The entertainment industry is fraught with scandals these days, with idols not only struggling but also facing the threat of canceled careers, which is truly unbearable.
Therefore, dramas must be produced and released quickly, regardless of potential scandals, as long as the money is made.
Due to the immense popularity and unprecedented viewership of the previous drama "The Prince Becomes a Frog," which could be described as causing everyone to abandon their homes to watch, major video platforms have high expectations for "Da Tang Shuang Sheng," a new production by Jiang Ling and Jian Zhou.
As soon as the trailer was released, fans of Jiang Ling and Jian Zhou were ecstatic. Audiences who were lamenting the lack of good dramas also immediately clicked to watch. Even without the full episodes, the trailer was enough.
Setting aside the plot for now, the visual appeal of the male and female leads is undeniable. After watching many eye-searingly bad dramas recently, this trailer served as a perfect palate cleanser.
The trailer introduced almost every significant character, with the male and female leads appearing only sparingly. Despite this, it left the audience feeling refreshed and pleasantly surprised.
This was because the production design and costumes for the drama were exceptionally well done. In recent years, for reasons unknown, a trend emerged in Chinese historical dramas where both male and female leads were dressed exclusively in white. This was perceived as a way to enhance the protagonists' attractiveness and ethereal aura while also saving costs.
After all, the bulk of production expenses went to popular stars, leaving other aspects to be as economical as possible. Everyone wearing white, without elaborate styling, was passed off as minimalist chic and a cost-saving measure.
While one or two dramas might adopt such a style, it became a common practice for many historical drama crews, who seemed to emulate the bad rather than the good. This led many netizens to criticize the "funeral attire" aesthetic, with everyone appearing as if in mourning, as if countless family members had passed away.
Hua Ruyi placed great importance on the production design and costumes for "Da Tang Shuang Sheng," allocating a significant portion of the production budget to these elements. Furthermore, before filming commenced, he collaborated with Chen Mingzhang to provoke Jian Zhou, effectively extorting a considerable sum from him. This resulted in an exceptionally ample budget for the drama's production design and costumes.
Consequently, Hua Ruyi instructed the stylists and makeup artists to be meticulous, assuring them not to worry about excessive spending as long as the results were visually appealing, with all expenses covered by Mr. Jian. Coincidentally, the stylists and makeup artists, being individuals with artistic aspirations, had recently visited the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang. There, they witnessed the magnificent imperial murals and experienced the splendor of Tang Dynasty women.
Upon their return, they designed dozens of intricate hairstyles based on the attire depicted in the murals. They were concerned about the lack of funds for production, but unexpectedly, the production team proved to be incredibly wealthy. Therefore, they decided to implement all the designs, from the protagonists and supporting actors to the background palace maids, all according to the design blueprints.
This unreserved investment resulted in exceptionally exquisite, magnificent, and meticulously crafted costumes and jewelry for the characters in the drama.
Of course, the most striking element not to be overlooked was the elaborate hairstyles of the Tang Dynasty women. Whether it was the huā jì (flower bun), wō zhuì jì (drooping pendant bun), zhuì mǎ jì (falling horse bun), fǎn wǎn jì (inverted coiled bun), é jì (high bun), dī jì (low bun), wū mǎn jì (full black bun), pāo jiā jì (tossing family bun), huí gǔ jì (Hui ethnic bun), fèng jì (phoenix bun), or the bǎi yè jì (hundred leaf bun), and líng shé jì (spirit snake bun), every single one was incorporated, with no repetition.
After filming one drama, Jiang Ling alone had sported no less than thirty different hairstyles, each one so stunning it elicited gasps of admiration.
Audiences and fans, who initially tuned in for the trailer because of Jiang Ling and Jian Zhou's striking looks, were unexpectedly captivated by the rich and beautiful production design and costumes that embodied the splendor of the Tang Dynasty.