New Hong Lou Meng/Dream of the Red Chamber 2007-2008

[Lady Zhuge]

The casting process for the highly anticipated Hong Long Meng remake to be directed by Hu Mei is well underway. Local casting calls and competitions started last November and have already taken place in Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Jinan, Xian, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, and Shenyang. Guangzhou and Taiwan are still to come. If the Hong Lou Meng special I watched last year is still accurate, the official search will end this April, filming will start in the fall, and the series will be broadcast after the Olympics in 2008.

Below are the 3 main roles and a few candidates for each. Here's a more complete list, with hopefuls grouped by locality. Refer to the official website for more information, frequent updates, and to cast your votes.


JIA BAO YU

Jiang Chen Yang:
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Liu Zhuo:
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Fang Wen:

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LIN DAI YU

Li Xu Dan:
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Wang Xin:
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Lan Yan:
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Yin Ye Zi (perhaps if this was a porno version of HLM...):
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XUE BAO CHAI

Yao Di (kind of resembles Fan Bing Bing from this angle):
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Ma Jing:
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Wang Ting:
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From the pics I've seen, it seems like slim pickings for the two lead characters (JBY and LDY) thus far, but not for the role of Bao Chai. Yao Di and Ma Jing are 2 of my favorites.

[Sparky]

lol I know someone who wants to send their son to audition for Jia Baoyu - originally her son wanted to attend BFA.

I think that all of the Lin Daiyu's are not nearly as beautiful as Daiyu should be, and they don't seem to have that frail....kind of look. Maybe it's the makeup? Even LYF suits the role better looks-wise. Wasn't she originally highly suggested by the fans for the role? I was reading about it on a message board and some people said she was too fat for the part.

Whoever they cast, I hope their choices are good ones, because Hong Lou Meng is one of my fave Chinese novels and I don't want to see a butchered adaptation.

[The Khan]

Wow the girls slated to be Lin dai yu are all horrible looking.......
At least the ones slated for Bao chai are nice looking

[redfirefly124]

The Lin Dai Yu's aren't that stunning...the 1st one's okay, the 2nd one isn't too pretty but has more of a "cute" look, the 3rd one is so-so, and the 4th one, like Lady Zhuge said, looks like a porn star.

[gigi250]

what is the story of Hong Lou Meng? I heard people mentioned the name from time to time but I never really know the basic plot.

[0-0-0]

Oh GOD. The LDY's there are all ugly!

BUT, i would rather a less beautiful LDY than a fn pop idol that can't act for crap.
nominations at certain threads that shall not be named remind me of a teenage pop idol take on HLM

[Ren Ying Ying]

Liu Zhuo:
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dude! his eyes are huge...its scary

the girls for bao chai are a lot prettier than the contestants for dai yu...

[BearBearNweather]

I think I am biased because none of the candidates seem right for LDY (she's my fav character). To me, the actress who has played this character in the older version of Red Chamber is the perfect LDY. And the older version of JBY is really good too.

Really need to change my mindset if I want to enjoy this version

[Suet Seung]

Jiang Chen Yang and Fang Wen looks good as Jia Bao Yu. I'm not sure which guy is better. I like Fang Wen but maybe the role calls for the appearance of someone like Jiang Chen Yang who has a more delicate skin complexion.

[Lady Zhuge]

lol I know someone who wants to send their son to audition for Jia Baoyu - originally her son wanted to attend BFA.

With the current crop of JBY hopefuls, she should at least have him audition!

I think that all of the Lin Daiyu's are not nearly as beautiful as Daiyu should be, and they don't seem to have that frail....kind of look. Maybe it's the makeup? Even LYF suits the role better looks-wise. Wasn't she originally highly suggested by the fans for the role? I was reading about it on a message board and some people said she was too fat for the part.

Yeah, looks-wise, LYF would fit the part of LDY quite well.
Fan photoshop:
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I think I am biased because none of the candidates seem right for LDY (she's my fav character). To me, the actress who has played this character in the older version of Red Chamber is the perfect LDY. And the older version of JBY is really good too.

Really need to change my mindset if I want to enjoy this version

I feel the same way, but hopefully whoever they end up selecting will change my mind with their screen presence and acting skills.

what is the story of Hong Lou Meng? I heard people mentioned the name from time to time but I never really know the basic plot.

Google is your best friend.

[BearBearNweather]

I feel the same way, but hopefully whoever they end up selecting will change my mind with their screen presence and acting skills.

Yup, hopefully. I'm both looking forward and dreading it.


I have read at the official website that this guy is getting lots of support as the next JBY:
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/f/v/newhlm/U1343P28T55D13136F918DT20070221233545.jpg') OMG, nearly fainted when I saw that. He looks so...so un-JBY

A more favorable pic of him :
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/v/m/2007-03-02/05d14d4b62b699628a473bce6c5e2ebf_sw160.jpg') Still not convinced.

Saw this pic among the gallery but can't locate her name in the candidates list. Has she been eliminated? She looks quite pretty :
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[Lady Zhuge]

I have read at the official website that this guy is getting lots of support as the next JBY:
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/f/v/newhlm/U1343P28T55D13136F918DT20070221233545.jpg') OMG, nearly fainted when I saw that. He looks so...so un-JBY

A more favorable pic of him :
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/v/m/2007-03-02/05d14d4b62b699628a473bce6c5e2ebf_sw160.jpg') Still not convinced.

Yeah, regarding the first pic, I really didn't want that face taking up one of the 10 image spots allowed per post in the opening post of this thread. He looks alright in the second pic at that angle, but unless they're only going to show JBY from the side throughout the entire series, I can't see him in the role. Apparently he's Fan Bing Bing's choice though, so maybe she sees something we don't.

I'm not sure about that girl. Her face doesn't look long enough for LDY, but maybe she can play one of the many supporting female roles.


If Yao Di is chosen to be Bao Chai, I hope they pick a LDY who rivals her beauty; otherwise rooting for Bao Chai will probably be all too easy once again since I've never liked LDY's personality as it is.

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[0-0-0]

Yeah, looks-wise, LYF would fit the part of LDY quite well.
Fan photoshop:
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LYF certainly has the looks, but to have her acting the part- i have no confidence in her.

[yearning]

Liu Yi Fei IS too fat to be Lin Dai Yu, they practically need someone to be anorexic, because that's what she was. Get Paris Hilton in!

But seriously, I didn't even think the old Lin Dai Yu was pretty at all--yeah she looked the part, but she was average at best.

I think an unknown would be better than a famous actress, just beacuse it'll butcher our view, and this gives a more fresh feeling.

Was Lin Dai Yu supposed to be better looking than Xue Bao Chai?

I think LDY's personality was better than XBC, just because she wasn't so devious and plotting; she spoke her mind and sure, she was the jealous/depressed type, but at least she was a straight-forward and honest person who didn't try to use tricks and under-the-table tricks to get what she wanted. Plus, she had more talent than XBC.

[BearBearNweather]

Yeah, regarding the first pic, I really didn't want that face taking up one of the 10 image spots allowed per post in the opening post of this thread. He looks alright in the second pic at that angle, but unless they're only going to show JBY from the side throughout the entire series, I can't see him in the role. Apparently he's Fan Bing Bing's choice though, so maybe she sees something we don't.

It will be hilarious if JBY shows only a certain angle throughout, hehehe. I still think he looks old. Maybe he's not photogenic

If Yao Di is chosen to be Bao Chai, I hope they pick a LDY who rivals her beauty; otherwise rooting for Bao Chai will probably be all too easy once again since I've never liked LDY's personality as it is.

http://image2.sina.com.cn/ent/v/m/20...0207145213.jpg

She looks better in that photo. hmm...another side angle...why is everyone looking better at a certain angle?

But seriously, I didn't even think the old Lin Dai Yu was pretty at all--yeah she looked the part, but she was average at best.

I think an unknown would be better than a famous actress, just beacuse it'll butcher our view, and this gives a more fresh feeling.

Was Lin Dai Yu supposed to be better looking than Xue Bao Chai?

I think LDY's personality was better than XBC, just because she wasn't so devious and plotting; she spoke her mind and sure, she was the jealous/depressed type, but at least she was a straight-forward and honest person who didn't try to use tricks and under-the-table tricks to get what she wanted. Plus, she had more talent than XBC.

I don't think the old LDY is pretty by modern standards but I think she's what we call an ancient beauty (at least I feel that way )

I always take it for granted that LDY looks better than XBC but now that you've mentioned...is she?

LDY is still my fav character. Like you have said, she's straight-forward. Some people may think she's petty but I feel she's simply more sensitive than an average person.

[Sparky]

Liu Yi Fei IS too fat to be Lin Dai Yu, they practically need someone to be anorexic, because that's what she was. Get Paris Hilton in!

*runs away*

I do agree that LYF, while not "fat" by normal standards, is too fat for Lin Daiyu. No offense to LYF - I don't think I'm skinny enough to play LDY either. But I just can't imagine LYF dying of sickness - she looks too healthy with those cheeks and thighs. Besides that, I think LYF suits LDY looks-wise, but yeah, her acting abilities aren't exactly top class. I can't think of anyone else suitable for the role though.

I think LDY's personality was better than XBC, just because she wasn't so devious and plotting; she spoke her mind and sure, she was the jealous/depressed type, but at least she was a straight-forward and honest person who didn't try to use tricks and under-the-table tricks to get what she wanted. Plus, she had more talent than XBC.

Hong Lou Meng is one of those novels where I like the book, but I really don't like any of the characters. LDY and XBC both have unattractive weaknesses, JBY isn't exactly a lovable hero - I must say that I much prefer LDY over XBC though.

[Lady Zhuge]

Was Lin Dai Yu supposed to be better looking than Xue Bao Chai?

I think they were supposed to be two different, almost opposing types of beauties, much like their personalities.

I think LDY's personality was better than XBC, just because she wasn't so devious and plotting; she spoke her mind and sure, she was the jealous/depressed type, but at least she was a straight-forward and honest person who didn't try to use tricks and under-the-table tricks to get what she wanted. Plus, she had more talent than XBC.

I've never read the book, but from watching the old series, I didn't get the impression that Bao Chai was that devious and plotting. Sure she was no angel and probably best held at arms' length, but at least interacting with her wouldn't feel like treading on thin ice like with LDY. With the latter, I'd probably offend her unknowingly and contribute to her contracting TB in her weakened state. It's ironic that she's the most talented girl in the story and yet also one of if not the most insecure and jealousy-prone; she's straight-forward, unafraid to dish it out, but can't take it.

She looks better in that photo. hmm...another side angle...why is everyone looking better at a certain angle?

I think she looks good in all the photos I've seen of her so far.

[Trinie]

IS this a ZJZ production??? I heard him saying he wanted to remake this series. I hope they follow the novel this time. The other version from China in the 80s wasn't that accurate. The acting was good, but it was a bad adaption. Are they still casting for this series??? I like the candidates for Bao Chai more... But it isn't up to us anyway... Lets hope that they pick a good cast, have good scripts,etc...

[Leanna]

IS this a ZJZ production??? I heard him saying he wanted to remake this series. I hope they follow the novel this time. The other version from China in the 80s wasn't that accurate. The acting was good, but it was a bad adaption. Are they still casting for this series??? I like the candidates for Bao Chai more... But it isn't up to us anyway... Lets hope that they pick a good cast, have good scripts,etc...

i think they are still casting.... saw the contestants competing on tv a few days ago

[Trinie]

Thanks for the info! What do you guys think of their performances during the competition??