When the new Youku drama "Spring Flowers and Flames" quietly premiered, many viewers were captivated by its gloomy yet warm visual style, as well as the “intense” and “powerful” lead characters. They felt that “this ancient romantic drama seems a bit different.”
Cheng Lu, the director of this work, possesses many years of rich experience in the industry, having previously directed popular dramas such as "The Heartguard." In this new project, how does he continue his unique style, and how does he find a distinctive narrative angle in an increasingly homogenized market for period dramas?
Poster of "Spring Flowers and Flames"
"Step by step leading to the heart-wrenching moments"
Starring Wu Jinyan and Liu Xueyi, "Spring Flowers and Flames" is adapted from Hei Yan’s novel "Spring Flowers Are Displeased." The drama tells the story of a girl from Qingzhou, Mei Lin, and the Crown Prince of Dayan, Murong Jinghe, as they struggle against fate in turbulent times. The series incorporates multiple elements of intrigue, family feuds, and romance, with the main storyline revolving around the complex relationship between the two protagonists.
Liu Xueyi plays Murong Jinghe, a cunning and introspective prince whose growth trajectory is filled with schemes and conflict. Wu Jinyan’s character, Mei Lin, starts as innocent but gradually evolves into a resilient woman, experiencing a love-hate relationship with Murong Jinghe along with their individual burdens of destiny. The series maintains a tight pace, revealing the enmity between the lead characters as early as the first episode, propelling the plot into rapid development.
Cheng Lu candidly shared that when he received the script for "Spring Flowers and Flames" six months ago, it had already undergone significant changes from the original novel. However, the emotional resonance of the script still moved him deeply. He noted that differing from the novel's "oppression and wildness," the script revealed more "bittersweet and reflective" emotions—these subtle layers gradually build up to climactic moments at each story twist.
Liu Xueyi as Murong Jinghe
Wu Jinyan as Mei Lin
“The misunderstandings between the lead characters, the cycle of revenge to falling in love are all very poignant, but what moved me the most was their empathy in the face of life and death,” Cheng Lu remarked. In the series, when the female lead, Mei Lin, attempts to assassinate the male lead, Murong Jinghe, she discovers that he, too, is a survivor of the Qingzhou fire. This revelation ignites the intricate emotional ties between them. Cheng Lu described this emotional progression as “step by step leading to the heart-wrenching moments,” and believes this is what truly touched him in the script.
"Spring Flowers and Flames" not only features intense emotional conflicts but its action scenes have also become a focal point for audience discussion. Cheng Lu emphasized that the design of the fight scenes is not solely for visual impact but serves to enhance the storyline and character development. He explained that during the early stages of production, he developed a deep synergy with the martial arts director and editing team regarding the presentation of action sequences. Every movement in the fighting scenes is supported by the character's current thoughts and emotions. For instance, in the scene where Mei Lin attempts to assassinate Murong Jinghe, all her reactions are based on her professional instincts and inner feelings. This design ensures that each fight is more than just a physical confrontation; it is also a psychological battle.
In recent years, historical dramas have faced criticism for their lack of originality, particularly regarding character designs and repetitive plots. Cheng Lu is well aware of this issue and stated that during the filming of "Spring Flowers and Flames," the team invested significant effort in exploring the internal worlds of the characters. “What sets our drama apart is that it was not deliberately crafted to create dramatic conflict, but rather tells the story from the characters' inner perspectives.”
A Different Aesthetic Experience in Ancient Romance
To break the audience's stereotype of historical dramas, Cheng Lu incorporated various narrative perspectives and even utilized multiple angles during filming. This approach renders each character's choices in specific situations more authentic and believable. For example, Liu Xueyi's Murong Jinghe is a character filled with despair yet yearning for revenge. Cheng Lu noted that this complex inner turmoil gives Murong Jinghe an impressive tension in his performance.
Poster of "Spring Flowers and Flames"
As a director trained in traditional Chinese opera, Cheng Lu skillfully integrates elements of Peking opera into the shooting of "Spring Flowers and Flames." He mentioned that in certain scenes, the actors' movements and expressions carry a hint of operatic style. For instance, a slow turn by a female general resembles the rhythmic gestures found in theater, allowing the character's emotions to unfold in greater detail.
"Spring Flowers and Flames" also offers a visually innovative experience, presenting audiences with a distinctive ancient romantic aesthetic. Cheng Lu aimed to showcase the unique charm of classical Chinese aesthetics through the design of colors and settings. “We used a lot of warm tones to impart a sense of hope to the viewer, even in situations filled with tortured romance, while also seeking to convey warmth.” In contrast to the cooler tones often employed in period dramas, "Spring Flowers and Flames" showcases a visually refreshing style that balances coolness and warmth. The currently popular scenes in the show, featuring paper money floating in the air and red leaves on the ground, indeed provide a novel visual experience.
"Spring Flowers and Flames" showcases classical Chinese aesthetics
During the interview, Cheng Lu specifically mentioned that the opportunity to collaborate with Youku again (the previous project being "The Heartguard") made him feel quite at ease. He noted that Youku not only provided ample creative space and resource support for "Spring Flowers and Flames" but also significantly assisted the crew during the on-location shooting in Guizhou. “As long as it serves the play, whether the location is challenging to find or difficult to set up, Youku supports us all the way,” Cheng Lu said, “which moved our creative team immensely.” Apart from the platform’s support, the strong teamwork among the cast left a great impression on Cheng Lu. The two lead actors, Wu Jinyan and Liu Xueyi, displayed exceptional professionalism and creativity during filming. Cheng Lu mentioned that Wu Jinyan filmed fighting scenes in the cold winter nights of Hengdian without a hint of complaint, while Liu Xueyi endured over ten hours in water for a bathtub scene, showcasing their dedication that touched Cheng Lu deeply.
"Spring Flowers and Flames" has already premiered several episodes, and thanks to the platform's strong draw, along with the collaborative efforts of the director, screenwriters, and cast, this drama has stood out in the increasingly homogenized market of period dramas over the past year. Cheng Lu firmly believes that only by delving deep into the human experience can one truly move the audience. As he stated: “Whether it’s action or emotional scenes, each moment must have its unique emotional driving force to deliver a dual impact on viewers visually and emotionally.”
