Nepeta 22

I haven't started this yet but will soon. Speaking as someone who has a relative from my dad's side that was caught dealing hard drugs. He initially had death penalty, and this was around similar times to this drama around 1998 -1999, but after greasing the palms of the local officials (there was a lot of corruption back then), his sentencing got downgraded to around 10 years in prison. I suspect the sentencing could be all over the place. Also, it was a cross border situation too which meant the other side had some influence on leniency.

Well Gentleman of East 8th I think still holds the lowest Douban rating. Unfortunately extreme low ratings tend to be more controversy than the drama itself. That's my opinion.

It's one of the best dramas to come out of China this year for me. It's epic. It's dramatic but it's also understated. Based on a real life story too. Still thinking about this drama today...🙂

Me too. I had been looking forward to this for a long while. Jing Cao in uniform is just too distracting for me!

Whilst watching this I saw the news of current leader of KMT attending some memorial that also included Wu Shi in Taiwan. Yes in Taiwan...How history can be very strange. A hero can turn into a villain and vice versa.

Good luck to the team on this drama, and I hope it will live up to all the excitement. Yes, Lan XiYa is a very talented actress and I'm glad to see her here. I'm not a fan of these vertical dramas either, and probably quite set in my ways to be honest. Dramas need more space and time to develop, but obviously not filled with fillers for the sake of making money through advertising slots.

But, I hear, it's aimed at those that are on the go and still crave a cross between You Tube style lengths with impactful storylines. But, often, it's just sensational almost smutty romances that makes no sense, and only has a place inside those drama styles!

The problem at the moment is fandoms grow ever more demanding. This usually coming from the boyband fandoms and girl-band fandom background. In China, it's transactional. The fandoms see themselves as an extension of the artists' life, almost like a big backer, so they are happy to rally funds to create big flower walls and gestures on opening drama days, but they expect the actor to spend time to talk, sign and accept gifts as well.

They make no secret of this parasocial relationship. I heard some say, they are in a relationship and that it is the "online boyfriend". They do not see this as weird but perfectly normal. So they see fit, it is their place to tell him off, talk about his conduct and demand he expresses himself through things like 'outfit of the day' and some kind of finger dance. This is honestly seen as part of the online culture of fandoms.

I don't like it but, it's just how it has been, because in China, those that end up in entertainment should be held up in high regard. They are meant to set an example to others, especially to the young and impressionable. Which is why cancelling culture is very big and drastic at times.

I'm all for employing from all kinds of backgrounds, but sometimes, I'm in two minds when an idol style actor comes on board, then you need to deal with fandoms that talk about doing data all day long and demanding how their star should be styled rather than leave the production to deal with that. I cringe when I see production fold and change things like hair styles/make up or even how the story should be filmed! That's the part where I don't like and don't agree with.

I can stomach their fandom and star, but I can't stomach their meddling in the production of the drama. I sincerely hope that this part stops because it has been slowly creeping in under the banner of suggestions to now, demanding.

It's coming out on 14th.

I don't know much about this drama, and the figures I would take as a pinch of salt. And we're told it's split into 3 parts so presumably 24 episodes might be just the first segment.

The academies may have their own little clique too, but as mentioned before it happens, it's human nature, no matter how hard people try to push equality. It is still who you know, and that's not just in China. Another common way into the drama industry, especially the generation before that is being part of a dance troupe or studying dance and Beijing opera.

With regards to the state of the industry right now, there is no denying short form or even vertical dramas have eaten into the drama industry. It is what it is. People are on the go, and want bite sized dramas so that means faster turnover with more compact stories. Meaning a new style of telling stories. You are seeing more shorter dramas. Anything going into 40 episodes can be described as long and epic.

In China, a growing market of boy band members with an already-made fandom are a better option of employing for dramas because it guarantees viewing from the fandom. That model is breaking away into its own market. The middle market is where the issue is. Many of the actors have also come from the generation before that, their fandoms are very protective and are the ones that tend to be bossy and call the shots. As they grow older (into 30s) they want to develop and it's natural. This is where the Beijing circle comes in. That gate is not easily opened. They will pick a handful for their dramas and sometimes, there's a bit of resentment. The Beijing circle view some of these middle market dramas as simply fan service rather than the art of making dramas with the creator's original vision first, and then employing a suitable actor second.

The problem is, in China, the netizens are large and they voice their wants all day long. With that, it's natural drama makers hear that and make what viewers want. Even though the likes of Zhang Yimou are muscling into dramas, I still think there will be a split. They will try to preserve a more film vision into a drama format whilst the middle market may shrink a bit but continue to make whatever is en-vogue of the time, and right now it's Xianxias, rebirth, amnesia and some lightweight retro dramas . I'm not complaining. I think it may mean more variety.

What remains to be seen is whether an economic downturn affects China's drama industry. It may mean less dramas made but not sure if that would help with making quality better or not.

It's ok. You like a portion of viewers have grown out of these dramas but you are just unaware. You demand more now because you are transitioning. Be mindful that this is really just an idol costume drama and many of the complaints you list happen quite often in other dramas.

Dramas that stand out to you will normally have been updated, especially from older novels that have dated elements such as damsel in distress, needing a silent protector to be saved all the time, and having about 3-4 men just seemingly fall for FL. Support actors not fully formed, but needed to fill out the drama.

Also modern taste in ML has changed in China too thanks to a big boy band culture so MLs are often very slim and almost feminine in their facial appearance. With that, FLs need to suit them and it can be challenging at times.

We see this happening with stars like Hou Ming Hao. He has to be carefully paired with equally delicate and often small set actresses like AiMi, Lu YuXiao and He Nan. I hope you know what I mean with the FL. And BTW, most of the complaining I see is mocking older actresses taking on a role that in novels state are described as 18 year olds. I would say having a much younger FL to the ML is still very rare in today's C Dramas, so this constant complaint about a minor is not convincing to me. They should just admit they're bringing other baggage (unable to accept the tax case is closed and everything fine) to this drama and trying to hide behind the minor angle.

These comments you keep seeing are followers. Highly influenced by marketing accounts that populate social media. As pointed out past similar instances did not garner much attention let alone some moral point and protection of young girls. These people aware or unaware try to hide behind this so-called underage allegation but they soon unravel when they personally attack the actress, when ironically she's supposed to be a girl that needs protection so how comes she's subjected to being attacked?

People who genuinely care about under age girls being exploited would always deal with the industry and the surrounding network. But I see less of that but more attacks on the actress & her family instead.

Reality is, we generally see more attacks on older women taking away the role for a younger role, and less the other way round. This over critical analysis of women portrayed in dramas has become the norm,

So the shift from that has to be on current legality of very young actresses playing roles that have a love interest. We all know, many of these adaptations tend to be characters in their teens. But suddenly, no it's not acceptable to cast someone close to the character's age.

This big swing makes me very convinced that those that keep complaining haven't got over the earring case and when the outcome goes against their allegations, they shift tactics. What you are seeing is a portion that got swept up with this original campaign to tarnish the actresses' image and those that are still angry that the authorities' investigation that did not go the outcome they had hoped. Very little to do with her age and her character. She is seen as someone taking a plum role and there must be something behind that.

These comments you keep seeing are followers. Highly influenced by marketing accounts that populate social media. As pointed out past similar instances did not garner much attention let alone some moral point and protection of young girls. These people aware or unaware try to hide behind this so-called underage allegation but they soon unravel when they personally attack the actress, when ironically she's supposed to be a girl that needs protection so how comes she's subjected to being attacked?

People who genuinely care about under age girls being exploited would always deal with the industry and the surrounding network. But I see less of that but more attacks on the actress & her family instead.

Reality is, we generally see more attacks on older women taking away the role for a younger role, and less the other way round. This over critical analysis of women portrayed in dramas has become the norm,

So the shift from that has to be on current legality of very young actresses playing roles that have a love interest. We all know, many of these adaptations tend to be characters in their teens. But suddenly, no it's not acceptable to cast someone close to the character's age.

This big swing makes me very convinced that those that keep complaining haven't got over the earring case and when the outcome goes against their allegations, they shift tactics. What you are seeing is a portion that got swept up with this original campaign to tarnish the actresses' image and those that are still angry that the authorities' investigation that did not go the outcome they had hoped. Very little to do with her age and her character. She is seen as someone taking a plum role and there must be something behind that.

Which episode are you on? I can't see any of this. FL is fully onboard and in love with ML?

I heard it was because they didn't have the rights in the first one.

If you enjoy her role here, I recommend you watch her in City of the City. She has tremendous confidence in her acting for someone of her age. Definitely one to watch out for.

Whoever warned you clearly knows their fandom well, but I don't want to say each and everyone is like that. But,those that shout the loudest gets the headlines, but not necessarily in a good way sometimes...

I am usually civil when I post, but I cannot sit back when I see blatant bullying. Whenever I see racists, sexist remarks and bullying, I just can't hold back. I usually try to educate some, but unfortunately, that doesn't always ends well. Nevermind. The problem is, they have successfully driven a lot of decent posters away because they are just simply unbearable😉 .

The Beijing set/circle is a fluid term, and in some cases used in a way that is negative rather than positive. The group is not obviously pinned down, but usually a way to describe a set of writers/directors that put film art first and foremost. I don't know if the BIFF is linked with that as such. The Magnolia awards, Flying Apsaras & Golden Eagle are the known awards that's long been established. But due to their quite exclusive selection, there are more and more smaller awards nowadays to accommodate the growing industry that is now more idol drama based.

Actors that work in film more than dramas always tend to have a sense of respectability. But times are changing and dramas are the main medium, much like what we are seeing outside of China where old Hollywood actors in films are now pounding away in short series with Paramount/Netflix and Disney channels etc.

In China the classic of that would be those that have parents from the arts/film industry and families that were influential in those circles, and most importantly are quite wealthy to begin with. Some child actors like Yang Zi, Wu Lei & Song Zuer would be considered that too. Then there's the industry offsprings like Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Fei Yu and Sandra Ma. Next tier are those that have decent agencies with good connections in that circle, and these are unconfirmed, but normally the same sort of names always pop up. Those names tend to be actors or actresses that have had part foreign education like Teresa Li, Julia Xiang & Sabrina Zhuang.

Finally, the last group are ones that have been picked up for their good works. Although going to one of the 3 top acting academies gets you some clout, but it's not really true anymore. I'm sure ZYL started out as an air hostess. I could be wrong. Bai Yu is one example of someone that had been ploughing away until the one overnight hit low budget BL drama Guardians brought him to wider attention. This was recognised later by his sudden fame.

But with that, the establishment will sometimes take a shine to stars like that. Today, it's much more unclear, and with Zhang Yimou increasingly getting more involved in the drama circuit, anyone that ends up on one of his productions are sort of considered the lucky ones. Is that elitist? That's the issue sometimes. So you can see why that term is sometimes used negatively. Modern day China wants and tries to be inclusive and fair, but deep down, the old ways of connections, pandering to those with wealth and past fame is still deep in the culture.

Why would I reply to Kokuto 2 days ago? I chance upon this page because of two actors that might be on here. And what I saw by accident was a gaggle of so-called XZ fans attacking and lashing out at posters that come on here that aren't XZ fans.

Kokuto has been unwelcomed and mocked. If defending yourself from attack is polluting, I don't have much to say. You clearly have been sucked into playing victims when most of the polluting have been a handful of XZ fandom trying to gate keep this page and trying to hound or restrict anyone that happens to be here that don't fan or praise XZ. That's intolerance and needs pushing back at.

Well, anyone that isn't repeating same things like a robot can look interesting on this page! I unfortunately came across this same fandom on the Spying drama page 6 months ago, and the same bullying tactic and trying to control who, what & when someone can say or not say certain things...

Apparently, you can't mention another actor's name in a drama from another drama, only the ones within the drama? They came down on an innocent poster who just made a comparison. The intolerance of a mere name of another actor playing something similar set the pack free.

The relentless repeated ticking off on that poster. You'd think that poster had killed someone! When I politely told them that there is no such rule on the forum and they shouldn't make comments like it is gospel, they then tried to hound me off by conveniently labelling me a hater. This is the go-to tactic when you know you have no other thing to say.

The word hater is often abused and used to make them look like they're picked on. But it doesn't work much because they then resort to making fun of anyone that is not a XZ fan.

I'll see how it goes with the future of this drama. It depends if there is anything worth posting about in regards to the other cast members. I genuinely only chanced upon this drama for Zhang Yaqin and Lan Ying Ying. But now I am apparently a hater and a TJC fan . Very bizarre paranoid behaviour. And to make things worse, they keep telling others to seek help with their mental state.

The Beijing set/circle also sent them off too. They are snobs themselves, so that comment is the type that annoys them most. They don't like the fact that, there is a gate that you need to go through and it has nothing to do with money or fame. If that set likes you or accepts you, then you are in. And XZ's team has been orchestrating themselves that direction for a long while. Being in Daylight Entertainment productions or working with director ZXL are indicators. I have no issue in saying these things, it's pretty obvious.

In China, there is an unwritten rule that sudden fame through BL dramas is like a cheats way in. From those sets, a select few can transition into more long-term careers. He is like the early wave of that group and if accepted, they need to tread a very clean line and set very good examples with ethics & morals. That means limiting idol romance style dramas and playing more roles that reflect heroes of the day.

This drama is straying a bit off that, but their fandom know it is a good middle ground type drama. His own fans will like it a lot more, as it sings to that generation more. But this is why you will see less and less of him working back to back like some of the traffic stars. He and his team will only wait for projects that are from certain directors in that clique and with subjects that are creating old style heroes.

Sorry, you got it wrong. I came here because I saw Lan Ying Ying and Zhang Yaqin listed. So that is how I ended up here. Nothing sinister and certainly not as exciting as you claim it to be. I have no one else in mind for the lead role as I know very little of the story.

But upon turning up here, I see relentless bullying and belittling of potential co-stars. Has nothing to do with XZ at all, but all to do with some of his so-called fandom hiding behind his name to grind others down when all I am seeing is a lot of cringey back patting and repeated copy and pasted achievements of XZ.

You obviously don't read the room well. But it's OK, if you are in the centre of this echo chamber, how would you know...

No problem, I don't worry for XZ. He is doing just fine. That uplift comment was in response to the other XZ fan's claim that these co-stars need this job badly to help with their careers. It's all there to see. So I responded with a similar way with what I believe could also be plausible. As I said, if they play below belt, I will respond in a similar way.

Anyway, have a lovely day...

I'm not directing what is best. I wanted to be more to the point that I was not specifically talking about XZ, but the people he's surrounded with. These decisions may not be his own choice but advice from those around him. This is in regards to the direction of his career, and how they want him to progress.

You seem to be touchy even with that type of comment, talking about he's a grown adult? I will leave it here. A normal healthy discussion about an actor's career or direction can even turn into so much negativity.

Stand back and really re-read these comments. Some fans have become so paranoid they are making the forum miserable. But will happily put the blame on others. Fanning should be a happy event, but some of the posters here seem stressy and tired out. That is the real unhealthy picture. XZ is doing just fine. He probably want you to chill too?