In the realm of television, Chinese historical dramas stand as towering monuments to the country's rich heritage and storytelling prowess. As we step into 2024, the anticipation for new narratives that intertwine historical intricacies with the art of modern filmmaking has never been higher. With leading platforms like iQIYI and Mango TV at the helm of broadcasting, viewers worldwide are on the edge of their seats, waiting to be transported back in time through the lens of these forthcoming masterpieces. This article aims to shed light on the most anticipated Chinese historical dramas of 2024, promising a blend of majestic settings, intricate plotlines, and characters that embody the depth of China's historical tapestry.   1-iQiyi: The Trend is Unstoppable Unexpectedly, iQiyi is the platform with the most upcoming period dramas among the four major platforms, reaching a whopping 30. With rich themes and a powerful cast, it can be said that most highly discussed period dramas are here.   "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" Series First is the "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" series. Adapted from the manga of the same name, it tells the love story between humans and spirits in a episodic format. As of now, the original manga has a popularity…

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 wuxia drama, which used to dominate the screen for many years and had a deep audience base, has entered a low tide due to repeated remakes and lack of innovation. However, to the surprise of the audience, the wuxia dramas in 2023 brought some long-lost brilliance. The release of a batch of works such as "The Ingenious One" which focuses on "martial arts mysteries", "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" which combines suspenseful detective stories, and the wuxia comedy "Legend of the Undercover Chef" once again proves that wuxia dramas still have the ability to stand out. In 2024, there are 12 upcoming wuxia dramas that have great potential in terms of cast and audience expectations. Let's speculate, which work will become the blockbuster wuxia drama of 2024? The most anticipated upcoming wuxia dramas in 2024 are definitely the sequels of popular IPs. With their previous performance being generally good, serialized dramas come with built-in popularity and are more likely to become blockbusters, achieving great success once again.   Joy of Life Season 2 With the popularity of the first season, there should be no doubt about the expectations for "Joy of Life" Season 2. Currently, the number of pre-orders of season…

After the release of "Chinese Paladin Season 5" in 2016, it has been 8 years since the "Chinese Paladin" IP made its appearance. "Sword and Fairy 4 (Chinese Paladin Season 4)," directed by Yang Xuan, starring Ju Jingyi, Chen Zheyuan, Mao Zijun, and Mao Xiaohui, is currently airing on iQiyi. The story tells of the adventures and challenges that Han Lingsha, Yun Tianhe, Murong Ziying, and Liu Mengli face on their journey to protect the world, as well as the friendships and growth they experience along the way. The "Chinese Paladin" IP has a strong fan base, and the adaptation satisfies the nostalgia of a generation. "Sword and Fairy 4" premiered with high expectations from the audience, with over 75 million views on the platform within 24 hours, showcasing the popularity of the "Chinese Paladin" series and the influence of the new generation of actors. However, after a few episodes, many viewers criticized the quality of the series, especially the fans of the original work, who believe that the drama did not fully capture the essence of the original. Additionally, viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the actors' performances. Any work must undergo the scrutiny of the audience, and the reputation of…

The year 2023 witnessed the emergence of mystery dramas as the undisputed delicacies of the Chinese television industry. The inaugural production of Tencent Video's X Theatre, "The Long Season," set the stage with a resounding success, garnering an impressive rating of 9.4 on Douban. It has transcended the boundaries of the suspense drama genre, becoming the highest-rated cdrama in the past eight years. The subsequent series, "Ripe Town," may not have garnered as much attention, but it has received equally high praise, setting a positive tone for X Theatre. iQiyi's Mystique Theatre, now in its fourth year, may not have produced a mega-hit like "The Bad Kid" this year, but it maintains a stable output. "Thirteen Years of Dust" demonstrates ingenuity in its suspenseful plot and character development, while "Why Try to Change Me Now" boldly combines artistry and mystery, achieving commendable results. Youku and Mango TV, on the other hand, have fewer mystery dramas with average quality. "Who Is He," despite benefiting from the popularity of its cast, only managed to secure a disappointing score of 5.6. "Desire Catcher," with its attention-grabbing dual male leads, failed to live up to its promising premise, ultimately receiving a score of 5.5. Overall, 2023…

An evil sect has brought calamity upon the world, and a turbulent period of catastrophe is imminent. A pair of young boys and girls awaken in Wuyan Village, embarking on a journey to uncover the mysteries of their origins and their mission as sword bearers. On January 18th, "Sword and Fairy" as promised, immediately claiming the top spot on various charts. This drama revolves around the intertwined fates of Yue Jinzhao and Yue Qi, who possess a magical resonance connection. It unravels a series of mysterious events, including the rebellion of the Qiyuan Sect, ultimately leading the Yue siblings and their newfound allies, Xianqing and Luo Zhaoyan, to form the team and face the hardships alongside the common people. It becomes apparent that the reason this drama stands out in the saturated market of xianxia dramas lies not in any particular attention-grabbing element, but rather in the synergy of its many strengths. Firstly, drawing upon Chinese traditional mythology, the series portrays the ancient behemoth Kun as the Ming Zhu, creating a fantastical xianxia world that is both real and illusory, thereby adding a sense of weightiness. Secondly, the emotional bond and destined fate between the Yue siblings, as well as…

If we were to identify some highlights in the 2023 Chinese film market, undoubtedly, the summer release of "Chang An" shone brightly among them. Following the success of the blockbuster "Chang An," the next eagerly anticipated work from Light Chaser Animation Studios is the third installment of the Bai She (White Snake) series, titled "Bai She 3: Fusheng." The film has already locked in the Qixi Festival (August 10, 2024) slot six months in advance. When it comes to the realm of adult-oriented animated films, Light Chaser stands alone as the only series to persist into its third installment, there is no doubt that "Bai She 3: Fusheng" is highly anticipated.   Meticulously considered release date After undergoing the trials of the first two installments, the White Snake series from Light Chaser Animation Studios has firmly established its presence. Not only has it achieved excellent market performance, but it has also become a representative work of contemporary Eastern aesthetics. After a three-year hiatus, the third installment of the series has finally surfaced and become the first film this year to secure the coveted summer and Qixi Festival slots. The audacity to seize the prime time slot six months in advance…

At the beginning of 2024, the television series market was full of surprises, with various genres presenting innovative works. One of them, "Different Princess," which premiered on January 12th, broke the conventional impression of love-centered narratives in similar works. Through the fusion of "fantasy + mystery" elements, it firmly grasped the audience's attention with its highly recognizable and refreshing content.   Unconventional Plot in Different Princess With its fast-paced storytelling and unconventional plot, the series offers a thrilling and satisfying viewing experience. From the first six episodes, it can be seen that "Different Princess" intertwines multiple suspenseful standalone cases within the main story, and its fast-paced narrative and continuous plot twists have become the primary elements for retaining viewers. The series tells the story of the female protagonist, a web novel author, who is punished by a system and transmigrates into her own novel, becoming a supporting character who is supposed to be killed by the antagonist male lead as soon as she appears. In order to survive, the female protagonist, Hua Qing Ge, must escape for her life on her wedding night. Fortunately, with her detailed understanding of the plot, she narrowly escapes the clutches of the antagonist male…

Wang Sibo (Roywang), the first person in Chinese light painting art and the first Chinese advisor of the World Light Painting Alliance, is adept at creating light paintings in a Chinese style. In 2018, he completed the painting "Dragon Dance in Beijing" in just 7 minutes, where a golden dragon illuminated Wangfujing Street, breaking the world record. He integrates traditional Chinese aesthetics into modern art, using light as ink and night as canvas, combining ancient cultural elements with contemporary art forms to create stunning works. He even brings mythical creatures from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" to life on the streets, becoming well-known to the public. 01 Painting everything with light Light painting, in simple terms, is the process of capturing the movement of light sources in a dark environment through long exposure, resulting in various abstract images. For example, if one wants to paint a dragon, they can use a light source to "draw" the dragon in front of the camera, and the camera will record the trajectory of the light source, creating a photo that shows a shining dragon. For creators of light painting photography, it does not require highly advanced painting skills. With a basic foundation…

The Tang Dynasty was known for its admiration of plumpness and loose clothing style, which emerged after the appearance of Yang Guifei. By examining these reliable historical materials, we can discover that the Kaiyuan and Tianbao periods were the fastest-changing phases in fashion during the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, we will use Yang Yuhuan's life as a reference to explore the history of women's fashion during the flourishing Tang Dynasty, focusing on four stages: her childhood in the early Kaiyuan period, her time in Luoyang during the middle of the Kaiyuan period, her status as a noble concubine in the early Tianbao period, and her tragic end in the late Tianbao period. From the early Tang Dynasty to the Wu Zhou period, the trend of women's fashion can be summarized as follows: from the slender and conservative style at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, to the gradually opening up under the reign of Emperor Dezong, and finally to the magnificent and flourishing Wu Zhou era. This was a time when the aesthetic ideals of Tang Dynasty women were characterized by elegance, confidence, and the willingness to showcase their figures. It was closely related to the influence of Empress Wu Zetian,…

The broadcast of "Blossoms Shanghai" at the beginning of 2024 has sparked a continuing cultural phenomenon. Netizens have been sharing photos of their grandparents' way of life from the 1970s to the turn of the century, creating a shared resonance. Through the convergence of emotional reminiscence and intellectual questioning in "Blossoms Shanghai," this highly anticipated drama, adapted from the novel of the same name by Jin Yucheng, produced by Tencent Video, directed and produced by Wong Kar-wai, and starring Hu Ge, Ma Yili, Tiffany Tang, and Xin Zhilei, brings the legendary story of the sons and daughters of Shanghai to the public's screens. "Blossoms Shanghai" begins with a depiction of the era and region, unfolding in a unique artistic form that transcends existing film and television genres. It captures the distinct emotional pursuits and interpersonal relationships of the Chinese people, breaking through the barriers of time and space to establish a strong and lasting connection with the present and the masses.   Narrative Landscape: Breaking the Boundaries of Genre As the earliest city of transformation in China, Shanghai is not only a financial, trade, shipping, and innovation center in contemporary China and the world, but also embodies a significant fusion…

Directed by Lu Yang, starring Huang Xuan, Wu Yue, Zhang Rongrong, Lu Fangsheng, Wang Shengdi, Jiang Qiming and others, the ancient fantasy drama "The Mutations" is currently being broadcasted. The plot is set in the Tianqi period, telling the story of a sudden outbreak of a plague on a remote island outside Ningyuan City. Chu Sijing, a member of the Jin Yi Wei, secretly investigates and becomes entangled in a series of mysterious and dangerous events. This drama combines fantasy elements with Eastern culture, creating a unique temperament and style, bringing the audience an ultimate sense of freshness. This drama is based on the historical fact of the rampant plague in the late Ming Dynasty. Through the process of investigating the truth of the typhoid fever in Ningyuan City by the Jin Yi Wei, it involves various forces such as Chu Sijing (played by Huang Xuan), Ba Yan, a official (played by Wu Yue), and Captain Angelica, a foreign ship (played by Zhang Rongrong). From Ningyuan City to Ninghai Fortress, and then to Wumo Island, as the investigation deepens, the level of danger gradually increases, and the truth and secrets behind each key character are about to be revealed. The…

Have you mesmerized by the makeup of "A Journey to Love"? The beauty level is comparable to the grand award of Huadian in ancient costume dramas. BAZAAR brings you a look at the use of the Huadian in recent Chinese TV dramas and its history. As the chosen one of ancient times, Liu Shi Shi made a graceful appearance with a transcendent snow dance, dressed in a flowing red gown, with a graceful figure. The red of the Huadian between her eyebrows and the white of the snow complemented each other, making her as beautiful as a painting. After entering the palace, she abandoned her fierce killer aura and her presence became gentle and hazy. Her usual elegant attire, paired with the Huadian, exuded a cool and charming aura. The costume and makeup of other characters are also praiseworthy. He Lan Dou, who plays Princess Yang Ying, went from being overlooked to becoming the empress, and the appearance of the Huadian perfectly corresponded to her growth trajectory. Chen Xiao Yun's Huadian makeup in the role of noble consort Chu emanated a pure and captivating charm, making her beauty irresistible. Chen Du Ling, who caused a stir with her appearance, portrayed…

It must be acknowledged that "The Last Immortal" does not belong to the type that amazes people from the beginning. To be precise, the early plot of "The Last Immortal" hard strikes a chord with the audience. In the first episode, the male protagonist, Gu Jin, plays an extremely clichéd scene of apologizing, which results in the dispersal of the fairy essence of Feng Yin that had just helped him. Afterwards, the Feng Yin essence attaches herself to a water condensing beast egg, and after hatching from it, it becomes Gu Jin's fairy servant, A Yin, instead of the noble successor of the Phoenix, as originally intended. This farmer and snake-like beginning makes it impossible for the male protagonist to escape criticism, while the pitiful female protagonist evokes sympathy from the audience. Even though A Yin's magical power is weak after transforming into a water condensing beast, she is still cute in appearance, pure in character, and ambitious in nature. This further highlights the foolish and detestable nature of the male protagonist, who mistakenly admires the supporting female role. Furthermore, the beginning of the story of "The Last Immortal" already spoils the fact that Gu Jin will disperse A Yin's…

Novels with farming themes are common, but dramas with farming as the main theme are rare, especially in the realm of fast-paced and emotionally-driven micro dramas. The fast-paced nature of micro dramas distances them from traditional theater and brings them closer to short videos. Therefore, whether in landscape or portrait mode, revenge, suspenseful twists, and intense tragic love stories dominate, allowing viewers to quickly satisfy their dopamine cravings. However, for creators, it is easy to fall into the vortex of homogenization. Recently, a fresh and uniquely presented micro drama called "Invincible Stepmother" on Youku has caught the attention of many micro drama enthusiasts. As drama fans have said, for the first time in a micro drama, the female protagonist travels back to ancient times not to pursue love or engage in political machinations, but to earnestly raise children and make money through business ventures in the countryside. "Invincible Stepmother" is adapted from the novel "Chuan Cheng Si Ge Tuo You Ping De E Du Hou Niang" by Fanqie novel. It is also a key project of Youku's micro drama development plan. The female protagonist, Chi Yue (played by Jin Meichen), was originally a martial arts star who accidentally transmigrated into…

The finale of "A Journey to Love" has arrived, but the controversies surrounding this drama have not yet subsided. Starting with a high score of 7.5 on Douban (with over 30,000 reviews), the overall rating dropped to 6.9 with nearly 100,000 reviews after the release of the complete series. It is a pity that what should have been a major blockbuster drama at the end of the year has faced such setbacks. During the early promotion, "A Journey to Love" consistently highlighted the independent character of the female lead, earning praise from all corners of the internet. However, as the plot progressed, discrepancies in the protagonist's storyline and character development emerged, leading to instances where the dialogue presented in the drama contradicted the actors' interpretations. "A Journey to Love" is Liu Shishi's first costume drama after her maternity leave, while for Liu Yuning, it is his first leading role in a costume drama.   1 - The spotlight in and out of the drama The debates surrounding "A Journey to Love" have never ceased since its broadcast. The coherence of character development before and after has been another major point of contention. In the eyes of fans, the leading female…

Recently, the new cdrama "Love Me, Love My Voice" starring Zhou Ye has been gaining popularity. Directed by Sha Weiqi, the drama features Tan Jianci and Zhou Ye as the lead actors, with Hou Wenyuan, Yang Zizi, Cao Enqi, and Chen Haolan in supporting roles. It premiered on November 30, 2023. Gu Sheng (played by Zhou Ye), a talented composer and university student, continues to strive for success in her music career. Her biggest wish is to collaborate with the renowned voice actor Mo Qingcheng (played by Tan Jianci). Unexpectedly, a chance encounter brings them together when Mo Qingcheng recites a recipe to her, stirring Gu Sheng's heartstrings. Ten years ago, Mo Qingcheng co-founded the Wanmei Dubbing Club with his friends, dedicating himself passionately to voice acting. He is also a cardiac surgeon, devoted to saving lives. Gu Sheng is invited to participate in a promotional event for her best friend Geng Xiaoxing's (played by Yang Zizi) company, which coincides with the tenth anniversary celebration of the Perfect Dubbing Club, bringing her closer to Mo Qingcheng once again. As Gu Sheng gradually gains fame, she faces doubts about her talent, but she remains true to herself, focusing on her work…

In this year's Chinese film and television works, a part of them have satisfied the emotional value of the audience. For example, "The Knockout" and "Meet Yourself", as well as "No More Bets" and "Full River Red". The quantification of emotional value is difficult, but works that can be crowned with this concept are either popular or favored by certain groups, at least winning the resonance of some people. Which works belong to this category this year, and why have they conveyed emotional value?   "The Knockout": Confrontation of Emotions and Class Crossing Although it was broadcast in the first quarter, the influence of "The Knockout" unsurprisingly lasted until the end of the year. The success is essentially a triumph of emotional representation. The thrill and satisfaction of crossing classes bring indescribable pleasure to the audience. In the popular comments from the audience, there are many descriptions such as "growing stronger and becoming a big shot" and "step by step towards success". Justice triumphs over evil, and the root causes of evil provoke deep thoughts. The protagonist Gao Qiqiang (played by Zhang Songwen) and An Xin (played by Zhang Yi) complete a dual revenge. Initially, Gao Qiqiang, a fishmonger, was…

The highly anticipated martial arts animation "Zhen Dao Ge" Season 2 recently premiered, and as an work that has already released two seasons plus a movie, its influence has been preliminarily established. The story of "Zhen Dao Ge" is solid, with superb fighting scenes, and combined with the fact that animation itself can surpass human physical limits, it even outshines live-action martial arts dramas in expression. Many viewers are looking forward to this animation being adapted into live-action to enhance the quality of live-action martial arts dramas. In fact, live-action martial arts dramas have indeed been facing a creative stagnation in recent years. The works of older generation authors such as Jin Yong and Gu Long have been repeatedly adapted and can no longer satisfy the audience's appetite. This year, there are some signs of recovery in the martial arts market, with adaptations of new martial arts novels like "The Ingenious One" and the addition of suspense elements in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook" bringing surprises to the audience. In comparison, martial arts animations are producing excellent works one after another, and they even serve as the source for live-action adaptations, creating a batch of well-received and quality martial arts drama adaptations.…

Upon perusing the garden landscapes of Jiangnan, the imperial gardens strictly adhere to ceremonial regulations, while the temple gardens are fairly conventional. Only the private gardens, as social gathering places, hold the more liberated and authentic spirits of the ancients, with the elegance and charm of the scholars of Jiangnan on full display. Even in the depths of winter, when the vegetation withers away, the true essence of the landscape and architecture remains beautifully unrestrained, the ingenious concepts and exquisite layouts are truly unique to Jiangnan gardens. Moreover, the private gardens of Jiangnan not only preserve the relaxed atmosphere and refined taste of the ancients, but also, through the meticulous craftsmanship of artisans, become supreme examples of the integration of landscape and culture. The Jiangnan region, known for its mild climate and abundant resources since ancient times, has thrived economically and attracted many literati. With high water tables and convenient water storage, it provides an excellent foundation for garden construction. Therefore, since the ancient time, Jiangnan has been a prosperous land for gardens. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the rapid development of the commercial economy and the prevalence of extravagant indulgence, the construction of private gardens in Jiangnan…