Whimsical drama explores appearance anxiety

When scriptwriter Luo Xiaoting came across a video of Chinese MMA fighter Zhang Weili competing in Los Angeles, she was inspired by the athlete's strength and resilience. It sparked in her a desire to explore how women can break free from conventional beauty standards and discover their true worth.

However, what began as a serious concept evolved into something far more whimsical, humorous, and sci-fi in tone. The result is Filter, a 32-episode romantic drama starring actor Tan Jianci and actress Li Landi.

The series held a seminar in Beijing earlier this week, gathering the major creators to share the behind-the-scenes stories.

Filter follows the story of Su Chengcheng, an ordinary woman who unexpectedly comes into the possession of a magical bracelet. This mysterious artifact allows her to transform into a variety of forms, ranging from a breathtaking beauty to an animated Monkey King, and even an alpaca. While the premise may seem whimsical or absurd on the surface, the story thoughtfully delves into a universal issue: the anxiety women experience about their appearance.

The drama's fresh concept has boosted its popularity, placing it at the top of single-day viewership charts for new dramas on multiple entertainment data platforms such as Maoyan Pro and Kuyun. Besides, more than 170,000 viewers have rated the series on Douban, where it currently holds a score of 7.3 out of 10.

Director Chen Yuejin explains that the drama aims to offer audiences a meaningful perspective on life, encouraging positive emotions and helping viewers recognize their own self-worth.

Actor Tan adds that beneath the surface of this absurd comedy lies a deeper message — one that explores women's growth and the challenges they face throughout the journey.