LayarHijau – Chinese actress Bai Lu has spoken out in response to mounting criticism from her fans regarding the makeup and styling of her character Ye Li in the historical drama Mo Li (《莫离》). In an emotional and introspective post, Bai Lu described Ye Li as one of the most challenging roles of her career—both emotionally and in terms of complexity.
“This is the first time I’m introducing Ye Li. She’s a very difficult character to portray. Among all the ‘hers’ I’ve ever met, she has the most complicated background and the most multifaceted personality.
Many times she smiles while actually crying. She seems calm, but her heart is in turmoil.
Thanks to Director Lin’s refinement, Ye Li became someone with flesh, blood, and a soul.
Thank you for your expectations for Qiqi. Please believe in us. We will work together to deliver a satisfactory answer.”
Bai Lu’s statement was shared on her personal social media account and reported by Sohu Entertainment.
What Are Fans Complaining About?
Bai Lu’s fanbase has expressed growing frustration over the visual presentation of Ye Li in Mo Li, citing the following concerns:
Monotonous and Repetitive Styling
Fans pointed out that Ye Li is shown with only two hairstyles throughout the show, and her costumes are largely colorless and plain. This was deemed unfit for a character of noble birth who later becomes a royal consort.
Lack of Elegance and Detail
The original novel described Ye Li’s wardrobe as luxurious, embroidered, and refined. In contrast, the drama’s styling has been criticized as outdated and dull, lacking the grace expected from a noblewoman.
Questionable Professionalism of the Styling Team
Fans alleged that no one from the crew touched up Bai Lu’s makeup during intense outdoor shoots under scorching heat (over 40°C), resulting in smudged makeup and messy hair. This was seen as negligent and harmful to both the production quality and Bai Lu’s image.
Ignored Feedback
According to the official fan club, feedback regarding the issue had been repeatedly sent to Bai Lu’s studio and the production team since filming began, but was largely ignored.
Suspected Costume Recycling
Some netizens compared Ye Li’s outfits to those Bai Lu wore in The Demon Hunter’s Romance, finding striking similarities that sparked speculation about costume recycling and lack of originality.
What Are Fans Demanding?
In a public statement, Bai Lu’s fan club made the following demands:
- Replace the current makeup and hair team with professionals who understand both the character and audience expectations.
- Release more official visual materials and open up to constructive feedback from viewers.
- Bai Lu’s studio should take a more proactive role in communicating with the production team to safeguard her image and working conditions.
Broader Reactions
The controversy has sparked divided responses across online forums and media platforms:
Supporters: Many fans of the novel and industry observers agreed that the current styling threatens the drama’s overall appeal and encouraged the producers to make changes.
Critics: Others accused the fans of overstepping, suggesting that visual design is the artistic domain of the production team and that the minimalist look may have been a creative choice.
So far, neither Bai Lu’s studio nor the production team of Mo Li has issued a formal response. Bai Lu’s statement, however, appears to subtly shift the conversation from her visual appearance to the emotional depth and narrative strength of her performance.
