Legend of Awakening 天醒之路 with its youthful ensemble of Arthur Chen Feiyu, Dylan Xiong Ziqi, Cheng Xiao and Ancy Deng Enxi has recently premiered. It is based on a novel by Butterfly Blue that focuses on the characters in their journey of cultivation.
Although the book coming from author Butterfly Blue who also wrote The King’s Avatar has little romance, Arthur Chen’s Lu Ping forms a close relationship from the start with Ancy Deng’s Su Tang as both escape from captivity to begin their journey. Since Cheng Xiao plays Qin Sang who is a smaller character in the book, she found herself at the receiving end of criticisms due to changes that turned her character into a female lead and love interest for Lu Ping.
A book fans accusingly says that Qin Sang’s parts are not important, but because the production found a popular idol with capital, fans and backing for the live action, scenes were added for her. Some couldn’t accept the changes and pointedly asked screenwriter Li Jingling if she received money from Yuehua CEO Du Hua (Cheng Xiao’s agency) to turn an insignificant book character like Qin Sang into the main. The writer’s response, “I really didn’t.”
Li Jingling shared her two cents in Cheng Xiao’s defence. She said, “Firstly, as an actress, Cheng Xiao followed the script to mold her character. Cheng Xiao and her agency never asked for additional scenes. Secondly, this is Cheng Xiao’s first historical drama, she did her very best to complete the role. Almost all of her action scenes were done by her and the production team is very satisfied with her performance. Thirdly, I will have a detailed response to the questions about the adaptation raised by book readers but even if you have dissatisfactions towards the adaptation, please do not direct your anger towards the actress, she did nothing wrong. Good night.”
When it comes to the two characters, Qin Sang may not have many parts in the book but the writers thought that it was a character worth exploring. She was from a powerful and righteous family, it’s a complete contrast to Arthur Chen’s character which made for an interesting story when their worlds collide.
As for Su Tang which is a very important character in the book and in the life of Lu Ping, her story in the book stops after they get separated. Writer Li Jingling explains that there is no clear love line between Su Tang and Lu Ping. Because the novel is not finished, the live action sought to give her her own story.
Regardless, Li Jingling says, “The script came before the cast. Cheng Xiao just molded the character based on the script, she did her job and she did it well.”
Source: 1
Anonymous
Book fans always complained and made big fuss for every adapted drama. Feel sorry for chengxiao
Anonymous
Knowing nothing about the novel, I could still sense the change. It was obvious Su Tang should have been the female lead and I was frankly disappointed when they introduced the other female as an obvious love interest. It just seems a bit forced, forced situations to put them together. Aside from that, I'm already bored after a few episodes. As much as I was watching for Chen Fei yu, even he could not change it. And to also drop Su Tang's storyline after they part? That's sad. Nothing against the actress in the main role, it's the story and the changes made because that's what they think we'll like.
Anonymous
They shouldn't change the story into romance focus, cause the actual story that not using common romance as the focus much more difficult to write and much more be valued than common love story. Just like joy of life where politic and the amazing war scene and their smart scheme that bring it to be the first rank drama when it airs that bring unusual exciting feeling toward the audience than romamce drama. I think usual bg romance drama are already too many and it is kind of boring, we need many cool characters like in joy of life or the king's avatar. This drama is await by many viewer as an exciting drama yet it would turn into doom cause the screenwriter or producer think just usual romance drama is enough to draw the audience. It is wrong except the original source is focusing in theme of romance like eternal love peach blossom.
QueenCherry
I AGREE 100% NEVER READ THE BOOK, I SENSED the change in writing. I am not liking this female lead at all!!!!!
Anonymous
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE how that writer explain everything.
I hate those obsessive book fans for always blaming actresses about bribing directors to twist story and shoot extra scenes.
There will always be changes in drama adaptations. Jin Yong's novels are so famous, and each time LOCH ROCH HSDS Swordsman ETC. get remakes, there are always tons of changes all the time! And it is always fun to see what those changes will be.
The novel version will always remain as the novel.
But when others adapt it, things can always change!!!!!!!!
Why do obssessive book fans even need to watch a drama version for what? Did the novel not satisfy them? It's such a boring thing to watch something that needs to follow a script you already know head to toe. That's like taking a test knowing all the answers, how stupid and booring. Maybe it makes them feel like the teacher with the red pen to make their check marks. When I watch dramas that are remakes, I keep an open mind that there WILL BE CHANGES, BIG OR SMALL, EXPECT THEM!
Of course there are some adapations and remakes that are total shit because it depends on how good the director is going to be.
Anonymous
Changes are perfectly fine, especially when translating a novel to a film, in fact it's necessary. My problem is manufacturing a romance because that's what they think fangirls only care about. Their trying to create conflict and romantic tension because of the different backgrounds, but instead it just translates to having seen this scenario a hundred times in dramas. Nothing new here so it becomes ordinary.
Anonymous
PREACH!!!
Anonymous
Let's be honest in saying that the average female viewer prefer romance over other genre. The production team purposely adds romance to novels adaptation because that's what the majority of viewers prefer. You can't agree, saying that you like stories without romance, but it's the majority that counts. The production team prefers to follow the "safe" road with the romance tag to attract as many viewers as possible.
QueenCherry
do not speak for female viewers.
QueenCherry
@Tia FACTS!!!!! well said
Anonymous
Sigh so disappointing with all the negative press on the actress's acting. I did try watching this, but not sure if I will continue–The plot seems weak. The actress is new and there's always room for improvement—People need to chill.
Anonymous
I agreed why some book fans are disappointing. If production cannot stay as close to the novel, then why bother making the adaptation at all. It is disappointed when your favorite novel gets messed up in adaptation. With that said, Qing Shang's character is insignificant and she should not have that much screen time. The romance just messed up the story/plot when it's not necessary. Hope future adaptations learn from this. Peace out.
Anonymous
It's easy to say when you don't real book and know the story… which is the case of most ifans
It's called adaption for reason. And they want to make use the book fanbase so there is a pros and cons that come with it. You can't just get the support without some demanding from them right?
This is a fair world. But ifans probably don't care or know
Anonymous
Seriously fans?? I understand why the people who have read the books will be disappointed, because honestly if you ask me the books are ALMOST always better than the movies/dramas, but why go for poor Cheng Xiao? She's just doing her job. You can complain all you want but it's no one's fault. The production just decided it was a good idea. It's sad that it happened but what is your complaining gonna do lol? They can't change the script now, it's been filmed months ago.
Anonymous
I don't blame the production team for adding romance … but for it to be an adaptation of a novel that has very little, I can't deal lol. We know that majority of drama fans are young fangirls, but not all of us are obsessed with romance lol. Sometimes we need more of action and other genres. Or at least make the romance not cheesy and cringey but super epic, like it was in Eternal Love.
Anonymous
I'm watching the drama, didn't read the novel so I don't have emotional tie with the original source. This said, based on what I've seen so far, Arthur Chen's chemistry with Deng Enxi (who plays Su Tang) is much stronger than Cheng Xiao.
While I don't care about Qin Sang as a character — it's just not that well written — but in my opinion the romance isn't that much. I'm enjoying the show for being fun, entertaining, and the dynamics between Arthur Chen-Deng Enxi and Deng Enxi-Jerry Yu!
Anonymous
I don't give a F* about what they want to change but the drama just better be good. If they can make changes and things will be interesting, then way to go! But as if that will ever happen, I know that is so unlikely.
It's possible to follow an original script and everything still sucks (ahem, ELOD).
Writing scripts obviously take time so making changes on the spot wouldn't go well, I can guess the changes will stupid and crappy. I haven't watch it and can predict.
Anonymous
Anon 7.a F**k you.
Tia
Yet the 2 highest-rated dramas on TV and online currently has little to no romance as the main focus. Funny how some people thing romance is everything, huh?
Anonymous
@ 5.a PREACH!
Anonymous
Lol