Recently, the term “assembly line ancient costume dramas” has been trending, with audiences expressing their frustration over repetitive plots, similar styling, and predictable casting combinations. Viewers are clearly saying, “We’ve had enough.”
It’s undeniable that ancient costume dramas are currently among the hottest genres in the film and television industry. Many young stars have gained massive followings thanks to this genre, and newer actors are eager to get a piece of the action. While the market is indeed thriving and attracting more creators and investors, this should not justify the mindless copying or poorly crafted productions.
Social media users have highlighted the common clichés found in today’s “assembly line” dramas: villains emphasized by heavy eyeliner, characters made younger with bangs, god-like figures in white robes, and exaggerated makeup choices that distort their appearances. Consequently, it feels like gods in heavenly realms are constantly wearing the same outfits, beautiful actresses awkwardly trying to portray tough characters, and actors failing to convey emotion as plot hints leak through predictable makeup choices.
However, this formulaic styling doesn’t emphasize character uniqueness or assist in expressing emotions; instead, it alienates audiences and gives off a sense of carelessness. Today’s ancient costume dramas heavily rely on the combination of big IPs (intellectual properties) and popular stars. Almost every platform promotes S+ level dramas following this formula. It seems that both investors and fans have come to accept this system’s viability.
Production companies are buying up online literature IPs by the bulk, and fans are betting on which characters will shine and have potential for growth, despite claiming to only be interested in officially announced projects. Still, the buzz in the comments section from celebrity studios suggests otherwise.
With the industry and fans sharing this optimism, just how powerful is this “combo” approach? Looking at the data from this year alone, several once-promising S+ ancient costume dramas have yielded underwhelming results. Some platforms have candidly admitted that the first half of the year did not meet expectations for blockbuster hits, whereas innovative projects have surprised audiences instead.
The discrepancies in expected hits show that universally applicable formulas are not foolproof. The “assembly line” dramas that audiences often criticize seem to presume that they can just replicate the success of previous hit dramas without any fresh ideas, treating viewers like mindless puppets who will accept whatever is presented.
In previous years, the popular “time-travel” theme saw characters swinging back and forth between ancient and modern times. Recently, a trend for “novel-inserted” plots emerged, with characters awakening to rebel against their authors. Palace intrigue has shifted to household dramas, still centered on conflict. The rise of “strong female lead” dramas has seen a slew of female protagonists becoming self-aware, independent, and career-focused.
Such trends should set a high standard for the industry, inspiring future works to excel rather than serving as convenient templates for others to lazily replicate. A flourishing film and television market requires diverse and innovative content.
Alongside uninspired plots, viewers are also tired of the same actors appearing in these “assembly line” dramas; there appears to be a mysterious rotation among familiar faces. Recently, a graphic circulating online illustrated how various known actors are interconnected through multiple shows. This might explain why, despite the constant release of new ancient costume dramas, audiences still feel a sense of monotony when encountering the same old faces.
Actors trapped in the cycle of “assembly line” productions also struggle to deliver standout performances. Moving from one set to another with similar stories and looks often leaves viewers unable to distinguish which show they are watching just by looking at a promotional still.
Ultimately, the term “assembly line” should not precede artistic works. Every industry professional should be contemplating how to mend the damage done to viewers’ hearts by these uninspired “assembly line ancient costume dramas.”
