Episodes 8 and 9 felt like the point where Overdo finally showed us the full weight of the story it has been building toward.

We finally learned what really happened three years ago, and the truth behind Ren Susu’s disappearance is far more heartbreaking and complicated than Murong Qingyi ever knew.
Susu risked everything to save the real Fang Mulan from the Huo family, only to lose her despite their desperate escape. With the Huo family’s men closing in, she made impossible choices in the hope of protecting the people she cared about.

Suddenly, what Qingyi experienced as betrayal looks very different once we see the story through Susu’s eyes.

These episodes also took us back to the orphanage, revealing just how horrific Susu’s childhood really was and why her pursuit of justice is so deeply personal.

And then there’s Qingyi.

After everything he endured over the past three years, Zhang Linghe was given some incredibly demanding material, and he delivered a great performance in these emotionally heavy scenes.

There was another noticeable change this week as well. Following the public backlash over the AI-generated opening sequence, the production team replaced it with a live-action montage made from scenes from the drama itself. This was a noticeable improvement in the cinematography and overall presentation, Episodes 8 and 9 gave the impression of a production that had found its footing a bit more, but heavy filters and other post-editing is still in place.

How does everyone feel about these two episodes?
Did learning the truth change the way you see Susu’s “betrayal”?

How are you feeling about Murong Qingyi now that we know so much more about what happened? Did these episodes change your opinion of either lead?

And what did you think of the new opening sequence?

This thread covers Episodes 8–9 only. Please hide spoilers for anything beyond Episode 9.

The floor is yours!

(This summary is based on my friend’s account of the episodes and partially rewritten by me. I’m not watching Overdo in detail right now — just skimming through the episodes to keep up with what’s happening. Weird, I know. Maybe they’re not brave enough to post yet, so I’m doing it on their behalf 😄*)*

Let’s play a game that has been making the rounds online. It turned out really well in the r/kdramas sub.

So now —

Describe a Chinese drama using only three words, then see if everyone else can guess it.

If you’re guessing a drama, please hide your answer using Reddit’s SPOILER feature (marked by the icon that looks a bit like <!> in the formatting ribbon) so everyone has a chance to play before revealing it.

Examples (maybe too obvious and purposefully bad but I’m leaving the fun ways to describe them to you this way 😉)

Lotus — Detective — Poison
Guess: >!Mysterious Lotus Casebook!<

Orchid - Fairy — Devil
Guess: >!Love Between Fairy and Devil!<

(Honestly, these should both examples of what not to do😆)

💡 Lastly — you can describe one drama more than once.

After-all, there are so many different 3-word combos that can depict a drama and have us giggle, right?

Now it’s your turn! Leave your own three-word clue, then have fun guessing everyone else’s.

Photo source

These are just some pictures she shared on her Weibo.

Bai Lu (白鹿), born Bai Mengyan (白梦妍) on September 23, 1994, in Changzhou, Jiangsu, is one of the most recognizable actresses of her generation.

Before acting, she worked as a model after but has also auditioned to become a K-pop trainee. She entered the entertainment industry in 2016 and gradually established herself as one of the leading actresses of her generation, known for her natural screen presence and remarkable versatility.

Over the years she has built an impressive and varied filmography, moving comfortably between xianxia, historical, Republican-era, romance, comedy, and modern dramas.

Some of her best-known works:

The Legends (招摇)
Arsenal Military Academy (烈火军校)
Love Is Sweet (半是蜜糖半是伤)
Song of Youth (玉楼春)
One and Only (周生如故)
Forever and Ever (一生一世)
Ordinary Greatness (警察荣誉)
Till the End of the Moon (长月烬明)
Story of Kunning Palace (宁安如梦)
Only for Love (以爱为营)
Moonlight Mystique (白月梵星)
Northward (北上)
Feud (临江仙)
Mo Li (莫离)

What fans appreciate most about Bai Lu
One of the qualities I see mentioned over and over again by fans is how natural she feels on screen. Whether she’s playing someone fearless, mischievous, heartbroken, or resilient, many viewers feel her performances are emotionally sincere.

I have also noticed her being brought up times and times again for her ability to create believable relationships with her co-stars. Regardless of the genre, audiences often comment that she makes relationships feel believable and comfortable, helping elevate the entire cast.

Off screen, Bai Lu has earned a reputation for being genuine, humorous, and down-to-earth. Her playful personality on variety shows and behind-the-scenes videos has attracted many fans who appreciate that she doesn’t seem afraid to laugh at herself. And she has a very infectious laugh!

Another reason people admire her is her willingness to take on very different kinds of roles. From determined military cadets and police officers to tragic heroines, witty noblewomen, and fantasy protagonists, she has consistently expanded her range throughout her career.

Bai Lu is also widely praised for conveying grief, longing, and heartbreak in a way that feels natural. I have come across many viewers and comments specifically citing her emotional scenes in One and Only, Till the End of the Moon, Story of Kunning Palace, and more recently Northward as among her greatest strengths. But then we got Mo Li (The First Jasmine) and I mean, I think she absolutely slayed there in every regard, but the crying and emotional scenes were really the cherry on top.

Lastly, colleagues and production teams have frequently described her as hardworking and dedicated, and viewers have enjoyed watching her grow from a newcomer into one of the leading actresses of her generation.

What’s your favorite Bai Lu drama or performance?

Feel free to share your favorite Bai Lu snaps and GIFs in the comments 😌

As the founding moderator of r/LiuYuNing, I'd rather be upfront about where I'm coming from than pretend to be a neutral observer.

I'm obviously a fan of Liu Yuning.

I'm also someone who believes that facts matter, context matters, and primary sources matter.

That's why I'm sharing this today.

Edit (marked between > and < )

> Topic of the post: Toxic online culture, fandom wars, and respecting both artists and fans.

This is not intended to be a breakdown of the allegations surrounding Liu Yuning or an attempt to convince anyone who’s right or wrong in this particular situation. I deliberately wanted to avoid that. Instead, I’m using today’s news as a starting point for a broader conversation about misinformation, fandom culture, online defamation, and the way we speak about both artists and one other. <

The lawyer's statement concerns Liu Yuning, but what I want to say is about something much bigger.

If you've been following Chinese entertainment for any length of time, you've almost certainly seen similar situations unfold before.

Bai Lu.
Xiao Zhan.
Zhao Lusi.
Dilraba.
Xu Kai.
Esther Yu.
Wang Hedi.
Gong Jun.

And many, many others.

Different people. Different circumstances. Different allegations. Different fandoms. Yet the same patterns seem to repeat over and over again.

Rumors become "common knowledge." Edited clips spread faster than complete videos. Context disappears. People pick a side first and only then decide what evidence they're willing to believe. Some fans rush to defend. Others rush to condemn. Before long, the discussion often becomes less about what actually happened and more about defending the version of events we've already chosen to believe.

Liu Yuning just happens to be the reason I'm writing this today.

He won't be the last.

That's one of the reasons I wanted to share this statement here too. Not because I think he's uniquely affected, but because he isn't.

There's another pattern that has bothered me for a long time. The byproduct of these situations.

The way we talk about entire fandoms.

"The fandom is toxic."
"They're all bullies."
"They're a cult."
"They're the problem."

I honestly think those kinds of sweeping statements are, in most cases, indefensible.

No fandom is one person.

No fandom speaks with one voice, thinks with one mind, or behaves the same way. Every large fandom contains thoughtful people, impulsive people, quiet people, loud people, kind people, and people who cross the line. That's true whether we're talking about Liu Yuning's fans or anyone else's.

Oh and as a side-note on this specific case — Gong Jun and Liu Yu Ning are long-time friends, the fight is not between them. Same as there wasn't one between Song Wei Long and Zhang Ling He, and so many others in similar situations.

Likewise, not everyone criticizing an artist is acting in bad faith.

Once we start reducing millions of people to a single stereotype, we've already stopped having a meaningful conversation.

Judge people by what they do.

Not by the label they happen to wear.

With that said, today's statement concerns Liu Yuning.

Liu Yuning Studio's legal representatives, Shanghai Leezhao Law Office, have published an official lawyer's statement addressing what they describe as the organized spread of false information, defamatory content, and other online infringements targeting Liu Yuning.
Since many members here don't read Chinese, I've translated the statement into English below and attached the original Chinese version as an image.

I hope people will read it. Because I'm sure, even falsehoods about this very legal statement will be shared eventually.

Over the past several weeks, I've watched this situation spread far beyond Chinese social media. Some of you might have seen it reached Reddit too (edit: I’m not handpicking or referring to any single place — I have seen this come up in different spaces and under varying contexts. The platforms mainly concerned are the ones listed in the legal notice from LIU Yu Ning’s lawyers, which you can read later in this post).

Some criticism has been perfectly fair. Some of it has not.

We've seen livestream clips spliced together and manipulated. We've seen screenshots and "candid accounts" stripped of the conversations they belonged to. We've seen recurring audience interactions and familiar song refrains sang by the concert attendees presented as though they proved something completely different.
We've even seen graphics circulating that attempt to portray his fandom as some kind of pyramid, caste system, or cult hierarchy.

Whether people believe those claims or not isn't really the point I'm making.

But the result is that we’ve seen speculation and hear-say repeated until people began quoting it as established fact.

That's something I think all of us should care about, regardless of how we feel about Liu Yuning.

Because tomorrow it won't necessarily be Liu Yuning.

It'll be another actor.
Another actress.
Another singer.
Another public figure.

If we're comfortable accepting edited material, manipulated clips, missing context, or rumors simply because they support the conclusion we already wanted to reach, then we've created an environment where almost anyone can become the next target.

The same goes for fandom.

This isn't a war, and we're not anyone's soldiers.

Recently, I've seen more and more comments talking about "fighting," "winning," or "showing them" (from both “sides” of this "fight").

I understand where those emotions come from.

When someone you admire is being attacked, the instinct to defend them is very human.

But I also think it's worth asking ourselves whether charging into every argument actually helps.

Liu Yuning has never struck me as someone who wants thousands of people fighting strangers on his behalf.

If you happen to know him and have followed him for a while, you've probably heard him say more than once that he has to be careful with his words because they can so easily be taken out of context. To me, that's never sounded like fear. It sounds like experience. He understands how quickly narratives can take on a life of their own online.

He's a big man. (fact)

An exceptionally intelligent, thoughtful, and deeply competent man. (my opinion)

He doesn't need saving.

What he deserves is fairness.

They all deserve the same fairness. And I think there's an important difference between supporting someone and feeling personally responsible for defending them.

Sometimes those lines become blurred.

The point is that extreme behavior — from fans or anti-fans alike — gives people material to reshape into whatever story they already want to tell.

None of us should want to hand anyone that opportunity.

So this isn't me telling anyone not to speak when they come across a diss/misinformation targeting the actor they support.

I've corrected misinformation myself in the past regarding different actors and actresses when I believed it was important to do so, and I probably will again.

I'm simply asking — to the void and with no right, of course — that if we choose to engage, we do it calmly, factually, and with the awareness that our behavior doesn't exist in a vacuum. These so-called fandom wars are just absolutely ridiculous, aren't they?

And I mean that — irrespective of whose “side" you're on, or if you're not even picking a side (because there really might not be one...).

I suspect most people who are fans of someone/anyone are simply rolling their eyes at this.

Fairly or unfairly, people judge artists by the conduct of their supporters.

Personally, I'd rather people look at Liu Yuning's fans and see people who value facts over rumors, context over outrage, and respect over insults.

I think that reflects well on him.

And in the end, that's one of the best ways we can support any artist.

(If you are curious to read my post on the same topic but dedicated to r/LiuYuNing community, you can read it here)

————————————————

English Translation

Lawyer’s Statement

Shanghai Leezhao Law Office (hereinafter referred to as “the Firm”) has been instructed by Liu Yuning Studio (hereinafter referred to as “the Client”) to appoint a team of lawyers to address the recent dissemination of information concerning Mr. Liu Yuning and related acts of infringement across online platforms. The Firm hereby issues this lawyer’s statement with due seriousness.

Recently, certain internet users and online groups have continuously organized and disseminated false and harmful information concerning Mr. Liu Yuning through posts, videos, hashtags, comments, and other forms of interaction on platforms including Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Douban, and Zhihu. They have also spread misleading and defamatory content and published derogatory remarks. Some content has been circulated through deliberately cropped material, screenshots taken out of context, selective editing, and maliciously provocative wording, thereby creating antagonism, inciting unnecessary disputes and negative publicity, seriously exceeding the reasonable boundaries of normal public discussion and public opinion oversight, and severely disrupting the normal order of online discourse.

The above conduct violates applicable laws, regulations, and the management rules of the relevant online platforms. It has seriously infringed upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s lawful rights and interests, adversely affected his personal reputation, social standing, and normal work, and caused substantial harm.

In response, the Firm has been formally instructed to investigate and collect evidence relating to the relevant online content, the accounts responsible for publishing it, and its dissemination. The Firm is currently carrying out evidence preservation and other legal work, and the collected evidence will serve as an important basis for pursuing civil litigation, criminal complaints, and other legal measures to protect Mr. Liu Yuning’s rights and interests.

In view of the above, the Firm hereby solemnly declares as follows:
1.
Relevant internet users and online groups must immediately cease publishing and disseminating false or harmful information, misleading content, defamatory remarks, and any other material that infringes upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s lawful rights and interests.
Any such content that has already been published must be deleted immediately, its further dissemination must cease, and active measures should be taken to eliminate its harmful impact.
2.
The Firm calls upon all internet platforms to lawfully fulfill their responsibilities for information content management. Content suspected of infringing upon lawful personal rights, violating platform rules, or disrupting the normal order of online information dissemination should be reviewed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Where appropriate, platforms should take the necessary measures, including deleting content, blocking or restricting access, disconnecting links, limiting dissemination, and taking action against the relevant accounts.
3.
With respect to individuals or entities that refuse to cease unlawful or non-compliant conduct, continue disseminating false or harmful information, or continue infringing upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s reputation and other lawful rights and interests, the Firm will submit complaints and reports to the relevant online platforms and administrative authorities, initiate civil proceedings, and pursue legal liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Where the relevant conduct is suspected of constituting a criminal offense, the Firm will also initiate criminal complaint procedures in accordance with the law and cooperate with the judicial authorities in pursuing criminal liability.

Cyberspace is not beyond the reach of the law.

The public has the lawful right to discuss and comment on film and television works, variety programs, and artists’ performances, but such discussion must always be conducted on the premise of respecting the lawful rights and interests of others.

With regard to the use of online platforms to disseminate false and harmful information, maliciously manipulate public opinion, create hostility, or infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of others, the Firm and its Client will oppose such conduct in accordance with the law and will firmly pursue all available legal measures to protect their rights.

This statement is hereby issued.
Shanghai Leezhao Law Office
July 22, 2026

Source of the statement

Today, Liu Yuning Studio’s legal representatives, Shanghai Leezhao Law Office, published an official lawyer’s statement addressing the recent spread of false information, defamatory content, and other online conduct targeting Liu Yuning across multiple platforms.

Since many members here don’t read Chinese, I’ve translated the statement into English below. The original statement is attached as an image.
Before the translation, I’d like to share a few personal thoughts.

Over the past weeks, this situation has grown far beyond one platform. It has spread across Chinese social media and, as we’ve all seen, has spilled over onto Reddit as well. There have been countless discussions, disagreements, corrections, speculation, and unfortunately a great deal of misinformation presented with complete confidence.

I’ve also seen some of our own members participating in those discussions, and I did join one too.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
When something is plainly untrue, correcting it calmly and factually is perfectly reasonable. I’ve done that myself more than once. We shouldn’t feel that we have to watch misinformation spread without saying anything.

What I’d encourage is that we stay mindful of how we engage.

We’ve seen livestream clips spliced together, edited, and stripped of the surrounding context. We’ve seen screenshots shared without the conversations they came from. We’ve seen recurring audience interactions, familiar refrains, and even lyrics turned into “evidence” for claims they were never intended to support. We’ve seen speculation repeated often enough that people begin quoting it as though it were established fact.

Before long, many people aren’t even discussing the original event anymore. They’re reacting to somebody else’s edited version of it.
We’ve also seen increasingly elaborate narratives built around his fandom itself — accusations of cult-like behavior, pyramid structures, caste systems, and organized fan hierarchies, complete with diagrams and graphics being circulated online.
Whether every claim is true, false, exaggerated, or somewhere in between isn’t even the point I’m trying to make here.

The point is that once people are looking for evidence to fit a particular narrative, almost anything can be twisted to support it.
That’s exactly why I think we should all be a little more careful.

If you’ve followed Liu Yuning for any length of time, you’ve probably heard him say more than once that he has to be careful with his words because they can so easily be taken out of context. I’ve always admired that about him. It isn’t fear. It’s experience. He understands how quickly a few seconds, one sentence, or one misunderstanding can snowball into something completely different online.

And that’s one of the reasons I’m honestly not worried about him.

Liu Yuning is a big man.

He’s an exceptionally intelligent, thoughtful, and deeply competent man. He has navigated public life for years, and I have tremendous confidence in his judgment. Seeing the studio now take formal legal action only reinforces that confidence for me.

He doesn’t need us to rescue him.

What concerns me much more is the possibility that, despite the very best intentions, we might unintentionally make things harder for him.

This isn’t a war, and we’re not his soldiers.

I’ve noticed more and more comments along the lines of “let them come,” “we’ll fight them,” or “we’ll win.” I completely understand where those feelings come from. When you care about someone, your first instinct is often to protect them.

But I don’t believe that’s what Liu Yuning has ever asked of us.

If anything, he’s shown us the opposite. Through his own example, he’s consistently reminded us to be thoughtful, measured, and careful with our words because he understands that every public interaction has consequences.

Fairly or unfairly, people judge artists by the behavior of their fans.

Our words don’t only represent us. They can reflect back on him.
I’d hate for any of us to unintentionally give people another reason to look down on Liu Yuning or dismiss him because of the actions of his fandom. That would be the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve.

So this certainly isn’t me asking anyone to stay silent.
If you see something that’s factually wrong and you want to correct it respectfully, that’s entirely your choice, and sometimes it’s absolutely the right thing to do.

I’d simply ask that we choose our battles carefully. Stick to facts. Add context where it’s missing. Don’t let someone else’s bad faith dictate your own behavior. And remember that not every argument needs to be won.

Sometimes the best way to support someone isn’t by speaking louder.
Sometimes it’s by refusing to become part of the noise.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has handled this situation with patience, respect, and a level head. I’ve noticed it, and I genuinely appreciate it.

And on a personal note, I’m relieved to see the studio take this step. Persistent defamation, deliberate misinformation, malicious editing of someone’s words or actions, and organized harassment should never become normal, no matter who the target is.

And I would also speculate that he might be doing this for the fans, as the fans have been largely targeted. IYKYK.

🖤

Your Head Mod,
NoRecipe
✨
One Ning

* please feel free to comments and express your views in the comments freely. I have expressed my personal views and a request as the founder of the community in my lengthy text above.

———

English Translation

Lawyer’s Statement

Shanghai Leezhao Law Office (hereinafter referred to as “the Firm”) has been instructed by Liu Yuning Studio (hereinafter referred to as “the Client”) to appoint a team of lawyers to address the recent dissemination of information concerning Mr. Liu Yuning and related acts of infringement across online platforms. The Firm hereby issues this lawyer’s statement with due seriousness.
Recently, certain internet users and online groups have continuously organized and disseminated false and harmful information concerning Mr. Liu Yuning through posts, videos, hashtags, comments, and other forms of interaction on platforms including Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, Douban, and Zhihu. They have also spread misleading and defamatory content and published derogatory remarks. Some content has been circulated through deliberately cropped material, screenshots taken out of context, selective editing, and maliciously provocative wording, thereby creating antagonism, inciting unnecessary disputes and negative publicity, seriously exceeding the reasonable boundaries of normal public discussion and public opinion oversight, and severely disrupting the normal order of online discourse.
The above conduct violates applicable laws, regulations, and the management rules of the relevant online platforms. It has seriously infringed upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s lawful rights and interests, adversely affected his personal reputation, social standing, and normal work, and caused substantial harm.

In response, the Firm has been formally instructed to investigate and collect evidence relating to the relevant online content, the accounts responsible for publishing it, and its dissemination. The Firm is currently carrying out evidence preservation and other legal work, and the collected evidence will serve as an important basis for pursuing civil litigation, criminal complaints, and other legal measures to protect Mr. Liu Yuning’s rights and interests.

In view of the above, the Firm hereby solemnly declares as follows:
1.
Relevant internet users and online groups must immediately cease publishing and disseminating false or harmful information, misleading content, defamatory remarks, and any other material that infringes upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s lawful rights and interests.
Any such content that has already been published must be deleted immediately, its further dissemination must cease, and active measures should be taken to eliminate its harmful impact.
2.
The Firm calls upon all internet platforms to lawfully fulfill their responsibilities for information content management. Content suspected of infringing upon lawful personal rights, violating platform rules, or disrupting the normal order of online information dissemination should be reviewed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Where appropriate, platforms should take the necessary measures, including deleting content, blocking or restricting access, disconnecting links, limiting dissemination, and taking action against the relevant accounts.
3.
With respect to individuals or entities that refuse to cease unlawful or non-compliant conduct, continue disseminating false or harmful information, or continue infringing upon Mr. Liu Yuning’s reputation and other lawful rights and interests, the Firm will submit complaints and reports to the relevant online platforms and administrative authorities, initiate civil proceedings, and pursue legal liability to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Where the relevant conduct is suspected of constituting a criminal offense, the Firm will also initiate criminal complaint procedures in accordance with the law and cooperate with the judicial authorities in pursuing criminal liability.
Cyberspace is not beyond the reach of the law.
The public has the lawful right to discuss and comment on film and television works, variety programs, and artists’ performances, but such discussion must always be conducted on the premise of respecting the lawful rights and interests of others.

With regard to the use of online platforms to disseminate false and harmful information, maliciously manipulate public opinion, create hostility, or infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of others, the Firm and its Client will oppose such conduct in accordance with the law and will firmly pursue all available legal measures to protect their rights.

This statement is hereby issued.
Shanghai Leezhao Law Office
July 22, 2026

Source of the statement

We’ve enabled Flair Following for r/ChineseDrama!
This lets you subscribe to individual post flairs and receive a notification whenever a new post with one of your chosen flairs is published.

Only interested in movies? Follow Film & Cinema.

Love reading reviews? Follow Finished Watching.

Never want to miss an Episode Talk • Drama Watch Parties thread? Follow that flair.

Or mix and match whichever flairs interest you most.

The image above shows where to find the setting.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

You need to join r/ChineseDrama before the Flair Following option appears.

After selecting your flairs, scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Save. Otherwise, your selections won’t be saved.

Notifications are intentionally sent with a 3-hour delay. This gives the mod team time to correct any accidentally misapplied flairs before notifications are sent.

This isn’t a feature that’s available by default in every community. We’ve enabled it here because we thought it would make it easier to follow the kinds of posts you actually care about without being notified about everything else.

We hope you find it useful! If you have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comments.

And see? We keep telling you post flairs matter. They’re not just there for aesthetics or to get on your nerves 😉

Welcome to r/CDramaQueens 👑

This guide explains how to choose the correct post flair, write clear titles, and create posts that are easy for others to discover and enjoy.

---

📝 First Things First

>Include the queen’s NAME in your TITLE

If your post is about one specific lady of the realm, her name must appear in the title.
This helps members know what they’re clicking on and makes posts much easier to find through Reddit search.

Then, about them FLAIRS…

If you’re ever unsure which flair to use, choose the one that best matches the main focus of your post. The mod team can always adjust it if needed.

👑 Spotlight

The heart of the community.
Use this flair for posts celebrating a queen herself rather than a specific project or news item.
Examples include:

• Appreciation posts, Birthday posts
• Career appreciation, Throwbacks
• Gorgeous photos

“She deserves more recognition”
If your post is mainly about the person, this is probably the right flair.

🎭 On Screen

Everything related to acting.
Use this flair for:

• Dramas, Films, Characters, Acting performances
• Official stills
• Behind-the-scenes
• Trailers, Drama or film clips

If the focus is an actress in a scripted production, choose On Screen.

🎤 On Stage

Everything related to music and live performance.
Examples include:

• Concerts, Live performances, Music videos
• Albums, Singles, OSTs, Dance performances
• Music festivals

📺 Variety

For appearances outside scripted productions.
Examples include:

• Variety shows, Reality shows, Competition shows
• Guest appearances, Television specials

📸 Editorial

For fashion, beauty, and commercial work.
Examples include:

• Magazine covers, Editorial shoots, Fashion campaigns
• Brand campaigns, Ambassador announcements
• Red carpet appearances, Beauty campaigns
• Promotional photography

If the focus is fashion, styling, branding, or professional photography, this is the right flair.

🎙 Interview

For conversations with the celebrity.
Examples include:

• Written interviews, Video interviews
• Podcasts, Press conferences, Press junkets
• Q&A sessions

📰 News

For official announcements and confirmed information.
Examples include:

• Casting announcements, New projects
• Studio updates, Official schedules
• Endorsements, Company statements
• Awards announcements, Confirmed industry news

If the information has not been confirmed, please use 🍉 Unverified Reports instead.

🍉 Unverified Reports

For rumors, melons, industry chatter, and other unconfirmed information.
Examples include:

• Rumors, Melons, Leaks, Industry speculation
• Unverified reports, Anonymous insider claims

Posts using this flair must not present speculation as fact.
Please:

• Clearly state that the information is unverified.
• Include the original source whenever possible.
• Provide enough context for members to evaluate the claim themselves.
• Rumors often involve incomplete or conflicting information.
• Keep discussions respectful, avoid presenting speculation as fact, and remember that both Rule 1 (Respect Others and Be Civil) and Rule 3 (Crown, Don’t Tear Down) apply just as much in these discussions.
  ‼️
• Your take or reason for sharing the melon or gossip is required, or the post will be taken down.

🏆 Achievements

Celebrating accomplishments and milestones.
Examples include:

• Awards, Nominations, Rankings, Records
• Career milestones, Major anniversaries, Historic firsts

🎨 Fan Creations

For original fan-made content.
Examples include:

• Fan art, Drawings, Digital art, Wallpapers
• Fan edits, Fan videos, Crafts, Merch & Collectibles

• You must credit the original creator whenever you are sharing someone else’s work.
• Please note GIFs and clips as such are always under the CR of the production company/studio.

💬 Discussion

For posts intended to start a conversation.
Examples include:

• Opinions, Recommendations, Questions
• Character discussions, Industry discussions
• Comparisons made in good faith
• Appreciation essays
  Discussion posts should include enough context or your own thoughts to give others something meaningful to respond to.

💎 Rising Star

Celebrating emerging talent.
Use this flair for actresses, singers, idols, dancers, or other women who are just beginning to break through or deserve more recognition.
Examples include:

• Debut performances, Breakout roles
• Hidden gems & jewels, Up-and-coming talent
• “More people should know about her.”

One of our goals is to help members discover incredible women they may not have heard of yet, not just celebrate established stars.

🌸 Community

Everything related to the subreddit itself.
Examples include:

• Moderator announcements
• Community events
• Polls, Feedback, Games, Contests, Meta discussions

📝 Reinder: Writing Good Titles

Clear, descriptive titles help members know what they’re clicking on and make posts much easier to find through Reddit search.
Include the queen’s name
If your post is primarily about one or two specific queens, their name must appear in the title.
Good examples

• Bai Lu’s latest ELLE China cover
• Zhao Lusi announces her new drama
• Lu Yu Xiao & Ni Ni at the Golden Eagle Awards last night
• Dilraba at the Dior event in Shanghai

Avoid just writing

• She’s so beautiful!
• Queen 👑
• Thoughts?
• Look at her! ... and the likes.
  If your post features multiple queens, include the most relevant names or use a title that clearly describes the topic.

Label rumors clearly

If you’re posting rumors, melons, speculation, or other unverified information, choose the 🍉 Unverified Reports flair and make it clear in the title that the information is unconfirmed.

• Never present speculation as established fact.
• Ask yourself:
  > "Would I like to be talked about in this way?" > "Could someone get hurt — what's the actual impact of my words?"

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💡 Before You Post

Before submitting, please take a quick moment to check that you’ve:

• Chosen the correct flair.
• Included the woman's name in the title (if your post is about one specific person).
• Added enough context, commentary, or a discussion prompt to invite discussion.
• Credited your sources whenever possible.
• Clearly labeled rumors, melons, and speculation.

Finally, please remember the spirit of our community:

Crown — don’t tear down

&

Treat each other with respect.

Healthy disagreement is welcome. Harassment, personal attacks, trolling, and hostility are not.

Comparisons are welcome when made in good faith, but posts or comments intended to provoke fan wars, subtly diminish another celebrity, or stir up unnecessary conflict may be removed — this includes veiled snide remarks and polished insults or backhanded “compliments”.

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ModTeam

If you ever have a question, feel free to reach out to the mod team. We’re happy to help, and we hope you enjoy celebrating the incredible women of Chinese entertainment with us.

Welcome to our little corner of Reddit dedicated to celebrating the incredible women of Chinese entertainment.

Whether you’re here for Ni Ni, Dai Lu Wa, Zhao Lusi, Dilraba, Wang Churan, Liu Yifei, Esther Yu, Lu Yuxiao, Zhou Ye, Tian Xiwei, Meng Ziyi, Curley Gao, Liu Shi Shi, Sa Dingding, Ai Mi, Bai Lu, Yang Mi, (honestly the list of QUEENS is endless!) or someone whose name deserves to be mentioned far more often, you’ve found the right place.

This community celebrates actresses, singers, idols, dancers, hosts, athletes crossing into entertainment, rising stars, and every other amazing woman who helps make Chinese entertainment what it is today.

Share beautiful photos, memorable performances, interviews, magazine shoots, music, variety shows, fan art, thoughtful discussions, breaking news, and everything in between.

A brand-new community

We’re just getting started, so you’ll notice we’re still putting the finishing touches on a few things. Post flairs and other features will continue to be added and refined over the coming days (but Posting Guide 1.0 is already live! 😉)

Please don’t wait for us.

We’d love for you to start posting today and help shape the community from the very beginning.

Our philosophy

One thing matters more than anything else here.

You never have to tear one woman down to celebrate another.

Support your favorites. Recommend them. Admire their work. Share the moments that made you become a fan.

Leave fan wars, subtle digs, and unnecessary comparisons at the door. Every queen deserves to shine in her own right.

We’d love to meet you!

To help us kick things off, tell us:

Who was the first woman in Chinese entertainment you became a fan of?

You can do so by making a post about your first Queen (remember to put her name in the title 😉 along with the picture) or simply dropping her photo and name in the comments. If you tell us more about her, even better!

Whether you’re here for one queen or a hundred, we’re happy you’re here.

Every queen deserves her flowers.

Welcome to r/CDramaQueens 👑

Two more episodes are here, which means it’s time for another stop in Murong Qingyi’s kingdom.

Welcome to our discussion thread for Episodes 6–7 of Overdo.

Whether the drama is exceeding your expectations, slowly winning you over, being a big disappointment, or driving you absolutely insane, this is the place to talk about it.

Has your opinion changed since the premiere yesterday? I know impressions and loyalties can be fickle — no judgment there! 😅

Are you even more or less invested in Murong Qingyi?

Did a particular scene steal the show?

Is the chemistry working for you / is there any chemistry?

Or are you already yelling at your screen because someone made yet another questionable life decision?

Dr Murong vs De He Suye

One more question for those of you who have seen The Best Thing…
Now that we’ve seen Murong Qingyi in his doctor’s coat, did anyone else get little flashes of He Suye, Zhang Linghe’s Traditional Chinese Medicine physician from The Best Thing?
Visually, I can definitely see it from time to time. Personality-wise, though… I’m not convinced 😅

Whatever your thoughts, bring them here.

As always, this community exists because we appreciate Zhang Linghe. That doesn’t mean every opinion has to be positive. Praise the acting, critique the writing, celebrate your favorite moments, vent your frustrations, overanalyze every glance, or share your latest theories.

All perspectives are welcome as long as we keep the discussion respectful.

This thread covers Episodes 6–7 only. Please hide spoilers for anything beyond Episode 7.

The floor is yours. How are we feeling after today’s episodes?

Overdo is finally here — and so is Murong Qingyi.
Whether you’ve already inhaled all five episodes or you’re taking your time, this is our dedicated space to talk about the drama as it airs.

Set in Republican-era Shanghai, the drama follows Murong Qingyi (Zhang Linghe), the youngest son of a powerful warlord family, whose life becomes entwined with Ren Susu (Wang Churan) after a chance encounter changes both of their futures.

Adapted from Fei Wo Si Cun’s novel If This Second, I Hadn’t Met You, Overdo is a Republican-era romance filled with family conflict, hidden identities, longing, misunderstandings, and plenty of heartbreak.

Drama Information
Episodes: 33
Premiere: July 19, 2026
Starring: Zhang Linghe, Wang Churan
Streaming: iQIYI & Tencent Video / WeTV

Want to rave about Zhang Linghe’s performance?
Go for it.

Want to scream about Murong Qingyi’s decisions?
Please do.

Think the chemistry is incredible? Think the pacing is a mess? Have a favorite scene already? A favorite line? A theory? A complaint? A tiny detail you noticed that no one else seems to be talking about?
Bring it all here.

While discussion is welcome everywhere, this community exists because we love Zhang Linghe.

That doesn’t mean everyone has to agree, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to love every choice the drama makes. Here, you don’t have to worry about your excitement or disappointment being dismissed or feel like you need to hold back because the conversation has gone off the rails elsewhere.

For the next few weeks, this is Murong Qingyi’s kingdom. Make yourselves at home.

This thread covers Episodes 1–5 only. Please hide spoilers for anything beyond Episode 5.

Now tell us everything — first impressions, favorite moments, frustrations, predictions, and, most importantly…

How are we feeling about Overdo so far?

The official Blossoms of Power Weibo shared a new modern-themed photoshoot today featuring Meng Ziyi and He Yu as Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.

He Yu later reposted the photos with a short comment of his own:

“Smart woman.”
@Meng Ziyi

The official caption reads:
“A red dress. A suit. Fresh flowers. And you.”
“Shen Xihe (Meng Ziyi) and Xiao Huayong (He Yu), capturing a heart-fluttering moment.”
Blossoms of Power is currently airing daily on Tencent Video.

🔗 Original Weibo post

Personal take 👇

I love this shoot.

These photos actually made me wish Meng Ziyi and He Yu would do a modern drama together. I think their CP really works.

Admittedly, He Yu does most of the heavy lifting here (I might be biased ), but I also think that’s because Meng Ziyi’s character is written as cold and expressionless — a ruthless woman. People even call her cruel. But she isn’t cruel out of spite or because she lacks kindness. She’s actually anything but mean.

Anyway, I love this shoot. They have more chemistry in these photos than they’ve had in the drama for me so far 😂🤭

I still really like the drama though, don’t get me wrong. But at this point, her character hasn’t really shown any feelings, attraction or romantic tension. Thankfully, He Yu — as Xiao Huayong — has enough yearning, fighting and “chemistrying” for the both of them.

The man is working overtime.

He Yu shared a moving long-form post on Weibo today following Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe’s wedding in Blossoms of Power.

Rather than talking about filming or thanking viewers, he reflected on Xiao Huayong’s journey—from a Crown Prince who had accepted an early death to a man who finally found someone worth living for.

I thought it was too beautiful not to share, so I’ve translated it below.

🔗 Original Weibo post:

“First of all, congratulations to Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe on their wedding.
To Xiao Huayong, who has always lived as though every day might be his last, I wish you a lifetime of happiness.
At last, they are no longer simply joining hands as allies, but walking hand in hand through life.
They have become husband and wife.
If there were fireworks today, they would surely be blooming endlessly in Xiao Huayong’s heart.
This is the happiest day he has known since becoming Crown Prince.

Becoming Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was never an easy fate.
Poisoned from childhood and destined to die young, he struggled, questioned, suffered, resented fate and refused to accept it.
Then he chose to travel the realm.
The mountains and rivers gradually smoothed the sharp edges he had long turned against himself.
He witnessed the hardships of ordinary people.
He witnessed their joys.
He witnessed corruption within the court.
He resolved to uncover the person who had poisoned him, because only someone holding immense power could threaten both the Emperor and the nation.
He also vowed to remove the poison that had seeped into the country’s very foundations.
That was the duty of the Crown Prince.

In truth, from the moment his life became a countdown, he had already devoted what little remained of it to fulfilling his responsibilities—as a son and as heir to the throne.
Even with a broken body, he was willing to become the armour of the realm.

Everything changed after he met Shen Xihe.
Before then, he never knew that a short life could hold so much happiness…
and so much sorrow…
simply because of loving someone.
If his short lifespan could become the reason Shen Xihe chose him, he would gladly accept it.
If his schemes and the dangers surrounding him left her without a sense of security, he would willingly step away.
Every wish she had, he wanted to fulfil.
Every uncertainty she feared, he wanted to prepare for before it arrived.
Toward Shen Xihe, Xiao Huayong never tried to force fate.
He simply gave everything he could,
then quietly waited for her choice.

Meeting Shen Xihe was Xiao Huayong’s greatest blessing.
The more you understand him,
the more your heart aches for him.
Loving someone is difficult.
Truly understanding another person is even harder.
Both of them carry the people in their hearts.
Both long for peace throughout the realm.
Between them is not only love,
but also the unspoken understanding of two people walking the same path.

Xiao Huayong once said to Shen Xihe:
“My fate may rise and fall with the court, but my heart toward you will never change.”
If every day might be his last,
then he would cherish every day as though it truly were.
Loving her.
Remaining by her side.
That is the depth of Xiao Huayong’s love.

There were times when he wondered whether he should stop challenging fate.
Yet in the end, he simply couldn’t.
Love allowed him to calmly say:
“I could die young.”
It also gave him the strength to endure unimaginable pain,
just to live one more day.
Because the life he had left now carried another responsibility.
To remain by Shen Xihe’s side.
To be her husband.
Once, he faced death without fear.
Now, he longs to live.
Even with a broken body, he is willing to become the armour of one person.”

I really love the parallel He Yu closes with.

At the beginning, Xiao Huayong is willing to become “the armour of the realm.” By the end, he is willing to become “the armour of one person.”
His sense of duty never disappears. He is still the Crown Prince who wants to protect his country. The difference is that he finally has someone he wants to live for, someone he wants to protect just as fiercely.

It’s a beautiful way to capture everything Xiao Huayong became over the course of Blossoms of Power.

I’m talking about the drama you went into with pretty much zero excitement.

Maybe you weren’t planning to watch it at all. Maybe it was airing and you were in a slump, so you thought, “Why not?” Maybe someone kept recommending it until you finally gave in. Maybe it had been sitting on your watchlist for years and one random evening you decided to put it on simply because you couldn’t think of anything else. Or maybe you genuinely only wanted something to play in the background while you folded laundry, cooked dinner, or procrastinated doing something more important.

Whatever the reason, your expectations were low.
But then… somehow it got you.

You stopped doing whatever you were supposed to be doing. One episode became three.. and the rest is history 😏

What made you expect so little from it in the first place? And what was it that completely changed your mind?

Those stories always fascinate me because they feel so different from discovering a drama that everyone has been telling you is amazing.

Sometimes the ones we expect the least from end up becoming the ones we can’t stop thinking about

Most recently, it was Deep In for me. I wasn’t planning to watch it in any meaningful way. It just sort of… happened. I figured it’d be something (maybe) okay to have on while I did other things.

Then BAM. It completely sucked me in — and no other things could be executed while watching it. I’m also super impressed by the young actors. But that would be for another post.

It’s still airing, so who knows whether it’ll stick the landing, but I genuinely spent the next 72 hours thinking about it. Then I’d calm down a little… only to find myself thinking about it all over again while waiting for the next episode to drop.

MDL of Deep In

So, the one dram you expected nothing from, which then got you hooked — what’s yours?