[Cultural Analysis] Costume Idol Drama: Respect for the audience is the "traffic password"
Recently, the TV drama "Meng Hualu" has become a phenomenal costume idol drama with both broadcast volume and discussion.
The rapid popularity of "Menghualu" may seem unexpected, but it is actually inevitable.
This is respect for the audience's aesthetics and cognition.
In recent years, many costume idol dramas have followed the production model of "traffic actors + big IP", and firmly control the traffic password in a seemingly fast and secure way.
Costume idol drama is a type of drama that requires high appearance, and the casting based on traffic flow makes some heroines and heroines not even have satisfactory appearance conditions, let alone acting skills.
Under the assembly line production mode, some costume idol dramas deviate from the pursuit of quality, and aim to create topics and attract new members. The art is shoddy, the use of filters is distorted, the character modeling is single, and the plot is routine. Problems such as , exacerbating audience boredom and dissatisfaction.
In the context of this "ugly puppet" in power, the audience's request for costume idol dramas is first of all to respect their own aesthetics.
It is undeniable that the high appearance of the protagonist and the pleasing picture are an important driving force for the audience to follow the drama.
The high reputation of dramas such as "East Palace", "Under the Brocade Clothes" and "Fragrant Honey Ashes Like Frost" are all related to this.
"Menghualu" takes it to the next level.
The character's neat bun and elegant makeup not only have a high degree of matching with the character, but also look fresh and refined.
As far as the picture is concerned, whether it is the Jiangnan style of the bridge and the flowing water, or the noisy and prosperous Tokyo market in the Northern Song Dynasty, there is no loss of natural and agile beauty.
Respect for audience aesthetics also means innovation in art form and content expression.
Aesthetic fatigue caused by homogenization is a major reason why costume idol dramas are criticized.
Some dramas with good reputation are also unavoidable. For example, the costume modeling, environmental scenes, character settings, and plot development of "Chen Xiyuan" are considered to be highly similar to "Three Lives Three Worlds Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms".
"Meng Hualu" can be recognized by the audience because it finds a new way to jump out of the fantasy drama and Qing palace drama, set the background of the story in the Northern Song Dynasty, and surprise the audience with rich historical knowledge and profound cultural connotation. harvest.
The plot is based on the historical background of the Tianxi party struggle and the music membership system, and subtly integrates the market customs such as tea baixi and cuju, and restores the fireworks-rich life scene of the Song Dynasty with details such as clothing, utensils, and food.
The textual research and discussion of history and culture caused by this in turn increased the popularity of "Menghualu".
Respect for the audience's cognition is mainly reflected in a solid plot, full characters and values that meet the audience's expectations.
This is the core competitiveness of film and television works, and it is also the shortcoming of many costume idol dramas.
In 2022, the IP adaptation of the play "Mirror Twin Cities" lacks connotation and becomes a thin "classic" love story.
In contrast, "Meng Hualu" is much more attentive.
In addition to the plot of the Yuan Dynasty drama "Zhao Pan'er Fengyue Saves the Wind and Dust", the play depicts the process of the hero and heroine's love for each other in repeated encounters and mutual assistance. The story of working together to turn a small tea house into a big restaurant step by step.
Such a plot setting is not only in line with the audience's expectations for the genre of costume idol dramas, but also in line with the life and emotional experience of contemporary women. It satisfies their general psychology of longing for economic and spiritual independence, and reflects respect for the laws of art and social emotions. precise grasp.
Whether it is praise or criticism, there are expectations for good works behind it.
The popularity of "Meng Hualu" is just to prove a simple truth once again: respect for the audience, respect for laws, and respect for common sense are the real "traffic passwords", and it is also urgent for domestic dramas, including costume idol dramas, to be picked up again. 's original intention.
Looking forward to more sincere and high-quality dramas, so as to improve the overall level of domestic dramas.
(Author: Lv Zhenzhen, Associate Professor, School of Humanities, Guangzhou University)