Wu Jin Yan and Chen Zhe Yuan Kick Off Filming on Equal Billing for Period C-drama Jiang Shan Wei Ping
So this drama is already on the second title and will likely get a different English title later, but filming has indeed started for Jiang Shan Wei Pin (A Kingdom as Dowry). The leads are Wu Jin Yan and Chen Zhe Yuan in equal top billing, which honestly should be fine for both fandoms but really sucked a lot of energy and even investment opportunities out of this drama with the jostling and delays to get this ironed out. Wu Jin Yan has had more and bigger hit dramas than Chen Zhe Yuan, but she’s only recently been back on the up and up after The Double plus her marriage and short maternity leave, so it’s kinda a level wash between the two. Still, it’s becoming almost a thing that any drama Chen Zhe Yuan is attached to in the last two years there is news that his team and fandom is demanding top billing, regardless of whether it’s justified or he gets it in the end. It just makes him look douchey even if he’s not clamoring for it himself. I just hope each brings top acting and chemistry so the end product can wash away the stench of placement fighting.
I really want to know who is pushing him. Mediocre talent, ugly, one drama carried by a costar and yet.
His placement fighting is turning me off to watch him. I have only liked him in one drama and it was not Hidden love or anything recent. Hidden Love was too cringe for me and Zhao lusi using a baby voice threw me off. So the hype for him due to this drama just confuses me lol. Different tastes for different folks.
And to think that second ML in this drama is Liang Yong Qi, a far better actor (he played Wu Jinyan’s awful husband in The Double). Chen Zhe Yuan’s super toxic fandom are already complaining that his styling is off – I honestly can’t understand why they think that looking mediocre is because of the styling. I mean, there are other actors with toxic fandoms but at least they are handsome, or good actors, or both.
I honestly feel he suits modern styling then historical. The wigs just always look a bit off on him. So no matter how they try to change it, it will probably not look so great. Atleast he has some support, same with these other actors with toxic fans. It sucks how toxic they can be but it seems to help them with negotiations whether fair or not.
I skimmed the novel and cannot imagine Chen Zheyuan in this role – he is just about the furthest thing ever. Doesn’t have the acting chops, and lacks any kind of screen presence and charisma. Is mainland out of young promising actors?
I’m not sure why CZY and/or his team thinks he should get top billing in any of the projects he’s been linked to so far, he doesn’t have the track record to prove he deserves it.
I love wu jinyan and honestly think it is beneath her to let czy have equal billing. Ngl I used to like him a lot but this billing issues every drama has really turned me off. And now he does it to one of my favorite actress? Who’s obviously more talented, way more established and more hits than him?? So ridiculous
I respectfully disagree. I don’t believe an actress should be given equal billing simply because she took maternity leave and married, especially when the actor in question doesn’t surpass her in talent and is known for insisting on first billing, even when it isn’t warranted (in my view).
That said, I understand Chen Zhe Yuan is rising in popularity. However, his fame seems to come more from appearance and fan enthusiasm than from standout acting accomplishments. To me, his acting is inconsistent at best. Furthermore, the constant reports of him (or his team on his behalf) demanding top billing ahead of more established actresses raise serious questions about his professionalism and arrogance. Even if he isn’t the one making the demands personally, his management does it for him and that cannot simply be separated.
It also doesn’t reflect well on his fandom that so many of them believe he automatically deserves first billing, as though his mere presence is enough. That attitude is unfair to hardworking, talented actresses like Wu Jin Yan, particularly in a drama where she is clearly the central role. When he insists on first billing in such cases, it feels like he is walking over more competent actresses and using them as stepping stones for his rise. Honestly, it is a huge turn-off that makes me not want to watch his projects.
In contrast, Wu Jin Yan’s experience, screen presence, and proven track record, especially so soon after returning from maternity leave, deserve far more respect than simply putting her on the same level as someone still proving himself acting-wise. Popularity and money may drive the business, but they do not equal acting ability. For me, this is not about diminishing his rise; it is about properly acknowledging her proven merit.
Couldn’t agree more! In such a case wherein WJY is clearly more talented, with multiple hits under her belt wherein she shine as the main character that helped carried a drama, with more experience and well establish career, and also for her character to be the central one in this drama, it is really shameless of CZY and/or his team to ask for equal billing. I hate that it could’ve been because of her hiatus giving birth that WJY felt compelled to agree to this unfair terms
I don’t find her more talented. They are both rather mediocre. But at least she is beautiful, and he is very average. lol when his fans complain about styling.
His team knows he can’t carry a drama, so they are pushing him to work all the popular or established actresses. Agree with the first commenter he is mediocre and ugly, and will probably never be popular in this lifetime.
Let’s be honest. He is good-looking, but his face is more like a pretty face with no scene. He has zero masculinity and charisma. As for acting skills, both are mediocre, but at least she is still a bit better than him.