Having tasted initial success in their transition to stage plays, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran did not stop exploring innovation. Soon after, a brand new opportunity presented itself to them—a modern play offered them a chance, meaning they would once again challenge themselves and achieve a significant shift in performance style from ancient to modern.

This modern drama, titled "Urban Dream Chasers," tells the story of several young people striving for their dreams in a bustling city, overcoming setbacks while remaining true to their original aspirations. Unlike period dramas, which emphasize etiquette, cultural depth, and ancient costumes, modern dramas are closer to real life, requiring actors to accurately grasp the lifestyle, language style, emotional expression, and various fashion elements of modern characters. For Ling Yichen and Jun Moran, this was undoubtedly an unprecedented challenge, but their inherent courage to take on challenges led them to accept the role without hesitation.

The opening ceremony was a lively affair. Crew members, media reporters, and numerous fans gathered to witness this important moment. Ling Yichen and Jun Moran appeared in simple yet stylish modern attire, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Ling Yichen wore a white casual shirt paired with black slim-fit trousers and sneakers, a simple yet handsome look, his neat short hair appearing particularly energetic in the sunlight. Jun Moran wore a light blue denim suit with a white T-shirt underneath, and a unique necklace, exuding a unique charm that combined fashion and elegance.

Standing on the stage, facing the audience, they felt both excited and nervous. Excited to be embarking on a brand new acting journey, and nervous about whether they could successfully portray their modern characters. The director stepped onto the stage and enthusiastically introduced the background of the play, its plot synopsis, and the main cast. He placed high hopes on Ling Yichen and Jun Moran, believing that their outstanding acting skills would inject new vitality into the drama.

After the opening ceremony, the intense pre-production phase began. The first step was a deep analysis and understanding of the characters. Ling Yichen plays Lin Yu, a passionate young man from a small county who comes to the big city to pursue his music dreams. He is resolute and optimistic, but encounters various setbacks and confusions on his path to his dreams, experiencing complex emotional changes. Jun Mo Ran plays Su Ran, a talented designer with a cool exterior but a passionate heart. He has a high pursuit of art and strives to find his own artistic inspiration amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

To better understand their characters, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran began immersing themselves in the lives of modern urban youth. They wandered the streets and alleys, visiting cafes, office buildings, and music studios, carefully observing the behavior, clothing, and social interactions of young people. Ling Yichen even attended some underground music performances to experience the atmosphere of modern music and the passion and dedication of musicians. Jun Moran, on the other hand, frequently visited various art exhibitions and design studios, exchanging ideas and discussing with modern designers to understand their creative concepts and working conditions.

They also put in a lot of effort in terms of language. Ancient language styles are vastly different from modern ones, so to deliver authentic modern lines, they hired professional language teachers for guidance. From standard Mandarin pronunciation to the use of modern slang, from mastering tone and intonation to controlling speaking speed and rhythm, they practiced repeatedly. For example, Ling Yichen often made mistakes when practicing his lines because he habitually used classical Chinese expressions; he had to correct himself again and again until he could speak modern lines naturally and fluently. Jun Mo Ran focused on portraying lines under different emotional states; he learned how to better express a character's joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness through imitating actors in modern films.

During filming, they encountered many challenges, one of the biggest being how to break free from the constraints of ancient performance styles and portray the authenticity and naturalness of modern characters. In a scene where Lin Yu sings in a bar, Ling Yichen initially unconsciously exuded the refined elegance of an ancient scholar, his movements and expressions appearing somewhat stiff and unnatural. The director, after watching, promptly stopped the scene and gave him guidance: "Yichen, you are now a modern bar singer. You need to be more relaxed and spontaneous, without so much restraint. Your movements can be more exaggerated, your expressions more varied, and you need to let the audience feel your love for music and your passion on stage." After listening, Ling Yichen seriously reflected on his performance. He adjusted his mindset, imagining himself as a real bar singer, immersing himself in the world of music. During the next take, his performance was significantly improved. He swayed to the rhythm of the music, his face radiating a confident smile, his eyes revealing a dedication to his dream, successfully portraying Lin Yu's state of mind while singing in the bar.

Jun Mo Ran encountered a similar problem while filming a scene where Su Ran negotiates with a client. His negotiation style was too subtle and indirect, lacking the decisiveness and assertiveness expected in modern business negotiations. To address this, he carefully studied case studies and video materials on business negotiations, learning the negotiation skills and communication styles of modern business professionals. During the reshoot, he adjusted his negotiation strategy, speaking more concisely, clearly, and directly, while also adding confidence and authority to his facial expressions and body language, successfully portraying Su Ran's professional image as a designer in business negotiations.

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