The most typical example is the 1987 version of "Dream of the Red Chamber." The director was good, the songs were good, the production was good, the script was good, the costumes and makeup were excellent, and the actors were perfectly cast with superb acting skills.
Everything was done exceptionally well, and combined, they created the timeless classic, "Dream of the Red Chamber," that remains unsurpassed.
As an actor, being fortunate enough to encounter one or two such dramas makes a life worthwhile.
By the same logic, for "Da Tang Shuang Sheng" to be rated a classic masterpiece by the system, it must have achieved perfection in all aspects, with the combination of these elements leading to its success.
And the most striking characteristic of such classic dramas, achieved through the collective effort of all elements, is the unforgettable nature of its characters.
Take Wang Xifeng, for instance, a character that Jiang Ling greatly admired.
In her early years, Jiang Ling happened to see Liu Xiaoqing playing Empress Wu and Empress Dowager Cixi, and she felt Liu Xiaoqing was particularly suited to play Wang Xifeng. Jiang Ling believed that if Liu Xiaoqing took on the role, she could certainly portray the beauty and ruthlessness of Feng Laizi.
At that time, she looked it up and found that Liu Xiaoqing had indeed acted in a version of "Dream of the Red Chamber," albeit a film version.
After watching the entire movie, Jiang Ling felt that Liu Xiaoqing's portrayal of Wang Xifeng was quite satisfactory in all aspects, including appearance, styling, demeanor, and acting.
But why was her version of Wang Xifeng not as good as the 1987 version?
Was it poor acting?
Certainly not. Liu Xiaoqing's Empress Wu was equally classic; she played Wu Zetian from a fourteen-year-old girl to an eighty-year-old empress, so her acting skills were undoubtedly top-notch.
The reason is quite simple: a good drama is a collective achievement of all staff members, including not only actors but also cinematography, styling, makeup, music, and more.
Although Liu Xiaoqing's performance as Wang Xifeng was impeccable, it couldn't compete with the excellent casting of the 1987 version. Every actor was a divine casting choice, seeming to have walked right out of the book.
In the face of such a powerful ensemble, how could an individual's acting prowess possibly surpass the efforts of the entire team?
Liu Xiaoqing didn't lose due to her acting; she lost due to the overall production of the drama.
Unfortunately, few people in the industry understand this principle.
They are swept up by capital, their minds clouded by greed, only thinking of using more popular idol stars to make money. They believe that as long as popular stars are involved, the drama will be good and the ratings will be high.
As a result, they have produced one bad drama after another.
As the plot progresses, Wu Meiniang becomes a nun at Gan Ye Temple. After Li Zhi ascends the throne, his power is constantly restricted by court officials and the imperial harem.
Just as the audience expects the weak emperor to go to Gan Ye Temple to bring Wu Meiniang back to the palace, allowing the resourceful and capable Sister Wu to help him clear obstacles and reclaim power, Li Zhi makes a series of brilliant moves.
He cannot defeat the powerful officials led by Changsun Wuji in the court, so he turns to the imperial harem, doting on Consort Xiao and suppressing Empress Wang.
In addition, the scheming and seemingly innocent Li Zhi leaks the news that he intends to establish Consort Xiao's son as the crown prince.
Upon hearing this news, Changsun Wuji and others in the court immediately object. However, their objections are useless, as Empress Wang has no son, and establishing the eldest son of the primary wife is legally sound.
When the coveted position of crown prince is thrown out as bait, the Lanling Xiao clan can no longer sit still. To please Emperor Li Zhi, they aggressively attack officials from Changsun Wuji's faction and the Taiyuan Wang clan in court as if they were rabid dogs.
Li Zhi quietly watches the court dogs fight each other and the imperial harem, Empress Wang, and Consort Xiao tear each other apart. This tactic of sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight is undoubtedly brilliant!
The audience, witnessing this scene, is utterly bewildered.
Isn't Li Zhi a cowardly individual with severe mother issues and a useless disposition?