You’re great Em. Congrats on so many nations in your subscribers. Speaks to the power of Chinese entertainment.
Im happy to have found you here, and fascinated by this topic, having tumbled into the seductive (and for me, a 74 yr old white grandmother) very novel world.
Started w Princess Wei Yung, then The Untamed. Then probably scores and scores of other costume dramas.
I spent decades in tv and film production in LA , and the entire time watching the untamed, I could not figure out why it was so immensely compelling other than the guys.. who were not seasoned actors at all. It didnt have very good fx or production values, the acting is derivative, the writing formulaic, etc etc. but I was obsessed. Not in a crazy old lady way, but in a fan way. Thankfully, youtube had a steady stream of content about a world Id never imagined existed. Chinese TV, Film, and Music! China was closed for most of my life, and I mean I knew of some Shaw Bros films out of british HK but didnt know the industry had exploded on the mainland.
But it was the Fandom that blew my mind. Hundreds and thousands of fans creating real world events toward the goal of supporting their idols, and then later destroying a “rival” idol with ferocious success! I saw warfare! Anyway. Im thrilled someone is really studying this phenomenon. Chinese fandom is unique and powerful. So is Chinese entertainment as soft propaganda.
It works! I am in love with China now even when Im furious with the govt.
Wow. DeeDee - these kinds of comments are what really keeps a writer going, I'm so touched! Thank you for sharing everything.
I, on the other hand, found it FASCINATING that the show is so hyped abroad and non-Chinese viewers are equally intrigued. Even though I was already familiar with the original text of Untamed, the author, the actors as well as the whole culture of homoeroticism in media, it was still a new phenomenon to wrap my head around. For someone outside of China, there's so much content to consume from scratch and concepts to learn (not to mention a whole language being in the way), yet people are committed.
Would love to speak to you more after the holidays and, if you'd like, feature you in a new segment of AF (spoiler spoiler)?!
I was born in China and moved to the UK to study when I was 16. Been flying back and forth since then and dividing my year between the two, except during the COVID years when I got stuck back home. I do feel like I'm in the middle with both worlds (and that gives AF an edge, I hope?)
Absolutely. You've got some unique content and approach, now I see why. Thanks for devoting your time to this and hope you will continue with the publication.
You’re great Em. Congrats on so many nations in your subscribers. Speaks to the power of Chinese entertainment.
Im happy to have found you here, and fascinated by this topic, having tumbled into the seductive (and for me, a 74 yr old white grandmother) very novel world.
Started w Princess Wei Yung, then The Untamed. Then probably scores and scores of other costume dramas.
I spent decades in tv and film production in LA , and the entire time watching the untamed, I could not figure out why it was so immensely compelling other than the guys.. who were not seasoned actors at all. It didnt have very good fx or production values, the acting is derivative, the writing formulaic, etc etc. but I was obsessed. Not in a crazy old lady way, but in a fan way. Thankfully, youtube had a steady stream of content about a world Id never imagined existed. Chinese TV, Film, and Music! China was closed for most of my life, and I mean I knew of some Shaw Bros films out of british HK but didnt know the industry had exploded on the mainland.
But it was the Fandom that blew my mind. Hundreds and thousands of fans creating real world events toward the goal of supporting their idols, and then later destroying a “rival” idol with ferocious success! I saw warfare! Anyway. Im thrilled someone is really studying this phenomenon. Chinese fandom is unique and powerful. So is Chinese entertainment as soft propaganda.
It works! I am in love with China now even when Im furious with the govt.
see ya around the stacks, Em.
Thx again for your work.
Wow. DeeDee - these kinds of comments are what really keeps a writer going, I'm so touched! Thank you for sharing everything.
I, on the other hand, found it FASCINATING that the show is so hyped abroad and non-Chinese viewers are equally intrigued. Even though I was already familiar with the original text of Untamed, the author, the actors as well as the whole culture of homoeroticism in media, it was still a new phenomenon to wrap my head around. For someone outside of China, there's so much content to consume from scratch and concepts to learn (not to mention a whole language being in the way), yet people are committed.
Would love to speak to you more after the holidays and, if you'd like, feature you in a new segment of AF (spoiler spoiler)?!
I appreciated the honesty of your post. The questions you're asking yourself are not trivial and aren't easy to answer.
Thanks PC! It means a lot to hear it...Really wanted to let others feel their struggles are being seen by writing it out :)
Wow, this is exactly the approach I have signed up for! Looking forward to explore what you've got in store.
For the perspective - do you live in China and what is your background?
Thanks! Hope you've enjoyed it so far :)
I was born in China and moved to the UK to study when I was 16. Been flying back and forth since then and dividing my year between the two, except during the COVID years when I got stuck back home. I do feel like I'm in the middle with both worlds (and that gives AF an edge, I hope?)
Absolutely. You've got some unique content and approach, now I see why. Thanks for devoting your time to this and hope you will continue with the publication.
Happy to discuss more in depth after the new year.
Have a splendid holiday season and stay safe, stay healthy,
stay fabulous.