Yu Menglong, through the honest, courageous, kind, and strong characters he brought to life in his dramas, introduced…
Yu Menglong did not claim to be Uighur nor was a known dissenter. He was only born in Urumqi, in a working class family, like many Han Chinese, and went to study in Beijing, not in the famous Minorities university but, from his teens on, in the affiliated high school of the Beijing Contemporary Music Academy later graduating in music studies in Beijing. He was not a Moslem either, despite some fake Tiktok videos now circulate to link him to non existent repression of Uighurs and Moslems.
It is sad that the death of the multi talented and handsome actor lauded by many stars and leaders in the industry from Yang Mi to Dilireba is exploited for political reasons, to create an anti China campaign, and agitate from foreign accounts (Taiwan among them), stirred by operatives who have a vested interest in the current trade war with the USA and countries that are shackled to it... It is sad also that video gawkers can't tell the difference between spliced and AI created footage or sound "recordings" and reality and let themselves be convinced from bias and lies sown in sensationalist attention seeking media, disregarding travelers and residents accounts and reports to the contrary. And disregarding the express wishes of the own mother of Yu Menglong to calm down, and only mourn with her the accidental death of her son. It is sad that, in their eagerness for witch hunting, some netizens target Yu Menglong's friends as well, from mere unreliable rumors and proven fake videos, or use these to gain money from clicks building more rumors and lies and agitation into the toxic rumor.
His work in many dramas survive him and that's where drama watchers should appreciate it and wish him to rest in peace instead of letting his memory be used for political reasons as the "martyr" of an imagined "cover up" of "reasons unknown".
The most toxic I came across was the one depicting him as beaten, dragged on the floor, raped, hung from window : this is so disrespectful and hurtful to his family and friends to be luridly depicted with fake videos. Those who do that or spread such toxicity and such calls for witch hunting should indeed be prosecuted and at least be banned from social media if justice for Yu Menglong is to be achieved.
Myself, I had not noticed his guest appearance in Feud, and was not his follower although the trouble made me dig into his biography, his social media Weibo account (still online) which drew attention to the drama that aired in May (Hidden Master) in which he played, and to his pride in his country and celebrations (Dragon Boat festival, end of Japanese war of aggression, anniversary of Wenchuan earthquake and heroic relief efforts). I also sampled some genuine clips of his dramas and singing and more. I don't doubt the dramas he worked in have merits and although I did not have time to finish Wenderella, White Snake and some other dramas like the one on this page, in which he played, I may look at them more closely in future, when I find them (they have of course not been censored away from platforms) together with sending my RIP prayers over time and condolences to his remaining parents, friends and colleagues.
Come to think of it, the ongoing campaign by misled people may also further discourage the release of one drama that got shelved long ago for scandals attached to it, but which would be an interesting watch for History, filming sets (not in Hengdian), and more: "The Fated General", embroiled also in the family strife between ML actor Zhang Ruoyun (of Joy of Life fame) and his father. There was some glimmer of hope in months past that the drama could be de-shelved, but I think the current waves stirred up will make that one be pushed to bin, now, forever burying the efforts of the cast and Yu Menglong who was among MLs....
Yes, mistaking fantasy for reality and believing game or drama universes can somehow be preferable to the real one is indeed a danger if some kids don't be taught early on the difference between truth and imagination. With imagination, any cruel and strange stuff, beating villains or heroines to pulp, flying free out windows like in Peter Pan, meeting demons and fairies, using magic or "cultivation" to get to places "beyond this world" are all fine, provided people don't go imitating too much, and only have fun on some occasions with things like anime cosplay gatherings or wearing and appreciating Hanfu where it does not become a problem (like getting the long dresses and sleeves caught in the escalator and end up in hospital!). I liked the drama "Filter" which had a fun take on magic vs reality, and had both Looney Tunes over-the-top like situations and deeper ideas about social norms in-bedded.
again time travel?! Why this years so many time travels? Love game in eastern fantasy, a dream within a dream,…
The ones you quoted are fantasy, not really time travel. >Falling into game, >Falling into film or drama script, >Falling into dream fantasy. These were all good sure, although for some reason (perhaps ROTAR memory, perhaps I still haven't warmed up enough to Esther Yu), I did not really enjoy LGIEF, contrary to the other two Then you got science fiction inspired alternate universes dramas, sometimes "switching between these", like "Mobius"... or "time loops" to escape from, like "Reset". Time travel dramas are more in mini dramas these past few years, and mostly in the form of >individuals reliving their life from a certain point to change it after having been killed. Except "Joy of Life" and its season 2 which are set in "far future with Chinese ancient history trappings" and has quite magical elements blended with technology. I think the ban on dramas featuring time travel to ancient China (like in 2011 "Scarlet Heart" or 2001 "A Step Into The Past") is still on in China because of the risk to misrepresent the past or some other concerns. See below in comments : Enigma05 explanation about "transmigration" vs "time travel" and replies to that post.
I watched for Chen Zheyuan but immediately liked Li Qin and wondered why I have not watched her before. Then realised…
I don't remember when I stumbled onto a drama featuring her, but all those I saw, she was shining in -- she is indeed special! Yes, Lin Wan'er in and 2024 JoL alongside ; Shen Jinzhen in 2024 War of Faith; Tong Xiaomei in 2023 The Youth Memories; funny and brazen Yu DengDeng in 2022 Thousand Years For You ; airy Xia Chu in 2021 My Dear Guardian ; Ma Zhaixing in 2020 The Wolf ; the princess of Wei in 2018 Princess Agents ; ... and Xue Baochai in 2010 The Dream of Red Mansions (which featured a slew of now established stars, Yang Yang, Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, etc) -- I didn't watch the latter at the time (busy with work not watching dramas although I was a movie fiend then) but later, online, and it is still one of if not the best adaptation of the classic novel. I haven't graduated to "full fan" of Sweet Li /QinQin, haven't watched everything in her filmography, only a few interviews and BTS for a couple of dramas, curious about her having played Yang KaiHui, the red heroine, several times but haven't found my way to find them yet, and I still have to explore her Qin Ying fandom, but I admit her name alongside that of Chen Zheyuan made me look especially forward to Fated Hearts!
the opening OST is it Sa Dingding, sounds like her
It is; look below for my other comment on that : π€ "The opening theme song "Laughing with the song" or "A laughter follows the song" (direct translation of drama Chinese title) has lyrics and co-composition by Zhang Xiaokui working with co-composer Sa Dingging, Inner Mongolian singer-composer who indeed had some songs in the dramas you remember : If You Come Back (ε¦θ₯ε½ζ₯) - The Long Ballad (2021); Flowers Fall Without Trace (θ±θ½ζ η) - Moonlight Mystique (2025) but also worked on several other dramas.
I remember best her haunting Upwards to the Moon (ε·¦ζζζ) - Ashes of Love (2018) although she also sang a version of Unsullied/Bu Ran for that drama. Here is my favorite video of her performing Upwards to The Moon for Midautumn festival 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1KwPqbPP5o together with Zhou Shen for the occasion.
It is appropriate to remember that song and event since on the 6th this month it will again be mooncakes and moongazing festival (Zhongqiujie) in the tail end of this year's Golden Week in China which started on National day yesterday and ends on Wednesday 8 next."
Yes --- I am also watching ongoing Love's Ambition, featuring CZY's well known partner in Hidden Love π Costume and modern on my plate, also some more, but a little less continuously because some trouble home (poor younger son had an accident yesterday and broke ... one arm and the other one's thumb !!) So am on alert mostly for him
I think itβs the same woman who did the long ballad and moonlight mystique OST
The opening theme song "Laughing with the song" or "A laughter follows the song" (direct translation of drama Chinese title) has lyrics and co-composition by Zhang Xiaokui working with co-composer Sa Dingging, Inner Mongolian singer-composer who indeed had some songs in the dramas you remember : If You Come Back (ε¦θ₯ε½ζ₯) - The Long Ballad (2021); Flowers Fall Without Trace (θ±θ½ζ η) - Moonlight Mystique (2025) but also worked on several other dramas.
I remember best her haunting Upwards to the Moon (ε·¦ζζζ) - Ashes of Love (2018) although she also sang a version of Unsullied/Bu Ran for that drama. Here is my favorite video of her performing Upwards to The Moon for Midautumn festival 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1KwPqbPP5o together with Zhou Shen for the occasion.
It is appropriate to remember that song and event since on the 6th this month it will again be mooncakes and moongazing festival (Zhongqiujie) in the tail end of this year's Golden Week in China which started on National day yesterday and ends on Wednesday 8 next.
The OST in the opening is so beautiful, and of course itβs the only thing I get to see for now π€£π
Yes, it is a nice one to be saved -- but the drama started already, so why can't you see it? Do you wait for "alternate platform" instead of watching iQIYI original?
Story of Kunming Palace with Bai Lu, Zhang Linghe and Wang Xingyue? neither Chen Zheyuan nor Li Qin were in that SOKP cast. So who do you mean to see again here ?
The rumors are weird no one is saying how did he fall like was the windows broken ? How does one fall off a window
Easy peasy. Open it, lean out, slide out or fall from a dizzy spell, with or without a mosquito net. Especially if you are standing on a high windowsill like the ones often found in Beijing high end apartments when they are often used to lie on and read or even rest.
It also happens to window cleaners btw, if they have not secured themselves with relevant equipment.
The twin of a former classmate of mine fell to her death that way, from inebriation, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, while drinking herself stupid with other party goers. She opened a window, stood on a chair to do so, because it was not easy to open, and fell out, after probably believing she could fly. Police ruled it as an accident with no foul play, no-one pushing her out, either, no clear suicidal intent. The friends who saw her fall suffered nightmares for long, her twin and parents were heartbroken and had to deal with repatriating her remains to their home country.
There are dozens of tales about mothers losing a small child who leans out of a window in tall buildings. Similar reason: kids and inebriated adults don't evaluate danger as sober adults do.
Someone asked why poor Alan Yu's passing was not even mentioned originally. Only to then post this attention grabbing…
Agree with you generally although I don't believe MDL consciously " try and generate hate and whip up conflict in an already sad death." The police report was not put out in translation as suspicious, it is the commentators who are going overboard with imagination, perhaps they watched too many revenge or vertical dramas and think this is reality ?
I wholeheartedly agree with the authorities and security. People are foul and there was speculation the day after…
I totally agree with you about the speed of reaction especially with videos and fantastical allegations such as "he carried a friend's Rolex in his pocket" (wtf?!) and totally unbelievable "he swallowed a USB probably/surely loaded with incriminating information" and was "swiftly cremated before autopsy" All that immediately made me highly suspicious of the rumors.
C-netizens and worse, foreign media are fond of scandals, and it is a fact that foreign agencies use every possible means to agitate and perpetuate the Uyghur torture and concentration camp charade, and accuse "powerful people" leading up to "evil CCP" (the proper abbreviation is CPC btw, so when you spot that, you may think of Taiwanese hackers and operatives paid by a certain foreign agency... They don't stoop to foment and applaud violence on the streets and spread toxic innuendos)
So, no, I have no doubt about police reports and believe they are accurate. No hidden link to "evil Xi Jinping" who probably never heard about the actor before.
Yu Menglong was not a known dissenter to be silenced. He was a pretty face, sure, but throwing about suspicion that he was sexually tempting to other men is both a stretch and an insult to his memory and family. I am sorry for his mother who is subjected to other rumors now, and for his colleagues who were drawn into the witch hunt.
There are also links in this case to foreign influence and Taiwan agitators who have an agenda to use any story to paint China black, even if it may cause distrust of Chinese people and even ABCs abroad, or wider Asian hate, such as the Thai doctor who was mauled during covid because he "looked Chinese". Such incidents are dismissed as collateral damage by the agitators who masquerade as going to seek "Justice" and war against all who go against their rants.
Now we have an Avaaz petition getting traction : Avaaz is not in China and it's been a while since it got under the thumb of a certain agency to foment trouble in various countries while playing saintly whistle-blower about say, Indian girls burned or raped and other atrocities which I am sure do happen. In some cases, the campaigns on the other hand, are simply arising from rumors and biases and propaganda, lies and brainwashing to a political end : in this instance, fighting China influence and reputation, dismissing the evils done in the past against the country, painting all Chinese as liars to break trust in business deals, or as copycat patent thieves (despite the humongous number of patents China has registered and the myriad of homegrown innovations the country has brought to the world over millennia) so some campaigns are highly suspicious, like in this case.
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He was not a Moslem either, despite some fake Tiktok videos now circulate to link him to non existent repression of Uighurs and Moslems.
It is sad that the death of the multi talented and handsome actor lauded by many stars and leaders in the industry from Yang Mi to Dilireba is exploited for political reasons, to create an anti China campaign, and agitate from foreign accounts (Taiwan among them), stirred by operatives who have a vested interest in the current trade war with the USA and countries that are shackled to it...
It is sad also that video gawkers can't tell the difference between spliced and AI created footage or sound "recordings" and reality and let themselves be convinced from bias and lies sown in sensationalist attention seeking media, disregarding travelers and residents accounts and reports to the contrary. And disregarding the express wishes of the own mother of Yu Menglong to calm down, and only mourn with her the accidental death of her son.
It is sad that, in their eagerness for witch hunting, some netizens target Yu Menglong's friends as well, from mere unreliable rumors and proven fake videos, or use these to gain money from clicks building more rumors and lies and agitation into the toxic rumor.
His work in many dramas survive him and that's where drama watchers should appreciate it and wish him to rest in peace instead of letting his memory be used for political reasons as the "martyr" of an imagined "cover up" of "reasons unknown".
The most toxic I came across was the one depicting him as beaten, dragged on the floor, raped, hung from window : this is so disrespectful and hurtful to his family and friends to be luridly depicted with fake videos. Those who do that or spread such toxicity and such calls for witch hunting should indeed be prosecuted and at least be banned from social media if justice for Yu Menglong is to be achieved.
Myself, I had not noticed his guest appearance in Feud, and was not his follower although the trouble made me dig into his biography, his social media Weibo account (still online) which drew attention to the drama that aired in May (Hidden Master) in which he played, and to his pride in his country and celebrations (Dragon Boat festival, end of Japanese war of aggression, anniversary of Wenchuan earthquake and heroic relief efforts). I also sampled some genuine clips of his dramas and singing and more. I don't doubt the dramas he worked in have merits and although I did not have time to finish Wenderella, White Snake and some other dramas like the one on this page, in which he played, I may look at them more closely in future, when I find them (they have of course not been censored away from platforms) together with sending my RIP prayers over time and condolences to his remaining parents, friends and colleagues.
Come to think of it, the ongoing campaign by misled people may also further discourage the release of one drama that got shelved long ago for scandals attached to it, but which would be an interesting watch for History, filming sets (not in Hengdian), and more: "The Fated General", embroiled also in the family strife between ML actor Zhang Ruoyun (of Joy of Life fame) and his father. There was some glimmer of hope in months past that the drama could be de-shelved, but I think the current waves stirred up will make that one be pushed to bin, now, forever burying the efforts of the cast and Yu Menglong who was among MLs....
(if I have time for it on the day - if not I'll surely catch up later)
I liked the drama "Filter" which had a fun take on magic vs reality, and had both Looney Tunes over-the-top like situations and deeper ideas about social norms in-bedded.
>Falling into game, >Falling into film or drama script, >Falling into dream fantasy.
These were all good sure, although for some reason (perhaps ROTAR memory, perhaps I still haven't warmed up enough to Esther Yu), I did not really enjoy LGIEF, contrary to the other two
Then you got science fiction inspired alternate universes dramas, sometimes "switching between these", like "Mobius"... or "time loops" to escape from, like "Reset".
Time travel dramas are more in mini dramas these past few years, and mostly in the form of >individuals reliving their life from a certain point to change it after having been killed.
Except "Joy of Life" and its season 2 which are set in "far future with Chinese ancient history trappings" and has quite magical elements blended with technology.
I think the ban on dramas featuring time travel to ancient China (like in 2011 "Scarlet Heart" or 2001 "A Step Into The Past") is still on in China because of the risk to misrepresent the past or some other concerns. See below in comments : Enigma05 explanation about "transmigration" vs "time travel" and replies to that post.
Yes, Lin Wan'er in and 2024 JoL alongside ;
Shen Jinzhen in 2024 War of Faith;
Tong Xiaomei in 2023 The Youth Memories;
funny and brazen Yu DengDeng in 2022 Thousand Years For You ;
airy Xia Chu in 2021 My Dear Guardian ;
Ma Zhaixing in 2020 The Wolf ;
the princess of Wei in 2018 Princess Agents ;
... and Xue Baochai in 2010 The Dream of Red Mansions (which featured a slew of now established stars, Yang Yang, Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, etc) -- I didn't watch the latter at the time (busy with work not watching dramas although I was a movie fiend then) but later, online, and it is still one of if not the best adaptation of the classic novel.
I haven't graduated to "full fan" of Sweet Li /QinQin, haven't watched everything in her filmography, only a few interviews and BTS for a couple of dramas, curious about her having played Yang KaiHui, the red heroine, several times but haven't found my way to find them yet, and I still have to explore her Qin Ying fandom, but I admit her name alongside that of Chen Zheyuan made me look especially forward to Fated Hearts!
π€
"The opening theme song "Laughing with the song" or "A laughter follows the song" (direct translation of drama Chinese title) has lyrics and co-composition by Zhang Xiaokui working with co-composer Sa Dingging, Inner Mongolian singer-composer who indeed had some songs in the dramas you remember : If You Come Back (ε¦θ₯ε½ζ₯) - The Long Ballad (2021); Flowers Fall Without Trace (θ±θ½ζ η) - Moonlight Mystique (2025) but also worked on several other dramas.
I remember best her haunting Upwards to the Moon (ε·¦ζζζ) - Ashes of Love (2018) although she also sang a version of Unsullied/Bu Ran for that drama. Here is my favorite video of her performing Upwards to The Moon for Midautumn festival 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1KwPqbPP5o together with Zhou Shen for the occasion.
It is appropriate to remember that song and event since on the 6th this month it will again be mooncakes and moongazing festival (Zhongqiujie) in the tail end of this year's Golden Week in China which started on National day yesterday and ends on Wednesday 8 next."
Meanwhile, enjoy the song by Sa Dingding ! and the other ones, to rhythm your busy real life schedule !
I remember best her haunting Upwards to the Moon (ε·¦ζζζ) - Ashes of Love (2018) although she also sang a version of Unsullied/Bu Ran for that drama. Here is my favorite video of her performing Upwards to The Moon for Midautumn festival 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1KwPqbPP5o together with Zhou Shen for the occasion.
It is appropriate to remember that song and event since on the 6th this month it will again be mooncakes and moongazing festival (Zhongqiujie) in the tail end of this year's Golden Week in China which started on National day yesterday and ends on Wednesday 8 next.
neither Chen Zheyuan nor Li Qin were in that SOKP cast. So who do you mean to see again here ?
I added the section about this drama from my ongoing actor Profile, with relevant links, in the always interesting Discussions section above, direct link below:
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/768987-wan-xin-ji/145518-fated-hearts-excerpt-from-the-chen-zheyuan-ongoing-profile
It also happens to window cleaners btw, if they have not secured themselves with relevant equipment.
The twin of a former classmate of mine fell to her death that way, from inebriation, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, while drinking herself stupid with other party goers. She opened a window, stood on a chair to do so, because it was not easy to open, and fell out, after probably believing she could fly. Police ruled it as an accident with no foul play, no-one pushing her out, either, no clear suicidal intent. The friends who saw her fall suffered nightmares for long, her twin and parents were heartbroken and had to deal with repatriating her remains to their home country.
There are dozens of tales about mothers losing a small child who leans out of a window in tall buildings. Similar reason: kids and inebriated adults don't evaluate danger as sober adults do.
C-netizens and worse, foreign media are fond of scandals, and it is a fact that foreign agencies use every possible means to agitate and perpetuate the Uyghur torture and concentration camp charade, and accuse "powerful people" leading up to "evil CCP" (the proper abbreviation is CPC btw, so when you spot that, you may think of Taiwanese hackers and operatives paid by a certain foreign agency... They don't stoop to foment and applaud violence on the streets and spread toxic innuendos)
So, no, I have no doubt about police reports and believe they are accurate. No hidden link to "evil Xi Jinping" who probably never heard about the actor before.
Yu Menglong was not a known dissenter to be silenced. He was a pretty face, sure, but throwing about suspicion that he was sexually tempting to other men is both a stretch and an insult to his memory and family. I am sorry for his mother who is subjected to other rumors now, and for his colleagues who were drawn into the witch hunt.
There are also links in this case to foreign influence and Taiwan agitators who have an agenda to use any story to paint China black, even if it may cause distrust of Chinese people and even ABCs abroad, or wider Asian hate, such as the Thai doctor who was mauled during covid because he "looked Chinese". Such incidents are dismissed as collateral damage by the agitators who masquerade as going to seek "Justice" and war against all who go against their rants.
Now we have an Avaaz petition getting traction : Avaaz is not in China and it's been a while since it got under the thumb of a certain agency to foment trouble in various countries while playing saintly whistle-blower about say, Indian girls burned or raped and other atrocities which I am sure do happen. In some cases, the campaigns on the other hand, are simply arising from rumors and biases and propaganda, lies and brainwashing to a political end : in this instance, fighting China influence and reputation, dismissing the evils done in the past against the country, painting all Chinese as liars to break trust in business deals, or as copycat patent thieves (despite the humongous number of patents China has registered and the myriad of homegrown innovations the country has brought to the world over millennia) so some campaigns are highly suspicious, like in this case.