Core Insights - The article discusses the competitive landscape of ancient costume dramas (古偶) in the current streaming market, highlighting the new releases from major platforms iQIYI, Youku, and Tencent Video, which are set to attract viewers with different styles and themes [1][2]. Group 1: New Releases - iQIYI's "A Smile Follows the Song" premiered on October 2, leading in popularity with a peak heat value of over 8600, second only to "You Are My Shining Light" [1]. - Youku's "Into the Blue Cloud" and Tencent Video's "Feast in Yong'an" are also set to release, with the former focusing on fantasy competition and the latter on a light-hearted culinary theme [2][3]. - "Into the Blue Cloud" has a strong IP background, with its original author having multiple successful adaptations, achieving over 3 million pre-bookings before its release [2]. Group 2: Character and Plot Dynamics - "Into the Blue Cloud" features a plot centered on emotional manipulation between the leads, with notable scenes that have garnered attention for their intensity [3]. - "Feast in Yong'an" combines comedy, time travel, and culinary elements, attracting viewers with its unique premise of a family running a restaurant in ancient times, leading to humorous situations [3]. Group 3: Marketing Strategies - The lead actors of the three dramas have engaged in extensive promotional activities, leveraging their networks to boost visibility and audience engagement [4][5]. - "A Smile Follows the Song" adopted a unique "poor marketing" strategy, openly acknowledging budget constraints while still generating buzz through creative promotional tactics [5]. Group 4: Industry Challenges - Despite the efforts in marketing and production, the article notes that audience expectations are rising, and content quality remains paramount; superficial promotions may not suffice if the story and characters do not resonate [5][6]. - The prevalence of similar themes and character archetypes in recent ancient costume dramas has led to viewer fatigue, with the article suggesting that the genre risks becoming repetitive and lacking depth [6].