LayarHijau – A major controversy is brewing over the planned short-form adaptation of the massively popular Chinese fantasy C-drama, Ashes of Love (香蜜沉沉烬如霜).
On November 26, the original drama’s General Producer, Liu Ning, announced via Weibo that the beloved story would be “rekindled” in a short series format, with filming slated to begin in Hengdian this December.
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Liu Ning’s emotional post read: “The story of Ashes of Love has accompanied you all for seven years, becoming an unforgettable spiritual feast for all of us, as well as the most precious memory in my heart. The thread of romance turns to ash, the snow flower blooms, let’s continue the love story of the six realms! This time, I have decided to restart this story. Just wait!”
However, the announcement immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy.
Just one day prior, on November 25, the original novel’s author, Dian Xian (@我是电线), vehemently denied the news on social media. She explicitly stated that she had not granted permission and was completely unaware of the short drama plan. Dian Xian also mentioned enduring online harassment and the misuse of the IP’s intellectual property rights since the long-form drama’s initial broadcast.
Copyright Issues and Background
The 2018-released Ashes of Love is renowned as a monumental, nationally successful xianxia fantasy drama. While the drama’s copyright is held by Perfect World Pictures—which reportedly mentioned plans for a short-form version at an audiovisual program forum in April 2025—the author’s strong denial raises serious questions about the legality and official authorization for this adaptation.
Copyright infringement and the misuse of major IPs in short-form adaptations are not new phenomena. The Chinese entertainment industry frequently faces similar legal issues when popular properties are adapted into shorter series, setting precedents for potential legal battles. Besides copyright issues, adapting novels into short dramas also faces other problems such as fan backlash and censorship issues.
The Hidden Love Adaptation Fiasco
Previously, the popular IP Hidden Love was adapted into a short drama by the same production house behind the long-form series. Not only did this draw immediate rejection from long-drama fans, but the novel’s publisher and author also confirmed that they had not granted permission for the short-form adaptation. The publisher and the production house eventually reached a peaceful settlement, and the short drama, titled Hidden Love for You, was subsequently pulled from streaming.
The Zhe Yao Adaptation Problem
A similar issue plagued the short-form adaptation of the popular IP Zhe Yao. While the novel was adapted into the long drama The Prisoner of Beauty, controversy arose when it was adapted into a short series titled Yield to You. Less than 24 hours after its premiere, Yield to You was mysteriously pulled from Chinese streaming platforms without an official explanation.
While the short drama version of Ashes of Love is reportedly moving forward with its production crew already selected, the crucial matter of official consent from the novel’s author, Dian Xian, remains a significant unresolved issue.
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