Oh, this acting is so raw and real. I was just coming to post this, but you beat me to it 😁. Great work 👍.…
Yes, that's the one. Opposite the talented Neo. He's a real gentleman. The very nature of it is somewhat controversial. So, I knew if it was announced there would be a lot of mixed feelings / reactions. The concerns are valid. But so is the belief that the drama can be executed tastefully, and the story told well. International fans come from all over the world, so there's naturally going to be wide-ranging opinions. For me, I have faith in a heavily regulated industry / system keeping her safe, not allowing her to be put in compromising positions, and preventing her from being taken advantage of. But, for some, it's simply not acceptable or appropriate at all, and that's perfectly understandable.
In China, I believe there are some mixed feelings, too, but most people are fine with it. There is a history of these types of castings. It's just one of those dramas that unfortunately divides people. So, the comment section was always going to reflect that. It can't be helped. Also, a quick note, the favourite for the FL role was Tian Tian, who is one year (and a few days) older than Ai Mi, and has been doing lead roles since the age of sixteen. So, when she got caught up in a scandal, and the production team started looking for a replacement, it really wasn't surprising they went with Ai Mi. The two of them have been closely linked and compared since they debuted as child actors. Ai Mi was likely always the favourite when they moved on from HYTT.
By contrast, it's just so nice to be on the same page wishing for success and good things for the actors involved. That's what we have here with LIRD. There is nothing to complain or get upset about, so we can sit back and enjoy the ride and all the great moments they create together 🫶😊.
I posted this on ❤️AiMi's❤️ MDL page. I'm not 100% sure if her 🗡sword play 🗡 is in preparation for QG, or another project she is rumoured to be attached to. However, judging by her hair length, there is a good chance it might be QG related. So, I'll post this little clip of a hard-working little actor here, too...
CW shares a lot of overlapping themes with CD. Both are on my WL, so it will be interesting to compare them. Although…
How interesting. It seems very much like the old HW studio system. I'm actually someone who thinks that the old system was more of a positive than a negative. It had flaws, no doubt. But overall it produced good results. The flaws tended to affect the more established talent, as they were signed to long-term contracts (part of a studio's stable of actors). This prevented them pursuing good scripts if the rights were purchased by a rival studio. I think the only way they could make it work was if the studio loaned them out. WXY seems to be entering this stage now in C-ent.
The overwhelming positive aspect was talent acquisition and development. The studios were highly incentivised to invest in the development of young prospective stars. Screen acting was relatively new, and they figured out early that it was different from stage acting. So, they cast a wide net and screen-tested everyone from trained actors with formal training attained in the elite schools / academies. Models, dancers, and even people spotted on the street may be asked to come in and do a screen test. Lana Turner being discovered in a café was a famous example. The great screen icons of old HW came from a variety of different backgrounds: aristocratic, wealthy, middle class, and dirt poor. There was a great mix of the formally trained in top institutions, and those that learnt on the job. It really was a brilliant talent-maximising system.
I wish they had kept the talent investment part when they finally did away with it, because after that period ended, actors were on their own. If they could act, they could act, but if they couldn't, it was much harder to improve. They essentially have to do it on their own. Many modern HW actors never do. It hurts the quality of the current Western industry. In the old days, if they had something, the studio signed them to long-term contracts and went about training them to perform in films. They also helped craft personas for them. Name changes if necessary, new hair and general styling changes, professional photography and promotional assistance, and even voice coaching. It was all part of the branding and marketing.
I've noticed C-ent has close integration with celebrity SM content and the productions they star in. Likely, it seems, they get assistance and coaching in this, as it's a great form of modern marketing and promotion. Ai Mi, for example, just hit social media hard with photos and videos. It started with birthday content, a MV, a Douyin dance video connected to the MV, viral promotional assistance from many young celebrities, and then straight into booting content for her new drama as a FL. It has just been a continuous stream of content posting and fan engagement. All very impressive and savvy. No doubt the agencies or affiliates play a huge role in this.
So, perhaps insiders like YZ, although they have their flaws, overall are good for the industry. It's possible many careers wouldn't exist without him.
PS... I saw that a little fan dispute had emerged between Xingyue and LYR fans. Lol 😆. Seriously, what starts these things?
So glad this will finally get to air... Babygirl and her family are cleared.
I hope this is all behind her now. This drama deserves to be aired. LYR deserves his time in the spotlight, and HYTT deserves to continue pursuing her promising young career. I just saw the details on her MDL page.
The heat index is a metrix that indicates how popular a drama is on youku. So a drama is considered a massive…
Congratulations 🥳. I'm not watching the drama because it's not airing on Youku Int. But, I check in on Mai Mai everyday on Weibo. Great news. I'm so happy for her. She's becoming little Miss Heat Index. I will be back to congratulate her when she hits 10K.
CW shares a lot of overlapping themes with CD. Both are on my WL, so it will be interesting to compare them. Although…
Yes, a top-tier ML is a precious commodity.
Thanks for the info. I was curious because I think I saw his name attached to some fifteen-year-old girl who apparently has no industry experience. I was curious as to what his company actually does. Do they sign promising talent, or do they actually scout and develop talent like the old Hollywood system from the studio era? "You've got a good look, I can make you a star" kind of thing.
His lift and carry skills are truly superb. His FL is always safe in his arms. The clip where Ruohan has her hair…
Thanks for the Ruohan recommendations. I'm going to look into them. TBT was the first XRH drama I've seen. Tbh, I became an instant fan. I just usually like to confirm my initial feelings with some follow-up dramas. It is a good system, and it works both ways. I watched TSOKP for WXY and it was my first Lulu drama. Tbph, I didn't actually like her in it. But, I followed it up with TTEOTM, MM, Northward, and recently OAO. It's safe to say, I became a fan. I saw her acting ability, her screen presence, and I understood why she is so popular. She was amazing in those shows. Particularly, Northward. However, it's probably a safe bet that I'll love the next Ruohan drama I see. I'm actually going to pick one, and watch it in a down period between airing dramas. So, LIRD will probably be my third XRH drama 😁.
WXY in many ways is still a baby in Cdrama FML land. He served time in the SML / third wheel position for a while. Now, he's hitting his stride as FML. It's not surprising that the chemistry is so good here. He's growing and getting better and better as a FML. He's really confident now. He acts naturally and as himself backstage, having lots of fun onset and enjoying the experience with his FLs. It's amazing to see. XRH really is getting the best of him. He's at that point now where he can create the type of chemistry with his FLs that starts rumours.
Interesting info on how you became a Cdrama fan. I'm a little similar. I've been a Cdrama fan for three years, going on four. Not a newbie, but certainly not a seasoned veteran. Still learning a lot each day and with each new discussion. C-ent (drama and film) is actually now the only new media / modern film and TV that I consume. I gave up on modern Western films and television shows years ago (once in a blue moon I may watch a new Western movie or dramatic series). I stopped watching Japanese anime, too. However, I'm a huge fan of old Western cinema (American, European, and similar). So, when I'm not watching C-ent I go back to rummaging around looking for old Western films to watch. Typically, from the silent period up until the year 2000, give or take. Hollywood's golden age is my favourite.
Funnily enough, that's the reason I found Cdrama so appealing. I wanted to start watching some new content again, but I needed to find something that fit my tastes. I really despise modern Hollywood and European films. The more I discovered old films, the more I hated the modern variety. In many ways, Western cinema is dead to me. When I was researching both Kdrama and Cdrama and deciding what to choose, I went all in on Cdrama because people were starting to complain about Westernisation creeping into Kdrama. So, I instantly said nope, I'm out. Before I'd even begun.
Strangely, as I started getting deep into Cdrama, I found that it is its own unique thing, but it does actually share some wonderful similarities to Hollywood's great age. For example, old Hollywood excelled at romance and on-screen chemistry. It could make an age gap believable on chemistry and charisma alone. It also knew a thing or two about captivating leading ladies and charming leading men. Costume and set design were also areas they mastered. Long story short, Cdrama ended up being exactly what I was looking for.
Also, my top three actors are all young rising talents (born 02, 02, and 08). I picked them because they have a lot of potential, and I wanted to go on a journey and follow their career development. As I said, I'm not a beginner, but I haven't been watching for over a decade. So, I have people like Xiao Zhan on my wider list because, although he's brilliant, I've already missed much of his career in real time. I could go back and watch all his catalogue, but since Cdrama is the only modern content I watch, I like to stay as current as possible. I watch dramas from the past, but I don't really go back further than 2021. I tend to work my watching system as follows: C-ent is for modern watching. I try to keep it in real time. I prioritise new shows over shows from the catalogue. I prefer to follow actors from the late 90s and over because their careers tend to fit better with how long I've been watching Cdrama. I don't really watch shows from earlier than 2021 with the rare exception. My Western film watching is pretty much all archival / from the catalogue with the odd exception of something modern on rare occasions. My favourite Western actors are mostly all dead, so I return to their completed catalogue frequently to watch their old films. French screen icon Alain Delon is an example of someone I do this for.
JULY 16th: Yayyy we get reuter clips of Xingyue & Ruohan filming together. We haven't had a bts clip of Dingyi…
Oh, this acting is so raw and real. I was just coming to post this, but you beat me to it 😁. Great work 👍.
I'm actually fulfilling a similar role on the drama page of Ai Mi's new show, which is her first as FL in a costume drama. So, it's a bit special. Photos, bts content, etc. I'm posting it. But, I'm no way near as organised and as tidy as you.
PS... This comment section is so chilled and enjoyable compared to that one which is controversial and heated. It is my therapy to come here and enjoy the chemistry and vibes ❤️.
Too many people are watching for them to pull any funny business. Neo is a gentleman. AiMi will be looked after.…
It's not so surprising. The original favourite for this role was Tian Tian (who had already been doing lead roles since the age of 16 / 17). When the earnings scandal hit, they needed a replacement. It's really no surprise the girl who Tian Tian gets compared to the most became the new hot favourite. I believe the other actresses that were considered to replace HYTT were always a long shot, and AiMi was the one they wanted.
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1 
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In China, I believe there are some mixed feelings, too, but most people are fine with it. There is a history of these types of castings. It's just one of those dramas that unfortunately divides people. So, the comment section was always going to reflect that. It can't be helped. Also, a quick note, the favourite for the FL role was Tian Tian, who is one year (and a few days) older than Ai Mi, and has been doing lead roles since the age of sixteen. So, when she got caught up in a scandal, and the production team started looking for a replacement, it really wasn't surprising they went with Ai Mi. The two of them have been closely linked and compared since they debuted as child actors. Ai Mi was likely always the favourite when they moved on from HYTT.
By contrast, it's just so nice to be on the same page wishing for success and good things for the actors involved. That's what we have here with LIRD. There is nothing to complain or get upset about, so we can sit back and enjoy the ride and all the great moments they create together 🫶😊.
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7526791873667550483
The overwhelming positive aspect was talent acquisition and development. The studios were highly incentivised to invest in the development of young prospective stars. Screen acting was relatively new, and they figured out early that it was different from stage acting. So, they cast a wide net and screen-tested everyone from trained actors with formal training attained in the elite schools / academies. Models, dancers, and even people spotted on the street may be asked to come in and do a screen test. Lana Turner being discovered in a café was a famous example. The great screen icons of old HW came from a variety of different backgrounds: aristocratic, wealthy, middle class, and dirt poor. There was a great mix of the formally trained in top institutions, and those that learnt on the job. It really was a brilliant talent-maximising system.
I wish they had kept the talent investment part when they finally did away with it, because after that period ended, actors were on their own. If they could act, they could act, but if they couldn't, it was much harder to improve. They essentially have to do it on their own. Many modern HW actors never do. It hurts the quality of the current Western industry. In the old days, if they had something, the studio signed them to long-term contracts and went about training them to perform in films. They also helped craft personas for them. Name changes if necessary, new hair and general styling changes, professional photography and promotional assistance, and even voice coaching. It was all part of the branding and marketing.
I've noticed C-ent has close integration with celebrity SM content and the productions they star in. Likely, it seems, they get assistance and coaching in this, as it's a great form of modern marketing and promotion. Ai Mi, for example, just hit social media hard with photos and videos. It started with birthday content, a MV, a Douyin dance video connected to the MV, viral promotional assistance from many young celebrities, and then straight into booting content for her new drama as a FL. It has just been a continuous stream of content posting and fan engagement. All very impressive and savvy. No doubt the agencies or affiliates play a huge role in this.
So, perhaps insiders like YZ, although they have their flaws, overall are good for the industry. It's possible many careers wouldn't exist without him.
PS... I saw that a little fan dispute had emerged between Xingyue and LYR fans. Lol 😆. Seriously, what starts these things?
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7526791873667550483
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527928044405869859
Bird's eye view of ❤️AiMi❤️ on-set...
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7528036757465697590
💙Neo & AiMi❤️ just a glimpse in green...
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527349436386905396
https://weibo.com/detail/5189166830716429
+ An extra 💙Neo💙 candid behind umbrellas ☂️ ...
https://weibo.com/detail/5189450490973482
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527687141154213179
Another clip of ❤️AiMi❤️ in costume discussing her scene 📽...
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527662874634947900
https://weibo.com/detail/5189146953648758
💙Neo & AiMi❤️ together on-set 🎬...
https://weibo.com/detail/5189239852761388
Thanks for the info. I was curious because I think I saw his name attached to some fifteen-year-old girl who apparently has no industry experience. I was curious as to what his company actually does. Do they sign promising talent, or do they actually scout and develop talent like the old Hollywood system from the studio era? "You've got a good look, I can make you a star" kind of thing.
WXY in many ways is still a baby in Cdrama FML land. He served time in the SML / third wheel position for a while. Now, he's hitting his stride as FML. It's not surprising that the chemistry is so good here. He's growing and getting better and better as a FML. He's really confident now. He acts naturally and as himself backstage, having lots of fun onset and enjoying the experience with his FLs. It's amazing to see. XRH really is getting the best of him. He's at that point now where he can create the type of chemistry with his FLs that starts rumours.
Interesting info on how you became a Cdrama fan. I'm a little similar. I've been a Cdrama fan for three years, going on four. Not a newbie, but certainly not a seasoned veteran. Still learning a lot each day and with each new discussion. C-ent (drama and film) is actually now the only new media / modern film and TV that I consume. I gave up on modern Western films and television shows years ago (once in a blue moon I may watch a new Western movie or dramatic series). I stopped watching Japanese anime, too. However, I'm a huge fan of old Western cinema (American, European, and similar). So, when I'm not watching C-ent I go back to rummaging around looking for old Western films to watch. Typically, from the silent period up until the year 2000, give or take. Hollywood's golden age is my favourite.
Funnily enough, that's the reason I found Cdrama so appealing. I wanted to start watching some new content again, but I needed to find something that fit my tastes. I really despise modern Hollywood and European films. The more I discovered old films, the more I hated the modern variety. In many ways, Western cinema is dead to me. When I was researching both Kdrama and Cdrama and deciding what to choose, I went all in on Cdrama because people were starting to complain about Westernisation creeping into Kdrama. So, I instantly said nope, I'm out. Before I'd even begun.
Strangely, as I started getting deep into Cdrama, I found that it is its own unique thing, but it does actually share some wonderful similarities to Hollywood's great age. For example, old Hollywood excelled at romance and on-screen chemistry. It could make an age gap believable on chemistry and charisma alone. It also knew a thing or two about captivating leading ladies and charming leading men. Costume and set design were also areas they mastered. Long story short, Cdrama ended up being exactly what I was looking for.
Also, my top three actors are all young rising talents (born 02, 02, and 08). I picked them because they have a lot of potential, and I wanted to go on a journey and follow their career development. As I said, I'm not a beginner, but I haven't been watching for over a decade. So, I have people like Xiao Zhan on my wider list because, although he's brilliant, I've already missed much of his career in real time. I could go back and watch all his catalogue, but since Cdrama is the only modern content I watch, I like to stay as current as possible. I watch dramas from the past, but I don't really go back further than 2021. I tend to work my watching system as follows: C-ent is for modern watching. I try to keep it in real time. I prioritise new shows over shows from the catalogue. I prefer to follow actors from the late 90s and over because their careers tend to fit better with how long I've been watching Cdrama. I don't really watch shows from earlier than 2021 with the rare exception. My Western film watching is pretty much all archival / from the catalogue with the odd exception of something modern on rare occasions. My favourite Western actors are mostly all dead, so I return to their completed catalogue frequently to watch their old films. French screen icon Alain Delon is an example of someone I do this for.
PS.... I loved ZLS in TSOPG.
I'm actually fulfilling a similar role on the drama page of Ai Mi's new show, which is her first as FL in a costume drama. So, it's a bit special. Photos, bts content, etc. I'm posting it. But, I'm no way near as organised and as tidy as you.
PS... This comment section is so chilled and enjoyable compared to that one which is controversial and heated. It is my therapy to come here and enjoy the chemistry and vibes ❤️.
https://weibo.com/detail/5189040036119557
+ an AiMi extra. Looks like a little professional discussing her scenes...
https://weibo.com/detail/5189000522110433
https://weibo.com/detail/5189053469429583
https://weibo.com/detail/5189042767135930
https://weibo.com/detail/5189052529907760