Wouldn't it be awesome if Tian Du Yi Wen Lu (Miles Wei) and A Cup of love (Zhou Ye) were the final “trades” or collaborations Yu Zheng will arrange for Xu Kai. I used to not care because the narrative out there was that Xu Kai said it's too much work, but when does hard work ever stop Xu Kai from anything, and the more I research Yu Zheng, the more I hope he does leave. Xu Kai’s parents are his biggest priority, and if they encouraged him to move on, he would. Yu Zheng is only interested in promoting his next generation of artists. Sure, Xu Kai will always do great in any drama that he has to take on, but he's entering a new phase of his career, where he'll soon be 31, and wants to take on his dream roles he spoke of, although he's not someone who rushes into things. He appears to be thoughtful, patient, someone who lives with intention and avoids regrets. I wonder what his plans are. I admire his personality, tenacity, and hardwork in life, and I trust he'll succeed no matter what he decides.
Replying toDilly7121•Jan 28, 2026•Liked Jan 28, 2026
It’s better to take a rest than film a shitty script so let’s wait and see what he does
You got me interested in Song Weilong's past with Yu Zheng. I always wondered what happened to him. I wonder if Yu Zheng showed displeasure with him after The Untouchable Lover (2018) was not the success he hoped for, and that led to their falling out because you don't find him in Yu Zheng productions after that. I think Yu Zheng used SWL as the scapegoat.
During the period around 2015/2016, Yu Zheng was in decline after his Palace successes, and his few top actors like Chen Xiao, who rose to fame in Yu Zheng palace dramas, left before his contract was up, and Zhang Zhehan, who didn’t want to be typecast in palace dramas, also left before his contract was up; and those who worked with Yu Zheng like Zhao Liying and Yang Mi, after they became famous in his Palace dramas, also left him, with Yang Mi establishing her own studio. This was the period when YZ was losing his established stars and desperately needed new talent. Yu Zheng then was trying to re‑establish himself.
The Untouchable Lover was a critical project for him at the time. The female lead apparently was very famous at the time, and it was supposed to be a step from famous child actor to adult actor, so it seemed there was a lot on the line for Yu Zheng. Because UL was supposed to revive YZ’s reputation, its failure hit him hard. When it didn’t get the success he needed, I guess he blamed SWL and must have sidelined him later, although I’m sure he would not want the role of Fuca Fuheng since it was not a male lead role and he was already established as a male lead — as you can see from his profile, he only took male lead roles.
He signed SWL in 2015, then Wu Jinyan, Bai Lu, Xu Kai, and others followed in 2016. Maybe SWL was so young, just 16, and didn’t quite get along with the strict Yu Zheng slave‑driving dictator style, or maybe SWL didn’t like doing palace historicals. His breakouts came in 2020 in two modern dramas. Despite his falling out with Yu Zheng, he managed to get roles with other studios, and of course, Yu Zheng, rather he’s working than not, approved them. But he also had two years, 2021–2022, with no dramas airing. Finally, in 2025, SWL got the biggest breakout of his career, Shine on Me, which is also a modern drama.
Now, Yu Zheng excels at (and pushes) palace/historical with strong visuals/intrigue. SWL's breakout hits are modern, suggesting he may have resisted or not fit the “palace actor” mold Yu Zheng favors for his roster. This could have caused friction early, especially if UL's mixed results led to reduced faith in him for those genres. Perhaps those who left Yu Zheng have shown that they really know what’s best for their own career.
YZ chases trends rather than setting them. He borrows heavily from existing formulas. In recent years, YZ has been leaning heavily into short‑form dramas, following whatever trend is hot at the moment. His works often feel like a blend of borrowed ideas rather than original concepts. Perhaps actors don’t want to be trapped in someone else’s trend‑chasing cycle.
I think in Untouchable Lovers, Bai Lu’s badass female general character dominated the second half, even though she was not the female lead. The female lead was already very famous in China, but she also wanted the role because Yu Zheng was a big‑name producer, and she needed to break into adult roles, so it was mutual benefit — they got her name, and she got the role. But they essentially gave Bai Lu the most prominent and impactful role in the second half of Untouchable Lovers as a supporting actress, a newcomer. She was essentially the female lead in the second half. She even sang for the Untouchable Lovers OST, which amplified her visibility. For a newcomer, this level of spotlight was unusual.
Bai Lu is the only one who was given a female lead in her first role in a Yu Zheng production, King Is Not Easy. Even SWL’s first role was a supporting role, same with Xu Kai, Wu Jin Yan, Wang Xing Yue, and all the others. This shows favoritism/promotion for her early on above anyone else. But for Yu Zheng, who was in decline, it was not King Is Not Easy or Untouchable Lovers that reignited his fame — it was Story of Yanxi Palace.
It’s interesting to note that Yu Zheng also had a child actor, Zhang Yijie, who worked on his projects before signing with Huanyu later on. His first main role — and first male lead role — was opposite Bai Lu in King Is Not Easy. The drama didn’t become a breakout for either of them, nor did it really elevate their careers. His latest drama was short‑form, just like a few of YZ’s other artists lately.
It says a lot about Xu Kai’s perseverance — he kept rising no matter how tough, strict, or unforgiving Yu Zheng’s environment became. Even if his breakout role was only a main supporting one (Fuca Fuheng), when he breaks out, he does it explosively. Whether it was female‑centric projects (ex: The Legends, Arsenal Military Academy, and many more) or roles with limited screentime (ex: Court Lady, Moonlit Reunion, and so on — maybe not WOL, which was more balanced), Xu Kai rose steadily through grit, good choices, and versatility, proving his resilience in a tough environment. I will not give up on Xu Kai.
Replying toXukaifangirl88•Jan 27, 2026•Liked Jan 27, 2026
No news of it at all. As to Tian Du yi Wen lu , 36 episodes have been filmed .
Yes. Now how much they will change to during license period or in post processing only they know . As of now they have filmed only for 36 episodes worth material
thanks for the heads up - I too instantly went back to watch the part - so she becomes the main npc of the VR storyline - with a very cool and beautiful look - got him by surprised and the other two too - hehe -- but maybe Gong Huai Cong knows about it - but pretends not to know - haha... :P Either way - nice extra special ending to it - though would be a cherry ontop if they both get married to one another - and the other two are officially together as well -- their best friends.
The school in this drama looks like the one in Revenge of Others. And that ending scene? Felt like I was suddenly…
I wouldn't say copy-paste. The school was always used for so many kdramas, not just Revenge of Others. And the ending scene also reminded me of a scene from the kdrama Perfume. Overall, as you can understand, many kdramas are alike each other in some aspects. It makes sense, the production of kdramas is huge.
During the period around 2015/2016, Yu Zheng was in decline after his Palace successes, and his few top actors like Chen Xiao, who rose to fame in Yu Zheng palace dramas, left before his contract was up, and Zhang Zhehan, who didn’t want to be typecast in palace dramas, also left before his contract was up; and those who worked with Yu Zheng like Zhao Liying and Yang Mi, after they became famous in his Palace dramas, also left him, with Yang Mi establishing her own studio. This was the period when YZ was losing his established stars and desperately needed new talent. Yu Zheng then was trying to re‑establish himself.
The Untouchable Lover was a critical project for him at the time. The female lead apparently was very famous at the time, and it was supposed to be a step from famous child actor to adult actor, so it seemed there was a lot on the line for Yu Zheng. Because UL was supposed to revive YZ’s reputation, its failure hit him hard. When it didn’t get the success he needed, I guess he blamed SWL and must have sidelined him later, although I’m sure he would not want the role of Fuca Fuheng since it was not a male lead role and he was already established as a male lead — as you can see from his profile, he only took male lead roles.
He signed SWL in 2015, then Wu Jinyan, Bai Lu, Xu Kai, and others followed in 2016. Maybe SWL was so young, just 16, and didn’t quite get along with the strict Yu Zheng slave‑driving dictator style, or maybe SWL didn’t like doing palace historicals. His breakouts came in 2020 in two modern dramas. Despite his falling out with Yu Zheng, he managed to get roles with other studios, and of course, Yu Zheng, rather he’s working than not, approved them. But he also had two years, 2021–2022, with no dramas airing. Finally, in 2025, SWL got the biggest breakout of his career, Shine on Me, which is also a modern drama.
Now, Yu Zheng excels at (and pushes) palace/historical with strong visuals/intrigue. SWL's breakout hits are modern, suggesting he may have resisted or not fit the “palace actor” mold Yu Zheng favors for his roster. This could have caused friction early, especially if UL's mixed results led to reduced faith in him for those genres. Perhaps those who left Yu Zheng have shown that they really know what’s best for their own career.
YZ chases trends rather than setting them. He borrows heavily from existing formulas. In recent years, YZ has been leaning heavily into short‑form dramas, following whatever trend is hot at the moment. His works often feel like a blend of borrowed ideas rather than original concepts. Perhaps actors don’t want to be trapped in someone else’s trend‑chasing cycle.
I think in Untouchable Lovers, Bai Lu’s badass female general character dominated the second half, even though she was not the female lead. The female lead was already very famous in China, but she also wanted the role because Yu Zheng was a big‑name producer, and she needed to break into adult roles, so it was mutual benefit — they got her name, and she got the role. But they essentially gave Bai Lu the most prominent and impactful role in the second half of Untouchable Lovers as a supporting actress, a newcomer. She was essentially the female lead in the second half. She even sang for the Untouchable Lovers OST, which amplified her visibility. For a newcomer, this level of spotlight was unusual.
Bai Lu is the only one who was given a female lead in her first role in a Yu Zheng production, King Is Not Easy. Even SWL’s first role was a supporting role, same with Xu Kai, Wu Jin Yan, Wang Xing Yue, and all the others. This shows favoritism/promotion for her early on above anyone else. But for Yu Zheng, who was in decline, it was not King Is Not Easy or Untouchable Lovers that reignited his fame — it was Story of Yanxi Palace.
It’s interesting to note that Yu Zheng also had a child actor, Zhang Yijie, who worked on his projects before signing with Huanyu later on. His first main role — and first male lead role — was opposite Bai Lu in King Is Not Easy. The drama didn’t become a breakout for either of them, nor did it really elevate their careers. His latest drama was short‑form, just like a few of YZ’s other artists lately.
It says a lot about Xu Kai’s perseverance — he kept rising no matter how tough, strict, or unforgiving Yu Zheng’s environment became. Even if his breakout role was only a main supporting one (Fuca Fuheng), when he breaks out, he does it explosively. Whether it was female‑centric projects (ex: The Legends, Arsenal Military Academy, and many more) or roles with limited screentime (ex: Court Lady, Moonlit Reunion, and so on — maybe not WOL, which was more balanced), Xu Kai rose steadily through grit, good choices, and versatility, proving his resilience in a tough environment. I will not give up on Xu Kai.
As to Tian Du yi Wen lu , 36 episodes have been filmed .
It’s so dumb 🙄
https://x.com/ForCdrama/status/1904469338611962056