‘Snowfall’: Breaking New Ground in C-Dramas

The recent C-drama ‘Snowfall’ (冰雪谣) has garnered considerable attention for its unique premise featuring a vampire protagonist. Adapted from the novel ‘Ru Yue’ (如月) by Ni Luo (尼罗), the drama offers a fresh take compared to traditional C-dramas, especially with the captivating performance of Vengo Gao Weiguang in the lead role. Weiguang’s portrayal of Shen Zhi Heng, a century-old vampire, breathes life into the character, making him the undisputed highlight of the series.

Character Dynamics and Performance

One of the fascinating aspects of ‘Snowfall’ is its casting. Vengo Gao Weiguang, in his late 30s, shares a significant 17-year age gap with his co-star Ouyang Nana, who was just 21 at the time of filming. While Nana faced criticism for her acting in the past, her role as Mi Lan in ‘Snowfall’ may be her most memorable to date. Viewers hold mixed opinions on her portrayal, with some finding her depiction of strength and innocence endearing, despite her struggles to convey the depth of her character’s pain as a blind girl abused by her family.

A Disappointing Climax

Despite its unique premise and strong performances, ‘Snowfall’ fell prey to the common pitfall of many C-dramas: a disappointing ending. The climactic final battle sees Shen Zhi Heng and Situ Weilian unable to defeat the antagonist Mu Li Hua. An unexpected twist involving Li Yingliang’s sacrifice and Mr. Mo’s aid helps to finally defeat the villain, but Shen Zhi Heng ultimately meets a tragic end while attempting to save Mi Lan. This conclusion has left many fans yearning for the happy ending promised by the original novel.

The Aftermath and Fan Reactions

Fans of ‘Snowfall’ have expressed their dissatisfaction with the abrupt and tragic end. The novel’s clear happy ending makes this twist harder to swallow, leading many to dismiss the finale and consider the story complete at episode 23. Viewers are now demanding either a continuation or a new season to give the main couple the conclusion they deserve.

Director’s Perspective

The backlash has even pushed director Li Muge to close his Weibo. He addressed the criticism, implying that the blooming flowers and spring rain symbolize a ‘not-so-blatant’ happy ending. Li Muge has promised to deliver a blatant happy ending in his next project, hinting at the lessons he has learned from ‘Snowfall.’