Production of Modern Romance C-drama Almost Lover with Zhao Lu Si and Peng Guan Ying Submits Drama for Approval Cut Down from 24 to 14-episodes
Well the timing of this couldn’t be worse with the discourse going on right now with the female lead. The production company of C-drama Almost Lover this week submitted the drama for airing approval and it’s been cut down from the already slim 24-episodes to only 14-episodes. I’m not even sure there is a coherent drama left in that, what with female lead Zhao Lu Si falling ill and not finishing her filming. Reportedly the remaining cast including male lead Peng Guan Ying did finish their portions after she left production but as the female lead her role is clearly vital to narrative progression so unless viewers want to watch side characters or a lot of narration about what her character does without showing up on screen, then the final production is clearly going to be narratively truncated. But then again, having this drama air may lift some of the hovering pressure over her for not finishing the filming.
Dramas in the past used to be able to switch one of the main leads halfway if the main lead had to stop filming and make the second lead become the main lead. I wonder why dramas don’t do that anymore.
Probably finances. These days it is difficult enough to find investors for dramas with no issues. Here with so much controversy and a switch that would in no way guarantee a return of investment, they probably decided that cutting their losses is the best way forward.
I feel really bad for the regular crew that get normal paychecks. This must be a big blow.
Guess the ultimate culprit is the way the industry places more importance on the actors and actresses rather than directors and scriptwriters then. If it’s the director or scriptwriter who’s famous and attract investors, switching actors halfway through filming shouldn’t be much issue at all.
It’s cold of cinema in China actually. Lots of actors can’t get into film crews or find work. others only managed to get into film crews after many days had passed (e.g. Hu Yutian). Those managing to win big projects are surely profitable for these productions. They can’t afford to change i guess.
Support crew teams not paid for their work…this is not uncommon even in South Korea. Some only get paid ones the drama earns money. It is unfair but more common than we know.
I get it but they are not the only drama that got cut short last minute. There have been a few that had this happen but not sure the reasons. And it looks like the censorship might be more responsible for it but here it seems a combination of that and her leaving them to scramble what they could.
i think 14 episodes can tell a complete story if the main scenes were already shot..
it would be interesting to watch… i am waiting for the release.