Period C-drama Revenge with Zhang Ling He Continues its Casting Scrutiny as the Supporting Cast is Round Out with Liang Jie Taking a Second Female Lead Role
I don’t think the the casting and production issues around period romance C-drama Revenge (刺棠 Ci Tang) with Zhang Ling He and Lu Yu Xiao are all that unusual or even more than the usual shenanigans that befall a lot of other C-dramas before it. But due to the noticeable decrease of new C-dramas heading into production this year, there aren’t a lot of dramas to talk about hence the ups and downs of getting Revenge to filming have gotten outsized attention. It is close to starting filming scheduled for next month September 2026 and now there is attention due to the casting of the supporting roles. The biggest murmuring is that actress Liang Jie has accepted the second female lead role in this drama, which is a big deal since she’s been playing first female leads for the majority of her career other than when she first debuted. Industry chatter is that she’s fine with this and has accepted the reality but her fandom is super upset about it. Also joining the cast as supporting male leads are Wang Hong Yi and Li Qing, both of them have been supporting stars to date so nothing unusual about it. First female lead actresses that end up in supporting roles have happened before but may really accelerate now with the decrease in roles out there.
I guess it is all about momentum. She had her streak along with other actresses in the past but if it is not maintained they just become supportive leads. There are quite a few I liked that now are nonexistent. Reminds me of Korean dramas as well many first leads either settle for second fiddle or find an alternative career. I guess the main leads choice is official then? I thought they changed their minds? I don’t see anything wrong if Lu yu xiao is the final choice as main lead.
He needs someone to blame once it flops and she will be perfect.
Surprising, but I hope it’s a meaty role!
the end of long-dramas is a serious matter already long ago. you can clearly see some spending massive amounts on marketing just to appear popular, constantly performing concerts and variety shows to boost their fan data. such an unstable traffic. you can’t lie forever. in real, many aren’t actually capable to open a project alone yet fans can make noise over nothing. this winter is a reality check for fans holding such an high view. you can only choose to not be out of work. this industry is just as stubborn. they refuse to handle poor quality drama or try to actually screenwriters more voice…they are too busy satisfying capitalists. public does not want to watch them fair.
Oh, I like Liang Jie, though. She is definitely a way better actress than Lu Yu Xiao, but they cast according to popularity and commercial value, so it makes sense to have LYX as the female lead.
I just finished Love in the Clouds. I actually watched it for Hou Minghao’s sake but ended up liking LYX. Before LitC, I didn’t consider her female-lead material. I’m not sure if her acting simply improved in LitC or if it was just because her character was so likable. Still, LYX needs to work on her line delivery. As a native Mandarin speaker, I was annoyed every time she blurred her lines with that breathy, whispering voice. LOL.
But she is still a better female lead in a Xianxia drama than Tan Songyu in The Unclouded Soul, another HMH’s drama that I wasn’t able to finish thanks to TSY LOL. TSY tried too hard and looked constipated in a fairy world. LOL. Her performance in TUS is one perfect example of a “serious” actor failing in an idol drama. There are other examples.
Anyway, I digressed a bit. I just wanted to say that now I’m looking forward to her upcoming drama starring alongside ZLH!
Oooh, I like Liang Jie too, but yes in terms of popularity, LYX has the edge over her.
Liang Jie always strikes me as an actor first, and a star second. Objectively she’s a better and more experienced actress than Lu Yu Xiao, but I’d imagine that the female lead is determined by who can draws more crowds to watch the drama. As long as its a meaty role, I don’t mind watching her in it. With the right script and momentum second female leads can match the female lead and sometime exceed them. All the best to them, hope they can start filming soon.
Liang Jie is not good looking to me. And the past roles that made her famous were equally cringe. I genuinely disdained the roles she was given and the subsequent massive fanbase that she accrued from starring in those. But those roles back then were very common, so i guess she can’t be blamed, though i fail to see how she got so popular. As she continued losing ground, it seems the populace agrees with my opinion of her. So is this really surprising? No, i think it’s expected