The initial reviews are in and it appears some viewers who tuned in for the debut of Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai’s Ancient Love Poetry 千古玦尘 last night sadly found the costumed historical a wee bit lacking.
Given that this is not Xu Kai’s first rodeo in the genre – he can practically write a manual about it considering the number of times he starred in one, and the fact that Zhou Dongyu is a multi award-winning actress, I’m actually quite surprised about this. Granted, the buzz surrounding the show was definitely high this being Zhou Dongyu’s first foray into the xianxia genre. Throw in the little fact that she’s been nominated and won all three “Golden” awards – the Golden Rooster, Golden Horse and Golden Screen Awards … it’s hard NOT to have any expectations at all given Zhou Dongyu’s reputation.
Nonetheless, viewers who caught the premiere criticised the dubbing to be really bad, saying that if you weren’t any wiser, you’d have gotten the impression that this was a low budget production. Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai’s acting also got the thumbs down from Netizens. Xu Kai was criticised for having a limited range in his expressions whilst Zhou Dongyu who many said shone playing more “emotional” characters in her movies was quite awkward here hence not really suitable to play her goddess/ fairy-like role as Shang Gu in the drama said Netizens.
Now if you do have Ancient Love Poetry queued up in your “To be Watched” list, these are just initial viewer impressions so do take it with a grain of salt since it’s hard (not to mention unfair) to judge something from just a few episodes. Likewise don’t let the lacklustre reviews and criticism deter you from checking it out since preference is subjective anyways.
Source: 1
PkY
This is so unfair to them. I agree that the first 2 episodes are lackluster but once you get to ep 3, the story really picks up. IMO, this drama just has a lot of story to tell, so it needs to explain the setup first. Also, the acting of the 2 leads is absolutely fine. Not sure why everyday people who aren’t professional actors think they can critique trained actors. Lol.
Elaine Chong
Agree …I am enjoying the first episode and a great change to see Zhou Dongyu in a much lighter mood…she is so versatile at her age as an actress. Am going to continue to watch the shoe for sure.
Anon
Why is it unfair? When a drama does great, everyone just heaps their praises on the actors. Hardly anyone remembers that it takes a huge team to make a good production. So if a drama is not so attractive, it is natural that the lead cast takes the attention as well. That’s why lead actors are paid so much better than other actors or anyone else in the production crew. People often forget that a good director can even make a stone looks interesting.
As for people commenting, then the reverse holds true as well. How could these same people say that it was absolutely brilliant acting when they don’t have an idea what is good acting?
Love
Yes your right. They are just all talks I can really guess that they don’t even know how to act for them to easily critique trained actors that’s just so funny.
kunichan
The drama is amazing so far and the more episodes released they just got better and better. Those so-called cnetz are just haters army who were ready to attack even before thr broadcast.
_XingYue_
I don’t see a problem with their acting, enjoying it so far!
Camari Rusaqoli
I agree.y cant people just leave this drama alone there are so many dramas which are airing n we dont even know how the hell they got those roles..I’m just enjoying every bits of the show..plus I’ll support n always show love for Zhou Dongyu..poor gal has always been called ugly n again in this drama..damn cnetzn
Anon
I have watched the first few episodes and already debating to drop it. My main beef is with Zhou DY’s acting. She is absolutely awkward trying to act cutesy, innocent and young. Her range of acting and her appearance just don’t jive with it. Her acting in Sparrow was uuggghh as well. She might be better suited for films which are short and concise.
XK is fine – his usual self, so nothing unexpected for me. (I really think this young man should strike out into more challenging and complex roles. He seems to be type-casted already.)
I have an issue with the script as well – seems to be turning out to be the type with plenty of logic holes. But I’m not sure I would be staying on to confirm this or not. Nothing has struck me as “amazing” yet, from the costumes to the camera-work to the set.
Yooi
Aiyooo.. just want to start watching it… but the comments and reviews… hmm.. one episode or two wont hurt. I’ll give it a try tho.
Amethyst Ferrer
Sorry to the fans of these 2 Lead Stars…as soon as this drama premiered we excitedly watched it while we are waiting for our fave Stars drama release. We are not actually into the Male Lead star. We found him to have no flexible facial acting. We observed him to be always like this. Going back to this drama it seems to have No First Impression storyline impact. Producers, Directors and Writers should have known the ATTRACTION PULL of a drama is on the 1-3 episodes. Once you lose viewers interests and excitement then its gone..
Joni
I don’t have any problem with Xu Kai. He’s acting as per expectation, nothing outstanding or brilliant. In fact, he has been in so many of this type of drama that it feels practically like a staple fare for him. But in his defence, his character does call for this stone face, cold hearted, extremely intelligent guy. And that brings me to the script …. ok, let’s not go there.
But I have a big problem with Zhou Dong Yu. I thought she was brilliant in Better Days and this is like a step down to amateur acting. And to make it worse, we don’t even have a visual feast to fall back on cos she just isn’t a traditional beauty, nor have an interesting face. Not even when dressed up like a princess .
Asiankid
Watching all ep released so far it’s good. Haters just gonna hate.
Zdy may not be most prettiest but she is playing different role and is doing well. Zk playing similiar role as in legends and while his character is suppose to have barely any emotions not sure how he is being criticized for not having range in acting when his character is called ice cube. So he’s doing well in that aspect
All side characters etc costumes cgi r well done. Feels like another big hit like love and redemption.
Don’t wanna be haters but look at what happened to duolou continent. Having Xiao zhan in there n it was a total let down compared to average Xian xia series.
unicorn
Haha , you have to bring up XZ. Many people cannot be objective about a drama that their fave idol is in. Or the performance of their idol. Idols are there to attract audiences, first and foremost. Nothing to do with the quality of their performances or the drama. Most of the top commercially valuable actors are quite average in the acting department. Some are even famous for being poor actors , eg. yang mi, dilraba, abb
Pooh
I wish you wouldn’t try to drag other actors into this in an attempt to cover someone else’s flaws. Zhou Dongyu has been marketed big time as a great actress, what? now that her performance is being criticized the best excuse you can come up with is that she is can poorly perform bcoz the standards for idol dramas are low?
unicorn
Oh, it is a general fact. No disguising it. Idol dramas are idol dramas. It doesn’t pretend to be otherwise. Did I even comment anything on Zhou Dongyu’s acting? Why are you so jumpy?
May
You tell others not to bring in Xiao Zhan but you are doing the same bringing up other actors? Furthermore Yangmi + Dilireba are considered decent actresses. Obviously not the best but definitely not poor. Angelababy has received criticism for her acting but opinion of her as an actress has greatly changed after her role in A Murderous Affair In Horizon Tower. She got praised for her improved acting. So stop spreading the wrong info just because they aren’t your fave.
unicorn
No, I didn’t tell others not to bring in XZ. I was just amused that XZ was brought up as an example.
And I was commenting on the idol market, not on this drama in particular. I was just illustrating that popularity and commercial value do not equate good acting capability. Those 3 examples I mentioned were famous for their poor acting. But they are all top ranked commercially. Despite their poor acting skills, all of them are well sought after to helm dramas and many are commercial successes.
Maybe now they have much improved after so long in the industry. I even saw that Dili’s performance in The Long Ballad was pretty decent, better than her previous dramas. It is an actor’s job to always improve themselves. So would be great, if Dili and ABB can continue their improvement, and shed their old reputation completely. Yang Mi – not yet. Still the same stiff acting in her latest detective drama, Storm Eye.
No rumors were spread. All well-known facts in the industry. These 3 are only examples. There are others too. I don’t fan or fave anyone. It’s just good acting, good plot, good script, good drama or not. Bad acting is bad acting, can’t disguise it with a famous name or a pretty / handsome face. Really good acting can even overcome a poor script. But a good script cannot cover bad acting.
Everyone, including famous, well established actors have bad days or poor projects or pick roles that are not suitable for them once in a while. But of course, their fans don’t like to hear such comments, that’s why I said many fans cannot be objective about the dramas their idols appear in.
On the flip side, many really excellent actors go unrecognized and unappreciated cos they are not in the idol market.
Pooh
Speak for yourself, you are probably one of the ones that like fluffy actors like Zhao Lusi and Yang Zi, so it won’t be surprising if you are confusing stiff faced acting with not acting like an idiot. Storm eye was a new role for Yang Mi and she played accordingly
HL
Please dont put Yang Zi in the same league as Zhao Lusi. Many grew up watch Yang Zi in many projects. And she nail serious roles too… She is not a fluffy actress at all. She has lots of talents and skills. Goodness, dont judge her based on her recent projects as she have been around 20yrs… Just as you have mentioned :I wish you wouldn’t try to drag other actors into this in an attempt to cover someone else’s flaws.”
Baobao
Sigh go on then keep looking down on Lusi. She’ll prove her worth someday especially when her series with Yang Yang come out. I’ll just assume many here don’t watch a non fluffy Lusi in The Long Ballad. Nice act though stepping on young actresses with a few years experience to make certain established actress lookimg good.
Pooh
Sorry for putting it wrong, I’m not talking about their acting in general, when they played serious roles they did well, when they played fluffy roles I couldn’t stand it, personally it looks silly. I shouldn’t have used the term fluffy actors but fluffy acting.
Cheery
Bitches better leave Dilraba and Yang My out of their mouth negatively or else
Helen
Well if you are not aware of their recent performances its better not to make sweeping statements like “famous for their poor acting skills.”
You don’t represent the entire China and you can easily mislead others + anger their fans.
YM + DLRB are considered decent actresses by the general public of China. I hope you know the difference between decent and poor. YZ who I suspect is your fave BTW belongs to the same category.
AB was considered poor but cnetz have all seen her IMPROVEMENT in Horizon Tower and she’s no longer in that poor category either.
And you could have simply stated how you think commercially successful actresses do not equate good acting skills without dragging names of other actresses. Besides this article isn’t about these luliang actresses. It’s about Zhou Dongyu.
Baobao
I think its not that Dongyu is a bad actress but more like sweet romance isn’t Dongyu’s forte. Maybe she’ll fare better later when there are heavier melodrama. She’s awesome in Better Days. Melodramatic movies characters suits her better. However I don’t know if it is bias but Dongyu and Lusi play the same character in movie This is not what I Expected and drama Dating in The Kitchen respectively, but I think Lusi’s performance is more alive. With the same large age gap despite Dongyu pairing with the legendary handsome man Takeshi Kaneshiro I feel Lusi generates better sparks with the unknown and not handsome LYS. Lusi is natural in romancing her costars. But maybe I just have Lusi bias I think she’s good in all her dramas and is a romcom queen. Sorry for bringing this comparison but I just to show my opinion that Dongyu maybe just chosen the wrong character.
Camari Rusaqoli
Dongyu was given this role to play by her previous agency and she had no choice but to accept this role..she even had her writers change few of her lines accordingly…I’m glad she did it atleast now she knows in future what type of roles to do n not do..I still love her as shanggu or houchi…#saveancientlovepoetry
HL
Zhou Dongyu is a good actress and with the correct roles, she shines. Unfortunately, she is not great with all roles…I am sure as her charcter mature, we will see her more relaxed and fit into the role better…
As for Xu Kai, he has a limited range of acting ability… he will only do well if he has a good co-star that can lead him into his role. He can be awakward to watch if he is not well matched.
Yi Zheng who manages him would love to get him casted with Yang Zi..He have mentioned that numerals times.
Pooh
It felt the same way with Nini’s performance in Love and Destiny though many will not agree.
Yooi
I’ve watched 5 episodes and stopped. Boring to the max. I have no problem with the actors, but the story line wasn’t my cup of tea.
Camari Rusaqoli
I suggest you keep going n you’ll love it ..watched till ep 18 right now n I cant wait to see the turn out in their second life…support n love Zhou Dongyu..y….coz she didnt do anything to deserve this much hate from people…thank you for understanding as I’m a fan of her work…
Anon
Let’s be real, the primary reason why people think it’s bad is because Zhou Dongyu is unattractive. Xianxia dramas generally cast beautiful leads. If they just let the drama speak for itself it wouldn’t be this bad, but they were buying up the search rankings and the moment people clicked in to check out the drama they faced ZDY who is by all accounts not a fit for the character.
I think she’s better suited for movies/dramas that are more slice-of-life. In her previous drama Sparrow she was heavily criticised for her acting as well.
Helen
She’s NOT unattractive. There is commercial beauty and then there is high fashion beauty. She belongs in the high fashion category.
Reasons why netizens don’t like her “acting”
The dubbing – not her voice but a popular VA who doesn’t suit her
Her character – dumb downed compared to the manhua for romance purposes
Early arc/script – FL characters in xianxia dramas usually have massive character growth so there’s no need to judge so harshly from the start.
Unusual – people find it unusual to see her in this type of role
Her acting is fine and it’s unfair to judge her performance to her movies which have better scripts, characters, directors and where she’s done self dubbing.
Seriously
How do you explain Yang Zi? Girl is crossed eyed and homely and plain as the day is long.
moonflower
I think there would have been better reception had the styling team styled Dong Yu better. The drama follows the same popular xianxia formula, but the styling team is lazy with Xu Kai and Dong Yu.
Baobao
You know what ALP gets better as more episodes aired and Dongyu and Xu Kai actings are good enough although the CP chemistry could be better. Why are those Chinese netz too nitpicking on this production? Huang Jinyu acting is bad to my eyes in the other airing drama My Dear Guardian why are these netz not criticizing him? Because Jinyu has good physiques and keep getting topless? Similarly Li Qin isn’t doing well either. I feel sorry for the cast and crew of ALP but good thing they are topping the charts by viewership.
ediburr
When I watched the first few episodes of this drama I was like okay, okay lets go on and then after finishing 18 epsiodes I could’nt wait to watch more episodes; I feel like every day passing waiting for the upcoming episodes are torture for me. This drama is really great if only those haters and critics gave a little more time and try, but anyway thats their views and opinions and I reapect that. I just wanted to say;specially to the people who’s thinking to watch it, Go on and watch…I guarantee you will love it…
Cheery
Bitches better leave Dilraba and Yang My out of their mouth negatively or else
Camari Rusaqoli
So disappointing to see they dissing their very own brilliant actors i thought they played it well according to the novel as we go deeper the acting gets deeper n you actually feel it just by them looking at each other..chance needs to given to them n it’s a shame they bringing up the fact that she has banked 3 major awards .so what .its her first bloody costume drama ..people have to love this drama ..jipezzz you cant have everyone happy in this world
Dayanab
I am enjoying the drama.
We can’t compare people.
love
Although Ancient Love Poetry is being criticized for being a bad drama but we can’t change the fact that it’s really a good one. For those people who are just talking nonsense I challenge you to have your own drama and let see if all of you are better than the Ancient Love Poetry. I can really foresee that all of are just all talks so just shut up. *Sigh* people who are just bored in their life spreading nonsense.
Suilan
I’m loving it ❤