TheNostalgicType

Yes, if they manage to fit it in, it will cap off a great year for BL.

Completely understandable and not uncommon. There are so many quality costume dramas that one never really needs to watch anything modern. Personally, I'm a bit of a genre hopper, so mixing it up helps keep things fresh for me. I also enjoy following the development of actors, so I like to see them testing themselves in different environments.

No, I don't think he has done any costume fantasies. I have thought about this potential team-up for a while now. The combo of WXY's looks and GJM's aesthetic styling would no doubt be 🔥. But, after watching MJTY and FOF, and conducting a mental re-casting, I really couldn't find a spot for him. The closest role I can think of that might suit him is Ryan Cheng's role in MJTY (GSJ). GJM's characters tend to bear the scars of past tragedies. Old wounds / vulnerabilities are exposed throughout the course of the story. He essentially never overpowers his characters, and likes to expose their flaws to the audience. This makes a talented actor like TJR a perfect fit for GJM. I would be tempted to go as far as to say TJR is GJM's muse. He has such beautifully smooth transitions between a position of strength to a state of vulnerability. In FOF he effortlessly moved between moments of comedy, sadness, and strength. I think it's clear there's more to the GJM aesthetic than just looks. An actor like TJR allows GJM to film a closeup and capture a sudden shift in the internal state. An example might be, during the heat of battle, an old memory or doubt may enter the mind, causing a visible disruption externally. TJR can convey this better than anyone in Cdrama. Those beautiful close-ups that capture the shift in demeanour and his perfectly formed tears. We've all commended him on his aesthetic crying skills. Lol. It's no wonder GJM enjoys working with him so much. HMH, Duling, ZLH, Esther, Yuxiao, Yan An, Zuo Ye, Ai Mi, and little Lin Ziye (he had a growth spurt and is not so little anymore) are other examples of actors who embody the GJM style.

WXY, by contrast, brings something else to the screen. It's not that he doesn't have range, he does. He's a phenomenal young talent (literally my favourite leading man). But the camera loves him in a different way. I think producers and directors understand what they have with him. After some early experimentation, including the portrayal of a sickly villain, the charismatic hypermasculine lead is beginning to take shape. He exudes confidence, bravado, and projects a powerful presence on screen. The scenes in The Double at the end where he twice stands alone and looks death in the eye fearlessly, are a hallmark of what Xingyue brings. His final scene, in particular (the iconic pendant scene), where his gaze shifts from the fast-approaching enemy to the heavens, is something nobody could've done better.

Directors also love to include a study of Xingyue's physical gifts, athleticism, strength, and his physique. Similar to how GJM wants to capture those pretty tears from his performers. Directors who work with Xingyue like to capture him doing rugged things, riding horses, martial arts, or just generally with his shirt off and his body in motion. Lol.

This is in part why I'm particularly keen to see HS. Hongyi is not the type that typically fits the GJM style. He has the looks, but is not someone you usually associate with sudden emotional transitions, and aesthetic crying. If Xingyue is a bit of a cowboy, Hongyi is the strong silent type. I look forward to finding out what GJM did with him. If it works out well, I can see the potential in a collaboration with WXY.

New Trailers (x2) ...

https://weibo.com/detail/5163959100640127

https://weibo.com/detail/5163976204226543

Oh, 2025. It would be Lulu overload if they do release it this year. MM & NW (watched), Feud (soon), what a year she's having. Tbf, even an early 2026 release wouldn't bother me too much if Youku steadily releases many of their anticipated dramas currently in the queue. I actually just added another Youku drama to my WL today (It never stops). Another one that was delayed, but finally with the release of the trailer, looks set to air soon. Stars Haocun, SWL, & ARP.

On a side note... Do you think WXY would fit the GJM aesthetic / style?

Thanks. I may eventually do this. Sometimes I go back and watch dramas I originally didn't intend to watch during quiet or gap periods between shows on my watchlist. However, if I don't get around to it before this drama airs, I promise not to asks any stupid questions about their back stories here in the comment section. 😁

Looks promising. Will add to the watchlist.

Yes. Even if you don't count other platforms, Youku alone has a big backlog of anticipated dramas. Delaying only forces it to compete for attention with other Youku dramas. Seems silly on Youku's part.

I feel we will get HS sooner rather than later. Youku's big drama backlog is getting a little crazy now. So there will be incentive to push some dramas out. I added Cheng Yi's TVOA to my watchlist list the other day. Expected in Q4 of 2025 (mentioned in the comment section). And now they've just dropped the trailer for the new Xingyue & Lulu drama. It looks 🔥. That one was on my radar the moment the cast was announced. So, with the trailer dropping they may be thinking about cramming it into this year's schedule. 🤔

Oh, that trailer looks insane 🤩. Insta-Hype. So many new dramas have a rich dark aesthetic. Can't wait for that Xingyue & Lulu energy to be unleashed 🥰

Yes 🤞. There is also a real possibility we get BID with SZN later in the year, too. x3 Hongyi after a long drought.

A second helping of that sweetness is definitely required.

I have no doubt WXY & XRH will create their own magic. Xingyue brings a special physicality with him, a big presence, and a heavenly voice.

Trailer dropped. Looks like we're getting it. Better late than never. I'll take it.

Lol. Yes, it's a strange one, that one. It got frozen in time for some reason. I don't recall Hongyi misbehaving, so I'm not entirely sure why.

Yes, they do look good in those fm videos. There's a wonderful thing taking place c-ent where the pool of leading ladies and leading men is growing at quite a rapid rate. They all bring their own charm / charisma to the screen, and the buzz created by a potential pairing is enough to get you hooked. I was enchanted by the recent paring of XRH & ZLH (the gentleman with a smile that could melt ice). Their chemistry was 🔥. Now, I'm curious and excited to see what comes from a XRH & WXY combination. Someone, if I was to be honest, is a bit of a cowboy.

Indeed. On a positive note, apparently, we can expect a trailer finally dropping for Hongyi's other delayed (almost lost by time) drama Treasure at Dawn. If Youku gives us at least two of the three expected Hongyis in 2025. All is forgiven 😁

https://mydramalist.com/750367-tian-shu-li-ming

Great news. Can't wait. Flood of Hongyi dramas coming soon. 🫶

The one Mimi posted the link to above

The Eternal Fragrance

Totally. I actually feel sorry for everyone involved in the drama they released. They gave their drama no promotion and dropped it into a slot where people were expecting one of three hyped costume dramas. Even smaller budget dramas deserve proper marketing.

I'm really getting hyped for this. There is something so special about him. He exudes masculine energy on and off the screen. So confident, so daring. He's always riding or driving something, and having the time of his life. Always a little wild and untamed.

Youku logic. (Step 1) Drop promo & build hype for a show. (Step 2) Postpone it. (Step 3) Release another drama you haven't been dropping promo & building hype for. (Step 4) Lose-lose