I'm going to add this from a comment I made earlier, some of which are facts:1) Many countries have major issues…
You're welcome. I prefer cool heads to prevail. Growing up, I will say that some Western productions were labelled as "vulgar", "shallow" and "degenerate" for casualness of nudity, verbal expletives, sexual PDA, etc
I attended university in a western country, and I can see why different cultures have different attitudes born of cultures. I wouldn't fault anyone for their preferences. I wouldn't say Western countries are as per the labels used above, because every country finds its own way in balancing freedom plus responsibilities. I can understand changes that happen due to influence of cultures, but I won't stand for ridiculous attempts to distort and convert what I consider as fundamentals of my culture into something it isn't. On top of that, I don't like hypocrites preaching moral superiority. "Key To The Phoenix Heart" incorporates pure Chinese-style romance, meaning no kisses or PDA which oldschool viewers like myself remember.
My preference for no face-mashing or PDA in any dramas or movies of any country is also due to the fact that I am certain a majority of actors and actresses prefer not to do all this. I respect their profession, which is acting. And I can understand a kiss or two, which I can watch (at most, two, but usually FWWD). I am uncomfortable that some people want a 20-something or 30-something-year-old actress to play a teenager in a historical costume drama, for steamy scenes and kisses. "A Splendid Match" saw me fast-forwarding more than one scene between Ren Min and Cisha. I am consistent.
The takeaway is that people are creating imaginary fires where there are none. And insisting on fires that don't exist. Forum threads above are useful, if you get lost on anything.
Reality solidly disagrees with you, in mandarin articles and details such as on 21 July, "Kung Fu Soccer"…
You're welcome. Specific dates in August have been set for "Kung Fu Soccer" to air worldwide in multiple countries. Ai Mi successfully auditioned, and Stephen Chow believes she is good enough to be in his sports-comedy movie. No makeup. This all happened, before the audition for KTTPH. If anyone has to learn anything, it's @JamesDelaighman.
It was very very good, but at least a kiss was necessary to highlight the chemistry and yearning between the leads,…
The veteran production team is oldschool. "Key To The Phoenix Heart" is not primarily focused on romance. The romance aspect is old-school pure Chinese-style romance, meaning no Westernised kisses and PDA. The kind that older viewers such as myself remember and appreciate, rather than the recent trend of what you are alluding to for some idol dramas in the past ten years, which also didn't stop IQiyi from burning hundreds of billions of RMB over ten years.
Ai Mi isn't cast for her ability to kiss, but to act. People are cast for those qualities, first and foremost. If you want a drama with kissing, then it's another drama you need. May you find it!
FL, , the issue isn't that she's still a teenager; it's that she still has a lot to learn about acting.
Reality solidly disagrees with you, in mandarin articles and details such as on 21 July, "Kung Fu Soccer" grossed 1.6 billion RMB, according to Mao Yan Professional Edition. Ai Mi's poster was used to commemorate this milestone (just as it was also used to commemorate grossing 700 million RMB):
[ ...In the current landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry, many young artists tend to fall into one of two extremes: either they prioritize acting over their education—neglecting personal growth—or they focus solely on academics, lacking practical on-camera experience. Ai Mi breaks this dichotomy, possessing both twelve years of hands-on experience on film sets and the impressive academic credentials required for admission to a top-tier institution.
Her journey demonstrates that actors who truly go the distance do not rely on fleeting popularity, but rather on self-discipline, steady growth, and a clear vision for their lives. ] -
Best part: Ai Mi is humble and believes in always improving as an actress.
Hou MInghao also strongly disagrees with you because in yesterday's interview segment on "Fox Factory Big Question", Hou Minghao revealed to the interviewer that he has told Ai Mi countless times that when he becomes a Director, she will be his female lead and he will write whatever she wants.
Four episodes yesterday with water and a towel was very handy. I was all emojied out and mentally incoherent,…
[ Recently I was completely captivated for a full five minutes, by the "red-ribbon blindfold" scene in Episode 10 of *Que Gu*.
In a market for historical romance dramas where forced kisses and manufactured sweetness are the norm, this show dared to deliver a "pure Chinese-style romance" completely devoid of kissing scenes. Xiao Wuyi's vision is affected, so Xie Jiayu ties a red ribbon over his eyes and beats a drum to guide his way. The line, "Do you dare entrust your life to me?"—paired with the seamless sequence of Hou Minghao controlling his horse while blindfolded and firing an arrow mid-air, followed by their triumphant run and embrace—created a level of tension far more intense than any explicit physical contact.
There is such a sophisticated sense of restraint here—a dynamic where feelings run deep yet remain governed by propriety. There are no sleazy, forced kisses; instead, affection is conveyed through subtle details like a red hair ribbon, hawthorn cake, and the act of wiping shoes in the rain. Xiao Wuyi’s unspoken longing—a tug-of-war between hoping for a love that blossoms after marriage and being ready to let go if that isn't in the cards—perfectly captures the blend of adult dignity and profound devotion.
Setting aside the casting controversy and focusing solely on the crafting of emotional tension: It has been a long time since the Chinese entertainment industry saw such a pure yet captivating portrayal of a mutual connection. Sometimes, what is left unsaid is the ultimate form of allure. ] - https://m.weibo.cn/status/5320736732349526
Four episodes yesterday with water and a towel was very handy. I was all emojied out and mentally incoherent, by the time episode 28 happened and the sequence I had been waiting for, for so long.... At last!
A few quibbles here and there, but on the whole, I am very grateful to the cast and crew for producing "Key To The Phoenix Heart"! A great bridge between historical romance dramas and historical costume political dramas! On a modest budget, many things can go wrong but in the hands of all involved (and the HK Director-Screenwriter duo I trust), the final outcome is very satisfying! Whether it was politics, character development, or relationships of all kinds between different characters... Poetical. Still somewhat incoherent, inside. Will rewatch to digest.
Hou Minghao has delivered a general that should be on TV in a primetime slot! I have so many of the supporting cast that i cannot forget (Tao Xin Ran, Merkat Yalkun, etc)! Ai Mi is a unique chameleon dynamo, whose future works I look forward to!
🎋“你已在祈福树下许了我三生，你可不许反悔啊”
🧣“决不背叛 三生无悔”
🪡~就讓我 燃燒一身勇往 也 拉住你的手掌 光陰距離 不可阻擋 兩顆心同去同歸 至天荒~🪇
《雀骨》不是古偶，而是古装权谋情感传奇大戏!
Weibo yesterday saw many comments of happiness praising KTTPH for writing, the production, and the cast! Examples:
I especially want to share someone's opinion about the red ribbon scene in episode 10, pertaining to a pure Chinese-style romance (comment under spoiler tag below):
Hou Minghao is very protective and nice towards Ai Mi. The chemistry you watched in "Key To The Phoenix Heart" is vividly apparent during their two promotional segments for "Key To The Phoenix Heart" at IQiyi World Conference on 20 April, three months ago. I will show you an example where Hou Minghao turns to look at the audience three times each time Ai Mi calls "Xiao Wuyi". Three different looks for three different emotions from Ai Mi, but.... (for the group interview room segment, there were multiple activities):
I have watched enough promos. Some of them can be stiff, such as Shen Yujie and Ao Ruipeng also at IQiyi World Conference on the same day to promote their CP for another drama.
This is likely to be the reunion page for a fair number of historical costume C-drama viewers on MDL, a bridge…
I'm putting together three articles for MDL under C-Ent plus combined with offline work (and my articles tend to be lengthy since they go into detail for a drama, as per the previous ones already published and listed under my account), so I'm probably not going to be watching anything for a while. The one I am putting finishing touches for is a unique no-romance xuanhuan produced by Tencent, due to air in 2027.
I need at least two members of a production team to interest me into checking out a drama. Waiting for "Shadow Punisher".
We can take this by DM, if you have specific interests and want recs :)
1) 25 July 2025 comment is this initial forum post, as per two news articles
2) A short summary of what Hou Minghao and Ai Mi did, to prepare for their roles:
3) Ai Mi's filmography, as per how her non-idol projects such as dramas and films contributed to her landing her third FL role for the project "Key to the Phoenix Heart":
4) OST and details of all vocalists:
5) "Key To The Phoenix Heart" is not an original screenplay but easily mistaken for one. Why?
Working on 6) for Hou Minghao, given his lifestreams and other sources where he shares about KTTPH and more.
Eps 28 (the entire drama really...): DONE RIGHT! Rewatched it multiple times! 👍🌟🤦🏻♀️🤣-I…
This is likely to be the reunion page for a fair number of historical costume C-drama viewers on MDL, a bridge just like KTTPH!
Will be rewatching KTTPH this week. The dialogues and lines are very good. Some of them absolutely slayed me, be it Xiao Wuyi lecturing Li Mao, Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu having conversations- Hou Minghao shared that he has told Ai Mi countless times she will be his FL when he becomes a Director and he will write whatever role she wants, as shared in this interview yesterday:
Honestly I like the drama but isn't it a bit weird that most female empowerment cdramas nowadays tend to literally…
Within three days up until now, you've hated on the FLs in "My Dearest Part 2", "My Royal Nemesis", "Perfect Crown", and now "Key To The Phoenix Heart" (in chronological order):
For an empty account created on 6 May 2026 whereby your sum total of 7 comments from an account is only within the recent three days, and primarily craps on dramas because of the FLs- I can't take any of your comments seriously XD Thanks.
😊. What an amazing interview. Hands down the best chemistry he's ever had with a FL. Both on-screen and off.…
More than 8 months have passed since filming wrapped on 5 November 2025, yet on 22 July 2026 yesterday, Hou Minghao wanted to share with the world how impressive Ai Mi has been in her acting. To tell Ai Mi countless times that he is already planning as a Director to have her as his female lead is possibly even more laudable than at IQiyi World Conference on 20 April three months ago, where Hou MInghao praised Ai Mi so much that my ears went red.
It is evident to me (and others who also commented, after watching the two promotional events or saw clips online) that the chemistry generated between Hou MInghao and Ai Mi in "Key To The Phoenix Heart" had been consistent on-screen and off-screen and unforgettable on 20 April. There are trolls who have claimed Hou Minghao has not been sincere in whatever he says for KTTPH and is only selling the drama. I have firmly maintained my stance that Ai Mi as an actress has made a huge impact on Hou Minghao as a professional acting veteran and a friend. Just watching Hou Minghao's livestreams, you can see how much he loves Xiao Wuyi as a character.
The BTS during filming from July 2025 to September 2025 also revealed the comfort and camaraderie between Ai Mi and Hou Minghao, for those of us who watched more than half of the BTS available online.
I hope Hou Minghao will watch Ai Mi's upcoming drama, especially the one she is about to commence filming!
2 
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3 
I attended university in a western country, and I can see why different cultures have different attitudes born of cultures. I wouldn't fault anyone for their preferences. I wouldn't say Western countries are as per the labels used above, because every country finds its own way in balancing freedom plus responsibilities. I can understand changes that happen due to influence of cultures, but I won't stand for ridiculous attempts to distort and convert what I consider as fundamentals of my culture into something it isn't. On top of that, I don't like hypocrites preaching moral superiority. "Key To The Phoenix Heart" incorporates pure Chinese-style romance, meaning no kisses or PDA which oldschool viewers like myself remember.
My preference for no face-mashing or PDA in any dramas or movies of any country is also due to the fact that I am certain a majority of actors and actresses prefer not to do all this. I respect their profession, which is acting. And I can understand a kiss or two, which I can watch (at most, two, but usually FWWD). I am uncomfortable that some people want a 20-something or 30-something-year-old actress to play a teenager in a historical costume drama, for steamy scenes and kisses. "A Splendid Match" saw me fast-forwarding more than one scene between Ren Min and Cisha. I am consistent.
The takeaway is that people are creating imaginary fires where there are none. And insisting on fires that don't exist. Forum threads above are useful, if you get lost on anything.
Enjoy "Key To The Phoenix Heart"!
Ai Mi isn't cast for her ability to kiss, but to act.
People are cast for those qualities, first and foremost.
If you want a drama with kissing, then it's another drama you need. May you find it!
https://m.sohu.com/a/1053066945_313745
https://www.weibo.com/2611607127/R9K6zaLmU
~*~*~*~*~
[ ...In the current landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry, many young artists tend to fall into one of two extremes: either they prioritize acting over their education—neglecting personal growth—or they focus solely on academics, lacking practical on-camera experience. Ai Mi breaks this dichotomy, possessing both twelve years of hands-on experience on film sets and the impressive academic credentials required for admission to a top-tier institution.
Her journey demonstrates that actors who truly go the distance do not rely on fleeting popularity, but rather on self-discipline, steady growth, and a clear vision for their lives. ] -
https://www.163.com/dy/article/L229H0O205566SC3.html
~*~*~*~
Best part: Ai Mi is humble and believes in always improving as an actress.
Hou MInghao also strongly disagrees with you because in yesterday's interview segment on "Fox Factory Big Question", Hou Minghao revealed to the interviewer that he has told Ai Mi countless times that when he becomes a Director, she will be his female lead and he will write whatever she wants.
In a market for historical romance dramas where forced kisses and manufactured sweetness are the norm, this show dared to deliver a "pure Chinese-style romance" completely devoid of kissing scenes. Xiao Wuyi's vision is affected, so Xie Jiayu ties a red ribbon over his eyes and beats a drum to guide his way. The line, "Do you dare entrust your life to me?"—paired with the seamless sequence of Hou Minghao controlling his horse while blindfolded and firing an arrow mid-air, followed by their triumphant run and embrace—created a level of tension far more intense than any explicit physical contact.
There is such a sophisticated sense of restraint here—a dynamic where feelings run deep yet remain governed by propriety. There are no sleazy, forced kisses; instead, affection is conveyed through subtle details like a red hair ribbon, hawthorn cake, and the act of wiping shoes in the rain. Xiao Wuyi’s unspoken longing—a tug-of-war between hoping for a love that blossoms after marriage and being ready to let go if that isn't in the cards—perfectly captures the blend of adult dignity and profound devotion.
Setting aside the casting controversy and focusing solely on the crafting of emotional tension: It has been a long time since the Chinese entertainment industry saw such a pure yet captivating portrayal of a mutual connection. Sometimes, what is left unsaid is the ultimate form of allure. ] - https://m.weibo.cn/status/5320736732349526
A few quibbles here and there, but on the whole, I am very grateful to the cast and crew for producing "Key To The Phoenix Heart"! A great bridge between historical romance dramas and historical costume political dramas! On a modest budget, many things can go wrong but in the hands of all involved (and the HK Director-Screenwriter duo I trust), the final outcome is very satisfying! Whether it was politics, character development, or relationships of all kinds between different characters... Poetical. Still somewhat incoherent, inside. Will rewatch to digest.
Hou Minghao has delivered a general that should be on TV in a primetime slot! I have so many of the supporting cast that i cannot forget (Tao Xin Ran, Merkat Yalkun, etc)! Ai Mi is a unique chameleon dynamo, whose future works I look forward to!
🎋“你已在祈福树下许了我三生，你可不许反悔啊”
🧣“决不背叛 三生无悔”
🪡~就讓我 燃燒一身勇往
也 拉住你的手掌
光陰距離 不可阻擋
兩顆心同去同歸 至天荒~🪇
《雀骨》不是古偶，而是古装权谋情感传奇大戏!
Weibo yesterday saw many comments of happiness praising KTTPH for writing, the production, and the cast! Examples:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5323636497974487
https://m.weibo.cn/status/5323624878972381
I especially want to share someone's opinion about the red ribbon scene in episode 10, pertaining to a pure Chinese-style romance (comment under spoiler tag below):
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5289832689697937
I have watched enough promos. Some of them can be stiff, such as Shen Yujie and Ao Ruipeng also at IQiyi World Conference on the same day to promote their CP for another drama.
I need at least two members of a production team to interest me into checking out a drama. Waiting for "Shadow Punisher".
We can take this by DM, if you have specific interests and want recs :)
Also updated my forum thread into 5 sections:
https://mydramalist.com/790870-que-gu/discussions/143502-more-details-about-key-to-the-phoenix-heart-pertaining-to-the-leads-and-mohist-mechanism
1) 25 July 2025 comment is this initial forum post, as per two news articles
2) A short summary of what Hou Minghao and Ai Mi did, to prepare for their roles:
3) Ai Mi's filmography, as per how her non-idol projects such as dramas and films contributed to her landing her third FL role for the project "Key to the Phoenix Heart":
4) OST and details of all vocalists:
5) "Key To The Phoenix Heart" is not an original screenplay but easily mistaken for one. Why?
Working on 6) for Hou Minghao, given his lifestreams and other sources where he shares about KTTPH and more.
The song playing in episode 28 plus the confession scene in episode 17 is this one, if you are wondering:
https://mydramalist.com/790870-que-gu#comment-26908078
Will be rewatching KTTPH this week. The dialogues and lines are very good. Some of them absolutely slayed me, be it Xiao Wuyi lecturing Li Mao, Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu having conversations- Hou Minghao shared that he has told Ai Mi countless times she will be his FL when he becomes a Director and he will write whatever role she wants, as shared in this interview yesterday:
https://mydramalist.com/790870-que-gu#comment-26897966
https://mydramalist.com/790870-que-gu#comment-26908078
Starts with 以念作一曲同心，映一眸星月，夜夜流光相皎洁。
MV with English subs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fodi87U6okM
https://mydramalist.com/755309-my-dearest-part-2#comment-26888478
https://mydramalist.com/788412-brave-new-world#comment-26894540
https://mydramalist.com/781538-wife-of-a-21st-century-prince#comment-26901318
https://mydramalist.com/790870-que-gu#comment-26902158
For an empty account created on 6 May 2026 whereby your sum total of 7 comments from an account is only within the recent three days, and primarily craps on dramas because of the FLs- I can't take any of your comments seriously XD Thanks.
It is evident to me (and others who also commented, after watching the two promotional events or saw clips online) that the chemistry generated between Hou MInghao and Ai Mi in "Key To The Phoenix Heart" had been consistent on-screen and off-screen and unforgettable on 20 April. There are trolls who have claimed Hou Minghao has not been sincere in whatever he says for KTTPH and is only selling the drama. I have firmly maintained my stance that Ai Mi as an actress has made a huge impact on Hou Minghao as a professional acting veteran and a friend. Just watching Hou Minghao's livestreams, you can see how much he loves Xiao Wuyi as a character.
The BTS during filming from July 2025 to September 2025 also revealed the comfort and camaraderie between Ai Mi and Hou Minghao, for those of us who watched more than half of the BTS available online.
I hope Hou Minghao will watch Ai Mi's upcoming drama, especially the one she is about to commence filming!
And remark on the acting!
And brush up on the political aspects and timelines with the above forum posts of @PeachBlossomGoddess, in case he has questions in that area :)