In historical dramas, character styling plays a pivotal role in captivating audiences. Yet in 2025, several Chinese period dramas faced intense backlash over character designs so poorly executed that viewers claimed they were turned off at first glance. Even the most popular male stars couldn’t escape criticism.

Many had high hopes for Cheng Yi, who was expected to dominate the year with three major projects. Unfortunately, both The Journey of Legend and Sword and Beloved fell short of expectations, with The Journey of Legend in particular drawing heavy criticism for Cheng Yi’s visual styling.

In the series, the actor was dressed in thin, flowy fabrics in pastel shades like baby pink and light blue so soft and delicate that netizens joked he looked more like a man disguised as a woman. Adding to the issue were shiny metal accessories and excessive jewelry, which gave the character a flamboyant flair that clashed with the heroic image audiences anticipated.

Close-up shots didn’t help matters. Cheng Yi’s heavy makeup, bright red lips, and glossy manicured nails made it hard for viewers to picture him as a martial arts hero. Instead of showcasing masculinity or strength, his look raised eyebrows for being overly feminized.

Luo Yunxi suffered a similar fate in Whispers of Fate. His makeup was described by netizens as heavier than that of the female leads. Viewers even speculated that the budget for Luo Yunxi’s styling must have exceeded that of all the actresses combined.

Every close-up revealed thick layers of foundation, sharply contoured noses, and meticulously painted eye makeup. Many fans lamented that his natural, elegant features were buried beneath the overdone styling. Some viewers admitted they were so distracted by his appearance that they couldn’t focus on his acting or the plot.

Meanwhile, The Glory enjoyed popularity, but its male lead Xin Yunlai was seen as the visual weak link of the show. Xin, who doesn’t fit the traditional “flower boy” standard, appeared even more mismatched due to his dull, dark costumes and a painfully obvious wig. His appearance drew so much criticism that some viewers said they endured watching him only because of the compelling script.

Worse still, Xin Yunlai’s stoic expression throughout the drama left audiences frustrated. Many felt he resembled a wooden statue, incapable of conveying his character’s emotions or internal conflicts.

Sources: hht