Group 1 - Actress Zhou Ye appeared at the "Starry Night Awards" wearing a long train veil that got caught during the red carpet event [1] - Actor Cheng Lei assisted Zhou Ye by lifting her veil during the red carpet walk [1] - Zhou Ye gained attention for her role as Wei Lai in the film "Better Days" and graduated from Beijing Film Academy [1] Group 2 - Cheng Lei, born in 1993, became known for his role as Gong Shangjiao in the TV series "Cloud Feather" [1] - Upcoming projects for Cheng Lei include "Jin Yue Ru Ge," "With Jin Chang'an," and "Footprints," all set to air in 2025 [1]

Core Insights - The long drama market is expected to face a "bleak" end in 2025, with significant changes in industry dynamics anticipated due to a challenging environment [1] Group 1: Industry Trends - The traditional "Big Six" production companies are experiencing a decline in both output and market share, with Huace Film and TV significantly reducing its new releases from seven to three this year [2] - New releases from New Classics Media have also decreased, with only one major drama expected in 2025 compared to multiple successful titles last year [3] - The overall production capacity of companies like Noon Sunshine and Ningmeng Media has remained stable, but their new releases have not matched the success of previous years [5] Group 2: Emerging Players - New players in the industry are fiercely competing, with companies like Changxin Media and Jiaxing Media gaining attention through successful new releases [14][16] - Quantum Pan Entertainment and Chunyu Media's collaboration on "Cang Hai Chuan" has emerged as a leading title in the male-oriented drama category, showcasing the potential of new entrants [21] - Other emerging companies like Xixi Film and Xinglian Film have also produced new works, indicating a slight recovery in their performance compared to last year [23] Group 3: Performance Metrics - The performance of dramas has varied significantly, with some productions achieving high ratings while others struggle to gain traction, reflecting the competitive nature of the market [9][11] - The drama "Xu Wo Yao Yan" from Jinhe Media has achieved notable success, marking a significant comeback for the company after a period of fewer hits [18] - The overall sentiment in the industry suggests that even successful productions are facing challenges in achieving blockbuster status, indicating a tough market environment [30]

Core Viewpoint - The current trend in the ancient costume drama market is the rise of "female general" characters, but the execution in recent productions has not met audience expectations, leading to poor reception and criticism [2][7][12] Group 1: Market Trends - The "female general" character has become a hot trend in ancient costume dramas, with major platforms like iQIYI, Youku, and Tencent increasing production of such dramas [2][6] - The summer of 2025 saw the release of two major adaptations, "Jin Yue Ru Ge" and "Yu Jin Chang An," which aimed to innovate the portrayal of female leads [2][6] - Despite the innovative character setting, audience feedback has been disappointing, with "Jin Yue Ru Ge" receiving a Douban rating of only 5.4 and "Yu Jin Chang An" facing immediate backlash [2][6] Group 2: Character Portrayal Issues - The portrayal of female generals in these dramas has been criticized for lacking the necessary strength and characteristics associated with their roles, often reverting to traditional depictions of weak female characters [4][6][10] - The physical attributes of the actresses, such as their slender builds, do not align with the expected image of a battle-hardened general, impacting the believability of their roles [4][6] - The narratives often fail to emphasize the independence and self-worth of female characters, instead focusing on their relationships with male leads, which undermines the potential for character development [6][10][12] Group 3: Comparison with Classic Works - Older dramas like "Mu Guiying Guashuai" successfully portrayed female generals with a balance of femininity and strength, showcasing their personal growth and agency [8][10] - The success of "Mu Guiying Guashuai" lies in its acknowledgment of female characters' subjectivity and their ability to assert their identities, which is lacking in current productions [10][12] - The current trend risks reducing female generals to mere tools for following feminist trends rather than fully realized characters with their own stories and arcs [12]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of "content clustering" in the drama market, particularly focusing on the "female general" theme and its implications for competition and audience engagement [1][4][15]. Group 1: Current Trends in Drama Market - The recent release of "With Jin Chang'an" adds to the crowded "female general" genre, alongside other upcoming titles, highlighting the trend of similar themes competing for audience attention [1][3]. - The past year has seen a surge in dramas with similar themes, leading to a competitive landscape where multiple shows are vying for viewer engagement [3][4]. Group 2: Impact of Content Clustering - The strategy of launching multiple IPs within the same genre can enhance the overall popularity of that theme, while also diversifying investment risks for content platforms [4][15]. - However, this clustering can lead to increased competition among similar shows, making it harder for audiences and advertisers to make choices [4][15]. Group 3: Performance of Specific Titles - "Jin Yue Ru Ge" has performed well in terms of viewership and advertising revenue, despite facing criticism regarding its lead actress's performance and character portrayal [5][8]. - In contrast, other shows like "Shu Jin Ren Jia" have struggled to achieve similar success, indicating that not all titles in a crowded genre will thrive [10][12]. Group 4: Audience Reception and Innovation - The unique elements in "With Jin Chang'an," such as its innovative "blood contract" concept and character dynamics, may attract viewers, but its long-term success remains uncertain [8][10]. - The "big female lead" business theme has shown to resonate well with audiences, as evidenced by the success of "Guo Se Fang Hua," which has become a platform champion [10][12]. Group 5: Advertising and Market Dynamics - The concentration of similar dramas can create opportunities for brands to engage in targeted advertising, enhancing brand visibility [16][18]. - However, the proliferation of similar content may dilute the advertising effectiveness for individual shows, as brands may spread their budgets across multiple projects [18][20]. Group 6: Future Directions - The article emphasizes the need for content creators to innovate and break away from formulaic approaches to avoid audience fatigue and ensure long-term engagement [15][20]. - The rise of short dramas poses a challenge to traditional long-form series, prompting a reevaluation of content strategies within the industry [20].