In today's interconnected world, dramas from every corner of the globe—be it American, Japanese, Korean, or Chinese—are finding audiences far beyond their borders, a true testament to the globalization of the entertainment industry.
But cultural norms vary wildly, and recently, Japanese netizens on X (formerly Twitter) have been buzzing about a peculiar trend in Chinese dramas. Due to China's strict "ban on kiss scenes involving underage actors," filmmakers have had to get seriously creative when the script calls for a smooch. And let's just say, the workarounds have left Japanese viewers both baffled and thoroughly entertained, wondering how these strange yet amusing tricks are pulled off.
One prime example making the rounds is from the 2019 Chinese idol drama, "A Little Thing Called First Love". Starring then-18-year-old Lai Kuan-lin and 17-year-old Zhao Jinmai, the show featured a kiss scene so cleverly (or awkwardly) executed that it became legendary. The solution? Surround the actors with a crowd, strategically place props, and block the camera's view entirely, creating the bizarre effect of a kiss that *definitely* happened but was *never* actually seen on screen.
Japanese netizens couldn't help but crack up at the scene. While some found it oddly romantic, many pointed out how ridiculously drawn-out the whole sequence was. "It just kept going and going and going, what was that about?!" one user quipped, with another adding, "And that purple windmill? Total scene-stealer!"
Despite the initial awkwardness, some Japanese viewers actually praised the approach. They argued that compared to the often intense kiss scenes in Western films, these "implied" kisses align better with an "Eastern aesthetic," creating a more comfortable and subtly romantic vibe. It's all about that sweet, budding romance, apparently!
Of course, for most drama fans, these methods still lean heavily into the "weird" category. And "A Little Thing Called First Love" isn't the only culprit! Back in 2021, the historical drama "The Long Ballad" also featured some truly "magical" kiss scene solutions.
While opinions are clearly divided on these creative (or cringe-worthy) techniques, it's fascinating to see Japanese netizens reacting with such a mix of amusement and appreciation. What do you think of these "invisible" kisses?
via： togetter