Meng Ziyi (孟子义) has rapidly ascended as a standout actress in Chinese historical dramas, blending stunning visuals with nuanced portrayals of resilient women. Whether playing a vengeful rebirth heroine or a diplomatic princess, she injects intelligence and emotional depth into every role. Here's a curated guide to her finest costume dramas—including the highly anticipated 2025 release. Blossom 九重紫 Aired: 2024 Period Background: Ming Dynasty-inspired fictional era Genres: Rebirth drama, Family revenge, Political strategy Main Roles: Meng Ziyi (Dou Zhao), Li Yunrui (Song Mo) Adapted From: Novel by Zhi Zhi Dou Zhao dies betrayed by her husband, only to awaken in her youth with memories intact. Partnering with General Song Mo, who also retains past memories, she races to prevent her mother's poisoning and reclaim stolen family assets. Despite their efforts, fate intervenes—her mother still dies, propelling Dou Zhao into a broader battle against systemic corruption. She navigates patriarchal constraints, outmaneuvers scheming relatives, and builds economic independence through shrewd entrepreneurship. Her alliance with Song Mo evolves from tactical cooperation to a deep bond as they expose political conspiracies threatening the nation. Narrative Precision & Emotional Resonance The story avoids clichéd "revenge fantasy" tropes. Dou Zhao's struggle emphasizes practical agency—using business acumen…

As a popular choice for screen adaptations, the novels of Ma Boyong always garner widespread attention when brought to the screen. The recently aired The Litchi Road is yet another work of Ma Boyong, following the success of The Longest Day in Chang'an, LUOYANG and Under the Microscope, that has been adapted into a TV series. The Litchi Road is produced by China Central Television, China TV Drama Production Center, Penguin Pictures, and Liubai Film & Television. Directed by Cao Dun and Gao Xiang, with Ma Boyong as a story consultant, the series stars Lei Jiayin and Yue Yunpeng. It is a witty drama that blends ancient and modern sensibilities. The story takes place during the Tang Dynasty and follows Li Shande, an inconspicuous low-ranking official in Chang'an, who is framed and reluctantly tasked with the nearly impossible job of transporting fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang'an. With a tight deadline and limited resources, Li embarks on a journey that spans over a thousand miles to complete the mission. Known for using high-density information to drive the narrative forward, Ma Boyong is also adept at focusing on the fates of small characters. The Litchi Road continues this tradition, earning it…

The Chinese anime Renegade Immortal (仙逆) recently released its theatrical film Battle of Divine Descent. Adapted from Er Gen's xianxia web novel, Renegade Immortal follows Wang Lin, an ordinary boy who defies fate to cultivate immortality. Its 2023 anime adaptation received consistent acclaim, transitioning from seasonal to year-round release status. As the franchise's first theatrical film, Battle of Divine Descent was highly anticipated. While its pacing received mixed reviews compared to the series, it delivered abundant romantic moments for the main couple, proving highly appealing to shippers and maintaining strong popularity. Renegade Immortal's success stems from its mastery of blending male-oriented and female-oriented narrative appeals: Protagonist Wang Lin operates with ruthless decisiveness, delivering high-octane satisfaction for action fans. His character design is exceptionally handsome, and he exhibits unwavering devotion to the female lead Li Muwan. He represents a rare "exemplary fidelity" archetype within male-oriented narratives, whose romantic depth rivals dedicated love interests in female-oriented stories. The "Lin-Wan" couple pairing has attracted a massive fandom, including significant female viewership. News of an upcoming live-action adaptation has sparked heated discussion. While such adaptations cannot replicate the anime's approach, Renegade Immortal offers valuable insights for male-oriented IPs seeking broader audience appeal. The Anime's…

Since its premiere, The Litchi Road (长安的荔枝) has experienced a somewhat slow start. So far, the show's share on Yunhe platform has stabilized around 10%, which suggests that the effective per-episode view count hasn't broken the 10 million mark. Meanwhile, social media discussions show the series lacks breakout topics and overall buzz remains limited. Even on television, where historical dramas typically hold an advantage, The Litchi Road failed to ignite major interest. According to Kuyun statistics, after airing on CCTV-8, the daily ratings dropped from 1.4885 at debut to 1.2093 by June 10th. This raises another question: can historical dramas still activate the market today? Historical dramas—including both serious and legendary genres—have been frequently discussed in the industry over the past two years. Last spring's industry conference featured multiple remarks suggesting "historical dramas may make a comeback as a new market hotspot." A series of projects are also underway, positioning this genre as a key effort to solve current content challenges and boost the market. The reason lies in the past super high popularity of historical dramas on TV, which made people see the potential for activating diverse audiences. But judging by recent project performances, this assumption deserves a question…

Every year, during the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), you'll see families across China hanging bundles of mugwort (艾草) on their doors, wearing fragrant sachets close to their bodies, and tying colorful threads on children's wrists. In places like Henan and Zhejiang, pots are filled with garlic and eggs. These time-honored traditions, passed down for thousands of years, form a complete "protective system" against evil spirits. But the Dragon Boat Festival isn't just a day to remember the poet Qu Yuan. Its long-standing folk practices signify a celebration of life, a prayer for the living, and a struggle against the uncertainty of life. Traditional Food Rituals as Protection During Festivals A saying goes, "If you don't wear mugwort on Dragon Boat Festival, you'll turn into a ghost after death." Mugwort and calamus, often placed at the thresholds of homes, act like plant-based charms, creating a symbolic barrier to safeguard both family and body. Food, which enters the body directly, forms an even closer connection with people and is given the special power to ward off evil spirits. For example, the red beans, salted egg yolks, and salted meats wrapped inside zongzi (粽子, traditional sticky rice dumplings) are considered "yang objects" (阳物),…

Angela Yang Ying (杨颖), better known by her stage name Angelababy. She has carved a unique niche in Chinese historical dramas, blending ethereal beauty with roles that challenge traditional gender archetypes. From cunning strategists to cross-dressing merchants, her performances thrive on duality—soft yet fierce, vulnerable yet unyielding. While her acting has faced scrutiny, her on-screen charisma and evolution in period pieces remain undeniable. This article spotlights four of her most iconic historical dramas, dissecting how she transforms into characters that defy expectations. General and I 孤芳不自赏 Aired: 2017 Period Background: Fictional Warring States era Genres: Historical romance, political intrigue, wartime strategy Main Roles: Yang Ying as Bai Pingting, Wallace Chung as Chu Beijie Adapted From: General and I by Feng Nong Set against the backdrop of warring states vying for supremacy, Female Zhuge Liang centers on Bai Pingting, a prodigious tactician whose strategic genius earns her comparisons to the legendary Zhuge Liang, the architect of the Three Kingdoms' balance of power. Her brilliance becomes both her weapon and her curse when she crosses paths with Chu Beijie, a rival general whose military acumen matches her own. Their initial encounters are marked by psychological warfare: Bai devises traps to destabilize his…

Yu Zheng may not have the best reputation, but his aesthetic sense is truly remarkable. The currently airing drama, The Song of River Reeds (临江仙), is a visual feast. Just the looks of the male and female leads are enough to make people enjoy the sweetness of this "divorced" couple. The supporting characters are even more stunning. Zhao Zhaoyi is sweet and elegant. When she makes an appearance, she exudes the charm of an ancient beauty. Even without a white dress to highlight her etherealness, her whole demeanor is lively, making her a perfect fit for a xianxia drama. Zhou Jieqiong, in a purple dress, has a pure face and a somewhat stubborn look in her eyes. She is a beauty who is both clear - cut and impactful. He Ruixian, whom Yu Zheng has tried to promote several times, has big, gentle and bright eyes. Even with a simple hairstyle, she has a transcendent beauty. Yu Zheng selects supporting characters with such high - level looks, even for those marginalized characters with only a dozen - minute appearance. Their appearances stun everyone, and this is the kind of beauty a leading actress in a costume drama should have. Huang Riying's…

In the ancient - costume drama The Longest Promise, Hanikiz's Tang - style makeup was truly impressive. Considering her previous Dunhuang - themed looks, netizens exclaimed that she was the 'Chosen One of the Tang Dynasty'. Why do we have such a strong impression of this kind of makeup? Let me start with the conclusion. We often say that the 'Hu style' prevailed in the Tang Dynasty. But where did this 'Hu style' come from? Looking back at this trend, the Uyghur people are a prominent example. The Uyghurs were originally called 'Huihe'. Through historical development and evolution, they eventually became the Uyghur ethnic minority we know today. The Uyghurs have distinct facial features, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and three - dimensional facial structures, along with a strong and healthy build, which gives people a strong sense of the 'Hu style'. The historical influence of the Uyghurs is also profound. Before the Tang Dynasty, they were called 'Huihe' and once submitted to the Turks. Later, when the Turks were in turmoil and the Tang army attacked the Turks, they helped the Huihe establish the 'Uyghur Khaganate'. From then on, they 'abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and became sedentary people', which…

Recently, the new drama styling of Meng Ziyi has sparked quite a controversy. This large neckline design that reveals the collarbone, which we seemed to only see in early costume dramas, is popular again. In fact, this design isn't just in TV dramas but also in ancient - style photo studios everywhere. Some people even deliberately lower the collar to show their collarbones and camisoles. This somewhat revealing image is more like 'border - crossing' rather than creating an ancient - style atmosphere. Does this way of dressing really exist? First, there were indeed wide - necked robe designs in the Qin and Han dynasties, used as outerwear when layering. Later, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was mainly applied to ruqun (a traditional Chinese women's clothing style), a transition from the shallow cross - collar to the front - closing collar similar to that in the Tang Dynasty. However, this way of dressing was revealing but not alluring, having nothing to do with border - crossing. How wide could the necklines be in the Qin and Han dynasties? The side width of the neckline of the straight - skirted robe N10 in the Mashan Chu Tomb was 43…

New year, new look, countless fresh things are coming towards us. Now, what we can do is to seize the joy and creativity they bring. So today, we will start a new chapter based on the annual color trend and introduce the new styles and trends for next year, not for you to follow blindly, but to offer better and more inspiring beauty for our new year. Pantone's 2025 Color of the Year: Soft Peach The most authoritative color institution in the world, Pantone, announces the "Color of the Year" at the end of each year. The 2025 Color of the Year is "Soft Peach", a gentle hue between pink and orange, exuding an ambiguous, warm and romantic atmosphere. Laurie Pressman, vice - president of the Pantone Color Institute, said: "We've seen the growing importance of community. People around the world are re - evaluating what kind of lifestyle they want and what's most important. We want to convey the power of care, accompany our loved ones closely, regain a sense of comfort and security, or unite people and enrich each other's souls." Soft Peach represents a warm vision of love, with a bright, soft and light charm. It also…

The Lantern Festival, as the last important festival in the Chinese Spring Festival customs, is an ancient festival that has lasted for more than two thousand years. In the ancient Chinese calendar, the first lunar month is called the Yuan month. According to Shuowen Jiezi, "Yuan" means the beginning, and "Xiao" means night. The 15th day of the first lunar month is the first full - moon night of the year, a time when everything begins anew and spring returns to the earth. So, this day is called the Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival. Since there is a custom of hanging lanterns on this day, it is also called the Lantern Festival. There are also some religious origins among its many meanings. In Taoist culture, as recorded in Dream of the Liang Record written by Wu Zimu in the Song Dynasty, "The 15th day of the first lunar month is the Yuanxi Festival, the time when the Heavenly Official of Shangyuan bestows blessings." In the Southern Dynasties, Imperial Decree of Emperor Yuan of Liang also recorded that "Shangyuan is the time when the Heavenly Official bestows blessings; Zhongyuan is the time when the Earthly Official pardons sins;…

In the structure of a cheongsam, there are two crucial elements. One is the collar, which is like the prologue, and the other is the placket, our topic today. The placket is like a door to the cheongsam, with different ways of opening. Some are gracefully winding, some are simply delicate, some are straightforward, and some hold hidden mysteries. As an important part of the cheongsam, it serves as both a dividing line for the overall layout and an unignorable decorative aesthetic in cheongsam design. We often see that it complements and continues the collar, piping, and buttons. It exquisitely showcases the sophistication and uniqueness of traditional clothing culture and plays an important role. Today, let's explore the various types of cheongsam plackets, their characteristics, shapes, and the suitable wearers, so that we can more accurately choose a cheongsam that can be worn for a lifetime in the future. Placket Culture The concept of "placket" in traditional Chinese clothing culture dates back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Since then, daily robes have commonly used the open - placket style, mostly with a right - lapel design. In the concept of "respecting etiquette and forming clothing" in Chinese civilization, the…

Recently, the new drama A Good Match for Chen and Jin starring Ren Min and Ci Sha started filming. Netizens directly called out the costumes they wore, saying, "These clothes are so bad. Change them quickly!" Why did netizens say so? The costume style of this drama is in the Ming Dynasty style. In Ming-style costumes, the most important aspects are the clothing pattern, texture, and the allowance. The pattern can only be seen when the clothes are laid flat, so the most obvious thing recognizable to the naked eye is the allowance issue, which directly affects the clothing pattern. The allowance here refers to the "total sleeve length". Some formal wear patterns pay attention to "the sleeve should reach beyond the wrist when the arm is bent back". That is, when cutting, there should be enough room for the arm to bend, so that the sleeve length won't be affected when the arm is bent. When the wearer bends their arm, this kind of sleeve will present a beautiful streamline. Previously, the costumes in The Ninth Purple were criticized by netizens. The clothes basically had no allowance, making the person look big-headed and small-bodied, with completely uncoordinated proportions. The…

In historical Cdramas, we often come across women sporting exaggerated and voluminous hairstyles, like the Ming-style makeup in When the Wild Geese Return and the Tang-style makeup in The National Beauty and Fragrance. Netizens can't help but wonder: Did ancient people really have such astonishing hair volume? The answer is no. It wasn't necessarily that ancient people naturally had thick hair. In reality, their hair density might not have been as depicted in films and TV shows. Instead, they wore wigs, known as "Yiji" (义髻) in ancient times, which were the forerunners of modern hairpieces. The trend of wearing wigs started among upper - class women. Their goal was to add volume and create more elaborate hairstyles, similar to today's hair extensions. The materials for Yiji were diverse. It wasn't limited to human hair (which was costly) but also included thin wood shavings, horsehair, etc. Generally, Yiji were made from hair or wood - based substitutes. For example, the lacquered wooden wig unearthed from the Astana Tombs in Turpan, Xinjiang, is a standard 'Single - Blade Half - Turned Chignon'. It's made of wood, painted black, and decorated with white - painted flowers, auspicious clouds, and phoenixes. The base has…

Do you also think that commoners in ancient times, like those portrayed in historical dramas, mostly wore coarse linen clothes? You might not know that ancient people also had a few decent outfits for special occasions such as festivals, visiting relatives, or attending weddings. Some have asked why we don't discuss commoners' clothing, assuming the articles only focus on noble styles. People might wonder, 'Could commoners really wear silk or gold in daily life?' There's actually some misunderstanding here. In ancient times, many trends originated among the nobility and later spread to commoners, while some crafts improved among commoners and rose to popularity among nobles. So, there was no absolute rule. Here's the conclusion: ancient clothing styles were quite similar (except for some impractical wide - sleeved designs). What people wore mainly depended on the occasion—for grand ceremonies or rituals, they would prepare finer attire. The quality of clothing was reflected in the fabric, craftsmanship, and vibrancy of colors. Another factor was occupation. Laborers wore durable clothes like hemp garments, but not all commoners worked in fields, so coarse linen wasn't universal. In the Ming Dynasty, for example, the silk industry thrived in Jiangnan (江南), and even ordinary people wore…

Just as Tagore described, "Every open rose brings me the greetings of that rose in the eternal spring." And as Bei Dao interpreted spring precisely, "This is spring, the wildly beating heart disturbs the floating clouds in the water." What is really disturbed? Is it the heart, or the long - awaited desire to embrace beauty after a dull winter? So, in today's issue, inspired by color - matching in dressing and using beautiful cheongsams as materials, let's explore the amazing color - matching in the eyes of cheongsam designers, which we can apply in our daily outfits. Light Colors Main color: 80% Ningzhi White (凝脂白) + 20% Apricot Yellow. This is an extremely gentle cheongsam. The warm - toned color scheme is skin - brightening and elegant, perfect for women to decorate themselves sensually. The main color, like condensed milk, comes from the traditional Chinese color Ningzhi White, which matches the charming luster of silk. It echoes Bai Juyi's famous line in "Song of Everlasting Sorrow": "In spring's cold she bathed in the Huaqing Pool, the warm water smoothed her creamy skin." The matching yellow magnolia embroidery takes the rich yellow tone of ripe spring apricots. The stronger the…

Have we been using blankets wrong all these years? In cdramas, the blankets we commonly see are rectangular, similar to what we use today. However, in the TV series Guo Se Fang Hua, Yang Zi's blanket with a unique cut - out design is quite impressive. When pulled up, it snugly covers the shoulders, providing a sense of security. This kind of blanket dates back to the Warring States period, making it a 'classic design'. In contrast, traditional rectangular quilts, though warm, often expose the shoulders because of their straight edges. During seasonal changes and cold winters, shoulders are vulnerable to cold drafts. The ancient concave - backed blanket has an ingenious design. Its tailored cut - out ensures the shoulders are well - covered, offering both comfort and excellent insulation. It's astonishing that this practical design, now seen as innovative, was adopted by our ancestors over two thousand years ago during the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Auspicious Embroidery The ancients loved embroidering auspicious patterns on blankets. The Warring States blanket used ancient lock - stitch embroidery with paired dragon and phoenix motifs in deep blue, emerald blue, red - brown, vermilion, and yellow threads. This is similar to the pattern…

It's unclear when it started, but almost all heroines and heroes in ancient - costume dramas now sport high ponytails, and the 'armor battle - damaged makeup' trend has also become popular. Netizens point out that high ponytails can actually hit the face during martial arts practice, which is quite painful. The mass replication of high ponytails and battle - damaged makeup not only risks causing visual fatigue but also likely puts pressure on makeup artists and stylists to create unique variations. Let's revisit the costume drama styles of 50 years ago. The most classic is arguably the image from A Touch of Zen. In 1970, actress Xu Feng starred in A Touch of Zen, which catapulted her to fame and established her cold yet glamorous 'heroine' persona. Her character design featured a high bun, often paired with a headscarf or hat. Over her 15 - year screen career, she appeared in about 50 films, all as a heroine. This sleek attire and hairstyle conveyed an independent, self - reliant, and powerful image. Looking at other classic films, heroines rarely wore ponytails. Even with updos or half - updos adorned with accessories, the styling showcased distinct personalities while still emphasizing…

The beauty of summer Qipao lies in the allure of silk and satin. The encounter with the scents of gardenia and jasmine marks an unforgettable start. Summer, a vibrant and colorful season, has finally arrived. Although the heat can be tough for many, it's nothing compared to the richness and beauty this season brings. For women who love Qipao, summer is the perfect time to display its inherent charm. Today, let's explore the beauty of Qipao suitable for summer. Song Jin and Su Jin If fabric is the essence of a Qipao, then a Qipao made of Song Jin (宋锦) is a living embodiment of rich historical and cultural heritage. It dates back to the Song Dynasty, telling the story of that era's splendor and the remarkable weaving craftsmanship. A Song Jin Qipao is an excellent choice for summer. With its firm yet soft texture, elegant patterns, and classical allure, the wearer exudes artistic charm and noble grace. Take this Song Jin Qipao as an example. Its unique, classical floral print is eye - catching. The straight - cut silhouette with wavy edges adds a touch of playfulness, while the bold peony motifs in soft camel and light purple create…

It's time for another session of sharing cheongsam details. In previous issues, we've talked about the types of handmade frog buttons on cheongsams, the collar and sleeve styles, and the exquisite front - placket patterns. Today, I'd like to discuss the slits, which play a crucial role in the overall design of cheongsams. Don't underestimate this small detail. A tiny slit can present a variety of charming female moments. A smaller slit results in smaller steps, making the posture and gait automatically slow and elegant. A larger slit offers a stronger sense of fluidity, and the faintly visible legs bring out the charming rhythm of the cheongsam. The slits in cheongsams are like opening the door to the sensuality of Chinese clothing. However, this sensuality is not the straightforward Western - style one. It is based on Chinese female culture and the generally reserved and implicit nature of Eastern women. Through a small opening, it slowly releases the rhythm and charm of female beauty. Next, let's talk about the common types of cheongsam slits, as well as their respective advantages and characteristics. Before that, here's a little knowledge about slits. In the early Republic of China, cheongsam slits were actually…