This Farewell My Concubine cosplay look for Yu Ji took quite a long time to prepare, from the initial makeup test to the actual shoot. Especially the red pompoms and blue metallic patterns on the headpiece, every detail required manual adjustment. Putting on this red and black battle robe, the golden feather decorations on the shoulders and the tassels at the waist add a touch of traditional opera charm to the overall look. The golden dual crossbows in my hands are Yu Ji's signature weapons; holding them always makes me want to strike a bow-drawing pose.
During the shoot, the lighting technician helped set up a rim light, which perfectly highlighted the fluffiness of the pompoms and the velvet texture of the costume. Sitting on a black high stool, I tried my best to extend my leg lines. Since Yu Ji's skill movements in the game are very agile, I specially chose these bright red thick-soled lace-up high heels, which not only elongated my proportions but also echoed the overall color scheme. The full-body shot in Photo 3 is my favorite; the composition includes a bit of the softbox and grid in the background, giving it the authentic feel of a studio behind-the-scenes snapshot, which adds more narrative than a pure background.
We tried a few different angles. Photo 4 is a high-angle shot, stretching the crossbows forward with both hands to create a sense of oppression. Photo 5 utilizes a shallow depth of field to blur the weapon in the foreground while my gaze is focused directly on the camera; this combination of sharp and soft focus gives the frame more depth. Photo 6 returns to the classic profile shot holding the crossbows, emphasizing the symmetrical beauty of the shoulder feathers and headpiece.
Speaking of the character herself, Yu Ji's lore has always fascinated me—she possesses both the gentleness of a southern Chinese woman and the decisiveness on the battlefield. The Farewell My Concubine skin takes traditional style cosplay aesthetics to the extreme, with red as the primary tone complemented by gold and blue accents, making it an absolute visual focal point. This shoot was completed in a photography studio at Dongguan Guomao, and the chemistry with the team was incredibly smooth.
Cosplay for me is not just about mimicking the appearance; it's more about capturing the character's expressions and temperament. Every time I put on these meticulously crafted pieces of gear, I feel a step closer to that virtual world. I hope everyone can feel the dedication and detail put into this set of photos.