With the soul of youth, raise ambitions.
Worried about the country and the people, there are no regrets in this life.
Remembering the past, our generation will be strong.
After many twists and turns, it was finally reborn. It is rumored that the thick and majestic historical masterpiece "If Life Is Like First Seen" is about to meet the audience again.
When this news jumped onto the hot search list, I was full of excitement and emotion.
Not moved by the charm of stars such as Li Xian and Wei Daxun, but because I haven't seen such an outstanding historical drama for a long time.
Frankly speaking, among the national dramas in 2023, the only one that can be called a masterpiece of historical dramas is undoubtedly CCTV's popular "Ask the Boundless". This drama is also the masterpiece of director Wang Wei, "Ask the Boundless" and "If Life Is Like First Seen", both show a very high sense of historical realism and dramatic tension.
Once upon a time, historical dramas dominated domestic dramas, and among the divine dramas with a Douban score of more than 9 points, historical dramas occupied a considerable proportion. Among them, dramas such as "Ming Dynasty 1566" and "Yongzheng Dynasty" still stand at the top of national dramas, which is unforgettable.
However, historical dramas that can make people's eyes shine nowadays seem to be becoming more and more rare. In the past five years, although "The Long River under Heaven" has received a lot of praise after its release on Mango Channel, big-budget historical dramas such as "Da Qin Fu" and "Mountains, Rivers and Moonlight" have been a bit disappointing.
When domestic historical dramas lose their thousand-year-old cultural heritage and due rigorous attitude, even if powerful actors such as Chen Baoguo and Zhang Luyi join, it is difficult to recover the decline.
Therefore, success or failure is in this move, and the historical status of "Life as First Seen" is particularly important.
On a certain mainstream ***, the number of reservations for "Life as First Seen" has soared to 3 million, which is enough to prove its super popularity before it is broadcast.
It is worth mentioning that this play is a historical theme, and it has often been difficult to attract the attention of young audiences in the past. However, "Life as First Seen" has successfully broken this stereotype and attracted the attention of a large number of young audiences, which is undoubtedly the more precious place of the show.
As soon as many people heard that this historical masterpiece would be broadcast on Hunan Satellite TV, they subconsciously thought that it would be another bad idol drama.
But let's be objective.
As far as the ** of historical dramas is concerned, except for CCTV, I only express my respect to Hunan Satellite TV.
For example, "Ming Dynasty 1566" was originally a historical drama created for CCTV, but Hunan Satellite TV purchased the domestic copyright for 5 consecutive years, and in 2007 it was listed as a New Year's premiere drama on the ** time slot.
Although from the perspective of interests, the ratings of the show are lower than Hunan Satellite TV's expectations, such an investment can be said to be not cost-effective. Even many viewers blamed this problem on the improper choice of Hunan Satellite TV's broadcast platform.
However, I can't agree with this point of view.
The ratings of "Daming Dynasty 1566" have declined, definitely not because of the problem of the broadcast platform, but because its content is too profound, too advanced, and too heavy. Even if it is broadcast on any platform today, the ratings will not be so good.
Genuine cultural products usually have a certain threshold.
However, over time, classics are still able to exude a unique charm, such as in 9The high score of 8 points has become a milestone for domestic historical dramas.
It stands to reason that after being bitten once, Hunan Satellite TV should be more cautious and avoid continuing to choose historical dramas.
But in fact, after the ratings of "Ming Dynasty 1566" failed, all David TV was adopting such a strategy.
However, in 2022, Hunan Satellite TV will broadcast "The Long River of the World" starring Luo Jin and Huang Zhizhong, which won a Douban score of 8With a 4-point praise, it has also become one of the historical dramas with the highest reputation in recent years.
For "If Life Is Like First Seen", judging from the main creator and creative ambition of the series, it is indeed worth looking forward to for the audience.
Director Wang Wei is indeed a highly anticipated figure.
Looking back on the years ago, the audience's memory of him may be mainly in the two works "Painting the Bad People of the Rivers and Lakes" and "Chasing the Murderer in the White Night".
However, after "Secret and Great", the young director seems to be deeply fascinated by the filming of period historical dramas.
The first is "If Life Is Like First Seen", followed by the upcoming "Ask the Firmament".
Director Wang Wei's directing thinking is indeed consistent, he always chooses to shoot those clips that few people pay attention to in history, filling in the gaps in history and showing his own unique creative concept.
Although the ratings of "Ask the Boundless" are not as good as the anti-spy war drama "Thrush", which was launched at the same time, I believe that no one will deny the sincerity and attitude shown by this historical drama.
This drama does fully prove that director Wang Wei's mastery of historical dramas can be said to be unique among the new generation of domestic directors.
Judging from the trailer, "If Life Is Like First Seen" continues the consistent style of director Wang Wei, and the use of photography and lighting is definitely of the highest level in domestic dramas. The narrative is also presented in a eloquent way, soothing and powerful.
Indeed, director Wang Wei is good at using light and shadow effects to create a poetic and realistic texture.
He is good at expressing himself through images, depicting the ups and downs of the fate of characters under the torrent of the times. As the director said, "Even if they can't see the light, they have to work hard in the direction of the light." ”
In addition, screenwriter Jiang Qitao is undoubtedly an important figure in the field of historical drama screenwriting.
He has a wealth of experience and talent in writing historical dramas, producing many acclaimed works.
Indeed, director Liu Heping is also one of the very good directors in historical dramas.
He has directed three acclaimed dramas, "Bright Sword", "The Emperor of the Han Dynasty" and "The Right Way is the Vicissitudes of Life", showing his unique talent in historical dramas.
Being able to hold these heavyweight works at the same time shows his strength and professional ability in the field of directing.
At the same time, when director Wang Wei and director Liu Heping join forces, we can also be full of confidence in the sincerity and quality of "Life as First Seen".
Many people have some doubts about the name "If Life Is Like First Seen" and think it sounds like an idol drama.
In fact, there is a deliberate intention behind the name. The story tells the story of several young people with the ambition of saving the country, who met when they were young and were once like-minded, but in the end they chose different paths in the trend of the times, and even parted ways.
Therefore, if the life in the story is as it first is, it means that even if they once knew each other, with the passage of time and the changes of history, each other's fates have changed dramatically. The name expresses precisely this emotional and fateful twist.
If Life Is Like First Seen", the story background is set after the Gengzi National Revolution in the late Qing Dynasty. Audiences who know this history know that it was a history full of humiliation and struggle, and the entire land of China fell into a state of decay and bleakness.
Under the circumstances of the mediocrity and decay of the Qing court, the bullying of foreign powers, and the change of minds of insiders, the future of the Chinese nation is full of uncertainties, and many people with lofty ideals are thinking about how to face it.
At the beginning of the story, Yang Kaizhi, played by Wei Daxun, was in danger of being executed by the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and he saved his life by luck, and in the story, Yang Kaizhi got acquainted with the character of Liang Xiang.
In the progress of the plot, Liang Xiang, Yang Kaizhi, and Li Renjun of the Beiyang Wuwei Right Army became the first batch of Chinese young people to study at the Japanese non-commissioned officer school.
They met Yu Tianbai and the runaway young woman Qiuhong, and since then the fates of the five have been closely intertwined.
In that era, all kinds of new trends of thought surged, and young people appeared one after another, raised their banners, and struggled to move forward in the torrent of the times.
The fate of several young people has also changed with the torrent of the times.
After Liang Xiang returned to China, he intended to cultivate a new military force, but he fell into the whirlpool of the decaying old era.
Yang Kaizhi experienced the transformation of life and death in the revolutionary wave, and finally died heroically.
However, history ultimately made the right choice. China is faced with the question of what kind of road to choose to save the country, and who will dominate the ups and downs of its destiny in the vast land?
There is an answer to this question.
The director's talent, the depth of the story and the background of the background have indeed laid a good foundation for "Life as First Seen". Now all it takes is the best actors to bring the play to life.
The starring lineup of "If Life Is Like First Seen" includes powerful actors such as Zhu Yawen, Li Xian, Chun Xia, Wei Daxun and Zhou You, as well as Wu Yue, Li Chengru, Liu Mintao, Hou Yong, Zhou Yiwei, Bai Ke, Huo Qing and other outstanding actors as the main supporting roles. Such a lineup is indeed exciting, and it can be said to be an absolute big drama.
First of all, let's talk about Li Xian.
He gradually emerged in works such as "Forensic Qin Ming" and "River God", and "Dear, Loved" made his popularity soar. However, he did not stop at being a traffic star, but began to constantly explore new genres and roles.
His next two major dramas have attracted much attention - "Life" and "When the Stars Shine". In "Life", he plays Liang Xiang, a scholar who first went to Japan to study after the Gengzi Revolution, and he struggles to find a way to save the country.
There are several scenes in the trailer that are food for thought. First of all, in the scene, Liang Xiang's eyes are full of anxiety, expressing worry and anxiety about the current situation. This anxious expression makes the audience empathize, as if they can feel his inner struggle.
Then comes the next scene, where Liang Xiang leaves and closes the high gate, symbolizing his abandonment and departure from the old system. This scene is meaningful, suggesting that the characters will embrace new opportunities and challenges in order to achieve their ideals and values.
This role is indeed challenging for Li Xian, but it is also a moment for him to show his acting skills. We expect him to impress the audience with his outstanding performance in the role."
Also, let's talk about Wei Daxun. At the beginning of the filming of the series, his positioning in the entertainment industry may be more biased towards variety shows, but now he has changed a lot. The creative team that chose him to play the role was indeed very discerning, and they saw Wei Daxun's potential and acting skills.
In the play, the setting of the role of Yang Kai is very likable. He is eloquent and active, and on the surface he seems to be cynical, but in fact he has a deep inside. He was able to make the right choices in the turbulent currents of history and ultimately make sacrifices for his beliefs.
In the trailer, Yang Kai's golden sentence "My motherland, you must be strong, even if you pay all my youthful blood", is very shocking. This sentence shows his love for his homeland and his firm faith. I believe that Wei Daxun has a great chance to attract more audience's love and attention again through the wonderful interpretation of this role.
Next, let's talk about several other powerful supporting characters in this show.
The first is Zhu Yawen, his acting skills are beyond doubt. From Zhu Chuanwu in "Breaking through the Guandong", Yu Zhanao in "Red Sorghum", to Mei Sheng in "Changjin Lake", Zhu Yawen has been winning the recognition of the audience with his stable acting output over the years. He continues to present eye-catching character images for the audience, showing his strength again and again.
The role he played this time was really challenging, and it might be difficult to get the right balance if someone else played it, but I have a lot of confidence in his performance.
Next, let's talk about the actor Wu Yue.
At the beginning of the filming of the series, Wu Yue had not yet won the honor of being the queen of the show.
Wu Yue's strength is undeniable. In "Sweeping the Black Storm", she played the role of He Yun brilliantly, showing the inner contradictions and struggles of a public official vividly. She has successfully created a complex and realistic character image through her superb acting skills.
In "The Courtyard of the County Party Committee", Wu Yue also showed his free acting skills among a group of powerful actors. She doesn't need words, her aura can make people feel her presence. When she gets angry, it is like a thunderbolt, bringing a strong impact and shock.
Wu Yue is different from other actresses, but when she plays the role of her mother-in-law and mother-in-law, she gradually shows better acting skills. Everyone also has high expectations for the spy war drama that she and Yu Hewei partnered with.
In this play, she plays the mother of Liangxiang, and we are full of expectations for Wu Yue's performance. No matter what the role, she can bring a wonderful performance to the audience.
Next, let's talk about Li Chengru.
Director Wang Wei's convention is that once he takes a fancy to a certain actor, he will invite them to cooperate many times. And Li Chengru also participated in "Ask the Boundless".
In this play, Song Baoquan played by Li Chengru is a left-right character, and his role is very important to Yang Kaizhi. Such a role requires veteran actors to be able to grasp it well.
Although "Six Groups of Serious Cases" and "Big Names" have long been a thing of the past, Li Chengru's acting skills are still proficient. He can easily handle this kind of role and play it naturally and smoothly.
In addition to Li Chengru, an old face, the white guest who played Chiang Kai-shek in "Ask the Boundless" will also bring more surprises to the audience.
Huo Qing, who played He Shuheng, also participated in the performance of this play.
In addition to the actors mentioned above, there are also powerful actors such as L Qiang, Qiao Zhenyu, Zhou Yiwei, Hou Yong, and Liu Mintao participating in the performance. Both of them are known for their excellent acting skills and have given many great performances to the audience.
This series brings together so many powerful actors, and the acting skills really don't need to be worried.
In historical dramas of the past, younger viewers may find it unappealing. However, the cast and broadcast platform of "Life as First Seen" can be said to be the best chance for historical dramas to win the young market in recent years.
This drama not only has a first-class cast, but also incorporates elements that are more loved by young audiences today. This combination gives the series a dual advantage in attracting younger audiences.
For mainstream historical drama audiences, if they have ever ** directed by Wang Wei's "Ask the Boundless", they are likely to like this drama. Because Wang Wei is an excellent director of historical dramas, his strength has been confirmed.
The ratings victory of the historical drama is very important for the series. Although some people say that ratings are not important, and history will prove the value of historical dramas, as part of domestic dramas, historical dramas must also be tested by the market.
Several historical dramas that have failed in word-of-mouth in the past have undoubtedly had a serious impact on the entire historical drama market. Despite the strong cast, intriguing historical background, and high production costs, the quality after the broadcast did not live up to expectations. This has led to a decline in some audiences' trust in historical dramas, and it is difficult for historical dramas on the market to cause a sensation again.
However, I believe that the audience does not dislike watching historical dramas anymore. It may be that the older generation of audiences lacks interest in new dramas, while the new generation of audiences lacks the habit of watching historical dramas.
The key issues that historical dramas are no longer popular are, firstly, the quality of the dramas, and secondly, the disconnection of the audience. Only by solving these two problems can we reactivate the historical drama market.
Therefore, we certainly hope that "Life as First Seen" will solve both of these problems at once. I hope that this drama can rekindle the audience's enthusiasm for historical dramas with its excellent drama quality and audience appeal.
The narration quoted in the first trailer of the series reads: "Looking back, there has always been no wind and rain, and there is no sunshine. "Meaningful. This sentence conveys an atmosphere of sadness and loneliness, describing the scene of an ancient young man walking slowly in the snow.
Against the backdrop of heavy snow, the young man's steps were heavy, and his back was sighing. The snow shone on him alone, adding to a sense of loneliness and loneliness. Such a picture gives a poignant and deep impression, as if he is struggling for some goal or belief and moving forward alone.
The rolling forward of the wheel of history has witnessed the ups and downs of a generation and the hardships of finding the dawn. In the end, the Xinhai Revolution overthrew thousands of years of imperial rule in China and brought a great moment of rejuvenation to the Chinese nation.
In this group of young people in the play, everyone has different struggles and limitations. Only Yang Kaizhi was the first to find the right path, but it takes time for the answer to history to emerge.
The answer to China's future and fate can actually be found in director Wang Wei's other big drama "Ask the Boundless". The name of the play symbolizes the contemplation of history and the question of the future. Through "Asking the Boundless", director Wang Wei will show the trajectory of history and people's thinking about the future and destiny.