The Prisoner of Beauty with Song Zu Er and Liu Yu Ning Fastest Tencent Drama in 2025 to Hit 30,000 Heat Index Cementing it as a Likely Major Hit C-drama
Only 25 C-dramas on Tencent have hit 30,000 heat index ever and now add another one with The Prisoner of Beauty. I hope this drama has the same legs as two of my favorites of all time Lost You Forever (Part 1) and Love Like the Galaxy both of which hit 32,000 at its peak but I’m not sure of TPoB has the same legs, we’ll see in a few more days. Hitting 22,000 means a drama is small-ishly popular, 25,000 means it’s mid-popular and 28,000 means it’s very popular. The 30K mark is the lodestar for Tencent dramas and to date I believe only Joy of Life 2 has hit even higher to reach 34,000 which is unheard of. To think this drama was air dropped after being shelved for over a year and is generating such viewer interest despite no promos until its release. It’s aired up to episode 15 out of 36 total episodes and the plot has deviated a lot from the novel though most of the set ups in terms of conflict remains the same, just the details, timing, and flow has changed.
I don’t mind at all because there was a lot of strategizing and internal thoughts in the novel which doesn’t translate onscreen and now there are more side characters and its livelier. The relationship of the OTP is also different, much more falling in love with slowly building trust and without the sexy bedtime moments to help them get through conflict. Wei Shao is a lot softer and more childish in the drama than in the novel and Xiao Qiao more spirited and lively. Cousin Wei Yan’s and Su E Huang as have a giant chunk of their arcs changed so far but it works and from a novel reader feels fun and fresh to see how tweaks can keep the original intent but change the path to get there. Love how that Wei Mom remains a cartoon dumbass while Grandma really shines as the matriarch of the family. Wei Shao’s loyal four lieutenants and Man Man’s maids are all charming and great adds to the show.
Congrats on hitting 30k heat index, I’m so glad for Zu’er!
I’m sad to say I will have to put this on the backburner though. I’m at episode 13 and I don’t really like this “childish” tone of the plot, I thought it will be more serious and smarter. Plus Legend of Zanghai aired and I got too many to watch on my hands now.
@Lilith, me too… But I am happy for Song Zu’er. Her acting is on point but there is just other factors that is not drawing me to drama.
The Demon Hunter’s Romance was much much better. It’s not that I dislike “childish” plot tones, otherwise I wouldn’t have loved Love Game in Eastern Fantasy. It’s just that it doesn’t fit into a theme like The Prisoner of Beauty, I had expected it to take a more serious and melancholic tone.
By the way, have you watch Legend of Zanghai? I really love the cinematography and its plot is very fast-paced. As expected, dramas really need good directors. Legend of Zanghai has Director Zheng Xiaolong and The Demon Hunter’s Romance has Director Lin Yufen.
Oh Yes! to Legend of Zanghai so far!!!!
@HL I think different people look for different things when watching a drama. Some get satisfied with an entertaining drama while others want it to have some deep meaning hidden in it or depict real human emotions. A drama which can be near perfect in every aspect is hard to find and apart from a good cast it needs skillful script writer as well as a strong directing team and based on my experience some c dramas get ruined by poor editing. Unfortunately I decided to drop PoB since it wasn’t my cup of tea. It had nothing to do with the cast but the narrative and story telling seemed unnatural to me (and contained cliches).
@Gelar, I agree… I watch dramas to entertain me. I cannot even say if I have a type as it can really vary. Even with good acting, I can drop a drama if directing, editing etc does not appeal to me. I have watched dramas with not good acting but the story was well produced and have great supporting cast.
I too drop Prisoner of Beauty for varies reasons, the bad CGI really affected my watching experience from beginning, then others follow. But I like Song Zu’er there.
The acts are put in place according to age of the characters maybe the character is young that why they are placed there so that you don’t forget their age
Also actually it’s entertaining to watch since it’s not only serious all the time and has some humour in it so a little childishness never hurts I love just the way it is
The camera loves song zuer. You can have pretty actresses, but not every actress can draw you to the screen. She reminds of Liu Yifei when she looks at the camera. The drama is very good and the actor is really good. the show is also funny at times. I hear some people says he is ugly(madness), but these people are trolls so they don’t matter lol.
Song Zuer is having a great comeback, two hit dramas that airdropped with little marketing. It’s a fun show and since there’s no other interesting dramas airing right now, I hope it continues to be a charming little show.
Congratulations to Liu Yuning Sonng Zuer and team! Can’t believe it’s finally here and people love it! So worth the wait and anxiety of whether it will air or not. Sad to think if her ban wasn’t lifted we wouldn’t be graced by her hit dramas. Glad she’s back now and hopefully both will have better scripts in the future as well
and the disgusting chinese netizen still attack Liu Yuning because he is not handsome enough?
If they were girl, look at their boyfriend…or husband..are they 10% handsome as Liu Yuning?
if they were boy, look at the mirror
Really typical chinese netizen
Attack what you like…but hehehe….you cannot stop the drama hit 30K
Congratulations to the drama. Eventho im still thinking that LYN isnt charismatic enough for being the ML but he’s not ugly. And the chemistry still hasnt been there. Agree with the comment above @ lilith, i’ve read the novel, it was more serious… but the drama tones it down. And yes, Demon hunter’s romance is better in acting and chemistry.
However i also enjoy watching this one. Glad that they’ve changed some scenes from novel. Currently at ep 17.
Not people thinking the novel is more serious when it’s literally just smut. No way can anyone faithfully adapt that book into a drama and pass censorship.
Liu YuNing makes me swoon like a lil girl lol good for him! Proving everyone wrong who has doubted him. He’s a beauty of it’s own along with his voice! Plus he can cook! My, my, my… *Dreaming* plus.. everyone was once a newbie before becoming a pro.. and it’s called growth. And I think he’s doing a fantastic job! The world is more beautiful with people like Liu YuNing… Still fighting to be his best aside from all these haters whose so unforgiving. I feel bad for the people who have to put up with them. So keep doing your thing boy!
I am loving this and wish I could binge watch. Love Liu Yuning (he is handsome in a quiet reserved way) and I had never heard of Song Zuer before this. I just don’t feel the chemistry as I did in Story of Pearl girl. That show had me feeling all kinds of emotions.
I’m currently also watching The Legend of Anle because he’s in it. 🥰
Liu amazing acting skills in all his drama, this time he won my heart, both lovely couples, Wait for the kiss still. All the best for their carrier.