can you explain more about "it's a vehicle for soft power and industry promotion"? like does china want…
LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK! 🗣️ You absolutely nailed it. C-Ent is speed-running the Hollywood decline and it’s painful to watch. It’s the exact same disease: Hollywood: Obsessed with "The Message" (Social politics/Checklists) over actual plot. C-Dramas: Obsessed with "The Mandate" (Gov propaganda/Industrial power) over actual logic. Writers aren't storytellers anymore, they're just checking boxes to keep their jobs. That’s why we get hot garbage like Shine on Me where a literal neurosurgeon randomly pivots to making solar panels just to satisfy a government quota. It’s synthetic, soulless, and insulting to our intelligence. Whether it’s a lazy Disney remake or a CCP commercial disguised as a romance—trash is trash. We are here for drama, not a lecture! 💀📉
I don't think its really propaganda its just these genre of Romance that takes part in some hot chinese industry…
I get where you're coming from—censorship definitely forces shows to be positive—but there is a huge difference between 'avoiding trouble' and 'active state messaging.' The reason this show is being called 'brainwashing' isn't because the characters are hardworking; it's because of how they insert specific political narratives into a romance to normalize them for global audiences. Two things to consider: 1. The 'Background Noise' is the Trap: You mentioned you Fast Forward through the industry talk, but that is exactly how soft power works. It relies on subliminal normalization. When they sneak a controversial 'Nine-Dash Line' map into a boring business presentation (which literally got the show banned in Vietnam this week), they are betting on international viewers not noticing or caring. If 10 million fans see that map and ignore it, that illegal territorial claim slowly becomes 'accepted geography' in the public subconscious. That affects global citizens, not just China. 2. The 'Surgeon to Solar' Pipeline is Not a Trope: In Dramaland, people usually quit jobs to follow their dreams or for love. In this show, a neurosurgeon quitting to join the Solar/PV industry isn't a random writer's choice. It aligns perfectly with the government's current mandate to push the 'New Three' exports (Solar, EVs, Batteries). They are using the lead actor’s face to recruit for the state economy. It is effective propaganda specifically because it looks like a harmless romance. If it looked like a news report, we would all turn it off. By wrapping it in a love story, they bypass our critical thinking.
can you explain more about "it's a vehicle for soft power and industry promotion"? like does china want…
They don't just want you to buy the solar panel. They want you to believe that the standard for green energy is Chinese, the territory shown on the map is Chinese, and the future belongs to their engineers.
It is a classic case of a high-budget production relying on "S+ tier" actors to mask a hollow, propagandist script. If you were looking for a genuine romance, this isn't it; it's a vehicle for soft power and industry promotion. Rating 1 star to counteract potential fake review spam.
"Tomorrow" is a fantasy K-drama that follows grim reapers saving people on the brink of suicide. While praised for its ambition and topics, many viewers—including myself—feel it doesn't live up to the hype.
Strengths: -Visual production and CGI are impressive. -Tackles sensitive issues like mental health and societal pressure. -Some episodes feature memorable guest stories and emotional moments.
Weaknesses: -Fragmented storytelling: The show focuses heavily on side stories, which can make the main protagonist feel sidelined and the narrative lack consistent momentum. -Pacing issues: Episodic structure leads to disjointed character arcs and makes it hard to stay emotionally invested in the main cast. -Underdeveloped leads: Main characters, especially the protagonist, don’t show significant growth or drive, leading to a weak emotional payoff. -Overrated: Many viewers found the series does not live up to its early buzz or positive reviews, feeling let down by slow pacing and meandering stories.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a tightly written ensemble or strong protagonist arc, "Tomorrow" is likely to disappoint. The focus on episodic guest stories over a main narrative leaves the series feeling fragmented and, for some, like a waste of time despite its good intentions and production values.
Ok, the idea itself is cool, the first episodes are good, and then we have a boringly developed story stretched…
For anyone who might get confused by this comment, I believe the commenter means they had to fast-forward or skip through the episodes due to the slow story.
Given their frustration, this makes more sense than "rewinding" to re-watch boring scenes.
You absolutely nailed it. C-Ent is speed-running the Hollywood decline and it’s painful to watch.
It’s the exact same disease:
Hollywood: Obsessed with "The Message" (Social politics/Checklists) over actual plot.
C-Dramas: Obsessed with "The Mandate" (Gov propaganda/Industrial power) over actual logic.
Writers aren't storytellers anymore, they're just checking boxes to keep their jobs. That’s why we get hot garbage like Shine on Me where a literal neurosurgeon randomly pivots to making solar panels just to satisfy a government quota. It’s synthetic, soulless, and insulting to our intelligence.
Whether it’s a lazy Disney remake or a CCP commercial disguised as a romance—trash is trash. We are here for drama, not a lecture! 💀📉
Two things to consider:
1. The 'Background Noise' is the Trap: You mentioned you Fast Forward through the industry talk, but that is exactly how soft power works. It relies on subliminal normalization. When they sneak a controversial 'Nine-Dash Line' map into a boring business presentation (which literally got the show banned in Vietnam this week), they are betting on international viewers not noticing or caring. If 10 million fans see that map and ignore it, that illegal territorial claim slowly becomes 'accepted geography' in the public subconscious. That affects global citizens, not just China.
2. The 'Surgeon to Solar' Pipeline is Not a Trope: In Dramaland, people usually quit jobs to follow their dreams or for love. In this show, a neurosurgeon quitting to join the Solar/PV industry isn't a random writer's choice. It aligns perfectly with the government's current mandate to push the 'New Three' exports (Solar, EVs, Batteries). They are using the lead actor’s face to recruit for the state economy.
It is effective propaganda specifically because it looks like a harmless romance. If it looked like a news report, we would all turn it off. By wrapping it in a love story, they bypass our critical thinking.
Strengths:
-Visual production and CGI are impressive.
-Tackles sensitive issues like mental health and societal pressure.
-Some episodes feature memorable guest stories and emotional moments.
Weaknesses:
-Fragmented storytelling: The show focuses heavily on side stories, which can make the main protagonist feel sidelined and the narrative lack consistent momentum.
-Pacing issues: Episodic structure leads to disjointed character arcs and makes it hard to stay emotionally invested in the main cast.
-Underdeveloped leads: Main characters, especially the protagonist, don’t show significant growth or drive, leading to a weak emotional payoff.
-Overrated: Many viewers found the series does not live up to its early buzz or positive reviews, feeling let down by slow pacing and meandering stories.
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a tightly written ensemble or strong protagonist arc, "Tomorrow" is likely to disappoint. The focus on episodic guest stories over a main narrative leaves the series feeling fragmented and, for some, like a waste of time despite its good intentions and production values.
Given their frustration, this makes more sense than "rewinding" to re-watch boring scenes.