Core Viewpoint - The ancient costume drama genre, while mature and a key player in China's overseas content, faces challenges of innovation and audience fatigue due to formulaic storytelling and character development [1][2]. Group 1: Innovation Challenges - Recent popular ancient costume dramas like "Book of Dreams" have set new viewership records for 2025 but struggle with maintaining narrative quality as the plot becomes predictable and repetitive [1]. - The "tiger head, snake tail" phenomenon is common among recent ancient costume dramas, where initial creativity fails to sustain throughout the series, leading to viewer disengagement [1][2]. - The integration of modern psychological principles in dramas like "Eternal Night Star River" and "Palm Heart" shows initial promise but ultimately falls short in delivering a cohesive story [1]. Group 2: Production and Narrative Issues - The trend of borrowing elements from short dramas has led to a loss of the unique immersive experience that long dramas traditionally offer, resulting in fragmented storytelling [2]. - The production process, characterized by a conveyor-belt approach, often compromises the quality of the script, as multiple writers contribute to a single project, leading to inconsistencies in narrative and character development [2]. - The core appeal of ancient costume dramas lies in emotional depth and character growth, which is jeopardized when the focus shifts to quick, superficial storytelling [2]. Group 3: Future Directions - There is a need for ancient costume dramas to balance innovation with strong storytelling and character development, ensuring that new ideas are built on a solid foundation of narrative quality [3]. - A long-term perspective that respects creative processes and integrates innovation with coherent storytelling is essential for the genre's continued success [3].

Group 1 - The drama "折腰" (Bend the Waist) achieved significant popularity upon its release, with a heat value exceeding 26,000 within the first night and over 10 million interactions on various platforms within a day [1][3][4] - The production cost of "折腰" was 260 million, and it was initially shelved due to tax issues involving lead actress Song Zuer [3][4] - The success of "折腰" is attributed to its engaging storyline and the current market's struggles with long dramas, which have seen a decline in viewership and quality [4][5][6] Group 2 - The drama incorporates popular elements such as family feuds and romantic entanglements, appealing to the audience's preferences for complex narratives [6][7] - The show has received mixed reviews, with some praising its entertainment value while others criticize its handling of serious themes [8] - Advertisers have shown confidence in the series, with multiple brands investing in ad placements during the first few episodes [8][10] Group 3 - The rise of short dramas has created additional challenges for long dramas, leading to a more competitive and uncertain market environment [5][15] - The market has seen a trend of "积压剧" (shelved dramas) gaining unexpected popularity, indicating a shift in audience preferences towards quality content over quantity [12][13][20] - The overall landscape of the drama market is evolving, with a focus on high-quality, concept-driven productions that resonate with viewers [20]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolving landscape of Chinese drama series, particularly focusing on the performance and influence of leading actresses like Liu Shishi, and how their roles and the production dynamics affect the overall reception of the shows [1][3][24]. Group 1: Performance and Role Dynamics - Liu Shishi's portrayal in "Huai Shui Zhu Ting" showcases a blend of various acting styles, reflecting a multi-faceted performance that combines elements from different popular characters [8][10]. - The article critiques the trend of leading actresses having excessive control over their roles, which can lead to a disconnect with the audience and a decline in the quality of the production [5][23]. - The concept of "Tian Xuan Gu Ren" (heavenly chosen ancient person) is discussed, highlighting how the perception of actresses has shifted from their acting skills to their physical presence and demeanor [14][16]. Group 2: Audience Reception and Critique - The audience's mixed reactions to "Huai Shui Zhu Ting" indicate that while there is a viewership, the critical reception has been less favorable, drawing comparisons to previous works like "Ru Yi Chuan" [3][24]. - The article suggests that the overemphasis on aesthetics and personal interpretation by actresses can detract from the narrative and character development, leading to a lack of resonance with viewers [18][23]. - The production's failure to connect with the audience is attributed to a lack of respect for professional input and an over-reliance on star power, which can result in a superficial portrayal of characters [24][25].