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atla-genderbender · 2 months

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ATLA Gender Bender: Firelord Ozai

"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher."

The principle behind this AU is to swap the genders of the main cast (Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko) and other characters where it enhances the story. This means that most child characters, like Azula and Suki, are also swapped, but adults are swapped on a case by case basis. This is especially true for characters who had a formative influence on the main characters, like parents and other role models. If you swap a given character and their parent(al figure)s, this alters the character's personality more than swapping that character without swapping their parents. Sometimes this effect is subtle, and sometimes it is large. This is why I would avoid swapping the genders of a character's parents, unless it makes sense to do so.

In the case of Zuko's parents, I do not think it detracts from the story to swap their genders. I would even go so far to say that some things are enhanced by swapping both Ozai and Ursa. Female Ozai fits surprisingly well into the role of an "evil empress". "Urson" also works as a "papa bear" character. A female Ozai would contrast well with a female Zuko, serving as a "good queen" "evil queen" dichotomy. I also find it fascinating to think about what would change and what would stay the same if Ozai's gender was also swapped.

I picture female Ozai being no less evil or sadistic as normal Ozai. Unlike Ozai, she would have to maintain the image of a good mother to her children, and a good daughter to her father. This is especially interesting if she is the first female Fire Lord in a line of male Fire Lords. She would be a queen who has to strike the perfect balance of femininity and power in order to please her court. A woman who possesses bewitching beauty to conceal a wicked, sadistic soul. I think she would be very narcissistic and cruel, obsessed with being beautiful and powerful at once.

I attempted to convey this through her design, which could be tweaked in many respects. To explain the rationale behind her design, the Fire Lords of Avatar draw from East and Southeast Asian influences. Firelord Ozai's hairstyle is Chinese inspired (see: atlaculture.tumblr.com/post/65…), but his clothing is Burmese inspired (see: atlaculture.tumblr.com/post/63…). As such, I decided to base the hairstyles of female Fire Lords on East Asian hairstyles worn by female rulers.

It feels inevitable that female Ozai would be compared to Wu Zetian. I wanted to minimize these comparisons, and make it clear that female Ozai is not supposed to be a representation of Wu Zetian. Doing so would unfairly demonize a real historical figure. Still, I could not resist including a couple of elements inspired by Fan Bingbing as Wu Zetian in "The Empress of China" (see: dwvyw8kf1avne.cloudfront.net/s…). This is what inspired female Ozai's red makeup, and the stylized phoenix headdress that she wears. Other design elements are not inspired by Wu Zetian, but other portrayals of powerful queens and empresses in Chinese dramas. Namely, Empress Du Feihong in "The Glamorous Imperial Concubine". I hope that the final design is so stylized that it is clear that she is not supposed to represent a real historical figure. I attempted to simplify her headdress in a way that could be easy enough to animate while still making it clear that she is wearing a ridiculous amount of gold and rubies on her head. This is meant to contrast with female Zuko's design. Where female Zuko is humble, female Ozai is vain.

In the end, I am dissatisfied with the design I came up with, for reasons I will explain under "OUTFIT DESCRIPTIONS".

This design approach diverges from the design principles behind the one female Firelord shown in Avatar, that being Izumi. I took liberties with hairstyles, but did not change the masculine style of robes. I felt this would diverge too far from the pre-established rules of Avatar. Additionally, I think it creates an interesting contrast between a feminine hairstyle and masculine robes, especially if Ozai and "Zuka" are the first female Firelords in a long series of male Firelords.

The phoenix imagery actually makes more sense if Ozai was a woman, since the fenghuang is traditionally a feminine entity. I also think it would be cool if she was still named "Ozai", kind of like how "Ty Lee" is very feminine but has a masculine name. It would also imply that "Ozai" isn't the name she was born with, but a name she adopted for its meaning "large presence".

I picture Grey Griffin as the voice of female Ozai. Specifically, how she voices adult characters, like Ming Hua in LOK and the female Viltrumite from Invincible. I don't think that she should have the same voice as Azula, but Grey Griffin could give her a venomous and vicious voice that would fit her really well.

OUTFIT DESCRIPTIONS:

1: Firelord Costume

I am dissatisfied with the hairstyle I came up with for female Ozai's Firelord costume. I have written previously about my concerns that viewers would conflate her with the real life Wu Zetian. In order to minimize these comparisons, I tried to make elements of her hairstyle abstract instead of authentic to real life costumes. However, I do not think I was successful in achieving my goal. When I first started drawing female Ozai, I knew little about hanfu, and have since learned more about traditional Chinese costumes. The crown that I gave her is clearly inspired by fengguan, which is a distinctly Chinese element. Given Ozai's affinity for phoenixes, I can't not picture female Ozai wearing some sort of fengguan. The design I came up with is flawed, as it is something that "looks Chinese" without being authentic to Chinese costume design. This could come across as offensive. The best approach would be to fuse the Chinese element of the fengguan with other cultural influences, so that the result is something that is not specifically Chinese. I took some time to try to come up with a better design, but to be transparent I am approaching creative burn out with this project and was unable to come up with a better design. I guess this speaks to my limits as an artist.

With all of this said, these designs are best viewed as a first draft and not the final product. These are meant to give an impression of what her character would look like, and could use more sets of eyes to review and improve the design.

2: "Phoenix Queen" Costume

In the second costume, her cape is somewhat inspired by Maleficent's cape in "Sleeping Beauty". Maleficent's appearance also helped inspire female Ozai's widow's peak and facial structure. As I mentioned before, her costume is inspired by the real life apsara. She has dressed herself in the image of a goddess of fire.

3: "Phoenix Queen" Costume, after removing crown and cape

The third costume is supposed to be how female Ozai would appear at the start of her fight with "Aangi". I intended for her to have the same body type as the female Viltrumite "Thula" from "Invincible". I also think that female Ozai's voice would sound like Thula's. I picture her as a warrior queen who spends a lot of time training, giving her an athletic and muscular appearance. I think she would appear more physically intimidating if she has some muscle mass on her frame. This being said, there are a lot of different athletic body types. A less bulky but athletic body type could arguably fit her better.

4: Appearance after being defeated by "Aangi"

The fourth costume is supposed to be how female Ozai would appear at the end of her fight with "Aangi". Since she doesn't have a goattee, I think "Aangi" would grab her by the gold part of her top. I think it would be cool and dramatic if "Aangi" ripped this part of her costume off. In the heat of battle, female Ozai loses the gold parts of her costume, and a waterbending attack by "Aangi" washes off her makeup, exposing her as a false goddess.

Her finger nails and toenails are painted and sharpened, to resemble the talons of a phoenix.

Like what I’m doing? Consider leaving me a donation via Ko-Fi.

#ozai #avatar the last airbender #atla genderbender #genderbending #rule 63 #gender bender #genderswap #genderbend #my art #my headcanons

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hulijingemperor2 · 1 year

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Peacock empire 📍

Zixuan: *entering with soup*

Yanli: well it's about time! Did you make the soup?

Zixuan: no darling. The chefs did.

Yanli: ahhh. I see.

Zixuan: *nervous* you see what?

Yanli: you're a cocky emperor aren't you! First you impregnated me and now you can't even make soup for me?!

Zixuan: but I can't cook. *cries*

Yanli: then learn.

Zixuan: A-li. Please, have some soup.

Yanli: you have to feed me.

Zixuan: alright alright, darling. I'll feed you.

I'll take care of you too.

Yanli: if you don't, I'll be coming after those peacock feathers of yours.

I will pluck them one by one.

Zixuan: *scared* yes yes, my empress. But you don't need to.

Yanli: Zishie, where were you all day. I was lonely.

Zixuan: I had imperial work.

Yanli: really?

Zixuan: *joking* no, I went with the concubines.

Yanli: I dare you to have another concubine. I just dare you!

Zixuan: I was only joking, A-li. *feeds her* how does it taste, empress?

Yanli: *pouts like A-ling* it tastes good.

Zixuan: can you give me a smile?

Yanli: I would, but you're getting on my nerves.

Zixuan: fine darling. I'm sorry. How should I make it up to you?

Yanli: you're rich! Figure it out.

And it would be nice if you gave me a kiss and tell me you love me.

Zixuan: sure. *kisses* I love you, A-li.

How about I buy you a private island.

Yanli: *scoffs* I would like that very much. And I love you too.

Zixuan: *kisses again*

Yanli: *smiling*

Zixuan: and I'll get a mansion built there for you.

Yanli: that will be nice. *blush*

Zixuan: *rests his hand on her tunmy* how are you two going?

Yanli: I was nauseous. But not anymore.

Zixuan: is it because of the soup?

Yanli: maybe. Then I get nauseated when you stress me out.

Zixuan: how do I stress you out, A-li.

Yanli: you have some gull to ask that question.

Zixuan: but I apologized. And decided on buying you a mansion and a private beach!

Yanli: and what about the baby?

Zixuan: everything he or she asks for.

Yanli: good!

Now give them a name.

Zixuan: *smile* he's in the same generation as A-ling. So what about Ruming for a boy and Ruhua for a girl.

Yanli: awww that's beautiful.

I really want a girl.

Zixuan: me too. But I'm happy with any one.

Yanli: *smile*

Zixuan: A-li. You always make me happy

~~~

The private soiree ✨️ starts in the banquet hall.

Huaisang: Huangdi, I...I'm done cleaning the pantry. What else you want me to do.

Zixuan: you can be a waiter. But don't poison the food. *opens fan* I have an image to preserve.

And today is too auspicious for your schemes.

Huaisang: relax, cranky peacock. I won't poison the finger food.

Zixuan: what did you just call me?

Yanli: Xuanxuan. Don't be angry. As you said, it's an auspicious day.

Zixuan: ok....*sighs* anything for you.

Huaisang: *staring, lost* (what if I strangle Zixuan)

Zixuan: are you a part time piece of furniture?

Huaisang: get to work. I got it. *walks off*

Zixuan: how does Yaoyao put up with him.

Yanli: I find he's kinda cute. Heehee.

Zixuan: you call that cute?!

Yanli: also, I heard that A-cheng has a crush on him.

Zixuan: lol. Yaoyao told me the same thing. But what about Jiang cheng?

Yanli: he always suppresses his feelings. Also he says that he doesn't want to end up like A-Xian.

Zixuan: *laughing* oh my.

Announcer: entering, the Hulijing Huangdi and Wangzi along with Jinjing Official Mo!!

Yao and Rusong: *elegantly making their entrance*

Just to add a cute little detail, both A-Song and A-Yao had hand fans in their hands~ as usual.

Rusong is following the footsteps of his glamorous A-Die.

Zixuan's attendants: greetings Yao Huangdi, Rusong Wangzi..

Yao: nice to meet you. *smile*

Zixuan: Yaoyao. A-Yu!

*hugs both of them*

Yao: yess! We made it!

Mo xuanyu: Xuan gege, your place is so so beautiful as always!

Zixuan: thank you deary!!!

Rusong: uncle Zish,your empire is also beautiful. And your citizens are friendly.

Zixuan: aw *cups face* thank you Song'er. I'm happy that the future hulijing Huangdi has that to say about my empire.

Yao: cute right?

Zixuan: very!

Rusong: not to mention some young ladies trying to catch a glimpse of me.

Zixuan: *laughing* oh my!

Yanli: well little Dianxia is quite dashing.

Yao: agreed. I think it's the dimples.

Mo xuanyu: definitely.

Rusong: aunt Li, congrats!

Yanli: thank you! Song'er! My sweetheart.

Yao: congrats, sis-in-law.

Yanli: thanks A-Yao.

A-Yao, how are you. Have you been resting well?

Yao: yes. And my imperial work is going smoothly. Thanks for your concern.

Yanli: good. Zixuan said that you're a workaholic.

Yao: guilty, hehe.

Yanli: where's chief cultivator Su?

Yao: he was coming, but then he decided to keep xue yang company.

Yanli: ohh.

Mo xuanyu: you know team D sticks together. And if we leave xue yang unsupervised, he might burn something down or turn a village of people into fierce corpses. Or strangle Xichen.

I don't know..

Zixuan: oh dear.

Rusong: basically he's babysitting uncle muffin.

Yao: lol, Zish you're accustomed to team D being random.

Zixuan: yea. I feel like they're a perfect amount of random.

Yao: good you agree.

Yanli: and how are you, A-Yu.

Mo xuanyu: *hugs slighly* jiejie. I'm living the life. But I miss your soup.

Yanli: aww. I'll make it for you some time, and send it to Jingjing. Also I'll make a little extra for Ayao, Song'er and team Dimple.

Mo xuanyu: you shouldn't go through that trouble, as you're pregnant. I just said I missed your soup.

Yanli: ok ok baby Yuyu.

Zixuan: *smile* you three. Please have a seat. One of our waiters will come to make sure that it has food on your table.

Right Huaishang?

Huaisang: *rolls eyes* yes Huangdi.

Rusong: you?!! You're uncle Zish's waiter?!

Huaisang: yea Rusong.

Zixuan: *glares*

Huaisang: Rusong Wangzi.

I'm his attendant.

Rusong: good that you found something to keep you occupied. You keep causing trouble.

Huaisang; *sarcasm* thank you, Dianxia.

Zixuan: Zixun is still missing. I think I'll fire him at this point.

Yao: I know his whereabouts, Zish. But I'll tell you everything later.

Zixuan: what? Did he trouble you, A-Yao!!! Don't hesitate to tell me.

Yao: Zishie relax. It's fine. I'll tell you later.

Can you come over tomorrow?

Zixuan: sure, A-Yao. And tell me then.

Yanli: you two are so sweet! Keep preserving your bond.

Zixuan: of course.

Yao: yea sure.

Jinling: guys I'm back. I was taking care of business.

Oh hey Rusong.

Rusong: Ling gege hii!

Jinling: *hugs A-Yao and mo xuanyu* my two Xiao shushus!!

Yao: hi darling. *kisses him on his forehead*

Yanli: Ling'er, where were you? *smilie*

Jinling: first, I want to protest! A princess shouldn't be treated like this!

Mo xuanyu: ????

Yao: * giggle*

Zixuan: he's talking about fairy.

Jinling: yea, I had to tie her in the garden, because she would scare Wei Da jiu. The guy dealt with fierce corpses! How is he afraid of a cute little dog.

And fairy isn't a normal dog, right Xiao shushu.

Yao: right, haha.

Jinling: she's a spiritual dog! And a part of the family. She deserves better.

Yao: but A-Ling. It's good that you put other people's feelings into consideration. Good job.

Zixuan: yea good job, A-ling.

A-li, did I do a good job?

Yanli: mhm.

Jinling: I didn't want Wei da jiu to trample on the tables. They are expensive.

The wood that are used to make those tables are imported from Dongying!

Zixuan: well that's a fact. Would I ever own cheap things.

Jinling; anyways *grabs Rusong arm* I want Rusong to have snacks with me.

Ttyl Xiao shushu and A-Die.

Ruosng: lol I would love to!

~~~

Announcer: entering, Clan leader Jiang, the Yiling laozu and the honorable Hanguang Jun!

Wuxian: stop it! I'm not the Yiling laozu anymore! I retired to live with my husband. When would peacock change that.

Jiang cheng: behave!!

Wuxian: you can't tell me what to do!

Jiang cheng: but I can and will whip you.

Huaisang: *looking at Jiang cheng* (aaa. What kinda Cinderella story is this? I'm being slaved, day and night by a crazy emperor, and now my purple grape prince has arrived to sweep me off my feet. Awwww)

Jintang: uh, Huaisang.

Gosh he's daydreaming again.

Lan zhan: Wei ying is on his best behavior.

No need to whip him.

Jiang cheng: every time you open your mouth, I get more disgusted by you and your side piece.

Jinling: Jiujiu!!!!

Jiang cheng: hey kid.

Oh hi Rusong Dianxia. That means that lianfang Zun, I mean Huangdi. Is here.

Yao: guessed right!

Jiang cheng and wuxian: *racing towards Yanli* Jiejie!! Shijie!!

Wuxian: what did that horny peacock do to you.

Jiang cheng: we'll break his legs.

Yanli: *laughing* two, relax!

Jiang cheng: congrats!!

Here are some fresh fruits.

Yanli: thank you, A-cheng.

Wuxian: and here are some lotus seeds.

Yanli: awww thanks. You two are the best.

Jiang cheng: I'm so happy to be an uncle again!

Wuxian: yea same. But I'm a cooler uncle.

Jiang cheng: never.

Jiejie's child will be close to me like A-Ling.

Wuxian: no! He or she will be close to me! And lan zhan will teach teach them the Qin.

Jiang cheng: would I ever let my niece or nephew come around you two shameless people.

Yanli: A-cheng. A-xian. Stop fighting. *touches their faces* they will be close to both of you.

Zixuan: yea, don't start a fight. I have antique furniture.

Wuxian: were we even speaking to you?

Jiang cheng: how dare you.

Zixuan: ugh. *rolls eyes* you can't talk to me like that.

Wuxian: oh yes I can! My sister is the empress.

Jiang cheng: that's right!

Lan zhan: congratulations, Miss Jiang.

Yanli: thank you Hanguang Jun. *goes to bow in respect*

Lan zhan: don't. It's not good for the baby.

Yanli: aww.

~~~

Later on~~

Jiang cheng: *talking to Yanli*

You should take care of yourself ok, jiejie.

Yanli: sure. And I'll make a visit to lotus pier soon.

Jiang cheng: tell me when. I'll send a caravan.

Yanli: that's so thoughtful.

Wuxian: that's must, Shijie. And take care.

Yanli: sure.

Wuxian: lianfang zun!

I mean, Yao Huangdi.

Yao: *smile* Wei gongzi.

Wuxian: so you tied down a Lan, good job! I don't see him in the cloud recesses.

Yao: aha yes, he's a part of my harem now.

Wuxian: good. Here's a technique to reset your Lan.

*whisper* when you don't get your way, say that he doesn't care about you. He'll come like a helpless bunny when you do.

Yao: awwww good idea!! I'll try it. But he's already a little bunny, because I run things.

Yes A-Yao, of course A-Yao. As you wish A-Yao. Whatever you want A-Yao. Heehee.

Wuxian: good!! I can relate with Lan zhan.

These Lans are head over heels for us.

Yao: yup. And we don't even try.

Wuxian: *looking at mxy* ohh hey handsome.

Lan zhan: *jealous*

Mo xuanyu: you're the yiling laozu??!! C..can...I get your autograph..

Wuxian: I don't have a brush on me. Sorry. And I'm the retired yiling laozu.

Mo xuanyu: where are your demonic cultivation books?

Wuxian: stolen.

Mo xuanyu: you're very careless!

Anyways, can you believe that people say I look like you?

Wuxian: yea, that's why I said that you're handsome.

Mo xuanyu: *rolls eyes* self centered.

Jinling: A-niang, A-song and I are going for a walk in the city. We'll be back.

Yanli: aw. I know that all eyes will be on you two cuties. Go ahead.

Zixuan: both are very handsome and fabulous indeed.

To be continued .......

#the huli jing emperor #dimpledlianfang #jin guangyao #foxyao #jin zixuan #meng yao #part 2 #su she #the untamed #hulijing emperor 2 #yanli

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dan6085 · 1 year

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During the peak of the Ottoman Empire, the day-to-day life of the Sultan was one of immense power, privilege, and luxury. The Sultan was the ultimate authority in the empire, and his every need was attended to by a large retinue of officials, servants, and advisors.

The day typically began early, with the Sultan waking up before sunrise to begin his daily routine. He would begin by washing himself and performing his morning prayers before being dressed in his ceremonial robes. The Sultan's clothing was often made of the finest fabrics, such as silk and velvet, and adorned with precious jewels and gold embroidery.

Once dressed, the Sultan would hold court in his palace, receiving petitions from his subjects and meeting with advisors and officials to discuss matters of state. The Sultan's palace was a vast complex, with multiple buildings and gardens, and was staffed by a large number of servants and eunuchs who attended to the Sultan's every need.

Throughout the day, the Sultan would also take time to indulge in his hobbies and interests. Many Sultans were known for their love of hunting, and would often spend hours each day pursuing game in the imperial hunting grounds. Others were avid readers, and would spend time in their private libraries, surrounded by books from all over the world.

In the evenings, the Sultan would often attend lavish banquets and parties, which were attended by the highest-ranking officials and nobles in the empire. These events were often held in the palace's grand ballroom, which was adorned with chandeliers, mirrors, and other luxurious decorations.

Despite the opulence of the Sultan's lifestyle, however, he was also responsible for the administration and governance of a vast empire. The Sultan was the final authority on matters of law, and had to make difficult decisions regarding taxation, military strategy, and foreign relations. As such, while the day-to-day life of an Ottoman Sultan may have been filled with luxury and indulgence, it was also one of great responsibility and pressure.

The concept of the "harem" in the Ottoman Empire referred to the private living quarters of the Sultan and his family, as well as the female slaves and concubines who lived there. Within the harem, the Sultan's wives and concubines enjoyed a level of luxury and privilege that was unmatched anywhere else in the empire.

The harem nights were a series of elaborate rituals and ceremonies that took place within the harem. One of the most important of these was the "cage ceremony," which took place each night when the Sultan retired to his private chambers. During this ceremony, the Sultan's wives and concubines would gather around a large cage that contained a white bird. The women would then take turns reciting poems and singing songs, while the Sultan watched from a nearby balcony.

Other harem nights included the "flower ceremony," in which the women would wear elaborate flower crowns and present them to the Sultan as gifts, and the "mirror ceremony," in which the women would admire themselves in a large mirror and perform dances and songs.

Despite the luxury and indulgence of the harem nights, life within the harem was not always glamorous. The women who lived there were often forced to compete for the Sultan's attention, and were subject to strict rules and regulations governing their behavior. Additionally, the harem was a highly political environment, with the women vying for power and influence over the Sultan and his court.

Overall, the harem nights of the Ottoman Sultan were a complex and highly ritualized aspect of life within the harem. While they represented a time of luxury and indulgence for the Sultan's wives and concubines, they were also fraught with competition and political intrigue.

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belovedfandom · 2 years

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Sorry I’ve been gone. Here’s an update

Media consumed in 2022 rewatch not counted

The Witcher

Silent Sea

A lot of YouTube, like everyday

Nobody sleeps in the woods tonight 1 & 2

The glamorous imperial concubine (not finished)

Komi can’t communicate

Oatstudios

Planet of the apes

Beneath the planet of the apes

Attack on titan last season

escape from the planet of the apes

Girl, Interrupted

Demon season train arc

Higurashi new series season 2

Demon slayer entertainment distrect arc

Bulgasal immortal souls 😍😍😍

Conquest of the planet of the apes

Archive 81 (didn’t finish)

Battle of the planet of the apes

Beyond White Space-didn’t finish

The return -didn’t finish

Hotel translevania transformation

Photocopier-unfinished

All of us are dead

Rubber-unfinished

Llamageddon

Toxic Shark-unfinished I think

We are still here

The tinder swindler-unfinished

My best friend Anne frank

The red house

Uzumaki

My dress-up darling

Worlds end harem

Texas chainsaw massacre 2022

Empresses in the palace complete edition

Frozen 2

Encanto

The case study of vanitas unfinished

Ruyi’s Royal love in the palace

Free Guy

Dont Kill Me

Legend of lu Zhen

Kotaro lives alone

Level 16

Tomorrow

Insomnia

Markiplier in space

Awake

Dreaming back to the Qing dynasty not finished

Cleaner

Sightless

Secret Obsession

The amber head Johnny depp trial in clips

Bubble

Choose or die

The stranded

Only mine

The rental

Stranger things season 4

Some of love and robots

Escaping the nxivm cult

Keep sweet pray and obey

Berlin syndrome

Alchemy of souls not finished

Ikki tossen not finished

Shin ikki tossen not finished

The weekend away

Saimdang memorirs of color not finished

Puella magi madoka Magica

Resident evil Netflix series

The unsettling

Magical raising girl project

Close your eyes before it’s dark

Immortal samasara not finished

School tales the series

The girl in the mirror

House of the dragon

Boo bitch

Devil In Ohio

Dahmer working on it rn

Your turn to die

Rings of power

#blog #media

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licornebougonne · 2 years

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When my favourite character in the cdrama is the bastardy second fiddle

My poor little meow meow

He’s committed warcrimes

For love

#liu liancheng #liancheng #the glamorous imperial concubine

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yingyanwardrobe · 4 years

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#the glamorous imperial concubine #倾世皇妃 #c drama

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remo-ny · 4 years

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The Glamorous Imperial Concubine by 呼葱觅蒜

#The Glamorous Imperial Concubine #倾世皇妃 #cdrama #art

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dangermousie · 11 months

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In support of Hot General Summer (tm)

I realized that my recent poll not only lacked visual support but also left out a lot of my fave cdrama generals. So, in support of my Hot General Summer agenda:

Xiao Qi, Rebel Princess

Wei Wu Ji, Sound of the Desert

Ling Buyi, Love Like the Galaxy

Zhousheng Chen, One and Only

Zhao Yun, God of War Zhao Yun

Sima Yi, Secret of Three Kingdoms

Han De Rang, The Legend of Xiao Chuo

Zhan Beiye, Legend of Fuyao

Gao Chang Gong, Lan Ling Wang

Xiang Yu, Story of Han Dynasty

Cao Pi, The Advisors’ Alliance

Meng Tiang Fang, Ancient Terracotta War Situation

Chu Bei Jie, General and I

Zhu Zan, Jin Jiu Ling

Wolfie, The Wolf

Xiang Yu, Legend of Chu and Han

Cheng Yi, The Promise of Chang’an

Liu Xiu, Singing All Along

Huo Xin, Painted Skin the Resurrection

Meng Qi You, Glamorous Imperial Concubine

Yang Bros, The Young Warriors

Weng Gui, Princess Jieyou

Xiao Ping Zhang, Nirvana in Fire 2

Pei Zhao, Maiden Holmes

Ji Ye, Novoland Eagle Flag

Zhu Qi Zhen, Imperial Doctress (it’s a reach he’s an emperor. But he leads his force in battle and I wanted Wallace Huo there so...)

Yuan Ling, Lost Love in Times

Yi Xiao Chuan, The Myth

Gu Tingye, The Story of Ming Lan

Lu Bu, Three Kingdoms 2010

Xu Lingyi, The Sword and the Brocade

Yue Fei, Patriot Yue Fei

Xiang Yu, The Myth

Ping Zhang, Nirvana in Fire 2

Guo Jing, Legend of Condor Heroes 2008

Xiang Yu, The Legend of Qin

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dramaddict-and-proud-of-it · 4 years

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The Glamorous Imperial Concubine

Year : 2011 | Country : CN | Nb of episodes: 44

My rate: 3/10

Synopsis :

Ma Fuya(Ruby Lin) is a princess of the Chu state in 10th century China. In this time of warring kingdoms and political upheaval, Fuya's uncle usurps the throne, and brutally wipes out her family. Fuya bravely takes on the quest of avenging her family and restoring her kingdom, no matter the cost. Loved by both the Prince of Shu Meng Qiyou(Yan Quan) and the Prince of Northern Han Liu Liancheng (Wallace Huo), the exiled princess becomes entrenched in the Shu court succession struggle, and the battle between their contending states. Rising to power amid war, romance, and betrayal, what fate awaits Fuya, her people, and her love?

Main cast :

Rubi Lin as Ma Fu Ya

Kevin Yan as Meng Qi You

Wallace Huo as Liu Lian Cheng

Tamia Liu as Wen Jing Ruo

Tony Yang as Liu Lian Xi

Jennifer Hong as Ma Xiang Yun

My thoughts on this drama :

I had high expectations. I like Ruby Lin as an actress, same for Wallace Huo, and I like the Tang Dynasty setting too. I was hoping for something beautiful, interesting, and instead, got overplayed characters, insipid personalities, and no real 'contents'. We've got the usual palace intrigues, the plotting concubines and empresses, brothers vying for a throne, treachery, and tasteless politics. Not even the costumes and music could save it. A true disappointment.

A Favorite ?

#cdrama #historical #the glamorous imperial concubine #introduction of the princess #ruby lin #wallace huo #kevin yan

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screaming-apple · 2 years

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TOP 5 TV DRAMA EACH YEAR WITH THE HIGHEST BAIDU INDEX RANKING

(from 2011 to 2021/known internationally)

🔥2011:

No.1: Scarlet Heart (Bu Bu Jing Xin)

No.2: The Temptation To Go Home (Hui Jia De You Huo)

No.3: The Lock Heart Jade (Gong Suo Xin Yu)

No.4: The Glamorous Imperial Concubine (Qing Shi Huang Fei)

No.5: Palace (Gong)

🔥2012:

No.1: iPartment season 3 (Ai Qing Gong Yu)

No.2: The Magic Blade (Tian Ya Ming Yue Dao)

No.3: Locked Beaded Curtain (Gong Suo Zhu Lian)

No.4: Empresses Of The Palace (Hou Gong Zhen Huan Zhuan)

No.5: Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar Of Sky (Xuan Yuan Jian Zhi Tian Zhi Hen)

🔥2013:

No.1: Little Daddy (Xiao Ba Ba)

No.2: We Get Married (Zan Men Jie Hun Ba)

No.3: Prince Of Lan Ling (Lan Ling Wang)

No.4: Swordsman (Jin Xiao Ao Jiang Hu)

No.5: Legend Of Lu Zhen (Lu Zhen Chuan Qi)

🔥2014:

No.1: iPartment season 4 (Ai Qing Gong Yu)

No.2: My Love From The Star (Byeoreseo On Geudae)*

No.3: Swords Of Legends (Gu Jian Qi Tan)

No.4: Boss & Me (Shan Shan Lai Le)

No.5: The Empress Of China (Wu Meiniang Chuan Qi)

🔥2015:

No.1: The Legend Of Mi Yue (Mi Yue Zhuan)

No.2: My Sunshine (He Yi Sheng Xiao Mo)

No.3: The Journey Of Flower (Hua Qian Gu)

No.4: The Lost Tomb (Dao Mu Bi Ji)

No.5: Nirvana In Fire (Lang Ya Bang)

🔥2016:

No.1: Ode To Joy (Huan Le Song)

No.2: Love O2O (Wei Wei Yi Xiao Hen Qing Cheng)

No.3: The Princess Weiyoung (Jin Xiu Wei Yang)

No.4: Go Princess Go (Tai Zi Fei Sheng Zhi Ji)

No.5: Descendants Of The Sun (Taeyang-ui Huye)*

🔥2017:

No.1: In The Name Of The People (Ren Min De Ming Yi)

No.2: The First Half Of My Life (Wo De Qian Ban Sheng)

No.3: Eternal Love (San Sheng San Shi Shi Li Tao Hua)

No.4: Princess Agents (Chu Qian Zhuan)

No.5: Ode To Joy season 2 (Huan Le Song)

🔥2018:

No.1: Story Of Yanxi Palace (Yan Xi Gong Lue)

No.2: The Story Of Minglan (Zhi Fou? Zhi Fou? Ying Shi Luo Fei Hong Shou)

No.3: Ashes Of Love (Xiang Mi Chen Chen Jin Ru Shuang)

No.4: Legend Of Fuyao (Fuyao)

No.5: Ruyi’s Royal Love In The Palace (Ruyi Zhuan)

🔥2019:

No.1: Joy Of Life (Qing Yu Nian)

No.2: Go Go Squid! (Qin Ai De, Re Ai De)

No.3: Hope All Is Well With Us (Wo Men Dou Yao Hao Hao De)

No.4: The King’s Avatar (Quan Zhi Gao Shou)

No.5: The Untamed (Chen Qing Ling)

🔥2020:

No.1: The Bad Kids (Yin Mi De Jiao Luo)

No.2: Nothing But Thirty (San Shi Er Yi)

No.3: Go Ahead (Yi Jia Ren Zhi Ming)

No.4: Find Yourself (Xia Yi Zhan Shi Xing Fu)

No.5: I Will Find You A Better Home (An Jia)

🔥2021:

No.1: Crime Crackdown (Sao Hei Feng Bao)

No.2: My Heroic Husband (Zhui Xu)

No.3: You Are My Glory (Ni Shi Wo De Rong Yao)

No.4: Word Of Honor (Shan He Ling)

No.5: Rattan (Si Teng)

(*) Korean dramas. I have no idea why there are two of them on this Chinese dramas list but okay, they are still accepted here.

The list in picture form: (You can see the Baidu index of the dramas here - click in to see better)

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So, what do you think of this ranking? How many of these dramas do you know of/have you watched? Which is your favourite?

(The tags can not cover every drama. So I have tried my best to pick out some I think would be more well-known among international fans.)

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grandhotelabyss · 2 years

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Always late to the hype, I just watched Villeneuve’s Dune. I take the above image from Marino’s thread noting the tremor of forbidden desire that ripples across the surface once or twice in what is otherwise a work of affectless monumentalism. Because it parades bodies before us, film is an inherently erotic art form, as literature is not. When a novel lacks eros, we hardly notice; when a film does, we work to invent it.

Herbert’s novel has high spirits of its own: it is lively with dialogue, rapid in pace, textually rich, filled with every kind of language. Villeneuve makes a film less dramatic than the source novel. Prostrate beneath Zimmer’s characteristically punishing score, I found the film too slow, too solemn. I don’t mean there should have been jokes and quips—epic decorum applies—just that the story might have played in quicker time, as it does in the book.

Many have debated the film’s politics. The novel’s intended politics, as I understand them: an ironic right-libertarian critique of a fascist-indigenist rebellion against a feudal-commercial empire, a three-way quarrel among conservatisms. Cinema handles irony poorly—think of Truffaut’s famous line about how you can’t make an anti-war film because film glamorizes everything—so even Paul’s frightening premonition of jihad (delicately revised to “holy war” in the movie dialogue) looked appealing in the way of a daydream, triumph over your enemies with a beautiful woman at your side.

But Villeneuve’s politics, intended or not, are closer to current hegemonic left-liberalism as much because of as despite the prevailing non- and anti-democratic thrust of the narrative. (I refer to “Villeneuve” as author of the collectively-authored cinematic text only for convenience’s sake.) He opens the movie with a feint in a left-wing “decolonial” direction. The novel is framed by the imperial history of Princess Irulan, Paul’s dynastic wife, while the film opens with a voiceover complaining of colonial exploitation and violence from Chani, Paul’s indigenous concubine. In other words, Villeneuve grounds his film in history-from-below, this presumably to seed the eventual critique of Paul as imperial master rather than anti-colonial rebel.

But the film hints at a potential reconciliation of above-and-below not through masculine mystical charisma but through female-mastered expert knowledge. For the filmmakers also race-and-gender-swap the one character in the narrative Herbert overtly intended to stand for the white man’s arrogance, the imperial ecologist Liet-Kynes. I quote Daniel Immerwahr:

Here are Villeneuve’s politics, not Herbert’s, and our time’s, not those of the 1960s. By giving us a redeemed and redemptive Liet-Kynes—now fully Fremen within the narrative and portrayed by a black woman, almost executed by imperial warriors for assisting Paul’s revolt until she summons Shai-Hulud to devour her and them rather than being killed for hubris by the environment itself—the film supplants Herbert’s libertarian mistrust of experts with our managerial admiration for them, and moreover our credulous faith that expertise can finally and fully be reconciled with “marginalized” identities and knowledges. Hence Villeneuve’s expert cinema can be launched without contradiction from Chani’s subjection and subjectivity—because this will be subsumed without remainder into a revised form of imperial power.

And Villeneuve’s loyalty to expertise, embodied in form itself, explains why the film is unequal to the novel’s actual appeal, which is not in its nerdy imperial and counter-imperial science or politics but in its arty psychedelia, its immemorial order of witches, its burning hallucinations, its phallic-vulvic worm god metabolizing the substance of visionary experience, its Nietzschean-matriarchal earth religion overrunning any gridded knowledge merely mundane. The more the film let itself drift toward disorienting montage and surreal image, the more I liked it. Even the novel doesn’t always live up to this aspect of the material, which lends itself to visual media.

In the end, though, Villeneuve raises a smooth monument to contemporary power. It leaves us rightly watchful for the slightest flicker of an eye that might intimate energies from outside.

#denis villeneuve #frank herbert #science fiction #cinema #film

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