Foreword:
In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the production level of TV dramas and the increasing diversity of drama types, some classic characters have presented different image interpretations in different versions of TV dramas, which has aroused widespread discussion and questions among the audience. This article intends to take classic characters such as Agarwood, Yang Guifei, and Ma Wencai as examples, ** their changes in new and old dramas, analyze the impact of such changes on the audience's aesthetics, and reflect on the aesthetic dilemmas faced by contemporary TV dramas.
Cao Jun: A lesson from the past of agarwood.
Speaking of Baolian lantern, we have to mention the gentle and elegant agarwood. This role was originally interpreted by Cao Jun, who was born as a child star, who entered the film and television industry at the age of 7 and climbed to the peak of popularity with many hit dramas, and was a "national child star" that attracted much attention in that era.
Xiao Cao Jun's acting skills are superb and he has successfully created a classic image of a child's character, and is regarded by the audience as synonymous with agarwood. His popularity is increasing day by day, and he has become the idol of countless boys and girls. However, he also knows that the popularity of child stars will always fade one day. So, Cao Jun took the initiative to try to transform into a singer, hoping to continue his acting career as a singer.
However, the entertainment industry of Dorking will not give you special treatment because of your past glory. Cao Jun's popularity declined rapidly, and the road to transformation was not smooth. Many directors no longer reuse him, and can only continue to take on some supporting roles. Cao Jun also deeply felt that he had missed the best opportunity for transformation, and if he laid out his ** career as soon as possible, maybe he would still be able to show his ambitions in the music world.
Now, Cao Jun has faded out of sight for a long time. Occasionally seeing him in a cameo small supporting role on the screen is also endearing. Cao Jun has seen a lot, he is grateful for the glory he has had, and understands that everything in the entertainment industry is too short. Now he lives a relatively peaceful life, and occasionally recalls the moving images of his role as Agarwood.
But a new agarwood was born in front of him, and this time the interpretation was controversial. Some viewers criticized the newcomer's acting skills as blunt, not as gentle and moving as Cao Jun's version. The director uses this kind of newcomer to interpret the classic role, which is inevitably a little stretched.
Xiaoyu: Plain reality vs exquisite illusion.
Gu Man's Xiaoyu, a girl full of fireworks, has also become the focus of comments in the adaptation. In a new drama, the actor of Xiaoyu was ridiculed by netizens that "just bring an ordinary person to play this role", which is not as outstanding and exquisite as Xiaoyu in Gu Man's pen.
In contrast, in a hit idol drama, Xiaoyu's actor successfully portrayed the role with her exquisite appearance and atmospheric temperament. Her bright lip makeup, elegant clothes, and changeable demeanor all dazzled the audience, which was completely in line with their imagination of the "campus goddess".
Some people pointed out that the new drama Xiaoyu is too ordinary, which weakens the character's characteristics. The classic drama version pays more attention to creating Xiaoyu's outstanding but unpretentious image, which is more in line with the connotation of the original work.
Plain truth or exquisite illusion, which can better express the charm of the original characters?This may require the director to make his own choices based on understanding the characters. But at least it can be seen that the audience wants to see a more three-dimensional and plump character portrayal, not just a superficial approach.
Yang Guifei: National color and natural fragrance vs fashion.
Let's talk about Yang Guifei, the depiction left by this stunning beauty in history has become a model of art. In modern dramas, Yang Guifei's various new interpretations have also become the focus of heated discussions among the masses. Yang Guifei: National color and natural fragrance vs fashion.
In a large-scale costume drama, the actor of Yang Guifei was criticized by netizens for "falling her image", which could not reach the audience's imagination of the country's natural fragrance. The actor's facial features are not three-dimensional enough, and his makeup and hair are not elegant enough, which completely fails to meet the audience's expectations for stunning beauties.
In contrast, in a classic version of the TV series, the actor of Yang Guifei put a lot of effort into the costumes, and the well-designed hairstyle and dripping costumes successfully created a noble and gorgeous temperament. Her makeup and expression management are also just right, perfectly interpreting Yang Guifei's clean, dignified and charming dual image.
There is a view that the appearance of Yang Guifei in the new drama is too popular and elemental, as if she is simply copying a certain fashion aesthetic without integrating the characteristics of ancient characters. On the other hand, the classic version pays more attention to the portrayal of the connotation of the characters, and Yang Guifei's beauty not only stays on the outside, but also is a comprehensive embodiment of the temperament of a noble and intelligent woman.
This also inspires people to think about how to balance contemporary aesthetics with respect for archetypal characters when adapting classic characters is a worthy question.
Ma Wencai: Rich vs greasy?
When it comes to Ma Wencai, the first image that appears in everyone's mind is the Chen Guanlin version in "Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai". He portrayed the role as the epitome of a contemporary urban man—handsome, golden, and well-dressed. This is also in line with the setting of Ma Wencai's gentlemanly demeanor in the original book.
However, in a new drama, Ma Wencai's actor was criticized for being "too greasy" and had no gentleman's posture at all. His exaggerated expression and exaggerated movements don't look like the original characters at all in the eyes of the audience, but a bit of a girl.
Some viewers said that the contrast between Ma Wencai's image in the new drama is too great, which seriously deviates from the temperament of the character, and the control of the director and actors in this regard needs to be improved. In contrast, Chen Guanlin's version of the golden, romantic, and righteous Ma Wencai is a classic in the minds of the public.
This also reflects that the audience actually has a character archetype to recognize. If the new interpretation deviates too far, it will provoke resentment. It is worth thinking about how to keep an appropriate distance from the original work in the pursuit of innovation, so that the audience can also feel the essential charm of the character in the freshness.
Zhou Zhiruo: Ice-like tenacity vs fragility that can be broken by blowing bombs.
The classic role of Zhou Zhiruo also encountered a contrast in image. In a new drama, Zhou Zhiruo has undergone modern plastic surgery, with three-dimensional facial features but has lost some of her resolute temperament, but is a little more delicate. This sparked a backlash among fans.
They think that the new drama Zhou Zhiruo has weakened this character too much and lost the wisdom and tenacity in the original book. In contrast, in the classic martial arts drama "Heaven and Dragon Slayer", Zhou Zhiruo has a cold temperament, with a unique temperament in her fierceness, which completely portrays this female warrior vividly and vividly.
Some commentators believe that in order to cater to the audience's visual experience, the new drama does not hesitate to sacrifice the portrayal of the personality of the original characters. But Zhou Zhiruo's tenacity like ice and snow intelligence is the biggest charm of this character. If this core feature is sacrificed, it is tantamount to betraying the spirit of the original work.
This also inspires people to think about how to achieve innovation in visual presentation when creating classic characters, without sacrificing the inheritance of the original connotation. Because of too much contrast, it will eventually make loyal viewers feel regretful.
Little Dragon Girl: Ice and snow ethereal vs fleshy cute.
Let's talk about the little dragon girl, in a new drama, the actor of the little dragon girl is accused of "not matching the role", and the contrast is too great, which also affects the perception. The fairy temperament of the little dragon girl is gone here, replaced by a cute image of flesh and meat.
In contrast, actors such as Li Ruotong and Liu Yifei have successfully created the unique charm of Xiaolongnu's ice muscles and jade bones and ethereal fairy spirit. They are slender, calm, and have a hint of sadness, which perfectly interprets this complex and contradictory woman.
The comments believe that the image of Xiaolongnu should not just stay on the outside, she is delicate and morbid, and she hides sorrow in her coldness, and the actor needs to successfully present this inner entanglement through the details of her expression. If you just stay at the cute outer packaging, it will be difficult to please fans of the original work.
This also reminds people that when creating a classic character, they should not only focus on the external characteristics, but also pay attention to the inner world hidden behind the appearance. Only by taking both into account can the character be truly three-dimensional.
Guanyin: solemn and holy vs bells and whistles.
Finally, let's talk about Guanyin, this embodiment of benevolence and compassion has not escaped the "catastrophe" of the new drama adaptation. In an animation adapted by ***, in order to cater to children's tastes, Guanyin was portrayed as a pink and cute image, and many exaggerated decorations were added, which caused the audience to criticize "too many bells and whistles".
In contrast, in the classic theme, the image of Guanyin is solemn and simple, and the demeanor is compassionate, which successfully reflects the inner characteristics of this classic image. Too much external decoration not only fails to highlight the core characteristics of Guanyin, but dilutes the artistic conception of the characters.
Some people point out that when adapting the classic image, it should not be too fancy and lose its authenticity, and it is necessary to grasp the core connotation of the character image. Otherwise, too much emphasis on external packaging will only greatly reduce the charm of the characters. This is also an aesthetic wake-up call for creators.
Conclusion: Let the beauty of the classics shine again.
Through the above examples, it can be seen that with the changes of the times, some traditional classic characters have shown obvious image contrast in the adaptation of new dramas, which not only causes the audience's aesthetic confusion, but also makes people worry that the original charm of these classic characters will be lost.
In fact, the reason why these characters have become classics is not because of what kind of external conditions they have, but because of the symbolism of meaning they carry and the condensation and refinement of the spirit of the times. If the adaptation only stays at the external packaging and ignores the inner charm, it will inevitably lead to a violent aesthetic **.
Therefore, it is necessary to deal with the relationship between tradition and innovation in creation, and while retaining the core characteristics of classic images, it can also be interpreted through modern expressions. Only by attaching equal importance to inheritance and innovation, and allowing the beauty of classics to shine again in a contemporary context, can these characters continue to shine and move people's hearts.