LayarHijau – China’s entertainment and fashion scenes pulled off a unique spectacle on March 17, 2026. Actress Zhou Ye grabbed public attention when a video of her interacting with the AI assistant Doubao, owned by Douyin/ByteDance, went viral across platforms, quickly amassing hundreds of millions of views. The clip was hailed as one of the day’s most creative promotional moves, sparking wide discussion about AI’s role in fashion, timed perfectly with the premiere of the drama Dream of Golden Years (你好1983) on iQIYI.
In the video, Zhou Ye initially appeared in a simple white T‑shirt and cream-colored long pants—neat but rather plain. Doubao commented that the outfit looked clean but flat and suggested layering it with a short denim jacket. Zhou Ye followed the advice, and the overall look became noticeably more relaxed.
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The moment got even more interesting when Zhou Ye asked how to make her outfit look more “bossy,” reminiscent of a confident CEO. After a moment of thought, Doubao offered its ideal styling: partially unbutton the T‑shirt, pull out the hem slightly for a casual vibe, raise the pants and cuff the ankles to show them, and layer a plaid shirt over the denim jacket, buttoning only the top button while tucking the rest into the pants to add depth.
#zhouye asking Doubao, AI owned by ByteDance/ Douyin for fashion tips. #dreamofgoldenyears pic.twitter.com/7NiYnmCrr7
— Layar Hijau (@layar_hijau) March 17, 2026
Doubao also suggested adjusting the sleeves of the plaid shirt to fall naturally and loosely, giving a relaxed yet sharp finish. Zhou Ye appeared slightly puzzled and asked, “Is this right?” while Doubao remained immersed in its “artistic vision.” The result gave her an effortlessly bold yet playful aura, prompting humorous fan comments: “Doubao, why does everyone have to show their ankles?” and “Whoever Doubao styles, the ankles always show—I’m dying laughing.”
At the same time, the interaction highlighted the setting and characters of Dream of Golden Years. The drama takes place in 1983, following the main character as she navigates social and business changes, builds her career from scratch, and faces the challenges of young adulthood in a big city. The clothing and styling Zhou Ye wore in the video not only offered contemporary fashion inspiration but subtly introduced viewers to the drama’s 1980s atmosphere. The blend of retro and modern elements made the outfits feel authentic while still appealing to today’s audience.
Behind the seemingly spontaneous interaction, this campaign was a carefully planned strategy by the Dream of Golden Years production team, timed with the premiere on March 17, 2026. The approach cleverly tapped into young audiences’ dual interests in AI technology and fashion trends. By positioning Doubao as a “virtual stylist,” the promotion became interactive, connecting Zhou Ye, the story, and viewers in a unique experience.
Audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with some fans amused by the absurdity of the “ankles must show” advice—this added to the viral charm of the video. The success strengthened Zhou Ye’s image as a young actress skilled in both acting and fashion, while Doubao, as a product of ByteDance/Douyin, demonstrated the real potential of AI in the creative industry.
Through this campaign, Dream of Golden Years not only captured public attention but also opened new possibilities for drama promotion, showing how technology, fashion, and storytelling can blend into a more vibrant, relevant, and engaging experience for digital audiences.
