LayarHijau – On December 15, THE MIRROR HOUSE, the styling team behind the drama On My Way, released an official apology addressing the recent controversy surrounding the show’s costumes and character appearance. In the statement, the team offered a public apology to Zhang Jingyi, the drama’s production team, as well as viewers and fans who felt offended by the issue.
The controversy began after an inappropriate remark was posted by the administrator of the styling team’s account during an online argument with netizens. One widely circulated comment read, “We’re just doing the best we can. If fans think the result looks bad, it’s because our abilities are limited.” The statement was seen as dismissive of audience criticism and quickly sparked backlash across social media.
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The heated debate was triggered by behind-the-scenes photos from the set of On My Way that spread widely online. In the images, Zhang Jingyi appears with deliberately dull makeup and styling, including thick, prominent eyebrows, faded market-worker attire, and unkempt hair. Many netizens felt the look was overly exaggerated and failed to reflect “realism,” instead coming across as demeaning.
As an urban drama that had generated considerable anticipation, On My Way reportedly aims to portray the everyday lives of women from modest backgrounds in an authentic way. However, its visual approach drew criticism for equating lower-income life with being dirty, sloppy, and poorly groomed. Many fans argued that being simple does not mean being shabby, and that realism should not come at the expense of a character’s dignity.
Further statements from the styling team citing “limited ability” as the reason behind the choices were also criticized as an attempt to deflect responsibility. The public questioned why the character concept had not been more thoroughly communicated from the start with the production team, the actors, and even readers of the original novel, allowing differing interpretations to escalate into open conflict.
Amid the criticism, speculation emerged that the styling concept might be part of a planned character transformation later in the story. It has been suggested that the character played by Zhang Jingyi will undergo significant changes as the plot develops. However, many viewers see this as a risky approach, as it asks audiences to accept an uncomfortable visual presentation from the very beginning.
As of now, Zhang Jingyi has not personally responded to the controversy. Still, the stark contrast between her usual fresh image and her appearance in On My Way has left some fans disappointed. Readers of the original novel have also spoken up, noting that the female lead is described as simple yet clean, resilient, and full of vitality.
The incident has once again reignited a long-standing debate within the Chinese drama industry: the tendency to invoke “realism” to justify visual choices that viewers find excessive or stereotypical. For many audiences, true realism should be conveyed through emotions, conflicts, and lived experiences, rather than through physical portrayals that feel judgmental.
Discussions surrounding Zhang Jingyi’s styling and character appearance in On My Way remain active on social media. While an apology has been issued, many believe that the production team’s next steps will ultimately determine whether the controversy can truly subside.
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