Recently, the production team unveiled the first trailer for the film adaptation of the classic Chinese literary work, Dream of the Red Chamber, in 2023. After 46 years, this timeless masterpiece from China has once again been brought to life on the big screen. Consequently, there has been much attention directed toward the casting of the role of Lin Daiyu, portrayed by actress Miu Di. However, the adaptation has faced numerous criticisms, particularly regarding the portrayal of Lin Daiyu by actress Miu Di.
Specifically, on the social media platform Weibo, many users have expressed their disappointment regarding Miu Di’s appearance as Lin Daiyu. In the novel by Cao Xueqin, the character is described as delicate and fragile, resembling a drooping flower. Many comments have pointed out that Miu Di’s portrayal seems to stray far from the character’s intended essence.
Below are some comments from netizens after the trailer was released:
– It feels like Lin Daiyu is being portrayed too robustly, straying significantly from the character’s essence…
– Lin Daiyu looks the worst in cinematic history. Casting from a pool of thousands, does China not have a more suitable actress? The classic work is being treated too lightly.
– The actress is unattractive, and the character design is also poor. The costumes look like they were rented from a low-budget shop.
Miu Di, born in 1998 in Jiangxi, China, studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. She began her entertainment career in 2018 and has played supporting roles in Young and Beautiful and Heavenly Jade.
In order to land the role of Lin Daiyu, Miu Di had to compete against approximately 20,000 other actresses. She expressed her concerns about embodying such a classical character. The selection process lasted for nine months before she was finally cast.
Prior to Dream of the Red Chamber, Miu Di garnered attention for her leading role in the romance drama When You Are Mine, where she portrayed a youthful character. She left a mark on the audience with her charming looks and captivating portrayal. Additionally, when the film aired simultaneously with Secrets of the Golden Triangle starring Zhao Liying, Miu Di’s project managed to garner equal attention.
On various platforms, the 1998-born actress has become a rising star in the Chinese entertainment industry, alongside names such as Dilraba Dilmurat, Zhao Liying, and Wu Xuanyi. However, her performances in historical dramas have not met expectations. Acknowledging her shortcomings, Miu Di shared, “I feel that contemporary films resonate more with my life, but historical dramas are also very appealing; they represent a way of life that I cannot experience in reality.”
Miu Di in When You Are Mine.
Dream of the Red Chamber revolves around the tragic love story between two siblings, Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu. The film adaptation aims to portray the various aspects of the wealthy Jia family from their prosperous days to their eventual decline over eight decades. In the film, many viewers are expected to guess that the story will mainly be reenacted in the Jia family’s estate during the golden age, given the significant historical context.
The production budget is estimated at over 200 million yuan (approximately 29 million USD).
