The ramp up for season 2 of Joy of Life is really kicking off and more and more details will be forthcoming in the lead up. One confirmed news is that now top drama actor Xiao Zhan will not be reprising his character in JOL2 as was rumored. His role will be played by actor Wang Xing Jian who coincidentally worked with Xiao Zhan in last year’s modern romance C-drama Sunshine By My Side. I think everyone expected it after Xiao Zhan got so much bigger since JOL and basically it would not make sense for him to play second male lead to Zhang Ruo Yun as this stage in his career and even if JOL2 is a massive hit I don’t think Xiao Zhan would regret missing out. I hope Wang Xing Jian brings the same vibe tho, it’ll be weird to see the same character (above) become another (below) and just come across very different in onscreen presence.
Awwwww, such a deserving recognition and a long time coming for K-actress Jang Nara. She's…
It's still crazy that the two biggest K-dramas of this year 2024 aired basically at…
So there are new posters, stills, and a first teaser out already for modern C-drama…
This is an interesting twist on what sounds like a standard legal K-drama, the male…
So Xu Kai is back in period drama land and has a new actress costar…
So Kim Soo Hyun recently became the new face of fragrance house Jo Malone in…
This website uses cookies.
View Comments
If I remember correctly Xiao Zhan only appeared very briefly in JOL 1 and didnt really has any memorable scene so anyone replacing him doesn’t have to worry about having the same vibe or whatnot
I thought this was confirmed a long time ago. This character poster isn’t new. XZ showed up for like 10 mins in the first season. As much as I’d love to see him grace my screen, I don’t think he needs this production and the production also doesn’t need him. Its worse when they replace a bunch of main characters like in Ever Night with actors and actresses that play the role completely different. In comparison, this drama has had limited actor changes.
Also, please don’t make me wait another 5 years for a season 3 😭
🤣🤣 I was thinking the same all yesterday.
Oh no! Please not five years again
This was confirmed a long time ago. This is the guy who acted as a part of the hockey couple in Sunshine by my Side, that is a Xinli asset. They destroyed SBMS for this nobody that will remain a nobody just so they can promote him linked to XZ for JOL2.
Xinli are such idiots, JOL is great and doesn't need this. Imagine destroying a drama to promote a nobody for this? China is wild.
JOL is impressive that it managed to retain like 95% of its cast. Only Xiao Zhan and another girl got replaced. Wished Ever Night received the same treatment.
Didn't they announced the change of actors months before? Why include it in the promotion now?
The director of JOL visited XZ new drama set twice. Call me delulu but I wish that the reason behind the visit is that he's coaxing XZ to sing an OST. I love XZ song for JOL1.
That was expected though I wouldn't mind a nice cameo. I was watching Song Joong-ki's super fun cameo in Queen of Tears the other day and I was actually thinking that Chinese big names don't actually do that and that's too bad.
Personal opinion, which you should ignore. He wasn't good in this role.
With exception to Li Qin, the rest of the cast has either been retained or added actors with more prominence, that's awesome! YBY didn't have much of a presencd in S1 anyways, no loss if he got swapped out. If only LQ also got swapped out
Aww he didn't get swapped out, sorry for your shattered dreams Coralie.
He refused to come back. I know, I know, unimaginable in your world someone is big enough to refuse JOL but there you go.
Swapped means switched, read the dictionary.
LOL @Coralie, that's her point. He didn't get switched at first place. He refused to be cast again. JOL 2 had been on a long spree of tapping XZ's name attached to any news about the drama. The drama took advantage of XZ's popularity with brief screen time in the first season. It had been all over the Chinese SM since the production of JOL 2 was announced until they settled with this nugu WXJ.
@Coralie
Yes, it does. You all really are illiterate. Since first grade seems beyond you, he wasn't switched, he left.
@whoever needs to hear this: swapped means they are switched out. Whether he rejected the role or whatever, the role got switched to another person. PERIOD. This isn't ELI5, get a dictionary
Li Qin's character is so boring. She looks like end game though. Good thing romance is the least important aspect of this drama.
Xiao Zhan had a very minor insignificant role in JOL 1. I agree with the comments above that the production doesn’t need him and vice versa.
It’s also a stretch to call him a top C-drama actor. His biggest hit to date remains to be The Untamed, a BL drama. Subjectively speaking, his has not really followed that up with any true critical or commercial blockbuster hit. However, he is without a doubt, the top traffic star of the post-90’s bunch. And he is seriously trying to parlay his traffic success into long-term acting success instead of coasting on popularity alone, as that will fade.
At this point, him/his team will most likely not take small supporting roles unless it’s a guest star or friendship appearance. I remember he was supporting to Darren Wang and even a nobody like Jason Gu. Xiao Zhan has already paid his dues in plenty of those kinds of small supporting roles in abysmal productions before becoming famous. Heck, he’d probably like to just forget about them and wipe them off of his filmography list. These days, even D-list traffic stars are fighting for top billing, so why would/should an A-list traffic star compromise his status.
I find it weird that Koala uses the term "C-drama actor" for Xiao Zhan, normally we would say "Chinese actor", no? It's not like this guy hasn't starred in any movies before, he already starred in two movies as the 1st billed lead actor.
Isn't it weird how XZ fans nitpick every perceived slight? He's already the top traffic star. Chill, man.
🙄 Chill, dude. Not a XZ fan no matter how many times you keep pinning that title on me. How is it nitpick when it's a valid point? Go search this blog and find me another instance where Koala uses this term "C-drama actor/actress" or "K-drama actor/actress"?
Take this recent post for example, she uses the term "C-actress" aka Chinese actress here:
https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/05/yang-mis-comedic-mystery-c-movie-nothing-cant-be-undone-by-a-hotpot-gets-abysmal-ticket-sales-and-pulled-from-theaters-after-5-days/
And in here she uses the term "Veteran actor" instead of "Veteran K-drama actor":
https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/02/veteran-actor-yoo-jae-myung-to-join-kim-soo-hyun-in-his-next-k-drama-knock-off/#comments
I don't see her naming Kim Soo Hyun as "Top K-drama actor" either, so why can't I find it weird?
@🙄 Chill, dude. Not a XZ fan no matter how many times you keep pinning that title on me. How is it nitpick when it's a valid point? Go search this blog and find me another instance where Koala uses this term "C-drama actor/actress" or "K-drama actor/actress"?
Take these recent posts for example, she uses the term "C-actress" aka Chinese actress here:
https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/05/yang-mis-comedic-mystery-c-movie-nothing-cant-be-undone-by-a-hotpot-gets-abysmal-ticket-sales-and-pulled-from-theaters-after-5-days/
https://koalasplayground.com/2024/04/29/top-c-actress-zhang-zi-yi-and-director-peter-chan-grace-the-cover-and-pages-of-gq-china-in-anticipation-of-period-revenge-movie-she-has-no-name/
And in here she uses the term "Veteran actor"instead of "Veteran K-drama actor":
https://koalasplayground.com/2024/05/02/veteran-actor-yoo-jae-myung-to-join-kim-soo-hyun-in-his-next-k-drama-knock-off/#comments
I don't see her naming Kim Soo Hyun as "Top K-drama actor" either, so why can't I find this weird?
Ok. "Non-XZ" fan combing old posts to see if Koala insults other actors by calling them "C/K-drama" actors. My weirdness scale is different than yours.
Lilith -
You seriously went through several posts checking so you could nitpick Koala using "C-drama actor" instead of Chinese actor? How does one even notice that kind of useless thing?
@🙄 So you insists I'm a XZ fan while denying yourself to be ZRY fan because apparently only you can recognize someone's accomplishments without being their fan. Double standards much? LOL.
Combing old posts? They aren't that old. Unlike some people, I like having evidence to back up my words. I have visited this site for over 10 years and don't recall ever seeing Koala use this term "C-drama actor".
@Bee Who are you? A new name here, who happens to comment shortly after @🙄? Well, you got the sequence wrong. I noticed the weirdness first and brought it up. Then your good friend @🙄 proclaimed me to be XZ fan nitpicking, only then I copy-paste the links as evidence to support my words. 😊
@Lilith Poor Xiao Zhan, insulted by being called "Top C-drama actor". He must be crying in his pillow. Thank you, Non-ZX fan, for acknowledging his pain and protecting him. 🥉
@🙄 Omo why would you think it's an insult? Don't be ridiculous. Instead of acting like a troll making up stories here, how about you go work on finding another instance of Koala using the term "C-drama actor/actress" here? If you can't then your words are just moot.
@🙄 Omo why would you think it's an insult? Go work on finding another instance of the term "C-drama actor/actress" being used here, if you can't then your words are just moot.
@Lilith Ohhhhhh, it's not an insult? So.... Why is it "weird" and why should I care if other actors are or are not called "C/K-drama actors"? Why would anyone waste their time looking for that verbiage or lack thereof?
@🙄 Why does finding something weird = insult the thing? You find it weird that your friend who has never like exercising suddenly starting to go for morning runs, are you insulting morning runs?
You obviously care enough to respond to my comment. Since you can't find anything to support your words, the conclusion is clear. You are just arguing for the sake of being against people you think are XZ fans.
1. I wouldn't find a friend exercising “weird”.
2. Only a Non-XZ fan like yourself would think that's weird. Then you would track her.
3. Your analogies are as paranoid as your accusations. It's obvious you thought “C-drama” actor isn't “normal” to “Chinese actors” because XZ has starred in movies, implying that Koala downgraded and insulted his status.
4. When shown how ridiculous that sounds, you pretend you never said it.
5. Then your poor friend can't even try to better herself without you pulling her into a Non-XZ fan crusade against an internet stranger. Go exercise with her. No one will find it weird. The endorphins will be good for you. Good night!
@🙄 Make up your mind, first you say XZ is being insulted, now you're backtracking and claiming I'm insulting Koala instead. Since where did I pretend I never said anything? You're such a clown jumping here and there twisting my words and pinning nonsensical accusations on me. Go get a life instead of camping on this site all day to reply to me.
No need to wipe them off.
It's actually good that they are seen. People can see he had the correct path of playing small supporting roles while his acting skills were still being honed. He did what so many people are demanding - play support roles while you are improving.
It's just that he is Xiao Zhan and way too many people are impossibly sour over his success because they want their faves in his spot. But that is why its important his real history is visible and why I think he isn't ashamed of any of his roles.
@Guest, LOL. I read bitterness in your tone. Understand cos your fave has never been able to achieve his popularity and star power. XZ doesn't need to wipe any past experience off. To the opposite, he reminded ppl of that very often in his interviews. All your condescending description about this talented but humble actor is coming from your own excessive brain exercise and wild mental gymnastics. LOL.
BTW, when I watched JOL 1, I knew nobody in the cast since I was new to Cdrama. It's interesting to see all the comments under the Youtube videos were 95% about Xiao Zhan. LMAO. Back then I wondered who the heck this guy was to attract so many viewers to the drama that's just so boring and cringe-making after midway for me to fast forward many eps and later found out he only had screen time for how long? 10-15 minutes? LMAO.
There is nothing bitter or condescending about my comment. In fact, you are the only person to respond negatively to it. To be so sensitive and easily offended just comes across as being highly insecure and therefore threatened by any comment that isn't only praise.
@Somebody
Relax, they didn't say anything wrong.
I don't agree about no hits because Youth Memories was an objective big hit but many people tend to not understand how well it did. And even if they disagree, it's hardly terrible.
Check out this somebody hypocrite. You made mocking comments about fangirls for defending their fave from your silly remarks in previous posts yet look at you getting heated just because someone made a harmless comment about your fave. Dumbass.
LOL. It's legit for me to question Guest for her comment to imply XZ seems to be ashamed of his past experience doing a lot of insignificant roles. Firstly, that's not true based upon what's out of XZ's own mouth. Secondly, someone who respects an actor wouldn't have gaslighted and throw shade on XZ in this way. @Guest did not make such kind of condescending remarks in one thread about XZ. She's clearly not a fan of XZ and that's fine. But it's legit for me to defend XZ as his fan. Yes, I'm a HUGE fan of XZ and I've never denied that he's my fave among all. Go ahead call me rabid LOL just as I did call others crazy about their faves rabid when they aggressively defended. But name calling Dumbass for the reason I defended my fave just showed yourself more than an imbecile. LMAO.
Why should I feel insecure to stan the most popular celeb in China who keeps doing better and better beyond his own fame? LMAO. Who are so insecure here to resort to name calling all the time on SM cos their logic training is just so shitty from bad education and poor upbringing? LOL 😭🤣😥😅😂
@🤣 you must be new here, she's a known rabid troll. If you see her name, just ignore her. She craves attention
@🤣, how am I hypocritic defending my own fave while calling those crazy fans rabid? There's no contradiction as you dimwit have trouble realizing. LOL. Call me rabid! I just don't care! Who cares about if anyone is rabid on virtual space? You going banana in real life is indeed something to be concerned about. LOL. Go touch grass if you can even find some. LOL. 😭
PS. It's not cos I'm obsessed with you but Koala kept blocking all my comments. I don't mind goofing around again. LOL.
@Coralie, LOL. I don't care any keyboard nugus rambling on SM. The only thing matters to me is freedom to express, not online bullies/trolls who mock. LMAO. You're welcome to ignore my comments that I love to see it happen. But you just can't get over me. That's how obsessed you are.
LOL.
C drama fans have more trouble controlling emotions without responding with hate repeatedly. K drama fans are doing better in this aspect. Only very few K fans went on to provoke me repeatedly. Go learn from them. LOL.
Where Dreams Begin was a hit. Critically and in terms of ratings. He also produced a great performance here, better than CQL, which netted him the breakthrough actor of the year award at CMG China TV drama awards. Zhang Lingxin got the supporting actress award for it. The drama itself was nominated for drama of the year. It was a quality drama that CCTV emphasised last year. For June, to produce those results, with that genre, it was a major thing.
He actually is yet to benefit from it, though the Kong Sheng movie that is coming up will probably be the first follow up resource.
Legend of Zanghai and Condor Heroes are follow up to Ace Troops and his time in theatre (this turned out to be especially crucial for Zanghai) but we haven't seen them yet. In any case, these three are all great directors and show both what the industry thinks of him and the results of his works that they are privy to. He wouldn't be doing these if he wasn't showing real results, not water, and skill.
@Lola…let me make a disclaimer first cause I know how sensitive XZ fans can be: I’ve only watched him in the Untamed and from that role, I could see his great potential. Some ppl just have that natural charm on screen and he’s definitely one of those. Plus he seems to take acting as a craft seriously. So with that said, my following question is not shading him in anyway but arises as a natural thought from your comment. Putting aside the discussion on whether a drama is a critical hit or not cause I know that can be more subjective, am wondering how do you measure the rating success of a drama. This is something I’ve been curious/ confused about following Cent news because I can never seem to find a consensus on any drama’s rating success. If Koala posts an article about a drama’s success, there inevitably will be comments about how that success is fake / driven by water armies/ bought hot searches/ fight between streaming vs tv views/ etc . So my question is whether there exits some kind of independent body that measure a drama’s success in China?
Also, I really don’t understand why companies employ water armies when everyone know about that practice so like what’s the point? 😅 like I know that celebs get endorsements based on their popularity so companies must surely have their in house professionals to measure the actual numbers so seriously, what’s the point of faking your followers/ engagements? 🤔
@R There is no one independent body to measure a drama's success in China. You always have to look at multiple charts, data, any increase/drop in the number of advertisements in the drama and whether the main lead(s) gain any better endorsements or better resources after the broadcast. Even so, charts' calculations keep changing every now and then so it's difficult to compare recent dramas to the older ones. The general consensus is - if most of the charts and data are consistent, and the main lead(s) did gain better endorsements and resources, then the drama can be recognised as a hit.
TV dramas and streaming dramas work differently too. TV dramas are dramas that were first broadcasted or concurrently broadcasted (first air date on the same day) with a streaming platform, for this type the drama needs to have high CVB ratings (currently the only official trustable source) coupled with decent web ratings (charts that claim to calculate the combination of web views, heat index etc). It furthers go on to split into which periods always tend to have higher ratings such as CNY/winter/summer school holiday periods. Streaming dramas are the most difficult to measure as it is the easiest to insert water.
Industry insiders do know the real data, however, companies still employ water armies because only a few endorsement companies have access to the real data and the rest can be fooled. It's also a tactic to fool the fans so as to keep the fandom's morale high, I mean, who would want to stan a celebrity that doesn't have potential?