I actually think I'm going to enjoy this one more. I just haven't got deeply into CD.
That's the problem I have with it. I'm ready to see him in a mc role. He's already run support for the FLs twice this year. I'm happy to see Xingyue step out of the shadow and be the primary focus for a bit.
I actually think I'm going to enjoy this one more. I just haven't got deeply into CD.
I like ARP, too. I've enjoyed him in MM and TSROIO this year. But, I would prefer to see him as the first lead this time around. Complementary roles can be great. WXY's role in TD, for example, was an excellent complementary lead role. But, it's going to be great seeing him out in front in CW. I'm excited about this one.
I actually think I'm going to enjoy this one more. I just haven't got deeply into CD.
Yes, CD is a higher budget drama. But, the leads are what makes me believe I'll like this one better. I even think I prefer that it's a male led drama.
An assortment of ❤️AiMi❤️ promo and bts photos and videos (a number of them have already been posted here in the comments and under the photos tab). HOWEVER, THE FIRST CLIP IS A NEW ONE 😁...
Sigh -- she is young but we can't discredit her acting abilities and how hard she has worked to come this far.…
Yes, she's an exceptional young actress who takes her craft seriously. She is more than worthy of the role based on talent and experience.
But, there are aspects of this drama that are controversial and upsetting to people, so they need to decide for themselves if they are comfortable watching. Some won't, and that's understandable.
Expectations are this will be the lowest level of romantic interaction. No kissing. Limited physical touching. Sold more with tender dialogue and the portrayal of love in their eyes.
A lot of bts content will be posted here, so we can keep an eye on things and decide if the production team are doing a good job or taking things too far.
Hoping for a good outcome and a drama everyone involved can be proud of. Especially for Neo and AiMi.
His lift and carry skills are truly superb. His FL is always safe in his arms. The clip where Ruohan has her hair…
OK. Done. I've added Sweetest Rebellion to my watchlist 👍.
Yes, his body caught up to his face. He has beautiful youthful skin, but also a very defined facial structure that gives him a mature, masculine and authoritative look. Early on he had the same face (just thinner), but he was still in a boy's body. He was even scolded for it in his modern rom-com First Love (2022) with Tian Xiwei. I mentioned it earlier in the CS. I'm not sure when it was actually filmed. Fast-forward to 2023 / 2024 / 2025, and he's now a mature head on an athletic man's body. By filling out his frame he has really completed his look. His face filled out, too. So, now he has a really fantastic aesthetic.
I still love a good pretty boy look. I just hate it in certain roles. Anything to do with an authoritative position, fighting prowess, or warfare, I can't stand it. I watched No Boundary 1 and 2 the other day and I just couldn't accept the ML. He looked femme in demon make-up and at times like a twelve-year-old without it. I love pretty boys in modern dramas and youth dramas. I love handsome men in everything. Essentially, they are more versatile.
Lol. GWTW is one of my all-time favourite movies. I've only seen it about a thousand times. Busted, yes, I am looking for a Cdrama version of Clark Gable. I can't shake this ML template 🤣. And, of course, the stunning and delightful Vivien Leigh. GWTW, A Streetcar Named Desire (w Brando), and Waterloo Bridge (w Robert Taylor), all of them are on my all-time list.
Yes, once upon a time the West excelled at romance and period costume dramas. It's hard to believe. But it's true. It sounds like you still get some joy out of them, which is great 👍. I probably miss some good shows. But, that's what happens when you give up on an industry.
I kind of cheat and hyperfocus on certain things 😆. For example, I intensely follow (check every day) the socials and affiliated news (including MDL pages) regarding WXY, Jinmai, and Ai Mi. I'm pretty much up-to-date on everything they do. So, while others will know more about C-ent history, industry intricacies, and the events within the overall industry. They probably won't know more about the news, events, and projects related to those three actors (some still will. Lol). In the same way, you probably know quite a bit about Ruohan, her activities, and upcoming projects.
I will go further back than 2021 if I come across something that really captures my attention.
TSOPG is a terrific story. It's quite heart-wrenching and raw, definitely not for everyone. It is a story about growth, resilience, and moving forward in the face of life's challenges. It's almost a brilliantly realistic life drama set in the ancient world. She experiences love and loss, but always moves forward and finds things worth living for. They have good chemistry. But, his appearance is not everyone's cup of tea. It's actually a common critique. So, you're not alone.
Actually, I think it's totally understandable in a romance context. You have to see and feel what the character feels for it to work. If you don't understand or feel the attraction, it falls flat. Romance doesn't suit every actor. So, it's not shallow. It's human nature 😁.
Oh, this acting is so raw and real. I was just coming to post this, but you beat me to it 😁. Great work 👍.…
Yes, that's the one. Opposite the talented Neo. He's a real gentleman. The very nature of it is somewhat controversial. So, I knew if it was announced there would be a lot of mixed feelings / reactions. The concerns are valid. But so is the belief that the drama can be executed tastefully, and the story told well. International fans come from all over the world, so there's naturally going to be wide-ranging opinions. For me, I have faith in a heavily regulated industry / system keeping her safe, not allowing her to be put in compromising positions, and preventing her from being taken advantage of. But, for some, it's simply not acceptable or appropriate at all, and that's perfectly understandable.
In China, I believe there are some mixed feelings, too, but most people are fine with it. There is a history of these types of castings. It's just one of those dramas that unfortunately divides people. So, the comment section was always going to reflect that. It can't be helped. Also, a quick note, the favourite for the FL role was Tian Tian, who is one year (and a few days) older than Ai Mi, and has been doing lead roles since the age of sixteen. So, when she got caught up in a scandal, and the production team started looking for a replacement, it really wasn't surprising they went with Ai Mi. The two of them have been closely linked and compared since they debuted as child actors. Ai Mi was likely always the favourite when they moved on from HYTT.
By contrast, it's just so nice to be on the same page wishing for success and good things for the actors involved. That's what we have here with LIRD. There is nothing to complain or get upset about, so we can sit back and enjoy the ride and all the great moments they create together 🫶😊.
I posted this on ❤️AiMi's❤️ MDL page. I'm not 100% sure if her 🗡sword play 🗡 is in preparation for QG, or another project she is rumoured to be attached to. However, judging by her hair length, there is a good chance it might be QG related. So, I'll post this little clip of a hard-working little actor here, too...
CW shares a lot of overlapping themes with CD. Both are on my WL, so it will be interesting to compare them. Although…
How interesting. It seems very much like the old HW studio system. I'm actually someone who thinks that the old system was more of a positive than a negative. It had flaws, no doubt. But overall it produced good results. The flaws tended to affect the more established talent, as they were signed to long-term contracts (part of a studio's stable of actors). This prevented them pursuing good scripts if the rights were purchased by a rival studio. I think the only way they could make it work was if the studio loaned them out. WXY seems to be entering this stage now in C-ent.
The overwhelming positive aspect was talent acquisition and development. The studios were highly incentivised to invest in the development of young prospective stars. Screen acting was relatively new, and they figured out early that it was different from stage acting. So, they cast a wide net and screen-tested everyone from trained actors with formal training attained in the elite schools / academies. Models, dancers, and even people spotted on the street may be asked to come in and do a screen test. Lana Turner being discovered in a café was a famous example. The great screen icons of old HW came from a variety of different backgrounds: aristocratic, wealthy, middle class, and dirt poor. There was a great mix of the formally trained in top institutions, and those that learnt on the job. It really was a brilliant talent-maximising system.
I wish they had kept the talent investment part when they finally did away with it, because after that period ended, actors were on their own. If they could act, they could act, but if they couldn't, it was much harder to improve. They essentially have to do it on their own. Many modern HW actors never do. It hurts the quality of the current Western industry. In the old days, if they had something, the studio signed them to long-term contracts and went about training them to perform in films. They also helped craft personas for them. Name changes if necessary, new hair and general styling changes, professional photography and promotional assistance, and even voice coaching. It was all part of the branding and marketing.
I've noticed C-ent has close integration with celebrity SM content and the productions they star in. Likely, it seems, they get assistance and coaching in this, as it's a great form of modern marketing and promotion. Ai Mi, for example, just hit social media hard with photos and videos. It started with birthday content, a MV, a Douyin dance video connected to the MV, viral promotional assistance from many young celebrities, and then straight into booting content for her new drama as a FL. It has just been a continuous stream of content posting and fan engagement. All very impressive and savvy. No doubt the agencies or affiliates play a huge role in this.
So, perhaps insiders like YZ, although they have their flaws, overall are good for the industry. It's possible many careers wouldn't exist without him.
PS... I saw that a little fan dispute had emerged between Xingyue and LYR fans. Lol 😆. Seriously, what starts these things?
1 
1 
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527639795289738515
An ❤️AiMi❤️ bts clip from a new angle...
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSBvpkje6/
https://weibo.com/detail/5190524646721131
https://weibo.com/detail/5190159230569103
It's okay to be biased and have favourites. Neo is wonderful, he deserves good things. You are right to care about his reputation.
https://weibo.com/detail/5190057927639949
But, there are aspects of this drama that are controversial and upsetting to people, so they need to decide for themselves if they are comfortable watching. Some won't, and that's understandable.
Expectations are this will be the lowest level of romantic interaction. No kissing. Limited physical touching. Sold more with tender dialogue and the portrayal of love in their eyes.
A lot of bts content will be posted here, so we can keep an eye on things and decide if the production team are doing a good job or taking things too far.
Hoping for a good outcome and a drama everyone involved can be proud of. Especially for Neo and AiMi.
Also, I just noticed this director is the same one that directed TPR👍.
https://weibo.com/detail/5189815043100142
https://weibo.com/detail/5189775424226722
Yes, his body caught up to his face. He has beautiful youthful skin, but also a very defined facial structure that gives him a mature, masculine and authoritative look. Early on he had the same face (just thinner), but he was still in a boy's body. He was even scolded for it in his modern rom-com First Love (2022) with Tian Xiwei. I mentioned it earlier in the CS. I'm not sure when it was actually filmed. Fast-forward to 2023 / 2024 / 2025, and he's now a mature head on an athletic man's body. By filling out his frame he has really completed his look. His face filled out, too. So, now he has a really fantastic aesthetic.
I still love a good pretty boy look. I just hate it in certain roles. Anything to do with an authoritative position, fighting prowess, or warfare, I can't stand it. I watched No Boundary 1 and 2 the other day and I just couldn't accept the ML. He looked femme in demon make-up and at times like a twelve-year-old without it. I love pretty boys in modern dramas and youth dramas. I love handsome men in everything. Essentially, they are more versatile.
Lol. GWTW is one of my all-time favourite movies. I've only seen it about a thousand times. Busted, yes, I am looking for a Cdrama version of Clark Gable. I can't shake this ML template 🤣. And, of course, the stunning and delightful Vivien Leigh. GWTW, A Streetcar Named Desire (w Brando), and Waterloo Bridge (w Robert Taylor), all of them are on my all-time list.
Yes, once upon a time the West excelled at romance and period costume dramas. It's hard to believe. But it's true. It sounds like you still get some joy out of them, which is great 👍. I probably miss some good shows. But, that's what happens when you give up on an industry.
I kind of cheat and hyperfocus on certain things 😆. For example, I intensely follow (check every day) the socials and affiliated news (including MDL pages) regarding WXY, Jinmai, and Ai Mi. I'm pretty much up-to-date on everything they do. So, while others will know more about C-ent history, industry intricacies, and the events within the overall industry. They probably won't know more about the news, events, and projects related to those three actors (some still will. Lol). In the same way, you probably know quite a bit about Ruohan, her activities, and upcoming projects.
I will go further back than 2021 if I come across something that really captures my attention.
TSOPG is a terrific story. It's quite heart-wrenching and raw, definitely not for everyone. It is a story about growth, resilience, and moving forward in the face of life's challenges. It's almost a brilliantly realistic life drama set in the ancient world. She experiences love and loss, but always moves forward and finds things worth living for. They have good chemistry. But, his appearance is not everyone's cup of tea. It's actually a common critique. So, you're not alone.
Actually, I think it's totally understandable in a romance context. You have to see and feel what the character feels for it to work. If you don't understand or feel the attraction, it falls flat. Romance doesn't suit every actor. So, it's not shallow. It's human nature 😁.
I watched TBT, but I didn't see any of the bts content. So, be honest, I can take it 😁.
In China, I believe there are some mixed feelings, too, but most people are fine with it. There is a history of these types of castings. It's just one of those dramas that unfortunately divides people. So, the comment section was always going to reflect that. It can't be helped. Also, a quick note, the favourite for the FL role was Tian Tian, who is one year (and a few days) older than Ai Mi, and has been doing lead roles since the age of sixteen. So, when she got caught up in a scandal, and the production team started looking for a replacement, it really wasn't surprising they went with Ai Mi. The two of them have been closely linked and compared since they debuted as child actors. Ai Mi was likely always the favourite when they moved on from HYTT.
By contrast, it's just so nice to be on the same page wishing for success and good things for the actors involved. That's what we have here with LIRD. There is nothing to complain or get upset about, so we can sit back and enjoy the ride and all the great moments they create together 🫶😊.
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7526791873667550483
The overwhelming positive aspect was talent acquisition and development. The studios were highly incentivised to invest in the development of young prospective stars. Screen acting was relatively new, and they figured out early that it was different from stage acting. So, they cast a wide net and screen-tested everyone from trained actors with formal training attained in the elite schools / academies. Models, dancers, and even people spotted on the street may be asked to come in and do a screen test. Lana Turner being discovered in a café was a famous example. The great screen icons of old HW came from a variety of different backgrounds: aristocratic, wealthy, middle class, and dirt poor. There was a great mix of the formally trained in top institutions, and those that learnt on the job. It really was a brilliant talent-maximising system.
I wish they had kept the talent investment part when they finally did away with it, because after that period ended, actors were on their own. If they could act, they could act, but if they couldn't, it was much harder to improve. They essentially have to do it on their own. Many modern HW actors never do. It hurts the quality of the current Western industry. In the old days, if they had something, the studio signed them to long-term contracts and went about training them to perform in films. They also helped craft personas for them. Name changes if necessary, new hair and general styling changes, professional photography and promotional assistance, and even voice coaching. It was all part of the branding and marketing.
I've noticed C-ent has close integration with celebrity SM content and the productions they star in. Likely, it seems, they get assistance and coaching in this, as it's a great form of modern marketing and promotion. Ai Mi, for example, just hit social media hard with photos and videos. It started with birthday content, a MV, a Douyin dance video connected to the MV, viral promotional assistance from many young celebrities, and then straight into booting content for her new drama as a FL. It has just been a continuous stream of content posting and fan engagement. All very impressive and savvy. No doubt the agencies or affiliates play a huge role in this.
So, perhaps insiders like YZ, although they have their flaws, overall are good for the industry. It's possible many careers wouldn't exist without him.
PS... I saw that a little fan dispute had emerged between Xingyue and LYR fans. Lol 😆. Seriously, what starts these things?
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7526791873667550483
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527928044405869859
Bird's eye view of ❤️AiMi❤️ on-set...
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7528036757465697590
💙Neo & AiMi❤️ just a glimpse in green...
https://so.douyin.com/video/detail?aweme_id=7527349436386905396
https://weibo.com/detail/5189166830716429
+ An extra 💙Neo💙 candid behind umbrellas ☂️ ...
https://weibo.com/detail/5189450490973482