Where Colors Dream (画梦录) is a Republican-era suspense drama starring Dai Luwa and Tang Shiyi as dual female leads. Dai Luwa plays Xu Yanzhen, a down-and-out painter with exceptional skills in art forgery. Though she appears gentle on the outside, she is actually meticulous and calculating, using her brush as a weapon in her pursuit of freedom. Tang Shiyi plays Jiang Xinyu, a bank’s chief accountant. Her character has a commanding presence, declaring: “In this storm, I will be the one steering the ship.” Amid financial conspiracies and a fight over national treasure, the two join forces to orchestrate a con.
It also stars Taiwanese actor Charles Lin as the mysterious Diao Liangsheng; Yumiko Cheng as businesswoman She Biyun; and Lyu Xingchen as the antagonist Meilan.
Where Colors Dream has faced controversy from the start, from casting to its Chinese title accused of copying A Dream of Splendor’s Meng Hua Lu. Some fans of Dai Luwa were against her taking on the role as the show is giving GL (Girl’s Love) vibes even if it’s not explicit. Nevertheless, Dai Luwa has showcased her acting in breakout supporting roles, showing she can handle more complex material, while Tang Shiyi, a renowned dancer from the Chinese National Opera, crosses over into C-drama to help tell a female-centered story.
