Just because the production team chose Zhu Ye doesn't necessarily mean that if we don't feel satisfied with her…
Oh, I've lived long enough to know that a drama or actress will never appeal to everyone and that's reality which is totally fine. I'm not stopping anyone from complaining or feeling disappointed if that's the message you got. Even if the drama was adapted your way, people may dislike it even more than this version. There's no telling and that's assuming you're genuine and passionate about having a faithful adaptation in your mind. What makes anyone think the production crew isn't genuine in adapting the story considering all the ends and outs, obstacles and hardships, trends and culture, they know about that we don't?! I'm just offering a different opinion on why this adaptation isn't some people's cup of tea but doesn't mean the production crew messed up. The production crew has their own perspective and interpretation.
"I could also retort with why is the producers' vision of He Yan's character also right?" Yes, they're right and it's also their right. THIS drama is their version of the story. They paid for it. If you don't like it, don't pay for it. This drama is meant for the audience, yes. But if you're not part of that audience who enjoys it, then it's not for you. Pretty simple. There may be different adaptations in the future like The Prisoner of Beauty that are very different from each other. Each to their own. No one adaptation is going to make everyone happy.
I've read the novel and am okay with the drama because I know that when it comes to producing Chinese dramas, there's A LOT that influences the final product, even more so than Korean dramas. I completely treat the drama as its own story. I've never seen a drama adapt a novel the way I pictured and that's fine.
So many complaints on here about Zhou Ye or He Yan not being masculine or general enough? Haha, maybe that's WHO the writer, director, producers, team wanted He Yan to be? Why is your description or imagination of a how a general should be right?! Even if you read the book, so what? Even if you gather all the generals together, and? The team are professionals, millions are at stake, took 3-4 months to film, 1.5 years of editing, you don't think they took their jobs seriously? Just take the drama for what it is. We're already almost halfway, don't stress yourself out thinking it should've been this or that. All the examples, actresses and characters, mentioned that are better than Zhou Ye as He Yan makes me laugh. They literally can't pass the guy check either but what? Just because they don't smile, aren't cheeky, don't play around like He Yan, makes them passable? The double standards. Maybe that's why He Yan is this way, TO NOT REPEAT those gender bender roles from the past. If this drama doesn't make you happy, don't watch it. Go back to watching those examples you mentioned because He Yan isn't going to change. This is how this drama version wrote her out to be, understand that. They're not wrong, it's their vision, their interpretation, so stop believing that it was a miscast or should've been different. The production LITERALLY casted for He Yan and Zhou Ye got the role, so stop this nonsense. He Yan is a fictional character, they could design her any way they want.
It's one thing to say Zhou Ye can't act which I don't see much on here and a whole other issue claiming He Yan should be something else. That's too much projecting and imposing your beliefs and expectations onto the drama. The drama adaptations are always different from the novels. This drama is far from being perfect. I, too, wished they had focused a bit more on He Yan's back story in the beginning to give us more of a foundation to connect with before jumping back into the military but seeing how much they like flashbacks, maybe they will later? Maybe they won't. But I'm going to enjoy the ride for what it is now. I'm not saying you can't complain. I'm just saying maybe there's nothing wrong with He Yan but your own bias and beliefs. A lot of us like the drama; some comments say we lack to think that way? Haha, I don't think anyone lacks believing a certain way, we just don't align. Anyone who doesn't like Zhou Ye as He Yan just has a completely different imagination of who He Yan should be. And don't act like this is THE ONLY idol drama where we have to suspend our brains and beliefs. Don't get me started with The Double. Haha.😂
This drama is getting better and better, so the ratings here are pretty accurate. I'm still praying that this drama hits 30K, soon. It took The Prisoner of Beauty 6 days and The Glory 12 days to hit 30K. It has only been 5 days, so still cheering them on but this drama is airing on so many platforms and television, it may be a bit harder. 🤔❤️
female characters will always be criticised no matter what they do or how they act. we’ve seen it over and over…
Bravo! 🥳👏🏼People be complaining about a freaking drama! Ain't no way any Chinese actress would look like a guy including Mulan Liu Yi Fei. Perhaps they need to put some dirt on Zhou Ye's face all the time because that literally is the only difference between them. 😂
I've a serious question:Why's this drama getting so much hate on weibo, rednote and douyin so early?
It always begins off that way. Smear campaigns, other jealous fandoms, then some true reviews in the mix. Just watch it and be your own judge. The pacing and editing in the first few episodes was a bit problematic though. They could've focused on building the emotions so we can connect to the stories a bit more.
Are you kidding me? It's an idol drama. Are Chinese men blind or what? You're taking this drama, which was meant…
Your example of a good cross dresser was Dilraba when she's quite thin herself and with a pretty face and feminine body like that, she too, like Zhou Ye, can't pass for a guy. So I found it funny that you complained about Zhou Ye yet praised Dilraba. I understand we all have biases and preferences. And no, just because I don't agree with you doesn't make me delulu. Name calling for what? 😂 This drama isn't perfect. I'm not saying it is. It's a bit boring at times and certain things could be done more interestingly.
1 
"I could also retort with why is the producers' vision of He Yan's character also right?" Yes, they're right and it's also their right. THIS drama is their version of the story. They paid for it. If you don't like it, don't pay for it. This drama is meant for the audience, yes. But if you're not part of that audience who enjoys it, then it's not for you. Pretty simple. There may be different adaptations in the future like The Prisoner of Beauty that are very different from each other. Each to their own. No one adaptation is going to make everyone happy.
I've read the novel and am okay with the drama because I know that when it comes to producing Chinese dramas, there's A LOT that influences the final product, even more so than Korean dramas. I completely treat the drama as its own story. I've never seen a drama adapt a novel the way I pictured and that's fine.
It's one thing to say Zhou Ye can't act which I don't see much on here and a whole other issue claiming He Yan should be something else. That's too much projecting and imposing your beliefs and expectations onto the drama. The drama adaptations are always different from the novels. This drama is far from being perfect. I, too, wished they had focused a bit more on He Yan's back story in the beginning to give us more of a foundation to connect with before jumping back into the military but seeing how much they like flashbacks, maybe they will later? Maybe they won't. But I'm going to enjoy the ride for what it is now. I'm not saying you can't complain. I'm just saying maybe there's nothing wrong with He Yan but your own bias and beliefs. A lot of us like the drama; some comments say we lack to think that way? Haha, I don't think anyone lacks believing a certain way, we just don't align. Anyone who doesn't like Zhou Ye as He Yan just has a completely different imagination of who He Yan should be. And don't act like this is THE ONLY idol drama where we have to suspend our brains and beliefs. Don't get me started with The Double. Haha.😂