I’m not sure this is necessary at this point but right after The Longest Promise finished airing, C-netizens noticed that each episode was different in running time. Don’t tell me how they know but they were right and turns out Tencent re-uploaded each episode hence the running times were all slightly different. The changes noticed by C-netizens were all on female lead Ren Min, especially in the first three episodes her close ups were cut of the scenes that got a lot of criticism for her looks. Overall her scenes were also edited to slim down her nose and airbrush her out. I heard from viewers that once her styling changed in the drama her visuals didn’t look as jarring and she’s always been known for being pretty in a girl next door way and the later parts of the drama captured that better. I think she was failed by the production, if she was cast then it was up to the production to give her the best styling suitable for her.
It is completely moronic to cast a girl next door type of actress to play the part, style her in the most undeserving way for the first part of the drama, allow her be fodder to misogynistic internet trolls and then edit her appearance like that. I mean, what were they thinking?
To be honest, poor kid had some very bad takes in the first episodes, it almost felt that the production did this on purpose for the buzz that it created, but I guess it wasn’t that, because who does this to their female lead?
She gets better styling later on, but the damage was already done, I guess. Also, even though I thought she was OK acting-wise, she still had to act very young and that was kind of weird because let’s face it, Xiao Zhan is not 18 anymore. And there was also this sense of imbalance between him and Ren Min, he impeccably beautiful and imposing (he’s no newbie), but she lacked the gravitas that I felt was needed, especially given that the whole show felt that it should have been a FL-centered show.
Still, she’s young, cute and apparently talented, so I will gladly check her out in her future projects. Hoping that they will be more appropriate for her and that she will be paired with a boy her age!
She is not pretty but moronic fans will say she is. Like that @Somebody who workship Xiao Zhan’s dick Lol. She says she’s busy working but I think she is a kid pretending to be smart lmao.
She’s perfect for her role. My sister, whom I asked to watch the drama on Netflix w/o telling her any background of the drama or the casts or the uglies who call her ugly, had her very first comment on RM. She said the girl is perfectedly casted, acted her role perfectly and was a perfect match to Xiao Zhan’s role. She won’t have ot any other way. Personally I’ll say this – among XZ’s ladies ladies, she’s the best so far, maybe on par with LQ. Yah, sure the 2nd FL is gorgeous but I don’t think she can pull that role perfectly. 2nd FL is perfect for her role too.
I know right. I feel like some people are deliberately bashing her visuals in the drama because they can’t find any other fault from the drama. Her visuals are on par with the female lead of a certain currently airing drama, yet the same people can gushed about how much they like that drama in the other articles.
My stand on The Longest Promise remains – this drama is top-notch quality. The acting are on point, the scenes are all so beautifully shot, you can tell that many of the scenery are real scenery, not CGed, and the special effects are very high-quality too.
i never knew i was so superficial but i totally dropped this because FL’s visuals are so distracting… and not in a good way. i don’t know how she made it to leading actress status tbh. there are maids that are more attractive?? (case in point: song yi’s maid in destined)
I saw a bit of ep 1 and dropped the drama not because of her looks but I hate teacher/disciple stories. I do agree that her look was lacking in the first episode. However, out of curiosity, I started watching ep 35-39, FL did look better in comparison to the first ep due to the hair styling. I honestly can say that visually if they had styled her better, she looks more presentable in traditional attire in comparison to Zhou Dong Yu.
I see what you say about teacher/disciple, the thing is that the teacher here is supposed to be 18 years old, so I guess if a young boy was playing him it wouldn’t be so cringe. Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, although I love him and he’s, let’s face it, gorgeous, gave real teacher (and in that way cringy) vibes because, come on guys, if your lead is 18, don’t cast a 32 year old man.
Shi Ying is supposed to be mature-minded, so Xiao Zhan actually did a good job portraying him. And he wasn’t 32 when he filmed this drama.
Xiao Zhan is pretty and highly popular but his acting is not as good as his fans say. Delulus.
I feel dumb but I didn’t know they can slim down people’s nose and make them look better in dramas. I only know that they can use different lighting techniques to make them appear better.
I think we all need to be honest, these dramas are visual, the production used high cost technology for the special effects and beautiful visuals but gave us a hard to look at lead female actress, to make it worst – all the second lead, maids etc were all beautiful. And worst- they put her next to a handsome male lead. When the male lead (s) show their affections- I almost died laughing bc it’s very bad casting. I understand looks is not important in determining character as I don’t based that in my personal life- but these dramas are supposed to visually compel us. Casting director completely failed.
I do not think that the Director failed. I actually think they were well matched perfectly and I think the female lead did an exceptional job. I feel that everybody is looking on the surface for instant gratification for CP. She is supposed to be an immature little girl to start with, if you watch the episodes later, she matures and the look changes the acting is absolutely superb and is actually on Xiao zhans level. He had a say so he and director would not have picked someone that couldn’t fulfill this role. Her look is different depending the angle. However for crying out loud, the girl only has her mother and works very hard. Xiao Zhan appreciates her hard work and dedication. Director even says Ren Min stays after hours to discuss details of scene design. She works hard to support her family. Xiao Zhan and Ren Min are still good friends. While I love Xiao Zhan there has been Hardly any recognition for Ren Min. This bashing is damaging and adapting a female storyline for male lead who is considered a God is going to overshadow anyone. It’s clever but Ren Min had more crying scenes than him and well matched in skills. More than ever the score, special effects, cinematography, is breathtaking and entire crew all worked well together. The lesson of defying and changing fate is inspirational as they work together to protect their country upholding Justice, benevolence, righteousness, and love! It is one very unique story.