Hong Lau Meng is one of the most anticipated films in the Chinese cinema landscape, slated for release in late 2023. This marks the first time in 46 years that a classic work from China is being brought back to the big screen. However, upon the release of the official images, the film quickly faced backlash from audiences due to the casting choices that strayed far from the characters as envisioned.
Each trailer showcased actors who shattered the audience’s expectations of familiar names like Lam Dai Ngoc, Gia Bao Ngoc, and Tiet Bao Thoa, leaving viewers with a feeling akin to watching an entirely different adaptation. Comments have emerged stating: “Gia Bao Ngoc lacks the nobility of the character, Lam Dai Ngoc fails to embody the literary talent, Tiet Bao Thoa does not reflect the character’s elegance, and Gia appears too youthful for her role…”.
Who dares to believe this is Lam Dai Ngoc, the beloved character from Hong Lau Meng? Despite the appearance, the essence of the characters seems absent from the narrative of the Dream of the Red Chamber: Dai Ngoc appears delicate like a floating flower, her deep character is gone.
According to the author of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Gia Bao Ngoc has the appearance of a young man: ‘Eyes like a moonlit night in autumn, color like spring flowers at noon, hair like a finely cut jade, skin as soft as a ripe peach, lips like a flower petal, and a gaze like flowing waves. Even when restrained, there remains a youthful charm.’
In the original novel, Tiet Bao Thoa is depicted as refined, intelligent, and skilled in managing her affairs. Meanwhile, Hoang Giai Dung appears like a cute young girl, charming and innocent.
The supporting actors also fall short of expectations.
After watching the trailer, many viewers expressed their agreement with the sentiment that Quan Hiểu Đồng, in the role of Gia Nguyên Xuân, had the most striking on-screen presence, despite the character’s costume and profile being far from ideal. However, according to the cast list, Quan Hiểu Đồng only has a minor role, or even just a guest appearance in the film. There are concerns that Quan Hiểu Đồng may not have enough opportunities to shine in this production.
Quan Hiểu Đồng stands out as the most striking character.
