[Liu Jiayi cosplay] I Became a God in a Horror Game Dark Gothic style Event Photo Sharing - Image 1
[Liu Jiayi cosplay] I Became a God in a Horror Game Dark Gothic style Event Photo Sharing - Image 2

For this Liu Jiayi cosplay shoot, I tried many new approaches in makeup, styling, and photographic details. To faithfully capture the character's mysterious and dangerous aura, relying solely on the costume wasn't enough; extensive care had to be put into the overall atmosphere and body language.

Starting with the wig: to achieve the classic look of long straight black hair with blunt straight bangs, I spent considerable time trimming and styling this wig. The bangs had to be strictly measured to sit just above the eyebrows—neither covering the eyes nor losing that slightly oppressive, thick presence. The ends were lightly layered, working with the wig's natural drape to conform smoothly to my body contours when turning or looking down, avoiding frizz and stray hairs.

For the makeup, the base foundation was one shade lighter than my daily tone to create a cool-toned, matte complexion that forms a striking visual contrast against the dark background. The eye makeup was the focal point of the face: gray-blue contact lenses conveyed the character's extraordinary, icy demeanor. The eyeliner was elongated with a slight upward flick, paired with deep eyeshadow smudged at the outer corners to give her gaze a more imposing intensity. Rather than a vivid color, the lips featured a low-saturation reddish-brown with blurred edges, lending the face a deeper narrative feel.

The tactile texture of the costume was another highlight I wanted to emphasize in this Anime-style photography set. This black Gothic robe features oversized lantern sleeves with cuffs layered in intricate lace and sheer mesh, alongside a row of fine black buttons down the side. To highlight these details, I specifically paired it with a silver necklace featuring a cross and an inverted pentagram pendant. These accessories weren't merely decorative; they helped me immerse into character much faster. When putting on the hooded black veil, the sheer fabric draped alongside my cheeks, exuding an inherent aura of concealment and mysterious observation.

The posing and movements during the shoot were also refined repeatedly. Rather than just standing rigidly, I chose to gently lift the edge of the hood with my hand. This motion not only broke the static monotony, but also guided the visual focus toward the hand lines and complex lace cuffs. The hands needed to remain relaxed with fingers curled slightly, evoking an effortless sense of elegance. For lighting, the photographer adopted a classic chiaroscuro technique: the key light struck from the front-side, illuminating my face and hands, while the background was crushed into pure black with ambient light almost completely absorbed. This lighting severely tested compositional control, as the slightest overexposure would ruin the texture.

In managing emotional expression, I deliberately restrained facial fluctuations. Looking straight into the lens without a stray smile amplified the character's coldness and aloof detachment. Because the suspense and thrill from I Became a God in a Horror Game strike right to the bone, I wanted these photos to be more than just a showcase of a nice outfit—I wanted to channel that distinct horror game atmosphere. After every set of shots, the photographer and I reviewed the monitor to ensure the light accurately sculpted the garment's silhouette and that the intensity in my eyes was on point.

Looking back on the entire process, although wearing such heavy clothing under indoor lights felt somewhat stuffy, seeing the final visual results made all the preparation worthwhile. For a Dark Gothic style character, rich details and restrained emotional expression are equally crucial. Every shutter click was a concrete realization of my interpretation of the character.