One of the most challenging seasons for dressing is undoubtedly autumn and winter. When facing cold weather, how can we cleverly match Hanfu or Han-style fashion, both beautiful and practical, without sacrificing warmth? In the ancient Chinese civilization, the ancients had already designed and paid attention to the colors, wearing methods, fabrics, and other aspects of winter clothing, forming a systematic traditional dress culture. Today, we can draw inspiration from the wisdom of our ancestors and skillfully apply it to modern winter Hanfu, adding a touch of classical elegance to the overall outfit. The most important secret about the color and wearing methods of ancient Chinese winter clothing is layering and matching from the inside out. If we take the five colors as the main palette, we generally follow the principle of darker on the outside and lighter on the inside or vice versa. Dark colors such as pomegranate red, deep purple, dark green, jet black, and yellowish brown are suitable for outerwear, while lighter colors such as rosy red, sky blue, emerald green, charcoal gray, and apricot yellow are suitable for the inner layers. If you want a more distinctive look, you can also choose more vibrant colors for…

The drama "Story of Kunning Palace" is adapted from the novel of the same name by Shi Jing. This palace suspense drama captivates the audience with its continuous plot twists and meticulously crafted characters. As a drama that tells the story of fate's ups and downs and the rewriting of one's life, the main characters in "Ning An Ru Meng" each have distinct personalities. Their destinies intertwine, ultimately joining forces to uncover the truth of the past. These characters possess rich inner worlds, deserving of in-depth analysis. Firstly, there is the female protagonist Jiang Xue Ning, who transforms from arrogance and calculation to rebirth and self-transformation. Xie Wei, under the facade of cold and cunning political schemes, displays great character development by caring for others. Additionally, there is the unfortunate Yan Lin, the optimistic and resilient Shen Zhi Yi, and the upright and dedicated Zhang Zhe, among others. Their tumultuous destinies not only provide the audience with a profound understanding of the brightness of human nature and hope, but also allow us to delve into the vivid world of "Ning An Ru Meng" and analyze these television characters one by one. 1. Jiang Xuening Characteristics: Changing Fate with Wisdom, Transforming…

The grand historical fantasy drama "Sacred Tree Has Heart" is currently airing. Directed by Song Haibo and Ren Yingjian, it features Chen Jiahe, Zhou Yangyue, Mi Re, Pei Jiaxin, Bao Han, Liu Qiqi, and others in the leading roles. The drama tells the story of a tumultuous era, where various forces vie for supremacy, and the Xueluo Clan's Saintess Xin Yue (played by Zhou Yangyue) possesses the divine vision to see the truth of the world. It is rumored among the nations that whoever possesses the Saintess shall possess the world. In this chaotic world, the kings of the various nations, the young King Guangye of Donglin (played by Chen Jiahe) attempts to bring an end to this era of chaos and bring peace to the people. In this drama, the main characters are filled with a youthful spirit of determination. Whether it is King Guangye of Donglin or the Saintess Xin Yue who can perceive the will of heaven, they are both concerned for the world and fight for their country. The friendship between the main characters is sincere and heartfelt, which becomes even more precious in such turbulent times. Furthermore, besides the Saintess Xin Yue, the drama also…

Recently, the historical biography cdrama "Ding Bao Zhen" concluded its airing. As a rare genre on the screen in recent years, "Ding Bao Zhen" has garnered attention from viewers since its premiere. Although historical biography dramas do not have the advantage in online popularity and topicality, viewers have a strong demand for dramas depicting upright officials. Especially for dramas like "Ding Bao Zhen," which solidly portrays the protagonist's life experiences, focuses on significant political governance, and delves deep into events affecting people's livelihoods.   01 The pristine style of the drama Ding Bao Zhen After watching all 27 episodes, the greatest impression that "Ding Bao Zhen" leaves is its simplicity. It does not casually incorporate other elements in pursuit of novelty and internet aesthetics, but rather adheres to the most genuine mindset of a biography drama, closely following the protagonist. In terms of time, the drama focuses on the life trajectory of the protagonist Ding Bao Zhen (played by Ma Shaohua) from middle age to old age. The story begins with his appointment as the governor of Shandong and continues until his final term as the governor of Sichuan, spanning nearly twenty years. The plot of the series unfolds in…

If given the opportunity to start over, what kind of life would you choose? I believe many people have pondered this question countless times. However, the reality is that no one can start their life over from scratch. What belongs to the past will always remain in the past. But in dramas, the fictional world allows us to see the time rewind that we have always hoped for. "Scent of Time" is a recently premiered costume drama that revolves around the growth and healing of a female protagonist. From the first episode, we witness how the heroine, Hua Qian, goes back in time and changes her fate against all odds. The concept of self-rescue through rebirth has pleasantly surprised viewers. "Scent of Time," directed by Bai Yunmo and Guo Hao, stars Zhou Ye, Wang Xingyue, Peng Chuyue, Zhang Yijie, and Zhao Qing. Adapted from a popular romance novel "Xi Qian Hua", the drama tells the story of Hua Qian, who due to a momentary lapse of judgment, finds redemption and turns her life around with the help of Zhong Xiwu, the master of fragrant medicine, who has been infatuated with her. The drama begins with the typical plotline often seen…

Among the numerous garments of Hanfu, the most popular one is probably the Mamian skirt. As a clothing item full of ethnic style, the skirt is characterized by vibrant colors and unique patterns. Wearing it seems like traveling through time and experiencing the charm of traditional culture. In fact, the Mamian skirt is not a completely new design, its history can be traced back to a hundred years ago. Also known as Mamian pleated skirt, it was one of the main skirt styles for ancient Chinese women. It consists of four skirt doors, both front and back, overlapping in pairs. The outer skirt door is adorned with decorations, while the inner skirt door has fewer or no decorations. The Ma Mian Qun is pleated on the side, and the skirt waist is often made of white fabric, symbolizing a lifelong union. It is fastened with a rope or button. The design of the Mamian skirt highlights symmetry and streamlined shapes, emphasizing the curves of women and creating an elegant and dignified image for the wearer. The charm of the Mamian skirt has actually transcended national borders. At the banquet where Princess Diana was announced as the future royal bride in…

When it comes to above-ground cultural relics in China, Shanxi stands out. Among the country's important cultural heritage sites, Shanxi ranks first with 531 sites, accounting for 10.4% of the total number of cultural heritage sites in China, which is equivalent to the sum of the rankings of the next ten provinces. Shanxi boasts a complete sequence of ancient architectural eras, a wide variety of architectural types, and a large number of existing wooden structures dating back to the Yuan Dynasty and earlier, surpassing all other provinces in the country. In other words, if you want to explore the development of early Chinese architecture, you can only gain insight in Shanxi. So, what should you visit when you first arrive in Shanxi? The following are 35+ key cultural relics units in Shanxi organized in chronological order by Useless Rerearch Society, take a look at the stunning scenery of China's ancient architecture.   Northern and Southern Dynasties 01 Yungang Grottoes From 460 AD onwards, the Northern Wei Dynasty, with Datong as its capital, exerted its full strength and gathered excellent craftsmen to carve the magnificent Yungang Grottoes on the cliffs of Lingyan. The Yungang Grottoes were not only the first royal-authorized…

Recently, the historical suspense drama "Ripe Town" has been released. The drama tells the story of the 37th year of the Wanli period in the Ming Dynasty, when a series of murders occurred in the Jiangnan Duxian County. The young constable Qu Sangeng, along with the historian Song Chen, his companions Gao Shicong, Leng Gui'er, Feng Kezhui, and others, delves deep into the investigation, unexpectedly uncovering a twenty-year-old unsolved case. In the first three episodes, each episode features a victim with an extremely bizarre cause of death. The first victim is the head constable Leng of the county yamen, who was dragged to the field by the killer and impaled with a sedan pole, creating a scarecrow-like figure. This victim happens to be the master of the male protagonist, Qu Sangeng. As a result, he suffers from indescribable psychological trauma. The process of investigating the case becomes even more challenging as he not only has to confront the mastermind behind the scenes but also delve into the intricacies of society, bowing to the laws of operation and the complexities of human relationships. He is like a pedestrian traversing the dark night, having to lift the torch to illuminate the path…

The recent freshness in the Chinese drama market has been brought by "Tiger and Crane". This drama is adapted from the manga of the same name by Huang Xiaoda, and it tells the story of Hu Zi, an optimistic and cheerful orphan who accidentally swallows the Chi Zhu, a precious treasure. In doing so, he meets the cold and fastidious team captain of the Imperial Demon Master, Qi Xiaoxuan. These two young individuals with contrasting personalities are forced to travel together due to the Chi Zhu. Along the way, they meet companions such as Zhao Xintong, Wang Yuqian, and Shancha. Just as the ambitions of both the human and demon realms are about to bring catastrophe to the mortal world, this group of ambitious and passionate young individuals selflessly sacrifice themselves to save humanity. The common foundation of growth and the essence of passion in male-oriented fantasy dramas are also pushed to the extreme in this drama. The demon-hunting team embarks on a journey of battling monsters, leveling up, and completing dungeons, allowing the audience to experience the feeling of watching a passionate youth comic. The grand construction of the world showcases the distinctive characteristics of Eastern fantasy literature. By…

Dylan Wang, Tian Xiwei, and others star in the highly anticipated drama "Guardians of the Dafeng", which is currently being filmed. The original work is a popular online novel with a strong male protagonist, featuring numerous beautiful women. With the addition of the up-and-coming leading actor Dylan Wang, the drama has garnered much attention since its start of production. In June, a total of 28 actors were officially announced, ranging from popular young actors to seasoned veterans, covering the strengths of actors from different generations. It can be said that the drama possesses both good looks, acting skills, and popularity, indicating high expectations from the investors. In September, the official reservation channel was opened, and at the same time, the first set of character stills was released, providing a glimpse into the characters' personalities and relationships. The male lead is portrayed by Dylan Wang as Xu Qi An, the dominant presence in half of the stills. There is a striking solo shot of him wearing black attire, exuding a cool and stylish aura. There is also a kissing shot with Tian Xiwei, who plays Princess Lin An, dressed in red, displaying her charming and exquisite beauty. It is evident that…

The costume comedy drama "Hilarious Family" is currently airing and has gained popularity. It is a female-oriented family comedy that revolves around the daily lives and matchmaking adventures of a widowed mother and her four daughters. In the drama, Du Ru Yu, who lost her husband early on, single-handedly raises her four daughters, each with a distinct personality. In order to find suitable husbands for them, the family moves to the bustling city of Jiang Lin. Despite the challenges they face in the matchmaking process, the daughters' destined partners unexpectedly appear, leading to a series of comical and entertaining stories. From the main storyline and character development, "Hilarious Family" possesses a distinct comedic quality that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Since its premiere, the drama has maintained a good level of popularity, with its ratings even surpassing the legendary "Legend of the Undercover Chef" which was led by the renowned comedian Zhao Benshan. While there have been some controversies regarding certain aspects of the show's content and humor, "Hilarious Family" may not be considered an exceptionally outstanding comedy. However, its current achievements do indicate that it has successfully captured and retained the audience's attention to a certain extent,…

When mentioning the beauty of the east, what comes to mind? Perhaps it is the harmonious and melodious sounds of classical music, the graceful and elegant hanfu attire, or the combination of strength and grace in martial arts. Eastern beauty has always been an aspirational image portrayed in Chinese classical literary works. In recent years, whether it is the popularity of ancient costume dramas and music, or the rise of the Chinoiserie trend in the fashion industry, the eastern temperament has become more than just an external aesthetic, but also a unique inner charm. The pursuit of the beauty of the East is gradually becoming a realm pursued by the modern people. New Weekly recently had a conversation with three women who embody different eastern characteristics, aiming to find the answer to the beauty of the east through their stories.   Mo Yun The eastern beauty of music lies in its simplicity and subtlety. In 2014, Mo Yun, then a junior in college, gained fame with a video that garnered 58 million views and over 2 million fans. It was a video of her playing anime songs on the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither. Her astonishing speed in playing left…

China has many historical ancient cities that are suitable for tourism: Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. However, the popular attractions in these popular tourist cities were already depicted by ancient artists. Let's take a journey into these ancient paintings together.   Beijing Tiananmen was first built in the 15th year of the Ming Dynasty's Yongle reign. At that time, it was called "Chengtian Men," which symbolized "receiving the mandate of heaven and initiating an auspicious era." The name "Tiananmen" was given by Emperor Shizu of the Qing Dynasty when he ordered its reconstruction, meaning "receiving the mandate of heaven and ensuring peace and prosperity." As the main gate of the Beijing Imperial Palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tiananmen, along with the Huabiao and stone lions beside the Jinshui bridge, has witnessed over six hundred years of historical changes. Centuries ago, there were already crowds of foreign envoys coming to pay tribute. After visiting Tiananmen Gate, the next stop must be the Yuanmingyuan Park. The Yuanmingyuan park was built during the Kangxi era and is a royal garden that represents the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty. In the park, there are not only replicas of famous gardens…

Throughout the summer cdrama market, "I Am Nobody" stands out as a remarkable work in the genre of manga adaptations, thanks to its vibrant and intriguing character design, innovative and unconventional comedic scenes, and the fascinating imaginative elements rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Among the cast, Neo Hou, who portrays Wang Ye, has impressed fans with his deep understanding of the character and his precise and outstanding acting skills. In recent years, Neo Hou's starring roles have consistently gained popularity and his talent has proven him to be one of the most promising actors in the new generation, steadily increasing his popularity among both the general public and fans.   Neo Hou's immersive acting in I Am Nobody In the fiercely competitive summer cdrama season, "I Am Nobody" precisely catered to the diverse viewing needs of a wide range of audiences with its high-quality content. Since its premiere, it has generated immense online buzz and has become the most popular drama in September, surpassing other shows airing during the same time slot. Moreover, the drama has garnered remarkable attention and praise for its exceptional and enduring content, with the majority of reviews being overwhelmingly positive. Not only has "I Am…

As a highly anticipated and widely discussed drama, "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality," starring Yang Yang and Gina Jin, has garnered attention from the initial preparations to the start of filming, generating a lot of buzz among netizens. Recently, the production team released new promotional materials, including individual posters of Yang Yang and Gina Jin, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of their character transformations. Undoubtedly, "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" has once again become a hot topic, dominating the trending lists and capturing the interest of netizens. In the behind-the-scenes footage, Yang Yang, who plays the male lead, unveiled several new looks after previously impressing audiences with his black attire. With his striking appearance and exceptional command of period costumes, whether it's the elegant and handsome white and yellow ensemble or the mysterious black nighttime attire with a mask, or even the hat-wearing look, his various appearances exude a sense of mystery and demonstrate his excellent integration with the character. Compared to his previous performance in "Who Rules the World," Yang Yang's newly unveiled looks in "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" appear more three-dimensional and commanding. While maintaining his refined elegance,…

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 earthly lights and the moon in the sky, the most beautiful thing is reunion. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches once again, mooncakes are an indispensable part. A box of mooncakes is not only a delicious pastry that delights the taste buds, but also carries heartfelt wishes and folk stories. Museums across China have also presented creative mooncakes, incorporating the cultural treasures of Chinese heritage, adding a touch of romantic national aesthetics to the Mid-Autumn Festival.   The Palace Museum In the collection of the Palace Museum, there is an imperial seal of Emperor Qianlong: "The moon is depicted with colors, water has sound". The brushwork is exquisite, capturing the scenery of the moon in the mountains and lakes. This year, the Palace Museum's mooncake gift box is inspired by this theme, combining traditional Chinese colors and dyeing techniques to appreciate the beauty of the country amidst mountains, rivers, and the moon. "Only the clear wind on the river and the bright moon in the mountains, the sound is heard in the ears, and the color is seen in the eyes." Take a bite of the Palace Museum mooncake, and the clear wind and bright moon will be in your…

"I Am Nobody" went through a wave of controversies and delays when it premiered in early August, leaving the audience uncertain about its overall quality. Furthermore, as an adaptation of the manga "Yi Ren Zhi Xia (一人之下)," with its association with ACG, and its edgy and passionate storyline, it seemed to inherently carry a sense of unreliability, causing some anxiety. However, after watching the first 20 episodes, the plot, visual effects, and essence of the drama have all proven to be successful. In fact, for some viewers, the drama version is even more enjoyable than the anime. Director by Xu Hongyu, who previously directed web dramas such as "Cross Fire" and the film "Coffee or Tea?" particularly excelling in the youth-oriented and hot-blooded genre. This time, he approached " I Am Nobody" from the perspective of a seasoned editor, skillfully capturing the compact storyline of the series, and has achieved an impressive 10.5% market share in terms of viewership. What deserves even greater recognition is that, following "Bureau of Transformer" in 2019, the cdrama market has finally seen the emergence of a high-quality, truly urban fantasy drama, bringing a gust of innovation to the audience.   01 Trimming and tightening,…

It is extremely challenging to bring a perpetrator of sexual assault or harassment to justice. Just the first step of bravely speaking out and accusing the perpetrator requires immense courage from the victim, who must overcome both physiological and psychological fears, while may also enduring the societal backlash of victim-blaming. This is still true in the present-day society, let alone in the male-dominated and female-submissive ancient Chinese society, where seeking justice for an aggrieved woman would be even more arduous. Directed by Zang Xichuan, starring Wu Qian, Li Jiahang, Qiao Zhenyu, and Hu Yixuan, with special appearances by Tang Jingmei, Yang Yutong, and featuring Bai Shu, Zhang Kangle, and especially starring Deng Cuiwen, "Faithful" is a ancient suspense cdrama that focuses on such topics. It tells the story of a young girl, Lin Rulan, who, against the opposition of her close friend, Meng Wan, risks her own reputation to accuse the owner of the Embroidery House, Wu Lian, but finds no legal recourse and ends up taking her own life to prove her innocence. Meng Wan, after seven years of enduring hardships, gathers a team of nine righteous people including Liu Xin, who is intricately tied to the Lin Rulan…

Hello hanfu lovers! Remember last year where I went to a fantasy festival dressed in Han dynasty hanfu? Of course you don't, here is the article. I did it again this year. With another hanfu from another dynasty. So every year there is this huge festival in the North of France on the 3rd weekend of September, named "Cidre et Dragon" (cider and dragon). It's in a little town on the beach, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors, merchants, and fantasy authors... and has the highest rate of costumed visitors that I know of. I've been going for 12 years now, but only recently began going in Hanfu. This is how we went last year: This year I chose a Ming dynasty style costume I made. I added a Yunjian I bought, because I just can't afford the time to do the embroideries. I also wore a wig because i cut my hair shorter this year. And here I am: You might be wondering what was that thing lying at my feet. Well, yeah, that's a dragon. What the internet calls a "fitness dragon". I saw it by chance on a online shop and googled a few videos of…