LayarHijau – Zhao Lusi’s studio has officially begun filming its latest short drama, Sonder: I’m Not an NPC (《SONDER我不是NPC》), in Hengdian on August 22. The project marks one of Zhao Lusi’s ventures behind the scenes as a production supervisor and producer, while she will not appear in the drama as an actress.
A day before filming began, the production team held a livestream that offered the first look at several cast members. Wei Xiao (魏笑), Bao Jieyi (包洁仪), influencer Houben (厚本), and Zhou Zhiyi (周知意) are among those reported to be involved in the project.
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However, the biggest surprise for viewers was the unexpected appearance of Zhao Lusi’s father, popularly known as “Zhao Ge” (赵哥). He has joined the cast of Sonder: I’m Not an NPC (《SONDER我不是NPC》), where he plays a general.
Zhao Ge’s appearance in costume even led some netizens to say they initially mistook him for actor Huang Xiaoming. His appearance quickly became one of the highlights of the livestream, with viewers taking notice of his transformed look after he prepared specifically for the role.
Zhao Ge also revealed during the livestream that he had started preparing for the character well in advance. He went on a weight-loss regimen and worked on his physical condition to better fit the general he will portray.
The title Sonder: I’m Not an NPC (《SONDER我不是NPC》) also carries a meaning related to the term NPC. NPC stands for “Non-Player Character,” referring to a character in a video game that is not directly controlled by the player and generally follows a predetermined function or storyline. “Sonder,” meanwhile, refers to the realization that every person we encounter has a life, experiences, and a story just as complex as our own.
According to information circulating in several Chinese media outlets, Sonder: I’m Not an NPC (《SONDER我不是NPC》) centers on a group of women trying to take control of their own lives. One report describes the characters as realizing that they are essentially like NPCs living in a world where their paths have already been predetermined. They then attempt to break free from that predetermined storyline and change their own fates.
Other Chinese media reports have described the project as an anthology-style drama, with different character arcs and stories in each segment. The series is said to explore the search for self-worth and meaning in life, while conveying the idea that everyone is the protagonist of their own story.
Several Chinese media outlets have also reported that the first season will consist of five episodes, with each episode running for more than 20 minutes. Filming is reportedly expected to take around 15 days.
The reported cast includes Wei Xiao (魏笑), Bao Jieyi (包洁仪), influencer Houben (厚本), and Zhou Zhiyi (周知意). Zhao Lusi’s father, Zhao Ge (赵哥), has also joined the cast and will portray a general.
Sonder: I’m Not an NPC (《SONDER我不是NPC》) has also been reported to use a profit-sharing model that differs from the usual approach to short-drama productions. According to reports circulating in China, the director and cast members will not receive fixed salaries but will instead receive a share of the project’s profits.
However, the information regarding the synopsis, episode count, episode length, profit-sharing model, and other production details is currently based on reports circulating in several Chinese media outlets. Zhao Lusi and her studio have yet to officially disclose or confirm all of these details, so they may change once the production team releases further official information.
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