The craze set off by Qiong Yaofeng
In the mid-80s of the 20th century, Qiong Yao's classic works were put on the screen, setting off a wave of "Qiong Yao style", which was an important turning point in the history of Chinese TV dramas.
Dramas such as "Smoke and Rain", "Embroidered Shoes", "Gegu Flower Branding" and other dramas were broadcast on CCTV, and Qiong Yao's delicate and lyrical brushstrokes touched the hearts of countless audiences. The characters she creates are vivid, and the grievances of the wealthy families she depicts are desirable.
For a time, both the heroine in the play and the actors who played them became household names. Qiong Yao's works have dominated the TV drama market for many years, and the love stories she writes and the actors she chooses have become the collective memories of several generations.
It was in that era that the familiar term "Qiong Yao drama" was born and circulated in the Chinese TV circle.
The legendary journey of the same costume
In Qiong Yao's dramas, it is common to see the same costume repeatedly appearing in different episodes, and they are like a link between the past and the present, carrying the memory of an era.
One of the most famous is the pale yellow and pink palace dress. This dress first appeared in the hit "Xueke" in 1986, and was worn by Liu Xuehua, who was only 31 years old, showing a demure and dignified beauty.
A few years later, 18-year-old Chen Derong wore it in "Plum Blossom Branding", which was lively and cute, full of the fragrance of youth. Later, this familiar dress was passed on to the actors of "Huanzhu Gege".
A costume spans several classic plays, worn by different actors, and interprets very different styles. It witnesses the cycle of time, like a silent book, recording the stories and memories of that era.
Perhaps it is with this inheritance that the audience can reunite with those classic characters in the time outside the set.
Chen Derong's beauty is moving
Speaking of the proud daughter of Qiong Yao's drama, I have to mention Chen Derong. In 1986, when she was only 18 years old, she played the role of Bai Yinshuang in "Plum Blossom Branding", which was also her screen debut.
Originally, Qiong Yao wanted to wait for her to grow up before starting filming, but the moment she saw Chen Derong, Qiong Yao decided to tailor this role for her three years in advance. Sure enough, Chen Derong used his youthful vitality to interpret this soft and moving image like white moonlight, and succeeded in one fell swoop.
In the play, her big watery eyes are full of sorrow, and her pursed mouth is coquettish, and the audience is simply fascinated. All kinds of costumes are the finishing touches on her, bringing the possibilities of beauty to the extreme.
That year, Chen Derong seemed to have entered her "peak period of appearance", no matter what clothes she wore on her, she was dazzling. Later, in "Water and Clouds", she reproduced this classic character with a new look, and successfully polished the role of Bai Yinshuang.
No matter how many years have passed, the moment when Chen Derong freezes with youth and beauty is deeply imprinted in the hearts of the audience.
Ruby Lin's youth is beautiful
If Chen Derong is a representative of enthusiasm and unrestrainedness, then Ruby Lin is the embodiment of youth and vitality. In 1995, Ruby Lin played the role of crape myrtle in her first TV series performance, perfectly interpreting the image of a cute and cheerful little fairy.
In the play, she has fair skin, bright eyes, lips as delicate as rose petals, and the whole person exudes a crystal clear light. Even if it is the same costume as her predecessors, Ruby Lin can also interpret different styles with her youthful attitude.
Her light dancing posture is like an ethereal butterfly, even when she is embarrassed in the rain, it is difficult to hide the brightness of her eyes. The producers of the year thought she was "not beautiful enough", but as soon as the show was broadcast, Ruby Lin's fresh image of a fairy girl deeply conquered the audience, and countless fans screamed for her.
Ruby Lin interpreted this role with her youthful beauty, and vividly presented the classic character of crape myrtle in front of the audience. Many years later, recalling all the things in her play, it will still make people shine and linger.
Zhu Yin's challenge and transformation
In the development of Qiong Yao drama, Zhu Yin is a very special existence. She was originally a goddess-level figure in Hong Kong movies in the 80s, and she has a smile that fascinates countless audiences.
But when she starred in the mainland drama "Tears in the Sky" in 1994, she encountered an unprecedented predicament. In this drama, Zhu Yin and the popular little flower Jiang Qinqin bumped into the same wedding dress, which should have been an excellent opportunity, but Zhu Yin fell behind in the comparison with Jiang Qinqin, and her appearance and popularity were not as good as their opponents.
This is a heavy blow to Zhu Yin, and she has to face up to her various shortcomings in the development of the mainland film and television industry. But Zhu Yin was not discouraged, but adjusted her mentality and reconnected with the mainland audience.
On the road of development in the future, she chose self-transformation and breakthrough, and finally gained her own place in the mainland TV circle. This arduous journey through the trough has become a valuable experience for Zhu Yin's successful transformation from a movie star, and it has also allowed her to reach a higher level in art.
Who is the most beautiful in the minds of the audience
Every audience of Qiong Yao drama has their favorite "Qiong girl" in their hearts. For some audiences, Chen Derong's warm and unrestrained beauty is the most heartfelt, and her performance in "Plum Blossom Branding" is naturally beautiful and full of tension.
There are also people who prefer Zhu Yinyang's smile, and the various roles she plays are impressive. Of course, the youthful and energetic Ruby Lin has also won the popularity of countless fans, and her fairy appearance will always stay in that best era.
Each has its own merits, and the intricate aesthetics and emotions make each audience's choice unique. But if consensus must be chosen, most people may favor Ruby Lin, Chen Derong and Zhu Yin.
They represent the beauty of youth, enthusiasm and sunshine respectively, and together they weave into the collective memory of a generation, which is the most moving landscape of that era. No matter how time changes, their beautiful youthful light will always be fixed on the screen and become an eternal reflection in the hearts of a generation.
The significance of Qiong Yao's drama influences
As a classic Chinese TV series in the 80s and 90s, Qiong Yao drama continues to influence the values and aesthetic feelings of a generation to this day. Those joys and sorrows of marriage stories, and those beautiful and moving "Joan girls" have become the collective memories of many audiences.
Qiong Yao uses her own unique brushstrokes to portray a wealth of human nature, and her careful portrayal of the characters and the careful selection of actors make the audience see the collision and fusion of different beauties.
She integrates easy-to-understand emotional stories into the atmosphere of costume epics, so that the audience can feel inspired while entertaining. Even though some of the costumes and props in the play are used repeatedly, they also become a link between the past and the present, carrying the memory traces of that era.
It can be said that it is the understanding of human nature and the pursuit of art in Qiong Yao's works that have achieved the immortal vitality and appeal of these classic dramas.
They have inspired generations of viewers and driven the development of Chinese TV dramas. This is the precious spiritual wealth that Qiong Yao left behind to this era.