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 series "Dark River" is on the verge of becoming a hit, having achieved significant viewership and positive reception for its visual effects and exploration of "dark aesthetics" since its release on October 20 [1][3]. Group 1: Performance and Reception - "Dark River" has shown strong performance metrics, with over 4 million pre-launch reservations and a first-day viewership of 18.815 million, achieving a platform heat score exceeding 9000 shortly after launch [3][6]. - Despite its visual acclaim, the series faces criticism regarding its dark scenes, reliance on special effects, and deviations from traditional martial arts storytelling, leading to a divided audience reception [8][10]. Group 2: Industry Context - The challenges faced by "Dark River" reflect broader issues in the new martial arts genre, where many productions struggle to balance critical acclaim with viewership success [11][12]. - The market has seen a surge in new martial arts dramas, but few have achieved a balance of popularity and quality, with notable exceptions like "Mountain River Order" and "Young Song Walk" [13][15]. Group 3: Creative Challenges - The definition of "new martial arts" remains ambiguous, complicating the creative process as productions attempt to blend traditional elements with modern themes [15][17]. - Many new martial arts dramas fail to establish a cohesive style due to genre blending, often leading to dissatisfaction among both traditional martial arts fans and broader audiences [18][22]. Group 4: Audience Expectations - The core audience for new martial arts dramas includes both martial arts enthusiasts and younger viewers who prefer accessible narratives, creating a dual challenge for creators [23][25]. - Successful storytelling that resonates emotionally with viewers is essential for the genre's evolution, emphasizing the need for character development and thematic depth [25].

Core Viewpoint - The article critiques the recent trend in ancient costume dramas, particularly highlighting "Into the Cloud," which has been labeled as "baby xianxia" due to its simplistic and juvenile storytelling, diverging from the traditional depth of the genre [1][10][28] Group 1: Quality of Content - "Into the Cloud" has been criticized for lacking emotional depth and quality, with viewers describing it as feeling empty despite good visuals and attractive leads [1][3][6] - The narrative structure of "Into the Cloud" is overly simplistic, with character abilities being ignored and plot developments lacking tension [6][10][21] - The trend of "low-age" content is not isolated to one show but reflects a broader issue in the ancient costume drama market, where many productions have simplified their storytelling to appeal to younger audiences [2][10][16] Group 2: Audience Expectations - There is a growing disconnect between the content being produced and the expectations of the audience, who are seeking more substantial narratives rather than superficial romantic plots [19][22][27] - Data indicates that while the number of ancient costume dramas has increased, only a few have achieved significant popularity, suggesting that the issue lies in content quality rather than audience preferences [19][22] Group 3: Industry Trends - The industry is criticized for its reliance on safe formulas, leading to a proliferation of similar, low-quality productions that prioritize romance over complex storytelling [21][22] - There is a call for creators to move beyond the "sweet romance" formula and to explore deeper themes such as power dynamics, personal growth, and societal issues, which could revitalize the genre [21][27][28] - Successful examples like "Folded Waist" demonstrate that mature storytelling can still attract audiences, indicating a potential market for high-quality ancient costume dramas [23][26][27]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolving aesthetic trend in the entertainment industry, particularly the "嬷化" phenomenon, where male actors are increasingly portrayed with delicate and fragile characteristics, challenging traditional masculinity [1][10]. Summary by Sections Stage 1: Economic Suitable Men - The early 2010s saw the dominance of the "economic suitable man" archetype, represented by actors like Tong Dawei, who portrayed stable, warm, and reliable characters [3][4]. - These characters reflected a societal shift towards valuing stability and emotional support in relationships, resonating with female audiences seeking reliable partners [5]. Stage 2: The "Wimp" Archetype - As societal pressures increased and women's self-awareness grew, the "economic suitable man" image became less relatable, leading to the emergence of the "wimp" archetype, exemplified by actors like Lei Jiayin and Guo Jingfei [6][7]. - These characters, often flawed and vulnerable, allowed female viewers to empathize with their struggles, reflecting a more complex understanding of masculinity [7]. Stage 3: The "Good Husband" Trend - The "wimp" archetype evolved into the "good husband" trend, represented by actors like Bai Ke, who embody a service-oriented, emotionally supportive male figure [8][9]. - This character type provides a sense of security and emotional stability, appealing to audiences in uncertain times [9]. Stage 4: The "嬷化" Trend - The "嬷化" trend marks a significant shift where male actors and their teams actively design and market a more delicate and feminine image, moving from passive acceptance to proactive engagement with audience expectations [10][16]. - This trend is characterized by a collaborative effort to redefine male aesthetics, allowing actors to gain empathy and increase their appeal in a competitive market [16]. Notable Examples - Actors like Cheng Yi and Luo Yunxi exemplify the "嬷化" aesthetic through their roles and public personas, emphasizing fragility and beauty in their portrayals [2][12]. - The trend is not limited to television but extends to idol groups and other entertainment forms, showcasing a broader cultural shift towards embracing softer male images [15].

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].

Group 1: Overview of New Dramas - The article discusses two recently premiered dramas: "Into the Qingyun" and "Feast Encounter in Yong'an" [1][5] - "Into the Qingyun" features actors Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, while "Feast Encounter in Yong'an" stars Wang Yinglu and Li Yunrui [1][5] Group 2: "Into the Qingyun" - Premiered on October 8 on Youku, the drama is adapted from a novel and revolves around a character named Ji Bozai who engages in emotional manipulation with a female warrior [1][4] - The drama achieved a heat value of over 8500 on Youku within two days of its release [4] - Despite the attractive cast and production quality, the storyline is perceived as somewhat bland and predictable, lacking unique selling points in a saturated market [4] Group 3: "Feast Encounter in Yong'an" - Premiered on October 9 on Tencent Video, this drama is based on a novel and follows the story of a family that accidentally travels back in time to run a restaurant [5][7] - The drama garnered a heat value of over 23000 on Tencent Video on its first day [7] - It effectively incorporates comedy and food elements, with engaging character interactions and humorous dialogue, making it suitable as a light-hearted viewing experience [7]

Group 1 - Three ancient costume dramas, "Yanyue Yong'an," "Ru Qingyun," and "Yi Xiao Sui Ge," are scheduled to premiere in October, featuring themes of time travel, culinary arts, and power struggles [1] - "Yi Xiao Sui Ge" stars Li Qin and Chen Zheyuan, set against the backdrop of war between the Jin Xiu Kingdom and the Suo Sha Kingdom, focusing on the relationship between a female archer and a prince [4][3] - "Ru Qingyun," featuring actors Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao, revolves around the Qingyun Conference and the emotional dynamics between a fighter and a disguised dancer [7][4] - "Yanyue Yong'an," starring Wang Yinglu and Li Yunrui, tells a story of family and culinary adventures in the city of Yong'an, based on a novel by Yingtao Gao [10][11] Group 2 - The anticipation for "Yi Xiao Sui Ge" is heightened due to its adaptation from a popular novel and the chemistry between the lead actors [4][3] - "Ru Qingyun" marks the first long drama directed by Zhi Zhu, known for her previous successful work, raising expectations for the series [7][4] - "Yanyue Yong'an" is based on a novel that combines elements of food, local customs, and romance, appealing to viewers interested in light-hearted narratives [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and experiences of child actors from the 2017 mini-series "Little Actors: Dream of the Red Chamber," highlighting their growth and the impact of their early roles on their lives and careers [3][4][50]. Group 1: Challenges of Adaptation - Adapting "Dream of the Red Chamber" has historically been difficult, with previous versions setting high standards that subsequent adaptations struggle to meet [1][2]. - The latest adaptation, directed by Hu Mei, faced criticism and failed to achieve box office success despite 18 years of preparation [2]. Group 2: Success of the Mini-Series - The mini-series "Little Actors: Dream of the Red Chamber" achieved significant viewership, with over 100 million views and a high Douban rating of 9.1, showcasing the talent of its young actors [3][4]. - The performances of the child actors were praised for their authenticity and emotional depth, contributing to a renewed appreciation for the original work [4]. Group 3: Individual Journeys of Child Actors - Li Siyang, known as Shi Xiaosong, transitioned back to school life after his role, reflecting on the pressures and decisions faced by child actors [5][6][8]. - Zhong Bao'er, who played Xue Baochai, has continued to act while balancing her education, demonstrating a successful transition from child star to adult actress [12][16]. Group 4: Impact of Early Roles - The experiences from the mini-series shaped the actors' identities and career paths, with many expressing gratitude for the opportunities it provided [49][50]. - The article emphasizes the importance of mentorship and guidance from directors, which helped the young actors develop their skills and confidence [55][58]. Group 5: Public Perception and Pressure - Child actors face intense scrutiny regarding their appearances and performances, leading to self-doubt and pressure to conform to industry standards [23][24][30]. - The article highlights the dual nature of being a child star, where fame can be both a privilege and a burden, affecting their personal and professional lives [23][24].