Hi everyone, welcome to newhanfu.com, the Newhanfu Community. “To help more people to learn Hanfu costume, Chinese traditional culture and feel the charm of China!” – this is our philosophy, which we have been insisting on many years. And we are so glad that we are still here with all of you. In order to give back to all our readers for their long-term support, we have prepared a variety of fascinating hanfu costume gifts for those who love and give publicity to Hanfu. Starting from 2021, we have officially launched the Hanfu Free Giveaways. We are looking forward to your participation and get your first set of hanfu costume. By 2024, we've given away more than 1,300+ free hanfu for our members (they come from all over the world, and including many social medias, like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Tiktok, etc. Thank you all for the love and always support)   Hanfu Free Giveaways Points for Discount  Start earning points and unlock exciting discounts on our exquisite hanfu collection. Every 100 points earned equals $1 in discounts on future purchases. For example, if you have accumulated 500 points, you can enjoy a $5 discount on your next order in Newhanfu Store.  …

Every year, the most explosive, buzzworthy, and actor-elevating genre undoubtedly belongs to costume dramas. This is why every year, costume dramas flood the market, attracting both investors and actors. In the upcoming lineup of Chinese video platforms in 2024, costume dramas have earned an incredibly important position. In this article, the highlights of the costume dramas that will soon be aired on Tencent Video and Youku Video.   1-Costume dramas on Tencent Video Among the upcoming lineup of costume dramas on Tencent Video, they have the fewest number compared to the other four major Chinese video platforms, with only 14 productions. However, there are still plenty of potential blockbusters among them, most of which are sure to become highly-discussed hot dramas.   The Legend of Shen Li Leading the pack is the director Deng Ke's "The Legend of Shen Li," starring Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin. It is adapted from Jiu Lu Fei Xiang's novel "Ben Wang Zai Ci." The reunion of these two actors reminds people of "Princess Agents," as the second season of that show is still eagerly anticipated. Audiences can only temporarily relieve their longing through "The Legend of Shen Li." Zhao Liying's talent is beyond doubt,…

The most popular Wuxia drama in December is undoubtedly "A Journey to Love". It has been hailed as Liu Shishi's comeback work and an original road costume drama. Since its premiere, it has attracted countless viewers and its popularity has soared. With a gathering of talented individuals and impressive techniques, the quality of "A Journey to Love" is evident. Whether it's the plot or the visual presentation, it is a rare surprise at the end of 2023. In the chaotic era of multiple countries at war, the An and Wu countries stand out, with An gradually devouring the neighboring cities, causing Wu fear. The encounters between the two countries have led to a turbulent situation, with spies infiltrating both sides. Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) is one of them. Ruyi pretense as the lowest-ranking spy in the Country An Imperial Guard and is arranged, along with her sisters, to serve as a dancer in Country Wu. With her beautiful appearance, she catches the eye of the crown prince of Wuguo and naturally takes on the task of gathering intelligence. However, their originally foolproof plan takes an unexpected turn. The Liudao Hall of Wu orders the execution of all the…

Period political drama is a popular genre in the Cdrama market, and it has always had extraordinary appeal. From "Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan" to "Nirvana in Fire" and "Story of Yanxi Palace," whether based on real historical events or fictional stories set in an alternate history, the power struggle between characters and the political intrigue in the court always arouse the curiosity and thirst for knowledge of the audience. They hope to see how the protagonists cleverly deal with various challenges. Among them, the genre of alternate history allows for the free play of imagination, creating a unique worldview and story background without being limited by real history. Because the audience does not know how the story will develop, this sense of unknown excites and anticipates them even more. Recently, the period drama "Love of Nirvana," adapted from the alternate history novel by Xiaolou, announced its completion of filming. Based on Xiaolou's novel of the same name, the drama tells the story of Xiao Wuxia, the young lord of the Moonfall City, who disguises himself as Wei Zhao and infiltrates the Liang Kingdom for many years, carrying the stigma of a treacherous minister. In order to uncover the truth…

Autumn fades into winter, and on the screen emerges a grand and emotionally intense historical drama. Directed by Zhou Jingtao and Zou Xi, "A Journey to Love" stars Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning. While road dramas and martial arts dramas are common, it is rare to see them successfully combined. Especially when creating an original script without the reference of a novel, it is not an easy task to construct a world outside the palace, in the realm of rivers and lakes. "A Journey to Love" premiered on November 28, 2023, stunning audiences with its fast-paced plot and fresh character designs. This drama tells the story of Ren Ruyi (Ren Xin), the former left envoy of the Zhu Yi Guard who fakes his death and infiltrates the city of Wudu. There, she unexpectedly meets Ning Yuanzhou, once the deputy hall master of the Liudao Hall. Ning Yuanzhou, who returned from the battlefield, only wants to live a secluded life in the countryside. In order to prove his innocence to his former colleagues and return to the Liudao Hall as a savior of the nation, he gathers a group of people, including Yu Shi San, Yuan Lu, Qian Zhao, and Sun…

This summer, the entertainment charts of short videos and social media platforms have been occupied by various drama series in a myriad of ways. Audiences find themselves shedding tears for the tumultuous journey of Xiaoyao (played by Yang Zi) in "Lost You Forever," while anxiously following the poisonous schemes of Li Xiangyi (played by Cheng Yi) in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook." And the excitement surrounding the grand wedding in "Destined" for the beloved couple Gu Jiu Si and Liu Yu Ru. This year, a total of 125 Chinese dramas were released during the summer, an increase of 28 compared to the previous year, with a cumulative total of over 77.2 billion valid views. Even many mid-sized productions managed to dominate the summer season solely based on their word-of-mouth reputation. "Fake It Till You Make It" focuses on urban career, while "An Ancient Love Song" takes on the theme of reverse time travel. Various genres and storylines have witnessed changes and breakthroughs in creative direction. However, amidst the bustling data and clamor of feedback, many people are still immersed in the shock of "The Knockout" surpassing 10 billion views in the first half of the year, unable to extricate themselves. What is…

The romantic Wuxia drama "Love Forever Young," starring Fang Yilun, Liu Lingzi, Ma Wenyuan, Su Xiaotong, Feng Mingchao, and Dai Yanni, is currently airing. Adapted from a manga of the same name, the drama tells the story of two martial arts sects that have been feuding over territory for three generations but end up entangled in a tale of love and hate. Despite lacking well-known celebrities or extensive publicity, the drama has gained some recognition since its release. The production studio Xin Sheng Tang's previous dramas like "Chef Fang" and "Chef Hua" share a similar style with this series - no high-profile stars or dramatic plot twists. However, they all bring forth a refreshing breeze through their focus on companionship within the daily life genre of costume dramas. Different from traditional wuxia dramas, "Love Forever Young" sets itself apart by presenting an enjoyable and absurd narrative about the enmity between the two factions despite informing viewers from the start about their three-generation conflict. The interesting and lively young heroes as well as mysterious ancestors who seemingly complicate relationships add to audience interest. Furthermore, relying on a talented production team ensures sincerity throughout every aspect of costume design to real-life shooting…

Currently, "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" is being aired in a landscape where martial arts dramas show some signs of improvement and mystery genres are booming. From the perspective of a Wuxia drama, "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" is filled with the essence of the martial world in its plot and story background. From the viewpoint of a mystery drama, each episode interconnects seamlessly, with a tightly-paced storyline and plenty of comedic moments that generate high levels of interest and public discussion. However, precisely because it has gained considerable popularity, its distinct characteristics have made it harder for this fusion between Wuxia and suspense genres to blend harmoniously. Since its premiere, "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" has sparked ongoing debates about which category it belongs to. Upon closer observation, certain aspects such as the overall story structure, character relationships, factional struggles within martial arts sects, and enigmatic case investigations appear overly straightforward or even somewhat misguided.   An orderly obsession From its content perspective, "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" is a costume mystery drama with elements of martial arts woven into it. The mysteries presented in each episode all stem from conflicts within the martial world rather than focusing on chivalry alone; instead they emphasize the intricate dynamics…

In 2022, plenty of wonderful Chinese costume dramas accompany us. For example, the military and espionage drama "The Wind Blows From Longxi" based on the Three Kingdoms period; "Luoyang" and "Strange Legend of Tang Dynasty" set in the Tang Dynasty; "A Dream of Splendor" set in the Song Dynasty; "Imperial Cuisine" and "The Imperial Age" with the Ming Dynasty background; and the latest Qing Dynasty theme drama "The Long River". There are still some dramas in the 2022 to-broadcast list that have not yet aired, check them out here. The following is a list of Chinese costume dramas in 2023, as compiled by Newhanfu. Destined · 长风渡 (Aired) Aired: June 18, 2023 Also known as: Chang Feng Du Period Background: Alternative Reality Genres: Historical, Romance Main Role: Bai Jing Ting as Gu Jiusi, Song Yi as Liu Yuru, Liu Xue Yi as Luo Zishang Plot summary of Destined The drama "Destined" is based on Mo Shubai’s novel of the same name. Liu Yuru (柳玉茹, played by Song Yi), the daughter of a cloth merchant, has been suffering from her mother's illness, her concubine mother's lack of mercy, and her father's lack of attention since she was a child, so she…

The current drama market has become a trial ground for many top-tier dramas, and those who can break through the competition are receiving industry attention. The recently premiered drama "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" is a prime example. According to public data, the show garnered over 4 million reservations, with more than 21.5 million bullet comments within 5 hours of its premiere. It topped various rankings such as the trending list, TV drama list, and rising list on the platform, reaching the top spot on the daily popularity chart just two hours after its premiere. It is quite surprising that this story about Jianghu (martial arts world) can stir up such storms during the summer season primarily targeted at young mainstream audiences. Analyzing the discussion points of this drama reveals that it is this refreshing portrayal of Jianghu in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" that helps drive its positive word-of-mouth transformation and accumulates strength for future dissemination. Though seemingly set in familiar Jianghu settings: heroic individuals, martial arts sects, isolated village inns, desolate ancient tombs, these well-known elements of Jianghu are portrayed by vivid characters in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook," delivering new emotional impact and viewing experiences to audiences. This creates another legendary tale within…

For a long time, the genre of Xianxia dramas has always been an important category in Chinese television productions. Whether it's the once dominant and repeatedly aired "New Legend of White Snake", or the pioneering work of contemporary Xianxia dramas, "Chinese Paladin", or the 2017 sensation that sparked a craze "Eternal Love", Xianxia dramas are an inevitable subject in Chinese TV series creation. And beneath the fantastical world and martial heroes lies its ever-changing core, the values of changing times.   Classic values in Xianxia drama series When reminiscing about Xianxia and monster-themed dramas you have watched, you may immediately think of classics such as "Journey to the West," "New Legend of White Snake," and "Gods of Honour" which were adapted from Chinese folk legends and historical texts. Underneath their classic stories, these immortal drama series possess lasting vitality undoubtedly related to their fundamental narrative logic. For instance, at its essence, "Journey to the West" is a tale of team adventure where protagonists undergo different forms of growth after facing conflicts and difficulties. The protagonist often embarks on a journey alone or with a team to search for something but ultimately discovers that what they find isn't tangible treasure but…

This summer, it is destined to be a carnival for Chinese ancient costume dramas. First, we had "Lord of Snow Eagles" and "Destined," followed by "The Longest Promise" and "Divine Destiny." And in the upcoming yet-to-be-aired dramas, we have highly anticipated hits like "The Legend of Shen Li" and "My Journey to You." It can be said that one masterpiece follows another, leaving audience overwhelmed. Especially after completing filming in March, "My Journey to You" quickly obtained its distribution license and officially passed the review process within a very short period. As a pre-produced drama slated for summer season lineup, it is expected to premiere in the middle or later part of the summer. With its excellent production quality, captivating storyline, and a cast full of talented individuals who possess exceptional looks, once it starts airing, it will undoubtedly set new heights for costume dramas. The Wuxia cdrama "My Journey to You" tells the story of rebellious young noble Gong Ziyu and spy Yun Weishan's journey towards growth as they both crave freedom. This marks Guo Jingming's directorial debut in television after achieving consecutive successes in the film industry. His talent has gained recognition from the industry at large. At…

The hot-blooded Xianxia drama "Lord of Snow Eagles," directed by Li Dachao and starring Xu Kai, Gulnazar, Bai Shu, and Lu Tingyu, is currently airing. This drama is adapted from a novel of the same name. The story revolves around Dongbo Xueying, a young man with an ancient bloodline, who becomes entangled in the conflict between righteousness and evil as he strives to save his mother. Along the way, Xueying meets and falls in love with Yujingqiu, a descendant of the divine race. Together, they overcome numerous obstacles and eventually grow into the legendary Lord of Snow Eagles that shines brightly in the Orient. Xianxia dramas have always been popular among young audiences in Chinese film and television productions. Creating a unique worldview is often essential for such dramas. In terms of production value, Xianxia dramas tend to have relatively high costs due to special effects shots, action choreography, green screen editing skills etc., which require time and financial resources. Some large-scale productions even rely on CG technology to enhance visual effects. "Lord of Snow Eagles" has indeed created an expansive and innovative world view. Its fight scenes and special effects are commendable; if we overlook its conventional plotlines and focus…

As the first half of 2023 draws to a close, various Chinese video platform' top-performing drama statistics have been released. According to the data collected, there have been changes in audience preferences and creative directions within the industry. Despite an overall improvement in Cdramas' quality this year, with particular emphasis on high-scoring productions such as "Three-Body," "The Knockout" and "The Long Season," few stand out as true blockbusters based on viewership numbers alone. After "The Knockout", the second-highest-ranked series was Xuanhuan cdrama "Till The End Of The Moon," with a total view count of 2.71 billion. So far this year, only “The Knockout” has exceeded three billion views during its initial broadcast period; none have reached three billion or more since then. Of course, some of the highly popular works with limited airplay are closely related to the short number of episodes. For example, the summer hottest cdrama "Love Between Fairy and Devil", with a total of 36 episodes, had a playback volume of around 2.2 billion during its hit period. Last year's hottest cdramas like “A Lifelong Journey”, “New Life Begins” and “Love Like the Galaxy,” all had episode counts exceeding forty episodes, with “Love Like the Galaxy” split…

The premiere of "The Longest Promise" undoubtedly brings the most pleasant surprise in this July. After all, this fantasy drama had generated immense anticipation across various online platforms before its release and even topped the new drama expectation charts multiple times. With solid production quality, beautiful visuals, and a high-profile cast led by Xiao Zhan, Ren Min, and Wang Churan, it has already laid a solid foundation for its popularity. "The Longest Promise" is a Wuxia & fantasy drama adapted from Cang Yue's novel "Zhu Yan." It tells the story of Shiyin, the aloof crown prince of Kong Sang Empire, and Zhuyan, the passionate princess of Chi Tribe. Their fates intertwine due to an act of kindness when they were young. Shiyin accompanies Zhuyan on her journey while they both strive to protect the Kong Sang Dynasty. In terms of viewership data presented during its premiere broadcast, "The Longest Promise" indeed lives up to audience expectations. Jiang Jiajun's expertise in costume dramas is evident in this series. His rich experience in martial arts filming ensures smooth transitions between scenes and fluid camera movements. The quality showcased in numerous action sequences highlights his skillset. Moreover, the visual effects are also commendable…

Every year, there are numerous exquisite Chinese ancient dramas. Among them, the beautiful and elaborate costumes in Xuanhuan dramas often create breakout stars who rely on their good looks alone. In recent years, many popular actors have emerged from these productions. The just-concluded youth fantasy Xuanhuan drama "Back from the Brink" has been a hot topic since its release, with over 1 million views at its peak and an increasingly engaging viewing experience. With meticulous costume designs and adorable pet effects as well as two leads: Neo Hou and Zhou Ye, whose emotional intelligence is evident while they navigate through sweet and anguished plotlines with ease, this show not only caters to Gen Z audiences but also propelled the popularity of both 95s-born lead actors. In the series, Neo Hou (Hou Minghao) portrays thousand year dragon Tianyao with his striking appearance paired with deep love that he wholeheartedly, devotes himself to without complaint or regret despite being battered by injuries. He never blindly blames others out of hatred for what happened but rather grows stronger during his journey to find himself again, resulting in an arc made brilliant by Hou's acting skills that helped him stand out from others. During…

After experiencing the oriental beauty of "The Island of Siliang" and the passionate combat in "Douluo Continent", what other expectations can we have for Chinese animation? The release of stylized martial arts animation "Blades of the Guardians" on June 1, 2023, surprises us with something new. Unlike the recent popular science fiction or immortality themes on various streaming platforms, Chinese martial arts finally becomes the theme again in the animated series "Blades of the Guardians (Biao Ren, 镖人)". A mysterious middle-aged martial artist, with a thin horse and a young child, walks in the desert outside of the country. He negotiates deals with bandits while making friends among commoners, he is both a armed escort and possesses an adventurer's courage. This character has rekindled memories of martial arts within society after only four episodes aired. Some see it as embodying Wuxia aesthetics; others use it to refute claims that martial arts are dead - even inspiring some to pick up original comic books once more. For a long time, whenever the content industry reached certain points, it was necessary to discuss the disappearance of martial arts theme. It is believed that lack of audience interest and reluctance from production teams…

It seems that the audience's preferences have changed along with the trend of Xianxia dramas. Increasingly, Xianxia dramas are bringing back the long-lost sense of youth to the audience, offering a blend of joy, passion, and adolescent energy. Not only do viewers indulge in the sweet and bitter plotlines, but they are also awakened to their yearning for idealized love, which can inspire the brighter side of human nature. If every generation has its own Xianxia dramas, then the Xianxia dramas represented by "Love Between Fairy and Devil" and "Back from the Brink" undoubtedly fit the aesthetic taste of Generation Z in terms of art style, character design, and core values. They meet the current young people's demands for passionate values, which is markedly different from the previous style of Xianxia dramas.   Character Setting Downgraded Prior to "The Journey of Flower," the main theme of Xianxia dramas was the growth of youths in a collective background. Such as Li Xiaoyao, Jing Tian, and Baili Tusu were chosen because they came from the lower classes or had a strong aura. Since then, the protagonist of Xianxia dramas has become female, and the narrative of adolescent growth has been replaced by…

In Chinese films and television, the martial arts genre has always been a powerful presence. The exciting and thrilling martial arts scenes and plot conflicts filled with tension are loved by audiences. In the 1980s and 1990s, it can be said that it was the golden age of martial arts dramas, and the shadows of swords and knives and the stories of seeking revenge for past grievances became the memories of a generation on the screen. Around 2015, costume idols and Xianxia were popular for a while. In recent years, under the downward trend of the costume drama market, the output of martial arts dramas has also sharply declined, and the martial arts world has become somewhat quiet. At the end of last year, the online release of "Sword Snow Stride" triggered a heated discussion, once again arousing the audience's dream of the martial arts world. With the hot-blooded premiere of the costume martial arts drama "Pledge of Allegiance" this year, the martial arts genre may be making a comeback.   1 New Martial Arts Drama Unveils New Core Martial arts dramas have a strong audience base. With the rising popularity of new martial arts novelists such as Jin Yong,…

Chinese costume dramas have gained immense popularity in recent years, both in China and around the world. These dramas are known for their intricate costumes, beautiful set designs, and of course, their unforgettable female leads. While each drama has its own unique story and characters, there are three distinct types of female leads that are commonly seen in Chinese costume dramas. In this essay, we will explore these three types of female leads and examine what makes each of them so compelling. Costume dramas are an enduring theme, particularly beloved by female audiences. Upon reviewing the performance of dramas over the past three years, we have observed that the female leads' characterizations have been continuously innovative in these popular works. Some are powerful and gallant heroines, whose continuous growth propels the work's excitement; while others are clever and lovable young ladies, naturally drawing closer to the audience and evoking emotional resonance.   Female Leads in Hit Costume Drama Among the latest and most popular five period dramas in the past three years, take "A Dream of Splendor," "Douluo Continent," "My Heroic Husband," "Love Like the Galaxy" and "Legend of Fei" as examples. "A Dream of Splendor" features a "career-oriented" female…