Zhang Ling He and Wang Yu Wen to Pair Up for Period Revenge and Romance C-drama
The C-drama Ci Tang 刺棠 (Thorny Flower) adapted from the same name novel went on a casting binge this week. Word on the casting circles is that the male lead is definitely Zhang Ling He, and the female lead will be Wang Yu Wen. Reportedly Li Qin was also in talks for the female lead, but between the two in question I much prefer Wang Yu Wen. Once again fandom gets onery and reportedly Zhang Ling He fans are not happy with the casting, considering her below him in level. Goodness, if an actress was above him in level then they wouldn’t be happy either since the actress would get top billing above him. It’s like a never win situation with crazy fans all over lol.
I honestly think this is an odd pairing for sure. She is more visually compatible for modern in my opinion than historical. But she could surprise us with a good performance despite this. Li Qin would have made more sense but the whole who will be top billed probably would have been a bigger mess. You really can’t win with those sensitive fans of his for sure either way.
Agree.
Agree. She’s more suitable for modern but her resources seemed better than before starting around late last year. So I guess we should expect her to be everywhere from now on whether audience like it or not because capital wins.
There are appreciative comments about Zhang Linghe’s performance in Chasing Jade and I don’t see the reason for the impression if the frozen-in-time “acting style” is still present on his face. “His” speech delivery has also received praise, but don’t they know that a voice actor is doing the job? LOL! Tian Xi Wei is more competent than him in this drama.
Chasing Jade, The Double, Blossom, Glory (with Gulnazar and Neo Hou), When Destiny brings the Demon, and Fated Hearts are the latest costume dramas I’ve watched till the end. But clearly in Fated Hearts there was a better balance of acting and energy among the leads.
your nugu fav Qin Tian Yu is never going to be in the spotlight so bla bla bla bla 😛
QTY is such a fine actor who has only been able to get minor roles for years but not long ago he made his first leading role in a mini-drama. Most people in C-Ent are not there for their talent but as products. Capital and more capital. Others will come and they will be the new dolls so I don’t see the fun in showing off for that.
I agree. TXW is credible in her role. ZLH’s acting gives the impression that his facial expressions are desynchronized from his voice actor. He’s a good-looking fella but he still has a long way to go.
Ajá, I prefer Deng Kai’s (white-haired dude) acting in this drama.
I read opposing views from yours otherwise. Some netizens said that ZLH sounded great in his own voice dubbing in other dramas and the previews of Chasing Jade. Somehow they decided to use a voice actor to dub him in the drama released afterwards.
I wonder if a nepobaby needed the voice dubbing job instead. lol.
Whoever dubbed him in Chasing Jade, it doesn’t bother me at all. I was fixated on his beauty all the time when he’s on screen. lol.
By some accounts fron Chinese people Zhang LingHe line delivery is bad. He is not good at voice acting
I speak Mandarin perfectly. That’s my hubby’s first language and we communicate in Mandarin at home. ZLH’s own dubbing voice, enunciation and diction etc., did not bother me as much as some other actors such as Bai Jingting and Dylan Wang. It’s my personal opinion. Some people may not like his voice though.
Alright but I asked around about his line delivery and you are the very first chinese person that I see on internet that praises it. He, Chen Zhe Yuan, Cheng Yi, Gong Jun, Wang Hedi, Ren JiaLu etc… are not actors with the reputation of being good voice actor. I was told by different Cnetz on Xhs that he was not good on this domain and he gets criticized a lot for his performances in general and for being overtly backed up by powerful capitalists who want to make him the top actor of his generation (see the obvious fraudulent datas of POJ).
@Sirey, Are your information sources exhaustive enough? I don’t think so. I googled Chinese forums about ZLH’s lines for Chasing Jade, there are both positive and negative reviews, about 50% to 50%. Also, Personally consider Chen Zhe Yuan’s lines are considered in the better league in C acting department. I don’t need to read subtitles to understand their lines.
Otherwise, please give me some examples of C actors who have excellent diction, excluding Xiao Zhan. I can fairly judge them since none of those actors are my faves. lol.
@somebody my sources are from some XHS chinese members themselves. I DM them and they tell me who is good at lines delivery and who is not. And all of them told me ZLH voice acting is poor. My other source is someone like avenue X who is someone that is very demanding on voice acting, she said a few times ZLH is not good on that domain and I have yet to see praise him about it. My other sources are a few comments on BiliBili and Douban that I translated through google translation and AI and I have yet and see anyone praise ZLH’s line delivery. You are literally the first chinese I see online that tells me ZLH can do voice acting.
On the actors I constantly see mentioned as good at lines delivery are : Wang Xing Yue, Chen FeiYu (I heard some good things about it), the actor that played the young male lead in “Hikaru No Go” Hu XuanYu sth like that, Zhao Jin Mai I heard good things about her lines delivery those are a few names that I read. Wang Xing Yue is consistently getting good reviews for his solid voice acting.
And about Chasing Jade the reviews on Chinese forums are more negative than the foreign ones and the numbers are fake
@Sirey, hmmmm interesting! I checked the Chinese social media including those you mentioned. I google in Chinese. I did read positive reviews in Chinese about his own dubbing for Chasing Jade previews that was unfortunately replaced by voice actor’s dubbing later in the official episodes due to some concerns of effective post-filming production. It’s controversial since some Chinese netizens have qualms about that and think his own voice dubbing sounds better than the voice actor’s dubbing. Here’s one article:
https://cj.sina.com.cn/articles/view/7879776328/1d5abd84806801byro?froms=ggmp
Not sure if you can see the link above since Koala used to block any links I posted here. But it’s in Chinese though and a bit lengthy. If you don’t read Chinese, then you may have trouble fully understanding the message even using Google translate.
Without statistics tallying positive views vs. negative comments, our perspectives are all subjective and biased at best. I’m just presenting opposing views from others than yours. I do think his enunciation off screen is good and clear enough for me to follow what he said without reading subtitles.
Whether reviews about Chasing Jade are good or bad in China, it’s hard for me to judge cuz I read reviews from both sides equally. As to numbers, welp, isn’t it true for all the C dramas? Chinese statistics have been known for lack of transparency, not just in showbiz. lol.
Chasing Jade is currently ranking top 10 among Netflix’s non-English shows globally. Legend of Zan Hai and Hidden Love were the only two other C dramas that ever got in the global top-10 chart on Netflix across numerous countries. Netflix doesn’t fake numbers. lol. They are always for profits.
I’m enjoying the run of Chasing Jade. But it’s not my fav, TBH. Among several C costume dramas that I enjoyed, able to finish without skipping (again excluding my fav’s LoZH lol), I personally rate the Double the highest in terms of script writing, directing, and acting overall. I also appreciate ML’s acting in Fated Heart than ZLH and Li Yunrui. But I consider LYR the most attractive actor in armor and on horse. lmao. Nonetheless, ZLH has true beauty and royal aura in CJ. lol. These actors all have their own strength and merits aside form being eye candies. lol again.
BTW, I was curious to google Qin Tian Yu given the mention in the thread. lol. Oh he’s the one crazy emperor in Fated Heart! His effortless performance was very impressive. I surely think he deserves leading roles. If he were in K-ent, he should have got or would get leading roles. Unfortunately, Chinese citizens do not have equal right of employment opportunities.
Equality does not exist.
Your comment reminds me of koreaboos.ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Connections in South Korea when it comes to getting a job are also noticeable. I tell you this as someone who lived there until 2023. In entertainment it is similar, there is nepotism/payment of favors/”exchanges”. And we see it a lot in cinema industry.
There is no equality in K-Ent.
Even there may be a lot of nepobabies in K-ent too as you said, at least some of them can act. I don’t see that in C-ent. lol.
@Somebody
Genuinely curious here, but isn’t Guan Xiaotong a nepobaby constantly praised for her acting (and with awards to her name)? And Chen Feiyu is another one. I don’t know how other assess his acting skills, but I’ve enjoyed watching him in the past (in Lighter & Princess and even more so in Offering Salted Fish to Master), but I think you’ve praised at least his line delivery elsewhere on this page.
So I guess there are talented nepobabies as well?
@AJ, aw my bad. I forgot Arthur Chen. I do think he’s got potential given how he fared in Ever Night and Lighter & Princes. I’m not so sure about his acting in the Love Story in the 1970s though although this latest drama is a decent one IMO. As to GXT, she hasn’t made much impression on me so far. I’m just thinking there are other better actresses out there that can replace her.
He was indeed wooden in his past dramas but there was not even single scene in Chasing Jade that his experssion was wooden, even when he was not delivering lines,he made sure to to keep his face and eye expressions in check, if he win Best actor for his role in CJ ;i would not be even suprise, he was the most impressive actor this year
they always want to see lesser-known or new faces, but then they start whining about nugus.
Oh look, the misogynistic racist who is bragging with a waterfall drama. Hopefully karma is quick. I do feel sorry for her because not her fault but you know what they say about rolling around with pigs.
Misogynist and racist? Why? Please enlighten me.
The word “Misogyny” has been abused without scrutiny since feminism got promoted and feminists became overly vocal. lol.
@Somebody: Oh, nothing surprising given that I’ve also been accused of being misandric, especially on these drama forums. Lol.
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 pues no jaja. Misogyny is a fact and more so in the Chinese industry. In fan wars, attacks on women for their gender, not for being people, always come to light. I can’t think of an idea of how to attack a man for being a man tho.🤣🤣
She has been in the industry longer but just hasn’t had a break out role. Besides, she’s a good actress. I like them both, hopefully, the plot and directing are good.
lol and then there are the fan wars over equal billings or whatever.
I thought billing wouldn’t be an issue now since now billings are based on number of strokes in the actor/actress’s real name, not even their stage names.
Oh no she’s also going to act with another model who memorizes lines named Gong Jun. She was really great in Gone with the Rain and The Love You Give Me.
She will not have many scenes even though she’s the FL in that drama.
I like both ladies! I do think Wang Yuwen is underrated so would like her to get something that will catch a lot of people’s eyes.
In the photos selected she looks older than him?
Zhang Ling He in Pursuit of Jade has the same expressions of joy, sadness, and anger that he used in his previous roles. Repetitive mannerisms are boring, and they’re highly noticeable on performers whose acting is awkwardly. He’s got looks and beauty is a privilege.
Aside from his 2ML role in “Love Between Fairy and Devil”, I’ve only seen ZLH in “The Best Thing”. I found him bland there, honestly, in part because I didn’t find his character interesting and in part because I just didn’t love the story the drama told.
So my honest take is–I find ZLH has improved very much in “Pursuit of Jade”, contrasted to this earlier role I mentioned. He isn’t self-aware in the way I perceived him to be in “The Best Thing”, he emotes everything his character is supposed to feel, and this includes some very complex emotions. The facial expressions, the eye acting, the body language–everything is on point, even objectively speaking. And subjectively speaking, much elevated by the excellent cinematography and direction.
I don’t know what people are expecting from an idol drama, ZLH is obviously no Mark Chao or Chen Kun, but he’s perfectly, perfectly adequate for what this role requires of him–and not only on the superficial, acting, level, but also on the level of pulling the viewer (myself) in to resonate with his character’s emotions.
Overall, I’m very happy with the casting (and really, all production aspects) of “Pursuit of Jade”, and hope to the utmost that the drama will stay just as strong until the end.
Mmm if anything I would say the way his character is written can be off putting but I agree so far his acting is done as what is needed for such a character. I see no problem with his acting. But the villains and female lead are for sure stealing the show a bit mainly because their characters are simply more captivating in the story. That and the kids and village characters plus new side characters are truly endearing.
@AJ – Acting skills bear no relation to the script, and if he were a competent actor, he would have the ability to add flavor to his uninteresting characters.
He seems adequate because the writing of his characters is neither complex nor multifaceted. He has always played characters tailor-made for his limitations, and like Yang Yang, I give him credit for perhaps being aware that they won’t work in roles that require range or versatility.
It is ridiculous to categorize and separate idol dramas from “serious” dramas as a means of justification or a show of superiority. A good performance is the ability to embody a character in a believable and honest way, making the audience forget the actor, it’s their job technically xD. I still see Zhang Ling He and his past characters here. He still has problems with his facial expressions; I’ve seen his body mannerisms before in all his dramas (except for Maiden Holmes). I’m connecting with his character because he’s written to be relatively likable, not because Zhang Linghe has made me feel a wide range of emotions. If they had adapted Yan Zheng as unhinged as he is the novel, Zhang Ling He would have hardly been able to pull it off.
@S.O
By and large, I agree with all the points you made.
I agree good acting should shine through regardless of the script. But this–“I’m connecting with his character because he’s written to be relatively likable, not because Zhang Linghe has made me feel a wide range of emotions.” I don’t agree that a great actor can always make a bland character interesting (even Bai Yu failed for me in this, in Parallel World), and I don’t believe that connecting with a character is a given, just because that character is written as interesting or likeable, and regardless of the actor portraying them. The actor’s personal charm and characteristics impact greatly how a character they portray comes across. And sometimes, there might be a special synergy between a specific actor and a role that another actor couldn’t match even with better acting skills (an example might be Chen Feiyu in Ever Night).
Regarding ZLH, I simply find his acting more natural in Pursuit of Jade compared to his earlier The Best Thing, so I was giving him points for improving (at least relatively speaking). I also feel that Xie Zheng is a more difficult character to portray adequately than a perfect doctor like in TBT (even if drama XZ is less unhinged than novel XZ… he still definitely the ‘normal’ amount of hinges).
Of course, if ZLH just caught a lucky break, with a role he matches better or a better director in PoJ, then more power to him. I’ll withhold judgment on his presumed growth as an actor until I see some future drama of his. But that is my personal view, and I respect your different one, where you always only see the same old ZLH in each of his roles.
Regarding the separation of idol dramas from “serious” dramas as a means of justification or a show of superiority, it might be a ridiculous happening, but it’s reality. Even the most seamless acting in an idol drama–where, like you said, the actor disappears in their character–will be discounted by “critics” claiming it only *seemed* like good acting because the character had no complexity, because the story had no depth etc. etc., because that’s just what idol dramas are–shallow fare. We might roll our eyes, but it’s a pervasive view, and viewers have been influenced by it, too, over time. To the point where, yes, I have slightly lower standards/expectations from the actors in these youth dramas.
For me, ZLH didn’t meet those expectations in TBT, but perfectly satisfies them in PoJ–and with the bonus of his breathtaking beauty and adequate physical frame for a general, I’m happy with this casting. (I felt the same about Song Weilong in Shine on Me. But Tian Xiwei and Zhao Jinman respectively are the No.1 VIPs for me in these two dramas.)
Erratum
…he still definitely //lacks// the ‘normal’ amount of hinges
…Zhao Jinmai, not Jinman
@AJ – I’ve seen every single one of Zhang Linghe’s works since his debut (which I enjoyed). I don’t think he’s made a significant leap forward in Chasing Jade that would lead me to consider him impressive. The bar is still set pretty low for me when I compare him to actors of his generation who seem to be reinventing themselves lately with “effortless” performances. There are people who simply lose track of them, tired of waiting.
No examples can’t change my feelings about how drawn I am to a character writing, since I’m used to looking for heroes who share certain qualities. I can name more than ten males leads similar to Yan Zheng in C-dramas of recent years. It’s a pattern I have developed to filter out what I’m not interested in from what I am. The same goes for actresses; regardless of their acting level, I’m going to watch them if they portray a resilient and intelligent/cunning character. There are characters who were written in a generic way to be insufferable or evil, with no intention of giving them any backstory or depth. Even if the actors playing them do a superb job, like Liu Dan in Reset, it doesn’t change that they were included as walking tropes xD. Here, priorities shift. In Liu Dan’s case, I can appreciate her acting ability. Zhang Linghe’s Yan Zheng has what I like, regardless of him. Neither side excludes the other. I should also mention that the plot of Chasing Jade keeps me engaged, so as long as the characters act reasonably enough, the acting —even though I notice it— isn’t a deciding factor.
You wrote that you don’t believe a great actor can turn a bland character into an interesting one. Aren’t you contradicting yourself by saying that an actor’s personal charm has an impact on how the character comes across?
Idol dramas account for a significant portion of China’s soft power. Its criticism centres on nepotism, the abuse of connections, data inflation, hyper-competitiveness, and battles for capital. “Serious” dramas are also lacking artistic values in their production. Tey are usually only regarded as such because the cast includes a veteran actor who is well-regarded and respected within the industry. If the bias favours status, what is the classification criterion?
@AJ, same here. I shared the same perspectives from you regarding ZLH’s performance. I also can’t disagree with @S.O. on some points about serious dramas vs. idol dramas although we don’t see eye-to-eye about ZLH.
Watching drama is a very personal experience. As long as viewers can feel connected with the characters that actors portray, I think the acting is then commendable. It’s personal and subjective in some ways. Certain acting may convince some fans of the way a story is told but fails others. I don’t see absolute standards in evaluating acting skills.
@Somebody – I just find Zhang Linghe to be serviceable, he is below Tian Xi Wei and his role here reminds me of what he did in Kunning Palace. There are few chinese dramas where I feel both leads are equally compelling. Maybe Fated Hearts or 12 Letters. I used to give actors a good light if I enjoyed the drama itself but I don’t see any connection between the two aspects anymore. It’s like giving them points just for being good-looking xD. It’s a halo effect. Likewise, there are good actors appearing in questionable productions lately, such as Shawn Dou and Lee Jae-wook. They still shine despite the lazy or incoherent scripts. One factor does not rule out the other.
@S.O
Thank you so much for engaging with me in such a thoughtful manner. I’ve enjoyed reading your insights, especially where they differ from my own.
That said, I’ll *try* to keep this reply shorter, because I’ve already expressed myself fully on the subject.
“You wrote that you don’t believe a great actor can turn a bland character into an interesting one. Aren’t you contradicting yourself by saying that an actor’s personal charm has an impact on how the character comes across?”
I don’t see a contradiction. I was just rejecting absolutes. I said I don’t believe a great actor can *always* make a bland character interesting. Sometimes, even they can’t rise above script limitations, sometimes their energy or aura might just not fit a certain character–added to which, there’s always the viewers’ subjective perception, which obviously will not be consistent across the board. I can see an actor in a drama, “objectively” (as much as anything is objective, really) recognize he’s acting impeccably, and still subjectively be underwhelmed by the character they are portraying. Ergo my Bai Yu in Parallel World example.
By the same token, I can see an actor in a drama, objectively recognize his acting is relatively green, and still subjectively perceive they seem to be perfect for that role. This is a case of their personal aura/mannerism/physical presence meshing very well with how the character was supposed to be portrayed. Or charm/stage presence trumping acting skill in an exceptional case (not in any role, naturally). Of course, this is also a subjective perception.
And precisely because so much is subjective, I’m just going to subscribe to Somebody’s well-written lines: “Watching drama is a very personal experience. As long as viewers can feel connected with the characters that actors portray, I think the acting is then commendable.”
P.S.: Didn’t manage to keep this very short, after all. Sorry. And happy drama watching, everyone!
I never understand it. If they are subjective opinions and it’s a personal experience, there is no need to offer “objective” parameters as part of an attempt at conciliation or middle ground. LOL. Zhang Linghe is not impressive to me either, but I am not contradicting those who do see him as such.
everything is subjective as long as it suits us lol.
@nie, viewers are quite fickle too. They can watch six subpar performances by an actor, and just because he is being decent/fine in a role, they are ready to give him the green light. LOL. For me it can’t happen that way because I tend to get a margin, and mediocre actings weigh more by number. I need to watch a memerizing performance to change my view. Certain actors are called flukes by users on this site, but it is their own idealizations or bias due to the fact that they enjoyed a drama as indicated by @S.O, which led them to consider them impressive, even though they already came with a record of bland performances. This is too fast for me.😂
@Shayeli, we oftentimes missed an actor’s performances cuz those dramas didn’t do his justice. That being said, one can’t demand drama fans to stay tuned till the end in order to have a fair evaluation of the acting. We watch dramas to be entertain, not to train ourselves to be pro critics. lol. Therefore, you can’t blame that people, me included, change perceptions about certain actors thanks to one particular drama. In some cases, it’s simply miscasting that limited actors to showcase their strength. Besides, acting is a learning curve for many actors. Not everyone is born acting talent at Dustin Hoffman’s level from the get-go. lol. I’d like to give actors due recognition as long as they are part of the collective efforts to make me entertained, in some cases, enlightened. From this perspective, I think Wang Xingyue in the Double, Li Yunrui in the Blossoms, Zhang Linghe in Maiden Holmes and now in Chasing Jade, are all commendable.
At workplace, we always give subordinates opportunities to shine with their moments. People do not outperform others all the time at workplace. But once they do commendable jobs, they will be given credits to reflect in performance evaluations. Welp, not much different in performing art. To this point, it all makes sense for fans to dismiss actors’ past works but end up liking them in some dramas later. Viewers are reasonable to change perceptions just based upon one drama, one performance alone. People are not fickle as you perceive. lol
@Somebody: While none of them are natural talents, acting is a profession. And as such, there is a minimum standard they should meet while taking responsibility for continuing to hone their craft. Especially those who are proud to have graduated from a particular prestigious acting school. LOL.
If screen time were the deciding factor, there would be no such thing as standout supporting actors. But they do exist because they make an impression with their talent.
If an actor relies on how the script or direction unfolds, I could only consider them “serviceable” and “adequate,” since there is no autonomy in the development or demonstration of his own skills. I find it hard to call someone a good actor if they need their limitations to be toned down. It’s like relying on makeup to be considered attractive – it’s not bad luck when it’s not in there and the flaws come to light.
Your mention of Lee Jae Wook further reinforces my belief that an actor can be good regardless of factors beyond their control in a production. Like him, in China there are Sophie Zhang, Fang Yilun, Qin Tianyu, Liu Haocun, and Miles Wei. With poorly written roles and flawed scripts, yet they never come across as lifeless, dull.
Likewise, the opposite happens, as in the case of Chen Heyi, who had several resources working in his favor in Fated Hearts, but since the man only spent his time reciting the lines he memorized and posing, it didn’t work out. Bao Shang En is his female counterpart. LOL.
By fickle, I was specifically referring to those who are quick to label an actor as gifted based on a single role, even though they’ve been criticizing his subpar performances for years.😂
For me, it’s risky to let a single good performance define his entire career, ignoring the possibility that he might hit another slump given his long history of downs. It’s different from those who have mentioned, “Zhang Linghe didn’t impress me in his previous roles, but he did in Chasing Jade.” So we’re not on a witch hunt. LOL.
@Shayeli
Because people tend to improve at their job with experience (that is, if they want to), I believe that actors too can hone their craft over time (again, if they work at it). So the average level of their past performance matters, but excepting hopeless cases, the level of their *most recent* performance matters a great deal too. If it shows a monumental breakthrough, great, but it’s not necessary. (As an aside, K-actress Lee Bo-young, who used to be a …not very good… actress, had her breakthrough when filming “My Daughter Seo-young”, and I don’t think she ever gave a bad acting performance again after that. So it can happen.)
Even if it’s just visible, quantifiable, significant improvement, I can give them the benefit of the doubt, that they’ve genuinely become better. It that isn’t confirmed by their next performance, it’s no skin off my back, and I’ll readjust my opinion accordingly. But until then, I’ll just think of it in an optimistic light, because they brought me joy with a performance I enjoyed.
Disclaimer: The above is a general opinion, not a specific defense of Zhang Linghe. I’ve barely seen that guy in 2.5 dramas, and PoJ is the first role of his that I enjoyed. He hasn’t exactly earned himself my undying devotion–no actor or actress would. Also, “enjoyed” is just that, no more no less. I’m not claiming I was completely bowled over and transfixed by any inexistent exceptional acting skills.
@AJ, whether we like it or not, an actor’s performance history isn’t going to disappear, and it will always work for or against them depending on the number of projects in their filmography. I wasn’t referring to those who are giving them the benefit of the doubt, but specifically to those who immediately proclaim that an actor is talent of his generation just because they did one good job, even though they’re aware of the actor’s long record of mediocre performances. LOL.
I’m also glad Zhang Linghe is doing a fine job as Xie Zheng. But for his next project, I’m still staying neutral. I’m not going to call him a great actor, only to call him a one-time wonder later if he goes back to being a lackluster actor. LOL.
@Shayeli, I can’t disagree with you (re lost in many of your comments lol). I also appreciate those good actors you mentioned in comparison. I think I was scathing about the 2nd ML (was he?) in Fated Heart. Many got carried away by his looks although not up my alley lol cuz his wooden acting was a bit embarrassing. How do I think about actor’s performance? As far as the minimum standard is concerned, at least three key elements drive my assessment:
1. Visuals (IF expected based upon plots claiming stunning beauty should be the case lol).
2. Expressions including body language and line delivery.
3. Presence on screen – whether it’s strong, weak, or non existent lol.
I usually don’t ask for more beyond the criteria above if the plot is engaging. And I oftentimes cut slack on acting if 1 (must be my cup of tea lol) or 3 is satisfied. I’m a visual freak! lol.
@Somebody, I just keep remembering details and I find it hard to avoid mentioning them. LOL.
What I look for in a plot is that it be engaging as well, and that it doesn’t defy the basics of human intelligence. I’ve never been able to get through episodes no matter how good the acting was or how visually appealing the casting were. As one user mentioned in another thread, “based on those two factors alone, I can easily look for compilations of the scenes, or, edits.” LOL. I made an effort to watch Blossoms Shanghai because I like Ma Yili and Xin Zhilei. I’ve also enjoyed a couple of Wong Kar-wai films. But I felt like I was watching a documentary; I didn’t find the entertainment factor. I had a similar experience with When Life Gives You Tangerines. There are, of course, actors and actresses for whom I make exceptions, but I still end up skipping scenes.
I like Shawn Dou, but he’s allergic to interesting storylines. LOL. I’m going to check out Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy because 1) Him. 2) I’ve been seeing good opinions about the plot and world-building for years.
I’m already on episode 25 of Chasing Jade and there are scenes that bring to mind certain c-dramas cliches xD. At this point it feels like a trademark, and the day I don’t see it, I might even feel “incomplete”. There are also parts that I think are unnecessary, filler moments.
@S.O. I agree. I put some parts in 1.5/2x. The separation of the leads was so predictable that I had already imagined what it was going to be like lol.
C-dramas lack sharpness and intention. Sometimes they have all the elements on paper to make up a good production but once executed, they get stuck. And the fact that they are so long does not help either. I saw it recently with the wuxia Generation with Generation where the entertainment factor was lacking. The trailer looked promising: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eNDiujPQtZg
The characters are on the one-dimensional side but they work well in the addictive plot. Marquis of Wu’an is one of the simplest, he is the typical young, cold, assertive and ruthless warrior with a list of merits as long as his hair. LOL. Given his personality, I already get an idea of what he is going to do as the plot progresses. Male leads like him are a safe resource that (a high percentage of) the audience likes.
I watch C drama not to seek theatrical depth in Shakespeare’s works, lol, but am mostly entertained by enough suspension and visuals lol again. If I anticipate great acting, I’ll go to K drama. There are more caveats in Cdrama, e.g., nepotism and censorship, which limit actors’ potential to interpret their characters in the best light. If the way Cdrama tells a story doesn’t change, the acting will continue to look subpar and shallow compared with the K counterpart. Therefore, there are quite a few K actors like Lee Jae Wook always impressing me even though the drama is so-so or crappy. However, I don’t find many C actors showing the same caliber.
I agree with both AJ and Shayeli. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to the belief that not every actor is all-dimensional and no one can do every role justice. Good enough is not the enemy of perfect; and not every role can shine even if their acting is sufficient. It’s a matter of opportunity, talent and good honing skills to strike while the iron’s hot.
I say that, but it’s also true that I’ve seen lots of veteran actors who can outclass acting in every endeavor from lead actors. So it’s also a case of great actors can be good no matter the circumstances and roles they receive. But I’m sure they also started off not being so great.
Case in point: If anyone has ever been a TVB follower, there has been many actors in the past who have done small fry roles and were terrible or wooden when they started. Over time they’ve built their acting skills to the point of recognition – so bad can become good can become great if given enough chances (although the opposite can be true too, e.g. those who are coasting on their previous laurels.)
Some though, are just good enough and i can’t see as ever being more than just that. I’ve only been proven wrong once, but I’m not opposed to being wrong again and eat my words.
In regards to ZLH – his finest acting was in The Maiden Holmes IMO. I felt he was more comfortable in that lighter role than he is with his recent swath of moody, dark and serious ones. Not that he hasn’t been good in them, just that i can tell he was more in element in that drama than all his subsequent ones. Can anyone blame him though? Who wants to looks frowny and severe even if that’s what the audience likes to see, all the time?
I’m pretty tolerant of bad acting, back in the days, we just watch whatever is airing, no picky choosy.
For me, TXW nailed the role, there is only one Fan Chang Yu in my mind, while ZLH is serviceable, his aura is enhanced by thoughtful directing, but I can see his role played by others.
I consider an actor/actress good if they can “own” the roles for 2 dramas, to get into my fave list, at least 3 dramas, and I will check out fave’s dramas regardless good or bad or drop.
I agree with you. A single role is not enough for me either. I need to see a streak, especially for those who have been looking bored on screen for years.
Agree with your view on TXW and ZLH on their roles. TXW is FCY. ZLH is really good looking here but bland. There’s no real intensity to him and I can think of so many actors that can better own this role.
The funny thing is, for such a female-centric drama with commercial success, ZLH has been gaining more fans across all Chinese social media than TXW. Redditors also started fanwars for or against him. It’s like TWY isn’t relevant to Pursuit of Jade at all. lol.
Controversies over number inflation on Zhang Linghe’s social media are already the order of the day, people are considering his agency past patterns lmao. The long-term recognition will go to Tian Xi Wei anyways, she’s reportedly the one who’s getting more script offers than him right now. Followers are not enough in the Chinese industry nor do they serve to indicate star power necessary to obtain real deal brands. Zhang Linghe is also not getting mentions from respected names in the industry. Even Liu Yunrui did even though he was a more unknown name pre Blossom.
Almost forgot. Removing all of the above as an indicator of who has real growth, don’t women tend to support male actors more strongly? It’s something that the industry continues to motivate and incentivize lol.
KRIS:
Chinese social media numbers and index rankings should be taken with a grain of salt and rumors too. But it’s true that audiences (mostly consisting of women, by the way) tend to support actors regardless of their physical appearance and talent. Standards for men in C-dramas are just less strict. Look at Liu Yu Ning, actresses who are just as mediocre as he is in terms of looks and acting can’t do the same (except for those that are pushed by connections and people know it). This is something you also see in JPN or SKR. Tian Xiwei is giving a better performance than him but people who watch C-dramas certainly don’t notice that. And even if they do, it just doesn’t matter to them.
My appreciation for Chasing Jade has been waning, I’ve skipped scenes in four or five episodes — they seemed unnecessary to me. The entertainment it has produced for me is inferior to Fated Hearts and Blossom. I’m already in episode 32 and I’m still waiting for Changyu’s character development (I’m naïve🤓), who looked promising at the beginning but as the plot progressed, she got stuck. LOL. No male characters have been interesting to me either. The Su brothers could have been.
wow wow the best drama I have watched in years. ML is incredibly good looking, right height for the role 190cm oh my. I love knowing he was major in Electrical Engineering top university and score almost perfect gaokao, animal lower. I love FL as well with their perfect chemistry, this one is going to worth repeat viewing.