Idol dramas, whether they are set in the present or the ancient times, always manage to skyrocket the popularity of their main actors among young audiences. For example, the recently aired drama "One Thought of the Mountain" was not exactly labeled as an ancient drama by its creators, but it still had elements of it. Li Tongguang, who played the supporting male role, experienced a taste of fame. However, after the drama premiered, the level of disappointment was proportional to the high expectations.

The most criticized aspect of the drama was the portrayal of the female lead, Pang Hong Mei, played by Peng Xiao Ran. Her age was similar to that of the actress who played the second female lead, Bai Hui, portrayed by Jian Ren Zi. The contrast between the two was quite evident, with one having a more modern appearance and the other a more natural look. One was an actor who changed careers, while the other had a professional acting background.

When Pang Hong Mei made her first appearance, the mainland police went to Hong Kong to bring back the talented Ji Dan Yang. The Taiwanese team received information in advance and set up an ambush. The female agent from their side arrived with several male subordinates, while our female lead went alone. The two groups clashed in a grand hotel, and the situation became critical. At one point, Hong Mei even injured her arm during combat. However, in the next scene, she effortlessly held an umbrella, standing next to the male lead, who had managed to escape the chaos and was sitting on a street corner, lost in thought. It was a classic scene from an idol drama.

The next day, everyone was waiting for her and Ji Dan Yang to scout the checkpoint. Along the way, they encountered obstacles, and the two hurriedly walked around. However, if you looked closely at her face, there was no expression, as if she were a controlled robot. She stood tall and elegant in front of the leader, clearly wearing a custom-made outfit that showcased her beauty but felt out of place in the historical context.

Despite the director giving the female lead many advantages, such as having a more significant role than the captain and being involved in every case, her performance failed to satisfy the audience. Besides her trendy makeup and styling, a significant reason for this dissatisfaction was her lackluster acting. Peng Xiao Ran started her career as a presenter after graduating from the Broadcasting and Hosting Department of the Communication University of China, where she hosted the show "iQiyi Morning Flight."

Later, she signed with Fan Bingbing's studio and appeared in "The Story of Ba Qing." Unfortunately, Fan Bingbing's career took a hit, and Peng's development was also limited. It was not until the 2019 hit drama "Eastern Palace" that she gained recognition as an actress. Despite playing a decisive female police officer, who should have been beautiful and charismatic, she ended up portraying a reckless and inexperienced character. Every time the camera focused on her, there was no expression on her face except for moving lips and a lack of emotion in her facial muscles when delivering lines.

The character's development was one-dimensional, only showcasing Hong Mei's fierce side without creating any empathy from the audience. On the other hand, Jian Ren Zi, who had a natural and comfortable appearance, and a professional acting background, delivered a solid performance as Bai Hui, the nurse at the factory hospital.

According to the plot's development, Bai Hui is likely to fall in love with the male lead Ji Dan Yang alongside Pang Hong Mei. However, the drama handled this aspect relatively well, without overly emphasizing small romantic subplots. Jian Ren Zi has been in the entertainment industry for ten years and has played recognizable roles in various productions, such as He Yimei in "The Journey of Flower" and Luo Yiren in "The Hunting Ground."

As a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's Acting Department, her acting may not be exceptionally brilliant, but she manages to immerse herself in her characters. In the drama, she had many scenes opposite Ding Yong Dai, and it's worth noting that it can be challenging to act alongside experienced actors without being overshadowed. However, she had a natural connection with her father in their scenes, her voice gentle when acting spoiled, and her expressions genuine, just like an ordinary father-daughter pair in real life.

After observing the performances of these two actresses in the drama, it becomes clear that cosmetic enhancement can be a double-edged sword. Many female stars become more perfect and gain popularity after undergoing procedures due to their lack of self-confidence. However, in period dramas, a cosmetically enhanced face not only clashes with the historical setting but can also hinder acting skills. On the contrary, Jian Ren Zi, whose appearance is not considered stunning, portrays characters that are realistic and natural.

This proves that rather than focusing on physical appearance, it is more beneficial to polish acting skills. Of course, it is also possible that theaudience's disappointment with Peng Xiao Ran's performance in "One Thought of the Mountain" is not solely attributed to her looks but also to other factors such as scriptwriting and direction. Nonetheless, it's evident that her lackluster acting and inability to convey emotions effectively contributed to the dissatisfaction among viewers.

In conclusion, the portrayal of the leading actresses in "One Thought of the Mountain" received mixed reviews. While Peng Xiao Ran's performance as Pang Hong Mei fell short of expectations, Jian Ren Zi's portrayal of Bai Hui was more well-received due to her natural appearance and solid acting skills. This drama serves as a reminder that cosmetic enhancement should not be prioritized over the development of acting abilities, especially in period dramas where authenticity is crucial.