I really like Liu Yu Ning but when there is smoke there is likely fire, and the rumors of his side’s hustling to get more exposure (such as increased scenes in dramas) may have a modicum of truth. It’s coming up again as he’s signed on as the top billed male lead for the period C-drama A Dream Within a Dream (书卷一梦 or A Dream Within a Book) and can’t seem to find a good female lead. Last week it was reported that Yang Chao Yue who is currently on a downswing is the female lead, but now word is that Liu Yu Ning does not want her and his side has been approaching other actresses’ but getting the hand. Reportedly the production really wants Zhou Yu Tong but her agency has turned down repeated overtures with a firm no. Other names include Li Yi Tong, Bao Shang En, Tian Xi Wei, and Wang Chu Ran who were approached but none are interested. The final melon is that Liu Yu Ning may end up declining this drama as well if the female lead isn’t someone he wants to work with.
Just reading the article name, that’s so sad!! Find a newbie! Who knows who will strike gold!
Why do people think he’s so powerful that he can steal scenes? Still find this baffling. It seems his 2nd lead roles were stealing ML’s thunder before. If he is so powerful, he should be having a smooth sailing in everything.
Anyhow… I agreed that going with a newbie might just work wonders. Though if the drama becomes a hit, the antifans are going to blame LYN for something else. 😂
haha yeah…
the smoke here is not the gossip about LYN’s alleged behind the scenes actions. but that rumors continue to exist despite multiple ppl refuting them. somebody or many bodies don’t like him.
Peng Xiao ran would be a great candidate. If all fails, lui shi shi. I don’t mind seeing him again.
Peng Xiao Ran will suit this role…
Oh yes! I love her and they would make such a gorgeous pair!
Isn’t casting the casting directors job?
I feel like trying to find a good ML/FL to work with is pretty normal? Who wouldn’t want to find a good coworker? I don’t really see why he needs to be shamed about this at all. I’m sure this happens behind the scene all the time. Not sure what the intention of this news is.
Is Yang Chao Yue super connected to get leading roles again and again? Anyway I am not very surprised. I saw lots of short wen dramas (less than 15 mins per episode) often have very mediocre looking leading actresses. So I think YCY has much better visuals….. but seriously there are lots of good actresses out there who look good as well.
I would take a Zhong Xi, Wen Mo Yan, Chen Fang Tong, Qi Xia Xia ect… visuals over pouty Yang Chao Yue. Plus actresses in mini dramas tend to have nicer figures (slim but curvy) than the overrated liulangs we see nowadays.
I love Liu Yuning. I’m also a novel reader. To be honest, I’m surprised that he would take on this role (if he’s actually accepted this work). That’s because many of the MLs by this author are devastatingly handsome men per the author’s descriptions haha. That said, I felt his main outstanding character trait was his loyalty to FL. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the text though. Frankly, I am more scared of the cnetz.
Actually, the FL in this novel is extremely beautiful, cunning, and ruthless. She’s a tougher character to play because she’s not very likable on her own..but is better than many other characters haha. If there’s not a suitable actress to play FL, then it’s fair game not to take on this project. I also turned down a project because there was no suitable co-principal investigator to share the research load. As that is, this also feels like another attempt to tarnish LYN – as though he’s arrogant and powerful enough to pick a co-star. lol.
That said, I’m unconvinced that this piece of news related to YCY is true. They seem friendly with one another since the stint on Heroes. This rumor is like a divisive wedge tool between the two actors and an additional stab at slandering LYN. Although people say when there’s smoke, there’s fire, there’s such a thing as arson and questionable motives.
Ah yes they did work together in the heroes ….. but for her to carry this drama as the lead actress, she needs to really work on her acting. Please share more about the novel…. What other works from the author?
This is based off Rebirth of an Ill-fated Consort by Qian Shan Cha Ke. Translations are available on NovelUpdates.
There are others in the same universe such as the Rebirth of a Malicious Empress (book 1) & Rebirth of a Star General on Novel Updates. I really enjoyed the latter, and it’s being adapted into a drama with Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei. I’m not really sure if Zhou Ye can carry off the FL, but I definitely look forward to Cheng Lei. Not a fan of the character styling though.
@Supaflip, I enjoy a number of novels by this author. I favourite is Rebirth of a Star General. Such a well written novel.
As for Rebirth of ill-fated Consort, this heroine’s past life is the saddest I ever read…it was gruesome and inhumane……I read such treatment did happen in the past, so awful… Her revenge was unforgiving as it should be. But the female lead should be a very beautiful, womanly lady…not a young girly Yang Chao Yue…
If the wrong actress is chosen, this drama will flap.
@Supaflip. Thank you so much. I didn’t realize this drama is to be adapted from the web novel “The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort” from Qian Shan Cha Ke. Yes I can’t read Chinese so I would need to rely on the English translation.
I really loved the Rebirth of the Star General and The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage . I think visually, both Zhou Ye and Ryan Cheng would fit the roles in Star General. While I think it’s possible that Zhou Ye might surprise us and perform convincingly, I am less enthusiastic about YCY… I think she is okay in lighter roles but not on the heavy and dramatic part.
Personally I think YCY would find it hard to carry a complex character.
I am wondering what is happening with the casting of The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage ….
If the FL is harder to play, it makes sense to cast a stronger actress，and make do for the ML
By your description actresses with a fierce type of beauty like Wang Ruo Shan (FL in Ancient Detective), Xuan Lu, Xu JiaQi (see her character in Legend of) etc … or the Xin Zi Lei type of beauty would be a perfect pick. None of the overhyped plain jane luilang fits the bill.
Yes, a gorgeous and sultry type. FL has an evil sister that has a more quiet beauty – or plain jane type as you say. They were often compared to each other in the novel.
That’s why I’ve been always very scathing about the casting of MLs in many C costume dramas. Since ALMOST ALL the C novels of the same genre I read had ethereal level of extremely (if not the most) handsome heroes, I can’t really take those whose visuals are subpar seriously even ppl praise their acting. Visuals are part of the features in costume dramas (usually with a lot of fantasy elements) from which readers and drama viewers can get gratification in their imagination. But a subpar-looking actor just ruins that gratification. If an actor truly understands the characters they’re offered to play, he/she shouldn’t take roles their visuals just don’t fit. That’s called professional. But I see many C actors lack self assessment and failed to grasp what’s entailed for their roles.
I really like the last line, “there’s no smoke without fire, but there’s such a thing as arson and questionable motives”. These famous quote always got better when continued, “blood of covenant is thicker than water of womb”
Cast Lu Yu Xiao!! She is still climbing and definitely “second billing” or whatever these stupid terms are 😵💫
I agree with you!
LYN is being dragged through the mud and linked with many dramas and actresses since he’s a hot topic right now. But he’s said on livestream he’s also signed for a variety this year and plans to take it slower. He’s also pretty realistic and calculated about choosing his work and scripts.
Based on the NovelUpdates’ summary and reviews for this novel (Rebirth of an-ill fated consort) this drama has a stronger case for big FL-led adaptation because this novel IS female centric. It would be absurd and risky for Linmon to flip this into a male lead top billing drama.
I’m guessing LYN is not denying this like he refuted Ya She because he’s received and actually reviewing the script. LYN seems to prefer and is more suited to complex roles. If Peng Lai Ke’s Spring River Flowers and Moon gets adapted into a drama he would be pretty epic as Li Mu. Additionally, if the rumors are true about him considering male-led dramas then it is unlikely he will take this on.
Meanwhile I’ll wait for The Prisoner of Beauty to air, yesterday a supporting actor just updated on weibo he did additional dubbing for it. Looks like it may have went another round of editing/censorship, and likely to air. *dances*
**meant to reply to nonewfriends
LYN does like the complex characters haha. As a man of substance himself, it makes sense. I’m also waiting for TPOB! Peng Lai Ke’s MC/ML’s are complex and the relationships are intense. If this gets to air, I’ll probably faint from excitement lol.
I’d love to see this drama we’re discussing- Rebirth of the Ill Fated Consort (novel) – produced. But only with a strong cast because of the complex characters and storylines.
I’m not sure why my original post didn’t go through and I don’t remember what I wrote lol…but I hope LYN continues to be shrewd about scripts – in whatever capacity he has anyway. I’m looking forward to future variety show he’s considering! Meanwhile am watching The Truth lol.
I won’t hold my breath for TPOB but if we do get to see it – I hope it’s good because a fictional red flag like Wei Shao is sexy lol. And LYN can carry the tall, majestic warrior with an ant waist and scowling face.
My replies was there earlier then disappeared too.
You made my day! I am also waiting for POB. The leads have so much chemistry! LYN as WS is my guilty pleasure!!
I hope one day he becomes an excellent actor and works with directors like Zhang Yimou and Wong Kar Wai in a an epic wuxia. I wish they would remake Bride with White hair and Swordsmen 2, the Hong Kong classics or even A touch of Zen. I can only dream. Till now nobody comes close to the GOAT Leslie Cheung and the inimitable Bridget Lin in Wuxia and Xianxia dramas. . No nobody like Bridget Lin, East or West. She was so amazing in androgynous characters.
It’s good to see that someone is finally putting his foot down and refuses to star opposite such a mediocre actress. I can only hope that other actors/actresses will follow his example and we could get some better dramas as a result. It really is a bad habit of Cdramas to pair seasoned actors with newbie starlets who are rarely up to level.
There is no way of knowing, but I don’t really believe the scene-stealer accusation. It is normal for any actor to try and get as much exposure as they can, but it’s up to the director to let them or not. Just looking at Legend of Anle shows that the scene stealer with undue exposure wasn’t Liu Yuning, but some bathing beauty who the director liked.
I choked at the bathing beauty 🤣
Please give the role to Xuan Lu !!
Anyone knows where to read the novel with engsub?
My pick is Gina Jin. But peng xiao ran suits the FL character too based on how people in here describe it. I personally also like Wan Peng. Xing Fei isnt bad as a FL too. The names i mention, they can act and pretty too.
Try Novel Updates…this blog is a novel information site on list of novels that is/has been translated, they will direct you where you can read the novels.
But translation can be rather slow sometimes.
Nobody of any standing is crazy enough to let him ride their reputation and then steal screen time. He can get away with it once or twice and then it’s over. Good luck finding anyone of good name.
I can see why a lot of the female lead actresses are turning this project down. Based on the description alone, it IS a big female centric story. Female lead will have to carry the show, but the top billed is given to the male lead. Why? On what grounds? I would understand if he was the bigger star after they have acquire a rookier actress, but what if the actress was the bigger star or has seniority over the male lead and she’s still second billed?…If it was me, I wouldn’t take on this project too. Back then, I don’t even remember top billing being a thing until recent years since it’s been mentioned so much. I always thought seniority should be rank first and then have FL/ML rank accordingly to how much scenes was filmed but because we have this type of ranking, it’s hard to get 2 good ML and FL cast with a great storyline since one is always off balance because of ranking.
It’s true. I can see why a well-regarded actress might be hesitant of a script that’s basically erased the original charm of the novel. That won’t fly well with fans lol. Then, I’d say that’s not a LYN issue since he didn’t write the script. I’m sorry I don’t believe any actor (esp a new one) has that clout despite what people continue to claim. This is a different issue than the order of billing, and I think is the more important issue.
So, I’m excited but low-key dreading what might come out of this. I’m not only worried about the script, but also the characters are young, gorgeous, and cunning. I’m kind of at a loss for which combination of young actors/actresses that fit the look and have the skills. And then there’s the reality of casting for popularity lol. Which might be why there were rumors about Yang Chao Yue to begin with lol.
From what I know, billing becomes a problem after large scale fight of yang zi and kris wu fans when golden hairpin was announced. It was the golden age of 1st gen liuliang so hmm very festive. In the end it become tradition for fans to fight about it hahahahh
Omgash! Was it from then? Well, that sucks cause I dislike it. Instead of billing, we need to talk more about the production.
True, I’m not saying it’s a LYN issue, but it has become an issue for him because his name is attached to this project as top billed when the FL is getting shuffled around and considering that this is a female centric drama who will be second billed. LYN did repost YCY’s movie or drama on his weibo so they are on good terms. Maybe the production team is just making noise to bring more eyes and attention to this drama when they might have chosen YCY already lol.
I think it is a weird creative decision by the production team to adapt a female-centric novel and then hire LYN as the first-billed actor. In such cases, fans of the said novel will definitely complain because the role of the FL will be diminished to accommodate the first-billed actor. Unless they plan to expand more on the male lead character’s arc. In this case, LYN will most definitely get more hate and criticism from the IP fans.
Honestly, if the production company really wanted to cast LYN I think it would have been better if they picked another source material to adapt or like someone said here, picked a non-traffic actress. But then, based on my very little knowledge of the entertainment world, a drama production involves thousands of people with their own personal interests at stake. Not everyone is going to care about making a good drama, instead, there are many of them who care more about making money. It’s simply art vs. money at this point.
I wish producers, directors, and writers out there emphasise more on making good dramas and sharing good stories instead of being profit-driven only. But then, that would have been like living in an ideal world, which is unrealistic.
They did the same with Love of Nirvana (a novel where the ML only appears many chapters in and even then has less exposure than the FL and SML), yet I don’t see anyone accusing Allan Ren of scene-stealing.