From conception to airing, "Till The End Of The Moon (长月烬明·月照千峰)" has garnered much attention and has not disappointed audiences. Since its premiere on March 6th, it has set a record for the highest viewership rate in two years among Chinese web dramas. Discussions about the combination of immortal fantasy with Chinese mythology, the fusion of modern special effects and Dunhuang aesthetics, and more have been ongoing and many netizens praise the drama's cultural significance and aesthetic style.
The Return of the Xia Spirit
The first few episodes of "Till The End Of The Moon" are efficient and succinct. It immediately opens with a high-energy scene of the demon Tantai Jin unleashing mayhem, followed by an impressive display of special effects. Without wasting any time, it then launches into a plot about turning the future around. In just a few episodes, the female lead has already in the main storyline and try save humanity.
The market is not lacking in Xianxia dramas, but what it lacks are good-looking ones. As the contradiction between users' increasing demand for good content and the inevitable homogeneity of content deepens, innovation becomes more urgent. "Till The End Of The Moon" redefines the boundaries of innovation in the genre of Xianxia drama by using unconventional storytelling methods, rich and diverse character designs, and a renewed system of chivalric values.
One of the most captivating aspects of Xianxia dramas is their depiction of the fantastical East Asian world. Drawing inspiration from Chinese mythology and ancient texts such as "Classic of Mountains and Seas" and "Zhuangzi," "Till The End Of The Moon" create a vivid backdrop of the four continents and three realms," a world inhabited by gods, demons, and humans. The drama fully embraces the poetic expression, magical beauty, and tragic ideals inherent in Chinese mythology.
In "Till The End Of The Moon," the main characters have multiple identities across different eras. The writers take advantage of the genre's natural complexity to flesh out the characters' personalities and motives through their experiences. For instance, the male lead Tantai Jin is complex, both wicked and heroic, and his struggles and vulnerabilities are palpable, allowing viewers to empathize with him on an emotional level.
"Redemption" is often the core theme of the Xianxia genre, but in "Till The End Of The Moon," the female lead Li Su Su embodies this idea. When she confronts the male lead who has become demonic, her brave and resolute personality, her steadfast loyalty to her principles, and her clear and firm goal of saving the world subvert the traditional stereotypes of female weakness that have been prevalent in most Xianxia dramas.
While many Xianxia dramas in recent years have focused on romance rather than the heroism and chivalry associated with the genre, "Till The End Of The Moon" marks a full-scale return to these ideals. The spirit of chivalry and dedication to saving the world is built upon a well-developed worldview, conveyed through concrete expressions within the main plot and character development. According to screenwriters He Fang and Luo Xuan, the highlight of the drama, "The Battle of Twelve Divine Powers Against the Demonic," is not only a well-known historical event among the sect's disciples, but its spiritual values extend into the main story thousands of years later. Whether it is Tantai Jin or Li Su Su, both carry a sense of chivalry and righteousness in their hearts.
The Oriental Aesthetics in "Till The End Of The Moon"
Since the announcement of "Till The End Of The Moon," praise for its art style and costume design has been non-stop. In the past, it was rare to describe a Xianxia drama as "magnificent."
Previously, the main characters of Xianxia dramas usually wore large swaths of white between plain and monotonous, and their appearances were often the same. However, the gorgeous and grandiose composition and color scheme of "Till The End Of The Moon," as well as the Dunhuang-themed costumes worn by the entire cast, such bold aesthetic innovation is unique and surprising.
The cast and crew combined Dunhuang aesthetics with modern aesthetics to create a Xianxia world with a distinct Chinese flavor. The fantastic world in the drama showcases the beauty and grandeur of oriental mythology. It continues the classic beauty of Chinese civilization, creating a historical space that immerses the audience in the drama.
One of the most representative locations in the drama, Hengyang Sect, not only features the millennium-old quality of Dunhuang culture but also displays the historical traces inherited from Tang and Song architectural traditions. From scenes to props, "Till The End Of The Moon" retains the mystical elements of xianxia dramas while inheriting the Dunhuang-style aesthetic, showcasing the charm of Eastern culture amidst the collision of ancient and modern.
The application of Dunhuang aesthetics is also fully reflected in the costume design. The flying celestial style of Dunhuang, the mural patterns of Mogao Grottoes, the rich colors of Danxia landforms, and the distinctive accessories of the western regions all appear in the costumes of "Till The End Of The Moon."
The costume design embodies the strong classical Dunhuang elements and features innovative Chinese aesthetics. Different characters in the drama, including gods, demons, and monsters, all have distinct costume characteristics. For example, the costume design of the gods incorporates the elements of flying celestial costumes from murals, while the color scheme of demon and monster costumes draws inspiration from murals. The fabric, craftsmanship, and style are fully imaginative and incorporate modern aesthetics based on traditional color tones, making the overall appearance eye-catching.
According to costume design director Huang Wei, during the creative process, the team went to many locations, such as the Colorful Danxia scenic spot of Zhangye in Gansu, Singing Sand Dunes, Yueya Spring, Mogao Grottoes, and Yulin Grottoes in Dunhuang, to draw inspiration and integrate it into costume styles, designs, and color schemes, forming a unique style that "combines the strong classical Dunhuang mythology with innovative Chinese aesthetics."
The complex and innovative yet classic costumes of "Till The End Of The Moon" are filled with the team's attention to detail. Traditional mythological elements and classical Eastern aesthetics are the guiding threads throughout the entire drama, and the creative team ensures that the historical depth necessary for Xianxia dramas is expressed in every aspect.
The art design is an indispensable soulful in "Till The End Of The Moon." After repeated polishing by the art director Luan Hexin and the director Ju Jueliang, they ultimately settled on a design style that emphasizes people-oriented values while incorporating both Eastern mystique and humanistic sentiment. To achieve this vision, 12 photography studios occupying nearly 50,000 square meters were used, requiring an enormous volume of prop production. The entire series features nearly 30,000 props, with hundreds of items dedicated solely to creating the appearance of the male and female leads.
During the shooting process, to make the immortal world appear more grounded, the creative team took inspiration from the design principles of Dunhuang culture and Tang-Song architecture. They spent nine months constructing a practical landscape at an outdoor site in Yongkang, Zhejiang Province
In the construction of the human and divine realms architecture, traditional decorations were combined with historical elements while retaining the mysterious atmosphere of Xianxia drama. Based on real scenes but extended through the lens of Xianxia fantasy, the designs for the four realms' scenes are more realistic and dynamic.
Under the close collaboration between various departments regarding content, styling, and art, the aesthetic design of "Till The End Of The Moon" exhibits high unity. Grounded in people-oriented and chivalrous values, the creative team boldly broke away from conventional production methods and maximized the advantages of their content. With its foundation rooted in Chinese traditional culture, the xianxia drama embodied classic Eastern aesthetics and redefined the audience's perception of xianxia fiction, providing greater imagination space.
Through "Till The End Of The Moon," we have seen more possibilities for exploring the space of Xianxia drama. The unique eastern aesthetic innovation and the restoration of the core meaning of Xianxia, satisfy the strong demands of the market and audience, and set a new standard for content creation.
Nice!
nice article! Worth the effort because now I wanna watch it!
Must watching
Good drama, amazing 😍
Yes that right