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| Bai Lu responds after new hairstyle sparks debate as filming begins on Chinese romance drama Kai Dao Tu Mi. (Credits: Weibo) |
Bai Lu barely had time to celebrate the first day of filming for her new Chinese romance drama Kai Dao Tu Mi (开到荼蘼) before attention shifted away from the production itself and onto her appearance. Behind-the-scenes photos from the opening ceremony quickly spread across social media, with her new hairstyles becoming one of the biggest talking points among drama fans. While many praised her elegant long-haired look, the reveal of a much shorter hairstyle sparked a wave of debate, with some viewers arguing it made the actress look older than expected and others urging the production team to rethink the styling before filming moves further ahead.
The production officially held its opening ceremony on 24 July, where Bai Lu appeared with long, straight black hair. That version of the character immediately received positive comments, with many describing the look as graceful and refreshing.
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Before speculation had much chance to grow, the actress personally explained that the long hairstyle only represents her character Wang Yunna during her university years and appears for a relatively small portion of the drama.
She also reassured fans that the character would later transition to a short hairstyle, adding that the shorter look would "surprise everyone". It sounded like a confident promise. Unfortunately, the internet decided it had its own review panel before the second episode even exists.
When the production released its official promotional teaser featuring Bai Lu wearing the character's signature short hairstyle from the original novel, reactions quickly became far more divided. Some viewers noticed what they believed were visible wig edges, while others criticised the styling for looking overly thick, lacking texture and appearing dry.
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Discussions soon shifted away from the drama itself and focused almost entirely on the hairstyle, proving once again that fictional characters apparently need to survive not only plot twists but also the court of public opinion.
More styling photos later surfaced from the filming location, including another version of the long straight hairstyle that received widespread praise. However, fresh images of an alternative short hairstyle reignited criticism almost immediately.
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Even some longtime supporters admitted they preferred the earlier version seen during script readings and promotional activities, arguing that it better matched Wang Yunna's image while highlighting Bai Lu's natural features.
As the conversation continued gathering momentum, many fans directly tagged Bai Lu Studio, asking the team to reconsider the styling direction before filming progressed further.
Several posts suggested maintaining the shorter hairstyle previously seen during rehearsals instead of the version currently appearing in set photos. Others felt the issue was not the haircut itself but rather the wig styling, believing better finishing touches would completely transform the overall appearance.
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Many supporters went beyond leaving quick comments and instead posted lengthy messages tagging Bai Lu Studio directly to express their frustration over the styling. Fans argued that the issue was not Bai Lu herself but the execution of the wig and hair design, urging the studio to work more closely with the styling team before filming progressed further.
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Fans also urged the production to keep Bai Lu's short hairstyle at the same length seen during the drama's script-reading sessions, when she was surrounded by fans outside the venue. Many argued that version looked far more natural and flattering, saying it perfectly captured Wang Yunna's image while complementing the actress's features.
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Many netizens also joined the conversation with plenty of sarcastic remarks, with some joking that the hairstyle looked as though it had been rushed together moments before filming began rather than prepared for a major television production. Others quipped that Bai Lu deserved a better wig than her character's fictional budget appeared to allow, while several posts humorously compared the choppy cut to hairstyles from decades ago
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The production team soon addressed the growing discussion with a detailed response. According to the statement, the short hairstyle is an essential part of the character's development and remains necessary for the story.
However, they confirmed that the quality and finer details of the hairstyle would be adjusted by the styling department to improve its overall appearance during filming.
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The team also revealed that viewers will eventually see the character wearing a medium-length hairstyle later in the series, meaning the controversial look is only one stage of Wang Yunna's journey.
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Meanwhile, the striking red outfit seen in some promotional images was explained as being tied to a specific storyline and will not continue appearing throughout production. While many appreciated the production responding so quickly, others felt the explanation stopped short of addressing the styling concerns that initially sparked the discussion.
Several supporters continued expressing hope that future adjustments would better reflect both the original novel and Bai Lu's on-screen image.
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Despite Bai Lu's personal response explaining that the long black hairstyle only represents Wang Yunna's university years and promising that later short-hair looks would "surprise everyone", many of her fans remain unconvinced.
A large number argued that the explanation did little to address their biggest concern—the overall quality of the styling itself. For them, the issue was never the character having short hair, but whether the final look complemented both the role and Bai Lu's appearance.
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| Bai Lu Addresses Claims Her New Hairstyle Makes Her Look Older in Kai Dao Tu Mi |
Alongside the hairstyle debate, the drama has generated excitement for several other reasons. Kai Dao Tu Mi reunites Bai Lu with Chang Huasen following their previous collaboration, while Peng Guanying joins the cast in a special starring role.
Behind-the-scenes photos showing Peng Guanying effortlessly lifting Bai Lu during filming also attracted attention, with viewers quickly commenting on their noticeable height difference and natural chemistry long before the series has released an official trailer.
The production has also drawn interest thanks to director Li Muge, whose previous romantic dramas have earned strong reputations for combining visually striking cinematography with emotionally layered storytelling. For many fans, that creative team remains one of the biggest reasons to stay optimistic despite the early styling debate.