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…

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…

Recently, major Chinese video platforms have successively released their reserve drama series lineup for 2024, and a group of costume dramas have appeared, sparking anticipation among viewers. The costume fantasy drama "The Legend of Shen Li" is adapted from Jiulu Feixiang's novel of the same name, telling the love story of the ancient divine lord Xing Zhi and the emerald king Shen Li, who was born with a pearl in her mouth. The costume legendary drama "The Legend of Jewelry" is led by Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning. In the drama resources released by Mango TV, dramas such as "Flourished Peony", "Destiny and Saving", and "The Ming Dynasty Youth" are included. From a comprehensive perspective, a batch of historical dramas such as "The Litchi Road" and "Han Dynasty Epic" will be broadcast in 2024. Previously, concept posters for dramas such as "Feng He Jin Qi Zhang Ju Zheng" and "The Epic of Tang Dynasty" were also released to create early hype. Incomplete statistics show that there are currently more than 10 historical dramas awaiting broadcast, including "Liang Jing Shi Wu Ri," "Silk-Washing Stream," "Legend of Wu Zi Xu," "Peace in Palace, Peace in Chang'An". Among the popular costume dramas aired…

When talking about the characters in the Chinese dramas of 2023, who comes to mind first? The most mentioned would probably be Gao Qiqiang (played by Zhang Songwen) in "The Knockout", or Wang Xiang (played by Fan Wei) in "The Long Season", or the beloved Li Lianhua (played by Cheng Yi) in "Mysterious Lotus Casebook", or the distinctive Cang Xuan (played by Zhang Wanyi), Tu Shanjing (played by Deng Wei), and Xiang Liu (played by Tan Jianci) in "Lost You Forever". The Dusheme has selected six characters, not necessarily the most popular ones, but those that represent a certain trend in the creation of Chinese dramas, reflecting the audience's aesthetic preferences while also considering the personal tastes of the authors. Among them, three female characters together create a character landscape that intertwines fantasy and reality, greatly enhancing the excitement and shock threshold for viewers. As for the three male characters, some have brought new ideas to familiar territories, some have opened up channels to the untapped market, and some have brought new solutions to the construction of dramatic conflicts in the series.   Three-Body: Ye Wenjie When Ye Wenjie appeared, other leading female characters paled in comparison. Over thirty years…

Different traditional colors in China are all uniquely named. Why are traditional colors in China named in this way? Since the Tang Dynasty, ancient people used the term "Yan Se (颜色)" as a general term for the colors in nature, giving colors names based on natural phenomena. Unlike the Western classification of primary colors, China divides colors into five main colors: "Chi (赤, red), Huang (黄, yellow), Qing (青, green), Hei (黑, black), and Bai (白, white)". As the seasons change, colors also transform and blend in countless variations. The recently released documentary series "Amazing Chinese Colors" takes traditional Chinese colors as a starting point to showcase the world of colors. "Amazing Chinese Colors" selects five traditional Chinese colors, and as a point of reference, five artists, namely Zeng Li, Zhang Yifan, Xuan Lu, Jiang Mengjie and Zhang Li, as the recommenders, dig out the history and culture related to such colors, extend the use of such colors in modern oriental aesthetics, show the infinite charm of traditional Chinese colors in the trend, and take the story of each color as the source of inspiration, to create unique traditional Chinese colors in the program. With each color story as the…

Directed by Ding Hei, starring Zhang Ruoyun and Huang Yao, the drama "The Hope (鸣龙少年, Ming Long Shao Nian)" has sparked a perceptual advancement in the minds of the audience since its premiere on Youku. In the first episode, in a unique form of social news, it was revealed that "Ming Long (鸣龙)" is the new name of the merged schools "Ming Ying (鸣英)" and "Long Hai (龙海)". After watching the process of the formation of Class 11 in the first five episodes, the audience immediately perceives that the significance of the word "Ming Long" goes beyond being just a school name. It symbolizes the voice of the suppressed, unheard, and unseen youth. This sense of advancement is also a shared experience among the audience while following the drama. Whether it is the plot or the characters, the reality-based core or the cinematic quality, "The Hope" is not presented all at once, but emerges layer by layer. As the audience continues to watch, each episode becomes more profound and immersive. This is related to the creative process of the drama. The creative team conducted extensive research and on-site investigations of real-life events before writing the script and shooting, and then…

In ancient China, the harsh winter cold was often a challenge, especially in regions where winters were long and frigid. However, the ancient Chinese people, with their wisdom and creativity, developed a series of unique and effective methods of keeping warm. These methods not only reflected the progress of ancient Chinese society and technology but also demonstrated their profound understanding of and adaptation to the natural environment. From braziers to fireplaces, from underfloor heating to ingeniously designed clothing, the heating methods of ancient China were the crystallization of wisdom in the face of cold.   01 Fur The most direct way for the human body to keep warm is to dress thickly, and the most natural and effective fabric is animal fur. This is also an indicator we use to determine the changing seasons in historical dramas - whether the main characters are wearing fluffy costumes, indicating that it is cold in the drama. A large number of historical dramas have contributed to the production of various styles of furry costumes. In fact, the winter clothing of ancient people was more exquisite and complete than the costumes in dramas. They would wear warm hats, fur jackets, cloaks, woolen socks, and…

The drama "A Journey to Love", written by Zhang Wei, directed by Zhou Jingtao and Zou Xi, and starring Liu Shishi and Liu Yuning, is currently being widely watched. Shortly after its premiere, it quickly caught the attention of netizens and received a multitude of praise. It tells the legendary adventure story of a small team led by Ren Ruyi (played by Liu Shishi) and Ning Yuanzhou (played by Liu Yuning), who travel from Wudu to Andu, fighting side by side along the way to ultimately achieve peace. The drama encompasses both court politics and the lives of martial artists, with the road serving as the perfect backdrop for this story. This year's film and television dramas have seen a considerable number of road elements. In addition to "A Journey to Love," dramas such as "Grandma's New World," "Young Blood Season 2," "Fearless Blood," and "Parallel World" can all be considered as broad interpretations of road dramas. The protagonists are always continuously exploring the map, making new friends, and experiencing different landscapes. Life is a wilderness, not a track, and the characters in the drama reflect this sentiment. Whether it is to escape or to pursue, it seems that as…

In the past 40 years, China has been the main market for exporting Japanese and American animations. However, in recent years, Chinese animation works have gradually gained attention in the international market. In 2018, the first Chinese original animation series "Scissor Seven" was launched on Netflix and made its way overseas. After being simultaneously broadcasted in over 190 countries and regions worldwide, the entire animation market has accelerated its pace in going global. In 2019, "White Snake" was nominated for the Feature Film competition unit at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France. In the same year, the phenomenal work "Ne Zha" was released in North America and achieved a box office of 3.69 million dollars, setting a new record for the distributing company. In 2021, "I Am What I Am" participated in the largest animation festival in North America, the AIF Animation Film Festival. This summer, the domestic animated film "Chang An" received both critical acclaim and box office success overseas. In addition to an increasing number of Chinese animation works being available on mainstream international media platforms and attracting attention from the global market, various Chinese video platforms have also made moves to enter the international market.…

The Chinese documentary "Wen Mai Chun Qiu" which premiered on November 23rd, is a treasure trove documentary that chronicles the history and culture of famous historical cities. For the first time, it takes the backdrop of the geographical changes in the five thousand years of Chinese history, focusing on "historical and cultural famous cities." Through the combination of virtual digital technology and real-world visuals, it showcases the historical changes and cultural landscapes of ancient cities from different perspectives, while also exploring the culture and civilization of ancient cities, and even China as a whole. This documentary selects historical and cultural famous cities from different regions and ethnic groups in the East, West, South, North, and Central regions of China. By examining the evolution of the terrain and historical maps of cities during different periods, it explores the characteristics of city site selection, urban planning, street design, and housing. It showcases the wisdom of adapting to local conditions and the ideal of harmonizing human habitation with nature, as well as the design philosophy of unity between heaven and man displayed by the Chinese people throughout history. Currently, the Langzhong section and Shaoxing section have been presented to the audience. It can…

Since its premiere in 2019, "Joy of Life" Season 1 has become a highly anticipated and popular TV drama. With its captivating storyline and outstanding cast, the show has attracted a large audience and sparked a nationwide craze for binge-watching. For many fans of this drama, the most anticipated thing is naturally the arrival of "Joy of Life" Season 2. After nearly four years, the filming of "Joy of Life Season 2" has finally begun. This news is undoubtedly good news for the eagerly awaiting audience. What's even more delightful is that the cast of the second season remains the same. In many TV dramas, it is common for the main cast to be replaced in the second season, which can easily affect the audience's perception and enthusiasm for the show. However, the fact that "Joy of Life 2" is able to reunite the original cast is not only a great fortune but also a testament to the production team's dedication and respect for the audience. Of course, in addition to the return of the original cast, the second season has also added some outstanding actors. The addition of these fresh talents will undoubtedly inject new vitality and tension into…

The 7th Chengdu Hanfu Festival, a grand gathering of traditional and modern, fashionable and cultural Hanfu enthusiasts, has become a business card for the inheritance and development of Chengdu's traditional culture. In this one-day festival, thousands of Hanfu enthusiasts from all over the world gather in Wenshu Fang, a cultural landmark in Chengdu, to celebrate this Hanfu-themed festival. Hanfu, as an important part of Chinese traditional culture, attracts more and more young people with its unique charm and beauty. The Chengdu Hanfu Festival provides a platform for Hanfu enthusiasts to showcase themselves. Led by the Tang Dynasty costume ladies as the overall leader, four main theme formations, as well as Chengdu's characteristic panda parent-child formation and 19 club formations, begin the grand Hanfu parade. Here, people can appreciate various styles of Hanfu, from the Qinhuan Quju to the Ming Dynasty ceremonial dress, and even the armor from different dynasties, which is truly a feast for the eyes. These exquisite Hanfu not only showcase the aesthetic of Chinese traditional culture, but also convey the rich traditional culture and history of the Han ethnic group. In addition to Hanfu displays, the Chengdu Hanfu Festival also hosts a variety of cultural activities. The…

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…

Recently, the grand female-led business drama "Flourished Peony" was announced and became a hot topic. As Yang Zi's first project after the explosive drama "Lost You Forever", "Flourished Peony" is particularly eye-catching. Subsequently, we discovered that next year may be a year when grand female-led business dramas are gathered. So far, there have been 7 announced projects, including "Flourished Peony," "Female Business," "The Story of Hua Zhi," "The Legend of Jewelry," "Shu Jin Ren Jia," "The Way You Back," and "Tearless Snow", which respectively cover the fields of flower cultivation, foreign trade, snacks, jewelry, silk weaving, restaurants, and salt merchants. Historical dramas, in particular, have shown a great favoritism towards traditional Chinese culture. The trend of inheriting traditional culture, known as Guochao, has swept across variety shows and films and dramas in recent years. Prior to this, there were mainly two types of dramas that incorporated Guochao elements. One type focused on the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, with stories revolving around certain artisan professions and intergenerational relationships. The other type was set in historical and cultural cities such as Dunhuang, Luoyang, and Xi'an, linking with local cultural tourism in period dramas. They often revolved around male-oriented suspenseful investigations, combining…

On November 4th, "Weaving a Tale of Love Season 2," was released on Youku. The clever female protagonist, Liuli, repeatedly exposed the schemes of the princess, providing book fans and drama enthusiasts with a satisfying experience. Comments such as "captivating from the beginning" and "can't get enough with two episodes a day" clearly demonstrate the audience's love for this drama. As the popularity of "Weaving a Tale of Love" soared, Tencent quickly followed suit, releasing "Wonderland of Love" on November 6th, further igniting the market. A day later, "Story of Kunning Palace" premiered on iQiyi, intensifying the competition among the three Chinese major long-form video platforms. In recent years, the key factors determining the competitiveness of costume dramas in the market are no longer just big work, high viewership, and large investments, but rather the sense of differentiation brought by content innovation. Taking these three new dramas as examples, they have expanded their creative directions beyond the confines of palace intrigue, domestic conflicts, and dominant female protagonists, and instead focus more on elements such as new women, legends, and personal growth. The core of the stories also touches on the emotional perspectives, social views, and workplace situations of contemporary young…

What is Xia? Some say they are skilled warriors, others say they are outsiders on the fringes of society, and some even say it is an adult fairy tale. A knight-errant can take on many forms, but one thing is certain: from the moment they step onto the stage of history, their extraordinary allure ensures that the concept of a "Xia" will never fade away. What is Xia? Who can be called a knight-errant? To answer these questions, let us first go back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when knights-errant roamed.   01 When did ancient China have Xia? During the Pre-Qin period, warfare was frequent. One day, the powerful state of Chu was preparing to attack the weak state of Song and hired the renowned craftsman Lu Ban to create siege weapons. The military strength of Song was far inferior to that of Chu, and the people were filled with fear, scattering in all directions in an attempt to escape. Mozi, who had a deep background in craftsmanship and was skilled in defending cities, received this news and immediately rushed thousands of miles to the capital of Chu, hoping to utilize his expertise…

With the increasingly prosperous Chinese TV drama market, the ancient costume drama of suspense and detective stories has also reached a new peak. "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" and "Ripe Town" have received numerous accolades. Against this backdrop, the highly anticipated "Judge Di's Mystery" will be released in the near future, once again leading the audience into a Tang Dynasty world full of mysteries and intellectual confrontations. "Judge Di's Mystery" is directed by Li Yunliang, starring Zhou Yiwei, Wang Likun, Zhong Chuxi, and featuring Ji Ta, Ling Zi, and You Yongzhi. Zhang Jiayi and Zhang Ruoyun are invited to star in this costume detective drama. The drama is adapted from the novel of the same name by Dutch writer Robert van Gulik, with the protagonist being the Chinese Tang Dynasty prime minister Di Renjie. It depicts Di Renjie's legendary experiences of solving cases and unraveling mysteries as an official in the provinces and the capital, with each episode featuring different cases. In this drama, Di Renjie, with his intelligence, sense of justice, and courage, unravels a series of extraordinary cases, seeking justice for the people and showing unwavering loyalty to the country, showcasing the brilliance of a great Tang Dynasty…

Hello, dear readers! Today, we're about to embark on a journey into the heart of "Wonderland of Love", a drama where love tangoes with war, and characters are as complex as a royal court intrigue. Our main leads, Li Ni and Cui Lin, are not your average Joe and Jane. They're warriors, lovers, and everything in between. So, grab your popcorn, and let's unravel the tapestry of these intriguing characters.   Li Ni - The Prince of War Li Ni, the grandson of the emperor, is not just a pretty face with a royal title. He's a man of substance, a warrior with a cause. His journey from a somewhat naive prince to a seasoned war strategist is as thrilling as it is inspiring. What makes Li Ni so fascinating is his ability to balance the burden of royalty with the raw realities of war. He's like a chess master, always two steps ahead, yet his heart remains vulnerable. His love for Cui Lin is not just a subplot; it's the fuel that drives his ambitions. Let's not forget his tactical brilliance. Li Ni's strategies in the battlefield are a testament to his intellect and adaptability. He's a character who…