ARTS / CULTURE & LEISURE
Controversy surrounding suspected styling infringement of hit TV series ‘Flourished Peony’ solved: book author
Published: Jan 13, 2025 09:18 PM
Photo:Courtesy of Flourished Peony

Photo:Courtesy of Flourished Peony

China's hit historical TV series Guose Fanghua, or Flourished Peony, starring actors Yang Zi and Li Xian, has faced accusations of unauthorized use of makeup and styling ideas by Zuo Qiumo, the author of the book Chinese Makeup Bundle (Tang Dynasty). On Monday, the official social media account of the TV series issued an apology, Zuo, who called for greater awareness of copyright protection, told the Global Times that he has been in contact with the production team and the matter has been properly resolved.

"The styling team of Flourished Peony was likely inspired by Chinese Makeup Bundle (Tang Dynasty), using it as a reference out of admiration. The production team has responded promptly and engaged in a constructive dialogue, and I commend their attitude," Zuo noted.

Zuo said the TV series itself is of good quality, and since the production team provided a reasonable explanation in a timely manner, he understands the misunderstanding that occurred. Therefore, he expressed the hope that the TV series won't be accused of "plagiarism" by the public.

"I have encountered malicious infringement multiple times in the past without receiving any formal response," he recalled.

"Copyright awareness should not be raised only after the issue arises; it should be established from the very beginning," he said. "When a creative team draws inspiration from someone's work, they should clarify the partnership in advance and find the right collaborators, rather than allowing 'middlemen' who impersonate the original authors to interfere."

Photo:Courtesy of the book Chinese Makeup Bundle (Tang Dynasty)

Photo:Courtesy of the book Chinese Makeup Bundle (Tang Dynasty)



The show Flourished Peony is set against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The story follows He Weifang (played by Yang Zi), the daughter of a merchant, who, with the help of Jiang Changyang (played by Li Xian), forms a team of artisans and investors.

On Sunday, the TV series sparked widespread discussion online over its makeup and styling, with the related topics quickly trending on Chinse social media. Zuo posted stills from the TV series on his social platform, comparing them with the makeup designs featured in his book, which further fueled the debate.

On Monday morning, the TV series' official social media account issued an apology statement: "The styling of certain characters in the TV series was based on the ancient costume research book Chinese Makeup Bundle: (Tang Dynasty). During the reference process, some academic research diagrams were mistakenly regarded as artifact restoration images, leading to misunderstanding. We deeply apologize for this error. The book systematically outlines the makeup and styling of Tang Dynasty women, providing detailed reference material for the creation of the TV series."

Regarding his book, Zuo emphasized that it can be used for public interest to promote traditional culture, but for commercial purposes, proper authorization from him is required.

"It is indeed a reference book for ancient costumes, hairstyles, and makeup, meant to guide people. The artifacts themselves are real, but how the clothing is worn, how the jewelry is styled, and the makeup effects are all our speculative designs, intended for reference only," he said.