Spring of the Blade (一瓯春), starring Xu Kai and Zhou Ye, is currently streaming on both iQIYI and Youku. While it has yet to show signs of becoming a hit, what with Against the Current, also in the same genre, already soaring high even before it aired, early feedback has been sharply divided.
Spring of the Blade Impressions
The Song Dynasty-inspired aesthetic from detailed costumes and styling drew praise, but the plot, not so much, with some viewers questioning the pacing being too slow, the logic, and motivations behind certain characters’ actions. Then again, even lead actor Xu Kai explained that some things are just foreshadowing that will eventually come together.
Given how historicals revolving around family drama and scheming can become hugely popular, it will also take more to stand out. For audiences looking for something different, Spring of the Blade does bring a distinctive visual style that feels theatrical. Xu Kai also uses his own voice for his character’s dialogue and he has received positive comments for bringing a badass role. Zhou Ye’s portrayal of Xie Qingyuan, a calculating heroine, has attracted attention for her ability to shift between seemingly sweet expressions and darker emotions. For both stars who have been criticized in the past, it’s an improvement, but it’s now been overshadowed by a viral clip from episode 10.
That Crying Scene
In Spring of Blade, Xie Qingyuan is the heroine who goes back to the Xie family to seek revenge for her late mother. After a scene with her father, she returns to her room and breaks down in front of her trusted maid, saying “I’m in so much pain.” It’s a close up of Zhou Ye rapidly breathing, her lips tightly pressed as she cries out. It’s led to criticisms that she didn’t even have tears and didn’t act well, with comments describing her expressions as somewhere between smiling and crying, as though she might laugh at any moment. Meanwhile, supporters explain that context matters here as her character is forced to restrain tears, pretending to maintain a harmonious relationship in the household until she exacts revenge.
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Wendy
I haven’t seen the scene but people naturely cry in all different ways don’t they? There’s losing strength and sobbing retchidly, sometimes just a tear or two in a restrained held-back cry, sometimes no tears at all – just emptying eyes, silence and sadness. Crying is very much like laughter; a range of extremes and everything in between.
I suppose the scene and the criticism hinges on whether the protrayal feels accurate for the character and the character’s circumstances.
Fake crying is very much how others perceive versus what the person is feeling. The director must have felt the performance was suitable for the scene. Maybe audiences are too used to ‘pretty’ crying?
This kind of reminds me of the Keep Running episode where all the contestants had to cry within a minute to succeed in the trial. Everyone cried in different ways and had a range of sincerity and skill level. The final performer was fantastic and so believable. Great episode by the way. But at the end of the trial you could see how exhausted it made all the Keep Running players. The scenario was the same for each contestant yet they ranged so greatly in how they portrayed the crying and pain level – so fascinating.
Lisa
She was still pretty crying. I agree with you that everyone cries differently. It just looked really contrived and unnatural in my opinion. I think she’s always struggled with the high emotional impact scenes. Directors accept less than ideal acting all the time with idol productions. She’s great when she’s delivering vengeful though.
HL
Cryng aside…Zhou Ye is one actress I find tiring to watch on screen. I have not enjoyed her dramas…I can see her trying to act very sincerely. But it is just not natural.
She is fortunate to have so many sponsor supporting her, she get such good roles.