Unlike the high-profile broadcast of "Ask Sword Seeking Immortal,"
At the same time, "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" was launched on Penguin Video.
Web dramas are updated in two ways: for members and non-members. "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" updates four episodes daily. As long as you have a website membership, you can watch four episodes at once without advertisements.
Those without membership will have to watch advertisements and can only watch two episodes per day.
Blue Star's crackdown on piracy is very strict, so there are almost no pirated websites online. Moreover, people are willing to pay for good works. If they really don't want to pay, they can watch advertisements and get it for free.
Therefore, the monetization methods for web dramas and TV broadcasts are different. TV broadcasts are bought by the TV station, which is equivalent to a buyout. However, the copyright of web dramas still remains with the main creative team of the crew, who earn money based on viewership.
TV broadcasts are a sure bet, but web dramas carry risks.
If a drama becomes a hit, it can earn several times more than the TV station's buyout. If it doesn't, it could lead to a complete loss.
Many crews dare not gamble, but Su Yu dares.
Television dramas have always been about quality. Relying on harvesting traffic and fans is far less profitable than a drama with explosive word-of-mouth from the general public.
Managing the casual audience well is the best approach.
After "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" was launched,
The platform specially created a poster on its homepage to drive traffic.
Original fans also flocked to support it.
The popularity was quite good.
Moreover, the barrage here was not as hostile as "Ask Sword Seeking Immortal."
"I'm a fan of Jiangnan's dramas. I haven't read the original work. I heard this drama has a lot of sad moments?"
"No, no, how could there be sad moments? This is a sweet drama."
"That's right, it's definitely the only one with a happy ending from the old thief Jiangnan."
"Original fans remind you, it's super sweet ahead, be prepared with tissues."
"If it's super sweet, why do you need tissues?"
"In case you can't close your mouth from laughing and drool."
"Haha... I can't hold it anymore..."
...
The atmosphere of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" was exceptionally harmonious.
Moreover, the original fans were working hard to retain viewers.
After all, if casual viewers knew about the sad plot ahead and stopped watching, who would accompany them to shed tears again?
That's right, although many original fans complained about Jiangnan's shameful ability to inflict sadness, everyone still loved the book very much.
"No minor characters in The Legend of Sword and Fairy" is the highest praise from book fans for this drama.
Every character is flesh and blood, every story is deeply touching, even the emotions between monsters are thought-provoking.
Such a good work, everyone wants it to be seen by more people.
When Penguin Video updated the first four episodes of "The Legend of Sword and Fairy,"
The long-awaited original fans instantly flooded into the first episode.
The first thing they watched was naturally the opening sequence.
The platform had an option to skip the opening, but almost everyone clicked "no."
After all, their anticipation for the theme song was even higher than for the drama itself.
Anything produced by Ting Yu is a masterpiece!
The prelude began.
Then, a beautiful vocalization appeared.
On screen,
Li Xiaoyao, played by Shen Qingfeng, held a small sword and stood on a mountain peak, with clouds surging below.
He gave a handsome smile to the camera, and then the scene shifted, with him and the sword falling together.
Li Xiaoyao standing on a flying sword, his elegance and chivalry immediately made everyone exclaim "awesome!"
"This is what it means to ride a sword through the air!"
"Damn, I suddenly got goosebumps because I just watched spiritual energy transform into horses next door..."
"Brother, you're not alone. The Immortal Emperor was chased and killed because his horse wasn't as fast as others. I nearly had a breakdown after watching it!"
"Holy crap, the special effects in this drama are amazing. This scene in the opening is too realistic!"
Just one clip made many viewers feel a tingling sensation on their scalps.
This is what a Xianxia drama should look like in their minds!
Riding the wind on a sword, eliminating demons in the world!
Flying on a sword, carefree and happy!
"A body that has slept for thousands of years,
Awakens from rotten branches and withered leaves.
It is the mournful sigh of the nightingale,
That unveils the curse..."
When the first line was sung,
The audience realized that this song was likely sung by Lin Yanyu.
But this was not surprising, as she was Ting Yu's main artist, and it was normal for her to sing Ting Yu's songs.
Moreover, her skills were more than enough to handle this song.
Especially since she had followed "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" from beginning to end and had a deep understanding of Xianxia. When performing this song, she was very comfortable and proficient.
"Whose seal lies upon the forgotten sword?
Following the sound of the flute and the hoofbeats, to find you.
The most glorious sacrifice,
Is the destiny of a hero,
As the blade is swung, the heart weeps..."
In the opening montage, characters appeared one by one, flying on swords, riding calabashes in the sky.
It depicted a stunning Xianxia world.
Zhao Ling'er, played by Qin Xiaorou, Lin Yueru, played by Qin Xiaoyuan, and scenes with other veteran actors appeared. Their attire was not the currently popular, annoyingly white style.
Li Xiaoyao, dressed as a wandering swordsman with a sword on his back, was exactly what many imagined a sword immortal to look like.
And the breathtaking real-life scenery, combined with scenes constructed with incredibly realistic special effects, was also what many dreamed of in a Xianxia world.
"Life is to prove,
The traces of love's existence.
A greater life after the fire burns,
To kill is to sing,
Of the magnificence before destruction..."
As the chorus began, the grand and desolate feeling instantly emerged.
Coupled with the blood-pumping fight scenes and the sound of spiritual energy colliding,
The audience was instantly immersed in this moving cultivation world.
They couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
"Holy crap, I thought the preview for 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy' was the peak of the entire show. I didn't expect these to be the average shots..."
"Old thief Jiangnan, if you can't edit trailers, don't do it. If the trailer was of this quality, the current popularity of 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy' would have doubled at least!"
"Ting Yu's song combined with Jiangnan's TV series is a perfect match!"
"I'm even more excited about the actors' performances later. With this level of costume design, makeup, and special effects, if the actors' performances don't drag it down, I dare say now that this drama will definitely become the pinnacle of Xianxia!"
"I'm not worried about the acting, because all the actors in 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy' are talented, and even the newcomers are talented and spirited."
The opening sequence was not even finished.
Many viewers were already excited.
Because they discovered that this drama seemed to be even more incredible than they had imagined.
Judging from the costume design, makeup, and special effects style revealed in the opening, it could definitely be considered high quality. As long as the plot and actors' performances were not an issue, this drama would undoubtedly become a classic.
There was no need to worry about the plot, as the screenwriter was the old thief Jiangnan himself, and this was a drama he personally helmed.
As for the acting, with a cast of veteran actors and talented newcomers,
Was there anything to worry about?
...
ps: Something came up, so there are only two chapters. Today counts as my leave. I will resume three chapters a day after the matters are resolved. Thank you all for your support!