is a true crime event, then she needs to make sure appropriate care has been given to the portrayal of these events. For example, changing names and protecting identities.
You can't blame Mai Mai, but unfortunately it has been a hard lesson in the business side of acting. The production team let the performers down by not doing their job to avoid causing harm to the victims and creating controversy for the actors.
She's only 22, still a baby; she'll grow and become stronger and wiser from this.
Well, I did be surprised at this point if this drama is not taken down on the C-side. It has been revealed by…
It would be sad to see this become a lost drama. It is one of ZJM's best performances. If it does happen, she'll be fine. A similar thing happened to Joan Crawford in 1932.
Yeah but I wish people would seperate the screenwriters from the actors. It is the screenwriter's fault for plagarising…
Exactly. It's ZJM's job is to study, become her character, and give an honest / convincing performance. It's the writer's / writers job to write an honest screenplay that doesn't plagiarise the work of another. It's the production team's job to credit their sources.
It better not be true. Being in a romance drama while she is underage and he is in his 30s is so stupid . If they…
I actually stumbled across this news by accident. A link was posted in the comments section of Drifting Away explaining the real case the show was based on. It was a good read. So, while there, I decided to look at a few more articles on the site. I found this recent one on Ai Mi...
I checked Weibo as well, and sure enough, the rumours were there. I came back to MDL to see if there was any further news. I checked the comments section of LXY's page and had a friendly discussion with a poster who knows a lot more. They seem to think that the rumours are just that. Rumours. They think it is more likely a marketing ploy to drum up some controversy / publicity before settling on an actress of at least twenty-something.
However, it should be acknowledged that these rumours are indeed quite strong. They are reminiscent of the rumours regarding Ai Mi's first dramatic series lead role in ATW, which eventually proved true. They also have similarities to the rumoured Bai Lu / WXY team-up, which was confirmed true as well. So, we'll have to wait and see.
As for my thoughts on the content / age gap, I took a nuanced approach in the exchange I had on LXY's page...
Basically, I'm not totally against the idea. At first, it seemed off. Way off. But, after giving it more thought, it could be done and done well.
China has strict regulations, and the censors don't play around. The subject matter is difficult. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Difficult subject matter often leads to great storytelling. Difficult subject matter combined with tight regulations, rules, and censorship lends itself to writers, directors, and actors finding creative ways / methods to tell the story without being overly explicit.
Essentially, greater effort is put into implying that (x) happened rather than recreating (x) in graphic detail. It also tends to shift a story's focus slightly.
Drifting Away (although some may see it as quite graphic) is a great example of this. They pushed it to the line in terms of what they were allowed to show and implied the rest through outstanding writing, directing, and acting. The sexual abuse / torture that occurred in the real case is never depicted in DA. It is instead read out on the charge sheet towards the end. You can also reasonably infer that it is likely to have happened given the context of what is depicted in the show and the real crimes the show is based on.
The physical and emotional toll of the crimes on the victims, followed by the lingering mental / psychological damage, is where the show focuses most of its attention. You basically witness limited sadistic behaviour, and then the trauma conveyed by the actors as they interface with the world post-event.
It's as if the regulations and censorship act as a mechanism to keep the show focused on the important details. By contrast, a European (Western) production, sans regulations and censorship, telling the same story will often get lost in the details. Falling victim to recreating every minute aspect of the torture in graphic detail to the point of becoming voyeuristic and perverse.
There has always been great power in the implied, and in many ways it's more impactful simply due to the fact that it's palatable to a much wider audience. In The Double (2024) there is a strong sense of romance between the leads, but in reality, they spend little time engaged in intimacy. The implication of deep feelings is enough to carry this sense. Hollywood's golden period also excelled at the implicit over the explicit. Tackling heavy themes while operating within the confines of the Hays Code morality guidelines.
In a long-winded way, what I'm trying to get at is that while regulation and censorship have their downsides, they also have benefits. In this case, those strict regulations help to enforce standards and provide a duty of care to performers within the industry.
Ai Mi is a special talent in the ZJM mould. A child actress who, at such a young age, has already put together a phenomenally diverse body of work. Movies and television in a wide range of genres. In 2024 alone, three very different works by Ai Mi aired: The Double (Series... Historical / Mystery), FoF (Series... Xianxia fantasy), and Break Through (Movie... War).
She's someone who gets better each time she performs. A challenging project like this would certainly be good for her development, and having a seasoned performer, like LXY, to help guide her would be a big advantage. Ai Mi is more than capable of handling a role like this. Her two performances opposite Zuo Ye, seven years her senior (MJTY & FoF), hint at how a project like this could potentially be executed in a tasteful and respectful manner.
There have been many instances of actors feeling pressured into doing things they feel uncomfortable with in the West. Scenes in movies they later regret. There is even an ongoing lawsuit against the director of Romeo & Juliet (1968) regarding pressuring the young actors into doing scenes they didn't want to do.
I don't see this being an issue in China. So, in a way, the heavily regulated Chinese film / TV industry lends itself to telling stories with heavy subject matter in a responsible way, for the benefit of both the performers and the audience. If the story needs to be watered down, refocused, or altered for it to meet the industry guidelines, they'll do it because that's the requirement. This is what gives me confidence that should the role be given to her, she won't be exploited or compromised in any way. Instead, the end product will likely be a tastefully executed, well-crafted, thought-provoking tale.
Completed ep 31. Will knock the two new eps off tomorrow. It blows my mind how many things are packed into each episode. There is never a dull moment and no room for filler. That's how you do a 40 eps series. 👍
Series complete. A truly outstanding production from start to finish. Full of nuance and complexity. It really never put a foot wrong. If I had to nitpick one thing, it would be some moments of artistic licence over tactical accuracy. But, in all honesty, it's a non-issue.
Well done, cast and crew. Hopefully, DA scoops up some awards this year (best actress for Mai Mai would be nice & well deserved 🙏). Tbh, this is one of the best acted dramas I've seen. Everybody brought their A-Game. Big part, small part, everyone shone bright. Take a bow. 👏
Now for final thoughts: i have zero sympathy for these criminals. 18 to 19 murders, they tortured, raped the victims…
This. Seeing the human in others is what prevents violence, cruelty, atrocities, and war. When you lose the ability to see the human, or convince yourself the other is not. Those things become a lot easier.
There is no doubt that the villains in this story had gone beyond the point of no return. However, at the same time, the story makes it clear that within each of them, humanity still remained. They weren't biologically broken or defective. They weren't beings of pure evil. Had they responded differently to earlier adversity, and chosen a different path, life could've been different. Even happy and prosperous. But in the end, the wrongs that were done can not be undone, and rightfully they were made to answer for their crimes.
The families of the guilty are victims themselves. There is nothing wrong with seeing it that way.
I think it's just a rumor they're keeping around for now to create buzz. But...it's written (tentatively). I believe…
You might be right. The publicity / promotion game is full of strategy. I've also seen Ai Mi rumoured to be attached to the new WXY / Bai Lu drama. But nothing official. I've added LTTT to my PTW list. I'll tune in no matter who they cast as FL. LXY always delivers a great performance.
I think it's just a rumor they're keeping around for now to create buzz. But...it's written (tentatively). I believe…
Oh, ok. Tbph, I wouldn't be against it happening. I'd love to see it for Ai Mi's development. The role would be challenging for her, but paired with a seasoned performer like LXY to help guide her through, I'm certain she could pull it off. If given the opportunity, that is. Also, with the rules and regulations in China, I'm sure they'd tackle the subject matter tastefully and with great care. If it was a Western production, I'd be a lot more concerned with the age gap / content wading into dangerous / uncomfortable territory.
The rating is gradually increasing. But, you're right, it deserves much better on MDL. There is definitely a preference for cdramas with romance here, particularly costume, and there is nothing wrong that. I also sometimes forget that the ratings system has become a little warped on MDL. It doesn't seem to function as a proper 10 point system, where roughly the following would apply...
●8+ (Very good // Masterpiece) ●6 - 7.9 (Solid // Above average // Good) ●4.5 - 5.9 (Below average // Average // Solid) ●Anything lower should be the varying degrees of awful.
So, essentially, everyone tries to keep the drama they're watching at around 8+. If it slips into the 7s or lower, it has fallen into the abyss.
It sort of creates an incentive to inflate your ratings. For example, if I take two random films that I enjoy - Vampire's Kiss (1988) and GWTW (1939). The first is a bizarre, oddball cult classic. The second is undoubtedly a timeless masterpiece. I'd typically rate the first around 6.5. Even though I love the film. The latter I'd put around the 8.5 - 10 mark. I love both personally, but they don't belong in the same strata in terms of achievement. On MDL a rating of 6.5 would seem to indicate that I hate the show / movie. When in reality, it's the complete opposite. Hence, the temptation to make that 6.5 an 8+ instead.
1 
You can't blame Mai Mai, but unfortunately it has been a hard lesson in the business side of acting. The production team let the performers down by not doing their job to avoid causing harm to the victims and creating controversy for the actors.
She's only 22, still a baby; she'll grow and become stronger and wiser from this.
https://inf.news/en/entertainment/23b6773b1517baa1a7d529af8f344f51.html
It mentioned ATW, her first leading role in a drama, and another show, where she is touted to be the FL opposite LXY...
https://kisskh.at/760379-chuan-yue-xiu-xian-de-die-hui-lai-jie-wo-le
I checked Weibo as well, and sure enough, the rumours were there. I came back to MDL to see if there was any further news. I checked the comments section of LXY's page and had a friendly discussion with a poster who knows a lot more. They seem to think that the rumours are just that. Rumours. They think it is more likely a marketing ploy to drum up some controversy / publicity before settling on an actress of at least twenty-something.
However, it should be acknowledged that these rumours are indeed quite strong. They are reminiscent of the rumours regarding Ai Mi's first dramatic series lead role in ATW, which eventually proved true. They also have similarities to the rumoured Bai Lu / WXY team-up, which was confirmed true as well. So, we'll have to wait and see.
As for my thoughts on the content / age gap, I took a nuanced approach in the exchange I had on LXY's page...
https://kisskh.at/people/14118-liu-xue-yi#comment-20395092
Basically, I'm not totally against the idea. At first, it seemed off. Way off. But, after giving it more thought, it could be done and done well.
China has strict regulations, and the censors don't play around. The subject matter is difficult. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Difficult subject matter often leads to great storytelling. Difficult subject matter combined with tight regulations, rules, and censorship lends itself to writers, directors, and actors finding creative ways / methods to tell the story without being overly explicit.
Essentially, greater effort is put into implying that (x) happened rather than recreating (x) in graphic detail. It also tends to shift a story's focus slightly.
Drifting Away (although some may see it as quite graphic) is a great example of this. They pushed it to the line in terms of what they were allowed to show and implied the rest through outstanding writing, directing, and acting. The sexual abuse / torture that occurred in the real case is never depicted in DA. It is instead read out on the charge sheet towards the end. You can also reasonably infer that it is likely to have happened given the context of what is depicted in the show and the real crimes the show is based on.
The physical and emotional toll of the crimes on the victims, followed by the lingering mental / psychological damage, is where the show focuses most of its attention. You basically witness limited sadistic behaviour, and then the trauma conveyed by the actors as they interface with the world post-event.
It's as if the regulations and censorship act as a mechanism to keep the show focused on the important details. By contrast, a European (Western) production, sans regulations and censorship, telling the same story will often get lost in the details. Falling victim to recreating every minute aspect of the torture in graphic detail to the point of becoming voyeuristic and perverse.
There has always been great power in the implied, and in many ways it's more impactful simply due to the fact that it's palatable to a much wider audience. In The Double (2024) there is a strong sense of romance between the leads, but in reality, they spend little time engaged in intimacy. The implication of deep feelings is enough to carry this sense. Hollywood's golden period also excelled at the implicit over the explicit. Tackling heavy themes while operating within the confines of the Hays Code morality guidelines.
In a long-winded way, what I'm trying to get at is that while regulation and censorship have their downsides, they also have benefits. In this case, those strict regulations help to enforce standards and provide a duty of care to performers within the industry.
Ai Mi is a special talent in the ZJM mould. A child actress who, at such a young age, has already put together a phenomenally diverse body of work. Movies and television in a wide range of genres. In 2024 alone, three very different works by Ai Mi aired: The Double (Series... Historical / Mystery), FoF (Series... Xianxia fantasy), and Break Through (Movie... War).
She's someone who gets better each time she performs. A challenging project like this would certainly be good for her development, and having a seasoned performer, like LXY, to help guide her would be a big advantage. Ai Mi is more than capable of handling a role like this. Her two performances opposite Zuo Ye, seven years her senior (MJTY & FoF), hint at how a project like this could potentially be executed in a tasteful and respectful manner.
There have been many instances of actors feeling pressured into doing things they feel uncomfortable with in the West. Scenes in movies they later regret. There is even an ongoing lawsuit against the director of Romeo & Juliet (1968) regarding pressuring the young actors into doing scenes they didn't want to do.
I don't see this being an issue in China. So, in a way, the heavily regulated Chinese film / TV industry lends itself to telling stories with heavy subject matter in a responsible way, for the benefit of both the performers and the audience. If the story needs to be watered down, refocused, or altered for it to meet the industry guidelines, they'll do it because that's the requirement. This is what gives me confidence that should the role be given to her, she won't be exploited or compromised in any way. Instead, the end product will likely be a tastefully executed, well-crafted, thought-provoking tale.
Well done, cast and crew. Hopefully, DA scoops up some awards this year (best actress for Mai Mai would be nice & well deserved 🙏). Tbh, this is one of the best acted dramas I've seen. Everybody brought their A-Game. Big part, small part, everyone shone bright. Take a bow. 👏
There is no doubt that the villains in this story had gone beyond the point of no return. However, at the same time, the story makes it clear that within each of them, humanity still remained. They weren't biologically broken or defective. They weren't beings of pure evil. Had they responded differently to earlier adversity, and chosen a different path, life could've been different. Even happy and prosperous. But in the end, the wrongs that were done can not be undone, and rightfully they were made to answer for their crimes.
The families of the guilty are victims themselves. There is nothing wrong with seeing it that way.
●8+ (Very good // Masterpiece)
●6 - 7.9 (Solid // Above average // Good)
●4.5 - 5.9 (Below average // Average // Solid)
●Anything lower should be the varying degrees of awful.
So, essentially, everyone tries to keep the drama they're watching at around 8+. If it slips into the 7s or lower, it has fallen into the abyss.
It sort of creates an incentive to inflate your ratings. For example, if I take two random films that I enjoy - Vampire's Kiss (1988) and GWTW (1939). The first is a bizarre, oddball cult classic. The second is undoubtedly a timeless masterpiece. I'd typically rate the first around 6.5. Even though I love the film. The latter I'd put around the 8.5 - 10 mark. I love both personally, but they don't belong in the same strata in terms of achievement. On MDL a rating of 6.5 would seem to indicate that I hate the show / movie. When in reality, it's the complete opposite. Hence, the temptation to make that 6.5 an 8+ instead.
PS... Thanks for the link, I enjoyed the Ai Mi story on that site. 😊