 |
| Bai Lu Responds to Fans’ Backlash Over Styling in Mo Li: “Please Believe in Us” |
Chinese actress Bai Lu has broken her silence after weeks of mounting fan criticism surrounding her appearance in the 2025 historical drama Mo Li (《莫离》). Fans of both the actress and the original novel have been vocal online, calling out what they feel is a disappointing visual portrayal of her character Ye Li, a noble-born woman who later becomes a royal consort.
But instead of firing back, Bai Lu shared a heartfelt and introspective message on her personal Weibo, turning the conversation away from contour and costume—and towards character and craft.
“This is the first time I’m introducing Ye Li. She’s a very difficult character to portray... Among all the ‘hers’ I’ve ever met, she has the most complicated background and the most multifaceted personality,” she wrote.
“Many times she smiles while actually crying. She seems calm, but her heart is in turmoil... Thanks to Director Lin’s refinement, Ye Li became someone with flesh, blood, and a soul.”
In closing, Bai Lu thanked her followers for their expectations and added, “Please believe in us. We will work together to deliver a satisfactory answer.”
 |
👗 So What’s Got Fans Riled Up?
Despite strong support for Bai Lu’s acting chops, fans have been sharply critical of her makeup and styling in Mo Li. Among the top gripes:
-
Only Two Hairstyles? Netizens pointed out that Ye Li is seen rotating between just two basic hairstyles across multiple episodes—something they felt was lazy for a drama of this scale.
-
Costume Copy-Paste? Fans claimed Ye Li’s outfits are either dull or oddly familiar. Some even compared them to costumes Bai Lu wore in The Demon Hunter’s Romance, fuelling rumours of recycled wardrobe pieces.
-
Where’s the Elegance? In the novel, Ye Li’s wardrobe is described as opulent and graceful—embroidered silks, flowing robes, ornate jewellery. The drama version? Critics say it feels “bland,” “outdated,” and “nothing like a noble consort.”
-
Melting Makeup in 40°C Heat? According to fan reports, Bai Lu’s makeup was visibly smudged during outdoor shoots, with no visible effort from the styling team to retouch or tidy up. This sparked wider concerns about professionalism on set.
-
Feedback Ignored? The official fan club claimed they had already flagged these issues to Bai Lu’s team and the production side during filming, but received little to no response.
🙋♀️ What Do Fans Want Changed?
 |
In an unusual public move, Bai Lu’s fan club outlined specific demands, including:
-
Replace the current makeup and hair crew with professionals who understand both historical styling and viewer expectations.
-
Drop more official posters and character stills with polished visuals.
-
Have Bai Lu’s studio take a stronger stance in protecting her on-set image and maintaining her standard of work.
🗣 Reactions Are Split – But The Spotlight's Still on Bai Lu
The controversy has created a bit of a divide online. Some viewers feel the complaints are spot on and hope the production team reconsiders its styling direction before it drags down the entire series.
Others, however, argue that styling choices can be creative decisions, and fans may be overreaching. Some even praised the minimalist styling as a possible reflection of Ye Li’s emotional repression and political restraint.
Still, Bai Lu’s carefully worded post didn’t go unnoticed. While she didn’t directly comment on the criticism, her message seemed to redirect attention to what she hopes the audience will truly see—a layered, emotionally rich performance in a complex role.
No official statement has been made yet by Bai Lu Studio or the Mo Li production team, but fans are keeping their eyes peeled—both for updates and hopefully, for better outfits.