Avenue X very supportive of ZLH (I guess she does support a few idol dramas and actors): "And this is the drama I think both platforms that hold this — Tencent and iQIYI — are hoping will be the hottest romantic idol drama for the summer holiday period. They’re betting money on this one. If it’s good enough, beyond the mediocre level, this drama could very easily explode.
It’s summer now. Let’s get another one, because the last one this year I would consider that actually leaves an impression or created some kind of buzz — even though it was criticized — is Pursuit of Jade in the idol‑drama category, and everything else was kind of in the background. Let’s get another one; it’s time.
And also, just to see if it’s Zhang Linghe’s final lucky time, because last time Pursuit of Jade happened, arguably it wasn’t the best press he could get, and he did get unreasonably hated on China’s internet for things he really didn’t do. I think, “I’m just playing a role in the drama, right? And why is it all my fault that I’m a pretty boy in armor?”
Let’s hope this one can help him get out of that situation."
The drama just came out, and people are already giving it low scores like literally on day one. There are already 12 reviews with low scores of 5/10, 2/10, 3/10, 4.5/10, 1/10, and another 1/10.
yeah just like Zhao lusi, she also went solo last year
Bai Lu: She fully owns her personal studio and operates independently. She personally hired her manager and team, who now work directly for her. This gives her final decision-making power — she is essentially her own boss. Any partnerships or alliances are ones she chooses.
Rumors: Rumors suggest that Bai Lu brought in high-profile manager Zhao Xu (known for helping Tong Yao win the Magnolia Award), recruited elite corporate talent from Tencent (particularly in legal, tax, business affairs, and PR), and established a strategic alliance with Xinguang Pictures. If true, she reportedly laid much of this groundwork during her roughly 9-month break while still under contract with Huanyu. This would be quite impressive, as it is very rare for an artist to prepare this level of independence — building a full professional team, poaching high-caliber corporate talent, and forming major alliances — without causing conflict with their existing agency. The smooth and amicable nature of her departure from Huanyu suggests she had exceptionally strong relations with her former company.
Zhao Lusi: She has her own studio, but she is signed to Beijing Yi'er Sansi (also known as YESS, a Tiger Whale / Alibaba-related company) under a proper agency contract. Her manager and core team are tied to the company. While she has significantly more creative and career input than a typical artist, she is not fully independent.
In short: Zhao Lusi’s setup is closer to “new agency + her own studio,” whereas Bai Lu has achieved a higher level of true independence through her wholly-owned studio and self-built team.
The new and youngest member is supposed to be really good at variety‑show games, and he’s on quite a few programs. But Bibi seems like the sharpest one when it comes to logic‑based challenges, and she’s a really good singer too and fluent in Cantonese because she moved to Shenzhen at age six. She adds a balance to the scaredy cats.
Xu Kai: Observing the World, Acting with Inner Insight, Growing Inward – *Fashion Beijing* July 2026 Issue,…
I really enjoyed Xu Kai's perspectives. When you compare Chen Hui to his other roles—especially the modern ones—you can feel that he didn’t build the character out of crafted quirks or invented habits. He leaned into a real‑life rhythm instead, letting Chen Hui exist as an ordinary small‑town man. "Xu Kai didn't design fixed small gestures but relied on the natural flow of details from the character's state of mind."
BCE looks to be her last supporting role. She's 88. Glad Xu Kai got to work with her because he has such a great…
I did not count the guest roles, but she has a supporting role in 2026. Wow, she's truly a phenomenon! Again, so glad Xu Kai got to work with such an amazing person. Honestly, I hope he gets more roles with veterans.
The 2026 summer season is packed with fierce competition in the suspense drama sector. Four major suspense dramas—'Debut,' 'Waiting for You,' 'Above the City Wall,' and 'Chasing the Culprit at the Fire Scene"'—are about to premiere, each with diverse themes and star-studded casts. Which one will become this summer's blockbuster?
Finally, let's talk about the fire and criminal investigation drama "Chasing the Culprit at the Fire Scene."
This 24-episode suspense drama stars Xu Kai and Liu Yitie, with a special appearance by Du Chun, and exclusively streamed on Youku.
Character Setting: "Ice and Fire Heroes": Xu Kai plays Yu Tong, a rational and unjust fire expert, burdened by the shadow of a family wrongful case. Cold as ice on the outside but fiery inside, his buzz cut and muscular physique completely overturn idol labels; Liu Yitie plays detective Lin Yao, a captain who is warm on the outside but cold within, using humor to cover up past mistakes, forming a stark contrast with Yu Tong's cold and tough nature; Du Chun's portrayal combines scholarly elegance with the gloom of a mastermind behind the scenes, and is expected to become a "hidden move" for plot twists.
The plot opens up a new track of suspense: Yu Tong's first case in office is marked by a bizarre spontaneous combustion in a lake, with clues pointing to the mystery of the family factory fire he has buried deep within. He reunites with his long-lost detective friend Lin Yao, and the two team up to head to various fire scenes, fully committed to investigating and capturing the culprit. Hardcore technologies such as fire scene simulation and DNA analysis intertwine with the struggles of human nature, creating a dual tension of "scientific rationality vs. emotional instinct."
Xu Kai's determined gaze as he rushes into the fire and his ash-stained face in battle damage have been praised as "a stunning transformation that tears apart the idol baggage"; Liu Yitie's youthful acting perfectly matches Lin Yao's "disguised optimism," requiring him to reveal guilt over old cases amid laughter and scolding; Du Chun's tough-guy image in "The Eight Hundred" and his political intrigue in "National Beauty" combine elegance and somber.
Each of the four dramas has its highlights: "Debut" is a hardcore crime investigation without filler, "Waiting for You" is a heart-pounding family suspense, "Above the City Wall" has a rich period feel, and "Fire Pursuit" is a fresh firefighting crime investigation. Which film will become this summer's blockbuster?
I believe he signed toward the end of Aug because Zhaoge started filming Sep. 13,2016, so he had to be signed…
NetEase Entertainment reported on August 22, 2016 that Huanyu Entertainment announced the official signing of three newcomers—Bai Lu, Xu Kai, and Zhang Nan—as its artists. that means Xu Kai’s contract with Huanyu Film was signed on or before August 22, 2016.
Another source, Baidu Baike states that Xu Kai, "In August 2016 signed as an artist under Huanyu Film & TV." So, the contract date is in Aug but before Aug 22.
I believe he signed toward the end of Aug because Zhaoge started filming Sep. 13,2016, so he had to be signed…
thanks for another clue. After modeling (Jul 22, 2016) and before Zhao Ge (Sep 13, 2016). It has to be Aug 2016. He would take some time off, travel so far away from home, so it has to be toward end of Aug.
If Xu Kai has everything prepared behind the scenes to create his studio, it will still take 1 to 3 mos. to get…
I found quite a few top artists under Huanyu did have their own personal studio set up while under contract, just not active, so many, I can't remember them all. Xu Kai does not because you're really not supposed to have one while you are under contract. To me, that shows Xu Kai is true to his professionalism. If Xu Kai is waiting to turn it on after Aug 2026, I have to think it takes a at least a few weeks for government, business, financial, and legal approvals. He can always join another agency in the interim to represent him, while he's setting it up if there is a project he really wants. He may not be in a hurry either.
Guys, whether Xu Kai extended his contract or not, we won't know until Aug-Oct (I believe is the period he signed…
I believe he signed toward the end of Aug because Zhaoge started filming Sep. 13,2016, so he had to be signed by Aug 2016. Aug 2026 is Xu Kai's tenth anniversary.
2 
1 
"And this is the drama I think both platforms that hold this — Tencent and iQIYI — are hoping will be the hottest romantic idol drama for the summer holiday period. They’re betting money on this one. If it’s good enough, beyond the mediocre level, this drama could very easily explode.
It’s summer now. Let’s get another one, because the last one this year I would consider that actually leaves an impression or created some kind of buzz — even though it was criticized — is Pursuit of Jade in the idol‑drama category, and everything else was kind of in the background. Let’s get another one; it’s time.
And also, just to see if it’s Zhang Linghe’s final lucky time, because last time Pursuit of Jade happened, arguably it wasn’t the best press he could get, and he did get unreasonably hated on China’s internet for things he really didn’t do. I think, “I’m just playing a role in the drama, right? And why is it all my fault that I’m a pretty boy in armor?”
Let’s hope this one can help him get out of that situation."
She fully owns her personal studio and operates independently. She personally hired her manager and team, who now work directly for her. This gives her final decision-making power — she is essentially her own boss. Any partnerships or alliances are ones she chooses.
Rumors:
Rumors suggest that Bai Lu brought in high-profile manager Zhao Xu (known for helping Tong Yao win the Magnolia Award), recruited elite corporate talent from Tencent (particularly in legal, tax, business affairs, and PR), and established a strategic alliance with Xinguang Pictures. If true, she reportedly laid much of this groundwork during her roughly 9-month break while still under contract with Huanyu. This would be quite impressive, as it is very rare for an artist to prepare this level of independence — building a full professional team, poaching high-caliber corporate talent, and forming major alliances — without causing conflict with their existing agency. The smooth and amicable nature of her departure from Huanyu suggests she had exceptionally strong relations with her former company.
Zhao Lusi:
She has her own studio, but she is signed to Beijing Yi'er Sansi (also known as YESS, a Tiger Whale / Alibaba-related company) under a proper agency contract. Her manager and core team are tied to the company. While she has significantly more creative and career input than a typical artist, she is not fully independent.
In short:
Zhao Lusi’s setup is closer to “new agency + her own studio,” whereas Bai Lu has achieved a higher level of true independence through her wholly-owned studio and self-built team.
Finally, let's talk about the fire and criminal investigation drama "Chasing the Culprit at the Fire Scene."
This 24-episode suspense drama stars Xu Kai and Liu Yitie, with a special appearance by Du Chun, and exclusively streamed on Youku.
Character Setting: "Ice and Fire Heroes": Xu Kai plays Yu Tong, a rational and unjust fire expert, burdened by the shadow of a family wrongful case. Cold as ice on the outside but fiery inside, his buzz cut and muscular physique completely overturn idol labels; Liu Yitie plays detective Lin Yao, a captain who is warm on the outside but cold within, using humor to cover up past mistakes, forming a stark contrast with Yu Tong's cold and tough nature; Du Chun's portrayal combines scholarly elegance with the gloom of a mastermind behind the scenes, and is expected to become a "hidden move" for plot twists.
The plot opens up a new track of suspense: Yu Tong's first case in office is marked by a bizarre spontaneous combustion in a lake, with clues pointing to the mystery of the family factory fire he has buried deep within. He reunites with his long-lost detective friend Lin Yao, and the two team up to head to various fire scenes, fully committed to investigating and capturing the culprit. Hardcore technologies such as fire scene simulation and DNA analysis intertwine with the struggles of human nature, creating a dual tension of "scientific rationality vs. emotional instinct."
Xu Kai's determined gaze as he rushes into the fire and his ash-stained face in battle damage have been praised as "a stunning transformation that tears apart the idol baggage"; Liu Yitie's youthful acting perfectly matches Lin Yao's "disguised optimism," requiring him to reveal guilt over old cases amid laughter and scolding; Du Chun's tough-guy image in "The Eight Hundred" and his political intrigue in "National Beauty" combine elegance and somber.
Each of the four dramas has its highlights: "Debut" is a hardcore crime investigation without filler, "Waiting for You" is a heart-pounding family suspense, "Above the City Wall" has a rich period feel, and "Fire Pursuit" is a fresh firefighting crime investigation. Which film will become this summer's blockbuster?
Source: 360 Entertainment 6/22/2026
that means Xu Kai’s contract with Huanyu Film was signed on or before August 22, 2016.
Another source, Baidu Baike states that Xu Kai, "In August 2016 signed as an artist under Huanyu Film & TV." So, the contract date is in Aug but before Aug 22.