Tag Archives: cross-dressing

Best of M.I.C.’s pop-Peking opera crossovers

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M.I.C. Boyband vs M.I.C. Girlband, who's prettier?

M.I.C. Boyband vs M.I.C. Girlband, who’s prettier?

 M.I.C.  boyband  is so amazing that they’re the best in every competition they enter, be it music or dance or even Peking opera. For pop-Chinese Opera crossover show Guo Se Tian Xiang, they trained under Hu Wen’ge, a third-generation disciple of the master singer Mei Lanfang. As usual, they had the best programs on the show. Full mp3 versions for download here.

Their  arrangements really made the show for me.  M.I.C. became heavily involved in designing their own programs, and had learned so quickly that by episode 6, they were able to design the entire performance, including the opera parts, by themselves. This is exemplified in their cover of  Wang Leehom‘s Mistake in the Flower Fields 花田错, where even Yaoyao’s rap blends flawlessly into opera. Compare it with Zhang Yuan’s version last season and see how much more coherent this version sounds.  Xiaoxin’s last line sounds like it could’ve came from Hu Wen’ge himself:

Next is their most artistically Peking Opera performance, featuring the opening scene comes straight from the actual Opera itself. It  was praised for being one of the most professional acts on the show.
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The “androgynous gala” reflects changing attitudes on gender boundaries

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WHo's adrogenous now?

“When the two rabbits walk-side-by-side, can you tell who’s male and female?”  – CCTV taking  a lesson  from China’s most famous cross-dresser, Mulan.

Remember back in the days when Li Yuchun was widely criticized for being androgynous, and Western media like the Times even used her as an example of the state’s disapproval of such phenomenon?  Yet if you watched this year’s Spring Festival Gala, nicknamed the “gender-bending gala” by netizens, you would’ve never guessed that was ever an issue.

There’s the now staple performer Li Yugang, a man who is rarely not in a dress, and is dressed up as the moon goddess this year.  Actress Qin Hailu’s skit features  a high-powered female exec with a slick short hairdo and a black suit while her male employee dons a long wig, a pouty voice, and addresses everyone by “dear.”
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