Zhang Ruoyun's latest cast list for the third season of "Joy of Life" revealed, and the replacement of "Second Prince" Liu Duanduan shocked the entire network

June 25, 2025 18:15:00 

Zhang Ruoyun and Li Qin became stars in the drama "Joy of Life," which aired in 2019 and quickly earned the title of the best drama of the year. Five years later, the highly anticipated second season was released last year and achieved remarkable success, maintaining its position as the top drama of the year. Loyal fans have been eagerly awaiting news about the third season of "Joy of Life." Recently, the official Weibo account released a concept poster, indicating that production for the third season is about to begin, which sparked intense discussion among fans.

On June 25th, Weibo revealed the latest cast list for the upcoming season. Notably, "Second Prince" Liu Duanduan and "Ye Ling'er" Jin Chen will be replaced, shocking many fans.

Last year, Liu Duanduan was involved in a scandal when Chinese paparazzi caught him in a compromising situation, leading to speculation about infidelity. He was seen singing with friends at a karaoke bar until midnight and engaging in flirtatious behavior with another woman. This incident stirred considerable debate online. Many fans recalled this episode upon seeing the replacement announcement. Liu Duanduan portrayed the villain "Second Prince," a character who appears cruel and ruthless but is lonely within. In the second season, his role was expanded significantly, particularly in court scenes alongside Zhang Ruoyun's character, "Fan Xian." Some fans noted that "Fan Xian" had nearly 22% fewer scenes in the second season compared to the first, while "Second Prince" had double the screen time, underscoring the character's importance. Consequently, the news of the replacement left many loyal fans feeling upset.

Conversely, some netizens speculate that this may be an attempt by rivals to generate controversy, especially considering that Zhang Haowei, who gained fame for portraying the "Prince" in "Joy of Life," was also rumored to have been involved in scandals, including tax evasion and prostitution. Despite those rumors, he was not listed as having been replaced for the third season. Additionally, many believe the replacement announcement seems unreasonable, as Liu Duanduan's recent drama "Zhe Yao" just concluded, and there has been no news regarding his potential successor for the "Second Prince" role.

"Ye Ling'er" was portrayed by Han Jiunuo in the first season and by Jin Chen in the second season; however, Jin Chen's portrayal did not resonate as well with viewers as the original. As a result, there are rumors that Fan Shuaiqi, known for her role as a female knight in "Daily Life of Lovers," will take over the character in the third season.

In the first season of "Joy of Life," Han Jiunuo played the role of "Ye Ling'er," while Jin Chen took over in the second season, and Fan Shuaiqi is expected to portray the character in the upcoming third season.

Liu Duanduan plays a pivotal role as the cousin of Liu Yuning's character, who harbors feelings for the female lead, Song Zuer, in "The Loss of Love." Initially, some viewers criticized Liu Duanduan for being reminiscent of his portrayal as the "Second Prince" in "Joy of Life." However, his subsequent performances demonstrated considerable growth in his role interpretation and chemistry with Liu Xiaoqing, who plays his grandfather. This evolution in his acting earned him widespread acclaim and significantly improved his reputation.network.

Source: UP MEDIA  https://shorturl.at/QF08v

The third season poster for "Celebrating More Than Years" has been revealed, hinting at the impending battle between Zhang Ruoyun and Chen Daoming, who play father and son in the series. This announcement has generated excitement across social media, with three main highlights capturing the audience's attention.

MEGA SPOILERS AHEAD

June 23, 2025 17:00:00      

Zhang Ruoyun, a prominent male star in Chinese dramas, gained fame in 2019 alongside Li Qin in "Joy of Life." After a successful second season last year, fans have eagerly awaited the third season, which finally unveiled its concept poster today. In the poster, Zhang Ruoyun displays a “three” gesture with his hand, accompanied by the text: "The rest of our lives are endless, and we share a dream. The final battle is about to begin!" This raises anticipation as it alludes to the upcoming conflict between Zhang Ruoyun and Chen Daoming's characters, in line with the narrative of the original novel by Mao Ni.

Here are the three key highlights of the third season of "Celebrating More Than Years":

1. **The Battle between "Fan Xian" and "Emperor Qing"**

Fan Xian, portrayed by Zhang Ruoyun, is the son of Emperor Qing (played by Chen Daoming) and Ye Qingmei, a figure from the future. In the first season of "Joy of Life," Fan Xian was unaware of his true relationship with Emperor Qing. By the second season, he had dismissed their father-son bond and insisted on being included in the Fan family tree. As the story proceeds into the third season, tensions will rise between them. The revelations about Ye Qingmei's death at Emperor Qing's hands will escalate the conflict between the righteous Fan Xian and his father, who disregards the safety of the populace in pursuit of imperial power. This father-son confrontation aligns perfectly with the third season's promotional tagline: "The final battle, the curtain is about to open!"

2. **The Development of the Relationship between Fan Xian and Lin Wan'er**

Lin Wan'er, played by Li Qin, is the illegitimate daughter of the eldest princess, Li Yunrui (portrayed by Li Xiaoran), and Lin Xiang (played by Yu Yang). Unlike her scheming parents, she is characterized by her innocence. In the second season of "Joy of Life," she and Fan Xian marry happily after enduring numerous challenges. However, Lin Wan'er soon uncovers the connection between the death of her second brother and Wu Zhu (played by Tong Mengshi), which leads to tensions in their newlywed relationship, creating one of the most heartbreaking storylines of the season. Additionally, the eldest princess, Li Yunrui, and the second prince (played by Liu Duanduan) have their own ambitions for power. The conflict between these two ambitious figures and Fan Xian, who seeks justice, will intensify. Lin Wan'er’s choices in the third season as she navigates this complicated dynamic will also be a highlight.

3. **The Stance of the Four Great Masters**

By the end of the second season of "Joy of Life," Grand Master Ye Liuyun (played by Wang Qingxiang) chooses not to kill anyone after being persuaded by Fan Xian and reflecting on his friendship with Ye Qingmei. However, the sword he left behind made a significant impact, severing a strand of Fan Xian's hair and splitting a multi-story restaurant in half, showcasing its power. In the upcoming third season, viewers will be eager to see how the other three masters will align themselves in the final conflict between Fan Xian and Emperor Qing.

This season promises to deliver thrilling developments and intense confrontations that fans are eagerly awaiting.o become one of the highlights.

Source: UP MEDIA  https://shorturl.at/yM2ws

On the morning of June 23, Tencent Video held its annual drama book launch, creating a lively atmosphere. The event featured a variety of dramas, including "Yu Yu," "Cally Woman," and "Mu Xuan," which captivated the audience. However, the most highly anticipated highlight was the sequel to "Celebrating the New Year." This sequel marks the final chapter of the series, bringing closure to the audience after years of waiting. The event was a collaborative release by Tencent Video, Reading Film and Television, and Xinli TV, with viewing available on Tencent Video's appointment channel.

Currently, the script is in its final polishing stage, with screenwriter Wang Yan and director Sun Hao working together to maintain the essence of the first two seasons. They are committed to providing maximum support and protection for the series in terms of both drama and production. Filming is expected to begin in the second half of 2025, with plans for the show to air in summer 2026 or 2027.

The father-son duo, portrayed by the Qing Emperor and Zhang Ruoyan, have both confirmed their return. Star Zhang Ruoxiang shared the concept poster along with a message expressing excitement about the upcoming project. "Anzhi, wait for it—good things are coming!" After a long wait, it’s great that we won’t have to wait another 5 years! The anticipation is strong, and the fans are thrilled.

The main characters are, of course, the original group. The network will add five new actors, including Fan Shuaiqi, Changlong, Hu Jun, Zhang Binbin, and Zhao Zhaoyi, who have been invited to join the third season.

source: https://shorturl.at/TcNmN 

The third season of "Celebrating More Than Years" has replaced four major roles. He played the role of "Yan Bingyun" in "Song of Youth" and the whole network is looking forward to it

August 21, 2024 10:45:00      

Recently, Zhang Ruoyun provided an update on the progress of the third season of "Joy of Life," stating, "The script is already in preparation!" As this season is the final chapter, it will feature significant scenes, including the Battle of Dadong Mountain led by the "Emperor Qing," the rebellion instigated by the "Princess" and the princes, as well as "Fan Xian" seeking the truth at the temple. Many new characters will be introduced, and casting is currently underway. However, filming is not expected to begin this year and is likely to be postponed to the first half of next year.

There have been recent controversies involving the "Second Prince," Liu Duanduan, who faced allegations of extramarital affairs, and the "Crown Prince," Zhang Haowei, who was suspected of tax evasion and prostitution. Although both men have denied these accusations, reports in the Chinese drama community suggest that the "Joy of Life" production team is actively searching for replacement candidates to avoid disruptions to filming if the two princes are unable to perform.

For the "Second Prince" role, the crew is reportedly in contact with Han Dong, who netizens have recognized as a "costume male god who is unfortunately overlooked." Han Dong is known for his striking looks in period dramas and has a talent for portraying characters with both heroic and villainous traits. He gained fame for his role as the "Ninth Prince" in "Scarlet Heart" and later played the antagonist "Yan Shi Fan" in "Under the Power," which sparked considerable discussion. Last year, he portrayed "Wang Quan Hongye" in "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Yuehong Chapter."

As for the "Crown Prince," rumors indicate that the crew is considering Zheng Yecheng, who gained recognition for his role in "Love of Thousands Years" alongside Zhao Lusi. Zheng has an impressive ancient costume appearance and has played a range of characters, including the domineering and ruthless Captain "Chen Yan" in "Wish You Happiness." His experience as a Peking Opera student adds to the excitement of his fight scenes. Many viewers have noted that his looks, acting skills, and action sequences surpass those of Ren Jialun, who was popular for his portrayal of a Jinyiwei in "Under the Power."

Additionally, there are reports that the roles of "Yan Bingyun" and "Ye Ling'er" will also be recast. In the first season, these characters were played by Xiao Zhan and Han Jiunuo, respectively. They were replaced in the second season by Wu Xingjian and Jin Chen, who received constant criticism. The crew is now rumored to have reached out to Ao Ruipeng and Fan Shuaiqi for these roles. Ao Ruipeng became popular for his portrayal of "Lei Wujie" in "The Blood of Youth" while Fan Shuaiqi showcased her talent as a cool and handsome female knight in "Daily Life of a Lady," making her a fitting choice for the role of "Ye Ling'er," the daughter of a general.

source: UP MEDIA https://shorturl.at/GIWDX

The shooting time of the third season of "Qing Yu Nian" was exposed. Tian Yu played Zhang Ruoyun's confidant "Wang Qinian" and the fourth season rioted on the Internet

April 17, 2026

The ancient costume power drama "Qing Yu Nian" starring Zhang Ruoyun is a huge hit. Since the second season was released five years ago, fans have been eagerly awaiting the third season. Recently, there is good news. Tian Yu, who plays "Wang Qinian" in the show, which features Zhang Ruoyun, revealed in an interview that, depending on the script's progress, he will try to film seasons 3 and 4 together either at the end of this year or next year. His statement unexpectedly suggested that there will be not only a third season but also a fourth, which instantly ignited excitement across the internet!

Due to the complex story structure of "Qing Yu Nian," the first two seasons have not finished filming half of the original content. Scenes such as the Battle of Dadong Mountain, the Kyoto Rebellion, Chen Pingping's offline, Fan Han's assassination of Emperor Qing, and other famous moments haven't appeared yet. As a result, after the second season aired in 2024, fans rushed to catch up and express their excitement. Once the catch-up was complete, Tian Yu mentioned that it depends on the progress of Mr. Wang Yan's script. "We hope to be able to shoot at the end of this year or next year. It might also be necessary to shoot seasons 3 and 4 together because there's quite a lot of story left in the back," he said.

Mainland media believe that Wang Yu's words are highly credible. After all, it will conclude after another season. There are too many highlight-worthy plots to choose from, which could not only disrupt the overall coherence but also cause backlash from fans of the original work. It's simply to give everyone the chance to enjoy the story by maximizing the shooting options for one more season! 

Additionally, it is not easy to gather Zhang Ruoyun, Chen Daoming, Li Qin, Song Yi, Guo Qilin, and Li Xiaoran all at once, especially since Chen Daoming is over 70 years old. Rumors suggest he may withdraw from filming the third season due to health issues, which makes fans anxious. Moreover, there have been some role changes in the second season. For example, Jin Chen, who played the new version of "Ye Linger," and Wu Xingjian, who played the new version of "Yan Bingyun," were disliked. To avoid waking up in the middle of the night, the best approach is to film more than one season and complete all remaining content.

Therefore, the chances of shooting the third and fourth seasons of "Qing Yu Nian" are very high. Besides keeping the most complete storyline and cast, it can also lessen the awkwardness between actors and their characters as they age. More importantly, it means the gap between the two seasons' releases won't be too long, which is definitely great news for eager fans.

Great news!

https://www.upmedia.mg/tw/popularity/chinese-dramas/256466

Tencent exclusively broadcast "Qing Yu Nian 3", the six leading actors gathered together, and the original main creative lineup all returned! Can you keep the soul of the drama in the final battle?

2026-06-18 14:25

In 2019, the first season of "Qing Yu Nian" aired, and the image of Fan Xian drunkenly reciting poetry in Kyoto became a favorite in the hearts of many viewers. In 2024, the popularity of the second season surged beyond expectations. Although the reputation slightly declined, the story of "Lord Xiaofan" still resonated with millions of fans.

Now that half of 2026 has passed, "Qing Yu Nian 3" has finally been officially announced and is scheduled to be exclusively broadcast on Tencent Video in the second half of 2026. But what people didn't expect was that with the news of the final chapter, there was also ongoing controversy and excitement surrounding the horn change storm.

Let's start with the most reassuring part.

Zhang Ruoyun continues to play Fan Xian, Chen Daoming returns as Qingdi, Wu Gang is still Chen Pingping sitting in a wheelchair, Li Qin's Lin Wan'er, Tian Yu's Wang Qinian, Guo Qilin's Fan Sizuo, Song Yi's Fan Ruoruo — none of these core roles are missing. For the final season, Zhang Ruoyun joined the cast three months early to study the script and practice swordsmanship diligently.

Chen Daoming was even more ruthless, insisting that the display of the great master's identity be shown on an 8-minute long camera shot. Wu Gang's portrayal of Chen Pingping will mark the most brutal highlight of the entire series in the third season - the wheelchair scene where he breaks into the palace alone, questions Emperor Qing in person, and fires a gun. Afterwards, the scene of Ling Chi on the street will be faithfully recreated from the original work. These characters have been integrated with the actors and become the "soul skeleton" of "Qing Yu Nian." As long as they are present, the show's spirit remains intact. However, the changes among the supporting cast are less so.

The role of Ye Linger has become the most frequently replaced character throughout the series. Han Jiunuo was cast in the first season, Jin Chen in the second, Fan Shuaiqi in the third, with three actors changing again in the third season. The producer explained this by saying they aimed to "pursue a high degree of adaptability between the role and the actor" and believed that Fan Shuaiqi's flexible temperament would better portray Ye Linger's cool demeanor as she grew. However, the audience did not agree. An experienced drama fan commented directly on Weibo: "The same supporting actor changed the character three times in a row, and the crew clearly didn’t prioritize maintaining role consistency. What we want isn’t just a face change, but a Qing Yunian who can be recognized without confusion." The change of the second prince's actor also reflects the harsh realities of the domestic entertainment industry. Li Chengze, played by Liu Duanduan, features a deeply strategic mind hidden beneath his lazy and unruly appearance. He is one of the most popular characters in the second season.

However, because he was caught in a personal public opinion storm, the crew was forced to replace people to avoid risks. It is reported that Liu Duanduan's film fee is only one-fifteenth of that of a top actor, but he contributed 32% of the famous scenes. In the end, he became a risky actor because he "offended the platform." To be honest, behind this is the most helpless reality of domestic dramas: the "risk-free" priority for artists is much higher than their acting skills and role suitability. What happened to Prince Zhang Haowei was another extreme. In 2024, he was involved in rumors of tax evasion and AI-forged pornography, and the scenes from other crews were even changed by AI.

But instead of staying silent, he chose to defend his rights through the law and ultimately won the case. The court ordered the rumor-mongers to pay 50,000 yuan in compensation. He not only retained his role as the prince but also reported that he might play two roles, including the second prince originally portrayed by Liu Duanduan. The dramatic reversal is as striking as the drama itself, but it also prompts people to ask: is the casting standard based on "like a character" or "hot enough"?

Why do you have to wait until the audience scolds before making a change? Still, the new cast is also eye-catching. Hu Jun plays Si Gujian, the guardian of Dongyi City and a very important master-level character in the original work. He is both wild and transparent. Hu Jun and Zhang Ruoyun have a strong working relationship from "Snow Swords," and their chemistry is something to look forward to. Fans even call him "the casting of heaven." Zhang Binbin portrays Ming Qingcheng (Xia Qifei), the illegitimate son of the Ming family in the south of the Yangtze River, and he was a key pawn in Fan Xian's breakthrough in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhao Zhaoyi played the young Ye Qingmei, and her side profile was praised by book fans as "God Restored." Changlong portrays Wang Shishilang, a closed disciple of Sigujian. He has a good sense of humor and is expected to become a new "funny person." In terms of production quality, the third season can be described as a significant effort.

The total budget is $600 million, and the cost of each episode can reach $30 million. The most expensive one is the Battle of Dadong Mountain. The crew invested $120 million in special effects, with each shot taking up to 48 hours to render. The scene of Emperor Qing fighting the three great masters alone will be portrayed using "fluid mechanics martial arts," which can be considered the pinnacle of domestic martial arts visual effects.

Wuzhu's laser eyes are even more exaggerated. The rendering cost per second reaches millions of yuan. In an instant, hundreds of thousands of yuan will disappear. The secret of the temple will also be fully unveiled—Fan Xian discovers that it is actually a high-tech military museum. The humanoid AI guardian will reveal to him the reason for Ye Qingmei's failure: "overestimate the goodness of human nature and underestimate the inertia of rules." In terms of the plot, the third season will condense the core story of the second half of the original work, and episode 36 will reveal all the unresolved mysteries.

The Jiangnan Rebellion, the dead end of the master of Dadong Mountain, the Kyoto rebellion, Barrett's sniping and killing of Emperor Qing, and the ultimate decryption of the temple—these five main storylines are interconnected, filling the screen with renowned scenes. Screenwriter Wang Yan promised to "only leave the essence and never pour water," but the second season received many bad reviews due to excessive comedy and filler in the subplots. Whether the third season can return to the strategic power-play style of the first season remains the biggest suspense.

Ultimately, behind the changing characters lies a tough struggle between "safety" and "emotion" for the creators of "Qing Yu Nian." The capital values risk-free artists with high traffic and buzz, while the audience cares more about consistent character development and emotional continuity.

The contradiction between the two was vividly exposed in this storm. Data shows that the number of appointments in the third quarter has exceeded 8 million, an increase of 17% compared with the same period in the second quarter. This indicates that the audience's enthusiasm for the final chapter has not been extinguished by the change of angle, but it also suggests that expectations for the third season are high. A drama has been filmed for nearly ten years. From 2019 to 2026, Chen Daoming is still acting at the age of 70. Zhang Ruoyun plays from a teenager to middle age. Guo Qilin was almost replaced, but Zhang Ruoyun saved it.

Some dramas are pursued and scattered, but "Qing Yu Nian" made it to the end. The shift in perspective is the biggest controversy in Qing Yu Nian 3, but it also serves as a key test of the producer's "original intention." As netizens said, "Zhang Ruoyun is here, and the soul is there." However, whether the spirits of Qingdi, Chen Pingping, Wang Qinian, and other characters can continue with new actors will be revealed in the final battle. Whether the final chapter can be called a masterpiece depends not only on the $600 million spent on scenes but also on whether the actors can capture the soul of their characters and whether the script can effectively tell the story of "rule subversion" and "human awakening." For the audience, this may be the last time they stand alongside Fan Xian at the head of Kyoto, witnessing the changes and listening to the thunder.

https://www.sohu.com/a/1038385904_122581610