Chinese dramas and films

Filming for the drama «Sonder: I Am Not an NPC» kicked off on August 22 in Hengdian. The project marks the first series to be produced by Zhao Lusi's studio, with the actress herself serving as producer rather than appearing on screen.

The drama is reportedly set to span multiple seasons, with the first season comprising five episodes, each running over 20 minutes. According to available information, production is expected to take approximately 15 days.

Read more: 9 New Projects from Zhao Lusi’s Studio

A day before filming began, the production team held a live stream introducing several cast members: Bao Jieyi, Zhou Zhiyi, Hou Ben, Wei Xiao, and influencer Houben.

The biggest surprise came with the unexpected appearance of Zhao Lusi's father, Zhao Ge, who has joined the cast in the role of a general. When Zhao Ge first appeared on the live stream in costume, some viewers even mistook him for actor Huang Xiaoming. Fans who follow Zhao Lusi's social media and are familiar with her father's appearance noted that he had undergone a remarkable transformation for the role.

Zhao Ge shared that he had begun preparing for the part long before filming started. He lost weight and worked on his physical conditioning to better fit the image of a general.

The story unfolds in a world where several women suddenly realize they are trapped within a script, existing only as NPCs (non-player characters) whose fates have been predetermined. Refusing to accept their roles, they join forces to break free from the narrative and rewrite their lives on their own terms.

The title "Sonder" refers to the realization that every person we encounter has a life, experiences, and a story just as complex as our own.

Chinese media have described the project as an anthology drama, with each segment featuring different storylines and character arcs. The series is said to explore themes of self-worth and the search for meaning in life.

Interestingly, the project is rumored to adopt a new profit-sharing model, different from the standard approach for short-form dramas. Under this arrangement, the director and actors would not receive fixed salaries but instead take a share of the project's profits. Zhao Lusi and her studio have yet to officially confirm these details.