Recently, the upcoming drama Blade of Vengeance has sparked controversy over its promotional billing order. The drama, led by actor Gong Jun, is positioned as a male-centric wuxia series. All of its official promotional materials released so far have prominently featured Gong Jun alone. However, recent online rumors claim that Wang Yu Wen, who plays the female lead, will be given top billing in the drama's promotional materials, sparking dissatisfaction among Gong Jun's fans.
On November 3, Wang Yu Wen's studio issued a statement addressing the controversy:
Since the beginning of our collaboration on this project, Ms. Wang Yu Wen and our team have consistently maintained an attitude of respect for the creative process and actively cooperated in all aspects of the work.
Regarding billing, we have also fully cooperated throughout the process. From beginning to end, we have been willing to accept any form of billing, even no billing at all. Our priority has always been the smooth progress of the project.
To this day, accusations based on taking words out of context, baseless allegations, and widespread malicious attacks continue to escalate.
This has long gone beyond the bounds of normal discussion. Our tolerance and willingness to yield do not mean that we tacitly accept criticism or allow misunderstandings to continue spreading unchecked. After careful consideration, we have decided to issue this statement to make our position clear.
We value the opportunity to collaborate on this project and have always hoped for rational communication and amicable discussions. However, we will also firmly safeguard Ms. Wang Yu Wen's legitimate rights and interests and reserve the right to pursue all available legal avenues [to protect them]. We sincerely urge everyone to stop spreading false statements and engaging in malicious attacks, and to approach matters related to this collaboration rationally.
Following this, the production team of Blade of Vengeance also issued a statement, saying:
Recently, we have noticed that false information targeting Blade of Vengeance has been maliciously fabricated and spread on certain online platforms. Please refer to official channels for accurate information regarding the drama Blade of Vengeance. We urge everyone to exercise discretion when evaluating information online, refrain from blindly believing or spreading unverified content, and work together to maintain a rational and friendly environment for discussion.
Wang Yu Wen is a Chinese actress who graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and entered the entertainment industry in 2015. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films and television dramas, including Secret of Three Kingdoms, Once We Get Married, The Love You Give Me, and My Page in the 90s.
She will soon be seen alongside Gong Jun in Blade of Vengeance, which tells the story of Ye Zhao, who goes "undercover as Meng Jianqing to infiltrate the imperial guard and hunt down his enemies after his family is massacred. Trapped in deadly power struggles, he fights through betrayal and bloodshed to claim justice and carve a new future." (WeTV)
The C-drama will be streaming on WeTV and iflix. Stay tuned!
Source: Qingdao News Network
