So The Legendary Life of Queen Lau 我叫刘金凤 starring (Jackie Li) La Mu Yang Zi and Li Hongyi seems to have gotten booted off air in China. Previously, there have been complaints that the costumes and certain elements featured on the show were culturally inauthentic. If you search for the title now on Youku, the drama is nowhere to be seen on the website.
Giving Importance to Authenticity
Last week, the NRTA put out new guidelines emphasising the need for costumed dramas to “stay true” to the traditional Chinese aesthetic and the style prevalent during the historical period involved. For dramas, that means paying even closer attention to the details. Imitating “foreign styles” is now also a big no-no.
In the case of Queen Lau, critics pointed out that some of the elements in the show appeared to be “Japanese”. For one, Netizens said the outfits worn by lead actress Jackie Li, who plays the titular character Liu Jin Feng, look like kimonos. They also pointed out the scene of her eating sushi. Others such as the headdress Wang Dong was wearing and the cherry blossom pattern worn by the actors also raised a lot of eyebrows.
While it could be explained that Queen Lau is a comedy with a completely fictional setting, many believe that the plethora of books documenting more than 5000 years worth of Chinese history and culture should provide enough material for a Chinese drama to draw inspiration from.
The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Synopsis
Unlike most court dramas, Queen Lau is a refreshing change from the usual demure ladies we normally see. The heroine Liu Jin Feng, is a foul-mouthed woman who can hold her own in any fight. Everyone thought her marrying into the imperial family was one big joke. However, with her around, you can be sure that life in the usually staid court is anything but boring. Could the arranged marriage between the young emperor and his new wife turn out to be a match made in heaven after all?
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HL- Hoh Liu
I am glad I managed to download this drama before it got removed!!! I am very interested in this drama..
Reality
The only real offense this drama committed is putting an unappealing actress on screen, people can overlook many things being unattractive is not one of them.
Peace
The actress is fine;she might not be your super skinny actress but she’s beautiful, normal size. This’s about the hate of Chinese citizens toward Japanese. Anything that has a little bit of Japanese likeness, there will be issue. This’s not based on historical figures or period and i don’t understand why it needs to be accurate.
Anon
Nope, it’s not about the actress. She has appeared in many other dramas before and has gained quite a following. No issue with any of the others. She is now in the position of the FL.
The world does not revolve around female issues alone.
avarachika
I can overlook the actress being unappealing because her character makes up for it, but I definitely hated the makeup and wardrobe for this drama especially the FL when you see her like 90% of the screened time.
Tina
This drama is pretty funny, so it’s too bad it got pulled. At least it’s still on Viki for those who have access to it.
I didn’t notice anything wrong with the costumes, but I guess when I take a closer look and start nit picking, yes, the prints they use are reminiscent of kimonos. Still, it’s not something I really focus on when I watch dramas, so I agree with Peace’s assertation that it’s about the overall sentiment that China has towards Japan.
Hottie Chancellor
Obviously, whoever playing as chancellor is way too hot, lots of women swooning over him now the gov finds him threatful.
yanfei
strange how the Chinese have been strict with hanfu lately. The dramas of a few years ago had a lot of inaccurate outfits
unicorn
It is precisely because of the laxness before that caused a lot of complaints and which the government listened to and now requires more accurate portrayal.
Anon
I’m sure ZLY is behind this…. Like she is behind everything else!
Anonymous
Good theory! Her drama sucks more than this and didn’t get pull down. Besides the Story Xingfu is actually ridiculing the Chinese Gov being corrupted. Instead they’re mad at ancient people eating sushi.
I also wonder why ZLY was also allowed to wear Kimono for an advertisement, and nothing happen to her.
Jiffy
Don’t be silly. Ancient people did not eat sushi. That is a lie.
There were many corrupt people in the Chinese government, both in ancient and modern times. That is the truth.
That is the difference between what is pulled and what is not.
ZLY did not wear a kimono. Obviously your awareness of ancient Chinese styles is not even a hair breadth’s thick. The modern kimono style originated from an ancient Chinese style from the Qin/Han period. The Japanese have largely preserved the basic style with further developments of their own. But the influence can still be plainly seen. Even the current Japanese lady hairstyling was influenced from that period.
Whereas the Chinese, with the advent of different dynasties, new clothing styles were also evolved.
Anona
The amount of lies in your comment is sickening.
Chinese dishes do have seaweeds sheets! Besides, the anon above is only saying why the government is angry whether ancient people eat sushi or not when that’s only the past. Now, ZLY makes fun of the CURRENT system and that’s OK!
She wore 100% kimono, and the people in here wore Chinese clothes and you’re going all about how Chinese and Japanese clothes are the same and influenced from each other. Oh, so where’s that explanation when it comes to this drama? Unless it’s ZLY only she gets that excuse? Nice try for throwing yourself under the bus thinking you will earn pity.
Jiffy
I think you are the sickening one. Sickeningly ignorant. Seaweed sheets ? Wow, and where did seaweed sheets come from? Who first invented them? And no, ancient Chinese did not eat sushi roll. Sure, the development of the sushi ingredients might have been influenced by very ancient chinese cuisine recipe. But it was no way like the Japanese sushi roll .
I did not say Chinese and Japanese clothes are the same. I said the current kimono style was influenced from chinese hanfu styles of the Qin/Han period. Both have their own subsequent developmental paths. The Japanese developed into current style now known as kimono. As to whether the dressing in this drama is more like the modern kimono (which of course, was not in existence in ancient times), and which is now distinctly Japanese, or was it a Han period upper class style, I do not know as I have not watched it. I was only responding to the “ZLY wearing a kimono” comment. And which I said it was not even a kimono.
The original article did not even say it was the government who pulled it. I don’t know why people immediately jumped to that conclusion. It just said a lot of viewers complained. When ZLY wore that outfit, sure, a lot of viewers complained too. I really don’t see what one has to do with another. One is a multi-episode drama which incorporates hundreds of cultural elements. One was a single photoshoot for a magazine. In both cases, no actor/actress got into any trouble with the authorities. How different companies reacts to market noises is their own decision.
And yes, ancient cultures did influence one another as long there were trade or conquest contacts. The cultural influences and exchanges are still continuing today through globalization. Go and get a real education ok?
I am not a fan of ZLY. I have only watched one of her dramas. I only have a a real interest in good drama productions and in a good story, regardless of who the ML or FL are.
This last for those who has a one-track mind – ie. anyone who doesn’t agree with them on anything regarding ZLY must either be her die-hard fan or anti-fan.
Anon
Your master posed under the cherry blossom with sukura on her face, wearing modern kimono. Nothing happened to her, I wonder why?
Crazy
Yes, it’s interesting there are even people here protecting her LOL.
Anona
OH LOL, why are the ZLY fans trying to dig their own graves here. First, ZLY obviously knew about Kris Wu’s crimes but waited until the premiere of Hair Pin to drag down Yang Zi. Next, the person they AI to replace Kris Wu was none other than Kenny Lin. Kris Wu, Kenny Lin, and ZLY are all the close and dear ones to tycoon Wang Sicong.
Now that Kenny Lin is compensated for the use of his face, it’s going to air again but they don’t want that to happen in case Yang Zi get successful, the Japanese hat is suddenly in there too. When it wasn’t called out at all in the first place. Now they want to find more excuses, of course they pull down Queen Lau first, to show everyone that they’re not aiming at Yang Zi. Happy now ZLY fans, indeed you guys are behind it.
To the DA
Lol. Yang Zi will be popular without the Golden Hair pin. You think one drama is going to effect her, you really think if someone is going to bring her down it will be because of this drama? Which she has no control over? Stop being an idiot! If ZLY knew what KW is capable of, would she collaborate with him? You are sick in the mind, making up these accusation about her. LGX and ZLY are friends if he is in fact replacing KW, why would she sabotage his up and coming drama. Wouldn’t she let him be in the drama, since he is going the leading man in her first producing drama? The more publicity the better for leading man? Isn’t Yang Mi KW friend? Did he sat with her in an award show? Wasn’t he invited to star in her drama before his scandal broke out? Stop being stupid!
You dig your your master grave when you try to accuse other people, when It is fact that your master, wore a kimono and represent Japanese inspire clothing. But so what that’s fashion! It’s peopel like you who are Karen’s of the internet and has to bring up the small details.
Wooo soo and so did this. How come they didn’t get in trouble. Always crying over split milk! What are you trying to achieve here? Your must had sour milk to grow up to be such a sour puss! You going to know be known as DA on the internet!
Jewel
I was trying to watch the first episode but could not bare the female lead acting the way she does. The antics are not funny, and her facial expressions are exaggerated and comic-bookish. This from someone who likes the actress in her other performances, thinking she’s cool, classy even. This drama is like a lecture to female audience that chubby and loudmouth girls are beautiful because they too can play “sweet, foolish, and cute” bubbly airheads. So there’s only one type of role for females, to be “sweet, foolish, and cute”? You know, a lot of shoujo manga really does brainwash generations of Asian women to think those lines. LMYZ’s personality is far stronger than the typecast she is playing, that’s for sure. If the drama’s not that good to begin with, who cares it’s authenthically japanese or chinese – it’s still a lemon!
Meimei
Another level of pettiness or racism? or maybe both? This is almost too embarrassing to another level.
Mide
I can’t believe the drama got removed, it really didn’t go down well with me, but there’s nothing I can do..I really enjoyed episodes 1-27 that I have seen so far….it’s funny and intriguing. Please is there any other drama featuring Jackie Li?
Dominique
But I thought they took pride in claiming they own everything because all the asian cultures were influenced by China. Like how they said hanbok is theirs, kimchi is theirs.