Neptune

Agree, the rules are adjusted depending on the situation, nothing's set in stone. Hopefully if the production houses and fandom calm down, it can happen. If there really was a "cracking down on diversity", China's not actually doing a very good job as the censors aren't completely censoring, as you noted...

TBH when I watched Love 020. Zhang Bin Bin & Zheng Yecheng's storyline was more in your face than UT or WOH, it was great acting from them 2, and no problems in China. Think their main concern was if left unchecked most productions would move into that field for the easy traffic/ money, with quality coming in at the end of the list ( Guardian, sorry...). Plus the toxicity of SOME of the BL fandom was getting out of hand.

Unfortunately haven't watched yet but getting glimpse's on Weibo. The Cinematography is beautiful.

Why the focus on just China. The double standards are that in the US/UK you wouldn't even get a primetime serial with BL elements. The best you'll get is a once in a while award winning, virtual signalling project. The same energy should be used to petition the US/UK to do BL dramas, no?

This is not a BL drama, so the projected reasons don't apply ... I'm just happy it's finally here.

Thank god for Wang Duo's weibo. I can't believe this is finally airing! and they're dumping 10 episode on us toooo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼.

Tell me about it. That has got to be the shortest + weirdest synopsis on MDL. It might not have international appeal as older actors, no idols.

Roughly, it's about a put upon fish seller's rise in the underworld and his fate/ relationship with a cop. Told in 3 time periods within a 20 year span. They're liking the intricate plot, grey characters, fast pacing, grittiness, and the acting, especially of ZY + ZSW.

Wow, such a low score (7.6) at this early stage. I haven't watched yet, but it's now no1 in China online platforms, while Douban's rating is 8.7.

Her Weibo had a big jump due to 'The Knockout/Hurricane' getting to no1, plus her gala & variety show appearances.

I'm waiting on 'Cold Warm Nights in the Nine Heavens' with Bi Wenjun.

You don't need to step on one to uplift another by inferring LYT 'minds billing / is demanding'. She turned down RJL & this producer a year earlier, to work on a drama with older actors. This 2nd drop-out, she joined a production as an ensemble.

The issue wasn't RJL, he wanted to work with her twice. But the game playing, unprofessional producer. She cleared her schedule based on a script him gave, she has the right to walk away when it's radically different to the one she's been refusing work over.

She was given a script which changed from the one she agreed & cleared her schedule for. On Weibo they called it a 'Yin Yang' script.

The actor normally drops out or goes along if they have no choice. She didn't, & explained why. Other producers backed her, including Wang Yixu (LB Fairy & Devil). He said she had issues with WGJ back in August but was loyal & refused his script. She's now on 'Hero Legends', filming in Hengdian at the same time as WGJ.

Hi, do you still need the details?

Over on Bilibili they've cut WD's He Shouyue (Ying-Yang Master) to LYT's Si Ming, and it works. I'm still praying...

I watched this with low expectations (harsh reviews/low rating, M&F leads). I came for PZT but ended up Ioving it. I hadn't seen the '92' version or know the details of the ancient legend. But being from the culture it immediately felt familiar: Monk's staff, gentle male V demon girl, the music arrangement.

If you're expecting a ML or vibe similar to 'Ashes of Love' etc, then this isn't it. It's in its own lane - an original 2000 yr old folklore love story of 2 gentle souls. Basically an OG of modern fantasy C dramas which took many of its elements and jazzed them up. The soundtrack is haunting & beautiful, it got me tearing up twice. By the end I felt like I'd left an ancient picture scroll. This got me out of a drama dropping spree. Just watch with an open mind.

I'm here for LYT and ZYC's second round with the director, and friends CY and LYT's first cooperation on a drama. The budget, production and line-up looks good, so fingers crossed we get a decent Wuxia.

I like Chen Ruoxuan too. But, will be praying to the casting gods that LYT and Wang Duo get a 2nd round. They had chemistry on 'Bloody Romance' and he does Intense and soulful too well.

I was also thinking about the treatment of MZY on the run up of the 'Untamed' for even daring to be pictured near the ML's and how messed up some of the fandom is. The Director could've come forward to clarify her role right from the beginning to save her the abuse, but he didn't, he wanted the PR attention/ hate traffic.

If it's the same person who's also this WGJ producer, LYT had the foresight to see how manipulative and messy he is and luckily she walked away from the games.

Glad LYT walked away from this unprofessional production and the toxicity.

There could be a silver lining. 'Steller Gravity's' Wang Yixu left a comment on her Weibo and he mentions a script he's sent her. Gives us hope for 'Si Ming' etc 😉.

Agree with you Re; the misogyny. I also felt that way with the BL thing if it had gotten a chance to have a foothold across more productions who chase traffic. In essence women are getting erased, whether by design or accident. Their relevancy and roles are downgraded for the male characters, and most of the ppl clapping on were women who unknowingly (knowingly) were erasing themselves.

LYT did the right thing to walk away from this mess, and the pandering/flip-flopping producer. Other producers have come out in support for her. Hopefully this now frees her up for Si Ming etc ...

China's upfront with their propaganda. They literally have organisations with the word in it. Being 'known' for their propaganda as a 'fact' sounds like western propaganda in itself. The same could be said of blockbuster Hollywood war films and games which get financed by corporations with associations to Washington & MIC. That would be propaganda if it was China but not...

I wouldn't say fight heavy but the choreography was good, it felt like an old school wuxia. The actors did most their own stunts, and the martial arts director was the one who was on the 'Ip Man' films.

We never get to know what goes on, on the money & business end. "The Wolf" was released after a long delay without explanation.

Jing Boran & Song Weilong were pictured together camping recently, so it's possible the release might be near... I hope.