Dylan Wang, Tian Xiwei, and others star in the highly anticipated drama "Guardians of the Dafeng", which is currently being filmed. The original work is a popular online novel with a strong male protagonist, featuring numerous beautiful women. With the addition of the up-and-coming leading actor Dylan Wang, the drama has garnered much attention since its start of production. In June, a total of 28 actors were officially announced, ranging from popular young actors to seasoned veterans, covering the strengths of actors from different generations. It can be said that the drama possesses both good looks, acting skills, and popularity, indicating high expectations from the investors. In September, the official reservation channel was opened, and at the same time, the first set of character stills was released, providing a glimpse into the characters' personalities and relationships. The male lead is portrayed by Dylan Wang as Xu Qi An, the dominant presence in half of the stills. There is a striking solo shot of him wearing black attire, exuding a cool and stylish aura. There is also a kissing shot with Tian Xiwei, who plays Princess Lin An, dressed in red, displaying her charming and exquisite beauty. It is evident that…

When mentioning the beauty of the east, what comes to mind? Perhaps it is the harmonious and melodious sounds of classical music, the graceful and elegant hanfu attire, or the combination of strength and grace in martial arts. Eastern beauty has always been an aspirational image portrayed in Chinese classical literary works. In recent years, whether it is the popularity of ancient costume dramas and music, or the rise of the Chinoiserie trend in the fashion industry, the eastern temperament has become more than just an external aesthetic, but also a unique inner charm. The pursuit of the beauty of the East is gradually becoming a realm pursued by the modern people. New Weekly recently had a conversation with three women who embody different eastern characteristics, aiming to find the answer to the beauty of the east through their stories.   Mo Yun The eastern beauty of music lies in its simplicity and subtlety. In 2014, Mo Yun, then a junior in college, gained fame with a video that garnered 58 million views and over 2 million fans. It was a video of her playing anime songs on the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither. Her astonishing speed in playing left…

As a highly anticipated and widely discussed drama, "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality," starring Yang Yang and Gina Jin, has garnered attention from the initial preparations to the start of filming, generating a lot of buzz among netizens. Recently, the production team released new promotional materials, including individual posters of Yang Yang and Gina Jin, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of their character transformations. Undoubtedly, "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" has once again become a hot topic, dominating the trending lists and capturing the interest of netizens. In the behind-the-scenes footage, Yang Yang, who plays the male lead, unveiled several new looks after previously impressing audiences with his black attire. With his striking appearance and exceptional command of period costumes, whether it's the elegant and handsome white and yellow ensemble or the mysterious black nighttime attire with a mask, or even the hat-wearing look, his various appearances exude a sense of mystery and demonstrate his excellent integration with the character. Compared to his previous performance in "Who Rules the World," Yang Yang's newly unveiled looks in "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality" appear more three-dimensional and commanding. While maintaining his refined elegance,…

Hello hanfu lovers! Remember last year where I went to a fantasy festival dressed in Han dynasty hanfu? Of course you don't, here is the article. I did it again this year. With another hanfu from another dynasty. So every year there is this huge festival in the North of France on the 3rd weekend of September, named "Cidre et Dragon" (cider and dragon). It's in a little town on the beach, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors, merchants, and fantasy authors... and has the highest rate of costumed visitors that I know of. I've been going for 12 years now, but only recently began going in Hanfu. This is how we went last year: This year I chose a Ming dynasty style costume I made. I added a Yunjian I bought, because I just can't afford the time to do the embroideries. I also wore a wig because i cut my hair shorter this year. And here I am: You might be wondering what was that thing lying at my feet. Well, yeah, that's a dragon. What the internet calls a "fitness dragon". I saw it by chance on a online shop and googled a few videos of…

The urban fantasy and action cdrama "I Am Nobody (Yi Ren Zhi Xia, 异人之下)" is currently being hotly broadcasted. The series is adapted from the popular Chinese manga series "Under One Person" by Mi Er. Upon its release, it received a high IMDb rating of 9.4. The vast world-building, extraordinary abilities of the Yi Ren (异人), and the unique visual aesthetics rooted in Chinese classical culture have sparked a wave of Chinese fantasy in early September, igniting the passion of many viewers. The ordinary young protagonist Zhang Chulan (played by Peng Yuchang) is drawn into an unprecedented world of Yi Ren after his grandfather's body mysterious disappearance. Faced with the sudden onslaught of other forces and the unexpected arrival of the enigmatic girl Feng Baobao (played by Wang Yinglu), Zhang Chulan is determined to no longer conceal his own extraordinary abilities. As Zhang Chulan gradually delves into the secrets of his grandfather's past, he becomes immersed in the world of the Yi Ren, where the mysteries of history begin to unfold. And Feng Baobao's mysterious background appears to be the key to unraveling the enigma. Confronted with successive crises, the young Yi Ren unite and form deep friendships and bonds.…

The short drama "Escape from the British Museum" has become popular. This three-episode short video series, co-created by online media personalities Jianbing Guozai and Xiatian Meimei, is the most anticipated work in the film and television industry recently. It not only generated a lot of buzz on major online platforms but also received recognition and encouragement from numerous media outlets. Using personification as a narrative technique, it tells a sophisticated story: a delicate Chinese jade pot escapes from the British Museum and encounters a Chinese journalist named Zhang Yong'an, who is working overseas. They then embark on a journey back home together, fulfilling the task entrusted to her by the Chinese artifacts in the British Museum. With a total duration of less than 20 minutes, despite the insufficient maturity of its production elements such as scenes and props, the storytelling logic is complete, the emotions are abundant and solid, and the conveyed values are positioned at a very high level. It serves as a low-cost, high-level Chinese short drama model. After the release of the final episode, it directly sparked an explosive wave of praise. Many netizens were deeply moved by the scene where overseas cultural relics read letters to…

The hanfu culture is no longer just a celebration for a small group of people; an increasing number of ordinary individuals are now sharing their hanfu experiences through creative short videos, integrating hanfu into their daily lives. At the same time, the seemingly unrelated realms of hanfu and fashion have also begun to merge. Hanfu covers in fashion magazines have sparked discussions within the hanfu community, fashion circles, and academic circles alike. Among them, we can find replicas, traditional designs, and fusion styles of hanfu. Dongjin Shangyu has compiled a collection of fashionable magazine spreads featuring hanfu throughout the years for you.   Hanfu in 2013 "FHM" Ten years ago, social networks were not as active as they are today. However, even at that time these three photos broke through the aesthetic norms of the hanfu community and even attracted attention from the media industry. One of these works was used as a cover photo in Issue 112 of "CHINESE HERITAGE" magazine. At that time, Yu Lingyuan was responsible for this photoshoot and said: "The structure of Western suits is similar to Western sculpture - it is very complex in terms of craftsmanship and has a three-dimensional quality. However, what…

As a traditional mythological story, the plot of "Investiture of the Gods" is already well-known to us. However, "Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" still prepared many surprises for the audience. For example, we can see the presence of many Chinese national treasure-level cultural relics in the props.   01 Horses In the Creation of the Gods, Yin Shou led his military to return triumphantly from Jizhou. The Shang King and Crown Prince Yin Qi sat on a chariot driven by six white horses to welcome them. It is well known that in ancient times, the number of horses and specifications of vehicles were important symbols of identity and status. There were strict ritual regulations regarding this throughout various dynasties. “天子驾六马，诸侯驾四、大夫三、士二、庶人一。” -《逸礼·王度记》 "The emperors rides with six horses; feudal lords ride with four; high-ranking officials three; scholars two; commoners one." - Yi Li · Wang Du Ji In addition to consulting ancient books, the film also referenced unearthed cultural relics - such as the discovery of a horse-drawn carriage pit called "Six Imperial Horses" at Luoyang He Luo Cultural Square in 2002. There are 26 buried carriages in total divided into two rows, with their heads facing south…

In the Wei, Jin, and North-South Dynasties, when Buddhism was first spread, the flying immortals in the murals were once called Fei Tian (飞天, flying apsaras). With the deep development of Buddhism in China, the Buddhist flying gods and flying immortals merged with each other in artistic images. Dunhuang Fei Tian is the flying apsaras painted in the Dunhuang caves, which later became a special term for Chinese Dunhuang mural art.   01 Origin of flying apsaras In Buddhist culture, the term "Tian" not only refers to celestial abodes but also to the deities within them, such as the "Gongde Tian," which represents auspicious heavenly maidens. Within the heavenly realm, there exists a category of minor deities who flit about and attend to various matters for the apsaras. They possess exceptional singing and dancing abilities, and whenever the Buddha expounds upon his teachings, they soar through the air in graceful dances while playing music and scattering flowers. This imagery actually originated from two minor deities in Brahmanism - Gandharvas and Apsaras. The former is associated with music while the latter embodies dance. The early translators aptly rendered these minor deities as "Fei Tian," denoting their ethereal nature of soaring through…

During the Tang Dynasty, which was the pinnacle of feudal society in China, many aspects reached unprecedented heights. Well-known achievements such as poetry, calligraphy, painting, and dance were accompanied by a vibrant clothing culture that became one of the most dazzling chapters in Chinese fashion history. Consequently, hairstyles also exhibited an unimaginable array of colors and postures.   High Bun The term "high bun" may refer to a specific type of bun hairstyle, but it is more likely a general term for tall buns. High buns were frequently seen during the Tang Dynasty and underwent continuous innovation in style. Many poets mentioned them in their works. The popularity of these high buns spanned the entire three hundred years of the Tang Dynasty.   Lofty Bun Lofty Bun (峨髻, e ji) implies grandeur and magnificence. It is widely believed that the hairstyle depicted in Zhou Fang's painting "Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers" represents lofty bun due to its towering mountain-like appearance. However, some people associate it with flower-decorated bun because women in the painting wear golden and silver floral accessories.   Side Bun This type of bun existed as early as the Sui Dynasty. It involved creating a tall…

A film of such magnificence and grandeur, "Creation of The Gods I: Kingdom of Storms" has been in preparation for nearly 10 years, finally makes its way to the audience. The whole crew is inevitably filled with apprehension. As a master of oriental aesthetics, Ye Jintian (Timmy Yip) has previously designed costumes for numerous films and TV productions such as "A Better Tomorrow," "Rouge," "The Banquet," and "Red Cliff." In 2001, he won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work on "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," becoming the first and only Chinese person to receive this honor. However, when Ye Jintian took on the role of art design director for the Creation of The Gods movie, it was an unprecedented challenge for him. It is the largest project in terms of workload and scale that Ye Jintian has ever encountered. With over 200 members in the art team and a set covering 500 acres, Ye Jintian designed more than 120 scenes and thousands of costumes. From the magical city of Zhaoge to the ancient kingdom of Xiqi, from primeval forests to Kunlun's fairyland; from King Zhou with his martial prowess to Daji with her enchanting beauty; from mythical…

"Young Blood Season 2" premiered on July 29th, 2023, with main cast includes Zhang Xincheng, Zhou Yutong, Wang Youshuo, Su Xiaotong, Zheng Wei, Fu Weilun, and others. After a four-year hiatus, "Young Blood Season 2" has arrived as scheduled with the original team behind its creation. What's different this time is that Wang Juan not only served as the script planner but also personally took on the role of screenwriter. Such sincerity undoubtedly raises high expectations among viewers for a new round of plot developments. The second season continues the storyline and character settings from the first season. Set during the Qingli period in the Northern Song Dynasty era when young spies were trained in the Secret Pavilion by the Bureau of Military Affairs, it revolves around six intelligent and resourceful youths: Yuan Zhongxin who possesses great wisdom; Zhao Jian who combines beauty with quick-wittedness; Xiao Jing who refuses to take lives; Wang Kuan who never tells lies; Xue Ying who prefers solitude; and Wei Ya Nei (Wei Yuan) who has an outgoing personality, together they form Qi Zhai. After going through numerous life-and-death trials, they experience personal growth while remaining united and loyal to their country. In the first…

Vocab of Wrapped Flower Wrapped flower - 缠花 (chán huā) - a name used to called artificially made flower using the techniques of wrapping colored silk thread around cut-out pieces and combining each parts together to make flowers, animals, insects, etc. Spring Flower - 春仔花 (chūn zǐ huā) or 春花 (chūn huā). Used in this situation would mean various types of flower combined into a small batch each flower symbolize for different meanings in China. In this case, the flower would be a wrapped flower rather than a real flower.   History of Wrapped Flower Through ancient China, people held a profound appreciation for nature, which manifested in their beliefs of deities who governed natural forces to their interest in making poetry, music, and artworks that represented the beauty they saw. One remarkable custom in ancient China were the flower hair-pinning practice known as "簪花的习俗 (zān huā de xí sú)," where both men and women adorned their hair or hat with flowers, either fresh or artificially made. Talking about flowers, there are many artificial flower craftsmen that have passed down for centuries, including "ronghua" and "wrapped flower." The art of wrapped flowers originated during the Ming Dynasty and arrived in the…

Nowadays, hanfu is attracting more and more attention from enthusiasts due to its traditional charm. When choosing hanfu, enthusiasts no longer solely focus on the form, but also pay attention to style and color. This change in purchasing mindset has prompted hanfu designers to actively innovate and strive to provide a variety of styles. Today, let's explore the charm of different color schemes in hanfu.   Red Color Hanfu In traditional symbolism, red not only represents auspiciousness and completeness but also signifies wealth and grandeur. If we want to create a luxurious style or participate in formal hanfu events, we can choose a hanfu with a deep red as the base color, paired with pink for transitions or adorned with gold thread embroidery. This combination showcases an elegant style while maintaining intricate craftsmanship. Furthermore, when paired with golden hairpins and waist ornaments, it exudes dignity and beauty.   Blue Color Hanfu If we seek a fresh and casual dressing style, why not try the blue color scheme hanfu? Blue reminds us of clear skies and oceans; it is synonymous with freshness. Wearing blue-toned hanfu instantly transforms one into sprightly elves. For example, hanfu incorporates pink bows into the waist belt…

Once again, the annual summer season has arrived, and multiple top-tier S+ drama projects are being released. The competition among these prominent historical costume dramas is intense, as they strive to break viewership records. On one hand, there's the attention-grabbing cast of "Destined" that has sparked discussions; on the other hand, "The Longest Promise" makes a sudden appearance in an attempt to capture audience interest and attention. Amidst this fierce battle between major productions, a low-budget self-produced drama called "An Ancient Love Song" manages to carve out its own space in the realm of public discourse. Upon exploring the series synopsis, it becomes clear that it neither relies on conventional online literature adaptations nor boasts renowned actors; however, it surprisingly gains audience traction during this highly competitive summer season. Distinct from grandiose productions vying for attention through lavish displays, "An Ancient Love Song" primarily relies on passionate recommendations from its audience.   A Nonconventional Time-Travel Drama In terms of genre,"An Ancient Love Song" falls into the category of time-travel dramas wherein a modern-day male protagonist encounters an ancient "demonic queen," leading to a captivating love story. Notably innovative within this time-travel framework is its utilization of dual reverse chronological travel.…

The movie "Chang An (长安三万里, Chang An San Wan Li)" is a film brimming with talent and charm. Describing it as such is perfectly appropriate, for no other word captures its essence accurately. Its romance belongs to the youth rather than the grand palace banquets, and its richness belongs to the ambitious and talented individuals from all corners of the nation rather than mere material wealth. And yet, all of this is influenced by the ebb and flow of political affairs in the court. When it comes to flourishing Tang Dynasty, we have seen countless depictions of prosperous Chang'an - from theatrical novels to well-made commercial films, showcasing scenes like wine in Hua Qing Chi and open exchange with foreign countries. However, "Chang An San Wan Li" extends the panorama of Great Tang beyond that magnificent city: west Chang'an, south Yangzhou, Shangqiu & Liangtian, and Xiangyang. It strips away the mystique surrounding Chang'an City itself and even almost dispels any illusion about an era of prosperity. The starting point lies in two young men living far from courtly life: Jiangxia (present-day Wuchang area) near Huanghe Tower where they first met on a deserted piece of land - Li Bai and…

To truly understand the fashionable attire of Tang Dynasty women, one must not miss the renowned painting "Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers". It is said that during the late 8th century in the Zhenyuan era, painter Zhou Fang created this masterpiece. This painting serves as a benchmark for ancient lady paintings and fully showcases the dressing essentials of fashionable Tang Dynasty women. Cctvnewscenter has made a fine interpretation of this painting, come and feel the charm of Tang Dynasty fashion.   The great Tang Dynasty style In this painting, there are five ladies with adorning flowers and one maid holding a fan. Enjoying themselves amidst blooming flowers and elegant cranes, with two playful dogs nearby. The dressings of these Tang Dynasty fashion influencers not only emphasize color coordination but also pay attention to layering, exuding sophistication and ambiance. The women in the painting wear dresses made from yarn or silk, which were considered to be the most fashionable fabrics in Tang Dynasty. A strapless long skirt trails on the ground while transparent shawl wrap around both sides. Loose and comfortable wide sleeves, mainly in shades of red with various decorative patterns. Let's focus on these ladies: the second woman from…

The Dragon Boat Festival (Duan Wu Festival, 端午节) is considered one of the oldest traditional folk festivals in China, alongside the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. According to records, the Dragon Boat Festival originated from the worship of celestial phenomena and evolved from ancient dragon rituals. The Dragon Boat Festival is an auspicious day associated with this imagery of a soaring dragon; thus, both dragons and dragon boat culture have always been an integral part of its historical legacy. The term "Duan Wu" itself first appeared in Fengtu Ji during the Jin Dynasty. However, nowadays when most people mention the Dragon Boat Festival, they often associate it with Qu Yuan's legend. Legend has it that on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Qu Yuan tragically sacrificed himself by plunging into Miluo River out of loyalty to his country. Upon hearing this news, local villagers rushed to their boats to rescue him. Worried about their speed not being fast enough, they vigorously rowed while also fearing that fish would devour Qu Yuan's body, hence throwing rice dumplings into the river. Later on, people designated the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar…

From the enchanting landscapes of ancient China to the modern fashion runways, the timeless elegance of Hanfu garments continues to captivate hearts across the globe. As we embrace the warmth of summer, it's time to dive into the fascinating world of fabrics that effortlessly blend tradition with comfort, bringing forth a refreshing sartorial experience. Still bothered by what fabric is cooler for hanfu? This article will introduce you some common fabrics for summer hanfu.   01 Preliminary introduction to modern clothing fabrics Modern clothing materials can generally be categorized into three types: natural fibers, artificial fibers, and synthetic fibers. Artificial and synthetic fibers can also be combined to form chemical fiber. Natural fiber mainly refers to animal or plant-based fibers such as cotton, linen, wool and silk. Cotton has excellent moisture absorption properties while being breathable and warm but is prone to wrinkling; linen fiber doesn't curl easily but wrinkles easily with a rougher texture. Artificial fiber (also known as regenerated fiber) is made from natural polymers. According to the shape and usage of artificial fibers, they are divided into three categories: rayon, viscose staple fiber, and artificial wool. Important varieties include viscose fibre, acetate fibre, cuprammonium rayon fibre etc.…

The "Jiaoling Youren (交领右衽, cross-collar-and-right-wrapped, the left lapel covers the right lapel when wearing)" based on flat cutting is a typical collar that has been passed down in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years. It fully embodies the diverse and integrated pattern since ancient times, carries Chinese common cultural connotation as a nation, and is a symbol of the spiritual essence extracted from the long history of Chinese civilization. Chinese traditional costumes are profound and have a long history, Jiaoling Youren is like main threads linking thousands of years' of flowery clouds together to inherit continuously with boundless beauty. The character "衣 (clothing)" already existed in oracle bone script which reveals its structural feature: two lapels overlap each other forming into textual symbols.   01 What is Jiaoling Youren One of the most prominent features of Hanfu is the collar design that crosses left over right to form a "Y" shape known as the Jiaoling Youren style. This collar design has more than 5,000 years of history since Zhou Dynasty. Even though Hanfu keeps innovating with different styles such as straight collars, tank tops, and stand-up collars, the cross-collared Hanfu still maintains its mainstream position among these styles.  …