9lives

Another incorrect take. When you say nobody is asking China to stop making serious dramas, I would like to call to your attention the fact that in a subtle way but no longer so subtle, there is indeed a shift in how dramas are being made recently. We know creatives don’t have that much freedom over there, and still, with the little freedom they do have, we know how the people behind the scenes unfortunately have to bend the knee to agencies, massive fandoms and other external factors that end up messing with the overall quality of a drama. Heck, even web novel writers need to have a happy ending extra chapter in their sleeves lest the fans riot if the ending isn’t to their satisfaction. Kdramas have already started to lose their initial charm because they’re being influenced by Western notions. Things that made them special are now less and less particular to their culture and more closely associated to the old Hollywood formula.

So it’s not a case of serious dramas taking the space of other dramas. Of course not. But it can absolutely become the case of idol dramas of little substance taking the space and resources of productions that don’t already have not even 10% of the same marketing and investment of dramas that “all” international fans supposedly like. As part of this international side of cdrama watchers, I do not want to see more idol stuff taking the space of better productions, so I will call it out every single time. Douban, as flawed as it is, is a good index of how many of the so-called “masterpieces” in this side of the world actually fare in the eyes of Chinese audiences. Some older big hits that you speak of, I wonder how they would do with today’s international fans. Mostly those that only have Netflix as their source of cdramas. Probably would abandon them mid-way because the ending and the visuals aren’t up to their expectations. Food for thought.

Nope, it wasn’t aimed at you because tbh I didn’t have the time to read older comments (barely have the time to keep coming here as I used to a few years ago), but at the kind of MDL international fans we mostly see. Those who automatically dislike a drama unless there’s a happy ending. Those who think fluff and happy endings are the standards for good storytelling and so the space for other types of dramas get reduced dramatically, since who’s gonna invest in them if the majority seems to like the fluff only? I absolutely agree, there should be space for all kinds of different tastes, so why do the international fans seem to only like one kind of content? Thankfully in this regard, none of Tan’s dramas are on Netflix outside of Asia. The majority of his catalogue wouldn’t even subscribe to the international fans tastes.

But anyway, thanks for proving my point though. You did it better than I ever could :)

Absolutely, not to mention that it’s a very damaging kind of pandering because the audience thinks they know better but they actually don’t. That’s why we have so many pretty faces who clearly don’t know what they’re doing in roles of importance, or plots that make no sense other than making sure the couple stay together in the end, no matter the outcome or how they got there. The fandoms and powerful agencies play a big part in that too, and the investors unfortunately are swayed by them. No wonder the Chinese entertainment industry is facing a very long winter. It needs to continue to flop critically and become a joke until those someones in charge realize it’s not everyone who likes Hallmark-style content. China can and should do better.

Hi Joa! Thank you!

It’s the infantilization of the audience that gets me. I have Chinese entertainment in very high regard. I know that a country with 5000 years of culture can legit create true masterpieces. But this word has been thrown around so frequently lately, to describe dramas that are merely passable or slightly above average, only because they have The Combo (The Visuals + The Happy Ending), that I’m now starting to root for as much tragedy as they can possibly insert in a drama, as long as the quality remains. Also to piss off the happy ending crowd so they can give up and stop lowering the quality of dramas everywhere. First it was the kdramas, now they’re coming for cdramas as well. Please no.

As for the changes, I heard that the novel writer apparently said the drama was to be appreciated independently from her written work, so it’s making me wonder how much is really going to be similar to the book. Just as long as they don’t cut the Tan scenes and make the ML a mere side character in his own drama the way it seems to be the norm lately. Other than that, let’s hope for the best.

After some weeks offline and only recently having seen *those* leaks, I’m really rooting for the ending to follow its natural progression (aka what people like to call BE. Don’t know why it is even called a bad ending if happy endings aren’t necessarily good, just mostly fan service for the “I don’t watch good dramas unless my faves get their HE” crowd, but anyway).

Those times in history were harsh and this ain’t no fairy tale. Also it’s most likely the version that Tan would prefer, so even though I’m torn about watching or skipping those scenes, his acting can’t be wasted on “oh, it was just a ruse, he isn’t actually dead”. He’s dead, deal with it 😅🥹

I know, nobody asked, but just so people know that not every international fan has the same opinion on HE. Some of us prefer good dramas instead, regardless of the ending :3 I’ll shut up now

Is it confirmed that there will be two movies? 😍

I see you girlies have been talking about older Tan dramas so if I can give my two cents, I would recommend one of my favorite cdramas ever (not Tan drama only but in general): Winter Begonia.

He shows up in some episodes and his appearance throughout the drama is very important even though he’s a supporting character. I went in because of him but stayed because of everything else. So maybe give it a try. Some people have nicknamed it “Chinese Downton Abbey” and I can see where they are coming from. Beautiful in every way :)

8.2? This website really can’t be taken seriously

But it’s nice to see someone standing up for a change. The way those delinquents seem to think they’re unstoppable. It’s like the mafia. Apparently incident 227 wasn’t enough.

This place better not become insalubrious. It’s not your fault unemployment rates are so high.

Vai tomar block

I’ll go check your page. Finally someone with some insight in this comment section.

Try picking up a book instead.

China has such great productions and talent. It’s unfair to the actors themselves to reduce them to pretty faces. I don’t see this madness anywhere else except in Asia. I don’t see my fellow Latino actors being denied roles or becoming successful overnight because of how they look. It’s such an odd concept. Or European people saying they only watch European films because they want to see beautiful people in order to escape reality. Yet in China (other Asian countries as well, but since we’re talking only about China…) actors need to look a certain way to even be considered for a role, otherwise they’re bullied like no tomorrow. Priorities, I guess.

I think we are not allowed to wish for such a thing. Talk about censorship, right? 😉

Twitter, Threads, Instagram, MDL, all the comments I see are about pressed individuals who think their idol dramas are the true masterpieces of Chinese entertainment. Claiming that the majority of people only tune in because they want to “escape reality” looking at “handsome men and beautiful women”. It’s become a sort of consensus.

Yet you’re finding my comments condescending and with an air of superiority because I dare say that NO, not every international fan is merely concerned about looks and superficial things?

I’m not in the majority at all, so if there’s anyone who should be fighting to preserve a certain genre of drama from being obliterated by what the majority likes is people like me, who couldn’t care less about visuals over acting skills and other important elements.

I know there are non-idol dramas, thank goodness, except we never see fans of those dramas causing ruckus of such magnitude that the Chinese government feels the need to intervene in areas where it has no business being involved in.

It's always a very specific type of netizen commotion coming from a very specific type of fans that ends up with the tighter control and even more restrictions. And let me tell you, it’s not from the non-idol crowd. We know how to respect different tastes. In fact, we want many different types of dramas and actors to be successful internationally.

Idol drama lovers, on the other hand, don’t always extend us this same courtesy, if MDL users are but a tiny example of that.

Well, in a way, they’re all ordinary (no human being is truly ugly, beauty isn’t really on the outside but that’s a discussion for another day) if not for the following reasons: weight loss, facial procedures (even if minimal), extremely talented make up artists, good lighting, and finally, filters and post production. Sometimes all of the above. Remember, you’re not ugly, you’re just poor.

But to answer your question, yes, I have seen more “ordinary” looking actors in serious dramas, movies that end up going to festivals and such. Sometimes I wonder if they took some random people off the streets. That’s the beauty of these productions (no pun intended). You sometimes can’t tell if that person is an actor or just someone who walked in on the set. But that’s only because I care more about the immersion in the role they’re playing than how beautiful they look.

Pois é né. Primeiro o Xi, depois o Mephisto. Tenso hoje. E bem no feriado?

Ah, pode escrever para mim em Português tá?

This babe should watch some Chinese crime/thrillers instead. The captain or the main detective is always a woman, very capable and smarter than her peers. Overall, great characters in their own right. No emasculation of her counterparts needed. But oh well, not what most people wish to watch 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tough day today for those with working eyeballs, Mephisto.