"The Empress of China" is back on air but with a noticeable difference.
Scenes where the female characters wore revealing costumes that showed too much cleavage have been edited to show only tight head shots or closeups.
The historical drama about the saga of Empress Wu Zetian, China's only female ruler on record, premiered on Hunan TV on December 21 but was pulled off the air on December 28 due to what producers called "technical reasons".
Viewers, however, were quick to surmise that either the producers or the television station were pressured by state media regulators to alter the scenes that showed plunging necklines and "squeezed breasts".
The alterations spurred much online debate and criticism over what viewers considered as crude edits, plus the fact that they will be missing out on the fabulous costumes of lead actress Fan Bingbing, who plays the character of Empress Wu.
The drama was supposed to showcase some 3,000 period costumes that ate up 10 million of the 300 million yuan, or $48 million, total production cost.
But the heart of the debate was on whether or not the censorship may have unwittingly taken out the cultural essence of the show.
Set in the 7th century under the Tang Dynasty, "Empress of China" meant to reflect the openness of society during that period of Chinese history, when women were known to have worn dresses with low necklines.
A history expert from Tsinghua University, Zhang Guogang, pointed out that women during the Tang Dynasty could remarry, further proof of society's openness in relationships at that time.
A deputy dean at Peking University's Institute for Cultural Industries added his voice to the debate, saying that the edits done on the period drama, besides "lacking an aesthetic touch", may also go against the climate of the Tang Dynasty.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has yet to issue a clarification on the matter.
Produced by Fan Bingbing's own production outfit, "Empress of China" brings to life the legendary Wu Zetian, who rose from being a concubine of Emperor Taizong, to consort of the Emperor's son, Gaozong, to eventually ruling as Empress at age 66 after Gaozong's death, from 692 to 705.
Fan Bingbing portrays Empress Wu, who is described in history books as a ruthless woman. Joining her in the cast are Zhang Fengyi, Aarif Lee, Janine Chang, Kathy Chow and Jerry Li.
