Jin Chen

When a star steps onto the red carpet in vacation clothes, it does more than surprise—it challenges an entire culture of glamour. On September 7, Chinese actress Jin Chen (金晨), affectionately known as Da Xi (大喜) to her fans, made headlines not for a designer gown but for her ordinary outfit at the closing ceremony of the Waves Film Week in Aranya. Unlike other celebrities who spent hours preparing, she appeared in a casual crop top, jeans, flat shoes, and a simple LV scarf tied around her waist. Her makeup was light, almost bare-faced, as if she had just been strolling along the beach. The reason? She wasn’t even scheduled to attend. She was there as a tourist, invited last minute to walk the carpet. Her unpreparedness became her greatest asset. The Unplanned Walk Jin Chen’s team responded with humor and honesty. Her studio posted on social media, “The red carpet was a last-minute decision, and so was our notification. This is so Da Xi!” Instead of hiding behind excuses, Jin Chen embraced the situation. She joked that she was her own stylist, photographer, and makeup artist that day. A video of her leaving the event went viral—she was seen…

The portal shimmered, swallowing Han Li (韩立) whole as he escaped certain doom. In that instant, The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传) cemented its core truth: ascension demands sacrifice. Yang Yang's protagonist shed innocence, leaving loved ones like Mo Caihuan (墨彩环) behind, yet gained a harsh new world. This finale resonated deeply, a testament not just to the epic cultivation battles and sweeping Xinjiang landscapes, but crucially, to the actors who breathed life into its intricate characters. Their journeys, marked by grueling physical trials and emotional depth, were as compelling as the Han Li's own path. 1. Jin Chen (金晨) Portraying the revered Nangong Wan (南宫婉), Jin Chen possessed the requisite ethereal stature and displayed impressive martial prowess. Her fight sequences were executed with precision, a testament to months of arduous training. However, her performance became a focal point for audience critique. The disconnect stemmed largely from her altered appearance. The sharp contours of her face and an unusually defined nose proved distracting for viewers expecting the novel's "forbidden beauty." A persistent tendency to speak and smile with a pronounced tilt to her mouth, dubbed the "Crooked Smile Goddess" online, further broke immersion. This was especially jarring during the crucial "dual cultivation"…

The fantasy drama The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传), starring Yang Yang and Jin Chen, dominates streaming charts with its breathtaking scenery and spellbinding combat sequences. Praised by state media for its profound exploration of self-discovery through cultivation, the show's meticulously choreographed fights and dazzling special effects set a new standard for the genre. Yet amidst this visual feast, a discordant element emerges: the jarring presence of actresses whose altered facial features disrupt the very Xianxia essence viewers crave. Their performances, while competent, are overshadowed by the unnatural appearance that pulls audiences out of the immersive world. Technology Face 1. Jin Chen (金晨) Jin Chen portrays Nangong Wan (南宫婉), a character described as possessing noble elegance and devastating beauty. While her fight sequences are executed with impressive precision and she captures a certain aloofness fitting for a senior disciple, her physical presentation becomes an unintended focal point. An unnaturally sharp chin and sunken cheeks contrast sharply with the character's envisioned lush, majestic beauty. Distracting viewers further, an asymmetry in her mouth becomes noticeable during speech and expressions. This disconnect transforms what should be a character inspiring awe into one that provokes unintended scrutiny, diminishing the intended impact of Nangong Wan's ethereal presence.…

When Jin Chen (金晨) appeared wearing a beaded forehead ornament during a performance, audiences were stunned. Many declared this the perfect visual realization of Nangong Wan (南宫婉) from the popular fantasy series The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传). The delicate strands of beads, shimmering as she moved, sparked fascination. Was this intricate accessory authentically Chinese? What was its historical name and origin? This piece, evoking a blend of traditional elegance and exotic charm, represents a fascinating chapter in the evolution of Chinese adornment, challenging simple narratives of cultural borrowing. Echoes of Ancient Headwear This style of headwear, featuring strands of beads or gems draping across the forehead, finds roots deep within Chinese history. Archaeological evidence points to similar ornaments existing during the Warring States period, possibly earlier. Scholars identify it as a type of Yingluo (璎珞), a term broadly encompassing decorative netted or strung jewelery. More specifically, historical records and artifacts suggest names like Luosuo (络索), Lianshu (帘梳), and Weiji (围髻). Luosuo originally meant "cord" or "rope," evolving to describe hanging decorative elements. Song Dynasty poetry references golden Luosuo ornaments, while texts like the Southern Song Suijin (碎金) explicitly list it under headwear. Lianshu, evidenced by Song Dynasty artifacts, likely combined a functional…

Two years after Yang Yang's (杨洋) widely criticized performance in Fireworks of My Heart (我的人间烟火), audiences approached his latest project with cautious hope. The adaptation of The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传) promised redemption—a revered Xianxia novel breaking records globally, adapted into a well-received animated series. Yet this live-action version squanders its legacy through unimaginative execution. Despite dominating viewership charts, the drama reveals fundamental flaws in translation from page to screen, with Han Li's (韩立) journey becoming a case study in missed opportunities. Surface-Level Replication The series mistakes replication for reverence. Scenes mirror the animation shot-for-shot, including Doctor Mo's training sequences and early cultivation trials. This approach ignores fundamental differences between mediums: what works in animation feels laborious in live-action. The first episode fixates on Han Li's village ritual—five minutes devoted to flatbread preparation evoking A Bite of China (舌尖上的中国) visuals without narrative purpose. Pivotal moments suffer from baffling brevity. The Seven Mystics Sect entrance trial concludes abruptly after establishing its stakes. When Han Li and childhood friend Zhang Tie (张铁) become Doctor Mo's disciples, their training montages repeat without progression. Yang Yang's physique becomes the focal point rather than character development. Modifications worsen the problem. Expanding Doctor Mo's household to four…

China's summer drama season, often a battleground for blockbuster hits, has felt quieter than expected this year. While titles like Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传) and Coroner’s Diary (朝雪录) found audiences, none have yet captured the explosive popularity of last year's champions. Enter The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传), the highly anticipated 30-episode fantasy epic starring Yang Yang and Jin Chen. Slated for a late July release on Youku, the series promises a potent mix of high-stakes adventure, intricate world-building, and stellar performances, potentially becoming the season's defining phenomenon. Adapted from a revered web novel, it tracks the arduous ascent of Han Li (韩立), an ordinary youth navigating the perilous, power-driven realm of immortal cultivation. With a powerhouse creative team and a formidable cast, The Immortal Ascension isn't just another costume drama; it’s poised to deliver a visually spectacular and narratively compelling experience that could dominate summer viewing charts. Epic Cultivation World Realized Director Yang Yang (杨洋), renowned for crafting visually arresting and emotionally resonant series, brings her meticulous approach to the expansive universe of The Immortal Ascension's Journey to Immortality. The production has spared no effort in realizing the novel's fantastical landscapes and brutal cultivation hierarchies. Early trailers showcase breathtaking sequences: Han…