Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Love O2O has made a surprising comeback with an intriguing new look that has captured public interest.
Love O2O, previously titled Wei Wei Yi Xiao Hen Qing Cheng, has now been re-released online as Yi Xiao Qing Cheng. The most significant change involves the replacement of lead actress Zheng Shuang’s face with actress Wang Chuyue’s face using AI technology. Despite this change, the original footage, dialogues, storyline, and Yang Yang’s portrayal of Xiao Nai have been retained. The series has also been enhanced visually to 4K resolution.
The decision to replace Zheng Shuang’s image aims to distance the production from the actress’s personal controversies, potentially enabling the drama to reconnect with audiences. It offers a strategy to revive and profit from an older title that was previously removed from streaming platforms.
Originally airing in 2016 with Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang in the lead roles, Love O2O was pulled from platforms in August 2021 due to regulatory directives regarding Zheng Shuang. The series faced removal not due to its storyline but because of controversies linked to the actress’s personal life.
The use of AI technology to replace Zheng Shuang’s image highlights the enormous popularity of Love O2O and the challenges faced by producers in distributing a drama marred by controversies. By utilizing the existing content and modifying it through AI, producers aim to minimize costs and revive the drama for its dedicated fan base.
Love O2O, which premiered in 2016 and starred Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang, became a breakout hit, garnering billions of views online. Despite its removal from streaming platforms, the series retains a loyal following, making it a valuable intellectual property ripe for re-release.
The use of AI to alter existing footage presents a cost-effective solution for revitalizing older titles without starting from scratch. By preserving most of the original content, including Yang Yang’s performance, the series can maintain its appeal while distancing itself from past controversies.
However, the AI-generated modifications have been met with mixed reactions, with some viewers criticizing the stiffness and unnatural appearance of the new facial expressions. Actress Wang Chuyue, whose face was used for the replacement, apologized to viewers, acknowledging the drastic change from the original portrayal of Bei Weiwei.
The return of Love O2O with AI modifications signals a new era in content creation, where technology plays a pivotal role in reviving and preserving older productions. This innovative approach could offer a solution for navigating controversies and reinvigorating dormant titles in the entertainment industry.
Sources: k14