The Story Of Minglan Director Talks About Finding The Perfect Cast

The Story Of Minglan 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦 is a drama series revolving on the life of the unfavored sixth daughter of an official. It premiered to lukewarm ratings at the beginning though it has been improving as the weeks progress. It seems that ratings have turned out to be just as predicted. 

Early on, Director Zhang Kaizhou who is known for his works in Love Me If You Dare and Battle of Changsha said that he was satisfied with the ratings. The Story of Minglan is his first historical drama. He says, "Because the story starts slow and reaches a climax, going from small to big. The process is a gradual climb and there are many exciting moments later on, it will get better and better." 

Zhang Kaizhou talks about his reasons for casting Zhao Liying, Feng Shaofeng and Zhu Yilong as the leads. According to him, they were the perfect choice saying, "The common characteristic of the three of them is that they are very invested in this series... The plot also gives the actors room to improvise (to make them more believable)"  

Zhang Kaizhou said that Feng Shaofeng's portrayal of Gu Tingye was very good. Gu Tingye is written as a person with major character arcs. His relationship with Minglan starts from nothing and turns into a relationship of mutual understanding and love. Zhang thinks that Feng Shaofeng did very well because through his performance, he was able to capture the personality changes that his character undergoes. 

According to Zhang, Feng Shaofeng has invested a lot into the role.  "Some viewers don't like it and may have their opinion, I think their concerns are mainly due to the character. Everyone does not approve of Gu Tingye and not the actor's performance of Gu Tingye. There will be very high caliber performances later on." he says.  

Asked about whether some supporting characters have stolen the spotlight from the lead characters, Zhang Kaizhou says, "I don't think their performance have overshadowed the leads.  Because the death of Xiao Niang had some impact on Minglan, she has become very subdued.  In the later part of the drama, both Gu Tingye and Minglan's stories will dominate the series.  It is just a process that people will have to patiently wait and see.  As for Zhao Liying's performance, the audience will see a different Zhao Liying throughout the series." 

On Zhu Yilong, Zhang Kaizhou commented that him being in The Story Of Minglan was fate. When he saw Zhu Yilong, Zhang immediately felt that he was a very good fit for Qi Heng. His image is similar to Qi Heng. Through their interactions, he realized that Zhu Yilong is also timid and not an overtly handsome man. When filming began, Zhang says that Zhu Yilong had a deep artistic sense. He liked studying, enjoyed discussions and it is reflected in his acting. He can easily act in a pure art film. From his personality to his work ethics, Zhang acknowledges that Zhu Yilong is a very good actor. 

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Zhao Liying first among Vlinkage's top 100 celebs for 3 years straight

There's one more report to add to the year-ender lists from last year. Vlinkage has unveiled their top 100 celebrities for 2018 and it's a list dominated by the ladies. Zhao Liying takes the top spot once again, her third year in a row. Yang Mi and Dilraba Dilmurat who take second and third place were also among the top 3 bankable stars named by CBN Weekly. Did your favorite star make the list? 

Top 10

1. Zhao Liying

2. Yang Mi

3. Dilraba Dilmurat

4. Yang Yang

5. Hu Ge

6. Yang Zi

7. Zhu Yilong

8. Karry Wang Junkai

9. Tiffany Tang Yan

10. Luhan

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Actresses/Actors That Are Too Old for Their Characters

As I was reflecting on the dramas I've watched over the past year (and there have been a quite a lot of them), I realized that most of them are quite long (50-70+ episodes).  For the most part, I do enjoy them since I think they really allow opportunity for the characters to develop, but often times they do drag a bit in the middle.  (Side note: A quick test for me to determine whether a drama is keeping me engaged is whether I start to lose interest in the middle).  

In any event, the downside to long dramas is that often times they start out with the main characters at a relatively young age (think early-mid teens, 14-16 years) and the drama takes us through the process of their growth.  The problem with this is that, depending on the actor/actress, they are simply no long convincing as a teenagers!  These are men and women in their mid to late 30s or early 40s and it is extremely difficult, even with good hair, makeup and acting, to convince the audience.  See below for some examples!

Rule the World - Raymond Lam

At the risk of offending Raymond Lam fans everywhere, his character in Rule the World is probably one of the most egregious examples of this problem.  The book starts off with his character being only around 8-10 years old, which made sense since the main female character witnessed his birth and is his aunt.  I think Raymond Lam was around 37 when this series was filmed, making it virtually impossible to pull off this feat.  Honestly, he looked even older than the actors playing his two older brothers!  It also made his interactions with the various characters very weird, such as the main female character caring for him like a child in the beginning.  The show ends with his character being around 40 years of age, which is much closer to real age, so this does get better as the drama progresses.  I understand sometimes these choices are made for budget and marketing reasons, but I think this is one where it made sense to have a different/younger actor play the character at the beginning.  

Princess Agents - Lin Gengxin

Next is Lin Gengxin in Princess Agents.  Again the novel starts off with a lot of the characters as children.  The main female character is only supposed to be eight years old and I am guessing Lin Gengxin's character is probably in his early teens (13-14 years of age).  This is evident from the patriarch choosing a female attendant for him - someone who is supposed to keep him satisfied in the sleep department, if we are trying to be delicate.  If his character is someone in his late teens/early 20s, I just feel bad for him.  To be fair, I actually think he can still pass as someone in his early 20s, but 13-14 is really pushing it.  Due to the way the novel is written, I think this applies to virtually all the actors/actresses on the show - Zhao Liying, Shawn Dou and Li Qin.  

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace - Zhou Xun

Finally, we have Zhou Xun from Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace.  I am sure I am not the first person to mention this, but the first few episodes starts with Ruyi being probably around 16 years old.  There's a lot that can be done with makeup, hair, lighting and costumes, but none of these can shave almost 30 years off a woman's age.  The drama jumps quickly to eight years ahead and I still find it believable for Zhou Xun to play a woman in her mid-20s.  Unlike Rule the World, I do not think it would make sense to have another actress play this character in the first few episodes.  It may also deter audiences from watching if the main leads do not appear in the first episode.  Sometimes this is just a choice that has to be made.  On the one hand, it may help to market the drama more easily if the leads are in more episodes and may be more cost effective to have less actors/actresses.  On the other hand, this sometimes causes the audience to raise their eyebrows and make the characters' actions and interactions a bit weird.

Do you agree or disagree?  Do others come to mind?  I can definitely think of a few others but did not want to make this super long.  Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Zhao Liying and Feng Shaofeng announce pregnancy on New Year's Day

Newly-weds Zhao Liying and Feng Shaofeng confirm the yearlong rumors on Jan 1, 2019 to announce that they're having a baby. Feng Shaofeng wrote on weibo, "Did you know, did you know, it ought to be a family of three (a pun on the Chinese title of The Story of Minglan 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦)." Zhao Liying shared the post and said, "Waiting, waiting, welcoming 2019." 

This confirmation hardly comes as a surprise since the couple have been the subject of non-stop baby rumors throughout the year. The two kept mum even after the announcement in October that they had gotten hitched. 

Still from The Story of Minglan

Rather than take anyone by surprise this time with their whirlwind romance announcements, let's just say they chose a very festive day to share the news! Zhao Liying has been away from the public eye on an indefinite hiatus, but she has been active on social media and openly commented on Feng Shaofeng's performance for the New Year's Celebrations last night, saying that Second Uncle (his character in The Story of Minglan) was both nervous and cute.

She also posted a rare selfie for The Story of Minglan Christmas Day premiere last week. Looking at the picture, she did have that pregnancy glow already. Congrats to the happy couple! 

Source: 1

The Story of Minglan premieres to middling ratings with young cast

The Story of Minglan 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦 garnered CSM52 ratings of 0.608% for its much-awaited premiere on Hunan TV last night. I'm surprised that it's lagging behind most of the primetime shows and even ranks below The King of Blaze which garnered 0.770% despite being a late evening show. View count seems more hopeful in comparison as it reached 62.6 million views online to place in 3rd after hit drama Like A Flowing River and About Is Love. Nonetheless, it has yet to hit the 100 million mark that many dramas have crossed within the first hour of release. 

Having caught the first two episodes, Minglan is really a family drama at its core which may not be for everybody. I though I'd be bored, but I personally enjoyed every moment and appreciated how every detail was so intricately shot. Only the young cast have appeared and I'd say they pretty much held their own. 

I love little Minglan, she is too precious! 

I thought he was a young Kim Soo Hyun at first glance, maybe not in this picture. What he does in the first episode is really sweet.

And here I mistook this girl for little Minglan at the opening scene. She's also super cute.  

There would be no drama without someone causing trouble. It's her. 

The heads of the household seem more self-serving and easily manipulated than evil which hardly helps. Meanwhile, here are some stills of Zhao Liying, Feng Shaofeng and Zhu Yilong as we wait for their grand entrance.  

Character introductions: The Story of Minglan

Merry Christmas! It's traditionally a day to spend time with family where I'm from and it seems more fitting than ever to air The Story of Minglan 知否知否应是绿肥红瘦, which is a story that explores familial relationships. It's not a drama I'd normally watch, but the hype around it is contagious and for good reason. I know what I'm watching tonight (subbed on Viki)!

Zhao Liying as Sheng Minglan, the 6th and youngest daughter of the Sheng Family. The level-headed heroine tries to survive in a political household amidst countless machinations in her family. Being the unfavored daughter, her father is indifferent towards her and her sisters bully her, making life difficult to bear. Fortunately, Minglan is not the type to bow down to fate. Through the unconditional love and support of Grandma Sheng, she's discreet about her intelligence and learns to stand on her own two feet to become a force to be reckoned with. 

Feng Shaofeng as Gu Tingye, the son of Marquis Gu. Reprimanded by his own father for being a worthless son, Gu Tingye wasted his younger years seeking pleasure in women and wine. He rescues Minglan from harm many times after they meet. As she rises in position, Gu Tingye experiences a misfortune and wanders away until he ultimately finds his path in the military. 

Zhu Yilong as Qi Heng, the second son of Duke Qi. He is a famous young noble in the capital. He is handsome, educated and gentlemanly. He and Minglan become mutually attracted to each other at first sight, but politics gets in the way of their relationship and leads to a lifetime of regret. 

Shi Shi as Sheng Molan, the 4th daughter of the Sheng Family. She is Sheng Hong and Lin Qinshuang's illegitimate daughter. She appears gentle and frail but her heart is cruel and ruthless. She is Minglan's biggest opponent before marriage.  

Zhang Jianing as Sheng Rulan, the 5th daughter of the Sheng Family. She is Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu's second daughter. She is honest and doesn't have a shred of deceit. Towards love, she is a brave woman who will fight for the man that she loves regardless of his background. 

Cao Cuifen as Grandma Sheng. She is wise and fair. Widowed at a young age, she raised her illegitimate son and helped him on a path to success. In her older days, she cared for and protected Minglan who lost her mother at a young age. 

Liu Jun as Shen Hong, the patriarch of the family. He is a man who puts the interests of the Sheng Family above all else. He is ambitious and perceptive, but troubled by the affairs in his household. 

Liu Lin as Wang Ruofu, the mother of the household. 

Gao Lu as Lin Qinshuang, Shen Hong's mistress. Just like her daughter, she is adept at scheming and often uses her tears to her advantage. 

Wang Renjun as Sheng Changbo, the eldest son of the Sheng Family. He is a kind brother and a dutiful son who can sacrifice his life for the sake of family. He is learned yet humble. He cares for his siblings but often plays a stern figure.  

Wang Yinan as Xiao Qin Shi, Gu Tingye's stepmother. I'm noticing a trend of two-faced characters at this point. As a mistress, Xiao Qi Shi tries hard to play the role of a loving mother and wife while hiding her ambition to help her own son gain favor. 

Li Yixiao as Zhu Manniang, playing a villain again I'm sure (if you've seen Legend of Dugu and Legend of Fuyao, you'll know what I mean). She is a calculating woman beneath her gentle exterior. Coming from poverty, she is determined to move up in life and resorts to underhanded methods to fulfill her dreams. After meeting Gu Tingye, she gains the chance to enter the Marquis Household. 

Chen Jin as Princess Pingning, Duke Qi's legitimate wife. 

Wang Herun as Sheng Hualan, the 3rd daughter of the Sheng Family and the eldest among the girls. 

Zhang Xiaoqian as Sheng Changfeng, the 2nd son of the Sheng Family. 

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Two Dramas That Still Don't Have A Second Season

Princess Agents 楚乔传 is a TV series based on a novel by Xiao Xiang Dong Er that starred Zhao Liying, Lin Gengxin, Shawn Dou and Li Qin. It achieved phenomenal success as one of the most watched Chinese dramas of all time.

Princess Agents ended back in August 2017 but its ending has left fans clamoring for a second season. The production filmed an incomplete story which ended when the male lead was left to drown whilst the heroine's powers awakened. 

People want to see more of how Chu Qiao handles her feelings for Yuwen Yue once she realizes she has them because he must return alive somehow. What will she do in the aftermath of Yan Xun almost killing Yuwen Yue? In the final scene, we see the flower finally appear on Chu Qiao's back. There are too many unanswered questions that haunt viewers until today.

When the series ended last year, Lin Gengxin wrote a farewell message saying that he doesn't know whether to say see you again or goodbye forever. Zhao Liying didn't give herself full points for her character because they only filmed half of the story.

The cast has moved on to other projects since then that it seems impossible to bring them together again. I cannot imagine anyone else playing Chu Qiao, Yuwen Yue or Yan Xun. Even having Deng Lun or Xing Zhaolin return as side characters seem unlikely, more so because Yue Qi was killed off in the last episode. 

If ever they do release a second season, I honestly think it needs the same cast as they have already endeared themselves too much to the fans and viewers. 

Tribes and Empires: Storms of Prophecy 九州·海上牧云记 is a Chinese TV series that was adapted from a Jin Hezai novel of the same name.  It features Huang Xuan, Shawn Dou, Zhou Yiwei, Xu Lu, Janice Man and Zhang Jianning. The series is renowned for its quality production with cinematic visuals and great acting skills.  

Due to financial constraints, the series ended on a cliffhanger, episode 75 being the last. People have been asking for a second season for some time now and I can assume why.  

There was no closure for the characters and literally no resolution. The characters we've come to love didn't exactly come full circle. What happened to Muyun Sheng who was suddenly put in a position of power? What will he do? What about He Ye? Does he have a plan to rule the world? What of the Muru men? It's like Princess Agents all over again and the common factor being Shawn Dou. 

Tribes and Empires Director Cao Dun once shared in an interview that based on the story they had originally prepared, they could have four seasons. They already sowed the seeds in Tribes and Empires and those storylines are meant to be explored later on. While it seems that there were plans for the story to be continued all along, who, how or when it will be continued seems to be another story. 

As of this writing, there is no news that a second season for either of these dramas is being made.  As such, fans of this series will have to wait....

Source: 1, 2, 3