Angelababy Stars in First TV Drama, “Yun Zhong Ge”
After the success of Bu Bu Jing Xin <步步驚心>, the other works of novelist Tong Hua (桐華) have surged in popularity, particularly Da Mo Yao <大漠謠> and Yun Zhong Ge <雲中歌>, both of which are to be adapted into TV dramas. The adaptation of Yun Zhong Ge will be produced and written by Yu Zheng (于正), who invited Angelababy (楊穎) to star as the female lead, Yunge.
Yun Zhong Ge will be Angelababy’s first television role, as she has acted in only movies since her acting debut. When asked if he felt her television audience fanbase would be strong enough, Yu Zheng reassured reporters that his team had done market research: “Baby is very popular among young audiences – she could be said to be on the goddess level.”
After Yu Zheng released photos of Yun Zhong Ge’s three leads – Angelababy and mainland Chinese actors Lu Yi (陸毅) and Du Chun (杜淳) – many netizens praised Angelababy for her graceful and beautiful style. However, some netizens felt that she looked too modern and lacked the classical demeanor for a Han Dynasty beauty.
Yun Zhong Ge is the second installment in Tong Hua’s currently unfinished trilogy about love during the Great Han Dynasty. It tells the story of Yunge, who is caught in a love triangle with Prince Liu Fuling (Lu Yi) and Meng Jue (Du Chun), as well as of the succession battle following Fuling’s death. Yun Zhong Ge follows the events of the first novel, Da Mo Yao, which has already been adapted into a drama, starring Cecilia Liu (劉詩詩) and Eddie Peng (彭于晏), but has not yet been approved to air. It has been rumored that the adaptations of both novels will feature changes to the storyline.
“We deleted a lot of the historical incidents,” Yu Zheng admitted when asked about what changes had been made. “There weren’t that many historical incidents in the original work. What the audience wants to see is love.”
The changes in the storyline have also affected some of the story’s historical figures. For example, the female lead’s father is reportedly no longer Huo Qubing, one of the main characters in Da Mo Yao. Some characters have been deleted, whereas the personalities of others have been changed. However, Yu Zheng remains confident in his screenplay, saying, “I believe [book purists] won’t be dissatisfied.”
According to Yu Zheng, Yun Zhong Ge will air next summer.
Source: Netease.com
This article is written by Joanna for JayneStars.com.
Can’t wait.
“produced and written by Yu Zheng” … so it’s definitely going to be ruined. Pity. I really liked the book.
I know what you mean… Goodness, why can’t someone else be the producer and writer??? I wonder if Zhang Ji Zhong ever thought of adapting Tong Hua’s novels???
Isn’t Zhang Ji Zhong more into action series rather than romance stories?
omg tong hua novels are amazing 😛
Is Zhang Ji Zhong more into action/wuxia?? I am not sure but if that is the case, then he may not do Tong Hua’s novels. No wonder Yu Zheng is doing it.
I’m agree with you guys… yu zheng will probably make it become a piece of crap…
who produced BBJX then?
Not Yu Zheng.
Karen Tsai
She’s also the producer of Da Mo Yao.
The fact it is Angelababy in this role, a pretty girl who looks forgettable with a strangely too zen like look, and some other cast who is debatable at best, this is destined for huge ratings but will divide fans of the book and fans of the horrible Yu Zheng. In a way I am happy for Angelababy because she won’t be the only cause why this series will suck. Thank God the colours for the costume looks ok. Hopefully this may be Schemes of a Beauty. Maybe I am hopeful but Yu Zheng has never place acting abilities above beauty and even his idea of beauty is mostly surgically enhanced.
We should be grateful that Angelababy accepted, because you know YSS would have been the second choice.
At least YSS can sometimes act even if she looks weird. Why is Yu Zheng into plastics?! I look at the pictures and I see Angelababy and all I can see is a doll that has one singular expression. She is like so zoned out. Hopefully acting is better but I suspect her dubber will be terrible. I am not grateful at all. The best solution is Yu Zheng not to make this series.
The actors fare no better to tell you the truth.
But at least I don’t get repulsed by Angelababy’s face. She’s had extensive plastic but it looks OK. Can’t say the same for YSS, and I’ve never seen her capable of acting either.
Yes, the best option would be for Yu Zheng not to make it… But Tong Hua already sold the rights.
I don’t mind Yu Zheng’s dramas. I always loved his past dramas. I had never seen Angelababy’s acting; so that will be new to me. But Du Chun<3
casting wise, it’s much better than Yuzheng’s notorious ‘swordsman’.
just hoping this time he will not mess up the story & characters too much, less someone might not only be throwing water on his face, perhaps some daggers instead…
“We deleted a lot of the historical incidents,” Yu Zheng admitted when asked about what changes had been made. “There weren’t that many historical incidents in the original work. What the audience wants to see is love.”
Typical Yu Zheng.
I remember reading someone’s comment that what makes Tong Hua’s novels special and more than the typical run-of-the-mill romance novel is the rich historical background. Way to ruin it, Yu Zheng.
Didn’t he get the clue with Swordsman? Or the ratings prove his point? If TVB makes you bang your head, Yu Zheng makes you bang your head and throw yourself off the cliff.
Kidd, what to do? He’s gonna ruin Tong Hua’s book! He will! He will! What to do?! WHAT! TO! DOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The changes in the storyline have also affected some of the story’s historical figures. For example, the female lead’s father is reportedly no longer Huo Qubing, one of the main characters in Da Mo Yao. Some characters have been deleted, whereas the personalities of others have been changed. However, Yu Zheng remains confident in his screenplay, saying, “I believe [book purists] won’t be dissatisfied.””
WHAT THE HELL?! Change the father, change the history, delete characters, etc so why bother? If I were Tong Hua I will say “Please remove my name from this travesty!”
Purist won’t be dissatisfied? Imagine you tune in to watch a historical based love story and all you get is love story. How do you feel? This is worst train wreck than Bullet Brain! And the sickening thing is you can’t help but watch! Why? It will be the series to be broadcast everywhere in HD! Yu Zheng may be an awful producer, a devil incarnate but he is a brilliant businessman.
yu zheng series always got popular and have great costumes and hd camera looking.
Every mainland china production is now HD.
As for the costumes, not quite. They’re all mostly too blindingly colourful!
Yu Zheng has gotten the cue from “Swordsman” alright.
Tampering with original storyline plus “out from left field casting” = huge ratings.
The costumes make them look like they’ve stepped right out of an RPG game.
Exactly. That’s why Yu Zheng is like the absolute worst person to adapt her books. But she sold the rights, so I guess money speak loudest.
Sigh, Yu Zheng! Don’t tell me this time Yun Ge will end up with Meng Jue! Besides, I think the males cast are too old to portray the characters. I think Chen Xiao fits playing Liu Fu Ling than Lu Yi. I’m definitely not a fan a Du Chun and I hate his character as Meng Jue. I’m looking forward more to Da Mo Yao.
Da Mo Yao is like coming soon forever. Where is it? Why not just sell it overseas first?
Is there a big market for mainland dramas overseas?
Yes
Heard it might not even be approved at all.
Not approved in China doesn’t mean it can’t be syndicated to overseas and DVDs.
Angelababy looks too modern and too much of a doll to play this role. Someone with more classical Chinese looks should play the role instead.
I would’ve liked Zhao Li Ying as Yun Ge and Chen Xiao as Liu Fu Ling.
But nothing pisses me off more than his pick for Liu He, who is supposedly the most handsome man in all of Tong Hua’s book. Srsly wtf man.