The TV series "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Yuehong Chapter" will be exclusively broadcast on iQiyi from May 23.

The play tells the story of Tushan Honghong (played by Yang Mi), the leader of the Tushan fox clan, who leads the Tushan fox clan to establish a relationship with the demon clan. A successful relationship can increase the power of the bitter love tree and protect the demon clan. After the evil black fox erodes the bitter love tree, Tushan Honghong and Dongfang Yuechu (played by Gong Jun), a descendant of the Dongfang family, work together to complete the unprecedented task of human-demon bonding, protecting the bitter love tree and safeguarding the peace between the beloved and the human-demon clan.

Yang Mi as Tushan Honghong

In addition to the "Yuehong Chapter" which has already been scheduled, the series' upcoming dramas include "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Bamboo Industry Chapter" starring Liu Shishi and Zhang Yunlong, and "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Royal Power Chapter" starring Cheng Yi and Li Yitong.

A group photo of the main creators at the press conference

Do China's top comics IPs also have a sad past?

Fox Spirit Matchmaker is a comic created by Tuo Xiaoxin. Its inspiration comes from Chinese classical mythology. There are humans and demons in the world. Demons can fall in love with humans and have a lifespan of tens of millions of years. Humans have a limited lifespan. When humans die, demons live. Humans will be reincarnated, but after reincarnation, they will not remember the love of their previous life. If a demon is infatuated, she will go to the fox spirit to "buy" a service so that the reincarnated person can recall the love of the previous life.

Tuo Xiaoxin believes that love is an eternal theme in literary creation. He expressed the emotions he felt from the characters with his own understanding, and combined with Chinese mythology, he created "Fox Spirit Matchmaker", a "fantasy, funny, pure and sadistic love" story.

Since its release, the Fox Spirit Matchmaker comics have been collected 5.5 million times on Tencent Comics platform, and the adapted animation has been played over 11 billion times. During the 15th China International Cartoon and Animation Festival, CCTV News also live-broadcasted the entire Fox Spirit Matchmaker fan meeting on Weibo, giving a thumbs up to this domestic animation.

Although "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" is now a highly recognized top IP in the Chinese comics circle with unlimited commercial value, there are also many sad stories behind it, and it almost never met readers.

In 2010, Tuo Xiaoxin, under the name "Xue Hua Ah", began serializing the comic book "The Manual for Training Fox Spirits" in the U17 Original Comics DreamWorks. This work is regarded as the script of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker".

In 2012, Tuo Xiaoxin was invited by Manyou's popular weekly magazine "Manhua SHOW" to serialize the novel, and he was delighted. He redesigned the characters and plot based on "The Manual for Training Fox Spirits" and renamed it "Fox Spirit Matchmaker".

Unexpectedly, in September 2013, the "Manga Show" that seemed to be at its peak suddenly ceased publication. Not only was the serialization of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" postponed indefinitely, but many domestic comics with good development momentum, such as "Bloodline" and "Wrench Boy", also came to an abrupt end. In a special episode after the animation of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker", Tuo Xiaoxin recalled: "I have lived a miserable life since then. I really don't want to give up Fox Spirit, but even my livelihood (can't be guaranteed)."

Afterwards, "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" was launched on Tencent Comics Channel, becoming the platform's main serialized work, and was adapted into an animation in 2015.

In 2016, a number of cartoonists and "Xia Tian Dao Studio" had a copyright dispute. It is said that in the six months of cooperation with Tencent Comics, Tuo Xiaoxin did not receive a single payment for his works, which made him very dissatisfied with Xia Tian Dao's possession of copyright and infringement of profits, and he decided to file a lawsuit. This also made the serialization prospects of the "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" comics illusory.

Screenshot of Tuo Xiaoxin's Weibo at the time

Finally, in February 2020, Tuo Xiaoxin said that after many efforts, he got back the copyright of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker". The development of the live-action version of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker" was smoothly promoted.

Can top-of-the-line production create another summer hit?

The live-action series of Fox Spirit Matchmaker is produced by iQIYI, Yuewen Film and Television, and Star Gravity. Star Gravity, as the producer and producer, created the hit drama Canglan Jue in 2022 and has unique experience in IP adaptation and drama production in the category of "Oriental Fantasy". Many viewers are looking forward to the Fox Spirit series as it is working on ancient idol dramas again.

Yang Mi

Gong Jun

In the promotional materials released for Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Moon Red, the familiar "stellar gravity feel" is revealed everywhere——

In terms of setting, "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Yuehong" shows the love concept of "breaking the secular world, breaking through the shackles, and being brave for love" through the collision of the protagonist's human and demon identities, and conveys the spiritual core of true love breaking prejudice and protecting the righteousness of the people.

The visual effects continue the "Oriental aesthetics" that Stellar Gravity is good at. The beautiful scenery of Tushan with misty clouds and flickering fireflies is fascinating.

The female characters represented by the Tushan sisters incorporate feminist values. For example, Tushan Honghong, as a member of Tushan's management, has top-level responsibilities and abilities; Tushan Yaya is free and unrestrained; Tushan Rongrong is a "career-minded" person; Princess Butai abandons prejudice and bravely pursues love... the film focuses on showing the unique charm of female characters.

The makeup is gorgeous and fits the characters' personalities. For example, the three sisters of Tushan are mainly red, purple and green. Princess Butai is elegant and wealthy, Lu Jianwen is solemn and simple, and Yue Tixia is elf-like and eccentric.

Intangible cultural heritage elements are incorporated into the production. For example, Tushan Honghong's outer robe is made using the Wu Luo weaving technique, and the fox mask adopts filigree inlay techniques to highlight the totem or special pattern of the Tushan fox tribe. The headwear is made of velvet flowers, which means praying for blessings and warding off evil spirits.

In addition, the on-site scenery uses Xianju Lanterns (originating from the Tang Dynasty, the exquisite patterns on the lamp body are made of more than 100,000 pinholes and are made through 13 fine processes. It is known as the "No. 1 Lantern in China"). The audience can pay attention to it while following the drama.

By the way, there is also a very luxurious OST lineup: Huang Qishan, Zhang Jie, Zhou Shen, Yuan Yawei, Hu Xia, Jike Junyi... Netizens have said that this lineup can be packaged and sent to "Singer" with one click.

S+ level OST lineup

In this lineup of “no supporting roles, only protagonists”, who can get to the table?

At present, the three live-action series of "Fox Spirit Matchmaker", "Yuehong Chapter", "Zhuye Chapter" and "Wangquan Chapter", have all been completed.

It is inevitable that the male and female protagonists will choose popular stars: "Yuehong Chapter" is starred by Yang Mi and Gong Jun, "Zhuye Chapter" is starred by Liu Shishi and Zhang Yunlong, and "Wangquan Chapter" is starred by Cheng Yi and Li Yitong. Among the 85 flowers, Yang Mi and Liu Shishi's ability to carry dramas and their market appeal in the field of ancient costumes are obvious to all. Gong Jun and Cheng Yi are both first-line male actors born in the 90s. "Wangquan Chapter" is still Cheng Yi and Li Yitong's second CP after "Heroes".

As an S+ level ancient idol drama, the supporting cast is naturally an all-star lineup: Guo Xiaoting, Hu Lianxin, Chen Duling, Zhu Xudan, Zhang Linghe, Wei Zheming... They can all carry the leading roles in other dramas, so netizens jokingly say "There are no supporting roles in this drama, only protagonists."

Every supporting character in the cast can be the main character in other dramas.

"Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Moon Red" is about to be broadcast, who can successfully "get on the table"? Let's take a look at the CP group portraits, is there any one that makes you fall in love with it——

Tushan Honghong, played by Yang Mi, and Dongfang Yuechu, played by Gong Jun, are the protagonists of a love story that breaks the secular taboo. Tushan Honghong is the ceiling of the demon world's martial arts value, and she is domineering and sober and restrained in her daily life. Dongfang Yuechu is a conspicuous person and a great lover. The two of them are still on the route of nurturing.

Tushan Yaya, played by Guo Xiaoting, looks arrogant and indifferent, but she is a "sister control". Yaya, who has looked up to her sister since she was a child and regarded her as her idol, became the first combat force in Tushan after her sister left and took on the responsibility of protecting the six domains. Her growth is worth paying attention to. In terms of the emotional line, Yaya's CP seems to be the third young master of Aolai State played by Wei Zheming.

Hu Lianxin plays Tushan Rongrong, who is quite eye-catching in the trailer. As the third in command of Tushan, she is very capable and can be called the "strongest think tank". Rongrong's CP is probably the abacus she carries with her. A beautiful woman should focus on making money and pursuing a career!

Princess Butai played by Zhu Xudan and Shi Kuan played by Yang Shize, the main theme is a love story that breaks the class difference. Shi Kuan was a guard of the princess of the Yuyao Kingdom when he was a child. He fell in love with the princess and made a wish under the bitter love tree. Later, with the help of the Tushan fox tribe, they resumed their relationship.

Lu Jianwen, played by Chen Yao, and Yan Ruyu, played by Mao Zijun, are in a love story that transcends appearance.

Chen Duling plays Yue Tixia and Zhang Linghe plays Hu Weisheng, who are in a love story similar to A Chinese Ghost Story. Yue Tixia is a tree demon and Hu Weisheng is a woodcutter. The two rookies in love happily peck each other and stage a love story. Although they don't have many scenes, they are a pair of supporting characters that the audience is looking forward to.

In addition, Chen Tao who played Tushan Liushang, Hong Xiao who played Fu Cheng, An Yuexi and Wang Zirui who guest-starred as Dongfang Yuechu's parents... are also familiar faces to fans of ancient idol dramas.

Can the creators and leading actors make a comeback through "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Moon Red"? Let's judge tonight!