A Top-Tier Life Begins with Sarcastic Phrases

Online comments about Jin Chen's portrayal of Ye Ling'er are almost entirely negative and critical.

[Jin Chen to play Ye Ling'er?]

【Her face shape isn't suitable either?】

[You wouldn't act in it before, but now that the show is popular, you're stealing someone else's job. Don't you have any shame?]

Capital, you've won again!

Of course, Gu Yun wasn't much better off; in fact, he was in a much worse situation!

Some of Xiao Zhan's die-hard fans said things that were far more vulgar than those who were fans of the show.

Although Xiao Zhan has a blank expression, he at least studied acting. What's the point of replacing him with a stand-up comedian?

I finally got used to Xiao Zhan and thought he was alright, but then they changed people, and it's a stand-up comedian, unbelievable!

[If you're going to do stand-up comedy, just do stand-up comedy properly, okay?]

Even if you were to replace them, you could have found someone with acting skills. What's the big deal?

I've waited five years! And this is what you give me?!

[Who is this Gu Yun? I think the reason for watching Joy of Life is just to get Zhan Zhan to act in it, so why can't our Zhan Zhan get a role?]

[Behind the Scenes! Gu Yun looks so effeminate, did he get the character by selling PGs?]

-

Hengdian, the filming location for the first season of "Joy of Life," was the Sifang City on the border of the Qing Kingdom.

The first season of "Joy of Life" ended with Yan Bingyun betraying Fan Xian, foreshadowing future events.

The second part was also filmed from here.

According to Sun Hao, the chief director of "Joy of Life," who is currently among the top directors of domestic dramas, this is called having a beginning and an end.

"Bad mood?"

Li Qin found Jin Chen sitting in the corner, sulking all by himself, and plopped down in the chair next to him.

"Will it get better?"

Jin Chen gave a bitter smile: "We haven't even started filming yet, and I'm already trending on social media for all the wrong reasons. I don't even dare to look at my phone now."

"Oh, don't worry about it."

Li Qin comforted her, saying, "The sequel to a hit drama is starting to film, and the buzz will be high for the first few days. You and Gu Yun just happened to be caught in the crossfire."

"Things will be fine once this blows over."

The first season of Joy of Life aired in 2019 and was undoubtedly Tencent's top-selling show that year, with over 20 million fans!

It's normal for there to be a lot of discussion in the first few days after filming begins for a sequel.

Jin Chen rubbed his face, still not quite happy: "But I have a bad feeling..."

"You're overthinking it!"

Li Qin pointed to Gu Yun, who was not far away, listening to the executive director explain the scene with Zhang Ruoyun, seemingly unaffected by public opinion, and smiled:

"Look at Gu Yun, he's in a much worse situation than you!"

"At the end of the first season, Yan Bingyun stabbed Fan Xian with a sword, a huge reversal that kept the audience in suspense for five years!"

"Now that Yan Bingyun has been recast, our very first scene is a scene between Yan Bingyun and Fan Xian..."

"Furthermore, there was already a lot of online criticism about Gu Yun replacing Xiao Zhan... basically, all sorts of negative opinions were stacked up!"

"After Gu Yun finishes filming today, leaked photos will be released. When Gu Yun looks at his phone tomorrow, he'll probably feel like the sky is falling."

"Pfft~"

Jin Chen couldn't help but laugh. Compared to her own experience, Gu Yun seemed to deserve more sympathy: "I hope little Gu won't die."

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm still here, and you're already preparing for the feast? If I don't come soon, have you already thought of my epitaph?"

For today's filming, Gu Yun removed the "[Master of Rants]" entry and replaced it with "[Nightingale]".

After the director finished explaining the scene, Gu Yun was brought over by the staff to get her makeup done, right next to Jin Chen and Li Qin.

He heard both of their pessimistic remarks.

"Haha~"

Li Qin was so amused that she almost fell over, her slender phoenix eyes curving into crescents with laughter. It took her a while to stop, and she cupped her face in her hands, staring intently at Gu Yun.

"We were just kidding, hey... Ms. Gu, don't you wear makeup?"

"I'm not used to that."

Gu Yun's makeup and styling were very simple.

She wore a white robe, her long black hair cascading down her back, and her face was unmade-up; the makeup artist had only touched up Gu Yun's overly gentle peach blossom eyes.

It's worth mentioning that the makeup artist for Gu Yun was none other than Xiao Zi from the previous drama series "Ninefold Purple".

She has now joined the cast of "Joy of Life" and has been successfully promoted to head of the makeup team!

Xiao Zi originally planned to give her "benefactor" Gu Yun some special treatment, but after she started, she realized that she didn't know where to start!

Gu Yun's face was too authoritative; the makeup artist's attempt to modify it would have been completely superfluous.

In the end, Xiao Zi only touched up Gu Yun's eyes, adding a bit of majesty to him.

But even with this simple makeup and costume, the moment Gu Yun got up from the ground and grasped the prop sword provided by the crew, Jin Chen and Li Qin were stunned.

"That's amazing!"

Li Qin circled around Gu Yun, her little mouth never closing the entire time: "Gu Yun, you don't look like a supporting character at all, do you?"

Gu Yun asked in surprise, "You mean, I'm not suitable for Yan Bingyun?"

"Hmm...of course it's suitable!"

Li Qin's voice rose several octaves, then she tightened her small face and said seriously:

"What I mean is, your face is so striking, it's a shame you're only playing a supporting role... The female lead in a period romance drama with you will definitely feel a lot of pressure!"

[Ancient Style Gentleman +1]

Jin Chen, standing next to him, nodded in agreement. "I think so too. My goodness, his face and demeanor really look like a male lead from a period drama series straight out of a picture book!"

[Ancient Style Gentleman +1]

Gu Yun turned his head to the two of them, his ear facing them: "If you can talk, then talk more. I love to hear it."

"Eek~" Jin Chen laughed, "Here he comes again, hahaha~"

Li Qin covered her mouth, laughing so hard she was hiccuping. She'd never met someone so straightforward before; it was hilarious!

"Alright, actors, get ready!"

With the set ready, filming officially began for the first scene of Joy of Life 2!

Inside the Four Directions City, Yan Bingyun, played by Gu Yun, and Fan Xian, played by Zhang Ruoyun, stood back to back, surrounded by the Second Prince's men.

The camera slowly zoomed in from a distance, past the extras, and when it finally focused on Zhang Ruoyun and Gu Yun's faces, Sun Hao, watching on the monitor, smiled.

"This kid is really photogenic!"

"She's completely without makeup, and her face is incredibly striking."

Wen Ruohan, the executive director standing next to him and a veteran co-director in China, as well as Sun Hao's long-time collaborator, said, "But whether the performance can surpass the previous one remains to be seen."

The previous one naturally refers to Xiao Zhan, who had a falling out with the production team.

"Attention everyone, one take, action!"

Filming begins!

The film begins with a panoramic shot to establish the situation, followed by a camera zoom in, revealing Fan Xian, played by Zhang Ruoyun, without showing his face but with dialogue.

"It's not my choice; it's yours now. Ask yourself, are you confident you can keep me here?"

Zhang Ruoyun's ability to become the most popular male lead right now is definitely due to his exceptional acting skills!

The rhythm and intonation are very immersive, and a few lines of dialogue are enough to set the mood.

Then, a sudden change occurred.

Gu Yun, who plays Yan Bingyun, raises his hand, deftly changes the direction of his sword, grasps it with his right hand, and thrusts it backward with a backhand motion.

puff!

The long sword pierced Fan Xian's abdomen from behind.