Legend of Taotie | Open Thread

A mystical girl cooks mythical dishes with an artist who is against her cannibalizing cooking.

Notable Actors/Actresses

An Yue Xi: Zhu Cheng Bi

Wang You Shuo: Chang Qing

Director

Ke Zheng Ming

Chinese Title

饕餮記

Genres: Period, Romcom, Fantasy, Period Romcom

Network: Youku

Year: 2024
Episodes: 40

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Cast

Wang You Shuo: Chang Qing	An Yue Xi: Zhu Cheng Bi

Romcom/Romance Checklist

[In Progress]

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How much of the plot is angst/romance?

0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

The ML:

Cold–Lukewarm–Warm / Timid / Tsundere / Falls in Love First / Noble Idiot / CEO / General

The FL:

Bold / Cute / Cool & Independent / Falls in Love First / Better than ML / Noble Idiot

Describe the Relationship (the tropes):

Annoying Love (F/M) Rivals +++ / Bickering Start / Childhood Connection / Cohabitation / Contract Marriage or Fake Couple / Enemies to Lovers / Hidden Identity / Harem / Love Triangle / Married Couple (Real) / Rebirth / Secretly in Love (F/ML) / School to Adulthood / Star-Crossed Lovers

Relationship Progress (officially together; first (official) kiss; breakup*):

Ep 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 32 / 33 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 / 39 / 40

# of CPs (including main CP):
0 / 1 / 2 / 3

Ending:

Happy / Sad / Open Happy / Open Sad / Bad / Rushed+++

Remarks

[Drama Info] This drama took 5 years to air because of the drama outside of the drama.

On February 28, 2023, the drama's official Weibo issued a statement addressing the disputes (unresolved issues with post-production payments and responsibilities) between the drama producers and Alibaba Pictures, the investor.

Background: In 2019, a licensing agreement set the fee for Taotie Ji at 100 million RMB. Alibaba Pictures was tasked with post-production, withholding 32 million RMB for this purpose, which was assigned to Feifan Media, an affiliate.

However, subcontractors (including VAs) were not paid. Feifan Media alleges non-payment from the drama producers, despite the withheld 32 million RMB. (Basically, "no one" was paid. F Media points fingers at drama, Drama points finger at F Media). Alibaba Pictures is also accused of mishandling the funds and communication between the producers and its affiliate, Feifan Media.

Illegally aired: On February 21, 2023, while payments were still unresolved, Alibaba Pictures uploaded episodes to Youku without producers' consent. (If you remember, this did air, but was immediately removed).

Why the producers went with a public statement: Alibaba Pictures was not replying at all.  What the producers are requesting: transparency regarding the use of the 32 million RMB. 

Has payments been resolved? Well, it's airing. Nobody knows unless they (are allowed to) speak. 

[Ending]

Recommendations

Preliminary recs are random / a peek at the list. These may be updated if drama is completed

Genre List:

Light Period Romcoms

Romcom	Romcom	Romcom