"With the heart of a young man, develop great ambitions."
"Serve the country and the people, and never regret this life."
"Don't forget history, and we will strive for self-improvement."
This historical drama, which has been withdrawn and readjusted, is finally about to be released. coming. The blogger
broke the news: Tonight, Peach Factory airborne, "Life is like the first time we met".
When I saw this news on the hot search, I couldn’t hide my excitement and emotion.
Not for Li Xian or Wei Daxun, but because I haven't seen a decent historical drama in a long time.
To be honest, I think the only one among the 2023 Chinese dramas that can be called a masterpiece of historical dramas is the one currently being broadcast by CCTV1, another masterpiece of Wang Wei, the director of "If Life Is Like the First Meeting", "Ask the Cangmang".
Once upon a time, historical dramas have always been the glory of domestic dramas.
Historical dramas once accounted for the largest proportion of divine dramas with Douban scores of 9 or above. Among them, dramas such as "Ming Dynasty 1566" and "Yongzheng Dynasty" are still at the top of national dramas.
But there are fewer and fewer historical dramas that can be watched nowadays.
Especially in the past five years, in addition to Mango Channel's "The Long River" which is considered a masterpiece, major dramas such as "Da Qin Fu" and "Mountains and Rivers" are somewhat difficult to describe in one sentence.
As a domestic historical drama, it has lost the depth of thousands of years of cultural accumulation and lacks the rigor that historical dramas should have. So even actors like Chen Baoguo and Zhang Luyi will inevitably be unable to make a difference.
Success or failure lies in "Life is like first meeting".
01, it became popular before it was broadcast, and more than 3 million people made reservations
According to bloggers, the re-adjusted "Life is Like the First Meeting" will not only be launched on the two major online platforms tonight, but is also expected to be launched on Hunan Satellite TV in January. The number of reservations for
on a mainstream video website has exceeded 3 million. It is an exaggeration to say that it became popular before it was broadcast.
In particular, this drama is a historical drama that did not attract much attention from young audiences in the past, which makes it even more precious.
When many people saw that this historical production would be broadcast on Hunan Satellite TV, they preconceived the idea that it was another bad idol drama.
Let’s talk about it.
To be fair, when it comes to broadcasting historical dramas, apart from CCTV, I only follow Hunan Satellite TV.
For example, "The Ming Dynasty 1566" was originally a historical drama tailor-made for CCTV, but Hunan Satellite TV bought out the domestic copyright for five years, and it was broadcast in prime time in 2007 as a new year drama.
Although, in terms of profit, the ratings of the show fell below Hunan Satellite TV's bottom line. It can be said that this investment is not worthwhile. Many viewers even attributed this to Hunan Satellite TV's incorrect broadcast platform.
But I cannot agree with this point of view.
The biggest failure in the ratings of "The Ming Dynasty 1566" is definitely not a platform problem, but that it is too profound, too advanced, and too heavy. It did not receive good ratings back then. If it is broadcast on any platform now, the ratings will not be good. .
True cultural products have thresholds.
However, as the years have changed, the classic work still shines with its unique light, becoming a monument of domestic historical dramas with a score of 9.8.
Logically speaking, once bitten by a snake, Mango TV should be cautious and avoid historical dramas.
In fact, this is what the major TV stations are actually doing after the ratings failure of "The Ming Dynasty 1566".
But in 2022, Hunan Satellite TV happened to broadcast "The Long River" starring Luo Jin and Huang Zhizhong. The Douban score reached 8.4 points. This is also the most popular historical drama in recent years.
So what about "Life Is Like the First Meeting"?
is worthy of the audience's expectations based on the creators and creative ambitions of the series.
02, Wang Wei + Jiang Qitao, this lineup is solid.
The first thing I look forward to is of course the director Wang Wei.
Going back to 5 or 6 years ago, the audience's memory of him should still be "The Bad Man" and "White Night".
But since "Secret and Great", this young director has been devoted to period historical dramas and cannot extricate himself.
first filmed "Life Is Like the First Meeting" and then "Ask the Cang Mang".
Wang Wei's directorial thinking is actually consistent. Which period of history is rarely photographed, so he just wants to fill in the blank.
"Ask the Cangmang" has been watched by many viewers. Although the ratings are not as good as the anti-spy drama "Thrush" which was aired at the same time, I believe no one dares to say that they did not see the sincerity and attitude of this historical drama.
This drama should also fully prove Wang Wei’s control over historical dramas, which is probably unique among the new generation of domestic directors.
Judging from the trailer, "Life" undoubtedly continues Wang Wei's consistent directorial style. The photography and lighting are absolutely superior among domestic dramas, and the narrative is also eloquent, soothing and powerful.
Moreover, Wang Wei is particularly good at using the changing light and shadow to create a poetic and realistic texture.
uses images again to describe the fate of characters under the torrent of the times. When it comes to this play, this is what the director said: "Even if they can't see the light, they must work hard for the direction where there is light."
Let's talk about the screenwriter Jiang Qitao, who is undoubtedly the "master" of historical drama screenwriters.
can hold the three major dramas "Bright Sword", "The Great Emperor of Hanwu" and "The Righteous Path of the World" at the same time. The only one who can surpass him is Liu Heping. The experts of
have joined forces to ensure the sincerity of the series, so don’t worry.
03. Story: Choice in a Turbulent Era
Many people wonder why it is called Life Ruoru Ruoru First Met with such an idol drama-like name. In fact, behind
is the deep meaning of the screenwriter: several teenagers with the ambition to save the country met when they were young, and once had the same mind, but in the end they made their own choices in the trend of the times, and even went their separate ways.
Therefore, life is like seeing it for the first time.
The background of the story of "Life Is Like the First Meeting" takes place after the Gengzi Revolution in the late Qing Dynasty. Audiences who know this period of history know that it is a history of humiliation and struggle. At that time, the land of China was dilapidated and bleak. Light.
The Qing court is fatuous and decadent, bullied by foreign powers outside, and people's inner thoughts are changing. Where is the future of the Chinese nation? Many people with lofty ideals are thinking about it.
At the beginning of the story, Yang Kaizhi, played by Wei Daxun, was facing the crisis of being suppressed and executed by the Manchu Qing Dynasty. He saved his life by luck,
and got acquainted with Liang Xiang.
Subsequently, Liang Xiang, Yang Kaizhi, Beiyang Armed Forces Right Army Corpsman Li Renjun and others became the first batch of Chinese young people to study at the Japanese Military Academy. They met the early revolutionary Yu Tianbai and Qiu Hong, a young woman who escaped from marriage. From then on, the fate of the five people was changed. Great times are woven together.
At that time, various new trends of thought came on stage and raised their banners, rushing in the torrent of the times.
The fate of several young people has also been tossed in the torrent of times.
After returning to China, Liangxiang wanted to cultivate new military forces, but he was trapped in the whirlpool of the decadent old era.
Yang Kaizhi experienced life and death transformation and died heroically in the revolutionary wave.
And history has finally made the right choice. What path should China choose to save the country? Who is in charge of the ups and downs of this vast land?
has the answer.
Good director, good story, great background.
It can be said that the stage of "Life is Like the First Meeting" has been set, it just depends on how the actors perform the play.
04, Li Xian, Wei Daxun, Zhu Yawen and Wu Yue are in the lead. This lineup is quite delicious.
"Life is Like the First Meeting" stars Zhu Yawen, Li Xian, Chun Xia, Wei Daxun, Zhou You, and the main supporting roles include Wu Yue, Li Chengru, Liu Mintao, Hou Yong, Zhou Yiwei, Bai Ke, Huo Qing and a large number of powerful actors. The lineup configuration of
is an absolute drama.
Let’s talk about Li Xian first.
Along the way, "Forensic Qin Ming" and "River God", "Dear, Beloved" made his popularity soar, but he did not become a traffic star, but began to continuously explore new genres and roles.
His next two major dramas are "Life" and the spy drama "When the Stars Shine", both of which are worth looking forward to.
He plays Liang Xiang, one of the first people to study in Japan after the Gengzi Revolution, trying hard to find a way to save the country.Several scenes in the
trailer are meaningful: In one scene, Liang Xiang's eyes are anxious and worried about the current situation.
In the next scene, Liang Xiang leaves and the high gate closes, which should indicate the character's abandonment of the old system.
This role is not easy to play, so it is a test for Li Xian. I hope he can perform well.
Let’s talk about Wei Daxun. When the
series was being filmed, Wei Daxun's position in the domestic entertainment industry was probably still a variety show star, but now it is no longer what it used to be, and one has to admire the main creator's casting choices.
Yang Kaizhi's character is the most lovable in the play. He talks a lot and has an active personality. He seems cynical, but in fact he is confident. He can make the right choice in the turbulent historical trend, and ultimately sacrifices for his faith. The character in the
trailer has a golden saying: "My motherland, you must be strong, even if you give up all my youthful blood."
I think Wei Daxun is very likely to gain fans again with this role.
Let’s talk about some of the powerful supporting characters in this drama.
ranks first, Zhu Yawen.
I think there is no need to say more about his acting skills. Zhu Chuanwu in "Enter Guandong", Yu Zhan'ao in "Red Sorghum", Mei Sheng in "Changjin Lake", Zhu Yawen's acting output has always been stable over the years, and he has also continued to produce new outstanding roles.
His role this time is also very challenging. If someone else plays it, I would be afraid of not being able to grasp the right balance, but I feel relieved if he plays it.
is second, Wu Yue. When the filming of the
series started, Wu Yue had not yet taken down the camera.
But no one can deny her strength. In "Sweeping the Crime", He Yun, played by Wu Yue, vividly played the conflicting heart of a public official.
In "County Party Committee Courtyard", she played freely among a group of powerful people.
has his own aura when he doesn't speak, and when he gets angry he can be thunderous.
At an age when other actresses play mothers-in-law, she is getting better and better. Her next spy drama with Yu Hewei is also highly anticipated.
In this drama, he plays Liangxiang's mother. Wu Yue's performance is always worth looking forward to.
The third place is Li Chengru.
Wang Wei's habit is that actors who use the right words will use them repeatedly. Li Chengru also participated in "Ask the Cangmang".
Song Baoquan, played this time, is a versatile character, but Yang Kaizhi is able to take the ferry to study abroad, and his role cannot be underestimated. A role like
requires an experienced actor to master.
The "Serious Cases" and "Big Shots" of the year have become a thing of the past, but Li Chengru's acting skills are still there, so this kind of role is naturally easy to come by.
In addition to this old face, Huo Qing, who played Chiang Kai-shek's Baike in "Ask the Cangman", and
Huo Qing, who played He Shuheng, also participated this time.
With the addition of Li Qiang, Qiao Zhenyu, Zhou Yiwei, Hou Yong, Liu Mintao and other talented actors, there is nothing to worry about in terms of acting.
Next, it depends on the luck of the series.
05. Can historical dramas conquer young audiences? I hope this drama will show its style.
Historical dramas never lack audiences, but historical dramas lack young audiences.
Judging from the cast and broadcast platform of "Life Is Like First Meeting", it is indeed the best opportunity for historical dramas to win over the young market in recent years. In the words of the fan circle: double top.
As for mainstream historical drama audiences, those who have watched "Ask the Cangmang" are likely to like this drama, because Wang Wei's ability as a director of historical dramas has been proven.
And historical dramas really need a ratings victory.
Many people say that ratings are not important, and history will prove the value of historical dramas.
But historical dramas are also part of national dramas. As domestic dramas, they must accept the test of the market.
Several historical dramas that have failed in word-of-mouth in the past have strong casts, attractive historical backgrounds, and high production costs. However, the quality after broadcast cannot be improved, which has actually seriously affected the market of historical dramas.
This is why domestic historical dramas have remained calm in recent years.
But I always believe that it’s not that audiences don’t like to watch historical dramas anymore, but that the older generation of viewers are not interested in watching new dramas, and the new generation of viewers lack the habit of watching historical dramas.
Historical dramas are no longer popular. The most critical issues are the quality of the dramas and the generation of the audience.
So, of course I am looking forward to "Life Is Like the First Meeting" to solve two problems at once. The first version of the trailer for the
series has a narration: Looking back on the past, in a desolate place, there was no wind, rain, or sunshine.
In the heavy snow, an ancient young man walked slowly. The steps are heavy, the back is sighing, the snow light shines alone, and I feel lonely and lonely.
The wheel of history is rolling forward, and that generation is ups and downs in it, looking for the dawn. In the end, the Revolution of 1911 overthrew the imperial system that had existed in China for thousands of years.
The wheel of history is rolling forward, and the Chinese nation has also ushered in a moment of great rejuvenation.
Each generation has its own struggles, and each generation also has its own limitations. Among the young people in the play, only Yang Kaizhi was the first to find the right path. However, it will take time for the answer of history to gradually become clear.
The answer to China's future and destiny lies in another drama by director Wang Wei. The name of this drama is "Ask the Cangmang".
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