Recently, the term “assembly line historical dramas” has been trending, and viewers are speaking out about their exhaustion with the constant repetition of storylines, similar makeup, and the same cast combinations. Many have expressed that they’ve had enough.

It’s undeniable that historical dramas are currently one of the most popular genres in film and TV. Many rising stars have gained fame through this path, amassing substantial fan bases. New actors and so-called “waiting-to-explode” celebrities are eager to join the fray to take a slice of the pie.

While the booming market naturally attracts more creators and investors, this should never excuse the careless imitation and subpar production that’s becoming so widespread.

Social media users have pointed out the classic tropes in many of these “assembly line” dramas: characters getting darker with heavy eyeliner, youthful hairstyles with bangs, ethereal figures in white garments, and ridiculous attempts at looking unattractive. As a result, it’s not uncommon to see characters wearing identical outfits, leading to a sense of déjà vu. The actors’ emotions often seem out of sync, and sometimes their makeup gives away the plot twists ahead of time.

Moreover, this formulaic approach to makeup neither highlights individual character traits nor aids actors in conveying emotions, leaving audiences feeling disengaged and sensing a lack of effort.

Modern historical dramas excessively rely on big IP (intellectual property) and celebrity combinations, with most platforms following this S+ grade formula each year. It seems that from investors to platforms, actors, and even fans, there’s an unspoken agreement about the viability of this system.

Production companies are bulk-buying web literature IPs. Fans are betting on which characters have good potential and depth, although they might claim they won’t support projects unless officially announced. Meanwhile, the comment sections in actors’ studios are rife with fan fervor.

With both insiders and outsiders optimistic, one has to wonder: how powerful is this “combination punch”?

Looking at this year’s data, many previously touted S+ grade historical dramas have underperformed, with their airing results falling flat. One platform representative candidly noted that expectations for major hits were missed this year, with innovative works surprisingly delivering more surprises.

The inconsistent performance of blockbusters indicates that the so-called universal formula is far from “universal.”

Critics argue that these “assembly line historical dramas” seem to believe that audiences will remain entranced by the same successful templates, as if viewers can be easily manipulated into accepting something devoid of heart.

For instance, a trend in recent years has centered around time-travel, with protagonists flitting between the ancient and modern worlds. Lately, the focus has shifted to characters “waking up” within their stories, challenging their narrative fates. Palace dramas have morphed into domestic ones, all centered around intrigue. Now, with the rising fame of female-led narratives, common tropes feature strong, independent heroines breaking free and pursuing careers.

These shining examples should set high standards for the industry, encouraging subsequent works to innovate rather than merely borrowing from them, enabling shortcuts and replication. A diverse and flourishing film and TV market is essential for vitality.

At the same time, the lack of intrigue in “assembly line historical dramas” can be attributed not only to the repetitive storytelling but also to a cast of actors who seem to be engaged in some mysterious permutation of roles.

A recent viral image depicted a web of familiar actor names linked to one another, highlighting why, despite the abundance of historical dramas each year, audiences often feel a sense of déjà vu—“Is it always the same group again?”

Actors trapped in these “assembly line” dramas struggle to deliver surprising performances, moving from one familiar set to another, often embodying similar roles with indistinct looks, making it difficult for viewers to distinguish which show they are currently watching.

Ultimately, the term “assembly line” should not be a prefix for artistic works. It’s up to every professional in the industry to find ways to heal the viewers’ hearts that have been dulled by these uninspired “assembly line historical dramas.”