The annotations/”headlines” on the poster reveal little bits of the plot – does Chen Xiao love Yuan Shanshan or Meng Jiangjie? (Yuan Shanshan, because she’s the main character).
Given that Love, Up in the Air/Above the Clouds/CLOUDS (云巅之上) is a drama about the drama between two people as they film drama(s), the new promo stills are rather fitting. The characters of the drama have been introduced, à la tabloid style: Chen Xiao (the in-universe star), Yuan Shanshan (the in-universe wannabe star), Meng Jiangjie (another in-universe star), Guo Xiaodong (a teacher at the institute for stars), Zhang Zhehan (a star singer), Merat (a manager), Zang Hongna (Yuan Shanshan’s in-universe manager), He Hongce (Chen Xiao’s in-universe manager), and Cai Wenjing (a second generation star). (At first glance, I didn’t realize Zhang Zhehan and Merat were featured in the stills).
Asides from the ridiculous premise that sparks the filming of the in-universe “Dong Xian” drama, the drama will feature a story in the modern day, and (so it seems) in the Republican era. Look below the cut for more pictures.
Part of this poster cuts a little too close to the truth – “Jian Xi (Yuan Shanshan’s character) will definitely not ‘scat’ from the entertainment world.” In real life, Yuan Shanshan has refused to “scat” from the entertainment circle many times.
Who was Zhang Zhehan’s first love? (Yuan Shanshan, still because she’s the female lead).
Are rumors of a teacher-student romance between Guo Xiaodong and Yuan Shanshan true? (Prediction: it’s nobly one-sided).
“How does Li Qing (Meng Jiangjie’s character) view same-sex marriage?” Hopefully, not from the same view the imaginary “Dong Xian” drama was created?
Merat’s character: “My world only has Tang Fei (Chen Xiao’s character).” “The secrets to scoring girls for those who act gay in the entertainment world.” …You’ve got to be kidding me.
“Ten obstacles to making Jian Xi (Yuan Shanshan’s character) a star.” On the left: “If you love me, you won’t find me fat.” On the right: “Ten ways to lose weight in the summer.”
The most interesting tidbit on this one is about her filming an ad with her stepmom.
On the left: “Reveal secrets and create rumors! N ways for a female celebrity to become popular.” On the right: “Shen Yan (her character): things she won’t speak of” and “A woman who never stops acting in her life; a pure girl, like Louis Cha’s Zhou Zhiruo.”
I like Yuan Shanshan and Merat’s posters the most. Is it just me or has Yuan Shanshan been getting prettier and prettier in photoshoots?