So while fans of liuliang stars continue to pay more attention to the buzzier idol/xianxia/wuxia dramas, the mainstream dramas that air on CCTV and other established channels continue to be where the prestige is earned. It’s only two months into the new year 2024 but there is already a mega hit called Always on the Move (Chinese title Going South Heading North) that premiered just three weeks ago on CCTV and kept going up in ratings to end with over 4% in its final episode breaking the record set by hit police C-drama The Knockout. Always on the Move stars veteran Ding Yong Dai with Bai Jing Ting and Jin Chen as the younger leads set in 1970’s era China telling the story of workers on the railway and their neighbors/family/work lives, The drama was already going to be a hit premiering above 2% to start but the increasing ratings and buzz only cements its status. Congrats to the cast and crew and check this out if you like this genre.
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Bai Jing Ting seems to have a good eye for scripts. Many of his dramas are good hits
Actually I think it is Gina Jin because she seems to be in one blockbuster after another. And she didn't really become an idol though she came out a long time ago. Too bad I feel she had a lot of PS done, I remember finding her very pretty when I first saw her with Jiro Wang in a period comedy which was forgettable, she was a natural beauty. But I guess she has acting chops so she can take more solid roles as she matures.
I see BJT didn't suffer too much from that weird incident in the New Year Gala that gave him so much bad publicity. Which just shows, people watch what they want to watch and not listen to the screamfest among non-viewers about buying this or being that.
Lol true, in the end it’s their acting performance that matters
I read Bai Jing Ting is gonna be playing drama version of Sang Yan (Sang Zhi's brother in Hidden Love which was played by Victor Ma in that version) from the novel for his character titled First Frost. Can't wait to see it.
I heard Angel Zhao might be playing Zhao LuSi’s role.
Oooh Reset reunion 😉😉 ~ but siblings this time hhhhh
I heard Zhang Miao Yi. Angel Zhao is headlining a few dramas as FL and would be unlikely to be 2 FL here.
Thank you for the recommendation. Maybe I should start checking out modern cdramas. I need to learn mandarin. Like the unfiltered look of the posters.
The ratings are higher than The Knockout, but it doesn't feel as buzzy as The Knockout. Forums were full of discussions about the characters, the acting, plot, and propelled/resurge the careers of older actors. Ratings, in general, are higher this year, but they don't seem comparable year to year. Perhaps, only comparable within the year.
Not saying this to detract from Bai Jing Ting. I like him. He has charisma. But just my general feelings about this drama.
Actually, u make a solid point
Are you checking Chinese forums? Or forums from other countries?
If it's from other countries.
You must to take into consideration the fact that the plots and sub-plots are completely different besides the themes, time periods of history and etc being portrayed in both dramas.
There is also strong political propaganda in AOTM which is not seen in The Knockout.
Western watchers do not watch dramas like AOTM and watchers of other Asian countries are not into this kind of drama too.
I'm on Weibo and there a a lot of talk about this drama and anything related to it in the Weibo's accounts dedicated to dramas.
One thing I've noticed is that once an actor became a celebrity everyone question and doubt numbers. Fans of celebrities worship numbers but these numbers are not reliable at all. We're talking about China, nothing is truely reliable.
I was looking on Douban. There are several general drama forums with 90-100K+ members each, but hardly any discussion threads on this drama. Granted, these forums favor idol dramas, but even then, The Knockout had lots of discussion. Gao Ye got endorsements and Zhang Song Wen's role is iconic now. Even his new drama has great ratings and more discussion on these forums.
Perhaps I am getting old, but Weibo is difficult to navigate for me. So many marketing accounts regurgitating the same stuff. Thoughtful discussions are hard to find.
I do understand that the way things are, everyone is in vacuum pockets. My perception isn't universal. Again, this isn't too say that this drama isn't successful. It really is doing well! But CCTV ratings alone isn't an indicator that is outperforming The Knockout.
There is not a lot of buzz about that drama. Even Amidst a snowstorm of love that has been panned on a lot of forums generated lowkeye more noises
I think that's correct, that western audiences tend to steer clear of C-dramas set in the 20th century Chinese historical period because they're usually spiked with political propaganda. That's been my own experience. I love The Knockout. I wish it had gotten the Squid Game level of int'l exposure and popularity. It's more deserving.
I have been so disappointed with C-idol dramas...I have turn to non idol dramas and have enjoyed quite a few of them. Even TW dramas have been making quite a good comeback. Those will keep me busy for now. I will just read entertainment news and gossips.
What non idol dramas have you enjoyed? Just curious. I haven't had any good luck with non idol dramas so far. I only finished The Youth Memories and Sunshine by My Side thanks to XZ. For all the others C fans recommended, I checked and dropped. I don't even remember the drama names. Oh forgot Blossom Shangshai, which is a BS just like its name. LOL.
@HL: Can you recommend some good newer T-dramas please? I would like to get into Taiwan dramas again.
Try-
Oh No! Here Comes Trouble
Small and Mighty
At the moment
Living
Shards of Her (Dont watch if this genre upsets you)
Till We Meet Again (Movie)
New TW dramas has a distinct taste to them. You can try to see if they suit your taste.
@HL: Thanks for the recommendations. I will have a look at your suggestions :)
I saw those PLA uniforms. I decided to skip. No hesitation. LOL.
PLA can't fight regardless of how dramas glorify them. LOL.
I tried and had to drop it because I found it terribly boring. It's a perfect drama for older CCTV audience and not so much for younger generations as can be seen by almost zero discussion on both Weibo and Douban. It's not bad. It's just... slow. Give it a try, you might like it.