For the "heart-tearing" crystal effect (when Ying Yuan extracts his own divine essence), foley artist Zhang Wei used a wet leather glove squeezing a ripe pomegranate. He revealed in a podcast that they went through 200 pomegranates over three days. The crew ate them after.
The series, based on Su Mo's novel, underwent a meticulous 192-day shooting schedule beginning in March 2021 and wrapping that October. Traditional Research immortal samsara behind the scenes
If you look closely at Yan Dan’s sleeves in episodes 32–38 (the demon realm arc), you’ll notice they keep changing length. That’s because—as revealed in a documentary special—two different wardrobe heads were feuding. For the "heart-tearing" crystal effect (when Ying Yuan
When Immortal Samsara (沉香如屑) aired in 2022, it was immediately hailed as a titan of the Xianxia genre. With its star-crossed love story spanning ten thousand years, breathtaking celestial battles, and the heartbreaking duality of Cheng Yi’s performance (Ying Yuan / Tang Zhou / Xuan Ye), the show dominated international charts. But for every flawless shot of a character descending from the heavens, there is a story of wires, sweat, and unexpected laughter. The series, based on Su Mo's novel, underwent
In an interview, Wang Juan revealed that the idea for the series came about during a conversation with the production team about the concept of reincarnation and the cyclical nature of life and death. "We wanted to explore the idea of immortality and how it affects human relationships and emotions," she explained. "The concept of samsara, or the cycle of birth and death, fascinated us, and we saw an opportunity to create a unique narrative that blends fantasy and romance."
In an interview, Chen Zheyuan recalled the difficulties of filming in the scorching heat of summer, with temperatures often reaching over 40°C (104°F). "It was physically demanding, but the crew's professionalism and support made it all worthwhile," he said.
Behind-the-scenes footage revealed the extensive process of applying the delicate costumes and makeup for the Lotus Fairy, Yan Dan, to ensure she appeared both pure and ethereal. 4. Directing the Drama: Director Guo Hu’s Vision