DramaWiki DramaWiki

I disagree with the deletion of the other synopsis because that one actually focuses on the main plot involving the main character (the last princess played by Huo Si Yan) according to a cited and reliable source whereas the current one focuses only on a supporting character played by Leila Tong. --Lady Zhuge 00:52, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

The "alternate synopsis" is plagiarized from another site, even though it is a translation. We MUST write our own synopses from scratch. Take the information from Sina as inspiration, and work the information into the existing synopsis. Groink 00:57, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

Forgot... Keep the synopsis to 150 words maximum. Groink 00:59, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

Did you actually read the sina article? The synopsis wasn't a direct word for word translation, but more of a summarized synthesis from the sina source which I wanted to cite for reference purposes. What's the source of the current synopsis? If nothing is cited, then it's just assumed to be "original, from scratch" work? Because I don't know its source, I can't work much into the existing synopsis given that there seems to be some contradictions in the storyline. However, I've edited the one you deleted to be exactly 150 words:

This story takes place during the end of the Qing dynasty and centers around princess Yunxiang and actor Wen Liangyu’s love story. Separated the night they'd planned to elope, Yunxiang’s rescued by an enemy of the imperial family, Fang Tianyu. Tianyu falls for Yunxiang and frequently comes between Yunxiang and Liangyu, going as far as plotting to kill Liangyu. Yunxiang thinks Liangyu has perished and tries to kill Tianyu for revenge, but ends up on death row. Wealthy official Shen Shihao also loves Yunxiang and saves her, at which time Yunxiang discovers she's pregnant with Liangyu's child. She marries Shihao in gratitude. Eighteen years later, Liangyu returns as Beijing's most prominent mob ringleader. Unbeknownst to him, his son with Yunxiang, Shen Zikang, has grown up and become a police captain dead set on capturing Liangyu. Further complicating things, Zikang falls in love with Tianyu's daughter Yuyan, but she loves Liangyu. --Lady Zhuge 01:26, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

How can I read the article? I can't read Chinese. I do keep telling editors to cite all their synopses, but they just don't. I do actually spot-check by taking samples of sentences and perform a Google search, although must of my effort is only on Japanese drama articles. If a given synopsis has been tested with Google and it remains un-cited, we must assume then that it is original. But, because the editor cited Sina on that previous synopsis, then we must assume that it was in fact a direct translation and not just inspired by the Sina article. If I were that editor, I would've mention something like "Inspired by xxxxxx source", which would then indicate that the editor did make a effort in developing the synospis from scratch. Regarding translations, it is the same rules we use when translating for fansubs - direct translations is still considered plagiarism. DramaWiki does allow copying synopsis from official TV network sites under the "fair use" guidelines, as long as the synopsis fit within the DramaWiki guidelines (150 words, doesn't include spoilers, etc.) But a source like Sina is considered 3rd-party, i.e. not a TV network, and therefore fair use can't be applied to their work. Groink 01:48, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

As for your re-tuned synopsis, go ahead and use it in the article. Groink 01:51, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

What if another source plagiarizes from DramaWiki instead? Other potential misunderstandings could occur as well. For instance, I posted a similar, but more lengthy synopsis in a forum thread on an earlier date that could have shown up via a Google search, leading to a possible assumption of plagiarism. But since I was the contributing editor, that would have been the wrong conclusion to jump to. Perhaps in the future (with Chinese articles at least, since you're unable to directly verfiy), you can ask for clarification via article talk pages or whatnot if a source for a synopsis is unclear before automatically going for the delete button? That could lessen such misunderstandings. Also, for many Mainland Chinese series and collaborations, sina/sohu sites are often considered the official ones since TV network listings aren't as readily known compared to Japanese and Korean ones whose official sites/production companies generally correlate with the networks on which they're aired. That's why the broadcast network section is often blank or missing in Mainland drama articles. And even if they are known, the production company and air network may be separate entities. For this particular drama (and it appears to be a growing trend), the production company actually has an official blog on sina. Is that still considered third-party? --Lady Zhuge 09:03, 7 May 2007 (CDT)

According to the DramaWiki share-alike licensing, a person can actually copy word-for-word the information off DramaWiki as long as he gives credit to DramaWiki on the same page as the content. IMHO this is a mistake, and share-alike should've never been invoked from day one. But it is done, so we must live with it. Back to plagiarism of synopses; the issue here is why Chinese drama fans cannot write their own synopses and instead continue to copy off Sina? Even though, as you indicate, that Sina is being used as an official site for the TV networks, we still want to see original writing on the part of the editors. Comparing it to Japanese drama editors such as myself, we basically take the nihongo posted at the official sites and then re-write it to fit the guidelines of DramaWiki. That's really what I want to see the Chinese drama editors start to do, as well as the Korean drama editors. And may this be a lesson for everyone else - PLEASE cite your information! Groink 00:27, 8 May 2007 (CDT)

I cannot speak for other Chinese drama fans/contributing editors, but personally I don't copy/translate word-for-word synopses from sources like sina, but rather read them, then rewrite condensed versions. And obviously if a drama hasn't even aired yet (like this one) or I haven't seen it yet, I can't reliably write my own synopsis from scratch. In this case I did cite the source of my information, but it was misunderstood as a case of plagiarism because another editor was not able to accurately verify since he doesn't know the language. Even though you say you encourage source citation, to be perfectly honest, the message I got from this experience was mixed. --Lady Zhuge 09:14, 8 May 2007 (CDT)

So thirteen years later, I think it's ridiculous to open a title with spoilers in the main viewport. It's hard to read around it, because of natural curiousity. Luckily, we now have collapsible elements (I realize they weren't available then) and I've flipped alternate and normal. --Vylmen (talk) 23:49, 13 December 2020 (PST)