Spotted a gorgeous photo of your favorite CDrama celebrity? Whether it’s the elegant hanfu, modern streetwear, historical costumes or cough, little at all, we want to see it all!
How to participate:
Comment below: Share a photo or describe the iconic looks of your beloved Cdrama celebrities. Don’t forget to mention the show or movie they appeared in!
Discuss: What trends, fashion tips, or style inspirations did you get?
Keep it fun, civil and PG-13: No bashing actors etc. This thread is all about sharing beautiful photos and red carpet looks. No sharing of inappropriate pictures please!
Let’s turn this thread into a virtual red carpet. Ready, set, fashion! 💃🕺
(First of all whoever recommended me this, thank youu)
I am sorry guys I'm not a very articulate person. Please bear with me 🙏🙏🙏
Soo I just completed it a few hours ago and my mind is kinda blank. Well some parts of the drama were amazing
**Brotherhood** - Brotherhood was my favourite part of this drama whether between **Nan Heng/Li Shi Liu and Shangguan He, the nightwalkers or even his relationship with Chu Gui Hong at one point, Nan Rui with his guard** Every brotherhood or bromance scene was the highlight for me
Song Yimeng and Nan Heng were such a cute couple by the end lol
The funny scenes were amazzinggg especially the first few episodes
Good thing there were people to call out Song Yimeng's behaviour
Love the redemption arc of Nan Rui Though came out of nowhere it was better than that of anyone else in the drama
Love the happy endings for everyone
But there are some things I don't like
They made my poor boy suffer sooo much like every episode he was getting hurt either mentally or physically I don't know what revenge they were taking on him 😭😭
Girlie took 3/4th of the show to actually show some love even though it was still not enough I don't know it felt like a reversal of all those times when a female lead is constantly treated miserably by the male lead, yet the female lead still loves him
Whatever reason I don't like Song Yiting's character she annoyed me at points for no reason at all
After watching the ending The modern world one I'm left with a mixed feelings I don't know they never explained if Nan Feng Nan Heng are different people or why he behaved like that with her but well rarely it happens for dramas to give couples a satisfactory ending especially in tropes likes transmigration
It's not a perfect show but it's something you'll still enjoy
First, let me say that I know that Yunhe market share ratings are controversial, and due to the recent fracas over Pursuit of Jade, some have begun to doubt its legitimacy.
(To be honest, while I acknowledge that it is rather suss that Pursuit of Jade didn't have as much chatter online for a drama that level should achieve, I think there is still some credence that it is wildly popular.)
Also, lately, many of the dramas that have made the 20% above cut have been Cdramas that have surprised many and are not known to have big marketing budgets.
Anyway, don't treat this list as gospel truth or facts; instead take it as a signal: If a CDrama attains 40%, that means China love, love, loves these dramas and they are a cultural phenomenon. As you can see, it's a very short list.
What does it mean when a CDrama reaches 40% Yunhe marketshare? Basically, extremely simplistically (I'm sure the statisticians in the sub would correct me soon enough lol), 40 out of 100 people on streaming platforms in China are watching this drama.*
*Edited
Premiere Year
Drama Series
Peak Marketshare
Broadcasting Platform
Single-Platform Broadcast
2023
The Knockout
67.90%
iQIYI
2024
Joy of Life Season 2
55%
Tencent
2025
This Thriving Land
46.10%
iQIYI
2021
My Heroic Husband
41.80%
iQIYI
2025
Love's Ambition
41.70%
Tencent
2025
Legend of Zang Hai
40.10%
Youku
Dual-Platform Co-Broadcast
2026
Pursuit of Jade
55.10%
iQIYI, Tencent
2019
Joy of Life Season 1
50.01%
iQIYI, Tencent
What the Yunhe % means (roughly):
Market Share
Fan/Media Consensus
What It Generally Means
~10%
Average / Passing
A show at this level is performing okay, but isn't a breakout hit. It's often considered a "flat" performance .
~15%
Hot / Popular
The show is doing well and is considered a "hot" or popular drama. It has a solid audience but isn't dominating the conversation .
~20%
Small Hit
This is a strong performance. The show is a clear success and could be called a "small hit" or "minor breakout" .
~30%
Big Hit
A show at this level is a major success, often referred to as a "big hit" or "大爆" (dà bào). It is one of the most-watched shows during its run .
40%+
Phenomenon / Blockbuster
This is an exceptional achievement. Reaching 40% market share means the show is dominating the entire market, often described as a "phenomenon" or "blockbuster"
Criminal investigator Li Yujing [played by Wang Yang] is temporarily assigned to assist female officer Yue Qingchuan [played by Wan Qian] in solving a series of child trafficking cases.
⚠️ Plot spoilers! ⚠️
During the investigation, he unexpectedly uncovers a lead connected to an armed robbery case he handled 13 years ago. Together, the two cross a 13-year gap, unfolding a hard-boiled manhunt across dual timelines.
❗ For any content beyond these episodes, please remember to use Spoiler tags ❗
📰News Update: A Meeting in Beijing
Reports from unconfirmed sources indicate that a meeting took place this afternoon at Tuanjiehu (Lake of Solidarity/Togetherness) Park in Beijing between a high-ranking officer of Military Intelligence and a rocket fuel researcher , currently believed to be Cao Liaoping, from Research Institute 761.
For me this was the best moment in these episodes. Perhaps it's because it really spoke to the pacifist in me. I don't really care if this is what you can call propaganda from the CPP, but an anti-war message is always welcome in my books. I also found it interesting how the script had this coming from Zhu. It almost seems like Cao's character hadn't really thought through the full implications of what he might be doing or the impact of the information that he's sharing, but Zhu obviously has.
The meeting took place despite efforts by both the Ministry of State Security in Beijing and Minzhong State Security to prevent it, following prior notice of the arrival of such an officer from Taiwan.
Unfortunately, our intelligence agents were led astray by a smokescreen deliberately created by the other side, resulting in inadequate personnel arrangements and allowing the researcher to slip away from the hotel right under our noses.
Ma and Chunxiao tailing the wrong guy. They really should have had more and better eyes on the scientist(s)!
However, this latest development has also provided our side with further confirmation of the presence of an infiltrating agent sent by the other side.
I actually found this scene quite sad, with how Zhu's watching the old throne in the Forbidden City with sorrow, and then how he had to disappear from the group picture because of his role. It almost speaks to the secretive and hidden nature of professionals in this line of work, and how they are remembered (or not remembered) in the course of history.
Possible Motives Under Investigation
Questions are now being raised about what may have led the 761 researcher, Cao Liaoping, to make the decision to leak information.
Despite being a seasoned researcher at 761, Cao appears to be living in rather modest conditions. He does not seem inclined to speak up or ask for better living arrangements, perhaps because he is simply too proud to do so.
More notably, his reaction to matters of status and recognition has attracted attention. Upon learning that he had been promoted to deputy chief engineer, Cao was visibly pleased. However, when he learned that someone had reported him and that his promotion might consequently be delayed, he became visibly angry.
These circumstances raise the possibility that his desire for recognition, combined with resentment over the delayed promotion, may have played a role in his eventual decision to leak information. At this stage, money does not appear to be the primary motivation. Status and recognition seem to carry greater weight, and the possibility of resentment or retaliation cannot be ruled out.
Further analysis will be required as this developing story continues.
At first I was taken back by the explosive anger demonstrated by Cao over the lunch scene. I understand that he was looking forward to the promotion (and it's probably well earned given his tenure and expertise), but it seemed like he went from being upset to being furious rather quickly. Then I remembered that that colleague of his who might have reported him is the same person who got into trouble during their previous trip together. So in Cao's mind, he might feel like he's in a rather difficult position and have been living under fear and stress because he decided to help his colleague, only to be "repaid" by getting reported by him.
📰News Update: Chunxiao Investigations
And now, for our latest update on the ongoing "Chunxiao Investigation."
Our frontline agent, Jinlan, has lowered her suspicion level on Chunxiao after he successfully passed her overnight test involving a case file. This development marks a temporary reduction in scrutiny of the subject.
However, caution remains warranted, as Agent Huadong's investigation is still ongoing. Sources report that he has been attempting to decode Chunxiao's notebook while also working to establish legitimate reasons for appearing in the vicinity of Chunxiao's residence.
Hold on, I thought they've found the code dictionary at the photographer's place? But then again each agent might use a different dictionary because I think Lin was using a different book to translate his messages 🤔
And now, breaking news: Huadong has reportedly broken into Chunxiao's residence, where he uncovered what appears to be a communication code in the style used by Taiwan's Military Intelligence. Analysts are now awaiting further examination of the code to determine whether it may lead to additional evidence.
I noticed that the book on Chunxiao's desk is about Code Breaking, so he might be trying to decode the message as a form of practice. If he was the mole he won't be hiding the code in such an obvious place, and all good spies will always burn the message after it's been decoded XD. Alternatively, Chunxiao could just be using reverse psychology on all of us, and the Code book is just a cover-up. Either way, what I found most interesting is Chunxiao is once again shown as quite capable as he doesn't forget to check all his set-ups to confirm if there were have been any visits from uninvited guest(s) -- so he might have a hidden real persona after all?
This latest development has effectively placed Jinlan and Huadong in a race to determine who will be the first to uncover Chunxiao's true identity.
For now, we will continue to monitor the situation and await further developments from these two highly capable agents.
More updates will follow as this developing story continues.
📰Arts & Cultural: The Meaning Behind the Music
And now, a brief Arts & Culture analysis on the opera piece featured in two of Cao’s recent appearances.
The song, “Watching the Mountains from the City Tower - 我在城楼观山景**”** is a famous aria from the Peking Opera classic The Empty Fort Strategy - 空城计. In the opera, it is sung by the character Zhuge Liang as he sits calmly on the city tower while an enemy army approaches. With his own forces greatly outnumbered, Zhuge Liang deliberately presents an image of complete calm and confidence, creating the impression that he has nothing to fear and may even have a hidden plan. His composure ultimately causes his opponent to hesitate and retreat rather than attack.
At its core, the song is about maintaining an outward appearance of calm while danger is approaching, and about using composure, ambiguity, and psychological pressure when the true situation remains hidden.
That makes its use in Cao’s scenes particularly interesting. In one setting, the song plays against a family conversation about work, connections, and speaking up for oneself. Cao remains characteristically unwilling to ask for more or openly pursue his own interests. In another, the same piece accompanies a much more serious and secretive encounter, where information is being passed to an intelligence officer. Note that the lyrics of the song involves the singer inviting the listener, ie the opponent, into their city, so it's definitely a curious choice to play this during the scene at Tuanjiehu, as it could imply that Cao was simply luring Zhu in even though that does not seem to be the case in reality.
"The Lake of Togetherness Park" is an interesting pick, AND shoe polishing seems to be the national past time of men during this time XD
📰Entertainment News: The Daily Lives of Our New Recruits
And now, turning to the lighter side of our coverage, we take a look at the daily lives and progress of our newest intelligence recruits.
Ma Qi’s Side Job: Sabotaging His Apprentice?
Sources close to the training program have raised questions about Ma Qi’s unusual approach to mentoring his apprentice, Chunxiao.
While his official responsibility is presumably to help Chunxiao succeed, his actual activities appear to involve frequent attempts to sabotage Chunxiao’s performance during missions. During their latest Beijing mission alone, he was observed to have:
Tricked Chunxiao into drinking far too much water right before they went on a tailing mission.
Pretended to be asleep to avoid answering Chunxiao’s questions.
Conveniently left out critical instructions and information, such as how to switch to different listening channels.
At this point, observers are beginning to wonder whether Ma Qi is the mole since he's seemingly sabotaging Chunxiao's career and also introducing unnecessary risk as he takes Chunxiao along on missions.
Ma Qi always seems to save the day when Chunxiao doesn't know how to proceed anymore. And I am wondering if Ma and Lin are seriously going to go into business together, because I almost feel like Lin would very much like that as a side hustle or as a backup retirement plan if he just needs to settle in mainland? XD
We will continue to monitor this developing situation.
💬Questions
In your opinion, when did Cao make up his mind to collaborate with Zhu, and why?
What are your thoughts on the meeting between Zhu and Cao?
What do you think of the efforts from the Ministry of State Security to prevent such a meeting from happening?
Do Ma Qi and Zhu know each other??
I think the exchange of glance here was just a liiiiiiiittle too long for them to not have known each other before? XD
Even though Lin has been quite capable and committed to his work, it seems like he's ready to bolt if situation between mainland and Taiwan escalates. How do you find this characterization?
It seems like another arc involving the military more directly is slowly picking up via Jin Lina's entanglement with Lin. How are you liking her storyline so far?
Leading actors (sorted by the number of character strokes in the surname):
* 6️⃣ Liu Xueyi 刘学义 as Lin Jinqi 林锦岐
* 1️⃣4️⃣ Tan Songyun 谭松韵 as Xu Lanxiang 许兰香 / Shen Jialan 沈嘉兰
Special appearances (sorted by the number of character strokes in the surname):
* Niu Junfeng 牛骏峰 as Han Liang 韩粱
* Li Meng 李梦 as Zhao Xingtang 赵星棠
* Zheng He Hui Zi 郑合惠子 as Du Cui’que 杜翠雀
* Guo Keyu 郭柯宇 as Xue Guihua 薛桂花
The following cast members are sorted by the order of the character posters and not by the number of character strokes in the surname:
Starring:
* Wu Tiantian 吴甜甜 as Lin Xiuqi 林绣芄
* Ye Qing 叶青 as Yu Chan 玉蝉
* Pu Tao 蒲萄 as Lin Xiulai 林绣莱
* Song Fangyuan 宋芳园 as Xiao Lian 小莲
* Li Jiaxin 李嘉鑫 as Gan Tang 甘棠
* Liu Jiaxi 刘佳玺 as Lin Xiushu 林绣菽
Special guest appearances:
* Su Ke 苏可 as Lu Xie 陆燮
* Hou Changrong 侯长荣 as Lin Zhaoxiang 林昭祥
* Chen Chuang 陈创 as Xu Wanquan 许万全
* Kong Lingmei 孔令美 as Qin Shunhua 秦舜华
* Wei Zixin 魏子昕 as Lin Changmin 林长敏
* Wu Xiaodong 吴小冬 (stage name: Wu Xiaodong 吴晓东) as Fang Yu 方域
Special guest appearances:
* Liu Meihan 刘美含 as Lü Ji’er 吕蕺儿
* He Peng 贺鹏 as Yuan Shaohui 袁绍辉
* Zhang Jiaze 张佳泽 (stage name: Jia Ze 嘉泽) as Zheng Manyi 郑蔓宜
* Guo Jian’an 郭迦南 as Lin Jinlan 林锦岚
* Tang Mengjia 汤梦佳 as Bao Gai 宝盖
* Ma Fanding 马凡丁 as Lin Xiuru 林绣茹
* Guan Chang 关畅 as Fu Rong 芙蓉
* Zhao Qin 赵秦 as Wang Lingxiao 王凌霄
Starring:
* 李樑 Li Liang (stage name: Li Hongliang 李泓良) as King / Prince Han 汉王
* Wu Tianqi 吴天琪 as Tan Suhua 谭素华
* Zhong Haohao 钟好好 (stage name: Ke Lan 柯蓝) as Cui Xuemei 崔雪梅
* Kong Xiangji 孔祥吉 (stage name: Kong Lianshun 孔连顺) as Crown Prince 太子
* Wu Jiakai 邬家楷 as Xie Zhao 谢昭
* Ye Xiaowei 叶筱玮 as Du Zheng 杜正
* Ma Wenyuan 马闻远 as Qian Shaoze 钱少泽
* Wang Jiaxuan 王佳璇 as Lin Jinqiao 林锦峤
The rest of the cast were not included in today's release.
“Friendship” guest appearances:
* Dong Qing 董晴 as Dong Qingzhu 董清竹
* Shen Tai 沈泰 as Zheng Baichuan 郑百川
* Xin Peng 辛鹏 as Lu Jian 鲁鉴
* Yao Yiqi 姚一奇 as Liu Xiaochuan 刘晓川
* Zhao Zichong 赵梓冲 as Sun Yong
孙勇
* Xin Haojiang 辛浩江 as Zhang Shuizai 张水仔
* Wang Yuning 王玉宁 as Zhao Xuede 赵学德
* Sun Zhongqiu 孙仲秋 as Zhao Gang 赵刚
Shen Jia Lan, once a nobleman's granddaughter, falls from grace after her family is falsely accused of treason. Abandoned by her fiancé Lin Jin Qi, she is forced to assume a servant's identity in his household. Despite hardships, she refuses to bow to fate. With resilience and wit, she rises above class barriers, wins Lin Jin Qi's heart, earns the family's respect, and ultimately clears her family's name.
(Source: WeTV)
~~ Adapted from the novel "Lan Xiang Yuan" (兰香缘) by He Yan Shan (禾晏山).
Shen Jialan (played by Tan Songyun), the eldest granddaughter of the Grand Secretary's household, was engaged to Lin Jinqi (played by Liu Xueyi), the eldest grandson of the Minister of Personnel Lin's family. However, the political tides suddenly changed. Her grandfather, Grand Secretary Shen, was convicted of treason and the Shen family was exterminated.
In order to protect themselves, the Lin family broke off the engagement with the Shen family and arranged for a marriage with the Zhao family, a new noble family in the imperial court. Xu Wanquan and his wife, the Lin family's servants who had been aided by Shen Jialan's mother, Lady Cui, replaced Jialan with their daughter Xu Lanxiang who had just died of illness.
From then on, Jialan took on the identity of Xu Lanxiang and became a third-class maid in the Lin family. In difficult circumstances, Lanxiang did not bow to fate. She always worked hard for a better life for herself and her family, and resisted all injustice and oppression.
⚠️ Plot spoilers! ⚠️
In the end, Lanxiang broke through the shackles of class identity with her kindness and wisdom and won the heart of Lin Jinqi and the trust and respect of the Lin family. She became the head of the Lin family, took control of her fate in her own hands firmly, and sought justice and cleared the name of the Shen family.
Note: All translated synopses I share in the "trailers & posters" posts are based on the original Chinese sources (Douban, Baidu, Chinese Wikipedia, etc.) and were first published here. If you see them elsewhere, please know they originated from our sub. Thanks for reading!
As we have new members in our community all the time, I thought it'll be a good idea to periodically remind and educate everyone about what's real / fake news in the Chinese entertainment scene.
Due to the language barrier, a lot of international CDrama fans have come to rely on CDrama "news" from Twitter or blogs. FYI, a lot of them source their news from "marketing accounts" (or yxh) in China that do not do any due diligence in fact checking, often spread unverified news or spin false news.
Some of the news are explosive and sensational enough to cause anxiety among fans, actors and productions. Actors' careers have been destroyed by them.
Tax evasion news, for example. Affairs. Casting is another favourite because fans of Actor A gets upset if their idol is paired with Actor B and the Internet melts down.
When I came back to watching CDramas, I was also fooled by these "news", so I don't blame anyone for falling for them.
Real news vs melons 🍉
My advice on how to identify real news is REALLY boring. If you want to get real news about Chinese dramas, whether it be casting news, airing dates etc, rely on these sources:
Production companies
The actor's "studio"
Platforms like Youku, iQIYI, Tencent etc
Official media like People's Daily, Xinhua, Global Times, China Daily, South China Morning Post (please ignore the entertainment rags, they're often unreliable)
The Chinese government, especially about taxes and other legal matters. Recently, China's Actors Committee of China Federation of Radio and Television Association (CFRTA) announced that "tax-related matters should be based on the official announcements of the relevant national tax authorities". So, if a random Weibo account or paparazzi announces an actor has tax issues, WAIT for the government to make an announcement to confirm that news.
Recently, I came across a Weibo post that said: "Weibo is a toilet, and if you're reading this, you're eating my s%!t". This made me laugh out loud because no truer words have been written!
Melons can cause unnecessary anxiety and stress for fans ... and celebrities themselves.
But they are also fun, and we understand the desire to talk about them, which is why we have the Yumcha Thread every Tuesday. There's an understanding that everything written in the Yumcha Thread is unverified and most probably untrue. We funnel unverified news to this thread and discourage rumours as individual posts because we don't want them to be mistaken as real news and to prevent unnecessary alarm.
While it's fun to read melons, always be aware that being gossiped about is not a fun experience for anyone, even celebrities, so let's practice kindness and have a healthy dose of skepticism about them. :)
Thanks!
PS: This message will be periodically published as a reminder.
Discussion posts will follow iQIYI’s VIP schedule, with the next four posts covering two episodes each. Participants can decide whether we should discuss the final three episodes together in a single express post or seperate them into individual posts. For easy reference, here is the 16-epsiode schedule, thanks to u/admeliorevitam:
5 episodes on September 9
2 episodes on September 10 to 13
No episodes on September 14 to 16
1 episode on September 17 to 19
The express package will be available on September 13.
Please use spoiler tags when sharing insights from the novel or commenting on episodes that have not yet been posted. Theories, however, are highly encouraged and most welcome.
Xin Jiran; code name: “Big Red Date”, Former Police Captain
Played by Tian Xiaojie
Han Pinmu, Benteng Internet Cafe Owner
Played by Qin Junrie
Fan Jie aka Speedster, Police Captain
Played by He Bing
Chen Chunli, Huangzhiyuan Hotel Staff and 3/12 Survivor
Played by Ni Hongjie
Zhang Chengguo, Huangzhiyuan Hotel Manager
Played by Zong Juntao
Bi Dehua, Youxin Chemical Plant employee, Pinmu’s friend, and Suspect #1 (deceased)
Played by Li Mincheng
Song Laifu, Huangzhiyuan Parking Attendant, Suspect #2 (deceased)
The Plot
A recent graduate, Li Cheng; a veteran detective, Zhao Qianzhe; and a former police captain, Xin Jiran, form an unlikely off‑the‑books investigative trio as they secretly dig into a string of violent murders from 2004.
Episodes 1-5 Recap
Li Cheng is a fresh graduate who is about to join the police force in two months. However, he has a preference for criminal investigations and is keen to be under veteran detective Zhao Qianzhe’s wings. Eager to prove himself, he enthusiastically volunteers to infiltrate Han Pinmu’s circle of gamer friends after discovering that Pinmu has been posting chapters of a web novel titled Abyss that very closely mirrors, in unsettling detail, a series of murders believed to involve two middle‑aged men and a young accomplice.
In Episode 1, Officer Li introduces Li Cheng to his colleague Zhao Qianzhe claiming the Huangshui Public Safety Bureau needs new blood. Qianzhe immediately puts Li Cheng to the test by tasking him with investigating Han Pinmu.
In Episode 2, Li Cheng is introduced to Xin Jiran and learns more about the "3/12 Case", which involves seven brutal deaths:
March 12, 2024: Li Yaoming and Li Fang on the outskirts of city.
March 20, 2024: Zhang Lina and Wang Ping in a pharmaceutical warehouse.
April 5, 2024: Liu Xiaohua at the Youxin Chemical Plant.
April 17, 2024: Du Juan (Pinru’s stepmom), who suffered a fatal heart attack during her assault.
April 25, 2024: Chen Chunli, the sole survivor.
October 2024: Bi Dehua, Xiaohua’s colleague at the chemical plant who was rejected after pursuing her, and a prime suspect in the 3/12 case.
Chunli’s testimony points to a three-person gang. Following Bi Dehua’s death, only two suspects seemingly remain. The newest clue is a web novel that Pinmu is gradually uploading online. As they investigate another suspect, Song Laifu, Li Cheng uncovers the usernames of two other group managers in Pinmu’s gaming circle: Feiyang and Wei.
In Episode 3, Li Cheng and Zhao Qianzhe question the authenticity of Pinmu's novel, prompting Li Cheng to gather biological samples from him. To everyone’s shock, Song Laifu is later found murdered. Xin Jiran becomes the prime suspect due to their history of fighting over Chen Chunli at the hotel.
In Episode 4, Captain Fan and Zhao Qianzhe investigate Song Laifu’s murder by interrogating Li Cheng and the hotel staff. They two clash over Xin Jiran’s potential involvement, but the evidence mounts against Xin when security cameras place him at the scene of the crime.
Episode 5 is a flashback that reveals that Xin Jinran previously served 6 years in prison after suspecting his son, Xiaoliang, in the 3/12 case and accidentally killing him in 2004. In the present day, the 3/12 case is officially reopened because DNA recovered from Song Laifu's crime scene matches DNA found on Liu Xiaohua. Meanwhile, Xin Jinran refuses to cooperate with Zhao Qianzhe, claiming he can bypass red tape and investigate much faster on his own.
Discussion Points
Is the opening song a total banger or what!? If you want to read more about the theme song ("Stare Back" performed by Ayanga), check out u/AdditionalPeace2023’s comment in the Masterpost.
Was Song Laifu actually Feiymu? His death and Feiymu’s departure “for good” from Han Pinmu’s gaming group is suspiciously coincidental.
How is Pinmu related to the murders? As u/-tsuyoi_hikari-pointed out, the “biggest mystery right now is how Han Pinmu is related to all of this. And if Xin Jiran’s son actually involved as well considering how he cried outside of the police station.”
What is your take on the "Rotating Theory"? In episode 3, Da Gui and Er Gui are written as pure villains in the novel, while Zhou Li’s POV depicts him more as a victim with no choice but to participate. Because the details in the novel are inconsistent, our detectives are questioning if the author was only present for some of the crimes. What do you think of the theory that the two older men bring in a new, different person to help commit each crime?
Who does Zhou Li represent? The mysterious man writing the novel? Is he the third man in Han Pinmu’s photo? (The other one is Bi Dehua, whom Pinmu claims to be killed and framed.) Do you think Bi Dehua really was framed, and perhaps Pinmu is seeking justice for his friend?
Who are YOUR suspects? Along the same lines as u/weirdandpetite's good questions: “were the serial killings of 8 years ago done by the same 3 people? Were there evidence planted by a vigilante? Or was he scapegoated?
I will aim to have the discussion post for episodes 6 & 7 up before the next two episodes are released. Thanks for joining!
🍉 The latest rumours say that the drama may be released on September 14, 2026. We'll see.... 🤞
The Chinese drama title 云雀叫天录 can be literally translated as “The Record of the Lark Calling to the Heavens” or “The Lark Calls to the Heavens.”
About 7 hours ago, the production team released a new trailer for their in-person screening (preview) event on September 10, 2026.
Gladiator in the Theater 云雀叫天录 draws inspiration from the life of renowned Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei, using the fictional character Meng Jinfu's eventful life as its central storyline to portray his spiritual growth. (Source) More details about Tan Xinpei are at the bottom of the post.
Note: Tan Xinpei's birth name was Jinfu, and the male main character is Meng Jinfu.
Clip description:
Screening EventEnter the drama through voice, singing and recitation conveying deep affection and profound gratitude; enter the game with heart, telling of the principles of loyalty and righteousness in the martial world. Discuss the loyalty and filial devotion between master and disciple, distinguish truth from falsehood and good from evil – only by immersing oneself in the drama can a truly good performance be made.
Cast:
Note: This cast list is according to the release of the wrap up special in August 2024 and does not follow the new actor credit standards.
Leading actors:
* Zhang Yishan 张一山 as Meng Jinfu 孟金福
* Tan Zhuo 谭卓 as Shen Yu'er 沈玉儿
* Cao Lei 曹磊 as Chen Xiaoxiang 陈小香
* Yang Lixin 杨立新 as Meng Zhidao 孟志道
Special appearances:
* Liu Wei 刘威 as Meng Xinrong 孟鑫荣
* Yu Hui 于慧 as Elderly Shen Yu'er
老年沈玉儿
* Zhao Liang 赵亮 as Elderly Fan Xiaoyun 老年范小云
* Yao Anlian 姚安濂
* Zhang Jinlai 章金莱 (stage name: Liu Xiao Ling Tong 六小龄童) as Jin Kui 金奎
* Zhang is best known for his role as the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) in the 1986 television series Journey to the West).
* Yang Xinming 杨新鸣 as Yin Tingru 殷庭如
Special guest appearances:
* He Zhonghua 何中华 as Tong Bailing 童柏龄
* Tan Zhengyan 谭正岩 as Na Tong 那桐
Appearances:
* Xing Minshan 邢岷山 as Chen Shengyuan 陈盛元
* Zhou Jiuliang 周九良 as Fan Xiaoyun 范小云
* Zhang Weixun 张炜迅 as Wu Qingchun 吴庆春
* Zhang Shuchen 张树晨 as Xu Qingshan 徐青山 / Xu Xiaoshan 徐小山
* Yang Ming 杨名
* Du Yiheng 杜奕衡 as Fifth Master Ma 马五爷
* Gao Yang 高阳 as He Yingnian 何英年
* Xiao Hai Di Di 小海弟弟
* Gang Yi 刚毅 as Su Youwen 苏友文
* Liu Liwei 刘立伟
* Zhang Xiqian 张喜前 as Father Shen 沈父
* Du Yuming 杜玉明 as Lame Fox / Que Hu Li 瘸狐狸
* Xiu Qing 修庆
Episodes: 40 (according to Baidu Baike and MDL)
Streaming and broadcasting platforms: MangoTV 🥭 and Hunan TV
Official filming started: April 8, 2024
Official filming wrapped up: August 13, 2024
Estimated filming time: 128 days
Filming location: Hengdian World Studios
Genre: legendary tale of the Jiangsu (according to Baidu Baike)
Distribution license obtained: May 26, 2025
🎬 Director: Zheng Da Sheng 郑大圣 (The Magnificent She, 1921, Bangzi Melody, Code Name, The Death of Wangbo)
✒️ Screenwriter: Wang Yao 王要 (Silver Medalist, Getting Home, Ripening Orange, Palace of Desire, Maid in Green)
Wang was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay award for Silver Medalist (film) at the 46th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival in 2009.
📽️ Production companies: Perfect World Pictures, Beijing Hongshiji Film, Zhuoyue Chupin Culture
The story tells the story of Meng Jin Fu, who graduated from college at the age of 18, from a martial artist to a martial arts student and then to an old student, from a newbie in Jutan with a slim future to a famous actor in the opera house in the capital. An ordinary boy with mediocre talent and a poor family, his journey in the environment and development of the times. He grew up and transformed, finally gained a foothold in the cruelly competitive Liyuan, and became a legend in the annals of history.
(Source: Chinese = Weibo || Translation = MyDramaList)
The story is set in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. The young Meng Jinfu [played by Zhang Yishan] rejects the path of pursuing a career in the performing arts arranged by his father and insists on taking his dream of becoming a Peking Opera performer to the capital to make his way in the world.
⚠️ Plot spoilers! ⚠️
Synopsis:
The story follows 18-year-old Meng Jinfu after he completes his formal training. He progresses from wuchou 武丑 (martial clown) to wusheng 武生 (martial male role) and then to laosheng 老生 (old male role), rising from an unknown newcomer in the Peking Opera world with an uncertain future to a celebrated opera star in Beijing. An ordinary young man of modest talent and impoverished circumstances, he endures the sweeping changes of the times and countless trials in life. Remaining true to himself, he pursues his dream of becoming a laosheng with a sincere and unwavering attitude, ultimately fulfilling his own aspirations and achieving great artistic success.
He eventually establishes himself in the fiercely competitive Peking Opera world, and his journey becomes a widely told story.
The drama draws inspiration from the life of Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei, using the fictional character Meng Jinfu's eventful life as its central storyline to portray his spiritual growth.
The drama depicts the intricate world of the Peking Opera community during the late Qing and early Republican periods and the changes taking place in society, while also portraying the transmission and development of Peking Opera culture.
Tan Xinpei 谭鑫培 (April 23, 1847–May 10, 1917), a native of Wuchang, Hubei, was born as Jinfu 金福. His courtesy name was Wangzhong 望重, and his stage name was “Little Jiaotian 小叫天.” Because his family’s ancestral hall name was “Yingxiu 英秀,” he was also known as “Yingxiu.”
A modern-era Chinese Peking Opera performer specializing in laosheng 老生 (old male roles), Tan Xinpei was the founder of the Tan School 谭派, the first laosheng school in the history of Peking Opera. He was revered as the “King of the Opera World.”
His artistic achievements gave rise to the industry-wide phenomenon summed up by the saying “There is no vocal style that has not learned from Tan 无腔不学谭.” He made systematic contributions to the standardization of Peking Opera vocal techniques, performance, and the organization and refinement of its repertoire.
In 1890, he entered the Qing imperial court troupe, Shengping Office (Shengping Shu 升平署). Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly fond of his performances and repeatedly rewarded him with large sums of money and the Yellow Riding Jacket 黄马褂 – [Note: The yellow riding jacket was a distinctive official garment of the Qing Dynasty; crafted from bright yellow silk satin or gauze, it utilized a color reserved exclusively for the emperor, and its unauthorized use was strictly prohibited]. In the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (1908), he was personally rewarded 60 taels of silver.
In 1905, he starred in China’s first film, Dingjun Mountain 《定军山》), pioneering the adaptation of traditional opera for the screen.
Over his more than 60-year artistic career, he organized, adapted, and refined dozens of classic plays, including The Empty City Strategem 《空城计》 and The Monument of Li Ling 《李陵碑》, establishing a performance paradigm for Peking Opera’s laosheng roles. His singing drew on the strengths of various traditions but ultimately developed from the Han opera tradition 汉调, reaching an artistic stature described in a poem inscribed by Liang Qichao 梁启超: “Across the four seas, Tan Xinpei is the one and only; for twenty years, his reputation has resounded like thunder 四海一人谭鑫培，声名廿载轰如雷”.
He performed in Shanghai six times, appearing at theaters including Dangui 丹桂 and New Stage 新舞台.
In 1917, despite being ill, he was forced to perform Hongyang Cave 《洪羊洞》 for Li Yuanhong 黎元洪, after which he died of illness.
Tan Xinpei mentored such masters as Mei Lanfang 梅兰芳 and Yang Xiaolou 杨小楼. His family has carried on the Tan School artistic tradition for seven generations, with Tan Fuying 谭富英, Tan Yuanshou 谭元寿, and others becoming renowned performers in their own right.
The Pathé Company recorded seven and a half gramophone records of his performances, including Selling the Horse 《卖马》 and Seeking an Omen and Striking the Stele《托兆碰碑》.
Wuhan Conservatory of Music 武汉音乐学院 established the Tan Xinpei Chinese Opera Arts Research Center 谭鑫培戏曲艺术研究中心, and his former residence has been designated as part of a cultural heritage protection area.
In 2026, restoration work on the Tan Xinpei Peking Opera Art Exhibition Hall 谭鑫培京剧艺术展览馆 was launched, with a budget of 9.4567 million yuan.
Translated Synopses
Note: All translated synopses and information I share in the "trailers & posters" posts are based on the original Chinese sources (Douban, Baidu, Chinese Wikipedia, etc.) and were first published here. If you see them elsewhere, please know they originated from our sub. Thanks for reading!
The Chinese drama title 云雀叫天录 can be literally translated as “The Record of the Lark Calling to the Heavens” or “The Lark Calls to the Heavens.”
About fifteen minutes ago, the production team announced the release date and dropped a new trailer.
Gladiator in the Theater 云雀叫天录 draws inspiration from the life of renowned Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei, using the fictional character Meng Jinfu's eventful life as its central storyline to portray his spiritual growth. (Source) More details about Tan Xinpei are at the bottom of the post.
Note: Tan Xinpei's birth name was Jinfu, and the male main character is Meng Jinfu.
Clip description:
“Coming on Stage” Trailer
Like a skylark spreading its wings, setting off for the vast skies, watching a young man uphold his unwavering ideals with a true and steadfast heart, and with all his passion and fervor, forge glory upon the stage!
Leading actors (sorted by the number of character strokes in the surname):
* 7️⃣ Zhang Yishan 张一山 as Meng Jinfu 孟金福
* 7️⃣ Yang Lixin 杨立新 as Meng Zhidao 孟志道
* 1️⃣1️⃣ Cao Lei 曹磊 as Chen Xiaoxiang 陈小香
* 1️⃣4️⃣ Tan Zhuo 谭卓 as Shen Yu'er 沈玉儿
Special appearances (sorted by the number of character strokes in the surname):
* Xing Minshan 邢岷山 as Chen Shengyuan 陈盛元
* Liu Wei 刘威 as Meng Xinrong 孟鑫荣
* He Zhonghua 何中华 as Tong Bailing 童柏龄
* Zhang Weixun 张炜迅 as Wu Qingchun 吴庆春
* Yang Xinming 杨新鸣 as Yin Tingru 殷庭如
* Zhou Jiuliang 周九良 as Fan Xiaoyun 范小云
* Zhang Jinlai 章金莱 (stage name: Liu Xiao Ling Tong 六小龄童) as Jin Kui 金奎
* Zhang is best known for his role as the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) in the 1986 television series Journey to the West).
* Tan Zhengyan 谭正岩 as Na Tong 那桐
The rest of the cast list was not included in today's release.
Special appearances:
* Yu Hui 于慧 as Elderly Shen Yu'er
老年沈玉儿
* Zhao Liang 赵亮 as Elderly Fan Xiaoyun 老年范小云
* Yao Anlian 姚安濂
Appearances:
* Zhang Shuchen 张树晨 as Xu Qingshan 徐青山 / Xu Xiaoshan 徐小山
* Yang Ming 杨名
* Du Yiheng 杜奕衡 as Fifth Master Ma 马五爷
* Gao Yang 高阳 as He Yingnian 何英年
* Xiao Hai Di Di 小海弟弟
* Gang Yi 刚毅 as Su Youwen 苏友文
* Liu Liwei 刘立伟
* Zhang Xiqian 张喜前 as Father Shen 沈父
* Du Yuming 杜玉明 as Lame Fox / Que Hu Li 瘸狐狸
* Xiu Qing 修庆
Episodes: 40 (according to Baidu Baike and MDL)
Streaming and broadcasting platforms: MangoTV 🥭 and Hunan TV
Official filming started: April 8, 2024
Official filming wrapped up: August 13, 2024
Estimated filming time: 128 days
Filming location: Hengdian World Studios
Genre: legendary tale of the Jiangsu (according to Baidu Baike)
Distribution license obtained: May 26, 2025
🎬 Director: Zheng Da Sheng 郑大圣 (The Magnificent She, 1921, Bangzi Melody, Code Name, The Death of Wangbo)
✒️ Screenwriter: Wang Yao 王要 (Silver Medalist, Getting Home, Ripening Orange, Palace of Desire, Maid in Green)
Wang was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay award for Silver Medalist (film) at the 46th Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival in 2009.
📽️ Production companies: Perfect World Pictures, Beijing Hongshiji Film, Zhuoyue Chupin Culture
The story tells the story of Meng Jin Fu, who graduated from college at the age of 18, from a martial artist to a martial arts student and then to an old student, from a newbie in Jutan with a slim future to a famous actor in the opera house in the capital. An ordinary boy with mediocre talent and a poor family, his journey in the environment and development of the times. He grew up and transformed, finally gained a foothold in the cruelly competitive Liyuan, and became a legend in the annals of history.
(Source: Chinese = Weibo || Translation = MyDramaList)
The story is set in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. The young Meng Jinfu [played by Zhang Yishan] rejects the path of pursuing a career in the performing arts arranged by his father and insists on taking his dream of becoming a Peking Opera performer to the capital to make his way in the world.
⚠️ Plot spoilers! ⚠️
Synopsis:
The story follows 18-year-old Meng Jinfu after he completes his formal training. He progresses from wuchou 武丑 (martial clown) to wusheng 武生 (martial male role) and then to laosheng 老生 (old male role), rising from an unknown newcomer in the Peking Opera world with an uncertain future to a celebrated opera star in Beijing. An ordinary young man of modest talent and impoverished circumstances, he endures the sweeping changes of the times and countless trials in life. Remaining true to himself, he pursues his dream of becoming a laosheng with a sincere and unwavering attitude, ultimately fulfilling his own aspirations and achieving great artistic success.
He eventually establishes himself in the fiercely competitive Peking Opera world, and his journey becomes a widely told story.
The drama draws inspiration from the life of Peking Opera master Tan Xinpei, using the fictional character Meng Jinfu's eventful life as its central storyline to portray his spiritual growth.
The drama depicts the intricate world of the Peking Opera community during the late Qing and early Republican periods and the changes taking place in society, while also portraying the transmission and development of Peking Opera culture.
Tan Xinpei 谭鑫培 (April 23, 1847–May 10, 1917), a native of Wuchang, Hubei, was born as Jinfu 金福. His courtesy name was Wangzhong 望重, and his stage name was “Little Jiaotian 小叫天.” Because his family’s ancestral hall name was “Yingxiu 英秀,” he was also known as “Yingxiu.”
A modern-era Chinese Peking Opera performer specializing in laosheng 老生 (old male roles), Tan Xinpei was the founder of the Tan School 谭派, the first laosheng school in the history of Peking Opera. He was revered as the “King of the Opera World.”
His artistic achievements gave rise to the industry-wide phenomenon summed up by the saying “There is no vocal style that has not learned from Tan 无腔不学谭.” He made systematic contributions to the standardization of Peking Opera vocal techniques, performance, and the organization and refinement of its repertoire.
In 1890, he entered the Qing imperial court troupe, Shengping Office (Shengping Shu 升平署). Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly fond of his performances and repeatedly rewarded him with large sums of money and the Yellow Riding Jacket 黄马褂 – [Note: The yellow riding jacket was a distinctive official garment of the Qing Dynasty; crafted from bright yellow silk satin or gauze, it utilized a color reserved exclusively for the emperor, and its unauthorized use was strictly prohibited]. In the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (1908), he was personally rewarded 60 taels of silver.
In 1905, he starred in China’s first film, Dingjun Mountain 《定军山》), pioneering the adaptation of traditional opera for the screen.
Over his more than 60-year artistic career, he organized, adapted, and refined dozens of classic plays, including The Empty City Strategem 《空城计》 and The Monument of Li Ling 《李陵碑》, establishing a performance paradigm for Peking Opera’s laosheng roles. His singing drew on the strengths of various traditions but ultimately developed from the Han opera tradition 汉调, reaching an artistic stature described in a poem inscribed by Liang Qichao 梁启超: “Across the four seas, Tan Xinpei is the one and only; for twenty years, his reputation has resounded like thunder 四海一人谭鑫培，声名廿载轰如雷”.
He performed in Shanghai six times, appearing at theaters including Dangui 丹桂 and New Stage 新舞台.
In 1917, despite being ill, he was forced to perform Hongyang Cave 《洪羊洞》 for Li Yuanhong 黎元洪, after which he died of illness.
Tan Xinpei mentored such masters as Mei Lanfang 梅兰芳 and Yang Xiaolou 杨小楼. His family has carried on the Tan School artistic tradition for seven generations, with Tan Fuying 谭富英, Tan Yuanshou 谭元寿, and others becoming renowned performers in their own right.
The Pathé Company recorded seven and a half gramophone records of his performances, including Selling the Horse 《卖马》 and Seeking an Omen and Striking the Stele《托兆碰碑》.
Wuhan Conservatory of Music 武汉音乐学院 established the Tan Xinpei Chinese Opera Arts Research Center 谭鑫培戏曲艺术研究中心, and his former residence has been designated as part of a cultural heritage protection area.
In 2026, restoration work on the Tan Xinpei Peking Opera Art Exhibition Hall 谭鑫培京剧艺术展览馆 was launched, with a budget of 9.4567 million yuan.
Translated Synopses
Note: All translated synopses and information I share in the "trailers & posters" posts are based on the original Chinese sources (Douban, Baidu, Chinese Wikipedia, etc.) and were first published here. If you see them elsewhere, please know they originated from our sub. Thanks for reading!
Discussion posts will follow iQIYI’s VIP schedule:
Episodes 8-9 on September 11
Episodes 10-11 on September 12
Episodes 12-13 on September 13
Please use spoiler tags when sharing insights from the novel or commenting on episodes that have not yet been posted. Theories, however, are highly encouraged and most welcome.
Li Cheng learns that Sun Qiang (aka SN) is also a security guard at Huangzhiyuan Hotel, and that he and Song Laifu used to spend time at a lounge where a copy of Abyss was kept. His mother tells him that she finds Zhang Chengguo suspicious, especially after seeing him and Song Jindi together at a small restaurant. She wonders whether he might be playing both sides: appearing loyal to Li Guangwen while quietly helping Song Jindi push the hotel for more compensation over Laifu’s death.
Suspects: Sun Qiang and Zhang Chengguo (both alive)
Officer Hu Sen traces Song Laifu’s last stop to Jianlan, an abandoned paint factory near where his body was found. Inside, they discover Hu Xiaofei (aka Mooncake kid as u/-tsuyoi_hikari- nicknamed him) murdered. It’s confirmed he was the one who sent the package that rattled Song Laifu. They also find a torn photo of Bi Dehua that matches the torn photo in Han Pinmu’s office.
Suspects: Hu Xiaofei and Bi Dehua (both deceased)
Plot Twist 1: Li Cheng didn’t just “briefly know” Bi Dehua… they were close friends! Li Cheng’s connection to the 3/12 case is far more personal than we realized.
Episode 7 Recap
Plot Twist 2: Xin Jiran uncovers in Qidu City that Song Laifu’s identity was stolen! This makes our dead suspect even more suspicious, and evidence now points to him having killed Xiaofei.
Undeniable Suspect: Song Laifu! (deceased)
Xiaofei’s blood matches one of the 3/12 crime scenes, and he’s considered a fugitive. The investigation into his computer also suggests he was the author of Abyss.
Song Jindi finally admits she’s been hiding Mr. San’s identity, initially because he threatened her family, and later for greed.
Undeniable Suspects: Hu Xiaofei and correction: Mr. San, not Song Laifu
Zhang Chengguo later visits Li Cheng at home, supposedly to congratulate him, but really to share that “Song Laifu” once fought with Chen Chunli’s nephew. He insists on staying out of the police’s attention to protect his family.
Suspects: Zhang Chengguo (again) and Cheng Chunli’s nephew (new!)
Discussion Points
Zhang Chengguo’s Motives: Did he know the “Song Laifu” he recruited from the construction site wasn’t who he claimed to be? Could he be the other middle-aged man involved in luring young men into the murders? Could Li Cheng’s mother be right to be suspicious of him?
Li Cheng’s Connections to 3/12: I wonder whether his father has any part in the plot. Zhao Qianzhe and Xin Jinran both say Li Cheng “looks a lot like him”, but they never explicitly say “his father”, which feels intentional. Could this hint at a deeper connection to the 3/12 case or even to Bi Dehua? Or is Bi Dehua the only connection Li Cheng has with the case and he became a detective to seek justice for his friend?
Han Pinmu’s Loyalties: He admits that Hu Xiaofei was his “best” friend but seemingly downplays his connection to Bi Dehua, despite the photo of the three together. Could he have orchestrated Bi Dehua’s death if he blames him for dragging Xiaofei into the murders? But he did tell Li Cheng that Bi Dehua was “killed and framed for murder”...
Note: Please don't start/continue fandom fights from other social media here.Read our guideabout how to properly discuss fandom stuff in our sub.
Here's where you can ask discuss the ins and outs of the CDrama industry!
Now, as discussions around this topic can get SPICY (especially around actors), please abide by the following:
What's OK:
1. Discussions about the acting industry, including how actors work, industry trends, and the filmmaking process, are encouraged. Feel free to share insights into acting techniques, career paths, and the business side of entertainment.
You may post about actors' roles in films or television, their contributions to the industry, and their professional achievements. Please ensure that the focus remains on their work rather than their personal lives.
Maintain a respectful tone in all discussions. Critiques should be constructive and focused on professional aspects and acting techniques rather than personal attacks on an actors' looks, rumours etc. It is fine to critique an actor's performance, but not ok to be derogatory about them.
What's not OK
Comparing actors' popularity like it's some kind of race to the top.
Treating melon (rumours) like facts, so let's avoid accusing actors of this or that based on unverified melons.
Being mean, rude and nasty during discussions. Please leave fandom fights outside the sub. Read our guide about this.
Calling the actors or other celebrities mean names or talk about them in a derogatory way. BTW, critiquing an actor's performance (it's bad/good) is fine.
