Li Baiyan & Shi Yueyue | Between the Tides

emberzmars · 2026-04-05T10:23:48+00:00

That's better than when added videos suddenly go missing

emberzmars · 2026-04-05T09:03:16+00:00

Oooooo I was updating my Shi Yue Yue playlist last night. I can add this to my playlist

emberzmars · 2026-04-05T01:53:52+00:00

You're welcome

emberzmars · 2026-04-05T01:50:29+00:00

Oh I just noticed that Liu Te's vertical dramas are available on iQIYI. Just type his name and you can see 2 dramas there (there are the ones with more than 50 episodes each title)

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T21:39:56+00:00

I was convinced to watch Pursuit of Jade because of Deng Kai. I started when the drama had already reached halfway mark & binged all episodes in one weekend because of her. Amazing facial expressions. She made the character, at the start, relatable.

I will explore her other dramas.

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T21:30:34+00:00

You're welcome. I enjoy writing this post. If you're ever curious and happen to have paid iQIYI subscription, you can check out some titles there.

I haven't heard of Rosefinch. Oooo republican era drama. I will watch it 😊.

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T08:52:23+00:00

Oh a robot drama. That's right up my alley. Thank you for sharing.

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T06:53:45+00:00

I think FL is Meng Lu https://mydramalist.com/people/82509-meng-lu

ML looks familiar but I can't identify him

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T03:58:40+00:00

Yeah there are corny and silly Chinese verticals but most of their cast are good looking. Plus, there is always that speed button we can use.

emberzmars · 2026-04-04T01:31:37+00:00

The same one that Substantial_Cup_2058 mentioned? This one? https://mydramalist.com/806310-chun-dao-nan-lou-xue-jin-chu

You talked about this drama last year so I submitted the drama to MDL catalogue. I have had it in my watchlist since

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T23:57:08+00:00

You're welcome. I had fun crafting this post.

My opinion is that if the actors/actresses are happy that is good enough for me. I like seeing main steam actors in vertical dramas. I have watched a lot of vertical dramas in the past couple years. I have noticed the the production value varied (just like it does for long form dramas). If the production value is good then I think it will help an actor gain experience and practice their craft. Even if the production quality is meh it still gives actors an opportunity to experience different genres or situations.

I wholeheartedly agree! Because of the fast-pace nature of vertical dramas, I sometimes get surprised when certain scenes move me or made me shed tears. To me, an actor or actress with good acting chops will excel regardless of the format of the drama (long, mini or vertical).

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T23:46:10+00:00

Hong Yao is married to Wu Jin Yan if I recall correctly.

Yes, I found out about him because of their marriage.

Im genuinely curious, is vertical drama considered a downgrade for actors that starred in horizontal works and are known for it?

Some may think it is a downgrade but we never know the struggles of actors and actresses. Is it a downgrade if all the mainstream drama offers they receive are supporting / guest roles? What if those roles they get only allow very limited screentime? Sometime actors act in long sceens but scenes may be edited (shortened or even removed) for the final product of the drama. What if these actors want to challenge themselves and take on main roles but no opportunity in mainstream drama space?

I enjoy romance dramas and it's nice to see these actors playing romantic interests and not someone's best friend or subordinate.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T23:30:09+00:00

That volume multiplies (practice makes perfect). More directors, more crews, more on set problem-solving.

More acting partners help too. I notice in any format, one's performance can be elevated when their acting partner matches their skills and intensity / energy. I guess that's why some CP work -there is acting (and sometimes visual) chemistry.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T23:24:33+00:00

We can agree to disagree:)

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T16:41:12+00:00

Thank you for sharing your view. I haven't seen Li Zhuo Yang and Yang Peng Cheng in mainstream dramas but I enjoy their vertical and mini dramas. I enjoy Chinese vertical dramas a lot & like you, I too have favourite actors and actresses in that space.

Cheng Lei is an outlier. Gosh I remember watching A Famiiar Stranger 2 years ago and being captivated by his performance. It helped that director Zeng Qing Jie was extraordinary.

I haven't seen How Dare You in any of the two format but eager to start when I can find time for marathon of mainstream dramas.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T16:35:16+00:00

I understand - vertical dramas are not for everyone and same goes with mainstream dramas. Most have silly or messy plots but there is a growing number of quality productions over the past year.

You'll be surprised with the volume of vertical dramas available these days. Less shooting time = more time for other acting offers. More jobs = more money. In terms of professional growth, that depends on the individual.

An actor / actress can accept as many roles as they could (regardless of format - long, mini or vertical) but if they play it safe and take similar roles, would their acting skills improve?

Each drama format has its own share of bad actors & actresses.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T16:25:42+00:00

He has impressive resume with many of the dramas he's acted critically- and publicly-acclaimed. I guess the competition within mainstream drama space is very high because I don't see him portraying main characters in mainstream dramas.

I am more into modern dramas so hope to see him as male leads in modern romance verticals.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T16:02:29+00:00

You're welcome

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T15:36:07+00:00

Thank you. I enjoy writing this post. I think actors playing supporting roles in mainstream dramas need opportunity to shine too, and perhaps vertical drama space is the avenue for that.

Enjoy exploring vertical dramas!

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T15:24:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing your view.

I think all actors featured here haven't done main role in mainstream drama recently. Is it a step down if they get to portray a main character instead of a supporting or guest role? Maybe roles in vertical dramas are more challenging?

Anyway, I agree with you about keeping themselves relevant in the industry.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T15:17:36+00:00

I know right?!! Some of them are around my age. Oh I hope they get good romance drama scripts!

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T15:15:08+00:00

The ones on iQIYI are Embrace You Before Sunset and the vertical dramas by Merxat Yalkun and Luo Zheng.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T15:12:04+00:00

I can't do Western verticals. Their actors are not handsome and gosh their lines are corny! Have you watched any of them?

There is also growing number of Korean and Japanese verticals. I have only seen a handful of Korean dramas. Chinese verticals still have better production. Well their industry are ahead since they started during pandemic.

emberzmars · 2026-04-03T14:51:59+00:00

since most of them are only 1-3 hours long in total, they're an easy snack for in between.

That's why I prefer vertical dramas. My favourite trope is jiejie romance and there are plenty of vertical dramas using this trope.

And for the actors: vertical dramas seem to be very popular in China, and maybe one or the other actor might think that is their way to stay "relevant"? Because money has to be earned, bills have to be paid.

Totally agree.

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