Character Design

• Zhang Yihan

  • 29 years old.
  • Actress.
  • Late-diagnosed autistic (likely also has ADHD).
  • She became an actress at the age of 27 and quickly rose to become a sought-after rising star within two years, winning numerous awards. She gained recognition for her nuanced and captivating acting.
  • Growing up, she was always an academically outstanding child who never caused her family any worry. Her interpersonal relationships also seemed smooth until junior high school. However, after entering junior high, as the complexity of social interactions among girls increased (with hidden meanings and subtext), combined with her habit of interacting with boys and her beautiful appearance, she was labeled a “pick-me girl,” leading to being disliked and the spread of strange rumors. In high school, she focused intensely on her studies, and her excellent grades overshadowed her other struggles. When she transitioned to university, triggers such as the change in environment (living in a dormitory) led to autistic burnout. Ultimately, she was unable to complete her senior year and decided to take a leave of absence.
  • A year and a half after taking a leave of absence, she experienced severe skill regression and symptoms of depression, and was eventually diagnosed autism at the age of 23.
  • Apart from her family, she never disclosed her condition to others, which at one point led to feelings of inferiority and self-loathing. It wasn’t until she was 28, when her agent insisted she “broaden her acting range,” that she took on a role portraying a character with more “visible”—even stereotypical—autism traits (yet she was highly praised by the audience for infusing her own experiences into what was originally an overly stereotypical character). Only then did she resolve to confront her disability head-on and bravely come out.
  • Yet even after coming out, she continued to face constant criticism and skepticism from others, with accusations that she was “faking it,” “seeking sympathy,” or “exploiting a minority group” following her like a shadow.
  • Her parents have always maintained a stance toward her diagnosis that avoids delving too deeply—neither denying it nor actively acknowledging it. At one point, she longed for her parents to join her in exploring her unique traits with a positive mindset, but their apparent lack of enthusiasm for the topic left her feeling isolated. The person in her family who supports and understands her most is her younger brother, an illustrator (who is also highly likely to have ADHD).
  • She differs greatly from the typical image most people have of someone on the autism spectrum—with her meticulously applied makeup, carefully dyed and gently curled long brown hair, and clear eyes… all of which make it hard for others to believe she has any “disability.” “Pretty privilege” has been both a blessing and a curse for her. Her appearance exudes a sweet yet poised and mature aura.
  • She loves dinosaurs, but not in the stereotypical way of knowing every scientific name and species; she simply loves cute, cartoon-style dinosaurs. She collaborated with her younger brother to launch an illustration IP featuring her dinosaur character.
  • Since childhood, her “special interest” has been collecting fashion magazines and studying makeup and outfits.
  • She is a high-masking autistic. In public, she subconsciously adjusts her tone of voice, the curve of her smile, and exaggerates her facial expressions and body language to come across as approachable; but sometimes she takes it too far. While she isn’t exactly meek, she often appears to be overly accommodating toward others (who might not deserve it).
  • At her younger brother’s strong recommendation, she personally wrote to the underground band “Magic Cube” to invite guitarist Zhou Wei to serve as a reference model for her role as a guitarist in a rock band.
  • She is sensitive to repetitive sounds (such as the MRT door-closing chime) and sharp, abrupt noises (such as the “ding” of a microwave when it finishes heating). She learned from her grandmother how to remove clothing tags without leaving a trace. She is sensitive to the smell of cigarettes.
  • She has almost never had meltdowns in front of others, especially since becoming an adult. Even if she shows the slightest sign of sensory overload, discomfort, or a momentary drift into a daze, she is extremely hard on herself and engages in excessive self-criticism late at night when all is quiet.

  

  • Physical reference: Sei Shiraishi

• Zhou Wei

  • 37 years old.
  • Lead guitarist in an indie band.
  • Neurotypical.
  • Born into a family of classical musicians, he was forced to practice the piano relentlessly as a child and came to hate music for a time, until he encountered an indie band. After graduating from high school, he left home and formed his first band with a few close friends. Following a series of events, he founded his second band, which is now known as “Magic Cube.”
  • The friends who originally formed the first band vowed to stick together “until the very end.” However, in the second year of the band’s existence, the lead singer—once his closest friend—secretly defected to a major label with a new song they had co-written, debuting in the mainstream market. This experience left him struggling to trust others and prone to judging people and situations harshly. He strongly dislikes bands that gradually adopt a “mainstream pop” style after signing with major record labels.
  • He has a cold, aloof personality, coupled with a strong desire for control and extremely high standards for the music he produces. He is prone to anger, but his rage isn’t the kind that erupts outwardly; his way of getting angry is silent, the kind that freezes the entire atmosphere to a standstill.
  • He has a deep, magnetic voice, but he is taciturn and spares his words, making him seem even more unapproachable.
  • Unlike other, more “approachable” members, he focuses solely on making music and pays little attention to outside noise. He isn’t particularly skilled at managing a fan base, often ignoring fan tags, private messages, and “likes”. He has no ambition regarding whether “Magic Cube” can go further, yet the group still has a dedicated following of die-hard fans.
  • He was initially hesitant to accept actress Zhang Yihan’s request to observe the band, believing that outsiders would disrupt their creative process and concert preparations; however, due to the constant urging of the youngest drummer and the rest of the members feeling it would be an interesting opportunity, he reluctantly agreed.
  • When he first met Zhang Yihan, he felt a certain indescribable sense of dissonance (due to her mask) and thought she was “putting on an act.” At first, he was skeptical and distrustful of her. Later, after looking up information about Zhang Yihan online, he was briefly confused by the comments from internet trolls—her? Autistic? How could that be possible? However, as they spent more time together, he began to notice more and more of Zhang Yihan’s authentic side.
  • He’s a heavy smoker and can hold his liquor.
  • He has long hair (around shoulder length and a bit curly).

  

  • Real-life reference: Keita Machida